Biography of Rev. Daniel DuBois Sahler
SAHLER., Daniel duBois, clergyman, was born at Kingston, N. Y., July 7, 1829, son of Abraham duBois and Eliza (Hasbrouck) Sahler, grandson of Daniel and Elizabeth Van Wagenen Sahler, and great grandson of Abraham Sahler, a member of an ancient noble family of the Rhenish Palatinate, who came to this country about the middle of the eighteenth century, settling on the banks of the Perkiomen river, about twenty-five miles from Philadelphia, Pa., where he became a large land owner; his wife was Elizabeth duBois. He is also a direct descendant of Louis duBois, patentee of the New Paltz patent, justice and overseer, who came to this country from Wicres, near Lille, in French Flanders, in 1661, and settled at Kingston, N.Y.; he fought against the Indians in the second Esopus war. Daniel duBois Sahler received his early education at Kingston Academy, was graduated at Princeton College in 1853, and at the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1856, being ordained to the Presbyterian ministry in 1858. That same year he was called to the Presbyterian church at Red Bank, N.J., where he remained until 1863 when he became pastor of the Congregational church of Sheffield, Mass. In 1870 he was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Carmel, N.Y., where he continued in active duty until 1882. Mr. Sahler was prominently identified with all movements that would aid in the moral and intellectual development of the various communities in which he resided. His preaching was characterized by lucid reasoning and spirituality. He was a man of broad culture and was particularly interested in philology and classical art. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He was married at Orange, N. J., June 22nd 1865, to Adeliza Frances, daughter of Benjamin W. Merriam, a merchant of New York city, and had three children: Emma Frances, wife of Arthur Hazard Dakin; Florence Louise, wife of Alfred B. Merriam; and Helen Gertrude Sahler, a noted sculptor. Mr. Sahler died in New York city, Nov. 11, 1882.
The Reverend Daniel du Bois Sahler was born July 7th, 1829, at Kingston, attended the Academy there, prepared for college at Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey, and graduated from Princeton College and Theological Seminary. His first charge was over the Presbyterian Church at Red Bank, New Jersey, where he was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Monmouth. In this place he remained seven years, his labors being much blessed and his church membership increased. From Red Bank he was called to the Congregational Church at Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and from there to the Gilead Presbyterian Church of Carmel, Putnam County, New York, where he ministered until his death, November 11th, 1882, his untimely departure being mourned by a large circle of devoted friends and parishioners. He was a man of broad culture, and always kept himself abreast with the wants of the times. Fitted by education and taste for the most varied associations, he gave himself wholly to his church and its neighborhood. His powers of adaptation made him successful with all. In the intellectual development of the young he was enthusiastic and untiring. He was an evangelist in the remote parts of Putnam County, and the helper of the friends of purity and temperance. He was a truly consecrated minister of Jesus Christ.
Daniel Du Bois Sahler, son of Abram Du Bois and Eliza (Hasbrouck) Sahler, was born at Kingston, Ulster Co., N. Y., July 7, 1829. He was received to the communion of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingston, on profession of his faith, when about thirteen years old; was prepared for college at the Kingston Academy and Woodbridge Hall; was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1853; entered Princeton Seminary the same year, and having completed the full course, was regularly graduated in 1856; was licensed by the Presbytery of New York, April 11, 1855; was stated supply at Dunleith, I11., from Nov., 1856 to May, 1857; was ordained and installed pastor of the church at Redbank, N. J., by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, July 28, 1858, and was released July 23, 1863; was installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Sheffield, Mass., May 17, 1864, and released Dec. 8, 1869; was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Carmel, N. Y., May 2, 1871, where he labored with great acceptance and usefulness until his death--a period of eleven and a half years. In June, 1882, he had a severe attack of pleuro-pneumonia and typhomalarial fever, which developed heart disease. His life was despaired of for weeks, but he rallied and gained sufficiently to go to New York City the first of October. He improved for a few weeks after going to the city, but was seized with his final attack of palpitation on Sunday, Nov. 5th.
His physical sufferings were very great, but his mind was at peace. He often expressed the conviction that his end was near, and talked of his readiness to go--of the joys of heaven--the great glory that awaited him there--mingled with prayers for the forgiveness of sin. In the midst of great agony he said, "My peace is wonderful, wonderful beyond expression." His last words were, "Rest--rest." So He giveth His beloved rest. He died of valvular disease of the heart, in New York City, Nov. 11, 1882, in his fifty-fourth year.
Mr. Sahler was a man of fine culture, earnest in his work as a minister of Christ, and attractive to all who came under his influence. It is among the mysteries of divine providence that one so fitted for his work, and seemingly so much needed, should be called from the church's service. But the Master "doeth all things well," and while He takes His servants to their reward, His gracious work in the world goes on.
Mr. Sahler married, in New York, June 22, 1865, Miss Adeliza Frances Merriam, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler Merriam, of New York City. She with three daughters survived him.