William GRISSELL

  General Notes:

Minister founder of Ohio Weslyean Female college

Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place: , Delaware, Ohio; Roll: 391; Page: 197.

The Ohio Wesleyan Female College is of more recent origin. In the establishment of the university, no provision was made for the education of women. But there was a felt want of some institution at this place which should give to the daughters of the church the same privileges of education as were afforded to the sons. The rapid growth and the success of the university increased this sense of want, especially in the case of families whose sons were entered in the university. The first to attempt to supply this demand were the Rev. William Grissell and wife, who came to this place in 1850. Encouraged by the citizens. Mr. Grissell bought the old academy building in South Delaware and opened a ladies' school in September of that year. The attendance was encouraging; but, in 1852, Mr. Grissell found that he could no longer carry on the school with success. At this time the idea of a college for ladies was taking hold of the public mind, and several meetings were held in relation to the matter. Meanwhile (in 1852) the parish now known as St. Paul's, in South Delaware, had been constituted of a small congregation of about thirty members, mostly from William Street M.E. Church, of which the Rev. John Quigley was appointed Pastor. They met for worship in the chapel of Mr. Grissell's school; and, in order to retain their place of worship, and for other local reasons, encouraged the movement for a college on this site. Accordingly the property was bought from Mr. Grissell, and an organization effected under the name of " The Delaware Female College."

also

THE OHIO WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE\emdash MONNETT HALL.
In the establishment of the University, while no provision was made for the education of women, there was a felt want that the daughters of the Church should have the same privileges of education as were afforded to the sons. The rapid growth and the success of the University increased this sense of want, especially in the case of families whose sons were entered in the University. The first to attempt to supply this demand were the Rev. William Grissell and wife, who came to this place in 1850. Encouraged by the citizens, Mr. Grissell bought the old Academy building in South Delaware and opened a ladies' school in September of that year. The attendance was encouraging ; but, in 1852, Mr. Grissell found that he could no longer carry on the school with success. At this time the idea of a college for ladies was taking hold of the public mind, and several meetings of citizens who were interested were held in relation to the matter. Just at this time, in 1852, the parish now known as St. Paul's, in South Delaware, had been constituted of a small colony of about thirty members, mostly from William Street Methodist Church, of which the Rev. John Quigley was appointed pastor. They met for worship in the chapel of Mr. Grissell's school ; and, in order to retain their place of worship, and for other local reasons, encouraged the movement for a college on this site. Accordingly, the property was bought from Mr. Grissell, and an organization effected under the name of " The Delaware Female College."

William married Priscilla OSBORN, daughter of Daniel OSBORN and Lydia WOOD, on 25 Mar 1839 in Delaware Co., Ohio, United States. (Priscilla OSBORN was born on 23 Mar 1821 in Morrow Co., Ohio, died on 11 Feb 1893 in Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, USA and was buried in Alum Creek Friends Cem., Morrow Co., Ohio.)