Elihu Parsons Ingersoll facts for kids

Elihu Parsons Ingersoll (born September 20, 1804 – died March 29, 1887) was an important American pastor. He made history by becoming the first-ever professor of music at an American college. This happened at Oberlin College, where he taught for about a year.

Who Was Elihu Parsons Ingersoll?

Elihu Parsons Ingersoll was born in Lee, Massachusetts. His birthday was September 20, 1804. His father was David Ingersoll. His mother was Sarah Parsons. Sarah was also the granddaughter of a famous theologian named Jonathan Edwards.

His Education and Early Career

Elihu Ingersoll went to Yale College and graduated in 1832. After college, he studied to become a pastor. He spent a year at the Auburn Theological Seminary. He also studied for a bit longer than a year at the Yale Divinity School.

On December 22, 1834, he became a pastor. He led the Congregational Church in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He stayed there until November 1835.

A Pioneer in Music Education

In November 1835, Elihu Ingersoll moved to Oberlin College. He spent almost five years there. During this time, he became a professor of sacred music. This was a very special job. He was the first person ever to be appointed as a music professor at an American college.

Helping Others and Fighting Slavery

In 1840, he moved to Michigan. He wanted to start a new school there, like Oberlin College. But a big money problem, called the financial crisis of 1837, stopped his plan.

For 13 years, he worked as a missionary in Michigan. He often paid for this work himself. In May 1853, he became the pastor of the Congregational Church in Bloomington, Illinois.

In April 1857, he left that job. He moved to Kansas to help with the anti-slavery cause. This was a movement to end slavery. He worked as a minister there, mostly near Burlingame. He paid for his own work again.

In 1861, he returned to Illinois. He worked for a church in Elmwood for a year. Then he spent five years at the Congregational Church in Malden. He left in 1868 because of his health.

He then moved back to Kansas. He wanted to be close to his children. He settled in Rosevale, which is now called Springfield, in Clay County. He passed away there on March 29, 1887. He was 83 years old.

Family Life

Elihu Ingersoll was married twice. His first wife was Louisa Perry. They married on April 29, 1835. Louisa passed away on August 29, 1836. She left behind their baby son.

He married his second wife, Catharine Gillett, in August 1838. Catharine was the daughter of Reverend Moses Gillett. Together, Elihu and Catharine had eight children.

His Book

In 1886, Elihu Ingersoll published a book. It was called Lost Israel Found. The book was 84 pages long.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the 1887 Yale Obituary Record.