August 25, 1849. William Jewell College was chartered in Liberty, MO. This was the first four-year college west of the Mississippi River. It was founded in 1849 by members of the Missouri Baptist Convention and endowed with $10,000 by William Jewell. Another founder was Robert S. James, a Baptist minister and father of the infamous Frank James and Jesse James. ABHS has a collection of correspondence and historical catalogs from William Jewell College. ABHS also has biographical information and an image for William Jewell.
