Jesse W. Fell
Jesse W. Fell | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 10, 1808 Chester County, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | February 25, 1887 (aged 78) Normal, Illinois, US |
| Spouse | Hester Vernon Brown |
Jesse W. Fell (November 10, 1808 – February 25, 1887) was an American businessman and landowner. He was instrumental in the founding of Illinois State University as well as Normal, Pontiac, Clinton, Towanda, Dwight, DeWitt County and Livingston County in Central Illinois. He was also the founder of the newspaper The Pantagraph. As a close friend of Abraham Lincoln, it was Fell who urged him to challenge his opponent, Stephen A. Douglas, to their famous series of debates.