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(DSC09130) Horace Brinsmade Silliman (1825–1910), 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. Silliman's 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. 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 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. 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. (Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Sill iman)

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