Tabor College (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Tabor College was a Christian
college in Tabor, Iowa
that operated from 1853 to 1927. It is now defunct.
came to Iowa for the purpose of establishing a Christian college, and in 1853 they established the Tabor Literary Institute. Many of the founders were abolitionists and affiliated with the Congregationalists, and their goal was to found an egalitarian school similar to Oberlin College
in Ohio. In 1866 the institute was renamed Tabor College and received collegiate powers. Henry J. Steere
, a philanthropist from New England gave major donations to the school in the late nineteenth century, but after various financial struggles the school closed in 1927. After several unsuccessful attempts to attract students in the 1930s and early 1940s, such as recruiting only boys in the bottom of their high school classes, the school failed to reopen again as an educational institution. During World War II, the U.S. Government housed German P.O.W.s in the school buildings. All of the campus' buildings were eventually demolished except for Adams Hall, which is now an apartment building. The University of Iowa
archives contain the student records for Tabor.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
college in Tabor, Iowa
Tabor, Iowa
Tabor is a city in Fremont and Mills counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 993 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tabor is located at ....
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 ToddJohn Todd (abolitionist)
John Todd was a U.S. Congregationalist minister, co-founder of Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa, a leading abolitionist and a ‘conductor’ on the Underground Railroad....
came to Iowa for the purpose of establishing a Christian college, and in 1853 they established the Tabor Literary Institute. Many of the founders were abolitionists and affiliated with the Congregationalists, and their goal was to found an egalitarian school similar to Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in Ohio. In 1866 the institute was renamed Tabor College and received collegiate powers. Henry J. Steere
Henry J. Steere
Henry Jonah Steere was a prominent American philanthropist and industrialist from Rhode Island.-Childhood:Henry J. Steere was born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 11, 1830 to Alice Smith and Jonah Steere , a manufacturer, saddler and harness maker. Henry was their only surviving child...
, a philanthropist from New England gave major donations to the school in the late nineteenth century, but after various financial struggles the school closed in 1927. After several unsuccessful attempts to attract students in the 1930s and early 1940s, such as recruiting only boys in the bottom of their high school classes, the school failed to reopen again as an educational institution. During World War II, the U.S. Government housed German P.O.W.s in the school buildings. All of the campus' buildings were eventually demolished except for Adams Hall, which is now an apartment building. The University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
archives contain the student records for Tabor.
Notable people Tabor College faculty and alumni
- James BedeJames BedeJames Adam Bede was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota.Born on a farm in Eaton Township, Lorain County, Ohio, he attended the public schools of Ohio, Oberlin College, and Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa, and read law while learning the printing trade...
, U.S. Representative - John Todd (abolitionist)John Todd (abolitionist)John Todd was a U.S. Congregationalist minister, co-founder of Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa, a leading abolitionist and a ‘conductor’ on the Underground Railroad....
, co-founder of Tabor - John L. MorrisonJohn L. MorrisonJohn Loyal Morrison founded the controversial Duluth, Minnesota newspaper Ripsaw. His editorial attacks on area politicians were so unrelenting that a state law was passed specifically to shut down his paper...
, journalist - Jessie Field ShambaughJessie Field ShambaughCelestia Josephine "Jessie" Field Shambaugh was an American educator and activist known as the "Mother of 4-H Clubs."-Life and career:...
, educator, activist, "mother" of 4-H clubs - Frederick William LehmannFrederick William LehmannFrederick William Lehmann was a prominent American lawyer, statesman, United States Solicitor General, and rare book collector.-Biography:...
, U.S. Solicitor General