History of Bergen, (Genesee County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

Galusha Anderson, educator, was born at Bergen, Genesee county, N.Y., March 7, 1832. His father was of Scotch descent, and a strict Presbyterian. The boy, becoming converted to the Baptist faith, determined to become a minister. He was graduated with high honors from the Rochester university in 1854, and from the theological seminary, Rochester, in 1856. He was ordained pastor and took charge of the Baptist church at Janesville, Wisconsin, the same year. His next pulpit was in St. Louis, from 1858 to 1866. In 1866 he went to Newton, Mass., as professor of homiletics in the theological seminary, remaining there for seven years. In 1873 he took charge of the Strong place church in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he preached five years, going thence to the Second Baptist church, Chicago, in 1876. In 1878 he was made president of the Chicago university, and for eight years he endeavored, faithfully, to establish the institution on a firm footing. In 1886 he resigned, and for a short time preached in Salem, giving up his church there to accept the presidency of Denison university, which position he filled very successfully until 1890. He afterwards accepted the chair of homiletics in the Divinity school of Chicago university. Dr. Anderson was given the degrees of D.D., 1866, and LL.D., 1884, by the University of Rochester.

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

Hamilton Wilcox Pierson, educator, was born in Bergen, N.Y., Sept. 22, 1817; son of the Rev. Josiah Pierson; grandson of Samuel and Rebecca (Parmele) Pierson, and descendant of the Rev. Abraham Pierson of Yorkshire, England, who was graduated from Trinity college, Cambridge, in 1632, and came to America in 1639 "in pursuit of religious freedom." Hamilton Wilcox was graduated from Union college, N.Y., in 1843; was agent of the American Bible society, Alexandria, Va., 1843-45; was graduated from the Union Theological seminary in 1848, and on account of ill health, traveled in the interest of the American Bible society, 1848-49. He was ordained by the presbytery of New York, Nov. 13, 1853; was agent of the American Bible society in the West Indies, 1849-50, and at Louisville, Ky., 1853-58. He was president of Cumberland college, Princeton, Ky., 1858-61; agent of the American Tract society, Washington, D.C., 1861-62; secretary of the United States Christian society at Toledo, Ohio, and taught school in Virginia and Georgia, 1863-69. He went to California for his health in 1875, and engaged in literature and travel, 1877-85. He was state librarian at Columbus, Ohio, 1885-88. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by Union college in 1860. He edited The American Missionary Memorial (1853), and is the author of: Thomas Jefferson at Monticello (1862); In the Brush (1881). He died in Bergen, N.Y., Sept. 7, 1888.

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