Jessie Field Shambaugh
Encyclopedia
Celestia Josephine "Jessie" Field Shambaugh (21 June 1881 – 15 January 1971) was an American
educator and activist known as the "Mother of 4-H
Clubs."
to Sol E. and Celestia Eastman Field, she graduated from Tabor College
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903. She taught in Antigo, Wisconsin
, Shenandoah, Iowa
, and Helena, Montana
before becoming superintendent of schools in Page County, Iowa
in 1906.
In 1910, she designed a three-leaf-clover pin with the letter "H" on each leaf, representing "head," "hands" and "heart." A fourth leaf for "home" later became "health." By 1912 they were called 4-H clubs, and the national 4-H organization was formed in 1914.
Field moved to New York City
in 1912 to work for the national YMCA
. She married Ira William (I.W.) Shambaugh in Redlands, California
on June 9, 1917.
Shambaugh died in Clarinda, Iowa
of pneumonia
following a fall.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator and activist known as the "Mother of 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
Clubs."
Life and career
Born near Shenandoah, IowaShenandoah, Iowa
Shenandoah is a city in Fremont and Page Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 5,546 at the 2000 census.Once referred to as the "seed and nursery center of the world," Shenandoah is the home to Earl May Seed Company and the radio station KMA, founded by Earl May...
to Sol E. and Celestia Eastman Field, she graduated from Tabor College
Tabor College (Iowa)
Tabor College was a Christian college in Tabor, Iowa that operated from 1853 to 1927. It is now defunct.-History:The school's roots date to 1852 when Deacon Samuel A. Adams, George Gaston, and Rev. John Todd came to Iowa for the purpose of establishing a Christian college, and in 1853 they...
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903. She taught in Antigo, Wisconsin
Antigo, Wisconsin
Antigo is a city in and the county seat of Langlade County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2000 census. Antigo is the center of a farming and lumbering district, and its manufactures consist principally of lumber, chairs, furniture, sashes, doors and blinds, hubs and...
, Shenandoah, Iowa
Shenandoah, Iowa
Shenandoah is a city in Fremont and Page Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 5,546 at the 2000 census.Once referred to as the "seed and nursery center of the world," Shenandoah is the home to Earl May Seed Company and the radio station KMA, founded by Earl May...
, and Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
before becoming superintendent of schools in Page County, Iowa
Page County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,932 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,181 housing units, of which 6,393 were occupied.-2000 census:...
in 1906.
In 1910, she designed a three-leaf-clover pin with the letter "H" on each leaf, representing "head," "hands" and "heart." A fourth leaf for "home" later became "health." By 1912 they were called 4-H clubs, and the national 4-H organization was formed in 1914.
Field moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1912 to work for the national YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. She married Ira William (I.W.) Shambaugh in Redlands, California
Redlands, California
Redlands is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 68,747, up from 63,591 at the 2000 census. The city is located east of downtown San Bernardino.- History :...
on June 9, 1917.
Shambaugh died in Clarinda, Iowa
Clarinda, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 5,572 in the city, with a population density of . There were 2,180 housing units, of which 1,928 were occupied....
of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
following a fall.
External links
- Jessie Field Shambaugh Papers via Iowa State UniversityIowa State UniversityIowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...