John Storer

John Storer (1796–1867) was a businessman and philanthropist from Sanford, Maine who was the namesake of Storer College in West Virginia.

Storer College, founded with John Storer's donation

Storer was born in 1796 in Wells, Maine and was a Congregationalist. He started working for the firm of Smith & Porter in Kennebunk, Maine, but eventually bought the store in Kennebunk from the firm and started his own business in 1820.[1] He eventually owned stores throughout the state of Maine and had made numerous lucrative investments.[2][3] Storer was an active supporter of the Union during the Civil War. Storer was approached by Rev. Oren B. Cheney, founder of Bates College, a Freewill Baptist school in Maine regarding starting a school for freed slaves in the South after the Civil War.[4] Storer offered $10,000 to the Freewill Baptists for a "colored school" in the South if several conditions could be met. First, the school must become a degree-granting college. Second, the school had to be open to all applicants, regardless of race or gender. And, finally, the Freewill Baptist Church had to match his $10,000 donation within the year. After a year-long effort, the money was raised, and Storer Normal School opened its doors. By March 1868 it received its state charter. Storer died in 1867 and his heirs donated further funds to the school.[5][6]