Childhood and Family
Jane Addams, age eight
September 6th,1860, Jane Addams was born Laura Jane, the youngest of eight siblings into a large Northern family in Cedarville, Illinois. As a young child, her life was consumed by grief and loss. Three of her siblings passed away as infants, another at age sixteen. When Jane was only an infant, her mother, Sarah Weber Addams, died while giving birth to her ninth child, who was stillborn due to prematurity. Jane was also burdened with health conditions her entire life. At age four she developed Tuberculosis of the spine, later this illness caused her to stop college studies and undergo spinal operations.
During hard childhood times, without her mother, Jane became closer to her adored father, John Huy Addams. He was the President of the Second National Bank of Freeport, and an agricultural business man who was politically prominent. He was Jane's role model throughout her life. When Jane was eight, John remarried Anna Hostetter Haldmen.
While Jane was a child, she spent most of her time reading books, playing outside, and attending Sunday school. As a teenager, Jane Addams dreamed of creating something, or having a great impact on the world. She wanted to help people in a way no one ever had before.
During hard childhood times, without her mother, Jane became closer to her adored father, John Huy Addams. He was the President of the Second National Bank of Freeport, and an agricultural business man who was politically prominent. He was Jane's role model throughout her life. When Jane was eight, John remarried Anna Hostetter Haldmen.
While Jane was a child, she spent most of her time reading books, playing outside, and attending Sunday school. As a teenager, Jane Addams dreamed of creating something, or having a great impact on the world. She wanted to help people in a way no one ever had before.
Education
Jane Addams at Rockford Female Seminary in 1880
Jane Addams attended public schools throughout her childhood and after completing high school she went off to college. Her father, John Addams, was certain that she must attend school and made sure she received a good education. Jane attended the Rockford Female Seminary (1877) and graduated (1881). She then pursued her studies at the Women's Medical College. After two years of medical studies she was forced to quit, due to the curving of her spine, which needed immediate surgical correction. During this time her father also passed away, bringing her much closer to her step mother, Anna Hostetter Haldmen.
Jane and Anna had not always had a close relationship. Before Jane went to Rockford Female Seminary, Anna disagreed that would be the best thing for Jane. Anna wanted her to marry and have children, but Jane had different views on her future. Once her father passed, Jane and Anna traveled to Europe attempting to move forth in their lives. While visiting, Jane noticed many people in need of food, homes, and healthcare. She had an urge to help them, but wasn't certain of how to do so. Although she had graduated from college, she still didn't know what career she wanted. She then went to the United States to live and discover her passion.
Jane and Anna had not always had a close relationship. Before Jane went to Rockford Female Seminary, Anna disagreed that would be the best thing for Jane. Anna wanted her to marry and have children, but Jane had different views on her future. Once her father passed, Jane and Anna traveled to Europe attempting to move forth in their lives. While visiting, Jane noticed many people in need of food, homes, and healthcare. She had an urge to help them, but wasn't certain of how to do so. Although she had graduated from college, she still didn't know what career she wanted. She then went to the United States to live and discover her passion.