extremely wealthy man , he owned several prosperous businesses and held office as an Illinois State senator from 1855 to 1870 (“ Jane Addams : Chicago ’ s Pacifist - Who is Jane Addams ?”). He was also a close friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln . Her father was devoted to the well-being of his community , often making loans to his neighbors when they needed help . This generosity most likely contributed to Addams ’ beliefs later in life . In the 1870s , women were beginning to attend college for the first time . Jane Addams went to Rockford Female Seminary , as it was relatively close to her home . There , she learned writing and public speaking skills that would later play a part in her social activism . In 1881 , she graduated as valedictorian . That summer , her father suddenly died from appendicitis , leaving behind a large inheritance for each of his eight children . Jane received roughly $ 50,000 , which is equivalent to $ 1.23 million in today ’ s dollars (“ Jane Addams : Chicago ’ s Pacifist - Who is Jane Addams ?”).
Despite this generous inheritance , Addams was heartbroken . She soon became lost , struggling to find meaning and unsure what she was meant to do with her life . This internal struggle continued for six years , until finally , in 1887 , she found a purpose . Addams traveled to Europe with Ellen Gates Starr , an old friend from Rockford . While in London , the two of them visited Toynbee Hall in Whitechapel , one of London ’ s most impoverished neighborhoods . Toynbee Hall was a settlement house , or community center , where Cambridge and Oxford graduates volunteered to help those who were poverty-stricken . Addams was incredibly inspired by this novel idea . Upon realizing that this concept could be used to improve people ’ s livelihoods in the United States , she and Ellen Starr decided to replicate Toynbee Hall in the poor districts of Chicago ( Berson 19 ).
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