O. F. Presbrey

Otis Fletcher Presbrey was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1820. Growing up in the country at that time meant his educational opportunities were limited; but at the age of 16 he became a Christian and joined the Presbyterian church. When he was 18 he spent a brief period in a private school, and about that time he wanted to prepare for the ministry. However, his father needed him to work on the farm. He then taught in the public school for a couple years. In 1841 he became second lieutenant in the New York militia, and the following year he completed his education at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, NY. He then studied medicine and became a doctor, practicing in Clarkson, NY and in Buffalo. While he lived in Buffalo he also had many other interests, serving in both government and business. In 1869 he was appointed Supervisor of the Internal Revenue for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., and in 1870 he moved to Washington D.C. and worked as an attorney. During this time he became active in the First Congregational church. During his lifetime he wrote and distributed hundreds of thousands of gospel tracts throughout the world.

Dianne Shapiro from William Presbrey, of London, England, and Taunton, Mass., and his descendants, 1690-1918 by Joseph Waite Presby (Rutland, Vt., The Tuttle Company, 1918)