Magoun, Rev. Geo. F., D.D.

MAGOUN, HYDE, EARLCOT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/1/2012 at 10:59:24

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa
Pages 913-914

MAGOUN, Rev. Geo. F., D.D.--President and Williston Professor of mental and moral science in Iowa College Grinnell. Born in Bath, Maine, March 29, 1821, second son and third child of Hon. David C. Magoun. In youth attended Bath Academy, entering Bowdoin College at the early age of sixteen, and graduated with high attainments in 1841. Three years were then spent in the Theological Seminaries of Andover and Yale. In 1844 he came West and engaged in teaching, and subsequently in preaching in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He was called to the pastorate at Davenport, Iowa, in 1855, and in 1860 to the church at Lyons, Iowa. In 1862 he was elected President of Iowa College, and after resigning his pastorate, traveled part of one year in Europe. Entering upon his duties as president in March, 1865, he has since rendered untiring service in the cause of higher Christian education, supplying the pulpits of a number of churches in addition to his college duties, in Iowa and Illinois among them the Congregational Church in Grinnell. Dr. Magoun was first married, in 1847, to Miss Abbey A. Hyde, of Maine. By this marriage there were four children: Fredrick H. (born January 22, 1852); David O. (born February 19, 1854); Mary R. (born July 5, 1858); Hannah W. (born August 8, 1860). Mrs. A.A. Magoun died in 1864 at Lyons. Married a second time to Miss Elizabeth Earlcot, at Waterburg, Connecticut, June 5, 1870. They have one child, Emily W. (born June 10, 1871). Dr. Magoun has been president of Iowa College nearly sixteen years, and as a practical business financier and profound educator, stands in the foremost rank. He is an eloquent preacher and lecturer, an excellent writer and a deep thinker. Though possessed of charitable and generous nature has unbending Christian principle and character.