David F. Bittle
David F. Bittle [1]
a Lutheran minister, was born near Myersville, Frederick County, Md., in November, 1811, and was a brother of the above. His early years were spent in work upon his father's farm. Under the ministry of Rev. Abraham Reck, of Middletown Valley, he was converted, and immediately set about preparing himself for the ministry. At eighteen years of age he entered Gettysburg Gymnasium, afterwards Pennsylvania College, and graduated in 1835. In October of the same year he entered the Theological Seminary. Two years after he accepted a call from St. John's Lutheran Church, in Augusta County, Va., where he was very successful, especially in the Mount Tabor Church, which was organized by him. He also organized the congregation at Churchville. Soon after settling in Augusta County, he conceived the project of establishing an academy there, which he subsequently carried into effect.
On Aug. 12, 1845, he accepted a call to Middletown, Md., and frequently preached in the neighborhood as well, in German and English. At the end of six and a half years he removed to Hagerstown, where he resided about eighteen months, devoting his time to the collection of funds for home missions in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and to the establishment of the Hagerstown Female Seminary, of which institution he is justly regarded as the founder. He is also entitled to be considered as one of the founders of the General Synod's Publication Society, in Philadelphia. In September, 1853, he removed to Salem, Va., to assume the presidency of Roanoke College, the establishment of which had been a prominent part of his life-work. In 1842, when this institution was anl Academy in Augusta County, he had served it in connection with his pastorate as teacher of mathematics. Mr. Bittle was not only president, but also professor of moral and mental science. Under his administration a debt of $8000 was liquidated and additional funds secured for other buildings. Roanoke was the only college in Virginia that did not suspend during the war, but suffered severely on account of military. requisitions upon the students. At this time he supplied various churches in the vicinity. Financial embarrassments followed, incident to the war, but with the assistance of Rev. Daniel H. Bittle, D.D., his brother, large sums were raised and all debts paid. He died in Salem, Sept. 25, 1876. Several of his discourses. have been published. His reputation as an educator was conspicuous. See Quarterly Rev. of the Evang. Luth. Church, 7:541.
