Elliott, David, Dd, Lld

Elliott, David, DD., LL.D.

a Presbyterian minister, was born in Sherman's Valley, Perry County, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1787. To the age of sixteen he had only the educational advantages of the rural district in which he lived but in 1802 he entered the classical school in Tuscarora Valley, and in the spring of 1804 went to another in the town of Mifflin, where he spent one year. In 1805 he became an assistant of Reverend Matthew Brown, in the academy of Washington, at the same time making preparation to enter the junior class of Dickinson College, where he graduated September 28, 1808. He studied theology with Reverend John Linn, Reverend Dr. Culbertson, of Zanesville, Ohio, and Reverend Joshua Williams, D.D., of Newville, Pennsylvania. He was licensed to preach as a probationer by the Presbytery of Carlisle, September 26, 1811; and February 19, 1812, received a call to settle as pastor of the Church of Mercersburg, where he served until October 29, 1829. His second pastorate was at Washington, lasting until 1836. For a time he was acting president of Washington College and professor of moral philosophy. In 1836 the Assembly called him to take a professorship in the Western Theological Seminary of Pennsylvania. In 1849 he was again solicited to become president of Washington College, but declined. He was often sent as a member to the General Assembly, and. was moderator of the synod in 1831, 1834, and 1838. He died March 18, 1874. Dr. Elliott was successful as a preacher and pastor, a thorough student, successful educator, wise in the management of all affairs in the assembly, equal to the nost trying crisis, a man greatly loved and honored by all. See Brownson, Memorial.