Coan, George Whitefield, Dd

Coan, George Whitefield, D.D.

a Presbyterian minister, was born at Bergen, Genesee Co., N.Y., December 30, 1817. He graduated from Williams College in 1846, and from the Union Theological Seminary in 1849; was licensed to preach, and ordained June 6 of the same year. He selected Persia as the field of his labors, and in October he sailed for Ooroomiah, where he continued the labors of Perkins, Grant, Stoddard, Fisk, and Rice. After thirteen years of labor there his health failed, and he was compelled to return to America, but, two years later, having recruited his strength, he again sought his mission field, in 1864. Ten years of faithful toil again broke his health, and once more he sought its restoration in his native clime. Dr. Coan's heart was still-with his brethren, and he availed himself of every opportunity to present the claims of Persia to the various Presbyterian churches in this country. He died at Wooster, O., Dec. 21, 1879. See N.Y. Observer, January 1, 1880. (W.P.S.)