Henry Martyn Tenney was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on May 16, 1841. He was graduated from Amherst College (A.B. 1864; D.D. 1889) and Andover Theological Seminary (1867). He was ordained in the Congregational ministry on October 21, 1868. He married Ann Elizabeth Parsons (d. 1919), of Boston, January 12, 1870. This union produced five children: Martha Susan (deceased), Frank Parsons, Grace Elizabeth (Mrs. B.J. Olsen), Edward Henry, and Faith Wells (Mrs. R.H. Houser).
As a New Englander by birth and training, Tenney took his first pastorate (1867-1870) at Dorchester, Massachusetts. After three years, however, he left for the middle west, taking pastoral calls in Winona, Minnesota, 1870-1875; Steubenville, Ohio, 1875-1880; and the First Congregational Church on the west side of Cleveland, 1880-1889. Subsequently, he accepted an appointment as the pastor of Oberlin’s Second Congregational Church. He served for 21 years—between 1889 and 1910. He was pastor emeritus, 1910-1932.
Dr. Tenney was first elected to Oberlin’s Board of Trustees in 1885. During his forty-five years on the Board, he served under five presidents. Following President James Harris Fairchild’s retirement in 1889, Tenney was acting President of the Board, 1889-1891, and a member of the Prudential Committee, 1893-1897.
Tenney found himself in historical limelight. He was one of the founders of the Anti-Saloon League, which was started at Oberlin, Ohio, May 24, 1893. Over the next several decades he supported “Church in Action Against the Saloon.” He served for a time as Dean of the Schauffler Missionary Training School of Cleveland, 1911-1913. He also devoted time during his summers at Point Chautauqua, New York, where Tenney was active in civic and religious matters. His service included being president of the Congregational Association at the Chautauqua Assembly.
Tenney died at the home of a son, Edward H. Tenney, in Webster Groves, Missouri, on February 23, 1932. He was 90. He was buried in Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin, Ohio.
For additional information see the Oberlin Alumni Magazine, March 1932, pg. 182.
Author: Roland M. Baumann
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