Van Wagenen, Jonathan

Van Wagenen, Jonathan a preacher of the Baptist denomination, was born at New Paltz, Ulster Co. N.Y. On his father's side he was of Dutch descent, and on his mother's he was of Huguenot stock. His father was a highly respected citizen. Jonathan Dubois his grandfather, was county judge and a member of the convention that framed for the state of New York the constitution of 1846. The subject of his sketch was fitted for college under the tuition of Eliphaz Fay, and when Mr. Fay came to Waterville to assume the presidency of the college, he came with him. During his college course, he developed decided literary tastes, and held a high rank as an accomplished writer. He was graduated in the class of 1845. For one year, 1845-46, he was assistant teacher in the Vermont Literary and Scientific Institute at Brandon. Subsequently he taught at Macon and Columbus, Miss., and for a time preached to a Baptist Church in Shiloh, Miss. He never received ordination. In consequence of ill-health he gave up preaching and teaching, and devoted himself to secular pursuits. His death occurred at Smithland, Ky., in March, 1852. See Obituary Record of Colby University, p. 43. (J.C. S.)