The Biographical Dictionary of America/Battelle, Gordon

​BATTELLE, Gordon, clergyman, was born at Newport, Ohio. Nov. 14, 1814. After his graduation from Alleghany college, in 1840. he studied for the Methodist ministry, and in 1842 was given a preacher's license. The following year he was offered the position of principal of the Clarksburg, Va., academy, and accepted it, during which time he continued preaching and was made deacon and presiding elder. In 1856 he was elected a member of the general conference, and again in 1860, and at the outbreak of the civil war he became a visitor to the camps located in western ​Virginia. He was a pronounced abolitionist, and used his influence toward freeing West Virginia from slavery. He was a member of the Constitutional convention which met Nov. 24, 1861, and framed the constitution of the new state. He was chaplain of the 1st Virginia regiment from November, 1861, until the time of his death, which occurred in camp, Jan. 7, 1862.

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