Ezra J. Fish, D.D., was born in Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., September 29, 1828. He was baptized in Medina, Orleans Co,, in July, 1844. In the fall of 1847 he went to Hamilton to study for the ministry, and transferred his relations to Rochester University in 1850, graduating from the latter institution in 1853. He commenced study in the Theological Seminary at Rochester the same fall, but ill health compelled him to cease in the autumn of 1854, and he went to Michigan for rest and recuperation. The next spring he began pastoral work in Lima, Ind. Here and at Sturgis, Mich., he labored till the autumn of 1858, giving part of his time to each church. Then followed a rest of three years, made necessary by ill health, then a second pastorate of three years at Sturgis. From December, 1864, till November, 1874, he was pastor in Adrian, and was very successful in bringing the church into the front rank of the churches of Michigan. Sickness again compelled him to suspend work, and for nearly three years he was able to preach only a part of the time, making his home in Bronson, and supplying churches in the vicinity as his health allowed. From April, 1877, till July, 1878, he did the work of a pastor in Lansing, and in April, 1880, became pastor in Allegan.

      For several years he has directed his attention largely to the study of church organization and officers, and he published a volume, soon after leaving Adrian, entitled "Ecclesiology: A Fresh Inquiry into the Fundamental Idea and Constitution of the New Testament Church." Kalamazoo College conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1874. He was president of the Michigan Baptist State Convention in 1867, and again in 1873.

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[From The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881, p. 394. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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