Smith, Edward Parmelee

Smith, Edward. Parmelee, a Congregational minister, was born in South Britain, Conn., June 8, 1827. He graduated at Yale College in 1849, and went thereafter to Mobile, Ala., where he engaged in teaching, and continued in that occupation for three years, when he returned and entered the New Haven Theological Seminary. After remaining one year, he entered the Union Theological Seminary, which he left in 1854 for the Andover Theological Seminary, where he finished his somewhat erratic course. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Pepperell, Mass., in 1856, and continued in this relation for six years, when he resigned and became field agent for the United States Christian Union, Philadelphia, Pa. In 1866

he became field agent for the American Missionary Association, and remained such until 1871, when he received the appointment from government of Indian agent in Minnesota. In 1873 he was appointed United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs. From the year last named he was president of Howard University, and continued such until 1876, when he took a voyage to Africa. He died at Accra, Western Africa, June 15, 1876, after a laborious and useful life spent in the service of God and his country. (W.P.S.)