Joseph Oerter (1764-1841)
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Joseph Oerter, a widowed Brother. He was born here in Bethlehem on the 25th of July, 1764. His parents were Christian Frederich and Anna Oerter, born Boolen. He first learned the saddler’s trade and then later bookbinding. He established himself in the latter business and entered into the state of marriage with the Single Sister Maria Justine Hasse on the 16th of July, 1793. In this marriage God granted them 4 children, of which three, namely 2 sons and 1 daughter, are still alive, viz., 1. the Married Brother John Oerter, bookbinder here; 2.the Married Brother Lorenz Oerter, a missionary in the West Indies; 3. the Widowed Sister Lydia Rice, born Oerter. Of 11 grandchildren, 7 are still living. On June 21, 1818 he became a widower. For the last 30 years he has suffered from rheumatic troubles, often very painful, but in the mean time he has enjoyed good health. On the 17th of this month he was stricken with a high fever, bore his suffering with christian patience and resignation to the will of the Lord, and fell asleep [died] quite peacefully with the blessing of the Savior and of the congregation on Saturday the 24th at 3 o’clock P.M. at the age of 76 years and 9 months, less 1 day.
Transcription and translation by Otto Dreydoppel, Jr.
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