John J. Shipherd

John J. Shipherd (1802-1844) and Philo P. Stewart (1798-1868) met as teenagers while students at Pawlet Academy in Pittsford, Vermont. Later, while serving at a Sunday school post in Middlebury, Vermont, Shipherd conceived the idea of establishing a school and colony. It has been said that his powerful “positive force” and great faith enabled him to persuade men of wealth to support the founding of Oberlin College.