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Horace Brinsmade Silliman (1825 – May 4, 1910), gave a $10,000 gift to start Silliman Institute, which later became Silliman University, in Dumaguete City, Philippines. He was a retired businessman and philanthropist from Cohoes, New York as well as an active layman in the Presbyterian Church in the United States. Silliman was known for his philanthropy and active involvement in the civic community.〔Daniele Cherniak.("Lost Landmark 4: Silliman Memorial Church in Cohoes" ), in Cohoes, New York. Lostlandmarks.org. Retrieved 2009-06-29.〕 Horace Silliman lived his ideals as a great community leader, contributing to Cohoes both financially and through good works. He dedicated his life to promoting pride in his city and making it a better place to live for those of his and future generations. His greatest monument and gift to the citizens of Cohoes was the Silliman Memorial Church,〔 constructed in 1896 in memory of his parents, Levi and Clarissa. This Romanesque revival church stood proudly on the corner of Mohawk and Ontario Streets for about 100 years. Born in 1825, Horace B. Silliman was the only one of six children to survive to adulthood. He was educated at The Albany Academy, Albany, New York, and graduated from Union College, in Schenectady, New York in 1846, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society. Later, Silliman received honorary degrees from Union College and Hamilton College. Hamilton College, at one time, offered him its presidency, but he declined. Following graduation from Union College, Horace became a druggist, opening a shop on Remsen Street in Cohoes. His interest in business was shared by his father whose local business ventures included the Simmons Axe Factory and Rathbone & Silliman, makers of iron furnaces. In 1849, Horace Silliman & Stephen C. Miller purchased a newspaper, and established the Cohoes Cataract; Silliman was publisher until 1851. Through his business acumen and executive ability, Horace accumulated a large fortune in the (halcyon ) days of the Industrial Revolution. He was a stockholder in several mills in Cohoes and served on a committee to consider water usage by the mills, resulting in the construction of a new reservoir in 1857 and a reliable water system. Throughout his life, Silliman generously gave of his time and wealth to Cohoes, the community he resided in and loved. He was a leader in organizing a school district in Cohoes in 1849. He worked to improve the community cemetery grounds and participated in efforts to distribute relief to the poor and establish a soup kitchen. He was elected first president of the Cohoes Chapter of the YMCA in 1858, and later served as vice-president. During the Civil War, Silliman took a prominent role in meetings discussing the community’s contribution to the war effort and in the raising of troops. He was active in the work of soldiers’ relief, during and after the war, and gave the welcome address for volunteers returning from the war. Silliman worked with the Harmony Company in coordinating the purchase of a fire engine and was chosen as first president of the C. H. Adams Steamer Company. He introduced a bill to obtain water for additional industrial power, and became Trustee of the Waterworks Sinking Fund and one of its first officials in 1870. He served on a committee to establish the Cohoes Hospital, and in later years, his generosity permitted the hospital to construct two large additions. Because of his prominence in the community, Silliman was selected to deliver the address at the dedication of City Hall in 1895. Like his parents, Horace was quite active in the church, and served in 1876 as superintendent of the Presbyterian Church Sunday School. Church services were held in the Silliman home on Saratoga Street until a church was erected on the corner of Remsen and Factory Streets. However, Horace was determined to create a grander house of worship, and did so when he made his fortune and it was called the (Silliman Memorial Church ). Silliman died on May 4, 1910 at 84, leaving an impressive legacy which extended well beyond Cohoes. His philanthropy included funding additions to Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, building the Silliman Lodge in New Jersey (a home for invalid girls), and establishing Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines. On September 23, 2010, the Silliman Park (at the corner of Mohawk Street & Ontario Street) in Cohoes, New York was re-dedicated by Mayor John T. McDonald, III. ==Notes and references== 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Horace Silliman」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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