Deitz, Archibald Edwin
Birth
Archibald Edwin Deitz was born on October 27, 1869, to Charles E. Deitz and Laura Jane Ludden.
Education and Occupation
Archibald was ordained in 1892 and was pastor of All Souls' English Lutheran Church in Jersey City from 1912 to 1920. He held faculty positions during his career at Hartwick Seminary, the Lutheran Seminary in New York City and the Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia.
As published in the Altamont Enterprise May 7, 1920
REV. A.E.DEITZ WILL GO TO HARTWICK SEMINARY: Native of Berne, Now Pastor of All Souls' English Lutheran Church of Jersey City, Accepts Professorship at Theological Institution.
The following article, which is reprinted from a Jersey City, N.J. paper of May 3, contains some interesting information regarding a native of Berne, Rev. A.E. Deitz, who is well known throughout this section of the state.
“The resignation of the Rev. Archibald E. Deitz, D.D., as the pastor of All Souls’ English Lutheran church was accepted at a meeting of the congregation yesterday. Dr. Deitz resigned in order to accept the professorship of systematic theology and the Greek testament at Hartwick Seminary, Otsego county, N. Y. The pastor’s resignation will take effect August 31. When Dr. Deitz leaves All Souls’ church, he will leave a congregation that is greatly appreciative of the almost eight years of notable work which have characterized his service. When the minister came to the pastorate seven years ago last December, he found a small band of people with their church property in a neglected condition and a debt of $3,000 encumbering them. The church his now free of debt, the property has been improved and the sum of $2,000 has been raised toward the building fund. The congregation has developed remarkably, 339 members having been taken into the church during Dr. Deitz’s period of service. Not only has the clergyman’s record locally been notable but he has been honored by his denomination conferring several office upon him. He served for three years as secretary of the Synod of New York of the English Lutheran church and was president for two years of the English Ministerial association known as the Concordia. Two years ago he was elected a trustee of Hartwick Seminary. In going to Hartwick Seminary, Dr. Deitz will enter as an instructor, the institution in which he received his theological education. Previous to coming to All Soul’s church, Dr. Deitz filled pastorates in California and Nebraska."
Dr. Deitz is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Deitz of Berne. He acted as supply pastor of St. John’s Lutheran church, Altamont, for several months in 1912, and has a large circle of friends here who will be pleased to learn of this recognition of his ability. Dr. Deitz will take up his work at Hartwick Seminary at the opening of the school year in September. (end of article)
In 1922, at the annual meeting of the Lutheran Synod of New York held at Hartwick Seminary, Dr. A. E. Deitz, pastor of the church and dean of the Theological Department, gave the greetings of the local congregation and Seminary.
The appointment of Rev. Dr. A. E. Deitz to the Hartwick Faculty was announced in September of 1931, as professor of systematic theology.
Marriage & Children
While Archibald was pastor at Rhinebeck Lutheran Church, he married Caroline "Carrie" Secor (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison N. Secor) on October 18, 1893. Archibald's brother Stanton L. Deitz was best man, and sister Bertha was a bridesmaid. Carrie died on December 18, 1907, in Riverside, Cal.
Children
- Harlan S. Deitz
- Vernon Isaac Deitz
Archibald married Marie B. Lederle on August 3, 1919, at All Soul’s Lutheran Church in Jersey City, N. J. The marriage ceremony was performed by Archibald’s brother, Rev. Raymond Charles Deitz, and the matron of honor was Mrs. Raymond Charles Deitz.
Death
Rev. Dr. Archibald E. Deitz died on November 14, 1965, at the Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, N. J., at the age of 96 years old.
Obituary
As published in the Altamont Enterprise December 3, 1965
Rev. Dr. Archibald E. Deitz died Nov. 14 at the Lutheran home in Jersey City, N.J. Just three weeks before his death he had celebrated his 96th birthday. He was the second eldest of seven children born to Charles E. and Laura Ludden Deitz of Berne. He was educated at Hartwick Seminary and entered the ministry in 1892, holding pastorates and professorships of theology from California to Jersey City over a period of 53 years. He retired in 1948 and returned to Jersey City to live. He is survived by a son, Harlan S. Deitz of Wood-Ridge, NJ., a sister, Mrs. John E. Hoick of Los Angeles, Calif. His wife and a son preceded him in death. Dr. Deitz was the author of several books on theology and Greek translations. He is listed in “Who’s Who In America.”
Additional Media
Sources
