Read Part One HERE
In this post I will focus on a woman named Eliza Clark Garrett. She lived from 1805 - 1855.
Eliza was born in a farm close to the town of Newburgh in New York State. She was from a devout family. At age 20, she married Augustus Garrett. Departing New York, she and her husband lived in Cincinanati for a time, but had to flee the city after getting in debt. They then moved to New Orleans.
Facing difficulties in New Orleans as well, the Garretts separated for a short while - Augustus to Chicaogo, while Eliza returned to Newburgh. Reuniting in 1835 in Chicago, the couple worked in real estate and prospered. Eliza became a prominent member of the Clark Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Through her association with the Church, Eliza became aware of the lacking of educational facilities for Methodist clergy in the region.
In 1848, Augustus died after a short, sudden illness. Inheriting a considerable portion of his fortune, Eliza became determined to establish a biblical institute and opportunities for women's education in Chicago. Despite having to make considerable payments of her husband's fortune, Eliza was able to found the North Western Female College, a preparatory school for girls, in 1854.
Eliza's desire to create a biblical institute became a controversy within the Methodist Church's upper ranks, due to a view held by some that a surplus of education would degrade the holiness of the clergy. However, her considerable financial support overcame hesitation in the organisation. On 1 january 1855, the Garrett Bible Institute was founded north of the city, in Evanston.
Sadly, despite still being a relatively young woman, Eliza fell ill the following November. She died on 24 November 2855, at the age of 50.
Read Part Sixty-One HERE
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