BIO: Francis H. Stricker, Cumberland County, PA

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Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
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http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER XXXIX. 

                        BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

435  BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

  FRANCIS H. STRICKER, founder and rector of St. Luke's Episcopal 
Church, Mechanicsburg, is a native of Germany, born in Rothenfelde, 
near Osnabruck, Province of Hanover, November 24, 1845; son of 
Frederick W. and Charlotta (Nollmann) Stricker, the former a merchant 
and manufacturer, of Rothenfelde; they were members of the Lutheran 
Church; they had four sons and four daughters.  Francis H., the second 
son and third child, was educated in Germany until he was eighteen 
years old, when he came to New York City, and, in June, 1864, entered 
the Classical Institution at Gambler, Ohio, for two years; thence went 
to the Divinity School in Philadelphia, until 1871, when he 

436  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

entered the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, in 
New York City, whence he graduated in 1873, and the same year was 
ordained by Bishop Horatio Potter, and went as a missionary to Hankow, 
China, where he remained two years, learning the language in six 
months, so that he could read the service, and subsequently learned the 
language sufficiently to preach to the people.  At the close of his 
labors at Hankow he traveled in China, visiting Shanghai and Hong Kong: 
from here, in February, 1876, he went to Saigon, Anam; thence to 
Singapore; thence to Ceylon; thence across the Indian Ocean to Aden, 
Arabia; thence up the Red Sea to Suez, and through the Suez Canal, to 
Port Said, where he remained a short time; then crossed the 
Mediterranean to Naples, where he also remained a short time; then went 
to Marseilles, France, traveling overland through France to Lyons and 
Belford where he visited the celebrated fortifications; thence to 
Strasburg, Germany; thence to Mainz; thence to Coblentz and Cologne; 
remained in Germany visiting Munster and Osnabruck.  (It was in these 
two cities the peace of Westphalia was negotiated.)  He traveled over 
Germany, France and Switzerland, visiting many of the important and 
historical cities.  In August, 1876, he came to the Centennial at 
Philadelphia, Penn., and in October, same year, was given charge of St. 
David's Mission Church, under Bishop Stevens, at that city, remaining 
there until July, 1878, when he came to Mechanicsburg, and founded his 
present church.  There was no church when Mr. Stricker came here and 
only eighteen members, but he went bravely to work, and with the 
assistance of these members, he has built up his present congregation, 
and in 1880 they erected their elegant stone church, corner of Keller 
and Market Streets.  The church has a fine organ, presented by Mrs. 
William Watts, of Mechanicsburg.  The edifice was opened in October, 
1880, and consecrated free of debt, in April, 1881.  It is not only out 
of debt but has a surplus in the treasury of several hundred dollars.  
Much credit is due Mr. Stricker for his untiring energy and successful 
labor.