History of New Lebanon, (Columbia County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

Nathan Sidney Smith Beman, clergyman, was born in New Lebanon, Columbia county, N.Y., Nov. 26, 1785; son of Samuel and Silence (Douglass) Beman. When he was a child his parents removed to Hampton, Washington county, N.Y., where his elementary education was acquired. In 1803 he entered Williams college, remaining there one year, and continuing his course at Middlebury college, where he was graduated in 1807. He then became preceptor of Lincoln academy, New Castle, Maine, meanwhile studying theology. He was licensed to preach, June 14, 1809, and was ordained pastor of the Third Congregational church in Portland, Maine, March 14, 1810. Two years later he went south to recover his health, and settled at Mr. Zion, Ga., where he organized a Presbyterian church and established an academy. He was elected to the presidency of Franklin college, Athens, Ga., in 1818, holding the office one year. Returning north in 1822, he began to preach in the First Presbyterian church in Troy, N.Y., and held the pastorate for a period of forty years. He was elected a trustee of Middlebury college in 1824, and in 1846 he declined an election to the presidency. Williams college conferred upon him the degree of D.D. in 1824, and Middlebury college, gave him that of LL.D. in 1852. In 1863 he was dismissed from his pastorate at his own request, and by vote of his people was given a life annuity of one thousand dollars. His published writings include numerous sermons, addresses and discourses, and the following volumes: "The Old Ministry" (1839); "The Influence of Freedom on Popular and National Education," "Letters to John Hughes" (1851); "Episcopacy Exclusive: a Review of Dr. Coit's Sermon and Pamphlet" (1856), and "Four Sermons on the Atonement." He died Aug. 8, 1871.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Phineas Warrener Hitchcock, senator, was born in New Lebanon, N.Y., Nov. 30, 1831; son of Gad and Nancy (Prime) Hitchcock; grandson of Phineas and Elizabeth (Phillips) Hitchcock, and a descendant in the sixth generation from Luke Hitchcock, 1636. He was graduated from Williams college in 1855, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He was married in 1858 to Annie M. Monell. He removed to Nebraska Territory in 1858, and settled in the practice of his profession at Omaha. He was a member of the Republican national convention in 1860, and in 1861 was appointed by President Lincoln marshal of the territory. In 1864 he was elected as a Republican a delegate from Nebraska Territory to the 39th congress; in March, 1867, on the organization of Nebraska as a state, he was appointed surveyor-general; and in 1870 he was elected U.S. senator, serving until 1877. He died in Omaha, Neb., July 10, 1881.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor