William Hosmer
Rev. William Hosmer (27 May 1810, Brimfield, Massachusetts – 17 July 1889, Auburn, New York) was an American anti-slavery author and editor, and a Methodist minister.
Biography
Hosmer was born on 27 May 1810 near the town of Brimfield in Massachusetts to Eleazer and Clara (Needham) Hosmer.[1] He studied at the Franklin Academy in Plattsburgh, New York.[1]
In 1831 Hosner was admitted as a probationer to the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Church, and was ordained as a minister two years later.
Between 1848 and 1856 Hosner was the editor of the Northern Christian Advocate newspaper, owned by the Methodist General Conference.[1] Hosner was a strong believer in Wesleyan philosophy, and during his incumbency at the Advocate he was a strong advocate for both antislavery and temperance issues.[1] Due to a schism within the Methodist church, his stance eventually led to his replacement as editor in June 1856 by Rev. F.G. Hibbard.[1] Following his removal from the Northern Christian Advocate, a new paper called The Northern Independent was established and Hosner appointed as its editor. Hosner remained editor of The Northern Independent until "stricken by paralysis ... while delivering a temperance address" in 1871.[1][2] He also wrote articles and essays for other periodicals, including the Methodist Quarterly Review.[1]
Hosner was a charter trustee of the Genesee College in Lima, New York, which later became Syracuse University.[1][3]
He died in his home in Auburn, New York on the morning of Monday, June 17, 1889.[3]
Family
Hosner married Martha Matilde Gamage (21 October 1813 – 21 December 1878)[4] sometime before 1835.[5][6] Together they had six surviving children:[1]
- John Gamage (1835–1906)[5]
- Julia A. (1837–1916)[5]
- William M. (1839–1921)[5]
- Martha Matilda (1841–1921)[5]
- Clara Elizabeth (1845–1903)[5]
- Mary H. (1852–)[5]
Select bibliography
- The higher law, in its relations to civil government : with particular reference to slavery, and the Fugitive Slave Law (Auburn: Derby & Miller, 1952),[7] dedicated to William Seward.[1]
- Slavery and the church (Auburn: W.J. Moses, 1853)[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lincoln, Joni (2005). Life and Activities of Reverend William Hosmer (PDF). Auburn: Cayuga County Historian's Office.
- ↑ "Brief Obituary". Auburn Daily Advertiser. Auburn, New York. 18 June 1889.
- 1 2 "Rev William Hosmer departs this Life Yesterday Morning". Auburn Dispatch. Auburn. 18 June 1889.
- ↑ Haight-Eckert, Mary Jane. "Rev William Hosmer". Find A Grave. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 New York, State Census, 1855. FamilySearch. 1855. pp. 14–15.
- ↑ Haight-Eckert, Mary Jane. "Martha Matilde Gamage Hosmer". Find A Grave. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- 1 2 Work, Monroe N. (1928). A Bibliography of the Negro in Africa and America. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company.