Biography - Jonathan Blanchard
JONATHAN BLANCHARD. He was born in Rockingham, VT, on Jan. 19, 1811. He shared the labors and the sports of New England farmer boys, laying there the foundation for that superb physique for which he has been so distinguished. He attended the district school of his native place, going thence to Chester Academy where he fitted for College. He graduated at Middlebury College in 1832. Though but twenty-one years of age he was immediately elected Preceptor of Plattsburg Academy, where he taught two years to earn money to continue his studies. Previous to this he had consecrated himself to the work of the ministry, and in 1834 he entered Andover Theological Seminary where he remained two years. He spent a year in Pennsylvania, leaving the seminary, battling for anti-slavery. He then finished his theological course and graduated at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati. He was ordained and then installed over the Sixth Presbyterian Church in that city Oct. 31, 1838, where he remained nine years, serving with so great fidelity that 500 were added to the church. He was active in Christian temperance. Stationed there on the boundary between the slave States and the free his anti-slavery zeal was well fired up. He was sent in 1843 as a delegate to the Second World's Anti-slavery Convention in London and was there elected the American Vice-president of that body. In 1846, he was called to the Presidency at Knox College. He and his amiable wife identify themselves with every interest of the college. His presidency was of fourteen years. he was thirty-five years of age when he came to Galesburg. The first sermon in Oneida was preached by him.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman
