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Dolphus Skinner (May 18, 1800-October 2, 1869), a Universalist minister and editor, served the Universalist church in Utica, New York for over 40 years. His long ministry in provided stability during the rapid growth of Universalism in central New York. At the time of his death he was, according to his obituary, "undoubtedly the most popular [Universalist] preacher ever in Central New York." During his long career, he worked tirelessly to articulate the theological basis for Universalism, to encourage its growth, and to strengthen its institutions.
Dolphus was the sixth of nine children born to a prosperous farm family in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. His parents, Ruth Warner and Timothy Skinner, were Universalists. His oldest brother, Warren (1791-1874), also became a Universalist minister. Warren preached for a half century, 1823-74, throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. His son, Universalist minister Charles Augustus Skinner, was the grandfather of the Universalist theologian and educator, Clarence Russell Skinner.

As a youth, Dolphus worked on his parents' farm and was trained as a weaver. In their teens, he and his close friend Lemuel Willis decided to become Universalist ministers. After completing their common-school education, they taught school until they had saved enough money to attend the academy at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, where they studied Latin and Greek. In 1822 they both began studying for the ministry with Samuel Loveland in Reading, Vermont. They were licensed to preach by the Universalist General Convention in September, 1822, after only a few months of training.

Skinner was ordained by the Northern Association in September 1823. From 1823-25 he itinerated in New Hampshire and Vermont. For part of this time, he held a half-time settlement in Langdon, New Hampshire. In 1825, before leaving New England for New York State, Skinner married Gracia Walker, the daughter of a Universalist family from Springfield, Vermont. The couple had two sons.

In 1825 Skinner became the first settled minister at the Universalist church in Saratoga Springs, New York. In 1827 he was settled at the Universalist church in Utica, New York, a position he held for the rest of his life.

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Biography: 
Dolphus Skinner (May 18, 1800-October 2, 1869), a Universalist minister and editor, served the Universalist church in Utica, New York for over 40 years. His long ministry in provided stability during the rapid growth of Universalism in central New York. At the time of his death he was, according to his obituary, "undoubtedly the most popular [Universalist] preacher ever in Central New York." During his long career, he worked tirelessly to articulate the theological basis for Universalism, to encourage its growth, and to strengthen its institutions. Dolphus was the sixth of nine children born to a prosperous farm family in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. His parents, Ruth Warner and Timothy Skinner, were Universalists. His oldest brother, Warren (1791-1874), also became a Universalist minister. Warren preached for a half century, 1823-74, throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. His son, Universalist minister Charles Augustus Skinner, was the grandfather of the Universalist theologian and educator, Clarence Russell Skinner. As a youth, Dolphus worked on his parents' farm and was trained as a weaver. In their teens, he and his close friend Lemuel Willis decided to become Universalist ministers. After completing their common-school education, they taught school until they had saved enough money to attend the academy at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, where they studied Latin and Greek. In 1822 they both began studying for the ministry with Samuel Loveland in Reading, Vermont. They were licensed to preach by the Universalist General Convention in September, 1822, after only a few months of training. Skinner was ordained by the Northern Association in September 1823. From 1823-25 he itinerated in New Hampshire and Vermont. For part of this time, he held a half-time settlement in Langdon, New Hampshire. In 1825, before leaving New England for New York State, Skinner married Gracia Walker, the daughter of a Universalist family from Springfield, Vermont. The couple had two sons. In 1825 Skinner became the first settled minister at the Universalist church in Saratoga Springs, New York. In 1827 he was settled at the Universalist church in Utica, New York, a position he held for the rest of his life.
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