Julius Luther Quintilian STIREWALT

Biography Excerpts from 1882 History of Montgomery County Ohio Germantown,Evangelical Lutheran Church: After the death of Pastor Andrew Henkel "sonn a division was made,resulting in the formation of two pastorates, the Farmersville andSlifer congregations forming one, and the Germantown the other, thelatter retaining, the Rev. J.L. Stirewalt as their pastor. He was thesecond son of the Rev. John and Hannah Stirewalt, and was born inWaynesboro, Augusta County Virginia April 12, 1832. His mother was asister of the Rev. Andrew Henkel; and he therefore came of a long lineof Lutheran ministers on his mother's side. His father died when'Julius' was quite young, leaving three sons to the care of thewidowed mother, with a dying wish expressed to her that they should beconsecrated to the work of the Gospel ministry. Their educationalfacilities being limited, their good mother became their teacher, andshe lived to see all inducted into the sacred calling of their father;yea, more; she lived to see them all laid in the peaceful grave, and,soon after, was laid beside her son, Julius L., and her brother,Andrew, in the Germantown, Cemetery, this event occurring in May,1874. In the years 1845-47, Julius L. was employed as a dry goodsclerk in Winchester, Virginia, and from 1848-52 in the college andseminary of the Joint Synod, but, his health failing, he left Columbusin 1853 and returned to New Market, Virginia where he completed histheological studies under the direction of his uncles, Rev. AmbroseHenkel and Jacob Stirewalt. In 1854, he was ordained a Deacon by theTennessee Synod, and became an assistant to his uncle. On the 10th ofSeptember, 1854, he was married to Vandalena, daughter of Rev. AndrewHenkel, of Germantown, Ohio, and soon after was elected Principal ofthe New Market Female Seminary for one year, his wife assisting him inteaching. this, together with his duties in the ministerial field,proved to o laborious for his feeble constitution, and he accordinglyresigned his principalship. In 1855, he accepted a call from WayneCounty, Indiana, where he entered upon a sphere of labor morecongenial to his tastes, and better adapted to the exercise of hisgifts. In 1856 , he was fully ordained to the ministry, and in 1858succeeded his brother Paul in the Lima Charge, the latter having beenrenived by death. After a year's labor at this point, failing healthcompelled him to resign, and he then accepted an agency in theSouthern States for the Lutheran Standard, during which time he was aregular contributor to its colums. This change not proving beneficialto his health, he resigned the agnecy and retired to his mother's farmin Virginia. Soon afteward, the rebellion broke out and, living amidstthe scenes of constant conflict between the armies,suffered greatannoyance and loss, yet he was always a friend to the Union, butlabored to alleviate distress among the suffering and wounded of botharmies. In August 1865, the English district of the Joint Synod ofOhio held its sessions in Germantown, Ohio, The Rev. Stirewalt beingpresent as a visitor, the Germantown congregation exteded to him acall as associate pastor to the Rev. Andrew Henkel, and in November ofthat year he moved to Germantown to divide with Mr. Henkel the laborsof this charge. His ministry was very successful, and the churchflouirished and grew strong under his fostering care. In 1867, the oldchurch, which had been built in 1830, was remodeled and enlarged, theexection and direction of which undertaking devolved upon Mr.Stirewalt. In 1869, the Gerneral Council appointed him as its homemissionary, to travel and labor chiefly in the State of Indiana,and tothis work he deoted one-half of his time, giving the other half to hischarge in Germantown and vicinity. This appointment he filled serveralyears with commendable industry and success. For years, Mr. Stirewalthad suffered from disease, yet amidst constant ill health, he neverlost his patience of cheerfulness, and when at last the end came, hisdeath was a grand triumph for the principles which he had alwaysadvocated and practiced. He died June 16, 1872, in his fortieth year,beloved and regretted by all, admonishing with his last breath thosewho stood around him to be faithful, to revere and obey the Word ofGod. His remains were borne to the grave, attended by a vast concourseof people, who assembled in sadness to pay him the last respect ofearth. The congregation called the Rev. J. P. Hentz to Germantown, andin this year he paid them a visit finally taking charge as pastorApril, 1872.

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