Downer College
Encyclopedia
Downer College was a women's college
in Fox Lake, Wisconsin
, chartered in 1855 and opening in September, 1856.
service. It was poorly funded, and was reorganized in 1863, with control passing to the village of Fox Lake. For a while it operated as Fox Lake Seminary and was co-educational. In 1883 Judge Jason Downer
of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
, a strong advocate of educational opportunities for women, died and left the college $80,000, putting the school on a firmer foundation.
under the presidency of Milwaukee College's Ellen C. Sabin. A new site was purchased on a tract of about ten acres on the northern end of the city of Milwaukee
, about half-way between Lake Michigan
and the Milwaukee River
.
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
in Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Fox Lake is a city in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,454. The city is located within the Town of Fox Lake.-Geography:...
, chartered in 1855 and opening in September, 1856.
History
It was founded in 1854 as Wisconsin Female College under the auspices of the Wisconsin Baptist Convention to prepare women for missionaryMissionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
service. It was poorly funded, and was reorganized in 1863, with control passing to the village of Fox Lake. For a while it operated as Fox Lake Seminary and was co-educational. In 1883 Judge Jason Downer
Jason Downer
-Biography:Downer was born on September 9, 1813 in Sharon, Vermont. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1838. Downer moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1842. He would briefly serve as editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel. Downer passed away on September 1, 1883. He left the bulk of his estate to the...
of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin.-Location:...
, a strong advocate of educational opportunities for women, died and left the college $80,000, putting the school on a firmer foundation.
Merger
In July, 1895, Downer merged with Milwaukee College to form Milwaukee-Downer CollegeMilwaukee-Downer College
Milwaukee-Downer College was a women's college, later a normal school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.-History:...
under the presidency of Milwaukee College's Ellen C. Sabin. A new site was purchased on a tract of about ten acres on the northern end of the city of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, about half-way between Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
and the Milwaukee River
Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee River is a river in the state of Wisconsin. It is about long.- Description :The river begins in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and flows south past Grafton to downtown Milwaukee, where it empties into Lake Michigan...
.