Born in January of 1811 Jonathan Blanchard Spent the early years of his
life in the east where he was born and went to school. After college he
attended Andover Theological Seminary in where he became involved with
the anti-slavery movement. In 1836 Blanchard started work as a
traveling lecturer for the Anti-Slavery Society, teaching and speaking
against the evil of slavery in the state of Pennsylvania. While
abolition was always a passion for Blanchard, it was not to be his life
calling and by 1839 he was graduated from another seminary, the pastor
at a Presbyterian church, and wed to Mary Bent who was to be his wife
for over 50 years. In 1845 Jonathan accepted an invitation to be
president of Knox College and presided there for 13 years until his
stormy retirement in 1858. At this time he was invited to be president
at 6 separate colleges and to be the pastor of many churches, yet in
1859 we see that Blanchard had made up his mind and was announced as
the new president of the Illinois Institute
in Wheaton Illinois. January of 1860 marked the beginning of 22 years
of service at the school that was soon to be known as Wheaton College.
During his tenure at Wheaton College Blanchard saw the school make
tremendous growth and can be credited with getting Wheaton College
through its early years. While teaching at Wheaton College, speaking in
chapel, and leading the growth of the school as president, Blanchard
managed to find time to travel extensively, raising large amounts of
money for the school and always giving fiery orations against the evils
of this world, whether they be slavery, intemperance, or
secret-societies. Jonathan turned the job of president to his son Charles A. Blanchard
in 1882. Though retired Blanchard did not rest as he continued his
reforming efforts for 10 more years, even briefly running for U.S.
president in 1884, until his death in 1892.
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