Gordon Battelle (minister) facts for kids

Gordon Battelle (born November 14, 1814, died August 7, 1862) was an important American leader. He was a Methodist minister, a teacher, and a chaplain during the American Civil War. He also strongly believed in ending slavery. Battelle helped create the state of West Virginia.

Early Life and School Days

Gordon Battelle was born in Newport, Washington County, Ohio on November 14, 1814. His parents were Ebenezer and Mary Battelle. Gordon had several brothers and sisters.

He first went to school at the Marietta Collegiate Institute in Ohio. This school is now called Marietta College. There, he met Francis Pierpont, who became a lifelong friend.

Battelle then studied for Christian ministry at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1840 with top honors. He earned a master's degree from Allegheny College in 1843. Later, Ohio University gave him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1861.

After college, Battelle married Maria Louise Tucker. She was from Vermont. They had several children together. Some of their children included Mary, John, Ellen, and Cora.

Career and Church Work

After finishing school, Gordon Battelle moved to Parkersburg. At that time, this area was part of Virginia. He taught at a new school called Asbury Academy.

Battelle became a licensed preacher in 1842. He was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1849. By then, he was the principal of the Northwestern Virginia Academy in Clarksburg. He left this teaching job in 1851 to focus on his church work. He then led a church in Charleston.

After two years in Charleston, he took another church position in Clarksburg. In 1855, he became a leader for the church's Clarksburg District. He also attended important church meetings in 1856, 1859, and 1860.

In 1859, Battelle moved to Wheeling to lead a church there. He became very involved in the growing debate about slavery. Many people in Virginia who owned slaves wanted to leave the United States. Battelle wrote articles in the Wheeling Intelligencer newspaper. He wrote against leaving the Union and against slavery.

Role in the American Civil War

In 1861, Virginia decided to leave the Union. Many people in the western part of Virginia disagreed with this decision. They held a meeting called the Wheeling Convention. This group formed a new government for Virginia that stayed loyal to the Union. Battelle's old friend, Francis Pierpont, became the governor of this new government. Battelle continued to write about the challenges of forming a new state.

In October 1861, Governor Pierpont asked Battelle to visit military camps. His job was to check on the conditions for soldiers. He looked into problems like a lack of medical supplies and not enough doctors. Battelle visited camps at Philippi, Elkwater, and Cheat Mountain. His reports helped improve the conditions for the soldiers.

Starting in November 1861, Rev. Battelle also served as a chaplain for the 1st West Virginia Infantry. This meant he provided spiritual support to the soldiers.

Battelle was also chosen as a delegate to the West Virginia Constitutional Convention in October 1861. He represented Ohio County. He worked on the Committee on Education. He strongly supported creating a system of free public schools in the new state. This idea was adopted.

Battelle also proposed two rules about slavery. He wanted to stop new slaves from being brought into the state. He also wanted to slowly end slavery within the state. These ideas were not immediately accepted. However, his writings helped. The United States Congress would not let West Virginia become a new state until it agreed to a rule against slavery. This rule was added in March 1863.

Death and Lasting Impact

Sadly, Gordon Battelle died unexpectedly before West Virginia officially became a state. He was on a trip to check on health conditions in military camps near Washington, D.C.. He became sick with typhoid fever and died on July 5, 1862. His body was brought back to Newport, Ohio, for burial.

Battelle's grandson, also named Gordon Battelle, later founded the Battelle Memorial Institute. This is a famous research organization.

Battelle Township in Monongalia County, West Virginia was named in his honor.