John Presidential Aberly Papers & Diary Collection

Collection

Identifier: ULS-MS-001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the activities of Rev. John Aberly, former president of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, missionary to India, and former principal of Andhra Christian College in Guntur, India. Included are LTSG presidential papers and diaries kept while in India.

The records are arranged in 2 series. Series 1 contains Aberly’s presidential papers. Series 2 contains his diaries kept while a missionary in India.

Dates

Existence: 1867-09-18 - 1963-12-21

Creator

Aberly, J. (John), 1867-1963 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

The Rev. John Aberly was former president and professor at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (1926-1940); missionary to India (1889-1923); founding principal of Andhra Christian College in Guntur, India (1894-1923); co-organizer of the Andhra Christian Council; and professor at Lutheran Seminary, Maywood (currently Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago) (1923-1926). He authored many books, articles, and translations including the notable Telugu Bible Dictionary published in 1923. He was also the editor of Gospel Witness and Kraistava Bodhini.

Rev. Aberly was born in Albrightsville (Carbon County), PA on September 18, 1867 to John and Catherine (Oberkercher). He received an A.B. from Gettysburg College, 1888; attended Gettysburg Seminary, 1888-1889; received a D.D. from Gettysburg College, 1905; L.L.D., Gettysburg College, 1928; and was ordained in Guntur, India in 1891 by authority of the Western Pennsylvania Synod in 1891. He served as pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church until 1905; President of Guntur Conference for eight years; and member of India National Missionary Council.

Rev. Aberly married Alice Strauss in 1889 and had two children, Amy (Mrs. Roy M. Dunkelberger), Frederick H. He lived a deep spiritual life and passed away on December 21, 1963.

Extent

6.88 Linear Feet (9 boxes and 1 bound manuscript)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Processing Information

It is not known when this collection was donated, as there is no paperwork. It was originally processed in 1994-1995 during a manuscripts re-housing project initiated by the help of a small grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission led by Project Manager Barbara D. Miles, Region 8 Archivist. The original processor is unknown, and a finding aid was never created.

A finding aid was created in February 2019 by Sheila Joy, Archivist and Hillary Christensen, student worker in February 2019. Although two series were created by the archivist, the original arrangement was retained.