Alameda County
Biographies
REV. EDWARD SILAS LACY
Noteworthy among the active and talented young ministers sent to the Pacific coast in the early '50s by the American Home Missionary Society was the late Rev. Edward Silas Lacy, the memory of whose earnest labors and efficient works is still fresh in the minds of many who are living today. Broad and liberal in spirit, and sincerely devout in his convictions, he was a practical Christian, and his kindly, sympathetic nature made him a true minister of the gospel, and a helper of men. Thoroughly alive to the needs of the pioneer people of a new country, he performed a noble work of evangelization (sic) during the upbuilding of the First Congregational Church of San Francisco, taking an especial interest in the welfare of the young men, and working with a largeness of purpose and a genuine devotion to the best interests of his congregation, and of the growing municipality. On account of ill health Mr. Lacy was forced to abandon the pulpit for a few years, but having in some measure recovered his former physical vigor, in 1871 he accepted the pastorate of Divinity Church, near Mills Seminary, in Seminary Park, and here he labored with characteristic zeal and fidelity during the remainder of his active career, winning the love, esteem and respect of all with whom he came in contact. Although his years of ministration were limited, the fruits of his labors were remarkable. An earnest effort to save men for the highest purposes of life pervaded all of his works, his strong moral force impressing young and old, making him a power for good in the community.
A native of New York state, Mr. Lacy was born July 29, 1827 in Wayne county, and died August 23, 1875, at Saint Helena, Napa county, Cal. His father, David Lacy, a farmer by occupation, spent his earlier life in Cayuga county, near Geneva, but passed his closing years in the town of Burdett, Schuyler county, dying there at an advanced age. He married Rowena Foster, who died in early womanhood, when their son, Edward Silas, was a child.
After the death of his mother, Edward Silas Lacy was brought up in his father's family, where he had an excellent home training. A diligent scholar from his youth, he obtained a good education, and at the age of sixteen years began teaching in a district school during the winter terms, meeting with such success that at the age of nineteen years he was employed as teacher in a high school. Entering Hamilton College in 1846, he was graduated from that institution in 1850. While there he became converted, and having decided to devote his life to his Master's work he entered the Auburn Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1853. In April, 1854, under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society, Mr. Lacy came to California, and for a year was employed as a pioneer missionary at Crescent City, where he courageously endured all the hardships and privations of frontier life, remaining there until the town was given up. Locating in San Francisco, he took charge of the Howard Presbyterian Church during the absence of the regular pastor, Rev. S. H. Willey, through the summer months of 1855. Early in 1856 Mr. Lacy entered upon an agreement to supply the pulpit of the First Congregational Church for six months, and performed the duties of his position with such ability and fidelity that at the end of that period he was urged to become its pastor. Accepting the offer, he was installed, the sermon on that memorable occasion being preached by the venerable Horace Bushnell, D.D. He continued as pastor of that church for eight years. Possessing great force of character, and a strong sense of right and wrong, he was very influential in civic affairs, and during the reign of the Vigilance Committee did much toward maintaining law and order in the city, he and his entire congregation being in full sympathy with the committee.
Having a slight hemorrhage of the right lung in the spring of 1866, Mr. Lacy, listening to the advice of his physician and family, gave up preaching for awhile, and went east, hoping in a different climate to recuperate. He made a trip to Europe, but not receiving the desired benefit he resigned his position as pastor, and removed to Martinsburg, W.Va., where he purchased a large plantation, on which he lived a number of years, in the outdoor life demanded by its management recovering in some measure his former health.
Becoming so much better, physically, Mr. Lacy was induced to resume his ministerial work, and returned to California to take charge of the Divinity Church, in Seminary Park. His health again becoming impaired, he resigned his pastorate at the end of a year, and again gave up preaching and retired to his home estate of three acres located on Central avenue, near Mills College. Soon after his resignation, Mr. Lacy went to St. Helena, Napa county, for the benefit of his health, and there died a few weeks later of consumption.
December 6, 1859, in New York state, Mr. Lacy married Isabella Borland, who was born in Orange county, N.Y., being the only daughter of Charles Borland, a man of prominence and influence in public affairs. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lacy three children were born, namely: Isabella Borland, living at home; Edward S., Jr., deceased; and Martha, living at home. Mrs. Lacy and her daughters occupy the old home place, known as El Rosal, where they have beautiful grounds, and a most attractive residence. The daughters are women of great enterprise and ability, and are carrying on an extensive business as horticulturists and florists, having erected large hothouses and greenhouses. They take great pleasure in their work and find much profit. Mr. Lacy always took great interest in education matters, and rendered practical assistance in establishing the College of California (now the University) at Berkeley, of which he was one of the first trustees.
Transcribed
6-24-16 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1216-1219. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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