BIO: Reuben Nelson, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 213-214.
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  NELSON, REUBEN, D.D., was born in Andes, N.Y., December 13, 1818, and 
died in New York city, from paralysis, on February 20, 1879.  His 
remains were laid away in the beautiful cemetery at Forty Fort.
  He was converted at the age of fifteen, licensed to exhort the 
following year, and at seventeen was a local preacher.  His academic 
studies were pursued at Hartwick Seminary, a Lutheran school in Otsego 
County, N.Y.  In 1840 he joined Oneida Conference and was assigned work 
on Otsego Circuit, and the year following on Westford Circuit.  During 
both these years he was performing the duties of principal of Otsego 
Academy at Cooperstown.  He received deacon's orders and was received 
into full membership in the Conference in 1842 and appointed principal 
of the same school.
  At the founding of Wyoming Seminary in 1844 he was called to the 
principalship of the school.  With the exception of two years, in which 
he was presiding elder on Wyoming District, he continued to serve the 
school in this capacity with distinguished ability and success until 
1872.
  In 1872 he was elected one of the agents of the Methodist Book 
Concern in New York.  He was also elected treasurer of the Missionary 
Society, which office he held at the time of his death.
  He served his Conference as secretary ten years, and in turn was 
elected delegate to General Conference five times, to wit,  1860, 1864, 
1868, 1872, 1876.  The last three times he led the delegation.  At the 
General Conference of 1876 he was made chairman of the committee on 
episcopacy.
  He received the degree of A. M. from Union College, and D.D. from 
Dickinson College.
  In whatever capacity he served the Church his ability made him 
conspicuous and honored.  He will ever be regarded as among the great 
men of Wyoming Conference, and as having had much to do with the 
development of Wyoming Seminary.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1840, Otsego Circuit, with M. 
Marvin and William Bixby; 1841, Westford; 1842, Otsego Academy; 1843, 
sd.; 1844-61, Principal of Wyoming Seminary; 1862-63, Presiding Elder 
of Wyoming District; 1864-67, Principal of Wyoming Seminary; 1868, 
Presiding Elder of Wyoming District and Principal of Wyoming Seminary; 
1869-71, Principal of Wyoming Seminary; 1872-79, Agent of New York Book 
Concern.