At the age of 9 John was taken into the home of Doctor Wilbur Fisk, who was principal, and kept under his care for three years. John then became a member of the first graduating class of Wesleyan University (1835), when Dr. Fisk became its first president.
At age nine, John was taken to the home of Dr. Wilbur Fisk, who served as principal at the institution and kept him there for three years.  John later graduated from Wesleyan University's inaugural class in 1835, when Dr. Fisk became its first president.