He taught to obtain means to enter college, and studied at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, but was unable to finish either a classical or theological course.
In 1863, he was appointed by his synod professor of theology at the Mercersburg Seminary.
He occupied this chair until his death, which was occasioned by undue mental exertion.
[2] He published some poems in Pennsylvania Dutch, and also wrote: He compiled numerous church almanacs, edited The Child's Treasury, and contributed a great number of sketches to the German Reformed Church "Cyclopaedia.
[2][1] Later he was editor of the Mercersburg Review and was on the staff of the Reformed Church Messenger.