Oberlin's Namesake: John Frederick Oberlin (1740-1826)Main MenuIntroduction to Oberlin's NamesakeDetailed Table of ContentsWhat's in a Name? Why Oberlin?Address by John W. KurtzJ. F. Oberlin in his lifetimeExplore materials made by Oberlin and his contemporariesThe Ban de la Roche, Alsace, FranceArt works and photographs of the regionEarly views of Oberlin, OhioDrawings, prints and photographs of the colony and collegeDesigning a monument to our namesake (video)Videos with the artist Paul B. ArnoldResources for further explorationAnne Cuyler Salsich, Oberlin College Archives65340b1e79f9df03d291b8de171f6479ab6abb16Oberlin College Archives, Oberlin, Ohio
Print from Le Patriarche de l’Agriculture française
12018-01-16T16:48:51+00:00Anne Cuyler Salsich, Oberlin College Archives65340b1e79f9df03d291b8de171f6479ab6abb1616Illustration of J.F. Oberlin leading villagers in building a road, from an almanac for the year 1819 by Montbéliardplain2018-02-23T14:51:25+00:00Montbéliard18193.5" w x 6" lOberlin College Archives20100215104545-0500reproduction of a woodcutLe Patriarche de l’Agriculture françaiseJohn Frederick Oberlin Collection (30/165), Oberlin College ArchivesAnne Cuyler Salsich, Oberlin College Archives65340b1e79f9df03d291b8de171f6479ab6abb16
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12018-01-12T21:16:36+00:00Oberlin's maps and roads9plain2018-01-16T17:06:52+00:00 J. F. Oberlin drew this map, made a woodcut to make multiple prints using his hand press, and filled in the place names by hand. With these he gave his parishioners their first visual reference for the physical features and political boundaries of their department in Alsace. When Oberlin began his ministry in the Ban de la Roche in 1767, the region had no roads to the nearest market town, Rothau, or any other districts. Crop yields were very poor and the people were often badly in need. The local dialect further separated his parishioners from the outside world and from trade. Oberlin addressed these with practical improvements and brought education and the French language to the region. He led by example, shouldering the labor himself until he could train others to be teachers, healers and agriculturists who amended their soils and imported better seed and livestock. He initiated road-building and won the cooperation of the people to complete a road with a bridge to Rothau. Eventually the villagers were able to produce enough crops and goods to begin trade.