(1809–1872) Abolitionist, minister, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and author, Rev. Jermain served as one of the vice presidents at the 1853 New York State woman suffrage convention. Jermain was once hailed as the “Underground Railroad King,” and assisted the Rev. Samuel J. May, a Unitarian clergyman in Syracuse, with his Underground Railroad work but gradually took the lead. The Loguen house near the intersection of Pine and Genessee Streets was a principal station or depot on the Underground Railroad.

Jermain placed letters in the Syracuse press openly discussing his activities and asking for donations to assist fugitives and is said to have aided more than 1500 freedom seekers.