Joel Smith Bacon
Joel Smith Bacon [1]
a distinguished Baptist minister. was born in Cavuga County, N.Y., Sept. 3,1802. Before entering college he was engaged in teaching in Amelia County, Va. He was a graduate of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., in 1826, with the highest honors of his class. For a short time he was a teacher of classics at Princeton, N. J. He took the course of study at the Newton Theological Institution, graduating in the class of 1831. He entered at once upon the discharge of the duties of the presidency of Georgetown College, Ky., to which office he had been chosen. He remained here for two years and then accepted a call to the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Lynn, Mass. This relation continued two years, at the end of which period he became a professor in what is now Madison University, N. Y., holding the position until 1837. For a few years he was occupied as an agent for Indian missions. The death of Rev. Stephen Chapin, D.D., having made vacant the presidency of Columbian College, Washington, D. C., Dr. Bacon was chosen his successor, and remained in office eleven years (1843-54). Upon resigning the presidency of' Columbian College, Dr. Bacon turned his attention to teaching in schools for young ladies. The latter years of his life were spent in the service of the American and Foreign Bible Society in the southern sections of the country. He was respected and beloved by a large circle of friends, and in various and most useful ways served his generation. He died at Richmond, Va., Nov. 10, 1869. (J. C. S.)
