Crowe, John Finley, 1787-1860.

John Finley Crowe was an educator and Presbyterian minister, and an early abolitionist and supporter of the Back to Africa movement. He moved to Indiana in 1823 and settled in Hanover, where he founded Hanover College and served as its first president.

From the description of Papers, 1811-1926. (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 21667696

Born 1787 in Tennessee. 1802 family moved to Bellevue, Missouri. 1808 persuaded by Robert Stevenson to become a Presbyterian minister. During his training lived with his uncle William Crowe in Danville, Kentucky: studying under Dr Samuel Demaree and Rev. Samuel Finley. 1811 entered Transylvania College. November 1813 married Esther Alexander and they returned to Kentucky. May 1814 attended Presbyterian General Assembly in Philadelphia. Then enrolled in Princeton.

May 1815 returned to Kentucky. Taught school at Bryant's Academy, and then at Shelbyville Academy (replacing Robert Fulton). Preaching at three Presbyterian churches in Shelbyville area. Became fulltime pastor at Fox Run and Bullskin. May 1822 founded the Abolition Intelligence and Missionary Magazine . 1823 gave up the press and became pastor of the Hanover Presbyterian Church in Shelby County.

1824 began building house near the church. Spent 1/4 of his time in missionary work. Began agitating among Indiana Presbyterians for a school to train ministers. Convinced Salem Presbytery to appoint such a committee. 1826 attempt taken over by Madison Presbytery; Crowe later agreed to be the Hanover teacher himself.

From the guide to the Personal papers of John Finley Crowe, 1817-1849, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections)