Background
Crapsey, Algernon Sidney was born on June 28, 1847 in Fairmount, Ohio, United States. Son of Jacob Tomkins and Rachel (Morris) Crapsey.
Crapsey, Algernon Sidney was born on June 28, 1847 in Fairmount, Ohio, United States. Son of Jacob Tomkins and Rachel (Morris) Crapsey.
Educated Public school to 12 and in business 12 to 15. Member Company B, 79th Ohio Infantry, 1862. In business, 1863-1869.
Educated Saint Stephen’s College and Seminary, 1869-1872.
South.T.D., Hobart College, Geneva, New York, 1900.
Crapsey was an ardent supporter of the Social Gospel movement and developed a national reputation for eloquent lectures that inspired social ideals. In 1906, his progressive views led him to run afoul of orthodox Church authorities when he delivered a lecture stressing the humanity of Jesus, a notion contrary to the literal interpretation of the Scriptures. This culminated in an ecclesiastical proceeding for heresy that same year held in Batavia, New York which drew national attention.
He was found guilty and stripped of his ministry.
Moreover, rather than bitterly renouncing the church, the family remained faithful members, and Crapsey continued to lecture, write, and foster social projects until his death. In addition to Adelaide, his family included eight other children: Philip, Emily, Paul, Rachel, Algernon Junior., Ruth, Marie, and Arthur.
Two of the children died fairly young—one from brucellosis, the other from appendicitis. Philip died of malaria contracted during the Spanish–American War.
Crapsey died in 1927 and was interred at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.
Member Company
Married Adelaide Trowbridge, 1875. Children: Philip T. (deceased), Emily M. (deceased), Adelaide (deceased), Paul B., Rachel M., Algernon South., Ruth East. (deceased), Marie Louise, Arthur H. Deacon, 1872, priest, 1873, Protestant Episcopal Church.