Joel L. Reber, a minister of the German Reformed Church, was born in Berks County, Pa., Nov. 8, 1816. He spent his youth on a farm, and afterwards learned the printing business. He pursued his studies in the college and seminary at Mercersburg, Pa., from 1837 to 1842, and was ordained in May, 1843. He was pastor successively in Brush Valley, Centre County, Pa.; Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pa.; Millersville, Lancaster County, Pa.; Codorus, York County, Pa. He died Aug. 15, 1856. In 1850 Mr. Reber published a small work in German entitled An Earnest Word on the Sect-Spirit and Sect-Work, which passed through two editions. He also wrote much for the periodicals of the day in German and English, in both of which languages he was able to write with equal vigor and correctness. He was possessed of a strong, original mind, was an earnest and powerful preacher, and manifested a laborious, self-sacrificing spirit.
McClintock, John and Strong, James. Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. New York: Harper & Brothers, PU, 1889, p. 946.
Contributed by: Nancy.