april november baptist minister founded north_carolina beginning bible literacy classes december university established african americans following end civil war oldest historically black college university oldest educational universities country institute moved new building renamed honor major donor served university president founding death early life military career born april earl raised farm massachusetts eldest children grandfather great grandfather fought colonies american revolutionary war paternal ancestry linked family prominent lutheran left germany settled england reign henry_viii distant relative english poet 19th century clergyman ancestor emigrated early 17th century later helped found town sandwich massachusetts parents practicing christians martin attend church child received little formal education turned eighteen enrolled converted christianity academy order fund continuing education took job school teacher new_jersey baptised nearby baptist church later joined congregation wales massachusetts near hometown attended graduated received degree school organized bible studies african american youth worked missionary recent immigrants boston training planned serve missionary africa civil war intervened shortly ordained minister enlisted union_army education qualified military commission openings officer corps enlisted soldier assigned command participated transferred time injured battle jackson officer frequently served chaplain sick injured soldiers organizing prayer meetings bible studies soldiers army acquainted plight african american slaves inspired later work marriage family january married connecticut later joined work helping teach taught men children sarah older brother successful businessman helped support financially medical school named founder president civil war commissioned act missionary freed slaves discharged union_army july wife sarah departed north_carolina october begin work traveling train portsmouth virginia delays extensive damage rail network caused civil war arrived october began working food clothing help support homeless black men december began teaching bible study classes located located bible class marks traditional foundation date class opportunity teach read write encouraging baptist ministers start congregations march began teaching similar classes having temporary location purchased plot land saved military service plot located corner streets constructed story timber building serve school church named permanent home develop jointly provided funding institute school grew searched space nearby south estate patriarch prominent north_carolina political dynasty land came sale raised purchase private donors personally largest single donor resident wales massachusetts donated honor building new campus named school renamed students faculty moved new location expansion proceeded quickly men dormitory opened women dormitory hall named northern vermont opened leadership school chartered state university added medical program law program programs kind african american students note historically black university dates law school law department established role founder university dedicated attracted opposition reconstruction era home burned ground wife fled hid nearby trustees local second baptist church sued charges members relation fundraising suit settled favor death died november following prolonged illness funeral reportedly attended history time buried campus
Henry Martin Tupper