Born at the old homestead in Skippack Twp...like his brothers, Jacob and Isaac, he was brought up a farmer. ...he inherited strong constitutional vigor from both parents, blending the fire of Swiss patriotism and spirit of freedom on his father’s side with the sturdy Dutch blood and indomitable will power of the Van Sinterns and De Vossens on his grandmother’s side.
At the age of thirty, he was ordained a Mennonite minister, and was soon after made the ruling Bishop of the district. Served in the ministry about 54 years. p2110