The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-04-03
Scraps Of History
ERNEST HENRY DAVID MULLER.

teenth centuries have always been
characterized in special manner for
their thrift and industry and integ-
rity, there were among them like
wise those who were broadmlDd-
ed, public spirited philanthrophists
whose efforts and Influence and do
nations contributed largely to the
common veal. Standing out promi
nently as file leader OF that splen-
did band found among these earlier
settlers, who by their lives and la
bors and henefactions gave that I'M
petus to the causes OF religion and
education which has gone on widen
Jag and growing stronger till nov,
and which will continue to redown
to the good of mankind to the end
of time and throughout the eternal
years, appears the manly form of the
subject of this sketch which we now
write.
Ernest Henry David Muller was
born on the banks of the Eibe in the
Kingdom of Saxony, November tie
Doth, 1774.
: Left an orphan at the early age OF
FIVE years-he was educated in B,e
men, and there received his training
for his life work as a merchant. Ac-
companied by brother he landed at
the city of Charleston December the
10th, 1905: and meeting there with
friends who were able and willing to
render him material aid, with their
assistance and under their counsel,
he opened a store of general mer-
chandise at CRANKY, and by honest
industry, close attention, and fine
business tact rapidly accumulated
property, and soon acquired hand
some fortune. This was constantly
increased by iudicious investments
and he was soon in a condition to
crafty the desires of benevolent
nature and to aid in uplifting and en-
nobliDg his fellow men. His mer-
camille interests were enlarged by es-
tablishing business house on Sandy
Run at the place long known as the
"Red Store"
The venerable William Assmann,
who came over later, and who was
relative, subsequently came into the
possession of the store house, and
the place still belongs to his descen-
dants. It is interesting to recall
that the original survey of the old
S. C R. r. passed by the Red Store
and MIR. Muller was hopeful of es
tablishing and developing progress
i've business town at that place. The
wealthy planters of the Wateree
succeeded in having the route changed
and the scheme failed.
It was part of the plan to have
the Lutheran Theological Seminary
located at the place and this brought
Lexington and Sandy Run into
friendly rivalry.
The settlement Of the question de-
pended on the inducements which
were to be held out by the respective
places-Lexington offered the larger
amount by Sl2OO-snd the Seminary
was established there. Mr.. Muller
submitted gracefully and without
complaining and gave the enterprise
his hearty and enthusiastic support.
He and the venerable Godfrey
Dreher were among the first appoint
ed to solicit contributions for the
purpose, and, to their efforts was
largely due the success Of the un-
dertakiDg.
Mr.. Muller's donations were large
and repeated; and at meeting Of
the Synod at Sandy Run in lS4S,
when it was desired to enlarge the
institution by creating an additional
professorship, he generously offered
to give half the necessary amount of
money if the Synod would give the
remaining half. This generous offer
enthused the membership and before
adjournment the $4,000 required was
in the treasury. He subsequently,
gave $1,000 for a residence for the
new Professor and contributed largely
and frequently TO the library Of the
school.
His excellent business qualifications
and recognized financial ability placed
him constantly in demand for coun-
sci, and for the management of
estates and public enterprises as well.
He was the Treasurer and financial
manager CT the Seminary from its
establishment in 1888 until he had
passed to his reward.
The Ebenezer Lutheran church, a
fine brick building on an extensive
Ia - &bo oiFv IF G,luuohia uos on