John Ellison Vassar

John Ellison Vassar (1813–1878) was an American lay preacher and missionary.

Biography
He was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, the cousin of Matthew Vassar, the founder of Vassar College. He worked in the Vassar brewery at Poughkeepsie, but, from religious convictions, withdrew from the company and devoted his time and money to missionary work. In 1850 he became an agent and colporteur of the American Tract Society, and traveled as its representative throughout the West. During the Civil War he was at the front with the Union Armies, and after its close, devoted himself to religious work in the South. He was popularly known as "Uncle John" Vassar. One of America's greatest evangelists, known for his powerful testimonies to unbelievers, even pleading with them to turn and repent and come to Christ with tears often, because of his fervent spirit.

Publications

 * T. E. Vassar, Uncle John Vassar (New York, 1879)