Henry Bird Steinhauer was baptized as a boy
during a mass baptism
by
William Case and Peter Jones. William Case continued to shape the
young convert's life by finding an American benefactor to sponsor
his formal education. Accordingly, Steinhauer was educated at Methodist schools,
including mission schools for his early education and more formal schools
once his aptitude for learning became apparent.
From 1832 to 1835 he
attended Cezenovia Seminary in the state of New York, after which he was
assigned by the Canadian Methodist church to teach at the Credit River
Mission school. Methodist minister and educator Egerton Ryerson enrolled
Steinhauer into the Upper Canada Academy
in 1836, however his education was again interrupted by a teaching
position, this
time at the Alderville Mission school. He returned to the
Upper Canada Academy and graduated in 1839.
His education completed, Steinhauer briefly returned to the Alderville
Mission school. In 1840 he was sent to Lac La
Pluie (Rainy Lake, Ontario), where he assisted William Mason as
interpreter, translator and teacher. In 1842 he was moved to Norway
House, thus beginning his missionary career in the Canadian West.

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