Missionary to Italian Immigrants in Wisconsin Louise Johanna Nienas was born in a sod house in Thompson, North Dakota and spent her early years on a North Dakota “free claim.” The family later moved to Wisconsin, where Louise received a degree in elementary education. Working as a public school teacher in Racine, Wisconsin, she volunteered...
Founder of Methodism in the Congo Although Methodist missionaries ventured into the Belgian Congo before John Springer, notably Bishop William Taylor with the Methodist Episcopal Church in the late 1800s, Springer’s enterprising evangelistic explorations in the early 20th century are credited with the founding of the present-day United Methodist Church in the Democratic Republic of...
First resident MEC bishop in China Born in Fayette, Wisconsin, Bashford studied at the University of Wisconsin and Boston University School of Theology. After serving first as a pastor, then for 15 years as president of Ohio Wesleyan University, he was elected a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles and in 1904...
Missionary teacher, translator, and musician Born in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Jones entered Platteville Teachers’ Training College in 1907. In 1911, he went on to Northwestern University and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, he furthered his studies at the University of Chicago. Jones came to China (Fukien, Hinghwa) in 1915 for mission work. In 1930, during...
Missionary, Activist, Scholar and Writer for Women’s Equality Born in Peru, Illinois, Bushnell’s studies at Northwestern University (1873-74) foreshadowed events of her future. Firstly, she began studying Greek and Latin, which would eventually culminate in her publication of God’s Word to Women. Secondly, she studied under Francis Willard, then dean of the women’s college at...
