The Rev. John H. Babcock
Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1869-1870
A researcher delving into the history of the staff and students of the Oregon School for the Blind found records that a Rev. John H. Babcock was the first sighted teacher and Superintendent of the Oregon School for the Blind, Dec. 1873. In addition, Rev. Babcock was well traveled, as seen by the following excerpts from the History of South Dakota by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904), found at http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/sd/church/episcopal/episcopal.txt.
Much of the earlier history of the Episcopal church in South Dakota has been gathered by the Rev. John H. Babcock, rural dean, and to his work we are indebted for many of the facts stated herein.
Rev. John H. Babcock was born at Ballston Spa, New York, August 11, 1826. He was educated at St. Thomas Hall, Flushing, Long Island, and graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1845. He was ordained deacon in 1853 and priest in 1856. He has been constantly engaged in clerical work and teaching in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, California and Oregon. Principal of the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, at Cheshire, and of the Oregon School for the Blind, at Salem. Came to Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1887. Resided in that city thirteen years, having charge of Mitchell, Chamberlain, Woonsocket, Plankinton, Alexandria, and Scotland. Removed to Sioux Falls, November, 1900. Since then has been doing general missionary work. Is president of the standing committee, and rural dean of the Eastern deanery.