Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/68

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NEVIN

NEVIN, Edwin Henry, clergyman and educa- tor, was born in Sliippenshurg, Pa., May 9, 1814; son of Maj. David and Mary (Pierce) Xevin. He was graduated at Jefferson college in 1833 ; at- tended Western Theological seminar}-, 1833-34, and Princeton Theological seminary. 1834-3G. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Philadelpliia in 1836 ; ordained by the presbytery of Malioning, June 'i'y, 1839 ; was pastor at Ports- moutli, Ohio. 1836-39, and at Poland. Ohio, 1839- 41. He was the first president of Franklin college, New Athens. Ohio, under its departure 'as an antislavery institution, and as the old building was purchased by the pro-slavery party and nameil Providence college, he erected a new col- lege building. "While serving as president of Franklin college, he was also pastor of the Pres- byterian churches at New Athens and Mount Vernon. He was pastor of the Plymouth Con- gregational church, Cleveland, Ohio, 1848-53 ; of Congregational churclies in "Walpole, Edgar- town and Chelsea, Mass., 1853-62 ; of a Reformed churcii in Lancaster, Pa., 1865-70, and of the Reformed (German) church in Philadelpliia, Pa., 1870-75. He devoted himself entirely to literarj- work, 1875-89, and in recognition of his achieve- ments, was elected an honorary member of the Victorian Institute and Piiilosophical Society of Great Britian. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Franklm college in 1870. He was married, July 6, 1837, to Ruth C, daughter of Abner G. Little of HoUis, N.H. He is the author of: Mode of Bajitism (1847); War7ii7ig Against Popery (1851); Faith in God, the Foun- dation of Individual and Xational Greatness (1852) ; TJie Men of Faith ( 1856) ; The City of God (1868); The Miiiister's Handbook (1872); History of all Religions (in collaboration with his son, William Channing) (1871); Humanity and its Responsibility (1872); Thoughts About Christ (1882): A Handbook of Church History (1884), and Carmina Cordis, poems (1885). He died in Philadelphia, Pa.. June 2, 1889.

NEVIN, Ethelbert, composer, was born at the family home Vine-acre, in the Sewickley valley, Allegheny county, Pa., Nov. 25, 1862 ; son of Robert and Elizaljeth (Oliphant) Nevin ; grand- son of Jolm and Martha (McCmcken) Nevin, and a descendant of Daniel Nevin, who came from north Ireland about 1740-50, and of John Williamson, wlio came from England to Chester, Pa., in 1730. He attended the common school at Edgeworth, and after a brief clerkship de- cided to^become a concert pianist. He studied the pianoforte under B. J. Lang of Boston, and harmony under Stephen Emery at the same time. In 188J-S7 he was in Berlin, where he studied under Karl Kiind worth and von Bfdow. and was persuaded by Klindvvortli to give his attention

solely to composition. He was in Boston, 1887- 90 ; in France and Germany, 1890-92 ; again in Boston, 1892-94, and in Europe, 1894-98. He was married in 1888 to Anne Paul of Pittsburg, Pa. A few weeks before his death, he removed to New Haven to lead a quiet life and devote himself to composition. Xarcissiis. said to be the most popular of his pianoforte comi)ositions, had received a sale exceeding 125,000 copies before his death, and one of his most widely known songs, The Rosary, also reached a phenomenal sale. Among liis early compositions are Good Night, Good Night, Beloved (1875). and O That We Two Were Maying (1877). His better known pianoforte compositions include : A Day in Venice; Water Sketches; A Sketch Book, and May in Tuscany, the last being his most am- bitious work. His compositions number over 250, and many of his songs and piano pieces became exceedingly popular, the former being considered by critics to be generally more meritorious. He died in New Haven. Conn., Feb. 17, 1901.

NEVIN, George Batch, composer, was born at Shippensburg, Pa., March 15, 1859 ; son of Samuel Williamson and Harriet (Macomb) Nevin ; grand- son of Maj. David and Mary (Pierce) Nevin, and a descendant of Daniel Nevin, the immigrant. He attended the Cumberland Valley state normal school, and matriculated at Lafayette college in the class of 1883. He studied music and in 1883 engaged in the wholesale paper trade in Easton, Pa., but still continued his musical studies. He composed among others the songs : The Hills of God; The Song of Eternity; At the Cross ; The Minster Song ; The PJiantom Horse- man, and the duets My Faith Looks uj) to Tliee, Eventide and Twilight. He also wrote numer- ous part songs and anthems mucli used by vocal teachers, singing clubs and in churches. He com- posed the music for which the Rev. Dr. Henry C. McCook (q.v.) wrote the national liymn, "God Guard Columbia."' He was married, April, 25, 1888, to Lillias C, daughter of the Rev. William Hawley Dean of California.

NEVIN; John Williamson, educator, was born at Herrons Branch near Shippensburg. Pa., Feb. 20, 1803 ; son of Jolin and Martlia (Mc- Cracken) Nevin ; grandson of Daniel and Margaret (Williamson) Nevin, and a descendant of Daniel Nevin. emigrant, and of John Williamson, who came from England to Chester, Pa., 1730. He was graduated from Union college in 1821 and from the Princeton Theological seminary in 1826. He was instructor in oriental and biblical literature at the Princeton Theological seminary during the absence of Dr. Charles Ho<lge in Europe, 1826-28 ; supplied pulpits at Big Spring, Pa.. 1829, and was professor of bililical literature at Western Theological seminarv, Allegheny, Pa.. 1829-40.