This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Western College's Rise and Fall in Iowa Town History
In 1855 the Church of the United Brethren sought a western Iowa college. Shueyville donor Col. Shuey offered 6000 dollars, land from the Shuey family funded early growth, and Western College opened January 1, 1857 with 58 students under Rev. Weaver. It became coeducational, built brick facilities, and faced debt, fire, and rail-line delays before closing in 1881 as Toledo prepared to open.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Solomon Weaver
Church of the United Brethren In Christ
Mississippi River
Iowa
W.H. Shuey
Shueyville
Jacob Shuey
Jacob Shuey Jr
Adam Perry
W.A. Wherry
Western College
Western
Cedar Rapids
Ely
Weaver
Neidig Hall
Lane Hall
E. Grow Aurand
Ossian
College
Toledo
Iowa Juvenile Home
Leander Clark College
Mary Beatty Hall