OBIT: J. Calvin DEATRICH, 1896, Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA

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Prof. J. Calvin Deatrich died in the Hospital of The Children's Aid Society of 
Franklin county Saturday night at 10 o'clock.  He had come to Chambersburg 
Wednesday from his home in St. Thomas and Thursday an operation for hernia was 
performed upon him.  The operation was very successful and he apparently was 
recovering rapidly when peritonitis set in Friday night and he sank rapidly.  
Mr. Deatrich was born in St. Thomas township about 50 years ago and resided 
there all his life.  He early manifested a studious disposition and attended the 
Shippensburg normal school and Mercersburg college.  For thirty years he taught 
the public schools in St. Thomas township and for many summers was principal of 
the famous St. Thomas school for the preparation of teachers.  He prepared more 
teachers to teach school than any other pedagogue in this county, it is said.  
He was a close student, a wide reader and an intelligent observer of current 
events.  He was recently honored with the degree of A. M. by Mercersburg 
college.  He was a member of the Reformed church of St. Thomas and was for many 
years an elder of the congregation.  He was superintendent of the Sabbath school 
and unless ill never missed a session nor failed to attend the week prayer 
meetings.  He was a past chief of St. Thomas castle, K. G. E., and prominent in 
its councils.  In every undertaking for the benefit of St. Thomas he was in the 
forefront and his advice and energy were always certain to produce successful 
results.  His sudden death will be learned of with regret by an extensive circle 
of friends and will be sincerely and widely mourned – by his hundreds of pupils 
who appreciated his intellectual ability and loved him for his many kindnesses 
to them; by his fellow-churchmen for his devotion to his church and his 
blameless life; by the Knights of Golden Eagle for the inspiration he was to 
them, especially at the time of the organization of their castle; by his fellow-
citizens for his probity, his helpfulness, his model life.  These brothers and 
sisters survive Mr. Deatrich:  Rev. Humphrey Deatrich, Newport, Perry county; 
Chas. M. Deatrich, of the merchandise firm of Gelwix & Deatrich, St. Thomas; 
Mrs. Charlotte Cromer, Mrs. Sarah Ann Zumbro and Miss Susan Deatrich, all of St. 
Thomas.  James Deatrich, Rocky Springs, Blair county, was a half-brother.  Mr. 
Deatrich was never married.  He made his home with his sister Susan.  He was an 
uncle of County Superintendent Zumbro.  Undertaker Sellers removed the body to 
St. Thomas Sunday evening   - - - remainder cut off - - -


People's Register, Chambersburg, PA, August 14, 1896