Kerber, Paul Johann

Born in the family of the parish pastor, Tarvast Johann Friedrich Kerber, and his wife, the daughter of the organist of the Dome Cathedral in Riga, Frederic Reichenbach ( German: Frederik Reichenbach ) - Anna Maria (1699, Riga - 1765, Helm).

In connection with the transfer of his father by the rector of the Church of St. Mary, from 13 years old Paul Johann lived in Helm ^[1]. He received his primary education in Dorpat , then graduated from high school in Riga. From the age of 19 he continued his studies in Germany. He studied history, philosophy and theology at the universities of Halle (1754-1755), Jena (1755-1756), Erfurt (1755-1759). In 1759, due to the Seven Years War , he was forced to return to his homeland with his older brother, who studied medicine there.

The first years after his return to Helm, Kerber served as a home teacher in the house of Baron von Struck. Five years later, on May 24, 1764, he was ordained and sent as head of one of the poorest rural parishes of Livonia in the town of Tori (Torgel) . Here, Kerber lived for almost 30 years, preaching in the local parish church and its branch, located over 40 miles on the Baltic coast in the town of Tahkuranna , while teaching peasants to read and write. The pastor’s total income was 300-400 rubles a year, which allowed his extended family to lead a very modest existence.

A man of great courage, from the first days of his pastoral service, Kerber considered it his duty to always and everywhere defend the interests of the weak. By this, he very quickly incurred disgrace from the local aristocracy. His only defender was Governor General Georg von Brown . True, even in 1767 he did not succeed in helping Kerber, after the death of his father, to lead the parish in Helm.

Following the example of his father, Kerber preached in Estonian. He was always famous for his oratory, gathering for sermons not only parishioners, but also residents of remote villages. In addition, Kerber played excellently on the flute. He often staged real concerts, which soon became Tori's hallmark. Its popularity quickly spread to the surrounding villages. At a sermon, they gathered in a small village church from everywhere.

The pastor was married twice. Katarina Magdalena Witte, who died in childbirth, became his first wife. In his second marriage, Kerber combined with Anna Wilhelmina Vick (May 13, 1752, Muhu - August 26, 1800, Dorpat) - the daughter of pastor August Heinrich Wick . In the family for 22 years, 15 children were born. A great misfortune took place in the first years after marriage. On that day, July 22, 1771, right during the church service, lightning hit the Kerber house. All the belongings burned in the fire, the most valuable library left from the father, but most importantly, the children died. Only one son was saved.

After 28 years of immaculate service, thanks to the assistance of Governor General Georg von Brown, in early 1792, Kerber was appointed to the vacant parish of St. Jacob's Church in Vannu . This helped to significantly improve the financial situation. To a new duty station, which was distinguished by very good health, the pastor arrived almost blind. Here he served the last four years of his life. Kerber knew the Scriptures by heart, so his sermons, as in his young years, were vivid and memorable. Paul Johann suddenly died on November 14, 1795, leaving his parish in the care of his eldest son, Pastor Edward Philip Körber.

• Wife: Katharina Magdalena Witte ( German: Katharina Magdalena Witte ) (1747-1767) - daughter of a member of the city council Revel, industrialist and landowner Dietrich Witte - one of the ancestors of the royal dignitary S. Yu. Witte ;
• Wife: Anna Wilhelmina Vick ( German Anna WiIhelmine Vick ) (05.13.1752, Muhu - 08.26.1800, Derpt, buried in Võnnu), daughter of the pastor from the island of Muhu August Heinrich Vick (1717, Muhu - 1755, Muhu) and Dorothea Elizabeth Cahl ( German: Dorothea Elisabeth Cahl ) (1725-1755);
• Son: Eduard Philipp Körber ( German: Eduard Philipp Körber ); (06.17.1770, Tori , Pärnu County - 02/12/1850, Derpt , Tartu County ) - Pastor Vynnu;
  • Great-grandson: Bernhard Augustovich Kerber ( German: Bernhard Eduard Otto v. Körber ); (05/20/1837, Vynnu - 05/18/1915, Yuriev ) - doctor of medicine, professor at the University of Dorpat.

• Seuberlich E. Stammtafeln deutsch-baltischer Geschlechter, Bd .: 3. Reihe, Leipzig, 1931 ;
• v. Recke JF, Napiersky KE "Allgemeines Schrift steller- und Gelehrten- Lexikon der Provinzen Livland, Esthland und Kurland" 1829 ;
• Böhlau Verlag Köln Die evangelischen Prediger Livlands bis 1918. Wien, 1977.
• Paul Johann Körber .
• Kopytov G.A. Kerbery. Surname code. XIV — XXI centuries first book // ed. "Petersburg - XXI century." 2013