Scofield, Alanson

Scofield, Alanson, a Presbyterian minister, was born in Albany County, N.Y., Sept. 3, 1800, and worked at his trade as a tanner until he was of age. He then commenced a course of study, and graduated at Union College, N.Y., in 1830. After studying theology about one year at Andover, Mass., he entered Princeton Seminary in the fall of 1831, and remained two years. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Albany Oct. 8, 1833, and dismissed Feb. 6, 1838, to the Presbytery of Geneva as a licentiate. He was in the service of the American Education Society for six years, and resided at Auburn, N.Y., until 1839. He was ordained Oct. 3 of the same year, and was pastor of the Church of West Fayette, Seneca Co., N.Y., from 1839 to 1845, and three years stated supply of the Church at Red Hook, N.Y. In 1848 he removed to Michigan, and was stated supply for two years at Augusta. Afterwards he served the Church at Stony Creek, in the Presbytery of Wastenaw, as pastor from 1849 to 1856. Then he was stated supply at Corunna and Newburg, in the Presbytery of Saginaw, Mich., for a period of four years, first at Fremont, and afterwards at Quincy. In 1864 or 1865 he was transferred from the Presbytery of Saginaw to that of Coldwater. About the year 1868 he removed to California, Mich., where he resided during the remainder of his life, serving the Church in that place, the whole or part of his time, as its stated supply. He became in 1871, by a change in the presbyteries necessitated by the reunion, a member of the Monroe Presbytery. During the last four years of his life he was in the service of the Presbyterian Board of Publication as a missionary. He died suddenly of apoplexy on Sabbath morning, June 18, 1876. Mr. Scofield was a man of immense physical vigor, of untiring energy, wonderful tenacity of purpose, skilled as a debater, genial and warm hearted, earnest and sound in doctrine, and thoroughly devoted to the interests of the Church. (W.P.S.)