Amos West Coon, second son among ten children born to Geo. S. and Electa West Coon, was born in Alfred, Allegany County, N. Y., May 13, 1817. When he was a small boy, his parents moved to Rensselaer County, where they remained until 1831, when he returned to Alfred. When about seventeen years of age, Amos professed faith in Christ was baptized into the fellowship of the Second Alfred Church, by Rev. Walter B. Gillette. Following this he became exceedingly anxious to secure an education, and was one of the few to start the select school which has since developed into Alfred University.
I have copied the following from his private papers: "In the fall of 1835, while on a visit to Rensselaer County, I fell in with one Bethuel Church, and induced him to come to Alfred and teach a select school, which he agreed to do on the following conditions: That I secure twenty subscribers at $3 a head, and provide a suitable room. This was found to be quite difficult to do, and with all other hindrances, one leading citizen said to me, 'Young man I guess you can learn in a district school yet.' But nineteen pupils were found, and also a room on Orson Green's chamber, and on the condition that I would have it plastered.
"Luke Green and several other gentlemen offered to furnish the material. Phineas Stillman, Maxson Stillman and Silas Stillman offered to help in the work. I mixed the mortar and served as 'hod man,' and in less than three weeks the room was ready for use. Mr. Church was an excellent teacher. He taught us to look into the cause of things. The term ended with thirty-seven students, and was a grand success. Thus began what is now known as Alfred University.
"The next fall a new building was erected, and James R. Irish was engaged to teach. I attended this school four summers and taught each winter in various school districts. I also taught in the select school. In 1840 I was married to Martha Landphere [Lanphear], Elder Irish performing the ceremony.
"The next fall, with several other families, we moved to Albion, Wis., where I taught school in the winter and bought forty acres of land. We were among the constituent members of the Albion Seventh-day Baptist Church. In 1845, we returned to Alfred and was induced and assisted by President Kenyon to complete my education. I also received some aid from our Educational Board. I was graduated in 1850 with the degree of A. M. Following this I was engaged to take charge of Milton Academy, where I taught for two years. I also served one term as county school commissioner.
"May 3, 1853, I was called to ordination in the Gospel ministry, and became the pastor of the Albion church. During my second year I accepted a call to the Scott Seventh-day Baptist Church, where we enjoyed a gracious revival. Some eighty were converted. My wife and only son died at this place. Some years after I married Miss Louise House. To us were born three children, Rena May, Whitford and Josie."
Here the diary ends. But we learn from other sources that Brother Coon was pastor also of the Berlin (N. Y.) church, and did some missionary work in Central New York and in Pennsylvania. During this work his wife died and he soon became so feeble that he retired from public service. Later on he moved to Alfred, where he was married to Miss Emma Randolph, of West Virginia. Soon after her death, he came to Dodge Centre, living with his daughter, Josie, (Mrs. O. S. Mills) until her death in February, 1901. Since then he has resided in various homes, the last being that of Mrs. Lula Ellis, where he died of old age, April 13, 1904.
He leaves one son, Whitford, of West Pittston, Pa., and three sisters, Mrs. Allen, of Austin, Minn., Mrs. Burdick, of California, and one sister in Wisconsin. Services were held in the Seventh-day Baptist Church, conducted by the pastor, who used the text selected by Bro. Coon, Ps. 72: 20, "The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended." Thus closes a long and useful career of one of the Lord's faithful ones. G. W. L.
