Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Tressler, Rev. David Loy February 15, 1839 - February 20, 1880
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Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 13, 2009, 5:52 pm

Source: Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois
Author: Unknown

REV. DAVID LOY TRESSLER was born 
in Loysville, Pa., February 15, 1839, and 
was a son of Col. John Tressler, whose death 
occurred in 1859. The father was a man of much 
more than ordinary ability, and was a prominent 
citizen of the Keystone State. He was a warm 
friend to education, and with his own means 
erected a school in Loysville, of which he was at 
the head for several years. On his death his son 
succeeded to his position. This academy was 
later transformed into a Soldiers' Orphans' Home, 
and stands to-day as the permanent Orphans' 
Home of the Lutheran Church of Pennsylvania. 
Others in the familv evinced a talent for educa- 
tional work, and a brother of our subject, who 
died at the age of twenty-four, occupied the Chair 
of Mathematics in the Capital University in Col- 
umbus, Ohio. 

The Rev. D. L. Tressler whose name heads 
this sketch was educated in the public schools and 
in Loysville Academy, of which he afterwards be- 
came principal. In 1857 he entered the sopho- 
more class of the Pennsylvania College, and was 
graduated with honor in 1860. The same year 
he became principal of the academy which his fa- 
ther founded, but in 1862 resigned that position, 
and largely among his students raised a company 
of volunteers for service in the Civil War. He 
was chosen Captain, and led his command in the 
battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Fred- 
ericksburg. In the last-named he was twice 
wounded, but after recovering he resumed his com- 
mand and took part in the famous battle of Chan- 
cellorsville. He was tendered a Colonel's com- 
mission, but declined this and returned home. 

Capt. Tressler then took up the study of law, 
and in 1864 was admitted to the Bar. For five 
years he continued practice, and was considered a 
rising young lawyer, for his talents were such as 
to make him well adapted for that profession ; but 
he had other aspirations, and as he expressed it, 
"If I wish to be rich in this world's goods, I will 
remain in the legal profession; if rich in the next 
world, I will enter the ministry." Accordingly, 
in 1870, having removed to Mendota, Ill., he en- 
tered the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and 
was immediately called to Lena, where he labored 
most assiduously and successfully until coming to 
Carthage in 1872, having been elected a professor 
in Carthage College. After one year's work in 
the classroom he was called to the head of the in- 
stitution, entering upon the duties of President in 
1873. He also had charge of the financial affairs 
of the college and was pastor of the Trinity Luth- 
eran Church. It was largely through his instru- 
mentality that the substantial house of worship 
was erected. 

In 1865, Dr. Tressler wedded Ada J. Mclntyre, 
of Pennsylvania, who survives him and still makes 
her home in Carthage, highly respected by all 
who know her as a lady of refinement, possessed 
of many excellencies of character. She was a 
faithful helpmate to her husband, and by her gen- 
tle, womanly influence aided him greatly in his 
work as an educator and minister. 

Dr. Tressler was admirably fitted for the im- 
portant position which he held. He was a man 
of indomitable energy, quick intellect and fine 
business tact, possessed a kind, generous and sym- 
pathetic nature, was of a cheerful disposition, and 
always looked upon the bright side of things. He 
had a happy faculty of making every one feel at 
ease in his presence, and with untiring zeal and 
energy he labored for the success of the college 
and for the advancement of the cause of Christ. 
He was a fluent and graceful writer, possessed 
many of the qualities of a fine orator, and in man- 
ner was easy and free and void of all ostentation 
and display. His career was devoted to all that 
was noble and best in life and to the elevation of 
humanity. His death, which occurred February 
20, 1880, in his forty-second year, was deeply 
mourned, not only in this community, but 
throughout the circles of the Lutheran Church. 

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