Elon Galusha facts for kids

This picture of Elon Galusha is from a book published in 1874 about the Second Advent movement.

Elon Galusha (born June 18, 1790 – died January 6, 1856) was an important American Baptist preacher and lawyer. He lived in the early 1800s and worked to make society better. He was especially active in New York.

Elon Galusha was the son of Jonas Galusha, who was the governor of Vermont several times. Elon also became a follower of William Miller and shared his ideas.

Elon Galusha's Early Life and Education

Elon Galusha was born on June 18, 1790, in a town called Shaftsbury, Vermont. His father, Jonas Galusha, was a well-known person who served as the governor of Vermont.

Elon Galusha was a very educated man for his time. He received a special degree called an honorary M.A. (Master of Arts) from the University of Vermont in 1816. He also received another honorary M.A. from Brown University in 1820.

Elon Galusha passed away on January 6, 1856, in Lockport, New York.

Fighting Against Slavery

This painting shows Elon Galusha at the 1840 Anti-Slavery Convention. He is in the center of the right front group, three rows back. You can move your mouse over the image to find him or click to see a larger view.

Elon Galusha strongly believed that slavery was wrong. He worked hard to end it. In 1836, he was chosen to represent New York at a big meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society. This group worked to stop slavery in the United States.

He became the first president of the Baptist Anti-Slavery Society. This was a group of Baptists who were against slavery. Galusha also supported the Liberty Party, a political group that wanted to end slavery. He often preached about how evil slavery was.

After he left the main Baptist church, he continued to host meetings about ending slavery at his church in Lockport.

Following William Miller's Teachings

Elon Galusha was interested in Bible prophecy and believed that Jesus would return before a thousand-year period of peace on Earth. This idea is called premillennialism.

After thinking about it deeply and reading books by William Miller, Galusha fully joined the Millerite movement. He was influenced by another preacher named Nathaniel N. Whiting. The Millerite movement believed that Jesus would return to Earth very soon.

Galusha was chosen to be the president of the Albany Conference on April 29, 1845. This meeting happened after a time known as the Great Disappointment, when Millerites had expected Jesus to return but he did not.