Otto Emanuel Melchior Sohn (1894-1969) Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of various writings by Sohn, including a collection of his “What’s the Answer?” column, and several textbooks from his student days. It also includes files of articles and manuscripts on theological issues that he saved, conference essays, sermons and confirmation materials that he prepared and files relating to his teaching in the Department of Pastoral Theology at Concordia Seminary. It also includes files reflecting his service on the editorial staff of The Lutheran Witness and Reporter.
Several books were included in the original donations from Sohn to the Institute. These have been incorporated into the CHI Library collection as needed or disposed of as surplus to the collection. One item with significant notes has been retained in the Sohn collection (folder 1).
Folder List
- 1. Bente, F. Was steht der Vereinigung der lutherischen Synoden Amerikas im Wege? (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1917) [Signature: Otto Sohn, 4/14/17. Heavily annotated.]
- 2. Biology
- 3. Catechetical Examination
- 4. Conference Essays
- 5. Conference of Lutheran Witness Edition Editors and Business Managers and Editors of Regional Lutheran Newspapers, 15–16 February 1965
- 6. Correspondence
- 7. Department of Practical Theology
- 8. Lutheran Witness Board Subcommittee and Witness Staff, 1965
- 9. Lutheran Witness Editorial Staff, 1952–1953
- 10. Lutheran Witness/Reporter
- 11. Marriage
- 12. Miscellaneous German Articles and Manuscripts
- 13. Miscellaneous Notes
- 14. Reports on Synod Conventions
- 15. Rural Church
- 16. Sermons
- 17. Speaking Engagements
- 18. Style Notes (Editorial)
- 19. “What’s the Answer?” The Lutheran Witness, 1957–1963
Dates
- Creation: 1965
Biographical / Historical
Otto Emanuel Melchior Sohn was born in Detroit, Michigan, on 10 October 1894 to Teacher George Berkhardt Sohn and Anna nee Hubinger. He received his early education in Lutheran schools and attended Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1908–1913, and Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri, 1913–1917. He served a vicarage at Waltz, Michigan, in 1914 and 1915. He was ordained at Salem Lutheran Church, Sherman Township, Michigan, on 26 August 1917 and married Johanna Reiber on 12 September 1918.
Sohn’s ministry included the parishes of Salem Lutheran Church, Sherman Township, Michigan, 1917–1919; Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Niles, and Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Buchanan, Michigan, 1919–1930; and Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Flint, Michigan, 1930–1947. In 1947 he received a call to serve as professor at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, as position he held until his retirement in 1966.
Sohn also served on the Church Extension Board of the Michigan District, 1945–1947; the Armed Forces Commission of the Missouri Synod, 1941–1966; the staff of The Lutheran Witness, 1954–1969; and the editorial board of Der Lutheraner, 1954–1969. He was the author of What’s the Answer? (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1960), a compilation of selected columns of the same name that appeared regularly in The Lutheran Witness. He received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, in 1961.
Sohn died in Saint Louis on 15 April 1969.
Extent
0.83 Linear Feet (Two 5" document boxes; one 4" card catalogue; one file folder)
Language of Materials
English
German
Physical Location
3.22.4.4; 3.22.4.5
Custodial History
Original collection ID: M-0041
- Title
- Otto Emanuel Melchior Sohn (1894-1969) Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Marvin A. Huggins
- Date
- November 15, 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Concordia Historical Institute Repository
804 Seminary Place
Saint Louis MO 63105 USA
314-505-7935
reference@concordiahistoricalinstitute.org