William S. Denison pledged $10,000 toward the Granville College, which was a Baptist school. Honoring an earlier commitment, the trustees accordingly changed the name of the institution to Denison University. They also voted to move the college to land then available for purchase in the village of Granville. Denison died in 1880. William S. Denison William S. Denison (17941880) was a Baptist farmer who was a major benefactor and namesake of Denison University in Ohio. William S. Denison was born in Colrain, Massachusetts on November 13, 1794 as the youngest of eight children. His family was originally from Stonington, Connecticut. Denison migrated to
William S. Holabird William S. Holabird William S. Holabird (c. 1794 – May 20, 1855) was an American lawyer, politician and the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. William S. Holabird was born circa 1794 reportedly at Canaan, Connecticut, the son of William D. Holabird and his wife, the former Dorcas Bird. He married Adeline/Adaline Catlin, daughter of Abijah and Orinda (Williams) Catlin. In 1831 and 1833 he was unsuccessful as a Democratic candidate for Congress and was appointed by Andrew Jackson in 1834 as U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. As such he presented the government's argument in the Amistad case. Holabird