Bannister, Edward Dd

Bannister, Edward D.D., a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Phelps, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1814. In 1838 he graduated from the Wesleyan University, Conn., taught school at Vienna, N. Y., and, having joined the Genesee Conference, was stationed at Barrington; but was discontinued at his own request, and studied medicine for a few months. In 1840 he preached a short time at Le Roy, N. Y. In 1841 he became a teacher in Gouverneur Seminary, N. Y., and in 1842 joined the Black River Conference, spending the two following years as pastor at Ogdensburgh and Syracuse. In 1844 he became a teacher in the Oneida Conference Seminary, and in 1850 opened a school in San Jose, Cal. From 1854 to 1860 he was pastor and presiding elder in various appointments in that state; in 1860-67 was president of the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara, but afterwards returned to the active ministry, and died at Marysville, Cal., Sept. 27, 1871. See Alumni Record of Wesleyan Univ. s.a. 1838.