BIO:  Rev. Theodore Emmanuel SCHMAUK, D.D., Lebanon County, PA

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Biographical Annals of Lebanon County Pennsylvania.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1904
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Page 25 – 28

REV. THEODORE EMMANUEL SCHMAUK, D. D., pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, a large 
and leading religious organization in Lebanon county, Pa., a man of scholarly 
attainments, the editor of various religious publications of his denomination, 
and an author whose works have shown research and genius, was born in the 
Evangelical Lutheran parsonage, in Lancaster, Pa., in the year 1860.  His 
surname is an honored inheritance from his father, the late Rev. Benjamin 
William Schmauk, who for almost thirty years was pastor of Salem Church, 
Lebanon.

In recalling some of the leading events of the life of the late Rev. B. W. 
Schmauk, we refer to a biography prepared by Rev. Dr. F. J. F. Schantz, in 
loving memory of this divine, and read upon its title page the statement:

"Rev. Benjamin William Schmauk, born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 26, 1828; 
died in Lebanon, Pa., April 4, 1898, aged sixty-nine years, five months and 
eight days."  His parents were Benjamin F. and Theresa (Schultz) Schmauk, and 
his connection with the church began at his baptism and was cemented by his 
confirmation in 1843.  Of natural ability, he had reached the Philadelphia High 
School early in life, and had the advantage of being instructed by such 
educators as Dr. Pile, Alexander Dallas Bache, later superintendent of the 
American Coast Survey, and the Hon. John S. Hart.  Upon the completion of a two-
year course in the high school, Mr. Schmauk learned the silver-plating business 
and followed this trade for five years.  As early as the age of twenty-one the 
young man displayed unusual seriousness of mind and conduct, and when 
opportunity offered, became a student under Rev. W. J. Mann, D. D., in 
Philadelphia, pursuing under him a course in German, Latin and other higher 
branches, and under the tutor's direction reading works on History, Theology and 
Aesthetics, also taking instruction at Crawford's Academy.  Then one term was 
passed in the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, and after his return he continued 
his theological studies under Dr. Mann and Rev. Dr. Demme.

At the meeting of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, held in Trinity 
Church, at Reading, Pa., April 3 and 7, 1853, Mr. Schmauk was licensed to preach 
the Gospel.  In July, 1853, he became pastor of Zion Church, Lancaster, Pa., and 
faithfully labored in this, his first charge, until July, 1864, becoming known 
for his ability in the pulpit as well as for his devotion in pastoral work, and 
for his loyalty to the cause of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war.  In 
May, 1864, Pastor Schmauk was sent as a delegate from the Synod of Pennsylvania 
to the General Synod at York, Pa., and took part in the proceedings of that 
historic convention, which finally resulted in the organization of the General 
Council of the Lutheran Church in North America, and in the establishment of a 
Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

Having received an urgent call from Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 
Lebanon, he here entered upon his work July 1, 1864, and for the twelve 
succeeding years not only added to the membership of this church, but labored 
abundantly throughout the Lebanon Valley.  He was noted for his careful pulpit 
preparation, his earnest sermon delivery, his faithful pastoral care, his 
sympathy in sickness and distress, and his deep interest in the spiritual 
welfare of his flock.  On Christmas Day, 1866, he gathered together the 
scattered Lutherans in Annville and succeeded in organizing the St. Paul's 
congregation there, and built, in February, 1869, a permanent house of worship.  
Other congregations were cared for by this untiring pastor, Cornwall profiting 
by his ministry for many years, and other villages looking to him for spiritual 
guidance.  When Jonestown lost its regular pastor, Pastor Schmauk ministered 
here, and during an interim at Myerstown, of a year's duration, he looked after 
the congregation of the faithful of that place.

Pastor Schmauk was deeply interested in the affairs of the Conference to which 
he belonged, and in critical ecclesiastical periods he was never afraid to do 
just what he though was right.  He served as German secretary of the Synod of 
Pennsylvania in 1868-69, but later declined re-election.  He was ever ready with 
word, pen and purse to advance the interests of the Synod.  Very dear to his 
heart were the founding of the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and the 
opening of Muhlenberg College at Allentown, and to both enterprises he was a 
liberal contributor.  During his pastorate at Lebanon he was a delegate to the 
second meeting of the General Council, held at Pittsburg, Pa., in 1868, having 
also been present at the preliminary meeting held at Reading in December, 1866, 
when grave matters of import to the church were discussed and settled.  During 
the year 1878-79 Pastor Schmauk was elected temporary professor of German in 
Muhlenberg College, discharging the duties of the position in connection with 
his duties as pastor of St. Michael's congregation at Allentown, Pa., whither he 
had gone in 1876.  At this time Muhlenberg College conferred upon him the 
honorary degree of A. M.  In 1876 he became a member of the board of trustees of 
the college, but resigned before the expiration of his term of office.  He was 
re-elected in 1882, and again in 1889, holding the position through the balance 
of his life.  During the pastorate at Allentown he was made president of the 
Second, or Lehigh Valley, Conference, and continued in office until his return 
to the territory of Lebanon county.  In 1883 Salem Church, Lebanon, again sought 
a pastor, and it was at this time that the congregation remembered the faithful 
services and devotion of Pastor Schmauk, and not only extended a call to him to 
return, but also one to his son, Rev. Theodore E. Schmauk, who was ordained at a 
meeting of the Synod in 1883, to become the junior pastor.  These calls were 
accepted, and amid much rejoicing the father and son preached sermons in Salem 
Church on the first Sunday in July, 1883, and at the same time became the 
pastors of St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Annville.  Active once more in his old 
charge, the beloved pastor of this flock was spared for nearly fifteen more 
years of usefulness.  The last great work in which he was especially interested 
was the erection of a new Chapel, and an extraordinary sermon which he preached 
in the last winter of his life, to inspire his people and prove to them the 
wisdom of the new enterprise, is still recalled.  Its influence was not lost, 
for the Chapel of his hopes has been erected by a loving people as a memorial to 
his life and labors.

During his second pastorate at Lebanon Rev. Schmauk rendered important services 
to many other congregations, was deeply interested in the work of the Fourth, 
later the Lancaster, Conference, and from 1889 was for years its president.  
During these last years he represented the Synod of Pennsylvania in the meetings 
of the General Council held in New York, Pittsburg and Buffalo, and took an 
absorbing interest in both home and foreign mission work.  His interest in the 
prosperity of the Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Muhlenberg College and the 
Orphans' Home at Germantown was shown by deed as well as by word.  Muhlenberg 
College honored him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, but he declined to 
accept.

On June 25, 1857, Rev. Schmauk married Catherine Wilhelmina, daughter of John 
and Fredericka (Knecht) Hingel, of Philadelphia.  In the city of Lebanon now 
stands a building of most beautiful architecture, called the Salem Memorial 
Chapel, erected in memory of Rev. B. W. Schmauk, and of all the sainted dead of 
Old Salem.

Such was the father under whom the present pastor of Salem Lutheran Church was 
permitted to grow to manhood in the closest bonds of filial affection and 
religious fellowship.

Following a thorough preparatory education, Dr. T. E. Schmauk entered the 
University of Pennsylvania, and there took a classical course, graduating in the 
class of 1880, with the honors, later graduating from the Lutheran Theological 
Seminary of Philadelphia, in the class of 1883.  In 1897 the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity was conferred on him.  As noted above, in association with his father, 
he became pastor of Salem Church, and at the death of the latter assumed full 
charge, and has become a power in his denomination and a factor for good in the 
religious world.  He wields a facile pen; is editor of the leading theological 
journal of the Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church Review of 
Philadelphia, and author of the Graded Sunday School System of the Lutheran 
Church, which is the first complete practical application, in religious 
instruction, of the principle of pedagogical graduation, long universal in 
secular education.  Dr. Schmauk is the editor of the Lutheran Sunday School 
Lessons and of the many publications of the General Council Graded series; and 
since 1889 has been the literary editor of The Lutheran.  He is also an author 
of no small standing in the religious world, his books best known, perhaps, 
being:  "The Negative Criticism of the Old Testament," "Catechetical Outlines of 
the Old Testament," "The Voice in Speech and Song," "Charms of Conversation," 
"History of Old Salem and Lebanon" and "History of the Lutheran Church in 
Pennsylvania."

Few students of Pennsylvania history are more thoroughly at home as to old 
records and authentic annals, and he holds a life membership in the Historical 
Society of the State, and was one of the organizers of the Lebanon County 
Historical Society, being a member of the executive committee.  His interest has 
been particularly centered in early German annals, and he is one of the founders 
and an ex-president of the Pennsylvania German Society of the State.  He has 
been chairman of the executive committee of this society for many years.  He is 
one of the founders and ex-chancellor of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua.  In all 
church movements he is deeply interested.  He is a member of the board of 
trustees of Muhlenberg College; member of the Church Book committee of the 
General Council; member of the Convocation of Church Musicians of the Lutheran 
Church; chairman of the Sunday School Work committee of the General Council; and 
member of the Committee on Education in the Lutheran Church, and of several 
joint committees of the several bodies of the Lutheran Church.  While not 
personally known to all congregations of his denomination scattered over the 
United States and Canada, there are very few who do not know him through his 
writings, which penetrate into almost every home.