Biography

GURLEY, Phineas Densmore, clergyman, born in Hamilton, Madison County, New York, 12 November, 1816; died in Washington, D. C., 30 September, 1868. He was graduated at Union in 1837, with the highest honors of his class, and at Princeton theological seminary in 1840. After holding pastorates in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Dayton, Ohio, he accepted in 1854 a call from the F street church in Washington, D. C., which in 1859 was united with the 2d Presbyterian church of the same city, and continued to be the pastor of both congregations until his death. In 1859 he was chosen chaplain of the United States senate. Dr. Gurley numbered among his regular hearers several presidents of the United States, among them Mr. Lincoln, at whose deathbed he was present, and whose funeral sermon he delivered. He took an active part in the negotiations that resulted in the union of the old school and new school branches of the Presbyterian church.