University of California • Berkeley
THE THOMAS J. READY JR. FAMILY FUND
JOtattonal Cpclopebta
of
Coloretr
Editor-in-Chief
CLEMENT RICHARDSON
President of Lincoln Institute
Jefferson City, Mo.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Dr. C. V. ROMAN, Nashville, Tenn.
Professor of Meharry Medical College.
W. T. B. WILLIAMS, Hampton Institute, Va.
Field Agent of the Jeannes and Slater Funds.
II. M. MINTON, M. D., Philadelphia, Pa.
Board of Directors Mercy Hospital.
SILAS X. FLOYD, Augusta, Ga.
Principal of City Schools.
DR. R. E. JONES, New Orleans, La.
Editor of South Western Christian Advocate.
DR. A. F. OWENS, Selma, Ala.
Dean of Theological Dept. Selma University.
FRED MOORE, New York City.
Editor New York Age.
ADVISORY BOARD
EMMETT J. SCOTT, Chairman,
Secretary of Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegce
Institute, Ala.
N. B. YOUNG, Tallahassee, Fla.
President of A. and M. College.
DR. J. W. E. BOWEN, Atlanta, Ga.
Dean of Gammon Theological Seminary.
J. R. E. LEE, Kansas City, Mo.
Principal of Lincoln High School.
J. S. CLARK, Baton Route, La.
President of Southern University.
DR. M. W. DOGAN, Marshall, Texas.
President of Wiley University.
Volume One
NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, Inc.
PUBLISHERS
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
1919
COPYRIGHT 1919
NATIONAL PUBLISHING CO., Inc.
MONTGOMERY, ALA.
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BOOKER TALIAFERRO WASHINGTON, M. A. LL. D.
Foreword
OR the past 20 yearn Negroes have been coming to the front so
rapidly that to list all whose names should appear in a work of
this kind would, I know, be impossible. As it is true of names
and biographies, so is it true of the general data concerning the Negro
race. Almost daily something happens or some new development in
the race records itself as monumental and historical. All of this, I
know the Editors cannot record; yet I am thoroughly convinced, from
what I have seen of the Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, that this
book will be of inestimable good to both the white people and the black
people of America.
It will be of service to the white people because it is the one work
which gives a comprehensive knowledge of the Negro race, past and
present.
It will be of great service to the Negro for two reasons. In the
first place it will be an advocate pleading his cause by setting forth
his achievements under the most trying circumstances. It will show
to the world that the American Negro is worthy not only of what he
has achieved, but of an open door to much greater achievements and
much kindlier treatment.
In the second place it will teach the Negro more about himself.
No Race, white or black, can get very far as a race or as individuals
without a goodly amount of self-respect and -race pride. Every
biography, the story of every kind of property ownership, of a bank
or store, owned and operated properly, will be a source of great inspi
ration to Negroes old and young. Were there no other reason, this
one of valuable racial inspiration would more than justify the hard
labor and careful thought that the publishers and editors have put
into this work.
Finally the public can rely upon the honesty and integrity of the
men whose names appear as editors of the Cyclopedia. Here and
there these men may err in fact, but in principle I do not believe there
is a man on the list who can be doubted. I know all of them per
sonally, a good many of them intimately. The editor in chief, Mr.
Clement Richardson, his chief advisor Mr. E. J. Scott, Mr. J. R. E.
Lee, Mr. N. B. Young, are all men who have rendered years of most
valuable services on the staff at Tuskegee Institute.
I commend this book highly to all Americans, with the hope that
a perusal of it will bring a better understanding and a warmer spirit
of friendship and inspiration, to both races.
Principal Tuskegee Institute
PREFACE
Cyclopedia of the Negro race
should, it seems to me, have
two purposes — to inform and
to inspire. The ordinary work
of the kind has merely the task
to inform. The inspiration
story, the tale of struggle and achievement, is
attended to by the daily paper, the magazine,
the technical journal and the photographer.
Hut the only sure hope that the black Ameri
can can entertain for immediate notice comes
through committing crime. The black man
who assails a hen roost, one who perpetrates a
blind tiger or commits even more revolting
crimes is pretty certain of a big headline and
several pages in the daily news, while he who
pays his taxes, supports his family and lays
away a few shekels or invests in land, houses
or brain power, passes on unheralded.
Let the task of this work be to inform of
the good deeds. Rapidly the Negro himself is
casting out the discriminating hook, with the
label, "Who is he?" written in pretty bold let
ters. Good deeds, a life of service, have come
to be a passport required among groups of col
ored Americans as well as among groups of
other people.
We have still also our weakness toward
education. We like the diploma on the wall,
the cap and gown, the enriching memories of
college days. He, therefore, who would make
his place in various groups must carry the
stamp of merit in cultivation of intellect, in the
acquisition of wealth, in deeds of good for the
betterment of his people.
Therein does the Clyclopedia hope to fill
what assuredly appears to be a crying need.
Negroes over the country do not know one an
other, neither do the white Americans know
what their darker countrymen are doing to
make a stronger and nobler race and to make
of all wholesome citizens.
As a rule, however, we cannot accomplish
the end of this undertaking by cataloging a
few dry, abstract facts. Thus to set down
"John Smith, born 1884, proprietor of a drug
store, candidate for Grand Secretary of K.
P." and so on, would not, though thoroughly
informing, give all that we want the Negro
school boy and the Negro school girl to find
A\ hen they go to search for our names in the
Cyclopedia. We want them to look there,
both young and old, to find a brief succinct
story, — one that while it informs, gives some
measure of the man, some measure of the char
acter he developed while becoming the pro
prietor of a drug store, or candidate for Grand
Secretary. Here is the editor of a Negro pa
per. How did he get his education in gen
eral? How did he get his particular training
for the craft? How many nights, as Horace
Greely put it, did he "sleep on paper and eat
ink" — or support his family on unpaid sub
scriptions? In other words, we want the Ne
gro boy to feel inspired, to come away with a
thrill: we want the older Negro to feel that
he is among a great galaxy of black folk, great
because of character, of education, of good
ness.
Thanks to the breaking of a new day, we
now have a great many friends who are gen
uinely interested in our progress. They want
to see what the black folks have done; to see
the fruit of their labor on the one hand and to
uphold the black man's cause to those who still
doubt, or who alas ! simply do not know.
As we feel about the person so we feel about
the organization, the institution. Here is a
big Negro church whose night classes, rest
rooms and the like owe their existence to the
poor mothers who sweat over the wash tub: A
Negro school whose first master likely as not
taught in the rain, or waded through water
and mud to reach his classes. Here again ic
a Negro bank, whose first president begged
deposits from door to door: A big Negro far
mer and land owner, who once grubbed his
soil or chopped wood by the light of a pine
torch: a Negro publisher who once was class
ed a little above a tramp: A Negro insurance
man, who was once a cook: A big Negro physi
cian who came from the farm or from the
ranks of the hotel waiters. It is this we would
chronicle, not of course that it may be known
merely, but that there may be more and bet
ter banks, holier churches, finer schools, big
ger farmers, a larger number forging forward
from the ranks typifying the best in the race.
To have undertaken a task of this kind was,
in the eyes of many, to pursue a course of rash-
ness, if not madness. The territory, it was
th.mght, was far too wide. The task of se
lecting and rejecting was too nice and too haz
ardous. To do even a reasonable amount of
justice to all deserving persons was impossible.
And so why risk so much?
Now, the remarkable feature of all this is,
that those who made these objections were cor
rect. Indeed, each point in itself is sufficient
to retard one from undertaking the task. Yet,
there was, and is, at least an equal weight on
the side that here is an opportunity to render
good service, service of help on the one hand
and of enlightenment on the other. To sit by
and let slip so fair an occasion merely because
of fear per se, or because of fear of failure
seemed as criminal as to try and even fail.
The men whose lives are here sketched, the
Institutions and Organizations here represent
ed, by no means exhaust the list. In fact, sume
of the most thrilling tales of struggle and con
quest of both men and Organizations are, for
one reason or another, not here at all. It is
doubtful, in many instances, if they can be se
cured. Indifference to fame, a shrinking
from publicity, intense engagement in one kind
of work or another, all conspire to with-hold
the desired information from the public.
The Editor has drawn freely from the wj-it-
ings of others. Just what particular work he
is most indebted to, he is at a loss to say. He
has consulted most printed matter on Negroes.
He is therefore grateful to Negro Magazine
Editors, Negro News Paper Editors, and to
all Authors of books bearing on Negro people.
If there has been any purloining, such has not
been done through any wish to arrogate knowl
edge or talent, but with the full desire, border
ing, it is hoped, upon enthusiasm, to send
abroad the good news and glad tidings that the
people for whom so many good tempers have
been spoiled, and for whom so much blood has
been shed, are not being redeemed in vain.
One of the happiest phases of the endeavor,
both to the publishers and to the Editor, has
been the quick and hearty response accorded
by the leading Negroes and those White peo
ple interested in Negroes throughout the
country. This was particularly true of pro
fessional and thinking men of the race;
of the Ministers, of the Doctors, of the
Editors, and of up-lift workers. So numerous
are these that to name them is impossible.
Again, the leading schools for Negroes, wheth
er in the hands of Colored people or White,
have given an encouragement, without which
the work could hardly have progressed. Tus-
kegee, Fisk, Spelman, and scores of other sach
Institutions gave their backing in every sense
un reservedly.
Two men must be spoken of, else this Cy
clopedia had not been — Dr. R. R. Moton and
Hon. Emett J. Scott. The former was com
ing into the principalship of Tuskegee Insti
tute at the inception of this work. Without
question, without hesitation, he not only gave
his endorsement, but took the occasion when
ever approached to commend the undertaking,
an act wholly in keeping with the known gen
erous traits of Dr. Moton. Upon the latter
should have devolved the editing of this work.
While he occupies the place of Chairman of
the Advisory Board, Mr. Scott is, as a matter
of fact, in many ways the Cyclopedia's spon
sor. His exceeding wide contact, his host of
warm personal friends everywhere, made for
the Editor and the Publishers a rose covered
path, which might otherwise have been one
strewn with gravel, if not with thorns.
CLEMENT RICHARDSON,
Lincoln Institute,
Jefferson Citv, Mo., Nov. loth, 1918.
Booker Taliaferro Washington, M. A. LL. D.
OOKER T. WASHINGTON, a
model of efficiency, was born
a slave — but he lived to absorb
so much of the white man's
civilization that he taught not
only Negroes by a new method,
but had his method adopted by white men
as well. Dr. Washington attended Hampton
Institute, earning his way as he went. In
deed all that Dr. Washington had as a start for
his most remarkable career, was a determination
to better himself and his people. He lived to
found and serve till it was fully established with
no possible chance of failure, the largest institution
for Negroes in the world — Tuskegee Institute.
This school has become a model for schools in all
parts of the world. Dr. Washington also founded
the National Negro Business League, The Inter
national Race Congress, and was instrumental in
the founding of the Southern Education Board.
He was honored by Harvard University with the
degree of Master of Arts and was given the degree
of LL. D. by Dartmouth. In addition to these he
was given honary degrees by a number of the
leading Eastern and Southern Colleges. This was
done as a recognition of his work. Dr. Washing
ton never ceased to study, he studied at home, on
the trains, on the long trips through the country.
He was as close a student of books as he was of
men. His judgments of men and things are brought
out clearly in the many books and periodicals of
which he is the author.
Booker T. Washington who died at his home
early Sunday morning, Nov. 14, 1915, was a big
man out in the world ; he was a bigger man at
home among his teachers. The world knew him for
his eloquence, his homely wit, his tact, his shrewd
diplomacy. We knew him at home for his broad
sympathies, for his kindness, his attention to little
things, his infinite power of planning and work
ing. His two last acts, one abroad and one at
home, are strikingly significant of his balanced
life. His last act before the world was to make a
journey to deliver an address. His last act at home
was to repair an old board fence which he had un
wittingly ordered torn down.
At home or abroad he was never too big for even
the humblest man to approach. Indeed he had a
sort of craze for bringing together the rude illit
erate and the more cultivated members of his race.
He liked to assemble the rude black farmer, the
school teacher, the lawyer and the business man.
He had a fondness for stopping the half illiterate
preacher, for getting such in his office and looking
into their minds. An oldtime mamniv, or an old, old
Negro farmer in his audiences seemed to inspire
him more than the richest and most distinguished.
He always rushed, as it were, into the arms of such
at. the closing of his big meetings. Probably no
single organization with which he ever had connec
tion gave him quite the genuine satisfaction he got
from the Annual Farmers' Conference. He de
lighted to banter these old fellows, to listen to
their rude speeches and homely sayings. Many of
his own stories and anecdotes sprang out of these
meetings.
But he was no mere stag acquaintance. He wel
comed all such to his fireside, to his office, his pre
cious time, his helping hand, the mother protesting
that her child did not make a class high enough,
the student smarting under some misunderstanding
with a teacher, the white banker or white farmer
wishing to transact business — all had free access
to him. To be sure he kept a closed office, but this
was to gain dispatch, not to exclude. It was no
uncommon sight to find a vagrant Negro preacher,
a distinguished visitor, a Negro farmer, a teacher
or two, and a few students all waiting to see him.
. Reports say that the doctors wondered how he
lived so long. The more is the marvel when one
thinks of the burdens he bore. Having to raise
thousands of dollars to provide food, heat, com
fortable lodgings for 1500 students, he neverthe
less kept his finger on the smallest details. Now he
was dictating a letter asking for funds, the next
moment he would be summoning a workman or
dictating a note about the weeds in a plot of
ground, about a hedge, or a broken window pane.
One moment he would be dictating a speech for
some national occasion, the next he would be ad
vising a means of disposing of "old Mollie," one
of the cows of the dairy herd, or "old Phil," a lame
mule. So it was with the eggs and chickens from
the poultry yard, the sweU potatoes, the peaches,
the corn, oats, pigs, the power plant, the lighting
system, the way a new teacher was conducting a
class in arithmetic or grammar. And this thing
he kept up from day to day, whether he was in
New York or Alabama. I myself have again and
again, during the seven years in which I have had
charge of the English work at Tuskegee Institute
gotten notes making suggestions about a paragraph
or a sentence in some student's talk or commence
ment address.
There was only one way under the sun he could
do this. He regulated his life to the very second.
He husbanded time most miserly, though he was
prodigal with his energies. He had breakfasted
and was out on horseback by 7:30 (he fancied the
big iron gray pacer). His hour's ride was in a
Sense recreative ; in another sense, it was work :
for he inspected the farm, the orchard, the shops,
the school's supplies, taking notes and giving di
rection. If he rode out into the country, he usually
returned with suggestions about a torn-off blind
on a Negro church or the neglected garden of a
Negro schoolhouse. All the time he was stopping
teachers and workmen by the way, giving them
new tasks, requesting them to come to his office
at a certain hour.
By half past eight he was in his office. For a
certain time he read and dictated letters. In the
meantime the office boys were flying over the
grounds and ringing the telephone bells, summon
ing Council members, the heads of departments, to
a committee meeting, a meeting on the budget, on
Commencement, on a new building, on the actions
of a student or a teacher. Up to the last second
he would keep his mind fixed on his reading or
correspondence. He then took up the business in
hand, dispensed with it and went back to an article
on teaching or on Negro homes or Negro business.
If he was slated to make a trip in a buggy or car
he kept his work until the clock was on the second.
Then he stepped into the conveyance and was gone.
Woe unto him who brought a slow vehicle. Even
so he would be at work. Between one stop and
another on a speaking tour he would sketch a half
dozen plans— for articles, for grading a lawn, for
remodeling a building, for rendering somebody a
service. Always and everywhere his plans incul
cated this— to serve somebody, to make somebody
happier. It might be by giving a body something ;
it was most often by giving one something to do.
This having things to hand, which to some minds,
might appear at times extravagant was the very
essence of his efficiency, as it is of any man's effi
ciency. The change of clothing was usually ready
to hand. He had push bells and telephones in his
office, and push bells and telephones in his study
at home. Wherever and whenever he went about
the grounds an office boy, sometimes a stenograph
er, followed at his elbow to summon a workman or
to take down a note on some weak point in work
manship. His pet diversion was hunting. In the
fall he would frequently steal an hour and run out
to the woods. To save time he kept a hunting out
fit, gun cartridges, etc., at his home and one at
the work place of the young man who usually ac
companied him, so that whenever the hunting time
came he would not loose an hour in getting ready.
To some this would be extravagance. To one
whose time is precious it is the highest economy.
With this practice of having things to hand he
coupled the habit of doing the thing then. His key
word was "AT ONCE." Alas! how often Tus-
kegee teachers have seen that notice: Mr -
will see the Principal "at once." The enr;-igemen1
might not last one third the time it required you
to walk to the office ; but he attended to *he thing
there. The errand boy gets the workman there.
The stenographer took down the note on the spot.
He went hunting then; he mr.de his address then;
he signed his letters then. Each minute in i.he
day seemed to have been for him an individual par
ticle, to be dealt with and settled by the time the
next one ticked around. For the last year or so
he pushed this habit to the extreme, calling for
teachers, workmen, council members, who were
the advisory board, at midnight, at daybreak, at
the meal hour. Several times Mrs. Washington
protested, seeking to restrain him. With the genius
of premonition he would exclaim, "Let me alone.
Let me do it now. I don't know where I'll be to
morrow."
Some local joker tells this story which, though
likely enough untrue, illustrates this habit of at
tending to one thing at the moment. One after
noon in the fall while stealing his hour's hunt he
chanced to cross a part of the school's farm in order
to reach the woods. The name of the Director of
the farming industries is Bridgeforth, that of the
young man who went hunting with Dr. Washing
ton, Foster. Just as the Tuskegean and Foster en
tered the woods, a squirrel leaped from the ground
and went scrambling up a tree. Quick as a spark
Dr. Washington leveled his gun. At the same mo
ment some thought about improving the farm ev
idently flashed across his mind. Relaxing his gun
the slightest bit, he turned to the young man and
said:
"Foster, get me Mr. Bridgeforth at once."
Probably few Americans, white or black, have
had a higher sense of duty than Booker T. Wash
ington. It mattered little who imposed the task
or whether it was great or small, the thing was
promised and must be done. Many of us here at
Tuskegee feel that nothing but this sense of duty
backed by a tremendous will, has kept him alive
for the last few years. A year or so ago we were
holding our Annual Armstrong Memorial exercises.
Dr. Washington had said that he would speak at
this exercise, as he always did when he was at
home. Early in the afternoon of the appointed
day he fell ill with a throbbing headache and his
stomach in a turmoil. The doctor put him to bed
and ordered him to remain there. At eight o'clock
that night he appeared and made his address,
though he collapsed in the ante-room immediately
afterwards.
Finally, just as he willed to do, to hold on, he
could will to let go.
He was great in big things and in little things;
great in the world and at home ; but he was great
est in the assertion of his tremendous will.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS
REDERICK DOUGLASS, Orator
and Statesman, born a slave, rose
to be one of the great men of his
day. whose name will live in
American history. He was born
in Maryland, February 14. 1817.
Mis name at first was Frederick Augustus Wash
ington Baily ; he changed it, being hunted as a fu
gitive slave, to Douglass. He chose Douglass be
cause of his facination for this character as por
trayed by Sir Walter Scott, a character which the
ex-slave in his grand manner much resembled.
In his childhood he saw little of his mother, noth
ing of his father. The mother worked on a planta
tion twelve miles from her son and could only see
him by making the journey on foot and after work
time. Whatever training the boy received up to
the age of eight, he received it from his grand
mother.
At the age of eight years he was put under Aunt
Katy, who was cruel, often depriving the little fel
low of food. On one occasion he went to bed so
hungry that when all the household were asleep
he rose and began to parch and eat corn. In the
midst of the corn-parching, his mother came in,
bringing a ginger cake, which made him feel that
he was "somebody's child." This was the last time
he saw his mother.
Douglass was sent to Baltimore, where after a
time he learned to read, being taught by his new
mistress, Mrs. Auld. When the master discovered
what the mistress had done, he set a watch over
Douglass lest he should escape. This he finally did,
though he was long sought after and had one time
to go to England to avoid capture. He was finally
bought and set free.
He gave his life as a freedman to liberating his
brethren and to improving the ex-slave condition
after freedom came. He served during his life
time as United States Marshall in the District of
Columbia, as Recorder of Deeds in the District of
Columbia, and as Consul General to the Republic
of Hayti. He was the first Negro to hold these
offices. He was much traveled and was admired as
an orator and as a man wherever he went.
A few of the sayings of Douglass follow:
"Emancipation has liberated the land as well as
the people."
"Neither the slave nor his master can abandon all
at once the deeply entrenched errors and habits of
centuries."
"There is no work that men are required to do,
which they cannot better and more economically
do with education than without it."
"Muscle is mighty but mind is mightier, and
there is no field for the exercise of mind other than
is found in the cultivation of the soul."
"As a race we have suffered from two very op
posite causes, disparagement on the one hand and
undue praise on the other."
"An important question to be answered by evi
dence of our progress is: Whether the black man
will prove a better master to himself than the white
man was to him."
"Accumulate property. This may sound to you
like a new gospel. No people can ever make any
social and mental improvement whose exertions are
limited. Poverty is our greatest calamity — On the
other hand, property, money, if you please, will pro
duce for us the only condition upon which any peo
ple can rise to the dignity of genuine manhood."
"Without property there can be no leisure. With
out leisure there can be no invention, without in
vention there can be no progress."
"We can work and by this means we can retrieve
all our losses."
"Knowledge, wisdom, culture, refinement, man
ners, are all founded on work and the wealth which
work brings."
"In nine cases out of ten a man's condition is
worse by changing his location. You would better
endeavor to remove the evil from your door than
to move and leave it there."
Alexander Dumas, Novelist and Play-wright
HACKERY, the English Novelist,
called Dumas "Alexander the
Great." Like Alexander Pushkin
of Russia, the great French ro
mancer is the third descent from
a Negro, only in this instance
the line begins with the grandmother rather than
the grandfather. Dumas' grandfather, who was a
marquis, married a Creole of Haiti. The author's
father was a dark giant of a man ; one of the heroic
generals of the army of Napoleon.
The general married the daughter of an inn
keeper. From this union the novelist was born in
1802. The father died while the son was four
years old. Having but small means, Alexander
soon found himself in Paris seeking his fortune.
For a time he attached himself to the Duke of Or
leans as clerk. Like Voltaire, Hugo and many
other French men of letters, Dumas sought to make
his way as a play-wright. In this he succeeded
modestly, having presented successfully, Henry III,
Tower of Nelse and several other plays. But Du
mas' claim to fame, a claim which he holds undis-
putably, rests upon his romances, "The three Mus-
kateers," "The Count of Monte Cristo," "Twenty
Years After," and scores of others. The critics call
him, "Capriceius prolix, fertile puissant," as having
a "rare mind, rare attention, subtle spirit, quick
comprehension."
The following is taken from his writings :
FATALITY.
Scarcely had D'Artagnan uttered these words
than a ringing and sudden noise was heard resound
ing through the felucca, which now became dim in
the obscurity of the night.
"That, you may be sure," said the Gascon, "means
something."
They then, at the same instant, perceived a
large lantern carried on a pole appear on the deck,
denning the forms of shadows behind it.
Suddenly a terrible cry, a cry of dispair, was
wafted through the space, and as if the shrieks of
anguish had driven away the clouds, the veil which
hid the moon was cleared away, and the gray sails
and dark shrouds of the felucca were plainly visi
ble beneath the silvery light.
Shadows ran, as if bewildered, to and fro on the
vessel, and mournful cries accompanied these delir
ious walkers. In the midst of these screams they
saw Mordaunt upon the poop, with a torch in
hand.
The agitated figures, apparently wild with terror,
consisted of Groslow, who, at the hour fixed by
Mordaunt, had collected his men, and the sailors.
Groslow, after having listened at the door of the
cabin to hear if the musketeers were still asleep,
had gone down into the cellar, convinced by their
silence that they were all in a deep slumber. Then
Mordaunt had run to the train — impetuous as a
man who is excited by revenge and full of confi
dence — as are those whom God blinds — he had set
fire to the wick of niter.
All this while, Groslow and his men were assem
bled on the deck.
"Haul up the cable, and draw the boat to us,"
said Groslow.
One of the sailors got down the side of the ship,
seized the cable, and drew it — it came without the
least resistance.
"The cable is cut!" he cried, "no boat!"
"How! no boat!" exclaimed Groslow; "it is im
possible."
" 'Tis true, however," answered the sailor ;
"there's nothing in the wake of the ship, besides
here's the end of the cable."
"What's the matter?" cried Mordaunt, who is
coming up out of the hatchway, rushed to the
stern, waving his torch.
"Only that our enemies have escaped — they have
cut the cord, and gone off with the boat."
Mordaunt bounded with one step to the cabin,
and kicked open the door.
"Empty!" he exclaimed; "the infernal demons!"
"We must pursue them," said Groslow ; "they
can't be gone far, and we will sink them, passing
over them."
"Yes, but the fire," ejaculated Mordaunt; "I have
lighted it."
"Ten thousand devils !" cried Groslow, rushing to
the hatchway ; "perhaps there is still time to save
us."
Mordaunt answered only by a terrible laugh,
threw his torch into the sea, and plunged in after
it. The instant Groslow put his foot upon the
hatchway steps, the ship opened like the crater of
a volcano. A burst of flames rose toward the skies
with an explosion like that of a hundred cannon ;
the air burned, ignited by flaming embers, then the
frightful lightning disappeared, the brands sank,
one after another, into the abyss, where they were
extinguished, and, save for a slight vibration in the
air, after a few minutes had lapsed, one would have
thought that nothing had happened.
Only — the felucca had disappeared from the sur
face of the sea. and Groslow and his three sailors
were consumed.
10
Alexander Pushkin, Father of Russian Poetry
LEXANDER PUSHKIN is called
the "Russian Byron," "demigod
of Russian Verse," "father of
Russian poetry," "the laureate of
Czar Nicholas." The Pushkins
had long been about the rulers of
Russia as cited by Alexander in "My Pedigree."
The first of the line the grandfather of the poet
was an Abyssinian, who was stolen as a slave from
Constantinople. The grandsire was not only
adopted by Peter the Great, but given a title of
nobility and rank of General.
The poet was proud of his African blood, which
asserted itself unmistablv in the curl of his hair
and the shape of his lips. He regarded himself as
a drop of African blood on Arctic soil. He was
born in 1799. During his childhood an old nurse be
guiled him with many legends and fables of Rus
sia. When he was twenty these legends brought
forth fruit in his first great poem, "Ruslan and
Liudmila." His democratic ideas, which encouched
in an "Ode to Liberty," soon made him an exile
from home and from Czar Nicholas I. However,
the Czar loved the poet and speedily pardoned him.
He died quite young, having written not only poet
ry that survives, but many prose tales. It is said
that every youth in Russia knows his poetry by
heart.
MY PEDEGREE.
IV. 66.
With scorning laughter at a fellow writer,
In a chorus the Russian scribes
With name of aristocrat me chide :
Just look, if please you. . . nonsense what!
Court Coachman not I, nor assessor,
Nor am I nobleman by cross ;
No academician, nor proffer,
I'm simply of Russiana citizen.
When treason conquered was and falsehood,
And the rage of storms of war,
When the Romanoffs upon the throne
The nation called by its Chart—
We upon it laid our hands ;
The martyr's son then favored us ;
Time was, our race was prized,
But I . . am but a citizen obscure.
Well I know the times' corruption,
And surely, not gain say it shall I :
Our nobility but recent is :
The more recent it, the more noble
But of humble races a chip,
And, God be thanked, not alone
Of ancient Lords am scion I ;
Citizen I am, a citizen !
'tis.
Our stubborn spirit us tricks has played
Most irrepressible of his race,
With Peter my sire could not get on ;
And for this was hung by him.
Let his example a lesson be ;
Not contradiction loves a ruler,
Not all can be Prince Dolgorukys,
Happy only is the simple citizen.
Not in cakes my grandsire traded,
Not a prince was newly-baked he ;
Not at church sang he in choir,
Nor polished he the boots of Tsar ;
Was not escaped a soldier he
From the German powdered ranks ;
How then aristocrat am I to be?
God be thanked, I am but a citizen.
My grandfather, when the rebels rose
In the palace of Peterhof,
Like Munich, faithful he remained
To the fallen Peter Third ;
To honor came then the Orloffs,
But my sire into fortress, prison, —
Quiet now was our stern race,
And I was born merely — citizen.
My grandsire Radshaa in warlike service
To Alexander Nefsky was attached,
The Crowned Wrathful, Fourth Ivan,
Mis descendents in his ire had spared.
About the Tsars the Pushkins moved;
And more than one acquired renoun,
When against the poles battling was
Of Nizhny Novgorod the citizen plain.
Beneath my crested seal
The roll of family charts I've kept ;
Not running after magnates new,
My pride of blood I have subdued ;
I'm but an unknown singer
Simply Pushkin, not Moussin,
My strength is mine, not from court:
I am a writer, a citizen.
11
PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR
AUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR,
Poet, is well known, as ought to
be, to all Negroes. His songs in
Jialect and in plain English are
known and quoted by all English
speaking people. Many of the
pieces have been set to music and are sung with
remarkable pathos. "Poor Li'l Lamb," and "Seen
Mali Lady Home Las' Night," to quote two of the
well known songs, are applauded by all grades of
audiences throughout the land.
Paul Lawrence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio,
in 1872. He was named Paul after the famous apos
tle in the scripture and Lawrence after a friend of
his parents. The poet is said to have written his
first verse when he was seven years old. Paul was
a very bashful boy, but he had courage enough to
take his poems to his teacher, who encouraged him.
His favorite studies were, grammar, spelling and
literature. He edited the High School Times, a
monthly school paper in the Steel High School of
Dayton, where Dunbar was a pupil and from which
he was graduated with honors in 1891.
Dunbar went out from school to earn his bread
as best he may. His father had died, the support of
home therefore fell on the boy, who was none too
sound in health. He had aided his mother with the
washing and had done such odd jobs as he could
find. All he could find as a graduate from the High
School was the part as elevator boy in the Callahan
Building of Dayton. But he made the best of it,
using every spare moment to study or to write.
He soon triumphed over his hardships, publishing
his poems in the best magazines of the country, ap
pearing before the most select audiences both in
this country and in England and numbering among
his friends such persons as James Whitcomb Riley,
William Dean Howell, John Hay, William McKin-
ley, Theodore Roosevelt, R. R. Moton, and Book
er T. Washington.
The following are favorite lines :
LITTLE BROWN BABY
Little brown baby wif spa'kliif eyes,
Come to yo' pappy an' set on his knee
What you been doin' suh — makin' san.' pies?
Look at dat bib — you's ez du'ty ez me.
Look at dat mouf — dat's merlasses, I bet ;
Come hyeah, Maria, an' wipe off his han's.
Bees gwine to ketch you an' eat you up yit,
Bein' so sticky an' sweet — goodness lan's !
Little brown baby wif sparkin' eyes,
Who's papyy's darlin' an' who's pappy's chile?
Who is it all de day nevah once tries
Fu' to be cross, er once looses dat smile?
Whah did you git dem teef? My you's a scamp!
Wah did dat dimple come f 'om in yo' chin ?
Pappy do'n know yo' — I b'lieves you's a tramp ;
Mammy, dis hyeah's some ol' straggler got in !
Let's th'ow him outen de do' in de san',
We don' want stragglers a-layin' 'round hyeah ;
Let's gin him 'way to de big buggah-man ;
I know he's hidin' erroun' hyeah right neah.
Buggah-man, buggah-man, come in de do',
Hyeah's a bad boy you kin have fu' to eat.
Mammy an' pappy don' want him no mo',
Swaller him down f'om his haid to his feet !
Dah, now, I t'ought dat you'd hug me up close,
Go back, buggah, you shan't have dis boy.
He ain't no tramp ner no straggler, of co'se ;
He's pappy's pa'dner an' playmate an' joy.
Come to yo' pallet now — go to yo' res';
Wisht you could allus know ease and cleah skies ;
VVisht you could stay jes' a chile on my breas'—
Little brown baby wif spa'klin eyes!
— Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
12
Sojbuner Truth, Emancipation Lecturer
HE NEGRO RACE has developed
some unique characters who stand
out conspicuous in their line of
endeavor. Not the least among1
these is Sojourner Truth a wo
man -of considerable native ability
though an illiterate.
She was born a slave in Ulser County, N. Y.,
about the year 1775 and died in Battle Creek, Mich
igan, Nov. 26th, 1883. She was held in slavery
even after its abolition in the same State. In 1827
she escaped from her owner and went to New York
City and from thence to Northampton, Mass., and
then to Rochester, N. Y.
Like Joan of Arc, she claimed that she was call
ed to her work through a vision.
Her mother was brought from Africa, but her
father was a mixture of Negro and Indian blood.
The early training of her mother influenced her
entire after life. She taught her the value of hon
esty and truth and directed her mind to contem
plate God as a Father and friend to whom she
could go in confidence and trust.
Naturally Isabella (her slave name) developed a
very religious trait.
She learned the true meaning of prayer and ap
proached it in the spirit of a confident telling her
troubles to God and invoking his aid.
One day she thought that she met God face to
face and it so startled her that she exclaimed : "O
God, I did not know you as you was so big !"
She changed her name from Isabella, the one
given her by her master, to Sojourner, claiming
that the Lord had bestowed it upon her in a vision
and added the appellation "Truth" because that
was the substance of the message she felt impell
ed to declare to men.
From the issue of her marriage Sojourner be
came the mother of five children, the father dying
when they were quite young, left their care and
support to her.
The following incident tends to show that the
mother instinct was strong in her.
One of her sons was sold into slavery in Ala
bama and she was anxious to find him so she
sought council of God. Now simple and child
like her plea, "Now, God, help me get my son. If
you were in trouble as I am, and I could help you,
as you can help me, think I wouldn't do it? Yes,
God, you know I would do it. I will never give
you peace 'till you do, God !" and then taking it
for granted that she would receive the required
help, she continued, "Lord, what would them have
me do?" the answer coming, "Go out of the city."
Not knowing the direction she should take, she
made further inquiry and received instruction to
"Go East."
Accordingly on the morning of the first day of
June, 1845, with a few clothes in her bag, a few
shillings and a basket of food, she left the city and
turned her face towards the rising sun.
It was on this morning that she gave herself,
feeling divinely directed, her new name, saying
that since she was to be a traveler, a sojourner, her
name should be Sojourner. Being asked her sur
name she exclaimed that she had not thought of
that, but immediately went to God about it and in
her characterictic way exclaimed, "Oh, God, give
me a name with a handle to it," and then came the
thought that God's name was truth and she at once
adopted that as her sur-name, which so pleased her
that she lifted up her eyes to God in thanks, saying,
"Why, thank you God, that is a very good name."
Sojourner was a woman of great shrewdness,
wit and impressive voice which together with
force of character made her an effective speaker.
The great theme of her lectures and the object
of her effort was the emancipation of her people,
though she touched upon woman's rights, temper
ance and political reforms.
She traveled widely ijj the northern part of the
United States, but during the Civil War she spent
much of her time in Washington.
Her power to electrify audiences was compared
with that of the great French actress, Rachel.
On one occasion Frederick Douglass was speak
ing to a large audience and was painting a gloomy
picture of the conditions of slavery and was up
braiding the church and State. Just as he had got
the audience under his sway, Sojourner suddenly
arose in the rear of the room and cried :
"Frederick! Frederick! is God dead?" It broke
the spell of pessimism and for a time left the au
dience and the speaker dumbfounded.
She composed a battle hymn for a Negro regi
ment of Michigan and sang it herself both at De
troit and Washington :
"We hear the proclamation Massa, hush it as you
will;
The birds will sing it to us, hopping on the cotton
hill;
The possum up the gum tree couldn't keep it still ;
As we went climbing on."
Her's was a life of service and though of hum
ble origin and of meager ability other than that
conferred upon her by nature, she died in her home
in Battle Creek, Michigan, with the satisfaction
that she had contributed her mite in the service of
her people.
13
Benjamin Banneker, Mathematician-Astronomer
HE first Banneker known of
among Negroes in American his
tory was an African Prince. This
son of an African king was cap
tured, brought to this country
and sold to Molly Welsh of Mary
land. Set free some years after his arrival, Banne
ker, who was a man of fine bearing and contem
plative habits, married his former owner. The
African Prince died early leaving his wife four
children. One of these, a daughter by the name
of Mary, married a native African, who became
converted, joined the church and took his wife's
sur-name of Banneker. This couple in turn had
four children of whom Benjamin was the oldest and
only son.
Benjamin Banneker was born Sept. 9th, 1731.
The boy had a brilliant mind, was popular at school
;jiid a great favorite with his grand-mother who
used to give him of her small share of knowledge
and have him read much from the Bible.
His study under teachers was not at all extensive
but he gained an early love for books and continued
to "dive into books", as was said of him, all his
life. Benjamin was twenty years old when his
father died. The latter had bought one hundred
acres of land when Benjamin was six years old, for
which he paid 1700 pounds of tobacco. To the
son and the widow the father left seventy-f.wo
acres of land and the home, dividing the remaining
twenty-eight acres among his daughters. Though
very studious, Benjamin was an excellent farmer,
having a good garden and a fine assortment of
fruit trees. He kept two horses, several cows and
was very skillful in handling bees. Thus situated,
life was very busy for him, but he made all things
a school.
When he was twenty years o'd haVin? IT> too's
but a jack knife and having seen nothing but a
sundial and a watch, Benjamin made himself a time
piece which struck the hours and which kept the
t'me for more than twenty years. When he was
fifty-eight years of age, Banneker, who all these
years had made the study of Astronomy a passion,
transferred his land to Ellicott and Company for an
annuity of twelve pounds. He was now free to give
his whole time to his favorite study. Night after
night he lay upon the ground, wrapped in his great
coat, watching the heavens. In the morning he
retired to rest, but appeared to acquire but little
sleep. He still hoed in the garden and trimmed
fruit trees for exercise and played on the flute or
the violin for diversion.
He ventured from home but little. The only oc
casion on which he spent much time from his farm
was in the year 1790 and thereabout when he aided
14
in laying off or surveying the Federal Territory for
the District of Columbia. He also aided in locating
the spot for the capitol, the Presidents' House,
Treasury and other public buildings.
On his return from Washington, he published his
first Almanac, 1792, a copy of which he sent Thom
as Jefferson. The latter forwarded the manuscript
to Condercet, Secretary of the Academy of Sciences
at Paris. The publishers advertised it as "an ex
traordinary effort o-f genius, calculated by a sable
descendant of Africa." From this he became wide
ly known as a writer and thinker and famous people
frequently sought him out. He died October 9th.
1806 at the age of seventy-five.
Maryland, Baltimore County, Near Ellicott's Lower
Mills, August 19, 1791.
To Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State,
Philadelphia.
Sir:
I have taken up my pen in order to direct to you.
as a present, a copy of an Almanac which I have
calculated for the ensuing year.
This calculation, Sir, is the production of my ar
duous study, in this my advanced stage of life ; for
having long had unbounded desires to become ac
quainted with the secrets of nature, I have had to
gratify my curiosity herein, thro' my own assidu
ous application to astronomical study, in which I
need not recount to you the many difficulties and
disadvantages I have had to encounter.
And, altho' I had almost declined to make niv
calculation for the ensuing year, in consequence of
the time which I had allotted therefor being taken
up at the Federal Territory, by the request of Mr.
Andrew Ellicott ; yet finding myself under several
engagements to printers of this State, to whom
! had communicated my design, on my return to
my place of residence, 1 industriously applied my
self thereto, which I hope I have accomplished with
correctness and accuracy, a copy of which 1 have
taken the liberty to direct to you, and which 1
humbly request you will favorably receive ; and, al
tho' you may have the opportunity of perusing it
,;fter its publication, yet I chose to send it to you in
manuscript previous thereto, that thereby you
might not only have an earlier inspection, but that
you might also view it in my own handwriting.
And, now, Sir, I shall conclude, and subscribe
myself with the most profound respect.
Your most obedient, humble ser -ant,
B. BANNEKER.
Mr. Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State.
Philadelphia.
N. B — Any communication to me nmy be had
by a direction to Mr. Elias Ellicott, Baltimore
Town.
Phillis Wheatley, Poetess
HILLIS WHEATLEY was one of
the .first literary women of Amer
ica ; the first woman poet of the
United States ; the first Negro au
thor, the first, as far as has thus
far been discovered, to speak of
George Washington as the "first in peace."
The first Negro poet was a slave brought over
in a cargo of captives in 1781. The ship of human
cargo landed at Boston. There among other slave
buyers, were Mr. and Mrs. John Wheatley who
came to select and purchase a girl for their home.
Phillis came forth a frail creature of seven rr eight
years of age. The Bostonians bought her and
christened her Phillis Wheatley. Of course the
slave child was unable to read or write. But the
VVheatleys taught her. In less than sixteen months
she had acquired a fair knowledge of English and
was able to read the most difficult parts of the
"Sacred Writings." From the Bible she began to
read Latin, the Latin poets and mythology. Soon
she began to write verses, which to the people of
Boston were very good, indeed excellent for one
v.-hh so little training.
She was frail in health. To aid her in gaining
strength her friends advised taking a trip to F.n-
gl.'ind which she duly made. In England she was
the guest of the Countess of Huntingdon, to whom
she. later dedicated her book of poems published
in 1773, and was entertained by Lord Dartmouth
and other leading men and women of the Empire.
She wrote so well that people doubted her author
ship. Such men as Governor Thomas Hutchinson
of Massachusetts, Andrew Oliver, and John Han
cock, the first signers of the Declaration of In
dependence, declared that they verily believed that
the poems were her own composition.
On her return to America, she found Mrs. Wheat-
ley poor in health. Later the Mistress died, the
Wheatley home was broken up and the poet left
quite unprotected. Shortly after this she received
an offer of marriage from one Samuel Peters who
was a Negro grocer and a writer and speaker of
high repute. The marriage turned out unhappily
and the poet died deserted, December 5th, 1794.
Benson J. Lossing, the Historian says of her,
"Piety was the ruling sentiment in her character."
The following are taken from Phillis Wheatley's :
ON BEING BROUGHT FROM AFRICA
TO AMERICA.
'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Savior, too ;
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their color is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain.
May be refined, and join th' angelic train.
A FAREWELL TO AMERICA (1773.
To Mrs. Susannah W. Wheatley.
Adieu, New England's smiling meads,
Adieu, the flow'ry plain :
I leave thine op'ning charms, O spring,
And tempt the roaring main.
In vain for me the flow'rets rise,
And boast their gaudy pride,
While here beneath the Northern skies
J mourn for health deny'd.
Collestial maid of rosy hvie,
0 let me feel thy reign !
1 lavigllish till thy face I view
Thy van sh'd joys regain.
Susanna'" mourns, nor can I bear.
To see the crystal shower.
Or r.i;i-k the tender falling tear
At sad departure's hour ,
Not unregarding can I see
Her soul with grjef opprest
Hut let no 5igh. nor groans for m»
Steal from het pensive breast.
In vain the feather'd warblers sing,
In va". th garden blooms,
And on the bosom of the spring
Breathes out her sweet perfumes.
While for Britannia's distant shore
We sweep the liquid plain.
And with astonish'd eyes explore
The wide-extended main.
Lo ! Health appears ! celestial dame !
Complacent and serene,
With Hebe's mantle o'er her Frame,
With soul-delighted mien.
To mark the vale where London lies
With misty vapors crown'd
Which cloud Aurora's thousand dyes,
And veil her charms around.
Why, Phoebus, moves thy car so slow ?
So slow thy rising ray?
Give us the famous town to view,
Thou glorious king of day!
l*o.- thee, Britannia, 1 resign
New England's sniiliilg !^-'u!.-< ;
To view again her charms devine,
What joy the prospect yieii
But thou ! Temptation hence away,
With all thy fatal train
Nor once seduce my soul away,
By thine enchanting strain.
Thrice happy they, whose heav'nly shield
Secures their souls from harms
And fell Temptation on the field
Of all its pow'r disarms !
15
Harriet Tubman, "The Moses of Her People'
ARRIET TUBMAN was called the
Moses of her people because dur
ing the years of the Fugitive
Law, she rescued some three or
four hundred slaves and led them
to freedom. She was born about
1820 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She
worked as a nurse, as a trapper; fiield hand
and wood chopper while she was a slave. She
is said to have begun her labors about 1845 and to
have continued until 1860. She made 19 trips into
slave States at exceedingly great risks. She went
into her own native town more than once, bringing
away her brothers and her old parents as well as
many neighbors.
John Brown nick-named her, General Tubman
because of her shrewd management and great en
durance. In her trips to and from the North she
spent days and nights out of doors, in caves and
often without food. She spent a whole night out
of doors at one time in the beating snow with only
a tree for protection. She waded creeks and riv
ers, neck high, forcing those whom she was pilot
ing to follow her. The babies she managed by
drugging them with opium. No wonder a price of
$40,000 was once put upon her head.
She was an eloquent speaker, though she could
neither read nor write. Her words are always
forceful, her descriptions vivid.
She was once sent with an exposition during the
Civil War to bring away slaves. This is her de
scription of the slaves as they flocked to the boats :
"I nebber see such a sight." "Here you'd see
a woman wid a pail on her head, rice a smokin' in
it jus' as she'd taken it from de fire, young one
hangin' on behind, one han roun' her forehead to
hold on, 'tother han' digging' into de rice-pot, eatin'
wid all its might ; hold of her dress two or three
more ; down her back a bag wid a pig in it. One
woman brought two pigs, a white one an' a black
one; we took 'em all on board; named de white pig
Beauregard, and de black pig Jeff Davis. Some
times de women would come wid twins hanyin'
IT necks; 'pear-; like I nebber see so maiiv
\] •
wins in my. life; bags cm der shoulders, baskets
on der heads, and young ones taggin' behin', all
loaded ; pigs squealin', chickens screamin', young
ones squallin'."
Her story of an incident of her childhood days
is told as only Harriet Tubman could relate ex
periences.
"I was only seven years old when I was sent
away to take car' of a baby. I was so little dat 1
had to sit down on do flo' and hev de baby put in
my lap. An' dat baby was allus in my lap 'cept
when it was asleep, or its mother was feedin' it.
"One mornin' after breakfast she had de baby,
and I stood by de table waitin' till I was to take it ;
just by me was a bowl of lumps of white sugar.
My Missus got into a great quarrel wid her hus
band ; she had an awful temper, an' she would scole
an' storm, an' call him all sorts of names. Now,
you know I neyer had nothing good ; no sweet, no
sugar, an' dat sugar, right by me, did look so nice,
an' my Missus's back turned to me while she was
fightin' wid her husband, so I jes' put my fingers
in de sugar bowl to take one lump, an' maybe she
heard me, an' she turned an' saw me. De nex'
minute she had de raw hide down ; I give one jump
out of de do', an' I saw dey came after me, but I
jes' flew, an' dey didn't catch me. I run, an' I run,
I passed many a house, but I didn't dare to stop,
for dey all knew my Missus an' dey would send me
back. By an' by, when I was clar tuckered out, I
come to a great big pig-pen. Dar was an' ole sow
dar, an' perhaps eight or ten pigs. I was too little
to climb into it, but I tumbled ober de high board,
an' fell in on de ground ; I was so beat out I couldn't
stir.
"An' dere, I stays from Friday till de next Chues-
day, fightin' wid dose little pigs for de potato
peelin's an' oder scraps dat come down in de
trough. Do ole sow would push me away when
I tried to git her chillen's food, an' I was awful a
feard of her. By Chuesday I was so starved I
knowed I'd got to go back to my Missus, I hadn't
got no whar else to go, but I knowed what was
comin'. So I went back."
Frederick Douglas wrote her in 1868: "The dif
ference between us is very marked. Most that I
have done and suffered in the service of our cause
has been in public, and I have received much en
couragement at every step of the way. You, on
the other hand, have labored in a private way. I
have wrought in the day — you in the night. 1 have
had the applause ot the crowd and the satisfaction
thatr<it>4i}flfl>|iW being approved l>y the multitudes,
whilfl tlnpnnppt'.that you have done has been wit
nessed by n few trembling, scarred, .and foot-sore
bondmen and women, whom you have led out of
the house of bondage, and whose heartfelt "God
bless you" has been your only reward. The mid
night sky and the silent stars have been the wit
nesses of your devotion to freedom and of your
heroism."
Harriet Tubman lived to a ripe old age and was
always, even after freedom, the friend of the down
trodden. Her house was always full of dependents,
who were supported solely by Harriet's "Faith."
OSCAR WILLIAM ADAMS
MONG the enterprising young men
who threw their weight into mak
ing the Negro Birmingham a suc
cess, none has fought harder or
more creditably than Oscar W
Adams. On graduating from
Normal A. and M. College, Normal, Ala., Mr.
Adams cast his lot with "The Birmingham Report
er," now without question the leading Negro News
paper of Alabama. For a number of years he liv
ed out pretty faithfully the advice of Horace Gree-
ley to the young aspirants to Journalism — "to sleep
on paper and eat ink." But in time the paper came
into Mr. Adams' possession, and the struggle was
even more bitter, if possible. Business did not
hum in Brmingham then as now and so his sub
scribers were few and his advertisers small, and
uncertain, and payment for both subscriptions and
advertisements very slow in coming in.
To keep the paper alive, Mr. Adams gave up his
lodgings and slept in the office on a lounge. He ate
a full meal whenever he could afford to do so.
"But, " says he, "I always paid my helpers. I
didn't think it right to keep them waiting. It was
none of their affair if the paper failed." However,
the Reporter is on its feet today. It has passed
17
through the day of test for twelve years, and .-
Negro paper that survives the test that length of
time can be said to be fully established.
Of course, Mr. Adams had been thoroughly
schooled for the struggle with The Reporter, and
from this schooling one would expect nothing but
victory to the end. Mr. Adams was born in Gulf
Crest, one time known as Beaver Meadow, a com
munity about 25 miles out of Mobile. He attended
the district school to the 8th grade and then made
his way to Normal, Alabama, to the A. and M. Col
lege. To make his way through school, both in
public school and for the first year in College, Mr.
Adams worked as a laborer on a turpentine farm.
During his life in College he served now as agent in
the Commissary, now as the assistant bookkeeper
and finally as the Editor of the Normal Index, the
official paper of the Normal College. Going through
so many experiences and coming out of each suc
cessful, Mr. Adams built the character which has
stood him in such good stead as editor of The Re
porter, as a business man, and a leader in the fra
ternal orders.
Mr. Adams is most loyal, even enthusiastic
fraternity man. As has already been stated, his
paper is the official organ of the Knights of Pyth
ias, Odd Fellows, and Masonic Order of Alabama.
He holds membership also in the Masonic Lodge,
in the Elks, in the K. L. of H., and in the Mosaic
Templars. He is Secretary of the United Brothers
of Friendship, as well as its spokesman in his jour
nal.
Second only to his interest in his journal is Mr.
Adams' interest in education. He is present at all
educational gatherings he can reach and gives free
ly space in his paper to the reports upon all schools
and school work, both in the city and in the state.
He is very loyal to Normal, not only because this
is his Alma Mater, but because he really knows
what it means for most of our boys and girls
to secure even a fair education, an education ris
ing but little above the three R's.
Oscar W. Adams, though a young man, has filled
some of the most important speaking engagements
of any member of his race. He is a man of rare
quality in this special line of work. He is a stu
dent of history and his delivery is easy and pleas
ant. At present he is Chairman of the Four Min
ute Men Speakers of the State of Alabama, direct
ed by the United States Government, and is a mem
ber of the State Committee on War Savings Cer
tificates. He has, no doubt, appeared before more
audiences in the past five years than any man in
the race of his age.
Mr. Adams was married to Miss Mamie Tuggle
in 1910. The happy union, happy in sympathy and
co-operation as well as in affection, for both were
very hard workers, lasted but five years, Mrs.
Adams dying in 1915. He lives now for his paper,
for his school, for his lodge and for Negro enter
prise in every direction.
BISHOP JOHN WESLEY ALSTORK, D. D., LL. D.
ISHOP John Wesley Alstork was
born in Talladega, Alabama, Sep
tember 1st, 1852. From the date
of his birth we gather that he was
born early enough to see a little
of Negro Slavery. But the Bish
op was fortunate in the place of birth and in his
parentage. Talladega is a conservative college
town. It was one of the first places to be given
colleges for the higher education of the Negro
after the Civil War. Here in his own home town
he had advantages of education that were denied
to many men born in the same period. The advan
tage in parentage is seen from the fact that his
father was a minister and was willing and an
xious to see his son have better educational advan
tages than he himself had been able to enjoy. Bish
op Alstork is the son of Rev. and Mrs. Frank Al
stork, who were greatly loved and honored.
Bishop Alstork did not confine his studying to
the courses laid down at Talladega. Livingston
College, Salisbury, North Carolina, conferred D.
D. upon him in 1892. The Degree of LL. D. was
conferred upon him by the Princeton College in
Indiana in 1908. Though born a slave, Bishop Al
stork persevered in acquiring an education till he
had thoroughly prepared himself for the work he
had to do in life.
Bishop Alstork was married to Miss Mamie Law-
son in 1872 when only twenty years of age. Mrs.
Alstork has been a true helpmate to the Bishop
and has helped in his development. Ten years after
his marriage he was ordained in the A. M. E. Zion
ministry. In 1884 he was elected Financial Secre
tary of the Alabama Conference This position
he held till 1892. In 1892 he was elected Financial
Secretary for the A. M. E. Zion Connection. In this
position he served till 1900. His excellent manage
ment keeping the finances of the church in good
condition.
Bishop Alstork had the usual gradual ri<e from
the ministry to the position of Tiisl op. He served
as a regular pastor from the time of his ordina-
tion to 1889. In that year he was made Presiding
Elder and he served in this capacity till 1900 when
he was elected Bishop. Many of the honors within
the gift of his church have come to Bishop Al
stork. He was Delegate to the Ecumenial Confer
ence, which met in London, England, in 1901. He
was sent as a delegate to the Conference in To
ronto, Canada, in 1911.
Although Bishop Alstork is thoroughly interest
ed in the church and in all the work of the church,
he has still had time to show a great deal of interest
in all the phases of education. He is a trustee of
the Livingston College, of the Lomax-Hannon In
dustrial College. Indeed Bishop Alstork was the
founder of the last named institution which is lo
cated at Greenville, Alabama. He is Trustee of
Langridge Academy at Montgomery, Alabama and
a Trustee of the Hale Infirmary also of Montgom
ery. Bishop Alstork is a member of the Federa
tion of Churches, a member of the Southern So
ciological Congress, Director of Loan and Invest
ment Company, Montgomery, Alabama, member of
the Board of Control of the Good Shepherd So
ciety, Inspector of the General G. G. A. Order of
Love and Charity, National Grand Master of F.
A. A. York Masons Colored of the United States,
Lieutenant Commander of the Supreme Council
33rd degree Masonry. In fact Bishop Alstork
lives a very full and a very useful life.
Bishop Alstork has traveled over the whole
of this country and extensively in foreign lands. He
is a loyal citizen of his country. During this war he
has been a faithful worker in all the war activities.
Jlis patriotism has been manifested in every war
work campaign. He is a heavy purchaser of bonds,
and a large contributor to Red Cross and Y. M. C.
A. work. He owns a great deal of real estate and
lives in his own beautiful home at 231 Cleveland
Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
BENJAMIN H. BARNES
| OR fully a score of years Booker
T. Washington thundered from
the Tuskegee Institute platform
the doctrine of service. "Go back
to your homes, put a hinge on the
gate, a latch on the door. Don't
stand around and whine. Get into the church, in
the school, into the shop and help. Own your own
homes and become a tax-paying, respectable citi
zen."
Benjamin H. Barnes after graduating under his
father's teaching, sat beneath the voice of the Tus-
kegean and caught the vision that the great leader
sought to impart. He did not pick out any one of
of these suggestions but seemed to absorb them all.
While at Tuskegee Mr. Barnes excelled not only in
his studies both in trade and in books but also in
music. He played the violin, the piano and sang.
For part of three years he traveled as a Tuskegee
singer. Returning to Tuscaloosa his native town,
he accepted work as a teacher in the city public
school and began to live to the full the life that
Booker T. Washington had so ardently preached.
Mr. Barnes immediately connected himself with
the work of the town church, the First African
Baptist Church. He had been in attendance here
but a short time when he was elected superinten
dent of the Sunday School, a post at which he
served for twenty-five years. Not long after this
Mr. Barnes was made church organist: and for
twenty years the Baptists of Tuscaloosa have sung
to his playing in the church.
Some years ago this church set out to erect a
new building. The cost of the house was to be
$25,000.00. Mr. Barnes along with his church and
Sunday School work had demonstrated that he was
a business man. The church members placed him
at the head of the Committee, rallied to his sup
port and put up a splendid brick structure. Tho'
ministers came and went, Barnes stayed by his post
till the last brick was laid. He is now financial sec
retary of the church, secretary of the board of trus
tees and one of the strong active deacons.
However, his biggest service as a Christian work
er is being rendered among the young people of the
state. Alabama is peppered with Negro Baptists.
Blow your Baptist trumpet in the remotest hamlet
and a regiment of loyal followers will come for
ward to bear up the standard. Among their organ
ization is a Baptist Young People's Union. Mr.
Barnes has been the president of this organization
for sixteen years. In recognition of his religious
services and of his exemplary scholarship, Selma
University some years ago conferred upon him the
honorary degree of Master of Arts.
All through his life Mr. Barnes has been a very
intense student, both in books and in affairs. He
spends many hours in home study, in a very excep
tional home library. From time to time he has tak
en home correspondence courses from the Univer
sity of Chicago. In addition to this he keeps tho
roughly abreast with all educational movements in
the state. No convention or gathering of educators
in the state is likely to assemble without finding
Benjamin H. Barnes on hand ready to give advice,
time or money to make things go.
The home of Benjamin H. Barnes, all paid for,
is one of the most handsome of the half dozen ex
cellent Negro homes of Tuscaloosa. As one pur
chase whets the appetite for another Mr. Barnes
after paying for his home, bought other buildings
and now owns property to rent.
This is not the full business story of Prof.
Barnes. The Union Central Life Relief company
of Birmingham is one of the comparatively few
Negro firms of the -kind to stem the tide of bus
iness adversity. Casting about for a manager of a
branch office in Tuscaloosa, the Union Central Re
lief found the man they wanted in Prof. Barnes.
In this office and in visiting patrons Mr. Barnes
spends his summer and spare hours when not on
duty in the school.
One dominant trait is unmistakable in the Barnes
family, that of holding fast to the duties in hand—
a father, school teacher in one place forty-two
years: a son, school teacher for nearly twenty
years, Sunday School superintendent twenty-five
years, president of Young People's Baptist Union
sixteen years.
Mr. Barnes is married; his wife is his partner.
She has rendered valuable service in all of his en
deavors. They have celebrated their crystal wed
ding with much pomp.
19
JEREMIAH BARNES
HEN you go to Tuscaloosa, Ala
bama, on school matters, the
County Superintendent, the bank
ers and other people will tell you
to "see Jeremiah Barnes". Mr.
Barnes is principal of the Negro
Public Schools of Tuscaloosa, and is most likely the
oldest Negro School man today engaged in active
service. He began his career as a school teacher
back in 1874, when a Negro school master was in
deed a rare person. From that date scarcely a day
has passed during the school session without find
ing the veteran at his post. Indeed, he goes to
school whether he teaches or not ; for he keeps the
keys of the Tuscaloosa High School and almost
daily, even in summer, you will find him about the
school going over the grounds, attending the school
garden, inspecting the rooms inside.
The veteran school master of Tuscaloosa was
reared a slave, on the farm of Judge Washington
Wood, eight miles west of Tuscaloosa. Here he
learned to read and write and found some opportu
nity to improve himself generally. He was a brick
mason back in the 60's. Ten years later he was
running a variety store, at which time he became
alderman of Tuscaloosa, grand juror of the county
and a teacher in the public schools. In 1874 the
same year that he began his school work, Mr.
Barnes became a Master Mason and later was
made Worshipful Grandmaster for three terms.
Since that time he has been made Secretary of fore
ign correspondence for his Grand Lodge, a posi
tion which he held for fourteen years. He was one
time grand patron of the Alabama Order Eastern
Star and is a charter member of the Oak City
Lodge No. 1785, Grand United Order of Odd Fel
lows. He twice served his own district rgand
lodge as deputy grand master.
All this wealth of life experience along with con
stant study of books Mr. Barnes brought to the
school room. For years he was a teacher, being
promoted step by step until he reached the highest
post in the Negro schools of his native city. In his
work as teacher he has taken rightful pride in the
graduates he has turned out. Some have gone to
college, some to industrial schools, some settled
to trades, some to school teaching after leaving
him. Wherever they have gone they have made
their mark as very useful hightoned citizens.
In his school curriculum Prof. Barnes balances
his courses pretty well between class room work
and industrial work. His courses run into studies
in Algebra, Geometry and Latin; out under the
window you will see a flourishing school garden,
and a place for cooking in the basement. He teach
es the children by deed as well as by word, that
work is honorable and intellectual, just as solving
a problem in Algebra or constructing a verb in En
glish or Latin.
To this, too, he adds a most needed phase of ed
ucation, that of beautifying one's surroundings.
The Negro High School building of Tuscaloosa
happens to be in a rather unhappy section of the
city. A railroad yard is nearby, so also is the city
refuse pile and the city stables. Yet by setting out
trees, constructing fences and laying out walks, the
veteran educator has managed to shut out pretty
nearly these obnoxious features of his school en
vironment, thus showing the pupils that their own
lives within need not be disturbed by the lives with
out.
Along with helping the students of his school,
Prof. Barnes has reared and educated several child
ren of his own. His son, Benjamin, is the strong
assistant of his father in the Tuscaloosa school
work, is the great Negro Baptist Young People's
Union leader of Alabama, church organist, and bus
iness man. The other son is the treasurer of the
Snow Hill Normal and Industrial School of Snow
Hill, Alabama.
How long Prof. Barnes will remain in the school
work none but a higher power can tell. So far he
shows no signs of retreat. He is vigorous, active,
both in body and in mind. Best of all as a school
teacher he is very cheerful and very optimistic for
himself and his people.
20
EDWARD AUSTIN RROWN
HERE arc about 800 Negro law
yers in the United States. Some
of them have occupied positions
of trust and prominence, political,
judicial and diplomatic. Yet
whenever a colored man thinks of
entering the legal profession he is instructed to
have well in mind Socrates' definition of courage.
Said the sage, "He who rushes into battle without
knowing all the consequences does not represent
genuine courage but rashness." Thus it is with the
law for the Negro. Of all the professions it is very
probably the least hospitable to the black man. As
a rule, he is not accorded a square deal in the courts
of the South, while in the North he finds himself,
for the most part, up against the most lively com
petition. He, then, who enters here must weigh
between courage and rashness ; and he who suc
ceeds in compelling a fair measure of success is
either a giant in intellect or a wizard in tact and
diplomacy.
That Edward A. Brown did not enter the law
through rashness, through not knowing the at
tendant dangers, can be fairly inferred from the
fact that he was born in the South, where the sit
uation is quite patent. Mr. Brown was born
in
Raleigh, N. C., forty odd years ago. After com
pleting the public school course in his native town
he had private tuition in order to prepare himself
for college, and soon thereafter entered Lincoln
University, in,Pennsylvania, where four years later
he finished the collegiate course, graduating with
honors. Just as Mr. Brown was about to enter a
New England Law school he was offered an oppor
tunity to study law in the office of Judge Henry
McKinney, who was at the time one of the ablest
lawyers at the Cleveland, Ohio, bar. This offer was
accepted and in due time the young law student was
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Incidentally, it may be mentioned that of the 108
applicants for admission at the time, Mr. Brown
offered the best examination.
After practicing his profession for a while in
Cleveland Mr. Brown came to Alabama, where
again he made a record in his examination for ad
mission, winning from the presiding judge the
statement that this was the best examination he
had ever witnessed. Ever since his admission to
the Alabama bar Mr. Brown has pursued the active
practice of his profession in Birmingham, where
he resides, except for the period of eight months
during which he was an army officer at the time
of the Spanish-American War, serving under a
commission of First Lieutenant in the 10th U. S.
Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. Brown enjoys a lucrative practice and, like
thousands of the best lawyers of the country, is
what is known as a "civil" lawyer, giving no at
tention to criminal practice. He is regarded by the
judges and members of the bar generally as an able
lawyer and as a man of the highest personal char
acter. His clients and friends believe in him, in his
knowledge of the law, his integrity and his unfail
ing sane judgment. To illustrate the unselfish
public spirit of the man a single incident may be
related: The commissioners of the city of Bir
mingham, following the example of certain other
municipalities, undertook to enact a law providing
segregation of residences based upon race. Mr.
Brown, without being employed or even requested,
went before the commissioners with a strong pro
test against the adoption of the proposed ordinance
and made such a forceful argument against its con
stitutionality as to defeat it then and there. Here
was an example of his unselfish spirit, for although
this was legal service of the highest order and deal
ing with a matter of far-reaching importance to his
race, not a dollar was charged by him or accepted.
Mr. Brown has succeeded in accumulating a com
petency, owning a residence valued at $5,000 and
other real estate ; and besides, he has some money.
For several years he has served as general attorney
for the Knights of Pythias of Alabama, of which
fraternal order he is a leading and influential mem
ber. He is active in all movements touching the
welfare of his people and is one of the really strong
and substantial men of his community and state.
The Brown family is small, consisting of Mrs.
Brown and one son, Edward, Jr. Mrs. Brown, who
was Miss Nettie Jones of Cleveland, Ohio, is active
in club work and various charities. Edward, Jr.,
is a quiet, studious lad, having made first year
high school at the age of thirteen.
MISS CORNELIA BOWEN
N a certain day in May if you are
anywhere in Montgomery County,
Alabama, you will see wagons
from the country, cars and car
riages from the city, crowding
and jamming along the road, all
going in one direction. On inquiry you will learn
that they are making their way toward the Mt.
Meigs Institute, to attend the commencement ex
ercises. When you reach the school, there will
break on you a sort of vision of a new city, sudden
ly peopled. This is the work of Miss Cornelia
Bowen of Mt. Meigs.
Miss Bowen went to Mt. Meigs in 1888 to plant
a school in the wilderness, as it were. To reach
the rural man and woman as well as the small boy
and small girl was a demand which both Miss Bow-
en and the late Dr. Washington felt it a sacred duty
to answer. To use Miss Bowen's own words in
"Tuskegee and Its People" — "a call reached Dr.
Washington in 1888 for a teacher to begin work in
the vicinity of Mt. Meigs, Alabama, similar to the
work done at Tuskegee, but of course on a smaller
scale. Mr. E. N. Pierce of Plainville, Connecticutt,
had resolved to do something in the way of pro
viding better school facilities for the colored people
living on a large plantation, into the possession of
22
which he had come. Mr. Washington answered the
call while in Boston, and telegraphed me that he
thought me the proper person to take charge of
and carry on the settlement work Mr. Pierce and
his friend had in mind."
The place itself is far away, out of contact. The
people were weighted down with debt, mild peon
age, morals were at a low ebb. Miss Bowen set
out to improve the lives of the old people while
building a school for the young. She taught Bible
classes in the leaky country church and held meet
ings and conferences for the mothers and fathers.
In a little while the people began to know that there
were ideals of health, of family, of property own
ership. Thus it is that today they troop on horse
back, in buggy, in wagon to Mt. Meigs Commence
ment. Here along with the diversion offered they
come upon the first impulse to do good.
It has become quite common nowadays to speak
of the pioneer, but the Mt. Meigs school was in a
very real sense a pioneer in its own kind of work.
To set up in the country a school which was a
community center : a school which called in the
country women to teach them cooking, sewing,
and house-keeping, to teach them how to rear and
treat their children ; to instruct them in finer man
ners towards their husbands and towards their
neighbors ; to persuade them to eliminate certain
habits, like dipping snuff and smoking and chew
ing tobacco, as unfeminine and un-womanly ; to
have done all this in those early days of any kind of
Negro school in Alabama was genuinely pioneer
work.
The same constructive program was adopted
with the men and boys. Men were better farmers,
better husbands, fathers, cleaner in their habits,
more ambitious in their ideals because of Mt.
Meigs. They formed more definite ideals of home,
of family, of church, from this teaching and from
their contact in the school. Where there was no
farm ownership, they began to buy farms. Where
there were no flowers, flowers began to grow : an
air of refinement and of taste began to assert itself.
There is nothing so new about this now, for we
begin to see the very definite results of this train
ing. Mt. Meigs opened a boarding department and
rooms for the children and taught them new les
sons of life. It fired them with zeal to go back to
their village and teach what they themselves had
learned. This situation now so prevalent was at
first a most startling innovation when Mt.
Meigs began. It was the first trumpet call to the
man in the fields that somebody really cared for
him, for the life he lived, whether or not he was
really happy.
Wrhile thus laboring among the elders, Miss
Bowen was founding a school. She bought her
land, forty-odd acres, and began to put up buildings.
She put on the curriculum, not only grammar,
arithmetic and the like, but the study of practical
industries, such trades as the boys and girls could
use immediately in their homes. Thus she teaches
her own school gardening, farming, poultry-rais
ing, the care of live stock and bee-culture.
VIEW MT. MEIGS INSTITUTE
hi the meantime she was not forgetting her own
education. She had attended school at Tuskegee
Institute, where Dr. Washington was examiner,
school teacher, principal, lecturer and a good many
other things. Under him she sat, got her Tuske
gee diploma, then spent some time as principal of
the "Children's House", of Tuskegee Institute. To
the education of experience, which her principal
and friend, Dr. Washington, so ardently believed in,
Miss Bowen added study in New York City and fur
ther study in Queen Margaret's College, Glasgow,
Scotland.
Miss Bowen is through and through a product
of Tuskegee Institute. She was born on what is
now the Institute Campus. The little cottage in
which she was born was the first building of Tus
kegee Institute to be used for teaching girls' in
dustries. "And never do I go to Tuskegee," says
Miss Bowen, "that I do not search it out among the
more imposing and pretentious buildings, which
have come during the later years of the school's
history."
The cottage in which she was born stood on the
plantation of Colonel William Bowen, to whom
Miss Bowen's mother was a slave. Unlike most
slave mothers, Miss Bowen's mother could read,
having been taught by a former mistress in Balti
more. She was therefore able to superintend her
daughter's education to greater degree than
most mothers of the time, hence arises, no doubt,
the daughter's very strong grasp on people and af
fairs.
Miss Bowen was first taught by a southern white
woman of the town of Tuskegee. : She then at
tended the public school of Tuskegee until Booker
T. Washington came and founded the Institute.
Her school on "Zion Hill" was then closed and the
children all flocked to the new school. Booker T.
Washington was then an active teacher. He gave
her the examination and placed her in the Junior
class. He taught many of the subjects. Miss
Bowen looks back with no end of pleasure to those
days when Dr. Washington taught grammar, his
tory and spelling.
She was a member of the first class to graduate
from Tuskegee Institute. This was in 1885, before
the school had even conceived of the great indus
trial idea. Miss Bowen was an honor student, re
ceiving a first grade diploma and winning one of the
three Peabody medals ; medals which were award
ed for excellence in scholarship.
With this foundation she went out to establish
the Mt. Meigs Institute, full of confidence. Her
work in the school has made a name for Miss Bow-
en. She has several times held various offices in
the National Association of Colored Women's
Clubs, State Teachers' Association of Alabama, and
in the Colored Women's Federation of the State,
and its president for fourteen years.
While a very excellent administrator, and a rare
student of both men and books, Miss Bowen excels
in the mind of many, through her gift of eloquent
speech. Few persons on the platform today can
bring so much power to bear, go so directly to the
point and so eloquently as can Miss Bowen.
23
RICHARD ANDERSON BLOUNT
T was Robert Browning, who ex
pressing his fondness for Italy,
said, "If you open my heart you
will find the word 'Italy' written
therein." If you made an incison
in the heart of Richard Anderson
Blount of Birmingham, Alabama, you would find
"Knights of Pythias." For nearly twenty years
now Mr. Blount has thought Knights of Pythias,
talked Knights of Pythias, traveled for Knights of
Pythias, and what the order of the Knights of Py
thias in Alabama is today, is traceable very large
ly to Richard Anderson Blount.
Back in 1887 Mr. Blount came into Birmingham
to seek his fortune, attracted by the prospects of
the town. He found employment with the Lawe-
son Carpet Company and spent some time in their
service. He worked also for sixteen years for
Ben M. Jacobs & Brothers. It was during his em
ploy with the Jacobs Brothers that Mr. Blount be
came engrossed in the work of the Knights of Py
thias. His zeal for the order and his business acu-
nen soon attracted attention, with the result that
in 1898 he was elected Grand Keeper of Records
and Seal. In three years he had given such good
service and had established the records on such a
sound business basis that the body of the state
made him Grand Chancellor, a post at which he
has served now for fifteen years.
The records show that when Mr. Blount assum
ed office there were in the state some sixty-five
lodges, with a total membership of 16000 people.
In fifteen years through the efforts of Mr. Blount
the Knights of Pythias of Alabama have three hun
dred and forty-five lodges with a total membership
of ten thousand. The order of Knights of Pythias
is much better known, more popular, enjoys a wider
confidence of the people, both of those who are
members and those who are not.
Of course the Knights of Pythias of Alabama
must have a building of their own. It just chances
that the Alabama Penny Savings Bank is available.
Mr. Blount and his helpers are pressing home plans
to secure this building. To secure a splendid four
story brick structure like the Alabama Penny Sav
ings Bank Building, which has an office rent of
several hundred, requires money, backing, appreci
ation of values, and confidence. All this the Knights
of Pythias have and they have it very largely
through Richard Anderson Blount.
Mr. Blount is not a native of Birmingham. He
came from Montgomery where he was born in the
early seventies. He attended the Swayne school in
his native town. While he was going to school, Mr.
Blount had to work. He somehow got into carpet
laying; a trade which did him great service in the
early years of his manhood.
His affiliation with and leadership of the Knights
of Pythias do not blind him to the merits of other
fraternities and organizations. He is an active
member of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, a
staunch member of the Masonic Lodge of the
Shriners, of the Odd Fellows and of the Elks.
One of the most conspicuous things about Rich
ard Anderson Blount is the beautiful home he has
erected and paid for. In going up Seventh Avenue
the passer-by turns round to look again and again
as he passes this residence. This house is by no
means the extent of Mr. Blount's ownership of
property. He owns several rent houses and lots
in and about town.
But the home and the home life were a vision
of long ago. He saw big and handsome homes and
happy families about. Into his own spirit crept
the vision of such a home with a happy family.
Both he now has. He has been married for more
than twenty years. His first wife who was Miss
Lucy Massey, died some eight years ago. The
daughter of this union is now a student at Spelman
Seminary in Atlanta, Ga. He recently married
Miss Mary Lue Crawford. Mr. Blount has travel
ed much in the South and in the East and has to
do so in the interest of and for the development of
his lodge.
24
CLINTON J. GALLOWAY. A. B.
RAVELING through the rural
districts of Alabama, especially
through Macon County, every
where one sees new up-to-date
school houses. These schools have
three and four rooms or more.
Some are used as Model schools in which the
teacher lives and has around her all the animals
and other things to be had on a farm. These model
schools are to train the country boys and girls how
to live happily amid their native surroundings. In
some places the old half-decayed school buildings
are still standing making a marked contrast with
the new and up-to-date structures. The one man
who is more largely responsible for this condition
than any other is Clinton J. Galloway of Tuskegee
Institute.
Mr. Calloway was born April 18, 1869, in Cleve
land, Tennesee. Here in his native town he at
tended the public school, remaining to finish the
Grammar grades. For his High School work he
went to Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a young man
he had the trait of sticking to a thing and so he
remained in the school till he completed the course
in 1889. He then matriculated at Fisk Uuniversity.
All through his school career he was an earnest,
25
careful student, deserving and receiving the praise
of his teachers. In 1895 he completed the classical
course of Fisk and graduated with the degree of
A. B. All through his years of study he gave close
attention to practical ideas and ideals.
After graduation Mr. Calloway accepted work in
the Extension Department at Tuskegee Institute
and here he has remained ever since. During the
years spent in the Extension Department of Tuske
gee, Mr. Calloway has done much to develop and
make of service his department. In 1895 when Mr.
Calloway took charge, the work was restricted to
dealing with the farm and country folk in general.
It was then in its rudimentary stage. Mr. Calloway
saw the great need of better schools. It has been
largely through the demonstrations of Mr. Callo
way that Miss Jeannes of the Jeannes Fund was
convinced of the value of outside aid in rural school
work among Negroes. To this end there are now
all through Alabama and other Southern States
workers among the rural teachers who travel back
and forth supervising the work of the country
schools. These are the Jeannes supervisors.
Another great advance in the Rural Schools of
Alabama and now of other Southern states is due
to the vision and thought of Mr. Calloway. It was
he who suggested to Dr. Washington that Mr.
Julius Rosenwald of Chicago would help in the
erection of new and up-to-date schools for the rural
districts of Alabama. Acting on this suggestion
Mr. Rosenwald has invested the largest sum of
money set aside for educational purposes. The
schools built from the fund are known as the Ros
enwald schools. The suggestion came from Mr.
Calloway and he is the man who has had to work
out the detail of the investment and he has also
had to help the rural people raise their share of
the money. All of them turn to Mr. Calloway
when discouraged and expect to be shown the way
out of difficulties. Never has he failed them. Mr.
Calloway is now the head of the Extension De
partment with a number of workers under him, in
stead of being the whole of the Department as he
was when he first took the work.
Mr. Calloway was married to Miss Josie Eliza
beth Schooler March 12th, 1901 at Kowaliga, Ala
bama. To Mrs. Calloway her husband gives credit
for his success in acquiring property. They own
their own beautiful home and 1,000 acres of land
and the implements, stock, etc., that are required
for this sort of farming. Mr. Calloway is a Con-
gregationalist in Religious belief. He is a practical
Christian and commands the respect of all who
know him.
Mr. Calloway is through and through a man of
business. Whatever he undertakes to do is seen
through the amount of good done for the amount
of money spent. He is President of Homeseekers
Land Company, Capital Stock $10,000.00 and mana
ger of the Tuskegee Farm and Improvement Com
pany with a capitalization of $25,000.00.
There are many better schools, better homes and
better farms in Macon County and in fact all
through Alabama because of the work of Mr. Cal
loway in the Extension Department of Tuskegee.
T. M. CAMPBELL
ATCHING the spirit of his illust
rious teacher, Booker T. Wash
ington, Mr. Campbell, the pioneer
Negro Farm Demonstrator is
bringing to a realization the
dreams of the late Dr. Seaman A.
Knapp, the father of farm demonstration work— I
am thinking, said Dr. Knapp, "of the people of rose
covered cottages in the country, of the strong glad
father and his con-tented, cheerful wife, of the
whistling boy an dthe dancing girl with school
books under her arms so that knowledge may soak
into them as they go ; I am thinking of the or
chards and the vineyards, of the flocks and the
herds, of the waving woodlands, of the hills car
peted with luxuriant verdure, and the valleys in
viting to the golden harvest." Mr. Campbell and
his large corps of workers are doing all this for
the colored people of Alabama and the South.
Born February 11, 1883, just outside the corpor
ate limits of the little town of Bowman, Elbert
County, Ga., Mr. Campbell's life was typical of the
average boy of that section, and at the age of fif
teen, he found that he had attended school less than
twelve months. Hearing of Tuskegee from an old-
26
er brother who had gone there, the lad determined
to attend. His father failing to keep a promise to
let him use the money earned working on a neigh
boring plantation, the boy walked and worked his
way to Tuskegee from which he was graduated
eight years later in 1906. He speaks as follows of
his Tuskegee experience: "My training was such
that I was unable to make the lowest class when I
came to Tuskegee, and I sometimes think that my
only salvation was that I was large and strong and
my services were needed on the farm. By constant
study, both day and night, I was able to make a
class the next year and every year after until my
graduation. During my eight years stay here as a
student, I received only $2.00 cash and one suit of
clothes as assistance."
When Dr. Knapp came to Tuskegee in 1906 seek
ing his first Negro demonstrator, he found his man
in the field following a two-horse plow. This man
was T. M. Campbell, who had recently been gradu
ated and was specializing in agriculture.
"Young man", said Dr. Knapp, "I want you to
travel over a given territory and show the Negroes
how to prepare land just as you are doing now."
This Mr. Campbell did, traveling in the Jesup Ag
ricultural Wagon, an idea of the far seeing Dr.
Washington who conceived the idea of taking ed
ucation to the farmer. This work was later merged
into the United States Farm Demonstration work
and has taken Mr. Campbell into every part of Ala
bama and other portions of the South.
For the past twelve years, early and late, in sun
shine and in rain, he has been going about Alabama
and other Southern States making the waste places
blossom. Mr. Campbell defining the term demon
strator says : "A Demonstrator is a farmer chos
en by the government Agent because of his ability
to attract the people of his community to himself,
he is commonly called a community leader." Mr.
Campbell, who is now officially known as District
Agent for Farm Demonstrate!) Work for the col
ored people of Alabama, possesses these qualifica
tions in a high degree. He has a very winning per
sonality, and a rich musical voice which wins
friends wherever he goes.
Unlike most public men of the race, Mr. Camp
bell is not a lodge man, due perhaps to the fact that
he is so seldom at home; for his duties keep him
ever on the road. He is a Methodist and zealous
church worker.
On June 1st, 1911, Mr. Campbell was married to
Miss Annie M. Ayers of Virginia, who is also a Tus
kegee graduate. Four children, Thomas Jr., Car
ver, Virginia and William help to make the home a
happy, cheery place. The two older boys are in
school and promise to follow in years to come the
lootsteps of their father.
JAMES HENRY EASON, D. D.
R. James Henry Eason, the pas
tor of the very select congrega
tion of the Jackson Street Baptist
Church, Birmingham, Ala., is an
ideal product of his state. He was
horn October 24, 1866 to Channie
Bingham Kason and Jesse Bigham. Born, reared
and for the most part educated in Alabama, he has
turned all his time and his talent — has brought his
vision to pass in the state of his birth. He was born
in Sumpterville, Sumpter County. Gaining all he
could in the Sumpterville public school he entered
Selma University and after graduation from Selma
Dr. Eason took his course in theological training at
Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va., receiv
ing the degree of D. D. On finishing his studies he
immediately returned to Alabama to give account
of his education. Although he earned his way, he
felt that he owed a great debt to the people of his
state. In 1884 he began teaching school in Gads-
den. He taught one year in Garfield Academy at
Auburn. Ala., and seven years in Selma University.
In the meantime he had been appointed state Mis
sionary for Alabama by the Home Missionary So
ciety of New York. In this office, he served several
years.
The year 1891 saw the formal beginning of Dr.
Eason's career as a pastor. In this year he accepted
thev pastorate of the Union Baptist Church at Ma
rion, Ala. Here he became moderator of the new
Cahaba Association. From Marion Mr. Eason went
to Anniston. Here he really began to assert him
self as a minister and as a community builder.
When he accepted the pastorate of the Eleventh
Street Baptist Church in Anniston, there were
eighty-five members of the congregation. This
body was then known as the Galilee Church.
Dr. Eason held his post here for fifteen
years. In that time he increased the mem
bership from eighty-five to seven hundred
and put up a new building which cost $25,-
000.00. While building this church in Anniston,
he noticed that comparatively few colored people
owned homes. To aid the people in securing
homes, he organized the Mercantile Investment
Company, whose efforts have resulted in hundreds
of colored people owning their homes in this city.
His name now spreads abroad as a worker and a
man of exceptional gifts and rare industry. He was
for ten years Editor of the Baptist Leader ; the
official organ of 280,000 Alabama Baptists. He ed
ited and published the Union Leader of Anniston
Alabama for five years ; meanwhile he had written
and published a book entitled, "Sanctification ver
sus Fanaticism," which was the first book pub
lished by the National Baptist Board, and had writ
ten articles and historical sketches for the maga
zines.
Thus asserting himself, he became a candidate
for many honors. Guadaloupe College, Texas, and
Benedict College, S. C., each honored him with the
degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was given the
presidency of the Colored Baptist State Convention
which he held ten years, resigning in 1916. For
seven years he was vice president of the National
Baptist Convention. Selma University elected him
a member of the Board of Trustees and for one
year he carried the presidency of the Anniston In
dustrial College. June llth, 1917, Dr. Eason was
elected president of Birmingham Baptist Col
lege, Birmingham, Alabama. He was a dele
gate to the World's Missionary Conference,
which met a few years ago in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He preached in Scotland and traveled extensive
ly in Scotland, in England, in Belgium and in
France. For several years now Dr. Eason has been
pastor of the Jackson Street Baptist church in Bir
mingham, where he has put in many improvements.
He takes great interest in the business life of the
Negro in Birmingham just as he did in Anniston.
He was a director of the Alabama Penny Savings
Bank in its early days and a depositor in it to the
last. He is himself a property owner, owning his
home and other real estate which are valued at
$5.000.
Dr. Eason was married in 1894 to Miss Phoebe
A. Kigh of Selma, Ala. Of three children born into
the Eason home, only one, Miss Gladys is living.
She is married to Mr. Edward A. Trammel!. Little
Phoebe Mae Trammell is Dr. Eason's only grand
child.
27
-
SCEXE IX GROVE
ALHOUN Colored School is locat
ed at Calhoun, in the agricultural
County of Lowndes, southern Ala
bama, 27 miles south of Montgom
ery, on the main line of the Louis
ville and Nashville Railroad.
Eighty—five per cent of the peo
ple of the County are Colored, 95 per cent of the
precinct.
The School was founded in 1892 by Miss Mabel
W. Dillingham and Miss Charlotte R. Thorn,
Northern white workers at Hampton Institute.
Shortly before nearly forty Negroes of the vicinity
had lost their lives in a race conflict. After this
catastrophe the people held religious services for
two weeks, praying for a school from the North.
Among the original trustees were Booker T.
Washington, who continued in that office until his
death, John Bigelow, and Thomas Wentworth Hig-
ginson, who was succeeded by Richard P. Hallo-
well. General Armstrong, though in failing health,
gave invaluable endorsement and counsel.
Lowndes and the adjacent Counties south and
west were of the most neglected regions of the
South. There was almost no Negro ownership of
land. The crop lien tenancy conditions were unusu
ally repressive. The cabins lacked even the crudest
sanitary equipment. The meager public school
funds of Lowndes County were divided between
White and Colored in the ratio of thirteen to one
per child.
Conditions at once shaped the work into the fol
lowing departments: First, the school centre for
a limited number of boarding pupils, with farm and
industries ; second, instruction of pupils from the
cabins ; third, community work ; fourth extension
work into the County and gradually beyond.
Miss Dillingham survived only two years of Cal-
houn's early toils and hardships. Miss Thorn is still
principal.
In 1896, 3,283 acres adjoining the school were
purchased for resale to Negroes for $21,565.00.
The resale was virtually at cost price, with the legal
rate of 8 per cent interest on notes. Lots aver
aged 40 acres. Notwithstanding the purchasers'
lack of capital, tools, and stock, and against a series
of unfavorable seasons, all payments were com
pleted within seven years.
In 1907, 600 additional acres in the vicinity were
brought under Negro ownership. There are now
83 proprietors on a tract of about 4000 acres, of
whom two-fifths have built cottages of from three
to seven rooms. Nearly all these homes are paid
for.
The result of this land movement is a community
which is described by standard books on the South
as exceptionally moral, intelligent, and progres
sive, with far-reaching influence, and intimately
co-operative with all the work of the school. The
enlargement of this Negro land ownership under
Calhoun's direction is earnestly desired by the
people and urged by educational authorities South
and North.
Calhoun had in the year 1916-17, 35 salaried work
ers, White and Colored, in nearly equal numbers.
405 pupils were enrolled, 32 in excess of any previ
ous year. There are 92 boarding students, boys
and girls. Over 150 additional applications were
refused for lack of room. The graduating class
numbered 18
The endowment May 31, 1917, was $107,039.25.
The value of land, 21 buildings, and equipment was
$95,307.36. This includes a water system with com
plete fire protection. The library numbers 3,853
volumes, and is well supplied with daily papers and
periodicals. The following buildings have been
contracted for: new barn, silo, grist and saw mill
with tractor engine, and a three-room school. The
rapid and permanent increase of pupils demands
an addition of three large buildings for assembly
hall, class rooms, shops, and dormitory space for
200 boarding pupils.
28
SEWING ROOM
The property is vested in an independent board
of trustees: H. B. Frissell, president, Hampton In
stitute ; Paul Revere Frothingham, vice-president,
Boston ; Charlotte R. Thorn, Treasurer, Calhoun ;
Pitt Dillingham, Secretary, Boston; Henry W. Far-
naw, chairman Investment Committee, New Ha
ven ; N. Penrose Hallowell, member Investment
Committee, Boston ; William Jay Schieffelin, mem
ber Investment Committee, New York ; Henry
Ware Sprague, Buffalo ; Joseph O. Thompson, Bir
mingham.
The support is mainly from contributions. There
is no State aid. The total income of the last fiscal
year was $73,236.26. Of this sum $31,803.07 was
for endowment, buildings, permanent improvement,
and equipment.
The purpose of Calhoun is the progress of the
agricultural region of southern Alabama. The first
obligation is to its own neighborhood, then to the
County, then to further sections as its work ex
tends and develops. It is in intimate and uncom-
petitive co-operation with the larger institutions
which serve the Colored population of the South
generally, and with schools of higher education.
The academic course, originally limited to the
six lowest grades, has gradually increased to ten
with the progressive needs of the people. Thor
ough drill is united with inspirational teaching, with
training is given as far as the limits of the course
outlooks into the world's life and thought. Normal
will permit, as graduates are in great demand for
public school teaching. Calhoun graduates teach
more than 1400 public school children in Lowndes
County alone. Teachers of Calhoun's higher aca
demic grades have all been trained in Northern col-
Iges and universities. Those in charge of the lower
grades are graduates of colleges or standard normal
schools. Moral and religious training is prominent,
in which the school's undenominational character
is an advantage under the conditions of the field.
Agricultural training is of chief importance. The
school farm has 388 acres under intensive cultiva
tion; 300 acres of this are rented, from necessity.
There are three expert farmers and teachers. A
fourth directs the people's farming and business.
The Colored farm demonstrator of the County is
paid in part by the school. This department held
last year a County Fair and eight farmers' confer
ences. Its counsel is sought continually by farm
ers of the region. Public conferences and exten
sion lectures on farming are increasing through an
enlarging number of communities. The response
to President Wilson's appeal for more food produc
tion to meet the needs of the world war was an
swered by Calhoun with a doubling of farm acre-
M1LKIXG TIME
BLACKSMITH SHOP
age, large increase in buildings, equipment, stock
and summer force of working students.
The trades taught are carpentry, house building,
repairing and painting, blacksmithing, cobbling,
with harness repairing, cooking, sewing, laundry,
and domestic crafts. Certificates are given in
blacksmithing, cobbling and domestic arts, also in
agriculture. The addition of a year to the course
ensures the equivalent of two years' trade school
instruction in carpentry and building.
Community and extension work is no less prom
inent than the school work proper. Community
clubs and classes are held. Medical assistance is
given by the school nurses at a low cost. Commu
nity sales held weekly through the term provide
second-hand clothing from the North. The school's
community and extension workers and others of
the force are continually among the people, whose
visits to the school are frequent for meetings, en
tertainments, and private counsel. The life of
home, farm, church, public school, and lodge is
open to the school's directive influence through
an ever widening area, in a way to develop initia
tive. The County and extension work is largely
done through approved persons, graduates and oth
ers, who render enthusiastic and unintrusive serv
ice.
29
GEORGE W. CHANDLER
EORGE W. CHANDLER is a
produce of Talladega College,
though a farm lad by birth. He
is a member of the Masonic, Mo
saic Templars, Rising Sons and
Daughters of Protection, and
United Order of Good Shepherds. To these con
nections add that he is Notary Public of Mont
gomery County, a trustee and steward of the C.
M. E. Church of Montgomery, Trustee of Miles
Memorial College of Birmingham, and founder
and trustee of the Good Shepherd's Home of Dal
las County, Alabama, Editor Good Shepherd's
Magazine, and you have the list of services a man
in quiet life can perform.
Mr. Chandler was born on a farm some six miles
from the town of Talladega. He attended the
country school until he was twelve years old, after
which he entered the preparatory department in
Talladega Coollege. Five years here fitted him in
a measure to begin to earn a livelihood.
At the age of nineteen he left Talladega and
found employment in a grocery store. On spending
three years at this he became inspector for an in
surance company. This position he held for four
years. From this date he began his life work,
that in connection with the United Order of
Good Shepherds. He is now Supreme Pres
ident of this organization, which operates pretty
generally in the South and which owns some 3100
acres of land in Dallas County, Alabama, owns a
Shepherd Home and does a great deal of useful
work among its members.
His great achievement is the establishment of
this order. Mr. Chandler founded this order in
the town of Eufaula, Alabama, the third Wed
nesday in July, 1904. Those who stood by Mr.
Chandler and were joint founders with him were
Clark Richardson, Thomas Williams, Mary A. Jack
son, Ellen Turner, J. A. Ward, P. H. Harmon, and
John L. Thomas. The body at that time had one
little book of eight pages and a financial card. Its
largest membership was one hundred and fifty.
Very clearly re-organization was urgent, if the
order really hoped to take its place among the
substantial orders of the race. With some misgiv
ing but with ardent persistence Mr. Chandler set
to work. Exactly one year later he called a meet
ing in Montgomery, offered fifty-six resolutions,
one of which let the organization be incorporated,
the membership had increased, confidence had been
gained. All that he asked was done.
Year by year the order began now to gain more
members and a wider usefulness. It established an
endowment system one year; another year it rais
ed its policy: a third year it established several
additional Fountains, another year it passed reso
lutions to buy and build a home for old and decrepit
members, widows and orphans. With seven hun
dred dollars in his pocket Mr. Chandler set forth
to buy land for this home. Two thousand acres
were bargained for in Dallas County, for which a
first payment of $2000 was made. The order was
now extending its arm into other States. It had
Fountains in Georgia, in Florida, in Mississippi, in
Oklahoma, as well as in Alabama. In 1910 the
trustees added 1060 acres of land to that already
purchased, making a tract of 3060 acres.
Thus has the Order grown and fought its way to
its feet. Its two farms have cost $36,000 with in
terest at 8%. The home for the aged and decrepit
has been under continual improvement and care.
During the last five years more than $6.000 has
been raised and expended on the Home. All this
goes to show that the trustees and George W.
Chandler have not been idle to the opportunities
of the man on the land. About one thousanrl acres
of the land is improved, the remainder is good tim
ber land, land on which flourish white oak, pine,
poplar, cedars, ash and red oak. Taken for all and
all, this land which cost the Good Shepherds $34,000
with interest, is now valued at $150.000.
The Order has gained the confidence and good
wishes of many of the leading citizens of Mont-
30
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE UNITED ORDER OF GOOD SHEPHERDS
gomery, its headquarters, both white and black.
Everywhere, it has kept its obligations and made
friends, and employed reliable people as its rep
resentatives. A letter from Bishop J. W. Alstork
will illustrate the good standing the Order of Good
Shepherds has gained through the hard work of
G. \V. Chandler.
Bishop J. W. Alstork of the A. M. E. Zion Church
says in part :
If men are to be commended and rewarded for
what they have done, you deserve a place in the
first rank of those who have done something for
the advancement and general uplift of the people.
1 regard the project of purchasing the Good Shep
herd Home as one of the most advanced steps ever
taken for the race in this Country. When it comes
to Agriculture and economics it stands far above
any Negro Society for broadness in scope and
comprehension in arrangements.
Mr. Chandler believes in real estate as one of
the best investments for anyone, especially for the
colored people. He believes that such investments
tend to raise a man in the esteem of his fellows
in a community, and to make him feel on the other
hand responsibility. Through very close economy
which he learned to practice early in his career,
Mr. Chandler has been able to make many very
happy investments in the business of real estate.
His investments and property holdings are rated
at $20,000.
For both business and pleasure he has been able
to travel much, having covered practically all the
Southern States and a few Northern States in his
journeys. Mainly his trips have been in the in
terest of the Order of the Good Shepherds which
owes to him much credit for its success as an or
ganization.
Mr. Chandler's family is small, consisting of
three, himself, Mrs. Chandler and daughter. He
was married in 1904. Mrs. Chandler was Miss Liz
zie Redding of Macon, Georgia. The daughter,
Nettie Lena Chandler, is a pupil in school.
Mr. Chandler has the confidence and the good
wishes of the leading citizens of the State of
Alabama.
31
S. N. DICKERSON
PTIMISM and pessimism, are to
be found in all the walks of life
and are not confined to any race,
class or profession. While this is
true to find a business enthusiast
among the colored race is a rarity.
Such a one is Samuel Newton Dickerson of
Talladega, Ala. A business rather than a profes
sional life appealed to him and he has put into his
business that energy, zeal and intelligence which
wins success.
Mr. Dickerson was born in Talladega, the city
where he began his business career and which has
been the field of his business activities.
He was born at the close of the civil war and
received his education at the Talladega College.
He first entered the public school where he was
prepared for the college course. Like most young
colored men his way to an education was not a
rosy path.
The educational facilities of the town were am
ple for his purposes but the question of a livelihood
made it difficult for him to avail himself of them.
In addition to his own support he had the care of
his mother and sister to whose comforts he devot-
ed his life. One of his outstanding traits is his de
votion and loyalty to his family.
Difficulties are not fatal to a strong man but act
as a tonic to spur him on so it is not surprising
that Mr. Dickerson succeeded in the face of diffi
culties in securing an education.
Mr. Dickerson's first business venture was that
of a painter which he followed for fifteen years
from 1890. He then entered the Drug business
which he continued for ten years with marked suc
cess.
From this line of business he entered the gen
eral mercantile business which now occupies his
time and attention.
While push is his watchword in business con
servatism steadies his place and it is to these two
characteristics that he has scored so great a suc
cess.
Concerning life as a poor man through thrift
and good management he has accumulated a good
property. Besides his home he owns a store, six
rental houses, several city lots and one hundred and
ten suburban lots. He also owns a share of stock
in the Chinabar Cotton Mill.
He is a great advocate of the Negro entering the
marts of trade and encourages the establishment of
individual firms but his ideals of business take a
wider range than the individual and reaches out to
the community life. He believes in co-operation
and takes the position that the colored citizen has
a part to play in the development of the civic life
of the community and should take part in all en
terprises of a public nature which has for its end
the upbuilding of the community life.
He sees in this way the best method to win re
cognition and respect for the worthy colored citi
zens.
Mr. Dickerson's talent as a business man and
promoter is recognized by his friends who con
stantly come to him for advice, and they always
find in him a friendly and sound adviser.
Aside from his personal business connections he
has headed a number of business associations.
He has served as President of the Talladega
Business League, President of the Farmers Invest
ment and Benevolent Association, President of the
Negro Merchant's Association, and Vice-President
of the Alabama Negro Business League. He has
given murh time and thought to these organiza
tions and they have profited through his wise coun
sel.
In business matters'he is a leader, but in the do
main of religion he prefers to follow. He is a
member of the Baptist Church and does his part in
keeping up the church enterprises. He is also a
Mason and has served as Worshipful Master of the
Mariah division.
Mr. Dickerson's home life is happy though de
prived of children. In 1890 he married Miss Alice
Camp of his home city. Although they have no
children of their own, childhood makes a strong ap
peal to them and they spend much time and money
in helping the children of others. They are the
children's friends.
He gave his sister, Mrs. T. B. Barnett, the best
of educational advantages and fitted her for teach
ing. She is now a teacher in the Swayne College.
Montgomery, and ranks high in the profession.
32
JOHN WILLIAM BEVERLY.
iFORE SLAVERY was abolished
there was born in Hale County,
Alabama, not far from Greens
boro, a baby boy who was destin
ed to play a large part in the edu
cational advancement of the col-
ored race of Alabama. That babe
was John William Beverly.
Nature endowed him with a bright mind which
was largely developed through the agency of the
Lincoln Normal College, then located at Greens
boro, where he received his education.
After reaching that period of life when he must
decide upon a calling he chose the profession of
teaching and his first work in the school room after
his graduation was at a school near Demopolis,
Alabama. Here he served during the years 1886
and 1887.
From 1887 to 1890 he taught in the Lincoln Nor
mal College and from there he went to Brown
University, Providence, R. I.
lie returned to Alabama in 1894 and became the
Assistant Principal of the State Normal School.
This school was established as Lincoln Normal
University at Marion, Perry County, by act of the
Alabama Legislature in 1873. it was moved to
Montgomery in 1889 and the name changed to its
present title.
When Professor William B. Patterson, a white
man, who for forty years had presided over the
school and contributed much to its development,
died in the year 1915, Prof. Beverly was called to
take his place and since that time he has devoted
his time, energy and talents to its welfare. Under
his leadership the school has not only maintained
the high standard to which his predecessor had
brought it but has advanced beyond it.
Having a good foundation to build upon he has
proved himself a master builder.
While his main thought is concentrated upon the
school room his interest in the welfare of his peo
ple does not end there. His vision carries him
beyond the domain of the college and he finds op
portunities to serve his people on the outside
through the medium of his pen,
He possesses exceptional talent as a writer and
it has served him well in the preparation of pamph
lets for distribution among those who are denied
educational advantages. In this way many who
are denied privileges are kept in touch with the ed
ucational progress of the day and are influenced to
make sacrifice in the interest of the education of
the children.
He is the editor of "Practical Ethics for Children"
and "Guide to the English Oration."
His writings have taken a broad range but pos
sibly the work which has brought him into greater
prominence as a writer is his History of Alabama.
This work has been adopted by the State Board as
a supplementary study of Alabama History, Prof-
fessor Beverly is a man of deep thought and con
siders well his plans before executing them.
He is a farmer and owns and cultivates farms in
Elmore and Montgomery Counties. He has studi
ed closely the advanced theories of farming and
has watched their practical test and has adopted
those which appealed to his judgment. In this
way he has brought his farming operations to a
higher standard of success.
He owns his home which is located at 105 Tatum
Street, Montgomery, the refined elegance of which
is the reflection of the refined taste of the occu
pant.
Associated with Professor Beverly in the opera
tion of the State Normal Institute are a corps of
teachers, gifted in their particular branches and
who render valuable assistance to the Principle in
promoting the welfare of the college.
Through the splendid system of operation put
into effect by the Principle and forcibly carried out
by the faculty, the pupils are thoroughly equipped
to fill their places in life in their chosen fields of
endeavor.
The faculty of the State Normal College is as
follows: J. W. Beverly, Principal; Annie W.
Doak, Secretary; Mary L. Strong. Literature;
Rev. E. E. Scott, History; Miss Mary F. Mon
roe. Mathematics; J. L. Kilpatrick, Science; Venus
H. Lewis, Supervisor Study room ; Albert H. Bev
erly, English ; Christine L. Graves, English ; Rosa
L. Shaw, Drawing; Gertrude L. Watkins, Domestic
Science; Josie Murray, Domestic Art; E. M. Lewis,
Carpentry ; Annie L. Brown, Music ; Bertha L.
Smith, Supervisor of Model School and Peda
gogics; 11. S. Murphy, Agriculture; Camille High-
tower, Sewing and Physical Culture; Minnie J.
Lewis, first grade; josie Govan, second grade;
Bertha West, third grade; Merillo T. Garner,
fourth grade; Dora D. Beverly, fifth grade; Bessie
L. Nelms, sixth grade ; Mary F. Terrell, seventh
grade ; M. J. Moore, eighth grade.
•
LINCOLN LACONIA BURWELL, M. D.
INCOLN LACONIA BURWELL,
of Selma, AlaDama, is, like the
other professional men in these
pages, an answer to the query :
"We give money to educate Ne
groes, but what becomes of them
afterwards?"
As a boy in Marengo County, Alabama, where
he was born, he was all but destitute. He was
given away to rear when eight years old, to his
brother, Charles A. Burwell. While working on
the farm in the usual way of a country boy, he
showed ability to grasp more than the rural school
had to offer.
Accordingly, in 1883, he went to the Alabama
Baptist Normal and Theological School, now Sel
ma University. By 1886 he finished the college
preparatory course as valedictorian of the class. In
the same year he entered the Leonard Medical Col
lege, Shaw University, Raleigh. North Carolina,
completed in three years the course in medicine
which usually covers four years. Here, again, he
was valedictorian.
With no money and no backing Dr. Burwell re
turned to Selma. At first he worked as a pharma
cist. Having an opportunity to buy a business, he
entered into a partnership to. ...purchase... .a drug
store equipment and stock. He borrowed one hun
dred dollars, which each partner was to pay in
cash, from his brother-in-law, and gave notes for
the balance. In a little while, however, he sold his
share, and devoted all his attention to the practice
of medicine. Four months after this step, the
business failed. But Dr. Burwell felt that the col
ored people ought to have a place to have their
prescriptions filled and to get soda water without
embarrassment, and therefore set up a business
for himself. The store was a room, twelve feet by
fourteen, which he built near his home. Perfume
bottles took the place of regular stock bottles, and
the tinctures were made in spare hours.
As the business grew Dr. Burwell moved, always
getting larger quarters and nearer the center of
town. On April 20, 1895, when steady develop
ment had brought much increased volume, the drug
store was destroyed by fire. In two months, how
ever, the store was open again, notwithstanding
the small insurance. In 1904 he put up a splendid
brick structure opposite the City Buildings in the
business section of Selma. Here are all the attrac
tions and accommodations that the best drug
stores anywhere offer, with four persons regularly
employed. There is a large soda fountain, chairs
and tables in the center of the room, telephone
booth, offices for medical consultation and treat
ment. Everything is so well arranged and kept
that it makes a Negro a little proud of himself
just to enter here.
Dr. Burwell has constantly kept in view his duty
of service to his fellows. Educated under Christian
auspices, he felt, indeed he knew, that accomplish
ment, talent, knowledge, and wealth were but
loans to be repaid in helping others. So, he taught
pharmacy to Drs. G. W. Clark. T. L. A. Tomlinson
and C. W. Reid. These young men were thus able
to pass the Alabama Pharmacy Board without the
expense of attending the schools. Several others,
now doctors, were able to shorten their course in
college because of help from him.
In the late nineties, yellow fever invaded the
lower South, and, of course struck Selma. The rich
and well-to-do fled northward, leaving their homes
and property to the mercy of those who remained.
The white citizens organized a protective league to
see that no vandalism was practised in the citv.
Dr. Burwell organized a similar league among the
colored people, which detailed seven men to patrol
the colored sections and any other district assign
ed to them. No vandalism was practiced, and both
races to this day point to the incident with pride.
Another evidence of the public spirit of our sub
ject is the fact that he raised a group of thirty
three men who enlisted in Company C. Third Ala
bama Volunteers, for service in the Spanish-
American War.
34
BURWELL'S INFIRMARY
Notwithstanding the heavy burden of business
activities, Dr. Burwell does not neglect his
religious duties. He is a devout Christian work
er. During the twenty-seven years of his life in
Selma his interest has constantly followed both
church and school. For thirteen years he was Sec
retary of the Board of Trustees of Selma Uni
versity, of which he is still a member, giving to his
Alma Mater time and service and often carrying
financial responsibilities with no thought of re
turn.
The city of Selma is one of the few in which
Negroes have an infirmary. The average colored
patient must stav at home, however inconvenient it
may be for him, and expose his family. Dr. Bur-
well it was who founded the infirmary in Selma
in 1907, providing competent trained nurses to give
the colored people the same chance at health and
recovery that others may have. At present, be
sides the founder, nine white physicians take their
colored patients here for operation and treatment.
Incidentally, this is no inconsiderable haven for the
Negro nurses.
When Dr. Burwell announced the opening of
the Infirmary, an announcement which gave him
no little pleasure, as it voiced the consummation
of a noble achievement, he took occasion to speak
of another of his enterprises in the following sig
nificant words :
"With a big store erected and paid for, where the
Negro can come and does come, without any timi
dity or fear, with such business as gives employ
ment to four Negroes daily, and with six young
men inspired and prepared to do life's work as they
may choose, the fondest hope of what I wanted to
do for my race is realized."
These words evince a commendable pride for
achievements in the interest of his race.
Dr. Burwell possessed of a zeal in the interest
of his people and devoting much of his time and
talent to their advancement was not unmindful of
his life calling and the steady development of his
practice bears testimony to his popularity as a
physician.
With all these big things. Dr. Burwell is a rather
intense family man. You will not talk with him
long before you are informed that to Mrs. Burwell,
who was Miss Lavinia Richardson, is due the great
est credit for his success. His two daughters were
educated in Oberlin, Ohio. Miss Almedia L. Bur-
well was graduated from the College, having taken
also extensive work in the Conservatory of Music
of the same institution. She is now "teacher of
music in the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
College, Tallahassee, Florida. The other daughter,
Miss Elezora L. Burwell, is interested in business
DR. BURWELL'S RESIDENCE
DR. BURWELL'S LIBRARY
She was graduated from the Oberlin Business Col
lege in 1915, and is now Secretary to the President
df Selma Univeristy.
Thus it appears that this man, starting rather
destitute in Marengo County, has given a good
account of his stewardship. Being a member of
the Baptist State Convention of the Order of
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, trustee of
Selma University, builder of a big drug store busi
ness, helper of the poor student and the poor peo
ple, founder and promoter of a Negro infirmary, he
has certainly earned the title of big and public-
spirited citizen. Add to this the splendid education
of his children and his erection of one of the finest
homes in Selma, and you will see why Dr. Burwell
is pointed to with pride by members of the race,
and you will also read the answer to the query
with which we began.
35
WILLIAM HENRY COLEMAN, M. D.
R. WILLIAM HENRY COLEMAN
of Bessemer, Alabama, follow
ed in the wake of many of our
leading men in getting his educa
tion, only he used a greater varie
ty of occupations perhaps than
most of those who have made
their way from the bottom. Born in Montgomery,
Alabama, January 9th 1877 he attended school for
a while in his native city.
Finishing such training as he could get here at
that time he became a student in Payne University,
Selma, Alabama. From Payne he finally made his
way into Meharry Medical College at Nashville,
where he was graduated in 1900.
His ambition to fit himself for the medical pro
fession did not lead him along a smooth path but
he won the victory when he formed the purpose to
succeed and his subsequent efforts were more inci
dents in his plan.
In order to complete the courses both in college
and medicine he found it necessary to put his hand
to a variety of tasks. One session he taught school
but the revenue from this source was inadequate to
meet his expenses so he gave up this employment
and sought another. His next employment was
that of Bell boy in a hotel and while not so digni
fied a position as teaching school it added to his in
come and served his purposes better.
From Hotel bellman he became a Pullman porter,
covering in his journeys the greater part of the
United States and going into Canada and into Mex
ico.
From this latter work he was enabled to save
sufficient money to pursue and finish his medical
studies, though he had to practice the greatest
economy and added to his fund by working as jan
itor of the college and filling other posts that would
yield him a penny to carry forward his education.
Having to work hard for an education lie learned to
appreciate its value more and the very sacrifices he
made to secure it added to its impelling forces
in his after life. Graduating from Meharry in 1900,
he first began practice in Crawfordsville. Arkan
sas. While the life of a country physician brought
a rich reward in health and strength he felt
the call of a larger field and so after one years re
sidence in Crawfordsville he removed to Bessemer,
Alabama, where he opened an office in 1901 and
where he has continued to reside until now.
His practice has grown wonderfully during his
eighteen years residence in Bessemer as lias his
popularity as a man and physician. He is inured
to hard work and notwithstanding his large prac
tice he finds time to devote to his social, civic and
religious duties.
He is an active churchman and makes his per
sonality felt in the religious body to which he be
longs, Allen Temple A. M. K. Church.
He is also actively identified with a number of
secret orders, the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Mo
saic Templers and others.
While giving close attention to his patients and
not neglecting the manifold duties crowding into
the life of busy men he still continues his studies
and often the product of his pen finds its way to
the medical journals.
He made it a rule to consider the problems of life
with calmness and wisdom and never to yield to the
suggestions of worry. He realized that all action
is followed by equal reaction and so he fortified
himself against all depressive influences.
The reason why he is enabled to accomplish so
much is that he carefully plans his work and works
to a definite point.
One of his theories is, that the margin between
success and failure is very small and that success is
not so much due to great ability as the use you
make of the ability you have, whether it be great
or small.
He loves his profession and has given to it the
best that is in him.
The domestic life of Dr. Coleman is very happy
and it is an abiding joy to care for his aged mother,
who makes her home with him.
He was married in 1914 to Miss Mattie Kirk-
patrick of Nashville, Tennessee, who is a help meet
in every sense of the word.
They live in a modern home worth about $5000.00
and have investments in both residence and busi
ness property.
The atmosphere of hospitality and good will per
vades their home.
36
ARTHUR WILLIS DAVIS, B. S., M. D.
N the year 1875, in Marion Ala
bama, Dr. Arthur Willis Davis
was born. At that time for a
black man to aspire to the study
of medicine was to approach a
field shrouded in awe and mys
tery. Hut notwithstanding' the veil of mystery
covering the profession, Dr. Davis decided to enter
its domain.
The facilities offered to the colored youth in this
line of endeavor in his section of the country was
much beclouded, the teachers few and not espe
cially competent, which made the road that young
Davis had to travel to reach his aspiration full of
difficulties.
Difficulties discourage the weak but brace the
strong so Dr. Davis made his way through them
to a gratifying success.
Marion, the birth place of Dr. Davis and where
he received a public school education, was an edu
cational center, the very atmosphere of the place
breathing the spirit of education, which no doubt
contributed to his aspirations. He had seen many
young men and women leave the educational insti
tutions located there achieve success in life and
naturally he attributed their success to the prepa
ration they had received in college. He formed the
determination to secure a good education himself
and having come to that decision he left home in
search of his goal.
He first attended the Talladega College at Tal-
ladega, Alabama, where he received his B. S. de
gree.
He specialized in the sciences for the good it
would serve him in his life work.
After completing his course at Talladega Col
lege he next entered Meharry Medical College and
completed his course of study there in 1903.
He was now ready to hang out his shingle and in
casting about for a place to begin his life work
his eyes turned towards his native State, ambi
tious alike to serve his own people as well as him
self.
Tuscumbia won his favor and it was in this town
that he began the practice of his profession which
extended to the near-by City of Sheffield.
It proved to be a wise choice. In the section he
had selected as a field of labor the colored man liv
ed in great numbers and stood together in all
efforts towards advancement. It is hardly neces
sary to add that he soon had a number of patients.
When he opened his office in Tuscumbia his sole
wealth was $25. This nest egg has multiplied
many times.
After fourteen years of practice his list of assets
show that he owns a comfortable home, a drug
store and stock, two farms and a residence in Shef
field which he rents. To have accumulated such a
property in so short a time shows business ability
as well as professional skill. He had learned the
art of saving which is the first lesson in permanent
success.
His term at the Talladega College left a religious
impress upon his life which remained with him. In
his religious belief he is a Corigregationalist though
in sympathy with all religious bodies.
In Fraternal matters Dr. Davis is a Mason and
a member of the Mosaic Templars.
He is the State medical examiner for the Mosaic
Templars and is also the medical examiner for the
Conservative Life Insurance Company of West
Virginia, the Standard Life Insurance Company of
Atlanta, Georgia, and for the Lincoln Reserve
Company of Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. Davis was married December 26th, 1905, to
Miss Hattie Lee Jackson of Nashville, Tennessee,
a Christmas gift, which has always appealed to his
heart. They have one child, a daughter, who
makes sunshine in their home.
Miss Sadie May Davis is still a young Miss in
school, seeking like her father to fit herself for a
life of service. No doubt under his guiding hand
she will find her place and (ill it with the same
credit that he has filled his.
JAMES OLIVER DIFFAY.
NE of the quietest, most courteous
and most humble men of Birming
ham, Alabama is J. O. Diffay. Mr.
Diffay has the habit, more com
mon in the country than in town,
of seeing strangers. In a quiet,
easy way he soon manages to get them by the hand
to find out what they are looking for and to help
them secure the object of their search, whether this
be a lodging house, a good meal, a business prop
osition or a railway station.
Of course there is more or less reason for this
on the part of Mr. Diffay. He is one of the oldest
citizens of the giant Southern city. He knew Bir
mingham when the town was near rural, when
there were few if any street lights, no cars or tax-
icabs, and no street signs to guide the stranger.
How rural it was is brought out by a few facts
of Mr. Diffay's early childhood. Mr. Diffay was
born back in the early sixties in what is now Bir
mingham. He attended the county school up to
the fifth grade, attending about 4 months in the
year. While going to school Mr. Diffay worked on
the farm. Thus the setting hereabout was closely
akin to rural in Mr. Diffay's early days.
At the age of twenty-four Mr. Diffay entered
the business of selling produce. Finding this not
so much to his liking he next set up a barber shop
for colored people and set out to grow with the
town. Mr. Diffay always felt that the colored peo
ple should have just as attractive shop, just as com
petent and polite service as any other people. Thus
as Birmingham grew he improved his shop. Here
is a $10,000 emporium with some twelve odd revolv
ing chairs, large mirrors, hot and cold water,
baths, electric fans, pool room parlors, social club,
indeed all that makes a barber shop pleasant to look
upon and a refreshing place to visit. Twelve bar
bers, neat and alert, are employed steadily here to
wait on the colored customers. Probably taken
all in all there is nowhere a better shop for col
ored people than this of Mr. Diffay's in Birming
ham.
For years Mr. Diffay labored here, working be
hind the chair himself superintending his helpers,
acting as cashier and watching for and putting in
improvements. His big shop in recent years has
become well known, his business secure." He has
therefore for a good while been free to look about
the city, to watch the progress of the people and to
play a formidable part in the growth of Negro bus
iness. Finding himself comparatively free, Mr.
Diffay turned much attention to real estate, with
the result that before the hard times came on his
business in real estate almost rivaled that in the
barber shop.
When the late Dr. Pettiford, sometimes spoken
of as the "Nestor of Negro Bankers," started the
Penny Savings Bank, Mr. Diffay was among the
first whose good will and cooperation were sought.
He seconded Dr. Pettiford in all his actions, was
for years the vice-president of the bank. When Dr.
Pettiford died, Mr. Diffay succeeded him, becoming
president of the Alabama Penny Savings Bank and
the Prudential Bank which had combined their in
terests.
Though his education was not far advanced dur
ing his youth, Mr. Diffay, besides the advantages
of very good local contact, has embraced every
chance of self-improvement. He is especially zeal
ous of race education, of knowing what colored
people are really doing. Then, you will find him in
a teachers convention, a farmers' conference, a Y.
M. C. A. cabinet meeting, a doctor's gathering, lis
tening and quietly questioning. In this way he
keeps himself young, well informed and surrounded
by a host of warm friends.
These meetings are not on Mr. Diffay's required
list. His Grand Lodge meetings, his church meet
ings are. Few men are seen oftener in their pews
of the famous 16th Street Baptist Church than Mr.
Diffay. Few are more liberal towards it with sup
port, time and counsel than he.
Mr. Diffay owns and lives in a beautiful new
home near the rush of the city, yet removed from
the noise of traffic and cars. Here Mrs. Diffay, for
merly Miss Soselle Bradford, makes stranger or
friend feel perfectly at case. Indeed, the Diffays
have a cordial way of turning you loose, to go when
you please and where you please and to come back
when you please. Very likely there is no colored
man in Birmingham who has made as many friends
for the city as has J. O. Diffay.
DARIUS H. HENRY, D. D.
R. Darius H. Henry is a type of
that Emersonian American who
does a great many things pretty
well. He has taught school, been
a farm demonstrator, an editor
and a pastor. Of these he still
holds one or two pastorates and he still farms.
Dr. Henry was born in 1866 in Coy, Alabama.
At a tender age he was given to his grandparents
who spared no pains in trying to train him up in
the fear of God and educate him to become a useful
citizen. To them he owes all his education and all
the inspiration that he received in his youth. The
lad was first sent to the public school of Coy, Ala
bama where he remained till he needed more ad
vanced work and he was then sent to the public
school at Camden, Alabama. From Camden he en
tered Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute
and was graduated from the Normal department
in 1890.
On leaving Tuskegee. Dr. Henry returned to his
native town, Coy, and for two years taught the
public school there. Thinking to enlarge his use
fulness and better himself at the same time, he left
Coy and went to Avenger. Texas. Here for five
years he taught the public school and, with Mr. J.
W. Friday edited a school Medical Journal. He was
later editor-in-chief of the Watchman, a paper pub
lished in Texarkana.
Giving up his work as editor and teacher in Tex
as, Dr. Henry returned to Alabama, to Coy, and
began to farm. Dr. Henry owns his own farm of
1240 acres, and valued at $25.00 per acre and runs it
himself. His average cotton yield is seventy-five
bales a year. He runs on his plantation a saw mill,
a ginnery and a grist mill. In the ginnery alone he
does a great business, for there passes through his
mill from 250 to 300 bales of cotton a year. Mr.
Henry has not neglected to put around himself and
family all the comforts of country life. The fam
ily lives in their own home which is valued at $1800
and they have around them all those comforts of
fruit trees, vines, garden and stock that make life
in the rural districts content. Indeed so successful
has Dr. Henry been as a farmer that the late Dr.
Washington once sent him to a Governor of Ala
bama as an example of Negro progress in agricul
ture. For two years he served the Government of
his country as United States Demonstration Agent
in Wilcox County.
Dr. Henry's work as pastor is not eclipsed by his
labors as a farmer. He was introduced to the
Baptist State Convention by the Rev. L. S. Stein-
bach. And he has proven worthy of the trust put
in him. He is a member of and pastor of the Little
Zion Baptist Church, at Coy, Alabama, his native
home. Dr. Henry divides his time as pastor with
the Magnolia Baptist Church at Camden, where as
a boy he attended school. Nor is the labor of Dr.
Henry confined solely to his locality. He is Mod
erator of the Star Hope Association of his section
and he was for eighteen years clerk of this asso
ciation. He has served on boards for the asocia-
tion and for the convention as well. Indeed so
freely has Dr. Henry given himself to the cause
of the Baptists of the state and so great has been
his development along these lines that Selma Uni
versity conferred upon him the degree of Doctor
of Divinity in recognition of his growth and of his
service.
In fraternal membership Dr. Henry belongs to
the Masonic Lodge 195 of Coy, Alabama, and to the
Eastern Star 75. He is Master of the former and
Worthy Patron of the latter. Dr. Henry was
married in 1897 to Miss Julia A. Brewer. There
are no children in the Henry family.
When it was known that I. T. Vernon was to re
sign his post as Register of the United States
Treasury, Dr. Henry's friends highly recommend
ed him for the vacancy. This application was en
dorsed by both Democrats and Republicans as well
as the leading colored men of Alabama. His cre
dentials arrived too late but the effort served to
show him the high esteem in which he was held
bv his fellow citizens.
39
WILLIAM J. EDWARDS
MONG the men who sat under
Booker T. Washington and
caught his vision of service in the
uplift of the unfortunate in out-
of-the-way places, William J.
Edwards is a brilliant example.
Born in Snow Hill, Wilcox County, Alabama, in
the year 1870, his career has been marked with pri
vation and difficulties almost impassable. Diffi
culties either make or break a man and in the case
of Professor Edwards they proved his making.
His mother died when he was only twelve months
old and his father left Snow Hill when he was
about six years of age and in a short while the
message came that he too was dead. Left an or
phan at the early age of six he was placed in the
care of his old grand-mother who did her best to
meet the responsibility and provide for the devel
opment of his mind as well as his body.
She sent him to the neighboring school but often
with only bread for his lunch. The lack of food,
however, did not quench the thirst for knowledge
and he applied himself to his books with great
energy and determination.
When he reached the age of twelve this friend
and protector was also taken from him and he was
left to shift for himself. Perplexed and almost
bewildered he consulted a minister in the com
munity and through him learned of the Tuskegee
Institute. He at once determined to attend this
school and in order to provide the means for his
tuition he rented two acres of land, cultivated it
and in the fall when his crop was gathered he en
tered the Institution. He not only entered the
school but finished his course and finally stood out
side of its walls to face the problem which con
fronts most young men who graduate and are
ready to take up the active duties of life. "What
next?" Law and the Ministry both made a strong
appeal to him and he gave them the closest con
sideration but the vision of service to the unfor
tunate which Booker T. Washington had placed
before his mind had gotten too strong a hold upon
him to be easily cast off so it decided his life work.
The outcome of this plan was the founding of the
Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute.
When his purpose was formed his mind instinc
tively turned towards Snow Hill, the place of his
boyhood struggles. He moved cautiously, how
ever, not wishing to make a mistake at the incep
tion of his plans. He wanted to be sure of his
ground. To this end he canvassed several of the
Black belt centers, noting the condition of the peo
ple, the relation of the races and the educational
advantages enjoyed by them.
When he first went to the Tuskegee Institute he
made most of the journey on foot and the initial
journey through the counties of the black belt in
the interest of his proposed enterprise was made in
a like manner. It was best to travel in this way
from two standpoints. It was cheaper, and money
was a consideration with him at that time, and by
this method of travel it gave him an opportunity to
meet more of the people among whom he hoped to
labor.
The result of this journey decided him where to
locate his school and also determined its character.
He found that there was a colored population in
the Snow Hill district of more than 200,000 and a
school population of 85.499. The people he found
to be ignorant and superstitious and that strictly
speaking there were no public schools and but one
private one. That they were being taught by min
isters and teachers not far above them in intelli
gence.
Visions are given us to inspire to noble effort
so Professor Edwards immediately set to work to
translate his vision into reality and the Snow Hill
Normal and Industrial Institute is the monument
to his labors. To this institution he has given his
life. He has expanded it, developed its courses,
added many buildings and best of all has realized
his dream of a school for the people.
The founder of this school must have kept before
his mind the line "Tall oaks from little acorns
grow" and had learned well the lesson "not to de
spise the day of small things." When his school
started in the year 1894 its housing was an old log
cabin, its teaching force one and the number of
40
SNOW HILL NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE
pupils three. This equipment backed by a capital
of fifty cents marked its modest beginning.
By the way of contrast we quote from the Gov
ernment Bulletin No. 39 issued in 1916:
"Total attendance 293; male 145 and female 148.
Total teaching forces 29; all colored; male 15, and
female 14; academic 14, boys' industries 5, girls in
dustries 2, matron 1, executive and office workers
6, agriculture 1.
The acorn has become a tree and proudly stands
as a monument to faith, energy and an abiding pur
pose to serve the people among whom the founder
was born and reared.
As stated above the school was founded in the
year 1894 and is the outgrowth of a vision which
came to the principal, Professor William J. Ed
wards, while a student at the Tuskegee Institute.
The school is owned and controlled by a board of
capable Northern and Southern men.
Its material growth has been very rapid and
while it has contributed to the pride of the insti
tute its chief glory lies in the educational advant
ages it has given the community and the prepara
tion it has given its pupils for their life work.
It has given them especial training in the literary
branches but in addition has given them the choice
of thirteen trades.
Being located near the center of a rich agricul
tural belt it has laid emphasis upon the Agricul
tural Department.
Farming is the chief industry of the people and
it was realized that a very large per cent of the
graduates would turn to the soil, so it was deter
mined to teach them the science of farming so that
they would make better farmers and win from the
land larger and more diversified crops. It has
been slow work to teach the pupils the advantage
of scientific farming over the old methods but the
leaven is beginning to work and ere long the whole
community will see the advantage of the Scientific
method.
The school has a large acreage of land (about
2000 acres and considerable industrial equipment.
It hs twenty-one buildings and a property valua
tion of about $90,000. Its organization com
prises Elementary, Industrial and Agriculture. The
elementary work covers eight years, divided into
primary school of six years, and the preparatory
and junior classes of one year each. There are
four upper classes which include some elementary
subjects, called "B middle," "A middle," "Senior
preparatory" and "Senior."
The secondary subjects are english, chemistry,
physics, biology, agriculture, geometry, algebra,
civil government, moral philosophy, school man
agement and psychology.
In the Industrial department is taught carpentry,
blacksmithing, printing, leather work, masonry,
tailoring and commercial.
In the agricultural department the chief thing
taught is agriculture.
To this school its founder and principal has given
his entire time, his best thought and his physical
strength. In its development he has not spared
himself. He has traveled far and wide in its inter
est and has often been heard on the platform in its
behalf. Possessing oratorical powers he has been
much in demand as a speaker which has given him
many opportunities to keep his school before the
public. His theory is that a teacher should ever
be a student and acting upon this theory he at
tends the summer school at Chicago, Harvard and
other places.
Snow Hill Institute has been conducted in such
a manner as to win the confidence and respect of
the entire community, white and black alike.
41
RICHARD BYRON HUDSON, A. B.
OR a score or more of years few
activities in any kind of up-lift
work have existed either in Ala
bama or elsewhere among color
ed people without the enthusiastic
support of R. B. Hudson, of Sel-
ma, Alabama. He has been prominent in Sunday
School work, in Baptist Church work, in Masonic
Lodge, and in the State and National Association
for Colored Teachers, holding at one time or an
other prominent and responsible offices in all of
these bodies.
In working in Alabama. Mr. Hudson is on his na
tive heath. He was born in Uniontown, Alabama,
Feb. 7. 1866. He received his first education in
the Uniontown District Academy. From here he
entered Selma University, whence he received the
Degree of Bachelor of Arts. He has taken Post
Graduate courses in the College of Liberal Arts in
Chatauqua, N. Y.
Like most men of the earlier days, Mr. Hudson
had to work his way through school. In Selma
University he paid for a great deal of his education
by working at the printer's trade, and by tutoring
mathematics. This tutoring led him to choose a
life career. From tutoring he went to teaching in
Selma University, where he taught mathematics
from 1889 to 1890.
Of course Prof. Hudson is best known in the
State of Alabama and in the educational world
through the Clark School of Selma. This is known
throughout the State as one of the best kept build
ings and one in which some of the most thorough
teaching is done anywhere in the South. Inspec
tors, State Supervisors, and State Superintendents
all point to Clark School as a model public school.
As has been already stated, Prof. Hudson has
been a leader in many Secret Orders, in the Church
and Sunday School throughout his career. He is
a member of the Knights of Pythias, a Woodman,
a Mason, and an Odd Fellow. He has been both
President and Secretary of the Alabama State
Teachers Association and County Chairman of the
Alabama Colored Teachers' Association. He is Sec
retary of the State Baptist Convention and of the
National Baptist Convention. He is President of
. the District Sunday School Convention, and a mem
ber of the Executive Board of the Federal Council
of Churches of America. He was delegate to the
World's Missionary Conference which met in Ed
inburgh, Scotland, in 1910. He is Endowment
Treasurer of the Endowment Department of the
Masonic Grand Lodge of Alabama.
During the recent war troubles Mr. Hudson has
been Chairman of the Food Conservation Commit
tee of Dallas County, and Chairman of the Red
Cross for Colored people of Dallas County.
For many years he was the close personal friend
of the late great leader of the race, Dr. Booker T.
Washington. It seemed a great pleasure to Dr.
Washington for him to speak of the high esteem
in which he held Prof. Hudson. On one occasion
Dr. Washington writing the "Colored Alabamian,"
a paper then published at Montgomery, said : "I
want to thank you most earnestly and heartily for
your publishing the picture and sketch of the life
of Prof. R. B. Hudson, of Selma, Ala. I am afraid
that the people of Alabama do not appreciate the
real worth and ability of Prof. Hudson in the way
they should. He has shown himself to be a leader
of rare ability and especially a clear-headed sys
tematic thinker and worker.
The main purpose of this letter is to impress
upon the people of our State the fact that we have
a man in our midst, a man of such rare ability, and
I repeat that you are to be congratulated for pre
senting him before the public through the medium
of your paper."
Prof. Hudson was married in 1890 to Miss Lula
C. Richardson who died in 1898. He was married
in 1900 to Miss Irene M. Thompson. Mr. Hudson
has two children. Misses E. Leola and Bernice
Hudson, the former is a graduate of Spellman Sem
inary, Atlanta, Ga., and Pratt Institute, Brooklyn,
N. Y. She is at present a teacher in the Florida
A. & M. College at Tallahassee, Fla. The latter is
still a student.
42
REV. JOHN WASHINGTON GOODGAME.
N Birmingham, Alabama, out on
Avenue F., stands a monumental
Baptist Church. The engravings
on the corner stones outside re
cord the names of laborers, busi
ness and professional men who
joined hands to make this building
the splendid edifice that it is. It
has its big pipe organ, its animated well trained
choir, its pastor's study, its spacious galleries as
well as its big audience room. It cost $50,000 when
it was built, now valued at $80,000. Its organization,
its distribution of workers, is exceptional. It has of
course its auxiliary clubs among the women, its
young people's societies, its deacons' board and the
like. But above all it has a regular man, in ad
dition to the pastor, whose business it is to visit
the sick and the needy and to collect funds and
minister to their relief. The man behind all this
work, who raised the funds, very largely from
working people ; who in person superintended the
construction of the building is Rev. John Washing
ton Goodgame.
Rev. Goodgame was born in the country, some
years after the civil war, and while performing his
farm duties he had time for calm meditation, lie
was a poor lad with no very inspiring environ
ments ; he was without money, and to boys with
out grit and ambition, his situation would have ap
peared hopeless. Not so with Rev. Goodgame.
He was ambitious to learn and he determined to
secure an education and he turned difficulties in to
propellers to bring him to his goal.
God had raised him up for leadership and whom
God calls to service He prepares for the work to
be done.
Without money but with a consciousness that
he would succeed, he entered Talladega College in
1885 and spent his first year in college in the work
department. He finally completed his Grammar
and Normal courses and entered the Theological
department. While pursuing the theological
course he served the country churches in and
around Talladega as pastor, later accepting a call
to his home church in Talladega.
He was next called to pastor the leading Baptist
church of Anniston for a few years and then came
to Birmingham, his present home.
Members of the Baptist church felt that a school
should be started around Birmingham. Who was
there so fit to blaze the way as J. W. Goodgame,
the man who never failed in business as well as in
religion. Thus Birmingham Baptist College was
launched with Rev. Goodgame at the head of the
board of trustees, as the real sponsor for the insti
tution.
The Alabama Baptist State Convention elected
him treasurer, and the Mosaic Templars placed up
on him the task of carrying the money for its or
ganization. This then is the load he carries — the
personal interest of two Baptist institutions the
exchequer of the iMosaic Templars and of the Ala
bama State Baptist Convention and the charge of a
big city church. To this have been added many
other responsibilities. He was stock holder and
one of the directors of the Alabama Penny Savings
Bank and one time secretary of the Atlanta, Bir
mingham Mutual Aid Association, the latter an in
surance company which flourished under his ad
ministration and which was recently merged with
another company.
Unlike many ministers, Rev. Goodgame has
changed pastorates but seldom, preferring to build
substantially in one place. Growing as Birming
ham grew he has had opportunity to judge prop
erty and to invest wisely. He owns, thanks to his
business acumen, nine rent houses, and eight va
cant lots in this city of high priced property.
All this time Rev. Goodgame has been rearing and
educating a large family. He was married to Miss
Mollie Bledsoe in 1890. Five children, now all
practically grown and well educated form the
Goodgame family. Miss Fannie B. is a graduate
of the Talladega Normal course and of Selma Uni
versity ; Miss Minnie of the Barber Seminary, An
niston, Alabama; Miss Jennie of Cheney Institute,
Penn. ; Miss Lucile, a senior, 1917. at Normal, Ala
bama ; Mr. John Washington, Jr., a student at the
State Normal School in Montgomery, Alabama.
Miss Fannie B. who is now Fannie B. Kastland was
teacher for several years, having taught in the
Birmingham C'itv Schools a number of terms.
To protect himself and his family, as well as to
further good causes, Rev. Goodgame is a Mason, a
Knight of Pythias, and a Mosaic Templar. Few
men are harder workers and more optimistic in
both religion and race progress than is Rev. John
W. Goodgame of Birmingham, Alabama.
REV. PRICE S. LENTON HUTCHINS.
HE REV. PRICE S. LENTON
HUTCHINS, of Mobile, Alabama,
is the seventh child of Reuben and
Sylvia Hutchins. He was born in
Cowikee, Barbour County, Ala
bama, October 13th. 1862.. At
_ . . ^ ^. an early age he was given to his
grandparents who sent him to school and did every
thing to encourage his intellectual growth. But
his grandparents died and he was returned to his
parents. They were poor and unable to send him
to school. Accordingly he was put on the farm
where he worked with his body but. his mind was in
the school room he had left. His thirst for know
ledge was satisfied to a small extent by a white
playmate and co-laborer, Mr. Walter T. Harwell,
but he soon passed beyond the information that his
teacher could impart and he was again facing the
problem of where to turn for an education . This
young man's development was not one sided for
along with the development of the mind and body
he was not neglectful of the spirit. At an early age
he was converted and was baptized into the fellow
ship of the Pleasant Grove Baptist church, Eu-
faula, Alabama, by the Rev. Jerry Short. Re
ligion became the dominant factor in his life which
finally led him into the ministry.
June 12th. 1882 he was licensed by his church to
preach, but dissatisfied with his preparation for
his work he entered the Selma University Febru
ary 3rd. 1884 where he finished a two years Eng
lish course and received his certificate for same
from Rev. E. M. Brawley D. D., President.
Four years later, 1890, he graduated with honors
from the Collegiate Course under C. L. Puree, D. D.
having taken at the same time a partial course in
Theology under C. S. Dinkins, D. D., and C'. I.. Fish
er, receiving the equivalent of a year's Seminary
work in Church History, Theology, New Testa
ment, Greek and Old Testament Hebrew. He con
tinued his study of Hebrew under Rabbi E. M. B.
Brown, Columbus, Ga., who speaks of his work in
the highest terms. Among his pastorates was the
Bethlehem Church, Gallion and the First Baptist
Church of Newberne, Alabama. He served both
churches seven years and built a house of worship
for each costing more than $2000.00.
The recorded number of his baptisms during
these pastorates was over five hundred. Septem
ber 28th, 1891, he baptized into the fellowship of
the First Baptist Church, Newberne, one hundred
and twenty-eight persons in one hour and thirty
minutes.
June 3rd. 1897 he became Pastor of one of the
largest churches in Columbus, Ga., and during his
period of service he added to its membership 185
members and reduced a debt upon the church sev
eral thousand dollars. He also served the Taber
nacle Baptist Church of Eufaula and the First Bap
tist Church of Hurtsboro, Alabama, as pastor and
was serving these churches when called to Franklin
Street Baptist Church, Mobile, which church he is
now serving. His call to the Franklin Street Bap
tist Church was extended August 2nd, 1917, and
was unanimous. This church is one of the leading
Baptist Churches in the State and he enters upon
his work under the most favorable conditions. He
has already endeared himself to the members of
the church and is held in high esteem by the entire
community.
It has been his good fortune to retain the con
fidence and love of the people he served, an evi
dence of work well done. In addition to his Pas
torates, Rev. Hutchins, has held a number of of
ficial positions in his denomination. He is a life
member of the National Baptist Convention and a
strong supporter of all its interests ; a Trustee of
the Selma University, Selma, Alabama, and of Cen
tral City College, Macon, Ga.
He served as Sunday School State Missionary
under joint appointment of the National Baptist
Publication Board and the State Sunday School
Board, and as State Organizer for Georgia under
joint appointment of National B. Y. P. U.,- and
State B. Y. P. U. Boards.
Rev. Hutchins is a man of family and is blessed
with a wife devoted to his interests and the proud
mother of eight children. These bring joy and sun
shine to his home and has inspired that economy
in the conduct of his affairs that has enabled him to
accumulate a nice property.
His possessions are scattered from Alabama to
New York and consist of improved and vacant city
lots and farm property. Rev. Hutchins is yet com
paratively young. His zenith may not be reach
ed for years ; many more such startling strides as
he has made in the past thirteen years, will lift him
easily to the rank of ministerial wonders.
44
JOHN A. KENNEY, M. D.
OHN A. KENNEY, M. D., was
born June 11, 1874, in Albemarle
County, Virginia. Here he lived
on the farm and did the work of
a farm lad, enjoying at the same
time the pleasures that come to
those who live in the country, till he was sixteen
years of age. During the last two years of that
time he was practically the head of the family, run
ning the farm which his father left to his care and
also the grocery store which his father had kq)t
during his life time. Although born on the farm and
although he remained for such a number of years
in the country, his mother had other plans for him.
She inspired him with the ambition to live his life
away from the narrowing effect of the farm life,
away out in the world where he could make him
self felt.
After spending a great deal of time in the pub
lic schools of Albemarle County and Charlottsville
he went to Hampton Institute, Virginia and later
to Shaw University, North Carolina. In order to
attend school he had also to work. Nothing that
would turn an honest penny was turned down by
this ambitious young man. He worked as a waiter,
he worked in the family of one of the professors
of the University or Virginia, and he kept grocery
store. After leaving Shaw University Dr. Kenney
went to Leonard Medical College from which he
was graduated with the degree M. D. in 1901.
This was the beginning of Dr. Kenney's real
career. He served the first year as interne at
Freedmen's Hospital, Washington, District of Col
umbia and then came to Tuskegee Institute. At
Tuskegee he is Medical Director of the Tuskegee
Institute Hospital and Nurse Training School. For
the past sixteen years Dr. Kenney has labored in
this field and the work has grown steadily under
his management. When he took the work there
was a frame hospital, not very well equipped and
not large enough to accommodate the number of
patients that come to Tuskegee. During his stay
the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital has been
built, and the Nurse Training Course strengthened.
The hospital is well equipped and the nurses turn
ed out are efficient.
While developing the material side of the work
at Tuskegee, Dr. Kenney has himself developed
in skill. He is now looked upon as one of the lead
ing surgeons of the race and people from all over
the south come to Tuskegee to John A. Andrew
Memorial Hospital in order to have Dr. Kenney op
erate on them. This is true fame — that speads from
one patient to another and brings more work,
which in turn means added skill.
The profession will probably know Dr. Kenney
best as Secretary of the National Medical Asso
ciation. In this position he served for eight years
in succession. He then gave up the work because
he was over worked. Contrary to his expreseed
wishes he was unanimously elected in 1912 as pres
ident of -the National Medical Association
Dr. Kenney with Dr. C. V. Roman of Nashville
Tennessee founded the Journal of the National
Medical Association. This is today one of the most
important publications among the Colored People
and it takes high rank as a professional journal.
What tliis periodical is today and in fact very large
ly what the National Medical Association is today
is due to the energies and unbounded faith of Dr.
Kenney. At the last meeting of the N. M. A. in
Richmond, Va., 1918, Dr. Kenney by action of the
Executive Board was made editor-in-chief and
manager of the Journal.
Since entering the medical profession he has done
constructive work.
Dr. Kenney had direct charge of the health of Dr.
Booker T. Washington during all the years he was
in Tuskegee. During the last years of Dr. Wash
ington's life Dr. Kenney spent a great deal of time
with him, accompanying him on the various trips
made over the South'. It is a source of great pride
to Dr. Kenney that when Dr. Washington, ill in
the hospital in New York was examined by famous
specialists they said that Dr. Kenney had done all
that any one could have done for the great educa
tor.
Dr. Kenney was married to Miss Alice Talbot of
Bedford County, Virginia in Dec- 27. 1902- Dr.
Kenney was married a second time to Miss Frieda
V. Armstrong of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1913.
There are three small sons, John A. Kenney, Jr.,
Oscar Armstrong Kenney and Howard Washington
Kenney.
45
GEORGE W. LEWIS, A. M., D. D.
E who is inclined to grow doubtful
of rare strength, scholarship,
force, personality should look up
on a company of Methodist Minis
ters and Bishops. Gathered in
convention they make a grand
substitute for an assembly of
statesmen. They are grave and scholarly, stal-
warth of physique, pictures of health and prosperi
ty. They are analysts and orators and logicians
with splendid touches of the visionary. Dr. George
W. Lewis A. M., D. D. is one of these Methodist
Episcopal peers. There are few riper scholars, few
er better orators than he.
Dr. Lewis is a thorough going Georgian. He
was born in Burke County shortly after slavery.
He was born during the reconstruction period after
the war when the efforts of the South were direct
ed mainly in caring for the body and but little at
tention was given to the development of the mind.
It was a day of poor schools, unprepared teachers
and short school terms. The opportunities for the
negroes to obtain an education were but meager
but the very difficulties in their way acted as a spur
to the ambitious and developed a number of strong
men intellectually.
Dr. Lewis was among this number. When a
mere boy Dr. Lewis started life as a farm laborer
which he followed for sixteen years but during this
period he attended school two or three months each
year.
The activity of the mind would not permit him to
remain on the farm so he left the farm and attend
ed the Haven Normal School at Waynesborough,
Ga. Here his real development began. Here the
leading of his mind and heart decided his future.
Here he was converted and here he responded to
the call to the ministry.
From Haven Norman school at Waynesborough
he went to Clark University at Atlanta and after
finishing his course of study there he turned to the
study of theology in Gammon Seminary in the
same University.
After completing his theological course he took
up the active duties of Pastor and served a num
ber -of churches in his active native State. He join
ed the Savannah Conference at Augusta, Ga., and
was sent to Mt. Vernon church. From Mt. Vernon
he went to Readsville, from Readsville to Valdosta,
thence to Atlanta and from Atlanta to Rome.
In 1895 Dr. Lewis was transferred to the Ala
bama Conference and served churches in Mont
gomery, Mobile and in Pensacola. Fla.
It was during his residence in Florida that Dr.
Lewis branched out. in educational work.
Seeing a grave need for a school in Pensacola
he set his mind to work to supply it and in 1901 he
founded the Pensacola Normal, Industrial and Agri
cultural school. For nine years he was the Prin
cipal of this school, shaping' its policies and giving
it the benefit of his rare gifts as an orator. He
possessed in a remarkable degree the powers of
oratory which greatly aided him in raising monev
for his enterprises, a work in which he succeeded
to a most satisfactory degree.
His talent as an orator and writer brought him
into great prominence and his services were sought
from all over the country. For stirring and search
ing addresses, such as are required on memorial
and emancipation occasions, he probably has no
equal on the platform of today. He has delivered
addresses of this character at Montgomery, at Mo
bile, at Evergreen, at Tampa and at Pensacola,
many of which at the request of his hearers were
printed and distributed.
Dr. Lewis was frequent!}' elected to represent the
M. E. Conference at the General Conference. He
was a delegate to the Omaha General Conference
in 1894 and to the conference at Saratoga in 1916.
For years he has been the Secretary of his Annual
Conference and chairman of the Old Ministers
fund. His brethren were not slow to recognize in
him a wise leader a man of sound judgment and
one whose devotion to religion and education and
unexcelled oratory gave him unbounded influence
among them. He won their confidence early in his
ministerial life and still holds it in a most flatter
ing degree.
Dr. Lewis family consists of a wife and one child,
a daughter who has inherited his mental vigor.
He married in 1889 Miss Lucy Griffin, of Tusca-
lonsa, Ala. Their daughter, Miss Emma C. Lewis,
received her B. A. degree from Clark University,
Atlanta, Ga.. and wears it with as much ease and
grace as the average man. At present she is teach
ing in New Orleans University.
While the church is his chief consideration Dr.
Lewis is also interested in the benevolent orders of
his people and has membership in the Masons and
Knights of Phythias.
46
HENRY ALLEN LOVELESS.
MONG the foremost colored citi
zens of Alabama is Henry Allen
Loveless of Montgomery who
has proved to his people that they
can make a marked success in
their business ventures and still
preserve the respect and esteem of the entire com
munity, both white and black.
Mr. Loveless was born in Bullock County, Ala
bama in the year 1854 near the town of Union
] le had no educational advantages until he reach
ed his eighteenth year. Spending the day in man
ual labor he attended a night school which gave
him the foundation upon which he built to a limit
ed extent.
Some years after his first marraige he attended
the Selma University but for only two terms. At
the end of the second term he returned home to
arrange his business matters so that he could com
plete his course but found that the requirements of
his business were such that he had to forego his
plans for a finished education.
His first business was that of a butcher which
he plied for several years but gave up to enter the
Undertaking business. Here he had to meet strong
competition from a long established business
controlled by a member of his race who had much
influence "with' the colored people.
He saw the difficulties in his way but instead of
deterring him they nerved him to push forward.
Meeting competition upon fair grounds he forged
to the front and not only built up the large busi
ness over which he now presides but finally pur
chased the business of his competitor.
He has been in this business for twenty-five years
which together with its adjuncts is easily valued
at $25,000.00. In connection with his undertaking
business he runs a transfer and hack line and has
among his patrons a number of white citizens.
His business has brought him a comfortable liv
ing and enabled him to secure a home worth ten
thousand dollars. In addition it has enabled him
to give employment to a great many of his people.
Mr. Loveless is a deeply religious man and takes
an active part in his church life.
He has been connected with the Dexter Avenue
Baptist church from its organization and is its lead
ing deacon. He is also the Church Treasurer and
a member of the Board of Trustees. The minis
ters who have served the church have always
found in him a friend and helper.
Mr. Loveless' activities do not end with his
church and his business. He has countless affilia
tions with various other bodies and is interested in
the educational interests of his people.
He is a King Solomon Mason, Knights of Py
thias, member of Wm. J. Simmons Lodge, No. 34,
the Eastern Star, Knights of Tabor, Eureka Lodge
of the Mosaic Templars, Sisters and Brothers of
Tabor, Daughters and Sons of Zera, and the United
Order of Good Shepherds. He has held office in a
number of these orders.
He is a member of the Negro business men's
league, Treasurer of the Alabama Realty Company
and a Trustee of the Swayne school of Montgom
ery.
Mr. Loveless has been married three times. He
married his first wife, Miss Lucy Arrington of
Montgomery, in 1885. She died after bearing him
five children, three of whom are living. His son
John H. Loveless and daughters, Miss Mary G.
and Bertha L. Loveless, are associated with him in
his business and have contributed no little to his
success.
In 1913 he married Mrs. Emma A. Anderson,
who lived but a short while with him when death
claimed her.
His present wife, formerly Mrs. Dora Evelyn,
was married to him in 1916. She was a resident of
Eufaula, Ala.
Mr. Loveless is a successful man and in sum
ming up his traits of character which con
tributed to his success we would mention first his
quiet, courteous but positive demeanor. He never
gets unduly excited but is not slow to take in a
situation and to face it with a calm determination
which impresses others that he means business.
He is a just man and honest which gives him a
good standing in the business world. Then he is
sympathetic, helpful and dependable and above all
is recognized as an humble Christian.
47
REVEREND WILLIAM MADISON.
HEN asked for matter for a bio
graphical sketch, Rev. Wm. Madi
son sent in such scant material
that the required length for a
page was 'lot to be gotten. When
asked for matter for his church,
the matter came in so freely that it had to be con
densed. Such is the modesty of the man that he
takes to himself very little of the credit for the
very splendid church which he built and which
under his administration has grown by leaps and
bounds. But the church is a reflection of his
boundless energy and great business ability.
Rev. Madison was born in Marion, Dallas County,
Alabama, in 1873. As a small boy and as a young
man, he toiled in the cotton and corn fields on a
Dallas County plantation. Here he received his
early training in the public schools. Whatever the
schools of the country may have failed to give him
in accurate book knowledge was more than made
up by the ambition which filled him because of this
contact with books and thoughts. He felt most
keenly the preparation that he needed to make him
self happy, and at the same time render those about
him glad. He entered Selma University in 1905,
and was graduated in the class of 1910 at the head
of the class in the Theological Department. This
gave him the place of valedictorian. This and other
honors bestowed upon him by his Alma Mater be
speak his life and conduct as a school boy and his
efficiency as a student.
Rev. Wm. Madison has climbed all the way from
the bottom to the top of his profession. He is at
present and has been for some time pastor of the
Day Street Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama.
This church represents the capstone in his career
as the builder of splendid houses of worship. Be
ginning his ministry back in his home village of
Marion, Alabama, he has raised and put into
churches $45,000.00. He has built churches at Un-
-iontown, Sawyerville, Grove Hill and Montgomery.
In the meantime he has pastored, held evangelis
tic services, baptized thousands, held conspicuous
offices in his church and denominational bodies,
been orator and Commencement speaker at many
important school celebrations and gatherings and
traveled extensively over the country as preacher
and worker.
Rev. Madison did not get his fame as a speaker
and able builder without a struggle. Leaving Sel
ma University, he followed the profession of school
teaching in both Dallas and Hale counties. Later
he studied bookkeeping and was a bookkeeper for
five years. In filling these two posts he got for
himself experiences that were destined to be of
untold good to him in his pastoral work later. His
five years spent in bookkeeping cannot be underes
timated as to the good effect they have had on the
building and organizing of churches. At the age of
twenty-two, Rev. Madison was ordained and he
has held a most constructive career in his church
ever since. He has followed the circuit of his na
tive state, having occupied pulpits at Marion, Un-
iontown, Sawyerville, Lanesville, Newberne, Jack
son, Grove Hill, Birmingham and his present post
in Montgomery.
The great work that Rev. Madison is doing in
Montgomery is recorded elsewhere under the
sketch of Day Street Baptist Church. He is well
known as a leader, for his executive skill and also
for his ability to follow details. Rev. Madison has
for years occupied high places in his church and in
secular and fraternal bodies, lie is a member of
the Allen Temple Lodge, of the Knights of Py-
thians and of the Good Shepherds. In his church,
which is missionary Baptist he has served as
Treasurer of the Publishing Board; chairman of
the State Mission Board; Treasurer of the Selma
Alumni Association; President of the Baptist Min
isters Conference of Montgomery and Member of
the National Baptist Convention.
Rev. Madison was married in 1899 to Miss Mary
Soloman of Saffold. Alabama. There are six chil
dren in the Madison family, all of whom are at
tending school.
DAY STKKKT I'.AITIST CHURCH.
KK1XG what they considered a
great need of another church in
the City of Montgomery, in 1884,
Mr. T. 1-1. Garner and Mr. Ed-
ward I'atterson secured the ser
vices of Rev. J. C. Casby, organiz
ed a church and erected a frame building in which
to serve God. Thus we have Day Street Baptist
Church, one of the best managed institutions of
its kind in the South. Among the ministers who
administered to the needs of the people from the
pulpit of Day Street Baptist Church, who deserve
special mention in these pages is Rev. T. C. ("room.
who took charge of the church in 1894 and pastor-
ed it till his death in 1906. During his administra
tion the membership was greatly increased and the
church building remedied and enlarged. Succeed
ing Rev. Croom. Rev. T. J. Flood gave the rest of
liis life to the development of the Day Street Bap
tist Church. Mis pastorate was a short one, last-
ting but one year and four months. During this
short time he raised $1200 for the new church. At
the death of Rev. Flood, Rev. Win. Madison was
chosen leader of this flock..
The church business is administered by the Pas
tor and Board of Trustees, composed of T. II. Gar
ner, M. I). Easterly, C. Posey, J. J. Ncal, C. Lewis,
Morris Smith, F. S. Starks, Mathew Wallace and
J. S. Gregory.
The present structure was completed in 1910.
The Pastor supervised the building of it and rais
ed the money for its erection. It cost $36,000. but
with the lot is valued at $50.000. The church also
owns a parsonage valued at $3,000.
Rev. Madison has changed the entire system of
running the affairs of the church. This was done
in 19C9. It has been put on a business basis. He
incorporated the church holdings on a capitaliza
tion of $25,000.
While directing the finances of the church the
Rev. Madison has not eebn unmindful of its activi
ties. He believes in a division of work and respon
sibilities and has divided up the work so as to get
the highest results. The Sunday School with an
excellent teaching force is placed in the hands of
J. J. Neal, the superintendent. The Baptist Young
People's Union is in charge of Miss Lula Mattox,
the President. The Woman's Missionary Society
is presided over by Mrs. A. Easterly, while the Ju
nior Missionary Society is committed to Miss Al-
metta Goldsmith.
In addition to these there is a Dorcas Sewing
Circle for girls from four to twelve years of age.
This circle makes garments for poor children
Then there is a Cadet Department for boys from
four to sixteen years of age.
The Sun Beam Band is under the direction of
Mrs. Mary Taylor and is composed of children
from four to eight years of age. Fnally there is
the Cooks, Washerwomen and Porters Club, under
direction of Mrs. Laura Hollis. President, the ob
ject of which is to promote efficiency along these
lines. In connection therewith an employment bu
reau is operated with great success.
49
Robert Lee Mabry
OBERT LEE MABRY was born in
Tuscaloosa, Alabama October 1st
1874, and at an early age moved
with his parents to Birmingham,
Alabama. Here in Birmingham,
he received the foundation for his
education through the excellent
school system of the city. After finishing his course
in the city public schools of Birmingham he entered
the Tuskegee Institute for the final touches. While
taking the Academic work he specialized in the
Tailoring division of the Institute. Having to de
pend upon his own efforts for paying his tuition
he learned to take advantage of his opportunity and
applied himself diligently to his studies and con
sequently left the Institute thorough1)- equipped for
his life work.
He spent his first year after graduating at the
Tuskegee Institute in teaching but his inclination
and gift did not lead him into that profession so he
seized upon the first opening to enter a business of
his liking.
He was offered a position with the People's Tail
oring Company which he promptly accepted and
which was the beginning of a career which has
brought him reputation and financial success.
While in College he took orders for clothing
from his fellow students and in his new position the
experience he thus gained stood him well in hand
and made his work comparatively easy.
While the connection with the People's Tailoring
Company was pleasant he decided to sever his con
nection for purposes of his own. He aspired to
head a business himself so in 1898 he formed a par
tnership with four other salesmen and opened a
cleaning and pressing shop at No. 103 North 19th
Street. This partnership continued for only a
short time when Mr. J. W. Taylor and Mr. Mabry
purchased the other's interest and became the sole
proprietors of the business. Even this arrange
ment was unsatisfactory to Mr. Mabry who was
ambitious to have absolute control of the business
which he finally acquired, and associated with him
his brother. Since that time the business has been
known as the "Mabry Brothers."
In the conduct of his business Mr. Mabry has
proved a most excellent executive and by close at
tention and honest service has built up a trade
which enables him to live and lay up in store
against the day of adversity.
His investments are mostly in real estate and
real estate mortgages and here as in the conduct
of his business his good judgment directed him
unerringly. Mr. Mabry is fortunate in having a
help meet who is in sympathy with his purposes
50
and plans and whose wise economy has aided in his
effort to accumulate an independence.
His wife was Miss Nettie Faith of Mobile and
they were married in Birmingham August 23rd.
1899.
The issue of this marriage is an only son who is
now attending the Public Schools of Birmingham.
It is the ambition of Mr. Mabry to give this boy a
fine education and fit him for some useful occupa
tion in life. Like most men who have struggled
for an education he knows its value and has learn
ed that it is necessary to any marked degree of
success along any endeavor.
Mr. Mabry is something of a traveler and his
travels have carried him over a large portion of the
United States. He has visited practica'ly all of the
Southern States, the Middle Atlantic States and in
New England and has lived in Alabama, Tennessee
and New Jersey.
Mr. Mabry is a religious man and in affiliation a
Baptist. He became a member of the church in
1906 and in his church life as in his business life he
was not content to be a passive member.
His membership is in the 16th Street Baptist
church where he is actively engaged in religious
work.
Mr. Mabry is greatly interested in the welfare
of his people as is evidenced by the fact that he is
connected with a number of orders which seek
their uplift.
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, An
cient Free and Accepted Masons, Knights and
Ladies of Honor of America, the Eastern Star,
United Order of Odd Fellows and of the I. B. P.
O. E.
His worth as an executive has been recognized
by these different orders in which he has advanced,
to official distinction from time to time.
At this time he is Most Worshipful Master of the
Free and Accepted Masons, Past Exalted Ruler of
the 1. B. P. O. E. and Past Grand Director of the
Knights and Ladies of Honor of America. He is
also the Grand Master of, the Exchequer of the
Knights of Pythias.
Possibly Mr. Mabry's chief characteristic is his
love of his fellow man and he never tires in his en
deavors in their behalf. He gives of himself and
his means to their service and it is this which ac
counts for his great influence and popularity.
"Forget thyself; console the sadness near thee,
Thine own shall then depart,
And songs of joy, like heavenly birds, shall
cheer thee,
And dwell within thv heart."
GEORGE E. NEWSTELL.
HE only Negro dry goods mer
chant in Montgomery, Ala. wor
thy of the name is George E.
Newstell. Mr. Newstell keeps his
store on Monroe Street, in the
Newstell building, meaning that
the building is owned by the merchant. Here one
sees clothing for men and women as attractively
displayed as they are in the big stores up town.
Mr. Newstell is out and out a product of the city
in which he does business. He was born here, at
tended the Swayne school here, and has made all
his ventures in business here. Graduating from the
Swayne school in 1886. Mr. Newstell began his
career as a porter in a store working for $2.50 per
week. On completing three years as a porter he
was promoted to manager at a salary of $15 per
week. From this post he went to another at a larg
er salary. By this time he had accumulated money
and bought property. As he rose in the business
world and gained insight into the workings of bus
iness he decided to launch out for himself. This
he finally did, buying out his former employers.
He continued in this business for some years and
by giving it his personal and close attention he not
only added to his wealth but gained additional bus
iness knowledge which enabled him to score a
marked success in his last and present business
venture.
Mr. Newstell has very decided convictions re
garding business ventures. He holds that one
should engage in a business which appeals first to
his inclination and for which he has an aptitude,
and even then he should give the matter close
consideration before he comes to a decision.
Following this rule he considered various
branches of trade and decided in favor of the dry
goods business. It had been his rule to study from
the ground up every business into which he enter
ed but in the selection of the dry goods business he
entered a field entirely new to him, but to which
he brought his general knowledge of business and
ripe, experience in other lines.
The rapid development of the Newstell Dry
Goods Store is a tribute to his business sagacity
no less than to his great popularity.
In addition to his dry goods business, Mr. New
stell carries on a Real Estate business under the
firm name of Newstell and Beverly. Here again
he showed his business sense. Before venturing
this field of operations he studied the business for
two and a half years under two competent and
practical teachers and even then he moved slowly
until he had mastered it.
Few men have been wiser and more fortunate
in their investment. Thirty years in business have
yielded him, besides a comfortable living for him
self and family, and besides his dry goods and fur
nishing store, ownership of property valued at ap
proximately $10,000. His income from rents is
about $250 per month. This he attributes to two
main sources; first, a loyal and very helpful wife;
second, the careful study of a business before mak
ing investments.
Success in business has brought to Mr. Newstell
honors in many other walks of life. For fifteen
years he has been an Executive officer in the order
of the Knights and Daughters of Tabor. He is a
Mason, Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias. He has
been a member of Endowment Board of the
Knights of Pythias, and is at present treasurer of
the Odd Fellows of Alabama. He is chairman of
the Board of Trustees of Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church,
a trustee of the Lomax-Hannon Industrial School
of Greenville, Ala., a trustee of the Swayne school
of Montgomery, and chairman of the Republican
county Executive committee of Montgomery
County.
Mr. Newstell was married in 1894 to Miss Belle
Saunders of Montgomery County. It is worth re
peating, as Mr. Newstell never tires of repeating,
that much of this man's success is due to her.
51
ALBERT FRANKLIN OWENS, D. D.
EASURED from the depths whence
he came and the heights he has at
tained Dr. A. F. Owens is one of
the most remarkable men of the
race- Born a slave fifty-six years
ago in Wilcox county, Alabama,
and left an orphan at six years of
age, he has steadily climbed from
the position of a boy porter in a book store in New
Orleans, Louisiana, to the post of Dean of the Theo
logical Department of Selma University, Selma
Alabama.
Dr. Owens early education was picked up in night
schools while he worked for a living during the
day. Soon he began to teach and preach in St.
Landry Parish, Lousiana. Realizing the need of
better preparation for the work of the ministry,
he entered Leland University, New Orleans, in
1873. and finished in 1877.
From the first of his career Dr. Owens has been
interested in newspaper work. While attending
the University, he edited the "Baptist Messenger,"
the organ of the State Convention in Missionary
work in Louisiana. In 1885 he was editor of the
"Baptist Pioneer," the official organ of the Alabama
Baptist State Convention. Because of his exper
ience as a journalist he is now a special corres
pondent for the great white dailies published in
Mobile, Montgomery, and Birmingham.
Dr. Owens has pastored in such cities as Mobile,
and Montgomery. He is no less an educator, hav
ing served as a Trustee and teacher of Selma Uni
versity. After resigning his pastorate in Mobile
in 1906, he accepted the position of Dean of the
Theological Department of Selma University
where he remained until 1908, when he accepted a
similar post in the Phelps Hall Bible Training
School, of Tuskegee Institute. In 1913 Dr. Owens
returned to his former work at Selma University
where he is now located.
During the year 1911, Dr. Owens representing
the State Federation of Colored Women's clubs,
went before the Alabama Legislature and secured
an appropriation of $8,000 for the Mt. Meigs Re
formatory for colored boys and induced the legisla
ture to incorporate that reform school as a state in
stitution. Up to this time it had been supported
wholly by the colored women of the state by whom
it was organized. The following letter will show
something of the labors and the esteem in which
Dr. Owens is held by the white people of Mobile, —
The Mobile Register.
GOVERNOR O'NEAL'S TRIBUTE TO DR.
A. F. OWENS.
Birmingham, Ala., June, 1918.
During my administration as Governor I be
came acquainted with Dr. A. F. Owens, lie ren
dered me very active and efficient service in se
curing the passage of the bill establishing the
Mount Meigs School for the Reformatory of Ju
venile Negro Delinquents. After the establishment
of this institution, I appointed Dr. Owens as one
of the trustees, and came in contact with him very
frequently in many matters affecting the interest
of both races. 1 was deeply impressed with his
broad and liberal culture, his high ideals and his
sincere devotion to the cause of education and the
betterment of both races.
I soon learned to rank him with the lamented
Booker T. Washington and W. H. Council, as a
man who had a clear and comprehensive concep
tion of those measures which would best promote
the most amicable and friendly relation between
the races. I early learned to recognize him as a
man whose councils and teachings if followed,
would create the very cordial and friendly relation
between the races so essential to the interest of
both.
As a public speaker. Dr. Owens has rare gifts
of oratory, is polished and forceful and by his
clear and intelligent conception of public questions
never fails to make an impress upon his auditors.
He is unquestionably a worthy successor of
Washington and Council, and I earnestly believe
his influence will only redound to the benefit of his
own race and to the creation of that cordial rela
tion and the removal of that friction between the
races which is too often the result of ignorance
and prejudice;
Verv respectfully,
EMMET O'NEAL.
When the Spanish-American War broke out.
Dr. Owen rendered valuable service in organizing
the Third Alabama Colored Regiment in Mobile.
Dr. Owens has been twice married. His first
wife, Mrs. Mary Minis Taylor of Mobile, Alabama,
died in 1900. His present wife is Miss Sallie Mae
Pruitt of Leighton, Alabama.
52
1
LAWRENCE L. POWELL
L. POWELL, State Grand Mas
ter Mosaic Templars of America,
was born near Conycrs, Ga., Oct.
1876 and educated in the city of
Atlanta. After spending- his boy
hood days in Atlanta, he decided
to travel. His first stop was in the State of Ala
bama. After some interesting investigation of
many places as to their future worth, Mr. Powell
decided to locate in the Northern part of the state
in the little city of Sheffield, which at this time
seemed the most prominent industrial city. There
he entered the mercantile business and was a suc
cess from the start. He was successful in making
a number of friends not only in Sheffield but in all
the adjacent towns, many of whom he remembers
with gratitude, and many of whom tc> this dav are
his strongest indorsers and supporters in his work
as Grand Master.
He owns some very valuable property in Mont
gomery and Birmingham and is regarded as one
among the Negores who have made good in Ala
bama in the face of many disappointments and
difficulties.
Mr. Powell is identified with many leading
Lodges, the one in which he is most promi
nent being the National Order of the Mosaic Temp
lars. He has been identified with it now for
twenty years and has filled many places of honor
and trust. Slowly he has climbed to the top of this
organization in his state, and today is State Grand
Master of the Alabama Jurisdiction, master over
600 Lodges with a membership of quite 15000.
As to honorary positions few men of his race
have received so many pleasant returns. For eight
years he has represented his state as a delegate at
large in the National Assembly of his order, and
for eight years has been a fraternal delegate to
visit all the Grand Lodges in the National Juris
diction.
In the fall of 1911 he was married to Mrs. Willie
R. Lee, a widow of many splendid qualities, and a
mother of two children, a boy and a girl, both of
whom are making a place for themselves. The
young man Clarence W. Lee has reached his ma
jority and is filling a very important position in the
Mosaic Templars of Alabama. The young woman,
Miss Annie Helen Lee is a student at the State
Normal.
L. L. Powell, State Grand Master of the Na
tional Order of Mosaic Templare of Alabama has
in eight years built from 45 lodges and 900 mem
bers, quite 600 Lodges and 1500 members. This
organization has added many features for the bet
terment of the members : Namely the burial de
partment. When Powell was made State Grand
Master Wm. Alexander (deceased) was the Na
tional Grand Master. Having Wm. Alexander's
friendship and confidence he was able to get Alex
ander's co-operation in many ways. It was pre
dicted by no few that this department would never
be able to sustain itself, but its success the past
several years has proven by careful management a
"Great Boon" to unfortunate members, and today
this department alone receives between nine and
ten thousand dollars annually and is self-sustaining.
This burial department is exclusive of endowment.
It is said that the Mosaics is the only lodge of its
kind that makes the last resting place of its dead.
The Mosaic Lodge was organized in Little Rock
in 1882 by the Hon. J. E. Bush and Hon. C. W.
Keatts. Since date of organization it has entered
thirty-one states and has grand Lodge in South
Africa, Central America and Panama Zone. It has
a total membership of between 80,000 and 100,000.
It has stood every crisis and is said to have more
cash money in hand than any colored organization
of its kind in the world, with no outstanding in
debtedness, having to its credit over a quarter of
a million dollars.
I. T. SIMPSON, B. D., D. D.
R. I. T. SIMPSON is present pas
tor of the African Baptist Church
at Tuscaloosa. Alabama. Dr
Simpson was born in troublous
times, troublous historically and
troublous for Dr. Simpson per
sonally. He was born in the late 50's in Conecuh
County, Alabama.
Even in this enlightened day Conecuh County is
not wholly peppered with school houses. In the
50's, 60's and 70's chances for a black boy to learn
the mere rudiments were exceedingly rare. They
were worse for the Tuscaloosa pastor. Dr. Simp
son was an orphan. Very early in his childhood he
was "bound out", as the phrase used to run. He
was given a sort of stint; namely he had to milk
twelves cows a day and chop an acre of cotton.
When this was done he could go to school as the
case might be. When going to school was not pos
sible he prevailed upon the sons of the man he
was "bound to" to teach him.
Arriving at young manhood, Dr. Simpson set
out for himself. His first real training was received
at the State Normal School in Montgomery, Ala
bama. From Montgomery he entered Selma Uni-
54
versity, finishing from each department in the
school, the last being the Department of Theology
and was later made a trustee of Selma University.
Equipped now for life work, he set out to find
a field. His first charge, as the clergymen speak of
it, was found at Evergreen, the First Baptist
Church near the town. This, while it was the be
ginning of his life work as pastor marked also the
beginning of a round of charges, some very long,
some of comparative short duration. From Ever
green he went to Mt. Arrirat, thence to Selma,
thence to Friendship at Marion. Leaving that sec
tion of the country, he next accepted the pastorate
of the First Baptist Church of Opelika and of the
Rbenezer Baptist Church, of Auburn, Alabama.
Over both of these churches he presided at the
same time, holding Opelika fourteen years and Au
burn ten years.
During the four years of his pastorate at Tus
caloosa, Alabama, where he now presides, Dr.
Simpson has been engaged mainly in raising funds
to complete a handsome brick church. He has been
able to assemble the aid of the white people and
colored people to the extent of raising $17,000 in
four years.
During his pastorate and career, Dr. Simpson
has held many important offices in his denomina
tion in the state. As has been stated he is a trus
tee of Selma University, a place he has held for
twenty years. He was at one time a state mission
ary, and was the state treasurer of the Missionary
Baptist Convention for twelve years. He lifted -a
debt of $2,800 from the Chattanooga Baptist church
in a short pastorate of fifteen months. At present
he is treasurer of the N. \V. Baptist state conven
tion. In his life as a preacher he has baptized
6000 souls.
The Tuscaloosa pastor has tried to make himself
secure for the day when he will no longer be vigor
ous and full of health. He owns a lot in Birming
ham, three lots in Tuscaloosa, where he is now pas-
toring and one lot in Steel City, St. Clair County.
Dr. Simpson has been married more than a quar
ter of a century. His wife was Miss Julia A. Cun
ningham of Bellville, Conecuh County. The fam
ily group is happiest when Dr. F. R. Simpson of
Ensley, the son, runs down to Tuscaloosa for a
short stay with his parents.
To quote Dr. C. O. Boothe in his Alabama Bap
tists, "He (Dr. Simpson) is peculiarly himself and
not another — clear headed, comprehensive, reason
able, self-reliant, genial in his home as well as in
the public harness."
ELIJAH STRONG SMITH.
EGRO insurance is still in its in
fancy. Though the first company
is said to have been established
in 1810, the genuine Negro insur
ance business could not have tak-
:
then, there were vascilations, timidity, mistrust.
The Negro had to be converted to his own. More
over, he had to be educated to the point to be in
sured and he had to develop earning power to pay
the premium. Finally, the aspirant to insurance
business had to be educated to conduct and man
age such an undertaking — an education which one
is inclined to admit the black man came, by clan
destinely, peeping out of the corner of one eye
while dusting the counters or adjusting the ele
vator. ,
Elijah Strong Smith of Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
seems, however, to have been to the manor born, in
insurance as well as in other forms of business.
While yet a boy in his home town, 1 lenderson, Ken
tucky, Mr. Smith was paying his expenses in school
by selling books, and he who can sell books has
already made his business career secure. Finishing
the public school in Henderson, he entered the
State University in Louisville. Again the selling
of books and merchandise furnished the money to
defray the expenses of his education.
Finishing College, Mr. Smith went to Alabama
and joined the Mutual Aid Association of Mobile,
the company over which C. F. Johnson presides.
Finding Mr. Smith already seasoned in business,
much unlike the average school graduate who had
entered the service of the company, Mr. Johnson
sent Mr. Smith to Pratt City to be district agent.
In one year's time the young man had risen from
district agent to district manager. Seven years
later he was made district auditor. In 1911, the
company having developed a large business in Tus
caloosa, appointed Mr. Smith manager of the dis
trict.
Though a stranger in Tuscaloosa, a town in
which Negroes are keenly alert in business, Mr.
Smith took immediately a leading place among the
business men. He had been in the city but one
year when he was chosen President of the Negro
Business Men's League of the city- From this time
on he has represented Tuscaloosa in all the Negro
business gatherings of Alabama. He was delegate
to the National Negro Business League in 1912 and
was chosen Secretary of his State League in 1916.
Useful in business circles, Mr. Smith is also a
vital force in the church and in the big organiza
tions of Alabama. He is an active member and
worker of the First Baptist Church. For four
years he has been President of the Tuscaloosa Bap
tist Young People's Union, and for two years As
sistant Superintendent of the. Sunday School. In
1914 and 1915 he was President of the District Bap
tist Young People's Union. He is a member of the
Advisory Board of the Federation of Colored Wo
men of Alabama.
To be sure Mr. Smith came to business and to ev
ery day life well equipped. He had enjoyed ex
ceptional advantages of travel and contact, having
traveled all over the United States as an advance
representative for the Eckstein Norton University
of Cane Springs, Kentucky. The officials of the
government striving to select leading men in differ
ent localities to lead in war activities, eagerly
sought for and selected Mr. Smith to assume the
office of Chairman of the Food Conservation cam
paign in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
The whole county of Tuscaloosa fell in behind his
leadership and the result was that the war depart
ment realized that it had made no mistake in se
lecting him and the result of his activities along
this line will always be a bright spot in his work
for his country.
He was also selected as one of the four minute
speakers for his county and he was everywhere in
the city of Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa County
where any gathering was being held to impress
•i^on the people their full duty in whatever mo
mentous work was being pushed by the govern
ment at that time. In fact he was always a lead
ing factor in all war work activities.
In all his endeavors, Mr. Smith relies much on
Mrs. Smith, his wife, to whom he was married in
1896, before taking residence in Alabama. Mrs.
Smith was Miss Nellie Montgomery, of Starksville,
Mississippi.
Soloman Sharp Sykes
F course I don't look at the books
every day, but I keep pretty good
track of things both outside and
in the court house here. As far
as I know, Sykes owns all this
property without one cent of
mortgage."
These were the words of an officer of the court
of Decatur, Alabama, in speaking of Soloman
Sharp Sykes, self-made, self-educated.
Even these details are not germain. The essen
tial question is what this exslave, almost illiterate
man, accomplished during these 50 years of his
freedom. Of course Mr. Sykes is the most modest
of men. You have to wrest facts from him about
himself. Even then he gives only fragments. To
know about him you have to go to his neighbors.
These neighbors tell you that Sharp Sykes is al
ways doing something for his people, helping some
body through school Contributing to buy a church,
to help a school, to give somebody a start. They
tell you further, white or black, that Mr. Sykes
carries a thousand or two of dollars in each of
the several banks of the town. Then you go to the
records and along the streets and find his proper
ty holdings about as follows : His neighbors and
the books all confirm this. He owns his home, a
real residence. He owns his undertaking estab
lishment. He owns his seven stores, eighteen rent
houses, one farm and a seven acre cemetery. This
is the property of which the officer of the court
said, "As far as I know there is not one cent of
mortgage on it."
He gives without ceasing. Moreover, he has
reared and has educated an unusually large family.
And Mr. Sykes lives for, and in a sense, in, these
children. The man does not grow old. He has been
able to grow with his children, to get much of their
education, to absorb from contact with them an
abundance of the culture which he in his youth
and later struggle had to miss.
Mrs. Sykes has had more education to start with,
having had a pretty good common school educa
tion. They are both religious people, being
members of the First Baptist Church, where Mr.
Sykes is a deacon. Mr. Sykes is a lodge member,
holding membership in the Masonic Lodge and in
the Eastern Star. His real life interest, however, is
centered in the church, in his family and in mak
ing people about him happy and content.
Mr. Sykes was born in Lawrence County, Ala
bama, about ten years before emancipation and
lived at a time when it was hard to get an educa
tion. He made the best of his opportunities, how
ever, and managed to secure one or two months of
schooling each year. The balance of his time was
devoted to manual labor.
Tn 1878, while still a young man in his early
twenties, he saw an opportunity to enter business,
which he was quick to seize, and started upon his
business career with only a strong body, a quick
mind and a large endowment of common sense.
This trio of gifts was sure to win success and the
sequence of his life shows that in his case they did
make a successful score. It is unnecessary to fol
low his rise step by step. Sufficient to say that
he won out and that today, after twenty years of
business life, he is the proprietor of a number of
business enterprises. Among his business ventures
is that of Undertaker and Embalmer, a large busi
ness in which his son is associated.
Mr. Sykes is not only a money getter, but a lib
eral spender. He does not spend his money fool
ishly, but in a way to help others. He has learn
ed the joy of service and to him money has open
ed up a wider avenue to this blessed state. Money
is a good servant but a hard master and Mr. Sykes
has relegated money to its proper place of ser
vant. Mr. Sykes also appreciates the uncertainty
of riches and instead of hoarding them to leave to
his children when he is gone he employs his money
in giving his children the best advantages of edu
cation and to fit them for useful lives, knowing
that what he gives them in this respect cannot be
taken from them.
Mr. Sykes was married to Miss Ada Garth of
Morgan Coounty, Alabama, in 1880. and for forty
years they have labored side by side for the good
of their community and the welfare of their chil
dren. God has blessed them with a large family
of children, eight in number, who constitute their
pride of life and in whose interest their lives are
devoted. They have grown with their children and
the reflex influence of the educational advantages
they have given their children are seen in their
own mental advancement.
Several of his children have entered the profes
sions and the others are being fitted to fill well
any position in life that they may elect.
Miss Rebecca is a graduate of Fisk University;
Miss Mamie Estelle is a graduate of Spellman
Seminar}', Atlanta, Georgia ; his son, Newman M.,
is a graduate of Fisk University and is now pursu
ing graduate studies for a medical degree in the
University of Illinois. Another son, Leo M. Sykes,
is now a student at Howard University and is tak
ing a course in Dentistry. Carl M. is a student at
Moorehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, while Mel-
vin and Eunice are pursuing their studies in the
public schools of their home city. When their
foundation is laid they will no doubt receive a col
lege training also. Children with such advantages
and springing from such a sire ar, sure to make
their impress upon the world, and will be pointed
to as a monument to the wisdom of the parents
who trained them for service.
56
JOHN LEVY THOMAS.
N Union Springs, Alabama, the
county seat of Bullock County,
lives a colored man who for a
quarter of a century has been
judge, jury and court regarding
all matters pertaining to the pub
lic good of the Negro. Step by step from a poor
and unlettered farmer, he has made his way to the
post. At every stage he has had to stop and de
monstrate. It was doubted in that section if a
colored man could own and operate a farm suc
cessfully. J. L. Thomas bought a farm and de
monstrated. It was thought that a Negro could
not ovv'ii and operate a city business successfully,
the prophecy being that business equipment, Ne
gro and all would in a short time be back in the
hands of the white people. Thomas bought a block
and set up a grocery and provision store and prov
ed the fallacy of this notion.
Some years ago advanced thought and democ
racy poked their heads far enough in some sec
tions of the South to declare that a Negro County
]*air would be a very helpful, indeed an inspiring
thing. In and around the home of Mr. Thomas
timidity and inexperience asserted that such a no
tion was little short of preposterous. Taking his
own hard earned money from the bank, Mr.
Thomas financed the Negro Fair, showing that the
thing could be done. Last year the white citi
zens of Union Springs gave one hundred dollars
for prizes for fairs between two small Negro com
munities. Today Mr. Thomas is preaching veg
etable, poultry and stock raising. Once more he
demonstrates with his own products, and once
more his doctrine is being heeded by the masses
around him.
Mr. Thomas was born in Pike County, Alabama,
March 5th, 1863. A farm lad, he had but a slight
chance to gain even the rudiments of education.
What education he got was gained by night study
after plowing all day. The following is told by Dr.
Washington regarding Mr. Thomas' getting a foot
hold:
"Thompson contracted to pay Thomas five dol
lars per month, with the privilege of coming to
town very other Saturday afternoon to see his
mother. He was allowed to stay over Sunday, but
was obliged to be on hand at sunrise Monday
morning to catch his mules and go to plowing. He
was always on time early Monday morning.
"The colored farmer took such a liking to the
boy that the gave him a little patch of land to cul
tivate himself. This land was planted in peanuts,
and yielded between ten and fifteen bushels, which
were carefully dried and housed.
"At that time it was the custom among the col
ored people to give corn shuckings and suppers
were attended by people from ten miles around.
Whenever Mr. Thomas heard of one of these
events he would parch about one-half bushel of his
peanuts and carry them to the gathering to sell.
By offering them at five cents a pint he was able
to make as much as three dollars per bushel. He
often walked as far as eight miles with his peanuts
to a big supper or dance, after plowing hard all day,
and with another hard day before him. He parch
ed them during dinner hour, when other hands
were resting, and was often up as late as three
o'clock in the morning to sell them, although he
had to go to work at daybreak."
Although his education was small in book learn
ing he had a fund of practical knowledge which
backed by a wealth of common sense has enabled
him to do things of great worth and to be a help
and blessing to his race. After all this is the se
cret of a successful life and measured by this
standard he has not lived in vain.
Mr. Thomas is a large real estate owner; his
possessions comprise about two hundred city lots
and several farms. While interested in the city the
farm is his first love. He lives on his farm and
takes great delight in his cattle, poultry and gar
den and from the waving corn and snowy cotton
field he finds his chief joy.
Mi. Ihomas is ambitious to see his people ad
vance i long all right lines and he never tires in
giving them the word of encouragement and in ex
tending the helping hand.
"A friend in need is a friend indeed," and Mr.
Thomas tries to be that friend and has learned as
so many have that a life of service is the only life
worth living.
57
MISS GEORGIA WASHINGTON.
ISS Georgia Washington, the
founder and Principal of the
Peoples' Village School, Mt.
Meigs, Alabama, was born a Vir
ginia slave, and with her mother
and brother, was sold away from
her father when she was a mere child.
After their emancipation the problem of a live
lihood confronted her mother, for the new condi
tions imposed new and untried responsibilities.
Following the course pursued by man}- ex-slaves,
the mother worked out with her old master and
left her daughter to care for the other children in
the family and look after the household duties.
This was a grave responsibility to place upon
young shoulders but the struggle for existence left
no other alternative. Who can say that the hand
of Providence was not in this early direction of
her life. The discipline she received through du
ties thus early placed upon her no doubt played an
important part in her selection of a life work.
Home cares stood as a barrier to school privileges
and often she stood at the window of her home and
watched the children pass too and fro from school
and longed to i e vith them. The thirst for knowl
edge was born in her and would not be quenched
because of difficulties. She felt that the time
would come when she, too, could attend school and
she made the most of the little instruction that
her mother gave her.
Her mother had somewhere learned the alpha
bet and some few words, mostly from the Bible,
and these she taught her daughter.
It was a proud day for Miss Georgia when she
could read the Bible and this daily companion not
only served to in part satisfy the cravings of an
active mind but its principles became so instilled
into her being that her after life was moulded by
them.
Miss Georgia's ambition to learn could not be
satisfied with what she had attained. The knowl
edge she possessed gave her a keen appetite for
more. She applied to a white lady to further her
instructions who gladly complied with her request
and who took pride in her eager and successful
pupil.
Ihe expense of city life became too great for
the meager income of the family and it was neces
sary to make a change in order to reduce the ex
pense of living. With this end in view her mother
moved to the country.
This move brightened the hope of Miss Georgia
for an education, for there was a good school in
the vicinity of their new home.
However, disappointment again met her. Grim
necessity of earning bread thrust her back to all
of those myriad duties attendant upon keeping
house.
Her mother noting her daughter's disappoint
ment and recognizing the activity of her mind, was
as eager as she for her to have a chance for its de
velopment, and determined at the first opportunity
to give her this chance. The opportunity came be
fore her mother felt herself in a position to act.
It chanced that the school teacher here was a
Hampton graduate. By hard persuasion the moth
er was prevailed upon to let the daughter go to
school for a few months. Thus in October, 1876.
she entered the country school. By Christmas
time, necessity in the home caused the mother to
declare against further attendance. Again the
mother was prevailed upon and allowed the
daughter to go on until Spring. However, Miss
Washington had scored another triumph in her
career. She had learned to write with pen and
ink, a feat of magic to her, one which she had de
spaired of accomplishing.
Then came other scenes of persuasion and of
triumph in the Washington cabin. The teacher
wished Miss Washington to go to Hampton. Once
more necessity stood in the way. She went, not
withstanding, but it was agreed that she would
have to return in a little while, as funds would soon
run out. But she did no such thing. She entered in
1877; saw the Indians come to the school in 1878;
saw new buildings go up and old ones torn down ;
was graduated in 1882; joined the teachers' staff
and taught and helped the Indian girls in what is
known as "Winona Lodge" for ten years after
graduation.
Proud as Miss Washington was of her detention
at Hampton, yet such an engagement did not
square with her ideals. She had dreamed of form
ing a school in some out-of-the-way place. This
she found finally in Alabama. At the end of her
ten years service at Hampton, she was asked to go
to Calhoun, Alabama, to aid Miss Mabel Dilling-
'/=•
•*?&*&» if
'*^9*
CAMPUS SCENE PEOPLE'S VILLAGE SCHOOL
ham and Miss Charlotte Thorn, two Hampton
teachers, to found a school. Remaining here a year
Miss Washington set out to realize her own vis
ion, to establish a school.
Dr. Washington knowing her desire chose her
a spot near the village of Mt. Meigs, Alabama a
spot forty miles from the Calhoun Institute, and
twenty-five miles from Tuskegee Institute. Hith
er in 1893 Miss Washington went. Miss Washing
ton came to the village in cotton picking time,
thus she found that no place had been provided for
either herself or the school and that very few peo
ple were interested in either her or the school. The
pastor of the colored church gave her lodging for
the first month. By October, 1893, she had been
able to rent a cabin, 12 by 13, and to open the pub-
Vic village school at Mt. Meigs. Four small boys
completed the enrollment for the first month.
Shortly after this they were crowded out of the
cabin and went into the Negro church.
A quarter of a mile from the school cabin, she
rented another cabin for herself. Here during the
first vear she lived alone, cooking and keeping
house for herself and paying four dollars a month
for rent and laundry. On Saturdays, her holidays,
she taught sewing classes and wrote to the North
seeking to interest friends in the school. She had
mothers' meetings Sunday afternoons.
By February the people had bought and partly
paid for two acres of land and built a small school
house, 18 by 36. The enrollment the first year was
one hundred, representing thirty-five families. As
the children had to pay 50c or 75c according to age.
a great many failed to enroll. Indeed, the one
hundred represented scarcely a third. After the
first year, however, the school grew rapidly. Out
side aid came, new buildings were added. Two
Hampton teachers joined Miss Washington, who
was now able to distribute the work and to teach
more industries. A Board of trustees was incor
porated, two white men of the community being on
the board.
Miss Washington has fully realized the vision
of her school days at Hampton. She has planted a
school in the wilderness. From an enrollment of 4
small boys and one teacher in 1893, the school en
rolled in 1916, 225 students and had five teachers.
From no place at all in which to assemble the pu
pils. Miss Washington has put up a two-story
school house with three recitation rooms, an as
sembly hall, and rooms for teaching industries to
both boys and girls. Twenty-seven acres of land
are now owned and cultivated by the school, fur
nishing a means of teaching the boys and girls how
to farm and live a farm life and at the same time
supply food for students and teachers. All and all
the school has a property valuation of $9,000.00. It
has touched and lifted old and young in many ways
during these twenty-four years of its existence.
It has taught mothers better house keeping and
fathers to buy land and to put their farms on a bus
iness basis. Among the young people, it has turned
out 85 graduates, many of whom have gone to
Hampton, Tuskegee, Normal, Meharry Medical
College, Talladega College, Spelman Seminary,
Howard University and many other schools. These
are now filling places of leadership where they are
living. Those who did not elect to study further
have gone back home and are applying their
knowledge gained at the Village School in living
clean, useful lives.
59
VICTOR HUGO TULANE.
RAVELLING around on the south
side of Montgomery, Ala., you
come all at once upon a two-story
brick building' which you feel
ought to be down town. It is
clean, wholesome, spacious, up-to-
date in all appointments. This is
the Tulane Grocery on the corner of South Ripley
and High Sts. The building and business alike are
owned by Victor H. Tulane, who in many ways is
the foremost colored citizen of Montgomery.
Mr. Tulane is a farm lad by birth, coming from
Wetumpka, Ala. When a lad of fifteen having
amassed the sum of $13.60 from picking cotton, he
left his native heath and walked into Montgom
ery in his bare feet. It took but a little while to
find employment. In a year's time he with the as
sistance of a hard working mother, had saved
$100.00. With this sum he resolved to enter busi
ness for himself.
Now this was back in the late eighties — 1888, to
be explicit, when a Negro grocer, indeed a Negro
anything worth while in business was a very rare
creature. However, investing his savings in a rust-
eaten set of scales, a broken meat knife, a lam]), a
peck measure, and a few grocery remnants, lie set
forth on his business career.
Being a pioneer he proceeded upon anything but
a pretentious basis. His first purchase of new
stock consisted of one five pound bucket of lard
and ten cents worth of salt. As can be readily
.^een his fifteen feet by twenty feet store was far
too large for his merchandise. To meet a local de
mand he turned one side of the store into a char
coal bin and sold charcoal along with, or perhaps
in excess of his groceries.
There were other embarrassments for the pion
eer. Mr. Tulane had not been in business long be
fore he decided that plowing and picking cotton
taught one very little about dealing in weights
and measures. Nor were there skilled Negroes in
business as there are now who could give instruc
tions. Mr. Tulane found out, however, a lad who
had worked around a grocery store. This boy
taught his employer the use of scales and man}'
•other points about the grocery business. It was in
this early business that he went from house to
house to solicit trade that crediting people well
nigh closed out his then petty business, that he
closed his store to deliver orders, carrying on his
back bags of meal, half barrels of flour, and the
like.
In four years the light began to break. He had
gotten some education in grocery keeping; his
business had grown. A Texas pony hauled around
the goods. A fifteen by twenty feet building was
growing too small, but the store now leaked pain
fully. The young grocer had by this time saved
three hundred dollars. He resolved since the
landlord would not repair to buy a place of his
own. Thus began the spacious business quarters
on the coroner of South Ripley and High Sts. Here,
after twenty odd years he keeps stock worth sev
eral thousand dollars, employs regularly seven as
sistants, not counting himself and wife, both of
whom give their time to the store, runs several
grocery wagons — in a word, does from twenty-
five thousand to forty thousand dollars worth of
business a year. Besides this, Mr. Tulane has
branched out into other businesses and in public
service work. He is the owner of many pieces of
real estate in Montgomery. For some years he
was the Cashier of the Montgomery Penny Sav
ings Bank, which of course had to close when the
parent bank failed in Birmingham. That Mr. Tu-
lane's books were above question is shown by the
fact that both the leading white banks and the big
stores of Montgomery came forward immediately
to proffer their assistance. Throughout his ca
reer he has been interested in uplift work of his
community. He is Chairman of the Board of Trus
tees of Old Ship A. M. E. Church, the oldest col
ored church in Montgomery. For years he has
been a member of the Swaync School Board and
is one of the chief promoters of a new building
and better surroundings for this school. He is an
honorary member of the Montgomery Chamber of
Commerce, the only NegTO enjoying such an honor,
a member of the Executive Committee of the Na
tional Negro Business League, and a member of
the Board of Trustees of Tuskegee Institute, as
well as of other smaller schools.
Mr. Tulane bases his business success around
which all other distinctions hover upon straightfor
ward dealings, giving full measure for value re
ceived, meeting all obligations promptly, avoiding
cheap goods, studying needs of customers, keeping
his surroundings clean, in letting his business ad
vertise itself. Far above all this are, two, Mrs. Tu-
lanes to whom this business man expresses lasting
gratitude for all that he has achieved, his own
mother and also his wife. Mrs. V. II. Tulane.
60
CHARLES WINTER WOOD, A. 13., B. D., M. A.
E is a reader, an orator, an educa
tor and a Gentleman." It is with
these words that the Chicago De-
'l ^yy 4j k) fender characterizes Charles Win-
J ^\ ^^ J> 1^r Wood. So far as they_ go they
J P*y&i!M t* do well enough. But the man
whom all call "Charlie," who is known for his
generosity to friend and foe, whose unselfishness
runs to the point of abnegation, who works with
out regard to hours and with indifference to remun
eration, who speaks no ill and thinks no ill. who
never abuses even those who abuse him, can stand
a good deal heavier coat of felicitation than is laid
on him in these few words from his good friend
the Defender.
Professionally Mr- Wood could till several posts
with distinction. So long as all these posts run to
one tenor; namely the tenor of oratory. Charles
Winter Wood could come away with great eclat,
lie commenced his course as an actor; but a Ne
gro actor of the days when Mr. Wood made his
debut, was as positive of starvation as was the early
founder of a new religion. Stranded on the road
and smitten with hunger the young Shakespearean.
and Shakespearean he was and is, shook the sack
and bieskin and besought the muses for some hum
bler calling where applause was perhaps not so vo
ciferous but, bread and broth much more regular.
Wood's greatest Dramatic achievement was Al-
clepus Rex of Sophacles which was produced by
Beloit College at Auditorium of Chicago. This was
in Greek.
Then, too, even if the stage had been more lur
ing, Mr. Wood had in him a virile streak of the
missionary. Somebody had put him on his feet,
had shown him the way, Charlie Wood burned with
the desire to do some sort of thing for another.
Booker Washington was looking for a man with
just Mr. Wood's zeal and ability. Thither to Tus-
kegee, in those early days when men got water by
allowance and had to get credit for a postage stamp
Mr. Wood went and began to teach English and
Public Speaking. Much of the dramatic industrial
work, which later made Tuskegee Institute famous
was begun and developed under Mr. Wood-
But Mr. Washington was too shrewd an observ
er and interpreter of men to keep Mr. Wood chain
ed very long to the class room. His talent as an
orator and as an entertainer was far too marked
to allow his remaining in the school room. And
so Mr. Wood went on the road. -He trained stu
dents to speak, he drilled quartets ; he took the in
terests of Tuskegee Institute to bankers and mil
lionaires, making friends for the institution and for
Dr. Washington everywhere.
This man who has done so much to help make
•Tuskegee Institute of today possible was born in
Tennessee December 17. 1870. He got what he
could from the public schools of his native town,
went to Chicago a poor boy and blacked boots to
buy his bread and learned and recited Shakespeare
for extras. One day Gaumsarlens, a preacher
of great renown, was having his boots blacked.
Shakespeare was as usual thrown in. The great
divine saw the worth of the boy at once. Charles
Winter Wood was soon in school. He was graduat
ed from the Grammar Schools of Chicago, matricu
lated in Beloit and came forth a Bachelor of Arts-
He was also graduated from the Saper School of
Oratory, was graduated from Chicago University
Divinity School as B. D., as Master of Arts from
Columbia University in New York. All these de
grees he earned by hard work of body and brain
for he had to pay his own way.
Today he is a preacher who could fill any pulpit
with much credit to himself and great delight to
the congregation. He is one of the best enter
tainers on the road. He is an orator of great talent.
Secretary of War Baker and his assistant Emmett
Jay Scott saw in Wood a power as a special war
speaker and Wood was called on to do his bit dur
ing the great war.
All these he has subordinated to serving Tuskegee
Institute. All these he uses to be sure, but he uses
them to win friends and money for the school Book
er T. Washington gave his life to build. On the
faculty list he is manager of the Publicity Cam
paign,' and Field Work, but at the school and else
where in the country he is one of the big men whom
Tuskegee has made and who has made Tuskegee.
61
MRS. MARGARET WASHINGTON.
Mrs. Margaret Washington
O have been the wife of Booker
T. Washington, to have stood by
him in those trying years of star
vation at Tuskegee, to have been
of tremendous aid in making Tus
kegee Institute and making in a
very literal way its founder would, it appears, be
distinction — enough for any lady of the land. Yet
apart from anything that Tuskegee Institute could
have meant to her save a place giving opportunity
to expand, Mrs. Washington will go down in Negro
history as one of the greatest women of her cen
tury.
Further, her distinction, though marked, will not
be a distinction of press clippings and applause.
Hers will be a personal one. handed on from neigh
bor to neighbor, from father and mother to child.
Her real service in the world will be estimated, not
upon the fact that she was once President of the
Alabama State Federation of Colored Women's
Clubs or of the National Federation of Colored
Women's Clubs, not that she spoke to crowded au
diences or dined with distinguished men and wo
men- Rather it will be reckoned upon the lost and
half-wayward girls whom she shielded, encouraged
and brought to paths of rectitude, upon the kind,
sympathetic training she gave to young girls who
knew no wrong and who because of her teaching
remained always the pure, clean minded persons
they were in childhood, upon the comfort and sus
tenance she has taken into the destitute country
homes around Tuskegee ; upon the country schools
she has founded ; upon the rest room which she
founded and keeps open for the Negro country wo
men in the town of Tuskegee ; upon the actual
teaching she has given these women on how to live
and attend to their homes ; upon the disease eaten
men and women whom she has had clothed, housed,
fed and doctored; upon the out-cast children she
has reared and educated and placed in good posi
tions. These are the people who will forever place
her name along side of her lamented husband, not
because she was partner in all his struggles, but be
cause she was also a servant to the poor and the
neglected.
Mrs. Washington is. like Dr. Washington, bone
and fibre a Southerner. She loves the South, knows
Southern people, white and black and prefers to
live and work in the South. She was born in Macon
Mississippi, March 9, 1865. She was one of a large
family, there being in the Murray home ten child
ren. A frail girl from her youth, she set out early
to master her physical weakness and secure a thor
ough education. On completing such courses as
she could get in the town in which she was living
she matriculated at Fisk University. Entering here
in 1889 she spent nine years preparing for and com
pleting her college course. Though poor in health
during her school career, she nevertheless made an
enviable record as a student, took leading parts in
debates and in all forms of school activities .and was
the student most relied upon to see that good order
and good behavior prevailed everywhere. On fin
ishing her work at Fisk she became teacher of En
glish at Tuskegee Institute. She had not been at
Tuskegee long before she became lady principal
It was in this position even in carlv days at Tus
kegee that Mrs. Washington began to show her
real worth as a leader .and helper. She soon tonk
over all the problems of the girls and women, not
only in the school but in a radius of at least five
miles around the school. When therefore she be
came Mrs. Booker T. Washington, which was in
1892. she had grasped the who'e range of problems
which would confront the wife of the principal of
Tuskegee Institute. From that day she has been
one of the greatest forces at Tuskegee Institute,
and among the Negro leaders and thinkers of the
country. Practically nothing pertaining to Negro
home life, is undertaken without a conference with
Mrs. Washington.
Mrs. Washington is a prodigious worker. She
reads much, both popular matter and classic litera
ture. She sees people by hundreds. From the time
she goes to her office in Dorothy Hall in the morn
ing until she literally makes herself leave, she is
seeing peop'e and helping solve their problems.
Here is a score of student girls, a dozen country
women, a half dozen teachers, all in line to confer
with her about some matter vital to themselves.
For all this she finds time for the cu'.tivat'on of
all those delicate family and friendly relations, per
sonal touches, a thing which has endeared the
Washingtons to thousands of people. Dr. Wash
ington's two sons, Booker Jr. and E. Davidson and
his daughter Portia, she has always cared for as
if they were her own. Though they are now all
married and have families of their own she still
cares for them with that deftness of family touch
peculiar to a few master mothers. Day after day
you will see her leave her office and go after Book
er T. Ill, who is the image of his grandfather, and
take him walking or driving. She is as interested
in health and manners and education of child and
grandchild as if they were all but one young" fam
ily just starting in life. Tuskegee owes her more
than it can ever pay, more perhaps than it will ever
even know ; for she has wrought directly much that
will never die ; and indirectly she performed won
ders by the side of him who blazed legions of new
tracks in education, in labor, in economics and in
society for the American Negro.
63
JOHN WESLEY WILLIAMS.
OHN Wesley Williams was born
July 10, 1881, in Quitman, Ga. He
received his early education in the
public schools of Quitman and
other points in the state of Geor
gia. His father being a Methodist
Minister he changed his home frequently and of
course changed schools at the same time. He went
to Dorchester Academy, Mclntosh, Georgia, after
getting what he could from the public schools and
later did some work in Oberlin College, Oberlin,
Ohio.
When Mr. Williams went to Dorchester Academy
he had twelve dollars in his pocket and two suits
of clothes. He remained seven years at this insti
tution of learning and during that time did not re
ceive one cent in help. He worked his way with
an idea of making the most of his time and of him
self. After the first year he was put in charge of
the buildings and grounds. In this way he earned
his way through the institution. Although a great
portion of his time was taken up with his work
he never neglected his lessons. He is in fact a
proof of the old saying that "Those who labor
hardest, appreciate most what th.ey get." He ap
preciated every opportunity that came his way that
was for his betterment. He came out of that in
stitution at the head of the class, graduating with
highest honors.
From the age of twelve Mr. Williams had looked
out for himself. In this early start he learned the
value of the dollar, and once he had the money, he
knew how to take care of it. His first business ven
ture was in Oberlin, Ohio. Here he opened his es
tablishment with forty dollars as capital. He built
up a business worth $20,000.00 in five years. lie
did this through attending strictly to the matter
in hand and letting no opportunity pass him bv.
In 1912 he left Oberlin and went to Birmingham.
Here he opened a Cleaning and Dyeing Business
with a capital of $500.00. His business here is
now worth $15,000.00. Besides what he lias put
back into his business he has invested in real es
tate and personal property. In all his property
holdings are valued at $35,000.00. The business of
Mr. Williams is reputed to be the largest cleaning
and dyeing plant of any colored man in the world.
This is very gratifying to him when he remembers
that he has done it all unaided, that even in his
childhood he had to be self supporting.
Mr. Williams is an active member of the A. M.
K. Church. Here he gives his money freely to the
support of the gospel and lends his aid in every
way possible for the advancement of the cause. In
fraternal matters he is a member of the Knights
of Pythias.
Mr. Williams is President and Treasurer of the
O. K. French Dye and Cleaning Company, incorpor
ated, Chairman of the Industrial Committee of the
United States Four Minute men of Birmingham.
Alabama, Manager of a Land Improvement Com
pany, in Cleveland, Ohio. In fact most of the time
and energy of Mr. John Wesley Williams is spent
in business. And in this field he is a success.
On business and for pleasure Mr. Williams has
traveled through most of the middle western States
and through all of the Southern. He has also spent
some time in various cities of Canada. In his trav
els from one place to another, and from one sec
tion of the country to another section, he has been
able to compare his business with that of others
following his line. In every instance he has found
that he was doing the greater amount of work and
running the larger establishment. There is nothing
of the braggart in this estimation he has made of
his work. Merely a stating of facts. Indeed, wher
ever Mr. Williams has found a new suggestion he
has accepted it gladly, eagerly. This is in fact one
of the reasons for his success.
Mr. Williams was married to Miss Alice L. Neely
of Bolivar, Tennessee, October 19, 1915. Two beau
tiful babies have come to share the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Williams. Frances is two years of age
and Baby Alice only six months old.
64
ARTHUR McKIMMON BROWN, A. B., M. D.
RTHUR McKimmon Brown, phy
sician, surgeon, was born in Ra
leigh, North Carolina, Novem
ber 9, 1867. He came from an
educated family. He was the son
of Winfiekl Scott, and Jane M.
Brown. His grandmother was one of the first pub
lic school teachers in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Both of his parents being educated and moderately
prosperous they saw that their son got the best
preparation that the schools of his day could offer.
His first school days were spent in the public-
schools, at Raleigh. From the public schools he
entered Shaw University, taking preparatory work.
He was but twelve years of age, when he first reg
istered at Shaw. After spending two years he
returned to the city and pursued advanced study
in the public schools. It was during the second
course in the public schools that be began to show
himself as a brilliant and promising student. By
competition he won the four years scholarship at
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Entering
Lincoln University in 1884 he soon became con-
spicious as a student and talented singer. His ex
ceptional ability as a musician gained for him mem
bership in the Silver Leaf Glee Club.
In 1888 he was graduated from the Lincoln Uni-
65
versity with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In
ihe same year he matriculated in the University
of Michigan for the study of medicine. At Mich
igan University he applied himself even harder than
he had done at Lincoln, and became before the close
of his career there assistant in the office of one
of the professors. Dr. Brown was graduated as
doctor of medicine from Michigan University, in
1I-N1. Of all the men who came out that year he
\ ?s the only one who dared face the rigid exami
nation of the medical board of Alabama. As is
well known among the physicians that the exami
nations of this board are exceedingly rigid, Dr.
Brown, however, took the examination and passed.
For two years he practiced in the mining town of
Bessemer. Subsequently he practiced in Chicago,
and in Cleveland but returned to Birmingham in
1894. Here he remained until the beginning of the
Spanish-American War. Wishing to serve his
country and his people he enlisted in the United
States Army, as a surgeon. He was the first Ne
gro surgeon to secure a commission in the regular
army of the United States. In 1899 he received
an honorable dismissal and returned to Birming
ham. Here he has since pursued a successful
practice and has become one of the leading citi
zens in many activities.
While serving iti the army he accumulated
enough material to join in writing a very fascinat
ing and informing book, entitled "Under Fire with
the Tenth United States Cavalry." This is one
of the most authentic documents, as well as faci-
nating reading on the service of the famous Tenth.
Dr. Brown enjoys an enviable reputation as
a Surgeon and stands high among the Negro phy
sicians.
Throughout his career, Dr. Brown has taken in
tensive interest in his profession and in many en
terprises, both social and business, about the city
of Birmingham. He was interested in the Peo
ples' Drug Store, of Birmingham, in 1895. He
was at one time also chairman of the Prison Im
provement Board ; director of the Alabama Penny
Saving Bank ; at another time he served as surgeon
in the Provident and John C. Hall hospitals, in
Birmingham. He is at present surgeon to the
Home Hospital, Birmingham, and is a member of
the Surgical Staff of M. O. A., Andrew Memorial
Hospital, Tuskegee, Alabama. He is one of the
leading Baptists of the city. He is a member of
the Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellows, Elks, and Knights
of Honor. In his profession, he has been presi
dent of the National Medical Association ; presi
dent Tri-state Medical, Dental and Pharmaceuti
cal Association ; the Tri-States being Alabama,
Georgia, and Florida. Socially he holds active
membership in the Owl, Whist and Advance clubs.
He is a frequent contributor to the National Med
ical Journal.
Dr. Brown has been married t\,ice. His first
wife was Miss Mamie Lou Coleman, of Atlanta,
Georgia. They were married June 5, 1895. The
present Mrs. Brown was Miss Mamie Nellie Ad
ams, of Birmingham. He married her September
27th, 1905. They have four children, Arthur, Her
ald, Walter and Majorie. Dr. and Mrs. Brown live
in their beautiful home on Fifth Avenue, where
their generous hospitality is dispensed to friends.
NATHANIEL JOSEPH BROUGHTON, M. D.
F all the sections in Alabama to
produce Negro leaders and men
and women who have given am
ple account of their stewardship,
the locality in and around Marion
and Selma would no doubt carry
the palm. These sections are probably just fer
tile enough to produce men physically strong
and fit for life's wagers and yet barren enough to
make them rise and go forth. Dr. Nathaniel Jo
seph Broughton was born in Selma. He came
along in a better day than most men who have
made their mark. He was born in the latter sev
enties, when Selma University, Payne University
as well as a great many Negro institutions both
in and out of the State were no longer a ques
tion, but schools fairly well established with cours
es and policies rather definitely shaped.
Dr. Broughton was first a student at Payne In
stitute when his educational foundation was laid.
From this institute he entered the Selma Univer
sity, a few blocks away. Here he received addi
tional training which prepared him for his next
move. He next enrolled in Walden University,
Nashville, Tennessee.
Up to this time Dr. Broughton had but one
though — to secure a good education and to this
end he bent all of his energies and applied him
self with untiring effort.
As he approached the goal of his ambition the
question of a career forced itself upon his mind.
After considering the various vocations he finally
chose that of medicine, seeing in this profession
not only honorable calling, but a field of great use
fulness.
This decision was no doubt influenced by his
work in and around a drug store and where he
had an opportunity to study pharmacy. He labor
ed in this store as a means to help pay his way
through college. Thus it often happens that Prov
idence interposes to lead us to our life work.
However, there is much distinction between de
cision and action. It is much easier to plan than
to execute. To determine upon a course is the
first and important step and then follows the
hours, days and often months of patient toil and
effort to carry out your plans. This was the case
with Dr. Broughton. He had for years driven
himself, as he thought, to his limit in securing his
college training.
In the summer he was working hard in Pullman
service and during the school year was putting in
spare hours in the drug store or anywhere else he
could find employment. He had elected to be a
physician and in order to fit himself for his profes
sion he must assume additional burden and he
went to his task with a zeal and determination
which won him the fight.
In Meharry Medical College, not far from Wald
en, indeed the two schools are run under the same
auspices, though with different executives and
teachers, Mr. Daniel Williams, the celebrated Ne
gro Surgeon of Chicago, was delivering lectures.
Dr. Williams often wished to show how plaster of
Paris was put on and how plaster of Paris and the
patient behaved. Thus they needed what the artist
might call a model, somebody who would allow
himself in part or in toto to be shut up in Plaster
of Paris. Dr. Broughton secured this rather unde
sirable post, undesirable for some but most desir
able for him. The job served him most lucratively
in two ways. It increased his fund considerably
to pay his college bills. Far more valuable still
it gave the doctor his first real lasting incentive
for medicine. He learned to love the profession ;
he saw its opportunities ; he got very helpful in
struction both from the experience and from the
lectures. He is one of the comparatively few doc
tors in the profession who "know how it feels" to
be cased up in plaster of Paris, a sympathy well
worth while and one which brings more business
than can be readily appreciated.
Though Dr. Broughton is still young, and young
er yet in his profession, he is well established in all
that the world terms properous. He began practice
in Woodlawn. Alabama, one of the suburbs of Bir
mingham, in 1906. In ten years he has thoroughly
equipped himself and his office to render the best
of service in the professon. He owns his home and
three vacant lots in this town of his adoption.
A happy head, the family surrounds him. He was
married in 1906 to Miss Beatrice L. Statton of
Chattanooga, Tenn. They have two daughters,
Misses Genevieve and Mary George, both of whom
are students in Normal School.
66
ORION LAWRENCE CAMPBELL.
R. Orion Lawrence Campbell was
born in Montgomery County,
Alabama, December 13th, 1875.
When quite a small boy it was
his delight to visit a barber shop
and watch the barbers at their
work. Then and there he formed the ambi
tion to be a barber, but he reached the goal of his
ambition in later life, and after he had given sev
eral other lines of business his attention.
He received his preparatory education at the
County School, but finished at Tuskegee Institute.
An incident at the Tuskegee Institute revived his
ambition to be a barber and no doubt contributed
largely in the final determination to follow this line
of work. He had a difficulty with another student
in which he proved an expert in the use of a razor.
His room mate joked him about his ability to use
a razor and suggested that he open a tonsorial shop.
Acting upon the suggestion of the joker he began
business and while at the Institute he not only shav
ed the students but numbered among his custo
mers, many of the Professors and as he expressed
it, felt himself a full fledged barber, when Dr.
Booker T. Washington sat in the chair.
After leaving the Tuskegee Institute he engag
ed in the Upholstering business, but soon gave that
up for the Printer's trade. Like a great number
of young men, he was posessed with the false no
tion that one business was more honorable that an
other, and lost sight of the fact that all legitimate
businesses are honorable, and that the honor lies
in doing well what you undertake. Under the spell
of this idea he took advantage of an opening to take
charge of the type stand, and press at the State
Normal School, Montgomery, at a salary of $12.00
per week. He essayed to be a printer but the call
of the barber shop had become too strongly in
trenched in his mind to be effaced, and so his good
common sense came to his rescue, and he gave up
the press and type for the barber's tools. He en
tered a barber shop on the per centage basis, and
his earnings the first week only amounted to $1.55,
but he was not to be discouraged. Other barbers
were earning from $15. to $20. per week, and of
they could earn it he could. He more than doub
led his earnings the second week and at the end of
six weeks he was earning as much as any barber
in the shop. By his courteous manner and fidelity
to his business he soon won the confidence of the
Proprietor of the shop, who left him in charge when
absent. After twelve years service in this shop he
acquired a half interest in the business, but only
continued partnership one year. After disposing of
his interest he opened up a shop of his own. He
opened his shop in 1908, and still operates it. It
is well equipped with all the modern conveniences
and is well patronized. His motto is, "Courteous
and Efficient Service," and living up to his motto
has secured for him the best of trade.
His gross receipts for the year 1918, amounted to
$14,000.00 Mr. Campbell has made a success of
his business by following the bent of his inclina
tion and giving his talent fullplay, and by strict
and honest attention to his affairs.
It is a matter of honest pride with him that his
barber shop ranks with the first class colored shops
throughout the country, both in management and
equipment.
He has accumulated quite a nice property. He
owns a home of about $4000 value and six addi
tional houses worth about $800 each, which brings
him in a good income.
While giving close attention to his business, Mr.
Campbell finds time to interest himself in all enter
prises which have for their object the betterment
of his race. He belongs to the A. M. E. Church,
and is a member of the Board of Trustees; he is a
member of the Board of Trustees of Swayne Col
lege ; He is a member of the K. of P. Lodge and
was a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows. As
a Pythian he ranks as Past Chancellor.
Mr. Campbell has been quite a traveler and has
visited the leadng cities of America.
January 4th, 1911 he was married to Beatrice
Gorham, of Montgomery, who is still his beloved
companion. They have no children. He occupies
a high position of respect both among the white
and colored citizens.
67
ROBERT RUSSA MOTON.
Robert Russa Moton LL. D.
R. Robert Russa Moton, who is
now the distinguished Principal
of the Tuskegee Institute in Ala
bama, takes pride in tracing his
ancestry to pure African lineage.
He is a direct descendant of a
young African Prince, who was
brought over to this country and
was purchased by a Virginia planter.
Born on August 26, on a Virginia plantation ,and
inheriting some of the taste for knowledge from his
mother, who had under difficulty learned to read
and write, Robert Moton early developed a desire
to broaden and obtain more of the world's know
ledge. Accordingly, he set out for Hampton Insti
tute with a definite goal in view and reached the
Institute a few years after Booker T. Washington
had graduated.
Dr. Moton was early endowed with a generous
supply of common sense and wise judgment. His
fellow comrades often sought his advice and were
wisely and sanely directed. He graduated from
Hampton Institute in 1890 and soon after was em
ployed by his Alma Mater as Commandant of Ca
dets, which position he filled creditably for over
twenty years.
In 1905 he was married to Elizabeth Hunt Har
ris, of Williamsburg, Virginia, who died the follow
ing year, 1906. In 1908, he married Jennie Dee
Booth, of Glocester County, Virginia. As a result
of this marriage, four children are living ; Cather
ine, Charlotte, Robert and Allen.
During his term of service at Hampton Institute
he became closely allied with Dr. Booker T. Wash
ington, in their dual efforts to secure funds for the
maintenance of the Institutions which each re
presented. In one of his books, Dr. Washington
said of him, "Major Moton knows by intuition
Northern white people and Southern white people.
I have often heard the remark made that the
Southern white man knows more about the Negro
in the South than anybody else. I will not stop
here to debate that question, but I will add that
colored men like Major Moton, know more about
the Southern White man than anybody else on
earth.
"At the Hampton Institute, for example, they
have white teachers and colored teachers ; they
have Southern white people and Northern white
people ; besides, they have colored students and
Indian students. Major Moton knows how to
keep his hands on all of these different elements,
to see to it that friction is kept down and that
each works in harmony with the other. It is a
difficult job, but Major Moton knows how to nego
tiate it."
"This thorough understanding of both races
which Major Moton possesses has enabled him to
give his students just the sort of practical and
helpful advice and counsel that no White man who
has not himself faced perculiar conditions of the
Negro could be able to give."
Because of their intimate relationship and the
mutual ideas of education and human develop
ment which they entertained, when Dr. Washing
ton passed away, the name of this friend of his,
about whom he had expressed himself so beauti
fully, came into the minds of hundreds of people,
and almost unanimously, he was chosen to be the
successor of this illustrious Colored American.
The following extract taken from Major Moton's
inaugural address at Tuskegee, shows in what spir
it he assumed the "mantle" of his illustrious pre
decessor.
"No greater or more serious responsibility was
ever placed upon the Negro than is left us here at
Tuskegee. The importance of the work and the
gravity of the duties that have been assigned the
principal, the officers and the teachers in the for
warding of this work cannot be over-estimated.
But along with the responsibility and difficulties we
have a rare opportunity ; one almost to be envied,
— an opportunity to help in the solution of a great
problem — The Human Race problem, not merely
changing the modes of life and the ideals of a race,
but of almost equal importance, the changing of
ideas of other races regarding that race."
Going beyond his regular duties, at Hampton,
Dr. Moon formed what is known as the Negro Or
ganization Society, in Virginia. Through its in
fluence, 350,000 Negroes are being helped in the
fundamentals of life, health, education, agriculture,
home making. Dr. Moton is the founder and pres
ent honorary president. He is also the chairman
of the Executive Committee of the National Ne
gro Business League and the Chairman of the Ex
ecutive Committee of the Anna T. Jeanes Foun
dation.
During the period of the war, Dr. Moton was
instrumental in negotiating a loan of five million
dollars from the United States government for use
in Liberia. He also was very active in speaking
to the people on many tours in the interest of War
Savings Stamps, Liberty Loan Drives and the con
servation of food. He has recently been appoint
ed the Negro representatives on the Permanent
Roosevelt Memorial National Committee.
Early in December, 1918, at the sacrifice of a
great many matters of his own which needed im
mediate attention, Dr. Moton left his own import
ant work to go to France at the special request of
President Wilson and Secretary Baker, to do spe
cial morale work among the colored soldiers, who
had made such a fine record for valor and courage.
He spoke to thousands of these soldiers, black and
white, urging them to return to their homes in a
spirit of service and firm in their efforts to help
uplift humanity and establish a real democracy in
America.
The degree of L. L. D. has been conferred upon
him by Oberlin College and Virginia Union Univer
sity in Richmond, Virginia.
To show in what degree Dr. Moton is keeping
alive the spirit of Tuskegee Institute, and of Dr.
Washington, the following quotation is taken from
one of the leading Southern White papers, in Char
lotte, North Carolina :
"So long as the Booker T. Washington ideals pre
vail at Tuskegee, that institution will continue to
perform a valuable service to the Negroes of the
South, and under the management of Dr. Moton,
these ideals have been lived up to in an admirable
manner.'
69
CADETS ON PARADE AT TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE.
HE school was established by an
an act of Alabama Legislature —
session of 1880, as the Tuskegee
State Normal School. Two thou
sand dolars was appropriated to
pay salaries. The first session,
July 4, 1881, opened in a rented
shanty church, with 30 pupils,
and one teacher. The first prncipal of the institu
tion, Booker T. Washington, brought to the work
his own creative ability and the educational ideals
of his friend and teacher, Samuel Chapman Arm-
Strong, the founder of Hamptdn Institute. He
continued as principal until his death, in November,
1915. Through his tact and energy the plant and
.endowment have been increased to an aggregate
value of almost 4,000,000. In 1893 the institution
was incorporated under its present name. In 1899
the United States Congress gave the school 25,000
acres of mineral land. Of this, 5,100 acres have
been sold and the proceeds applied to the endow
ment fund. The remaining 19,900 acres are valued
at $250,000. The ownership and control of the in
stitution are vested in a board of trustees compos
ed of influential white and colored men from the
North and from the South.
Since the foundation of the school over ten
thousand men and women have finished a full or
partial course. They have gone out and are do
ing good work, mainly as industrial workers.
The total enrollment in the normal and industrial
departments in 1918-1919 was 1,620. This included
representatives from thirty-five states and eighteen
foreign countries. This did not, however, include
242 pupils in the training school or Children's
House ; and 572 in the Summer School. The total
number of those who had the benefit of the schools
training was 2,432.
There are forty trades or professions taught. The
industries are grouped under three departments :
The school of agriculture, the department of me
chanical industries and the industries for girls.
There is also a hospital and nurse training school.
Each of these departments has a separate building
or group of buildings in which its work is carried
on. The agricultural school, in addition to its la
boratories, has the farm and experiment station
where practical and experimental work is done.
The farm includes over 2,000 acres. The work of
the farm is carried on by 200 students and 14 in
structors.
The mechanical industries include auto-mechan
ics, carpentry, brickmasonry, wood working, print
ing, tailoring, blacksmithing, shoemaking, found
ing, wheelwrighting, harness making, carriage
trimming, plumbing, steam fitting, electrical en
gineering, architectual and mechanical drawing,
tin-smithing, painting and brick making.
The girls' industries include laundering, domestic
science, plain sewing, dressmaking, millinery, and
home crafts, under which are included bead work,
broom making, rug making, chair seating and home
decorations basketry.
There is a systematic effort to correlate the aca
demic studies with the industrial training and prac
tical interests of the pupils. By this means, the in
dustrial work of the students is lifted above the le
vel of mere drudgery and becomes a demonstra
tion. On the other hand, the principals acquired
in the academic studies gain in definiteness, preci
sion and interest by application to actual situa
tions and real objects. The academic department
is divided into a night and a day school. The night
school is designed for those who are too poor to
pay the small charges made to the day school. The
night school pupils spend five evenings each week
in academic work; the day school pupils, three
days each week. Teaching in the academic depart
ment is carried on by a faculty of forty-four
teachers. They are expected to visit every week
WHITE HALL, ONE OF THE DORMITORIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AT TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE.
some one division of the shops or farm and report
upon it in order to find the illustrative material for
their class room work. Pupils in their rhetoricals,
read papers on and give demonstrations of the
work they have done in the shops.
The Phelps Hall Bible Training School was es
tablished in 1892 to assist in improving the Negro
ministry. It aims to give its students a compre
hensive knowledge of the English Bible and such
training as will fit them to work as preachers and
missionaries under the conditions existing among
their people.
The hospital and nurse training school was start
ed in 1892. Over one hundred nurses have graduat
ed and are doing good work in different parts of
the country.
EXTENSION: The extension department pro
vides a large number of activities for the improve
ment of educational, agricultural, business, home
health and religious life of the colored people of the
United States. These activities vary from those
limited to the needs of the institute community to
those of national significance. The local organi
zations include the building and loan associations,
home building society, women's clubs, health and
religious organizations. Country-wide movements
include the supervision and building of rural
schools, farm demonstration work, and health
campaigns. The State-wide and national activities
are largely the result of Dr. Washington's influ
ence over the colored people and the esteem with
which he was regarded by white people, North and
South. The most important of these are the Na
tional Business League, with its State and local
organizations, and the State educational tours
which Dr. Washington conducted in almost every
Southern State.
Probably the most influential of the extension ef
forts is the Negro Farmers' Conference, held an
nually at the institute. The conference brings to
gether thousands of colored farmers from neigh
boring counties and hundreds from other parts of
the State and neighboring States. In 'addition,
many influential white and colored people from
every part of the country have gone to Tuskegee
to see the assembly guided by Dr. Washington.
On the day following the large meeting a "Work
ers' conference" is held. This is composed of per
sons who are directing all forms of endeavor for
the improvement of the Negro race. Closely con
nected with the farmers' conference is the short
course in agriculture consisting of two weeks of
study and observation at the institute. It is wide
ly attended by farmers of surrounding countries.
The experiment farm established at Tuskegee
in 1896 by the State legislature is conducting ex
periments in soil cultivation for the benefit of the
colored farmers of the State.
The school publications include two regular pa
pers and many valuable pamphlets. The Tuskegee
Student is a bimonthly devoted to the interests of
the pupils, teachers and graduates. The Southern
Letter, a record of the graduates and former stu
dents is issued monthly and sent to persons inter
ested in Tuskegee. The Negro Year Book is a
compendium of valuable facts concerning the Ne
gro in the United States.
TEACHER TRAINING: The teacher - training
course includes psychology, history of education,
methods, management, school administration, re
views, and methods in elementary subjects, draw
ing, physical training, nature study, and 10 weeks
of practice teaching at the Children's House. The
Children's House is a large seven-grade school
maintained co-operatively by Tuskegee and the
country. It has facilities for manual work, house
hold arts, and school garden. It is an excellent labo
ratory for observation and practice teaching. Ar
rangements have also been made with the county
superintendents whereby a limited number of sen
iors in the course teach six weeks in the country
schools. Some pay is received for this teaching. The
work outlined covers two years for graduate stu
dents. If, however, the teacher-training hamama
last two undergraduate years are elected the course
may be completed in one year of graduate work.
71
GIRLS OF THE SENIOR CLASS AT TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE LEARNING MANUAL TRAINING.
MUSIC: All pupils receive some training in vocal
music. Special attention is given to the plantation
melodies, which are taught not only for their mus
ical value, but as an expression of the spiritual life
and moral .struggles of the Negroes in America.
Instruction on the piano is provided for those who
are able to pay the special fee.
DISCIPLINE AND PHYSICAL TRAINING : The mil
itary system is maintained among the young men
to cultivate habits or order, neatness and obedience.
The rooms are inspected and the grounds are poli
ced through the military system. Physical train
ing is provided for the young women under the di
rection of a woman trained in gymnastics. The
young women's rooms are inspected by the ma
trons in charge of the dormitories.
Religious training: Considerable provision is
made for religious services. The activities include
Sunday school classes and daily chapel services,
which are attended by all pupils. The voluntary
religious organizations are the Young Men's Chris
tian Association, the Young Women's Christian
Association, Christian Endeavor Society, Tempe
rance Union, and Missionary Society.
LIBRARY: The Carnegie Library contains a
stock room, reading room, librarian's office, and
two rooms for magazines and newspapers. Three
workers have charge of the library department.
THE SUMMER SCHOOL AT TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE.
72
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Photo by Q. V. Buck.
HON EMMETT JAY SCOTT
Emmett Jay Scott
ROM "Who's Who in America,"
we learn that Mr. Scott was born
February 13th, 1873, at Houston,
Texas, the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Horace L. Scott. At an early age,
after he completed the course of
instruction in the Colored High
School.
He was influenced by Bishop J. B. Scott and Rev.
W. H. Logan, D. D., to enter Wiley University. In
order to help provide funds for his education young
"Emmett" carried the mail from the post-office at
Marshall, to the school, a distance of a mile and a
half.
For his services he received Five Dollars per
month. This was during the years of 1887-1888.
Having to divide his summer earnings with the
younger children of the family, he did not return
to Wiley, during the 1889 term until late, for the
lack of funds, and in consequence lost his position
of mail carrier. Nothing daunted, he chopped wood
and fed the school's hogs ; later on, however during
the same year, he became bookkeeper in the Pres
ident's office, which "job" he held until the end of
the school year. The following summer young
Scott was employed as janitor in the Pillot Build
ing, and it was here that he first had a real oppor
tunity to demonstrate his natural aptitude for of
fice work. He attracted the attention of a good-
hearted Yankee, who was President of the War
ren Lumber Company and publisher of the "Tex
as Trade Journal." During odd hours of the
day when he was around in the building he
was give"n an opportunity to make a little ex
tra money addressing wrappers and envelopes
for this company and a little later on, through the
kindness of a Southern White man, he was per
mitted to do similar work for the Houston Com
mercial Club, and finally became one of their reg
ular workers until the club was disbanded. For
several months after this he was unable to find
any work to do until a colored man, Mr. Gibbs
McDonald, who was generally known in Houston
as "Old Man Gibbs," secured for him a position as
assistant janitor and messenger in the office of the
"Houston Daily Post."
Mr. J. L. Watson, Secretary and Treasurer
of the Post Publishing Company, very soon
noticed his good penmanship, and on one oc
casion, on a very busy day, put him to addressing
envelopes. Later, as they found his willing and
ambitious, other responsibilities were given him,
to all of which he measured up with surprising sat
isfaction.
Even at that time the "Houston Post" was the
leading paper of the Southwest and under Mr.
Watson's management became a strong and pow
erful influence in the political and business devel
opment of the South, a place which it still holds.
Mr. Scott himself did not know how well-devel
oped were his powers of observation and expres
sion until on one occasion, when the commence
ment exercises- at Prairie View Normal School
were being held and "The Post" could not spare a
reporter to go to attend, Mr. Johnson suggest-
75
ed that he go to Prairie View and secure the story
for "The Post." The story which he brought back
from Prairieview, and which was published in
"The Post" was prepared with all the detail and
finesse of a veteran reporter. When he left
the employ of the "Houston Post" he had
reached that stage of his growth where he needed
a further outlet for his natural talents. About
that time the "Texas Freeman" was launched at
Houston with J. S. Tibbitt as Editor; Emmett J.
Scott, Associate Editor, and Charles N. Love as
Business Manager. Later Mr. Scott and Mr. Love
acquired Mr. Tibbitt's interest and for three years
"The Freeman," under their management, was the
most powerful and influential organ of the colored
people of Texas. Mr. Love continues the publi
cation.
It was one of the most significant occurances in
Mr. Scott's career as Editor of "The Freeman"
that he was one of the first colored men with suf
ficient vision and interpretation of the signs of
tinies to see that Booker T. Washington was des
tined to be the leader of thought among his race.
This is best told in the recent book, entitled "Book
er T. Washington — Builder of a Civilization," of
which Mr. Scott and Mr. Lyman Beecher Stowe,
grandson of the late Harriet Beecher Stowe, are
co-authors. Concerning Dr. Washington's famous
Atlanta address in 1895 the book says :
"One of the first colored men so to acclaim him
was Emmett J. Scott, who was then editing a Ne
gro newspaper in Houston, Texas, and little realiz
ed that he was to become the most intimate asso
ciate of the new leader. In an editorial Mr. Scott
said of this, the famous Atlanta address: 'Without
resort to exaggeration, it is but simple justice to
call the address great. Great in the absolute mod
esty, self-respect and dignity with which the
speaker presented a platform upon which, as Clark
Howell, of the "Atlanta Constitution" says, "both
races, blacks and whites, can stand with full jus
tice to each."
Since he went to Tuskegee in 1897 as Mr. Wash
ington's secretary, the part which he has played in
the, development of .Tuskegee Institute and its
varied activities is well known to those of our
race who are conversant with current activities.
In 1901, he was elected Secretary of the National
Negro Business League, which position he has held
regularly ever since, and no one in touch with the
work of the Business League can think of this
splendid organization without associating with it
the name of Emmett J. Scott. In 1909, Mr.
Scott was a member of the American Commis
sion to Liberia, appointed by President William
H. Taft. His study of Liberian conditions has
been put in pamphlet form, under the title "Is
Liberia Worth Saving?" and is recognized as an
authoritative treatise on Liberia and its possibil
ities. In 1912 he was Secretary of the Internation
al Conference on the Negro, which met at Tuske
gee Institute.
Mr. Scott's larger activities, other than these
here outlined, have been his co-authorship with Dr.
Washington in writing the book "Tuskegee and Its
People," published in 1910, and with Lyman Beech-
er Stowe in writing the book "Booker T. Washing
ton," published in 1916.
When America entered the war in 1917, there
was considerable uneasiness as to what would be
the status of the Negro in the war and quite nat
urally Tuskegee Institute was one of the centers
which helped in adjusting these conditions. Dr.
Moton, Principal, and Mr. Scott, made frequent
visits to New York and Washington, and were con
stantly in consultation with the authorities at
Washington. Out of these discussions and toge
ther with the activities of other agencies working
towards the same end, the Officer's Training Camp
for Negro Officers was established at Des Moines,
Iowa, and later, following a conversation between
Dr. Moton and Mr. Scott, Dr. Moton interviewed
President Wilson and suggested that a colored
man be designated as an Assistant or Advisor in
the War Department to pass upon various matters
affecting the Negro soldiers who were then being
inducted into the service and as the result, Mr.
Scott went to Washington on October 1st, 1917,
and from then until July 1st, 1919, served as Spec
ial Assistant to the Secretary of War.
Among the things that the record of Mr. Scott's
work in the War Department will show are the fol
lowing:
1. The formation of a Speakers' Bureau, or
"Committee of One Hundred," to enlighten the
Colored Americans on the war aims of the gov
ernment.
2. Aiding in the breaking up of discrimination,
based on color, in the great ship-building plant at
Hog Island.
3. Establishing morale officers and agents at
the Industrial plants, North and South where large
numbers of colored workmen were employed.
4. He was largely instrumental in the enroll
ment of Colored Red Cross Nurses and securing
authorization for the utilization of their services in
base hospitals at six army camps, in which colored
soldiers were located — Funston, Dix, Taylor, Sher
man, Grant and Dodge.
5. The continuance of the training camps for
colored officers and the increase in their number
and an enlargement of their scope of training.
6. Betterment of the general conditions in the
camps where Negroes are stationed in large num
bers, and positive steps taken to reduce race fric
tion to a minimum wherever soldiers or opposite
races are brought into contact.
7. The extension to young colored men the op
portunity for special training in technical, mechan
ical, and military science in the various schools and
colleges of the country, provision having been made
for the training of twenty thousand through the
Students' Army Training Corps, and other practi
cal agencies of instruction.
8. An increase from four to sixty in the num
ber of colored chaplains for the army service.
9. The recall of Colonel Charles Young to ac
tive service in the United States Army.
10. The establishment of a Woman's Branch
under the Council of National Defense, with a col
ored field agent, Mrs. Alice Dunbar Nelson, to or
ganize the colored women of the country for sys
tematic war work.
76
11. The appointment of the first colored regu
larly-commissioned war correspondent, to report
military operations on the western front in France.
12. The opening of every branch of the military
service to colored men, on equal terms with all
others, and the commissioning of many colored
men as officers in the Medical Corps.
13. Large increase in the number of colored
line officers — the total increasing from less than
a dozen at the beginning of the war to more than
1,200.
14. Direct aid and material encouragement in
the "drives" for the Liberty Loans, the Red Cross,
the Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., and United War
Work Relief Agencies in general.
15. The calling and successful direction of a
Conference of Colored Editors and Leaders, which
went far to promote the morale of the 12,000,000
colored Americans, and led to a declaration of the
Government's sympathetic attitude toward the de
sires and aspirations of its colored citizenry. No
conference held for the consideration of Negro
problems has been so fruitful of big results as this.
Dr. Moton, in making his annual report to the
Trustees of Tuskegee Institute in 1918, said of Mr.
Scott :
"Our Secretary, Mr. Emmett J. Scott, who lab
ored so faithfully with Dr. Washington during his
lifetime, and who is standing by the present Prin
cipal with equal loyalty, was loaned to the Gov
ernment to become Special Assistant to the Secre
tary of War. Mr. Scott is fitted, as perhaps no
other man in the country, to do this work with
rare tact and good judgment. Added to his splen
did native ability, he has had a peculiar experience
here at Tuskegee, which has gven him as broad
a conception of and insight into the problems of
race relationship as any man I know.
"I wish I could put into this report some of his
real accomplishments which are having a far-
reaching effect in making lighter the burdens of
our wise, patient and courageous President, and
the Secretary of War, in meeting many of the
problems which have grown out of the enlistment
of thousands of colored soldiers, and at the same
time making it easier for approximately 400.000
colored soldiers now in the service to adjust them
selves to the many trying and difficult situations
which must necessarily arise in the new life into
which they have been so suddenly entered."
Late in June, 1919, it was announced through the
press that Mr. Scott had been elected Secretary-
Treasurer of Howard University, thus bringing to
a close twenty-two years of successful, faithful,
service to Tuskegee Institute, and upon July firs*
he entered upon his new duties.
Perhaps the most beautiful estimate of Mr. Scott
is the following comment from Dr. Booker T.
Washington, which appeared in his book entitled,
"Tuskegee and Its People."
"For many years now, Mr. Scott has served the
school with rare fidelity and zeal, and has been to
the Principal not only a loyal assistant in every
phase of his manifold, and frequently trying duties,
but has proved a valuable personal friend and coun
selor in matters of the most delicate nature, ex
hibiting in emergencies a quality of judgment and
diplomatic calmness seldom found in men of even
riper maturity and more extended experience."
ULYSSES. GRANT MASON, M. D.
HIE good book tells us that men
have varying talents and that
man is not limited to one talent.
It is often noted in men of re
nown that they possess a number
of talents with one or more very
conspicuous.
This is illustrated in the case of Dr. Mason. He
is prominent in his profession as a physician and
no less prominent as a business man and withal he
is a man of marked initiative ability.
Dr. Mason is the son of Isaac and Mary Mason,
and was born in Birmingham, Alabama, Novem
ber 20th, 1872.
He received his preparatory education at Hunts-
ville College (now A. & M. College, Normal, Ala
bama.) Having chosen the medical profession he
next entered the Meharry Medical College, (Wai-
den University,) at Nashville, Tennessee. Grad
uating from this college he sought additional pre
paration in Europe and took a special course in
surgery, at the University of Edinburgh, Scot
land. Returning to this country, he entered up
on his medical career in Birmingham, Alabama.
the city of his birth He at once won recognition
as a physician and soon had an extended practice.
His ability as a physician was recognized by the
City authorities, who appointed him assistant city
physician, which position he held for about eight
years.
Dr. Mason was sympathetic with all movements
which looked to the elevation and advancement of
his people and himself initiated several institu
tions which sought their good.
He was the organizer and founder of the Home
and George, C. M. Hall Hospital ; Founder and
Surgeon to the Northside Infirmary, located at
1508 Seventh Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama. In
1910 he organized the Prudential Savings Bank,
and has been its President since the organization.
These organizations indicate the trend of his
mind — to ameliorate the sufferings of his people,
and encourage them in habits of thrift.
From 1897 to 1908, he had been the Vice Presi
dent of the Alabama Penny Saving Bank.
He is regarded as a man of remarkable business
ability and his reputation is well sustained in the
creditable manner in which he handles all matters
confided to him. He has filled many honorable
positions, both as a citizen and in a professional
way.
He was Delegate at large to the Republican Na
tional Conventions, 1908-1912. Member Clinical
Congress of Surgeons of North America ; member
of the Medical Society of the United States of
America ; member John A. Andrew Clinical So
ciety ; member National Medical Association ;
member of the State Medical, Dental and Phar
maceutical Association, and of the Birmingham
District Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Association.
He is the Endowment Treasurer of Knights of Py
thias ; Trustee of the Central Alabama Institute,
and Trustee of the 16th. Street Baptist Church, of
Birmingham. He has always taken a prominent
part in public affairs. Secretary Baker appointed
him on a committee of one hundred to represent
the Government on War Aims ; he was chairman
of the War Saving Stamps Committee ; Member
of the State National Council Defense and member
of Volunteer Medical Service Corps, Council of
National Defense.
Dr. Mason has been twice married. His first
wife, Miss Alice Nelson, of Greensboro, Alabama,
died September 19th, 1910, leaving him four chil
dren, Vivian. Ellariz, Ulysses G. Jr.. and Alice F.
June 17th. 1916 he married Mrs. Elsie Downs Bak
er, of Columbus Ohio, who has borne him one
child. Dorothy Downs. Dr. Mason finds great
pleasure and pride in his family and home life.
Dr. Mason has accumulated considerable pro
perty .and is among the wealthiest negroes of the
South.
Regarded from every standpoint he is a success.
77
DAVID HENRY CLAY SCOTT, M. D.
ICKNESS and disease is to be
found in all races of men and in
all stations of life and the mar
velous advance mftde by science
in combating its ravages has at
tracted to the profession of med
icine a great many young men. Aside from its re
munerative attraction they see in the medical pro
fession a field of unlimited usefulness. A doctor's
life is not one of ease but the faithful physician
who spends himself in the interest of humanity
feels that he has given his life to a good cause.
Among the young men who were attracted to this
profession was Dr. David Henry Clay Scott.
Dr. Scott was born in Hollywood, Alabama, No
vember 21st, 1871. Like quite a large number of
colored youths he aspired to rise above the lot of
a day laborer and realized that in order to do so he
must have an education and fit himself for some
useful and remunerative occupations. His choice of
a life work was that of medicine so he set that
profesion as his goal and bent all of his energies to
attain a doctor's certificate.
He received his first educational training at the
Huntsville State Normal School where he acquir
ed a good foundation upon which he continued to
build until his education was complete.
He entered the Meharry Medical College, to
prepare for his life work, from which instituition
he received his M. D. Finishing his course
he was ready for business and selected Selma as
the city in which to hang out his shingle. How
ever, he remained in this city only from March to
November, when he moved to Montgomery. His
career in Montgomery is the best testimony as to
the wisdom of this change. His practice contin
ued to grow from the beginning which is evidence
of his ability as a physician.
While Dr. Scott's large practice keeps him busy
he manages to find time to devote to civic matters
and is interested in all matters which look to city
developement.
He was appointed chairman for the colored citi
zens in the 4th. Liberty Loan Drive, the success of
which demonstrated his ability as a leader.
The following extracts from a statement issued
by him in one of the local papers tells the spirit in
which he entered upon this work.
"As chairman of the colored people's Fourth Li
berty Loan drive, I am extremely anxious that we
do not falter in the last hours of this all important
effort to put Montgomery 'over the top," and again
"There is no special honor coming to any one be
cause of this effort. Selfish be he who buys bonds
for the sake of any honor that may come to him in
so doing." Dr. Scott has marked executive ability
as well a liberal endowment of business sagacity
which he has used to great advantage.
Recognizing the need for a better class of build
ings for the colored business man, he purchased a
lot at the corner of Monroe and Lawrence Streets,
and erected thereon a handsome three-story struc
ture. The first floor is occupied as a drug store,
which is run in first class style, having a fine soda-
fount and other modern attractions. The second
and third floors are used for offices and are all oc
cupied by live, wide-awake business men. When
you enter this biulding you are at once impressed
with its business atmosphere. Dr. Scott also owns
and occupies his residence and owns several other
pieces of property.
Dr. Scott was married December 28th, 1897, to
Miss Viola Watkins, daughter of a prominent Con
tractor of the city of Montgomery, who erected
his store building. They have no living children.
While Dr. Scott is interested in all enterprises
which seek the good of his people he is especially
interested in that institution, which in addition to
its humanitarian appeal, interests him from the
standpoint of his profession as a physician and
surgeon — The Hale Infirmary. He is officially
connected with this institution and gives to it his
best thought and skill and much of his time-
78
I
I
KAWALIGA ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE
HE Kowaliga School was founded
in 1898, by William E. Benson, a
native of the community in which
it is located. It is located in Tal-
lapoosa County, Alabama, in the
center of a community of colored
people comprising about one thousand inhabitants.
It was a part of a general enerprise which includes
besides the school, the Dixie Industrial Company.
It is owned by a board of trustees of prominent
Northern men and women and local colored men.
Represented upon the board is John J. Benson,
father of the founder, a man known far and wide
for his marvelous success as a farmer and a man
who commands the highest respect from both the
white and black citizens.
The need for better educational facilities for the
colored youth of the community had long been
felt and it was to meet this need that suggested
the enterprise which resulted in the building of
the school.
Primarily it was not the aim of the school to
train teachers, but to give to the boys and girls of
the community an elementary education. While
thorough instruction is given to the grammar
grades, the scholars are also given instruction in
manual, domestic and agricultural training. Man
ual training in wood and iron is taught the boys,
along with training in agriculture, while the girls
are taught cooking, sewing, millinery and basketry.
The school is non-sectarian but kept under a strong
religious influence. Although the Bible is not
taught in the day school, devotional exercises are
held each morning before the school work begins.
The teachers and students visit all the churches
in the community and quite often the ministers of
the churches visit the school. The first Saturday
afternoon of each month is known as Mother's
day, when the mothers meet and receive instruc
tion in bread making, house cleaning, laundering,
care of children, etc. They are given samples of
yeast and baking-powder with instructions how
to use them. In addition to their school duties,
the teachers give as much time as is possible in
doing extensive work. They make a house to
house canvass in order to ascertain just the needs
of the patrons and show them the advantage of
sending their children to school. This extension
work is making the school many friends. The
school has a boy's brass band, which arouses much
interest, both in the school and community. The
school has a library of 900 volumes which are used
by the students. The Library needs replenishing
and a better selection of books to stimulate a new
interest in it. Mr. Benson, the founder, died Oc
tober 14th, 1915, and was succeeded by James An
drew Dingus, who took charge of the school De
cember 2nd., 1915.
Professor Dingus was born in Tiles County, Vir
ginia, March 3rd, 1877, and received his education
in Marietta, Ohio, where he graduated from the
High School and received the finishing touches at
the Hampton Institute, in Virginia. He was es
pecially fitted for agricultural instruction and for
three years was placed in charge of the Dairy and
Poultry departments at Hampton Institute, and for
three years had charge of the Agricultural depart
ment at Langston, Oklahoma.
When he took charge of Kawaliga school he
found evidence of excellent construction work
along the line of buildings, but the patrons some
what disorganized owing to the death of Mr. Ben
son- His first work was to meet the local mem
bers of the Board of Trustees and learn the needs
and condition of the school. He realized that three
things were necessary to guarantee success in his
efforts — children to instruct, teachers to teach
them and money to pay the teachers. Having sat
isfied himself upon these points he put his life and
energy into the work with the most gratifying re
sults. The enrollment 1917-18 was 196, with an
average attendance of 115.
The land upon which the school is located com
prises 249 acres, about fifty of which is under cul
tivation. It is the purpose of Professor Dingus to
make this farm not only self-sustaining but a source
of profit to the school. Thus it will serve the
double purpose of a model farm for instruction and
a source of income. Kowaliga is an Indian name,
the name of a little river in the uplands of Alabama,
along whose borders was once an Indian Reser
vation. Here is now to be found a thickly settled
farming community, inhabited by a comparatively
thrifty and industrious class of colored people. In
the center of this community is the Kowaliga
school, exerting an influence over the inhabitants
elevating, refining, and inspiring to a nobler life.
79
REVEREND JOHN BONHAM McDUFFEE
E.V. John Bonham McDuffee was
born in Montgomery County, Ala
bama, May 1st, 1868, and has re
sided in the county of his birth al
most his entire life. The call of
the farm had a fascination for
him, and a tan early age he began his farming
operations. At the age of sixteen he began work
on his own account. His farm was located in Beat
10, Montgomery County, where he has almost con
tinuously since tilled the soil.
Like a great many colored men, his thirst for
knowledge kept pace with his manual efforts so he
gave a fourth of his time to the cultivation of his
mind. He gave three-fourths of his time to the
farm and attended the district school in the winter.
In 1895 he joined the Baptist church at Hope Ala
bama and was by that church ordained to the min
istry and called to be the Pastor of the church at
Letohatchie. He served his church for twelve
years before accepting work elsewhere. The re
sult of his ministerial work has been the serving
of seven churches, two of which he founded and
built from the ground up.
In 1897 he was elected President of the Alabama
Middle district Sunday School Convention, and
held the office continuously for nine years.
In the year 1915 he was elected Secretary of the
same convention, which position he now fills.
Rev. McDuffee believes in taking time by the
foreclock, so when he read that the Boll Weevil
was headed for Alabama, he immediately began to
plan to give him a warm reception, not in the" sense
of a cordial reception but such a welcome as would
prompt him to seek a more congenial clime. The
outcome of his tests and experiments was the "Mc
Duffee Boll Weevil Remedy," a remedy that has
brought him into notice throughout the cotton pro
ducing states.
His name has become a by-word in the homes of
many farmers in the cotton belts.
The cotton production has had to face many dif
ficulties and -has met and overcome many formida
ble enemies, the great enemy it now faces being
the boll weevil. In finding a remedy for this peai
the Rev. McDuffee will save to the cotton produc
ing states much wealth.
No other remedy has accomplished the good in
the destruction of the boll weevil that McDuffee's
preparation has clone and hundreds of farmers have
voiced their praise of the remedy in letters of com
mendation. It came at a time when the farmers
were blue and it seemed that the death knell to
cotton culture had been sounded and like the morn
ing sun it dispelled the mists of doubt and uncer
tainty which hung over the farmer and gave him a
new hope.
Thus it often happens that our brightest visions
come in the midst of our hardest trials. For every
evil there is a remedy and it fell to the lot of Rev
erend HcDuffee to find the remedy for the Boll
Weevil.
Before giving his remedy to the public, Rev. Mc
Duffee partook freely of his own medicine. He
reasoned that if it did not keep his own fields free
of the pest it would be of no practical use to others.
His experiments were so successful that he imme
diately told others of the blessing he had found.
Others have tried it, much to the discomfort of the
Boll Weevil, and the reputation of the McDuffee
Boll Weevil Remedy was assured.
The home life of Rev. McDuffee has been a
mingling of joy and sorrow. He has been married
three times and twice has he stood at the open
grave and watched the bodies of his companions
lowered into mother earth.
His first wife was Miss Elizia Normon, who he
married in 1886. She died leaving him four chil
dren. He next married Miss Susia Woodley, who
gave him nine children. She died August llth.
1913. His present wife was Miss Arlean Johnson,
and from this union has been born two children.
80
GEORGE AUGUSTUS WEAVER, M .D.
R. George Augustus Weaver, the
subject of this sketch was born m
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, November
1st, 1870, where the very atmos
phere breathed the spirit of edu-
cation. Here the Alabama State
University is located, and it is quite natural that a
colored youth who was born and raised in such a
community should have aspirations for learning
and position.
With the fires of ambition kindled he formed the
purpose to secure an education and the fact that the
way seemed hard did not deter him nor change his
purpose. He persevered until his course was com
pleted and he was enabled to hang out his shingle
as an M. D. With the exception of five dollars a
month given him by his father he paid his own way
through school and college. He served as porter
with the Wagner Palace Car Company and the Pull
man Company, and spent such time as not engaged
in the school, upon the road.
This work while it gave him the funds to contin
ue his studies also added to the developement of his
mind. His travels carried him all over the United
States and to many of the cities of Canada, thus
broadening his outlook and giving him a greater
knowledge of men. He commenced his studies in
the city school, of Tuscaloos, his native city, where
a good foundation was laid and prepared him for
the advanced course in other institutions. After
finishing the Tuscaloosa schools he entered the Tal-
ladega College where he graduated in 1892. From
Talladega College he went to Howard University,
at Washington, D. C, and took the medical course,
graduating in 1897. The Howard University was
founded in 1867 by an act of Congress and in varie
ty and quality of profesional training stands first
among educational institutions for colored people.
Thus by his indomitable spirit, energy, patience
and perseverence he secured an education, and com
pleted his medical course in one of the strongest in
stitutions in the land. When he left the University
he was well equipped for his profession so far as
knowledge goes, but without the means to rent and
furnish an office, so he turned again to the road,
and for several months, from May to January,
donned the uniform of a pullman porter. He open
ed his office and began the practice of medicine and
surgery, in March, 1898, in the city of Tuscaloosa,
where he has continuously practiced since.
Dr. Weaver is a member of the First African
Baptist Church and takes an active part in church
life. In recognition of his ability and consecrated
life the church made him Chairman of the Board of
Trustees. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge
and has served as Senior Grand Warden. He is a
Knight of Pythias, and an Odd Fellow, being Grand
Medical Director of the latter. He is also a mem
ber of the volunteer Medical Service Corp. Ex-Pres
ident of Alabama Dental and Pharmaceutical Asso
ciation.
Dr. Weaver was selected as Chairman of the
Fourth Loan drive, and under his management it
went far "over the top." He was one of the "Four
minute-Speakers," in the speaking force to push
the War Saving Stamp campaign, and organized a
class of Red Cross First Aid.
In this time of his country's need his soul burned
with the firts of patriotism, and in this way he
gave expression to his loyalty and relieved the pent
up fires of patriotism which urged him to action.
In 1900 Dr. Weaver was united in marriage to
Miss Mattie A. Wallace, of Wilsonville, Ala., who
together, with two children born of this union, con
stitutes his family. One, a boy eight years of age,
bears his father's name, and the other a daughter,
two and a half years of age, they named Marie Eli
zabeth, and an adopted boy, Everard Weaver, now
a student at Ttiskegee Institute.
Dr. Weaver owns his home, which is a pretty
structure, worth $4000, and in addition he owns real
estate to the value of approximately $13,500.
81
STONE HALL, SELMA UNIVERSITY
R. Robert Thomas Pollard, A. B.,
D. D., was born in Gainesville,
Alabama, October 4th, 1860. He
received his early education in
the common schools after which
he entered the Selma University.
an institution to which he gave
many of his active and useful
years. After graduating from the collegiate
course he began his work as a minister. His first
labors were that of a missionary in the state of Ala
bama. In this work, he traveled for a number of
years all over the state. He next became an agent
of the American Baptist Publication Society, of
Philadelphia, in advancing the Sunday School
work. He gave up this work to enter the service
of the American Baptist Home Mission Society.
Again he became a missionary for the Southern
Baptist Convention and for the Society of Alabama
Baptists. In this service he traveled from church
to church, and from convention to convention, of
the colored people of Alabama.
Having served for a long period as a missionary
he gave up his field of labor for the pastorate and
in this capacity he served a number of the leading
churches in Alabama. He was pastor of the church
es in Montgomery, Marion, Selma, Union Springs
and Eufaula. The next step in his career was that
of an educator, being called to the Presidency of
his alma mater, the Selma University. He con
tinued in this position for nine years, from 1902 to
1911. While holding this office he found frequent
opportunities to preach, presenting the claims of
the University and raising funds to finance the in
stitution. His arduous duties in connection with
this institution impaired his health and caused him
to resign his office as president. He re-entered
the pastorate for a short period, when he was elect
ed President of Florida Memorial College, Live Oak
Florida.
In 1916, his successor, as president of the Selma
l/niversity. Dr. M. W. Gilbert resigned on account
of failing health, and Dr. Pollard was again called
to fill the post. Although he had just been re-elec
ted to the presidency of the Florida Memorial Col
lege, he felt it his duty to respond to the call to
again head the Selma University, which position
he now holds.
The Selma University was born of deep seated
conviction that the great need of the colored race
was an educated ministry. This conviction deep
ened from year to year and was earnestly discuss
ed at the Alabama Colored Baptist State conven
tions. It finally took shape at the convention held
in Tuscaloosa in 1873, by adopting the following
resolution offered by Rev. W. II. McAlpine:
"Resolved ; That we plant in the State of Ala
bama, a Theological school to educate our young
men." This gave to the movement a definite aim
and purpose and inspired it with great activity.
The fight was on and although the battle for suc
cess was hard and long, it was finally won and the
institution is now the pride of the C'olored Baptists
of the state.
Starting the enterprise forty-five years ago with
out funds and only a resolution to incite enthusiasm
and energy, the founders persevered in their work
until their dream of a great university became a
reality.
The University is located at Selma, Alabama,
upon a thirty-two acre tract. It has three brick
dormitories and a home for the President. Its pro
perty is valued at $175,000.00, and is free of debt.
Both Montgomery and Marion wanted the Uni
versity, but Selma won over thorn and secured the
prize.
The first president of the institution was the
Rev. Harris Woodsmall, who was elected Decem
ber 20th, 1877, and directed to open the school the
following January, which he did, with only four
pupils. He had an assistant, the Rev. W. R. Petti-
ford. The session was held in the St. Phillips
82
SUSIE FOSTER HALL, SELMA UNIVERSITY
Street Baptist church, now the First Baptist
church.
May 30th, 1878, five months after the opening
of the school, the Trustees held a meeting in Sel-
ma, and authorized the Executive Committee to
negotiate for the purchase of the "Old Fair
Grounds," which is its present location. The large
amphitheatre upon the grounds was repaired at a
cost of about $700.00, and used for school purposes.
In 1880 the school was adopted by the American
Baptist Home Mission Society, which has since
contributed to its support.
March 1st, 1881, the school was incorporated as
the Alabama 'Baptist Normal and Theological
School, and in 1885 the name was changed to Sel-
nia University.
In 1895 the name was again changed to Alabama
Baptist Colored University, but in 1908. its former
name, Selma University, was restored.
Overcoming difficulties, facing many vicissitud
es, and through great sacrifice, the founders of the
institution, like all great men, these pioneers of
Alabama Colored Baptist, built better than they
knew. The two towering figures among the Col
ored Baptist of Alabama in those days of struggle
and pioneer work were ^. H. Alpine, and C. C.
Boothe. They were both self-made men but men
of great natural ability and force and their influence
was great among the colored Baptists of Alabama,
and they held the confidence and respect of their
white brethren. It was under their leadership that
the school had its inception and through their
effort it was brought to a successful issue, aided of
course by their brethren, who put their souls, their
strength and their means into the enterprise. Dr.
McAlpine has gone to his reward, but Dr. Boothe
is still using his great powers for the uplift of his
people.
The following officers of the Board of Trustees
are men of culture and rare gifts :
P. S., L. Lutchins, D. D., is chairman, R. B. Hud
son, A. M., is Secretary and L. German, A. B., is
Treasurer.
83
It is a divine principle that "By their fruits ye
shall know them." Measured by this standard the
Selma University occupies a high place in the esti
mation of those who have watched its course from
the beginning. Beginning with two teachers and
four pupils, the school now has twenty-three in
structors in charge of about five hundred pupils.
It enrolled one year 782 pupils. It opened with
Normal and Theological courses, but now has a col
lege course. Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of
Divinity Course, a Pastor's course, a Missionary
course, manual art, Agriculture, Domestic Science,
Sewing and Dress making. Stenography, Type
writing, etc. It has turned out more than six
hundred graduates, who have taken high places in
the various avocations of life. The Institution has
been careful in the selection of its teaching force,
who have come from the noted colleges of the
country. Brown University, Chicago University,
Leland University, Virginia Union University, Har
vard. Yale, Johns Hopkins, Vassar, Columbia Col
lege, Cornell University, Meharry Medical Col
lege, Tuskegee Institute. Oberlin Business Col
lege, etc.. have all made their contributoin.
The University has had eight presidents; Rev. Har
rison Wooclsmall, Dr. W. H. McAlpine, Dr. E. M.
Bra,wley, Dr. Charles L. Purse, Dr. Charles S. Din-
kins, Dr. C. O. Boothe. Dr. M. W. Gilbert and the
present president, Dr. Robert Thomas Pollard.
Dr. Pollard was married in 1887 to Miss Eliza
beth J. Washington, also a graduate of Selma Uni
versity, who has been a great help to him in his ed
ucational work. They have one son who is a pros
perous dentist at Florence, Alabama. Mrs. Pollard
was for ten years President of the Woman's State
Convention, Editress of the "Woman's Era," au
thor of "Guide," one to four and matron of the
Florida Memorial College.
Dr. Pollard has devoted most of his life to the
cause of Baptist education, both in the churches
and the schools, and the greater part of his activi
ties have been confined to the State of Alabama.
MANUAL TRAINING SHOP, SELMA UNIVERSITY
ANDREW JACKSON STOKES, D. D.
OST of those who fill the sacred
office are called to the ministry
after reaching man's estate, but
occasionally one is born to the
cloth. Among these is the Rev.
Andrew Jackson Stokes, who
commenced his pulpit work when a boy only ten
years of age.
Dr. Stokes was born in Orangeburg County, S.
C, July 25th, 1859, and began his ministerial work
in Orangeburg County in the year 1870. From the
first he showed an aptitude for church building and
during his ministry he has built and remodeled a
number of church edifices. His first work was
to build the Mt. Zion and Pisgah churches in Or
angeburg County, and Black Jack Church, in
Winnsboro County. From 1884 to 1886 his field
of labor was Clarksville, Tenn., and here again his
talent for church building was called into play. Be
fore he completed his labors in this city he had
erected a church building costing twenty thousand
dollars. From Clarksville he went to Fernan-
dina, Florida, where he added largely to the nume
rical strength of the church and remodeled its
building.
It was in Montgomery, Alabama, however, where
he reached the zenith of his active and useful life.
Upon the death of the Rev. James Foster, Pastor
of the Columbus Street Baptist Church, Dr. Stokes
was called to succeed him. Coming to Montgomery
in 1891, he has continuously served the church and
is today its beloved Pastor. When he took charge
of the church its membership numbered 500, which
has increased to over 5000. The church, during
his administration has had many seasons of revi
val and he bears the distinction of having baptised
1001 candidates in one day. The growing mem
bership required greater housing, and the old
frame building in which the church worshipped,
was enlarged and remodeled. The requirements
of the congregation soon called for a more mod
ern structure and the Pastor with his natural gift
for church building proved to be the successful
leader in the enterprise. Like a wise leader he
first perfected his plans and then made his people
see the vision which had come to him and enthus
ed them with the spirit of the enterprise.
After months of patient waiting, unbounding
sacrifices, unquenchable zeal and determined effort,
the new edifice was completed and dedicated- And
today is pointed to with commendable pride, not
alone by the congregation but by the colored cit
izens of the Capital City.
While his main thought and effort was the de
velopment of the church life of his people. Dr.
Stokes was not unmindful of their educational
needs, and to meet these, he established in 1891,
the Montgomery Academy, the success of which,
has met his fondest expectations. Starting in a
small way, with two teachers and fifty pupils, it
has steadily grown until today it has six teachers
and two hundred pupils and is housed in a well ap
portioned school building. From its birth, Dr.
Stokes has been the President of the Academy.
The object of the founder was to give to the child
ren a Normal school education and to fit them for
some useful occupaion in life. The range of Dr.
Stokes' active life extends for beyond his home
field. He is a Trustee of the Selma University;
Treasurer of the National Baptist Convention, an
office he has held for the past twenty years, and
Moderator of the Spring Hill Association. By ac
clamation he was elected by the Congress for the
advancement of Colored People, as one of a com
mittee to go to France and study conditions of en
listed men of the United States Army.
Dr. Stokes has been a great traveler, his travels
covering the United States and Mexico, the coun
tries of Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land.
He has accumulated quite a nice property, own
ing about 2000 acreas of land, besides an elegant
home, which adjoins the handsome church building
of which mention has been made. His family con
sists of a wife and two children, Lou Rosa Stokes,
and Hugo Benton Stokes. His son is an M. D.
graduate of Meharry and served as First Lieuten-
in the U. S. Army. Dr. Stokes received his degree
from Princeton in 1914. He is author of a book
called "Select Sermons."
84
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, COLORED,
MONTGOMERY, ALA.
RIOR to the Civil War and for
several years after its close, the
Colored Baptists of Montgomery
worshipped with the white Bap
tists, in their brick church build
ing, situated at the intersection of
Court, Coosa and Bibb Streets. For their accom
modation a gallery was built on both the east and
west side of the auditorium and their spiritual in
terests were looked after by the Pastor of the
church and the white members. They received
baptism at the hands of the Pastor and in the bap
tistry of the church.
Several years after the war the colored mem
bers decided that it would be best to withdraw
their membership from the white church and form
a church of their own, to be ministered to by a
member of their own race. Accordingly in 1867
letters were granted to about forty of the colored
members who organized the Columbus Street Bap
tist church, and called the Reverend Nathan Ashby
to be their Pastor. He served them until the year
1877 when he resigned and the Reverend James
Foster was elected as his successor. During his
pastorate the membership of the church was in
creased to five hundred, like the illustrious William
Carey, the Rev. Foster was a shoe-maker before
he entered the ministry. He served the church
until 1891, when he entered into his long rest. He
was greatly beloved by his people and was highly
respected and esteemed by the citizens of Mont
gomery in general, both white and black. Succeed
ing him as Pastor of the church, was the Reverend
Andrew Jackson Stokes, who came to Montgomery
from Fernandena, Florida. It was under his ad
ministration that the church began that marvelous
growth which has placed it near, if not at the head
of the list of churches in point of membership.
From five hundred members it has grown to five
thousand members, requiring the enlarging of the
old frame building, in which the church worshipped
to accomodate the congregation.
The church saw the need for better equipment,
and were planning, under the leadership of their
Pastor, for a new building and while assembling
material for the new structure, the frame building
was destroyed by fire. This hastened their plans
and gave them new zeal for their work. After
months of untiring effort, generous giving and
willing sacrifices, the building was completed, and
the congregation is now worshipping in one of the
handsomest church edifices to be found among the
colored citizens of the South. The building has a
large auditorium, a commodious Sunday school
room, and the necessary smaller rooms for the ac-
comodation of the church societies, class rooms,
etc. It is well located on a corner lot facing the
Cemetary Park, with nothing to obstruct its front
view for a long distance.
After serving so large a congregation for twen
ty-eight years, the Pastor, Dr. Stokes, is still a man
of great energy, and vigor, and full of zeal for the
welfare of his people. His people stand by him and
it is only necessary for him to lay before them his
plans of work to inlist their cooperation and sup
port. They have found in him a wise and active
leader and they gladly follow him when he points
out the way.
The church will soon have a pipe organ to aid
its splendid choir, which will add no little to the
Sunday services.
The pastor is ably assisted by the following of
ficers : Deacons Wm. Clayton, Chairman, Russell
Johnson, Treas ; Kiltis Singleton, Henry Spear,
Wallace Johnson, Robert Carlton, Wm. Bruher,
Ned Casby, Professor, Henry Ray, Levy Coates,
Sol Wallace, Champ Williams, and Isaac Croom.
The Sunday School is divided into two divisions
— A and B. Prof Henry Ray is head of Division A.
and Division B. is presided over by Willie Beasley
and Pat Johnson. Fred Thomas is at the head
of the Board of Ushers.
Missionary Board: Mrs. Fannie Gable is Presi
dent, assisted by Eliza Jones, Mary Miles, Hardy
Martin, Lucy Prichard, Mary Ward. Willie Hall,
and Jeanette McAlpin-
85
MONROE N. WORK, PH. B., M. A.
C'NROE N. Work, Sociologist and
Writer, Head of the Division
of Records and Research of the
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial
Institute, Editor of the Negro
Year Book. The subject of his
sketch was born in Iredell Coun
ty, North Carolina. He was rear
ed in Illinois and Kansas. His education has been
as follows :
Graduated from high school, Arkansas City, Kan
sas, 1892; in 1895, he entered the Chicago Theolo
gical Seminary, graduating in 1898. While here he
became interested in the subject of sociology, and
decided to enter the University of Chicago, and
prepare himself for work in this field. He remain
ed in this institution five years. In 1902 received
the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, in 1903 the
degree of Master of Arts, with sociology as a ma
jor subject and experimental psychology as a min
or- His thesis for the masters degree was "Negro
Real Estate Holding in Chicago." This attracted
widespread attention and brought forth many com
ments from the press throughout the country. He
showed that the first owner of property on the site
of what is now Chicago was a San Domingo Negro,
Baptist Point De Saible, who settled here as an In
dian trader, about 1790.
The first position, Mr. Work held after gradua
tion from the University of Chicage was with the
Georgia State Industrial College, as professor of
History and Education. This position he held for
five years. In 1908 he came to Tviskegee Institute
and established the Department of Records and Re
search. The results of the work of this department
are embodied in the Negro Year Book, the first ed
ition of which appeared in 1912. This publication
has become a standard authority on matters per
taining to the race. It circulates widely, not only
in this country, but throughout the world. Wher
ever there are persons interested in the Negro and
wish to secure reliable comprehensive facts con
cerning him, they consult the Negro Year Book.
The following are examples of the comments of the
press concerning this publication :
"Interesting and important is the array of facts
relating to the Negro contained in the Negro Year
Book. The book is a perfect encyclopedia of ach
ievements by Negroes in all ranks of life, of the
history of the race in the United States, of legis
lative enactments relating to them, of activity in all
branches, particularly education. The book is in
dispensable to all who have to deal with any phase
of the Negro question." — New York Sun.
"No better prepared or more comprehensive an
nual comes to hand than the Negro Year Book. It
covers every phase of Negro activity in the United
States, reviews progress in all lines, discusses grie
vances, outlines the economic condition of the race,
presents religious and social problems, educational
statistics and political questions as they relate to
the race. The book is a valuable and authoritative
book of reference." — Indianapolis Star.
Mr. Work is a member of the following learned
societies : The American Negro Academy, The
Association for the Study of Negro Life, and His
tory, The American Sociological Society, The Ame
rican Economic Association, The National Econo
mic League, The National Geographical Society,
and the Southern Sociological Congress.
Mr. Work is also the compiler of statistics on
lynching. His annual reports of lynchings are the
recognized authority on this subject.
The subjects of important articles which Mr.
Work has published in magizines and periodicals,
are: "Geechee Folklore," Southern Workman, No
vember and December, 1905; "Some Parallelism in
the Development of Africans and other Races,"
Southern Workman, November, 1906 and January,
February, March, 1907 ; "The African Family as an
Institution," Southern Workman, June, July, Aug
ust, 1909; "The African Medicine Man," Southern
Workman, October, 1907; "African Agriculture,"
Southern Workman, November, December, 1910,
and January, February, 1911; "An African System
of Writing," Southern Workman, October, 1908 ;
"The Negro and Crime in Chicago," American Jour
nal of Sociology, September, 1900; "Negro Crimin
ality in the South," Annals of American Academy
of Political and Social Science, September, 1913;
"The Negro Church and the Community," South
ern Workman, August, 1908; "How to Fit the
School to the Needs of the Community," Southern
Workman, September, 1908; and many other arti
cles of like nature and importance. "The Negroes
Industrial Problem," Southern Workman, August,
1914 ; "Self Help Among Negroes," Survey, August
7, 1909.
86
REVEREND ALFRED C. WILLIAMS. A. R.. A M.
EV. Alfred C. Williams, the son of
>j i«*»p,i «,jyj Hampton A. and Chanly Williams,
n t^r^^\^ vvas ')orn at Monticello, Florida,
U K?V ^^\ May 28th. 1883. He developed
great mental vigor in his youth
and graduated from the Howard
Academy, of his own town at fourteen years of
age.
He vvas converted and joined the church at the
age of fifteen. During the fall of the same year
he entered the Florida Memorial College, at Live
Oak, Florida, from which he was graduated at the
age of nineteen. In his nineteenth year he was or
dained to the ministry and elected as supply pas
tor of his home church. In June of his twentieth
vear he was called to the pastorate of the First
Baptist Church, of Green Cove Springs, Florida,
which pastorate he filled until he was twenty-two,
at which time lie resigned to enter Morehouse
College, Atlanta, Georgia. During the first year
of his student life, at Morehouse, he was called
to the pastorate of the Antioch Baptist Church, of
Atlanta, Georgia, which pastorate he filled until
June 1912. In May 1912. he received the Bachelor
of Arts degree from Morehouse College. In June
he was married to Miss Louise N. Maxwell, thf
oldest daughter of the late Dr. L. B. Maxwell. Hav
ing received a call to the Mt. Tabor Baptist
Church, of Pulaska, Florida, he resigned the pas
torate of the Antioch Baptist Church, Atlanta, to
accept this the second largest church in his home
state. In one year and three months he led this
church from under debt of more than Five Thous
and Dollars, ($5000,) and the membership was in
creased more than three hundred. On account of
the illness of his wife, he accepted a call to the Mt.
Zion Baptist Church, of Los Angeles, California,
where he remained for three years and at which
time he studied at the University of Southern Cal
ifornia, at which school he completed work for the
degree of Master of Arts. In May, 1916, he was
called o the pastorate of Sixteenth Street Bap
tist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, which he now
fills. The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was
organized in 1873, by Reverend James Readen and
Reverend Warner Reed. Succeeding pastors were
Reverend J. S. Jackson, Dr. W. R. Pettiford, Rev
erend T. L. Jordan, Dr. C. L. Fisher, Dr. J. A.
Whitted, and its present Pastor, Reverend A. C.
Williams. All of these men wrought well and are
credited with having done a great work. The
church has always stood as a monument to the Ne
gro race, especially the Negro Baptists, of Alabama
who have felt a commendable pride in its work and
achievements. It has had much to do with the
shaping of the religious thought, and molding sen
timent for the race. The Church clings to the
"Old time" religious principles of its faith, but em
ploys modern methods of bringing the Gospel mes
sage to the hearts and minds of the people. It re
cognized the power and uplifting influence of music
and organized a choir whose famous high class
musicals attract hundreds of white people of all
classes throughout the city and district who come
to listen to the old plantation melodies, and jubilees
as well as their high class solos, quartettes and
anthems. All races and creeds in Birmingham
have high regard for this church's attitude in mat
ters affecting the social and moral uplift of the
community. The church has a membership of
more than one thousand. It worships in a most
beautiful structure, an edifice built of brick and
stone, which together with the Interior furnish
ings cost about Eighty thousand Dollars, ($80,000,)
It also owns the Pastor's home which is a good
substantial building. The entire church property
is valued at more than $125,000.00. The interior
is beautifully adorned by expensive art glass, win
dows and other architectural designs calculated to
•give tone, grace and beauty and is highly attrac
tive and pleasing to the most discriminating eye.
A church of this character with a choir holding an
enviable place in the estimation of music loving
people of course has a pipe organ in keeping with
it. The organ is large and expensive and an or
nament as well as an instrument of use.
Since becoming its Pastor, Reverend Williams
has received into its membership more than 700
accessions, and has raised over $23,000 for current
expenses and debts.
87
JOHN G. WRIGHT.
EW Negroes there are in the
South who can conduct their bus
iness in the largest building of
the city in which they live. Mr.
Wright's barber shop has a first
floor location in the largest busi
ness building in Tuscaloosa, adjoining the leading
city drug store and under the rooms of the city
Board of Trade. His shop is patronized by the
leading white men of the city and is looked upon
as the most up-to-date business of the kind in Tus
caloosa.
Mr. Wright was a self-made man, who had no
very great early advantages, either of school, of
parentage, money or environment. He was born in
Hanover, Hale County, in the late sixties. A white
lady taught him the fundamentals of education.
Of general education, such as our children get, he
appears to have had very little.
In 1892 Mr. Wright made his way into Bir
mingham, a town at he time, and began his
apprenticeship as a barber. For eight years he
served in the shops of others in the city of Bir
mingham, first as an apprentice and then as a reg
ular workman.
His ambitions led him to establish a business of
his own. In casting about for a location he de
cided in favor of Tuscaloosa. Here was located
the State University, which offered a good field for
patronage aside from the local trade.
Tuscaloosa has since been the scene of his active
life. Here he established a barber's business,
which is today one of the best in the State.
Courteous in demeanor, attentive to his business
and maintaining a strict integrity, he has won the
confidence and respect of the entire community
and occupies the proud position of being one of the
leading colored citizens of the city.
In thinking of Mr. Wright you do not regard
him simply as a barber but as a business men with
an unusual aptitude for large business enterprises.
He is the proprietor of two shops and they occupy
the best locations in Tuscaloosa, one in the lead
ing hotel of the city and one in its largest business
building.
He does not confine himself exclusively to his
barber shops. He is a dealer in real estate which
has brought him much profit and in a sense is a
promoter of Negro enterprises.
He owns his home — a residence to which his
neighbors point with pride. It is beautifully lo
cated and is built on a quarter of a block. Since
the building for himself he has bought and now
rents thirteen other houses.
From beng strictly in business for himself he has
become a promoter and backer of Negro undertak
ings generally. He is president of the Alabama
Protection and Aid Association, Stockholder and
promoter of the People's Drug Company of Tus
caloosa, Trustee and Treasurer of the A. M. E.
Zion Church of his town and was Grand Master of
the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of Ala
bama for four years, and resigned this office in
August, 1917, on account of his business requiring
all of his time.
Tuscaloosa is one of the best towns of the South.
One does not here feel the stricture of race pre
judice or opposition. In few if any other towns
in the South can a colored man find such happy
accommodations, handsome homes, educated peo
ple, good restaurants, clean surroundings and the
best of cooking. It needed only the up-to-date
Drug store to round out the comforts of the col
ored people. This was provided mainly by Mr.
Wright, who is both president and treasurer of
the company.
Mr. Wright is a Mason, Knight of Pythias and
Odd Fellow. In his work as Grand Master of the
Odd Fellows of Alabama he has traveled over the
whole country.
Mr. Wright has no children, but he will tell you
that much of his success in business and in life is
due to Mrs. Wright, who was Miss Ophelia Ed
monds of Tuscaloosa.
ARKANSAS BAPTIST COLLEGE.
HE college is a creature of the Ar
kansas Negro Baptist State Con
vention and came into existence
'at the Convention held at Hot
Springs, in August, 1884. After
an experiment of one year it was
incorporated under the name of the Arkansas Bap
tist College. For the first several year of its exist
ence it had no permanent abiding place, but moved
from church to church. It finally located upon its
own property, some distance beyond the city limits
of Little Rock where it has continued until the pre
sent time. Its equipment is not in keeping with
the growth and importance of the institution. The
Administration building is its only structure of
real and permanent value. While the college has
grown the City of Little Rock has far outstripped
it and while encroaching upon it has added greatly
to the value of the real estate holdings. The Trus
tees have already considered the question of a new
location and have secured and paid for one hundred
acres of land, some four miles distant. The land
purchased has a good elevation, is dry and well
drained and excellent for farming operations.
When the present location is sold it should sup
ply sufficient funds to erect a number of modern
structures to meet its requirements. Even with
this advantage it will require outside aid to make
the move and place the institution upon a sure
foundation.
The President, Dr. Joseph A. Booker, who has
been the President since 1887, is now maturing a
plan to secure help from the wealthy friends of the
college.
Its original purpose was to train preachers and
teachers,, but the scope has been enlarged to reach
all clases of the Negro race, and prepare them for
some useful occupation in life.
Special training is given to the developement of
the mind while industrial and farming is a marked
feature of the institution. The training is thor
oughly practical, the students being required to
put to a practical test the theories they are taught.
The attendance of pupils has gone beyond the
three hundred mark, while the teachers number
eighteen. All of the teachers are colored ; male,
eight, and female, ten; divided as follows: grades,
four ; academic, seven ; girls' industries, two ; theo
logy, one ; music, one ; and Matron, one. It is or
ganized as follows : Elementary — The elementary
work covers the usual eight grades. Secondary :
The secondary, or preparatory course, includes La
tin, four years ; English, four ; Mathematics, four ;
Greek or German, two ; Elementary Scinece
two and one half; History, one; Psychology, one;
Bible, three and one half. Emphasis is placed on
ancient languages. Industrial: The girls are in
structed in cooking and sewing.
The industrial instruction for boys is chiefly man
ual training; good work in making brackets, tie
racks, and chairs is done. A few pupils work on
the farm, which is located seven miles from the
school. Gardening has recently been added to the
course of study, with practice on the school grounds.
While it is yet in the nature of an experiment, it
is hoped and expected to be a valuable addition to
the course.
89
JOSEPH HERCULES BARABIN, A. B., M. D.
HE prince of good fellows, the
king of diagnosticians, this is
what they tell you out in Arkan
sas about Dr. Joseph Hercules
Barabin of Mariana. And then
you are regaled with all the hon
ors that colored Arkansas has been only too pleased
to bestow upon its leading physician ; a distinguish
ed Mason, a leading Odd Fellow, a prominent
Knight of Pythias, a substantial Mosiac Templar,
a foremost member of the Royal Circle of Friends
and of the Supreme Council of Good Shepherds,
the local examiner for all the secret orders in the
State, a former athlete, the patron of all athletics.
Moreover, he is a big business man, being pres
ident of the Colored Commercial Club of Mariana,
and owning in addition to his residence, a brick
store, seven rent houses, 286 acres of farm land, all
improved, all free from debt.
Dr. Barabin's rise to a prominent place makes
one of those romantic biographical tales so inter
esting in all democracies, so dear to the heart of all
Americans. Dr. Barabin was born in Jeanerette,
Louisiana, March 19th, 1874. An ex-union soldier,
left over from the war, and none too advanced in
education, gave the young lad his first lessons in
books. When he was sixteen years of age, he made
his way into Gilbert Academy, at Baldwin, Louisi
ana. Five years of study and work, of work and
study, for he was in and out of his classes, having to
pay his own way, completed his studies at Gilbert
Academy. The adage of the ancients, that a little
learning is a dangerous thing impressed him ; and
so the young man sought a higher institution in
which to pursue his studies.
Fisk University was then, as it still is, the star
of hope for a great many Negroes with college as
pirations. Here in 1895, Dr. Barabin matriculated.
In a while he was a leader in all the big things of
college life. He was a brilliant man in the col
lege and city societies (and who knows how much
this social success has counted in his professional
career?) he was a formidable adversary in the
debates and in the oratory of the college, and he
was a ferocious plunger on the football field.
Graduating as a Bachelor of Arts in 1900, Dr.
Barabin resolved that he would study medicine.
Business careers for young Negroes were not com
mon then. The young college graduate had es
sayed school teaching at odd times, and decided that
he did not especially care for life in the school
room.
Casting about for a medical college of high stand
ing, moderate expense and congenial to colored
people, he finally selected the Illinois Medical Col
lege of Chicago. Moreover, he felt that Chicago
would offer the best opportunity for clinical prac
tice and also work in odd times for a student who
was earning his own way. All happily came out
as he had planned, or even better. He was able
along with working in the Pullman service during
summer, to pay two years expenses by playing foot
ball, and to pay the other two years by embalming
the bodies in the medical school. Indeed it was not
long before the embalming department was put in
his charge. Despite his having to work, the voung
doctor was one of the two men in his class to re
ceive a special honor diploma for excellence in
scholarship, and up to that time, the only colored
man to receive this honorary diploma.
In 1905, having finished his medical course, Dr.
Barabin, after casting about for a while, hung out
his sign in Mariana, where it has hung these thir
teen years, and where instead of being forty dollars
in debt, the sum borrowed to start business on, -he
is worth thirty thousand dollars. He is a physi
cian and surgeon, practicing within a radius of fifty
miles, going into the country as well as in the town.
He is frequently called in consultation in Little
Rock, in Memphis, Oklahoma and in many smaller
places.
Dr. Barabin was married on December 28th, 1905.
to Miss Lulu Margaret Benson of Kowaliga. Ala
bama. Their four children, Jennie Maudeline ; Jos
eph Benson; William Strickland and Harold Croc
kett are all little folks getting their first days in
school.
90
WALLACE LEON PURIFOY.
AVE you ever heard of the United
Order of Jugamos? It i| one of
those secret and useful bodies,
• whose secrets are no secrets at
all. It has head and several sub
heads in various capacities-
The head and subordinate officers make up
the Imperial Council of the Jugamos. These are
responsible for insurance relief funds, burial and
the like, of members of the Jugamos. Its present
habitat is Arkansas, the head quarters being in For
est City. However, it is to have state headquar
ters in Tennessee, in Illinois, in Mississsippi, in
Louisiana, in Oklahoma. It has a membership of
7,500 and an annual income of $35.000. The or
ganization has grown at the rate of more than a
thousand members per year, being founded in 1910
and having now a membership of 7,500.
The founder of this order is Mr. Wallace Leon
Purifoy. Mr. Purifoy was born near Perry, Geor
gia, in Houston County, February, ninth, 1869.
Born on the farm, lie put in much time with tin-
plow and hoe.
While still young, Mr. Purifoy left Georgia, and
took up residence in Arkansas, in Forest City.
Here he began his education, attending the public
schools of that city, and Philander Smith College,
in Little Rock. All this seeking and studying to
complete his training was accompanied by hard
work and privation, on his own part and on the
part of a sacrificing mother. The mother did
washing and ironing to aid him through school. He
helped here, however, in the actual work of bund
ling the clothes. Mr. Purifoy did many other
jobs to gain his education. For a while he worked
as a laborer on big buildings ; then he drove drays ;
then he taught school.
When he reached the point in his career where
he could command a school, the burden on both his
shoulders and his mother's began to lighten. Be
ginning to teach school at the age of sixteen, he
devoted many years to the class room both for pu
pils and for teachers before he founded the Juga
mos.
During his early years at the work, he taught
many schools in St. Francis County. He was for
twenty-five years Deputy County Examiner. He
conducted a summer Normal School for teachers,
taught for two years in Texas, and for a while as
principal in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His real sub
stantial school work, however, was done in Forest
City, his home. Here, for twenty-three years he
has been principal of the Colored High School, reg
ulating the courses until the students from the
Forest City High School are admitted without ex
aminations to any college in the state.
As regular and as steady as has been Mr. Puri-
foy's courses in education, it has been just as
steady and persistent in business. Looking about
him, he saw the city growing and his people need
ing homes. Investing his earnings wisely, he soon
became the owner of several pieces of valuable pro
perty. He built homes to rent and bought lots.
He also built a beautiful residence for himself.
His property holdings, in rent houses, vacant lots,
and his own residence now amounts to $20,000.
Mr. Purifoy has also been Grand Keeper of the
Record and Seals of the Knights of Pythias, of the
state of Arkansas. He is a member and Deacon of
the First Baptist Church of Forest City. He has
traveled extensively in the eastern and Western
parts of the United States.
Mr. Purifoy was married to Miss Fannie J. Wat-
erford, of Edmonston, Arkansas, in 1895. They
were married at Forest City, where they now re
side. There are several children in the Purifoy
family, all of whom, except Harold, a deceased
son, are pursuing their work in school. Wallace
Leon, Jr., is studying pharmacy at North Western
University; Mayme Marie is attending Knoxville
COllege, in Tennessee ; Minnie Edna, Roosevelt, and
Middlebrooks are students in the Forest City High
School.
91
SCOTT BOND.
Scott Bond
N the Southwest they call him
"Unc Scott" and number him
among the sages. They quote
Socrates, Cicero, and Benj. Frank
lin : And then they will quote
_____ "Unc Scott" Bond of Madison.
Arkansas.
Born a slave in Mississippi in 1852, Mr. Bond
migrated as chattel to Tennessee, thence to Arkan
sas. In grapic language such as few others can
employ Mr. Bond told of his coming into the vil
lage of Madison, with all his personal belongings
done up in a red bandana handkerchief thrust on
the end of a stick and swung over his shoulder.
During slavery days and in migrating from State
to State Mr. Bond had learned to judge the soil.
When his eyes fell on the rich loam land of Madi
son, which is really in the valley of the Mississippi,
he flung down his load and exclaimed, "Lord, this
is the place for me."
Like most ex-slaves, who struck out for them
selves, Mr. Bond rented land on which to farm.
You should hear him tell the story of those rentals.
The rent ran up into the hundreds. He used to
sell his cotton to a local merchant who was a sort
of banker, the merchant would credit Bond with
the cotton and then pay the farm rents and other
bills, balancing from time to time. But the bank
er and the landlord got at logger-heads. Thus it
turned out that Mr. Bond had to get the money
and take it to the landlord. The sum demanded
was $500 which he counted out to "Unc Scott" in
crisp bills. Mr. Bond says he looked at the money,
then looked again and again before he would
touch it. Finally he put it away down in his in
side pocket and "sort a hugged it." On his way to
the landlord's he was beseiged with a desire to
look at the money. Fearing robbery he rode into
the deep wood, tied his horse and spread the money
out on a log and went around the log gazing,
Then he said:
"Lord, if I live, I'm goin' to have somebody pay
me rents just this way."
From this hour his struggle began. He married
poor, having little else but a bed and a broken
skillet. He began to work from "Can't to cant"-
can't see in the morning until can't see at night.
He worked in season and out of season, bright
days and rainy days, the weather never stopping
him in the accomplishment of his set purpose. On
cold, rainy days he chopped or hauled or sold
wood. He had caught his vision and had formed
his purpose and no work was too hard for him
nor no obstacles could stand in his way until he
had accumulated a large rent roll.
The way to his goal was extremely hard until by
chance he invested in a small tract of land. Part
of it was a wash out in a creek bottom and offer
ed but little prospect for farm purposes. His neigh
bors thought he was a fool and told him so for
they use plain language out in Arkansas.
Mr. Bond's eye keen for judging the soil no
doubt failed to see in the tract he purchased much
encouragement for growing a crop, but he saw
value in the gravel and sand found in the creek
bottom. The sequel to his purchase showed the
wisdom of his venture.
The Rock Island Railroad was greatly in need
of sand and gravel and just such a deposit as was
found on Mr. Bond's land.
They investigated his gravel pit and immediately
saw they had found what they had been looking
for for many months. They entered into negotia
tions with him which resulted in the signing of a
contract which brought about the development of
one if not the best gravel pit in the state. With
the signing of this contract with the Rock Island
Railroad the stream of money began to flow his
way and it was not long before he realized his
dream and made good his vow. Money was no
longer a marvel to him.
Mr. Bond saw the possibilities of his contract
with the Rock Island Railroad and to meet it would
call for large and modern facilities for handling the
output of his pit. With his characteristic energy
and push he addressed himself to this task and now
has an equipment which meets all demands and
enables him to meet his part of the contract.
As fast as money came in he began to buy more
land to rent out. Today he owns more than four
thousand acres of .rich fertile land and has these
acres peopled with tenants. He owns and operates
one of the largest cotton gins of that section. A-
long with farm land Bond bought timber land.
Finding a big demand for timber Mr. Bond estab
lished a saw mill, now he ships lumber to Chicago,
Pittsburg, and other large cities.
The spot on which he chopped wood for 30 cents
a day when he first came to Madison now holds
his large co-operative store. He owns and lives in
the house of the man who first hired him to plow.
In all, the property and holdings of this ex-slave
are valued at $280,000.
Finer than all this is the fact that this "black
Rockefeller," as some call him, has given his child
ren college education.
He was married in 1877, and his wife has borne
him eleven children, four of which are living. She
has been not only a great help in his affairs but an
inspiration to his life.
93
J. H. BLOUNT.
CHOOLM ASTER and a business
man, Professor J. H. Blount, of
Forest City, Arkansas, has been
fortunate enough to attain and
hold distinction in both his voca
tion and avocation for more
than a quarter of a century. He was born in Clin
ton, Jones County, Georgia, September 17, 1860.
Madison Blount, the father was a slave belonging
to the Blount family of Jones County : the mother
belonged to another family by the name of Ander
son. During the refugeeing of the two white own
ers of the parents, the mother and father were sep
arated.
The parents were thus so widely separated that
they lost track of each other for many years, and
when they learned of each other's whereabouts,
both had married again. The son remained with
his mother all the time, except when he went to live
with his father for the purpose of going to school
in Macon, Georgia.
During the great exodus from Georgia, which
took place in 1873, Rev. I. H. Anderson took many
immigrants to Arkansas as tenants. Among this
number was William Clark, the stepfather of Mr.
J. H. Blount. After spending a few years in the
94
public schools in Arkansas, Mr. Blount yearned for
more and better learning than he could get at that
time in Arkansas. At this time Dr. R. F. Boyd
came to his home town lecturing and soliciting stu
dents for Central Tennessee College and Meharry
Medical College. He induced the young Georgian
to go to Nashville, Tennessee, instead of attending
Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, as he and his
parents had planned. He entered Central Tennes
see College in 1884 and continued in school there
until 1890. During his vacation he taught summer
school in the town of Forest City, Arkansas. As
the summer school of this town gradually grew un
der his tutorship, from a summer school to an
eight months graded school, he finally concluded to
satisfy his thirst for an education by spending his
vacation in the Universty of Chicago, where he
worked very hard for four summers.
He is still a diligent student, and thinks more of
his library than anything, except his children. For
the past twenty-eight years, he has served as prin
cipal of the following named schools : Forest City
Public School, Langston High School, Hot Springs
Arkansas ; Orr High School, Texarkana, Arkansas
and Peabody High School. Helena, Arkansas.
He was deputy County Examiner of St. Francis
County for ten years, and his prominence in educa
tional affairs, made him without his seeking, take
a leading part in politics- His people soon required
that he should take an active part in the affairs of
his county and state. His education and abundance
of general information, coupled with his skill to
manage public affairs, made him a favorite in his
community and county. From state politics, he be
came active in national affairs. He was an alter
nate delgate at large, to the Republican National
Convention, that gave the Nation Roosevelt and
Fairbanks for president and vice-president respect
ively.
Being a teacher in education and in politics, did
not cause Mr. Blount to neglect his church and the
fraternal orders of which he was a member. He is
one of the few thirty-third degree masons of the
state of Arkansas, and has served in nearly every
official position in the Masonic Grand Lodge of Ar
kansas. He has held the position of Secretary-
Treasurer for four terms and that of Deputy Grand
Master for five terms ; he is chairman of the com
mittee on Foreign Correspondence at the present
time.
Mr. Blount is an active member of other frater
nal orders such as the Odd Fellows, Knights of
Pythias, Royal Circle of Friends of the World,
Knights and Daughters of Tabor, and the United
Brothers of Friendship. He is also a leading mem
ber of the Missionary Baptist Church and a Sun
day School worker.
Professor Blount owns hundreds of acres of land,
both farm and forest ; and city property in three
Arkansas towns. His property will readily bring
$50,000.00, which is a conservative valuation, lie al
so carries $20.000.00 in life insurance, not includ
ing his fraternal insurance.
He was married in August 1906 to Miss Almira
Justina E. Payne of Holly Springs, Mississippi, who
was to him a real helpmate till her death in January
1917. In the Blount home there are three children
— J. H. Blount, Jr., Scott Bond, and E. Louise, all
of whom are pupils in their father's school.
BISHOP JAMES M. CONNER, S. T. B., B. D.,
D. D., LL. D., PH. D.
ORN in Winston County, in Mis
sissippi, in 1863, Bishop James
M. Conner fought hard for even
a rudimentary education. Against
all kinds of poor school facilities.
which facilities include the teach
er, he managed to secure his foundation in Mis
sissippi and Alabama. While still a young man
and but mid-way his education he had thought and
planned out for himself his career.
lie felt called to the ministry and like Paul,
yielding to the divine call, he immediately set to
work to prepare himself for his heavenly mission.
Without waiting to complete his education he
took up his life work and went forth holding aloft
the banner of the cross, to an unselfish and de
voted service which he has steadily pursued dur
ing his long and useful career.
Converted in 1881 he at once joined the A. M.
K. (. hurch and was licensed to preach one year
later.
He was given his first appointment in 1883 and
placed in charge of the Aberdeen Mission, Aber
deen, Mississippi. He entered upon his work with
enthusiasm and soon converted his mission into a
live church, erecting a new building for them and
building up a fine congregation. Recognizing his
ability and special endowment for such work
Bishop T. W. D. Ward, the following year, 1884,
made him a Deacon and an Elder.
From this time on his reputation was establish
ed and his co-operation eagerly sought. He was
recognized as a man who did things and it was
generally accepted that when he undertook a ser
vice it would be satisfactorily rendered.
Thenceforth for a number of years he became
known as a church builder and a champion "Dol
lar" money raiser. He built a church at Forrest
City, Arkansas, in 1885. Then a new church at
Oceola and a church at Newport, Arkansas. To
quote Mr. R. R. Wright, Jr.: "At all these places
he gave the connection good churches and added
many new members to the church and carried ex
cellent conference reports, excelling all previous
records."
However vigorously he waged campaigns for
money, erected churches, and converted souls,
Bishop Conner never forgot personal growth. Like
the dying German poet he was always crying
"More Light." To satisfy his longing he went
from time to time to some large institution to
pursue such courses as he needed for his work. In
1891 he received from the National University of
Chicago the degree of Bachelor of Sacred The-
olngy. He later finished courses gaining the de
gree of B. D. from the American Institute in the
University of Chicago, in 1897, and from Shorter
College in 1905. Campbell College conferred
upon him the degree of LL. D. He became
President of the Board of Trustees of Shor
ter College and chancellor of Campbell College and
Lampton College at Alexandria, Louisiana. Mor
ris Brown University conferred upon him the de
gree of Doctor of Divinity, and Paul Quinin Col
lege at Waco, Texas, made him Doctor of Philoso
phy.
That he has richly earned these honors is made
clear from his advancements. He is the author of
several books. Among these being his "Outlines
of Christian Theology," "Doctrines of Christ" and
"The Elements of Success." He has been a dele
gate to every General Conference since 1896. He
was a member of the financial board for eight
years.
Bishop Conner was married to Miss Glovenia L.
Stewart, of Kentucky, in 1886. They had three
children, two of which died- Zola X, their only liv
ing child was a student of Shorter College. James
and Qu!ntella died young.
Bishop Conner is an extensive property holder,
owning his home and other valuable pieces of real
estate. At present he is Bishop of Arkansas and
Oklahoma.
95
S. W. HARRISON, M. D.
HAT no man is a hero to his valet,
or to his neighbor, is somtimes
disapproved. This is true in the
case of Dr. S. W. Harrison of Fort
Smith, Arkansas. He was born in
Fort Smith ; was educated as far
as possible there and returned there to practice his
profession. Yet, so useful has been his career that
his neighbors speak of him in their papers as fol
lows :
"Dr. S. W. Harrison, President of the Negro
Business League and Colored Fair Association, is
one of the best known leading Negroes of this sec
tion.
"He is one of the greatest exponents of the pro
gressive side of his race, and delights to furnish
others with examples of race progress. He ranks
with the foremost physicians of the state ; is one
the most astute of business men and wields an
influence in the city among both races that is
equaled by few."
As his life story will show, not always has Dr.
Harrison's name been a symbol of progress and
emulation. Born in Fort Smith, September 22nd,
1879, he began at a very early age to taste the
fruits of combat sometimes bitter, but nevertheless
stimulating. He attended Lincoln High School of
his native city and was graduated in 1895. He was
graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1900.
Both in medical school and in high school his
education cost him dearly. In his early school days
he made himself a sort of grocery delivery wagon,
carrying goods to so many customers for a stipu
lated sum. However, this latter proved a most
profitable investment ; for the people he once served
with groceries are now among his best patrons.
Dr. Harrison's choice of a life work was medi
cine and surgery, but how to secure the necessary
preparation for his work was a problem which re
quired great nerve and determination on his part
to solve. Nothing daunted he left for Nashville
and arrived there with only ten cents in his pocket.
He did not have the money to purchase his neces
sary books but overcame this difficulty by bor
rowing books until he had earned sufficient money
to buy his own.
During the summer he taught school but at one
time this post failed him, and he was again con
fronted with the problem of how to continue his
course. However, he was determined to do so and
while brightening his wits to find a way to secure
his end, he gave up the school master's rod and
books for the boot black's brush and box and went
forth to shine shoes.
Graduating in 1900 Dr. Harrison first opened
office in Smithville, Texas. After remaining here
four years he decided to return to his native city.
Here he has worked, as a physician, a business
man, a man of public service. He is a member of
the A. M. E. Church, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a
Knight of Pythias, a Mosaic, a member of the U.
B. F. of Tabor and of all local societes. As has
been quoted he is president of the Negro Business
League ; he is ex-president of the state Medical
Association ; he is a trustee of Shorter College ;
Grand Trustee of the Knights of Pythias, medical
inspector of the Negro Public Schools of Fort
Smith and a high ranking candidate for the Grand
Chancellorship of the Knights of Pythias.
His business ventures have been as successful as
his practice in medicine and his public service. He
owns his home, an elegant two story residence on
Ninth Street in Fort Smith. He owns eight rent
houses and six unimproved lots. He is a stock
holder in the Standard Life Insurance Company of
Atlanta. Georgia. He has traveled extensively in
this country on business and for pleasure.
Dr. Harrison was married to Miss Margie Ka-
tona Gordon, December 31, 1902. Their two child
ren, Margie Edith, who is fourteen, and Gordon
Henry, who is twelve, are in school.
96
FERDINAND HAVIS.
HERE are few men of any race
who carry so much of the bone
and fibre of American history in
their personal experience as does
Ferdinand Havis, of Pine Bluff,
Arkansas. He is one of those
typical Americans, almost impossible in other
countries, who from the bottom of the scale, suc
ceeds by hard work in reaching the top.
Mr. Havis was born in Shay County, Arkansas,
November 15th, 1847. He attended for a little
while the public school. But at an early age he
had to leave school to work. A very novel plan
was then hit upon as a means of getting an educa
tion for the young man. His mother went to the
school each day, mastered the lessons and then at
night taught them to the ambitious boy who was
so eagerly waiting for them. A boy with the am
bition makes a man of mark.
By the time Mr. Havis was twenty-one he had
run the gauntlet as a laborer. He had learned the
barber's trade and opened a ship in Pine Bluff.
Three years later he was elected alderman from the
third ward. Year after year for the space of twen
ty-four years, Mr. Havis was elected and served in
this capacity. In 1873 he was elected to the state
Legislature, but he resigned this post to serve as
assessor. This post of assessor was offered him
by Governor Baxter, and he served in it for two
years. In 1882 he was elected Circuit Clerk, a
post which he held for ten years. He was Re
publican Nominee for United States Senator from
Arkansas, in 1886. Mr. Havis has served his
party as a delegate to the National Republican
Convention every year since 1880 with the ex
ception of two years. These exceptions were in
1912 and 1916, when Taft and Hughes were nomi
nated. He was a colonel on the staff of General
H. King in the Brooks and Baxter War, and was
one of the 306 who stood by General Grant in his
endeavor to become president of the United States.
He is on record as having voted for General Grant
thirty-six times. He was chairman of the Repub
lican County Control Committee of Arkansas for
twelve years. This shows in brief the political life
of Mr. Ferdinand Havis.
Having made good in his political career by ap
plying himself to the task in hand, Mr. Havis, when
he decided to retire to private life, used the same
method of self applicaton in the work he began.
The same acumen which kept him in office and on
boards of importance soon asserted itself in dealing
in real estate and in farming. Mr. Havis has inves
ted heavily in farm lands. He owns about 3000
acres. Of this amount, 1000 acres are under culti
vation. The rest is in pasture land and timber. In
addition to this country property, Mr. Havis has
large interests in the city. One of the buildings
which he owns, a building on Main Street, rents for
$200 per month. He also has half interest in four
stores which bring in rent. Then to private fam
ilies he is able to rent twenty-five homes.
Mr. Havis owns his own home. This is a beaut
iful place on one of the principal residence streets
of Pine Bluff. Here he lives with his family. Mr.
Havis has been married three times.
There are two sons and one daughter.
In his church and loge affiliations, Mr. Havis is a
member of the A. M. E. church, of the Masons, a
member of the United Brothers of Friendship, of
the Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. He
is the Grand Master of the United Brotherhood of
Friendship of America and of the world. He is
president of the Board of Trustees, of the Lucy
Memorial Hospital. Mr. Havis is referred to by
all Pine Bluff as their Colored Millionaire.
Since the above was written, Mr. Ferdinand Ha
vis has passed away. After about a month's illness
he died at his home on Baraque Street, August 25,
1918. Pine Bluff feels that it has lost a very sub
stantial citizen.
97
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE HOUSER, M. D.
OMING from a family of workers,
Dr. N. B. Houser, M. D., of Hel
ena, Arkansas, has found it sec
ond nature to make work his di
version as well as his occupation
When he was nine years old he
began working with his father. It was not an
easy trade that he put his hands to, being that of
making brick. However he acquired and worked
with a diligence and patience that astonished and
pleased his parents. From the age of nine to the
age of sixteen during spare hours and school holi
days and vacations, he labored away, making brick,
learning the ins and outs of the trade.
At the age of sixteen, the father's business hav
ing greatly multiplied, the son became private sec
retary and bookkeeper. This post he held for six
teen years, estimating contracts, and figuring out
margins, pertaining to his father's interest as if
he were really joint partner of the firm. It was
really through him that the father was able to
gain fair profits and to maintain his contracting
business on a systematic scale. Though engross
ed in keeping accounts, the young man did not for
get, however, that he had a duty to himself and to
his people, the duty of educating himself and of
serving. Born near Castoria, in Gaston County,
North Carolina, February 14, 1869, he attended the
schools round about, until he was sufficiently ad
vanced in years and books to enroll at Biddle Un
iversity at Charlotte, N. C. Completing this work
at Biddle and becoming convinced that his calling
in life was that of a doctor, though a good position
was awaiting him back there with his father, he
became a student in Leonard College of Medicine
at Shaw University in 1887, won the prize "tor su
perior knowledge in Obstetrics", did the four year's
work in a little less than three years, graduating
in 1891.
Returning to Charlotte, the seat of his alma
mater, Biddle University, he hung out his sign and
began life's bsuiness. He soon became what is
known as a "successful practicing physician." With
his general practice he became the consulting phy
sician for Biddle University. Paying a visit to his
brother in Arkansas in 1900, Dr. Houser was so
favorably impressed with the possibility for a good
doctor and drug business that though having well
established himself in his ten year's practice at
Charlotte, he decided to go west and build anew
his practice and to contribute his mite in building
up the country; and so he left North Carolina,
where he was most popular with the men of his
profession, having served as president and secre
tary of the North Carolina Colored Medical Asso
ciation, and having been physician in charge of the
Samaritan Hospital at Charlotte for three years.
In Helena, Arkansas, where he began his new
career, progress in his profession surpassed even
that of North Carolina. Beginning practice here
in 1901, he had by 1908 gained sufficient footing
and confidence to open the Black Diamond Drug
Store, a business which prospered from the out
set, which, because of expanse, he had to move
three times, until now he has it on one of the main
streets and in one of the most desirable spots in
Helena.
Had Dr. Houser not been a brilliant success as a
physician and a man of business, he would still no
doubt have been a very poular man ; for he is a
musician of rare talent, playing on many different
instruments, an engaging companion, a fervent
church worker, being a Baptist in his religious
choice, and a member of nearly every lodge extant
in the state of Arkansas — a Mason, an Odd Fellow,
a Knight of Pythias and a Mosaic Templar.
In all of these orders he made his personality
felt and contributed no little to their work and
development. He was not content to be a mem
ber only but brought to their aid his great fund of
intelligent executive ability.
Dr. Houser was married to Miss Amie A. Alston
of Louisburg, North Carolina, January 18th, 1902.
One daughter, Weillie Henry, graces their home.
MRS. MAME STEWART JOSENBERGER, A. B.
RS. Maine Stewart Josenberger,
one of the really remarkable wo
men of the age, was born in Os-
wega, New York. In her youth
she attended the grammar schools,
the high school and the Free
Academy of Oswega. From the Free Academy of
Oswega she went to the Fisk University, Ten
nessee, where she graduated with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts.
After her graduation at Fisk she entered the pro
fession of school teaching and began a long career
as a school teacher. This covered a period from
1888 to 1903.
During her first year as teacher she gave in
struction at the State Normal School, at Holly
Springs, Mississippi. This was in 1888 and 1889.
In 1890 she taught in the graded schools of Fort
Smith, Arkansas, and from 1891 to 1901 she was
a teacher in the Fort Smith High School.
While in the school room Mrs. Josenberger was
the model teacher, her whole thought and atten
tion given to her work, but after school hours her
mind had time to take in other interests and she
was soon identified with those institutions seek
ing the uplift of the Negro race. It was contrary
to her disposition to be a passive member in the
orders to which she belonged and her activity and
thorough equipment for service was soon recog
nized by them and led to her rapid promotion
among them.
These duties finally took so much of her time
that it became necessary for her to choose be
tween them and her profession of teacher. Be
lieving that she could serve her people best along
the lines of public service she yielded to the point
ing of Providence and gave up the school room for
a larger sphere of usefulness.
Thus in 1903 she left the school room to take
the position of Grand Register of Deeds in the Or
der of Calanthe, a position she has held continu
ously for fifteen years.
Mrs. Josenberger lost her husband in 1909. From
then until she became Register of Deeds for Calan
the she conducted the undertaking business left by
him. Her public duties and engagments now be
came so pressing that she gave up altogether the
business of her husband and devoted her energies
to work for the public good. She had joined the
Episcopal Church in 1909, being confirmed by Rev.
Father McClure, who was at that time archdeacon
of Arkansas. She joined also the Royal Circle, the
Eastern Star, the American Woodmen, and several
other fraternal orders. In all these bodies she be
came an adviser and a leading worker.
It would seem that these were enough member
ships for any one person to hold, especially where
one is a worker as is Mrs. Josenberger. But Mrs.
Josenberger was soon enlisted outside the state.
She became a member of the Standard Life Insu
rance Company and was forthwith put on the Ad
visory Board. She joined the National Negro Bus
iness League, soon becoming a life member. She
is a member of the N. A. A. C. P., Past Supreme
Conductress of the Order of Calanthe ; President of
the Phyllis Wheatlely Club, which is the first local
Federation Club of Fort Smith, is vice president of
the State Federation and chairman of the peace
committee among the N. A. colored women.
Serving in so many positions Mrs. Josenberger
has traveled extensively and has had wide and help
ful contact.
Mrs. Josenberger was married in 1892 to Mr.
William Ernest Josenberger, who was a postman in
Fort Smith, then an undertaker. She is as suc
cessful in business affairs as she is in doing uplift
work. She is worth about $30,000 which includes
a two-story cement store building and a two-story
brick building, which has five stores on the first
floor and a large auditorium on the second.
Mrs. Josenberger has one daughter, William Er
nest Josenberger — now Mrs. Joseph L. Stevens, a
musician.
99
Scipio Africanus Jordan
CIPIO Africanus Jordan, is one
of the old and leading citizens of
Little Rock, Arkansas. He has
grown with the city and each is a
sort of mutual contributor to the
growth of the year. He was
born in Montgomery County, Arkansas, January
1st, 1860. Mr. Jordan, when a lad, attended the
public schools of Little Rock and later the colored
High School. He was a member of the first grad
uating class of the Little Rock Colored High School
which awarded its first diploma in 1880.
After graduating from the Little Rock Colored
High School, Mr. Jordan cast about for work and
entered the service of the United States Govern
ment, becoming a janitor of the post office build
ing. This position he held for twelve months when
he received the appointment of letter carrier. As
letter carrier he went his daily rounds over mi
streats of Little Rock for more than thirty-six
years delivering mail. By his courteous and oblig
ing manner he made many friends among all
classes. He was possibly the best known man in
Little Rock — men, women and children knowing
him by name and watching for his daily visits.
In 1896 he was appointed chairman of the Board
of Civil Service Examiners for the Post Office of
Little Rock.
While Mr. Jordan gave his first thought and at
tention to his business and won favor with the
Government, as his promotions give evidence, he
always found time to serve his people and became
interested in all agencies looking to their good. In
and help and his fellow citizens found in him a
all matters pertaining to the betterment of the
colored race he gave the benefit of his wise counsel
and help and his fellow citizens found in him a
willing helper.
He joined most of the secret orders of his state
and became very active in their work and soon
was a recognized leader among them, taking a
prominent part in all their gatherings and in the
working out of their plans.
His fine executive ability advanced him to posts
of honor and responsibility. In 1889 he was elect
ed Chief Grand Mentor for the Knights of Tabor
and then ten years later in 1899 he succeeded
Father Moses Dickson as International Chief
Grand Mentor. Both of these positions he is still
holding which is a glowing tribute to his worth
and popularity.
However, these posts did not tend to lighten his
responsibilities, but rather to increase them. He
has long been a member of the Bethel A. M. E.
Church of his city, for twenty years he has been
a trustee. He is a Mason, and an Odd Fellow as
well as a Knight of Tabor. He became a mem
ber of the Lincoln Farm Association in 1907. He
has been colonel, acting on the staff of the major
of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows for a
number of years. Working in so many positions
Mr. Jordan has traveled in all of the United States
combining business and pleasure.
Mr. Jordan has accumulated a goodly amount of
real estate and personal property in Little Rock.
He owns his home, one of the best residences of
Colored Little Rock. He owns eleven vacant lots
and eleven rent houses.
Mr. Jordan was married in 1884 to Miss Pinkie
E. Venable of Little Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan
have a large family, there being born to them 9
children, seven of whom are living. Toney C. Jor-
don, who is deceased, was a graduate of Howard
University ; Miss Mabel E., who is now married,
is a graduate of the public schools of Little Rock ;
Dr. J. V. Jordan is a dentist, being a graduate from
the school of denistry, of Howard University, and
of Northwestern ; Miss Scipio is a graduate of the
public schools of Little Rocok and of Philander
Smith Commercial department ; Yancy B. is a grad
uate of the pupils schools, mechanical course, and
is now in the Virginia shipyards; Miss Myrtle is
pursuing a commercial and high school course at
the Arkansas Baptist College; Valmer H. is a
school boy and Olga is still enjoying the freedom of
childhood.
Had Mr. Jordan done nothing but rear and edu
cate this large family he would still have deserved
a place of honor among those of his race or any
race for contributing so largely to the welfare of
the race and state. His children stand as monu
ments to the earnest endeavors of this man. Not
one of the large family, but was sent through at
least one school and most of them secured two
diplomas. Mr. Jordan himself, though born at a
time when it was easy for the colored lad to miss
getting an education, was a graduate. Having ed
ucated himself at a sacrifice, he was willing to do
all in his power for the development of his chil
dren. But as is the law of things, while doing for
his children, he continued to advance himself. We
find Mr. Jordan developed into one of the leading
citizens of his city and state. He is a real asset
to the community of which he is a member. His
work in the various organizations of which he has
been for a great number of years one of the leaders
has been one of the things that has made of Little
Rock a good community for our people. Mr. Scri-
pio A. Jordan can well be pointed out to the young
as one worthy of emulation.
100
ELIAS CAMP MORRIS, D. D., PH. D.
EAR Spring Place in Georgia,
born a slave, May 7, 1855, Dr. E.
C. Morris of Helena, Arkansas,
was fortunate enough to have a
father who could read and write.
The father, a tradesman from
North Carolina, was permitted to
visit his children on the planta
tion twice a week. At such times he taught his
children to read and write.
In 1864-65 Dr. E. C. Morris attended school at
Dalton. He also studied in the public schools of
Chattanooga, Tennessee and at the Stevenson In
stitute in Alabama. In 1874-75, he was a student
at the Nashville Institute, now Roger Williams
University.
Going into life Dr. Morris essayed many things.
For a time he taught school in North Alabama.
While serving as a minister in Alabama, he
worked at his trade as a shoemaker. In 1877
he set his face westward, intending to go to
Kansas. Stopping over in Arkansas he decided to
remain in Helena. Here in 1879, he was ordained ;
here he was given his first church, the only church
over which he has presided and he is the only pas
tor the church has had for nearly forty years. This
church, the Centennial Baptist, over which he be
came pastor, was at that time composed of a group
of twenty-two members, homeless and without
property of any kind. Today it has a membership
of seven hundred, a stately edifice, which is valued
101
at $40,000, an active Sunday School of 399 children.
While toiling for the growth of his church, Dr.
Morris launched forth every kind of movement to
promote the religious growth of the whole state.
In 1879, the same year he became pastor of Cen
tennial Church, he organized the Phillips Lee and
Monroe County District Association, and was sec
retary for two years. In 1880 he was elected sec
retary of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention
and served in this capacity for two years. In 1882
he was chosen president of the Arkansas Baptist
State Convention, a position he has held for thirty
six years. He founded the Baptist Vanguard, a
Baptist weekly newspaper, and was its editor for
two years. He helped to found Arkansas Baptist
College in 1884, and was chairman of the board of
trustees for twenty-four years . For eighteen years
he has been chairman of the Arkansas State Mis
sion Board, an organization which works in con
junction with the National Baptist Convention and
with the Southern White Baptist Convention. In
1891 he was made vice president of the National
Baptist Convention, and president in 1894.
Under his administration many plans for expan
sion have been effected. At his recommendation,
the National Publishing Board of Nashville, the
Baptist Young People's Union of Nashville, the
National Baptist Woman's Auxiliary of Washing
ton, D. C., the National Benefit Association, and the
Baptist Home Mission Board of Little Rock, have
all been organized and advanced until they are now
among the perfect bodies of their kind.
Outside of his special sphere Dr. Morris began
to win many honors both in the church and in pub
lic affairs. He aided in organizing the General Con
vention of North America, which is made up of all
Baptists of both races, and is the only Negro mem
ber of the executive committee of this body. He
aided in organizing the American executive com
mittee of this body. In public life he represented
the First Arkansas Congressional District at the
Republican National Convention three times — at
the nomination of James G. Elaine in 1884, of Benj.
Harrison in 1892; of Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.
He was alternate delegate at large in 1908 to nom
inate William H. Taft. He has been a delegate to
every Arkansas State Republican Convention for
nearly forty years.
Active in the church and in the state Dr. Morris
has not forgotten the business interest of colored
people. He organized the State Business League ;
he took great interest in the Mound Bayou Oil Mill
project, becoming one of the directors ; he is di
rector of the Phillips County Land and Investment
Company. He himself owns mining stock, has a
seventy-five acre farm, owns unimproved property,
has a home and four pieces of improved property,
valued at $10,000.
Dr. Morris was married in 1884 to Miss Fannie
E. Austin of Faekler, Alabama. Their five children,
Elias Austin, Frederick Douglass, Mattie M. Mar
quess, Sarah Hope and John Spurgeon, are all giv
ing good account of themselves. Mr. Elias Austin
is First Lieutenant in Company M. 366 Infantry U.
S. A. ; Frederick Douglass is Grand Keeper of Rec
ords and Seal of Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge,
of the Arkansas jurisdiction. Mrs. Marquess and
Miss Morris are teaching school. John Spurgeon
is a student in the Arkansas Baptist College.
JOHN EDWARD BUSH.
John Edward Bush
VER since J. E. Bush departed
this life he has been the subject
of eulogy. And yet it is very
doubtful if any assembling of
words, no matter how frought
with poetic figures, will prove so
eleoquent, as the plain simple recitation of the facts
of that heroic struggle of his from poverty and
neglect to a place of the highest esteem in the
hearts of all American Negroes. Mr. Bush was
born a slave. He was born in Moscow, Tennes
see, in 1858. Shortly after slavery he was brought
to Little Rock, Arkansas, by his mother. In a lit
tle while the mother died, and the ex-slave lad was
left in the streets of Little Rock an orphan.
Merely to live now became to him a very serious
problem. He slept in houses when he could find
a man or woman so kind as to extend to him that
privilege, a privilege which was some times ac
corded for such small services as the little boy
could render. Most commonly however he slept
under bridges, in the livery stables and in deserted
houses. He earned his bread by doing chores, run
ning errands, watering stock, and washing dishes.
Moreover, J. E. Bush was classed as a bad boy,
which did not help him to get a night's
lodging or an extra crust of bread. However, some
good soul forced him off the streets into a school
house. In a little while the boy of mischief was
lost in the study of books. Though he could not
afford regular attendance, yet he tasted enough to
pronounce the food of the right kind and whole
some. Henceforth John E. Bush was a student.
He made such good out of his spare time in the
midnight hours that he soon became a school teach
er. This post he held in Little Rock for a number
of years. However, it appears that he overstepped
the bounds circumscribed for one of his station, by
marrying out of his class. He lost his position im
mediately. He secured the principalship of a school
in Hot Springs and taught here for two years. In
1875 he entered the railway mail service. For sev
enteen years he followed this calling, but finally
resigned to start a newspaper.
All the time Mr. Bush was an active Republican.
In 1884 he ran for the county clerkship of Rosalie
County, Arkansas, on the Greenback Ticket. In
1898 he was appointed United States Land Office
Receiver by President McKinley. He was reap-
pointed by Theodore Roosevelt and again by Presi
dent Taft. He even survived the Republican Black
Broom, which swept Negroes so very clean from
Federal Offices, under the kind Mr. Taft. This ap
pointment had come and was the result of a long
series of hard fights and small victories in the pol
itics of Arkansas.
In 1882 Mr. Bush founded the Mosaic Templars
of America. How he came to found this order, and
what the order means to the Negroes of America
has been briefly told elsewhere — for the few who
may not know tHe whole history already. Suffice
it to say here that the need of a poor woman, beg
ging for help to bury her husband, the contempt of
a white man and the chagrin of Mr. Bush at the
whole situation started this organization. The
body grew rapidly, and with it grew also J. E.
Bush. He learned not only more about the intri
cacies of business but he learned a great deal about
men. Most important of all, the organization
brought J. E. Bush the deserved place he had won
by hard work.
In a few years he became known the country ov
er as a strong business man and a public benefac
tor. He was introduced to Booker T. Washington,
and almost immediately these two giants, both with
the experience of sleeping under bridges, behind
them, became fast friends. When Booker T. Wash
ington, who was himself a great political adviser,
sought political advice, it was to J. E. Bush he turn
ed. When the wizard of Tuskegee was touring the
states of the south and bewitching the great crowds
with his anecdotes and shrewd common sense, he
frequently called into service the founder of the
Mosaic Templars of America, and when Dr. Wash
ington saw the need of laying the task of carrying
forward the work of the Negro National Business
League upon the shoulders of a group of strong
men, J. E. Bush was one of the first looked to . He
was for years one of the Vice-presidents and a
member of the executive committee of this body.
Though an extremely busy man J. E. Bush found
time to do many deeds of uplift in schools, church
es and the like. He was a strong supporter of the
Arkansas Baptist College and a trustee of the First
Baptist Church of Little Rock. In secret orders,
he was a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and of course the
founder and promoter of The Mosaic Templars of
America.
Mr. Bush was married in 1879, to Miss Winfry of
Little Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Bush had three children,
all three of whom survive their father: Miss Stella
E. Bush, Mr. Chester E. Bush, who succeeds his
father as the National Grand Secretary and Treas
urer of the Mosaic Templars and Alridge E. Bush,
who is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Mon
ument Department of the Mosaic Templars.
John E. Bush left a fair name, a business in per
fect order, and worldly possessions amounting to
$500,000.
103
MOSAIC TEMPLARS' OFFICE BUILDING, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
ENTION the Mosaic Templars of
America and you think of John
E. Bush. Mention John E. Bush
and you think of the Mosaic Tem
plars. The Mosaic Templars ot
America was founded by J. E.
Bush in 1883. Its two sponsors were John E. Bush
and C. W. Keats. As stated by Hamilton McConi-
co, the organization had its beginning from a three
fold source : The scorn of a white man, "a Negro
woman's poverty and a Negro man's shame." All
this arose out of J. E. Bush standing on the street
talking to a white man when a colored woman
came by begging for alms to bury her dead hus
band. The white man like Mr. Bush, gave, but he
afterwards cast aspersions on the Negro people for
their improvidence. From this John E. Bush re
solved to found an order which should protect the
poor of his race.
The organization was started as a benevolent
society, with no intention of operation outside of
Little Rock. But in a few years the demands for
its services drew it into other states. It began with
one lodge and fifteen members. It now has 2,000
lodges and a membership of more than 80.000. It
began in one city. It now operates in twenty-six
104
states, in Central America, Panama and the West
Indies. It opened without sufficient funds to in
corporate. It now has assets exceeding $300,000.
It started without shelter, the two founders work
ing out their plans on the doorsteps of an old build
ing. Today upon the site of the old building it has
one of the finest brick, steel and stone structures
of any Negro lodge in America, a building which
has offices, stores, and all kinds of rooms to ac
commodate the business and professional men of
Little Rock. Thus has it brought pride and self-
respect to all the Negroes of Little Rock and in
deed to the Negro everywhere.
When the two founders of the Mosaic Templars
sat on the steps of that old building in Little Rock,
their only thought was to provide a means of safe
guarding the pennies of the poor and needy. They
had no dream of departments, sections and various
ramifications of a great order. As the body grew
and gained the unlimited confidence of the people
everywhere, however, they with the helpers it was
necessary to call in, found that many departments
and divisions had to be formed to meet the more
complex needs of the public. Thus one after anoth
er departments were organized, until now there are
in the body six main divisions or departments, each
with its head, yet all workng under the central
head of the Mosaic Templars. These are the En
dowment Department, The Juvenile Department,
the Temple Department, the Uniform Rank De
partment, the Monument Department, the Arkan
sas Charity Fund, Recapitulation, Analysis, Rec
ommendations. Each Department is a unit in it
self; yet each is a part of the great whole. For
example, though each Department is a memher of
the whole, yet each must be responsible for all
the business coming under its head. If the given
Department runs behind in its accounts, or gets
entangled in its bookkeeping that Department and
not the whole organization, becomes sponsor.
Thus, while all move under a general head, yet
there is ample departmental responsibility to keep
the whole body on the qui vive. Each head of a
Department and each worker in the department
feels a personal responsibility and a personal and
departmental pride in keeping his work to the fore.
For in every instance, if the department fails the
head and all his co-workers also fail.
It therefore turns out that while J. E. Bush
founded a most helpful organization he also estab
lished a body which is a splendid object lesson of
what the Negro can do when working together, a
body which is helpful in promoting the respect of
the white for the black man and in inspiring self-
respect in the black man.
Of equal service perhaps is this order, in that it
furnishes dignified employment to hundreds of our
educated men and women.
When we consider that all these people would be
living on half pay from the school room, or whole
pay from the Pullman or steam boat services, some
adequate notion can be formed as to the real serv
ice of this organization, outside of its direct pur
pose. Every such organization is a great milestone
in a race's progress, and he who establishes such is
building a school and a business at the same time.
For in no other way could our men and women
become accustomed to handling the intricacies of
bookkeeping and the question of high finance.
Finally, The Mosaic Templars have found men.
In its own state it began very early to teach the
people of Arkansas who their great thinkers and
leaders were. Then it reached out its hand into
this, then into that, until in every state of the
south and in many in the north, there are scores
more of solid leaders than would otherwise have
been known. The organization has been left in the
hands largely of the sons of the founder, C. E.
Bush, National Grand Secretary and A. E. Bush,
Secretary-Treasurer. This again follows the line
of a great service, affording a big lesson for the
men of the race. Young Morgan is running his
father's bank; young Hill is carrying forward the
great railroad interests of James J. Hill. And the
105
sons of J. E. Bush are holding and increasing the
heritage left to them and to the Negro people of
America.
The following is an extract from report to the
National Grand Lodge,, meeting at Little Rock,
Ark., July 10-13, 1917, by the National Grand
Scribe ; "From comparative insignificance we have
now forged to the front and have attracted nation
wide attention. We have set a pace in the Frater
nal World that up to this writing has not been
out-distanced. Our growth being steady, having
increased membership about 25 per cent since our
Tuskegee meeting and our assets have increased
approximately more than one hundred thousand
dollars above what they were at Tuskegee.
"The same plan of economy inauguarted at the
birth of the organization has been steadfastly ad
hered to. The main object in view is to properly
safeguard and handle the money that the people in
trust to our keeping. If we have achieved any
success it is due more to this principle than any
other element. Examiners from various insurance i
departments have marveled at the low expense
budget maintained to operate our organization.
"That our Organization is well organized is evi
denced by the minimum amount of friction in the
management. All of our officials and leaders, with
few exceptions, are men and women of level heads
and well balanced minds. The discordant element
is so little encouraged in our Organization that it
soon seeks other quarters of its own volition. A
big business like the Mosiac Templars of America
can only have successful management by having
harmony in all of its working departments. Many
people in dealing with the Mosiac Templars are
very much surprised when they learn that the Na
tional Grand Master's office, the National Grand
Scribe's office, the Attorney General's office, the
Auditor's office, the Monument office all operate
without one interfering with the other. Each de
partment head is held responsible for success in
his or her department. If he fails, then no blame
can be placed upon any other department and the
report must be made to you, the final judges."
The Mosaic Templars stand for the unification
of one common brotherhood, of every man or wo
man with Negro blood coursing through his or her
veins, of good moral character, into a common
brotherhood of helpfulness and usefulness. It be
lieves that whatever agencies or forces that are
conducive to the uplift of the white race will have
a corresponding effect on the Negro.
It stands for a symmetrical development of the
Negro on moral, religious, educational and indus
trial lines. It believes that whatever safeguards
that are thrown around one race to enoble it, and
prepare it for beter citizenship, the same ought
to be extended the Negro.
RICHARD ARNETT WILLIAMS, M. D.
HE unthinking world is too apt to
discredit men of visions, and yet,
without the visionary men this
world would be poor indeed, and
would still be in a chaotic state.
Men must see things before they
can be accomplished and to the credit of the men
of visions, be it said, that they paved the way for
all great achievements. Such a man is Dr. R. A.
Williams.
Dr. Williams was born September 13th, 1879, in
Forest City, Arkansas. Although his parents were
not rich, they possessed sufficient means to enable
them to aid their son to secure an education. They
saw the advantages of a good education and de
termined that they could do no better part for their
children than to do what they could in the devel
opment of their minds. They early placed the
Doctor in the public schools of his native city,
where he graduated at the tender age of twelve.
His appetite for knowledge was whetted by his
course in the public school, and he determined to
pursue his studies further. This he did at the
Danville Industrial High school, of Danville Vir
ginia. After a course at this school he continued
his literary studies in the Arkansas Baptist College,
Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from the
Academic Department of this institution, in 1896.
He bears the distinction and honor of being the
first graduate of this department which has since
sent out so many well prepared young men and
women. At an early age, Dr. Williams gave much
thought to the question of his life work, and decid
ed upon the medical profession. This decision re
mained with him through all of his college life, and
all of his preparation looked to this end. It was
in 1898, that he began to see the fruition of his
hope and the consummation of his dream. It was
this year that he matriculated at Meharry Medi
cal College. He finished his course of study in
this well known school and not only won honors
but also the confidence and esteem of his fellow
students. His career as a student was not without
its trials and difficulties and he found it necessary
to engage in business ventures from time to time
in order to raise the money necessary to pay his
way.
At the early age of fourteen he assumed the du
ties of the school master and governed himself, ev
en, at this early age, with the dignity befitting one
in that profession. His next venture was that of
a merchant and under the firm name of Williams
and Brown he conducted for two years a grocery
business. This venture was successful but could
not tempt him to give up the purpose to become a
physician. It enabled him, however, to carry out
his well-formed plan for a medical education.
After graduating at the Meharry College, he
went to Knoxville, Tenn., and commenced his pro
fessional career. Here he remained for three
years and won the confidence of the people, and
established a good practice. He could not re
main satisfied at Knoxville, for the lure of his na
tive state was upon him. He could not turn a
deaf ear to its call, so in 1905, he left Knoxville, and
turned his face toward Arkansas. Helena was the
city of his choice and here he located and here he
has remained, building up for himself a good prac
tice and an enviable reputation. Being a man of
sympathetic nature, he was not slow to put him
self in touch with the needs of his people, and to
interest himself in their behalf. His work as a
physician enabled him to see the great need of
money in times of sickness and when the death an
gel spread its wings over the home and it was this
that gave him this vision of a society that would
supply this need. He put his mind to work and
as a result of his thinking he brought into exis
tence the "Royal Circle of Friends of the World."
To this organization he has given his time and ex
ecutive skill and in its interest he has had to travel
extensively. Seeing in it such great possibilities,
he has given it so much of his time that he has had
to curtail his general practice and confine himself
to an office practice and to a specialty.
106
The Royal Circle of Friends is one of the most
modern organizations calling upon the public for
its support. It bases its claims for support alone
upon merit. It has found favor from the start,
and continues to hold its friends. Its growth is
phenominal and has exceeded the hopes of its foun
der. Its first lodge was organized in 1909 and the
number has increased to about three hundred lod
ges, and about nine thousand members. The lod
ges are scattered over five states, Arkansas, Miss
issippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Oklahoma. The
order has several main features. It has an en
dowment feature by which the beneficiary of a de
ceased member gets Three Hundred Dollars at
his or her death. This endowment is paid prompt
ly within a week after the death of a member and
if the family is in great need it is paid immediately.
Another feature rewards the member for a ten
year connection therewith. It is a one hundred
dollar endowment. It also provides for a sick and
accident benefit. This feature alone, has done in
calculable good. The order is noted for its prompt
ness in settlement of its claims and is multiplying
its strength in the accumulation of a surplus. The
founder recognizes the importance of keeping in
touch with its members and to this end he has es
tablished a paper, known as the Royal Messenger.
Much of the success of the Royal Circle of
Friends is due to the popularity of its founder and
his rare business judgment.
The aim of the founder of the Royal Circle of
Friends was to give to his people the largest bene
fits at the least cost and to insure the prompt pay
ment of all claims. To make it possible for all to
share in its benefits the initiation fee was placed at
Two Dollars and Fifty Cents, and a quarterly en
dowment fee of One Dollar. When the substan
tial benefits derived from this organization are con
sidered its fee's are more reasonable than any oth
er order.
The great majority of the men and women who
come into the organization are young. This
gave the order an advantage. To meet conditions
which will naturally arise as the members grow
older a surplus has been created which is being
added to annually.
Dr. Williams, the founder and President, has the
handling of funds of the order and has already de
monstrated his ability to handle them with consu-
mate business skill. His intregrity is above ques
tion and the members feel safe, so long as the af
fairs of the order remain in his hands. An order
of this character has to get out much printed mat
ter and in keeping with its economical manage
ment a printing press was purchased and by
means of this outfit much money has been saved
the Order in the item of printing alone. Dr. Wil
liams is constantly in receipt of letters commending
the order and acknowledging the good it has done
for the colored race. It has been especially gra-
107
tifying to him to receive so many letters of per
sonal commendation and to know that he is held in
such high personal esteem by his friends. To feel
that you have done something worth while always
brings pleasing reflections but to know that you
have started a movement which will continue long
after you have passed away, to bless the people
whom you love and wish to serve is thrilling in its
contemplation. Such is the joy that has come to
Dr. Williams in establishing the order of the Royal
Circle of Friends. He has lived to see it a success
and to see the great good it has already accomplish
ed. If he should cease from his labors now he has
done enough to hand down his name to posterity
and in a way to brnig only pleasant memories of
him.
He has built his monument which will be more
enduring than granite, or stone, and as long as the
Royal Circle of Friends exists, Dr. Williams will
be held in fond remembrance.
"Fading away like the stars of the morning,
Losing their light in the glorious sun —
Thus would we pass from earth and its toil
ing,
Only remembered by what we have done."
August 25th., 1903 Dr. Williams was married to
Miss Cora E. Morgan of Memphis, Tennessee. She
is a daughter of one of the wealthiest planters of
Shelby County, Tennessee, and is a woman of cul
ture, refinement and great ability.
Mrs. Williams was graduated from the LeMoyne
Institute of Memphis and for several years was
one of the leading teachers in her native county.
A daughter, Vera Louise Williams, makes the
Williams' home one of happiness.
She is a very bright young person and makes
life interesting for the father and mother.
At the time of his marriage Dr. Williams was
a man of small means and only attained to his pres
ent standing in the financial world by the practice
of the strictest economy. He is now housed in his
own home and lives in a style that is befitting
a high class professional man.
Dr. Williams gives much of the credit for their
financial success to his wife. She it was who
helped him to rise in life and who was an in
spiration to him in the dark hours that come to all
who struggle upward.
It is not often that a man accomplishes so much
in so short a period of his life and it must be a
matter of supreme satisfaction to Dr. Williams to
see the seed of his planting blossom into so frag
rant and beautiful a flower, whose aroma of
friendship will bless the coming generations. The
man who confers a benefit upon his race is blessed
in his work for others and the reflex influence upon
his own life brings to him a personal blessing.
A life of service is a successful life and brings its
own sure and blessed reward.
E. O. TRENT.
OR a man to hold the same posi
tion for considerably over a quar
ter of a century, and still keep
thoroughly abreast with the
times, shows a great strength of
character. One of the easiest
things for a man who serves the public to do, is
to get in a rut. Then his days of usefulness are
numbered. But when a man can serve the public
year in and year out, giving something new to each
set of people who come directly under his care,
when a man can do this, he is a success.
For thirty-three years E. O. Trent has served as
principal of the High and Industrial School, at Fort
Smith, Arkansas. During all these years he has
kept his school up to the standard in every particu
lar. His teachers have caught something of his
spirit of service and give freely of their time and
energies during off hours.
Professor Trent was born in Columbus, Ohio,
February 24, 1859. Fortunate for him he was in a
section, where even in those days a boy of color
could have some chance at an education. So from
the age of six to twenty-three he attended school
in his native state. He graduated from the Ger
man High School of Columbus and then entered the
Ohio State University. From this institution he
was graduated in 1882. In seeking for a place
where he could best serve his people in the capacity
of school master, he left his native state and went
to Missouri. Here for one year he taught and then
having received the opening at Fort Smith, Arkan
sas, he gave up his work in Missouri and went to
Arkansas. Here he has remained, teaching in the
school room and out of it both young and old,
some of the lessons from books and many of the
fundamental lessons of life.
Professor Trent did not confine his work to the
town of Fort Smith. He saw the need of a State
Teachers Association for the colored teachers of
Arkansas, and became one of the prime movers in
organizing this body. That through this act alone
Professor Trent has served the entire State of Ar
kansas, can not well be disputed. All the teachers
through this organization have been brought up to
a higher standard of teaching. All of them know
more fully just what they are trying to do for the
boys and girls, who come directly under their care.
In this way has the influence of Professor Trent
been broadened.
In religious affiliation the subject of this sketch
is a stanch Baptist. He is an active member
of the Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Smith.
In this church he has held many responsible posi
tions. He has served as deacon, as clerk, as a lead
er of the young people's organization and as Su
perintendent of the Sunday School. Through the
Sunday School, Professor Trent has been able to
touch the lives of his pupils from the standpoint of
religion, and because of this he has been able to
help develop well rounded young men and women.
In fraternal Orders he is also a man of promi-
.nence. He was for seventeen years Secretary of
the Odd Fellows Benefit Association. He is C. C.
of the Knights of Pythias, he is a member of the
Masonic Order, he is H. H. R., of the Eastern Star,
a member of the Mosiac Templars and of the Roy
al Arch Masons. Through these organizations,
Professor Trent has come more directly in contact
with the men and women of his adopted town. And
so we see that his life has touched the lives of the
people of Fort Smith, from many different points.
In return for all the things he has done for the peo
ple of Fort Smith, they have given him honor in
many particulars. He has held positions of honor
and trust in the churches, fraternal orders and
in the Sociological Congress.
Professor Trent was married to Miss Hattie S.
Smith, August 25, 1886, in Columbus, Ohio. There
are two children in the Trent family. E. E. Trent
is in business for himself in Fort Smith. He is a
very successful merchant. Alphonso Trent is still
a student. He is in the Lincoln High School at
Fort Smith.
During all the years that he has been out working
for himself, Professor Trent has managed to accu
mulate considerable of this worlds goods. He
owns thirty-two rent houses and a truck farm. A
conservative estimate of the value of his holdings
is placed at $50.000.00.
108
BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
TLANTA University is one of the
pioneer institutions for the Chris
tian education of Negro youth.
It possesses excellent equipment
for the work of high school,
normal school and college classes,
and has accommodations for one
hundred and sixty boarding stu
dents. It is the first institution in the State of
Georgia to undertake work of college grade for
Negroes, and steadily emphasizes the importance
of genuine scholarship. It enjoys the cumulative
advantage which results fro mforty-nine years of
continuous effective work. It has been unusually
fortunate in the continuity of its administration.
It was founded in 1865 under the auspices of the
American Missionary Association, by Edmund Asa
Ware. It was presided over by him until his
death, in 1885. President Ware was a graduate
of Yale University of the class of 1863. In 1875
his Yale classmate Horace Bumstead, succeeded
to the presidency and held the position until 1907,
when he resigned, and became the recipient of a
Carnegie penson. His successor is Edward Twichell
Ware, son of the founder and first president, a
graduate of Yale University of the class of 1897.
On the teaching force, there have always been, as
there are now, men and women who have received
the best education that this country affords.
Among the colleges represented by the teachers
are Harvard, Dartmouth, Chicago, Smith, and
Wellesley.
The University is beautifully situated upon the
summit of a hill in the Western part of the City of
Atlanta, and is surrounded by a campus of sixty
acres. There are seven substantial brick buildings,
three of them covered with Boston Ivy. The value
of the property, all told, is $300.000. The invested
funds amount to about $125,000. For the proper
maintenance of the work, about $39,000 is required
each year in addition to the amount reasonably to
be expected from payments of students and income
from funds. For this extra amount the Institution
depends upon the endowment of friends who give
from year to year.
Instruction in domestic science and manual train
ing is required of all the high school students and
there are opportunities for pursuing this work
further in the college course of mechanic arts and
in the Furber Cottage for the normal students.
The normal course comprises two years following
the high school course.
During the Senior year the girls live in the Fur
ber Cottage in groups of fifteen and under the su
pervision of the matron, do all the work of the
home.
The Institution also possesses a well equipped
printing office, from which is issued the catalogue,
the school and alumni papers. Here, there is an
opportunity to learn the art of printing. It is the
purpose of Atlanta University to make the home
life in the school strong and wholesome.
There is probably no school for the Negroes in
the South better equipped with facilities for home
training, for library work, or for the preparation
of teachers. This institution has also been long
prominent for the excellence of its work in sociol
ogy. Its annual publications on the Negro prob
lem have received wide recognition from scholars
and may be found in the best libraries in this coun
try and abroad.
Opportunities for Post Graduate Study leading
to the degree of A. M. are offered to a limited ex
tent ,
There are enrolled over five hundred students.
About two-thirds of them come up the hill every
day from the City of Atlanta. The rest are in the
boarding department and represent sixteen states,
and thirty-nine counties in the State of Georgia.
These young people are many of them children of
the graduates of Atlanta University and most of
them have received their training in schools over
which the graduates preside.
This Institution is an outgrowth of the Christian
spirit which brought so many earnest and devoted
teachers South, in the educational crusade of the
sixties and seventies. The work is essentially
Christian. It is undenominational and strong in
religious motive. Students attend church and
Sunday school. They also have their voluntary
: eligious organizations, the Y. M. C. A., and Y. W.
C A. Participation in the religious exercises and
in the home life of the school has often been in
strumental in molding the character of the student
for the most efficient service among their people.
The chief source of encouragement for the work
rests in the almost uniform success of the grad
uates of Atlanta University.
109
MRS. ROSA LULA BARNES.
N recent years the Negro woman
has begun to find herself. Time
was when both by herself and in
the minds of the general public it
was decided, yea determined, that
her place was in the home, in the
school room and in the Sunday School. Gradually
she got into founding institutions, schools, so
cial settlements and the like. She went on the lec
ture platform. She traveled in America and in Eu
rope as a singer. In all these places she found her
self a complete success.
Then a few ventured into unheard of fields — into
politics and in business. Again success is crowning
their endeavors. Why should they not enter any
and all branches of work?
One of the leading Negro women in business, in
^odge, and general social work is Mrs. Lula Barnes
of Savannah, Georgia. Though an Alabamian by
birth and education Mrs. Barnes is a Georgian by
adoption and achievement. She was born in Hunts-
ville, Alabama, near the scene of the labors of the
late Dr. Council. Born August 22nd, 1868, she had
many difficulties in getting an early education.
However, Huntsville Normal and Industrial Insti
tute was near at hand; and so after several years
she entered here and gained her life training.
Soon after her school days she was married and
set about to make a happy home and to aid her
husband in every possible way. Providence deem
ed it otherwise. Spurred by adversity, she now be
gan to cast about for a livelihood. Living in Sa
vannah, she thought she saw an opening for a Ne
gro grocery. She thought also that a Negro wo
man should just as well conduct this business as
could a man. Hence she launched forth into the
business. She opened a store on Price Street, and
by courtesy, fair dealing and shrewd business tact
made her store one to be reckoned with in the
business world. For ten years she was a grocer,
and gave up, or sold out, only to enter other fields.
The grocery business proving very confining, and
an opportunity opening for her services in lodge
work, she closed her grocery books in 1893, and ac
cepted work with the Court of Calanthe. She be
came Grand Worthy Counsellor of the Court of
Calanthe and of the Knights of Pythias. The post
with the latter she still hollds.
During her ten years in business Mrs. Barnes
had practiced economy. She now made several
paying investments. She bought a handsome resi
dence, which is her home, on East Henry Street.
She bought twelve rent houses, which in them
selves provide her with a pretty comfortable in
come. She owns five vacant lots in Savannah.
Having made these investments, which were safe
and which would protect her in case of inability,
she felt safe in placing money in several worthy
enterprises. She owns stock and is a director in
the Wage Earner's Bank of Savannah, in the
Standard Life Insurance Company, in the Afro-
American Company and in the Union Development
Company.
Mrs. Barnes now gives her life very largely to
service in lodges and in the church. She is a mem
ber of the A. M. E. Church, of the Court of Calan
the, of the Household of Ruth, of the Eastern Star,
of the Good Samaritan. She has been honored
with the post of Grand Worthy Chancellor of the
Court of Calanthe of Georgia ; Supreme Worthy
Inspector of the National Court of Calanthe ; Past
District Most Noble Governor of Georgia : Past
Grand Worthy Superior of the Household of Ruth ;
and Past Grand Matron of the Eastern Star.
With these honorary positions, with the duties
and responsibilities entailed, Mrs. Barnes has
traveled in all parts of the United States. There
are few people and places in the country, about
which she cannot give a very intimate account.
Mrs. Barnes was married to Mr. Richard Barnes
at Savannah, Aug. 16th, 1884. Mr. Barnes died in
Sept. 2nd, 1911. Left alone Mrs. Barnes has de
voted her life to making bright the every day lives
of others.
110
HENRY RUTHERFORD BUTLER, M. D.
NE of the conspicuous figures in
colored Georgia during this last
quarter century has been Dr. H.
R. Butler. He has been the ex
ponent in business enterprises and
in uplift work and has been :>. sort
of sponsor for the good name of Atlanta to the
world. To him, being a physician is but an item
in his career. He is a strong church man, being a
member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and a steward in the Bethel Church of Atlanta.
In membership and activity in secret orders as
well as in national bodies, few men anywhere are
his peers. He is a thirty-third degree Mason. More
than this he is the Grand Master of the Maso*is of
Georgia, a post he has held for fifteen years. Hi; is
also a Royal Arch Mason and Past Eminent Grand
Commander of Georgia. He is an Odd Fellow, a
Knight of Pythias, being a Brigadier General of
the Uniform Department and Supreme representa
tive of this body. He is a member of the Eastern
Star and Court of Calanthe. He belongs to the
Red Cross Society and to the National Georgraph-
ical Society. He was surgeon, with rank of first
lieutenant in the Second Battalion of Georgia Vol
unteers until that battalion was mustered out in
1896.
He organized the colored Medical Association of
Georgia in 1891 and was its first president. He was
for four years, physician to Spelman Seminary, the
largest school in the world for Negro girls. He
was one of the organizers of the Atlanta State Sav
ings Bank and is now one of its directors. He was
the first regular Negro contributor to the Atlanta
Constitution. He is manager of the Fair Haven In
firmary of the M. B. U.
Amazing as all this work may appear, it becomes
more so when it is known that Dr. Butler gained
his education by the hardest of struggle. He was
born in the country in a log cabin, in Cumberland
County, North Carolina, April 11, 1861. The spot of
his birth place is some four miles from Fayette-
ville, on the Willington Road. The first few years
of his life, he worked on the farm as a laborer.
Then he moved to Wilmington and became a wharf
hand, then a stevedore. From here he went into
the lumber yard as a workman, thence to the Wil
mington Compress Company, for whom he finally
became a cotton buyer.
All this time he was carrying a burning desire to
be educated, to become a man and hold positions
of trust and responsibility. To be sure he had but
little to book on or build on. Back there in Cum
berland he had enjoyed three months schooling in
a log cabin school house. His parents could give
him no more. To pay his way he worked as bell
boy, waiter, side waiter and finally head waiter in
the Northern Hotels. His mother sent him one
green back dollar, while he was in school. The
rest, for both his elementary, college and profes
sional education, he raised himself.
Completing his course in the study of medicine,
Dr. Butler went to Atlanta in 1890 and began to
practice medicine and to become a part of the life
in Atlanta and in Georgia. In his profession he
ranks foremost and enjoys a very wide practice in
Atlanta and surroundings. In company with Dr.
T. H. Slater, he was owner of the flourishing Drug
Store under the name of Butler, Slater and Com
pany. Dr. Butler is one of the leading property
owners in Atlanta. He owns a very handsome
home, owns other property in Atlanta, in Southern
Georgia, and in Lincoln, property and buildings
which amount in value to twenty-five thousand
dollars.
Dr. Butler was married May 2nd, 1893, to Miss
Selana May Sloan. They have one son, Henry
Rutherford, Junior, who is at present a student in
Atlanta University, but who is to attend and be
graduated from the Harvard Divinity School in
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Butler family of three has traveled much.
Dr. Butler himself has crossed the American Con
tinent, indeed is a registered physician in Califor
nia, and in Los Angeles. He and his family have
traveled through Canada and Europe, where he
spent much time in study in the hospitals of London
and Paris.
Ill
BISHOP RANDALL ALBERT CARTER
A. B., A. M., D. D.
ISHOP Randall A. Carter of the C.
M. E. Church, in his early years,
planned to enter the law, but
thanks to an early conversion and
a deep interest in religious mat
ters growing out of this, he
changed his plans, and became a minister instead.
Bishop Carter was born in Fort Valley, Georgia,
January 1, 1867; but while still a small child he
moved with his parents to Columbia, South Caro
lina. Here in Columbia he attended the public
schools, applying himself to all the tasks that were
set for him. He completed the common schools of
his home and was ready for higher training, at the
time of the founding of the Allen University, in
Columbia, S. C. So, instead of going away to col
lege he was fortunate enough to have the college
come to him. Bishop Carter was among the first
students to matriculate in the University. He re
mained in Allen University long enough to com
plete the Freshman Class.
While studying in this school he was converted
during a great revival. It was not long after this
that he felt a call to the ministry and so he joined
the South Carolina Conference of the C. M. E.
Church. Bishop Wm. H. Willis, of Louisville, Ken
tucky, was the presiding officer at the Conference
at the time Bishop Carter joined.
Bishop Carter, as a minister, served many im
portant charges both in South Carolina, and in
Georgia. While working in Georgia, Bishop Car
ter completed his full college course at Payne Col
lege. He graduated with the degree of A. B., with
the highest honors. For a number of years the
subject of this sketch served as presiding Elder in
the Georgia Conference. He was the confidential
advisor of Bishop Holsey for many years and was
the recognized leader of the Georgia Conference,
of the C. M. E. Church. He was elected chairman
of the delegation from his conference to the gen
eral conference for twenty years in succession. He
was the first Epworth League Secretary of that
department of his church. He was the fraternal
delegate from his church to the general conference
of the M. E. Church, held in Chicago, Illinois. He
was a member of the delegation from his church
to the Ecumenical Conference of Methodism, heM
in London, England. While abroad, Bishop Carter
took advantage of the opportunity and visited
many of the countries of Europe.
In 1914 in St. Louis, Mo., he was elected a Bishop
of his church. At this time Bishop Carter received
the highest vote ever given any aspirant for that
position. Thus Bishop Carter has come from the
ranks to the highest position in the gift of his
church. Starting as a school teacher, who wanted
to be a preacher, joining the conference and serv
ing first small and then larger charges, he has
developed wonderfully in this time. In recognition
of his growth and development he was given the
degree of A. M. in 1900 and of D. D. in 1901. Both
of these came from his Alma Mater.
Bishop Carter is recognized as one of the fore
most orators and most scholarly preachers in his
church. He is a member of the National Geogra
phic Society, the National Association for the Ad
vancement of the Colored People. A member of
the committee on Church and Country Life of the
Federal Council of Churches, and a member of the
Association for the Study of Negro Life and His
tory. Bishop Carter has held and served in many
other positions which are honorary and which work
for the public good. Among those in which he
is still actively engaged we might mention that he
is President of the Board of Missions of the C. M.
V.. Church, President of the Board of Trustees, of
the Texas College of Hagood, Arkansas, and of the
Indiana College, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Bishop Carter has traveled extensively in this
country and abroad. He has covered this country
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He owns pro
perty, in the District of Columbia, in Columbia,
South Carolina, and in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1891, on the 22nd of April, Bishop Carter was
married to Miss Janie S. Hooks, of Macon, Georgia.
There is one child in the family, Miss Carrie Car
ter, who is a freshman in Atlanta University.
Born of poor parents, we might say born in real
poverty, Randall Albert Carter has made a good
record for himself during his half century. His
is a life that will lend inspiration.
112
SILAS X. FLOYD, A. M., D. D.
D
ILAS X. Floyd was born Octo
ber 2nd, 1869, in the City of Au
gusta, Georgia, and here he has
lived tor the greater part of his
• life. During his childhood period
it was hard tor a colored youth to
secure a thorough education, but Dr. Floyd was an
exception. He secured a good education but
through close application to his studies and a de
termination to succeed. When a lad he attended
the schools of his native city and then entered At
lanta University. He graduated at this institution
in 1891, and in 1894 received his M. A. degree from
his Alma Mater. Finishing his course he returned
to Augusta, Georgia, where he immediately began
and has continued a marvelously active life. An
enumeration of his activities seems almost in
credible that one man could accomplish so much
and retain his health and strength. But Dr. Floyd
is an unusual man. Dr. Floyd is first a preacher
and from 1899 to 1900 he was the Pastor of the
Augusta Tabernacle Baptist Church. Prior to
this, from 1891 to 1896, he was principal of the
Public School and editor of the Augusta Sentinel.
From 1896 to 1899 he was field representative of
the International Sunday School Association, and
113
from 1900 to February, 1903, he was field worker
for Georgia and Alabama for the American Bap
tist Publication Society. Since that time he has
served continuously as Principal of the Public
School of his native city.
Dr. Floyd has many gifts but the two which are
preeminent are those of teacher and author. By
means of these he has left an impress upon the
colored citizens of Augusta, and in fact the entire
country, which will tell for the good of the race
for ages to come.
For many years he has conducted every Sunday
morning a colored people's page in each of the two
white daily newspapers published in Augusta. He
has also held the unique position of being a paid
reporter on two Southern white papers in the same
city. This has given him a great local power to
help his people. But Dr. Floyd has not confined his
work to the school room, nor to the pen. His great
heart embraces the whole colored race and he is
interested in all efforts for their uplift. To this
end he has served as Secretary of the National As
sociation of Teachers in Colored schools ; he was
the President of the first Negro State Press Asso
ciation, in the United States, for Colored Newspa
pers ; he was the originator of a system of syndica
ting the news among colored newspapers ; he is a
member of the Walker Baptist Institute, Augusta ;
he is a member of the American Historical Asso
ciation, and a member of the American Social
Science Association. In these various organiza
tions he has come face to face with many of the
problems of the race and has done his share towards
the adjustment of them.
Dr. Floyd's writings have been voluminous and
have been extensively read. He has made contri
butions to such well known periodicals as the New
York Independent. Youth's Companion, Lippin-
cctts, Judge, and Leslie's Weekly. He is the au
thor of "Floyd's Flowers," a booko of stories for
colored children, the first book of its kind ever
published in the history of the race in the United
States. He has also written the "life of C. T. Wal-^
ker," the "Gospel of Service and other Sermons,"
and a number of stories and verses which have ap
peared from time to time in the leading papers and
magazines of the country.
Dr. Floyd has made his contribution to the civic
life of Augusta, and has rendered valuable service
to the commonwealth on many occasions. In re
cognition of his invaluable aid in relief work, fol
lowing the great fire which swept Augusta, the
Chairman of the White Relief Committee publicly
presented him with a beautiful gold watch and fob.
During the war which has happily come to a close,
Dr. Floyd was conspicious for his patriotic service
and was placed at the head of many of the commit
tees which this service called into existence.
Space alone prevents further record of his ach
ievements. A fitting end is to speak of his happy
home life. His family consists of a wife, (for
merly Mrs. Ella Jam'es,) and a daughter, Miss
Marietta James, who are in perfect accord and
sympathy with him and in their own home they
present the ideal family circle.
BENJAMIN JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Benjamin Jefferson Davis
R. Benjamin Jefferson Davis, the
subject of this sketch, was born
in Dawson, Georgia, in 1870. He
passed his childhood under the
usual disadvantages of the Negro
child in those days. He was
born with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and
with an ambition and will to do whatever his hands
found to do better than anybody else could do it.
His longing to render service for his race and man
kind ripened, and accordingly he resolved to acquire
an education that would fit him for life's work ; and
he entered Atlanta University and availed himself
of every opportunity to better his condition. As
a student he was brilliant and showed unmistaka
bly the elements of leadership, which has made him
a leader of men. As success marked his efforts, he
never forgot to appreciate the friends who encour
aged and helped him to prepare himself for the
task which he had mapped out.
After spending several terms in Atlanta Univer
sity, he decided to teach school to aid him in his
preparation and to secure the amount of money
necessary to carry out what he had undertaken and
planned for the future. Meanwhile, he was ten
dered a government position which he accepted ;
but it was not long before he felt that he could bet
ter serve his race and generation by giving up the
government service and taking up work more in
keeping with his Life's ambition. But he had the
foresight to see that there were great possibilities
for racial development in the G. U. O. O. F., in
America. He joined the Order at seventeen. His
mother, Mrs. Katherine Davis, who was very much
devoted to her boy, partly kept up his dues during
the time he was attending school. He rose rapidly
in the Order and became a Past officer in 1891, and
a member of the District Grand Lodge in 1892;
he was elected District Grand Treasurer in 1900;
was elected Grand Director of the National Branch
of the Order, in Columbus, Ohio, in 1904, and serv
ed two years. He was elected Grand Treasurer of
the National Branch in 1906 at Richmond, Va.,
which position he filled four years. He was elected
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Order in
Baltimore in 1910, and served four year. In 1917,
at the Macon District Grand Lodge, he was again
re-elected District Grand Secretary for the Eighth
Biennial term, making sixteen years ; and he was
elected General Manager of the Corporation of the
G. U. O. O. F. of America, Jurisdiction of Geor
gia. In 1916, when the Order was placed in the
hands of a Receiver by the courts, he, on account
of his signal ability, and intricate knowledge of the
affairs of the Order was appointed by the court as
Assistant Receiver.
He is a member of the K. of P., Supreme Circle,
Knights of Tabor, a Director of the Standard Life
Insurance Company, Stockholder of the Atlanta
State Savings Bank and President of the Atlanta
Independent Publishing Company — publishers of
the Atlanta Independent.
In politics, he is a Republican, and is usually one
of the Big Four Delegates from the State-at-large
to the Republican National Convention every four
years. At the 19th Republican National Conven
tion he was a member of the Committee on Plat
form and Resolutions of which Senator Henry Ca
bot Lodge of Massachusetts, was the Chairman.
The strongest institution in which Mr. Davis is
interested, and the one which wields a world of
good for both races, is the Atlanta Independent. As
owner and editor of this widely read and circulated
journal, he shapes ks policy and is considered one
of the ablest journalists and writers of his day.
It is impossible to discuss the Negro progress in
America without mentioning "Ben Davis" and the
Odd Fellows Block in Atlanta, which stands as a
monument to his vision, perseverance and organ
izing genius. He is essentially an organizer and
leader of men. Twenty years ago when he be
came officially identified with the G. U. O. O. F.
in Georgia, it represented a membership of less
than 10,000 and as a state organization, it was
struggling and gasping for breath, so to speak. To
day the membership is more than fifty thousand,
including the Household of Ruth, Juveniles, Divis
ion Meeting and Deputy and Supervisor's Institute.
When Mr. Davis took charge of the office of
District Grand Secretary, he addressed himself to
the task of re-constructing the Order and placing
it upon a substantial basis. His first efforts were
to systematize the business of the office and build
up confidence in the Order in the minds of the
people. This having been accomplished, he felt
that the time was propitious to have a strong or
gan in the State of Georgia with which to give
publicity to the work and the benefit of the Or
der, and widen the circle of the Race's influence.
Out of this idea sprang the Atlanta Independent,
which, from the beginning, was a popular and fear
less sheet and exerted a powerful influence for
good not only in Georgia, but throughout the coun
try — and today the Independent is the most wide
ly read Negro paper in America and is read by
white and black people alike.
In his struggles for the erection of the present
Odd Fellow Block on Auburn Avenue in the City
of Atlanta in the year 1912, the story will never be
115
known in its entirety ; for only God and Mr. Davis
alone know in the broadest sense the fiery ordeals
through which he passed. Even those who were
most intimately associated with him do not know
as he did, for in many respects, "He trod the wine
press alone." Mr. Davis conceived the idea in the
erection of the Odd Fellow Block that every mem
ber of the Order in Georgia give $1.00 as a Free-
Will offering on Thanksgiving Day, May 14, 1911.
As a result of this idea over $50,000 was raised in
one day. The Block was completed at a cost of
more than $300,000 without a dollar of incum-
brance upon it.
When you think of Benjamin Jefferson Davis,
you think of three things — The Atlanta Indepen
dent, The growth of the Odd Fellows and the Odd
Fellows' Block in Atlanta, Ga. The paper speaks
for itself — it is the most aggressive and influen
tial paper published in the country for Negro peo
ple. No paper is more eagerly sought-for and
more widely read than the Atlanta Independent. Of
his work among the Odd Fellows, his chief distinc
tion arises from putting the organization on a
business basis and extending the membership in a
little more than ten years in the State of Georgia,
from 10,000 to 50,000; from a depleted treasury to
an accumulated wealth of $600,000, carrying a cash
balance of $50,000.
But, perhaps, his crowning achievement in con
nection with his great work with the G. U. O. O. F.,
is the establishment of the Bureau of Endowment
for widows and orphans, who, until this time had
been left destitute at the death of their husbands
and fathers. He, therefore, put through an amend
ment whereby every member must carry a death
benefit of not less than $200.00 and not more than
$500.00. The effect of this act has been far-reach
ing and has laid a broad foundation upon which the
Race can build for all time to come. It has been
the forerunner for many other institutions of the
Race — such as banks, insurance companies, first-
class professional offices and hundreds of business
places for young men and women of the Race.
He was happily married August, 1898, to Miss
Jimme W. Porter of Dawson, Ga., and their home
has been blessed with two children — a boy, B. J.
Davis, Jr., and a girl, Johnnie Katherine.
Mr. Davis is less than fifty years old and is in
the very prime of his intellectual and physical pow
ers. He is ambitious, gifted and determined. He
knows no such thing as "can't" and never ceases
until the thing undertaken is put "Over the top."
It is not too much to say that he is one of the
Race's greatest leaders. He is today the greatest
exponent of the principles of Odd Fellowship in
America. He is a National character and a born
leader.
The race's greatest constructive and economic
contribution to the national growth is Odd Fellow
Block, 200 Auburn Ave., between Bell and Butler
Streets, Atlanta, Georgia.
Odd Fellow Block, which consists of two large
buildings, is the largest and the most up-to-date of
fice building owned by the Race in America. These
vast properties were erected in 1912 and 1913 by
District Grand Lodge No. 18, G. U. O. O. F., of Am
erica, Jurisdiction of Georgia, a corporation. The
corporation consists of fifty thousand male and fe
male members of G. U. O. O. F., of America, Jur
isdiction of Georgia. The main building is known
as Odd Fellow Building and is located on the
northeast corner of Auburn Avenue and Bell
Street, and is seven stories high above the ground.
The building consists of six stores, fifty-six offices,
three lodge rooms and the roof garden. The roof
garden will seat and accommodate one thousand
people. It is the largest and the most modern roof
garden in the country, adapted to use all seasons
of the year — sanitary, ventilated and heated by the
most modern systems. The lodge rooms are oc
cupied by many of the different secret Orders in
the city. The offices are used by such substantial
concerns as the Standard Life Insurance Company,
Atlanta Mutual Insurance Company, Chatham Mu
tual Insurance Company, Atlanta State Savings
Bank, District Grand Lodge No. 18, G. U. O. O. F.,
of America, Jurisdiction of Georgia, The N. C. Mu
tual & Provident Association and the Masonic Re
lief Association. The main building fronts Auburn
Avenue 60 feet, and runs north on Bell Street one
hundred feet.
The Odd Fellow Auditorium and Office Build
ing is situated on the corner of Auburn Avenue
and Butler Street, facing Auburn Avenue 138
feet front, and consists of eight stores, eighteen
offices and the Odd Fellow Auditorium Theatre.
The building is two stories high, and the offices
on the second floor are occupied almost entirely by
the leading colored physicians of the city. The
stores are always rented ; the Gate City Drug Store
occupies the corner. This great property of the
Order was erected at a cost to the Corporation, in
cluding the land, quite $400,000 and is today valued
at a half million dollars. The Order contributes to
the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta $5,000
in taxes each year on its holdings.
More than two hundred and fifty young men and
women are engaged in the various enterprises, do
ing business in the Odd Fellow Block. This invest
ment is a paying proposition, netting to the Or
der — above operating expenses — each year $10,000
which is credited to the Endowment Fund, guar
anteeing the payment of the Death Benefit Certifi
cates held by the members of the Order throughout
the Jurisdiction. This, the greatest contribution of
the Race to the National growth, argues most
largely its possibilities and is due entirely to the
leadership of the District Grand Secretary, Benja
min Jefferson Davis, and stands as a monument to
hi.-; energy, push and pluck.
116
ODD FELLOWS BLOCK, MAI M BUILDING, ATLANTA, GA.
CHARLES HENRY DOUGLASS.
N Macon, Georgia, there is an up-
to date negro theatre, one of the
few negro theatres of any kind to
be owned and managed by a Ne
gro. It was built in 1911, with
modern appliances. It has a seat
ing capacity of 330 and is sanitary throughout.
It has both oscilating and exhaust fans to keep
the air within pure and the building sanitary.
This enterprise is the work of Charles Henry
Douglass, who in this way has made provision
for the recreation and pleasure of his people. Here
every afternoon and evening the tired housewife,
servant or laborer can drop in and enjoy a pleas
ant hour without embarrassment or discrimina
tion. Seeing an opportunity for a Negro amuse
ment house in Macon, he leased in 1904, the Oc-
mulgee Park Theatre, which he operated for two
years, when he sold his lease and purchased a lot
on Broadway and erected the Colonial Hotel, a
three story brick building, which stands on this
business thoroughfare in the midst of the big bus
iness of the city. The building cost eighteen
thousand dollars ($18,000), and is the only piece
of property on Broadway to be owned by a Ne-
118
gro. While operating his hotel, Mr. Douglass or
ganized a theatrical company of about thirty-five
of forty colored people and traveled with his com
pany through fourteen states, giving performances
in many cities, winning favorable patronage which
established his reputation and earned him much
money. Selling out his interest in the Theatrical
Company he added the proceeds to other funds and
erected the "Douglas Theatre." This theatre he
operates entirely with Negro help. He has the
only Negro picture operator permitted to operate
a machine in the State of Georgia. In contemplat
ing a successful man it is interesting to note the
steps by which he climbed the ladder of success.
We will go back now and trace the history of Mr.
Douglass from his childhood days.
Mr. Douglass was born in Macon, Georgia, in
1870 and reared in comparative poverty, his parents
being very poor. Necessity laid upon him the bur
den of money making from early life, in fact from
the time that he could earn a penny. His first job
was to peddle light wood and vegetables. To this
work he devoted his mornings but attended the
public school in the afternoon. He chopped cotton
when he was so small that he had to saw off the
hoe handle so that he might wield the hoe. When
fourteen years of age he left the cotton patch and
went to the city. Here he secured a position as
buggy boy for a physician, and received as wages,
Six Dollars, ($6.00) per month.
This position he held until the death of his fa
ther. When his father died the support of his
mother and two sisters fell upon his shoulders.
Without flinching he assumed the responsibility
and set himself to the task.
He realized that he could not meet the demands
of the family upon the small wages that he was
receiving, so he gave up his position of buggy boy
and sought employment in other lines. He se
cured work as a day laborer, finding employment
in a saw mill, where he received seventy-seven
(77) cents per day. Here he labored until he
found an opening where the wages were larger.
From the saw mill he returned to Macon, where
he entered a box factory, earning wages of from
$1.75 to $2.00 per day. It cost him five dollars to
get this job.
While working as a laborer with his hands his
mind was working upon a plan to start a business
of his own, and to this end he began to save his
money. When he had saved twenty-four dollars
($24), he was ready for his venture. With this
small capital he opened a bicycle repair shop, which
continued to grow until the auto made its appear
ance. This was the beginning of his business ca
reer, but very far from being its end.
When the automobile bid for popular favor the
COLONIAL HOTEL AND DOUGLASS THEATRE
bicycle had to take a back seat so he took time by
the forelock and disposed of his repair shop and
entered another line of endeavor.
He next entered the Real Estate business which
he conducted with marked success.
Ne never shirked the responsibility which his
father's death placed upon him, but cared for his
mother and sisters with devotion and loyalty which
made their paths smooth and pleasant.
When his mother died he remained the devoted
brother and supported and looked after the inter
ests of his two sisters until they married and made
homes for themselves. He not only supported
them but gave them the advantages of education
which contributed to their pleasure and usefulness
in life.
When he worked at the saw mill he often saw
the porters and waiters in the Pullman car ser
vice and was -deeply impressed at the smug and
satisfied air they exhibited, and the spirit of con
tentment that seemed to possess them. He also
noted that they were well dressed. Thus uncon
sciously they inspired in him the desire to have
good clothes and to enjoy their seemingly spirit
of contentment.
This desire he has realized far beyond his fond
est hopes and aspirations. With him to desire is
the determination to attain and determination and
energy usually brought -him the coveted reward.
His personal appearance while not gaudy was
always attractive and he is what may be termed a
well dressed man. Mr. Douglass has always de
pended upon himself and all his moves originated
with himself and he paid for any and all assistance
he received. He never put himself in the attitude
of a beggar. When he secured the position in the
box factory he paid one of the laborers therein to
recommend him and he has followed that policy
through all his business career. He attributes his
success in a large measure to this principle.
Another element in his character which helped
in his successful career was his power to discern
a need and the grit to venture. If he saw a need it
was to him an opportunity and opportunity found
in him a willing follower.
Air. Douglass has acquired considerable proper
ty. In addition to his hotel and theatre he owns
thirty tenement houses, which contain from three
to eight rooms, two pressed brick stores with flats
in second story ; these are in the Broadway block
and the flats rent for $140 per month. He has a
thirty acre farm just outside of Macon where he
raises Duroc and Berkshire hogs , truck, fruit and
game chickens.
Mr. Douglass was married in 1902 to Miss Fan
nie Appling of Macon, Georgia. Six children make
up the Douglass family, Winna, Marsenia, Charles
Henry, Jr., Peter, Carro and Lilly. His close atten
tion to business matters did not lessen his interest
in his family life and he endeavored to make his
home attractive and comfortable. Recently he
built an attractive bungalow for his family. Here
he finds his greatest relaxation from business cares.
It is not surprising that a man who was such a
good son and brother should make an ideal hus
band and father. The importance he felt for the
education of his sisters, which he accomplished,
under the stress of poverty, he now feels for his
children and being in a financial condition to give
them a good education he plans to fit them for use
ful and honorable positions in life. He is a living
illustration of what a man with a vision and a
strong will can do in brushing aside difficulties to
reach his goal.
RESIDENCE OF C. H. DOUGLASS.
119
IUSHOP JOSEPH SIMEON FLIPPER, D. D., LL. D.
Bishop Joseph Simeon Flipper
OR nearly forty years Bishop Jo
seph Simeon Flipper, of the A. M.
E. Church, has been a leader in
the South ; a leader in education,
in religion, and in organizations
ot uplift for the American Negro.
Born Feb. 22, 1859, in the days
of slavery, and educated amidst
the confusion of reconstruction, he has risen from
school teacher to pastor, from pastor to dean, then
college president, and finally to Bishop.
In 1867, when the Northern Missionaries came
South, he attended school in Bethel A. M. E.
Church. From here he went to the Storrs School
on Houston street. In October, 1869, he enrolled
among the first students to enter the Atlanta Uni
versity, where he remained until 1876. In the sum
mer of this year he began teaching school at
Thomaston, Georgia. He was converted in March
1877, and joined St. Thomas, A. M. E. Church. In
1877 and 1878 he taught school in Thomas County
In 1879 he was commissioned by his Excellency,
Governor Alford H. Colquitt, Captain of the Thom-
asville Independants, a colored company forming
a part of the State Militia. In the same year he
taught school at Groverville, now Key, Brooks
County, Georgia. Here he was licensed both as
an exhorter and local preacher, and recommended
by the local church for admission into the Georgia
Annual Conference of the African Methodist Epis
copal Church. In January, 1880, he was received
into the itinerant ministry of the Georgia Confer
ence at Americus, Georgia, by Bishop J. P. Camp
bell, and assigned to the Groverville Circuit. He
was ordained Deacon in January, 1882, in St. Tho
mas A. .M E. Church, Thomasville, the same
church in which he was converted and which he
joined in 1877. Here he was elected Secretary of
the Georgia Conference, and a Trustee of Morris
Brown College. He was appointed to Darien,
Georgia, in 1882. The next year he taught school
at Cairo and Whigham, Georgia. In 1884, he was
ordained Elder at Valdosta, and appointed to Quit-
man. Remaining here until January, 1886, he was
transferred from the Georgia Conference to the
North Georgia Conference, and appointed to Be
thel A. M. E. Church, on Wheat Street, Atlanta.
This was the largest church in the State and he
was the youngest man that had ever been appoint
ed to such an important charge in the State. His
mother had been a member of this church, he had
attended its Sunday School when a boy, and had
first learned his alphabet here. He remained here
four years, the full limit of the law, and raised
more Dollar Money than had ever been raised, not
only in the history of this church, but of the entire
State. It was here in 1886, he became one of the
Dollar Money Kings of the entire connection, for
which he was honored with a gold badge, making
a record which stood for a quarter of a century be
fore any other pastor exceeded it. From Bethel he
was appointed pastor of Pierce Chapel A. M. E.
Church, Athens.
In 1891, he was elected delegate to the Gen
eral Conference which met in Philadelphia ,Pa.,
in May, 1892. It was in this same year that he
121
was appointed by Bishop A. Grant, Presiding El
der of the Athens district. Two years later Allen
University, Columbia, S. C. conferred upon him the
title of Doctor of Divinity. Remaining in the Ath
ens District three years, he was appointed pastor
of Allen Temple, Atlanta. This was in 1895, the
same year he was elected delegate to the General
Conference, which met in Wilmington, N. C., May
1896. In 1899 he was elected leader of the delega
tion of the North Georgia Conference, to the Gen
eral Conference which met in Columbus, Ohio, May
1900. It was at this conference that he was elec
ted Chairman of the Episcopal Committee, the
most important committee of the General Confer
ence. At this General Conference, also, he was
appointed a member of the Financial Board, which
has the oversight of all money raised by the church.
In 1899 he was appointed pastor of St. Paul, A. M.
E. Church, Atlanta, serving four years. In 1903
he was elected by the Trustee Board of Morris
Brown College, Dean of the Theological Depart
ment, where he served one year. The year, 1903.
saw him elected leader of the delegation of the At
lanta, Georgia Conference to the General Confer
ence, which met at Chicago, 111., May 1904. Here
again he was elected Chairman of the Episcopal
Committee, which committee for his faithful ser
vice, presented him with a large silver loving cup.
He was again appointed a member of the Financial
Board. Upon his return home he was elected by
the Trustee Board, President of Morris Brown Col
lege, and enrolled the largest number of students
in the school's history. This position he held for
four years. In 1906, Wilberforce University, Ohio,
conferred on him the title of Doctor of Laws.
In 1908, at the General Conference held in Nor
folk, Virginia, he was elected one of the Bishops
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and
assigned to the Ninth Episcopal District, consisting
of Arkansas and Oklahoma. In 1912, when the
General Conference met in Kansas City, Missouri,
the delegation from Georgia, his native state, re
quested that he be sent to preside over Georgia,
which request was granted. On coming to Geor
gia, he erected the Flipper Hall, the boys dormitory
at Morris Brown College, the Central Normal and
Industrial Institute, at Savannah, bought ten acres
of land for Payne College, at Cuthbert, Georgia,
and united all the schools into one system, known
as Morris Brown University.
Bishop Flipper owns his home and three rent
houses, in Atlanta, two vacant lots in Waycross,
five in Savannah, and one in Lincoln, Md. He is a
stockholder of the Standard Life Insurance Com
pany. He is a stockholder and Director of the
Atlanta State Savings Bank, and a stockholder
in the Independant, of New York City. He is
a member of the Southern Sociological Congress ;
of the National Geographic Society, Washington,
D. C., a Trustee of the World's Christian Endeavor
— president of the Sunday School Union Board of
the A. M. E. Church.
Bishop Flipper was married in Thomasville, Geor
gia, in 1880, to Miss Amanda Isabella Slater. There
are three children in the Flipper family: Josephine
G., Nathan and Carl.
WILLIAM ALFRED FOUNTAIN, A. B , M. A..
S. T. B., B. D., Ph. D.
R. William A. Fountain, now Pres
ident of Morris Brown Univer
sity, is the son of Reverend Rich
ard and Virginia Fountain, both
of whom were devoted members
of the African Methodist Episco
pal Church.
He was born October 29, 1870, at Elberton, Geor
gia, and was one of seventeen children. He en
tered school at the age of six and attended about
sixteen years. Passing through the public school
at Elberton, he graduated successively from Morris
Brown University, Allen University, Turner Theo
logical Seminary, and took a post-graduate course
at Chicago University, and non-resident courses in
Central University. He has the following degrees :
Bachelor of Arts, from Morris Brown University,
in 1901 ; Master of Arts from Allen University ; S.
T. B., from Turner Seminary; B. D. and Ph. D.,
from Central University. He was also a student
at Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, 111., in 1916.
He was converted April 1888, at the age of eigh
teen and joined Allen Temple A. M. E. Church, At
lanta, Georgia, the same year. He became very
active in the church work and has held almost ev
ery office in the body.
He was licensed to preach at Elberton, Georgia,
in 1893, by Rev. (now Bishop,) J. S. Flipper. He
joined the annual conference at Marietta, Georgia,
under Bishop Grant; was ordained deacon at Ath
ens, Georgia, by Bishop A. Grant; ordained elder
at Cedartown, Georgia, by Bishop Turner. He has
held the following appointments: Pendergrass
Mission; Athens-Bethel; Washington-Jackson Cha
pel and Pope's Chapel, Marietta, Georgia; Turner
Chapel, Atlanta, Georgia; Allen Temple, Wilming
ton, North Carolina ; St. Stephens, Macon Georgia ;
Steward Chapel; Presiding Elder of Athens dis
trict. Each change carried him to an enlarged
field of work.
His accomplishment's as a church builder and
debt liquidator show a decided ability in those lines.
He built Pope's Chapel, at Washington, Georgia,
at a cost of $20,000; repaired the Parsonage at Ma
rietta, Georgia, at a cost of $2,000; bought lot and
beautified church, paid church out of debt, at Atlan
ta, at cost of $5,000; left $500 to build a Sunday
School room for St. Stephens at Wilmington, N. C. ;
established an Old Folk's Home and built a Par
sonage at a cost of $4,000, for Steward Chapel, Ma-
con, Georgia. He has lifted mortgages at Athens,
Marietta, Allen Temple and Steward Chapel.
Dr. Fountain has been a delegate to the follow
ing General Conferences : Columbus, Ohio, in
1900; Chicago, in 1904; Norfolk, in 1908; Kansas
City, in 1912, and the Centennial General Confer
ence at Philadelphia, in 1916.
Before becoming active as a minister, Dr. Foun
tain gave part of his time to the school room, so
when he was called to succeed the lamented Dr.
E. W. Lee, as president of Morris Brown University
he was not without experience as a teacher.
Dr. Fountain holds membership in many organi
zations and has an active interest in them. He is
an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and a Knight of Pythias.
He has been twice married. He was first married
to Miss Jessie M. Williams, of Sumter, S. C, in
1893. She died in 1898. In 1899 he married Miss
Julia T. Allen. His first wife gave him two chil
dren, W. A. Fountain, Jr., and Jessie Mamie and
his second wife gave him four children, Louise
Virginia, Sue Jette, Julia Bell and Allen McNeal,
deceased. Dr. Fountain has a high ambition for
his children which he is trying to realize by train
ing their heart and mind as he was himself trained.
He finds great satisfaction and pleasure in his home
life. He has another great ambition also — to
make the Morris Brown University a great Insti
tution, taking high rank among the Negro schools
of the land. He is fast advancing it towards his
goal and has received much encouragement to per
severe in his efforts.
122
JOHN WESLEY GILBERT, Ph. D.
OME years ago the public was
startled to know that Brown Uni
versity had sent a Negro scholar
to Athens, Greece. There were
many causes for this surprise. In
the first place it had been wide
ly exploited that the Negro could not learn Greek.
In the second place the Negro had been chosen
as a representative of a New England college. This
was how it all came about. Brown University, at
Providence, Rhode Island, holds what is known as
an Athens scholarship. This scholarship is award
ed to the best Greek scholar in the University.
John Wesley Gilbert won this scholarship over the
sons of Anne Hutchinson, of Roger Williams, and
over many other lads of distinguished ancestry.
Thus it came about that the American Negro in a
quarter of a century after slavery had sent a
scholar abroad.
John Wesley Gilbert was born in Hepsibah,
Georgia, July 6, 1865. His first years of training
were spent in the public schools of Augusta. Geor
gia. From the public schools of Augusta, he reg
istered in the Atlanta Baptist Seminary, now the
theological department of Morehouse College, At
lanta, Georgia. Going up from the South. Mr.
123
Gilbert made his way into Brown University, and
soon made his mark as a scholar of the classics.
He especially excelled in Greek; so that when the
award was made for the representative from Brown
University, the Negro scholar was chosen to go to
the American school of classics in the city of So
crates and Plato, of Pericles and Demosthenes. It
was here he won his Master's degree.
However, one must live in Athens, and scholar
ships do not always defray all expenses. To pay
h'.s way the Greek scholar served as a guide to
American tourists, who came to visit this ancient
citadel of culture and war. In those days exca
vations in Greece were exceedingly popular. Be
fore long, Mr. Gilbert was numbered among those
who sought to exhume the old walls, pillars and
gates, made famous in ancient Greek stories. He
conducted excavations not only in Greece, but on
the Mediterranean Islands. Few men have been
thus favored to use their classical scholarship.
Mr. Gilbert has been an extensive traveler. He
has traveled practically over the whole of the
United States and visited most places of note and
interest and has visited many countries in Europe.
The trip to Athens only whetted the young scho
lar's taste for more travel. He made two more
trips abroad, when he visited many countries in
Africa and most of the countries in Europe. He
was not only traveling, he was working. While
in the Belgian Congo, he, with Bishop W. R. Lam-
buth, founded the mission at Wimbo, Miami, a
mission which is still in full operation. His work
of investigation and research won him a member
ship in the Archaeological Institute and in the
Philological Association of America.
Mr. Gilbert has been engaged for years in teach
ing and preaching. He began his course as a
teacher in Paine Coollege, Augusta, Georgia, in
1889. He was Dean of Theology in Paine for three
years. Mr. Gilbert entered the ministry in 1895, in
the C. M. E. 'Church. In 1901 he was a member of
the Ecumenical Congress, which assembled in Lon
don, England. He is at present commissioner for
and professor of Greek, in Paine College.
He has kept his membership alive in many of the
organizations at home. His membership in the A.
M. E. Church has been one of much activity. He
has held the office of superintendent of African
missions for many years. He is a Mason, a Knight
of Pythias and an Odd Fellow. In the Knight of
Pythias he is Grand Auditor.
He was married in 1889 to Miss Oceola Pleasant,
a native of Augusta, Georgia. Four children have
been born to them, of whom three are living.
His real estate holdings are valued at $15,000 and
he is a holder of several shares in a realty company
of Augusta.
KEMPER HARRELD.
EM PER Harreld, known the coun
try over as a concert violinist,
popular also as a teacher of violin
and as a chorus director, was born
and reared in Muncie, Indiana.
From his youth he was a musical
prodigy. His special talent first
manifested itself in song ; so much so that under
the tutelage of Miss Nannie C. Love, who was in
charge of the public school music, he soon became
known as the boy singer. However, the violin had
early fallen into his hands, and while singing, he
was also after his boy fashion making rich tones on
the violin, becoming in a short time, at least a
fiddler.
Following his bent Mr. Harreld took special stu
dies in his home town and then in Indianapolis.
From Indianapolis he entered the Chicago Musical
College and studied violin under Chiheiser, theory
under Maryott and Falk, and composition under
Borowski. Mr. Harreld's next studies were pur
sued under Frederick Frederiksen, a celebrated
violinist from the Royal College of Music in Lon
don. Three years of hard work with Frederiksen
gave Mr. Harreld a much finer touch, higher tech
nique and greater confidence in himself.
Meantime he had become well known in Amer
ica as one of the leading violinists. To the laity
he was already perfect in technique, harmony, and
those points of excellence for which musicians so
eagerly and so sedulously strive.
Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, was
among the institutions to invite Mr. Harreld to be
come a member of their teaching staff. Atlanta
being a field of rare possibility, due to the high in
tellectual standard, Mr. Harreld became a teacher
of music at Morehouse, and established a studio
on Chestnut Street in the city.
Here in Atlanta Mr. Harreld lives an exceeding
ly busy life. As a teacher of private pupils he takes
every minute of his spare time. As a chorus direc
tor he with his chorus is constantly in demand. He
has developed an orchestra for Morehouse, an or
chestra of from eighteen to twenty-three members,
picked from a student body of not more than four
hundred and fifty students. Biggest of all, Mr.
Harreld has a choir chorus of three hundred voices,
a chorus which is made up of choirs from twenty-
eight churches. When Billy Sunday preached in
Atlanta his chorus was increased to fifteen hun
dred voices, who sang to an audience of seventeen
thousand.
Dear as these honors are, Mr. Harreld has not
decided to rest on what he already knows and can
do. Busy as he is with his regular music at More-
house, with private pupils, chorus work and violin
recital, he nevertheless steals time here and there
for intense study and observation. The year 1914,
for example, found him stealing away to spend his
vacation to study in Berlin. Unhappily, the war
broke forth during his stay in Berlin, and he and
Mrs. Harreld were held by the German Govern
ment for twenty-five days, before they were al
lowed to leave for America.
Since that time owing to disturbances every
where Mr. Harreld has not returned to Europe to
study. He has traveled, however, in England, Hol
land and Germany in recital engagements, and in
nearly every part of the United States. His studies
have during his work at Morehouse taken a prac
tical turn, going into Negro music and its possi
bilities.
It is difficult to determine what branch of music
Mr. Harreld excels in, as a music master, a chorus
director, or as a concert violinist. In the first two —
Atlanta gives him the leading place. In the last
named the papers of various cities in which he has
appeared vie with one another in singing his praise.
This from the College Bulletin of Birmingham is
typical, and at the same time expresses the great
esteem in which he is held.
"Plays in most finished and artistic style with
brilliancy and very beautiful tone. Has no equal in
temperament and expression."
What Mr. Harreld himself considers his best ef
fort was a benefit concert given in the Auditorium-
Armory in Atlanta. For this he organized the cho
ral and orchestral forces of the six higher institu
tions for Negro education in Atlanta — Atlanta Uni
versity, Morris Brown University, Clark Univer
sity, Morehouse College, Spelman Seminary and
Gammon Theological Seminary. There were five
hundred in the chorus and a large orchestra. This
program was rendered before 5000 persons.
Mr. Harreld was married on June 11, 1913, to
Miss Claudia White, daughter of the famous Dr.
W. J. White, of Augusta. They have one child, a
daughter, Josephine Eleanor, who is three years
of age.
124
JOHN HOPE, A. B., A. M.
OHN Hope, President of More-
house College, was born in Au
gusta, Georgia, June, 1868, the
son of James and Mary Francis
Hope. After some years of ele
mentary education, secured large
ly by his own efforts, he entered Worcester
Academy, (Mass.,) in the fall of 1886. He was
prominent in the activities of the school, becoming
editor-in-chief of the Academy, the Student Month
ly ; and at graduation he was class historian and
a commencement speaker. Entering Brown Uni
versity in 1890, he received the A. B. Degree in
1894, with the distinction of being class orator. In
1907 his Alma Mater conferred on him the A. M.
degree. In October 1894, Mr. Hope entered the
service of the American Baptist Home Mission
Society as a teacher in Roger Williams University,
Nashville, Tenn. In 1898 he was transferred to At
lanta Baptist College. On the resignation of pres
ident Sale he was promoted to the presidency, ser
ving for the first year as Acting President. In
1897 he was married to Miss Lugenia D. Burns, of
Chicago, 111., He is the father of two boys, Ed
ward Swain and John, Jr. President Hope is one
of the leading figures in the education of the negro
in the South, and his time is largely drawn upon
by many activities for social or educational service.
In 1915-16 he was President of the National Asso
ciation of Teachers in Colored Schools ; he is a
member of the Board of Managers of the Y. M. C.
A., of Atlanta, of the Advisory Board of the Na
tional Association for the advancement of the Col
ored People, of the Executive Committee of the
Urban League of New York, of the committees on
the Spingarn Medal, of the Anti-Tuberculosis
Association, of Atlanta, and of various boards of
the State Baptist Convention. President Hope's
chief interest, however, remains, the education of
men and boys ; and the fact that he has given him
self to his work in such wholehearted fashion lar
gely accounts for the rapid advancement that
Morehouse College has made within the last ten
years.
In the summer of 1918, President Hope was giv
en a leave of absence by the American Baptist
Home Mission Society and was appointed by the
Young Men's Christian Association as a Special
Secretary for the oversight of the Negro soldiers
of America in France. In this capacity he has ren
dered such distinguished service for the improve
ment of the morale of the army that he has been
requested to continue in this work until the sum
mer of 1919. He has complied with this request,
and is still at his work that covers over fifty cities.
The following estimate of the administration of
President Hope has been taken from the "History
of Morehouse College," written by the Dean.
"One of the outstanding features of the adminis--
tration of President Hope has been the excellent
understanding between the head of the college and
the student body. In the era of "Atlanta Baptist
College" the aggressive spirit that caused the in
stitution to be widely known first received real
impetus. In more recent years it has developed
into a devotion with which the youngest student
becomes acquainted as soon as he is enrolled.
Whatever question may arise, the students know
that presiding over the college is one looking out
for their best interests, in vacation as well as term
time, and one with whom there may be the frank
est conference. The response comes in a loyalty
that has never failed when anything involving the
highest welfare of the college was at stake."
President Hope lived the life he endeavored to
impress upon the young men coming under his
influence and stands out before them as an example
worthy of their imitation.
To impress oneself upon the rising generation
in such a way as to incite them to a high ideal of
life is worthy the effort of any man. This pleas
ure and satisfaction is President Hope's.
125
GRAVES HALL, MOREHOUS E COLLEGE, ATLANTA, GA.
hlE Morehouse College in the city
of Atlanta, Georgia, is operated
by the American Baptist Home
Mission Society, of New York,
for the education of Negro young
men, with special reference to the
preparation of ministers and teachers.
HISTORY
The College was organized in the year 1867, in
the city of Augusta, Georgia, under the name of
"The Augusta Institute." In 1879, under the pres
idency of Rev. Joseph T. Robert, LL. D. (1871-
1884), it was removed to Atlanta and incorporated
under the name "Atlanta Baptist Seminary." At
this stage of its growth the institution owned only
one building, that a comparatively small three-
story structure, located near what is now the Ter
minal Station. President Robert was succeeded
by President Samuel Graves, D. D., in 1885. Dr.
Graves served as president until 1890. continuing
as Professor of Theology for four years longer.
In 1889, as the surroundings of the old location in
Atlanta had become unfavorable, a new site was
secured, and in the spring of 1890 the school
was removed to its present location. In the au
tumn of this year President George Sale, (1890-
1906- entered upon his duties. In 1897 amend
ments to the charter were secured, granting full
college powers and changing the name of the in
stitution to "Atlanta Baptist College." In 1906
President Sale resigned to become Superintendent
of Education of the American Baptist Home Mis
sion Society, and was succeeded by President
John Hope, who had been a professor on the
faculty since 1898. By a vote in 1912 of the Board
of Trustees, concurred in by the American Bap
tist Home Mission Society, and by a change in
1913, of the charter granted by the State of Geor
gia, the name of the institution became "More-
house College," in honor of Rev. Henry L. More-
house, D. D., Corresponding Secretary of the Am
erican Baptist Home Mission Society and the con
stant friend and benefactor of the Negro race.
CAMPUS
The campus is thirteen acres in extent. It oc
cupies one of the highest points of land in the city,
1,100 feet above sea-level, and commands a fine
view of the city and surrounding country. For
beauty and healthfulness, the situation could not
be surpassed. The property is on West Fair
Street, at the junction of Chestnut Street, with
in half an hour's walk from the post-office and
railroad stations.
The following is taken from the Department of
Interior bureau of education Bulletin, 1916, No.
39:
"It is a young men's school of secondary and col
lege grade with classes in theology and an ele
mentary department. It is the leading Baptist
school of Georgia, and holds high rank among the
schools of the South.
The institution is owned by the American Bap
tist Home Mission Society. A self-perpetuating
board of trustees acts in an advisory capacity.
126
t
* -.
MOREHOUSE REPRESENTATIVES AT CAMP DODGE, DES MOINES, IOWA.
It has an attendance of 277, of which number 150
are boarders ; the teaching force consists of 14
males and five females, two of which are white and
the remainder colored. The teachers are devoted
to the welfare of thir pupils and command the con
fidence of the student body. Besides the element
ary and secondary grades ,there is a short course
in music, Bible and manual training. This prepara
tory course is required of all students. There are
no elective courses. All pupils entering the col
lege are required to complete the foreign lan
guages of the secondary course.
The simple theological courses offered serve a
useful end, in training ministerial students.
Graves Hall, erected in 1889, at a cost of twenty
eight thousand dollars, and named in honor of
President Graves is the chief college dormitory.
Quarles Hall, erected in 1898, at a cost of Fourteen
thousand dollars, and named in honor of Reverend
Frank Quarles, for many years pastor of Friend
ship Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, and presi
dent of the Georgia State Baptist Convention, con
tains the class rooms in which the work of the
English Preparatory Department is done with a
floor for science work in Chemistry and Physics.
Sale Hall, erected at a cost of forty thousand dol
lars, in 1910, and named in honor of President Sale,
has recitation rooms and a chapel with seating ca
pacity of seven hundred. Robert Hall, erected in
1917, at a total cost of thirty thousand dollars, has
a basement that is used as a dining room and three
floors devoted to dormitory purposes.
This is emphatically a Christian school. The
faculty keeps constantly in mind the fact that
it was founded by a missionary organization, and
is sustained by the contributions of Christian peo
ple for the Christian education of young men. The
Bible has a place in the regular course of study.
Generally, Morehouse College encourages all acti
vities — religious, literary, athletic — which make
for the development of Christian Ideals and for
the culture of a sound mind, in a sound body.
The College has taken a prominent part in the
war. Already recently from the student body two
hundred men have be'en furnished for active ser
vice. As many as fourteen were commissioned at
the Officers' Training Camp, at Camp Dodge, Iowa.
Twenty-four volunteered for service in the Signal
Corps at Camp Sherman, Ohio. In the fall of
known to be either preaching or teaching, while
Government for the formation of a unit of the
Student Army Training Corps, and a broad plan
was launched whereby the total resources of the
institution were made available for war uses.
In the summer of 1918 President Hope, was
summoned to France for special Y. M. C. A. work
among Negro soldiers.
The large idea of the alumni of the college is that
of service. No less than three fifths of the living
graduates of Morehouse College are definitely
known to be either preaching or teaching, while
at least another fifth are engaged in the work of
the medical profession, the Y .M. C. A. or other
lines of definite service.
127
ALEXANDER D. HAMILTON.
R. Alexander D. Hamilton of At
lanta, Georgia, is the father of a
large family, the owner of a sub
stantial business, and of consid
erable property and has invest
ments in many Negro enterprises
in and around Atlanta.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Eufaula, Alabama, in
the year 1870. When but six years of age, his fa
ther moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was im
mediately enrolled as a pupil in the public school,
thus beginning his preparation for life at an early
age. His parents were not only concerned about
his mental developement, but had regard for his
spiritual training and saw that he was placed under
the uplifting influence of the church. These two
agencies, the church and the school, developed him
rapidly. He completed his course in the public
school when only thirteen years old and was re
ceived into the membership of the church at the
age of eleven.
After passing through the public schools Mr.
Hamilton entered the Atlanta University, where he
remained until he had completed the preparatory
course.
Atlanta University has long been noted for its
thorough course in manual training. It was at
Atlanta University in this course that Mr. Ham
ilton learned the further use of the carpenters'
tools, for which he cultivated so great a liking.
This disposition to the carpenter trade was
instilled in him from childhood. His father pur
sued this trade and had become a contractor of
some note. The youthful Hamilton, quick to learn
and of an observant tendency, soon learned the
use of the tools, which greatly aided him in his
studies in the industrial department of the Atlanta
University. Now ready for his life work he en
tered the employment of his father and applied
himself energetically to his task. Fidelity to the
interest of his fathers' business brought its reward
and after five years of service he was admitted to
the membership of the firm. From that date until
the death of his father the name of the firm was
A. Hamilton and Son. His father died in 1911,
since which time the son has continued the business
alone. His conduct of the business keeps it up to
the high standard for which the firm is noted.
As a young man, Mr. Hamilton worked hard to
gain a footing. The fact that he was in the em
ploy of his father seemed to spur him on rather
than to make him take his ease. Struggling hard
to make his place as a carpenter, he wished also to
establish a certain financial competence. To this
end he saved as regularly and as systematically as
he worked. Thirty years of working and saving
have brought encouraging returns. He owns a
$7,000 home, has pieces of rent property valued at
$5,500, carries $17,000 Life insurance, the payment
of whose policies requires a pretty large income,
and has some $3,000 invested in various Negro en
terprises.
He appraised money, however, not as a means
of luxury, and show, but as a means of usefulness,
an avenue to larger service. This too, has come
to him. He is a member of the board of directors
of the Standard Life Insurance Company, of Atlan
ta, and secretary and treasurer of Georgia Real
Estate and Loan Company. He is a member of the
First Congregational Church, of St. James Mason
ic Lodge, and of the Century Odd Fellows. He
has been able to travel and to make friends in the
East, in the West and in the South.
With his savings and investments and with his
other responsibilities. Mr. Hamilton has been rear
ing a big family. He was married in 1892, to Miss
Nellie M. Cooke, of Atlanta. Seven children grace
the Hamilton home. The oldest, Alexander D. Jr.,
is 23 years of age, is associated with his father in
the business of contracting and building. The sec
ond oldest child. Miss Eunice Evlyn. is a teacher in
the Atlanta Public Schools. T. Bertram, Henry
Cooke, Marion Murphy, Nellie Marie, and Joseph
Thomas, who is only seven are all students in the
^chool.
128
THE HALE INFIRMARY, MONTGOMERY, ALA.
HIS Institution was born in the
mind of one of Montgomery's
most respected colored citizens,
the late James Hale, who for
many years was one of the city's
leading contractors. He was
known for the high character of his work and his
reliability as a man. As he drew near the sun-set
of life his mind centered upon his people and upon
his two children who had passed into the great
beyond.
The Hale Infirmary is the outcome of his med
itations and is an expression of his deep interest
in the welfare of his people and at the same time
a memorial to his children. It was incorporated
as the James Hale Infirmary Society, Montgom
ery, Alabama, in 1889.
The original plant cost about seven thousand,
($7,000). It consisted of a two story frame struc
ture with capacity to care for sixty patients.
It is modern in its equipment, having sanitary
plumbing throughout and with bath rooms for both
male and females. It is supplied with hot and
cold water, and has modern operating room with
the necessary modern equipments. In addition to
the main building there is a laundry, and small
buildings for isolating patients who could not be
admitted to the main building. The maintenance
of the Institution is dependant upon a nominal
charge for services and revenue derived from the
nurses. It has no endowment. The nurses are
trained in a three year course and during their
training are frequently called upon to render ser
vice outside of the infirmary and the revenue de
rived from their services is a valuable asset to the
Institution. The experience gained by the nurses
in the operating room becomes invaluable to them
in their course of training. The head nurse of the
Infirmary is the superintendent of the training
school and she has the assistance of two graduate
nurses who teach them the theory of nursing with
practical illustrations. Lectures are also given be
fore the class by the large corps of physicians who
daily visit the infirmary and contribute to its up
build. Dr. David Henry Scott is the head of the
Institution and is keenly alive to its interests and
never tires in his efforts in its behalf.
The control and government of the infirmary is
vested in a Board of Trustees, composed of nine
members.
The Board of Trustees is as follows :
Bishop J. W. Alstork, Chairman ; J. M. C. Logan,
Geo. W. Doak, H. A. Loveless, Belton Murphree,
Dr. D. H. C. Scott, V. H. Tulane, Jas. H. Fagain,
and Jas. Alexander.
129
BISHOP LUCIUS H. HOLSEY.
ISHOP L. H. Holsey was born
near Columbus, Georgia, in 1845,
and therefore saw more slavery
than most men now living. He
was even traded in. having had
three masters before the Emanci
pation Proclamation set him free.
Educational facilities for the colored race at the
date of his birth were very meager in the place
where he was born, so he had but little opporun-
ity to learn but he was a man to make the most
of his opportunities and ride them to a successful
career.
When but seven years of age he was deprived
of a mother's loving and tender care, which added
to the struggle of his early days.
Bishop Holsey is a man of strong initia
tive ability and when emancipation gave him
the opportunity to exercise his gift he immediately
brought it into active play.
Coming in a period when men of initiative were
in crying need he helped meet the demands of the
day and the wonderful manner in which he filled
his place is shown in the many honors and distinc
tions carried by him in his old age.
He is the oldest ordained Bishop of his church,
and one of the oldest men to be in active service
of any kind. He is the first Negro to petition for
a C. M. E. Church, and first to establish a church
after the civil war. He was delegate to the first
general conference of his church and first delegate
to the Ecumenical church Conference and the first
delegate to the conference of the Methodist Epis
copal Church South.
His initiative first manifesting itself in church
work has by no means been confined to that branch
of activities, but has been almost eclipsed by his
labors for education. He is an ardent avocate of
education and was quick to realize that next to re
ligion education would be the great uplifting pow
er to help elevate his people.
He founded the Paine College, in Augusta,
Georgia, took steps for the founding of Lane Col
lege, in Jackson, Tenn. ; founded Holsey Industrial
Institute at Cordell, Georgia ; Helen B. Cobb In
stitute for girls at Barnesville, Georgia. He still
is a trustee and patron of all of these institutions.
He was agent of the Paine College for 25 years.
With these honors from his labors and many oth
er good judgment, he served as the Secretary for
the College of Bishops for quarter of a century,
and was for many years, General Corresponding
Secretary for the connection. He has compiled
for his church, a Hymnal and a Manual for disci
pline. He once edited a church paper, the "Gospel
Trumpet," and held the post as church Commis
sioner of education. Surely if one were bedecked
for uplift deeds of this sort Bishop Holsey would
be literally covered.
All through his youth and early manhood, Bishop
Holsey felt the call for a larger service. Picking
up knowledge when and where he could he secured
his first church as pastor in 1868. on the Hancock
Circuit in Georgia. Five years later at the close
of a two years pastorate in Savannah, he was or
dained Bishop of his church. This makes him push
close to a half century of service as Bishop of his
church.
Bishop Holsey was married at Sunshine, near
Sparta, Georgia., in 1862, to Miss Harriet Turner.
Nine children have been born to the Holsey family ;
of these, three are deceased — among those deceas
ed was Miss Ruth M. Holsey, whose talent as a
musician was already becoming widely known.
She had won distinction in this country and had
studied two years in Paris. Of the children living;
James Henry is a graduate of Howard University
and a Dentist in Atlanta, Georgia.; Miss Katie M.,
a graduate of Paine College, lives with her father ;
Miss Ella B. and Claud Lucia are living in Boston.
The former is a matron, the latter married and re
sides there. Sumner L., who is a printer, also
lives in Boston. Rev. C. Wesley is a Presiding El
der and Missionary in and around Atlanta.
130
MISS CLARA A. HOWARD.
1SS Clara A. Howard was born
in Greenville, Merriwether Coun
ty, Georgia. It has been in
Georgia that she has spent the
greatest number of years in ser
vice. She was one of the first
students to enter Spelman Seminary, when it was
founded in 1881. Miss Howard says of this fact
that she feels almost as though she was one of the
founders. From Spelman she was graduated in
1887. After her graduation, Miss Howard taught
in the public schools of Atlanta. But she did not
feel that this was her place for life work. Always
before her were the needs of the people of Africa :
and so May 3, 1890, she sailed for Africa. For five
years Miss Howard remained in Africa. She was
stationed at Lukungu, Congo, South West Africa.
Here she tried in her very effective manner to
reach the people and to teach them how to live, as
well as how to be Christians. At the same time,
Miss Howard had to fight the African fever. Af
ter five years of work she had to come back to
America to rest. Her health was very slow in
returning, and after a time she had to give up all
hope of ever returning to Africa.
In 1899, Miss Howard became a member of the
faculty of Spelman Seminary. At first she served as
assistant matron in the Student Boarding Depart
ment, but in 1909 she became the only matron in
that department. Of her work here, Miss Howard
says, "As Matron in the Student Boarding Depart
ment, I come to know every boarding student each
year, and I assure you the field for usefulness is
about as wide as the one in Africa." Any one
hearing a group of Spelman girls discussing their
teachers either before or after graduation will soon
hear them come to Miss Howard. By her quiet,
kindly treatment, she has won all of them and, in
winning them as friends, she has helped each one
to a higher plane of thinking and living.
Of the work that Miss Howard is doing in Spel
man, Miss Tapley, the president of the Institution
says, "She is invaluable to us. She fills a large place
and fills it as well as any person we ever had or can
ever expect to have. Very few women could carry
her work so well as she does. No matter what
our difficulties, we can count on Miss Howard be
ing brave, co-operative and helpful."
Besides the oversight in a general way of all the
girls and in particular in the Dining room. Miss
Howard has had direct charge of a number of small
children, who have entered Spelman. Among these
was one little African girl, Flora Zeto, whom she
brought with her from Africa. To Flora, Miss
Howard was everything that a mother could be.
No one talking with Flora after a few years under
the direct influence of this good woman, would
have imagined her origin. Her voice and manner
took on the culture of her friend. Miss Howard
has played the part of mother to a number of other
small girls. During all the years she has been
working in this Institution she has been able to
keep up the habit of treating girls as individuals.
She never thinks of them in mass. All over the
South there are girls and women who remember
the times when Miss Howard stood for them as a
guardian angel. As a part of her work in the
school, Miss Howard has monthly meeting with
the girls in which various subjects of a very per
sonal nature are discussed. Miss Howard handles
these as only a few persons know how to handle
delicate subjects. From her the girls will take any
suggestions for their betterment. Surely her's
has been a life of usefulness. Her five years in
Africa, in Lukungu, alone, represents great good
done, but back in her native country, her native
state and her Alma Mata, she has done a work that
few are permitted to accomplish in a lifetime.
The influence of her useful and consecrated life
will make itself felt throughout the land, as the
girls go forth from this institution, and will re
main to bless her people long after she has gone
to her reward.
131
David Tobias Howard
R. David Howard of Atlanta, Geor
gia, is one of the pioneers among
Negro undertakers. Born in
Crawford County, Ga., in 1849, he
saw much of slavery, of the Civil
War and of the reconstruction pe
riod. A lad of 15 years when the Civil War came,
he was placed in charge of a train load of colored
people, who were being shipped from Atlanta to
Barnesville. Like most of the ex-slaves he found
himself poor, uneducated, deserted when freedom
was declared.
His first steady job was that of a porter in a rail
road office. Here in 1869, he began work for $5.00
per month, boarding and lodging himself out of this
sum. Here he worked for fourteen years. Dur
ing this period, his salary, rather his wages, had
risen from $5.00 to $45.00 per month. By this time
he had managed to save a pretty snug sum of
money and had made up his mind to venture into
business for himself.
He was led to his business venture through ob
serving the business of a firm to whom he had
loaned money from time to time. It was an un
dertaking firm and he observed that they could
afford to pay interest on money borrowed and
make a good profit out of it.
He had no knowledge of the business further
than his visit to the establishment in collecting his
interest, but he had the good sense to see the pos
sibilities in it, so when he decided to enter a busi
ness career for himself he had also decided the
character of business he would pursue. In those
days very few of the colored race, whether teach
ers, preachers or even physicians had specialized
very highly in their chosen occupations.
Mr. Howard saw an opening for the business
and an inviting field and he trusted to his own
energy and business ability to win success.
Like many a man who started out with bright
hopes he soon learned that the path to success is
not a rosy path but rather a rugged way.
He invested his earnings in the Undertaking
business after he had married and had begun to
raise a family, hoping and expecting large profits,
but the profits fell below his expectation and he
realized that the business must be of slow and
gradual growth.
This made it necessary for him to supplement
the business with some other line of work in or
der to support his family while his business grew.
He drove a hack which was really in line with the
undertaking business so that he could give atten
tion to both without neglecting either.
Mr. Howard is not easily discouraged and is a
man of great determination so the difficulties in
his way did not deter him but rather acted as a
spur to awaken his energy. He went forward and
in the course of time won his fight and established
the large undertaking establishment over which
he now presides.
He not only established a large business, but
also a reputation as a business man who commands
the respect of the citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, and
of the entire state.
Mr. Howard has not confined his business ope
rations to the city. As his undertaking business
developed and he made a surplus money for in
vestment he turned his attention to the country
and invested in farm lands and the raising of cat
tle. He has several farms outside of Atlanta
where he cultivated gardens, planted orchards and
raised cattle. His country places serve to rest his
mind from the exactions of his undertaking busi
ness and the stress of city life. The country air
and diversions of the farm no doubt account for
his own fine health and that of his family and con
tributes to the optimistic spirit which character
izes him.
Incidentally this ex-slave who started working
for $5.00 a month nearly half a century ago is now
worth $175,000. Most of this he has invested in
real estate and farms, the way he thinks most col
ored people should invest their money, especially in
farm lands. Though he has amassed so large a sum
Mr. Howard is by no means a stingy man. Indeed,
he is quite the opposite, having an open purse for
any uplift work of his city. A recent instance of
this kind is his being the first among the few to
subscribe $1000 for the Negro Y. M. C. A. building
of Atlanta.
Much of his income, too, he has spent in educat
ing his children. Mr. Howard was married in 1870
to Miss Ella Buanner of Summerville, Georgia.
Nine children have been born into the Howard fam
ily. These Mr. Howard has given the best educa
tion available. Some have been graduated from
Atlanta University, some from the Oberlin Conse-
vatory of Music, some have attended Morehouse
and other colleges. The children are Frank David,
Willie Gladstone, Paul, Thomas Edward, Misses
Eleanor B., Lottie Lee, Julia and Henry Gladstone.
His son, Henry Gladstone is associated with his
father in business.
Mr. Howard is a member of the A. M. E. Church.
He is also a member of fraternal organizations, be
longing to the St. John's Masonic Lodge, to the
Good Samaritan, to the Knights of Pythias, and to
the Knights of Tabor.
132
GEORGE RUBIN HUTTO.
LL who read the history of the
steady advance that has been made
by the colored Knights- of Py
thias, of Georgia will know that
back of the organization is a
strong man. A man who is fear
less in his endeavor to do the right
things for his people, a man who
has the courage, of his convictions, a man who is
a born leader of men is the only sort of man who
could get in behind an order and see it develop so
steadily. The Colored Knights of Pythias of Geor
gia are fortunate indeed to have at its head such
a man in the person of George R. Hutto.
Mr. Hutto was born n Barnelwell, South Caro
lina in 1870. His training in the school room be
gan at an early age and so at the age of twenty we
find him graduating from Claflin University,
Orangeburg, South Carolina. He was a member
of the class of 1890. The following year he was
married to Miss Addie E. Dillard. Miss Dillard
was a graduate of Benedict College which is loca
ted at Columbia, South Carolina. To the Hutto's,
two children were born. One, Marcus Hutto, is
a senior in the Meharry Medical school. The oth
er is a daughter, Miss Callie Hutto.
In church affiliation, Mr. Hutto is a Baptist.
This is another point on which Mr. Hutto, early
made his decision. In fact Mr. Hutto is a man
of prompt action. He was early at school, early
out of school, early married and early settled down
133
to the development of his life along the line he had
chosen. In the year 1895 Mr. Hutto was elected
Principal of the Public School, at Bainbridge, Geor
gia. The same year he joined the Masonic order.
Thus at an early age we find Mr. Hutto starting
out in fraternal orders. In 1897 there was organi
zed in Bainbridge, Georgia, a court of the Order
of the Knights of Pythias, known as the Lucullus
Lodge, No 45. Mr. Hutto joined the order at the
organization of this new lodge. From the first,
his great interest and ability as a leader, won for
Mr. Hutto distinction in the ranks of Pythians. In
1900 in the City of Valdosta, he was elected Grand
Lecturer of the Knights of Pythias of Georgia. For
four consecutive times he was re-elected to this
position. In 1905 he was elected Vice-Chancellor
of the organization for his State. At that time ser
ving as Chancellor was Mr. C. D. Creswell. At the
death of the Chancellor in 1910, Mr. Hutto filled out
the unexpired term and at the next session, which
was held in the city of Macon, he was elected to
the position of Grand Chancellor. To this position
he has been re-elected each year since. The figur
es of the order show the marvelous growth of
the organization, Mr. Hutto's influence in the de
velopment of the body did not begin with his elec
tion to the position of Grand Chancellor. It be
gan rather witTi his admission as a member when
the court was formed in Bainbridge. Through all
the following years his influence for the develop
ment of the Knights of the State of Georgia was
secured. As a lecturer he served and served well.
In this position he had ample opportunity to bring
before the people the merits of the order and the
benefits to be derived therefrom. His next step
upward in this body was that position of Vice-
Chancellor. Here he learned all the workings and
rulings of the order and when the death of Mr.
Creswell put upon Mr. Hutto the work of head
man for the State of Georgia, he was ready. The
order has developed steadily under his leadership.
Of the State of Georgia has been said, "This is our
Banner State." For the truth of this statement
much of the credit is due Mr. Hutto.
The first Court organized in this State was the
Opal Court, No. 41, by Sir J. C. Ross, at Savannah,
1889, with Sir J. C. Ross, W. C.
The Grand Court was organized at Atlanta, Ga.,
July, 1892, by Rev Israel Derricks, Supreme Wor
thy Counsellor, with the following Grand Officers :
Mrs. W. L. Catledge (Hill,) G. W. C; Mrs. R. L.
Barnes, G. W. Ix. ; Sir C. A. Catledge, G. R.. of
Deeds ; Sir F. M. Cohen, G. R., of Deps. ; with Sir
J. C. Ross and Dr. T. James Davis, P. G. W. C,
Mrs. Catledge (Hill,) served one year, 1902-3, as
G. W. C. Mrs. R. L. Barnes was elected 1893. and
has served continuously until 1917.
In 1900 there were 21 Courts, 450 members, with
$92.75 Endowment on hand.
1910, 218 Courts, 8,000 members, 94 deaths, $11,-
318.60 collected for Endowment, $10,140.00 paid on
claims, $20,353.73 balance on hand, 36 Juvenile
Courts, 1150 members.
1915, 350 Courts, 12,500 members, 268 deaths,
$26,408.10 Endowment collected, $24,380.00 paid on
claims, $29,450.80 balance on hand. Grand Court
fund balance on hand, $2,250. Georgia is the
Banner Grand Court of the order.
REVEREND EDWIN POSEY JOHNSON, A. B.
HE subject of this sketch was
born Feb. 22, 1849, in Columbus,
Georgia. His father, William
Warren Johnson, was brought to
Georgia from Maryland, where he
received considerable education
and was taught the Stage-build
ing trade. His mother, Caroline
Posey came from Virginia to Georgia, with her
owners, in whose family her people had been rear
ed for generations. Her master, Major Nelson, be
lieved that colored people, as well as white should
be taught to read so as to study the Bible for them
selves. Hence his mother was a constant reader
of the Bible and other good books.
Freedom came to him when at the age of sixteen.
The first opportunity for learning to read and
write was in a little dirt-floor school house in an
alley. Here with many others he tackled a Blue
Back Spelling Book. The next year he hired him
self to work on a farm and walked a mile and a
half to a night school, taught by Mrs. Lucy E. Case
and others. When Mrs. Case became matron at
Atlanta University, she persuaded him to attend
school there. In the fall of 1873, having saved up
$150, he matriculated at Atlanta University. By
working as an engineer at school and teaching
during the summers, he was enabled to remain in
school. In 1874 he was converted under the min
istry of Rev. Geo. W. Walker, one of the instruc
tors.. With an unfailing courage he continued his
studies until he graduated in 1879, with the degree
of A. B. On July of that year he was ordained as
a minister of the Gospel by his pastor, Rev. Frank
Quarles, and others in Friendship Baptist Church,
Atlanta, Georgia. He served his denomination one
year as a missionary, then taught six years in Haw-
kinsville, during which time he built the two-story
school house at the cost of $1,600.00. From his
arduous labors at Hawkinsville, he has had the
pleasure of seeing many of his pupils occupying
places of usefulness. Leaving Hawkinsville, he
served as principal of the Mitchell Street School,
Atlanta, Georgia, for two terms.
On December 26, 1882, he was married by Rev.
Henry Way, to Miss E. S. Key. In 1888 he was
called to the pastorate of Calvary Baptist Church,
Madison, Georgia. During the eleven years of his
stay there, he made many improvements on the
church property and added to the church more than
five hundred precious souls. While at Madison,
he was elected by the board of Education as the
first principal of the city school for colored people,
which he organized and directed till a suitable man
could be found.
In 1899 he was elected as general manager of the
New Era Institute Work, under the joint auspices
of the Home Mission Society of New York, The
Southern Baptist Convention and the General Mis
sionary and Educational Convention of Georgia.
This position, for three years took him to all parts
of the state.
For several years he was instructor at Phelps
Hall Bible Training School, vTuskegee Institute,
Alabama. Here he filled the position with satis
faction to all concerned.
In 1901 Rev. Johnson was called to pastor the
Reed Street Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.
Here he has been, laboring for sixteen years, or
ganizing, building, giving to the church the ripe
fruits of all his experiences in the school room and
country and town churches. As a result, the
church is now organized into practical and useful
committees and anxiliaries. Also a new stone
church edifice, situated on the corner of Frasier
and Crumley Streets, which when finished will cost
$25,000, is now almost completed and more than
400 members have been added. When the new
building was begun, the pastor reduced his own
salary $15 per month, thereby setting an example
of economy. He sets a further example by living
in his own home, keeping his credit up to such a
high standard that he and the church of which he
is pastor can secure money and commodities on
his name.
Rev. Johnson is treasurer of the Atlanta Baptist
Minister's Union; Secretary of the Board of Trus
tees of Spelman Seminary; Secretary of the Refor
matory Board ; Treasurer of the General Mission
ary Educational Board ; Treasurer of the State B.
Y. P. U. Convention ; Chairman of the Reid Orphan
Home, at Covington, Georgia; Member of the Exe
cutive Board of the Madison Association ; Geor
gia's Foreign representative of the National Bap
tist Convention and Instructor in the Divinity De
partment of Morehouse College.
ROBERT EDWARD PHARROW.
LT HOUGH there are a great num
ber of Negro carpenters and
builders tbere are comparatively
few who might be termed con
tractors, taking that term in its
larger sense of erecting large
buildings, dormitories, school houses, temples for
the fraternities, hotels and office buildings. This
is due in a large measure to the fact that such
contracts call for a large outlay of money and very
few Negroes have the capital to back up such con
tracts nor the influence and ability to secure it.
Another reason why so few Negroes undertake
the erection of large buildings is that it requires
a special training and equipment for such work. It
involves confidence, bookkeeping, managing big
squads of men, time-keeping, dealing in large
freight orders, running engines and so marshalling
it all that the structure will be reliable and satis
factory and the profits ample.
Mr. Pharrow is among the few Negro contrac
tors who have risen to prominence in the con
tracting business. He did not rise to this distinc
tion at a bound, but reached it after years of pa
tient toil and strict application to his work.
He began his career as a brick mason, when a
lad of only sixteen years of age, working under
the old system of apprenticeship. He was quick
to learn and made the best of the opportunity
offered him while serving his apprenticeship and
in seventeen years' time had not only learned the
trade of Masonry, but all that one could learn of
the intricacies of the business without being in it.
At the age of thirty-three he began the con
tracting business upon his own account.
Mr. Pharrow exhibited the virtue of patience
during his long apprenticeship and was so well
fitted for his work when he started business on his
own account that he rose rapidly in the confidence
of the public and received a goodly share of its
patronage.
His reputation as a builder was not confined to
his home town of Macon, Georgia, but he entered
and won, in competing for contracts throughout
the States of Georgia and Alabama. He erected
the new Recitation Hall at Morehouse College, At
lanta, and has built structures in most of the large
cities of Alabama and Georgia.
Mr. Pharrow figures close and does good work
and consequently has made money out of his con
tracts.
Besides the capital invested in a well establish
ed business he owns a good home and twelve addi
tional houses which brings him in a monthly rental
of pleasing amount.
Mr. Pharrow has sought health and pleasure in
travel, his travels having carried him over the
greater part of United States, Canada and Cuba.
Mr. Pharrow was born in Washington, Georgia,
in 1868. As he went to work at his trade when
very young the amount of his schooling was real
ly very small. But he has always made haste slowly
and has thereby atoned for much that he might
possibly have gained from further schooling.
He has, further, kept himself intellectually and
socially fit by membership in the church and in
many of the leading organizations of his State.
Mr. Pharrow is a member of the A. M. E. Church
—of the Masons, of the Odd Fellows, of the Elks,
of the Knights of Pythias. He is Past Grand
Master of the Patriarchs, Past Chancellor of the
Pythians and Senior Warden of the Masons, An
cient Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Pharrow bases much of his success upon the
sympathy, advice and cooperation of his helpmates
at home. He has been twice married. He was
married to Miss Martha L. Harris, of Atlanta, in
1892. She it was who stood by him so faithfully
in his first ventures as a contractor. Mrs. Phar
row died in 1911. The present Mrs. Pharrow was
Miss R. V. Garly, of Savannah, Georgia. Mr.
Pharrow has one child, Miss Estelle, who is a
graduate of Atlanta University, and who teaches
in the Atlanta public schools.
135
HENRY HUGH PROCTOR, A. B., D. D.
NE of the best known Congrega
tional ministers of the Colored
Race is Dr. Henry Hugh Proctor
born in Fayetteville, Tennessee,
December 8, 1868, and it was a.
very fortunate date, because he
was among the first to enjoy the
fruits of freedom.
As a boy he attended the public school of his
town. This school was not among the best, judg
ed even by the standard of that time, but the
young man applied himself most diligently and ac
quired at least the habit of organized studying
aside from some real knowledge. He worked hard
here and when he had gotten all that he could from
his town school, he entered Fisk University. Here,
where the standard was high and the method of
instruction good, the young student developed
very rapidly, distinguishing himself both by con
duct and scholarship. Before finishing his college
course one ideal so took possession of him as to
dominate his being — service through the Christian
Ministry. Thus when he graduated from the Col
lege Department of Fisk, he went to New Eng
land, the cradle of American culture, and entered
Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut.
Here he lived and worked, studying hard while he
laid the foundation for his great life work. His
scholarship rewarded his efforts and when he com
pleted the prescribed course, his was truly a com-
mencement — a commencement of work in a field
toward which he had so eagerly looked.
His first regular charge was Pastor of the First
Congregational Church at Atlanta, Georgia. Of
this church Dr. Proctor is still the beloved pas
tor. To the year of his taking charge of the work,
1894, Dr. Proctor looks back as the beginning of
his vital career. One would be justified in saying
that the church was really established by Rev.
Proctor.
Here in Atlanta, for twenty-four years Dr.
Proctor has labored, developing his church and of
necessity growing himself. With wonderful fore
sight as to the needs of our people — not necessar
ily the needs of the people of his congregation, but
the needs of the Colored people of Atlanta — Dr.
Proctor developed his church, adding to it one line
of work after another until today it is one of our
foremost institutional churches.
Aside from the regular church with its Services,
Bible School, Y. P. S. C. E. and Prayer Meetings,
there are the Employment Bureau, Free Public
Library, consisting of 3000 volumes and the only
Public Library accessible to Negroes in Atlanta ; a
gymnasium open afternoons and evenings ; the
Avery Congregational Home for Working Girls ;
the Conally Water Fountain, whereby through a
unique device ice water is furnished the passerby
in summer; the Prison Mission, whose object is to
help those held in prison through religious ser
vices, literature distribution, and visits giving pas
toral comfort : a Trouble Department whose ob
ject is to render any service possible to those in
trouble ; an Auditorium with a seating capacity of
1000, provided with grand pipe organ, heated by
steam, lighted by electricity and opened for any
beneficial gathering for the community ; and the
Georgia Music Association, which gives the city
an opportunity to hear the best musical talent of
the race. The Annual Musical Festival held by the
colored people in the Auditorium Armory is due
largely to the Musical Association.
For all this Dr. Proctor is directly responsible.
He has been able to obtain aid for his work from
both the white and the colored people of Atlanta
because they could see the benefit of the organiza
tion.
Though the Institution and his church demand a
large share of his time. Dr. Proctor has still found
time to serve in other ways. He is President of
the Carrie Steel Orphanage in Atlanta ; Assistant
Moderator of the National Council of the Congre
gational Church ; Vice-President of the American
Missionary Association of New York ; and Secre
tary of the Congregational Workers among Col
ored People.
One year before he came to Atlanta, Rev. Proc
tor married Miss Adeline Davis of Nashville, Ten
nessee. Their home has been blessed by the com
ing of six children, Henry Hugh, Jr., a graduate
of Fisk University, and at present serving as a
First Lieutenant in France : Richard Davis, deceas
ed ; Muriel Morgan and Lillian Steele, students at
Atlanta University; Roy and Vashti, public school
children.
Dr. Proctor is beloved by all. He is acknowl
edged a Reformer and an Educator. He is doing
much good in bringing about a better understand
ing between the races.
136
Thomas Heath Slater, A. B., M. D.
N the South there are at least two
cities in which there is a splendid
galaxy of educated, prosperous,
refined Negroes. These are Nash
ville, Tennessee, and Atlanta,
Georgia, which could claim super
iority is a grave question. Both have a Negro Col
lege or University on nearly every hill in the city.
Both are full of business men, professional men and
tradesmen. Competition among the colored men in
nearly all pursuits is close. Therefore, he who
gains his place and holds it, does so largely by dint
of excellence.
In Atlanta one could count on all the fingers of
his hands physicians with conspicious careers,
with reputations and practices well established.
Very prominent among these is Dr. Thomas H.
Slater. Dr. Slater is a North Carolinian by birth,
having been born in Salisbury, December 25, 1865.
He attended the schools of Salisbury, his birth
place, and then went to college at Lincoln Univer
sity, Pennslyvania, where he received his Bachel
or's Degree in 1887, and was graduated with first
honors. He then entered Meharry Medical College
in Nashville, Tennessee, completing his course early
in 1890, here he also won first honors.
In March of the same year, Dr. Slater went to
Atlanta, Georgia and began the practice of his pro
fession. Here in the same city in nearly the same
spot, he has continued for this quarter of a century.
Dr. Slater, (with Dr. H. R. Butler) was the real
pioneer of the Negro Medical profession in Atlanta.
Up to this period the Negroes were attended al
most exclusively by the white physicians, in whom
they had the utmost confidence, and it was not an
easy matter to turn them to the colored physicians
who were then beginning to establish themselves
in the South.
It was Dr. Slaters mission to win the confidence
of his people and turn them to the physicians of
their own race, and it was largely due to the fact
that Dr. Slater's unusual ability and qualifications
as a diagnostician and practitioneer were recognized
by Dr. J. S. Todd, at that time Atlanta's leading
practitioner of internal medicine, enabled him to so
rapidly gain this confidence. Dr. Slater has always
been grateful to Dr. J. S. Todd for his recommend
ations and kind assistance in those early days.
In the midst of sharp competition, the constant
injection of new blood and the rapid advancement
of the profession, he has held his place both in At
lanta and in the state of Georgia as one of the
leading and best equipped physicians.
This has not been done through idleness or a sat
isfied state of mind. He has studied continually,
137
both in theory and in practice. His eye is ever alert
for the latest and best in medicine and in the equip
ment of service. His office equipment is among
the best and most modern in the city. It has every
modern convenience and appliance, including an
equipment for Chemical and Blood tests. There is
possibly no physician who realized more forcibly
the importance of hard, continuous study in keep-
ng up with the latest and most successful methods
of diagnosis and treatment of all internal diseases.
He has viewed with keen interest the rapid yet pos
itive changes in the therapy of his profession.
From the excessive use of drugs in the general
treatment of diseases he has watched and followed
the successful advancement of the practice to spe
cific treatment through the use of specific agents,
vaccines, bacterins, phylacogens and organic ex
tracts. His work as a physician early won for him
distinction, both among the men of his profession
and in other bodies. He is President of the Atlanta
Meharry Alumni Association and has served among
the doctors of the state as President and as Sec
retary of the Georgia State Medical Association of
Negro Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists.
Dr. Slater was reared and educated a Presbyter
ian, and has always found time to faithfully dis
charge has religious duties toward his church. He
has learned that the opportunities for service
comes to the Christian physician in a larger meas
ure than from any other line of endeavor outside
of the Christian ministry. He believes that a strong
moral and religious character is the best asset that
any physician can have, and at this period of racial
development and progress he deems it absolutely
essential.
Dr. Slater is interested in the various orders of
the Colored race, and takes an active part in them.
He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Odd
Fellows and is a Knight of Pythias. He is a Mas
ter of the Local Lodge of Masons.
Dr. Slater has been twice married. His- first
wife, Mrs. Marie A. Taylor, of Austin, Texas, and
a graduate of Wilberforce University, he married
in June, 1903, but lost her by death in February,
1905. In July, 1907 he married Mrs. Celestine
Bass Phillips, of Michigan, a graduate of Bay City
High School. He had only one child, a son, Thomas
Heathe, Jr., who was born February 21st, 1905, and
died November 5th, 1906.
Dr. Slater's home on Piedmont Avenue is among
the colored residences that Atlantans point to for
proofs of their prosperity and good taste. His
home life is a source of pride, pleasure and comfort,
and he attributes his success to domestic peace and
happiness.
PANORAMIC VIEW OF SPELMAN SEMINARY.
PKLMAN Seminary, of Atlanta,
Georgia, the largest school in the
world for Negro girls, carries in
the story of its growth many a
thrilling romance — the romance
of faith, of prayer, of struggle, of
successful rendering of service. For fifteen years
Father Quarles, ex-slave and pastor of the Friend
ship Baptist Church, laid the Spelman foundation
in prayer, beseeching that God would send some
means of elevatiing the Negro women of Georgia.
In the fifteenth year while he tarried in supplica
tion, the answer came. Two ladies, Miss Sophie
Packard and Miss Harriet F. Giles, of Massachu
setts, were the evangels. They came to seek out
Faather Quarles and actually knocked on his study
door while the good man still lingered in prayer.
With the coming of the two ladies began the ro
mance of struggle. Here were the workers, the
pupils were legion ; but there was no school room.
Combining faith and work as best he could. Father
Quarles surrendered to the workers the basement
of his church. This was the setting for the strug
gle. To begin with the school was sneered at by
white and black, being stigmatized as the "Out
Hill." The basement was cold and damp, admit
ting water when it would rain. There were no
desks, no seats. The flooring was rotting away.
A rickety, smoking flue, held up by wire ; darkness,
approaching gloom ! the increase of enrollment
causing them even to hold a class in the coal bin ;
no salary, no definite assurance of support — all this
confronted two women far from home, on soil still
hostile ; women who had taught in buildings com
fortably heated and properly ventilated, who had
drawn their salary regularly and lived amidst hap
py relatives and cordial friends. However, prayer
again entered the struggle. The school had for
mally opened its doors, April 11, 1881. It had elev
en pupils, some old and some young; some were
single, some married. Among the older students
was a grown woman, who day by day looked up
the hill which was then occupied by the Barracks,
and prayed that one day Spelman, (then Atlanta
Baptist Female Seminary,) might occupy this spot.
Each day they gathered, prayed, toiled in the base
ment. The enrollment increased from eleven to
eighty in three months and to one hundred seventy
five by the end of the year. The next year. 1882, saw
the prayers answered. The American Baptist
Home Missionary Society bought a part of the
Barracks, nine acres, which had on the grounds,
five frame buildings. Here Spelman has remained
expanding in territory, in number of buildings and
in useful service to the people.
Grappling every day with want of buildings, of
equipment, of food, clothes and comforts for their
students, the founders nevertheless began early to
shape the courses of study to suit the need of the
people among whom their students had to labor.
To this end they started the Spelman Nurse Train
ing Course in 1886, the Missionary Department in
1891, the Teachers' Professional Department in
1892, the College Department in 1897. In doing
this Spelman was not only serving its graduates
and those among whom they would work, but was
serving as pioneer to a host of Negro schools in
the South, which only in recent years have adop
ted similar courses in their curriculums. Later,
Spelman further expanded its courses. To Nurse
Training, Teaching, Missionary Courses, have
been added courses in music, in Domestic Science,
in Laundering, Sewing, Dressmaking, Millinery,
Basketry, Gardening, Printing. There are, too,
courses in High School and College Departments,
which comprehend the study of Latin and German.
Higher Mathematics and the Sciences, looking to
careers of thought and scholarship.
138
PANORAMIC VIEW OF SPELMAN SEMINARY.
The school is under the direct control of a strong
hoard of trustees and affiliated with the American
Baptist Home Mission Society. It has had
three presidents, its two founders, Miss Sophia
Packard and Miss Harriet E. Giles, Miss Giles suc
ceeding Miss Packard in 1891. The present en-
cumbent is Miss Lucy Hale Tapley, who came all
the way from the ranks of the teachers and who
has grown with the school. Spelman has a faculty
of fifty teachers. Each teacher receives her com
mission direct from the Women's Baptist Home
Mission Board. It registers an average attend
ance of 750 students a year. In all the departments
the school is thoroughly and intensely religions.
Whatever courses a student may pursue, prayer
and Bible study, required and volunteer, and the
doctrine of service play a major part in shaping
the lives of those who come within her walls.
The usefulness of an institution is judged by the
amount of good work done by the graduates and
former students turned out. Judged from this
point of view, Spelman ranks among the highest
institutions in the country. Teaching has been and
continues to be the leading occupation of Spelman
graduates. They are found to be in nearly every
State of the South — in city graded schools, in in
dustrial schools and in ungraded schools in rural
districts, and a number have served on the faculty
of their Alma Mater, Morehouse College, Selma
University, and Similar schools. One tribute to
the ability of these Spelman girls as teachers came
from a former State School Commissioner of Geor
gia. He said that if he had fifty teachers from
Spelman's Normal department, he would revolu
tionize teaching in Georgia.
A large and important class of the graduates are
bright examples of Christian wives and mothers.
Of these many are helpful wives of ministers-; oth
ers are assisting their husbands in their work as
teachers; all are exerting a helpful influence on
the lives of the next generation. Then there are
graduates in a number of other callings — there is
an editor, bookkeepers, stenographers, several
doctors. There are workers in Orphan Homes,
kindergartens, charity work, Y. W. C. A. work,
home and foreign mission work. All of these young
women go out as representatives of the school that
has done so much for them and they are proud to
hold up her banner.
Spelman graduates do not confine their teaching
to books. They undertake to teach their pupils
both old and young, how to live. One encouraging
thing about the work of these young women is the
fact that, as a rule, women and girls, living in com
munities where Spelman students have labored,
have a higher ideal of life, which manifests itself
in the care and the training of the children.
The grounds of Spelman are an expression of
well-organized orderly life within. Th campus it
self has a good effect on the pupils who attend the
school. Going out from Spelman, each girl is op
posed to dirt and trash. Each girl feels that she
must make her surroundings attractive. Then
there is about Spelman an air of having time to
think, to feel, to commune with one's self and with
ones God. The value of this time cannot be over
estimated.
Another feature of the life of the students at
Spelman Seminary is the manner in which they
are cared for while students there. The system
is unique. The boarders are divided into groups of
about fifty, and placed in the care — not of a ma
tron, not in the care of a preceptress, but in the
care of a "Hall Mother." Each girl is at home with
the "Hall Mother," and a "Hall Mother" feels
just as responsible for the girls in her care as
though they were really her own. Here in the pri
vacy of their own halls the girls of any given
group, have their prayers, their study hours, their
little concerts and Christmas entertainments, etc. ;
and then go out and enjoy the more public ones
which take in the whole school. In this manner,
the atmosphere of home is thrown around the girls
and they have the feeling of being really loved
and protected.
Spelman Seminary is one of the best, if not the
best, organized institution among our people. Its
training is thorough.
139
GEORGE WASHINGTON HILL, PRESIDENT
WALKER BAPTIST INSTITUTE.
HE Walker Baptist Institute is lo
cated in Augusta, Georgia, where
it was moved eleven years after
it was founded, from Waynes-
boro, Ga. It was founded in the
year 1881 by Father Nathan Wal
ker. Since its removal it has grown in popularity
and efficiency until it has become known as one
of the most substantial secondary schools in the
State of Georgia.
It is owned and partly supported by a board of
seventy-eight trustees selected by the Walker Bap
tist Association.
While the property of the Institute belongs to
the Walker Baptist Association it has been foster
ed by the Negro Baptists of the entire state of
Georgia, and in a considerable measure of late
years, by the General Education Board of New
York.
In recent years the general public has also con
tributed to its support. In addition to this it has
had many srong Baptists as sponsors.
The founder, Nathan Walker, was followed by
T. J. Hornsby who in turn was succeeded by the
Reverand C. T. Walker.
Under the care of C. T. Walker, popularly known
as the "Black Spurgeon", Walker Baptist Institute
has gained its widest publicity, expanded most, and
done its best service.
The Walker Baptist Institute is a secondary
school with large elementary enrollment. It has
three departments : Grammar School, a College
Course, and a Department of Theology.
The Grammar School covers a course of eight
years. This department is under the direction of
Professor G. W. Hill, who is the principle and who
is assisted by Dr. James M. Mabritt, Dr. L. C. Wal
ker, Mrs. Rubena Newson, Mrs. U. L. Golden,
Misses Labara Kech, Naomi Wright, and Mrs.An-
nie E. Wheelston.
This organization under the management of
Professor Hill, has done much for the young Bap
tist pupils for whom it was especially organized.
While it is a denominational school no student is
kept from receiving its instruction because of his
religious beliefs.
After passing through this departmer.t the
scholars are prepared for their college course and
for the study of Theology.
The aim of the school is to prepare its students
for entrance into life where they must further ad
vance through the school of experience.
The foundation laid for them here will enable
them to gain from the school of experience addi
tional knowledge and strength to ensure a noble
and useful life.
The courses in the college and theological de
partments cover Latin, Greek, Mathematics, The
ology, Psychology, English, Pedagogy, Domestic
Science, and where there are young lady students,
music and studies relating to the Bible as well as
the Bible itself.
The Institution is now nearly forty years old. It
has grown slowly but steadily, both in size and
efficiency. It has rendered a large service to the
students coming under its influence and to the de
nomination which brought it into existence.
Its property valuation is thirty-five thousand
dollars and includes three large buildings, one of
which is a four story brick building containing
thirty-two rooms, used for a girl's dormitory,
chapel and dining room.
The Institution has never been satisfied with its
attainment, though pleasing, but is continuously
striving to advance. Its president has caught a
vision of a great and influential school and he is
bending his energies to translate his vision into an
accomplished fact. The Institution has a bright
outlook for an enlarged and more efficient service.
In this effort he is ably assisted by the Baptists
of the Walker Baptist Association, and especially
by the Reverend C. T. Walker and the members of
his congregation.
140
CHARLES T. WALKER, D. D., LL. D.
R. Charles T. Walker is among the
leading colored men of the world
today. Few are better known.
By common consent , he is the
ablest Negro preacher in the
world without regard to denomi
nation. He is pastor of the Ta
bernacle Baptist Institutional
Church of Augusta, Georgia, where he has been
laboring for nearly thirty-five years continuously,
excepting two or three years when he was pastor
of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, in New York
City.
His church in Augusta is frequented on each Sun
day morning during the winter or tourist season by
scores and scores of the wealthiest and most in
fluential American people, both men and women.
John D. Rockfellow was for years among his re
gular attendants. The same is true of former
President, William Howard Taft, who declares that
Dr. Walker is the most eloquent man he ever
heard. The late Booker T. Washington said: "I
do not know of any man, white or black, who is a
more fascinating speaker either in private conver
sation or on the public platform."
Dr. Walker was born in the little town of Hep-
zibah, Georgia, a few miles South of Augusta, in
the county of Richmond, on February 5, 1858. His
father was a deacon of the Baptist church and was
also the coachman of the family that owned him.
Dr. Walker comes of a race of preachers. One of his
uncles was pastor of the little church which was
organized in 1848, and of which Dr. Walker's father
was a deacon. The freedom of this uncle — Rev.
Joseph T. Walker, was purchased by the slaves in
order that he might devote his entire time to
preaching the gospel. It is after this same uncle
that the Walker Baptist Association is named.
This association founded and maintains the Wal
ker Baptist Institute at Augusta.
The Johnson's the Hornsby's the Youngs, the
Whitehead's and, of course, the Walker's are all
related to the family of the older Walker's.
These men are the foremost ministers, and have
been for many years the leading ministers and
pastors in Eastern Georgia. Quite recently the
Walker Baptist Association, of which Dr. Walker
has been the moderator for the past eighteen years,
raised for educational purposes, $22,000 in cash—
the largest amount ever raised by any Baptist As
sociation or State or national convenion in the his
tory of the United States.
Dr. Walker's work has not been confined to the
]-astorate. He has been interested in the puMica-
t.'.m of two weekly newspapers — the "Augusta
Sentinel," of which he was business manager for
several years, and the "Georgia Baptist," founded
at Augusta, by Dr. W. J. White, and at whose
death Dr. C. T. Walker became editor-in-chief of
the paper in which position he served for many
successful years. His accounts of travel in the
Holy Land, originally published in the Sentinel,
were afterwards published in book form and receiv
ed a very wide circulation. He was founder and
for many years president of the Negro Fair Asso
ciation, at Augusta. He founded the colored
men's branch Y. M. C. A., on 53rd Street, in
New York City, and also founded the colored Y. M.
C. A., at Augusta.
As an evangelist, Dr. Walker has no superior
among the colored preachers and pastors of this
country. He has been holding meetings in all
parts of this country from Maine to California,
for the past thirty years, and always with success.
No colored preacher in this country draws larger
crowds anywhere .
He has also taken a prominent and active part
in the business and political developement of his
race. He is a director in the Penny Bank, Augus
ta's only colored savings bank ; he is director in
the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company,
the biggest corporation of any kind in the city of
Augusta, owned and operated by colored people ;
he is a member of the Augusta Realty Corpora
tion — a band of seven men owning and controlling
some of the best city property ; and he has long
been a member of the Republican State Central
Committee and he has twice been elected by the.
people of his district to represent them in Repub
lican National Conventions.
In all this work, and in all his many activities,
Dr. Walker has not been an agitator. He has done
more than any other colored citizen of his home
town to bring about pleasant relations between the
two races, and Booker T. Washington says that he
did more than any man he knew to bring about
peace and good will between the two sections of
our country and the white and colored races.
It is a benediction to have lived in the same age
and in the same country with Dr. C. T. Walker.
141
JAMES RUFUS WEBB.
OR some years the city of Macon,
Georgia, has been making bids to
have the state headquarters re
moved from Atlanta to her soil.
Macon's arguments have not al
ways been convincing, but some
how they have more than worried the thinkers and
writers of Atlanta. If wide awake progress of the
Negro means anything Macon certainly cannot be
dismissed with a wave of the hand. Atlanta has
her Odd Fellows building, but Macon has her Pyth
ian Temple, not so pretentious, but very useful nev
ertheless. Her Negroes have not the complicated
interests, due to the multiplicity of big schools and
strong religious denominations, that Atlanta has.
Her black people move more in unison.
Conspicuous among the big Negro business men
who would aid in weighing down the scales for
Macon, is James Rufus Webb, grocer, real estate
dealer, farmer, barber shop proprietor, holder of
big shares in and promoter of undertaking and
broom manufacturing establishments. Indeed they
look upon him in Macon, as a sort of Cotton Ave
nue King.
Mr. Webb was born in 1863, in Crawford county,
Ga. He got his education in Bibb County, in the
142
city schools and in Ballard High School. Much of
his way he earned, the other his father paid. Fin
ishing his school career, Mr. Webb was none too
certain just what he was to do to earn a livelihood
and to make his place in the world. However he
thought he saw an opening.
The Negro business man was making his way,
but feebly, with a rare exception, in Macon in those
days. There was no Douglass Hotel on Broad
Street, ITO Pythian building, little Negro real estate.
However, in 1889 Mr. Webb courageously set forth
as a grocer on Cotton Avenue. Prosperity came
quicker and more abundantly than he had dared
hope. His business flourished without a failure for
thirteen years, when he thought he would change.
Selling out the grocery business he took up that
of dealing in Realty. He had some money and had
learned some of the tricks of business and of invest
ments. Situated in his office in the Pythian build
ing where he could think and plan, he not only made
profitable investments for himself but became a
thinker, a planner, and a promoter for Negro bus
iness in general. He saw that there was a big op
portunity as well as a chance to render improved
service in the business of undertaking. Hence two
undertaking establishments were soon under way,
backed by his name, influence and capital. The
Central City Undertaking Company of Macon is his
own business and he carries a controlling interest
in the Webb and Hartley Undertaking establish
ment.
Just as he saw the chance for the Negro under
taker to render bigger and better service, so he
saw it in several other callings. He thought there
was much room for the improved barber shop in his
town, and he started the Union Barber shop. He
thought there was a chance for the Negro to suc
ceed as a broom maker and he established the O. R.
Broom factory.
Planning and working incessantly, working not
only to succeed himself, but also to give the colored
people employment, it is no wonder that Mr. Webb
has prospered. He does not hoard money, rather he
keeps money moving, investing it, making it in
crease itself. He owns thirty houses, three stores,
and a 165 acre farm in addition to his other busi
ness interests. The farm which has its houses,
barns and the like, he takes pride in looking after
himself.
Thus engrossed in business Mr. Webb has devot
ed but little time to organizations of any other kind.
He and his wife, Mrs. Clara B. Webb, are members
of the A. M. E. Church. He is a Mason, a St. Lukes
Knight of Pythias. He has been treasurer of the
Macon Lodge of Masons and past Chancellor of the
Knights of Pythias.
All his business career, running over a quarter
of a century, Mr. Webb has spent on Cotton Ave
nue. Here are the scenes of most of his invest
ments. Here are all the business establishments
of the King of Cotton Avenue. Thus it is that
through Webb, through Douglass and others, that
if Macon were bidding for the capital on the basis
of Negro business, she could not be dismissed with
a mere gesture.
MADAM MARTHA BROADUS ANDERSON B. M.
HICHEVER city of America may
claim to be the Negro money cen
ter, social and intellectual center
and the like, it is certain that Chi
cago alone carries the palm as the
center of Negro music. There are
but a few of our best musicians
before the public today, whatev
er be their specialty, but have come by the way of
Chicago. Their talent may have been discovered
elsewhere, but the finish and the courage to
mount stages of the country and sometimes of the
entire globe, come from Chicago. Such among the
many are the Williams', Singers, Kemper Harreld,
Morehouse and Madame Martha Broadus — An
derson. Mrs. Anderson is among those whose talent
was discovered and in goodly measure developed
elsewhere. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she gained
her early literary education in the public schools
of Washington, D. C. It was in the public schools
of the District of Columbia that she first discover
ed her talent on the one hand, and learned the ele
mentary technique on the other, under the tutelage
of the late Professor John T. Layton. She soon be
came the leading singer in all public school sing
ing.
At the age of fifteen she was chosen official cho
rus director of the Second Baptist Lyceum, a ly-
ceum which at that time was regarded as one of
the best literary societies in the country.
On finishing her studies in the public schools of
Washington, Mrs. Anderson took the civil service
examination and was appointed to a position in the
Government Printing service, where she worked
for many years. In the meantime, however; she
did not wholly neglect her talent. She studied and
practiced regularly, and appeared in public when
ever time and opportunity permitted.
In 1898 Mrs. Anderson was married to Mr. Henry
S. Anderson and took up residence in Chicago.
Here she made her home, launched out into musi
cal studies and into the musical life of Chicago. To
quote George L. Williams of the Williams Jubilee
Singers— "Madam Anderson is in the first division
of the men and women of the race who are doing
things musical. For ten years she has been active
in the musical life of Chicago, having built up and
directed a great choir at Quinn Chapel, A. M. E.
Church, which, during the time of her direction,
was acknowledged to be the best organization of
its kind in the great city of Chicago. She is now a
director of an excellent choir at Bethesda Baptist
Church and maintains a beautiful and well appoint
ed studio at 3518-22 South State Street, Chicago,
to which a large number of students go to study
vocal and instrumental music."
She was graduated from the Chicago Musical
College in 1908, with the degree of Bachelor of
Music. This is one of the oldest colleges of music
in the West, and Mrs. Anderson is one of the few
colored people to have studied there and the only
Negro to obtain a degree there. Her voice
is described as lyric soprano, very flexible,
tapable of wonderful range. ~ She numbers
among teachers, in addition to those at the Chi
cago Musical College, Herbert Miller, Pedro T. Tin-
sley, both well known in the musical world, Her
bert Miller says of her:
"She has had a protracted course of study with
me, covering a period of years and understands the
principles which underly and govern the art of
singing. I also know her to be an accomplished
musician, her studies of composition, history, sight-
reading and piano giving her education a breadth
unusual among vocalists."
Mrs. Anderson spends her time teaching pri
vate pupils, directing chorusus and appearing in
recitals. She appears before the public not only
in lighter solo singing but in prolonged and heroic
roles. For example, some of the best work on the
stage, that by which audiences best remember her
are the "Rose Maidens." "Esther the Beautiful
Queen," and "The Messiah." In these she is a great
favorite before the general public and before audi
ences of college students. She has sung, among
many institutions, at Howard and at Fisk. At Fisk,
where music is in the foundation stones of the Uni
versity and throbs in everybody's pulse, she won
words like this from the Nashville Globe :
"The entirely new feature on the program was
the appearance of the soprano soloist, Mrs. Martha
Broadus — Anderson, of Chicago, Illinois. To say
that she won a place in the hearts of her audience
is to state it mildly. Her stage manners were sim
ply perfect, and her perfection lay in her simplicity.
To be received as she was by such a gathering as
greeted her was an enviable compliment. She was
to sing four solos, but the audience compelled her
to sing seven, and clamored for more, but the
length of the program forbade her singing longer."
143
GEORGE WASHINGTON ELLIS,
George Washington Ellis, K. C, F. R. G. S., LL. D.
HOSE who marvel at the versatil
ity of Mr. George W. Ellis, of
Chicago, will be even more amaz
ed to know of the wide range of
his education. Mr. Ellis was
born in Platte County, at Wes
ton, Missouri, May 4th, 1876. His parents were
also Missourians, his father being of Lexington,
Missouri. His mother was Miss Amanda Drace
of Clinton, County, Missouri. Mr. Ellis began
his education in his native city, of Weston, where
he attended public schools. From Weston he en
tered Atchison High School, Atchison, Kansas.
Graduating from here, he spent the next two
years in the Law Department of the University of
Kansas. Then he began the practice of law to as
sist in paying his way for four years in the College
of Arts in the University of Kansas. Next he
spent two years in the Gunton's Institute of Econ
omics and Sociology, in New York. From New
York he enrolled in the Department of Philosophy,
and Psychology, in Howard University, Washing
ton, D. C. He has a diploma from Gunton's Insti
tute (of Economics and Sociology), a diploma from
Gray's School of Stenography and Typewriting,
and the degree of LL. B., from the University of
Kansas. In 1918 Wilberforce conferred upon him
the degree of LL. D., in appreciation of his exten
sive work.
Set "over against this long list of achievements
in education are his many successes in life. Mr.
Ellis began the practice of law in Lawrence, Kan
sas, in 1893. In 1899 he passed the Census Board
of Examiners, and was appointed a clerk in the In
terior Department at Washington. Transferred
in 1902, he was appointed by President Roosevelt
and confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of the
Legation to the Republic of Liberia. The next eight
years, Mr. Ellis spent in Africa. He made no end of
excursions into the hinterland, studying the lives
and manners of the African people. Retiring in 1910
Mr. Ellis began the practice of law in Chicago, un
der the firm name of Ellis and Ward. This name
was changed in 1912 to Ellis and Westbrooks, as
it now stands. In addition to a large general prac
tice, Mr. Ellis was elected in 1917 as assistant Cor
poration Counsel, a position which he still holds.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ellis has been a
strong and active Republican. He has been much
in demand as a campaign speaker and advisor. He
is very active in all political movements in Chicago,
taking a conspicious part in their direction and
giving voice to their outcome in various magazines
and newspapers. Active and useful as he is
in National and city politics, Mr. Ellis will
no doubt be the longest remembered, as he is pro
bably best known by his writings. A mere list of
his writings will illustrate how very prolific he has
been with his pen and what service he has been
able to render all black peoples through the press.
His three books are "Negro Culture in West Af
rica," "The Leopard's Claw," and "Negro Achieve
ments in Social Progress." Among his contribu
tions to various publications are "Education in
Liberia," (National Bureau of Education ;) "Justice
in the West African Jungle," (New York Indepen
dent ;) "Liberia in the Political Psycology of West
Africa," (African Journal ;) "The Mission of Dun-
bar," (The Champion;) "Negro Morality in West
Africa," (The Light ;) "Negro Morality in the Af
rican Black Belt," (The Light;) "The Outlook of
the Negro in Literature," (The Champion;) "The
Chicago Negro in Law and Politics," (The Cham
pion ;) "Dynamic Factors in the Liberian Situa
tion ;" "Islam as a Factor in West African Culture ;"
To enter into the merits of these publications is
far beyond the limits of space alloted here. Suffice
it to say that most of the leading daily papers of
the country along with many of the best magazines
have given most wholesome praise to both his
books and articles. Fully as substantial, if not
more so, is the endorsement given him by many
of the leading intellectual societies of the world.
In recognition of his contributions in ethnoligical
studies, Mr. Ellis upon the recommendation of Sir
Harry Johnston, and Dr. J. Scott Keltic, has been
elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
of Great Britian. Upon the merits of the same
writings he has been made a member of the Af
rican Society, London, of the American Sociologi
cal Society, of the American Political Association,
of the American Society of International Law. He
has been decorated a Knight Commander of the
Order of African Redemption, and has been chosen
an honorary member of the Luther Burbank So
ciety.
Mr.Ellis was married to Miss Clavender Sher
man, in 1906. Mrs. Ellis died in 1916.
He is as has been indicated a strong Re
publican, a Methodist in his religious belief,
and was last delegate to the General Con
ference, 1912-1916. He was given a place in Who's
Who in America, in 1912, and in The Book of Chi-
cagoans, in 1917. He has just been selected for a
place in the National Encyclopedia, of American
Biography, volume XVIII, now in the press.
July 1, 1918, at the Coliseum, in a convention of
15,000 people, Mr. Ellis was nominated for judge of
the Municipal Court, of Chicago, for the Repub
lican primaries, September 11, 1918,
145
RICHARD EDWARD MOORE.
EBRUARY 7, 1850, Richard Ed
ward Moore was born in Browns
ville, Pennsylvania He moved
with his parents to Chicago in
1858
In 1871 when he was thirty-one
years old ,he joined Bethel A. M.
E. Church, where he has labored
for the past forty-six years, filling almost every
position a layman can fill in a church.
He is Superintendent of the Sunday School
which is now a splendid working force. Having
all the advanced ideas of Sunday School work,
taught. At the present time the membership is
740 pupils.
In 1868, at the age of eighteen, Mr. Moore organ
ized a military company of boys, ranging from
fourteen to twenty years. They were called the
"Hannibal Zouaves," fashioned in dress after the
famous French Zouaves, of France. The com
pany adopted the lightning quick Zouave tactcis
and soon became the pride of Chicago, and when
ever they appeared in public parades, they were
given rousing applause by the citizens, white and
colored, who saw them.
And a few years later this company entered the
State Militia of Illinois and was enrolled in com
pany "A," 16th Battalion, Illinois State Guards
under Governor Tanner. Mr. Moore received the
first Captain's commission ever issued to a colored
man in the State of Illinois. It was the military
spirit of Captain Moore and good service rendered
by the "Hannibal Guards," in the railroad riots and
the 16th Battalion in the services of the State, that
paved the way for the admission into the State of
the now famous 8th. regiment, Illinois Infantry,
now doing service in the regular army of the Un
ited States, This company is now in France,
known as the 370 Regt., U. S. Infantry, and which
is the only regiment of Colored men in military
service in the world that is commanded by Negro
officers from corporal to colonel.
When a boy sixteen years of age, Mr. Moore's
mother had Richard to join, with his mother, the
Good Samaritans. With the coming years he
became a member of the Odd Fellows, Masons,
Knights of Pythias, True Reformers, and several
Social and Business organizations. Finding it im
possible to render his full duty to all of these fra
ternal organizations, he confined his efforts to the
Masonic Order. From October 1878, to October,
1913, he served as R. W. Grand Secretary of the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Ill
inois, for 35 years. During the same time for 5 years
he filled with credit to himself and the Masonic
Order, the offices of Secretary of the Grand
Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, Grand Recor
der of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar,
and later on, the Supreme Council Scottish Rite
Masons 33, of the Northwestern jurisdiction ; and
Imperial Recorder of the Imperial Council of No
bles of the Mystic Shrine of the United States.
In 1890 he organized the Grand Chapter of the
Eastern Star, and served as Grand Patron for four
years. In 1892, he began a three year's term in the
office of Grand Joshua Heroines of Jericho. In
1913, he organized the Arabic Court, Daughters of
Isis, auxiliary to the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
In 1916 he organized the Chicago Assembly Loyal
Ladies of the Golden Circle, auxiliary to the Su
preme Council Scottish Rite Masons. At the
present time he is serving in the office of Lieut
enant Commander of the Supreme Council Scottish
Rite, of the Northern jurisdiction and Chief Rab-
ban of the Imperial Council A. E. A. O. Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine of the United States and Can
ada.
On April 1, 1871, Mr. Moore was employed as
porter in the office of the American Express Com
pany. He gradually worked his way up to pri
vate messenger to Mr. Charles Fargo, Vice-Presi-
dent and General Manager of the Company. He
remained in this position until the death of Mr.
Fargo, in 1902. He was then transferred as filing
clerk to the new Foreign Department of the com
pany, and had charge of more than fifty thousand
files which covered the transactions of that very
important branch of the company's business from
the date of its introduction, 1900 to April 30, 1913.
The world's war caused a general reduc
tion in the employee's rank of all express compan
ies and the company generously placed Mr. Moore
on the Pension Roll, after having served for forty-
six years and six months without ever losing a
day's pay or causing a demerit to be placed against
his record.
At the present time Mr. Moore is actively engag
ed in Y. M. C. A., Church, Sunday School, and So
cial uplift work .
On December 5, 1874, Mr. Moore was united in
marriage to Miss Rosa E. Hawkins, who was a
charming young Chicago belle, of that period. They
lived happily together until the time of her death,
April 15, 1912. Mr. Moore is now pleasantly loca
ted with his daughters, Mrs. Alberta Moore-Smith,
and Mrs. Etta M. Shoecraft, and their husbands,
and his son, Richard Moore, Jr., all forming one
happy household group.
146
High Degree Masonry in Illinois
HE three high branches of the
Masonic Order of the State of
Illinois, are the M. E. Grand
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons,
the Occidental Consistory, A. A.
Scottish Rite Masons, Valley of
Chicago, and Arabic Temple No.
44, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
of Chicago.
The Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons
was organized in the city of Chicago, October 9,
1879, with four chapters, Saint Mark's, Chicago;
Saint John's, Springfield; Eureka, Chicago, and
Mount Moriah, Cairo. These chapters were chart
ed by the most excellent Grand Chapter Royal
Arch Masons, of the State of Pennsylvania, which
was organized about twenty-two years, prior to
the organization of the Grand Chapter of Illinois,
by Royal Masons, who were regularly made Mas
ons in lodges established by Prince Hall, Grand
Lodge F. and A. M., and successors, in the State of
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, the members of
which afterwards received the Royal Arch degrees
in regular constituted chapters in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, and Boston, Massachusetts, said
chapters organized the Grand Chapter of Pennsyl
vania. The four chapters, composing the Grand
Chapter of Illinois, at the time of organization,
numbered only one hundred and sixty companions
Royal Arch Masons. At this time there were
thirty subordinate lodges of Master Masons with
a membership of eight hundred and thirty. The
higher one goes into the higher degrees of the
Masonic fraternity, the number of eligibles to draw
from in order to increase the membership de
creases ; this accounts for the small membership
composing the four Chapters which formed the
Grand Chapter.
Joseph Washington Moore, was elected the first
M. E. Grand High Priest. He was a Mason of ex
ceptional executive ability and integrity.
Companion, William D. Berry, was elected the
first M. E. Grand Secretary. At the present
time, there are fifty-four subordinate Chapters
in the State, with the membership of 2370. The
present M. E. Grand High Priest Companion, Al
bert R. Lee, of Champaign, a man of extraor
dinary ability, is the youngest Companion who has
occupied the exalted position of Grand High Priest.
Occidental Consistory, No. 28, Valley of Chica
go, was organized in the year 1889, by the conso
lidation of Prince Hall Consistory, holding a chap
ter issued by the Supreme Council of Illustrious
Inspectors Generals of the thirty-third and last
degree of the Southern jurisdiction ; whose Grand
East is at the city of Washington, D. C.. Illus
trious Thornton A. Jackson, is Sov-Grand Corn-
mender, and Excelsior Consistory, holding a char
ter issued by the Supreme Council of Illustrious
Inspectors General of the thirty-third and last de
gree of the United States, whose Grand East is at
the City of New York, N. Y., Illustrious Brother,
Peter W. Ray, Sov-Grand Commander. The illus
trious brethren of the thirty-third degree of the
two Consistories were consolidated under the name
147
of Occidental Consistory, which was granted a
patent issued by the Supreme Council of Inspec
tors Generals of the Northern jurisdiction in the
year of 1913. Their Grand East is at the city of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Illustrious Brother J.
Francis Rickards is Sov-Grand Commander. The
two Consistories held concurrent jurisdiction in the
Valley of Chicago, for a period of eighteen years,
before a consolidation was effected, owing to the
long dispute, as to the legality of the five existing
Supreme Councils, which was finally settled by re
cognizing one for the Southern jurisdiction and
one for the Northern jurisdiction, which by the
two Supreme Councils was consummated d'uring
the administration of Illustrious Brother James E.
Bish, Commander-in-Chief of Occidental Consis
tory.
Occidental is the largest consistory among Col
ored men in the United States, having a member
ship of three hundred and five Sublime Princes.
The present commander of Occidental Consitory,
Illustrious Brother, Charles T. Scott, is consider
ed to be one of the best ritualists and thorough
Masonic workers in the Northern Jurisdiction, and
to him, is due the credit of having brought the
Consistory up to its present high standard among
Scottish Rite Masons in America..
Arabic Temple, No. 44, of the Oasis of Chicago,
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, was organized in
the month of June, 1893, by Noble Milton F. Fields,
a duly accredited representative of the Imperial
Council Nobles of the Mystic Shriners of the Unit
ed States of North America. There existed at the
time of organization, another Imperial Council,
called "The Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine of the United States and Canada."
The right to the supreme control of work of the
Order was a serious contention between the two
Imperial Councils for twenty years, but was finally
settled by all the Temples of the two factions in
1913, by agreeing to amalgamate. In order to pre
vent future trouble and to obtain incorporation
papers, the title of the order was changed to be
known in the future as the "Ancient Egyptian Ara
bic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine."
When Arabic Temple was organized in 1913, No
ble Henry Graham was elected the first illustrious
potentate and Noble R. E. Moore, the first illus
trious Recorder, with an enrollment membership
of twenty-six Nobles. By careful management, by
these two officers, with the undivided support of
the charter members, the Temple was built upon
a strong foundation and succeeded in increasing
the membership until 1913. when the Temple took
out a charter under the amalgamated Imperial
Council, Noble Robert I. Hodge being the Illus
trious Protentate, and Noble Richard E. Moore,
Illustrious Recorder. The present Illustrious Po
tentate Noble Marcellus F. Coley has no equal in
the country as a live, wide-awake, soul-stirring,
potenate, always presenting something new for the
edification of the members. The Temple now has
a membership of 345, which makes it the largest
temple of Colored Shriners in the United States.
WILLIAMS FAMOUS SINGERS,
Williams Famous Singers
HICAGO is their post office ad
dress : the world is their home.
From Canada to Mexico, from
Maine to California, from London
to Berlin, they journey with all
the ease of the cosmopolite. The
impassable snow banks of Montana, the washouts
in Florida, the heatless theatres in Alabama, none
of these can suppress the rich melody, the good
cheer, the masterly rendition of these singers
gathered and blended from many parts of America.
For fifteen years this troup of William Colored
Singers has had an unparalleled vogue before the
international public. It had its origin back in 1904,
being organized by Mr. Charles P. Willams, from
whom the company takes its name. The personnel
of the troup has been practically the same from the
beginning; no wonder they can blend their voices
with equal fascination in "Who Built de Ark?" and
in the sextet by Lucia
These are no picked-up 'harmonizers," but edu
cated, refined people, to begin with ; and intense
students of music besides. Mr. Charles P. Wil
liams, the organizer, was formerly a student in
Rust University, Holly Springs, Mississippi. His
father, D. A. Williams, Presiding Elder of the Me
thodist Episcopal Church, of Mississippi, was one
of the leading men of his race, but died when
Charles was eighteen years of age. When his fa
ther died Charles was left with the care of a mo
ther and five sisters. Prior to this time he had
been a student of Rust University, and had known
no responsibility greater than that of study and
college athletics. However, he went to Chicago,
and working in various capacities managed to take
care of the family and home. He was not con
tented with the nature of his occupation, and final
ly secured a position with a traveling Male Quar
tette, which in time was abandoned by its leader
and which was ultimately taken over by Mr. Wil
liams. With the remaining members of that quar
tette, he, with the assistance of Dr. Frank L. Love-
land, of the M. E. Church, of Iowa, organized
the Dixie Singers. In the Spring of 1904, Mr. and
Mrs. Williams, and J. H. Johnson resigned from
the last named company to organize what is at
present the famous "Williams' Singers."
Mr. J. H. Johnson, who is Mr. Williams business
partner and Musical Director of the company, was
born in Coal Creek, Tennessee. He and his bro
ther, G. L. Johnson, the first tenor singer of the
company, are sons of a Methodist minister, but
they were in early life sent to Knoxville College,
a United Presbyterian School, Knoxville, Tennes
see, where they each received their literary and
149
musical education. Each of them afterwards trav
eled with the Knoxville College Glee Club, until J.
H. Johnson located in Chicago, and G. L. Johnson
accepted a call to one of the mission schools of the
United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Williams was
attracted to J. H. Johnson when he was directing
a choir in one of the large Chicago churches and
induced him to fill a vacancy with the Dixies, and
to ultimately join Mr. Williams in organizing the
present "Williams' Singers," G. L. Johnson was
then called to this new company. Mr. J. S. Crabbe,
the basso, was formerly manager for the Mutual
Lyceum Bureau. Mrs. Chas. P. Williams was for
merly Miss Clara Kindle of Oberlin College and of
the Maggie Porter-Cole Fisk Singers. The prima
donna, Mrs. Virginia Greene, studied under Profes
sors Perkins and Tinsley of Chicago. Mrs. Hattie
Franklin Johnson was trained at Fisk University, at
Walden and in Chicago under Professor Tinsley.
Mrs. Marie Peeke Johnson was born in Madison,
Wis., and reared in the city of Chicago. She was
sent at early age to Fisk University at Nashville,
Tennessee, where she had eight years in literary
branches combined with piano and vocal music un
der Miss Grass and Miss Robinson, respectively.
Later Mrs. Johnson studied under Mr. Kurt Don-
ath and Mr. A. Ray Carpenter, Chicago, and in the
meantime filled professional engagements with
Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Miss Inez L. McAllister was born at Pueblo,
Colo., and is a graduate from the High School of
that city, is a contralto singer and is Mr. Williams'
private secretary. She substitutes for Mrs. Wil
liams as contralto singer of the company.
To years of constant devotion to their life's work
in the United States and Canada, they have added
a year of travel and study in England, Scotland,
Wales. Holland, Belgium, Germany and France.
They were eighteen weeks in London, where they
gave 130 performances, singing in many of its best
known theatres, among which was the World-fam
ous Coliseum. While in London the entire company
was under the instruction of one of the world's
greatest vocal teachers — Miss Ira Aldridge, who is
a scholar of the London Royal Conservatory of
Music, and whose early teacher was the famous
Jennie Lind. This experience added to natural tal
ent and former years of faithful application en
hances the ability of each individual singer, and has
produced in their case a remarkable musical com
bination.
The V.orld war has brought changes among these
singers, as it has among all kinds of groups the
world over. But their popularity is unchanged;
their enthusiasm is unabated, their talent seems to
grow richer and richer as the days pass by.
A. WILBERFORCE WILLIAMS, M. D.
ANUARY, 1864, Dr. A. Wilber-
force was born to Baptice and
Flora Williams. For thirteen
years young Williams lived on the
plantation, toiling happily with
out the knowledge of his A. B.
C's. Then, in 1876, he came to
Springfield, Missouri, and for the
first time had a chance to attend school. In 1881,
he obtained a license to teach common school in
Mount Vernon County, Mo.
He alternated teaching and studying until he
was graduated from the Normal Department at
Lincoln Institute, Jefferson City, Mo. He then
taught in the summer school, Kansas City, Mo.,
and at the same time continued to study. He pur
sued private studies, took a course at the Y. M. C.
A., attended evening school and the Summer Nor
mal.
Young Williams had some difficulty in choosing
his Mir work. He was a most excellent teacher,
but he felt that he would not like to make it his
life work. He was advised to become a minister.
The } oung man decided that he was not fitted for
such, a calling. Then for a time he felt that his
future happiness depended upon his becoming a
lawyer and a member of the bar. There had been
a cyclone and young Williams had watched the
skill of Dr. Taft, an ex-army surgeon care for
the wounded. He admired that skill as a boy. and
he could not forget it as a young man. And so in
the choice of his profession, Dr. Williams, one of
our foremost surgeons, went back to his childhood
for the inspiration that made him choose the pro
fession for which he was best fitted. And having
definitely decided on his profession, Dr. A. Wilber-
force Williams set his heart on becoming one of
the best, with the ability to saw bones and bind
up wounds as he had seen Dr. Taft do.
Thus it was that in 1890, he left Kansas City,
Mo., and went to New York to attend Bellevue
College — but, they refused him admittance and he
returned to his school room for another year.
When next he started out to get admittance in a
medical school, he applied for the place before
leaving his home. And so, we find him a student
of medicine in Northwestern University, Chicago,
111., where he received the same credit as that of
any other student. He was graduated in 1894, and
then served for two years as resident physician in
Provident Hospital in Chicago.
Dr. A. Wilberforce Williams is Professor of In
ternal Medicine; head of the Medical Department
of the Post Graduate School of Provident Hos
pital ; Secretary of the Medical Staff and Attend
ing Physician of Provident Hospital and lecturer
on Hygiene, Sanitation and Medicine in its Train
ing School for Nurses. Attending Physician for
six years at the South Side Municipal Tuberculo
sis Dispensary .Supervisor of the Municipal Tu
berculosis Sanitation Survey; he is an authority on
all forms of tuberculous diseases, a well recogniz
ed Heart and Lung Specialist and Health Editor of
the Chicago Defender. He is an active member of
the A. M. A., Illinois State and Chicago Medical
Societies, Mississippi Valley Tuberculosis Confer
ence, Robert Koch Society for the Prevention and
Study of Tuberculosis, the National Society for the
Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis and a mem
ber of the Executive Board of the National Med
ical Association and also a member of a committee
of that Association, to wait on Secretary Baker
for the purpose of having colored professional men
(physicians and dentists) commissioned in the U.
S. Army or to give them deferred classification and
not be forced to enlist as privates on account of
racial relations. He is President of the Physicians,
Dentists and Pharmacists Association of Chicago.
The U .S. Government selected him to act as a
member of the Advisory Board in the supervision
of the work of Local Exemption Boards in the ex
aminations of registrants. He was Chairman of the
Second Ward Committee of the Fourth Liberty
Loan, Chairman of the Committee of Physicians
of the Red Cross Home Service Medical Section in
the medical care of dependents of relatives now
fighting at the front ; and aside from these purely
medical organizations, he is a member of the
Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Y. M. C. A.,
Court General Robt. Elliott, A .O. F., Urban
League and Social Service Club.
In connection with his profession he has traveled
extensively over the United States, Mexico and
Canada.
He was married June 1902, to Miss Marry Eliza
beth Tibbs, of Danville, Ky., who enjoys with him
the comforts of their attractive modern home.
Forty years ago he stood before his cabin door
an unlettered boy of thirteen. Now he has found
his place in life and fills it with credit and honor.
150
ed States Army and served until the close of the
war.
WILLIAM H. ANDERSON, D. D.
ORN in Vigo County, Indiana, May
8th, 1843, the Reverend Wil
liam H. Anderson has seen innum
erable changes in the history of
the country, has been party to
many of them, and has enjoyed
with delight approaching ecstasy the strides for
ward by his own people.
From his youth until the outbreak of the Civil
War, his life was much like that of the ordinary boy
of the northwest. The school being four miles
from his home, he got his first teaching from an
older sister. As soon as he was large enough to
walk the distance to school in Vigo County, he be
gan to attend the public schools. As a pupil he be
came very brilliant, usually standing at the head
of his class.
He was just coming into young manhood when
the Civil War broke forth. His first appearance as
a speaker before the public was due to conditions
surrounding the enlistment of Negroes. As is com
mon knowledge now Massachusetts was forming
two Negro regiments, the Fifty Fourth and the
Fifty Fifth. The recruiting officers were seek
ing to draft the Negroes of Indiana into the Massa
chusetts regiments. This Mr. Anderson opposed,
taking the position that the Indiana Negroes should
be enlisted for Indiana and not for another state.
That he was sincere in his protest and not seek
ing to evade, was made clear by later action. When
the time came for the Indiana Negro to take up
arms and bear his share of the burden of war, all
four of the Anderson sons, he and three others,
shouldered arms and went to the front in the Unit-
The war over, he began immediately on his life
as a public servant, and later as a minister. In 1865
he was sent by his regiment as a delegate to the
Negro Convention, which met in Nashville in Au
gust, 1865. In 1870 he began his pastorate. His
first pastorial work was in Rockville, Indiana,
which church he served one year. From Rock
ville he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he
was pastor of the Baptist church there for ten
years. From Terre Haute he went to the Mc-
Farland Chapel, in Evansville, Indiana, where for
thirty-five years he has served this church with
untiring zeal and fidelity. This long pastorate
places Dr. Anderson at the head of the Indiana Col
ored pastors in point of continuous service to one
church, and but very few if any can claim a like
distinction in the United States. Another mark of
distinction in his long life of service as a pastor,
(forty seven years) is that he has only served three
churches — the one at Rockville, one at Terre
Haute and the McFarland Chapel at Evansville.
The fact of a preacher serving a church as pastor
for thirty five years is itself evidence of wise lead
ership but to cover this period with only two un
pleasant meetings of the church, is a remarkable
showing. Such has been the record of Dr. Ander
son.
Dr. Anderson has not been an extensive traveler,
but his mind has visited almost the entire globe. He
spends much of his time in his library where he has
access to books of travel and history. He can con
verse intelligently with those who have visited this
and other countries.
He has held many posts of honor in the In
diana Baptist Association and in secret orders. He
has been a Mason for forty years, and is at present
Grand Chaplain of the Masons of Indiana, a posi
tion which he hrs held continuously for twenty-sev
en years. He is said to be the first preacher of his
denomination in Indiana to receive the degree of
Doctor of Divinity, this was conferred upon him
by the State University of Kentucky, in 1889. The
Kentucky Colored people chose him to fight the Jim
Crow Coach Law in the Blue Grass State. This
law was declared unconstitutional by Judge Barr
of Louisville.
He owns his home in Evansville and has interest
in other property. He is the author of a booklet,
"Negro Criminality", which is pronounced one of
the best publications on that subject, Indiana
knows him as the young preacher's friend.
Reverend Anderson has been twice married:
He was married to Miss Sarah Jane Stewart of
Terre Haute, May 31st, 1866. He was married to
Mrs. Mattie D. Griggsby of Indianapolis, Novem
ber 8th, 1017.
151
MOSES A. DAVIS.
IRECTOR of Manual Training and
of Vocational Education, in the
colored schools of Evansville, In
diana, Moses A. Davis was born
in Savannah, Georgia, February
3rd, 1870. In his early years he
attended the public schools and then Knox
Institute of Athens, Georgia. His study in Athens
brought to the surface an almost insatiable desire
for learning of all kinds, but especially of the me
chanical and technical branches.
These he sought as the old scholars pursued
learning in the various centers of Europe. He en
tered Hampton Institute, was graduated there in
1891, then did post graduate work there. During
summer sessions he went to the Stout Institute at
Menomine, Wisconsin ; then to the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology at Boston ; then to Chicago
University ; and Greer's Automobile College of Chi
cago. He has also in his spare time pursued tech
nical courses in the International Correspondence
School of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Davis was among the last to receive a com
mission from General Armstrong. One of his first
positions as a teacher was given him through Gen
eral Armstrong, v/ho sent Mr.Davis to Frankfort.
Kentucky, to take charge of the technical course
and manual training work in the Kentucky State
Normal School at Frankfort. Here, being among
the first colored men to teach these subjects suc
cessfully, and knowing his work from a practical
as well as from a theoretical angle, Mr. Davis be
came very popular both as a teacher and as a prac
tical builder. Many of the buildings of Frankfort
were both designed and constructed by him during
his thirteen years as a teacher in the State Normal
School. From Frankfort he went to the State Col
lege in Savannah, his native city, where he taught
for one year.
From 1905 to 1918 he has held his present posi
tion as director of Manual and Vocational training
in Evansville. All along the line Mr. Davis has
been a pioneer in his work, as a manual training
teacher, directing knowledge into useful channels
and convertng prejudice and information into en
thusiasm and devotion.
Great indeed has been his joy in his work. Dur
ing the twenty-seven years of his teaching he has
seen his favorite subjects shake off the ashes of re
jection and become a main feature in nearly every
curriculum in the country. He has put up many
buildings along with giving class instruction. He
is at present erecting with the students of the
Clark High School of Evansville an Industrial Art
Building, which is to be the largest of its kind north
of the Ohio River. Most agreeable to him how
ever, of all his constructive endeavors, is the fact
that while he was a post graduate at Hampton,
he designed the school residence of Dr. Booker T.
Washington.
As busy as he is professionally, Mr. Davis finds
time to do many useful things as a citizen and as an
organization worker. Though a Christian Scientist
in his beliefs, he has affiliated himself with the A.
M. E. Church as a Sunday School teacher and
worker in this body in Evansville. He is a Mason
and a Knight Templar, and is a Past Deputy Grand
Master of Masons of Kentucky. He organized the
present Colored Y. M. C. A., of Evansville, and
was for many years chairman of the committee of
management.
Mr. Davis is very fond of one kind of travel, he
likes to attend the National Exposition. He num
bers on his list the Atlanta Exposition, 1895 ; the
St. Louis Exposition, 1904; Jamestown Exposition,
1907; and the Panama Exposition, 1915.
Mr. Davis was married in 1895 in Atlanta, Ga., to
Miss Beulah Thompson, Mrs. Davis is a graduate
of Hampton Institute, of the class of 1889. She
was trained in the famous Whittier School at
Hampton, and was later a teacher at Tuskegee
Institute. Mrs. Davis is, like her husband, devoted
to practical arts. She is director of the Domestic
Science work of Evansville.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis live in their own home, a very
well equipped and modern residence in Evansville.
They own property valued at about $10,000.
On March 13th, 1918, Mr. Davis gave up his work
in Evansville with an indefinite leave of absence
from the Board of Education, to go to New York
City, from whence he sailed March 30th, for Y. M.
C. A. War work with the men in France under
General Pershing.
152
JOHN WALTER HODGE.
for themselves
it has done.
N the establishment of the Nation
al Negro Men's Business League,
the founder, Booker T. Washing
ton, had as one of the objects
the lending of inspiration and in
centive to men of color to venture
out in the realm of business. This
It has been the cause of do-
cause
ing more and better business among those who
were already out for themselves, and it has caused
many who were timid to cut loose from the jobs
that held them, and take the final plunge for
themselves. Mr. John Walter Hodge belongs to
this latter class. When this organization met in
Boston, at its first meeting he was present. He was
at that time a Pullman Porter. He had served in
this work for six years, and like many another
young man was content with the easy money to be
made in this work. But when Mr. Hodge heard
of the work in the business world, done by other
men in his race, when he heard them tell of how
they had built up their business from very meager
beginnings, he became inspired with the idea of
venturing out for himself.
Mr. Hodge was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
September 29th, 1878. Here he spent his child
hood and young manhood. He entered the Pub
lic Schools of his native city and remained to get
all that was offered in that line. As a boy he
worked at odd jobs, in and around places of busi
ness in Chattanooga. In 1899 he obtained a place
in the Pullman service and remained in this until
1905. In 1905 he left the service of the Pullman
Company and went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where
he opened a Real Estate office. His office does
General Sales business, rental and Commission bus
iness. Among the big deals that have been made
by Mr. Hodge might be mentioned the sale of the
present site for the Y. M. C. A. Building, and the
site for the Knights of Pythias Building.
After adopting Indianapolis for his home town,
Mr. Hodge decided to inclentify himself with all
the worthy institutions there. So we find him a
very active member of the Y. M. C. A., of this city.
This branch is one of the most prosperous and
most beautiful among colored people. Mr. Hodge
serves the organization in the capacity of Secre
tary of the Board of Managers. He is Past Chan
cellor of the Knights of Pythias and Secretary of
the Local Negro Business League. He is a Mason
and a member of the Baptist church. In fact,
wherever we find colored men gathered together
working for the betterment of the race there we
will find J. Walter Hodge. He is interested in all
movements for the advancement of the race, and
is one of the most popular leaders out in Indiana
polis.
In the interest of his business and for pleasure
the subject of this sketch has traveled all over the
United States. This has served to broaden him
and to make him easy of approach to all men. Aug
ust 15, 1910, Mr. Hodge was married to Miss Janie
Parrish, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Hodge
has as great an interest in the uplift of the race
as has her husband. In fact they are one in their ef
forts to improve the people around them. Mrs.
Hodge is an active worker in the Y. W. C. A., of
Indianapolis and stood by the organization through
all the struggles when it was getting its footing.
All of the city love and respect this very unselfish
couple. They live in their own home at 924 Fa-
yette Street.
This is a record of a man who, when he heard the
call of a bigger chance, even though he could not
see his way to the end of it, did not hesitate to ac
cept the challenge. And having accepted the chance
offered him, be has used every opportunity to bet
ter others while he was helping himself. For this
unselfishness, he has gotten a reward in the esteem
in which he is held. All of Indianapolis look up
on him as one of her most useful and most prospe
rous business men.
15,;
F. B. RANSOM, LL. D.
R. F. B. Ransom of Indianapolis,
Indiana, is a southerner by birth,
having been born in Grenada,
Mississippi, July 13, 1882. He
spent his early days in Grenada,
working on the farm and attend
ing the public schools.
Completing his course in the public schools he
went to Walden University, Nashville, Tennessee,
where he finished his literary training, and where
he also gained the degree of L. L. D. His L. L. D.
he won in 1908. He studied Theology in the same
university. Later he read law in Columbia Univer
sity in New York. In 1910 he began to practice
law in Indianapolis.
In Indianapolis he began not only his career as a
lawyer, but a career of usefulness. Walden had
taught him that no matter what his chosen career,
a man counted in a community or state only in so
far as he made himself a genuine asset to his com
munity. This general teaching had been very large
ly supplemented by his study and application of
Theology.
Going into Indianapolis he immediately allied
himself with the Bethel A. M .E. Church and began
to take hold and give practical help in all deliber
ations and undertakings of the church. Here again
both his training in Theology and his education and
practice in law made him a most decided asset to
the Indianapolis Church.
He joined the Masons and Knights of Pyhthias
and, once more put his shoulder to the wheel to
make those organizations greater lights to their
members and to the world.
It was not long before both the church and the
city saw his worth. When therefore there was an
honor to bestow or a responsibility to be assumed
Mr. Ransom was forthwith thought of. Bethel
Church soon elected him to the Board of Trustees.
The Good Citizens' League made him president of
their organization. He had been in the city but a
few years when Mr. Julius Rosenwald, the Chicago
philanthropist, sent abroad his offer to give twenty
five thousand dollars towards building Negro
Young Men's Christian Associations. Indianapolis
had a great many young men. She had been strug
gling to keep their feet in good and circumspect
paths, especially during evening hours of leisure.
The colored citizens saw here the opportunity of a
life time, to build an attractive building, to equip
it with such appointments as the young men would
find in the pool rooms and in the parks without
the liability of vice. A committee was formed to
devise plans for raising funds to put up and equip
such a building. Who but F. B. Ransom, skilled
in law, in theology, in the affairs of life, should con
stitute the bone and sinew of such committee? The
Y. M. C. A. was built and equipped. It was one
of the first to embrace Mr. Rosenwald's offer and
one of the best Negro Y. M. C. A. buildings of the
country, of the world. Much of the credit of all
this is due to F. B. Ransom, to his skill, to his will
ingness to serve.
One by one other honors came to him. If the
church and Y. M. C. A. relied upon him, why not
the world? The Advisory Committee of the Col
ored Alpha Home for the aged colored people need
ed an attending attorney, who was concerned not
so much with fees, but with the general welfare of
the Home and of the people. Mr. Ransom was
called upon to fill this post. The Knights of Py
thias chose him to serve for a number of years as
its Grand Lecturer. Thus today in church, in
civic work as well as in the courts of law, Mr.
Ransom is numbered among the best citizens of
Indianapolis. For the last seven years he has been
acting attorney for the Mme. C. J. Walker Manu
facturing Company and for the last year he has
acted solely in that capacity, having had to give up
all other clients, and perhaps Mr. Ransom receives
the highest annual retainer of any colored attor
ney practicing law.
Mr. Ransom has traveled much both on business
and for pleasure, his trips having taken him over
the whole country. He was married on July 31,
1912, to Miss Nettie L. Cox, of Jackson, Mississippi.
Three little lads brighten the home of the Ransom
family ; Frank, Frederick, and Willard, aged four,
three and two, respectively.
154
REVEREND DIXIE CICERO CARTER
NVIABLE indeed is the attain-
iiiL-nt of Reverend D. C. Carter of
Frankfort, Kentucky. He is both
a minister and a physician. Stand
ing on the vantage point of these
two professions, he commands
the secrets of the body and of the spirit. His ap
proach must be one of large sympathy ; for look
ing into the Mechanism of men's bodies he can un
derstand wherein the spjrit has free play in some
and is debarred or suppressed in others. In him
science and religion unite and clasp hands instead
of crossing swords as they often do in other in
stances.
Reverend Carter, who follows the ministerial
career, was born in Giles County, Tennessee, Nov.
25, 1866. A poor lad, he garnered bits of learning
wherever he could, laboring in the meantime for
bread. Having accumulated sufficient knowledge
he finally entered Walden University in Nashville,
Tenn. He later studied medicine in the Louisville
National College, in Louisville, Kentucky. Coin
ing in a time when education for his people was
unpopular and when the few who wished well had
only wishes to offer, he had to labor at all kinds
of tasks to pay his way. Now he toiled in the
bristling August sun, picking cotton, now on the
railroad, in the hotels, wherever he could turn an
honest and honorable penny, here he was found.
He entered the ministry under the impulse of an
inner suggestion or as it is often called, a divine
call to service, but the inspiration to study medi
cine came from quite another source — it was the
suggestion of the son of his employer. The young
man had just graduated in medicine and was at
home on a visit before beginning his practice.
While at home he urged the young colored lad to
study for the career of doctor of medicine. So
deeply was he impressed with the suggestion that
he decided to act upon his advice and in due time
entered the Louisville National College to prepare
for this line of work.
However, the call to preach took a much
stronger hold upon him than the desire to enter
the medical profession and to the service of the
ministry he has in the main devoted his life. His
knowledge of medicine gives added strength to his
work and influence as a minister.
Reverend Carter is blessed with a good, vigorous
mind which he is using to the best advantage and
being a man of unusual energy it is not surprising
that he was soon equipped mentally for his profes
sion of a minister. His first charge as a minister
was at Elkton Tennessee which he assumed in 1885
at the age of nineteen years. In accordance with
the policy of the A. M. E. church, he was moved
from place to place at stated intervals but always
gave up a charge with the best of feeling between
him and his people. He never left a community
without leaving some imprint of his work for the
betterment of both the church and community,
which caused him to be held in grateful remem
brance by his people and won the gratitude of his
successor.
When he was pastor in Brandenburg, Ky. he built
a church there. He bought a parsonage during his
sojourn at Elizabethtown, Kentucky ; another dur
ing his stay at Shelbyville and built still another
church at Pleasureville, Kentucky. He was the
pastor of the A. M. E. Church in Frankfort for
five years, but is now pastor of the A. M. E.
Church at Ashland, Kentucky.
Reverend Carter has four times been represen
tative to the General Conference of his church ; is
a life Trustee of Wilberforce Univrsity and a Trus
tee of Wayman Institute of Kentucky.
He is a member of the National Medical Asso
ciation and a member of the Mosiac Templars of
America.
He was married in Jefferson, Indiana, in Decem
ber, 1902, to Miss Jennie Williams, and they have
one child, Geneva Ossin, six years of age.
155
JAMES NEWTON SHELTON.
HEN you go to Indianapolis, In
diana, on business, and wish to
talk business with the colored
men who not only know business,
but do business, it will not be
long before some one will intro
duce you to James Newton Shelton. Mr. Shel-
ton is working in his native state. He was born
in Charlestown, Indiana, June 12, 1872. He had
from his earliest youth, good educational advan
tages. His mother and father moved to Indiana
polis when he was one year of age. He attended
the public schools of Indianapolis, Marion county,
till he was ready for the High school and then he
entered The Indiana High School. Here he made
a record for himself not only in scholarship, but in
deportment. While still in High school, Mr. Shel
ton decided to be a business man. No other busi
ness to his mind offered the opportunities to the col
ored man that are offered in the undertaking bus
iness. Colored people die at a rapid rate, if not at
a greater rate than do the people of other races,
and of course they require a burial. This, to the
mind of Mr. Shelton, was work for a colored man.
So on leaving high school he entered Chicago
University. Here, along with other subjects taken
up he took up the embalming. In this sub
ject he did all the work offered by the Univer
sity and on leaving received a diploma in Embalm
ing. Mr. Shelton had as much foresight in choos
ing the place to establish his business, as he had
in choosing the kind of business. And so instead
of returning to his native town to open his shop,
he stayed in Indianapolis. Here colored people
live in large numbers and here he felt sure that he
could get a great deal of the colored undertaking
business. Starting out on a small scale, Mr. Shel
ton has steadily developed his business, putting
back into the business the profits received from it,
till today his is one of the choice business houses
operated by colored people in the city of Indiana
polis. For his work he now uses Auto Hearses
entirely. And because of the good equipment of
his establishment and because of the courtesy with
which all persons are received he gets a very large
share of the work in this line.
Mr. Shelton, while he has in no way neglected
his business, has, nevertheless taken time to serve
his people and his city in other capacities. He has
served as delegate to the last three Republican Na
tional Conventions. This shows the esteem in
which he is held by his people in the matters of
political issue, not only is he a good organizer, but
an orator of ability also. He has for the past twelve
years served as Deputy of the Department of As
sessor of Center Township, Indianapolis. Mr.
Shelton is the Past Grand Chancellor of the Knights
of Pythias for the state of Indiana, and has served
the order as supreme delegate for the past ten
years. He is equally as active, though not in so
prominent a post, in other orders. He is a Mason,
Shriner, an Odd Fellow, a member of the United
Brothers of Friendship, and a prominent member
of the Negro Men's Business League. In all of
these organizations, Mr. Shelton lends his weight
for the betterment of the majority. Not only has
this man loaned his business ability to the develop
ment of secular orders that look for the betterment
of the race, but he gives freely of his means and of
his advice to the church of which he is an active
member. Although a member of the Baptist
church, he helps all the Colored churches.
November 25, 1894, Mr. Shelton was married to
Miss Mamie E. Pettiford, of Franklin, Indiana.
Mrs. Shelton has been of great help in the business
of her husband, helping not only with her advice,
but with actual work, whenever the occasion de
manded this. There is one daughter born to them,
and who is the joy of their life. This is Miss Ze-
ralda Marion Shelton. She attended Fisk Univer
sity, Nashville. Tennessee, and for a time was a
student of music in the Chicago School of Music.
She is now Mrs. Scott, her husband being a sol
dier in Company A, 92 Brigade, now stationed in
France.
156
LOGAN H. STEWART, LL. B.
HE son of Wesley and Victoria
Stewart, Logan H. Stewart, news
boy, reporter, real estate dealer,
was born in Union Town, Ken
tucky, July 22, 1879. Shortly af
ter his birth he was taken to In
diana. When Mr. Stewart was three years old
his father died, leaving the mother and three small
children. When he was ten years old his mother
took him with the other children to Evansville,
where they lived for a time in want, but at least
one son achieved victory over want, and success in
life.
Mr. Stewart began his career in Evansville by
selling papers. He sold the Evansville News, now
the Evansville Journal-News. Here the young man
of fourteen proved his worth. In a short time he
had built up one of the best routes of the city. In
return the Evansville News made him manager of
a district. He was also given the post of reporter
for the colored people, being responsible for all
local news about Negroes.
However, the young man with all this success
was not merely working for the newspaper. He
was also going to school. In 1899 he was graduat
ed from the Latin course in Evansville High School.
157
Having decided to enter business he took a com
mercial course in the High School in 1900.
Mr. Stewart thanks all newspapers for his busi
ness career. He gained his first experience in bus
iness by handling newspapers. Moreover, while
he was attending school, he was able to save three
hundred dollars. In the year of his graduation he
invested a part of this sum in real estate. The ven
ture proved so profitable that he immediately re
solved to enter the business of buying and selling
land and lots.
In this business, Mr. Stewart has been both a pi
oneer and a benefactor in Evansville. Before he
entered the business of real estate, the 10,000 Ne
gro population of Evansville was thought of mere
ly as workers and church goers, not as dealers in
finance. Their realty holdings were less than $10,-
000. They had no bank credit, and woefully little
business recognition. Thus matters stood when
Mr. Stewart opened his office in 1900. By January
1, 1917, the Negroes of Evansville had $500,000
invested in real estate, substantial bank credit, and
a wider general credit and recognition throughout
the city. Mr. Stewart himself, beginning in pov
erty back in 1889, now owns his home, which is
valued at $7,000; one quarter block of stores and
shops in a business section, valued at $15,000; a fac
tory for the manufacture of concrete stone and
building material, worth $3,500; and other real es
tate values amounting to $15,000.
Absorbed in business Mr. Stewart has, however,
missed no opportunity to grow and to serve. While
joining no special church he has worked with the
Methodist in his town and with any denomination
that set out to serve the people. He was one of
the early members of the National Negro Business
League, joining that body in 1905. He was charter
member of the Negro Y. M. C. A. of Evansville and
very instrumental in securing funds for the Negro
Association when it was in its infancy. In 1915 he
organzed Health and Clean-Up Week in Evansville
causing five thousand colored people to clean up
and beautify their homes and surroundings, and
two hundred and thirty-five gardens to be planted.
He was president of the Evansville Negro Busi
ness League for more than ten years and a member
of the Executive Committee of the National Negro
Business League. He is on the Board of Manage
ment of the Negro Y. M. C. A. of Evansville. He
is a member of the Evansville Chamber of Com
merce, the only colored man to have this honor. He
has traveled extensive!}' in the East, in the West,
and in the South. He has spent much time and en
ergy in putting on their feet struggling Negro bus
iness men, who needed recognition at the banks
and instruction in handling business matters. In
honor of his good services to his fellow men and
in appreciation of his continued education, Lin
coln-Jefferson University of Hammond, Ind., con
ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Laws,
in 1913.
Mr. Stewart was married on November 30, 1911,
to Miss Sallie L. Wyatt of Evansville. Mrs. Ste
wart was formerly a teacher of Domestic Science in
the Evansville High School.
GEORGE WILLIAM WARD, D. D.
R. George William Ward, pas
tor of the Mount Zion Baptist
Church of Indianapolis, Indiana,
was born in Port Gibson, Mississ
ippi, July 2, 1869. His early days
were spent on the farm, where he
found his first inspiration to labor and wait; where
he learned to dream in big terms and to execute
patiently and persistently. This by the way, this
quiet country life, in a warm and fertile country,
was his first school.
He had two more early schools. He attended the
district schools of Clayborne County, learning from
books what knowledge he and his teacher could dig
out. Neither of them at that time was over adept
at this task, the times being considerably out of
joint, by reason of Reconstruction and general rest
lessness, and by reason of the scarcity and very
limited preparation of the Negro teachers. How
ever, a third means of learning supplemented the
efforts of the struggling young lad and his district
teacher. He was fortunate enough to be thrown
into a private white family, and was given five
years schooling by a white teacher. Here he got
environment, which did in actuality what he had
been taught in books. Hence Dr. Ward learned to
158
speak, to think, to act, by example as well as by
precept.
These three were his preparatory schools, nature,
the district school, the private white family, in the
last named speaking and acting education were a
habit and not a theory. These prepared him for
college. He chose Roger Williams University, of
Nashville, entered Corresponding department The
ology, under Dr. Geurnsey, having already become
a thorough going Baptist. Theology and a higher
literary training completed his studies and he went
forth ready to preach and to work among his peo
ple.
In his pastorates he has been unusually fortunate,
as Baptist pastorates go. He has been pastoring
now for a quarter of a century, and yet he has had
but four charges in all this time. His first two
charges were in Mississippi, at Duncan, Mississip
pi and at Gumunion, Mississippi ; at the latter
named he worked for five years, developing here
the habit of staying at one post long enough to
make his work count. In 1899 he was called to
Chattanooga, Tennessee. I-n Chattanooga he built
the Monumental Baptist Church, and so made for
himself a name in this section of the country, and
alson got in the habit of church building.
From Chattanooga he was called to his
present charge in Indianapolis, Indiana, 1907. Here
he again applied his old practice of getting congre
gations into new and spacious church homes. In
1908 he built the Mount Zion Baptist Church
on Twelfth and Fayette Streets, a handsome brick
structure, modern in all of its appointments and
conveniences.
From building churches and giving his services in
other directions, honors have come to him. He is
a Past Master Mason and a moderator of the Union
Baptist Association of Indiana. State University
at Louisville, Kentucky, has conferred upon him
the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Ward has evidently made up his mind to set
tle down in the West, or at any rate he is remaining
true to the old habit formed back there in Gumun
ion, Mississippi, of becoming part and parcel of
the place and section he works in. Moreover, as a
minister he feels that he must teach by example as
well as by precept. Therefore he has invested his
savings and his influence in homes and enterprises
in and around Indianapolis. He owns his home on
West Street in Indianapolis and one rent house, and
he is stockholder in the Studebaker Auto Tire Cor
poration of South Bend and in the Irvington Sick
and Accident Insurance Company of Indiana.
Dr. Ward was married at Cartersville, Georgia,
in 1904. Mrs. Ward was formerly Miss Emma
Robinson. What Dr. Ward is by example to the
men of his congregation, Mrs. Ward has in great
measure been to the women. She has been a great
helper in church organization and in church build
ing.
William Henry Ballard
EARED in Kentucky where he
seems to have found the Elixir
of youth as well as business suc
cess, Dr. William H. Ballard,
though approaching close upon
three scole years, carries upon
him no mark of age, either in his actions or in his
mind. To be sure, his profession may be respon
sible for this as he is a pharmacist. Or it may be
the full life of achievement for himself and of help
fulness to others which he has led.
Among the picturesqe scenes of Franklin County,
Kentucky, with its rugged cliffs overhanging the
placid waters of the Kentucky River, was born to
Down and Matilda Ballard, October 31, 1862, a son,
whom they named William Henry. His parents
being industrious and energetic people, and seeing
that a liberal education was essential to success,
moved to Louisville in 1870. Here their son was
placed under a private tutor and remained under
his instruction until the opening of the public
schools in 1873, when he entered the public schools
and continued his course of studies in them. His
progress was rapid ; he took advantage of every
opportunity to improve himself. After seven years
of faithful application to his studies he was gradua
ted from the Louisville High School. His thirst
for knowledge was far from being quenched when
he completed his course in the high school. What
he had attained only whetted his appetite for
greater knowledge, and made him dissatisfied with
the preparation he had received, which was far
above that of many youths. Dr. Ballard entered
Roger Williams University, where he pursued a
special course in science and languages, complet
ing it in 1884. While at Roger Williams Univer
sity, Dr. Ballard began the work of teaching. He,
like many others who were striving to be a credit
to their race and ancestry, taught in the common
school districts of Tennessee and Kentucky during
the summer and pursued his studies at the Univer
sity during the winter.
The next step in the upward progress of Dr. Bal
lard was his election to the principalship of the
Mayfield, Graves County, Kentucky, where he
served with satisfaction for some time. His suc
cess as a teacher is shown by the great number of
ambitious young men and women now employed in
the schools of Southwestern Kentucky, many of
whom were under his immediate charge. This also
shows that the fourteen years spent in the school
room were characterized by conscientious and pain
staking study.
In 1890 he entered Northwestern University at
Chicago, 111., for the purpose of studying phar
macy. He was graduated from this course in 1892
receiving honorable mention. Shortly after gradu
ating from Northwestern University, Dr. Ballard
was married to Miss Bessie H. Brady, one of the
most estimable young women of Nashville, Tenn
essee, a teacher in Meig's High School, a woman
respected and beloved by all who knew her.
He has an interesting family, consisiing of a wife
and four children — three sons and a daughter. Up
on these he bestows his most devoted care and af
fection and seeks their highest good. The chil
dren have listened to the counsel of their father,
and like him are making something of their lives.
William Henry Ballard, Jr., is studying Pharmacy
at Howard University, Washington, D. C. ; Orville
L. Ballard is studying medicine at the same Insti
tution ; Edward H. Ballard is a student in the Lex
ington High School, and Miss Vivian Elizabeth
Ballard is studying in the Chandler Normal School.
Dr. Ballard began business in Lexington, Ken
tucky, February, 1893, opening the first Pharmacy
owned and controlled by Negroes in the State. He
has the confidence of all his acquaintances and has
been highly honored by many fraternal orders to
which he belongs. He is Past Chancellor of the
Knights of Pythias ; ex-State Grand Master of the
United Brothers of Friendship ; Commander in
Chief of Blue Consistory Scottish Rite Masons ; and
has the distinction of being a polished, capable and
conservative business man.
Dr. Ballard is a Methodist in church affiliation,
and is a member of St. Paul African Methodist
Episcopal Church. He is also a Trustee of the St.
Paul A. M. E. Church. His interest in the welfare
of the colored race enlists him in all enterprises
looking to their development. The Colored Agri
cultural and Mechanical Fair Association was or
ganized to encourage the colored citizen to take
more active interest in agriculture and mechanical
pursuits. Dr. Ballard not only connected himself
with this enterprise but served as Assistant Secre
tary, thus giving it the benefit of his organizing
ability.
While he has not visited foreign countries, Dr.
Ballard has seen much of the United States.
Dr. Ballard exemplifies what a man of strong
character and indomitable courage may do. He is
worthy of emulation, not only for what he has
achieved for himself, but for the service he has ren
dered in putting others on their feet. The clerks
who worked in his store have been inspired to
launch out for themselves. Four of the drug stores
of the state are run by men who were one time
clerks in the Ballard Pharmacy. One doctor, Doc
tor White of Owensboro, also served time as clerk
in this same store. Indeed so high is the business
in the esteem of both races that Dr. Ballard has
been for years a member of the State Pharmaceut
ical Association. Thus Dr. Ballard has lived a long
life of usefulness, helping to better all whom he
touched.
The man who makes the most of his opportuni
ties both for fitting himself for a useful life and in
serving others gets the most out of life, and learns
from experience that a life of service is a life of
joy.
"What we are is God's gift to us,
What we make ourselves is our gift to God."
159
THOMAS L. BROOKS.
R. T. L. Brooks, the subject of
this sketch, was born in Char-
lottesville, Albemarle County, Vir
ginia, in 1862, being the fourth
child of Thomas and Mildred
Brooks. His father was a carpen
ter by trade and was employed at the University of
Virginia to help in keeping up the repairs around
the College and it was here that young Brooks
learned the trade of his father.
Commencing at the early age of ten he continued
to work with his father until 1883 when he came
to Frankfort, Ky., secured employment with Rod
man and Sneed, Contractors, and later with Wake-
field & Choate. He remained with the latter firm
eight years serving the last half as Foreman.
On October 18, 1892, he was married to Miss
Mary L. Hocker of Frankfort, Ky., one of the
Public School teachers of Franklin County. From
this union one child was born, which died in infancy.
Both being very fond of children the home has nev
er been without a child, having adopted one daugh
ter who remained with them until her marriage and
at present they are rearing two of his Sister's child
ren.
In the same year Mr. Brooks decided to go into
160
the contracting business for himself. Although he
has contracted and built throughout Eastern Ken
tucky, it has been in Frankfort that he has made
his chief mark. Some of the most beautiful and
costly edifices erected all over the Capitol City and
wth values ranging in the thousands are the pro
duct of his brain and skill. It can be truthfully
stated that fully ninety percent of his work has
been for white people and against the sharp oppo
sition of white competitors. Over one-half of the
residences of the celebrated "Watson Court" — the
most exclusive and handsome section (white) of
Frankfort was built by him. The Columbia Thea
tre, a $15,000 structure and the leading and
most attractive moving picture theatre of the city
is also his work.
The Auditorium and the Trades Buildings of the
Kentucky Normal & Industrial Institute which
were erecter at a cost of thirty thousand dollars
were also contracted for and built by him and it is
an object of pride that both these handsome stone
buildings were built exclusively by Negro labor.
The ten thousand-dollar Colored Odd Fellows build
ing and the twenty-five thousand-dollar Colored
Baptist Church were also erected under his imme
diate supervision.
Mr. Brooks has a high standing among the banks
and business men of Frankfort and has accumu
lated much valuable property, and his word is ac
cepted as readily as most men's bond. He is held
in the very highest esteem by both races, and is
one of the most popular men in the Capitol City.
He also takes high rank as a Churchman, being one
of the most widely known Baptist laymen in Ken
tucky. He has been a Sunday School Superintend
ent for twenty years, a Trustee for sixteen years,
Deacon for six years and was Church Clerk for ov
er four years.
He is also a prominent Secret Society man, hav
ing been Secretary of the Capitol City Lodge of
Odd Fellows for twenty-seven years, frequently
a delegate to the B. M. C. and has served his state
as Secretary-Treasurer of the Insurance Bureau
and State Grand Master, at present being State
Grand Treasurer. He was the pioneer of the Ne
gro Fraternal Insurance in Kentucky Grand Lodge
of Odd Fellows over twenty-six years ago. He also
holds high official positions in the Masons, Knights
of Pythias and the United Brothers of Frendship.
At this time he holds position as Secretary of Meri
dian Sun Lodge which he has held for sixteen years.
He is Past Grand Chancellor and Treasurer of the
Knights of Pythias which office he has held for
twelve years and has held the office of Secretary of
Charity Lodge, United Brothers of Friendship for
five years and is also a member of the Union Benev
olent Society and of the Mosaic Templars of Amer
ica.
Mr. Brooks is of an affable temperament, up
right life and a high Christian character with an in
tense interest in the welfare and advancement of
his people.
JOHN BKNJAMIN COOPER.
OHN Benjamin Cooper, Funeral
Director, Embalmer, a business
man of many interests, and a
member of all the secret orders
of his state, was born in Mobile,
Alabama, in April, 1872. He is
the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Aga Cooper.
In early childhood he was possessed of an am
bition to make something of his life and follow
ing his career from childhood to man's estate it
will be seen that he kept his eye upon his goal and
followed his course unwaveringly. He received
his early education in the public schools of Mobile
and in the Emerson Institute, and A. M. E. School,
alsb of Mobile.
With this foundation, Mr. Cooper left Mobile
and continued his education in Cincinnati, Ohio,
where he entered the City High School. Finishing
his course here he felt himself sufficiently equipped
for a business career, but like numerous other
young men he found it necessary to earn some
money before branching out for himself.
With this aim in view he entered the service of
the Pullman Company and was soon rated among
their best employees. While in the employ of the
161
Pullman Company he carne to a decision as to the
character of business he would embark in and en
tered the Barnes School of Embalming in Chicago
to study the Undertaking business. Completing
his studies here he went to Louisville in 1907 and
took charge of the Watson and Est which he now
owns and controls, conducting a very successful
business.
However, the business of funeral director ap
pears to be but a convenient peg upon which Mr.
Cooper hangs an excuse for being in business.
From this, to change the figure, he radiates into
every sort of Negro enterprise national or local,
that one finds on the calendar. One wonders where
he finds time and thought for it all. He is a mem
ber of the National Negro Business League, a
member of the Kentucky Funeral Directors' As
sociation, and of the Falls-Cities Undertaking As
sociation. In each of these he is a live member,
keeping track of the workings of the organiza
tions and keeping abreast of and bringing before
these bodies all the latest inventions and devices
in handling and embalming the dead.
In business he is director of the Falls City Realty
Company of Louisville, a director of the Louis
ville Cemetery Association and Treasurer of the
Colored Funeral Directors' Association of Louis
ville.
These obligations together with the demands of
a large business would seem to be more than the
average mortal could bear, but Mr. Cooper is equal
to the task and does his work well. But Mr. Cooper
is especially more than the average mortal. He
has united himself with fully a score or more other
organizations, all of which require time, thought,
and in many instances, a good deal of study and
travel. He is a member of the Methodist Church
and is a Republican in politics. He is a Mason,
having reached the thirty-second degree. He is a
member of the Odd Fellows, of the Pythians, of
the United Brothers of Friendship, of the Sons
and Daughters of Moses, of Cooper's Union,
of the Son's and Daughters of M o r n i ng , of
the Brilliant Comet Tabernacle, Sisters and Broth
ers of Friendship, Maces Lodge, Union Star Lodge,
Lampton Street Aid Society, Grand Star Court,
and active member of Y. M. C. A. In none of these
is he merely a member but is active in all the mat
ters of business transactions and in all that per
tains to disposing of and handling the dead mem
bers of these orders.
Mr. Cooper was married to Mrs. Lavinia Brady
Watson of Louisville, August 19th. 1907. Mr. and
Mrs. Cooper live in their own home on West
Chestnut Street, and are both looked upon as lead
ers in social uplift work, as well as in business and
in secret orders.
THOMAS MADISON DORAM, M. D. V.
HE Negro has yet in any consider
able numbers to make his way in
to the field of Veterinary practice.
For this there appears to be sev
eral causes. In many cases the
calling appears not to have been
attractive. Again to practice it, has been rather ex
pensive ; and finally many of the Veterinary schools
have been hard for the black man to enter and still
harder for him to leave — with a diploma.
Thus it is that Dr. T. M. Doram, M. D. V., of
Danville, Kentucky, will have an added attraction
for the average reader beyond that of mere per
sonal achievement. Dr. Doram is on record as the
first and only Negro in the state of Kentucky to re
ceive a diploma from a Veterinary College and one
of the first two colored men in the United States
to win such a diploma at all.
Dr. Doram was born in Danville, Ky., in 1871." He
comes of a hardy stock of farmers and tradesmen,
who loved to handle animals and wield tools. Dr.
Doram's father, though a Carpenter by trade, own
ed valuable land and kept good horses. It was here
that the young man discovered and cultivated fur
ther his love for the horse. It is a Kentucky in
stinct to love a good horse and from this state has
come some of the best blooded stock of the world.
Young Doram was born and bread in the Kentucky
atmosphere and it only needed that he should be
brought into a personal contact with the horse to
develop a strong attachment for this noble animal.
While attending public schood at Danville, and
during vacation, the young man worked with his
father at the trade of carpentry. Finishing the pub
lic school, Dr. Doram entered the Eckstein Norton
University at Cane Springs, Ky., the institution re
ferred to in the story of Dr. C. H. Parrish in this
volume. It was here, that the young man had his
skill acquired at carpentry under his father stand
him in good stead. During his course here, one of
the University buildings burned. Young Doram
now turned to and lent great aid in rebuilding the
University.
in 1896 he matriculated in the McKillip Veter
inary College at Chicago, 111. As a matter of course
the rest of the students were white, but to show
what one can do with an opportunity, at the close
of the first year, Doram led his class in Materia
Medica ; the second year he was at the head of his
class in Pharmacy, and during his last or senior
year he was appointed senior assistant instructor
in Pharmacology of his class, an honor of which
he may be justly proud.
After graduating, in 1899, he opened an office in
Evanston, Illinois, a beautiful suburb of Chicago,
with a population of thirty thousand, where he
commenced the practice of his profession.
While his practice here was successful and grow
ing, numbering among his patrons many of the
wealthy people of that aristocratic community, he
gave it up after three years residence there and
moved to his old home in Danville, Kentucky.
His practice has continuously grown and Dr.
Doram is now fully satisfied that he made no mis
take when he entered the Veterinary profession.
In October of same year, at Danville, Kentucky,
he was married to Miss Bertha James Hancock, a
native of Austin. Texas. She received her educa
tion at Mary Allen Seminary, Crockett, Tex. They
are now the parents v>f eight children, three girls
and five boys. Dr. Doram very much hopes that
at least one or more of his boys may be inspired
to take up the profession of Veterinary Medicine
and Surgery, as well as many other young men of
his race; for he is confident that many could suc
ceed in many parts of the country. Notwithstand
ing that we are in the day of the Automobile, and
that so many of them are in use. Dr. Doram is
thoroughly convinced that the horse is not a back
issue and that this noble animal will always be
in demand, which will call for expert men of his
profession.
162
S. H. GEORGE, M. D.
H 1C story of the small boy left
alone, either by desertion of his
relatives, by robbery or by the
death of his parents used to be a
favorite subject of the writers of
fiction. The subject was one that
always elicited eager perusal and often sobs. Then,
however, the matter was very remote. No one
thought of such a thing as happening in real life.
I he rise of modern biography and autobiography.
the willingness of our great men to talk about
themselves in magazine articles and to be inter
viewed by the reporters, have turned the light on
quite a different aspect of the growth of our youths
into manhood. No longer is this matter of priva
tion, of sleeping out in the open, of tattered clothes
and blistered feet a fiction. It is all a very every
day reality. Booker T. Washington, Jacob Kiis,
Henry W. Grady, with the numberless capitalists
who have risen from hunger to opulence, have
made early hardships a sort of premium in the life
of the American. So much is this so that it is
counted a sort of blessing to start off handicapped
with hunger, lack of antecedents and with nobody
to appeal to but your own strong arms.
Such was the early beginning of Dr. S. H. George
of Paducah, Kentucky. Dr. George lays no partic
ular claim to distinction, is rather stingy with the
data of his boyhood and early life, indeed is rather
inclined to withdraw within his shell when he is
pressed for the story of his career. Yet the distinc-
ton of his career lies in a most desirable direction.
Jt is this: It is all normal. It is just what the
average boy with pluck and hard work could do.
The story of Douglass or Washington might be dis
heartening to some ; because those men seemed
to accomplish so very much out of so little. That
of Dr. George comes quite within the reach of us
all.
Dr. George was born in Kentucky. His mother
having died when he was three years old, the lad
soon found it necessary to go forth and earn a pen
ny wherever he could. He attended the public
schools of his native state, whenever he could af-
ord to do so. The farm, the restaurant, the rail
road all held out chances for him to earn his way.
Many of these opportunities he embraced, now
dropping out of school, now returning, when he
had earned enough to sustain him for a whole or
part of a term. When he had been sufficiently-
trained to do school work, he became a teacher, and
for seven years labored in the school room. With
school teaching and other work he finally became
able to push his education to the desired end. He
entered Walden University in Nashville, Tennessee,
and after a good long struggle was graduated.
Daunting nothing because of the cost of the col
lege course he next registered in the Meharry Med
ical College. Again he had to fight a lone battle,
having few to whom he could look in the time of
need. p:xpenses here were higher, the hours of
work were much longer, because of experiments,
lectures and outside reading. Yet Dr. George was
not to be halted. A doctor he wanted to be and a
doctor he became ; and he used only those means
which any aspiring youth with good strong arms
and lusty will can use to attain the goal.
Completing his course in Meharry Medical Col
lege, he returned to his native state and began to
practice. In a few years he felt more than rewarded
for all the hardships he had suffered ; for he had
hung out his sign at Paducah, had made many
friends and had built up a very sucessful practice.
He joined forces with all the progressive organiza
tions of his state and community. He allied himself
with the church and with many of the secret so
cieties of Kentucky. He is a Mason, an Odd Fel
low, a Pythian, and a member of the Court of
Calanthe. As a professional man and a leader Dr.
George felt that he must both teach and show the
people of his section the ideal way to live. He,
therefore, joined the several business organiza
tions. He joined the Pythian Mutual Industrial
Association of the State and soon became its Vice-
President. In a little while the leading Negroes of
Kentucky saw a wider need for reliable insurance
for colored people. They founded the Mamouth
Life and Accident Insurance Company. Dr. George
was one of these founders and promoters, and has
been one of the staunch supporters of the company.
'Dr. George was married to Miss Nettie N. Mc-
Claine. Dr. George owns his home in Paducah.
163
JAMES H. HATHAWAY.
ENTUCKY has long taken a lead
ing place as a prosperous state.
She has made a happy adjustment
of the so-called race question, by
giving all her citizens a fair meas-
sure of privileges, yet holding to
the social restriction. Apparently this is all her
darker sons have wanted, indeed all that black folk
want any where. The Kentucky men of color have
gone far beyond their brothers in farming, in busi
ness and in many instances in education. Thus her
sons, like the one here mentioned, have an open
road to essay their talents.
Among the big business men in Louisville." Ken
tucky. James H. Hathaway looms large and impor-
ant. He is not only a business success in one direc
tion, but in several. Indeed Mr. Hathaway appears
to have acquired the Midas' touch ; only unlike the
king of old, Mr. Hathaway worked for his touch in
stead of gaining it through any special favor of the
Gods.
Of the business he has developed, Mr. Hathaway
can hardly tell which, had he to make a choice, he
would select above all the rest. He tried his hand
at running a grocery. He succeeded at that. He
tried Undertaking, and again he was a success. He
essayed farming, both tilling the soil and raising
stock ; again he received abundant yield. He put
his hands to the transfer business and once more
the gods of fortune smiled upon him.
Born in Montgomery, Kentucky, Mr. Hathaway
did not spend much time in gaining an education.
He is educated, but his is an education of things ;
an education from intimate contact and combat,
rather than the brand gained from schools and
books. He began his business experiences in
Mount Stirling, Kentucky, where he set up and
ran for a good many years a grocery store.
Selling out his grocery, he made his way to Lou
isville, Kentucky, and secured a wagon or two and
started in the transfer business. Thus for fourteen
years he plied his trade and continually increased
and multiplied. When Mr. Hathaway entered
business, there was a transfer firm in Louisville,
known as Smith and Nixon. Seeing the business
acumen and dispatch of their colored rival, they
sold him their wagons arid horses for a mere song
and got him to handle their business by contract.
In 1902, Mr. Hathaway saw an opportunity to buy
an Undertaking business. He secured this and is
now one of Louisville's most successful colored
Undertakers.
As he increased his income from transfer work
and from Undertaking, Mr- Hathaway looked out
upon the farmers and saw what a happy invest
ment could be made in farms and in stock raising,
especially in Kentucky, where the grass is luxuriant
and the temperature is congenial to raising nearly
every breed of useful animals. Thus he has an
nexed to his holdings a 118 acre farm, which is now
well stocked with thorough-bred horses, sheep,
hogs, and cattle. After entering the transfer bus
iness it was an easy glide into the other branches
of business he took on. As a transfer men his ve
hicles was called into constant demand for funeral
occasions and this brought to his attention the un
dertaker's business. It did not take him long to
see that this business and the transfer business
could be worked together and with the large stock
of horses such a business demanded it was easy
for him to determine that farming would be a val
uable adjunct to his business. So the three work
ed together to his profit. Mr. Hathaway 's other
property holdings are his own house and the build
ing in which he runs his undertaking business.
He divides his energies between his family and
his business. Other than his membership in the
Christian church, he has few affiliations. He was
married in 1892 to Miss Columbia Gray of Louis
ville, Ky. There are six children in the Hathaway
family : Miss Ethel Louise, a graduate of the
Louisville High School, is her father's secretary.
James Harris, Warner Mason, Columbia S. and
Ruth are still of school age.
164
ROBERT HORACE HOGAN.
HE words of the song, "Inch by
Inch" find apt significance in the
life of Mr. Robert H. Hogan, con
tractor and builder, of Lexington,
Kentucky. Mr. Hogan was born
on a farm near Macon, Ga., Feb.
12, 1881. The Hogans were a very large family who
lived the earlier years of their history in the coun
try, but who later moved into Macon. Mr. Hogan
was born on the farm near Macon before the fam
ily had migrated to the city.
Born of a large family the young man had no
time for school, but had to earn money to aid in
supporting the family. One of his first jobs was
that of elevator boy in the Wesleyan Female Col
lege at Macon, Georgia. As good fortune would
have it, the president's wife, Mrs. John D. Ham
mond, passed up and down on that elevator. She
saw that young Hogan had no learning and set out
to teach him. Mrs. Hammond not only taught him
herself but made arrangement for several of the
teachers to give him help. She went furtner. She
wrote Dr. Washington about the boy and later had
him enter Tuskegee Institute.
While Mr. Hogan liked Tuskegee well enough,
the call of the large family once more threw him
out into the world. He worked a while in Macon,
Ga., then in Jacksonville, Florida, as a Government
brick-layer. In the meantime he was doing private
studying with the International Correspondence
school. For five years he worked about in Florida,
Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee as a brick-layer,
studying and working at the same time. In 1905,
leaving Alabama, where he had been assisting in
the building of a steel mill, he went to Lexington,
Kentucky, and accepted work as foreman for H. A.
Tandy, an old and successful contractor of that
city. By this time his studies began to bear fruit.
On completing his studies with the International
Correspondence School, he was offered a position
with the Combs Lumber Company, as superintend
ent of their brick construction work. This was
one of the largest firms of the kind in the state
and gave Mr. Hogan opportunity to app.y his the
ories, to learn new ones, and to practice on big
undertakings. For the past seven years he has
superintended the construction of all the largest
buildings of Lexington. Continuing to study in
private, and now having completed a course in
Building Superintendence, Contracting and Estim
ating, with the American School of Correspondence,
Mr. Hogan thought it was time for him to launch
into business for himself. This step he took, Jan.
1, 1916. Since that time he has built a mansion for
C. B. Shafer, which cost $40,000; constructed the
brick work in the Physicians' Office Building at a
cost of $20,000; put up the Bamby Flat for $10,-
000 and erected and superintended many residences
and smaller buildings and including his own two-
story brick residence. At present he is doing the
brick work on the new Senior High School Build
ing, a $60,000 building.
One feature in connection with Mr. Hogan's new
line of work is that upon the guarantee to Combs
Lumber Co. that he would take care of a certain
amount of their work as well as the fact that he
has an excellent standing with them, he has been
able to secure financial backing from that strong
company.
Mr. Hogan in all his rush of study and work has
maintained his connection with the church and
many other bodies. He is a member of the First
Baptist Church of his city, chairman of the Board
of Deacons and Superintendent of the Sunday
School. In Lodge affiliation he is a Mason of the
32nd degree.
Mr. Hogan was married in 1903 to Miss Letetia
Hunter Jones of Macon, Ga. Of the three child
ren born in the household, two are living. Robert
H., Jr., died in infancy. Horace Wesley, 10 years
of age, is in the sixth grade of the public school;
Marion Letetia is five years old.
165
MARSHALL BELL LANIER, A. B., B. I).
EVEREND Lanier was born in
North Carolina, at Mocksville, in
1869. He first attended the pub
lic schools of Salem, North Car
olina, but did not remain there a
great while, but went to Wash
ington, D. C., where he enrolled in Wayland Semi
nary. Here he studied for two years, when he
made another change. He had become deeply im
pressed that he was called to preach and with a
view of preparing himself for his ministerial work
he left Wayland and entered the Lincoln Univer
sity, located near Philadelphia. He was then a
young man, barely eighteen years of age, but very
ambitious.
He graduated from the Lincoln University in
1892, and received from that Institution his degree
of Bachelor of Arts. Wishing to specialize further
in Theological studies he took a course in Western
Theological Seminary, in Fittsburg, Penn., and
was graduated as Bachelor of Divinity in 1896.
This was the eventful year in the life of Reverend
Lanier, for he not only completed his studies and
received his degree, but it was the year in which
he was ordained to the ininistrv and installed in his
first pastorate. His first pastorate was that of
Grace church, Pittsburg, Penn. He was soon re
garded as an eloquent preacher and a sound theolo
gian and his progress in his new field of labor was
rapid.
His reputation as a preacher soon spread and be
fore he had served his church very long he rceived
a call to be the Dean of the Theological Depart
ment of the State University. At the same time
he was called to be Dean of the University at
Louisville, Kentucky. He accepted the latter call
and for eight years has served the institution. The
holding of this office has not prevented him from
continuing his work as a minister. He has not ne
glected his duties in connection with the Univer
sity, but has at the same time acceptably served
the following churches as Pastor : First Baptist
Church of Irvington, Kentucky, and the Corin
thian Baptist Church, of Frankfort, Kentucky. He
is still the Pastor of the latter church.
Reverend Lanier is especially interested in
young men and boys and never tires in working in
their interest. He sees in them great possibilities
for the advancement of the race, and is exceeding
ly ambitious to place before them high ideas of life.
Along with his duties as Pastor and Dean, he is
trustee of the Home for Colored boys. This office
gives him a fine opportunity to get in close touch
with the boys and lead them to improve their
minds and hearts.
While a minister, he does not forget his duties
to his country and State, and in politics he very
naturally sides with the Republicans. He is also
a member of .he Masonic fraternity and makes his
personality felt in that order.
He was married in 1901, to Miss Maud E. Bryce,
of Pittsburg, Penn., in whose companionship he
finds great delight. They live in their own home
on West Chestnut Street, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Reviewing the life and work of Reverend Lanier
it is probable that in no other way could he have
served his people better than in the manner chosen
by him. First his years of preparation gave him
a fund of information which not only fitted him for
his work, but enabled him to scatter with a lavish
hand to the youth growing up about him.
As Dean of the Theological Department of the
State University at Louisville, Kentucky, he has
had the privilege of touching with his life a large
number of young men who are preparing to enter
the ministry. He has impressed them with his
high ideals and has sent them forth to influence
other lives in like manner.
All over the State of Kentucky, you will find
men, young and old, who have been helped to a
better life because at some point, the life of Rev
erend Lanier touched their's.
166
JOHN A. C. LATTIMORE, M. D.
i
O man is a hero to his valet, some
one has said. This was not the
case with Dr. John A. C. Latti-
more, of Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Lattimore was not a valet, but
he fulfilled the real spirit of the
saying in that he was very close to the man who
influenced him to enter the medical profession.
Dr. Lattimore when a lad was a buggy boy for
a physician, Dr. Bullock of Greensboro, North
Carolina. He was a very observant boy and was
quick to note, as he went with the Doctor in
making his daily calls, the cordial greeting he re
ceived and the high esteem in which he was held.
He also made a note of the handsome income
which came from a large practice. Thus uncon
sciously. Dr. Bullock influenced his buggy boy to
become a physician. Seeing the interest magni
fied by his buggy boy in bis work the good Doctor
suggested to him that he study medicine, a sug
gestion which he was quick to adopt. I laving
formed the purpose he held to bis course until
be received his diploma and hung out bis shingle.
Dr. Lattimore was born in Lawndale, North Car
olina, where be received his early training in the
Lawndale Public Schools. After passing through
the public schools he entered Bennett College,
Greensboro, North Carolina, and was graduated
from this Institution in the fall of 1897. His next
enrollment was in Meharry Medical College in
Nashville, Tennessee, from which institution he
received his doctors degree and the same year,
1901, be began practicing in Louisville, Kentucky.
The goal was a magnet to draw him through
meshes of difficulties before the end was obtained.
However, his way through school was not one
fraction so easy as it is to relate. The young med
ical student was far from rich and had to toil at
many things to defray his expenses. In vacation
time, like many other students, he worked in the
hotels of Atlantic City, N. J., and New York as bell
boy and waiter. Throughout Dr. Lattimore's life
of hardship as a student be remembers with great
tenderness the kindness of the president of Ben
nett College, who took the young man into his
home and cared for him as a father would do for
his son. This side of his training brought into the
life of the young man a new phase, that side which
neither the text-books nor the laboratory can dis
cover; that is, the spirit of helpfulness. This, Dr.
Lattimore exercises in his relation to the individual,
but more so in his public spirited attitude toward
life and needs in his community. He is always
willing and eager to lend a band to any progressive
enterprise of his city or state. With money, with
counsel or with time, he has helped all movements
for the betterment of his race in his city, state, or
country. He is found holding many responsible po
sitions of his city : A member of the executive board
of National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, an ex-member of the board of man
agers of the Y. M. C. A., a trustee of his church.
He is a member of the K. of P., of the Masons, of
the. U. B. F. and of the Court of Calanthe. He is
ex-Grand Medical Register of the Knights of Py
thias of the state, a postion which he held until he
resigned to become Treasurer of the Pythian Mu
tual Industrial Association of Grand Lodge of the
State, a position he holds until today. In all these
bodies he is looked upon as a wise leader, a gen
erous helper, and a man with initiative. He also
belongs to all the leading Natonal organizations
of his race : the National Medical Association, and
National Negro Business League, etc. Dr. Latti
more is a member of the African Methodist Epis
copal Church.
Dr. Lattimore has been fairly successful finan
cially. He owns a beautiful home and ether prop
erty to the value of ten thousand dollars. He is
also interested in several business enterprises in
Louisville.
167
ALBERT ERNEST MEYZEEK, A. M.
ROFESSOR Albert E. Meyzeek,
Principal of the Normal and East
ern School of Louisville, Ken
tucky, is the proverbial human
dynamo in the school teaching
world of Louisville. He was once
pictured as one who is first to fight for the rights of
his fellow countrymen. Serious to the point of se
verity, business like to a fault, a friend to be sought
after, a foe to be feared, a champion for the rights
of the black man, but with all a jolly good fellow.
In business life a mighty factor in the struggle to
mould the characters of our future men and women
in the private life, a model husband, a property
owner and a Christian gentleman.
The original of the above drawn picture was born
in Toledo, Ohio. Completing the course in the pub
lic schools of his native city, he pursued further
study in Terre Haute, Indiana. Finishing in Terre
Haute, having planned definitely to make school
teaching his life work, he entered Indiana State
Normal College and later studied at the state Uni
versity. Ready now for the business of life, he
went to Louisville, Kentucky, and began to work
•> ' cJ
in his chosen field.
Inch by inch he rose in the scale as a school
teacher, becoming prim ipal of the Grammar, then
of the Normal and Eastern Schools of Louisville
and then of the Kentucky State Normal and In
dustrial School.
In his school work, Prof. Meyzeek always leaned
towards the practical, the useful. He put discipline
and order into the Eastern schools of Louisville,
because he looked upon discipline as a fundamental
item in education. He established courses in domes
tic science even when the city could not provide
funds for it, because he felt that such was needed
in the every day lives of his pupils. He organized
clubs for parents because he saw a means of bring-
nig parent and child to a better understanding with
each other and both in a relation to the school. He
established the Normal training school on a busi
ness basis, employing teachers specially trained to
teach teachers, and he organized his courses so that
those who studied the theory could later secure
the practice.
To him was intrusted the establishment of the
Normal courses and the organization and equip
ment of same was left entirely to his discretion
and supervision. Students are appointed to posi
tions in the public schools according to a list fur
nished by him and clone upon merit and no influ
ence can change the plan adopted by him.
Thoroughly alive in all the details of school work.
Professor Meyzeek nevertheless connected his
school life with the life of a citizen. Noticing that
the advertisements in the papers stated "white pre
ferred" in asking for cooks, he opened courses for
domestic science that he might improve the effi
ciency of the colored cooks already in service. He
entered the campaign for a new Y. M. C. A., was
the means of securing a pledge of $6,500 from the
white citizens. He entered in the fight against the
separate street car law in Louisville and broke the
back of that measure. He fought the Louisville
Segregation ordinance tooth and nail, pointing out
that the white people drove the best colored people
out of colored sections of the city by planting there
the white "palaces of sin."
It is no wonder that the Kentucky people loved
Prof. Meyzeek and that various organizations hon
or him. For more than seventeen years he has been
a member of the Y. M. C. A. board of directors and
for ten years, president. The state University re
cently honored him with the degree of Master of
Arts. He is a pioneer Juvenile Court worker, a
promoter of libraries and an all round citizen of
whom Louisville is exceedingly proud.
Prof. Meyzeek owns his own home and three
rent houses in Terre Haute. In 1896 Prof. Mey
zeek was married to Miss Pearl Hill, who was a
teacher in the Louisville Public School.
168
ROBERT MITCHELL, A. M., D. D.
EW big undertakings have occur
red among the Negroes of Ken
tucky, or indeed among the color
ed people of the Nation during the
past quarter of a century without
enlisting the services of Reverend
Robert Mitchell, A. M. D. D. of Lexington, Ken
tucky. He has been in constant demand on the lec
ture platform, at Chautauquas, at temperance gath
erings and at revivals. In his denomination and
out he has worked incessantly. For two years he
was president of the Kentucky State Teachers Asr
sociation. For four years he was moderator of the
General Association of Kentucky Baptists. He was
for fourteen years Auditor of the National Baptist
Convention and is now its vice president. For
twenty-five years he has been a Trustee of State
University at Louisville and still holds his place
there. He was a member of the committee which
appeared before the state legislature in 1891against
the separate car law. Reverend Mitchell was chos
en by his committee to address the legislature of
Kentucky on that occasion. Two years later in
1893, he was a member of the committee from the
National Baptist Convention to appear before
169
President Cleveland on matters pertaining to the
Negro race.
In spite of all these extra duties, Dr. Mitchell has
been a constant and hard worker at a special post.
He was born in Fulton County, Kentucky, March
1, 1864. When a mere infant he was taken to Mis
sissippi where he attended the public schools and
studied also in private schools. From Mississippi he
attended the State University in Kentucky, where
he gained the degree of Master of Arts. From
Louisville he entered Gaudaloupe, Seguin, Texas,
where he won the degree of D. D. He is one of
the many to get his education by waiting on the
tables mornings and evenings. He preached in odd
times when he could get a hearing.
Finishing his course he immediately entered the
ministry. His first charge was at Paducah, Ky.,
over the Seventh Street Baptist Church. Here he
was pastor four years. From Paducah he went to
Bowling Green, where he served eighteen years,
two periods of nine years each. He was pastor of
the Main Street Baptist Church, Lexington, for two
years : of the First Baptist church of Frankfort five
and a half years; of the First Baptist church of
Kansas City, Kansas, three years and of the First
Baptist Church of Lexington, his present charge,
two years. He was president of Simmons Memor
ial College at Bowling Green for eight years. He
has built one church, completed and paid for the
State Street Baptist Church of Bowling Green at a
cost of $7,500, purchased and paid for the present
site of the First Baptist Church of Frankfort at a
cost of more than five thousand dollars.
While he has given himself untiringly to the de
velopment of his work among his churches, he has
not been altogether unmindful of his obligations
to his family and has accumulated a property, per
sonal and real, valued at eight or ten thousand dol
lars.
Dr. Mitchell was married in 1885 to Miss Virginia
Leech of Paducah. One daughter, Miss Emma B.
Mitchell has been their only child. She died in
1911. She was a young woman of rare attainments,
having been graduated from the Frankfort High
School and from the Kansas City High School and
having done special work in both Chicago Univer
sity and Miami University.
Dr. Mitchell was appointed also by the National
Baptist Convention as a member of the delegation
to the World's Baptist Alliance, that convened in
London, England, July 1905, but owing to pressing
home obligations it was not possible for him to at
tend.
He is a splendid specimen of what honesty,
sturdy pluck, and persistency will do for one, al
though born and reared under unfavorable circum
stances.
REVEREND JAMES JODY McCUTCHEN.
N November 9th, 1868, in Logan
County, Kentucky, was born Rev
erend James J. McCutchen, of
Lexington, Kentucky, who began
his career in public by winning
honors, and throughout his long
and serviceable career he has continued to carry
laurels won on fields of labor. Attending the pub
lic schools of his native county he was awarded the
gold medal for excellence in scholarship and was
Valedictorian of his class, in 1891, at Simmons Me
morial College, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
His habit of study acquired in Logan County led
him into several institutions and into courses, of
study in various ways. — He took a post graduate
correspondence course in the scientific studies from
Danville, New York ; gained an honorary degree
from Eckstein Norton Institute at Cane Spring,
Kentucky, finished a teacher's training course with
the American Baptist Publication Society, and com
pleted a course of study in stenography.
The early age at which he finished his education
al courses gives evidence of an ususually vigorous
mind, which his after career enlarged and develop
ed. These courses he finished at the early age of
sixteen and for some years thereafter he taught
school. He taught nine years in Logan County,
where he was born, and two years in Bowling
Green Kentucky. From Bowling Green he enter
ed the Theological College of Glascow, Kentucky,
where he served as Principal for one year.
Rev. McCutchen is a Missionary Baptist and
was ordained to the ministry of that church in the
year 1893. He took up his work as a minister at
once after his ordination and found his first field
of labor in the pastorate of the Bristow Baptist
Church, of Bristow, Kentucky. Here he labored
for one year, but gave up the work for a larger
field, to which he was called. From 1905 to 1913,
he served as State Missionary for the Western dis
trict of Kentucky, in which capacity he rendered
his denomination a great service. The National
Baptist Home Mission Board and the Southern
Baptist Board co-operated with the State Board in
this work.
He built the church at Daniel Boone, Kentucky ;
remodeled the church at Adairville, Ky., remodeled
the church at Townsends Grove, Ky., built the
church at Auburn, Ky., and two school houses in
Logan County. He also assisted in establishing
the "Baptist Voice," a Baptist paper which is pub
lished at Princeton, Ky., and is at present the offi
cial organ of the Baptists of Western Kentucky.
His good work was of a character to stand, for
he built upon a good foundation
When he accepted the Main Street Baptist
Church, Lexington, Kentucky., that body was heav
ily in debt and much discouraged, and there was
a great falling off in membership.
Reverend McCutchen in less than two years rais
ed over nine thousand dollars ($9,000), re-united the
forces of the church, lifted the mortgage, put in
a two thousand dollar ($2,000) pipe organ, put in
modern equipment and appliances, and added 275
members, which gave the church a total member
ship of 1200. In his career as minister, he has bap
tized some 1400 souls.
The great denomination to which he belongs re
cognized his ability as a leader and has placed him
in many positions of honor and responsibility. He
is First Assistant Moderator for the State, and
holds the position of Secretary of the Minister's
and Deacons' meeting of Lexington and vicinity.
Reverend McCutchen has been twice married ;
the first time to Miss Katy Morrow, of Mortimer,
Kentucky, in 1892. She died in 1897, leaving a son,
Walter L., who died at the age of sixteen, having
graduated from the preparatory department of M.
and F. College, Hopkinsville, Ky. The second Mrs.
McCutchen was Mrs. Lucy Morse, of Mayfield,
Kentucky. They were married at Mayfield in 1900.
170
REVEREND ELMORE THEVALL OFFUTT.
MONG the Baptist of Kentucky,
Reverend Elmore Thevall Offutt,
Lexington, Kentucky, is one of
the peers. His preparation has
been ample and thorough: his
knowledge or education from con
tact and experience has been fully as broad and in
timate as his studies in books.
lie is out and out a Kentuckian. He was born
in Logan County March 17th, 1871. For several
years he attended common school but because of a
lack of finance he was forced to stop school and to
"remain on the farm where he worked in the tobac-
to fields to aid in the support of the family. At the
age of eighteen by the consent of his father he went
to Louisville to find work with the idea of finish
ing his education. It was there In- learned the
tanner's trade, working during the day and study
ing at night. At noon hours or whenever oppor
tunity permitted he used the blacked side of a tan
ned cow hide as a substitute for a black board upon
which he solved problems in mathematics and dia
gramed sentences which he had not been able to
solve the preceding- night.
He was married in Louisville in 1893 to Miss |o-
171
anna Kemble, whose faithful cooperation and Chris
tian life has made his success possible. There are
nine children in the Offutt family: Miss Elnora B.
who is teaching in the public school, Elmore T. Jr.,
Harriett, James Arthur, Olivia, Queenie, Garland
and William, who are students and pupils in school
and Joanna Kimble Offutt who is yet a baby.
He was converted and baptized into the fellow
ship of the Portland Baptist Church in 1894 and
was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1896. In
connection with his school work he has sucessfully
pastored the following churches each of which
protested his resignation: Harrods Creek, Jeffer
son County; Elk Creek, Spencer County; Indiana
Ave. Baptist Church, Jeffersonville, Ind. ; La
Grange, Oldham County, Ky. ; Eminence, Henry
County; Portland Baptist Church, Louisville, which
he resigned to accept his present charge, the Pleas
ant Green Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky. He has
recently written a short history of this church
which is of great value to those who are interested
in the early history of Baptists in this country. This
is the oldest Colored Baptist church west of the Al-
leghanies and one of the oldest in the United States.
It was organized in 1790, has a membership of
twelve hundred and a property valuation of thirty
thousand dollars. The prosperity of the church
was never greater than at present.
Jn 1901, he entered State University, Louisville,
an opportunity he recognized as answer to prayer.
Here, he was not long in making his presence felt,
becoming a brilliant student in most of the branches
he inn-sued. After his graduation from the Colleg
iate and Theological departments, he became a
teacher in the University, a position he filled with
credit for several years. While teaching at the
University he continued his pastoral duties and
studied medicine in the Louisville National Medi
cal College. He has also taken a course in law
from the American Correspondence School of Law,
Chicago.
Rev. Offutt is active in both the state and nation
al work of his denomination. Eor several years he
served as moderator of Central District Association
of Kentucky Baptist. Because of his modesty and
Christian piety combined with his general knowl
edge, especially of the Bible, he is held in high es
teem by the ministry and has been honored for the
past three years by the minister's meeting of his
city as lecturer on the Sunday School lesson, one of
which is delivered each Monday morning. In his
church he conducts a class twice a week for the
benefit of all ministers who have not had the ad
vantage of theological training. He is interested
in the Sunday School work of the State and con
ducts institutes in his own district convention. He
is a contributor to the Sunday School Teacher pub
lisher by the National Baptist Publishing Board,
Nashville, Tenn. From time to time he has served
on the various boards of the National Baptist Con
vention and is now a member and treasurer of the
(educational Board of that body.
CHARLES HENRY PARRISH, A. B., A. M.,
D. D., LL. D., F. R. G. S.
T was the late Mark Twain who
insisted that mere facts contained
by far more mystery and more
thrills than fiction. Such certain
ly are the facts of the iife of Dr.
C. H. Parrish, D. D., F. R. G. S.,
President of the Eckstein Norton University,
Cane Springs, Ky., and thirty years pastor of the
Calvary Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky. Dr. Par
rish was born a slave on the Beverly A. Hicks plan
tation in Lexington, Ky. At ten years of age he
was converted and baptized, by Reverend James
Monroe, Pastor First Baptist Church, Lexington,
Ky. Shortly after this he began a life that has
been crowned with rare distinctions, unusual and
out-of-the-way honors and happenings.
Dr. Parrish began to win laurels in school. One
of the early students in the State University, he was
the first valedictorian from the college department
of that insitution. This was in 1886. The Univer
sity thought so well of its first valedictorian that it
afterwards engaged him as a Professor of Greek
and secretary and treasurer of Eckstein University.
Jointly with the Reverend Wm. J. Simmons, he
founded the Eckstein Institute, in 1890, where he
remained as its President for twenty two years, at
which time Eckstein Institute was connected with
Lincoln Institute. Dr Parrish is Secretary of the
Board of Trustees of Lincoln Institute.
During this period, so full of responsible labors,
he remained the Pastor of the Calvary Baptist
Church, of Louisville Kentucky, never once halting
in his active duties in connection therewith. His
time was fully occupied in teaching, preaching, vis
iting and the other multiform duties of a city pas
torate. He won the degree of A. B. and A. M. and
D. D. from the Kentucky State University, LL. D.
from the Central Law School and Fellow of the
Royal Geographical Society from London.
He went to the world's Baptist Congress, which
met in Jerusalem in 1894; was messenger to the
World's Sunday School Convention the same year ;
under the direction of Karl Maschar inspector of
German Baptist Missions, he traveled through Ger
many and preached in seventeen German towns,
winning six hundred converts ; he was a messen
ger to the Baptists of Jamaica in 1915; he has trav
eled through the Holy Land and has stood waist
deep in the waters of the river Jordan ; he has
baptised believers in the Carribean Sea, and in the
Gulf of Mexico.
Traveling thus abroad and extensively in this
country, Dr. Parrish has nevertheless held no end
of important posts at home. As has been stated,
he has been the pastor of the Calvary Baptist
Church of Louisville for thirty years. He is Sup
erintendent of the Kentucky Home for Colored
Children ; president of the citizens National Hospi
tal and Vice President of the Mammoth Life and
Accident Insurance Company; Ex-Moderator of
the General Association of Kentucky Baptists. Yet
these side duties appear only to have multiplied Dr.
Parrish's offices in the church. He has baptised
1500 persons, united 160 couples in marriage,
preached 548 funerals, preached 3000 sermons and
delivered even more lectures. Probably his great
est effort as a pulpit orator came at the Nashville
Convention a few years ago, known as the fiftieth
Jubilee sermon. Dr. J. M. Frost of Nashville, said
of the sermon : "It was a most fitting crown of the
fifty years of remarkable progress of the colored
people."
Many of his sermons and tracts have appeared in
print. Aside from these he has published several
books entitled : "What Baptists Believe," "God and
His People," "The Gospel in the Adjustment of
Race Differences," "Orient Light or Travels in the
Holy Land," "The Golden Jubilee of Kentucky Bap
tists."
Dr. Parrish was married in 1898 to Miss Mary V.
Cook, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. One son,
Charles Henry, Jr., has been born into the Parrish
Home. The young man is now in school in How
ard University, Washington, D. C.
172
OTHO DANDRITH PORTER, A. B.. M. D.
R. O. D. Porter, A. B. and M. D.
is one of those to contradict the
saying that the prophet is without
honor in his own country. Born in
Bowling Green, Kentucky, he has
spent most of his life there. As a
boy he attended the public schools there. As a
young man struggling to find the light he worked
in and around his native city.
On finishing the public schools of Bowling Green,
Dr. Porter went out as a school teacher and for
years gave instruction in the country schools. Two
factors contributed to his stay in the school room :
one was that he was not yet fully persuaded of his
calling: the other, persuasion or not, he had to
earn a livelihood and also pay his way if he de
cided to study further.
His experience with the people in the country
soon pointed to a decision. The people's ways of
eating, of sleeping, of wearing clothes convinced
him that no need was so crying as that for a phy
sician and a social worker, one who not only admin
istered drugs, but spread everywhere and at all
times common knowledge of health and sanitation.
So persuaded, he entered Fisk University prepar
atory department in 1884. He was not seeking
173
short cuts but thorough preparaton. From the pre
paratory department, he entered the college from
which he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in
1891. During this time he taught school in Ken
tucky, Tennessee, Texas, and many other places to
earn money to make his way. However, though he
had to work his way, he stood as one of the best
scholars of his class and one of the institution's
strongest men.
From Fisk, Mr. Porter enrolled as a medical stu
dent in Meharry Medical College. From here he
received his doctor's degree in three years. Back
to his native home he. went, passed the state ex
amination and set out to right the wrongs of health
such as he had seen during his boyhood days and
during his school teaching in the country. Know
ing his community and state, Dr. Porter was able
to go to the heart of his work at once. He has
been practicng a little more than 20 years. During
this period, though he came out of school all but
penniless, he has equipped himself with the best
books and tools his profession affords, has his auto
mobile, owns some of the choicest real estate in
Bowling Green and owns and lives in a two-tory
brick resdence. His two-story office building faces
main street and joins the costly lot on which is
built the $150,000.00 Custom House.
During the few years of his practice, Dr. Porter
has been president of the National Medical Asso
ciation of Colored Physicians and Surgeons, a post
to which he was elected in 1899. One of the best
facts about his election to this post is the fact that
it came unsought. He is one of the founders of the
State Medical Association and is a member of the
State Association of both white and colored doc
tors.
Doctor Porter was married in April, 1895, to Miss
Carry Bridges of Macon, Miss. Mrs. Porter was
educated at Fisk Universty. To her Dr. Porter
gives most of the praise for his success.
From his own town comes this tribute :
"The public takes keen interest in Dr. Porter's
work. The white physicians have no hesitancy in
sitting in consultation with him because they know
his worth and ability as a physician, and therefore
value highly his opinion in cases which require
rare skill and experience. He is thoroughly inter
ested in all business, social or benevolent move
ments for the advancement of the race in this city
a -id vicinity, and n^ver refuses to give encourage
ment to the struggling young men and women of
the race. As busy as Dr. Porter is with matters
as above indicated, he devotes time to religious
work in his church in an official capacity.
Dr. Porter believes in race co-operation along all
lines, anJ h:c willingness to he'.p hir, p-o;:!e by serv
ing at the head of many organized bodies for uplift
in this city is an evidence of his sincerity."
WILLIAM HENRY STEWARD.
William Henry Steward
Y virtue of devoted services as well
as by dint of years, William H.
Steward of Louisville, Kentucky,
is known throughout the country
as the "Dean of Colored Editors."
He began the publication of the
American Baptist in 1879. For thirty eight years
therefore he has molded the sentiments of his peo
ple both in his state and wherever Baptists are
found. But the American Baptist has merely serv
ed as a sort of peg for him to hang on while he
labored here and advised there. For fourteen years
he was secretary of the National Baptist Conven
tion. For forty years he has been secretary of the
Kentucky Baptist Association, and for forty years
chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky
State University.
Mr. Steward was born on July 26, 1847, at a time
when neither the advantages of education nor op
portunities knocked very energetically on the black
boy's cabin door, but his ear was keen to hear even
the slight knocking of opportunity and to seize it
by the forelocks while it was passing.
He received the ground work of his education
through private instruction and when he had ad
vanced to a certain point he was sent to Louisville
where he entered private schools. He proved an
apt pupil and became very proficient as a scholar
so that when emancipation came he was ready to
take his place as an efficient worker and leader
among his people.
His preparation during the period of slavery was
a God send to both himself and his people for his
services came at a time when the demand for edu
cated leadership among the Negroes was great and
the supply exceedingly small.
Mr. Steward was quick to recognize the situa
tion and quick to respond to the cry of help and
to devote his life to the uplift of his race.
Like most persons who at that time chanced to
have an education, Mr. Steward entered the pro
fession of school teaching. He began at Krank-
fort, Kentucky, where he taught for three years.
From Frankfort, he returned to his native heath.
Louisville, continuing in the same profession.
The teaching profession did not offer the moder
ate income and fair opportunities for service and
advancement as it does now. Mr. Steward there
fore left the schoolrooms. He entered the employ
of the railroad and for a number of years served
as messenger for the Louisville and Nashville Rail
road Company. From Railroad messenger he be
came letter carrier, being the first colored mail car
rier ever appointed in the city of Louisville. This
post he held for sixteen years. By this time he had
established himself as a thinker and writer. His
paper had become known along with him. He could
now give his time to the publishing of the American
Baptist and to the uplift work with which he had
aligned himself from the beginning of his career.
He had begun his career by joining the church.
In 1867, when he launched out as a school teacher,
he became a member of the Fifth Street Baptist
Church in Louisville. Subsequently he taught a
Sunday School class, the largest in his church, be
came secretary of the choir and Sunday School
Superintendent. He was elected secretary of the
Board of Directors of the Louisville Colored Public
Schools from which place he was later advanced to
chairman of the board. He joined the Masonic
Lodge and was soon made Grand Master. In 1905
he was chosen one of the lay delegates to the
World's Congress which was held in London, Eng
land.
Mr. Steward has traveled much, mainly as a
newspaper man and as an active servant of his
people. Few Negro organizations assemble with
out him. The late Dr. Washington was won't to
say, speaking at the annual Farmers Conference,
"This conference would be very incomplete without
the presence of Mr. W. H. Steward, he has come
here regularly with his sympathy and words of
cheer for years."
Mr. Steward lives in his own home, a brick res
idence in Louisville, surrounded by a happy and well
educated family. He was married to Miss Mamie
E. Lee, in Lexington, in 1878. Mrs. Steward is well
known herself as an educator and a woman of tal
ent. She was for years a teacher of music at the
State University, a native Baptist worker among
women and a lecturer in continual demand. There
are three daughters and one son in the Steward
family Misses Lucy B. and Jennette L. are gradu
ates of the Louisville High School; Miss Carolyna
is not only a graduate from the High School, but
from the State University. All three have been
successful school teachers. Willim H. Jr., is a Me
chanical Engineer, being a graduate of the Armour
School of Technology of Chicago. He was for two
years a teacher in Tuskegee Institute, having
charge of the school's heating plant and lending
great aid in the construction of the larger Tuske
gee heating and lighting plant. He is drafting en
gineer.
The veteran editor and worker, though seventy
years of age, is still in the heyday of service, active
in mind and in body, editing, lending aid, giving ad
vice, attending organizations just as if he were ne
ver to grow old.
175
EDWARD E. UNDERWOOD, M. D.
HE black man of the North and of
the West is rapidly coming into
his own. Time was when the man
of the South boasted that the
"Doers" all came from their ranks.
Not so in these days. Dr. E. E.
Underwood is a conspicious ex
ample of the plucky boy born and
reared in the West. Dr. Underwood was born in
Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, in 1864. As a lad he attended
the Mt. Pleasant High School, where he was grad
uated in 1881. Ten years later he was graduated
from the medical department of the Western Re
serve College of Cleveland, Ohio. For a time he
studied theology under the direction of a private
tutor.
On graduating from the Medical College, Dr.
Underwood began to practice medicine, hanging
out his sign in Frankfort, Kentucky. For twen
ty-five years, now he has practiced medicine in
Frankfort. In that time he has carried honor:
and responsibilities enough to stagger the average
man. He was for seven years a school teacher,
teaching in the Enerson Colored School, of Ohio.
In 1891 he began the editorship of th e "Blue
Grass Fugle," the colored weekly of Frankfort,
which was edited by him for ten years. He was
for four years assistant city physician of Frank-
f^rt ; for fourteen years secrctaiy of the U. S.
Board of Pension Examining Surgeons. In 1910
he established the People's Pharmacy and was its
176
first president. He has been its secretary since
1911. He is Educational Editor of the Lexington
News ; is author of the "History of Colored Church
es of Frankfort," and of several poems.
Besides all 6f these duties and honors, Dr. U..-
derwood has been a "Daniel Boone" among and
for the Negroes of his section. The numbers of
first times for a colored man to do things in his
section seems to fall upon him. He was the first
colored student to enter and graduate from the
Mt. Pleasant, (Ohio) High School ; first colored
member of the Jefferson County (Ohio) Republican
Committee ; first Negro member of the Mt. Pleas
ant, City Council, being elected over four whit?
aspirants for the office. He is the first colored
member of the Board of Regents of Kentucky Nor
mal and Industrial Institute, having been appoint
ed by Governor Bradley in 1898, and appointed
again by Governor Wilson, in 1907.
Large as the number of first things that Dr. Un
derwood has done, they utterly pale before the num
ber of organizations with which he is actively affi
liated.
Dr. Underwood is a Mason, a Knight Templar,
a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow, United Bro
ther of Friendship, member of the Union Benevo
lent Society, and of the Mosiac Templars. He ij
not merely a member of good standing in these
bodies, but has held offices in all of them. He is
at present Supreme Keeper of Records and Seals,
of the Knights of Pythias, N. A. S. A. E. A. and A.,
and member of the Kentucky State Board of Man
agers of the United Brothers of Friendship.
Having so wide and intimate contact with his
people. Dr. Underwood became extremely sensi
tive to their needs and to the wrongs they have
suffered. Thus he is found undertaking many ser
vices in their defense and for their uplift. From
1891 to 1893, he was Executive Secretary of the
Anti-Separate Coach State Executive Committee,
which tested the constitutionality of the "Jim
Crow" law. In 1895, he was the Kentucky Commis
sioner to the Cotton States Exposition, which was
held in Atlanta, and at which Booker T. Wash
ington leaped into fame as an orator. Two years
later he was commissioner from his State to the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition, held in Nash
ville. In 1898, he organized and was first presi
dent of the State League of Colored Republican
Clubs of Kentucky. He is a member of the Frank
lin County Republican Committee in his State and
has been a delegate to every Republican State
Convention since 1892. He was delegate at large
to the Republican National Convention of 1904 and
was strongly endorsed in his State for Register
of the United States Treasury in 1909. He is
president of the Franklin County Colored Ag
ricultural and Industrial Association, member of
the National Medical Association, of the Nation
al Association of Pension Examining Surgeons, of
the National Negro Business League, of the Na
tional Association for the Advancement of Thrift
among Colored people and of the Kentucky State
Medical Association.
Dr. Underwood married Miss Sarah J. W'alker,
There are two sons: Ellworth W. and Robert M.,
the former is a student in the Dept. of Pharmacy,
Western Reserve University of Cleveland, the lat
ter a Senior in the Frankfort Colored High School.
DR. RANDOLPH FRANKLIN WHITE.
H1LE he is really filling the place
of a modest business and profes
sional man. Dr. Randolph Frank
lin White, the Negro Pharmacist.
of Owensboro, Kentucky, has so
so happily mixed business, educa
tion, work and travel, that he may be almost called
a globe trotter. His travels, which all the time
had in them the purpose of business, have taken
him into the leading cities of America, into Can
ada, into Hawaii, into Japan, and into the Philip
pine Islands. Few men have made the profession
of pharmacy serve them such triple service — pro
vide travel, gain experience and supply a livelihood.
Dr. White was born in Warrentown, Florida,
June 25th., 1870. He spent his early school days
in his native State, and early made up his mind to
become a pharmacist. To this end he entered Ho
ward University, from which he graduated in 1897.
But Dr. White cannot be said to have begun or to
have completed his course at any one time. As he
mixed travel with business, so he mixed school ed
ucation and practical education. Thus while he
was attending Howard University, pursuing a
course in Pharmacy, he was at the same time gain-
177
ing practical experience in Pharmacy, working for
the Plumnur Pharmacy, in Washington, D. C.
His graduation in 1897 was therefore more at
taining freedom and license for he was already ripe
in his calling, ready to take charge and manage ra-
ther than serve the usual apprenticeship. He found
no trouble under the circumstances with securing
good responsible posts at the very outset. His
first position was in Louisville, Kentucky. Here
he took charge of the Peoples' Drug Store, and
ran it, giving satisfaction to its stockholders. From
Louisville he went to Lexington and for a time
joined forces with Dr. Ballard. He was already
well known as a pharmacist. The United States
Government, needing a Hospital Steward, Dr.
White was appointed to the post, and commission
ed to serve in the Philippines. Here he worked for
two years, from 1899 to 1901. Hence it was that
he got his trip to the Orient, and other countries
while he was away from the United States.
Having completed his travels and finished his
services with the Government, he returned to Ken
tucky, to begin business for himself. In 1901 he
opened a drug store in Owensboro. Dr. White had
some difficulty in securing a place to begin busi
ness. He therefore bought the store which he
was to use and which he still uses. His business
prospered from the outset, as he had had wide ex
perience in handling drugs and in handling people.
He owns his home and his store in Owensboro and
owns three rent houses in Lexington.
Dr. White is a good churchman and a member
of several fraternal bodies. He is an Episcopalian,
a Mason, an Odd Fellow, U. B. F., and a Knight of
Pythias. In the Masonic order he is Deputy Grand
Master of the State.
Dr. White was married in Lexington, July 23.
1901, to Miss Fannie Hathaway.
Almost every city has some one individual or
business which holds a unique position because of
some marked and distinctive feature or characte
ristic.
Thus in Owensboro. Kentucky. Dr. Randolph
Franklin White is known as the Pharmacist.
lie has won this distinction from his remarkable
success in business, which is universally recog
nized, but not from this alone, his valued services
to the Government during his travels abroad make
their contribution to the enviable reputation he-
enjoys.
His thorough knowledge of his business is evi
denced in the great success he has achieved in it
and this with his courteous manner and elevated
bearing commands the respect of all who deal with
him.
WILLIAM MILLIARD WRIGHT.
HERE was a time when the Negro
.lawyer was the jest of his own
and of .the white race. He was
not allowed to practice in the
courts ; or if accorded the techni
cal privilege, he was denied the
genuine right. He was a lawyer in name and often
well prepared for his work, but prejudice stepped
between him and the practice of his profession and
embarrassed him in his efforts to win recognition.
His earnings were therefore next to nothing.
His clothes were thread-bare; his home depleted;
he and his family, were he so rash as to marry,
went hungry.
Yet with the true spirit of the pioneer, the black
lawyer has endured the whips and scorns of the
courts and of the public until lie is no longer the
mark of open rebuke. Patiently winning his way
he has faced and overcome opposition, met ridi
cule with intellectual force, and dignity, and with
a kind though determined spirit, has finally won
recognition from both the Court and the Bar.
He now even boasts a home of his own ; good
clothes, and a happy family. He enters the courts,
especially in the West and handles his cases on his
merit.
Slowly the men of his profession have devel
oped sufficient esprit d'corps to accord him at
least common courtesy. To win this recognition
he has had to study hard, endure and persevere.
All the time, he like all men of professional careers
among black folk, has had to serve as missionary
to his people on the one hand and batter down by
every sort of means their prejudices on the other.
Surely no men deserve more gratitude from their
people, for whatever has been their endeavor, the
first impulse of the public was that the lawyer
was really "something out for a suit" and not real
ly seeking the public good.
While Mr. Wright's large and ever-growing law
practice requires most of his time, and attention,
he is not unmindful of civic matters and the devel
opment of his people. He is always on the alert
to seize upon every suggestion that will conduce
to their uplift and is foremost in all plans looking
to that end.
In Louisville, for example, the white citizens have
what is known as the "Million Dollar Foundation
Fund. Mr. Wright was much impressed with the
idea resulting in the organization and reasoned
that a like organization would be helpful to tin-
colored race. Co-operating with the colored bus
iness and professional men of the city, a club sim
ilar in purpose is in process of forming. The Negro
Club is to be a $100,000 Mercantle Foundation
Fund.
The prime mover in this endeavor among the col
ored people is William H. Wright of Louisville. Mr.
Wright has been before the public of his state for
many years, both as a professional man and as a
man of business. As a student, a professional and
business man, Mr. Wright is amply equipped for
the great undertaking. Born in Livingston, Ala
bama, he was educated in Selnia University, Selma,
Alabama, in the State University, Louisville, Ken
tucky, and in the department of law, Howard Uni
versity, Washington, D C For the most part he
worked his way through all these schools. He be
gan the practice of law in Louisville, in 1904. He
organized the first Negro Insurance Company of
Kentucky and thus educated many colored people
up to the idea of insurance and to entrusting their
money to Negro enterprises, Since 1904 lie has
been able to amass considerable property holdings,
as he owns his office building on Sixth Street in
Louisville, and several rent houses.
Mr. Wright is a Baptist in religious affiliation,
and is a member of the Fifth Street Baptist Church,
a Mason, Odd Fellow, K. of P. and Mosaic Templar.
lie has traveled extensively both in the United
States and Canada, his travels giving him an en
larged view of life. He has not yet traveled upon
the sea of matrimony, and so the pleasure of that
voyage still awaits him.
178
HOMER MILTON CHARLES.
HIS successful business man, of
Chalmette, Louisiana St. Bernard
Parish, has one of the most pros
perous businesses in Louisiana.
His reputation is not only state
wide, but generally national. He
is a life member of the National Negro Business
Men's League, is an attendant at all meetings of
this body, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Ne
gro Business ideas. Mr. Charles has not always
moved with men of larger finance among Negroes.
He has know the pinch of need and has vivid recol
lections of hard struggles to gain a footing.
Mr. Charles was born in St. Martin Parish, La.,
July 4, 1861. Two years later his parents moved
to St. Bernard Parish. His schooling consisted of
what he gained in the public school of said Parish
and of a private tutor, at home. However, he
was one of the family of thirteen children, which
usually means that as soon as the boys are able to
earn a penny they must be up and away to their
post. Being very industrious, he was employed
on a sugar farm, where he filled many positions.
Later on he began truck farming with his father.
In 1887, feeling that he must still make the de-
179
termined start, he launched forth in business. His
undertaking was modest enough ; consisting of a
fruit stand on the river bank in a store nine by nine
feet. There were three conspicious features to the
whole setting; first, that he was determined to sell
as cheap as his competitors ; second, that with the
assistance of his wife, he was satisfied to be as ec
onomical as any one else ; third, that as he had that
ambition to push forward, was determined to be
as polite to his customers as his competitors. This
spot was near Chalmette National Cemetary, on the
historic spot where the "Battle of New Orleans"
was fought. It was one of the rather few instances
in which a Negro dared to become a fruit dealer.
Inch by inch, as the song goes, he developed his
business. Taking his basket on his shoulder, he
peddled his fruits from house to house, until he
had built up confidence, gained patronage and the
respect of the entire community. Then he purchas
ed a one-horse wagon ; then followed two horses
and wagon to meet the demand for deliveries.
He was already married to Miss Hester Anderson
of St. Bernard in the year 1885. She was the si
lent but effective partner during these stages of
uncertainty. She did work in private families,
helping to provide food for the family and some
times capital for the business. Four daughters
sprang from this union, three of whom are living.
Miss Sadie died while preparing for graduation at
New Orleans University. The others are: Misses
Augusta, Mary and Clara. Miss Clara, the young
est, is still in school.
Today Mr. and Mrs. Charles are among the lead
ing property owners of Louisiana. Besides own
ing their home, they have stock in the Friscoville
Realty Company, of St. Bernard and have several
houses for rent.
Mr. Charles is what is often called an organiza
tion man, believing as he does in organization of
men into bodies as means of promoting race wel
fare. He is Catholic in his religion ; a member of
Felicity Lodge K. P. No. 199, Daughters of Cres
cent Tab. No. 27, Progressive Aid Mutual Benefit
Association. In the business and educational
world, he is a life member of the National Negro
Business Men's League, an honorary member of
the Bergemont Educational Association, a member
of the Fazendville Educational Association, a stock
holder in the Bank of St. Bernard, a stock holder
in the World Bottling Company, New Orleans. He
has traveled over the United States on business, and
for pleasure and relaxation.
During his residence in St. Bernard Parish, Mr.
Charles has built up such a reputation of integrity
and honesty as to be considered the most respon
sible Negro Citizen in his community by both his
people and the White authorities.
Walter L Cohen
N New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan
uary 22, 1860, was born Walter
L. Cohen ; and the place of his
birth has been the scene of most
of his active life. Here he has
lived and made a place for himself
in the business world, in the fraternal world, and
in the political world, as well as one of prominence
in the social world. As a young lad, he attended
the public schools of New Orleans, and then spent
two years in Straight University, of New Orleans,
and one year in the St. Louis Catholic School.
While his opportunity for attending school lasted
we find the young man applying himself diligently
to the work in hand. Indeed this has been the key
note of his whole life — applying himself to the
work then in hand.
While still a boy he started out to learn to be a
cigar maker, but because he was not a smoker, he
was. made ill by this work and had to give it up.
His next work was in a saloon. Here he remained
for about four years. In 1889 he gave up his work
in the saloon to take up the work of United States
Inspector. Later he was promoted to the position
of Lieutenant of the United States Inspectors. In
this capacity he served until the democrats took
charge, when he resigned the position. In 1899 he
was appointed Register of the United States Land
Office at New Orleans. This appointment came
from President McKinley and he was re-appointed
by President Roosevelt. He served in this office
until 1911. We find that Mr. Cohen has been very
active in politics for a great number of years. He
was a delegate to the National Republican Con
vention, in 1892, 1898, 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912 and in
1916. He is the recognized leader of the fight
against the "Lily White Republicans of Louisiana."
So active has Mr. Cohen been in the interest of his
people in his native city that the Mayor of the city
appointed him as a chairman of the colored citi
zens committee. This committee has charge of all
matters concerning the education and general wel
fare of the colored people of New Orleans. In this
capacity Mr. Cohen has had a great opportunity
to help his race, an opportunity which he was quick
to seize and which he used to their best advantage.
In another line of work, he has done equally as
much for the betterment of his people. He is
President of the People's Industrial Life Insurance
Company.. Mr. Cohen owns three-fifths of the
stock of this company. To do the work of the
company there are employed nearly one hundred
colored agents. In all they collect over $100,000.00
in premiums yearly. The organization of this com-
180
pany furnishes work — work where our young peo
ple can earn a livelihood and still keep their self
respect. Mr. Cohen has also one third interest in
two drug stores. In addition to the money inves
ted in these concerns he owns his beautiful resi
dence in the city and a summer home in Bay St.
Louis, Mississippi.
Mr. Cohen leads a full, active life and it would
seem that his private interests would command his
entire time, nevertheless, he is found upon the mem
bership roll of a number of organizations.
He is a member of Mt. Olive Lodge, No 21, Ma
sons ; Zenith Lodge No. 175, Knights of Pythias ;
1'ride of Louisiana, No. 1324, Grand Linked Order
of Odd Fellows. He has been president of the Ec
onomy Benefit Association for twenty-four years.
This last named organization is composed of the
old Creole citizens in New Orleans, they first or
ganized themselves in 1836.Mr. Cohen is also Pres
ident of the Iroquois Social Club, and Vice-Presi
dent of Providence Hospital Board of Administra
tors.
In these times of war our country has not fail
ed to recognize the need of strong men to help back
her in all her efforts to conquer Germany. It is
not surprising that Mr. Cohen was early called upon
to take a part and he did his share of the work
well. He was a member of the Speakers Bureau,
whose duty was to speak in the interest of Liberty
Bonds, Red Cross and other war measures. He was
also the representative of the colored people on the
Executive Committee for War Saving Stamps for
New Orleans.
In religious belief, Mr. Cohen is a Catholic. He
is active in the affairs of his church. He serves
as a member of the board of Directors of the St.
Louis Catholic School. In the St Joseph Catholic
Church, New Orleans. Louisiana, Mr. Cohen was
married, to Miss Wilhelmina M. Seldon, March 19,
1882. There is a family of four children, two boys
and two girls. W'alter L. Cohen, Jr., and Benjamin
B. Cohen, work with their father in the Insurance
Company and are following in his footsteps, and
are being trained to carry on this business, when
their father retires. Miss Margret R. Cohen is a
school teacher and Miss Camille is now Mrs. Bell
and is a cashier in one of her father's drug stores.
As is seen from this, Mr. Cohen has provided pay
ing positions for his own children in developing his
business ability, as well as providing places for
the children of others. What he is doing for his
children in a material way will not compare with
what he has done to fit them for life.
PAUL H. V. DEJOIE, M. D.
| ORN and educated in New Orleans,
La.. Dr. Paul H. V- Dejoie enter
ed upon and successfully pursued
his practice in his native city.
Born July 2nd. 1872, he was the
first child of Artistide Dejoie and
Ellen Chambers. Because of the fact that his
father held many responsible positions during his
life time, the young lad did not have all the strug
gle for an education that some of our prominent
men have had. So we find that Mr. Dejoie as
a buy was a constant pupil in the New Orleans
Public Schools. Having gotten from the public
course of instruction all that they li d to offer. Dr.
Dejoie entered Southern University. Here he was
one of the best known and most popular students
of his day. He won the Peabody Scholarship Me
dal. After graduation from Southern he decided
to take up the study of medicine. To this end he
matriculated at the New Orleans University, and
completed the course in 1895. He went before
the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
and passed. This fact is striking because he was
the first colored man to pass that board.
Having secured his privilege to practice medicine
he settled down to that work in his own native
city, New Orleans. Here he remained for the past
t \venty-three years. During this time he has been
successful as a practitioner, having built up quite
a practice. Seeing the need of the colored people
for a Drug Store, he busied himself in opening one.
In this drug store he owns half interest. It was
from the first a very successful undertaking. The
store bears his name — Dejoie Cut Rate Pharmacy,
being the name of the Drug Store.
In the work as a physician, he had an abundant
chance to see the needs of the colored people when
they were sick, and the needs of the bereaved fam
ilies. To in a measure alleviate the suffering from
these two sources, he has interested himself in the
Unity Industrial Life Insurance and Sick Benefit
Association. For two years he served the organi
zation in the capacity of Secretary, and since that
time he has been president of the organization.
Under his management he has seen the association
grow rapidly. It has gone to the front and now
is ahead of all companies doing similar insurance
in the State. This company is conducted on broad
and liberal principles by conservative and well-
qualified persons. The company paid over $350,-
000.00 to members in Louisiana for sickness, ac
cident and death. It gives profitable employment
to over two hundred colored people. In this way.
Dr. Dejoie has been able to serve his race from
two entirely different points. He has made work
for a number, and he has made it possible for many
sick to have some of the comforts of life.
Dr. Dejoie has made it a point to come in contact
with the better men of the race. In order to do
this he had connected himself with several frater
nal orders. He is a thirty-second degree Mason,
an Odd Fellow, and a Knight of Pythias. To these
organizations he has brought his good business
judgment, his strong sense of right and wrong and
his pleasing personality.
During the twenty-three years, Dr. Dejoie has
been out in the world for himself, he has formed
the habit of saving. So among his worldly poss
essions we might note his beautiful home, a dou
ble cottage and his stock in various banks, oil wells
and gold mines.
Although born, partly educated and established in
business in the same city, Dr. Dejoie has, never-the
less taken time to travel about a great deal in his
own country. He has traveled extensively in the
Kast, and through most of the Southern States.
He also spent some time in Jaures, Mexico. Dr.
Dejoie has served his Alma Mater as president of
the Alumni Association.
On June 16th, 1900, he was married to Miss El
la Brown, of New Orleans. There are two sons in
the Dejoie family, P. H. V. Jr., and Pradhomme,
who are now attending school in New Orleans.
181
SMITH WENDELL GREEN.
W. GREEN became a member of
the order of K. of P. on July 17,
1883 when the Order was in its
infancy, being a charter member
of Pride of Tensas Lodge No. 21,
St. Joseph, La. He was elected to
the station of V. C. of the lodge, but served as C. C.
from the time of the organization of the lodge until
June 30, 1886. He was the Grand Representative
from this lodge, and immediately upon entering the
Grand Lodge, his ability to handle finances com
menced to show itself, and in May, 1884, he was
elected to the position of G. M. of F., and served
for one year ; the office has since been abolished.
In April, 1886, he was elected to the position of
G. K. of R. and S. and served in that station until
1891. He was elected to the position of G. C. in
May, 1892, served until 1897, and declined re-elec
tion. In April, 1899, he was again elected to the
position of G. C. Upon assuming that station he
found the finances of the Grand Lodge in an insol
vent condition. The general fund had no assets,
while its liabilities amounted to $105.62. The En
dowment Fund showed the small amount of assets
as $196.40, while its liabilities showed death claims
due and unpaid, aggregating $3,424.25. The mem
bership at that time was only 897.
He found that it was necessary to increase the
endowment dues if the Grand Lodge of the State
of Louisiana was to be resurrected. The recom
mendation he made was adopted and became a part
of the laws of the Grand Lodge with the result
that a sufficient sum was soon accumulated to pay
off all outstanding claims for endowment. When
the Grand Lodge met in April, 1902, they found
themselves entirely out of debt, with a small sur
plus on hand to the credit of the endowment de
partment. The Grand Lodge was then paying an
endowment of $300.00, ninety days after filing the
claim.
In April, 1905, he recommended that the endow
ment policies be raised to $500, and the claims be
paid within thirty days after they were filed. In
the year of 1906, the surplus in the Endowment
Fund had reached such a large sum, and was grow
ing all the time, that the question arose, "What
shall we do with this money?" It was then nec
essary for S. W. Green to study out a way of in
vesting it. Accordingly, in 1906, at the Grand
Lodge Session in Alexandria, La., he recommended
that the Grand Lodge State of Louisiana erect a
Pythian Temple, and accordingly an appropriation
of $12,000 was made by the Grand Lodge for the
purchase of a site.
This appropriation was found to be insufficient
to purchase a site in the desired locality, and an ad
ditional $3,000 was therefore appropriated to pay
for same. This appropriation resulted in the pur
chase of a desirable site in the city of New Drleans,
La., to be used at later date for a Pythian Temple.
The original appropriation for the temple was only
$60,000 but realizing that a $60,000 building in a city
like New Orleans would not serve the purpose for
which it was intended, he allied his forces, and car
ried them to the Grand Lodge, which convened in
the city of New Orleans in 1908. Here the Grand
Lodge approved his action in reference to building
a magnificent structure, which is now completed
and cost in the neighborhood of $200,000. Today we
see that from the crippled conditions of affairs
when Mr. Green assumed control of the office, the
Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana has 180
lodges in the state, with a membership of 9,000 and
with the total resources of $123,354.07, endowment
claims being paid within thirty days after filing.
Mr. Green attended the first Supreme Lodge ses
sion in August, 1893 as Supreme Representative
for the State of Louisiana, in August, 1895, at St.
Louis, Mo., and has attended every Supreme Lodge
session as a representative since that date.
At the Supreme Lodge session at Pittsburg, Pa.,
in 1905, he was elected to the position of Supreme
Vice Chancellor and ex-officio, Supreme Worthy
Counsellor. At the Supreme Lodge session in
Louisville, Ky., in 1907, he was re-elected to the
position and held that position until April 3, 1908,
when he assumed the duties of Supreme Chancellor
the place made vacant by the death of the late S.
W. Starks.
182
HENRY CLAUDE HUDSON, D. D. S.
LL those doubting the efficacy of
a young man's acquiring a trade
in his early years should know
the story of Dr. Henry Claude
Hudson, D. D. S. of Shreveport,
Louisiana. A trade not only pro
vided him his daily bread, even when he was very
young, but it was the agency whereby he gained
funds to pursue his education and whereby he was
able on at least one occasion to render almost price
less service to himself and to his people.
Born in Marksville, Avoyles Parish, Louisiana,
April 19th, 1886, his parents moved to Alexandria,
La., when he was a five-year-old where he passed
his early school days. Having aspiration for higher
education he entered the eighth District Academy
at Alexandria, where he prepared to enter college.
However there was no means in sight to defray
his expenses through school and so dropping out of
school he went forth and became apprentice at
brickmasonry. Having mastered this trade he re-
entered school and once more pursued his studies.
From the academy in Alexandria, he went to Wiley
University in Marshall, Texas. It was here that his
trade served him in such good stead and did such
excellent service for his people. When Dr. Hudson
entered Wiley, in 1910, that institution was about
to erect a Carnegie Library. All was ready except
the labor. This was under the control of the
unions. A dead lock insued. In this situation the
young man came forward, stated that he was a
brickmason and that he would take charge of the
work and complete it, if the University would pro
vide students to help. This was agreed to, and the
library was built, much to the satisfaction of the
university and the glory and profit of the young
man.
Finding him a thoroughly reliable builder and
that it saved money by his taking the contract, Wi
ley University soon had him on other buildings.
Several dormitories for boys were to be erected. It
engaged his services as superintendent, and thus
erected its buildings with a considerable saving to
itself and with no further trouble from the labor
unions.
Having now decided to become a dentist, and
having solved pretty well the difficulty of financing
himself, Dr. Hudson entered Howard University
in Washington, D. C. Several times, however, he
found during his course in dentistry that he could
not turn his trade to immediate account. Compe
tition was a good deal sharper in the North, he
found, than it was in the South. Thus in his short
vacations when time was exceedingly precious he
turned his energies to whatever task his hands
could find. He found the Pennsylvania Dining Car
service the most immediate employment and the
largest remuneration for a short space of time.
Engaging in this service he was able to continue
his education. Incidently he traveled all over the
eastern states while he was in this work.
Graduating from the Howard University Dental
course in June, 1913, he immediately returned to
his home land and prepared for the state examin
ations. To make assurance doubly sure he took
the examinations in two states, Louisiana and Ark-
kansas. In both states he passed. Louisiana was
his home, and in his home he preferred to try first.
Hanging out his sign in Shreveport, he began his
career as a dentist. His success has far exceeded
even his ambition. In a short time he found that
one chair was not sufficient to accommodate his
patrons. He found also that he could not meet all
the demands made upon him. He therefore set up
a second chair and employed an assistant, a young
lady who is giving most efficient service.
That he has been unusually successful as a pro
fessional man is shown from the amount he has
been able to accumulate during the few years of
his practice. Dr. Hudson owns his home, a very at
tractive residence on Jordan Street in Alexandria.
He has equipped his office with the most up-to-date
dental appliances available. All these he owns,
having paid for them $3000.
Though genuinely interested in the life of
Shreveport, Dr. Hudson has but little time to °-ive
to lodge or social engagements. Only his Sabbaths
are free, and frequently only a part of these. He
is a member of the St. James Methodist Episcopal
Church of Shreveport, where he attends services,
and takes such active part in church work as his
time will allow. He was elected a member of the
Board of trustees of Wiley University in May, 1918.
Dr. Hudson was married to Miss Thomey B.
Thomas of Shreveport, September 14, 1914. Dr.
and Mrs. Hudson have two children, Henry Claude,
Jr., who was born January 5th, 1916; and Gloria T.,
who was born April 11, 1917.
183
MASON ALBERT HAWKINS, A. B., A. M.
ASON Albert Hawkins, of Balti
more, Maryland, is a Virginian by
birth. On October 21, 1874, he
was born in Charlottsville, Al-
hermarle County. At an early
age he went from Virginia to
Maryland where he attended the Elementary
schools, of Baltimore. Completing the work of
the graded schools he prepared for college at
Morgan College, also in Baltimore. From Mor
gan College Mr. Hawkins went to Harvard Univer
sity. Here he spent four years in the classical
course of this great institution, graduating in 1901.
with the degree A. B. He received the degree of
A. M., from Columbia University in 1910.
Upon finishing the course at Harvard, Mr. Haw
kins became a teacher of Latin, German, and Ec
onomics, in the Colored High School, of Baltimore.
In this position he worked for five years, when he
became head of Department of Foreign Languag
es in 1906. In 1909 he was made Vice-Principal of
this school and Principal the latter part of the same
year. Here Mr. Hawkins still labors. Most of
his life has been spent in the school rooms of Bal
timore.
Since Mr. Hawkins took charge of the Colored
High School it has had a great growth. He has
modified the course of study to meet in a large de
gree the needs of the community which it serves.
He emphasizes the obligations of the teacher to the
parents. He also lays great stress upon the need
of broad vision and sympathy and the requirement
of high professional skill. With these views it is
but natural that Mr. Hawkins himself should go
out of the school room to touch the lives of all in
the community. So we find him an active member
of the Union Baptist Church, a member of the
American Academy of Political and Social Sciences,
and a Fellow of American Geographical Society.
But his interests in the people of his immediate
community is shown more in the fact that he
serves as a member of the Board of Provident
Hospital; President of the Maryland Colored Pub
lic Health Association; Treasurer of the Maryland
Colored Blind Association ; Member of the Com
mission on Preparedness and Defense for the Col
ored People of Maryland.
He was appointed to the Commission on Pre-
pardness by Governor Harrington. This alone goes
to show that his. efforts in the behalf of the Race
has attracted the attention of the whole State. So
numerous and so varied are these bodies which he
serves, that it is readily seen that it is no one
phase of the development of the Race which Mr.
Hawkins has at heart, but the advancement of the
entire people.
Along with all the interests which are ever be
fore Principal Hawkins, he has an interest in cer
tain inventions. On this he spends considerable
time. It to him is a recreation from the other kind
of work which is ever with him. He has been
awarded patents on a cabinet for player music rolls
and he has patents pending on a number of various
devices.
On October 14, 1905, Mr. Hawkins was married
to Miss Margaret B. Gregory. Mrs. Hawkins is
the daughter of the late Professor James M. Gre
gory, of Bordentown Industrial School, Borden-
town, New Jersey. Mr. Hawkins has two sons,
Gregory Hawkins, and Mason A. Hawkins. These
two lads are in the schools of Baltimore and give
promise ;of great intellectual development. Mr.
Hawkins ambition is to prepare them for an hon
orable and useful life.
Mr. Hawkins has set the example of thrift for
those who take him as a pattern. He pays taxes
on both real-estate and personal property. In this
man we see one well rounded. He is a sound
scholar, a progressive educator, and an excellent
administrator. At the same time he touches the
lives of all the people about him, even the most
lowly in a helpful manner.
184
WILLIAM PICKENS, A. B.. A. M., LIT. D., LL. D.
S a very young man in school,
William 1'ickens won for himself
honors and the name ot a close
student and a good speaker. What
the young man gave promise of
being William 1'ickens, the man,
is. He was born in South Carolina,
Jan. 15, 1881. His public school
training was received in Arkansas. In 1899 he
graduated from the High School in Little Rock, as
Valedictorian of the class. Not only had young
Pickens led his particular class, but he had higher
marks than any student had ever made in the
school. After leaving High School, Mr. Pickens
entered Talledega College, Talledega, Alabama, and
graduated with the degree of- A .B., again valedic
torian of his class. Not yet satisfied with his train
ing the subject of this sketch next entered Yale Un
iversity. After two years stay he graduated in the
highest grade, "Philosophical Oration Grade" in
class of over three hundred. One of the rewards
of his high scholarship was receiving Phi Beta
Kappa. During his first year at Yale Mr. Pickens
won the highest of ten different prizes for Oratory
in the James Teneyck Oratorical Contest. Thous
ands of people complimented him on this achieve
ment among them being ex-President Cleveland.
President Roosevelt's family.
Having completed the work at Yale, Professor
Pickens first worked in his old school. Talladega
College. Here for ten years he was Professor of
Language. While in Talladega, he took a very
special interest in the students. At all times he
was willing and ready to see their side of any ques
tion and to see that they were given their rights.
While teaching in Talladega, Fisk University, Nash
ville, Tennessee gave him the degree of Master of
Arts, for a Latin thesis. After ten years of work
at Talladega, Professor Pickens gave up the work
there and accepted the position as Professor of
Greek and Sociology in Wiley University, Mar
shall, Texas, 1914-15, and then the post of Dean of
Morgan College, Baltimore, Md. This position he
held till 1917, when the Trustees of Morgan made
him Vice-President. Selma University honored him
with the degree Lit. D., in 1915, and Wiley with
L. L. D., in 1918.
Mr.. Pickens did not leap suddenly into fame as
a speaker. From his earliest young manhood he
led his mates in this particular line. While in the
Sophomore year at Talladega, he began lecturing
in the North. At this time he was only nineteen
years of age. And so well were his hearers pleased
with the words of wisdom uttered by one so young,
that they requested the publication of these address
es.
Since this beginning as a public speaker, Mr.
Pickens has made for himself a great name in this
particular line. He appeared on the American
Missionary Association program at Springfield,
Massachusetts, in 1900, in the Court Square Thea
tre. At the same time Booker T. Washington, the
great race leader, and Newell Dwight Hillis, fa
mous New York preacher, were speakers. Many
times since that day Mr. Pickens has appeared in
similar meetings. He is in constant demand in
both the North and the South for the lecture plat
form.
At the same time that he was making a name for
himself in this line of speaking, he was making
known his powers as a writer. He has written
many articles for magizines and many phamplets.
He has out now a book, "The New Negro." It is
a book of merit and one that has met with ready
appreciation.
That Mr. Pickens is no dreamer but can handle
practical problems very well is evidenced by the
manner in which he is serving his country during
this war. He, with Mr. Spingarn are reputed to be
the first to make a move for an officers' Training
Camp for Negroes. At the time many were hostile
to the idea, especially is this true of the attitude of
the Negro press. But today we are proud of that
cam]) and its results. Mr. Pickens has taken his
time to busy himself with the different canton
ments, visiting and speaking to the men. As a
member of the Maryland Council of Defense, he
is doing many sorts of war work.
Mr. Pickens was married in 1905, to Miss Min
nie McAlpine of Meridian Mississippi. To them
have been born three children, William, Jr., Har
riet Ida, Ruby Annie. They are all pupils in school
and are showing that they have inherited from
their father some of his ability.
Mr. Pickens has traveled extensively. He has
covered the greater part of this country and has
traveled in Europe. He is a fine example of "The
New Negro" himself.
18S
WILLIAM STANLEY RRAITHWAITE.
N Boston, Massachusetts, in the
year 1868, there was born a child
who was destined to take a lead
ing place as an authority on
American Verse. This child was
William Stanley Braithwaite. At
the age of twelve years he had to leave school in
order that he might help provide for his mother.
This was due to the fact that he had lost his father.
Up to the time he left school the lad had been a
close student and had mastered all the tasks that
were set for him. And even though lie was out
of school, young Braithwaite did not cease to study
but continued to be thoughtful and to absorb all
the culture that surrounded him.
Mr. Braithwaite says of himself: "At the age
of fifteen like a revealation, there broke out in me
a great passion for poetry, an intense love for lit
erature, and a yearning for the ideal life which fos
ters the creation of things that come out of dreams
and visions and symbols. J dedicated my future to
literature, though the altar upon which I was to
lay my sacrificial life seemed beyond all likelihood
of opportunity and strength and equipment to
reach. I set about it, however, with fortitude,
hope and patience."
What the exercise of these three virtues brought
r.bout in the life of this young man may be readily
seen from the results that he has been able to
achieve. In America and abroad as well he is re
cognized as the leading authority .on American
Poetry. This high place- did not conic to him be
cause of his love for this work, but because of tin-
time and effort he put into the study of the sub
ject. For the past twelve years he has devoted
most of his time to the study of American poetry.
F.ach year he has published in the Boston Tran
script a review of poetry for the vear and each
year he has published an Anthology of American
Poems. In this work Mr. Braithwaite includes all
of the poems written during the year that arc, in
his opinion worth while. In such high regard is
the opinion of this man held that not to be in his
book for the vear, is not to be known as a poet.
In fact in the opinion of literary folk in F.ngland
Mr. Braithwaite is not only an authority on Amer
ican Poetry, but The Authority on the subject.
Mr. Braithwaite stands to the colored boy and
the colored girl as an example of the man who has
gone to the top in spite of his color. So many hold
that the best place is never given to a person of
color. Mr. Braithwaite is a positive denial of this
saying. In fact with him, and with a few others
who have dared to go ahead, starts the saying —
a man can be just what he wants to be in spite
of his color.
The works of Braithwaite include "Lyrics of
Life and Love," "The Book of Klizabethian
Verse," "The House of Falling Leaves," "The
Book of Georgian Verse," "The Book of Restora
tion Verse," and "The Book of Victorian Verse."
The publishers for the works of Braithwaite say
of his Poetic Year for 1916: "Here is a book that
is actually 'Something new tinder the sun,' and
furthermore, 'fills a long felt want.' " Any lover
of poetry, any student of contemporary literature,
who desires to form an intelligent estimate of
recent poetry, or to make an acquaintance with any
individual poet of our time sufficiently definite to
give him the requisite knowledge for an intelligent
discussion, will find the book indispensable.
"The method of the book is not the least of its
virtues. A friendly discussion takes place among a
group of four friends, including Mr. Braithwaite
himself, who provides the guiding hand."
"Bv this lively treatment, so surprisingly differ
ent from the usual method of critical writing, tin-
reader forms a personal impression, as human as
it is well founded of the poetry" of all contempo
rary poets who are really deserving of that title.
William Stanley Braithwaite has made a place
for himself at the top in his chosen work, lie is
held up here as an ideal along his line to all young-
persons of color, lie is an example of what con
centrated endeavor will do for a person of deter
mination.
186
WILLIAM NELSON DeBERRY, D. D.
HEN Fisk University wishes to
point to her useful and scholarly
graduates, she usually comes very
soon to the name of William N
DeBerry. As it is with Fisk, so
it is with the whole of Nashville.
He is especially a source of pride to Nashville, not
because she is lacking in conspicious men among
her colored citizens, but because of the theory that
the men living nearest institutions of learning fre
quently make the least use of them. This saying is
far from true in the case of the subject of this
sketch.
Mr. DeBerry was born in Nashville, Tennessee,
August 29, 1870. He was fortunate enough to be
able to attend school from early childhood. So we
find him as a lad attending the public schools of his
native city. Here he applied himself very diligent
ly to the work in hand. Always he had before
him the chance of attending the University which
was open for him at his very door. So we find
him while still a young man entering Fisk. Here
he remained to complete the course of study and
graduate. He finished with the class of 1896. While
in Fisk University young DeBerry was always
187
ready to receive with an open mind the instruc
tion of his teachers. Hence we have him as a shin
ing example of the good scholars that arc turned
out by Fisk University.
Leaving Fisk, Mr. DeBerry matriculated at Ober-
lin College in Ohio. Here he was a student in the
theological Department. From the full course of
that department he was graduated in 189C). Mr.
DeBerry is a Congregationalist in church affilia
tion. Leaving Oberlin he went to Springfield,
Massachusetts to pastor the St. John's Congrega
tional Church there. Here he has remained since
that time, having had but the one charge in all
these years. This is remarkable for a pastor of
any denomination.
Working hard and steadily at his post, studying
to keep abreast of the times, Dr. Ue Berry is much
in demand as a public speaker and lecturer and
freely welcomed into many organizations for his
usefulness. His has been a life spent in develop
ing the younger people with whom he came in
contact. He has endeavored to make them better
men and women — better mentally, morally and
spiritually.
The St. John's Congregational Church has what
is perhaps the most modern and best equipped
plant of all the colored churches in New England.
The present edifice which was erected in 1911 is
valued, together with its equipment, at $30,000. It
io free from debt.
Ihe Church is unique in its plan of organization
and in the method of its varied activities. It seeks
to adapt its work in all its phases to the religious
and social needs of the people whom it serves. It
is known throughout the country for the well or
ganized and very efficient institutional work which
it carries on. The institutional activities include
a parish home for working girls, a night school of
Domestic Science, a social center for women and
girls, a club house for young men and boys, a free
employment bureau and a department of family
housing. The institutional staff includes six paid
workers in addition to the pastor. The real estate
and equipment of the institutional department are
valued conservatively at $50,000 making the total
valuation of the property owned by the church at
about $80,000.
Among the many organizations which are proud
to claim Dr. DeBerry a member are the American
Missionary Association, and the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Of both
these organizations he is a life member.
In 1914 Fisk University elected him a member
of her board of trustees. In this capacity he still
serves the school that gave him his inspiration for
his life of usefulness.
Recognizing the excellent work of this man,
Lincoln University conferred upon him the degree
of Doctor of Divinity, in 1915. In 1917 he was el
ected to honorary membership in the fraternity of
Alpha Phi Alpha. In this way some of the honor
due Dr. DeBerry is being received by him now.
Dr. DeBerry was married in 1899 to Miss Aman
da McKissack, of 1'ulaski, Tennessee. Mrs. De-
Berry is a graduate of Fisk University. Two
children have been born to brighten and gladen the
home of the DeBerry's — Charlotte Pearl and Anna
Mae. They are both young misses in school.
DAVID EUGENE CRAWFORD.
ROM a date somewhere near the
clays of Plymouth Rock and the
first Pilgrims, Boston, Massachu
setts, has had its famous Negroes.
Phillis Wheatley was the first fa
mous Negro of Massachusetts, as
she was the first woman poet of the state and the
first, and perhaps the only Negro woman poet
of the ages. Crispus Attucks and Peter Salem were
the famous black men of the Revolutionary times,
then came the Ruffins, the Trotters, but history
becomes confused. She cannot distinguish between
the real Bostonian and the man and woman who
went to Boston to become famous, or who be
came famous because they went to Boston.
Hem-ever, from Phillis Wheatley to this day Bos
ton has never lacked for genuinely strong and use
ful colored people. Among the modern leaders of
the practical, modest yet very powerful and useful
type is numbered David Eugene Crawford.
Mr. Crawford was born in Lynchburg, Virginia,
December 26th, 1869. He attended the public
schools of Lynchburg, and then attended Hampton
Institute. Getting the Hampton stamp upon him
he went to Boston and began work. All along he
188
has linked work and education ; because he could
not pursue his studies without working and he
would not work without studying. When he was
sixteen he began dealing in produce in the Virginia
markets. In Boston, at the age of twenty, he be
came a caterer, pursuing his studies in the mean
time in the Boston Y. M| C. A.. This business of
caterer and student he followed until 1907 when
he was admitted to the Bar to practice law. Thus
he became after a struggle of a quarter of a century
to realize his dream of a professional life.
But Mr. Crawford found entrance into the pro
fession of law by no means marked his entrance in
to public life. It rather marked a public recogni
tion of what he had done and been in Massachu
setts for more than a score of years. He has been
closely allied with the New England Suffrage
League, with civic movements, with meetings and
petitions for justice to the black man throughout
the country. Indeed there has scarcely been a step
taken among the colored people of Boston during
these years but Mr. Crawford has been a conspic
uous figure.
What the leading citizens of Massachusetts think
of him is shown by the many prominent offices he
holds and by the cooperation he has been able to
gain in his undertakings. He is treasurer of the
Ebenezer Baptist Church, of which he has for years
been a member. He has been a Mason for twenty-
five years. He is a thirty-third degree Mason and
Past Master of the Eureka Lodge, a member of all
masonic branches and Deputy of the Valley of
Massachusetts. In 1915 the Governor of Massachu
setts appointed him master in Chancery, and in 1916
the citizens of Boston elected him as a delegate to
the National Republican Convention, which met at
Chicago. The crowning mark of public confidence,
however, came to Mr. Crawford, in 1910, when he
opened the Eureka Co-Operative Bank, the only
Negro Bank in the Bay State. That it has run
successfully ever since in a city and in a state
where banks are common and competition for
money very sharp, is highly expressive of the pub
lic in Mr. Crawford.
Through studying and serving Mr. Crawford
managed all along to accumulate property and to
educate a growing family. He has traveled in the
North, Middle West, and in some parts of the
South and in Canada. His property holdings of
apartments, stores and commercial properties are
valued in all at $150,000.
Mr. Crawford was married to Miss Almira G.
Lewis of Boston in 1894. Their four children are
all making careers worthy of their father, who has
set such a high standard of attainment. J. William
Crawford, who is twenty-two years of age is a
senior in the Boston University Law School ; Miss
Mildred L., age twenty-one, is a bookkeeper and
stenographer, Miss Helen F is a sophomore in Rad-
cliff College, and Miss M. Virginia is a senior in the
Girl's High School of Boston.
ROLAND WILTSE HAYES.
OLAND W. Hayes, easily the
leading tenor of the Colored Race
was born June 5, 1887, at Curry-
ville, Georgia. Here in Georgia
he lived on the farm, working, at
tending school when it was in
session, till he was fourteen years
of age. His father died, leaving
seven children, and Roland was among the older
ones. On him therefore fell some of the responsi
bility. His mother moved, when he was fourteen,
to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The problem of edu
cating the children was a serious one. Mrs. Hayes
finally hit upon the plan of letting the two older
boys, Robert and Roland, take turns at attending
school. One went to school one year, while the
other worked to help in the support of the family
and the next year this turned it about. In this
manner Roland W. Hayes had a chance t«i attend
school. He made the most of his opportunity dur
ing the four years they were thus taking their
turns at school.
Arthur W. Calhoun, (Colored), a graduate of the
Oberlin Conservatory of Music, heard young Hay
es sing one day and persuaded him to take lessons
and urged him to adopt singing as a profession.
His first public appearance aroused enthusiastic
comment and a sum of money was raised to per
mit the boy to continue his studies at the musical
college. With this help and by his own labors he
spent four years in Fisk University. Here his voice
was under the care of the Vocal teacher, Miss
Jennie A. Robinson, head of the music department.
In the summer of 1910 Mr. Hayes went to Louis
ville, Kentucky, where he worked for eight
months. His object in working in Louisville was
to save money enough to go North for further
training. Combining work and education, Mr.
Hayes took a job as a waiter in Pendennis club.
Some of the members learned that he could sing,
through the head waiter, Mr. Henry T. Bain.
Through them he had many opportunities to fill
engagements as a singer. It was through this
club that he met a theatrical manager, who hired
him at five dollars a day for a month. At the con
clusion of this engagement, through one of the
members of the Pendennis club, in which he was
a waiter, made arrangements for him to sing in
Louisville at the National Fire Insurance Agent's
Banquet. A few weeks after this engagement he
was asked to sing in the missionary meeting "The
World in Boston." Here he appeared with the
Fisk Jubilee Singers, where the engagement lasted
for six weeks.
In the Fall of 1911, Mr. Henry H. Putnian. of
Boston, arranged for Mr. Hayes to begin his mus
ical training in Boston, under Maestro Arthur 1.
Hubbard, where he has continued his studies until
the present. Under the teaching of the great
Maestro Hubbard, for the last seven years, the na
turally sweet voice of Mr. Hayes has been devel
oped and straightened until now, he as an artist,
ranks among the best artists of the land. In No
vember of 1917, he made his first appearance in
the great Symphony Hall, of .Boston.
He is the first Colored Artist to have a recital in
this Hall. To quote from the Guardian we can see
how Mr. Hayes was received.
"Doff the hat to Roland W. Hayes, the singer !
He essayed the difficult and succeeded. He made
the fight and won. In size of audience, in finan
cial profit, in auditorium and in his own musical
performance Hayes scored a triumph.
"The great Symphony Hall was packed, even the
platform was filled with seats and persons stood
thick along both hall aisles. It was a mixed aud
ience with no segregation and thoroughly repres
entative of both rates, as big an audience as world-
famous white artists have there. No Colored Ar
tist ever had a recital in Symphony Hall.
"In this respect and in the talent displayed by
Mr. Hayes, as well as in the size and character of
the audience the recital made musical history for
Colored Bostonians. Mr. Hayes rendered a wide
variety of songs. After Mr. Hayes' singing Thurs
day night. Colored Boston can claim to have the
leading tenor of the day. His voice was full and
robust with a long range- It was resonant and
flexible.
Mr. Hayes has traveled over the United States
as a Concert Artist. His time has been given
wholly to the development of his voice and in ear
ning means for that purpose. He is a member of
the Baptist Church, of Boston, but has connected
himself with no other organizations. His is the life
of the true artist, one of continual application of
self for continued artistic development, for the
sake of art and for the inspiration of the members
(musical), of his race.
189
ALEXANDER HUGHES.
ORN a slave in Richmond, Virginia
January 17, 1857, growing to
manhood without even the rudi
ments of an education, Alexander
Hughes of Springfield, Massachu
setts, has won his way into the
hearts of his fellow townsmen, until he is one of
the most respected and best loved men of his sec
tion of Massachusetts. The respect of his fellow
citizens he gained through careful attention to his
work and to his business relation, paying his debts
and meeting obligations promptly, a thing that
pleases a New Englander. Their affections he won
through flowers; through growing flowers and
giving away flowers.. For three successive years
he lias won a pri/.e offered by the Springfield Re
publican for the prettiest flowers in back and front
yards. He even went further. He rented, or bor
rowed, vacant lots and planted flowers in these.
Then, when the flowers grew, he would give them
in handsome bouqets to the sick, to invalids, to the
members of old people's homes.
Mr. Hughes was nine years old when his master
returned from the war. The master gave Mr.
Hughes' father five days to leave the plantation.
The father departed, but left Mr. Hughes with one
brother and two sisters to aid the master. From
nine to twelve Mr. Hughes tended cows and did
chores about the plantation. From twelve to eight
een he worked in a tobacco factory of Richmond ;
from eighteen to twenty he drove a grocery wagon
from twenty to twenty-four he carried brick and
mortar. From twenty-four to twenty-seven, he
drove a wholesale grocery wagon in Spring
field. Then he cared for furnaces for t w o
years, and was a janitor for two years. In Oct
ober, 1888, he became shipping clerk for the Massa
chusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Here he has remained, winning distinction in
many directions. In 1889 he added night catering
to his list, his patrons being of social exclusiveness ;
and won distinction and made money. He became
a member of the Springfield Chamber of Com
merce; of the St. John's Congregational Church,
also deacon, church treasurer, Sunday School teach
er and member of the Standing Committee, mem
ber of the Y. M. C. A., member of the Golden Chain
Lodge of Odd Fellows: treasurer of the Household
of Ruth; member of the Negro Civic League of the
Springfield Improvement Association ; of the Un
ion Relief Association; of the Home Guards, a war
defense organization. He is treasurer and trustee
of the Mutual Housing Company, a company which
keeps homes for colored people.
All these posts he fills with honor. Yet Mr.
Hughes began life a slave and rose to maturity il
literate. Indeed his education in books is very lim
ited. Back in 1881, when he was twenty-four years
old, he attended for a while the Springfield Night
Schools, where he learned some reading, writing
and arithmetic.
Mr. Hughes has been twice married. In 1882 he
was married to Miss Bettie A. White ; she died in
1892. The second Mrs. Hughes was Miss Pauline
Simms. Both came from Virginia, his native home.
Mr. Hughes' story has been a source of much in
spiration even in Massachusetts. The following
from New England Character, edited by Thomas
Dreier, will show how highly Mr. Hughes is es
teemed and how widely he is written of in the Old
Bay State.
"Recently I wrote for a magazine a little squib,
about Alexander Hughes of Springfield, Massachu
setts. I told how this negro, born in slavery, has
for two years won the prize offered by this city
for the best-kept lawn and garden, how it
is his habit to appropriate the vacant ground be
longing to his neighbors and plant flowers on it,
h'^w he carries flowers to the hospitals to make
brighter the days of those forced to lie in their
beds — taking especial care to provide flowers for
strangers and those who have no friends at hand,
how he works all day in the shipping de
partment of the Massachusetts Mutual, and at
nights serves as a caterer where rich folks want
service plus, how he stands as a leader in re
ligious work among his people, and how each year
he sends part of his salary to southern educational
institutions. All these things and more I told, and
what I wrote was reprinted with editorial backing
in the Springfield "Republican."
190
WILLIAM H. LEWIS, A. B., LL. B., LL. D.
N November 28, in Berkley, Vir
ginia, William Jrl. Lewis was
born. Berkley is now a part
of Norfolk. At an early age he
went to Portsmouth, Virginia,
where he was a student in the
public schools of that city. Leaving the schools
of Portsmouth he next entered the State Normal
School at Petersburg. He next matriculated at
Ainherst, from whence he was graduated in 1892.
Having decided upon the practice of law as a pro
fession he then entered the Harvard Law School
and was graduated in 1895. In 1918 Hon. Lewis
once more received a degree. This time is was the
degree of Doctor of Law and it came from Wil-
berforce University.
During his school days Mr. Lewis was noted for
his foot ball. He was one of the best centers that
they have ever had in Harvard. He was Captain
of the foot ball team of Amherst and was al,so the
Class Orator of his class. When he entered Har
vard he once more had a place with the foot ball
team, h'or two years he played on the team and
then for ten years he served as the coach for the
foot ball eleven. His knowledge of college men
and liis interest in them has extended over a
greater period of years than is given most men
in liis profession.
Having finished law at the Harvard School of
191
Law in 1895, Mr. Lewis was promptly admitted
to the practice of law in Boston. Since that time
many positions of honor have been filled by him.
He was member of the City Council, Cambridge.
Massachusetts, in 1899, 1900, 1901. He was mem
ber of Massachusetts Legislature, 1902. President
Roosevelt appointed him Assistant United States
District Attorney in 1903. He was made a member
of the Public Library Trustees of the City of Cam
bridge. From 1908 to 1909 he was the Attorney in
charge of Naturalization for the New England
States. President Taft appointed him Assistant
Attorney General of the United States in 1911.
Mr. Lewis has been fearless in standing for the
rights of the colored people of the United States.
He was invited to join the American Bar Associa
tion. Later he had an invitation to resign, but in
his characteristic manner he refused to comply
with the invitation. Mr. Lewis has had many hon
ors from the government. He has done good for
the entire race by the manner in which he has filled
the various posts that have been given him.
In religious belief Mr. Lewis is a Congregation-
alist. He has traveled extensively through the
United States and in 1912 he visited England and
France. September 26, 1896, Mr. Lewis was mar
ried to Miss Elizabeth Baker of Cambridge, Mas
sachusetts. Three children have been born to
brighten this home. Miss Dorothy Lewis is a stu
dent of Wellesley. Here Miss Lewis gives a good
account of herself among her fellows. Miss Eliza
beth Lewis is a student at High School, Cambridge,
Massachusetts, and Mr. William H. Lewis, Jr., is
also a High School student. In the point of edu
cation the young people of this family bid fair to
follow in the footsteps of their father.
Mr. Lewis has made a success of his life. In
school besides being a good student he was a good
orator and a first class athlete. Out in life he has
carried the same idea of success in everything un
dertaken. The many duties that have been show
ered upon him have been filled to his credit. In
his profession he is a good lawyer. If the case
involves some things in the medical world, Mr.
Lewis is not satisfied till he has mastered all the
knowledge on the subject. If it is a matter of
boundaries he studies equally as hard. To him the
thing desired is a complete knowledge of all the
things that touch the case even remotely, tie has
been quoted on some of his famous cases through
out the United States. Of course the fact that he
was colored was not known. But the color of his
skin could not change the facts that were gathered
in his brain. Nothing short of perfect understand
ing of the matter in hand satisfied Mr. Lewis. Be
cause of this he is one of our most prominent men.
HORACK G. McKERROW, M. D., C. M.
R. Horace G. Mackerrow, of
Worcester, Massachusetts, in
vested many years in education,
in attending various institutions
of learning. He appears to have
set over against each year and
each institution, all itemized,
some definite service to men and
to the state. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
October thirteenth, 1879. As a lad he attended the
public schools of Halifax. From 1893 to 1897 he-
was a student in Halifax Academy. The next year
1898, he spent in the Teachers' Training Class of
Dollwise College. From this institution he enrolled
in the Montreal Business College. Still forging to
the front he taught school in Halifax for two years.
Finding this none too much to his liking he came to
the "states." For a while he oscilated between the
Montreal postal service and hotel work at Atlantic
City. He spent some time also in Pullman service.
Running on the Grand Trunk Rail Road in dining
car service.
By this time he had fully made up his mind as
to the career he wished to follow. In October 1900
he enrolled in the Leonard Medical College at Shaw
University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Completing
his medical course in 1904, he entered Bishop's Uni
versity. Here he was graduated with the degree of
M. D. C. M. in 1905. Returing to Canada, he was
for six months resident house surgeon for the Wo-
192
man's Hospital. In September, 1905, he took the
medical examination in Massachusetts. Passing,
he opened office in Worcester of the same year.
It is in Worcester that he has translated all his
former experiences, all his years of study into use
ful action. Here he is a member of the John Street
Baptist Church, and superintendent of the Sunday
School. He is Past Master of Masonic Lodge of
King David. He is a member of the St. John Chap
ter of R. A. M. and Zion Commandery, K. T. C. P.,
of the Holy Shepherds Consistory, Lizra Temple
A. K. O. N. M. S., and Past Examiner of this body ;
he is Grand Commander of the Knight Templars
of Rhode Island and Massachusetts; he is Past
Grand Master of the Council of the Odd Fellows,
North Star Lodge, G. U. O. O. and P. N. F. To
his activities in the various lodges. Dr. Mackerrow
add many activities in civil and social life. He is
a member of the Executive Board of the Citizens
League of Worcester, of the Massachusetts State
Guards. 19th regiment of Worcester, of the Wor
cester Military Training School, of the Pistol and
Rife Club, of Worcester, of the Anglo-Saxon Club,
of Worcester, of the Gun and Rod Club of Cam
bridge and Boston. Not forgetting his profession
Dr. Mackerrow has allied himself to all medical
associations of his section of the country. He is a
member of the Worcester District Medical Associ
ation, of the Massachusetts Medical Association, of
the American Medical Association and of the Na
tional Association of Physicians, Doctors and Phar
macists. He has traveled extensively in the United
States and Canada.
Dr. Mackerrow comes from a substantial line of
Europeans. His father was a Canadian fur dealer,
having dealt in furs for forty three years. The pa
ternal grandfather was a Scotchman, coming from
Aberdeen, Scotland. The maternal grandfather
was of Welch origin. Both ancestors had landed
in Canada and had made themselves substantial and
loyal subjects of their Government. Their off
spring was true to their example ; for Dr. Mack
errow not only set forth to make for himself
a most enviable career, but even in his early years
in Canada, he joined the battalion of the Halifax
Academy and became before he left that institution
a major in his company. In his early years as well
as later Dr. Mackerrow has also shown himself a
substantial citizen, by owning and paying taxes on
property, both in his native country and in his
adopted land. He is a property owner in his na
tive city, Halifax, in the state of New York, and
in Worcester. More than this, by his conversation
with his patients as he goes about, he has encour
aged many to buy property, to pay taxes, to clean up
to join with all the forces of civic improvment in
making Worcester one of the best cities in the land
for colored people. To him, and this is often his
text, thorough participation with all the myrid ac
tivities of the city and of the state is the very bone
and fibre of citizenship. This explains his almost
countless membership in lodges, in civic clubs, in
recreation clubs and in various military organiza
tions.
Dr. Mackerrow was married in 1916, to Miss Ef-
fie S. Wolf of Allston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Mack
errow is the daughter of the famous James H. Wolf
G. A. R. Commander. Mr. and Mrs. Mackerrow are
parents of one child, a son, Horace Gilford Mack
errow, Jr., who is now two years old.
GEORGE BUNDY, M. D.
R. George Bundy, M. D. was born
May 4th, 1868, at Mt. Pleasant,
Jefferson County, Ohio. Like so
many people, born in Ohio , he
made his way to Michigan to
work, but this was not done until
after he had spent a number of years in the schools
and colleges of his native State. He spent the usual
years in the common schools and then went to
Widberforce University, to Wittenberg College.
Springfield, Ohio and to Payne Divinity School,
Petersburg, Virginia, and later to Detroit College
of Medicine and Surgery.
When but fifteen years of age, Dr. Bundy had
his first lesson in the Medical science under a no
ted, wealthy, white physician in Ohio. Under this
kind of physician, Dr. J. E. Finley, he got a taste of
the healing art that he could never quite get out of
his system. So we find Dr. Bundy at the age of
forty-four, graduating from the full medical course
in the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery.
He graduated with honors in a class of fifty and he
had the distinction of being the only colored man
in his class. Since graduating from the medical
college, he has enjoyed a very lucrative practice in
the city of Detroit.
During the years, between college days and
the taking up of medicine, Dr. Bundy spent
in church work. He was first ordained for
the ministry in the A. M. E. Church. He after
wards studied for the Priesthood of the Protes
tant Episcopal Church. He was made priest in St.
Paul's Cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1900. He was
recommended by the Episcopal Church for chap
laincy in the United States Army, and was receiv
ed by President Roosevelt at Washington concern
ing the appointment. He was offered the Arch dea-
conry of Colored Work in Diocease of Lexington,
Kentucky, but the study of medicine that he had
done when a lad could never be really forgotten,
and so although rather late for one to change pro
fessions, Dr. Bundy entered the medical college,
and gave up the ministry.
In the residence district of Detroit, Dr. Bundy
has a home worth $5,500.00 this as a showing for
the savings during the years of his practice of med
icine. Presiding over this beautiful home is Mrs.
Bundy, who was Miss Evelyn Tardif, of Columbia,
South Carolina. They were married April 26th,
1905, in Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Bundy has been
to Dr. Bundy a great help in carrying out his am
bition to become a physician. In it all and through
it all, she has been an inspiration. Now she helps
make life pleasant for their many friends at their
home.
It is difficult to estimate the value of a good
wife who enters sympathetically and actively into
the plans of her husband and helps him bear the
burdens when heavy and rejoice with him when
success crowns his efforts.
Dr. Bundy has, along with all other whole heart
ed Americans, done his part in helping win this
world war. Besides contributing freely of his
means in the cause of the various charities, the
Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., and other relief funds, he
served for six months on the Draft Board for the
United States Army.
Dr. Bundy has become a part of the community
life there in Detroit. He is still active in the church
of his profession and through the church he is able
to reach many. He is a member of the Paul Law
rence Dunbar Memorial and Scholarship Fund, as
he was a personal friend of Mr. Dunbar. Through
this organization he has helped not only in honor
ing the most noted of our Negro poets, but in aiding
many students.
Dr. Bundy should be a source of inspiration to
the many men who are now engaged in work that
is not altogether to their liking. Reading of his
success when he had the courage to give up a work
in which he had made good, but which could never
have his whole heart, one should take courage and
try, even if late in life, for the one thing that is his
heart's ambition.
193
KENTUCKY PYTHIAN TEMPLE BUILDING— LOUIS
VILLE, KENTUCKY— AND THE MEN LARGELY
RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ERECTION.
Kentucky Pythian Temple
HE Kentucky Pythian Temple is
the outgrowth and an outward
expression of a deep seated idea
which had taken a strong hold of
the Pythians of Kentucky and
which was born of the conviction
that fraternal organizations could and should make
wider use of their strength and authority. Once
the idea had been presented to the Pythian Grand
lodge, jurisdiction of Kentucky, it would not down
but session after session it was kept to the front
until the idea took concrete form. A number of
prominent knights championed it and fought for
it until the temple was built. Sir Knight, J. L. V.
Washington raised his voice in its behalf and Sir
Knight, J. H. Garvin, at Mt. Sterling, fanned the
coals into a blazing fire by a beautiful, eloquent
and practical speech which he delivered. The
movement took form in the appointment of a
commission whose duty was to formulate and sub
mit a plan for securing the building. It was sty
led the "Kentucky Pythian Temple Commission.
Sir Knight, H. Francis Jones, was made President
of the commission. He was a man of fine parts,
of propelling energy and unselfishly devoted to the
task assigned him. Under the leadership of Sir
Knight Jones, the commission set to work and
after a season of patient toil they worked out a
plan which made their dream of a temple a living
led the "Kentucky Pythian Temple Commission."
was presented to the Grand Lodge at its meeting
at Winchester. It so happened that the Supreme
Chancellor, Sir Knight S. W. Starks, visited the
Kentucky jurisdiction at this session of the Grand
Lodge and was present when the plan was sub
mitted. He was first impressed with the enthu
siasm with which the plan was received, but after
a careful consideration of it he caught the fever
himself, and returned to his home in Charleston,
West Virginia, a strong convert to the plan and
fired by the Kentucky spirit. He procured a copy
of the plans and immediately started a similar
movement in his home jurisdiction and within a
year had organized his forces and erected the first
Pythian Temple of the colored race. The temple
idea carried with it not accommodations for the
lodge alone, but suitable quarters for the colored
men to carry on their business enterprises. Fra
ternity is the spirit of the order and its policy is
to encourage the negro to make the best of his ta
lents and opportunities and in the erection of their
temple this idea was kept in mind. So much for
the spirit which gave vision to the enterprise and
195
inspired the erection of the temple. Now for a
description of it :
It is a beautiful seven-story structure, built of
reinforced concrete and brick crowned with a roof
garden. It is situated in the heart of a Negro set
tlement — the gateway of the Metropolis of the
South. The building contains five business rooms ;
a theatre, operated by a colored man ; twelve offi
ces ; fifty-two sleeping apartments, and a commo
dious amusement hall, 40x97 feet — which cares for
the needs of a pleasure-seeking public. Besides
these it has a kitchen, dining room, pool room,
barber shop, buffet and cabaret. It is lighted with
electricity and is steam heated, has elevator ser
vice, and has bath arrangements for the use of ten
ants. The building cost approximately $150,000.00.
This sketch could not be properly closed without
mentioning a few of the men who have brought
the enterprise to a successful issue.
Sir Knight Jones and Grand Chancellor Garvin
and their assistants have been the moving spirits
but they have been ably assisted by the following
Knights: J. H. Garvin, J. L. V. Washington, W.
W. Wilson, Rev. J. M. Mundy, B. E. Smith, S. H.
George, M D., F. C. Dillon, W. H. Wright, Attor^
ney, J. A. C. Lattimore, M. D. French Thompson.
Directors and Van J. Davis, M. D., G. G. Young,
T. T. Wendell, M. D., Owen Robinson. Dr. E. E.
Underwood, M. D., William and John B. Caulder,
Grand Lodge Officers.
The vision inspired these men and held them
to their task was not. as has been stated, simply
a Pythian Temple, although that in itself was a
strong incentive, but a wider outlook which took
in the interests of their race in all departments of
their life. In addition to the accommodations pro
vided for the business enterprises of their people
and for their social pleasures, they kept in mind
possibilities not yet developed. Among the things
they hope for at an early date is a Negro bank, to
stimulate their people to lives of thrift and to en
courage them to buy their homes. Another, being
the establishment of a Negro newspaper, whose
aim and purpose will be to influence their people
to higher ideals of living and to inform the world
of the progress being made by the Negro race.
When this portion of their dream is realized the
mission of the Pythian Temple will very nearly
have filled its place.
Thus a building has been erected in which the
Colored Pythians take a commendable pride, and
which forms a center of influence for the colored
race which will work for their good for many years
to come.
ALBERT H. JOHNSON, M. D.
LBERT H. Johnson, is a Can
adian by birth. He was born
in Windsor, Ontario, June 23,
1870. His early schooling was
had in the public school system of
Canada. After leaving Canada,
the young man attended school in Detroit, Michi
gan. From the Detroit High School he was grad
uated in 1889. From the Detroit High School he
entered the Detroit College of medicine and sur
gery, and was graduated with the degree of M. D.
in 1893.
This recital of the school training gotten by Dr.
Johnson seems simple enough, and so it is for the
young man with ample means for support. But
this was not the fact in the case of Dr. Johnson. In
order to get his education he had to work his way.
He started his career as a newsboy. In this he
had the usual life of the newsboy. He learned to
give and take, he learned human nature as only a
newsboy or one in a similar line can learn it. From
newsboy he next became a news agent. In this oc
cupation he continued throughout his High School
career. Dr. Johnson made the sale of news items
purchase for him, in a large measure his life work.
196
After receiving his M. D. from the Detroit Col
lege of Medicine and Surgery Dr. Johnson hung
out his shingle in the City of Detroit. At first he
took up the general practice of medicine; but in
19C9 he was appointed Medical Inspector for
schools. This caused the interest of Dr. Johnson
to center on children and their ailments. For the
past ten years he has given most of his time to the
study and practice of this branch of his work. This
is a field that is wide and is not as yet overcrowd
ed. In this line Dr. Johnson has made a marked
success.
The subject of this sketch is also a member of
the firm of W. E. & A. H. Johnson, Pharmacists.
This firm is doing a very good retail drug business.
They own the building in which the business is
housed and get a good trade. To this business ven
ture as to his practice, Dr. Johnson has applied
himself and made good. The wealth of experience
that falls to the lot of the physician doing a good
practice is enjoyed by the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Johnson has taken a part in the life of the
city of his choice. He is a member of the St. Mat
thews Protestant Episcopal Church. Of this Church
he is vestryman and Senior Warden. He is a mem
ber of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows and
of the Masonic Order. Dr. Johnson also serves as
trustee and physician to the Phillis Wheatley
Home for Aged Women of Detroit, Michigan. The
positions held by him show the breadth of the in
terest of Dr. Johnson. He is very active in the
National Association for the Advancement of Col
ored People. Of this organization he is the treas
urer of the Detroit Branch. He is a member of the
Executive Committee of the Detroit League on
Urban Conditions among Negroes. Dr. Johnson
also has the honor of having served as the first
president of the Allied Medical Association, an or
ganization consisting of doctors, dentists, pharma
cists of the city of Detroit.
During the years he has been out of school, Dr.
Johnson has saved his money and invested it wis
ely. He owns besides half interest in the drug
business and its business block mentioned earlier
in this sketch, a six family apartment house and a
two family apartment house. The home in which
his own family lives is also his property.
For business and for pleasure Dr. Johnson has
traveled extensively in the United States and in
Canada, lie was married to Miss Lucile Russell,
of Oberlin, Ohio, September 26th, 1900. Dr. and
Mrs. Johnson are the proud parents of one beauti
ful young daughter, Phyllis Mary Johnson. Little
Miss Johnson is ten years of age and is devoting
her time time to the duties and pleasures of child
hood.
EDWARD WATSON
DWARD Watson, was born July
31. 1890, in Detroit, Michigan. He
was educated in thejniblic schools
of his native city. . Mr. Watson's
father died before he had
an opportunity for college work
and he had to leave school in order to help his mo
ther with the business. At the time of his death
his step-father was engaged in the undertaking
business, which his mother decided to continue
and undertook its management. This she found
difficult to do without the aid of her son, but with
his assistance the business was continued with
great success. He managed the business jointly
with his mother until he reached the age of twenty-
four, when he took sole charge of it and ran it suc
cessfully for one year. At the end of that period,
Mr. Watson joined Mr. Gabriel Davis, as a partner
in the undertaking business. The firm is known as
Davis and Watson. Together they have done a
prosperous business and have very good prospects
for the future.
Mr. Watson is an active member of the St.
Matthews Episcopal Church. For seven years he
served as Altar and C'ross Bearer. He is a mem
ber of the Masonic Hiram, Lodge No. 1. He has
been a member of the lodge for eight years.
Mr. Watson is not married and has only twenty-
eight years behind him. For one so young he is
doing an enviable business.
GABRIEL DAVIS
Gabriel Davis was born in Uniontown, Kentucky.
May 22, 1872. He lived on a farm till thirteen
years of age when his parents moved to Detroit,
Michigan. He worked for his father till 1887, and
then he entered the employ of the Detroit Street
Railway. He worked with this company till 1897,
and then took up the duties of motorman, till 1912.
It was in the year 1912, that Mr. Davis decided
to start in business for himself. He chose for this
the Undertaking Business and has remained true
to the business of his choice. From the time he
established his business he has made it earn for
him a good living. By combining with the Under
taking business of Edward Watson a joint interest
of decided proportions and lucrative nature was es
tablished. He owns his place of business and three
other pieces of property.
In religious belief, Mr. Davis is a Baptist. He
is liberal when it comes to the support of his de
nomination and he also gives freely of his time in
the interest of the work of the church. He is a
member of the Masonic Lodge, and the Flks. Mr.
Davis has lived in Kentucky, the State of his birth,
in Ontario, the State in which he got his education,
and in Michigan, the State in which he has become
a successful business man.
It is his success in business that earns for Mr.
Davis mention in these pages. In education he
was able to go only through the Grammar school.
But he is one of the many who demonstrate the fact
that business ability is not dependant wholly on
education, in the regular school courses.
197
WILLIAM PAUL KEMP
ATE in life some men find their
talent, some in middle age, and a
few glide into their life work,
almost unconsciously, in their
youth. Thus its was with Will
iam Paul Kemp. He was a born
editor, and he commenced his, career as a writer at
the early age of seventeen years.
Mr. Kemp was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska,
March 13th., 1881, but moved to Lincoln, Nebraska
when a child and there received his early educa
tional training. He attended the Public schools of
Lincoln, and for two years studied in the High
school. He also attended the University of Neb-
braska School of Music, and the night school of
the Young Men's Christian Association.
At the age of seventeen, he left school to take a
position on Omaha Bee (White) as assistant
Capital correspondent. This was in 1898. From
the money saved during his connection with this
paper he purchased and established, April 29th,
1899, The Lincoln Leader. He gave up this enter
prise for a time to become assistant correspondent
for the Nebraska State Journal (White), at Wash
ington, D. C, but returned to Lincoln the latter
part of 1900, where he resumed the publication of
the Lincoln Leader. While engaged in this work
he became active in politics, affiliating with the Re
publican party. For six campaigns he was connec
ted with the Nebraska Republican State Central
Committee, rising from messenger to manager of
the Literature Department.
October 8th., 1907, he moved to Detroit, Michi
gan, and December 7th, of the same year, he start
ed the Detroit Leader. It had a short life and
passed out February 13th., 1908. He entered the
Mayor's office as clerk after the failure of his pa
per, and while still holding his position as clerk, he
started in January, 1909, the present Detroit Lead
er. November 1st., 1909, he resigned his position
in the Mayor's office and devoted his entire time
to his business venture.
He purchased the Owl Printing Co. plant
August 13th., 1912, which he consolidated with the
Howitt Printing Co., September 26th, 1913, con
ducting all under the name of The Detroit Leader,
of which he is the sole owner.
In addition to his literary attainments Mr. Kemp
is an accomplished musician and vocalist, he is also
an athlete. For the season of 1902 he coached the
Lincoln Business College Football team. He is a
member of St. Mathew's Episcopal church, De
troit, and five times has been a delegate to the Dio
cesan Convention. He is Past Master in Masonic
Lodge and Ex-Officer of Masonic Grand Lodge,
which position he held from 1905 to 1907; Past
Grand Master Council of G. U. O. O. F., Grand Di
rector of Michigan D. G. L., Delegate to 1918 B.
M. C; Elk; Deputy Supreme Chancellor of Knights
of Pythias of Michigan and Western Canada 1917-
1918; Major in Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias
At the age of nineteen years he was President of
Abraham Lincoln Political Club. He was First
Vice-President of the Republican League Clubs
(White) of Nebraska; only Colored member of
Delegation from Michigan to First Good Road
Convention of United States. He was a Director
of Kemp Military Band of Lincoln Nebraska, and
Palestine Commandry Band, of Windsor, Ontario.
He polled the largest vote of any colored man ever
received in Detroit, when a candidate for Board of
Estimators. He was President of the District
Business League ; President Soldier's Welfare Lea
gue of Detroit ; Chairman of Publicity, N. A. A. C.
P., of Detroit ; First Chairman of Detroit Urban
League ; Chairman of Negro Committee to coope
rate with National League of Women's service.
These are but a few of the honors conferred upon
him. To mention all would make this sketch too
lengthy for the space alloted to it.
Mr. Kemp was married December 24th, 1900, to
Miss Mary Delia Elder. They have no children.
198
REVEREND AUGER AUGUSTUS COSEY
EV. A. A. Cosey, born in Newellton
County, Louisiana, July 2nd, 187d
has spent a long and useful ca-
reer as pastor on the one hand
u DL(\^?^ al1^ as ')U"'der an<l promoter on
the other. His early days were
spent on the farm engaged in performing such
tasks as one of his age was capable of performing
and attending school, when such was possible.
When he was sixteen years of age, Rev. Cosey
leaving both the farm and his native state, en
rolled in Natchez College, Natchez, Mississippi.
Following the example of the vast majority who
sought education in the nineties Rev. Cosey, as the
phrase goes, had to work his way. Happily he had
so well mastered his subjects that he could teach.
Thus he spent his summer vacations in the school
room earning money to return to his college. Fin
ishing the Natchez College Academic course in 1896
he again went out to teach, teaching for six years
in the State of Mssissippi before engaging exclus
ively in his chosen profession. While attending
Natchez College, Rev. Cosey devoted much time to
the study of Theology, having decided long before
to enter the Baptist ministry. In 1896, the year of
his graduation, he was ordained and united his
work as school teacher and minister. One year af
ter ordination, he was chosen pastor of the Metro
politan Baptist Church, Clarksdale, Mississippi, a
post he filled until 1905. He held pastorates also at
Greenville and at Shelby. For the last ten years,
Rev. Cosey has been pastor of the Green Grove
Baptist Church, at Mound Bayou, the famous Ne
gro town, where he has not only been perfoming
duties as pastor, but has been lending a hand in
many ways to the growth and development of the
town.
From the beginnig of his career Rev. Cosey
proved to be an organizer and a builder as well as a
pastor. He was really the organizer of the Metro
politan Church at Clarksdale, the Church in which
he first preached as pastor. His pastorate of the
First Baptist Church of Mound Bayou over which
he still presides took on again the form of builder.
This church he also started, giving it all the mod
ern equipment, for Sunday School, social uplift and
communty work. Twelve thousand dollars have
already been put into this building, having four
thousand more to be raised.
As a church man and as a man of affairs, Rev.
Cosey has been a leader not only in Mound Bayou
but in Mississippi for many years. He has been
Corresponding Secretary of the General Misionary
Baptist Convention of the state, has been for many
years one of the leaders of the National Baptist
Convention and served for a number of years as
the Corresponding Secretary of the National Bap
tist Association.
Powerful as well as useful in the church, Rev.
Cosey is also a conspicuous leader in fraternal or
ders. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a
Knight of Tabor. He is International Chief Grand
Orator of the Knights of Tabor and special enlist
ment Master for Mississippi.
When the people of Mound Bayou organized a
bank, he became vice-president and stock holder.
He took an active part in organizing and promot
ing the Mound Bayou Oil Mill Enterprise and lent
his influence to the establishment of schools and
small businesses throughout the town.
He owns a splendid two-story residence in
Mound Bayou and seven rent houses, six lots and
forty acres of delta farm land.
Rev. Cosey was married in 1901 to Miss Ida Hope
Carter, of Helena, Arkansas. Mrs. Cosey is a grad
uate of A. & M. College, Normal, Ala. She was
for years a teacher both in Alabama and in Arkan
sas. Throughout Rev. Cosey's work, she has been
the power behind the throne. Both in company
with Mrs. Cosey and on behalf of his church and
fraternities, Rev. Cosey has traveled over the
whole of the United States.
199
CHARLES PRICE JONES, D. D.
ORN in Rome, Georgia, educated
in the public schools of his na
tive state and in Arkansas Baptist
College, Dr. Charles Price Jones
is celebrated as a writer of hymns
and as a. founder of a religion
But he disclaims the latter title. He claims only to
give emphasis to an old neglected doctrine. He
was converted in 1884, and baptized in 1885 by Rev.
J. D. Petty. Two years later he was licensed to
preach, and in 1888 was ordained by Rev. Chas. L.
Fisher However, he felt that a higher literary
training was essential to one who has visions of a
useful career in the church. It was with this in
view that he entered Arkansas Baptist College, and
was graduated from the academic Department in
1891.
Dr. Jones began to ponder more deeply the words
of the scripture. To him all things seemed possible
in Christ. He began to take the Bible literally.
Hence arose his belief in holiness. He says, "I pas-
tored in Arkansas until 1892. During this time I
was corresponding secretary of the convention, a
trustee of the Arkansas Baptist College and editor
of the Baptist Vangard.
In 1892 I accepted a call fro mBethlehem Church,
Searcy, Arkansas, where I had pastored 18 months,
to the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma, Alabama.
Here I was called after a time, to the life and
ministry of holiness, but had no idea that it would
result in a disruption with the Baptists ; for I be
lieved that the more faithful a man was to Christ
in his daily living the more he would and ought to
be prized by the people of God. But I was mistak
en. Yet I, myself was partly to blame. Like all
who get an important vision, I was extreme in my
views and endeavors. I understood it to mean,
the standing of every believer in Christ in the pres
ence of God. 2nd, the condition of heart that the
Holy Ghost imparts to make us delight in God's
will, the daily effort of the believer's faith to con
form to that will; the inevitable result of living in
Christ by faith. Indeed, I merely conceived it to be
a trust in God that obtained grace to walk before
Him in all pleasing, trusting the blood of Christ
to deal with the sin of our nature. I do not teach the
impossibility of our sinning, but the necessity of
having grace to live Godly, that "the wages of sin
is death," — (Romans).
"In Feberuary, 1895, I accepted a call to Mount
Helm Baptist Church, Jackson, Miss. In 1897 I
called the first Holiness Convention to meet at
Jackson, June 6th and study the Bible two weeks.
There were present at this convention such men
as Dr. J. A. Jeter of Little Rock, Arkansas, Pastor
W. S. Pleasant, of Hazelhurst, Miss., and many
others.
"In 1898 the convention was more largely at
tended and the opposition had gathered power ; and
in 1898 at the convention at Winona steps were tak
en to fight our extreme attitude, then we built the
present commodious building. We have a school at
Jackson incorporated as Christ's Missionary and
Industrial College. Through the efforts of Elders
W. S. Pleasant, J. A. Jeter, L. W. Lee, Thomas
Sanders, F. S. Sheriff, G. H. Punches, Deacon Hen
ry Moore, Clarke Kendricks and others, this work
was established. It has carried in prosperous years
200 students and 12 instructors. It has turned a
number of graduates from the 12th grade who are
making good. The value of the property (encum
bered) is $15,000."
He was for twenty-one years editor of the
"Truth." He is author of several hymn books,
which are used widely by ministers and members
of both races. In 1915 Arkansas Baptist College
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divin
ity. However, in his own words, "I attended strict
ly to my own business, no time for worldly honors."
He was married in 1892 to Miss Fannie A. Brown
of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Jones died in 1916.
Their one child is also deceased.
He is now pastor of Christ Tabernacle, a new
church at Los Angeles, Calif., and is General Over
seer of the Holiness work. Jan. 4, 1918, he was
married to Miss Pearl Reed of that city.
The school at Jackson is now under the Presi
dency of Dr. J. L. Conic.
2CO
EPHRIAM H. McKISSACK. A. B., A. M.
OR many years Kphriam H. Mc-
Kissack has been a leader in the
state of Mississippi. This lead-
ershiu has radiated in many direc
tions. It first asserted itself in his
work as a school man. Well edu
cated and possessing an easy adaptation he soon
became a leader in business, in politics, in church
and secret orders.
Professor McKissack was born in Memphis, Ten
nessee, November 22, 1860. His parents were
William and Katie Mitchell, both of whom died
when he was four years old. The young lad was
adopted and reared by his aunt, Fannie McKissack,
from whom he took his name.
As an adopted son he fared well in the home of
his aunt. He had ample care, was provided gen
erously with clothing, books, indeed everything to
encourage him to achieve. To all this he readily
responded.. After attending the public schools he
entered Rust University. From this institution he
gained the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master
of Arts; the former in 1895, the latter in 1898.
Long before he completed his course Professor
McKissack had become active in the affairs of his
state. He had joined the Methodist Church and
had become one of its leading directors and work
ers. He was a trustee, a steward and a Sunday
School teacher in Asbury Church ; was a member
of the upper Mississippi Conference and president
of the Conference Board of Church Extensions. In
1896 he was a member of the Church General Con
ference, then again in 1900-1904, 1908-1912-1916.
He served one year, the year following his at
tainment of Master of Arts, as principal of the
Holly Springs City Schools. Then his alma mater
called him to a chair within her walls. From 1890
to 1911 he was a member of the Rust University
faculty. In 1911 he resigned his post in Rust and
became manager of the Union Guaranty and In
surance Company of Holly Springs.
His departure from the schoolroom did not sever
his connections with the school, it did signal how
ever, a wider activity in his business and in other
practical matters. He entered politics and became
an active and aggressive Republican; so effective
was his work that he was made chairman of the
seventh Congressional District of his State, and in
1908-1912, he was made delegate to the Republican
National Convention. For twenty years Professor
McKissack has been secretary and treasurer of the
Odd Fellows Benefit Association. He has so care
fully handled his accounts and adjusted claims that
little friction has ever arisen, a thing rare indeed
in any sort of benefit or insurance organization
I romment in the Odd Fellows Association he is a
conspicuous worker in practically all Negro lodges,
in the state of Mississippi, a state thoroughly in
fested with secret orders. He is a Mason, a Knight
of Pythias, a member of the United Sons and
Daughters of Jacob, of the Fastern Star, of the Im-
maculates, of the Reformers. He is still, as in form
er days, a pillar in the church and in the school. He
keeps up his connection with conferences and with
the Sunday School and has added to those his mem
bership in the Federated Commission of Colored
Churches. Although he has long since left the
school room he still keeps in close touch with the
schools of the State, with the schools in the city,
and of course with every twist and turn of the af-
Rust University. In Rust he has reached a most
honored post, he has not only been elected a mem-
be of the Board of Trustees, he is vice-president of
the Board of Trustees. Professor McKissack has
done what to some seems the incredible thing. He
has the refusal of the presidency of the institution,
He had served Rust as head of the Commercial de
partment, as professor of mathematics, professor
of natural science and as secretary of the faculty,
when, therefore, Rust needed a president in 1909,
the office was tendered Professor McKissack but
he declined, preferring business and a more general
public career.
Professor McKissack was married to Miss Mary
A. Fxtim of Yazoo City. Mr. and Mrs. McKissack
have one son. Dr. Autrey C. McKissack, M. D. who
is a successful physician of Memphis, Tennessee:
Professor and Mrs. McKissack live in their own
home in Holly Springs, a residence second to but
few in the town.
201
WILLIAM CLAUD GORDON
OMETIME ago, a business census
of St. Louis, Missiouri, revealed
the fact that Mr. W. C. Gordon, a
colored undertaker of that city,
had handled the largest number
of bodies of any undertaker, re
gardless of color, in the city of St. Louis. For this
remarkable fact, those who knew him well account
ed in several ways ; first, they say that he is a good
man, and they give great stress to this first point ;
then the}' say he is fair in his business dealings,
especially in his dealings with the widows and or
phans ; and the third point on which they lay stress
in that his equipment and his headquarters are such
as to make any customer proud to employ his ser
vices.
Risen from poverty to that envious stage of com
petence, if not wealth, Mr. Gordon has kept an op
en hand for aspiring young men and women, and
has maintained a ready sheckle for church, orphan
age, school — indeed he has been ready and willing
to help all worthy undertakings for the advance
ment of the colored people.
Unlike many who have climbed successfully, he
did not kick the ladder down, once he gained the
ascent but remembering his own early struggles he
has been always ready to help another over the
first rough stretch. Mr. Gordon was born in Colum
bia, Tennessee, March 15, 1862. From this date,
we can gather that Mr. Gordon as a very small
lad saw a little of the last bitter days of slavery
and all of the struggles for freedom and readjust
ment. There is therefore nothing surprising in the
fact that the young man had no opportunity to de
velop his mind in the school room. While still a
young man, Mr. Gordon went to St. Louis. Here
he found himself in a very unfortunate position —
he was without means, without education and with
out friends. To earn a living for himself he first
entered the employ of the Pullman service, where
for several years he served as a porter. But Mr.
Gordon was an ambitious man, and so was not sat
isfied with being a porter for life. When he had
saved a small sum of money, he quit the service and
went into the undertaking business for himself.
His first business was on a very small scale, and as
a venture it was feeble, very feeble. But putting
all his mind and thought on his work, it began to
develop and Mr. Gordon himself, was among those
who was surprised at the very great rapidity of the
growth of the venture. From his very feeble be
ginning his business has developed until today his
is among the best equipped and largest firms of
Negro undertakers. Indeed west of the Mississippi,
he is one of the leading men in the undertaking
business, regardless of race. He gives regular em
ployment to eight persons.
His natural habit of saving did not leave him,
when he began to make money in larger sums, and
so after a time, Mr. Gordon had enough money
saved to invest in some other line of work. Cast
ing about for a profitable investment for this sur
plus, and investment which would be yielded fair
interest and at the same time give employment to
a large number of colored people Mr. Gordon open
ed a steam laundry. This he has been running for
the last seven years, The laundry is equipped with
all modern appliances, washers, mangles, driers,
and the like. In St. Louis it is well known and
is liberally patronized for its prompt and efficient
work. In the operation of this laundry with its
great number of patrons, Mr. Gordon employs
thirty-five persons. This entails -a. payroll of
$335.00 per week.
A conservative valuation of the two businesses
is placed at $30,000.00. Besides this, Mr. Gordon
owns his home, much real estate and has interest
in motor hacks and vehicles. In all Mr. Gordon is
worth about $70.000.00 Mr. Gordon is a member
of the National Negro Business Men's League, an
organization in which he has taken a great deal of
interest. In his religious belief he is African Me
thodist Episcopal. He is an active member of the
St. Paul Church, of St. Louis.
In 1908, Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Mary
Hunton, of Detroit, Michigan. Two little children
have come to help make the home of the Gordon's
a happy one. They are Charity, age six years, and
Claud, age eight. The two little pupils are in the
public school of St. Louis.
202
JOHN EDWARD PERRY, M. D.
R. J. Edward Perry, of Kansas
City, Missiouri, born in Clarks-
ville, Texas, Red River- County,
April 2nd, 1870. His parents were
ex-slaves and refugeed from Mis
souri and Arkansas. They were
remarkable characters, noted for their integrity,
industry, courtesy, generosity and honesty. Their
ambition was to provide a home for their children
and educate them. Johnny had no opportunity to
go to school until he was nine years of age. He
was then sent to a log cabin, which was on a small
plot of ground given by his father.
His early days were spent in the cotton fields of
Texas, going to school about three months in a
year until he was over thirteen years of age. When
he entered Bishop College he earned a greater por
tion of his expenses by doing daily services for the
teachers of the schools. This service consisted of
duties such as — milking the cows, scrubbing floors,
cutting wood, and building fires. He then taught a
country school from 1891 until 1894, making and
saving sufficient funds to graduate from Meharry
Medical College, in 1895, and began his practice
February 15, 1895, and made a competency from
the first week of his practice. This was begun in
203
Mexico, Missouri, where he remained six months,
then moved to Columbia, Missouri where the great
University of the State of Missouri is located. Giv
ing up practice in 1898, he served his Country as
1st Lieutenant in 7th U. S. Vol. Infantry. After
the close of the war he returned to Columbia, re
suming his practice.
By his suave nature, genial disposition and effec
tive work, he pushed his way into the State Hos
pital at Columbia, Missouri, where he enjoyed the
professional association of the best talent that
money of this State would employ. There is as
much prejudice in Missouri, as in any other South
ern State, and when those in authority were brought
to task about the consideration given Dr. Perry
they denied the fact that he was a Negro though
he is extremely dark and no one would ever think
of calling him even a mulatto.
He has spent considerable time working for pro
fessional uplift, built a private Hospital in 1910,
loaned the hospital to the community three years
later, and through that medium created sentiment
sufficient to raise quite an ample sum for the erec
tion of an Institution for the people. He has work
ed in the Y. M. C. A., was its first president of this
city and he works in every avenue for racial uplift.
He has been interested in a number of business
enterprises, always trying to provide a place for
young men and women. He is Secretary and
Treasurer of the S. P. L. Mercantile and Invest
ment Company, a firm growing out of the People's
Drug Store, a very successful enterprise.
He married Miss Fredericka D. Sprague, July 3,
1912. Mrs. Perry is the granddaughter of Frede
rick Douglass.
Dr. Perry is considered the leading colored phy
sician in Kansas City, both as a practititioneer and
as a surgeon. In these later years he has given
most of his time to surgery, both in connection
with the General Hospital and his private Sanita
rium. As evidence of his skill in surgery, he is
frequently called to operate, as far south as Texas
and to various points in Missouri, including St.
Louis. He is regarded the leading Negro surgeon
west of Chicago. After Dr. Perry had practiced a
few years, he sought further preparation speciali
zing in surgery by attending the Post Graduate
Hospital of Chicago, Illinois.
As a physician, Dr. Perry is progressive. In all
matters he is conservative and especially frank. He
can be depended upon at all times to be fair in deal
ings with his patients, both in information and
treatment and in his business dealings with them.
The new hospital which has just been acquired bv
the colored people of Kansas City is largely the
result of Dr. Perry's untiring labors and is indeed
a fitting reward for his unselfish devotion to the
people of Kansas City.
ANDERSON RUSSELL
R. Anderson Russell was born in
Smith County, Mississippi, April
1st., 1864, and died in St. Louis
Missouri, September 2nd., 1917,
after spending- a useful and suc
cessful life. His education was
confined to the Rural Schools of
his neighborhood, which were
greatly inferior to such schools of the present day,
which even now are far from being what they
should be.
If the schools failed to give him a high standard
of learning they still served him a good turn for
his contact with books set his active mind to work
and caused him to form the habit of thinking clear-
ly.
When he was twenty years of age his parents
left Mississippi, and moved to Alton, Illinois.
In his new home he entered the service of a num
ber of private families. Here he labored until 1890,
when he left Alton, and went to St. Louis, to enter
the service of the Pullman Palace Car Co. His con
nection with this company continued for four years
At the end of this term he had saved sufficient
funds from his wages to enter a business of his
own.
He formed a co-partnership under the firm name
of Russell and Gordon, and conducted an undertak
ing business. They remained together and did
business under the original firm name until in
1902, when they separated and each opened a busi
ness of his own.
Mr. Russell's business continued to prosper and
he soon was enabled to take from the business
funds to purchase real estate. His investments
were wisely chosen and became a source of reve-
204
nue to him- He purchased the building in which
his business was located and adjusted it to meet
his wants. He also purchased a double flat and
four rent houses.
Mr. Russell was a religious man, and took an
active part in the work of the church. He was a
member of the Union Memorial Church, which he
joined in 1908.
At the time of his death he was serving as a
member of the Board of Trustees of the church.
Mr. Russell's business brought him into inti
mate contact with the home life of many families
and he soon formed the habit of thinking and plan
ning for their betterment. He saw the value of
many of the societies organized for their benefit
and became actively identified with them. He
might be termed a Society man for his name was
on the roster of most of them.
He was a member of the Masons, Knights of
Pythias, Odd Fellows, and United Brothers of
Friendship.
His service in the Pullman Palace Car Company
gave him the opportunity for travel and enabled
him to visit all parts of the United States and parts
of Mexico.
He met his life companion, Miss Priscilla Prim-
gle, in St. Louis, where he was married to her June
28, 1906. Although their married life was without
issue it was thoroughly congenial and happy.
Mr. Russell's health began to fail him in 1916,
and he soon got too ill to give attention to his busi
ness. He grew weaker continuously and was
never again able to look after his affairs, lie lin
gered until September 2nd, 1917, when he passed
into the other State.
The business which he had so carefully built up
and to which he had given so much of his time and
thought did not die with him. It was incorporated
into a company, known as the "A. Russell Under
taking Company. Incorporated." His sister, An
nie K. Russell, was elected President of the Com
pany, and carries on the business along the same
business principles employed by her brother, work
ing out the plans outlined by him.
Under the new management the business still
continues to prosper.
HOME OF A. RUSSELL UNDERTAKING CO.
CHARLES HYMEN TURPIN
JrlARLES Hymen Turpin, is a suc
cessful business man of St. Louis,
Missouri. Mr. Turpin belongs to
the class of men who do things.
He is a man who will meet an op
portunity squarely and use it ad
vantageously. He has a natural ability, is indus
trious and persistent. He is practical and never en
ters a project without first weighing that keen
competition which always besets every venture
worth while. He is not the type of man who will
shrink from the arrows of opposition, but is spur
red on by them to the accomplishment of his aims.
Once started, his resolute determination and in
domitable courage, backed by explicit confidence
in himself, visually carries him through all difficul
ties to the goal of his ambitions.
That these qualities are natural, is best illustrat
ed by a few incidents in his boyhood life. At the
age of ten, when he was a boot-black, he attempt
ed to organize a union, in order to raise the price
of "shines". Failing to interest the other boys, he
aggressively declared the "Union" in effect with
himself as the only member, and elected him
self president, secretary and treasurer, raised the
price of "shines" and proceeded to monopolize the
205
industry to the detriment of his faint-hearted com
petitors. One day at the old St. Louis Fairgrounds,
he noticed that the paddock was not being used.
He immediately appointed himself, "Paddock
manager", hired a few boys and earned $18.00 f
himself that day. His first real salary was $1.00
per week as a house servant and since drawing his
first week's pay he declares he has never been
"broke."
Mr. Turpin was born in Columbus, Georgia and
came to St. Louis, with his parents, when a small
boy. He was educated in the public schools and
holds two diplomas from business colleges. At
the age of 21 he was appointed to a position in the
Assessor's office and later in the office of Record
er of Deeds. At one time he accepted an appoint
ment as clerk in the St. Louis Post Office, having
been second on a list of 89 eligibles. His progres
sive ambition, however, would not permit him to
remain long, being always haunted with the feeling
the service meant, "Abandon hope all ye who en
ter here."
In the year 1910 Mr. Turpin was elected Con
stable of the Fourth District, by the Republican
Party, St. Louis. His election was an agreeable
surprise to even his dearest friends and when he
took the office he had the distinction of being the
only Negro ever elected to a State office in Mis
souri. He served a four year term with efficiency
and credit; raised the dignity of the office, increas
ed the revenue and was instrumental in establish
ing new rules more favorable to the poorer classes.
Mixed juries, of white and colored, were also es
tablished during this time.
He was again re-nominated and re-elected in
1914, was counted out, and although, after a con
test in which the ballot boxes were opened, the Su
preme Court sustained the decision of the Circuit
Court, that he was duly elected and was entitled
to the office, that tribunal, failed to hand down the
final mandamus that would permit him to take his
seat. He has announced that he will be a candidate
again in 1918.
Mr. Turpin is owner and manager of the Book
er Washington Theatre, in St. Louis. This modern
fire-proof vaudevlle and picture house, with a seat
ing capacity of a thousand, is the first in the coun
try, to be built by a Negro and operated by and for
Negroes. Mr. Turpin is also interested in the mo
tion picture business. His "Salambo," now show
ing throughout the country, is one of the most
magnificent spectacles ever filmed. He has also
personally supervised the filming of many notable
events of the race, the latest being complete re
production of the Pythian Parade and Encampment
in St. Louis, in Aug.. 1917. Also he shows the color
ed drafted men at Camp Funston, Kan., part of the
92nd Division. This is the only moving picture of
colored troops made up to this time since war has
been declared between the U. S. and Germany. This
industrious business man also finds time and is en-
tergetic in helping to stimulate and develop interest
in race pride, co-operation and loyalty; and is al
ways conspicuously identified with every move
ment for the advancement of colored people.
FORTUNE J. WEAVER
HE business instinct seems born in
some men and it only needs a
favorable opportunity to bring it
into the light. The fire may burn
low for a while, but the instinct
will show itself when only a very
small breeze of prosperity fans the embers into a
flame. It was so with Fortune J. Weaver, the
subject of this sketch. He was the son of Fortune
and Millie Weaver, and was born in Council Grove,
Morris County, Kansas, May the e ighth, 1874.
When a child only eight years of age his father
died and left a widow and eight children. The bur
den of their support made it necessary to send For
tune to a neighboring farm to live. He found a
home with Alfred and Emma Smith, who owned a
small farm near Council Grove. This proved a
great blessing to Fortune, for his foster parents
treated him with every consideration and gave him
every advantage of educaion that their means
would admit. Speaking of his foster parents, he
gives them the credit for his life inspiration and
success in attaining his goal. He lived with his fos
ter parents on the farm until he was seventeen
years of age, when he went out in the world to hus
tle for himself. The common school education he
had received while working on the farm and a de
termined spirit was his full equipment. This may
appear to many a small asset with which to begin
life but in the case of Mr. Weaver it proved an
ample start. With it he went forth to work out
his destiny, and with it he carved his way to sue.
cess.
Kansas City, Missouri was the city of his choice,
and to reach it he had to ride on a freight train.
When he arrived in Kansas City it was with an
empty pocket book, but nothing daunted he sought
employment which partially supplied his needs.
For two weeks he worked without a daily square
meals, frequently feeling the pangs of hunger and
consequently the lowering of his vitality for lack
of sufficient and nourishing food. While it was
hard at the time he now regards the experience as
a blissing for it taught him the value of a dollar
and inculcated the principle of economy, a principle
which has stood him well throughout his business
career. While it was hard at the time he now re-
througout his business career, causing him to save
the dimes and accumulate a nice fortune.
Passing over the period of his development as a
business man and the steps by which he has reach
ed his present high position, it is only necessary to
point out the value of his possessions, which
amount to $50.000.00, and which consist of residen
ces and apartment buildings in Kansas City, and
turn to the institutions which he heads and to
which he has given his best thought and business
talents. He is the President and founder of the
Afro-American Investment and Employment Com
pany, Inc. Through this Company, he has made a
connecting link between the White property own
ers and business firms, and the Negro citizens of
greater Kansas City. He has made it possible for
them to buy modern homes, in desirable sections of
the city, on the easy payment plan, and employ
ment furnished them while they were paying their
installments.
He is the President and Founder of the Kansas
City branch of the National Negro Business Lea
gue, which position he has held for nine years. This
institution has encouraged hundreds of Negro men
and women to embark in business enterprises of
various kinds.
Seeking the co-operation of the late Booker T.
Washington, he succeeded in having the National
Negro Business League hold its annual session in
Kansas City in 1916. At this meeting he was el
ected as a member of the Executive Committee.
Mr. Weaver has been married three times — first
to Miss Lizzie Stewart in 1890. then to Miss Stran-
ella Hoyl, in 1895, and to Miss Bessie Henderson,
in 1901. He has but two children, a boy and a girl,
Fortune Weaver, Jr., and Cornaleta Odessa Weav
er.
206
LEE S. WILLIAMS
HEN asked to write of his life so
that the facts of his rise to a place
of importance in the world of Ne
gro business in St. Louis might be
an inspiration to Negro youth ev-
erywhere. Mr. Williams, after
some hesitation, sent this report of his life work.
In this report he goes into detail about the steps
that marked his steady growth. Even the very
young lad who reads this will be led to aspire to
a place in the business world.
"I was born at Jonesburg, Montgomery Co.,
Missouri, on May 11, 1868. My mother brought
me to St. Louis, Mo., in December, 1873, and I en
tered the public school in 1875 ; at the age of eight
years I was errand boy for the neighborhood, and
did chores for the neighbors such as cutting kind
ling and carrying coal before and after school. Dur
ing vacation I helped my mother do laundry work
and continued doing chores for the neighbors.
At the age of ten years, during my vacation. I
secured a job at a brick-yard brushing brick at a
salary of forty cents per day ; worked at that one
month and then was promoted to driving a cart
at a salary of fifty cents per day. and worked at
that until school opened again. I again started at
207
my old job of doing chores for the neighbors be
fore and after school hours.
The next vacation, I secured a position in a rope-
walk and made rope at a salary of two dollars and
fifty cents per week, but being the only Negro boy
there, and not getting the same salary for the same
work as done by the white boys, I left there and
secured a position in a Nursery at a salary of three
dollars per week, and held this position until the
fall term of school, when I again started doing
chores as before.
The following summer I began driving a one-
horse coal wagon at a salary of three dollars and
fifty cents per week, and stayed at that work un
til school opened again when I secured a position
in a repair shop and learned to repair shoes and
cane chairs by working before and after school
hours, and I sold papers on Sunday mornings. I
stayed at this place about eighteen months, then
secured a place in a tobacco factory, at a salary of
four dollars per week and after being there six
months was promoted to foreman over eight boys,
who had been there about two or three years.
On account of a strike the factory closed and I
was forced to find other employment so I started
as a delivery boy in a butcher-shop, and continued
at this work for two years, attending school at
night. I then started working as a Pullman por
ter, and worked at that for three years, then start
ed teaming for myself ; business became dull, so I
returned to the Pullman service and stayed there
another year. I then started as a huckster in bus
iness for myself and controlled the first huckster
business owned by a Negro in St. Louis. I con
tinued working for the Pullman Company during
the winter season, and followed my huckster busi
ness during the summer months. I leased twenty-
one acres of land and worked it for three years,
to keep up the huckster business, and still worked
for the R. R. Company. From that I went to work
at the undertaking establishment of A. Russel, and
stayed at this position four years, and then start
ed the undertaking business for myself, at 2317
Market Street. I stayed at that location about
six years and then bought the property and built
the establishment that is my present location 3232-
34, Pine Street. The first to peddle coal in St.
Louis ; the first Negro Huckster in St. Louis ; the
first Negro to own and operate the Monument
business in St. Louis ; The first Negro to hold the
position of City Undertaker ; the first Negro to
run an automobile funeral in St Louis ; .'First in
Everything."
In this story of his life, showing its tips and
downs, Mr. Williams reveals a wonderful wealth
of energy, patience and perseverance, traits which
almost invariably lead to success and prosperity,
and accounts for his being listed as a successful
man.
CLEMENT RICHARDSON
HE Editor of this Volume, Clem
ent Richardson, is a Virginian by
birth. He was born in Halifax
County, in 1878, where for a num
ber of years he tilled tobacco and
attended the White Oak Grove
country school. While still a lad he went to Mass
achusetts to seek work, and to further his educa
tion. After spending some years in Winchester,
Mass., where he worked as a tanner and a farmer,
Mr. Richardson entered Mt. Hermon, the Boy's
school of Dwight L. Moody. "I was prep of Preps"
says Professor Richardson, "for what little book
knowledge I had picked up back there in Virginia
had been lost or supplanted by the rapid change of
surroundings."
From Mt. Hermon Mr. Richardson entered
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, but
changed to Harvard after three years. He was
graduated from Harvard in 1907.
Throughout his career Professor Richardson
leaned toward English studies. He recalls for you
with a genial smile, one or two thrilling debates he
took part in back there in the boyhood days in
Halifax, where he argued that women should not
vote and that the wheelbarrow was more essential
to the farmer than the ox. He was one of the ed-
208
itors of his preparatory school paper, the reader
for the Mt. Hermon Glee Club, president of the
Pit-Hen Literary Society of that institution and
f; tqiient winner of prizes in both oratory and dec
lamation throughout his school course. The same
kind of work was kept up at college, where he pre
ferred to pursue extra courses in literature to tak
ing extensive part in college activities.
On finishing college Mr. Richardson did some
work for the Boston Daily Globe and corresponded
for several colored papers. In the fall of 1907 he
filled the temporary vacancy made in Morehouse
college, Atlanta, Ga., by the absence of Prof. Braw-
Icy. In 1908 Professor Richardson accepted work
as teacher of English in Tuskegee Institute, where
for the last nine years he has been head of the En
glish Department.
At'.; Tuskegee Institute, Professor Richardson
was kept in close touch with all the students and
teachers. He is a man of action, as well as one
who likes to dally with his pen. He was respon
sible for all the public speaking at the famous
Booker T. Washington school. During the year he
staged in dramatic form a Halloween exercise and
a Thanksgiving exercise for the senior class, a
drama for the teachers and one for the senior class.
One year he put on the Merchant of Venice for
the teachers as actors and Mid-Summer Night
Dream for the students. He staged once a year an
exercise by the African students to raise funds to
support a Tuskegee chapel in Liberia. Christmas
1916, Mr. Richardson established at Tuskegee the
Community Christmas tree, bringing joy to some
three or four hundred students who otherwise
would have had no pleasant reminder of the season.
For the last few years Mr. Richardson has taken
enthusiastic interest in rural education. He makes
many trips into the country with the agent of the
Tuskegee Entension Department, making addresses
to the people and writing about them for the pa
pers and magazines on his return.
During all these years, Mr. Richardson has been
a frequent contributor to magazines and daily pa
pers, having written the Country Gentleman, Amer
ican magazine, Independant, Survey, Southern
Workman and in daily and weekly papers. He was
often with Dr. Booker T. Washington on the lat-
ter's tours, as a writer for papers and magazines.
He is the author of several booklets and phamplets.
In June, 1918, Mr. Richardson was chosen by the
Board of Regents of Missouri as President of
Lincoln Institute, and he assumed office at once.
If there is anything in the expression "First im-
presson the lasting one," Mr. Richardson will hold
the good will of his new teachers and the citizens
of the town, for they have given him a hearty wel
come during his few months of Presidency.
Prof. Richardson was married Sept. 1st. 1908, to
Miss Ida J. Rivers of Meridian. Mississippi. There
are four daughters in the Richardson home: Louise
Elizabeth, Ida Mae, Clementine and Evelyn Adele.
All except the last named are in school.
WALTER G. ALEXANDER, A. B. M. D.
ALTER G. Alexander, M. D., of
Orange, New Jersey, prominent
in civil and business progress of
Orange and a conspicuous leader
in politics and in his profession,
was born in Lynchburg, Virginia,
December 3, 1880. His father, Royal Alexander,
had seven children and a regular income of $15
a month, and so could do little to help his son
through school. Young Alexander attended the
public schools of Lynchburg until he was 14 years
of age.
From the public schools he entered Lincoln Un
iversity, Pennsylvania, at the rare age of fourteen.
At Lincoln he became distinguished for excellence
in scholarhsip from the outset, and remained so
throughout his four years stay there. From Lin
coln where he gained the degree of Bachelor of
Arts he enrolled in the Boston College of Physi
cians and Surgeons. Against even a keener compe
tition than he had met at Lincoln, he once more
carried away honors in scholarship. He had been
first honor man throughout his course at Lincoln ;
had won the Bradley Medal in Natural Science and
had been made Latin Salutatorian. At the Boston
College of Physicians and Surgeons, he carried off
first prize for his thesis on "Cerebral Localization"
and second prize on an essay entitled, "The Social
Aspects of Tuberculosis."
Obtaining his doctor's degree in 1903, he served
time as an interne in the Boston North End Hos
pital and Dispensary. Completing his work here
he began his career in West Virginia. After spend
ing a year in West Virginia, he located in Orange.
However, the doctor has by no means ceased to
win honors. Almost from the day he began, he
took the leading part as a citizen as well as a phy
sician in this New Jersey City. He joined the Elks,
>the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Sam
aritans and Court of Calanthe. He allied himself
as an active member of the Essex County, Jersey
State and American Medical Associations; with
the William Pierson Medical Library Association,
of Orange; with the North Jersey Medical Society;
with the National Medical Association ; for 6 years
Secretary of National Medical Association ; with
the Orange Civic Society ; with the Orange
Board of Trade ; with the Orange Colored
Citizens Union ; with the Federation of Colo
red Organizations of New Jersey. He soon be
came director of the Progressive Building and
Loan Association, director of the Douglass Film
Company, President of the Home Benefit Associa-
tionfi and a member of the Essex County Repub
lican Committee.
In all these organizations, marvelous to relate,
he became the dominating factor, an unquestioned
leader. He became Past Noble Father of the Inde
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, past chancellor of
the Knights of Pythias, past exalted ruler of the
Elks. In the affairs of State he has been just as
conspicuous, just as formidable. In 1912 he ran for
the state legislature on the Progressive Ticket, re
ceiving more than 22.000 votes, running fourth in a
group of twelve. In 1913, he was "high man" in
the Progressive Primary for the state Legislature,
receiving three hundred more votes than the can
didate for governor.
He is the Alumni member of the Lincoln Univer
sity Athlete Association and spends and gives much
enthusiasm to Lincoln sports.
H'e was married in 1914, to Miss Elizabeth Hem-
mings of Boston. Dr. and Mrs. Alexander live in
their own residence in Webster Place, a residence
which is among the best in the city and from which
pulsates much of the social and civic life of Orange.
In a word. Dr. Alexander's marvelous mind,
which he has continuously developed, his social dis
position which has enabled him to influence men
for their good, and a noble ambition for his race,
causing him to persistently seek their uplift, has
made him a great and useful man.
209
GEORGE E. CANNON. M. D.. LL. D.
ULY 7, 1869 Dr. George E. Cannon
son of Barnett G. and Mary Can
non, was born in Carlisle, South
Carolina. He received his early
education in the public schools of
Carlisle and in the Brainard In
stitute at Chester, South Carolina. On completing
his work in the Brainard Institute, he returned to
his native town and taught schools for two years.
The revenue derived from this source enabled
him to take up his studies again, which he did in
Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania Here he ap
plied himself with great diligence and graduated
with honors in 1893. Again he was forced to give
up his studies because the care of his family called
for his aid and support, but it was only for a time.
The fires of ambition having once been kindled
would not go out and the thirst for knowledge in
tensified rather than diminished by his forced ab
sence from school. In 1896 the way opened again
for him to continue his studies and as he had de
termined upon the profession he would adopt he
entered a college which would prepare him for his
work. He enrolled in the New York Homeopathic
College, from which Institution he graduated in
1900, with the degree of M. D.
After graduating from the New York Homeopa
thic College he moved to Jersey City, New Jersey
where he immediately took up the practice of med
icine. Here he has since remained and pursued his
practice and has built up a large and lucrative busi
ness. His reputation as a physician is not confin
ed to the community in which he lives, but he also
stands high in the professional circles of the State.
He has achieved much distinction as a physician,
and is widely known throughout the country. He
is ex-President of the North Jersey Medical Asso
ciation ; a member of the Academy of Medicine of
Northern New Jersey; President of the North
eastern Medical Association; and for eight years,
chairman of the Executive Board of the National
Medical Association.
During the past five years, he has been president
of the Lincoln University Alumni Association. Un
der his administraton, a handsome bronze tablet
has been erected to the memory of the beloved
President, Isaac N. Randall ; a scholarship has been
endowed ($2500) the first to be endowed by colored
men ; and funds have been raised to erect a magni
ficent archway over the main entrance to the Uni
versity.
He is an extensive writer on medical and civic
subjects; and is much in demand as a public speak
er. His best known medical article, is the "Health
Problems of the New Jersey Negro."
He takes a strong and controlling part in public
affairs as well as in medical matters. He stands
for the highest type of leadership in all that per
tains to a good citizen. As president of the fa
mous Committee of One Hundred of Houston
County, he has been successful in advancing the
civic interest of his race throughout the state of
New Jersey. He is recognized as one of the fore
most, if not the foremost, man of his race in the
State of New Jersey.
He is president of the John Brown Building and
Loan Association ; treasurer of the Fredrick Dou
glass Film Company (which produces high class
Negro motion pictures) ; treasurer of the Home
Benefit Asociation ; and of the Negro Welfare
League of New Jersey. He is a devout church
member and elder in the Lafayette Presbyterian
Church. In 1914, Lincoln University, his alma ma
ter, conferred on him the honorary degree of LL. D.
On October 2, 1917, Governor Walter E. Edge
commissioned him a captain in the New Jersey
State Militia.
In 1901, Dr. Cannon was married to Miss Gene-
vive Wilkinson, of Washington, D. C. Unto them
two children have been born, George and Gladys.
Dr. Cannon is one of the few men of the race to
enjoy a wide patronage from both races. His in
come from his practice is far above the average.
His investments are large and varied.
210
Norman Therkield Cotton, A. B., M. D.
HERE are those who hold that the
Negro should be educated in his
own schools located in the South,
and there only. They further con
tend that having received his ed
ucation in the South that he
should give the benefit of his training to his peo
ple located in that section. If such people would
read the story of Dr. Norman Therkield Cotton, of
Patterson, New Jersey, they would no doubt
change their minds upon this subject.
His is an instance of what hundreds of colored
men have done all over the country, and what they
can do by finishing their training in the Northern
schools. These Northern schools are well equip
ped and give facilities for education along certain
lines not possessed by those located in the South
though many of the Southern schools deservedly
stand high.
Dr. Cotton won his degrees of Bachelor of Arts
and Doctor of Medicine.
He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina,
August 25th, 1885. His first schooling was in the
public schools of his native city. After passing
through the different grades and completing his
course in the public schools he next became a stu
dent in the A. and M. College, which is also located
at Greensboro. Completing his work in the A. and
M. College, he decided to finish his education in the
North and accordingly began his pilgrimage to the
Northern clime. He first went to the Lincoln Uni
versity, in Pennsylvania, completing his course and
received his degree of Bachelor of Arts. Up to
this time he had not definitely decided upon his
life work, but his mind was now made up and he
chose medicine and surgery. After giving the mat
ter due thought, he was convinced that Boston of
fered the best schools and environment for the
training he desired, so he enrolled at the Boston
College of Physicians and Surgeons. Here he ap
plied himself with diligence and completed his
course. After the completion of his course he-
served an internship and extended training in the
City Hospital of Boston, and the North End Dis
pensary and Hospital, Boston, Mass. It was while
he was attending the medical school in Boston that
his ambition was fired and be began to taste the
211
fruits of place and honor. Because of his excel
lent and enviable record in scholarship and good
standing with his fellows he was chosen orator of
his class. He acquitted himself well and the well
deserved praise showered upon- him gave him a
keen relish for such distinctions and since then he
has captured one post of honor after another.
While sojourning in the Hub he was chosen a
member of the Boston Gamma Psi Zeta Society of
Boston.
Beginning his work in Patterson, he soon estab
lished himself as a physician and surgeon, and
started immediately to add many other honors to
his list. He is President of the North Jersey Med
ical Society, of New Jersey ; member of the Society
of the State ; of the Passaic County Medical So
ciety; of the National Association, and of the
American Medical Association. Dr. Cotton's unu
sual skill as a physician and surgeon soon put him
in the front ranks along with the leading physi
cians of New Jersey. Though still a very young
man. he has built up a splendid practice, and a re
putation to be envied. Dr. Cotton enjoys as large,
if not the largest practice of any physician in
North Jersey. White patients constitute the bulk
of his practice..
Along with his professional work, he has joined
hands with the church and with secret orders. He
is a member of the Saint Augustine Presbyterian
Church of Patterson ; he is Past Master of the En-
tegrity No. 51, F. A. M. of Patterson; of Oceanic
4559 G. U. O. O. F. of Atlantic City, and of the
Good Samaritans.
Though intensely engaged in social and profes
sional life, and having traveled very extensively,
Dr. Cotton has nevertheless accumulated property
and made himself comfortable surroundings. He
owns two houses on Graham Avenue in Patterson,
the one his own home ; the other, a rent house. His
home is valued at $9,000; his rent house at $2,900.
He has much other property both in Patterson and
in Greensboro, North Carolina, his native home.
Dr. Cotton was married to Miss Bertha May
Doyle Lee of Boston in 1911. Their home is a sort
of proud citadel among the colored people of Pat
terson, being the spot from which radiates good
service, genial fellowship and prosperity.
Dr. J. WILLIAM FORD
EXT to the Negro doctor, or rath
er along with the Negro physi
cian, the dentist is doing some of
the most helpful service to the
Negro race. He himself and his
office with its equipment are
sources of courage, ease and freedom ; for here one
enters without misgiving, without fear of slight
or discrimination ; realizing that all the equipment,
the dentist's best skill and courtesy are all his. To
this very valuable service the dentist adds that of
a teacher. He gives lessons to the patient sitting
in the chair ; lessons on the care of the teeth, on
when to fill instead of pulling, on the use of the
teeth ; all of which are most essential and none, or
very few, of which the average Negro patient
would get under other circumstances.
Perhaps this cold business method of handling
the patient is no where more common than in the
North, where competition is sharp, sympathy none
too common. Happily our dentists are taking their
places here and are rendering the Negro people
good service.
Dr. J. William Ford, of Newark, New Jersey, is
one of the dentists of the North to fill just such a
post as has been outlined. His high grade prompt
212
service, his office equipment, whch after a time the
public described as "ideal," soon drew to him an
exceedingly large practice. So much so that though
he left college in 1907 in debt to the instructors and
to his friends, he was able to invest $500 in the
First Liberty Loan and $500 in the Second Liberty
Loan, also $2,000 in the Third Liberty Loan in ad
dition to having accumulated valuable property
holdings.
Dr. Ford was born in Williamsport, Pennsyl
vania, September, 1877. On finishing the public
schools of Williamsport, he entered Howard Uni
versity, and was graduated from the preparatory
department. He spent two years in the College
Department of Howard and then made dentistry a
specialty. He completed his course in Dentistry in
1907. His life through college, however had
been one of struggle and of want and hard work.
He left the University in debt, for which his diplo
ma was withheld- He owed his friends, he had a
mother to support. There was therefore no money
to buy this "ideal" equipment and furnish this ideal
office, of which his patrons now boast. The pro
verbial starvation period of the professional man
was not to be gone through, it was already upon
him. And so for six years he worked on the rail
roads to pay off his debts and work had its happy
side. Working on the railroads both in the East
and in California, gave him entensive travel, and
contact, two invaluable assets for a professional
man ; for often his success hangs as much on his
good conversation as it does on his excellent work.
It was only in 1913 that Dr. Ford was able to
leave the railroads and begin to try his fortune at
his profession. In spite of the fact he had been out
of school six years, he succeeded in passing the
State examinations, and at one trial, something un
usual for New Jersey, and was able to enter on his
professional career.
Two years after beginning his practice Dr. Ford
was married to Miss Edith Anna Braxton, of New
York City. They were married in their own
church, St. Phillips Episcopal Church, of New
York. Mrs- Ford was formerly a public school
teacher of New York. Dr. and Mrs. Ford live in
Newark, but they own a very handsome Brown
stone front residence in Brooklyn.
DR. FORD'S OPERATING ROOM.
George A. Kyle, D. D. S.
EORGE A. Kyle, D. D. S., of Pat
terson, New Jersey, was a born
athlete and early began to devel
op his powers as such. His career
as a college athlete brought him
into prominent notice and gave
him a wonderful influence with the students. His
reputation was not confined to his college but
went beyond the bounds of the campus and made
him known throughout the country. He became
very popular, especially in the athletic world. He
was both popular for his personal excellence and
for the variety of athletics in which he excelled.
He was a track man and through unquestioned
merit rose to be captain of the track team. He
brought his team up to a state of marked excel
lence. Football and basket ball were games in
which he also excelled and in which he took an ac
tive interest. He was elected manager of the foot
ball squad.
In Howard University, where he was educated,
there were few activities in which he did not play
a conspicious part.
But his prowess was not limited to the gridiron,
to the track and to the gymnasium, it was recog
nized in other fields of endeavor. As a rule ath
letes are not given to literature and the cultivation
of the mind, for in the development of the physical
the mind is neglected and it is hard for them to
concentrate the mind upon literary matters. Dr.
Kyle is a notable exception to the rule and was re
garded at college as much for his literary attain
ments as for his athletic renown. His counsel and
aid was sought in staging college plays and exer
cises of that character, and his interest in them
was active and not of a passive nature. In a num
ber of the college plays he took leading parts
throughout his career at Howard.
Dr. Kyle was born and lived and worked wholly
above the Mason and Dixon Line. None of his suc
cess can he check up to the hardships of oppression
which sometimes rush in to claim the glory of
achievement of those southern Negroes who have
conquered in spite of oppression. He was born in
Mainesville, Ohio, July 20, 1881. Much of his early
education was gained in the public schools of Cin
cinnati, Ohio, which is not a southern city, geo
graphically speaking at any rate. However, Dr.
213
Kyle may be very truly set down as educated at
Howard University. Leaving the public schools of
Cincinnati, he entered the Howard College Prepar
atory Department. Being graduated from this De
partment he entered the college. Completing the
college course, he enrolled in the Dental School.
Thus completing his years in school and in school
activities. Dr. Kyle will go down in a literal sense
as being educated at Howard.
On graduating from the Howard Dental School,
Dr. Kyle gave himself to serious thought as to
where he would locate. It was not an easy ques
tion to settle, and not wishing to make a mistake
he did not act in the matter hastily. Not wishing
to remain idle while determining a question of so
great importance to him he entered the service of a
dental firm in Buffalo, New York. He remained
with this firm several years, but the time was not
lost for he gained from them a practical experience,
confidence in his own ability and money to open
an office when he ventured for himself.
He had selected Patterson, New Jersey, as a de
sirable post, and here he began. He had already
many friends in various parts of the country, many
of them Howard graduates, many friends whom
he gained in his travels as an athlete. His activities
at Howard had made him so popular that he be
came a welcome member of Patterson circles, and
the circles round about Patterson, reaching New
York.
He is a member of many medical organizations
and of those bodies which keep alive the fraternal
spirit and connection which meant so much in his
college days. He is a member of the Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity and of the College Men's Round
Table of New York City. He belongs to the North
Jersey Medical Association, and to the National
Medical Association. He is secretary of the North
Jersey Medical Association.
Dr. Kyle was married July 16, 1916, to Miss
Charlotte McCracken of New York City. Between
his profession on the one hand and his many social
and fraternal connections on the other, Dr. Kyle,
with Mrs. Kyle leads an exceedingly busy life.
PETER F. GHEE, M. D.
R. Ghee belongs to the younger
generation of Negro physicians,
or rather to the physicians of the
transition period. In the olden
days the idea was to get to prac
tice and gain a competence. The
modern school, with its glaring
exceptions, says rather, "Get Ed
ucation." This takes time and patience. It goes
to one school for one kind of training and to an
other for another, so that when the medical stu
dent comes forth with his diploma, he comes not
only a technically educated doctor, but as an edu
cated and cultivated man, fit to practice medicine,
to teach his patience, to write readable articles on
various topics of his profession, to take his place
as a citizen as well as a physician.
Dr. Ghee was born in Luxenburg County, Vir
ginia, May 5, 1871, and is the son of Peter Ghee, a
farmer. He had as a lad the training on the farm
that makes in so many instances for strong man
hood. He knew the use of the axe, the hoe and
the plow. He also learned to appreciate the great
out-of-doors — the trees, birds, flowers and above
all the great distances in the wide open country.
His preliminary education was obtained in the pub
lic schools of his native country, where he laid the
foundation for his later success in the literary line.
He was a graduate from Boyaton Institute in the
class of 1391. He thence matriculated at Shaw Un
iversity, from which having taken an elective
214
course instead of the regular one, he could not ob
tain his Bachelor of Arts Degree when he graduat
ed in 1894. Dr. Ghee next entered Leonard Medical
College, from which he was graduated in 1898 with
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During his sen
ior year at this institution he was engaged in prac
tical work in the hospital, and after graduation
he served an internship. Upon the conclusion of this
period he established himself in active practice in
Jersey City, New Jersey, which has since that time
been the seat of his professional activity. His prac
tice is a large and widely extended one, and he has
the affection as well as the confidence of his pa
tients. This is true because of the warm hearted
sympathy always apparent in his ministrations, and
his unselfish manner of serving.
Although Dr. Ghee has a very wide practice he
has still taken time to associate with and work for
various organizations in Jersey City and the state.
He is a member of the North New Jersey Medical
Association; the National Medical Association;
Hudson Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
Progressive Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Or
der of Elks of Jersey City. In all of these he is
held in high esteem for his wise counsel.
Dr. Ghee was married to Miss Lucy Boyd of
Washington, D. C. Two children have come to
bless their home ; Euclid and Irven Ghee. The
father is fond of all out-door sports and finds his
chief recreation in automobiling. He is a member
of the New Jersey Automobile and Motor Club.
In political matters he is affiliated with the Pro
gressive Party of Hudson County and keeps well
in touch with the trend of public events.
The greater part of his spare time is devoted to
study and research work along the lines of his pro
fession, which appears to be of ever increasing in
terest to him as the years advance.
Dr. Ghee is a tireless worker. His office hours
seem to know no limit. Although Dr. Ghee is a
very busy man, he is extremely modest and it
was only with the greatest persuasion he could be
prevailed upon to give even a meagre account of
his life and career.
RESIDENCE OF DR. PETER F. GHEE
REVEREND FLORENCE RANDOLPH
O full of experience, service, and
promotion has been the life of
Rev. Florence Randolph that
nothing more than a catalogue of
her career can be offered here.
She was born in Charleston,
South Carolina, and was educated
at Avery Normal Institute, after
completing the course in the public schools of
Charleston. Rev. Randolph was converted when
she was about thirteen years of age. She joined
the Methodist Episcopal church, and engaged im
mediately in active service.
On finishing her studies in the South she went to
Jersey City, where she allied herself with the A-
M. E. Zion Church of that city. Though she was
following dress making as an occupation, she early
began to exhort and do very active church work.
In 1897 she was granted license to preach. She
began immediately to preach, addressing crowded
houses, supplying pulpits, and doing evangelistical
work wherever she received a call. For fourteen
years she served Jersey City as a voluntary and
tin-salaried missionary, and for two years was the
superintendent of the Negro work for the Chris
tian Endeavor Society of the State.
On the recommendation of the late Hi.-,hnp .Alex
ander Walters, she was admitted to the Conference
and became Conference Evangelist. In the mean
time she was chosen pastor of several churches —
the A. M. E. Zion Church, of Newark, N- J.. Little
215
Zion A. M. E. Church, of New York City, and the
A. M. E. Zion Church, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Bish
op Walters ordained her a Deacon in 1901, and an
Elder in 1903- In 1901 Rev. Randolph was chosen
to attend the Ecumenical Conference, which met in
London.
While in London, Rev. Randolph preached in the
Primitive Methodist Church, of Mattison ,Road,
where she won the highest praise from the congre
gation and from the public press. Completing -her
Conference duties in London, R^v. Randolph made
several visits on the continent. She traveled
through the remainder of England, through Scot
land, Belgium and France.
In America Rev. Randolph's work falls into sev
eral groups. She is a well known social and club
worker, a Christian Endeavor Worker, a Temper
ance Lecturer. She is president of the New Jersey
State Federation of Women's Clubs, and is a mem
ber of the Executive Board of the New Jersey State
Suffrage Association. She is chaplain of the North
Eastern Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, and
is head of the Religious Department of the National
Association of Colored Women's Clubs. She works
almost constantly in the prisons of her city, as
well as in the prisons of New York and in other
cities and towns where she chances to have a mo
ment to spare. Rev. Randolph is one of the offi
cial lecturers of the Women's Christian Temper
ance Union of New Jersey. In this capacity she
has won great distinction for herself and for the
cause of Temperance. Indeed the papers in and
around New Jersey, where she is best known vie
with one another in singing her praise both as a
worker and a speaker.
Of equal weight with Rev. Randolph in the cause
of foreign missions. All through her course as a
church and social worker she has kept the cause of
Africa steadily before herself and before the pub
lic. Her church and the Conference were not slow
in recognizing her as a most valuable asset in this
branch of service. Seventeen years the Women's
Foreign Society of the state of New Jersey has
kept her as its president, and in 1916 the general
Conference, which asembled at Louisville, Ky.,
made her president of the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society of the A. M. E. Zion
Connection.
Rev. Randolph comes from an old Charleston
family, her father being John Spearing of that city.
She was married to Hugh Randolph, of Richmond,
Va., May 5, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph had one
daughter, Miss Leah Viola. She is now Mrs. J.
Francis Johnson, wife of Dr. J. F. Johnson of Jer
sey City. Mr. Randolph died February 13, 1913.
In Jersey City Rev. Randolph still makes her
home. She is one of the few prophets to reap honor
in her own country. White and black alike seek
her presence whenever she is in the city. A wel
come speaker and advisor, she is nevertheless
sought for her conversation, experience and her
personal charm. On many occasions she has been
feasted, tendered gifts and testimonials by her
fellow citizens of both races.
TO quote the Zion Star, "Truly Rev. Randolph
by her life, character and work gives substantial
proof against the pessimistic views of those who
hold the Negro race incapable of higher develop
ment.
Isaac Henry Nutter, LL. B., LL. D.
NE of Atlantic City's busiest and acquitted. In the County Court of Mays Landing,
most successful lawyers is Isaac
Henry Nutter. Although New
Jersey proudly proclaims him her
own, he was born August 20, 1878.
at Princess Anne, Maryland.
His parents were William and Emma Nutter, ex-
slaves, who were highly respected for their
strength of character and industry. While unedu
cated themselves, they were great lovers of educa
tion and made many sacrifices in order to give their
children an education.
Their sacrifices in behalf of their children have
been amply rewarded. Two of their boys, the
subject of this sketch, and his brother, T. Gillis
Nutter, have risen to high places at the bar and are
occupying honored positions in other spheres of
life. Other children have also reached places of
honor and trust.
While his father was a great believer in educa
tion he did not believe in bringing up his children
in idleness. le had a monopoly of the saw wood
business of his community and the boys were re
quired to help him in his work.
As a youth Isaac H. Nutter made remarkable
progress in both his Preparatory and College
Courses. While he was attending the Law De
partment of Howard University, he convinced all
who had dealings with him of the fact that he had
chosen the right profession.
He was even at this early age both a
student and a scholar, showing a remarkable
knowledge and appreciation of History, Civil Gov
ernment and Economics. He was naturally en
dowed with a most powerful faculty of logical
reasoning and he used every opportunity to devel
op this power. Since then many a legal battle has
been won by his exercising this power. June, 1901
he was graduated with the degree of LL. B., later
in the year, 1913, Wilberforce University conferred
upon him the honorary degree of LL. D.
Three years after his graduation, that is in
1905, Mr. Nutter went before the Board of Exam
iners of New Jersey, and passed a very successful
examination. Since that time he has practiced in
Atlantic City. For some time he was associated
in his practice with ex-Judge John J. Crandall.
This helped to establish his place in the legal cir
cle but his own power has held him there.
His court practice averages about twenty civil
and criminal cases a month. Thus far Lawyer
Nutter has defended in all thirty murder cases,
one of which was convicted in the second degree,
four sentenced for manslaughter, and twenty-five
216
New Jersey, in less than four days he secured ac
quittal in two cases and in the middle of the trial
of a third client, had a "Not- Guilty" of murder plea
changed to "guilty" of manslaughter with impris
onment for one year.
Mr. Nutter handles all cases with a great deal of
earnest enthusiasm. His is not a play on words
nor perplexing ambiguity, but it is the ultimate
truth, clean cut justice and overwhelming logic
clothed in a most fascinating and attractive rhetr
orical eloquence.
Aside from his legal business, Mr. Nutter finds
time to devote himself to other worthy causes. He
is solicitor and General Advisor of the New Jersey
State Republican League ; Solicitor of Atlantic
County Republican League, and President of Nut
ter's Real Estate Company, which is one of the
most active companies of the State.
His fraternal spirit is also felt in the State of
New Jersey. He is a member of the Masons, the
Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and of the
Elks. Then Mr. Nutter was one of the first to
catch the real spirit of the migration of the Negro
to the North, and with a keen understanding of the
situation he became Director of the Bureau for
Welfare and Employment of Negroes migrating
from the South. This Bureau was organized in
1917, and has done a most commendable work.
Lawyer Nutter is a member of the Governor's
Cabinet, which is a most worthy post. Through
his influence he has secured the following ap
pointments for Negroes ; one assistant Supreme
Court Clerk, one Medical examiner, six Inspectors
in Labor Department, one Secretary of Bureau,
and one chief clerk and stenographer.
One year before beginning his legal practice,
April 26, 1904, Isaac Henry Nutter was married
to Miss Mary Alice E. Reed, of Coatville, Pa., who
died June 18th., 1915. In a most beautiful home
on Washington Avenue, Douglass Park, Pleasant-
ville, New Jersey, he lives free from many of the
petty cares of this world, secure in the respect and
esteem of his neighbors and friends. Mr. Nutter
attends the Methodist church and takes an active
part in its activities.
Lawyer Nutter's office is 200-209, Sheen Build
ing, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Here he works
late and early, thinking, pondering, weighing his
words. On these thoughts often the life of a man
hangs. He is cool, deliberate and when a client
enters his office, he is made to feel that on the
walls of Lawyer Nutter's office is written in big
letters one word — justice.
WILLIAM H. SUTHERLAND, D. D. S.
R. William H. Sutherland, one of
the leading and most prominent
dentists in the State of New Jer
sey, was born August 9th, 1880,
in Camden, South Carolina. As
a lad he attended the Public
School of Camden and later the
Presbyterian Parochial School.
He had small means to pay for an education, but
a great ambition to learn. So he learned the bar
ber's trade while still in his native town. In this
new field of work he earned only twenty-five
cents per week at first. But nothing daunted, he
kept at this trade till he was able to do better
work and therefore earn more money. With
his trade for his bank account, he entered the Av-
ery Normal Institute in Charleston, South Carolina
and worked at off hours at his trade. In this way
he earned enough money to complete the course
there. With the same trade as his banker he en
tered Howard University, Washington, D. C., and
earned his way there. Dr. Sutherland had by that
time fully made up his mind what he wished to do
in life and so he entered the Dental Department.
From Howard he was graduated with the degree
of Doctor of Dental Surgery, in 1905.
Since that time Dr. Sutherland has practiced his
profession in Providence, R. I., Newark, and Or
ange, New Jersey. He makes his home in Orange,
where he owns his home at 75 Oakwood Avenue.
217
In his home he has offices with operating room
equipped with the largest modern electrical Den
tal appliances. Dr. Sutherland also maintains an
office at 301, Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield, New
Jersey. He enjoys a lucrative practice which is
not confined wholly to his own people, but he
numbers among his patrons many prominent busi
ness people of the white race in the Oranges and
adjoining , towns. To keep both his offices open
and to fill all his engagements with his patrons
causes Dr. Sutherland to lead a very busy life.
But in spite of the very stenuous life which he
leads during office hours, Dr. Sutherland still has
time to devote to the social and religious life of the
community. He is a member of the 13th. Avenue
Presbyterian Church, of Newark. In this church
he is Elder and also President of the Brotherhood.
He is chairman of the board of management of the
Orange Branch of the Y. M. C. A., a member of
the National Medical Association and of the North
Jersey Medical Association. Of the last named
he is a chairman of the Dental Section.
And still Dr. Sutherland finds time to really en
joy his home. He was married to Miss Reiter L.
Thomas, of Washington, D. C., December 27, 1906.
Their home life is most ideal. Mrs. Sutherland
presides over the home in a truly charming manner.
She is a graduate of the Armstrong Manual Train
ing School of Washington and is a lady of an op
timistic and amiable character. To her Dr. Suth
erland attributes much of his success. The family
is blessed with two beautiful children. Reiter L.
Sutherland is ten years old and is in the public-
school. Muriel S. Sutherland is still a baby only
twenty-two months old. The two little ones add
grace and charm to the wedded life of Dr. and
Mrs. Sutherland.
Every summer for about four weeks this ideal
family leaves home for their vacation. With his
own car, Dr. Sutherland can go where he wills and
when he pleases. Indeed this is one of the chief
delights in the life of this very busy servant of the
people. On one of these trips he took his family
to Atlantic City, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Wash
ington, D. C., and parts of Virginia.
To quote Dr. Sutherland's own words — "My
pleasure is touring with my car, accompanied with
my family. In this way we get much needed rest."
In no profession can a thoroughly consecrated
man better his people than in denistry. Many of
the ills of the body come from the lack of proper
care of the teeth. Of course only one thing lies
at the root of this lack of care ; and that one thing
is ignorance. The Negro dentist has a wide field
before him. He not only has to correct the faults
already caused through this lack of knowledge,
but he has the still greater field, teaching the pro
per care of the mouth and in this way doing pre
ventive dentistry. This Dr. Sutherland does. As
chairman of the Dental Section of the Medical As
sociation of New Jersey, he has an opportunity to
reach, indirectly, a great number of people. Add
his work as a dentist to the great number of things
done for the public in the capacity of Elder and
President of the Brotherhood in his church and
chairman of Y. M. C. A., we are compelled to num
ber Dr. Sutherland among those who are shining
examples of the best type of public men.
WILLIAM ROBERT VALENTINE, A. B.,
PRESIDENT OF THE MANUAL TRAINING INDUS
TRIAL SCHOOL FOR COLORED YOUTHS—
BORDENTOWN, N. J.
ORTUNATE indeed was the sub
ject of this sketch in the state of
his birth and his station as well.
working in Indianapolis we have just the man we
want."
Mr. Valentine finished the High School of Mont-
clair, New Jersey, in June, 1900, and entered Har
vard University the following September, graduat
ing with A. B. degree in 1904. The following Sep
tember he went to Indianapolis, where he was
made principal of a three-room Public school build
ing; two years later of a five-room building, and
the following year appointed Supervising Princi
pal of a group of buildings having about fifty
teachers under his supervision. His office building
or main building was Public School No. 26. It was
there that the experiment was tried of making the
school the educational, social, and economic cen
ter of all the people in the community. The exten
sive community work was made possible by reason
of the fact that the School Board upon the advice
of Superintendent C. N. Kendall, bought the frame
tenement buildings surrounding the main brick
structure, which were remodelled by the students
as a part of their industrial training, the money
furnished largely by the community itself. The
men of the community also donated labor. It was,
therefore the flexibility of the plant which gave
the school its opportunity and "advantage over the
usual stereotype elaborate brick city Public School
building. One tenement building on the grounds
was converted into a boys' club house, which was
Mr. Valentine was born in New remodeled and equipped by the contributions of
Jersey, where the colored youth
are given equal advantages with
the youth of any race. This, however, was not the
sole reason for his acquiring his thorough training.
Indeed many young people who have every advan
tage take no thought of them. But Mr. Valentine
came of stock that saw clearly just what standing
a good classical education would give to him. His
later record in the educational world has fully
shown that they were not wrong in their estima
tion. When the State of New Jersey wanted a
money and labor by the people of the community
itself. The .club house was directed and supervised
by teachers after school hours. Another large ten
ement was converted into an industrial building,
and included all of the industries such as wood
work, sewing, tailoring, printing, and shoe-mak
ing. Another building was used wholly for Do
mestic Science and included dining room, sitting
room and bed rooms for demonstration purposes
and use. This house was helpful in carrying on
the social activities of the school. The play ground.
head for the school at Bordentown, it was decided covcrjng about one-half acre of land, was part of
that they would like to use a native of the State if t]le equipment of this school. About three-fourths
possible. Immediately Mr. W. R. Valentine was of an acre of land, consisting of vacant lots within
mentioned for the place. "In Valentine, who is easy reach of the buildings, were available for gar-
218
den purposes. The school was as active at night ample, the fertility of the soil has been greatly in-
as it was in the day time, for the teaching of the creased, land has been cleared and fenced off, roads
adults in the community, of all the branches of in- repaired, and hedges removed in order that the
dustry taught in the day. The school aimed to plant may present a well kept appearance. New-
reach out into all phases of the life of the commun- buildings have been constructed, including four
ity as an intensive dynamic force for its uplift, and teachers' residences, costing altogether about
improvement. Dr. John Dewey, of Columbia, has $25,000.00. The new trade building was added last
devoted a whole chapter to the work of this school. year, costing $28,000.00, including equipment The
No. 26, in his "Schools of Tomorrow." addition to the girls' dormitory costing $39,00000
He came to the Manual Training and Industrial ls about completed. A new sewage disposal sys-
School in the summer of 1915. This school was tem has been installed, a domestic water supply
started as a private school by its founder, the Rev. system is under way. The Legislature has appro-
W. A. Rice, in the town of Bordentown, New Jer- pnated for permanent improvements alone within
sey, in the year 1886. It was supported entirely the la»t three years $110,000.00. Whereas four
by such voluntary subscriptions as he could collect, years ago there were about 100 students in attend-
But in 1894 the school passed under the control of ance •' there are now about 170. The demand is for
the State and later in 1900 was placed under the twice that number if the housing facilities were
supervision of the Sate Board of Education, form- a£Iequate. Whereas the State appropriated four
ing a part of the State educational system. This years ago only $28,000.00 for maintenance- it now
was the year that Professor James M. Gregory, of appropriates $60,000.00.
Washington, D. C, took charge of the school and The industrial work has been able to meet the re-
gave it its first impetus forward after its founding. fluirements of the Feclaral Board of Vocational
This was the year also that the State purchased Trade and as a result benefits from the Smith-
the Old Parnell estate which constitutes its pres- H«ghes bill. It is hoped to enlarge the extension
ent site. It is one of the most beautiful sites in work of the school as fast as possible that it may
the country ; on a high bluff overlooking the bend reach out into the State. Farmer's conferences
of the Delaware River, consisting of about 250 ac- are now held in certain communities of the State
res of land. Professor Gregory resigned in May, monthly. Teachers in the public schools in the
1915, the date on which Mr. Valentine took charge. neighboring cities and towns hold a Study Center
The property at Bordentown is valued at about meeting at the school once a month and the State
$250,000.00. The main buildings are of brick, with °r£anization meets once a year. It is hoped finally
hot and cold water, gas and electric lights. One to make tne Bordentown School do for the people
hundred fifteen (115) acres of land are now in a of the North what Hampton and Tuskegee have
high state of actual cultivation. The gross re- done for the people of the South. Hand in hand
ceipts from the farm for the year 1917-1918 were WIth the inlPr°vement and extension of the indus-
$14,000.00. We are able to produce sufficient sta- trial work wil1 also follow the improvements and
ble products to sell to other State institutions. extenslon of the academic work. Such colleges as
These cash sales amounted during this same year Radcliff- Col«mbia, Harvard and Oherlin are re-
to about $1200.00. There is a herd of about twen- presented °" the faculty.
ty-five (25) Holstein cows, nine (9) horses, one The encouraging feature of the work is the
hundred (100) head of hogs and seven hundred Bowing interest which the State officials are man-
(700) chickens. Much labor has been placed on ifesting towards the school, and the confidence in
the grounds and buildings by way of permanent the future of the school as shown by the colored
improvements within the last four years. For ex- people themselves.
219
William Henry Washington, A. B., M. D.
HE Negro race, in its march up
ward, has developed, as has the
other races, different types of
men. That race has even de
veloped that rare type of men,
known throughout the world as
"college men."
Dr. William Henry Washington, of Newark New
Jersey, is one of the finest of the type of the young
colored college man, out in life's busy world that
one can meet. He has the bearing, the attitude,
the appearance, the culture, the stature of a mod
ern college man. And what is more, Dr. Washing
ton is, in the truest sense of the word, a college
man, and. just such a college man as to reflect cre
dit on any college from which he might have grad
uated.
Dr. Washington was born in Portsmouth, Vir
ginia, August 23, 1878. He began his education in
the County School, Virginia, and attended two
years the Normal and Collegiate Institute, at Pet
ersburg, Virginia. From there he went to Wash
ington, and entered the preparatory school of
Howard University, from which he graduated in
1900. He next took a four year Collegiate Course
in Howard University, and followed that with a
four year Medical course in the same institution.
There he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts
and his M. D. degree.
He has the same interest in Howard University,
his Alma Mater, that he had while attending
that famous institution. Ten years after his grad
uation from the Medical School of Howard Uni
versity, in 1908, he is found President of the Al
umni of that school, for the State of New Jersey.
He keeps as closely in touch with the interests
and activities of that school today as he did in
those days when, as captain of the Howard foot
ball eleven, he led the team to victory after vic
tory and became the most popular foot-ball cap
tain that Howard has ever had.
A leader in school life, he has, without appar
ent effort, gained a fine place of vantage in the
Medical world. This young man who was for
three years captain of Howard's foot-ball team,
(the most highly conveted athletic honor in a
college,) who was manager of the varsity base
ball nine, who was business manager of the college
newspaper, and president of the exclusive organi
zation known as the Council of Upper Classmen,
is, as if those college activities prepared him for
larger activities, now actively identified with pro
fessional and civic organizations, of city, state and
nation. The New Jersey State Medical Society
220
— the Essex County Medical Association, the Am
erican Medical Association, the North Jersey Med
ical Society, the last of which organizations he
served as secretary and treasurer for several
years, are among the many professional organiza
tions in which he holds membership.
Coming to Newark, New Jersey nine years ago,
Dr. Washington, who is a native of Virginia, has
built up a splendid practice. His medical ability
is recognized and appreciated not only by his many
patients, but also is conceded by his professional
brethren.
While Dr. Washington is now well advanced
on the road of prosperity, yet it has not al
ways been thus with him. He, like most men who
have amounted to anything, has also encountered
the vicissitudes of life. He worked his way through
college, through the medical school, and, at the
same time, and even yet, gave financial assistance
to dependent relatives who aided him when aid
was most needed. His mother and father died
while he was yet in infancy, but loving relatives
carefully looked after him. These relatives have,
since he came to manhood, been the object of his
solicitude and beneficence.
The home life of Dr. Washington is sweetened
and made happy by his cultured and attractive help
meet, who was, before their marriage, Miss Ardele
Smith. Mrs. Washington was principal of a pub
lic school in Roanoke, Virginia, at the time of her
marriage. She too is a Virginian by birth and is
also a graduate of Howard University. In their
home they have collected a beautiful and expen
sive library, the doctor being a connoiseur of the
best literature and a lover of fine editions in mag
nificent bindings. One perusing the volumes in Dr.
Washington's library will see some of the rarest
and most expensively bound books that have come
from the binders.
Dr. Washington is said by some to be the most
widely known Alumnus of Howard University,
among the former students of that school. He is
the same congenial fellow that he was when he-
was known on "Howard Hill," as "Cap," (football
captain). And his rise should be an inspiration to
the aspiring youth.
When quite a small boy his aspiration was to be
a soldier; while watching the drills of sailors at
Portsmouth, it almost decided him to be a sailor ;
and then attracted by the work of the exponents
of the law he thought he would be a lawyer, but
no doubt chose wisely in entering the Medical pro
fession.
HARRY RICHARDSON
NOWN as the friend of all colored
people who seek pleasant lodging
and wholesome food at Cape May,
New Jersey, Harry Richardson,
proprietor of the New Cape May
Hotel, and one of the leading
Cape May Opera houses has served many an ap
prenticeship in life's great factory. Mr. Richardson
was horn in Philadelphia, November 3, 1867. Al
though horn in a locality where the black boy had a
great chance to educate himself, young Richardson
was able to attend school but a limited time. This
was due to the fact that very early in life he had to
support himself. So we find the young lad after
a few years spent in Birds Public School, leaving
the school room and working for his maintanence.
The first work that was tried by Mr. Richardson
Was really very hard labor. This was in a brick
yard. He was still but a boy, and the work was
so hard that when an opportunity came for a dif
ferent work, he was very glad to make the change.
Thus at the early age of thirteen he left the brick
yard and began an apprenticeship at electroplating
and stereotyping. For thirteen and a half years he
worked at this trade and from the position of an
221
apprentice he rose step by step to the position of
foreman of the shop of Hanson Brothers, Phila
delphia. He changed his place of work but not
the kind of work in his next move. He went to
Boston and served as foreman in the electroplate
room of the Boston Globe.
Leaving Boston, Mr. Richardson returned to his
native city, and went in business for himself. In
this his first venture he chose tobacco as the com
modity to handle. Mr. Richardson succeeded with
his tobacco business and was soon able to ven
ture in a larger business concern. He then opened
a hotel for the colored traveling public. And for
the past seventeen years he has been the owner and
manager of a hotel in Cape May, New Jersey. In
this line of work, Mr. Richardson has been very
farseeing. He saw that the best class of colored
people had no place of amusement, and so he added
an Opera House to his list of business ventures.
He saw the crying need of a good hotel for the Col
ored Man, he attempted to supply that need in his
locality. In doing this he has served his race while
helping himself. Again he saw the need of a place
where the best people could go to get clean amuse
ment and again he attempted to supply that need.
In this he has succeeded. Both his places of busi
ness are very heartily supported by his patrons.
His hotel is celebrated in the east for comforto-
ble rooms, prompt and polite service, the best class
of guests, and the most congenial surroundings.
What Mr. Richardson has not in his hotel, he mak
es it a point to get even though he sustains a loss
in doing so.
While Mr. Richardson was living in Philadelphia
he became interested in politics. He was presi
dent of the seventh ward, Executive Committee,
for several years, was appointed delegate to many
conventions, and was one of the State commiss
ioners to the St. Louis World's Fair. Mr. Richard
son served also as an employee at the State Senate
House in Harrisburg for several terms.
All through his life the proprietor of the Cape
May Hotel has allied himself with the leading or
ganizations of his community. While in Phila
delphia he was President of the Philadelphia Turf
Club, and was nine years a member of the Mathew
Stanley Quay Club. Mr. Richardson is a member
of the Friday Night Banquet Association, of Phil
adelphia, a member of the Citizen's Republican
Club, of Philadelphia, and a member of the Masonic
Olive No. 8.
In religious belief, Mr. Richardson is a Baptist.
In connection with his business and for pleasure
Mr. Richardson has traveled all over the eastern
part of the United States. Mrs. Richardson, like
Mr. Richardson himself is a native of Philadelphia.
They both show their love of their native city by
the number of times they return to its hospitable
gates. But Cape May, and the traveling public
that passes through Cape May, know Mr. Richard
son, and think of him and talk of him as the pro
prietor of the Cape May Hotel and Opera House.
INTERIOR VIEW OF ST. PHILLIPS CHURCH
N 1818, St. Phillips Church was or
ganized under the leadership of
Mr. Peter A. Williams, who after
being admitted to the order of
Deacons and advanced to the
Priesthood was made its first rec
tor. From its very beginning the
parish has endeavored to do two
things :
(a) To demonstrate the capacity of the Colored
man for leadership and group action, and :
(b) To foster his sense of manly independence,
The first of these endeavors has been abundantly
justified in the marvelous work which has been
accomplished during these one hundred years.
From a very modest beginning in an upper room
on Cliff Street seeking recognition from the eccles
iastical authorities, the parish has developed into
one whose position commands the approval of the
diocesan authorities- The upper room in Cliff
Street is today the magnificent Gothic structure in
West One Hundred and Thirty Fourth Street, with
a seating capacity of over nine hundred ; a well
planned Parish House of four floors and basement,
which houses all the parochial activities — adminis
trative, clerical, recreational an3 communal ; a
Home for Aged Women and a Rectory. To this
must be added the endowment painfully accumula
ted but wisely managed, which consists of a block
of ten apartment houses in West One Hundred and
Thirty-Fifth Street, which shelters upward of two
hundred families. This achievement in some
measure demonstrates the capacity of the colored
man, for leadership and harmonious group action,
for it has all been wrought under the management
222
of Colored men.
(b) In the working out of the second endeavor
the Parish has been equally successful. Bishop
Hobart in his Convention address of 1819, says,
"I consecrated the new church of St. Phillip's in
Collect Street, designed for the use of the Colored
people of our Church in that city. To its creation
they contributed largely in proportion to their
means and the trustees were unwearied in their ex
ertions to obtain the contributions of others, and
in their attention to the building while it was erect
ing, in which their own mechanics principally were
employed and which they finished with judgement
and taste."
The present church of the perpendicular Gothic
type was designed by a firm of Colored architects.
Tandy and Foster. It is cruciform in shape and is
built of artificial stone, closely resembling lime
stone and yellow pressed brick. To the west of
the chancel and sanctuary are the vestry room and
sacristy ; while on the east are two choir rooms,
with lockers for men and boys — an ambulatory
connects these east and west rooms.
In the basement is a large and well appointed
room used for the Sunday School, a neat attractiv
ely equipped chapel, choir, rehearsal room, work
rooms and lavatories- The church consists in part
of an exquisite altar of marble, with chastely carv
ed grape vines and panels of four of the apostles,
and in the centre the Paschal Lamb ; surmounting
the altar is a reredos of caen stone, and a back
ground of blue mosiacs tinted with gold in the
midst of which and looking down upon the altar
are figures of adoring cherubim and seraphim ; a
three manual pipe-organ and eagle lectern and pul
pit of brass.
To meet the needs of a changed environment
there are many institutional activities connected
with the church, but all the club and guild work
which is done has for its sole purpose the building
of permanent Christian character. For the boys
and young men there are the following organiza
tions : The Knights of King Arthur ; St. Christo
pher, Juniors ; St. Christopher, Intermediates ; St.
Christopher, Seniors; St. Phillip's Men's Giuld ;
Brotherhood of St. Andrew ; Men's Bible Class.
The activities among the girls and women are :
St. Mary's Guild ; St. Agnes, Juniors ; St. Agnes. In
termediates ; St Agnes, Seniors ; Alter Guild ; Wo
man's Auxiliary to Board of Missions ; Dorcas So
ciety ; Woman's Auxiliary to the Parish Home ;
Women's Bible Class.
Reverend Hutchens Chew Bishop, D. D., went
to St. Phillips Church January 1st, 1886. where he
has rendered great and effective work and for
thirty-two years has been the directing genius of
the Parish. He graduated from General Theologi
cal Seminary, N. Y. City in 1881. At that time- there
were divisions in the church in America and the
parties constituting the division were at times hos
tile to each other. Mr. Bishop, as he then was, be
longed to the High Church party, then hopelessly
in the minority. Mt. Calvary Church, of which he
was a member, was of the same party. Owing to
an unusual ill-feeling on the part of the diocesan
authorities towards Mt. Cavalry, Mr. Bishop was
denied the grace of orders in the Diocese of Mary
land. He was afterwards made Deacon and Priest
by the Diocese of Albany.
WILLIAM HENRY BROOKS, D. D.
ILLIAM Henry Brooks, was
born in Calvert County,
Maryland, September 6, 1859. Al
though this date was just before
the Emancipation Proclamation,
for the Negro with ambitious pa
rents or guardians or an inborn
ambition for himself, no better
date could have been decided upon for his entrance
upon the stage of life. The pendulum swung a long
way in favor of the education of the blacks, and in
some sections where the prejudice was not quite so
great, their educational advantages were equal or
nearly equal to those offered the white boys. Thus
we see Rev. Brooks with a chance to educate him
self.
To begin his training he entered the Public
schools of the county. From the Public Schools
h& entered Morgan College, Baltimore. Here he
applied himself to his books in a most scholarly
manner and when an opportunity came to him he
entered Howard University, at Washington, D. C.
Leaving Howard he studied in turn in Union Sem
inary, New York, and in New York University and
later in University-Dijon, France. Had not Rev.
Brooks been a close student of books, he would still
have been benefitted by his sojourn in these insti
tutions of learning. But being of a scholarly turn
of mind, and at the same time a student of men and
events, he saw a great opportunity for educating
himself.
At the age of twenty-one he joined the Wash
ington Annual Conference. Then he 'began his
round of charges. His first three charges were
all in West Virginia ; Spring Creek, Summers Cir
cuit, and Harpers Ferry. He then served two char
ges in Maryland ; Hartford Circuit, and Frederick,
in Maryland. He then served Central Church in
Washington D. C.. and Wheeling, West Va. Hav
ing served all these minor charges and served them
well he was next made a Presiding Elder in the
Washington District. He was transferred to St.
Marks, New York. In the last named, he has been
actively engaged since 1897.
Because of the length and kind of the work done
by Rev. Brooks, he has been shown many honors
by the Denomination. In 1896 he was a Delegate
to the General Conference. He was Fraternal Del
egate to the General Conference of C. M. E. Church
at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1902. Again he was
honored by his church in 1910 when he was sent as
a Delegate to the World's Conference at Endin-
burg, Scotland. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Here the competition for the
Bishopric is keener because of the many men with
generations of training and culture behind them.
Not all the honors which have come to him have
come from his church. This is due no doubt to
the fact, that he has not confined all his efforts to
the workings of the church. So we find him on
the Board of Control of the White Rose Mission,
Friendly Shelter, and of the National Urban Leag
ue. In this last named he has been able with his
associates to do considerable good. He is on the
Board of Managers of the Y. M. C. A., he is an ac
tive worker in the Musical Settlement and is Chap
lain in the 15th Regiment. This represents a very
active life and a life of great usefulness.
In connection with his church work, while get
ting his education and for pleasure it has been the
privilege of Rev. Brooks to travel quite extensively
in this country. In fact he has traveled through
out the United States, in England, in Scotland,
France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Germany,
and Mexico. This has helped to develope the man
almost as much as did his years spent in the var
ious institutions of learning.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred
on him by Wiley University, Marshall Texas, in
1897, and also by Morgan College, Baltimore, Md.,
in 1917.
He was married to Miss Sarah Catherine Car
roll, Nov. 2, 1882. Mrs. Brooks is the daughter
of Rev. N. M. Carroll, D. D. Rev. and Mrs. Brooks
were married in Asbuy Church, Washington, D. C.,
where her father was at that time pastoring. Five
children have been born to them to share their
home and help make it a bright, happy one. Ma
mie V., is married to Rev. A. A. Brown, of Phila
delphia ; Arthur E. is a physician in New York ; A.
Clinton is a clerk in Philadelphia ; Estelle Beartrice
is a nurse in New York ; and N. Cannon is a ser
geant in the 15th Regiment. All of these children
have been to their parents a great blessing
Rev. Brooks has accumulated some of this
world's goods while pastoring. He has real estate
valued at about $5,000.00. In all that he has un
dertaken, Rev. Brooks has been a success. His
life should be an inspiration to any young man who
intends to be a preacher of the Gospel.
223
Rev. James Walter Brown— Mother A. M.E. Zfon Church
HE Reverend Mr. James Walter
Brown, pastor of the famous
Mother Zion Church of New York
City, was born in Elizabeth City,
North Carolina, July 19, 1872. He
numbers among his Alma Maters
both Shaw University of his native state and Lin
coln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
However, he did not go from one to the other so
rapidly or quickly as it takes to tell. Having fin
ished his public school, he entered Shaw Univer
sity. On completing his career here he became a
school teacher, or schoolman for several years.
From 1893 to 1899 he was the assistant principal
of the State Normal School of Elizabeth City. In
September of 1900 he became a student at Lincoln
in the theological Seminary.
He graduated from this department in 1903 and
began immediately his career as a pastor. His
first charge was the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He
served this church as. pastor from 1903 to 1905.
From Bethlehem he went to Rochester, New York,
and became the Pastor of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church of that city, and served
them from 1903 to 1913. His two years experience
at Bethlehem not only gave him practical training
he needed for pastoral work, but also kindled his
enthusiasm as a worker and won for him conside
rable reputation as a pulpit orator. He first sur
veyed the field and made a note of its needs and
possibilities, then began his work with zeal and
soon imparted to his congregation much of his en
thusiasm.
He pointed out to them the need of a new and
more commodious house of worship and influenced
them to undertake the enterprise. Under his direc
tion they commenced the work and soon had a
building of which they were proud. They did not
stop with the erection of the church building, but
while the spirit of enterprise was upon them they
built a parsonage also. The Value of their church
property now amounts to thirty-five thousand dol
lars, ($35,000.00).
Reverend Brown learned from experience that
the divinely taught principle of fidelity in small
things leads to larger service is a true principle.
The fact that he had a comparatively small field
did not deter him from doing his best and his suc
cess in Rochester brought him into prominent no
tice and into a larger field of work. The large
churches began to take note of him and he was
soon occupying their pulpits. Among the churches
which was attracted to him was the old Mother
African Methodist Episcopal Zion church of New
York City. This church called him in 1913, and
since that period he has been its pastor. This
church, which has a fame co-extensive with Meth
odism in this country made no mistake in its esti
mate of the young preacher. He has not only sus
tained the reputation of the church, but has raised
it to a higher plane of usefulness and honor.
He has introduced modern ideas into the church
life and has inspired them with a new vision of en
deavor. The old Gospel message is the same in all
ages but the method of presenting and disseminat
ing the truth changes with each generation.
The Reverend Brown recognized this fact, and
organized in his church committees and clubs
which would bring the members into closer rela
tions and cooperation with each other. Already
the effect of his innovations have been felt in the
church life, and it is advancing to larger achieve
ments.
With him the church comes first and even
the outside enterprises which engage his in
terest fall largely within religious and uplift chan
nels. He is President of the Board of Control of
the Varicle Christian Endeavor Society of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a mem
ber of the Board of Management of the Young
Men's Christian Association of New York; Distric*-
Superintendent of the Sunday Schorls of New
York City for the African Methodist Episcopal
Ziun Conference.
To these and to activities of his church he de
votes the major part of his time and thought
When he has given attention to his duties connect
ed with these he has but little time left to devote to
other interests, yet he is a man among men and
finds pleasure in mingling with them outside of his
church life, when he can do so without neglecting
his work.
This social proclivity has carried him into a num
ber of fraternal orders. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, an Odd Fellow, and a member
of the Southern Beneficial League.
Reverend Brown has not been unmindful of his
material interests, believing that it is a man's duty
to make provision for his family. His savings he
has invested in property in Elizabeth City, North
Carolina, in Rochester and in New York City.
Mr. Brown was married in 1903 to Miss Martha
Hill, of Philadelphia. In all his endeavors Mrs.
Brown takes a helpful and leading part, relieving
him whenever possible, sharing the burden and re
sponsibility when it is not possible wholly to re
lieve him.
224
EUGENE P. ROBERTS, A. B ., M. A., M. D.
UGENE P. Roberts, of New
York City was born in Louisburg,
North Carolina, October 5, 1868.
He got his elementary and pre
paratory training in Louisburg,
and then entered Lincoln Univer
sity, Pennsylvania. From this institution he re
ceived the degree of A. B. in 1891, and later the
degree of M. A. Leaving Lincoln he matriculated
at the New York Homeopathic Medical Associa
tion, and Flower Hospital. Here he received the
Degree of M. D, in 1894.
Dr. Roberts began his career as a physician when
but twenty-four years of age, and he has enjoyed
a long and very useful career in his profession. He
is a member of the National Medical Association,
New York County Medical Society, New York Ma-
teria Medical Society, Medico-Chirugical Society,
Academy Pathological Science, Durham Medical
Club, Med'cal Society of Inspectors of greater New
York. He is inspector of the Department of
Health, lecturer on Care of Babies in Public Schools
of New York City, physician in charge of St. Cy
prian's Babies Clinic, chairman of Colored Men's
Branch of Y. M. C. A., member of the Executive
Board of National League on Urban Conditions
Among Colored People, committee for Improving
the Industrial Condition of Negroes in New York,
and the National League for the protecion of Col-
ered Women.
To meet all the demands made on his time by
these various duties and to attend to his practice,
Dr. Roberts leads a very busy life. Yet he takes
time to meet his fellows from another angle. He
is an active member of the St. James Presbyterian
Church, a member of the Southern Beneficial and
Hotel Bellmen's Beneficial Association. Dr. Rob
erts served one term on the Board of Education for
New York City. This was an honor well deserved
because of the many things done by this very busy
physician for his people in the city of New York.
Dr. Roberts has made a special study of the di
seases of children. New York furnishes a good
field for extensive study along this line. Because
of the special skill and knowledge along this line,
Dr. Roberts has been frequently asked to address
the National Medical Association on this subject.
Dr. Roberts has traveled very extensively. He
has covered the greater part of his own country
in his journeyings and has been three times abroad.
He visited Spain, Germany, Austria, France, Italy,
Switzerland and England. The time spent in these
travels was well spent. In fact, Dr. Roberts has
made all the events of his life help him along in
his profession.
Dr. Roberts has been twice married. He was
married to Miss MolUe Beatty, New York City,
June 6, 1900. He was married a second time to Miss
Ruth M. Logan, of Tuskegee Institute, Alabama,
December 4th, 1917. The present Mrs. Roberts is
the daughter of Warren Logan, Treasurer of Tus
kegee Institute, and for a number of years advisor
and friend of Dr. Booker T. Washington. Dr. and
Mrs. Roberts live in their beautiful brown stone
dwelling in one of the best sections of New York
City. Here they make life pleasant for their many
friends. Besides owning the home in which he
lives, Dr. Roberts has other valuable property in
the city of New York.
Dr. Roberts is a man worthy of emulation. He
is a competent physician, an untiring worker for
the good of his people and his country, a conserva
tive Christian gentleman.
In every department of life he seeks the highest
good of those he serves, and is a glowing example
of what a man can accomplish who has before him
a high ideal of life. When God called Moses out
of Ur of Chaldee he called him to be a blessing to
IT'S race, and when God led Dr. Roberts to be a
Christian physician, he made h'm a channel of
blessing.
225
Fred R. Moore
RED R. MOORE, publisher and
editor of the New York Age, is
generally conceded to be the most
fearless as well as the most in
fluential newspaper man in Am
erica. "Fred Moore," as every
body speaks of him, never hesitates to take a
strong stand either pro or con on any public ques
tion, and there is never any doubt as to his posi
tion ; for he either is for or against you. He may
be found at any time on the firing line, and noth
ing seems to please him better than to be in what
he terms "a fight for principle."
Owing to the high literary value of The Age ed
itorials and the independence of thought at all
times expressed on questions involving the rights
and progress of the Negro, be it in America, Haiti,
the West Indies or in Africa, The New York Age
is quoted by more white and colored papers than
any other publication. The recognition paid so
widely-known a journal naturally helps to keep its
editor in the limelight, and the public quite often
reads in the daily press of what the editor of the
Age has to say on this or that subject.
Fred R. Moore is a self-made man, one who has
made his way to the top and become a national
figure mainly through dogged determination and
an unfailing spirit of optimism. One's success in
life largely depends on himself-upon the amount
of effort put forth in spite of obtacles, he believes
and on this theory Mr. Moore has reached his pre
sent important status among his people.
Receiving only a common school education in the
District of Columbia, where he spent his childhood
days, as well as the most romantic period of his
life-courtship-Fred R. Moore began to take advan
tage of close contact with men of high character
and prominence when in his teens. While living
in Washington, D. C, he spent many years in the
Treasury Department, serving as confidential mes
senger to five Secretaries of the Treasury during
the Grant, Hayes, Arthur and Cleveland adminis
trations. Secretary Daniel Manning, who was a
member of Grover Cleveland's Cabinet during the
first administration, was very much attached to
Mr. Moore and had the latter accompany him to
England, treating the colored man as a companion
and friend in every particular.
In 1887, Fred R. Moore accepted a position with
the Western National Bank, where he worked in
all of the various departments and had charge of
the vault. He also served as delivery clerk in the
Clearing House. The Western National Bank af
terwards merged with the National Bank of Com
merce. While with the bank, Mr. Moore purchas
ed the Colored American Magazine, and in 1905,
left the banking institution to become deputy col
lector of the Internal Revenue for the Second Dis
trict of New York. A few months later he resign
ed to become National organizer of the National
Negro Business League.
Fred R. Moore acquired the controlling interest
in The New York Age, of T. Thomas Fortune, and
Jerome B. Peterson, in 1907. and under his manage
ment the paper has steadily grown in influence
and circulation. Mr. Moore was known as a
staunch and devoted friend of Booker T. Wash
ington, and the renowned Tuskegeean placed im
plicit confidence in his New York friend, who
showed a disposition to go to the front for the
Negro leader at any and all times. No one was
more profoundly touched by Booker T. Washing
ton's death than Fred R. Moore.
Just at the close of the Taft administration Fred
R. Moore, was confirmed by the Senate as United
States Minister to Liberia, the appointment having
been made some months before, but the Democrat
ic Senators had shown a disposition to hold up
many of President Taft's last appointments. Al
though given the proper credentials by the State
Department, and the duly accredited representa
tive of the United States Government to the black
republic, Mr. Moore never went to Africa. His
resignation was accepted by William Jennings Bry
an about three months later. Minister Moore re
ceived the emoluments due this country's diplo
matic representative to Liberia for the three
months.
Mr. Moore has been active in politics and in 1902
was nominated by his district in Brooklyn for the
State Legislature, receiving 2,156 votes. There
were 150 colored voters in the district. He was
an alternate delegate to the Republican National
Convention in 1908, and a member of the Advisory
Committee of the National Republican Committee
in 1912 and 1916. Mr. Moore is deeply interested
in civic affairs and is a member of the National Ne
gro Business League ; Member of the Executive
Committee National League on Urban Conditions
Among Negroes ; Empire Friendly Shelter ; Aux
iliary Member Committee of Fourteen, and other
organizations for the betterment of race condi
tions. In his church affiliation, Mr. Moore is an
Episcopalian.
In 1879, Fred R. Moore and Ida Lawrence were
married in Washington, D. C., and eighteen chil
dren have been born of the marriage. Mr. Moore
was born Jun 16, 1857.
226
REVEREND A. CLAYTON POWELL, D .D.
LAYTON Powell, son of An
thony and Sallie Dunning Powell,
was horn in a one-room log cabin
in Franklin County, Va., May 5,
1865, near the spot where Booker
T. Washington first saw the light.
In his tenth year he moved with his father and
mother to Knawha County, West Virginia, and
later to Ohio. He received his early training in the
public schools of West Virginia and Ohio. On
March 8, 1885, he was converted and baptised into
the fellowship of the First Baptist Church, of Ren-
dville, Ohio. A year later he went, to Washington,
D. C, with the intention of studying law, but be
cause of a deep religious experience his mind was
turned to theology. He holds two diplomas from
Virginia Union University, Richmond Virginia,
and spent two years, 1895-96, at Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.
His first call was to the First Baptist Church,
San Diego, California, but he finally accepted the
Ebenezer Baptist Church, of Philadelphia, where
he served for one year and was then called to the
pastorate of the Emanuel Baptist Church, New
Haven, Connetticutt. Here he had one of the
most successful pastorates of the country for fif
teen and a half years. The membership was in
creased from 135 to 625 ; the church building was
remodeled at a cost of $10,000 and every cent paid
within two years, and a splendid piece of property
adjoining the church purchased. In 1908 he re
signed this charge to accept a call to the Abyssin
ian Baptist Church, New York City, where he still
serves. During his nine years pastorate, 2200
persons have been added to the membership. This
is considered the wealthiest Negro Baptist church
in America, having under its control about $350,000
worth of property, with a membership of 3300.
Rev. Powell uses his pulpit every Sunday, not
only to preach the gospel but to secure good posi
tions for the members of his congregation and to
urge them to support Negro business enterprises.
He is especially interested in educational and so
cial service work. He is a trustee of Virginia Se
minary and College, the National Training School
for Women and Girls, Downingtown Industrial and
Agricultural College, a member of the Board of
Directors of the White Rose Industrial Home, the
Young Men's Christian Association, the National
League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes,
member of the National Association for the Ad
vancement of Colored People, P .N. F., of the
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, 32nd degree
Mason, and Knights of Pythias. He received the
title of Doctor of Divinity from Virginia Union
University, May 1904, and from Virginia Seminary
and College ,the same month. In 1900 he was del
egate to the World's Christian Endeavor Conven
tion, in London, and spent two months abroad vis
iting many places in Great Britian, France and
Ireland. He has also travelled through Canada.
Bermuda, and Mexico. Very few public speakers
are in greater demand than Rev. Powell. He has
crossed the American continent four times in an
swer to invitations to lecture and preach in Cali
fornia and other western states. He has spoken
on the platform with such men as Ex-President
Taft and Governor Charles S. Whitman, of New
York. He has been invited to lecture and deliver
commencement addresses at several of the leading
universities and schools. He is an honorary mem
ber of the Garnett Society of Lincoln University.
Extracts from his sermons and addresses often
appear in papers like the New York Times, Sun,
Brooklyn Eagle, and the leading dailies of New
England.
He is author of the following pamphlets : Eman
uel Baptist Church, Pastor and Members ; Some
Rights Not Denied the Negro Race ; A Plea for
Strong Manhood : A Three Fold Cord ; Valley of
Dry Bones ; Power of the Spirit the Need of the
Church; Significance of the Hour; Broken, But
Not Off; Watch Your Step. The pamphlets are
widely read. Some of them have run into the sev
en thousandth edition. Proceeds of these are used
to educate young men to the ministry.
He was Chairman of the Booker T. Washington
Memorial Committee of New York State.
Rev. Powell was married to Miss Mattie F. Scha-
fer, of Pratt, West Virginia. Two children,
Blanche F. and Adam Clayton, Jr., were born to
bless the home of this couple.
227
Lester A. Walton
ESTER A. Walton, journalist and
theatrical promoter, was born
at St. Louis, Mo., April 20, 1881,
and is the son of Benjamin A.
Walton and Ollie May Walton ;
old and highly respected residents
of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Walton is a product of the
public schools of his native city and is a graduate
of Summer High School.
After completing a business course in a local bus
iness college, Mr. Walton decided to take up jour
nalism as a profession and his first work was on
the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. At the time R. A.
Hudlin, a boyhood friend of Mr. Wralton's parents,
was postmaster of Clayton, Mo., and had for years
been the St. Louis County reporter for the Globe-
Democrat with headquarters at the county seat,
Clayton. Taking notice that young Walton poss
essed the earmarks of a newspaper man, Mr. Hud
lin made him his assistant as reporter on the St.
Louis Globe Democrat, which position Lester A.
Walton filled until he become "county man" for the
St. Louis Post-Despatch. The city editor of that
paper and the young reporter did not get along very
well and Mr. Walton resigned after a short time
and became "county man" for the St. Louis Star
Sayings, another evening paper, now known as
the St. Louis Star. The "county men" from the
St. Louis evening papers used to write their arti
cles and then dictate their articles over the long
distance telephone to stenographers in the local
room. It was not until the young colored reporter
was summoned one Saturday afternoon to report
at the Star Sayings' office and write a detailed ac
count of a big elopement to Clayton of prominent
'St. Louisians that his racial identity was made
known. Clayton was known as the "rural Gret-
na Green" That Saturday evening Lester A.Walton
walked into the local room of the Star Sayings,
going up to John W. Kearney, the city editor, ex
claimed : "I am Walton." "You are Walton?" ask
ed Mr. Kearney in surprise. "Well," continued the
city editor, "if you are game enough to report for
us and continue to make good I am game enough
to keep you on the staff." From that day the
two became fast friends.
After serving for nearly a year as "county man"
Lester A. Walton was brought into St. Louis and
made a member of the local Staff. He was assign
ed to the courthouse as Court Reporter. Together
with the eight divisions of the Circuit Court, the
Circuit Clerk's Office, Sheriff's Office, Court of
Appeals, Probate Court, Probate Clerk's Office,
he for five years "covered" the Second District
Police Court in the morning where he was a famil
iar figure. No matter whether the judge or city at
torney was Republican or Democrat, Lester A.
Walton was known to be on the most friendly
terms with them. The spectacle of a police court
judge, known to many in the neighborhood, leav
ing the Walton home on Sunday afternoon, was
a mild sensation in the immediate vicinity.
After six years on the St. Louis Star Sayings,
serving both as court reporter and general assign
ment man, Lester A. Walton went to New York
during the theatrical season of 1906-7, to write
the lyrics for the Rufus Rastus Company, of which
Ernest Hogan was the star. In St. Louis the com
edian and newspaper man had formed an acquaint
anceship and the former delegated his St. Louis
friend to write the lyrics for his show. When the
company went on the road, Mr. Walton served as
personal representative for Mr. Hogan, looking
after his business interests.
The following season, Lester A. Walton put out
a big act of ten people with Thomas Johnson, of
Klaw and Erlanger, and in February, 1908, became
dramatic editor of the New York Age, which had
been taken over by Fred R. Moore, some months
previous. The dramatic department was an in
stantaneous hit with both public and performer,
and was regarded by many as a feature of the pa
per. A few months later, Mr. Walton was also
made managing editor, and has filled the respective
position ever since. He is regarded as an author
ity on colored theatricals.
On June 29th, 1912, Lester A. Walton and Miss
Gladys F. Moore, daughter of Fred R. Moore, were
joined in wedlock and two fine children help to
make the Walton household a happy one.
For nearly two years Mr. Walton and associate
was lessee and manager of the Lafayette Theatre,
located in Harlem. The undertaking was a large
one, as the original rent asked for the house was
$25,000 yearly. Although the theatre originally
planned primarily for white people, had been a
rank failure ; it was a success under the Walton
management.
In December, 1917, Mr. Walton was appointed
a member of the Military Entertainment Service
by Mr. Marc Klaw, of the big theatrical firm of
Klaw and Erlanger, to supervise theatricals among
the colored draftees at all cantonments, working
under the direction of the War Department Com
mission on Training Camp Activities. He is also
connected with the Walton Publishing Company,
organized to publish songs and instrumental num
bers of talented and ambitious colored writers, en
countering difficulty in getting their compositions
published and put on the market.
228
WILLIAM P. HAYES, JR., D. D.
NE thing that is being pressed
home to us in this the crisis of
the world, is that so many men
have had no chance for educating
themselves. Or worse still, hav-
ing had the chance neglected it.
This fact is brought out by the government records
in all the different phases of life's activities. They
want men trained in every branch and in every
walk of life. The greater portion of the ministry
would be turned down if examined by Uncle Sam
for work in his department. This is a sad state
of affairs, and yet, not such a surprising one. For
the life of the race as a free people is not yet the
length of the life of a man who considers himself
middleaged. Maybe the greater surprise should
be shown because of the great number of men, who
in spite of hardships, poverty, back sets of all
kinds still persevered and are today thinkers — ed
ucators — persons of note and of weight. Then
there is the class of young men, born to parents
who had gotten just a taste of slavery, just enough
slavery to make them appreciate the privilege of
educating their children and themselves at the
same time. Of such parents, Rev. William P.
Hayes, D. D., was born.
January 18, 1881, in Bullocks, North Carolina,
there was born in the family of Rev. Hayes, a prom
inent Methodist minister, a young son. From the
first the father determined that the young lad
should have every advantage which he had enjoyed
and more. So at an early age we find young
William in school, where he made for himself an
enviable record. The first school of his own
choosing was Bennett College, Greensboro, North
Carolina. Leaving Bennett he went to Richmond,
Virginia, where he matriculated in the Virginia
Union University.
As he studied and worked to prepare him
self for life out in the world, Rev. Hayes spent
much time planning and deciding just what work
to follow. Medicine was alluring as was also
the ' remuneration that usually goes with one thor
oughly prepared in this profession. So he defin
itely decided to become a physician. But while he
was still very young the call of the ministry was so
strong that he had to give up his idea of medicine
and take up the study of theology instead. To the
mind of Rev. Hayes this is the principal episode of
his life.
After leaving school, Rev. Hayes taught in
Boydton Institute, Boydton, Virginia. Leaving
Boydton he went to the Keysville Industrial
School, and taught there for a short while. Still
using teaching as his point of contract with people
and their development, he went back to his Alma
Mater and taught for a while in Virgnia Union Un
iversity. He then branched out into his real life
work — that of preaching. For six years he served
as pastor of churches in Virginia. He then accept
ed the call from the Mount Olivet Baptsit Church,
New York City. Here he has remained for the
past seven years, preaching and leading his people
to a higher plane of thinking and of living.
He has not confined his work to the church. He
is a member of the Odd Fellows, of the Banquet
Beneficial League, of New York, and of the South
ern Beneficial League, of New York, and the In
dependent Order of St. Luke. He serves on the
committee of Management of the Y. M. C .A., of
New York City ; Music School Settlement for Col
ored People ; Howard Orphanage and Industrial
Institute ; Liberty Loan Committee, New York, Se
cretary of the Trustee Board, Northern Baptist
University. In all these organizations he is not
just a member but is active in the development
of each.
On November 16, 1910, Rev. Hayes was married
to Miss Carolyne Amee, of New York City. There
are no children in the family. Mrs. Hayes is ac
tive in all the affairs of her husband's church. She
has his interest at heart and lends her aid in every
place where she can. She, with her husband work
together for the social uplift of all who are around
them.
229
ANDREW N. JOHNSON
NDREW N. Johnson, of Nashville,
is a business man from tip to toe.
As such he has his own notions as
to the way of conducting business
enterprises and one's personal af
fairs. He believes and asserts very
emphatically that no customer should be asked to
spend his money from a motive of sympathy or
race loyalty, but that rather the Negro merchant
should bring his wares up to the standard of com
petition with the best in the market. Another set
policy of Mr. Johnson's is that he never goes in
debt, does not believe in credit, refuses to sign
notes and. enter into any of that form of pay-to
morrow, so common in all practices of business. He
pays cash or refuses to buy.
Mr. Johnson was born in Marion, Alabama, in
1866. He attended the public schools in Marion
and then the Marion State Normal School. From
the State Normal Institution, Mr. Johnson entered
Talladega College. On leaving Talladega, he took
Civil Service Examination and served as Postal
Clerk for three years, being retired for political
activity, then he went to Mobile, Alabama and be
gan the business of Undertaking, and publishing
"The Mobile Press." After fourteen years of re
markable success here he moved to Nashville,
Tenn., and established there once more his Under
taking house.
Mr. Johnson's is not a shop, but a house with its
waiting rooms, offices, its departments containing
all classes of caskets and funeral equipment ; with
its gallant span of horses and some half score of
limousines backed by Winton, McFarlan, Hudson,
and other high grade makes of cars, lined before
the door — all owned, paid for in cash. The estab
lishment rises, yes, soars far above the level even
of the better class of Undertaking businesses. In
deed, Mr. Johnson is reported by reliable author
ities to own the finest Undertaking equipment in
the South ; white or colored.
The late Dr. Booker T. Washington was exceed
ingly fond of preaching from the text, "To him
that hath,,' etc., which appears to be both a natural
and spiritual law. Mr. Johnson is a conspicuous
instance of the truth of this law. With all of this
establishment on his hands he does not cry, "hold,
enough", but rather reaches out for more kinds of
business to master. He was a member of the
Republican National Convention, which nominated
McKinley, Roosevelt and Hughes. He was also
the last Negro nominated for Congress by the Re
publican party of Alabama. He is President of
the Nashville Board of Trade, which organzation
was instrumental in building a Negro Library,
creating blocks and playgrounds and civic im
provements in Nashville — especially caring for the
thousands made homeless in the conflagration in
Nashville in the spring of 1918.
Mr. Johnson is the owner of the Johnson
Block, consisting of the Lincoln Theatre and a half
dozen business houses in the centre of the business
district of Nashville, one block from the State Cap
itol Bukling and on the same street. He is also
chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Grand
Lodge Knights of Pythias, and a member of the Y.
M. C. A. managing committee. He is president of
the Johnson- Allen Undertaking Co., of Mobile, Ala.
With all this responsibility on his shoulders, and
he attends to most of it personally, Mr. Johnson
finds time and money to join in most local and nat
ional enterprises for progress, such as entertaining
visitors, giving banquets, aiding in handling con
ventions, attending sessions of business leagues,
and of Undertakers, holding and playing a strong
hand in local political and projecting quite into
national politics. In all situations, he is ready to
be energetic, patient, pugnacious, hospitable and
generous as the situation may demand.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1886 to Miss Lillie
A. Jones, of Marion. Mrs. Jonhson is a graduate of
Talladega college. The two sons of the family are
already grown and in business. Mr. L. E. Johnson
is Secretary of the Johnson-Allen Undertakng
Company of Mobile, and Ur. A. N. Johnson. Jr., is
a practicing physician of Nashville, Tenn.
230
LEO FRITZ NEARON, M. D.
N recent years Colored men of for
eign birth have taken on many of
the traits and ambitions of the
American. This is especially true
in regard to gaining an education
and making a career. Time was
when people of any caste whatsoever in the foreign
countries regarded work as a calamity. They
were satisfied with their training, with their own
environment, preferring to stay at home and hus
band out their fortunes, small or large, to getting
out in the open and combating for a place in the
sun.
Among those to come forth and out-American,
the Yankee himself for education and career is Dr.
Leo Fitz Nearon, of New York City. Dr. Nearon
was born at St. George, Bermuda, July 17, 1881.
His early days were spent at home, where he at
tended the public schools and St. George Academy.
His academy days over, he began his struggle for
education and for a livelihood. For a time he
worked in the Bermuda shipyards, serving an ap
prenticeship. From shipyard apprentice he be
came a school teacher, teaching in the Bermuda
public schools 6 months, when he was but seven
teen years of age. School teaching failing to prove
the "Open Seasame" to him, as it has to many
others on their way forward, he took up work with
the St. George Bicycle Company, of Bermuda.
Again wages were too small.
Working here and there he finally made his way
to America. Here he set out to complete his
education and to become master of a profession.
Working summers and odd times during his school
days, he managed to enter, and to complete the
college course of Lincoln University in Pennsyl
vania, from which he was graduated in 1903.
What he had done to defray his expenses in col
lege he must now repeat for his course in the
study of medicine. Only, he had to redouble his
efforts, as his expenses were much heavier. Going
into New York, he registered in the New York
Medical College. He completed his course here in
1898. His internship was the next step forward.
He was fortunate enough to become an interne in
New York, where he had been graduated. He did
his time in the Flower Hospital, and then did post
graduate work in the Lying-in Hospital, in the
Flower and Metropolitan Hospitals.
New York, though rife with competition, ap
pealed to him as a desirable place in whch to be
gin practice. He hung out his sign as a physician
and surgeon and began his work. In ten years he
has built up a very extensive practice and made
many friends in Gotham. He owns a three-story
residence, a residence with a brown stone front,
and one which cost $12,500.
While Dr. Nearon has not yet taken on the re
sponsibilities of domestic life, he has allied himself
with many available organizations for personal up
lift and professional service. He is a member of
the Protestant Episcopal Church. He holds mem
bership in many lodges and medical organizations.
He is Past Deputy Grand Master of the I. O. U. of
M. A., a member of the B. K. Bruce 8171, G. U. O.
of O. F., of the Juanita Household of Ruth 4091;
of the Lincoln Tabernacle 6024, G. U. O. of F. G.,
and Past Grand Master of Council 403, of New
York Patriarchs Number 2 ; Past Exalted Ruler of
Elks. Professionally he is a physician to the Day
Nursery, to the B. K. Bruce Lodge, to the Imperial
Lodge of Elks, to the St. Manual Lodge, to Eureka
Temple, Invincible Temple, and to Excelsior Lodge.
In addition to his affiliation in these bodies he
carries membership in seven medical bodies. He
belongs to the County Medical Socety of New
York, to the State Medical Society, to the Aescolo-
pian Medical Society, the National Medical Society,
to the Manhattan Medical Society, to the Medical
Clinical Society. In all these organizations he takes
an active part, bringing in his experiences, throw
ing light upon many of the vexing problems in the
practice of both medicine and surgery.
231
THE CLEF CLUB GRAND ORCHESTRA, N. Y. CITY
ROBABLY the most written of
and deservedly popular Negro or
ganization of New York City to
day is the Clef Club. Its name
is a synonoym for all that is ex
cellent, original, and aristocrat
ic in music and in musical and
lighter drama. Whether its sig
nature stands back of an individual, a quartet, a
troup, or an orchestra of one hundred pieces, it
means finished eclat.
This talented body was incorporated in the City
of New York, in May, 1910. Considering the ma
terial out of which it was formed, it stands as a
modern miracle. About the date named, a number
of aspirants to musical honors met with James
Reese Europe, to learn and practice note reading.
They made their debut at the Manhattan Casino,
under the direction of the founder and president,
James Reese Europe, who now, by the way is
leading a band "Somewhere in France," was assis
ted by William H. Tyler. In a few years they were
in Carnegie Hall and in about any other Hall, pri
vate or public, they wanted in New York.
To original song and music, meaning thereby
that a great many instrumental and vocal selec
tion numbers were the work of the members of the
company, were interspersed with very entertain
ing and original dramatic parts. Confidence and
ambition growing, they ventured out of New York.
They went down to Pi i'adelphia, Washington, and
Richmond, were banqueted and applauded to their
heart's content, and returned to New York in a
halo of glory and inspiration, the organization in
tact ; the railroad fares and other expenses more
than generously cared for. Perhaps no other
summary can be made of their success than is giv
en in the "Richmond Times Dispatch."
"In many respects the most remarkable concert
ever given in Richmond was offered at the City
Auditorium last night by the Clef Club, an organi
zation of Negro singers and instrumentalists, un
der the direction of the well known James Reese
Europe, assisted by William H. Tyler."
"An orchestra of sixty men, playing and sing
ing fortissimo — remarkable indeed ; and theirs are
not the rusty, unused voices of musicians who are
instumentalists alone, but those of strong, vigorous
young Negro men, to whom singing conies as na
turally as breathing. Nor did they attempt to sing
difficult, elaborate music, though, for a matter,
Europe is abundantly able to teach them anything
he might select, but confined their choral singing
to rousing, melodious, full-voiced pieces that lent
themselves admirably to their natural style.
"Practically every number on the program was
the composition of a Negro, from Coleridge-Tay
lor, who was an international figure in the world
of music, to lesser but competent men. Several
of the pieces were written by Europe himself, and
excellently written, while the work of the assis
tant conductor, Tyler, was also represented."
To the roles of leaders in music the Clef Club
has added another feature that is varying with its
musical reputation ; that is the social feature. New
York society makes it as a gala day when the Clef
Club entertains. Then one can gain a glimpse
of the elite en masse, among the colored people.
Their balls at the Manhattan Casino have become
famous throughout the country. Mr. Daniel Kil-
gore succeeded Mr. Europe as President of the
Club and was in turn succeeded by Deacon John
son, its present head.
Its policies, though undergoing refinements, re
mains the same to produce original Negro music
and to place deserving talent before the public.
232
BERRY O'KELLY
O see a man of prominence and of
comparative wealth who has
climbed from the bottom of the
ladder unaided — a man who does
not even know the date of his
birth is one of the anomalies of
the Negro race. No where else in the world in this
privilege given so freely to the common man. Mr.
Berry O'Kelly, of Method, North Carolina, is one
of the many Negroes in America who has seized
upon this opportunity and made the most of it.
Mr. O'Kelly was born in Chapel Hill, Orange
County, North Carolina. The date of his birth he
does not know. He never saw his mother or his
father to know them, his mother having died when
he was still an infant. As a lad he attended the pub
lic schools of Orange and Wake Counties, getting
from his meager chances for schooling all that he
could, in fact getting more from this chance than
many young boy of his day got from much better
Opportunities. So we find Mr. O'Kelly as a man
with a foundation laid in childhood and in young
manhood upon which he has builded a superstruc
ture of culture and refinement. This has been done
through the medium of contact and travel.
At the early age of sixteen, Mr. O'Kelly started
out in the mercantile business. Tie has never
changed his business. He has only added to it.
So today we find Mr. O'Kelly in the mercantile bus-
siness and dealing in Real Estate. When we look
at all that this man stands for, all that he owns in
his own name, it is hard for us to look back and
see the start he had. He worked for $5.00 to
$12.00 a month until he had saved $100.00. He
never had but two employers. This took time and
the very strictest economy. To Mr. O'Kelly this
was no real hardship for he had his goal before
him. Having gotten trie $100.00 he went into bus
iness with Mr. C. H. Woods. The business was
known as Wood and O'Kelly. After a short time
Mr. Wood wished to go west and sold out. So Mr.
O'Kelly came into the possession of the whole bus
iness. Starting with the small capital of $100.00,
the business has grown to the the extent that two
railroad warehouses are used constantly for the
accomodation of it.
In addition to owning his business and business
interests, the subject of this sketch has accumulat
ed considerable real estate. He owns over 1,000
acres of farm land, and a lot of city property, bank
stock and other stock of value. Mr. O'Kelly has
continued with the habit formed while he was still
very young, the habit of saving and investing wis
ely.
In religious belief, Mr. O'Kelly is a member of
the African Episcopal Church, and a helper in all
denominations. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
For more than twenty-five years he served his
town in the capacity of Post-Master. He is now
the Chairman of the School Committee of the
Berry O'Kelly County Teachers Training School.
This is an institution which because of the very li
beral way in which Mr. O'Kelly gave to its support
bears his name. The Governors of North Caro
lina have given him many appointments. In all
the duties thus thrust upon him he has measured
up to the expectations of the people. On several
occassions he has been elected a delegate to Na
tional Bodies, and he is a life member of the Na
tional Negro Business League.
One of the things that has made the culture of
this man is the travels it has been his opportunity
to enjoy. He has traveled all over this country
and over Europe, Asia, and over parts of Africa.
The effect of these days spent in travel are appar
ent in the talks and actions of Mr. O'Kelly. It is
this that has made the superstructure of culture
and refinement upon the foundation laid in the
little country school back in Orange and Wake
County, North Carolina.
About twenty years ago, Mr. O'Kelly was mar
ried to Miss Chanie Ligon. For twelve years she
was to him a helpmate in the truest sense of the
word. About eight years ago she died. There
were no children and so once more Berry O'Kelly
was left alone in the world. But the conditions
are so different from the other time when both his
father and mother left him to the mercies of the
world. The man himself, has been the sole
cause of the change in these conditions — then there
was nothing. Today he is a man of means, of bus
iness ability, of social prominence, of culture and
refinement.
233
Isaac A. Lawrence, M. D.
ARCH 3rd, 1870, there was born at
Morg Neck, Maryland, a baby
boy, whose destiny carried him
along a rocky path in his early
life, but which led him finally to
a goal which any one might envy.
This boy was Dr. I. A. Lawr-ence of Elizabeth, New
Jersey. His father died when he, an only child,
was only two years of age, leaving his mother in
abject proverty. This entailed upon young Isaac
the extreme hardships which follow in the wake of
poverty. His early days were marked with great
privations and suffering. Frequently during se
vere winters he went without an overcoat and with
but meager garments of any kind to protect him
tVom the cold. The dump heap became his friend,
and he often resorted to it to fish out the old and
discarded shoes of other boys, for his mother was
unable to buy him covering for his feet. His feet
would present an odd appearance for it was not of
ten that he could secure mates of the same kind of
shoes. Frequently he would be seen with a lace
shoe on one foot and a button shoe on the other.
Necessity knew no fashion as well as no law with
h'm, and so long as his feet were fairly well pro
tected he did not mind the smiles of the passers by.
Adversity did another thing for him — it early
developed in him those qualities which go to make
up the man. He began doing his part in sustaining
the family at the early age of six years. His first
(work was to turn bricks, which earned him five
cents per thousand. He was an industrious boy,
and very frugal, habits which aided him in all of
his life struggles.
It is not surprising that a boy exhibiting such
grit and determination should elect to educate him
self and he worked and saved to this end. His
progress through school was marked by the same
hardships that characterized his early boyhood. To
add to his difficulties him money was frequently
stolen from him at the most inopportune times. At
one time after working all summer and saving his
money earned as waiter at a seashore resort, the
whole sum was stolen the day before the hotel
closed for the season.
He was the first colored pupil admitted to the
South Chester High School, from which he gradua
ted in 1888. To do this he was compelled to work-
in a mill, from six in the evening, until six in the
morning, attending school during the day, the ses
sion being from 9 A. M. to 2 P. M. In this way
— working at night and studying during the day, he
not only graduated from the South Chester High
School, but saved enough money to enter the Lin
coln University. He entered the University in 1888,
and graduated therefrom in 1892. His first idea
was to practice law and on leaving college he took
up the study of law, but owing to the death of his
preceptor, and his change of mind regarding the
profession, he gave up this study and turned his
mind towards medicine. In order to take a med
ical course the money question again came to the
front so he was compelled to teach for a while be
fore entering college.
He matriculated at Howard University in 1893,
and remained there one year, when he went to
Shaw University and finshed the medical course.
Pluck, energy, integrity and patience are sure to
bring a rich reward, not only in the development
of character, but in material blessings, and so it
was with Dr. Lawrence. The day of his prosper
ity dawned when he completed his medical course
at Shaw University. From that day his star of
hope and prosperity began to rise.
O" completing his medical course at Shaw he
began the practice of his profession in Elizabeth,
N. J. From this time fortune began to smile upon
him and has ever since.
He was married to Miss Ardelia Matthews, of
Hawkinsville, Georgia, in 1902. They have one
daughter, who is nine years old, Hattie Christine,
a musical prodigy.
Aside from the practice of his profession, Dr.
Lawrence has been very active along all lines that
tend to uplift his people. He was for several years
the Superintendent of Mt. Teman A. M. E. Sunday
School, which prospered greatly under his adminis
tration. He was the first president of the North
Jersey Medical Association. This is perhaps the
best and most widely known local colored medical
society in the United States. He helped to organ
ize and was first and the only president of the Al
pha Hen Association which for thirteen years has
been the leading insurance company among the
colored people of the North. He was organizer
of the Alpha Investment Company and its only
president. This is the leading investment company
among colored people in the United States, and has
been in existence since 1905.
In fraternal organizations he has taken a promi
nent part, being Past Chancellor Commander of
Knights of Pyhias, a member of the Elks, and Odd
Fellows, and at present Grand Master of Masons
of New Jersey. His real estate holdings are ex
tensive. Indeed, whenever Dr. Lawrence casts up
his accounts and estimates his holdings he smiles
and says that they are worth far more than all the
boys whose cast off shoes he wore back there in
his day of want and poverty.
234
SAMUEL H. VICK
CHOOL man and public servant,
Samuel H. Vick of Wilson, North
Carolina worked his way from the
ground, as it were, to a place of
eminence in both school work and
in the service of his government.
born in Castalia, North Carolina,
As a boy he attended the public
Mr. Vick was
April 1st, 1863.
schools of Wilson, the town to which he was to re
turn and in which he was to make for himself an
enviable career. Completing his work in the pub
lic schools of Wilson, he matriculated in Lincoln
University, in Pennsylvana. He was graduated
from Lincoln in 1884.
His course through school and college was by no
means one of ease or opulence. Even when he was
very young he must needs work, not only to go to
school, but for his own sustenance. When he was
but thirteen years of age he found employment in
a grocery store. Here he worked in spare hours
and went to school during school session. His va
cations were also spent in working in this grocery
store. Thus as a grocery clerk he made his way
through the public schools and through Lincoln
University.
Graduating from Lincoln in 1884 he returned to
Wilson and secured a post as an assistant teacher
in the city graded schools. This position he held
for one year. At the end of the school year he was
promoted to a principalship in Wilson. For the
next five years he was principal of the Negro pub
lic school of his native town. It was at that time
common to appoint respectable and deserving col
ored men to political office especially when the Re
publican Party was in power. When Benjamin Har
rison came into office several of these more de
serving positions were given to leading Negroes.
Among those to fall heir to one of these posts was
Mr. Vick, who was made postmaster of Wilson. In
many sections of the south the loud complaints
were made about putting Negroes in public office at
all, and especially in office where they would be
over white people, and would be brought more or
less in social contact with white people. But Mr.
Vick managed to escape most of this protest, and
to conduct the post office with such efficiency that
whatever complaint might have come forth at first
was soo stifled. Indeed, so thoroughly had he
administered his office that when the administra
tion changed there were not a few of the leading
citizens of Wilson who eagerly desired his reten
tion.
However, he went out of office, and sought other
fields for his talents. The Presbyterian church,
which had given Lincoln University, and which was
working among the churches as well as among the
schools soon enlisted his services. This body put
Mr. Vick in the field to labor among the Sunday
Schools, working as a Sunday School Missionary.
His own home town had not however forgot his
services either as a school man or as a postmaster.
He had not therefore been out of the post office
many years before they appointed him to another
post of public service. He was made a member of
the County Board of Education of Wilson County,
and served his county with the same credit to him
self that he had served in the Wilson Post Office.
Then came further evidence that the people of
Wilson, white as well as black, were well pleased
with the service he had given them as postmaster.
When McKinley was elected Mr. Vick was once
more made post master of his native city. Here he
served a second time for a period of five years. He
was now ready to retire from active service which
he did, devoting his time to public service and to
looking after his personal interests.
During his early days in Wilson he had made
some investments in real estate and in land im
provement. This work with his various secret
order obligations he now retired to superintend.
Mr. Vick is a member of the Presbyterian church,
a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Pythian. In the first
named secret body he is First Colonel of the North
Carolina Patriarchy, and has been twice Grand
Master of the Odd Fellows of North Carolina. He
has traveled very extensively in America, having
toured the east, and much of the west and south.
Mr. Vick was married to Miss Annie M. Wash
ington of Wilson, in May 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Vick
have seven children.
235
WILLIAM GASTON PEARSON, B. S., A. M., PH. D.
ILLIAM G. Pearson, school teach
er, business man and educator, is
one of those stalwart men of Dur
ham, North Carolina. He was born
in the days of slavery, in 1859, in
the place which is now known as
Durham, but unknown then as anything save a
semi-rural settlement. Of course early education
with him was out of the question, except that se
vere brand which many of the young slaves tasted
on the plantations.
When public schools for Negroes were establish
ed in Durham, Mr. Pearson enrolled and began his
education in books. However, these schools ran
but six months in the year and had teachers with
only meagre preparation. The young exslave need
ed merely to get a start. After this he taught him
self until after the age of twenty-one when he
entered Shaw University.
Graduating from Shaw in 1886, with the degree
of Bachelor of Science, Mr. Pearson began his ca
reer as a teacher in public schools. From that time
on he was a teacher, principal, worker in the graded
school of Durham for twenty years. However, he
did not cease to study. He did not only continue to
labor with his books during spare hours at home
but pursued courses in Cornell University and in
other institutions in the summer. In recognition of
his continuous growth and of service to education,
Shaw University conferred upon him the degree of
Master of Arts, in 1890, and in 1915, Kittrel College
made him Doctor of Philosophy.
Professor Pearson as he came to be known, has
widened his influence and his activities, from year
to year, both in school work and in business. He
soon became a trustee of Kittrell College, Secre
tary of the Board of Trustees of the National
Training School, of Durham, and a director of the
Mechanics and Farmers' Bank of Durham, trustee
of Lincoln Hospital, and one of the prime movers
in practically every uplift undertaking of Durham,
indeed of North Carolina. In this respect he be
came not only a worker, but a giver as well. The
most celebrated donation he has made, though he
has an open hand for all good causes, was the giv
ing to Kittrell College, a model school building.
Distinguished as are Mr. Pearson's services as
teacher and Educator, probably his most lasting
and most helpful contribution is the organization
known as the Royal Knights of King David. This
body, which is, strictly speaking, an insurance or
der, operates in several states, and has deposits
with insurance Commissioners in these states to
protect its patrons. Its fees are small ; it insures
men, women and children ; but its dividends and
benefits are sure and prompt. It ranks as one of
the best Negro Insurance companies in America.
In his office of six clerks, graduates from the best
institutions, Mr. Pearson keeps in intimate touch
with all the branch houses and orders both in
North Carolina and in other states.
Mr. Pearson was married in 1893 to Mrs. Minnie
S. Summer of Charlotte, North Carolina. Mrs.
Pearson is a graduate of Livingston College, at
Salisbury, and a woman of rare talent. She has
done, much as Dr. Pearson will very frequently tell
you, in shaping the career of her distinguished hus
band.
Mr. Pearson is an ardent church worker, being
one of the pillars of the A. M. E. Church. His high
standing in the church, coupled with his clean re
putation in business and in school work make his
word his bond and a guide to all who know him.
The records show that Mr. Pearson's wealth is val
ued at $75,000.
William G. Pearson is a many sided man and
every aspect of his attainments and service shine
forth with a resplendance so great that it has at
tracted attention to him near and far. He is a
schools teacher, an educator of marked ability and
a business man and in all of these lines he is recog
nized as a man of great intelligence and power.
He is a most influencial citizen of North Carolina.
236
ALBERT WITHERSPOON PEGUES, A. B., B. D.
ORN Nov. 25, 1859, Albert W. Pe-
gues, had a little taste of slav
ery, but not enough to effect in
any way his ambitions as a young
man. He was born in Raleigh,
North Carolina, and he set for
himself the attainment of learning and a distinct
position in the world as an educator. To this end
he sat under many men of learning and made in
timate acquaintance with a very large number of
American Colleges and Universities.
Mr. Pegues is a Baptist in his faith, and so it
was that in choosing his first school he made one
of the Baptist schools his choice. Thus we find
him first as student at Benedict College, Columbia,
S. C., where he stayed for a time and then changed
to Richmond Institute — now Union University.
We next find the young student enrolled in Buck-
nell University, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where
he remained till he received his Bachelor Degree.
Mr. Pegues, when he had opportunity to pursue
his studies further, went to Chicago and attended
lecture courses at the University of Chicago, Illi
nois.
By the time he was twenty-seven years of age,
Dr. Pegues was ready to undertake his career as
an educator. His first post of responsibility in
school was that of Principal of the Summer High
School, of Parkersburg, West Virginia. This po
sition he accepted in 1886 and held for one year.
Then he got an appointment to a larger institu
tion, left Parkersburg, and took up the work in the
new field which was in Shaw University, in Ra
leigh, North Carolina. Thus we have the young
man in a very responsible position in his native
town, a sight which is altogether too rare. In
Shaw he labored for sixteen years. Owing to his
very thorough preparation he was able to serve
in the capacity of Dean of the College Department
and in that of Dean of the Theological Depart
ment. For six years he held the former and for
ten years he held the latter position.
At the end of sixteen years of service for Shaw
University, Dr. Pegues resigned to accept the
Principalship of the Colored Department of the
North Carolina State School for the Blind and
Deaf, the position which he now holds.
Along with his duties as an educator. Dr. Pe
gues has found time to do considerable writing.
About twenty-five years ago he published a book
"Our Ministers and Schools." This book was very
widely read and it did a great deal toward making
a name for Dr. Pegues. He has also been a very
liberal contributor to papers. Then Dr. Pegues
has spent much time and thought in the prepara
tion of speeches, for in connection with his school
work he has been in constant demand as a speak
er. For some years he was statistical Secretary
of the National Baptist Convention. In North
Carolina he has had the honor of serving his de
nomination in every capacity. He is Secre
tary of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission
Convention, a position he had held since its organi
zation. For eighteen years he has been Corres
ponding Secrtary of the Baptist State Sunday
School Convention, a position of trust and one in
which Dr. Pegues has had opportunity to do great
good.
Severing his connection with Shaw University as
Dean did not really sever his connections with
the school, for Dr. Pegues still serves this insti
tution, where for so many years he labored, in the
capacity of Trustee. He is also a Trustee of Girl's
Training School, of Franklinton, North Carolina.
Dr. Pegues has given of his energy and strength
in still one other direction. He has taken consi
derable interest in business. During the years, he
has been out of school and at work for himself he
has been able to accumulate considerable property.
Dr. Pegues is an Odd Fellow and Mason. In 1890.
Dr. Pegues was married to Miss Ella Christian, of
Richmond, Virginia. They have two children.
237
BISHOP ALEXANDER P. CAMPHOR, A. B., B. D.
ISHOP Alexander P. Camphor.
Bishop of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, was born in a
cabin that comprised one of a
group of shacks known as "Negro
Quarters," in Jefferson Parish,
Louisiana, on a large sugar plan
tation twelve miles east of New
Orleans. The Bishop has told his own story so
well that we shall read as he has written:
"Both my parents," says he, "had been slaves, the
Emancipation Proclamation having gone into ef
fect two years previous to my birth. My mother
is still living but my father died when I was an
infant. My father had secured knowledge enough
to read the Bible and to write his mother's name.
"Mother made a solemn pledge to father before
he died, that she would spare no pains in giving me
an education. Being unlearned and without means
she decided that the only way to do this was to
give me away to one whom she believed could
more easily educate me than herself. Accordingly
when eight years of age I left the plantation to live
in the city, of New Orleans, with Stephen Priestley.
"It seems providential that I should have fallen
into such hands as those of Stephen Priestley, for
in my foster father I had both rigid school-master
and a rugged old fashioned Methodist preacher to
direct my feet aright.
I attended public school in Carrolton, and after
completing the work there entered New Orleans
University, where I graduated in 1889, receiving
the Bachelor of Arts Degree. During the greatest
revival in the history of the University, conducted
by the Rev. Wm. R. Webster, D. D., of Massachu
setts ,1 was converted and later licensed to preach.
I was then 16 years of age. After graduation I
taught four years as Professor of Mathematics in
my Alma Mater. Completing the full course
there and securing the Bachelor of Divinity degree,
I entered the ministry and was appointed pastor
of James M. E. Church, Germantown, Pa. My next
appointment was to Orange, N. J., while there I
received an invitation from Bishop Hartzell to go
as missionary to Africa, and I was ready to go.
"My wife and I were the first regularly appointed
colored missionaries under the Prent Board to the
"Dark Continent." As president of the college of
West Africa and superintendent of the Methodist
Schools in Liberia from 1896 to 1907. I had the
pleasure of contributing to the advancement of the
work.
"While in Liberia I gathered original material
for two volumes "Missionary Story Sketches and
Folklore from Africa" and "Liberia, the Afro-
American Republic." Returning to America in 1907
I was persuaded that I could better serve Africa by
helping to educate the youth of my race in Amer
ica. For this reason I accepted the presidency of
the Central Alabama Institute located at Birming
ham, Ala., where I have labored for the past eight
years.
"I was three times elected delegate to the Gen
eral Conference and once a delegate to the World's
Missionary Conference at Edinburgh, Scotland. At
the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church that met at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., by an
almost unanimous vote of that body I was elected
Bishop of Africa. In this office I succeeded Bishop
I. B. Scott and will be associated with Bishop E. S.
Johnson. These evidences of confidence on the part
of the church have only served to intensify and in
flame my zeal for unselfish service, that the cause
of education and Religion might be all the more
speedily advanced."
Bishop Camphor is an illustration of the law of
service as laid down by the master whom he serves
—the Lord Jesus Christ — who said that the road
to greatness is through service. "When God wants
a worker He calls a worker. When He has work
to be done, he goes to those who are already at
work. When God wants a great servant, He calls
a busy man."
Bishop Camphor is not only a busy man but a
very busy man, just such a man as God can use,
and his remarkable accomplishments attest to the
divine guidance and help. The secret of his suc
cess lies in his great love of humanity and his love
of service. It is this spirit that makes him a man
beloved by all who come in personal contact with
him and who fall under the spell of his influence.
Bishop Camphor could say with Thomas H. Gill :
"The more I triumph in thy gifts,
The more I wait on thee ;
The grace that mightily uplifts
Most sweetly humbleth me."
Bishop Camphor was married to Miss Mamie
Anna Rebecca Weathers in 1893, at Atlanta, Ga.
They have no children.
238
LEWIS GARNETT JORDAN, 1). I)
R. Lewis Garnett Jordan in one
of those who has climbed all
the way from the abject ignor
ance of slavery to a manhood of
travel and culture, from being
the property of his master to
owning property in his own name
and acquiring great property for
his church. He was born a slave in 1853. near Me
ridian, Mississippi. His father was Jack Gaddis,
and his mother Mariah Carey, but when be be
came a free man he chose a name for himself and
so we have Dr. Jordan. Although born when it
was impossible to get an education and hard to
get one even after he was freed, we find Dr. Jor
dan as a lad getting all that he could in the way of
book knowledge in the public schools of both Me
ridian and Natchez . Mississippi. He also spent
some time as a student in Roger Williams Univer
sity, at Nashville, Tennessee. Here in Roger Wil
liams, one of the largest and oldest institutions of
the Baptist Church, Dr. Jordan got an insight into
things and an inspiration that has never left him.
His degree of Doctor of Divinity was received
from Natchez College in 1880, and from Gauda-
loupe in 1903.
Merely the bare facts of the very active life lead
by Dr. Jordan can be recorded here. He was or
dained to the Baptist Ministry in 1875. He built
churches while pastoring at Yazoo City, Mississ
ippi, in 1878 ; in San Antonio, Texas, in 1883 ; in
Waco, Texas, in 1886, in Hearne, Texas, in 1888;
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1893. This is a
great service for any man to render to his church.
Since 1896, Dr. Jordan has served his denomina
tion in the capacity of Corresponding Secretary of
the Foreign Mission Board, of the National Bap
tist Convention, and he still holds this position.
He is the Senior Secretary of the National Bap
tist Convention and is regarded as one of its most
influential members.
During his incumbency in office more than for
ty missionaries have been sent into its field in
South America, the West Indies, the western,
southern and central parts of Africa. During this
time they have received several bequests, the lat
est of importance exceeding $30,000.00. Under
his administration of the affairs of this branch
ci" the work the board has acquired property in
its fields valued at about $47,000.00.,This includes
the land, churches, stations, schools and homes.
Dr. Jordan has had other honor's showered upon
him by his denomination. He was delegate to the
World's Baptist Alliance, England, in 1904, and to
t^he World's Missionary Conference, Edinburgh.
Dr. Jordan has not confined his work to the
church. He is an active member of the Y. M. C.
A., and active in the Equal Rights of League Socie
ty for the Advancement of Colored People. He 13
..sident of the Douglass Improvement Company
and trustee of the National Baptist Training
School for Women and Girls in Washington, D. C.
I : has also taken an active interest in the political
life of his country. He is a Prohibitionist and has
had the honor of being delegate to nearly every
National Convention of his party since 1888. At
one time he was candidate for Congresman-at-
large for Pennsylvania. He is a life member of the
National Negro Business Men's League, a Mason,
a member of the Independent Order of St. Luke
and a member of the American Woodmen of the
world.
Dr. Jordan has traveled all over this country and
has visited England and Scotland, has been to the
West Indies twice, to Africa three times, to South
America once. During his trip to Africa, in 1917
the President of Liberia conferred upon him the
Knighthood of the Republic "Knight Commander
of the Liberian Humane Order of African Redemp
tion." The effect of this extensive travel is seen
in the writings and the lectures of this public spi
rited man. He is the founder and Editor of the
Mission Herald, outhor of "Up the Ladder in Mis
sions," 1908; "Prince of Africa," 1911; "In Our
Stead," 1913; "Pebbles from an African Beach,"
1917. This represents a great deal of work on the
part of Dr. Jordan and has added immeasurably
to his usefulness in the denomination.
Dr. Jordan, while not a man of means, the bulk
of his earnings having been contributed to further
Religious and Civil enterprises for national and
racial uplift, may, however, easily be rated at
$10,000.00 realty holdings, besides several thous
and dollars interest in a number of undeveloped
enterprises.
Dr. Jordan has been twice married. His first
wife was Mrs. Fannie Armstrong. They were
married in 1880, and they lived together till her
death, thirty years later. He was married, May
29, 1913, to Mrs. M. J. Marquess, of Helena, Ark.
239
BISHOP WILLIAM HENRY HEARD
HAT the life of Bishop William
Henry Heard, Bishop for Louis
iana and Mississippi has been one
of steady climbing is seen by
a simple recital of the main facts
in his life. He was born in El-
bert County, Georgia, June 25,
1850. From the date we may ga
ther the facts of his early life. Although too young
to know many of the horrors of slavery, he still
knew enough of that period to appreciate his per
sonal freedom.
One of the blessings that came to him was that
he lived with people who had ambition for his bet
terment. So the young man had plenty of oppor
tunities to attend school. He was a student in the
South Carolina University, Atlanta University,
Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia, and in the Re
form Divinity School, in West Philadelphia, Penn
sylvania. In all of these institutions he distin
guished himself both by his good scholarship and
by his manly conduct.
It was not a sudden jump to the Bishopric for
Bishop Heard. He traveled the long road that
has to be taken by all who achieve success. He
has served in political offices of various kinds. He
was at one time a Railway Postal Clerk, he was a
member of the South Carolina Legislature from
Abbeville County, he was United States Minis
ter Resident and Council General to the Court of
Liberia, Africa. In this manner he has been able
to serve his government.
At the age of thirty, in 1880 Bishop Heard join
ed the A. M. E. Conference of North Georgia.
Thus began the round of charges that fall to the
lot of the minister of any denomination and espec
ially to the lot of the Methodist Minister. He
served Johnston Mission, Athens, Georgia ; Mark-
ham Street Mission, Atlanta, Georgia ; Aiken Sta
tion, Aiken, South Carolina ; Mt. Zion Station,
Charleston, South Carolina ; and Allen Chapel, Phi
ladelphia, Pennsylvania. At this time, having ser
ved his charges so very well, Bishop Heard was
promoted to the position of Presiding Elder. He
was at this time working in the Philadelphia Con
ference. His first district was the Lancaster Dis
trict. He pastored the Bethel Church at Phila
delphia, Pennsylvania, and the Mother Church of
the Connection. He then had the two charges of
Wilmington Station and Harrisburg. At this time
he gave up the work in this country and served
as superintendent of Missions in West Africa, but
returned to the work of his own land to take the
Zion Chapel, at Philadelphia, and Presiding Elder
of Long Island District, New York Conference.
He next served Phoenixville. Pennsylvania and
Allen Temple, Atlanta, Georgia. This represents
working with a great number of people. A great
many souls were by this time saved through the
ministration of this man.
While still serving in the capacity of pastor,
Bishop Heard realized the need of the Preachers'
Aid Society. To help this organization along he
served as its Secretary for four years. This ser
vice was given freely without any remuneration
whatever. As a culmination of the long years of
service in the various places he was elected Bishop
of his church. No more worthy man could have
been found to fill the place. May 20, 1908, at Nor
folk, Virginia, he was ordained. This was not the
end of his very active career, but merely a broad
ening of his field of labor. So well had he served
in the small fields given him that his denomina
tion had the confidence in him to believe that he
would do the work of the greater fields.
His first charge in the capacity of Bishop was in
Africa. Here he remained for eight years. The
Church there grew under his ministration. He
added materially to the cause while serving in this
post. At the same time he served his govern
ment in an official capacity. So we see that the
name of Heard is well known in West Africa. Re
turning to this country, Bishop Heard was made
Bishop of Mississippi and Louisiana. In this po
sition he is still serving.
The life of this man should be an inspiration to
any young man who has for his aim in life the
preaching of the Gospel. In Bishop Heard we
have an excellent example of a man who has done
what he set out to do. Helping him all along
the way in every step of the journey we find Mrs.
Heard. She was Miss Josephine D. Henderson,
daughter of Lafayette and Anna Henderson. The
Heard's were married in 1882, in their Georgia
home. Both Bishop and Mrs. Heard have the love
and the esteem of all who know them.
240
BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PENNSYLVANIA
[NCOLN University is the oldest
Institution for the Higher Educa
tion of the Negro. It was pledged
to God in an ordination service in
1849. The General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church gave its
sanction in 1853. The Legislature of Pennsylvania
granted a Charter to Ashmun Institute in 1854. A
modest building was erected and the doors were
opened to four students in 1857. The Legislature
changed the name to Lincoln University in 1866.
The Reverend Mr. John Pym Carter, and Reverend
Mr. John Wynn Martin, D D ., were the two suc
cessive Presidents and the whole Faculty in them
selves from 1857 to 1865. The Reverend Mr. Isaac
Norton Rendall, D. D., was President from 1865 to
1906 and the Reverend Mr. John B. Rendall. D. D.,
has been President since 1906.
The University owns equipment, buildings and
grounds, costing $350,000, and productive endow
ment to the amount of $650.000. Its annaul current
expenditures approximate $50,000. It has two De
partments, a College, and a Theological Seminary.
In its 60 years of history, Lincoln University has
had 1638 students in its College, and 628 in its Sem
inary.
The Alumni statistics show 656 ministers of all
denonmations ; 263 doctors including dentists and
druggists ; 255 teachers ; 227 in business ; and 86
lawyers. The students have come from almost ev
ery state of the Union, and the Alumni have gone
to virtually every state of the Union, as well as to
Africa, South America, and the Isles of the Sea,
At the close of the Civil War most of the stu
dents had been soldiers in the United States Army ;
and in the world war, the student body in large
number again wore the American uniform The
University is proud to give its choicest sons in this
holiest of all wars. A full proportion of them were
commissioned officers, some serving in France.
The general control is vested in a Board of 21
Trustees. The College has full recognition and
membership in the Association of the Colleges of
the State of Pennsylvania, and the Theological
Seminary is under the full control of the Presby
terian General Assembly.
White Institutions have since taken the name
of Lincoln, but this Institute for the Higher Chris
tian Education of the Negro was the first to bear
the name of the Immortal President. This Christ
ian school was also the first to establish a chair of
the English Bible and make it a required course for
every student in every class.
Mrs. Susan Dod Brown endowed this chair and
also gave the chapel in which each day the work is
opened with 15 minutes of Devotional Exercises,
and in which regular preaching services are held
each Sabbath.
Lincoln Unversity is not a rival of other schools
in this field. She never advertises for students, and
cannot receive a fourth of those who apply. She
has nothing but a good will and a God speed to all.
241
Edwin J. Turner, M. D.
HE following tribute to Dr. Tur
ner, taken from the Columbus,
(Georgia) Ledger, is a most ap
propriate introduction to the
sketch of his life prepared for the
Negro Cyclopedia :
"What Daniel Boone and other pioneers, who
labored, toiled and endured hardships which would
have chilled the hearts and swerved the purpose of
less earnest and able men, did toward peopling the
West, and toward opening up a hitherto unknown
country, Dr. Edwin J. Turner, who is well and fav
orably known by all but a very few of the people
of Columbus, both White and Colored, has done
for the colored race in this section of the State, and
the United States. And the influence of his life.
and possibly the measure of success which he has
wrought has inspired, who knows how many of
his countrymen and members of his race, to go and
do likewise. For Dr. Turner has the heart and the
ability of a pioneer, and such, literally he was in
the field of education, and in the line of progress
to the people of his race in Columbus, and the sur
rounding country — who can say how far his influ
ence has spread abroad throughout the land."
Dr. Ttfrner was born in Meridian, Mississippi, in
1876, and until he reached the age of fifteen he at
tended the public schools of his native city.
After his course in the public schools he entered
the Clark University, of Atlanta, Georgia, where
he took up the study of Pharmacy. He graduated
from this Institution and then entered the New Or
leans University, where he graduated in the school
of medicine in 1912.
Having prepared himself for his life work he
chose Columbus, Georgia, as the field of his en
deavors. Here he soon built up a large practice
and has the distinction of being the first colored
physician to locate in Muscogee County. He soon
established himself high in the esteem of his com
munity among all classes, white and black, and
holds an enviable position in the ranks of his col
leagues in other counties and other states.
Without neglecting his practice, which always
commands his closest attention, he has actively
identified himself with the public interest, keep
ing always in mind the good of his community and
especially the elevation of his race.
When the Young Men's Christian Association
was tottering and almost ready to fall under the
burden of debt and in-ability to keep up its current
expenses, he was called to the rescue. He prompt
ly accepted the Presidency, went thoroughly into
the investigation of its condition and intelligently
addressed himself to relieving its distressing situa
tion. The Association under his direction has wea
thered the financial storms, been raised to a paying
basis and is now in a flourishing condition. His
ambition is to have his people so live as to com
mand the respect and esteem of all citizens and by
his own exemplary life he has set them the exam
ple. He has possibly done more to raise them to
this high place in the public estimation than any
other man in the State.
A mere list of accomplishments of Dr. Turner
would be indeed a bare record without taking into
consideration the conditions under which they
were accomplished. When convinced that a course
was right no difficulties could prevent him from
going forward in the accomplishments of the ob
ject set before him. He was not reckless in meet
ing difficulties, but faced them patiently and firm
ly with a courage born of a deep conviction.
The honors which have been conferred upon him
are insufficient to show how they were earned, and
how worthy he is to bear them.
Dr. Turner's interest in his people has led him
into the field of politics and there as elsewhere he
is an active factor. He is not constituted to be
passive in any field of endeavor he enters.
He is a member of the Republican party and a
member of the State Republican Executive Com
mittee, representing Muscogee County. He was
a National Delegate to the Republican Conven
tion which nominated Mr. Taft for President, and
his influence and vote went for Mr. Taft at that
time. He was the first colored man that was ever
appointed Notary Public in Muscogee County, and
throughout his term of office he has demonstrated
his reliability and worth in that capacity, and has
fulfilled his duties to the entire satisfaction of
those whom he serves.
Dr. Turner is a member of the Presbyterian
Church where his disposition for work is also man
ifested and where his counsel and help is in con
stant demand.
He is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity,
a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Knights
of Tabor. He is the Grand Medical Director of the
Colored Knights of Pythias of Georgia, and Grand
Chief Mentor of the Knights and Daughters of Ta
bor of Georgia.
He is proprietor of the 10th Street Drug Store,
which carries a stock valued at $5000.
In _904 he married Miss Lela Benner, of Macon,
Georgia, and they have but one child, a son, ten
years of age, Benner C. Turner.
242
NORVAL COBB VAUGHAN, A. B, M. D.
MONG the Negro physicians who
have won laurels in the West and
who has risen to a high place in
the profession, Dr. Norval Cobb
Vaughan, of Cincinnatti, Ohio,
stands as a brilliant instance. He
exemplifies the very spirit of loyalty and is true to
his fraternity throughout the country and especial
ly so to the Negro fraternity. Although engaged
in active practice he remains the hard and close
student. He realizes that there is always some
thing to learn in his profession and he keeps abreast
of the times and for this reason gives all the time
that he can spare from his work as a physician to
reading and studying.
Hacing the interest of his race at heart his life
has been given in unselfish service to them in every
way where he could lend a helping hand. It is the
exhibition of these traits and spirit that has won
him distinction and praise.
Dr. Vaughn is a native of Virgina. He was born
in Farmvile, Virgina, August, 1867. He received
his early school training in another State but re
turned to "Old Virginia" for finishing touches. He
secured his elementary training in East Orange,
New Jersey, attending and passing through the
243
public schools there. After his course in the pub
lic schools of Orange, he returned to his native
State, Virgina, and entered the Richmond Insti
tute, taking the Academic course. Completing his
course at the Richmond Institute, he enrolled at
the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, at
Petersburg, Virginia, where he was graduated as
a Bachelor of Arts.
He was now ready to give thought to a career
and after due consideration of the various calls
held out to men he decided upon medicine, and
having determined to be a physician he entered the
Medical Department of Howard University, to get
the necessary preparation for his work. He grad
uated from this Institution in 1897.
Dr. Vaughan is a man of cool calculation, rather
than one given to impulse so in deciding the ques
tion of a location he surveyed the field before
coming to a decision. He made note of the fact
that Cincinnati, Ohio was not only a large and
growing city, but that it had a large Negro popu
lation and that this class of its population was con
stantly growing. He decided that this was a most
promising field so in this city he pitched his tent,
and hung out his shingle, and here he has labored
for twenty-two years. He has demonstrated the
wisdom of his choice for with patience, energy and
loyalty to his profession he has built up a large and
lucrative practice.
Without neglecting his special work he his inter
ested himself in welfare work.
His spare moments have been devoted to uplift
work and study in many directions. He is holder of
many valuable pieces of real estate, to which he <
gives some thought and study. He is also greatly
interested in inventions and patents. He has in
vented and had patented a bullet proof breast
shield. He is a member of the Academy of Medi
cine of Cincinnati, wherein much time and study
are devoted to modern and local problems in medi
cine. He is also a member of the Medical Council of
Pensylvania ; member of the Council of Social
Agencies of Cincinnati ; and Staff Physician of the
Evangeline Home and Hospital of Cincinnati. Be
sides this he is a member of and in close contact
with every local organization which has for its pur
pose Negro uplift or advance in any direction.
On entering his professional career. Dr. Vaughan
took the advice of those modern philosophers, who
say that the first step in a successful career of a
young man is marriage. In 1899, the same year he
opened office in Cincinnati, he was married to Miss
Victoria Powell of Richmond, Virginia. Two
children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Vaughan
but both are deceased. One died when it was a
month old; the other at the age of five and a half
years.
HON. JOHN P. GREEN
R. John P. Green was born in
Newbern, North Carolina, April
2nd, 1845. His parents John R.
Green and Temperance Green
were both free and honorable. Mr.
Green was educated in Common,
High and Law Schools, of Cleveland, Ohio. But
this education came to him through his own ef
forts. Between the ages of fourteen and twenty
two, Mr. Green worked in all sorts of menial em
ployments, buying a home for his widowed mother.
After that, he followed the same pursuits in striv
ing for an education for himself.
He began his professional career in 1870, when
he was admitted to the South Carolina Bar. and.
in 1872, he returned to Ohio and began the practice
of law, in Cleveland. His has been a very active
life, since being admitted to the bar. He was el
ected justice of the .peace of the city of Cleveland,
in 1873, and served for three terms, (nine years).
During this time, he disposed of about twelve
thousand cases. In 1882 he was elected to the low
er branch of the Ohio General Assembly, and re-
elected in 1890. In 1892, he was elected to the
Senate of Ohio. He is the first and only colored
man, as yet, elected to the Senate. When he was
in the Senate, he presided over that body, and was
for that space of time, defacto Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor of Ohio. When he was in the Lower House
of the Ohio General Assembly, Mr. Green wrote
and secured the passage of the bill creating Labor
Day in Ohio. This was subsequently, made a nat
ional Holiday, by Congress. In 1897, President
McKinley appointed him United States Postage
Stamp agent. For nine years, he manufactured
and distributed all the postage stamps for the gov
ernment. For eighteen months, he was defacto
Superintendent of Finance, of Post Office Depart
ment ; during which time he signed many thousand
warrants for money due to mail contractors.
Mr. Green has traveled extensively. He has
been to Europe four times. In 1809 he was re
ceived, with his wife, by Pope Leo; he was also re
ceived by the Lord Bishop, of London, and the
Dean of West Minister Abbey. He sat with his
family in the Choir of the Abbey, and also of Saint
Pauls during divine services. Mr. Green visited
France, Italy, Austria, also the Midera Islands, Gi-
bralter and Scotland. While in Scotland he lectur
ed eleven times to large audiences. Another
pleasant memory of Mr. Green if the fact that,
while in Ireland, he visited Blarney Castle, and, by
the courtesy of fellow tourists, was enabled to
kiss the Blarney Stone.
Mr. Green has been active in the affairs of the
nation as well as in those of the State of Ohio. He
has been Alternate Delegate at large to National
Republican Conventions. He has also associated
with a number of the most prominent Republican
statesmen.
Mr. Green is Junior Warden and Lay-reader in
St. Andrews Episcopal Church, and, in eighteen
years, he has not missed attendance at church in
the morning or been late, when in town..
At the age of seventy-four he is still engaged in
practice of law. In thirty-one murder cases, he
has lost but one client. All the others have been
either acquitted or let off with reduced sentences.
From the practice of his profession, Mr. Green has
been enabled to earn not only a, very good living
for himself, and family, but to invest in Teal estate.
Mr. Green was married to Miss Annie Walker,
in Cleveland, in 1869. He was married a second
time to Mrs. Lottie Mitchell Richardson, in 1912,
with whom he is now happily living. Four chil
dren were born to Mr. Green to help brighten his
home. Captain William R. Green, lawyer; Mr.
Theodore B. Green, lawyer; Mr. Jesse B. Green,
Chef; and Mrs. C. C. Johnson, who was Miss Clara
Annie Green.
Mr. Green has for his hobbies the reading and
reviewing of his classical school studies, with the
addition of French, which he reads almost without
effort. During the two years just passed, he has
read the four Gospels in Greek twice. In this
way he. at his ripe age, keeps his mind in good
i • i * j • .. — J 1 ,-,.-, -, Kl^s-1 •f.-i ti-i ti co r"t tlif
working condition, and is enabled to transact the
large amount of business which confronts him.
244
JACOB E. REED
ACOB E. Reed, of Cleveland,
Ohio, was born in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, Dauphin County,
November 30th, 1852. His educa
tion was limited to that of the
Grammar School. For the first
twenty one years of his life he lived on a farm,
where he acquired a strong body that has been one
of his chief assets during his long business life.
Because of his mother's interests, Mr. Reed mov
ed into the town of Harrisburg, when he was
twenty-one years of age. Here he worked first
in the Harrisburg Car Works. Then for a number
of years he worked at Wheatland, Pennsylvania,
in the Weeds Brothers Iron Works. He was
maimed while engaged with the firm and had to
give up his work. He went to Youngstown, Ohio,
and went into the Barber business with his brother-
in-law. At this trade he worked for four years,
when he moved once more, this time to Cleveland.
Here he has remained building up for himself a
business that is very creditable.
When he first went to Cleveland, Mr. Reed took
a position as a waiter for a year. This was merely
used as a stepping stone. His next step was to the
position of conductor and motorman for the East
Cleveland Street Railway Company. Colonel Louis
Block, one of the regular passengers on the car on
which Mr. Reed was conductor, opened a new mar
ket and gave to Mr. Reed the position as special
police and janitor. The new undertaking was not
a success, and so Mr. Block, who felt himself re
sponsible for getting Mr. Reed out of a job, offer
ed him the chance to install a fish market in the
building, rent free for the first six months. Mr.
Reed recognized the fact that he was ignorant of
the fish business and so took a partner in the ubsi-
ness with him. The partner was a Mr. Reitz, a
white man. Together they in nineteen years built
up a very successful business.
At the death of Mr. Reitz the interest which
was his was purchased from his widow by Mr.
Reed. So after a number of years in various call
ings, Mr. Reed found himself in one in which
he was very successful. Among his customers, Ill-
numbers a number of the best families in the city
of Cleveland. Besides he sells to some of the lead
ing hotels and restaurants. The Hollenden Hotel
alone runs a monthly account of about $700.00
with Mr. Reed. His annual business is from
$15,000.00 to $18,000.00. This is no small achieve
ment for one who started with almost no capital.
One of the secrets of Mr. Reed's success is the fact
that he never lets his bills run any time. He makes
it a habit to pay all his bills weekly.
Mr. Reed has saved considerable from his bus
iness. He owns his own home which represents
an investment of $10,000.00 and two pieces of ren
tal property that represents the investment of
$10,000.00.
Mr. Reed has been twice married. His first
wife was Miss Rebecca Jackson, of Foxburg,
I'ennysylvania. They were married June, 1874.
She died October 20th, 1915. He was married a
second time to Mrs. Emma Clayge, of Chatta
nooga, Tennessee, on June 25th, 1918. Mr. Reed
had one son, Addison D. Reed, who died at the age
of seven years. There is one adopted daughter in
the family, Miss Byrdie L. Reed. Miss Byrdie is
now eighteen years of age and she was adopted
at the age of nine years.
The fish business does not take up all of Mr.
Reed's time. He is an active member of the Epis
copal Church, of the Odd Fellows, Masons, Elks,
33 degree Mason and Shriner. For eight years he
served as treasurer of the Odd Fellows. He has
been appointed delegate to both national State con
ventions of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Masons.
It took Mr. Reed more than thirty years to find
the business of which he was to make such a suc
cess, but having found it, he has not changed, but
has continued 26 years, in the same line and built
up for himself a very lucrative enterprise.
245
JOHN WILLIS HUGHES
R. J. W. Hughes, of Tulsa, is one
of the comparatively few colored
men of this country, who has left
his native State and gone to seek
his fortune at a distance without
doing it of his own free will. This
in the mind of Mr. Hughes is the principal episode
in his life. And well may all consider it, as we
shall see.
Mr. Hughes was born in Rutherford County,
Tennessee, April 30, 1865. Here he spent his early
childhood on the farms of his native county, work
ing hard during the greater part of the year and
attending school during the short winter session.
In this way he lived till he was eighteen years of
age. At that time he left the farm for the more
lucrative employment of the railroad. While work
ing on the road he managed to save enough mon
ey to enter school at Fisk University. At Fisk he
was one of the steady, studious boys, and when he
went out, he left the class room as a student to
enter it as a teacher. He entered the public
schools of his State and served as principal of the
city school at Springfield, and later at Orlinda for
thirteen years. During this time, Mr. Hughes had
been careful of the money he earned and had quite
a bit invested in farm, stock and all the things that
go to make up country property.
His farming operations proved unusually pro
ductive and brought to him much prosperity, so
much so, that it caused his neighbors to be envious
of him. The enmity between him and his neigh
bors, finally reached such a stage that he decided
to sell his farm and change his location. This he
did, leaving his native town and State and went out
to begin all over onte more.
Having made up his mind to sell his farm and
equipment, he acted with his usual promptness,
and disposed of same at a loss to him of between
three and four thousand dollars.
Leaving Tennessee with its "Night Riders" Mr.
Hughes went to Oklahoma. For two years he had
a partnership in a store and then he accepted the
principalship of the Dunbar School. This was in
1911. This position he still holds, working for the
education of the young people in that part of the
country and helping uplift all about him. In his
endeavor to help in this work of uplift, Mr. Hughes
has not confined himself to work in the class room.
He is a deacon of the First Baptist Church, and a
teacher in the Sunday School. Here every Sunday
we will find him teaching the advanced Bible
Class in the Sunday School.
In fraternal matters, Mr. Hughes is also a prom
inent man in his section of the country. He is
Worthy Master of Coal Creek Lodge No. 88, of the
Free Masons, he is Grand High Priest in the Ro
yal Arch Chapter, and in the Consistory he is
Grand Master of Ceremonies. So again we find
Mr. Hughes taking a leading part in matters that
certainly work for the betterment of the people.
Although Mr. Hughes had to make a new start
when he was forty-three years of age, and make
this start at a disadvantage, he has been able to ac
cumulate a goodly share of the choice property in
and around Tulsa. He owns four different pieces
of property in the business district of the town,
his own home and three rent houses, all of which
is in a good section of the town.
Mr. Hughes has traveled extensively in this
country and in the southern part of Canada. This
has served to broaden him. While still in Tennes
see, in 1886, he was married to Miss Sarah Eliza
beth Owens, at Eglesville. They lived very hap
pily together till the time of her death, Nov. 24,
1907. Three children were born of this union
Miss Annie C. Hughes has gone back to her fath
er's old state of Tennessee, where she is an excel
lent teacher. Talmage Cravath Hughes is with the
United States Army in France, and Johnnie Vista
Hughes died while still very young. Mr. Hughes
was married a second time, May 30, 1914, to Miss
Nettie A. Ledsinger of Dyersburg, Tennessee. A
graduate of Fisk University, Mrs. Hughes was at
the time of her marriage, principal of the Primary
Department of the City school of Okmulgee, Okla
homa. In his community Mr. Hughes is an ex
ample in all matters to the younger people. His
work in the school room, in the church, in the
lodges and in all points where his life touches the
lives of others, is all for the uplift of mankind. He
is an example in thrift as well as in religious mat
ters. He and his family like to help make the so
cial life in Tulsa pleasant.
246
FRENCH WILSON BRUNER
NCE the Seminole Nation of In
dians occupied the beautiful land
of Florida. Many years ago,
they moved to Oklahoma, the
land of the Fair Gods. The Se-
minoles held slaves in Florida be
fore the Civil war. It is an interesting bit of his
tory to know that the Bruners not only were free
men and women all of their lives, but are descend
ants of a Seminole chief. Today they can trace
their ancestors seven generations to the good old
days when Seminoles lived happily on the extreme
peninsular of the southland.
Yesterday in the old Indian Territory, were large
ranches, and cornfields, and meadows where Na
tives and Indian-wards of the Federal Government
stood together like free men. Nor were they one
whit behind civilization in lodges and other fra
ternal organizations for free Masonary was known
and practiced by all upright free inhabitants. And
where the Federal Government failed to establish
any institution for the betterment of society, the
Baptist Missionaries and the Presbyterian Mission
aries, and the representatives of other churches es
tablished churches, school houses and academies.
French Wilson Bruner, was born January 13, 18-
83. He cast his first vote in Seminole County,
Oklahoma. In his early days he attended the Me-
kusukey Academy, an institution which belonged
to the Seminole Nation, Indian territory, now Sem
inole County, Oklahoma.
And later, finishing his course at Hampton, he
did work in the Summer Schools of Chicago Uni
versity. In 1908, he taught a common school on
the Bruner estate in Oklahoma. The next year he
took charge of the Manual Training Department
of Douglas High School, Oklahoma City, Okla.
For ten years Mr. F. W. Bruner has been in charge
of this work with great success and marvelous ad
vancement from a small uncouth manual training
room in 1909, to a $10,000.00 structure, in 1915,
where he has prepared students for Pratt Univer
sity, New York, and other institutions of learning.
Mr. Bruner is more of a business man than other
wise. In Oklahoma City ,in 1909, he invested with
a partner in the drug business. Later, he interest
ed himself in the oil industry, and later still he sold
his drug interest to his partner and turned all of
his attention to the development of oils. He joined
the Springvale Oil and Gas Company, and is now
the company's Secretary. Inheriting some money,
he become very well off. He owns lands in Sem
inole County, land in Garvin County, a residence in
Oklahoma City, a stock farm in Oklahoma, and
carries investments in various oil companies.
Again, true, to the Bruner instinct, French Wil
son Bruner takes an interest in all form of life
work about him. He is an active member of the
Baptist Church, a member of Knights of Pythias,
CC and past CC of star Chamber No. 23, Past
Master of Keystone Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M.,
and a Shriner, and a member of the Great Western
Consistory, Oklahoma Jurisdiction. Too, he is
a chairman of the teachers divisional and High
School faculty, of the Oklahoma Negro Teachers
Association. Moreover he has been Vice Presi
dent and secretary of the said association.
The number and diversity of such connections,
all of them highly honorable and useful, indicates
the regard that has fixed for this prominent man so
high a measure of Civic service, and he has nobly
responded to the call in every phaze of the duty
that this draft on his fidelity and capacities has im
posed. In no relation has the worth of Mr. Bruner
been more strikingly demonstrated than in the
manner in which he has responded to these high
demands which lie so completely out of the narrow
realms of self.
Mr. Bruner was married to Miss Bloosie Bell of
Muskogee, Oklahoma, Sept. 1914. They live in
their beautiful residence in Oklahoma City; a
residence which is valued at ten thousand dollars.
The one thing lacking to make their home life ideal
is the absence of children.
247
WILLIAM HARRISON
EW men at the bar have attained
the distinction of Mr. William
Harrison of Oklahoma City, Ok
lahoma. A southern man by birth,
rearing and education, he has
so conducted himself on the one
hand, and has been so thorough a master in his
profession on the other, that many a door that has
been shut to others has freely opened to him.
This does not mean that others do not deserve all
the courtesies of the courts, without any special
consideration, save the stamp of merit, but we
are discussing things as they are rather than
things as they ought to be.
Mr. Harrison's prestige in the courts has been
truly remarkable, not only for a Negro of the
South, but for a man of any section. Admitted
to the bar in 1902, he was first permitted step by
step to practice in all the state courts of Okla
homa. Gaining a footing here he steadily made his
way to the front until today he practices in all the
Federal courts, and in the Supreme Court of the
United .States .
As has already been pointed out, Mr. Harri
son is out and out a southern man. He was born
in Mississippi, in Clay County, in 1874. His fa
ther, devoting most of his energies to the raising
of cotton, raising starch and grain as supplement.
For a number of years the son served an appren
ticeship with the father. But somehow the quiet
humdrum of the farmers' life did not appeal to
him. A life of sharp competition, of give and
take, began very early to lure him from behind
the plow, from the hoe and the wagon, and attract
him to the city.
In spare months, that is in months when the
crops were "laid by," and in winter when there
was no farm labor to be performed the future law
yer attended the public schools. When he grew
older he saw that he would never reach his goal
by attending school one fourth or one third of the
year. And so the day came when he took leave
of the farm and the old folks and sped away North
ward, from Mississippi to Nashville. He entered
Roger Williams and completed the elementary
education. From Roger Wiliams, he went to Chi
cago University where he pursued a college course.
Returning to Nashville, he marticulated at Wai-
den, where he completed his course in law. In
1902, he was admitted to the bar in Oklahoma.
He was not long in becoming known, once he
had gotten before the courts. Sound reasoning,
thorough scholarship and common sense soon gave
him extraordinary prestige. On one occasion he
was chosen special judge of the Superior Court in
Oklahoma County, to sit in judgment on a case in
which all the litigants were white.
Mr. Harrison keeps in touch with practically all
the activities of his State, and indeed of the whole
country. He is an extensive traveller, having
covered the whole country on business and pleas
ure trips. He is wide awake to business chances
as well as to planning out a suit. He owns heavy
interests in zinc, lead and oil companies, as well
as a home and several pieces of real estate. He
is a good Baptist, a Mason, a loyal Knight of Py
thias. In these latter organizations, as well as in
others, not named, he has taken a leading part in
many councils. He is Past Grand Chancellor of the
Oklahoma Knights of Pythias, former attorney
of the National Baptist Convention, President of
the Negro Civic League, President of the People's
Protective Circle, member of the Chamber of Com
merce of Oklahoma City, being the only colored
man to hold membership in this body.
Mr. Harrison was married in Clanton, Mississ
ippi. June, 1898, to Miss Idella B. Carmichael. Mr.
and Mrs. Harrison have two children; Wilhelmina.
who is fifteen years of age, and who is in school;
and William Alfred, who is twelve years old, and
a school boy.
248
R. W. WESTBERRY
OME day, R. W. Westberry of
Sumter, South Carolina, should
go apart and set down in some
sort of form a few of his exper
iences and describe the types of
men he has known in given occu
pations. Was the account a mere catalogue, it
would prove an instructive document, in that it
would not only afford an engaging panorama, but
would demonstrate how wide a variety of tasks
one man can perform passably well.
Mr. Westberry was born in Sumter, South Car
olina, near Horatio Post Office, July 11, 1871. A
member of the younger generation, he managed to
eke out a good education. He attended the public
schools in Sumter County, then went to Benedict
College at Columbia, S. C. and finished his school
career at Wilberforce University, Ohio.
Mr. Westberry began his life on the farm, where
as a lad he worked for his father. His life exper
ience widened Summer by Summer during his
school life and year by year after his graduation.
For a time he was a waiter in a Chicago Hotel.
From this he took up the task of odd jobs. Tn a
little time he became a Chicago letter carrier,
working at this post twelve years. For two years
he was a member of the letter carrier's Council,
one year of which he was the only Negro member
of the body.
Although the West, especially Chicago had many
attractions for a live, wide-awake man like Mr.
Westberry, he could not resist the call of the South
and hither he turned his steps and again found
himself in his native state of South Carolina.
The first five years after his return South he
worked as a United States Demonstration Agent.
He gave up this work to accept the Secretaryship
of the South Carolina State Fair, which position
he held for three years, when he was elected Sup
erintendent of the same organization and served
the Company three years more in that capacity.
At the end of his six year's service for the fair
organization he decided that the time had come to
strike out for himself so he organized the West-
berry Realty Company, and became its President.
To this variety of experiences in occupations, he
adds a career fuller still in honorary pursuits. In
1909 he was one of the leading members in the
Booker T. Washington party that toured South
Carolina. He was a volunteer soldier in the Spanish
American War. When the Negroes of South Car
olina were waging a campaign for a boy's reforma
tory, Mr. Westberry was one of the committee to
appear before the Governor in the interest of the
cause. Again when the Negroes of the State were
laboring for a Colored People's Fair, Mr. West-
berry advocated their cause before the State leg
islature.
His membership in Church and Lodge and on va
rious boards shows how wide are his interests and
activities. He is a member of the Baptist Church,
and a Deacon and Trustee. He is a Mason, Odd
Fellow ; a Knight of Pythias ; a member of the
Gospel Aid Society. He was a member of the fi
nance committee of the Masonic Lodge of his state
three years ; a state officer of the Odd Fellows two
years, a Master of Finance for the Knights of Py
thias one year ; Grand Deputy Archon of the Wise
Men one year ; local secretary of the Gospel Aid
Society one year. He is a trustee of the Mays-
ville Institute and of Morris College; a life member
of the National Negro Business Men's League ;
President of the South Carolina Farmer's Confer
ence and of the National Farmer's Asociation and
an honorary member of the Sumter Chamber of
Commerce, the only Negro member of that body.
Mr. Westberry is an extensive property holder
in South Carolina, and in other places. He owns
two lots on Oyster Bay, Long Island ; three lots
and two two-story buildings in Chicago, and his
property in Sumter, among which is included his
two-story house valued at $30.000.
He was married in 1902, to Miss Eva Anderson.
of Chatham, Canada.
249
JACOB JAVAN DURHAM, A. B., M. D.
ACOB Javan Durham, famous as
an orator and debater was born
near Spartanburg, Sovtth Carolina,
April 13th, 1849. He attended the
public school, at Greenville, South
Carolina. From the public school
he entered the State University of South Car
olina, remaining in that institution until 1877,
when it was closed against Colored students.
He then entered Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn
essee, where he was graduated two years later
with the degree A. B.
He graduated from Meharry Medical College,
Nashville, Tenn., in 1880, and received his M. D.
degree. At his graduation he won the honor of
being the class valedictorian, having made 98^2 on
his final examination. Recognizing his great abil
ity he was offered a professorship in the college
but declined the honor as he wished to enter at
once upon his chosen fields of labor — that of med
icine and the ministry.
His first charge was the Bethesda Baptist church
at Society Hill, which was one of the largest
churches in the State of South Carolina, receiving
and accepting a call to this church immediately up
on his leaving Meharry Medical College. He en
tered upon his work both as a preacher and a phy
sician with energy and zeal, and did the work of
both with marked success.
He gave up his work in Society Hill to enter a
larger field. He was elected Educational Mission
ary of the Baptist State Convention of South Car
olina, which office he filled so ably that he was ad
vanced a step higher and made the Financial Se
cretary of the Baptist State Convention. Here he
had a wider scope for the exercise of his gifts and
for ten years he applied himself to his work with
such skill and tact that he won the cooperation of
his brethren and raised large sums of money and
paid off large debts.
He was especially gifted in this line, an illustra
tion of which is seen in his accomplishment when
pastor of the Second Baptist Church, of Savannah,
Georgia. In one rally he raised for this church
$3059.33.
Dr. Durham was then recalled to South Carolina
to become educational secretary. At the close of
his first year's work as Educational Secretary he
recommended among other things the establish
ment of an institution of learning to be owned and
operated by the Negro Baptists of the State. The
report was followed by an eloquent and powerful
speech on the subject by the Secretary, and in a few
minutes, more than $12,000 was subscribed, and
Morris College, at Sumter, South Carolina, is the
result. The presidency of this institution was
offered him but he declined it. Dr. Durham has
been often referred to as "the Daniel Webster of
his race," because of his unusual ability and elo
quence as a debater.
He has been called upon to introduce some of the
great public men of the Nation. Frederick Douglas
on being introduced once by Dr. Durham, said:
"That was the most eloquent introduction I ever
had. That man ought to be in Congress pleading
the cause of the people."
After introducing President McKinley on one
occasion, the President remarked, "That was the
most beautiful and eloquent speech I ever heard."
Dr. Durham is a great scholar and has been a
hard student. He reads the Bible in five different
languages — English, German, Latin, Greek, and
Hebrew.
Dr. Durham has been twice married, first to Miss
Ella Simpkins, and from this union there was one
son. His second wife was Miss Emma Ramey of
Edgefield, South Carolina, daughter of Judge W.
D. and Katie Ramey.
Dr. Durham is a man of considerable wealth. He
is public spirited; has made many great public and
patriotic speeches ; written much on great public
questions. He stands high as a man and citizen and
has received many honorary degrees from repu
table institutions.
250
ROBERT E. L. HOLLAND, M. D.
OCTOR Robert E. L. Holland, the
eldest of eight living children of
Benjamin and Margaret Holland,
was born in Montgomery County,
Texas, November eleventh, 1864.
The father was a farmer ; and as
such set a glowing example of hard work and
thrift for his son. All day the parent would labor
in the field and then at night time split rails or chop
wood. For a while the eldest son followed this
example. He, too, labored on the farm, and at
night split rails, chopped wood and built char-coal
kilns until midnight. He attended school when
time permitted and when the two or three months
country school was in session. As he was ambi
tious, however, he studied in and out of season.
Such close application to his studies soon began
to bear fruit and note was made of his mental de
velopment, and at the age of seventeen years he
was advised to stand for a teacher's certificate, and
was offered the position of assistant teacher if he
should successfully pass the teacher's examination.
He passed the examination, got his certificate for
second grade and secured the teacher's position.
Thus he began his career as a teacher. He had
started up the ladder and the following year had
advanced so far as to be made principal of one of
the largest schools of his county. While he was
teaching he continued his studies and in two years
he stood his examination for first grade license
and got his certificate. After receiving this certi
ficate he continued to teach and applide himself
more vigorously to his studies. Continuing this
course for seven years he entered a competitive
contest for a scholarship in Prairie View State
Normal School which he won after standing a most
rigid examination. He entered the Prairie View
State Normal School with his ambition whetted by
his success in the scholarship competition and fin
ished his course with honor, in 1888.
He returned home and taught one year in the
school in which he taught before he went away to
Prairie View. In 1890, on passing a rigid examina
tion he was made principal of one of the Ward
Schools, of Austin. However, though he was con
tinually climbing as a teacher, he had long felt
called to another profession — that of medicine.
And so, after three years teaching in Austin, he
resigned his post and went away to Meharry Med
ical College, Nashville, and then to the University
of Vermont, to study medicine, obtaining his de
gree from the latter school.
Finishing his course in medicine in 1895, he re
turned to his native state and began practice in
Temple. Here he rapidly gained the confidence
of all the people and soon had a lucrative practice.
For twenty-one years he followed his profession in
Temple, equipping his office with the best imple
ments, widening his services and usefulness in
many drections.
On returning to Texas, Doctor Holland decided
to affiliate himself with all local organizations that
stood for the good of his race. He allied himself
with the Eighth Street Baptist Church at Temple,
became a Knights of Pythias, an Odd Fellow, a
United Brother of Friendship, and a member of the
Court of Calanthe. At one time he was a past
Grand officer in the Knights of Pythias. He joined
the Lone Star State Medical Association, was Sec
retary for eight years, and President for one year.
Dr. Holland was married in 1898 to Miss Mary
B. Pittman of Tavbora, North Carolina. Dr. and
Mrs. Holland have one son, Robert E. L. Jr., who is
a student at Tillotson College, Austin, Texas.
The crowning recognition came to Dr. Holland in
1916, when the Governor of the State of Texas
appointed him Superintendent of the Texas Deaf,
Dumb and Blind Institute for Colored youths, at
Austin, Texas. Within a year marked signs of 'im
provement had already become manifested under
him. The attendance has increased 35 per cent,
the teaching force has been enlarged, new indus
tries added and larger appropriations gained for
the maintenance of the institution.
2S1
JOHN MARION FRIERSON
OMMENCING at the bottom in
business, John M. Frierson, Un
dertaker and Embalmer, of Hous
ton, Texas, has climed steadily
and persistently until he is the
leader in his kind of business in
the State of Texas. With no special training for his
task and no very large bulk of capital, he enter a
city where competition was sharp and rent high ;
yet he has never moved, never failed. He has only
expanded. The room which once held the business
of his whole plant is now the store room for his
caskets.
Mr. Frierson was born in Columbia, Tennessee,
June 10th, 1865. He was born in a period which
was fraught with great difficulties for the colored
race, for it was passing through the transition
from slavery to freedom and had to encounter the
many problems which opened up in meeting this
crucial test. Trials met him when a small lad and
he had his turn at hard labor, scant food, scant
clothing, and very meager facilities for education.
He soon learned that the way of success in life
was not a path of ease, but a way of thorns. He
aspired to make something of his life and had an
ambition to be an educated man. This he deter
mined to be and he never took his eye from the
goal until he had reached it. In order to earn
the money to pursue his studies he toiled as a
laborer, as a carpenter's helper to his father, as a
teacher in country schools. Sometimes his earn
ings amounted to two dollars per week, but fre
quently fell below that amount and occasionally
went above it. Frugality and perseverance won
their reward and he was enabled to enter college.
Finally he was able to enter Roger Williams Uni
versity, Nashville, Tenn. Graduating here in the
spring of 1891, he went out and became principal
of the colored school in Galletin, Tenn. in the fall
of the same year. Texas at that time, as it is now,
was a more attractive field in education than most
of the Southern States. It paid better salaries, held
longer school terms, had better schools and proved
more respectable for a teacher. Hither in 1892, Mr.
Frierson went to take charge of a school near Wax-
ahatchie, in Ellis County. The next year he be
came associate principal of Hearne Academy in
Roberson County. For the next five years he
taught in Hearne Academy and in the County
schools.
Feeling that teaching was too itinerant and in
many ways too restrictive in the opportunities foi
advancement, Mr. Frierson left the school room
and began his present business of Undertaking in
Houston, Tejcas He opened a shop at 203 San Fe
lipe Street, where his shop still stands, though
much expanded. His was the first Negro Under
taking business to open in the State of Texas.
Hence for a number of years he had to overcome
the obstacles common to all pioneers, to overcome
prejudice and to establish confidence. This he had
to do while buying his horses and equipment, learn
ing those detals of business which only experience
can give The obstacles overcome, he rose rapidly,
as a business man. Today his stock room which as
hasvbeen said, was his original establishment, is full
of the best caskets available. He is accredited with
having the finest outfit of horses of any Negro in
Texas. These, however, he is now converting into
automobile hearses. In addition to this business in
Houston, he owns interests in businesses in Tex-
arkana and in Brenham.
Mr. Frierson stands high in many of the leading
organizations of his state. He is a member of the
Baptist Church, of the the Masonic Lodge, of the
Knights of Pythias, of the Odd Fellows, of the
Knights and Daughters of Tabor and of the Amer
ican Woodman. He is one of the leading members
of the National Undertakers' Association and of
the National Negro Business Men's League. He
has attended every meeting of the two latter since
their founding. He has traveled over practically
the whole United States, on business and on pleas
ure.
Mr. Frierson was married to Miss Hattie Esk-
ridge of Atlanta. Ga., December 23, 1906. They
live in their own home on San Felipe Street in
I louston.
252
of Knoxville, Tenn. For six years Rev. Bell served
his home congregation, endearing himself to them
by his kind ministrations to their many needs and
his ready help in time of great trouble. Rev. Bell
from the first decided that he could best serve by
remaining long enough in one place to really ac
complish some good in the community. To bear
this out, he has during his nearly twenty years of
pastoring, served only two churches.
After leaving Knoxville, he accepted work in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Here he has remained,
pastoring the First Baptist Church. Rev. Bell is
well beloved by all of his congregation. He has
won the interest and co-operation of the children,
young men, and women as well as that of the old
er members of his congregation. To do this has
meant work on the part of the pastor. In this
work he has shown great executive ability. He
has reorganized his church, putting it on a work
ing basis. Rev. Bell has his own ideas about a
church and its functions. He believes that a
church is not merely a place for Sunday meetings
or rather he believes that this is not the purpose
at all. He belives that a church is a center for
thought, for culture, for activities of all kinds for
the people. He believes that the church should
train the young, and spur up the old in things tem
poral and intellectural as well as in things which
are purely spiritual.
Thus the first Baptist Church at Chattanooga is
one of those modern churches. It is organized
upon thoroughly business method, and it seeks to
render the highest possible efficiency in the church
and religious work. This church, under the direc
tion and inspiration of Rev. Bell has developed a
mission and Educational Society. This organiza
tion is an auxiliary to the Church proper. There
are several other organizations that are auxiliaries
EV. Charles Augustus Bell was to the cnurch. Among these are the Teachers'
born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He training Class; the Christian Culture Class- the
was of poor parentage and so Dunbar Literary Society; the Young Men's auxi-
had to work at an early age to Hary ; a corps of Boy Cadets. Rev Bell has taken
help support himself. His earliest pleasure and pride in adding these branches to his
school days were spent in the church. They have added much to the life of his
public schools of Knox County, congregation and to the community in general In
where he applied himself dih- these organizations Rev. Bell has sought to pro
mote and sustain the efficiency of the church.
One direct result of the establishing of all these
REVEREND CHARLES AUGUSTUS BELI.
gently and secured all that he could. Finishing the
course offered in the public school, the young man
entered Knoxville College and by working at odd
jobs he was able to remain in school till he had auxiliaries to the First Baptist church, is the di-
completed the course prescribed. During this pe- reeling of the thoughts and actions of the young
riod of study Rev. Bell spent his summers in teach- and the adult toward the good, the useful and the
ing in the rural districts of his state. In this way beautiful. Through them the people are kept
he kept himself in funds sufficient to keep up with i)()Uvcd up< enthusiastic, the church is freely sup-
his needs.
Rev. Bell at can early age decided to take up
the ministry as his life work. To this end he
ported and the pastor encouraged. By reorganiz
ing his church Rev. Bell has been able to use all
LIH-. 1111111. ^LIVCUIlliJiIlV^ vvwirv. J. *-S 1*110 Vs i * v.*. » t \^ ^ f 1 • , _ ,.
spent a great deal of time in study with corres- the members of his congregation. In this way,
pondence schools. He took a course of study with every member is given a chance for growth and
the Extension Department of the University of every member feels that he is of use to the church.
Chicago, and later took a course with the Oska-
loosa College, of Iowa. In this way he fitted him
self very thoroughly for the work he had before
him, as a minister of the Gospel and a servant of also'a Mason and a Rreat traveler, having toured
the people.
Feeling himself to be fairly well equipped now
for his life work he entered the ministry in 1899.
His first charge was the Rogers Memorial Church.
Rev. Bell is a member of the executive board of
the State Convention and a Trustee of the Nelson
Mary Academy of Jefferson City, Tenn. He is
the whole of this country and Canada.
Rev. Bell was married in 1901 to Miss Mary A.
Hell, of Knoxville, Tennessee.
253
BISHOP CHARLES HENRY PHILLIPS, A. B., A. M.,
M. D., D. D., LL. D.
ISHOP Charles Henry Phillips,
Bishop of the 4th Episcopal Dis
trict, Colored Methodist Episco
pal Church, is easily one of the
leading; churchmen of his genera
tion. He was born in Milledge-
ville, Ga., January 17, 1858. His
parents the Rev. and Mrs. George
Washington Phillips, were devout Christians.
As a boy young Phillips worked on his father's
farm and attended the common schools. Convert
ed at the age of sixteen, four years later he was li
censed to preach by Rev. R. T. White, D. D., one
of the leaders of Georgia Methodism.
Seeking a higher education he attended first At
lanta University, Atlanta, Ga., and in 1880 graduat
ed from Walden University, Nashville, Tenn., with
the degree of A. B., and "Cum Laude." Bishop I.
B. Scott of the M. E. Church and the late Dr. Rob
ert Fulton Boyd were classmates, and both declare
Bishop Phillips to be an expert Linguist, especially
in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. Studying Theology
at Walden he also graduated from Meharry Med
ical College, with the M. D. degree, in 1882. Since
his graduation he is universally recognized a bril
liant scholar. Wiley University, of Marshall, Texas,
and Philander Smith College, of Little Rock, Ark.,
conferred on him D. D. ; Walden University, M.
A., and Wilberforce University of Ohio, LL. D.
ferred D. D. ; Walden University, M. A., and Wil
berforce University, of Ohio, LL. D.
Bishop Phillips taught school a few years and
served as President of Lane College, of Jackson,
Tenn. From the latter position he was called to
the pastorate. He served a "circuit," a "station"
and as Presiding Elder. His rise was rapid, for
soon the young minister was pastor in charge of
Collins Chapel, of Memphis, Tenn., one of the larg
est and most aristocratic congregations in the
South. From here he was sent to Israel Metropol
itan C. M. E. Church, of Washington, D. C., where
for four years he was one of the leading and most
popular ministers of the Nation's capital. He was
in constant demand, both as speaker and preacher,
and the daily press often reported his sermons and
addresses. The citizens of Washington, in 1890.
regardless of color and denomination, sent him a
delegate to the First World's Sunday School Con
vention, which convened in London, England.
At the farewell reception given him by Israel
and citizens when transferred to Kentucky, the
Hon. Frederick Douglass, John Mercer Langston,
the Rev. J. C. Price and other notables were on the
program. It was pronounced one of the most
brilliant affairs of its kind ever given. From
Washington he was sent to old historic Center
Street C. M. E. Church, of Louisville, Ky., and
serving out his time there, he was made presiding
elder of the Mt. Sterling District. He visited Eu
rope a second time in 1901, when his church sent
him a delegate to the Third Ecumenical Confer
ence. While abroad Bishop Phillips traveled and
lectured in England, Scotland. France, Belgium,
and other countries. He was elected editor of
the Christian Index in 1894, after coming within
three votes of the Bishopric.
In 1902, after serving The Index two terms he
was elevated to the high office of Bishop, with the
largest majority ever given a Negro for that office.
At the Toronto Ecumenical Conference in 1911
Bishop Phillips served as assistant-secretary, the
first time a Negro ever filled so distinguished a
position. He has attended every General Confer
ence since 1886 as a delegate ; is at present an offi
cial member of the Federal Council of Churches,
the Ecumenical Methodist Conference, the Church
Council and various other inter-racial organiza
tions, and was recently appointed by the United
State Government, one of its spokesmen. He is
called the scholar of the bench of bishops and pio
neer bishop of the church, having established the
C. M. E. Church in Western, Texas, Arizona, New
Mexico, California and sections of Ohio and In.
diana. He is author of the History of the C. M. E.
Church and a writer of great force and power.
Bishop Phillips married Miss Lucy Ellis Tappan
in 1880, who was a graduate of Fisk University.
She died in Nashville, Tenn., in 1913, survived
by five children : Dr. Chas. Phillips, Jr.. Dr. Jas
per Tappan Phillips ; Miss Lady Emma ; Mrs. Lucy
Phillips-Stewart, and Mrs. Lottie Phillips-James.
Bishop Phillips was married a second time in
1918, to Miss Ella Cheeks, of Cleveland. Ohio. She
is a very charming woman, and one of culture. She
graduated from Hampton Institute and did post
graduate work in Columbia L'niversity and Cheney
Institute. Bishop and Mrs. Phillips reside at
"Sunshine," their Nashville home.
254
O. W. JAMES, M. D.
HEN the people of Chattanooga
want a man to head a list of don
ors to a good cause, someone
whose name will inspire friends
for the cause, they very frequent-
ly seek out the office of Dr. O. W.
James. This is particularly the case if the cause
for which they are working is that of education.
Dr. James very seldom turns a deaf ear to appeals
of help for schools. This he does because he likes
to and because of what the schools have done for
him For in point of education, Dr. James is
not very unlike a great many persons whose strug
gle for book-learning is recorded in these pages.
The great majority had to work with the hands in
order that they might have the oportunity to
stud}-.
Dr. James was born in Missouri, Warren County,
in 1868. Because he was born in 1868, he had the
privilege of studying and becoming a great man in
any profession he might choose. But because he
was born in 1868, he had to work his way, for very
few Negroes had gotten together means enough to
educate their children at that early date. But in
so many of our colored families the lack of means
was made up by the great desire to study, and the
willingness to do any kind of work in order to sat
isfy that desire. So we find Dr. James as a lad at
tending the public schools of his home town, studv-
ing, applying himself, and getting more ambitious
each day to become a man of culture, helpfulness,
and wealth.
When he had gotten all from the public schools
that he could, he made up his mind to attend col
lege. He had heard of Tougaloo University, an
A. M. A. school about seven miles out of Jackson,
Mississippi, and made up his mind to enter there.
And so he matriculated at Tougaloo and remained
there to finish his literary training. On leaving
Tougaloo he entered Meharry Medical College, at
Nashville, Tennessee, and remained to complete
his course. He was graduated with the degree of
M. D., in 1890.
After graduating and giving thought to the
question of a location, Chattanooga became the
City of his choice, and he moved there the year he
graduated. He has never regretted his choice, for
he has built up a good practice, and has become
very much attached to its citizens. In fact, so well
pleased is he with Chattanooga, that during his
long period of residence in that city he has never
been tempted to make a change. He feels that he
is located there for' life, and is giving his best ser
vice to this city in which he has made his home.
All over the city of Chattanooga ,Dr. James is
well known, both as a physician and as a man. All
Chattanooga knows and speaks of the James
Building. This is a three-story double brick build
ing which stands near the heart of the city. In
this building is one of the big drug stores of the
city, spacious ice cream parlors, carrying a most
elaborate bill of sodas, creams and ices. It is the
center of the colored population of the city and
headquarters of most of the colored physicians. It
is also a sort of bureau of information and sponsor
for all things pertaining to the Chattanooga Negro.
Seeking for a colored man's residence or his stand
ing in the community, you are instructed to "ask
at the James Building, they can tell you if anbody
can."
This building stands as a monument to the man
who began life almost penniless and in this short
time has acquired so choice a bit of property. The
building is used for offices and stores. In addition
to this Dr. James owns his own home and six
rent houses, which net him a good monthly income.
The home of Dr. James is without a mother,
Mrs. James having passed away in June of 1916.
Mrs. James was a native of Chattanooga, and was
beloved by the many friends of the good Doctor,
There is one child, a little four-year-old daughter.
Charlotte. She is a bit of sunshine in the home.
Dr. James is considered the leading colored phy
sician of Chattanooga, and numbers many of the
best people among his patrons.
255
BISHOP EVANS TYREE, D. D., M. D, LL. D.
ISHOP Evans Tyree of the A. M.
E. Church is one of those church
fathers, who spends all of their
days about the altar and wax old
slowly in the service for men and
for their Maker. Putting aside
the finer distinction of denominatons and proceed
ing rather upon the basis of men, Bishop Tyrce be
longs in that galaxy of giants with the late Bishop
Grant, Turner, and Gaines, with the fine veteran,
— still active — Bishop Holsey.
Bishop Tyree, the twenty-sixth bishop of the A.
M. E. Church, the son of Harry and Winifree Tyree
— both African Methodists, was born a slave, in
DeKalb County Tennessee, in 1854. He was one
of the twelve children. He began attending school
in 1876, and received about ten years schooling in
all, attending principally Central Tennessee Col
lege, Walden University, and graduated from the
theological department without a degree. He re
ceived D. D. degree from Livingston ; M. D. from
Louisville Medical School; LL. D. from Paul
Quinn, and also from Wilberforce. Most of his
educational struggle was outside of school, by pri
vate instructors. He was converted in 1866, at
Carthage, and joined the Methodist Episcopal
Church the same year, as there was no A. M. E.
Church then. He was always active in the church,
and has held almost every office in the body. He
was licensed to preach in 1869, at Hartscllc, Tenn.,
by Rev. Jordon W. Earley.
In 1872, he began his career as minister .start
ing in the Alexandria Mission, Dekalb County, the
place of his birth. For 28 years he followed the
humble career of minister; filling posts, raising
collections, moving from place to place, organizing
Sunday Schools, Conventions, and other bodies
necessary for the uplift of the people .
In May 1900 came his promotion. While at Col
umbus, Ohio, he was consecrated bishop. Once
more, however, he began to go from place to place.
On election to the bishopric he was assigned to the
8th Episcopal District, comprised (of Mississippi
and Arkansas.
Four years later he was transferred to the Dis
trict covered by Texas and Oklahoma ; over which
section he remained until 1912.
January 1912 Bishop Gaines having died. Bishop
Tyree was called to fill out his unexpired term in
the East and immediately was given charge of the
First Episcopal District which covers one half of
Pennsylvania, all of Delaware, New Jersey. New
York and the New England States.
This he held until the General Conference, which
met at Kansas City, Mo., May, 1912, when he was
given permanent charge of the First Episcopal Dis
trict and remained in that district until the General
Conference of 1916, when he was returned to the
First District for a second full term.
Bishop Tyree holds membership of a fraternal
nature and of honor in several bodies. He is a mem
ber of the Masons and of the Knights of Pythias
in the fraternal bodies. He is a member of the
Board of Trustees of Wilberforce University, Ohio ;
chairman of the Executive Board of Payne Theo
logical Seminary, of the same University, a member
of the Board of Directors of the One Cent Savings
Bank and of the People's Saving Bank and Trust
Co. of Nashville, Tenn.
Bishop Tyree makes his home in Nashville. Tenn.
Here he owns his home, a two and one-half story
brick structure on North Hill St.
He was married to Miss Ellen Thompkins in
Smith County, Tenn., in 1871. Seven children were
born of this union. Of these two arc deceased,
namely: Mattie and Wayman Tyree. Misses Eu
genia and Carrie arc married. Miss Alberta is em
ployed by the Sunday School Union of the African
Methodist Church; Evans, Jr., is a printer in Chi
cago, and Herman is a minister in Texas; all show
ing their splendid home training.
256
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON, A. B., A. M, LITT. D.
AWES Weldon Johnson, writer and
poet, was born in Jacksonville,
Florida, where he attended the
Public Schools. In 1894 he grad
uated from Atlanta University,
with the degree of A. B., and he
received the degree of A. M. from
the same University in 1904. Mr.
Johnson also spent three years in post graduate
work at Columbia University, in the City of New
York. In 1917, the honorary degree of Litt. D.,
was conferred upon him by the Talladega College,
Talladega, Alabama.
For several years, Mr. Johnson was princi
pal of the Colored high school at Jacksonville. He
was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1897, and prac
ticed law in Jacksonville until 1901, when he re
moved to New York to collaborate with his bro
ther, J. Rosamond Johnson, in writing for the light
opera stage.
In 1906, he was appointed United States Consul
at Pe.urto Cabello, Venezuela, being transferred as
Consul to Corinto, Nicaragua, in 1909, and to the
Azores in 1912. While in Corinto, he looked after
the interests of his country during the stormy days
of revolution which resulted in the downfall of
Zelaya, and through the abortive revolution against
Diaz.
His knowledge of Spanish has been put to use
in the translation of a number of Spanish plays. He
was the translator for the English libretto of "Goy-
escas," the Spanish grand opera produced by the
Metropolitan Opera Company in 1915. Mr. Johnson
also has several French translations to his credit.
Mr. Johnson is well known throughout the coun
try as the Contributing Editor of the New York
Age. He added to his distinction as a newspaper
writer by winning in an editorial contest, one of
three prizes offered by the Philadelphia Public
Ledger, in 1916.
During the fall of 1916 Mr. Johnson went on a
six weeks mission throughout the South, when he
interviewed the editors of the leading white news
papers and talked with them regarding the atti
tude they should take on the exodus of Negro la
bor, which was then reaching its height, and upon
the whole Negro question.
Mr. Johnson contributes to various magazines
and periodicals. His poems have appeared in the
Century, the Independent, the Crisis and other pub
lications. He is the author of a novel, "The Auto
biography of an Ex-Colored Man," and a volume
of poems, "Fifty Years and Other Poems." He is
a member of the American Society of Authors and
Composers, the American Sociological Society, and
of the Civic Club of New York, and is the Field Se
cretary of the National Association for the Ad
vancement of Colored People.
It is as a writer that Mr. Johnson is best known.
His novel, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored
Man" aroused considerable comment, and his re
cent volume of poems, "Fifty Years and Other
Poems" has been favorably reviewed by a num
ber of the best critics of the country Professor
Branden Matthews, of Columbia University, in his
introduction which he wrote for the book, says of
Mr. Johnson and his work, "But where he shows
himself a pioneer is in the half-dozen larger and
bolder poems, of a loftier strain, in which he has
been -nobly successful in expressing amply the
higher aspirations of his own people. It is in ut
tering this cry for recognition, for sympathy, for
understanding, and, above all, for justice, that Mr.
Johnson is most original and most powerful."
Mr. Elias Lieberman, in the American Hebrew,
says of him, "James Weldon Johnson is not only
versatile but more than that — sincere. He has con
tinued to do for the Negro race what Paul Law
rence Dunbar began so inimitably. He has thrown
the illuminating light of interpretation upon lives
which for so many of us are puzzles."
The following was taken from a tribute to him
in the Boston Evening Transcript :
"And in other verses that strike a universal note
there is more often both felicity of conception and
expression. Particular reference should be made
to .Mr. Johnson's poem, "The Young Warrior,"
which, set to music by Mr. Harry T. Burleigh, has
been sung throughout Italy as a martial song in
spiring the Italian soldier on his way to the front.
The pieces in Negro dialect are characteristic of
work of this kind and Mr .Johnson's possesses the
usual intensity of pathos and the usual humorous
abandon. One notes particularly, however, in the
dialect verses in this volume, the absence of
coarseness, of crudity, in the humor which has
more or less pervaded the racial writers of dialect
since Dunbar. Mr. Johnson, if he has done noth
ing else to enhance the value of this kind of speech
in verse, has given it a quality of refinement."
257
PHILLIP A. PAYTON
HE late Phillip A. Payton, of New
York City, was without doubt the
greatest Negro real estate dealer
that ever lived. Measured by the
competition he met, by the con
tracts he executed and consider
ing the city in which he operated, going right into
the lair of the tiger, he has up to this time not even
a second.
Mr. Payton was born in Westfield, Massachu
setts, February 27th, 1876. Finishing the public
and high schools of his native town, he went down
to Livingston College, Salisbury, North Carolina,
for his college course. Completing his college
course, Mr. Payton went to New York and began
a career of want and penury which none but a
stout lu-art like his could endure. Others would
have succumbed to the easy living in the hotel or
Pullman Service. Going to New York in 1899. he
found a job as penny-in-the-slot-man, at the wage
of six dollars per week — scarcely board money. On
losing this post, he took up barbering. a trade he
had learned from his father. Again his earnings
amounted to five or six dollars a week. In 1900 he
secured a job as porter in a real estate office. His
wages here were eight dollars a week, but his time
proved an investment, for here he conceived the
idea of going into the real estate business for him
self.
Opening his real estate business with a partner
he soon found that his former job had been a lux
ury. The business began in October, 1900. By
spring the partner had grown weary and quit. A
little later, Mr. Payton was himself dispossessed
because he could not pay his rent. In a'l these
seven months the gross receipts had amounted to
one hundred and twenty dollars.
Ousted in one place he opened another office. In
a few months he was again put out for his inabil
ity to pay his rent. Three times he suffered this
fate. Then a grim sort of fortune held out her
hand. A murder had been committed in a certain
tenement. Nobody would live there. Mr. Payton
agreed to take charge of the house. He soon filled
it with tenants. This gained the respect and grat
itude of the owner, who gave him more houses to
rent.
Mr. Payton, feeling that the colored people
should be better housed, set about getting them
more decent homes in Harlem.
The "Outlook" of December 14. 1914 says of him,
"It was Payton's theory that equal housing condi
tions for colored people as for white would make
for healthier and more self-respecting Negro Cit
izens."
Working day and night at this idea he moved to
Harlem, which he opened up for the colored people.
He became known as the "Father of Harlem" be
cause he was the pioneer in securing for the color
ed people the best houses in this district.
His last and greatest effort in this direction was
the securing of six elevator houses in 141st and
142nd Street, which were valued at more than
$1,500,000.00 and which are now known as the Pay-
ton Apartments Corporation. These houses are
among the most modern and up-to-date to be
found anywhere, and are the largest group of ele
vator houses owned by Negroes in the United
States.
Mr. Payton's fearless aggressiveness and thor
ough knowledge of his business earned him the re
spect of the greatest real estate dealers of the
country. Ninety-nine per cent of his clients were
white, and he necesarily had to be well grounded
in his business to retain them.
He has a country home in Allenhurst, New jer
sey, which is valued at $25,000.00. Of his last deal
which secured him the 141st and 142nd Street
houses, the Press of the city had the following to
say :
I'".vening Mail. (N. Y. : "The most notable
transaction in which Negroes have ever figured in
this City."
New York Sun : "Reflects progress of Negro
Race in this city. Largest deal associated with
housing of colored families that has ever been con
summated in this city."
258
HENRY PARKER
HE time was when good self-re
specting, well-to-do colored peo
ple could not find a decent home
in which to dwell and rear their
children. For the last quarter of
a century New York has been un
dergoing a very wholesome change in Negro hous
ing. This change has asserted itself for the most
part in Harlem, and happy to relate has been
brought about by the enterprising colored men
themselves. Philip A. Payton, Jr., was the pioneer
in this field. Following close upon his trail, and in
deed associated with him for a time were the two
real estate dealers, Nail and Parker.
The firm of John E. Nail and Henry Parker op
ened its doors for business December 10th, 1907.
They began in a one-room apartment on West
133rd Street. Harlem then had a Negro population
of about fifteen thousand people. These inhabi
tants dwelt for the most part between 133th and
135th Streets. In 1900 the white population began
to move out of Harlem. The property owners were
on the verge of realizing a panic. But the colored
people, led by their business men, saved the dealers
and at the same time gained the option on good
comfortable homes. Nail and Parker were among
the few astute dealers to see the opportunity for
housing respectable colored people. They combined
as a firm and from that move won their place in
the real estate world. Today, thanks to their en
terprise ,the Negro population of Harlem numbers
more than 100,000 people. These inhabitants have
JOHN E. NAIL
spread themselves in two directions. From 133rd
Street they have pushed their way all the way up
to 144th Street, and back to 131st Street, all of this
turned on one heroic move, the opening of one or
two houses on West 134th Street.
The effecting of this wholesale change was a ser
vice indeed, but it wholly pales before the other im
petus which it gave the colored people. Though
they were realizing fair and satisfactory returns as
renters, Nail and Parker began to inspire by their
dealings the desire to buy. Thus began the Negro
home owner in Harlem. Before the change in 1900
the colored householder was very rare in New York
perhaps a half million dollars would cover all their
holdings. It would take twenty millions to cover
it today.
Among the big realty owners in this section is
the St. Philip P. E. Church. This church controlled
about $1,500,000 worth of realty, which property
is controlled wholly by Negroes. In 1911 Nail and
Parker made an exchange of properties with this
church. This involved the sum of $1,700,000. The
firm then moved into its present spacious office
apartments on 135th Street, where they have ever
since been established, and where their business
has steadily developed. They manage more than
fifty buildings and do a monthly business amount
ing to One Hundred Thousand Dollars. They han
dle property and serve in advisory capacity for
some of the largest mortgage institutions in New
York, and are prime movers in all civic and up
lift work of the city.
259
Photo By r. M. Tiattry
WILLIAM EDWARD BURGHAKDT DUBO1S, A. 13., A. M., I'll. D.
William Edward Burghardt Dubois, A. B., A. M., Ph. D.
O history of the Negro race is
complete without a sketch of the
life of William Edward Burghardt
Dubois. His place in the litera
ture of the race is a most promi
nent one. The book that won for
him fame, was the first he published, "The Soul of
Black Folk." Of this book Professor Brawley,
who is a writer of no mean note himself, says :
"The remarkable style of this book has made it un
questionably the most important work in Classic
English yet written by a Negro. It is marked by
all the arts of Rhetoric, especially by liquid and al
literative effects, strong anthithesis, frequent allu
sion, and poetic suggestiveness." Had Dr. Dubois
done nothing more than produce this master piece
of English he would have a place in any history of
the Race."
W. E. H. Dubois was born February 23, 1868, at
Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Here, where
most of his associates were of the white race, the
young lad was slow in realizing that he was not
one of them. When this realization came he says
that he always felt himself "the superior, not the
inferior, and any advantages which they had were
quite accidental." At the age of sixteen years he
graduated from the school in his home town and
upon the advice of friends turned his face South
ward. Here he entered Fisk University, and for
the first time came to know his own people.
From Fisk University he received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, in 1888, the same degree from
Harvard in 1890, and the degree of Master of Arts
from Harvard in 1891. Thoroughly a student and
not satisfied with his attainments, Mr. Dubois next
spent a season of study in Berlin. From Harvard he
received the degree of Doctor of Philsophy in 1895.
Dr. Dubois taught for a short time in Wilber-
force University, and also for a time as assistant
and fellow in Sociology at the University of Penn
sylvania. One direct result of the work in Penn
sylvania was his study "The Philadelphia Negro,"
which he produced in 1899. His next work was in
Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta, Dr. Dubois
was Professor of History and Economics at Atlan
ta University. Of this work during this period Dr.
Dubois says :
"My real life work was done in Atlanta." for
thirteen years, from my twenty-ninth to my forty-
second birthday. They were years of great spirit
ual upturning, of the making and unmaking of
ideals, of hard work and hard play. Here I found
myself. I lost most of my mannerisms. I be
came more broadly human, made my closest and
most holy friendships, and studied human beings.
I became widely acquainted with the real con
dition of my people. I realized the terrific odds
which faced them. From captious criticisms I
changed to cold science; then to hot, indignant
defense.
At last, forbear and waver as I would I faced the
great Decision. Against all my natural reticence
and hatred of forwardness, contrary to my dream
of racial unity and my deep desire to serve and fol
low and think, rather than to lead and inspire and
decide, I found myself suddenly the leader of a
great wing of my people, fighting against another
and greater wing. I hated the role. For the first
time I faced criticism and cared. Every ideal and
habit of my life was cruelly misjudged. I, who
had always over-striven to give credit for good
work, who had never consciously stooped to envy,
was accused by honest colored people of every sort
of small and petty jealousy ; and white people said
I was ashamed of my race and wanted to be white !
I realized the real tragedy of life. We simply had
doggedly to insist, explain, fight and fight again,
until, at last, slowly, grudgingly, we saw the world
turn slightly to listen. My Age of Miracles re
turned again.
My cause grew, and with it I was pushed into a
larger field. I was invited to come to New York
and take charge of one part of a new organization.
I came in 1910. It was an experiment. My salary
even for a year was not assured, and I gave up a
life position. I insisted on starting The Crisis as
the main part of my work, and this, after hesita
tion was approved. In this position Dr. Dubois
has been able to make many investigations, many
of them for the United States Government. He
still has this work.
Dr. Dubois is recognized as one of the great So
ciologists of the day. His articles on this subject
have been published in the leading magazines of
the country. He more than any one else has given
to the world accurate knowledge concerning con
ditions surounding the Negro. He is also one of
the great Negro writers. His books, "John Brown,"
"The Quest of the Silver Fleece," and "Soul of
Black Folk" give him a place of prominence among
the writers of today.
Dr. Dubois was married in 1896. From the un
ion two children were born. The oldest passed
away at an early age. The writing "The passing
of the First-Born" shows plainly the soul of the
parents over this. The other child is a beautiful
young daughter. Miss Yoland Dubois. The Dubois
family are at present residing in New York, where
Dr. Dubois makes his headquarters.
Dr. Dubois is a clear thinker, a matchless writer
and a fearless advocate for Negro rights.
261
MADAM C. J. WALKER
Madam C. J. Walker,
OREMOST among the few wom
en who have membership in the
National Negro Business Men's
League is Madam Walker. This
is the place for her by (lint of her
achievements. The work that she
has done in building up a business, the manner in
which she has made use of the deep insight that
she had in the minds of her fellows, the way in
which she has handled the business once it was
started, and the use to which she has put her
funds, all claim for her, a place among the noted
business characters of the Negro Race.
A few years ago she was poor and unknown,
save to her neighbors, and those for whom she
toiled, and because of her close application to her
work, which her necessities required, she had but
little time and opportunity to cultivate these and
consequently had but few friends. Because of this
the wonderful change that has taken place in her
life and surroundings within twelve years is in
deed most remarkable. From obscurity she has
jumped into great prominence, and we find the
iarge newspapers of the country devoting space to
her accomplishments.
Madam Walker is one of the few persons who
having a vision made use of it. The vision came
to her thrice repeated and left no doubt upon her
mind that she had been commissioned to confer a
benefit upon her race. She realized that men and
women, as a rule, were concerned about their per
sonal appearance and that one of the objects of
special care was the head, both in preserving' and
beautifying the hair. She felt sure that sooner or
later all men and women who were interest
ed in their personal appearance would come to her
or to some one else for help for their dry scalps,
and she had not a doubt that the remedy she
would place upon the market would win its way
to popular favor because of its great merit.
The remarkable thing about Madam Walker was
that she persisted in trying to establish a business
and a large lucrative one. She thought in terms of
thousands of boxes of her preparations and to go
to the Indianapolis Factory and see those thous
ands of boxes being loaded daily into her private
mail truck or to go into her office and see four
or five office girls — each opening letters from the
same mail, and see the large baskets being piled
high with postal money orders, makes one feel
that she has created that for which she has striven.
To some there might be the tendency to look
down upon a business based wholly on the
sale of hair goods, but as John D. Rockefeller
gained his fortune by the sale of oil. Madam Wal-
263
ker has a right to gain her fortune by the sale of
(a hair) oil. When we think of Mr. Rockefeller,
we do not get a mental picture of him as a man
with a kerosene can in one hand and a jar of petro
leum in the other. Thus it is when we think of
Madam Walker, we do not get a picture of her
with a box of her "grower" in one hand and a
"Pressing comb" in the other. In both cases we
think of their individual fortune, their philanthropy
and their ingenuity as Business Magnates.
How many a poor mortal has spent his whole life
In the vain hopes of the acquisition of a fortune,
and after having arrived at the desired end lost it
in one mad play. How different with Madam Wal
ker. In a space of fourteen years, she by her dex
terity and business foresight, has acquired a for
tune and serves as an inspiration for others to feel
that truly, "All service ranks the same with God."
A few years ago she was poor and unknown, save
to her neighbors and those for whom she toiled.
^ret, on September 2, 1917, The New York Times
Magazine gave her space with cuts of the exterior
and interior of her beautiful New York home. She
is easily the wealthiest Negro woman in the coun
try.
Although the formula for the "grower" came, as
she teLs it, to her in a dream, her fortune has not
been acquired by any chance, nor did she have any
inherited wealth, with which to start in business ,
Her only asset was her unbounding faith in her
formula, that it would do what she claimed for it,
and her determination to make the public regard
it in the same light.
She began in a small way, the wash tub furnish
ing the means to commence her enterprise.
She has labored, thought, and carried out her
plans with such business tact that today she gives
employment to a thousand Negro women and to a
lawyer, who finds all his time taken with her af-
lairs.
As has been said, Madam Walker began with no
inherited wealth for her capital. Her birth and
early life, were amid the most humble surround
ings. She was born in Delta, Louisiana. Her par
ents, Owen and Minerva Breedlove, were honest
farmers. At the age of seven, Madam Walker
found herself an orphan. She was then taken to
Vicksburg, Mississippi, to live wih her sister, and
a none-too-kind Brother-in-law. Her life was so
miserable that at the age of fourteen she married
in order to get a more comfortable home. The
marriage proved a happy one and though the home
was humble it was brightened by love and the mer
ry laughter of their only child, Leila. The family
RESIDENCE OF MADAM C. J. WALKER— IR VINGTON. ON HUDSON, N. Y.— (FRONT VIEW)
circle was broken by the death of the husband,
leaving Madam Walker a widow at the age of
twenty. She moved from Vicksburg to St. Louis,
Missouri, where she lived for eighteen years. Here
she reared and educated her daughter and succeed
ed in sending her to Fisk University. In order to
do this Madam Walker endured many harships and
much toil.
In 1905 came the turning point in her life ; she
discovered a remedy for growing hair. After hav
ing tried it successfully on herself and family, she
decided to make a business of it. Thus July 19,
1905, she left St. Louis, Missouri, for Denver, Col
orado, to enter upon her business. She was called
upon to face many obstacles and much discourage
ment, but these she over came, and like a shrewd
business clerk, she succeeded in convincing the
people that she was offering them just what they
wanted. After they had bought once they contin
ued to buy. This grew into a fair business in Den
ver in the space of a year.
While the people in Denver were convinced the
outside public was prone to be a little skeptical re
garding this new wonder. Here again her clear,
calm mind responded to the situation. She started
to travel in the interest fo her work. Many of
her friends told her that she would not make fare
from one town to the other. But this very strong
willed woman saw only success ahead of her, and
she went out to claim it. She started out on this
mission September 15, 1906. For a year and a
half she traveled and at the end of that time the
mail order business had become so large that she
had to settle somewhere temporarily. Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania was selected and she established her
business there and left it in charge of her daughter
and again started out to travel. Her travels led
her all over the United States, Cuba, Panama, and
the West Indies. This gave her an excellent op
portunity to decide on a permanent place for a fac
tory. It so happened that Indianapolis, Indiana,
through its cordial welcome impressed her as a
most favorable place for home and factory. Here
she has since purchased and paid for a beautiful
home, valued at ten thousand dollars, adjoining
which is a factory, and laboratory, said to be the
most complete of its kind in the United States.
For a number of years, Madam Walker lived
here, managing the home and the factory.
Throughout the city were many agents and where-
ever she traveled there were other agents. In fact,
Madam Walker had to employ a lawyer, now her
business combined with her investments and real
estate demands the entire attention of her lawyer,
264
RESIDENCE OF MADAM C. J. WALKER— IRVINGTON ON HUDSON, N. Y.— (REAR VIEW)
Mr. F. B. Ransom. The business is incorporated
with a capital stock of $10.000, with an income of
$1000.00 per week.
Since coming to Indianapolis she is regarded as
one of the most active in its commercial life and
her business methods are unquestionable. But that
which has endeared her even more to the people
is her philanthropy. Her donations to Charity are
many and varied and one perhaps better depicts the
real soul of this woman from her annual donations
of fifty Christmas baskets to poor families of In
dianapolis. Many of these people Madam Walker
has never seen and even though she no longer lives
in the city, she has arranged that this annual affair
be continued.
Aside from the annual donations to the Old
Folk's Home and Orphans' Home in Indianapolis,
St. Louis, and other cities, Madam Walker donates
largely to temperance cause and gives fifty dollars
annually for the current expenses of the Y. M. C.
A. and Y. W. C. A., as well as contributes one hun
dred dollars a year to the International Y. M. C.
A. Much has been said of Madam Walker being
the first to donate $1000.00 to the Y. M. C. A. when
she made this contribution to the Colored Branch
of Indianapolis, but the true greatness of her gift
was the Christian spirit which prompted her and
the inspiration that it gave to others of her race to
do likewise.
Madam Walker's philanthrophy is not restricted
to Home, but extends even to Africa. She has es
tablished an industrial school in Africa and she has
set aside a certain percentage of her annual in
come for its upkeep. She also maintains many
scholarships at Tuskegee and other institutions.
In her travels, Madam Walker meets many who
afterwards seek her aid and after she has carefully
investigated their condition she lends them a help
ing hand in one way or another. Surely an un
biased historian will record her as a shrewd busi
ness manager, a broad philanthropist and a devoted
Christian worker.
Since writing this sketch, Madam
Walker has passed to the "Great be
yond." She died Sunday morning, May
25th. 1919, leaving an estate valued at
$1,000.000.00. The estimated value of
her real estate was about $800,000.00
and the other was in personal property,
stocks, bonds, etc.
imiiimimiuiimii
iimillllm
265
GEORGE HENRY SIMS, D. D.
R. George Henry Sims, D. D., was
born in a double log cabin in Gum-
land County, Virginia, April 8th,
1871. His parents had been slaves.
Set free, they moved into Cum
berland County, and reared their
children there. Born on the farm, the future
pastor of popular Union Baptist Church of New
York, spent his early clays with the mule and the
plow and the hoe. He was converted at the age of
eleven and was baptized one year later.
Coming into young manhood, Dr Sims left the
farm and began to work on the railroads. Here
he labored for seven years. On going- t3 New
York he sought and obtained employment as an
elevator runner. Eager to push ahead, however,
he carried his books with him and studied during
his ; narf moments in the day and at night. ! [e had
from his experience on the railroad become inter
ested in stationary engineering. This subject he
now pursued, and in a little while obtained a li
cense as a mechanical engineer, a license which he
hi Id in the city of New York for I en years. This
again, however, was but the stepn i'g stone to a
higher calling. He had long yearned to preach. 1 1 is
opportunity to study theology now arrived. While
working as a stationary engineer he took studies
in theology.
By 1898 he felt himself ready to follow the real
life mission he believed he was called to perform.
On August 23rd, 1898, he was ordained at Nyack,
New York. Here for a time he was pastor of a
small church, but in 1898 he went to New York
City to organize the present Union Baptist Church,
204-06 West 63rd Street, a church in the district
much neglected by church workers ; a church,
which, as an organization, had nailed up its doors
for want of a congregation and for need of support
for a pastor.
Opening first a mission here, then the old church,
then building a new one, Dr. Sims became famous
as a preacher and a worker in New York, and in
the country round about. Honors now began to
come to him from nearly every section of the coun
try. He was made a Doctor of Divinity by Guad-
alupe College of Seguin, Texas, in 1905. He was
chosen a member of the board of trustees of Vir
ginia Theological Seminary, a member of the board
of Managers of the New England Baptist Mission
ary Convention, President of the New York Color
ed Baptist State Convention, Vice-President of the
National Baptist Convention, a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Northern University, a
member of the Board of Managers of the Walton
Kindergarden, and President of the West End
Workers Association of New York.
To honors in service and uplift work have been
added many appointments from the various gov
ernors of New York. The governor's party politics
seems to make but little difference in his case. In
1913 he was appointed by Governor Sulzer as a
member of the Emancipation Proclamation Com
mission ; in the fall of the same year he was ap
pointed by Governor Glynn a delegate to the Eman
cipation Proclamation Commission which convened
at Atlantic City, New J ersey ; he was also appoint
ed by Governor Glynn, as a delegate to the fifth an
nual convention of National Educational Congress,
of Oklahoma, in 1914 ; and was appointed by Gov
ernor Whitman, as a delegate to attend the Negro
National Educational Congress, which was held at
Washington, D. C., 1916. Thus has he stood with
the rulers of the state regardless of party or creed.
Prominent in sacred and religious work. Dr.
Sims does not neglect his membership and stand
ing in secret bodies. He was made a 33rd degree
Mason in 1911. He is a member of the Independ
ent Order of St. Luke and of the Ancient Daugh
ters of the Sphinx. He has traveled extensively
in the United States and in Canada.
Dr. Sims has been twice married. He was first
married to Miss Mary E. Davis, September 25th.
1895. Their one child, Ethel, lived but two years.
The mother died in August 1908. The second' Mrs.
Sims was Miss Louise D. Russell, to whom Dr.
Sims was married in 1909. Five children have been
born from this union, of whom three are living:
Edith Thelma, aged seven; George II., Jr., aged
five; and Arial Louise, aged two years.
266
FRANK S. HARGRAVE, M. D.
F the professions open to men, the
two which seem to appeal to the
colored man more than others is
the ministry and medicine. Both
of these look to the betterment
of the human family. One has the
spiritual interest of man at heart and the other
seeks his physical well-being. Both are high call
ings and both occupy important places in the af
fairs of men.
Dr. Hargrave is an honored member of the lat
ter profession, and has reached a high place in it.
Dr. Hargrave was born in Lexington, North
Carolina, and was a member of a large family,
which made it difficult for him to secure help in
obtaining his education.
In his early days he attended the public schools
o'f Lexington, North Carolina, and the State Nor
mal School, of Salisbury, North Carolina.
At the age of sixteen he assumed the responsi
bility of his further education and in order to meet
the expense of his tuition he worked in tobacco
factories in Western North Carolina. The money
earned in this way carried him through Shaw Un
iversity, at Raleigh, North Carolina. At this fam
ous institution he took -both the Literary and Med
ical courses, winning his degrees. After complet
ing his work at the University he immediately took
up the practice of medicine.
He first located in Winston-Salem North Carolina,
where he remained from 1901 to 1903, but was con
vinced that he had made a mistake in the location
selected and so decided upon a change. In 1903
he removed from Winston-Salem to Wilson, North
Carolina, where he has since lived. Here he has
built up a large and lucrative practice and is held in
high esteem by all classes.
Very few men have greater opportunities for do
ing good than the Christian physician, and Dr.
Hargrave is not only a Christian, but a very
active one. He is a member and deacon of the
First Baptist Church of Wilson, North Carolina,
and the Superintendent of the Sunday school. With
him the offices held in the church are not merely
places of honor, but of work, and he is giving his
best efforts to the cause. He is a member of the
Executive Committee of the North Carolina Bap
tist Sunday School Convention, and is thus brought
into close and sympathetic touch with the religious
sentiment of the State.
In 1912 he was elected President of the __orth
Carolina Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical As
sociation. The same year he was elected a mem
ber of the Executive Board of the National Medical
Association.
In 1914, at Raleigh, North Carolina Dr. Hargrave
had the honor of being elected President of the Na
tional Medical Association, an unusual honor as he
was elected practically without opposition. This
election gave the Doctor much pleasure and was a
matter of commendable pride to him. Dr. Har
grave does not confine his activities to his profes
sion, and the interests of his denomination, though
these are his first love, but ardently labors with a
number of secret orders fostered by his people. He
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of
Pythias, and is the President of the Lincoln Ben
efit Society, of Wilson, North Carolina. He is ac
tively identified with all of these orders. While
serving the public, Dr. Hargrave has not neglected
his personal affairs and by close economy and wise
use of his money he has accumulated quite a nice
property and is one of the large property owners
of his race in the town of Wilson. He is loyal to
the town in which he located and believes that he
helps himself when he invests his means in pro
perty in his home city. He thus sets a worthy ex
ample to others.
Possibly the pride of his heart, as the inspiration
came from his heart, is the "Verona Cottage," the
beautiful home he erected for his wife in Eastern,
North Carolina. Here they find great joy and
pleasure in a sweet companionship the only dreg
in their cup of bliss being the absence of children.
267
JAMES EDWARD SHEPHERD, PH. G., D. D., A. M.
PRESIDENT NATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL
—DURHAM, N. C.
JIAT the good work being clone in
the many institutions in the South
is not confined to the schools es
tablished right after Emancipa
tion of the Negro or soon after,
but is shared by the younger in
stitutions, is brought out in the history of the Na
tional Training School, at Durham, North Carolina.
This institution of learning was established in 1910.
At that time it was known as The National Reli
gious Training School. For five years it worked
under this name and with the Religious Training as
its chief aim. In 1916 it was completely reorgan
ized and rechartered under the laws of North Caro
lina, as the National Training School.
The National Training School stands for efficien
cy ; this is abundantly proven by the high scholar
ship maintained by its students in Northern and
Southern Colleges, as well as by the work done by
pupils who have gone out into the active affairs of
the world. In 1918 the Institution sent out from
its Theological Department three thoroughly pre
pared ministers; from the Academic department,
eleven, and from the commercial, nine : Domestic
Art, two; Domestic Science, two.
The school is still young and is still forming its
courses. In the near future it hopes to number
along with the courses already mentioned the fol
lowing:
1. A thorough teacher-Training Course, espe
cially adapted to the needs of the rural teacher.
2. A bureau of investigation to study the social,
moral, physical and economic conditions of the Ne
gro, so as to be able to co-operate in an intelligent
manner with organized bodies and civic authorities
so as to really better the condition of the Negro.
3. Conferences along the various lines as sug
gested above.
4. Group studies in various sections of the coun-
try.
5. Extension courses, so as to carry the idea of
this school into every section of the country.
One of the prime aims of the school is to lift the
race into racial consciousness thus helping it to
come into its own. In this way it hopes that by-
lifting and serving its own to serve and aid the
State and the nation. One of the particular be
liefs of those in authority at the National Training
School is that the large schools cannot reach its
students in the close, intimate way for real con
structive work in the same manner as the smaller
institutions. Hence one of the aims of this school
has been to gather together a particular group of
well-selected persons, train them and send them
out in turn to train others.
In order to put the school within the means of all
the people, the. charges are very small indeed
There is a charge of only ten dollars for board,
room rent, lights, heat and tuition. This means
that the school must be supported by the public.
This is the real reason why this institution has to
keep ever before the public its many needs. But
the aim of the institution and the amount of good
already being done justifies the appeal for help.
Look at the Religious Education as Set Forth by
the National Training School :
1. Awakens the dormant energies of an indi
vidual and directs these aroused forces into chan
nels of usefulness and service.
2. Causes a man to see himself as he really is ;
no man is worth while who has not seen himself,
his powers, his possibilities.
3. Reduces crime, stops idleness, prevents vio
lence, thus adds to the peace and prosperity of a
community.
4. Alleviates race prejudice.
5. Brings about at all times a peaceful adjust
ment between capital and labor.
6. Promotes steadfastness and reliability, be
cause it is a character builder.
7. Teaches absolute self-control.
268
8. Makes religion a practical every-day reality,
not simply an emotional noise.
9. Will promote race consciousness.
10. It is founded on the Bible.
The National Training School has a high stan
dard for its students. Students are received from
high schools and academies approved by the facul
ty and placed in corresponding classes without ex
amination. This is done only on the presentation
of certificates showing their rank in the school
which they are leaving. Others are admitted to the
school through examination. In order that the full
stamp of the spirit of the school may be made upon
each person leaving her doors .there is a rule re
quiring students to spend their senior year as res
idents of the dormitory. Frequently students make
application for special courses. To supply this de
mand, the National Training School has rulings
iiiul regulations that permit such persons to be
come students there. But before they are taken
on this ground they have to satisfy a committee
that they are fitted for the type of work that they
are preparing to do.
These special courses in the trade, religious, and
academic line are open especially to persons of ma
ture years and judgement.
One of the theories, and it is working out well.
of this school is this: "Change the man and the
man will change the environment." Therefore,
above all else the school stands for a sound Chris
tian character, a sound body, a trained mind, and
well directed industrial training. To fully effect
this change and to get the greatest benefit from
the change, the National Training School uses a
system of self-government. To this end each stu
dent is al'owed, as far as possible, to regulate h;s
conduct by his or her sense of honor, justice and
propriety. The school looks to the self-control of
each individual student in the end. Their regu'a-
tions are such as have been tested and proven of
value in the development of well-rounded charac
ter, and students who think that they cannot abide
by these regulations are advised not to seek en
trance in the school at all. In all things the student
of the National Training School is 'ooked upon and
treated as a gentleman or lady. The only thing
that can change this attitude of the teachers' and
officers toward a student is the misbehavior of the
individual himself.
The students maintain numerous organizations,
religious, athletic, literary, musical and social.
Then there are numerous class and inter-class or
ganizations. All these make for the personal ac
quaintance of the teachers and pupils. The socials
of the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A., are espe
cially attractive to the new students and to the old
students as well. The officers of the various stu
dent organizations can be held only by students
who are doing their work in a satisfactory manner.
This applies to the athletic teams and the publish
ing board. In fact, in order to get any of the hon
or that comes from representing the school in the
athletic world or the literary world, good work in
the regular class room regime must be done. In
addition to this ruling there is another which is
equally as good. No student will be eligible to ac
tive participation in conduct and management of
more than two such organizations during the same
semester. Any time that a student begins to fail
in his studies he is notified that he must give up
some of his outside duties.
Backing this institution and helping shape its
courses and destinies we find some very strong
men. On the Board of Trustees arc: Mr. Howard
J. Chidley, D. D.. of Winchester, Mass., Judge [eter
C. Pritchard, Asheville, North Carolina; James E.
Shepard, Durham, North Carolina; General Julian
S. Carr, Durham, North Carolina; James B. Mason,
Durham, North Carolina; W. Y. Chapman, Newark
New Jersey; William G. Pearson, Durham, North
Carolina; J. Elmer Dellinger, M. D., Greensboro,
North Carolina ; and J. Stanley Durkee. Ph. D. C.,
Mr. Gordan Parker, Winchester, Mass.; and F. J.
West, N. Y. With these men back of him the
president, Mr. James E. Shepard, in his character
istic fearless manner is establishing this school and
shaping its courses. Somewhere President Shep
ard is on record as saying: "The Negro begs little
fur h'mself as an individual, but he does beg for his
schools and his churches, so that the masses may
be lifted up."
"The home field cannot be neglected and the
foundations of the Government remain secure. In
a Republic, next to the homes, the schools are the
Nation's bulwark and strength. They must teach
lessons of patriotism and lessons of self-control.
Hence they must be fostered and supported."
Before taking up the work in Durham, President
Shepard spent years in active service that fully
prepared him for the many different tasks that de
volve upon the President of an institution of learn
ing. Indeed President Shepard has had all the ex
perience necessary to make him a real guiding star
to the National Training School.
President James Fdward Shepard was born at
Raleigh. N. C., Nov. 3, 1875, and educated at Shaw
University, 1883-90, and received the degree of Ph.
G.. Department of Pharmacy, same college. In
1894 he took private course in theology, and in
1912 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity,
Musgingum's College, Ohio; and has A. M. degree
from Selma University, (Ala.) in 1913.
He has been honored with many positions
of trust and honor; Comparer of deeds, recroder's
office. Washington, D. C., 1898; deputv collector
U. S. Internal Revenue, Raleigh, N. C., 1899-05:
Field Superintendent International Sunday School
Association (work among Negroes) 1905-09; Pres
ident National Training School for Colored Race,
Durham, April 1910. Director Mechanics and Far
mers Bank, State Industrial Association ; President
Interdenominational Sunday School Convention,
(Exec. Com. 1909-14) ; Trustee Lincoln School for
Nurses, Durham ; Member North Carolina Medical
Association ; Delegate and only Negro speaker
World's S. S. Convention, Rome, Italy, 1907; a
Mason ; Clubs ; Civic. National Arts, Aerial League.
He has traveled extensively in Europe, Africa and
Asia ; a lecturer.
269
HENRY LAWRENCE McCROREY, D. D.
EV. H. L. McCrorey, D. D., is one
of those quiet presidents in the
smaller Southern College, one
who is doing his work quietly,
conscientiously, effectively. He
was born in Fairfield County,
South Caroina, March 2nd, 1863.
As a boy he worked on the farm
and attended the Richardson school at Winnsboro,
S. C. Finally, in 1886, he enrolled as a student in
Biddle University, North Carolina. This marked
the turning point in his career. Here was to be
laid the scene of all his achievements, as a student,
as a teacher, as an executive. He was graduated
from the High School and Collegiate and Theolog
ical departments. Later he specialized in the Sem
itic languages in the University of Chicago. He was
appointed teacher in the High School department
of his alma mater after this special preparation.
Having gained a reputation here as a teacher, he
was promoted to the position of Principal. From
here he was moved to the position of head Latin
teacher in the Collegiate department, where he
made a good record as a teacher of the classics.
He was again promoted, this time to the chair of
Hebrew and Greek in the department of Theology.
This postition has in itself an interesting and help
ful phase. As is well known, in some instances, in
the denominational schools where there are white
teachers, colored teachers will be and are substi
tuted whenever available. Riddle, which is under
the Presbyterian Church, has followed this policy,
as has Morehouse in Atlanta and Jackson College
in Jackson, Mississippi, the two latter being Bap
tist schools. Dr. McCrorey enjoys the distinction
of succeeding the last white man who taught in
Biddle. In 1907 he was again promoted to the pres
idency of Biddle University, succeeding the late
Dr. Sanders.
Dr. McCrorey has taken an active part in the
work of uplift in the church and among the people.
He was delegate in 1909 to the Pan-Presbyterian
Alliance in New York City; a delegate in 1915. ap
pointed by the State, to the Southern Sociological
Congress, which met in Houston, Texas. He is a
member of the American Academy of Political and
Social Science, and of a committee of the Federal
Council of the Churches of Christ in America, and
a member of the Social Service Commission of the
Northern Presbyterian Church. He is close'y iden
tified with the local uplift work in Charlotte, being
the president of the colored Chamber of Commerce
in that city.
Dr. McCrorey has been twice married. His first
wife was Miss Karie N. Hughes, of Mebane, N. C.,
who died in 1911. His present wife was Miss Mary
C. Jackson of Athens, Ga., who was for several
years a close co-laborer with Miss Lucy Laney as
Associate Principal of Haynes Institute, Augusta,
Ga. To the first wife were born four children, one
boy and three girls. The boy is now a college stu
dent in Biddle University. The oldest girl is a stu
dent in Fisk University, the next a student in Sco
tia College for Women, and the third is attending
public school in Charlotte.
As president of Biddle University, Dr. McCro
rey is of course best known.
Biddle University is located in Charlotte. North
Carolina. It owns seventy acres of land and four
teen buildings, the whole being valued at $225,000.
It has four departments : High School, Arts and
Sciences, Theological and Industrial. It is conser
vative, thorough, clean and straight-forward in its
policy. Many leading Negroes, especially in the
professions, owe all they have become to Biddle.
Biddle's position in North Carolina, as well as
that of Dr. Crorey, is seen happily in the following
clipping from a column editorial appearing in the
Charlotte Observer, November 16, 1911, the day
following the laying of the corner-stone of the
splendid new Carnegie Library which cost $15,-
000.00.
"Biddle University is now in its forty-fourth
year. It has been pursuing its mission quietly and
without any blowing of trumpets, preferring to
make its way on merit rather than by the circus
methods adopted by some schools, and encouraged
by the success it has attained. Mr. D. A. Tompkins.
who was present at the corner-stone laying yester
day and who was highly praised by Dr. McCrorey
for the unselfish interest he has always taken in
the school, thinks that Biddle is a model school and
that it would well repay those who are interest
ed in the solution of race questions everywhere
throughout the world to visit this place and study
the methods that have made this institution one
of the most conservative influences in the land. In
his address, Mr. Clarkson, who for seven years was
solicitor for the 12th Judicial District, said yes
terday that during his term of office he had never
been called upon to prosecute any man who had
ever attended this school. "
270
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, BIDDL E UNIVERSITY— CHARLOTTE, N. C.
N the first years of the work of of land, 14 buildings, 18 professors and other teach
ers, and combines all the advantages of academic
seclusion and easy access to a business center.
There are four main departments in the University.
The Preparatory trains for teaching and for busi
ness and for college. The College department of
fers two courses, classical and scientific, covering
the usual four years, and affording the advantages
of a liberal education.
The Theological department is organized on the
usual plan of the Seminaries of the Presbyterian
church with a full three year's course. The Indus
trial department includes training in carpentry,
printing, plastering, tailoring, bricklaying, shoe-
making, black-smithing, and to some extent agri
culture.
Biddle has sent out from its various departments
1433 graduates, 169 of these being ministers of the
gospel. There have been enrolled over 10.000 stu
dents, of whom about nine-tenths became profess
ing Christians, mostly Presbyterians.
At first a white president and professors presid
ed over and conducted the affairs of Biddle, but in
1891, the entire faculty was colored, with Rev. D.
J. Sanders, D. D., as president. At his death Dr.
H. L. McCrorey was called to the presidency.
the Presbyterian Church for the
Freed-Men of the South, a special
necessity developed the need of a
training school which, with God's
blessing, might prepare, for the
work of the church and a trained ministry.
Through the generous gift, in memory of Maj.
Henry J. Biddle of Philadelphia, from his widow
the necessary buildings were built on a beautiful
tract of eight acres, the gift of Col. W. R. Myers,
a citizen of Charlotte. Biddle Institute, located at
Charlotte, North Carolina, was opened for students
September 16th, 1867. When the first session op
ened there were present forty-three students,
twenty of these candidates for the ministry, and
the others seeking preparation for the work of
teaching.
'"Riddle Institute" has grown into "Biddle Uni
versity." It is a chartered institution with prop
erty vested in a Board of Trustees, for the Pres
byterian Church, U. S. A., under the care of the
Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen, and
the salaries of the profess6rs and other expenses of
this institution are paid out of the board's funds.
Biddle University now consists of about 80 acres
271
VIEW OF CAMPUS. HENDERSON NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE— HENDERSON, N. C.
N 1865, in Manchester, Kentucky,
was born Rev. John Adams Cot
ton, A. B., of Henderson. North
Carolina. Having spent some
time in the public schools of his
native town, he left Manchester,
and entered Berea College, Berea, Ky., where he
studied for four years doing preparatory work,
later entering Knoxville College, Tennessee. Here
he received his Bachelor's degree. Long before
this he had decided to enter the ministry. Having
now finished his college course, he turned his at
tention to prepartion for his chosen life work, that
of the Christian Ministry. He enrolled as a student
of Divinity in the Pittsburg Theological Seminary,
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained until
he had finished his course.
Finishing his course in Theo'ogy, Mr. Cotton de
cided that though he would preach, he would put
decided emphasis on education and that if Provi
dence so directed, he would invest his energies in
school work. He took his first charge at Cleveland.
Tennessee. The charge was significant in that it
represented at the outset the very dual situation
he had preferred — preaching and teaching. In 1899
he took charge of a church and became principal
of the Cleveland Academy in Cleveland, Tennessee.
From Cleveland he was called to the head of the
Henderson Normal and Industrial Institute, Hen
derson, North Carolina, where he is still laboring.
The Henderson Institute is one of those strong
conservative Presbyterian schools under the con
trol of the United Presbyterian Church. It is an
example of the kind of work this church is trying
to do. It provides buildings and grounds as com
fortable as possible, offers courses for the training
of the hand and head, and seeks to mould at the
bottom sound Christian character. Assuming and
planning that every teacher shall be a Christian
worker, the school has regular training classes for
student teachers in Sunday teaching and Bible
study.
While planning definitely for the career of ser
vice for the teacher, the school does not forget the
c! ; racter and development of the every day stu
dent. It maintains a flourishing Y. M. C. A., and
a flourishing Y. W. C. A. It has three literary
societies, which give the members opportunity for
debate and for general training in public speaking.
Its "Things Required" show how persistent is the
endeavor to provide men and women of clean
character and lofty ideals. These things show how
close and careful a watch is kept over the actions
and health of the students.
Of equal significance is the school's "Things For
bidden."
THINGS FORBIDDEN.
1. Unpermitted association of ladies and gen
tlemen, communication in writing between them
or visiting to the halls or rooms of the other.
2. Boisterousness, dancing, running in the build
ings, etc.
3. Games of chance, profane or indecent lan
guage, the use or possession of tobacco, snuff, in
toxicating liquor or of weapons of any kind.
4. Calling, conversing or /throwing from the
windows.
5. No light literature is allowed among the stu
dents.
6. Visitors cannot be received during school or
study hours, and gentlemen, unknown to the Ma
tron or Principal are not permitted to see lady stu
dents at any time, unless they bring letters of intro
duction from parents or guardians to the Matron
or Principal, and then subject to the discretion of
the Principal."
Such in brief is the school over which Reverend
272
MAIN BUILDING— HENDERSON NORMAL &
INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE.
Cotton ])residos and to which he gives character.
It has an enrollment of 461 students, most of whom
are hoarders, hut all of whom are suhject to the
regulations. Principal Cotton has heen in charge
here 15 years. L'nder him many new courses have
heen introduced and many reforms made.
Reverend Cotton was married in 1900 to Miss
Maud R. Brooks, of Oberlin, Ohio. They have
one daughter, Carol Blanche, who is 12 years old.
The following from the 1916 U. S. Bulletin No.
39, gives a more complete account of its plans and
equipment :
The school was founded in 1891, hy the Board of
Freedmen's Missions of the United Presbyterian
Church, and is owned and supported hy that board.
ATTENDANCE: Total, 375; elementary 334;
secondary 41 ; male 152, female 223. Of those re
porting, 26 were from Henderson, 42 from other
places in North Carolina, and eight from other
States. There were 43 pupils above the seventh
grade boarding at the school.
TEACHERS AND WORKERS: Total 18; all col
ored ; male 5, female, 13 ; academic 9, music 1 ;
girls' industries 3. boys' industries 1, matrons 2.
superintendent of broom factory and superinten
dent of hospital.
INDUSTRIAL: The industrial course for boys
are limited to instruction in printing, broommak-
ing, and simple manual training. The girls above
the seventh grade receive good instruction in cook
ing and sewing under the direction of three teach
ers.
NURSE TRAINING: Nurse training is provided
in a well-equipped hospital built by the women's
board, with a training nurse in charge. Students
needing medical attention and patients from the
community or surrounding counties are admitted
The number of patients is comparatively small.
The Financial department is well cared for. The
accounts are carefully kept and the financial man
agement appears to be economical.
SOURCES OF INCOME: United Presbyterian
Board, $8,000 ; tuition and fees $500. The non edu
cational receipts amounted to $4.100, or which
$4,000 was from boarding department and $100
from the trade school.
PLANT: Land: Estimated value, $2,000. The
land comprises 13 acres just outside the corporate
limits of the town. About half of the land is used
for campus and recreation purposes. The remain
der is used for orchard, pasture, and a small farm.
BUILDINGS: Estimated value. $41,500. The
main building is a frame structure, two stories high
and contains class-rooms and a chapel seating 500.
Fulton Home is the girl's dormitory, accommodat
ing 75. It contains the dining room, domestic
science department, laundry, and matron's office.
The boys' dormitory, a two-story frame building,
accommodates 75, also houses the printing office.
The teachers' home is a neat two story building.
Jubilee Hospital is a two-story brick building, with
wards for men, women, and children, an operating
room and 'several private rooms. There are also
several small buildings, including the janitor's cot
tage. The buildings are simple in construction, in
good repair and neat in appearance.
MOVABLE EQUIPMENT: Estimated value $6,900.
$6.900. Of this $5,700 was in furniture and hospital
equipment, $500 in farm implements, and live
stock, $450 in library books, and $250 in shop tools.
i^l
HOSPITAL BUILDING— HENDERSON NORMAL
& INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE
273
JAMES B. DUDLEY, A. M., LL. D.
HERE are those who drift into the
work of education ; those who are
pressed in by necessity, and those
who enlist in the cause by choice.
Dr. James B. Dudley, of Greens
boro, North Carolina, is one of
those to enter and to remain by
choice. Educated when learning
was rare among American Negroes ; he looked up
on school teaching as a calling, a mission. The
idea of the Quaker and of the Puritan, that being
taught you should go teach others, took possession
of Dr. Dudley, long before his school career ended.
Further there was inculcated into his education,
that one should not go to Africa, South America,
but back home, to lift those of your own kith and
kin.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1859,
Dr. Dudley received his first training through pri
vate instruction, public education for the colored
youth being out of the question in North Caro
lina at that time. From Wilmington Dr. Dudley
made his way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where
he studied at the Philadelphia Institute for Colored
Youths. He later gained the degree of Master of
Arts at Livingston College, Salisbury, North Caro
lina, and LL. D., from Wilberforce University.
His early education completed. Dr. Dudley re
turned to his State and began his labor as a school
teacher. He began in the rural school, where his
help was most needed and where he gained the ex
perience which was to serve him most valuably in
his work as college president. From the rural
schools he was called to the principalship of the
Peabody Graded School, of Wilmington. Here for
sixteen years he labored, doing much toward put
ting the Negro public schools here on a solid foot
ing. Sixteen years principalship at Wilmington,
with experience in the rural schools and among
rural folks had seasoned him for larger service.
Thus when the Agricultural and Technical College,
formerly known as the A. & M. College, began to
take form, choice quite readily settled upon Dr.
Dudley ; he who had been an educator all his ca
reer; who had labored in city and in country; who
was a native of the soil came very rightfully to the
best his native State had to offer for one of his
race.
The Negro Agricultural and Technical College
was founded in 1891. It is one of the several col
leges established under the Morrill Act. To the
funds authorized by the Morrill Act were added
fourteen acres of land and eleven thousand dollars
by the citizens of Greensboro. To this sum again
was added ten thousand dollars by the General
Assembly of North Carolina. Five years after the
founding of this institution. Dr. Dudley was called
to its presidency. This was in 1896. Thus for
twenty-three years he has administered its work.
Under him new buildings have been erected, old
ones renovated, farms cultivated, courses added
and adjusted to suit the demands of the day. True
to its title the institution has courses leading to
degrees in Agriculture in many branches, in Me
chanical Arts and Technical subjects. Yet has nev
er lost sight of the fact that the head is master of
the hand, indeed of the whole body. To this end
it has maintained very high standards in literary
branches.
In deportment, as well as in scholarship, A. & T.
College has set for its students unusually high and
rigid standards. Many of its rules are worth quot
ing and worthy of emulation. Thus it requires :
1. Regular students must take a minimum of
fifteen hours of credit work per week at least six
of which shall be industrial work.
2. Examinations for the removal of conditions
will be held at no time than the regular term ex
amination periods. A minimum credit of 85 per
cent must be made to remove conditions.
3. Students making an average of 70 per cent
or more will be passed; over 85 per cent passed
honorably.
4. Student candidates for graduation will be re
quired to pass a satisfactory examination in all the
subjects in their respective courses.
5. Any student failing to secure 50 per cent of
the total marks obtainable during any term, will
be required to take a lower class or sever his con
nection with the college and be allowed to return
the following session.
It is the aim of this institution to send forth men
who are fit representatives. To this end, the fa
culty reserves the right to refuse to admit any
student to the senior class or to graduate any one
who though qualified by class record, may other
wise be unfit.
Again to influence and to restrict, the institution
rules that each student upon applying for admision
will be required to sign a pledge, binding obedience
to the rules of the college. Parents and guard-
274
MAIN BUILDING STATE AGRICULTURAL & TECHNICAL COLLEGE— GREENSBORO, N. C.
ians are particularly requested to examine our rul
es and regulations, to be found on another page of
this catalogue.
It will be the purpose of the college to maintain
a high moral tone and to develope a broad, tole
rant religious spirit among the students. In this
connection there is a well-organized Y. M. C. A.,
which meets twice a week for song and praise. A
special service will be conducted in the chapel each
Sunday by pastors representing the different de
nominations of the city. Sunday School is con
ducted every Sunday during school year. All re
ligious services will be free from sectarianism. A
flourishing Temperance Society is now in opera
tion.
All this system has taken shape under the hand
of Dr. Dudley, backed by the State Board of Trus
tees and by a sympathetic public.
While putting his school on an up-to-date basis,
Dr. Dudley did not forget the demands upon the
present day college. He was one of the first Ne
gro educators to see that an institution must go
without its walls, must seek to educate the old as
well as the young. He founded the Metropolitan
Trust Company, of Wilmington, to stimulate and to
combine Negro business and established the Pion
eer Building and Loan Association, of Greensboro,
the oldest organization of its kind in Greensboro.
Beyond local services he has taken active part in
many educational and uplift undertakings in other
States and before the nation and in so doing has
been recipient of many honors. For nearly thirty
years he was foreign correspondent for the Ma
sonic Grand Lodge, of North Carolina. He was
delegate to the Republican National Convention
in St. Louis, in 1896. He is president of the North
Carolina Teachers' Association ; trustee of the An
nual A. M. E. Conference ; honorary member of
the Board of Trustees of Palmer Institute of Se-
dalia, North Carolina ; president of the North Car
olina Anti-Tuberculosis League ; chairman of the
Negro Railroad Commission ; founder of the Rural
Extension work and was the successful champion
against lawful segregation in North Carolina.
Dr. Dudley is a Mason, and a Pythian, and an ac
tive member of the National Association for Tea
chers in Colored Schools. He has traveled exten
sively in America and to some extent in Canada.
He owns property in Wilmington and in Greens
boro.
The Dudley family consists of three members,
Dr. and Mrs. Dudley, and Miss Annie Vivian. Mrs.
Dudley was Miss Sampson, of Wilmington. They
were married in 1884. Miss Dudley has finished
her education and was her father's bookkeeper, un
til her marriage in 1917 to Dr. S. B. Jones, Vice-
President and physician, of the A. and T. College.
GREEN HOUSE, STATE A. & T. COLLEGE.
275
JOHN WAKEFIELD WALKER, A. B., M. D.
F humble parentage, John Wake-
field Walker was born Decem
ber 26, 1872. His mother, Mrs.
Amanda Walker, was refugeed
from eastern North Carolina, to
Salisbury, during the Civil War.
There were six children in the Walker family, of
whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest.
Mrs. Walker was a woman of ambition and she
succeeded in firing her young son with a zeal to
render Christian service when he was still but a
lad. She died September 23, 1897.
From his early childhood. Dr. Walker had the
privilege of attending school. His first schooling
was received in the city schools of Asheville. Hav
ing gotten from them all that he could he went to
Livingston College. His sister, Mrs. Hester Lee,
was largely responsible for his being able to at
tend Livingston College. From Livingston he was
graduated in 1898, with the degree of A. B. Dr.
Walker lost no time but matriculated at the Leon
ard 'Medical College, Shaw University, Raleigh,
North Carolina. From Shaw he was graduated
with the degree of M. D., in 1902. Not yet satis
fied with his preparation for his life work, the
young doctor served an internship in the Freed-
man's Hospital at Washington, D. C, before he
settled down to his work.
The path of Dr. Walker from his humble home
to his present practice was not wholly strewn with
roses. In fact he had to work a great deal and in
many kinds of jobs in order to get the training he
now enjoys. He served as footman, butler, bell
boy, waiter, office boy, sleeping-car porter. But
his ambition had been fired by his mother and he
used these jobs merely as means to an end and was
never satisfied with them, and the easy money they
brought in.
Dr. Walker today is located in Asheville, North
Carolina. Asheville is a resort for patinets suffer
ing with pulmonary troubles. Here from all parts
of the south and the east persons suffering from
this disease gather. Dr. Walker owns and runs
his own sanatarium here for the treatment of such
cases. In fact, Dr. Walker has made a specialty
of this type of tuberculosis. Because of the cli
matic- conditions of the city and the gathering of
patients from other parts of the United States, Dr.
Walker has a large field. He does not, however,
confine himself solely to this work. He serves as
City Inspector of the Colored Schools of Asheville.
In this work he has the chance of preventing manv
a case of this sort by recognizing early, symptoms
and rendering aid before the real disease sets in.
Dr. Walker finds time to take part in all the va
ried activities for the uplife of his people. He is
a member of the A. M. E. Zion Church, serving as
the Superintendent of the Sunday School. He is a
member of the Free and Accepted Masons, "The
Beauty of the West Lodge," and of the Grand Un
ited Order of Odd Fellows. He served as Presi
dent of the North Carolina Medical Association, as
President of the Y. M. C. A., of Asheville, trustee
of the Livingston College, delegate to the General
Conference at Charlotte in 1912, and at Louisville
in 1916, and he is a member of the National Medi
cal Association. In all the lines of endeavor that
are for the advancement of the Colored people
there you will find Dr. J. W. Walker taking an ac
tive part.
Dr. Walker was married to Miss Eleanor Curtis
Mitchell, in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 22,
1904. From this union three children have been
born. The oldest, John Wakefield Walker. Jr., is
a lad of twelve years. Miss Amanda Lee Walker
is in her tenth year and little Miss Anna Belle Wal
ker is still a baby, being but four years of age. This
happy family lives in their own home on College
Street.
Dr. Walker is an inspiration to the young men
of his acquaintance. He has risen to a point of
prominence through his own efforts.
Besides owning his own home and his sanitarium
he owns several tenement houses.
276
JOSEPH LAWRENCE JONES
OUNDER and President of the
Central Regalia Company, Joseph
Lawrence Jones, was born June
12, 1868, at Mt. Healthy, Ohio,
near Cincinnati. He attended the
public schools of Cincinnati, and
graduated from Gaines High School, in 1886, after
which he taught school in Kentucky, Texas and
Ohio. He is also a graduate of the Sheldon Busi
ness College.
In 1902, Mr. Jones established the business which
has made his name well known wherever colored
lodges exist. The Central Regalia Company is
strictly a Negro enterprise, giving employment
to our own men and women. We find Mr. Jones
active in other fields. He is Vice Supreme Chan
cellor of the Knights of Pythias, Supreme Worthy
Counsellor of the Order of Calanthe, Vice-Presi-
clent of the Civic Welfare Committee of the Coun
cil of Social Agencies of Cincinnati, Chairman of
the Executive Committee of the National Negro
Press Association, a Director of the Fireside Mu
tual Aid Insurance Co., Secretary of the African
Union Co., Trustee of Colored Industrial School of
Cincinnati, Secretary of the Trustee Board of the
New Orphan Asylum, for Colored Youth and Pres
ident of the National Congress of Negro Frater
nities. In all these the business ability of Mr.
Jones is very apparent. The African Union Com
pany imports mahogany direct from Africa. Mr.
Jones is also editor in chief of the Fraternal Mon
itor, a monthly fraternal paper. Mr. Jones exe
cutes his varied duties with singular grace and
ease, which is an evidence of his business acumen
and rare poise. He is a member of the A. M. E.
Church, and belongs to the leading fraternities of
the county. In the interest of business or for
pleasure, Mr. Jones has traveled all over the United
States and consequently is .well known nationally.
Mr. Jones is happily married. Mrs. Jos. L.
Jones, (nee Helena Caffrey,) is the proud mother
of five children, four girls and one boy. Myra,
the eldest daughter, being the wife of Dr. Henry
C. Bryant, of Birmingham, Ala., Joseph Lawrence
Jr., is the active Manager of the Central Regalia
Co., Helen, is a teacher of Music in the Colored
Industrial School ; Ida and Martha are attending
High School. Mr. Jones lives in a well appointed
home in one of the best sections of the city and
has entertained there many of the leading men and
women of the race. For a man of good advice and
sound business ability, we would have to go a long
way to find a more successful man than Mr. Jones.
He is worthy of emulation by any young man who
is looking forward to business as his career. For
many years Mr. Jones was very active in local Re
publican politics and served several years as Dep
uty County Recorder and Deputy County Clerk. He
has served also as a member of the National Negro
Advisory Committee of the National Republican
Campaign Committee.
WORK-ROOM OF THE CENTRAL REGALIA
COMPANY— CINCINNATI, OHIO
277
GEORGE A. MYERS
George A. Myers
N 1859, on March 5th, George
A. Myers was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, being the eldest of the
three children of Isaac and Km ma
V. Myers. In May, 1868, he had
the misfortune to lose his mother
and consequently never had the
full advantage of a loving moth
er's care. He was sent to Providence, R. I., and en
tered the public schools ; from there to Washing
ton, D. C. where he also attended the public schools
and then to Preparatory Department of Lincoln
University, Chester County, Pa. His father, in the
meantime married Miss Sarah E. Deaver, and he
returned to Baltimore that he might he near his
father, and entered the First Grammar School for
Colored Children, graduating therefrom ; he at
tempted to gain admission to the Baltimore City
College, but was refused by reason of his color.
In 1875 he was apprenticed to the Veteran Paint
er of Washington. S. C., Mr. Thomas James but the
trade not being to his liking, he returned to Bal
timore and took up the barber trade with Messrs.
George S. Ridgeway and Thomas Gamble.
In 1879, he settled in Cleveland and was for nine
years foreman for Mr. James E. Benson, at the
Weddell House. Being of an affable nature, he
made many friends and in 1888 opened the now
famous Hollenden Hotel Barber Shop, which was
styled by his friend, Klbert Hubbard, as "the best
barber shop in America," and at present numbers
27 employees.
Growing up as he did with the City of Cleveland
and having the benefit of a large acquaintance he
became very active in politics and matters of race
advancement. In 1892, he was elected as an al
ternate delegate from the 21st District of Ohio,
to the Republican National Convention, at Minnea
polis. His vote in the delegation elected William
M. llahn, national committeeman from Ohio, and
it was largely instrumental in assisting the Mc-
Kinley-Hanna organizaton into being, and made
M. A" Hanna and William McKinley his life-long
friends.
During the McKinley pre-convention campaign
of 1896 he materially assisted Mr. Hanna and his
home was always open to those of our people who
came to Cleveland to consult with Mr. Hanna.
At St. Louis he had charge of the Ohio delega
tion that so ably looked after and cared for those
of our people who were delegates. After the con
vention Mr. McKinley personally thanked him for
his efforts in assisting Mr. Hanna, and tendered
him whatever place within reason he desired. He
declined to accept any office. Through his in
stigation and recommendation, the now Major W.
T. Anderson, was appointed Chaplain of the 10th
U. S. Cavalry, Hon. John R. Lynch, Paymaster in
the U. S. Army, and Hon. B. K. Bruce, Registrar
of the U. S. Treasury. In later years he secured
the appointmet of Hon. Chas. A. Cottrell as Col
lector of Internal Revenues at Honolulu. He was
Senator M. A. Hanna's personal representative on
the Republican State Executive Committee, (of
seven), for 1897-1898, which eventually proved to
be the most important State Committee in the
history of the Republican Party, of Ohio. In the
bitter Senatorial campaign that followed, Mr. My
ers was in the thickest of the fray. It was he who
settled the doubt when anxiety had settled on ev
ery countenance by bringing in the 72nd vote and
thereby asured Senator Hanna's return to the U.
S. Senate.
In 1900 he was elected by the Republican State
Convention as an Alternate-Delegate-at Large to
the Republican National Convention at Philadel
phia, and through his instrumentality the resolu
tion of Senator Quay reducing southern represen
tation was defeated. After serving three terms
as a member of the Rpublican State Executive
Committee, and following the death of President
McKinley and Senator M. A. Hanna, Mr. Myers
voluntarily retired from active politics and is now
devoting his whole time to business.
In 1912, through the instigaton of Dr. Booker
T. Washington, Mr. Myers was tendered the
management of the entire organization among the
Negro voters of the country, by Mr. Charles D.
Hilles, Chairman of the Republican National Com
mittee, having in charge President Taft's cam
paign. For business reasons only he declined. This
was the first and only time that the full conduct
of this work among the Negroes for a national
campaign was ever tendered to a single individual.
A fitting recognition of his politcal worth and abil
ity.
It was Mr. Myers, at St. Louis, who referred to
Mr. Hanna, as "Uncle Mark." This was taken up
by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Columbus Dis
patch and stuck to Mr. Hanna so long as he lived.
Mr. Myers, though not identified with the active
management, is a member of St. John A. M. K.
Church, and has done much to promote its inter
est. He is a Past Master of Masons and Past Ex
alted Ruler, Cuyahoga Lodge No. 95. of the I. B.
P., of Elks of the World At present he is act
ively identified with The Caterers' Association, the
leading and best Club of its kind among our people
in this country. He is also a member of the City
Club of Cleveland, and actively identified with ev
ery civic movement of importance to his people.
He has a beautiful and well-furnished home on one
of the best avenues and a wife and two children.
In 1896 he married Miss Maude E. Stewart. His
son, Herbert D. Myers, is a mechanic with The
White Automobile and Truck Company, and his
daughter, Dorothy Virginia Myers, is a teacher in
the public schools of Cleveland.
Mr. Myers attributes much of his success to the
tireless teachings of his stepmother and the friends
acquired through the same. There is no man of
his race that can boast of more intimate and per
sonal friendships among both races and no man
who more unselfishly loves to serve his people.
279
WILLIAM R. GREEN
I L L I A M R. Green, is a man
who was born educated and made
good in his profession in the same
place. He was born in Cleveland,
Ohio, on November 10th, 1872.
Here in Cleveland he attended
the Public Schools, the High School and later the
Law School. In all of these distinct steps in his
training he applied himself most diligently to his
tasks. He was always ambitious and it was this
that carried him on through the law school in spite
of the fact that the colored man as a usual thing
has a hard time in this profession.
June 8, 1895, Mr. Green was admitted to the
Practice of Law and since that time he has prac
ticed continually in Cleveland, Ohio. That he has
made a good living from his practice and been able
to save something out of it for the proverbial
rainy day is seen from the fact that he owns his
own home and two other houses and lots, all of
which are in the city of Cleveland. There is a
tendency on the part of some to try to starve out
the colored lawyer. The sense of justice makes
them admit one to the practice of law but then the
prejudice steps in. It is all this that Mr. Green
has succeeded in overcoming. To him and to oth
er young colored men of his time who have had the
courage to face the situation as it was and still is
in some places, great credit is due, for they are in
the true meaning of the word "pioneers."
Mr. Green is a member of the Republican Party,
and on two different occasions he was nominat
ed by the Republicans of Cuyahoga County,
Ohio. On both of these occasions the entire Re
publican ticket was defeated by the Democratic
Party. Mr. Green was not defeated by another
man on the same ticket, but because the whole
party was unable to swing things. Mr. Green has
long interested in military affairs, and is regarded
as a well equipped military man. He has also
been a Captain in the United States Army. For
twelve years he was Captain in the Ohio National
Guard, and was highly regarded by the men of
his command, as is shown by his long services as
their Captain. On July 15th, 1917 he was mustered
into the Federal Service. He served as Captain
of 372 Infantry in the United States National
Guard until January 12, 1918. At this time he was
honorably discharged for physical disibility.
In Religious belief, Mr. Green is a Catholic. Like
all men of this faith he is an earnest and faithful
worker in the interest of his church. He is a mem
ber of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association,
and also of the Knights of St. John. In all the
things pertaining to the members of his race, Mr.
Green is deeply interested, showing his interest in
the welfare of his people by giving to them his
best and continuous service. He is willing to spend
and be spent in their behalf, if thereby, he can raise
them to a higher standard of living. There is in
the City of Cleveland an Association of Colored
men. Of this organization, Mr. Green is an in
teresting member, always doing all that is in his
power for the organization and the people for
whose help it was organized. For two terms he
served this organization in the capacity of Pres
ident.
Mr. Green has been an extensive traveler, his
travels covering the greater part of America and
Europe. He has been abroad three times. His
first trip to Europe was in 1893, when he visited
England and Scotland. He next crossed the ocean
in 1907, when he again traveled in England and
visited Ireland. His last trip was made in 1908,
and this time he revisited England and extended
his travels to France, visited Paris and other points
of interest. His travels have not only been to him
excursions of pleasure, but have broadened his
mind, and have given him a larger view of life.
Mr. Green was married to Miss Agnes C. Bold-
en, September 19, 1900, at Niagra Falls, New York.
Mrs. Green presides over the home with charm,
and with her husband helps make life pleasant for
their many friends.
280
GEORGE W. CRAWFORD, A. B., LL. B.
R. George W. Crawford is a good
example of the man born in the
South, reared there, and become
thoroughly acquainted with its
views, who has gone North and
made a place for himself. Born
in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, October 21, 1877, he spent
his earliest years in the public schools of this place.
Tuscaloosa is one of the best of the Southern
towns as regards the harmonious relations of the
races. Many of the young sons of Tuscaloosa go
out to prominence. In 1886 Mr. Crawford moved
to Birmingham. Here he had another influence
enter his life. It was almost the reverse of that of
Tuscaloosa. Birmingham is a city of bustle and
progress. To keep abreast of things in Birming
ham one has to think and move quickly. This had
its influence on the growing young lad.
When he first left home for study in boarding
school, the school of his choice was Tuskegee In
stitute. From this school he was graduated in the
class of 1896. The learning received here but
whetted the appetite of Mr. Crawford for more.
And so we find him at school in Tallaclega College,
Talladega, Alabama shortly after finishing at Tus
kegee. From Talladega he was graduated in the
class of 1900. Talladega is one of the oldest of
the A. M. A. Schools and is one of the most thor
ough in its preparation of students. Mr. Crawford
was a good student while at Talladega, where he
made a good record. He was elected to the Board
of Trustees of this Institution, in 1905, and is at
present Chairman of its Fxecutive Committee.
After graduating at the Talladega College, in
1900, Mr. Crawford decided to enter the profession
of law, and in order to secure as good a prepara
tion for his work as possible, he entered the Yale
Law School. Here he applied himself with great
diligence, and won distinction. From this course he
was graduated with high honors, in the class of
1903. The same year he was appointed clerk of the
Probate Court for the District of New Haven Con-
neticut, and formed many warm friendships and
strong connections among the people of that city.
In this position he served until 1907. During
the time he served as clerk, he had the opportunity
to get the confidence of the New Haven public.
When he gave up the work of clerk he had already
acquired a substantial clientele, which has been
greatly extended under demonstrated proofs of his
eminent abilities to serve it. Since that time
Mr. Crawford has been engaged in the successful
practice of the law in New Haven, where he has
been a conspicious figure in the public life, serving
on many of its important commissions, and active
generally in the affairs of the City.
Mr. Crawford has found leisure from his many
and varied activities, to indulge his taste for lit
erature and in its pursuit has achieved distinction,
having one excellent book to his credit. He is the
author of "Prince Hall and his Followers." His
interest in altruistic and benevolent work is evi
denced in his connection with numerous organic
bodies of that nature and the prominent part he
takes in their affairs. He is a Thirty-third degree
Mason, an active member of the Odd Fellows, and
of the Ancient Order of Forresters. He is also a
member of Sigma Psi Phi.
The interest of Mr. Crawford in his people is
genuine. He serves as a director of the National
Association for the Advancement of the Colored
People. This organization has done a great deal
for the Negro by taking up the various questions
that come before them. The subject of lynch Law,
employment of colored people in cities, etc.
Mr. Crawford was married to Miss Sedella M.
Donalson, of Aberdeen, Mississippi, in 1911. Mrs.
Crawford, like her husband, has a prideful record
in educational training, being a graduate of Teach
er's College of Columbia University, and before her
marriage was a teacher of F.nglish at Tuskegee
Institute. The Crawford's have one child. Char
lotte Elizabeth, a beautiful little girl of six.
281
HENRY M. MINTON. PH. G., M. D.
R. Henry M.- Minton, one of
Philadelphia's most prominent
physician, was born in Colum
bia, South Carolina. December
25, 1871. His father, Thophiluy J.
Minton, and his mother, Mrs.
Martha McKee Minton, were both natives of Phil
adelphia. It has been in the native city of his pa
rents that Dr. Minton has lived and made his suc
cess. He was educated in the Grammar schools of
Washington. Here he laid a foundation and form
ed habits of study that have helped him in all his
later life. Leaving school Dr. Minton entered the
Preparatory Department of Howard University,
and later the Phillips Exeter Academy, in New
Hampshire. From the latter institution lie was
graduated in 1891. The record for good scholar
ship which had been his in the schools of Washing
ton was kept up throughout his career in Exeter.
He was the Orator of the class at graduation, man
aging editor of the Literary Monthly, and Assis
tant Managing Editor of the Exonian. The Exon-
ian was the semi-weekly paper of the school. Ev
en with all these outside duties, his scholarship ne
ver was in any way lowered.
Dr. Minton's first venture in the world of med
icine was in the capacity of Pharmacist. He stu
died at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, fin
ishing the prescribed course in 1895, with the de
gree of Graduate in Pharmacy, (Ph G.). Having
obtained his degree Dr. Minton opened a drug
store. This was the first venture of the young
man in the business world and his venture was the
first of any colored man in the state of Pennsyl
vania in drugs. In this respect Dr. Minton was
a pioneer. He made a success of his undertaking
and continued therein till 1903.
Dr. Minton gave up the drug business to enter
the medical profession as a practicing physician. In
1906 he was graduated from the Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia. He began the practice of
medicine in Philadelphia the same year and has
continued there. To him have come many oppor
tunities for service. And through service has
come honor. He is physician to Mercy Hospital,
and at the present time he is acting Superinten
dent ; he is also a member of the Board of Direc
tors of this institution.
Dr. Minton has given a great deal of his time
to the study of Tuberculosis. He is an authority
on the subject and is Dispensary Physician to Hen
ry Phipps Institute for study and treatment of
Tuberculosis, (University of Pennsylvania.) He
is author of Causes and Prevention of Tuberculo
sis, having published the volume in 1915.
Dr. Minton does not confine his interests to
purely medical matters, but is interested in all
things that look toward the uplift of the colored
man. He is Treasurer of Downington Industrial
School ; a member of the Board of Directors of
Whittier Center. He is a member of the Sigma
Pi Phi ; of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows ;
and of the Free and Accepted Masons. He has
made an exhaustive study of the conditions sur
rounding the Negroes in Philadelphia and is auth
or of "Early History of Negroes in Business in
Philadelphia."
Dr. Minton is still studying the subject of Tuber
culosis as it pertains to the Negro in Philadelphia.
He is chairman of a committee of representative
colored persons who are working under the auspic
es of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention
of Tuberculosis. This Society has for its aim an
extensive survey of this problem in Philadelphia.
Dr. Minton was married in 1902, to Miss Edith
G. Wormley, of Washington, D. C. They live at
1130 S. 18 St., Philadelphia.
Dr. Minton has accumulated several pieces ot
valuable real estate in Philadelphia.
282
lilSHOP GEORGE LINCOLN BLACKWELL, A. B.,
S. T. B., A. M., D. D., LL. D.
EORGE Lincoln Blackwell was
born at Henderson, N. C., July 3,
1861. His father was Hailey and
his mother was Catherine (Wy-
che) Blackwell. Young Blackwell
was reared on Tar river, in Gran-
viile County, and about the plantation known as
"Squire William Blackwell's." School facilities
were very poor, the terms were three and four
months in the year and the quality of teachers was
mediocre, hence young Blackwell's opportunities
for an elementary education was very meagre.
Whey he was seventeen he became a night pupil of
Joseph Blackwell, who would have been his young
master had slavery held on, and thus prepared him
self to acquire a third grade teacher's certificate.
Tlii' examiner frankly told him that it was not his
literary qualifications that caused him to grant the
certificate but the recommendation of good charac
ter by Squire William Blackwell. Obtaining the
certificate, young Blackwell taught four months,
and studying hard himself during the same time he
returned and made a good second grade. Deeply
impressed of his call to preach (having professed
faith in God and joined the church at the age of
fifteen) he connected himself with the North Caro
lina Conference of the A. M. E. Zion Church in
1881 at Beaufort, N. C. After one year's success
ful service he realized the need of further prepara
tion, so he was relieved of regular pastoral duty
and entered Livingston College, from which after
six years, he graduated (1888) with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. After one year's intermission, he
entered Boston University School of Theology,
from which he graduated in 1892 with the degree of
Bachelor of Sacred Theology in class with Edwin
H. Hughes and F. F. Hamilton, both of whom are
now bishops in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Young Blackwell (who had already married Miss
Annie E. Walker, daughter of the late D. I. Walk
er, Chester, S. C.) was called to Livingston Col
lege, his alma mater, to teach theology, and enter
ed upon that duty Oct. 1893, just three weeks after
the lamented president Dr. J. C. Price, passed away,
so that Rev. W. H. Goler, D. D., succeeded to the
presidency and young Blackwell was made dean of
the Theological Department which position he held
for three years. His church called him in 1896 to be
come manager of the publication house, Charlotte,
N. C., and the editor of the Sunday School litera
ture. This dual office he held for four years. He
then became the pastor of the foremost church of
the connection, Wesley, Philadelphia, for four years
following which he was made the Secretary of
Missions and Editor of the Missionary Seer, a
monthly magazine. After four years service, satis
factory to the whole church, George Lincoln Black-
well, was elected and consecrated bishop of tTie Af
rican Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1908 in
his own home town. Since being elevated to this
high and important post of duty, the Bishop has
given good account of himself. In the west where
he served for eight years, he and his men erected
forty seven churches and he organized two new
annual conferences and three new presiding elder
districts. His district now takes in a part of the
State of New York, Michigan and a part of Illinois
including Chicago ; it also includes Virginia and
two conferences in North Carolina.
Bishop Blackwell is known in his church both as
the Editor of the Book of Discipline and as authori
ty on ecclesiastical law. He is an aggressive and
tireless worker and wherever he presides the men
quicken their pace and do a third more work and
yet he never scolds nor quarrels with his men ; his
stock in trade is to make each man feel that he is a
man and that he can do a man's part.
Bishop Blackwell has received the following lit
erary degrees: A. M., Livingston College 1894;
D. D., Kansas Wesleyan University 1896: LL. D.,
Campbell College 1913.
He and his estimable wife live happily in their
own well appointed home 624 South Sixteenth
Street, Philadelphia.
283
JOHN MILLER MARQUESS, A. B., F. A. G. S.
OHN Miller Marquess—
President of the Colored Agri
cultural and Normal University,
at Langston, Oklahoma, has had
a very thorough preparation for
his work. In his life as a student
and in his first years out of school, while he serv
ed as teacher in various institutions, he was un
consciously getting just the training that he need
ed to make him an all-round man for the Presi
dency of some institution.
He was born in Helena, Arkansas, February 23,
1882, and here he received his early school train
ing, and enjoyed the privilege of attending school
regularly, a privilege denied many. So well did
young Marquess apply himself while in Helena,
that we find him at the tender age of thirteen leav
ing home and entering the preparatory department
of Fisk University, Nashville. Tennessee. Here
he remained from 1895 till 1902, when he was
graduated from the college department of Fisk,
with the degree of A. B. At this time President
Marquess was only twenty years of age.
While in Fisk, although he spent a great deal of
his time on his books and kept himself up with his
class in every respect, he still found time to take
a very active part in all the life of the institution.
He won his letters in football and was captain of
the team for two years. He was also one of the star
players on the base ball team. He was a member
of the Glee Club, Jubilee Club, and Bass soloist for
four years. In 1902, he traveled with the Fisk
Quartett during the summer.
Still not satisfied with his preparation and be
ing just a young man, we find President Marquess
leaving Fisk and matriculating at Dartsmouth.
Here he remained for two years, receiving the de
gree of Bachelor of Arts, from the University when
he kft. In Dartmouth we find him as active as
he was in Fisk. He was a member of the track
team, football squad and of the Glee Club. He
won his letters on the track team. Again we find
him a soloist, this time in the Dartmouth Choral
Club.
On leaving school President Marquess served first
as Instructor in Mathematics and Languages in
Shorter College, Argenta, Arkansas, for two years ;
then he held the same work in Kittrell Col
lege, North Carolina, for two years. The next
change gave him a chance to develop his executive
ability. This opportunity came to him — as prin-
'cipal of .the Summer High School, Kansas City,
Kansas. Here for eight years, Mr. Marquess
worked, training the young people who came un
der his care directly and so directing the teachers
in his school that each child in the school was ben-
efitted by the presence of the principal. In 1916, he
was placed at the head of the State University for
Colored People, in Oklahoma. Mr. Marquess
served one year as President of the Citizen's
Forum, of Kansas City. He is a member of the
Knights and Daughters of Tabor, of the Knights of
Pythias — in this last named he is the present Chan
cellor Commander, of the Ancient Free and Accept
ed Masons, of which organization he is serving as
Past Grand Secretary for the State of Kansas, of
the United Brothers of Friendship and of the Royal
Circle of Friends of the World. He is also Past
Potentate in Shrine, a member of Royal Arch
Chapter Commandery, (Knight Templar), and
Scottish Rite consistory, with 32nd degree. In re
ligious belief and church affiliation, Mr. Marquess
is African Methodist Episcopal. At present Mr.
Marquess is Vice-President, a director and mem
ber of the executive committee of the Oklahoma
Negro State Fair Association. This is a char
tered organization. He is also a Fellow in Amer
ican Geographical Society. He has traveled ex
tensively in the United States and has been also in
Canada and Mexico.
August 28, 1908, President Marquess was mar
ried to Miss Anna Fdna Dickson, of Springfield, O.
Three children have come to bless their home.
284
MAIN BUILDING, COLORED AGRICULTURAL A ND NORMAL UNIVERSITY- LANGSTON. OKLA.
HE Colored A. &. N. University,
of Oklahoma, is situated in the
town of Langston. No better
site could have been chosen for
the establishment of this insti
tution, -- for here in Langston,
the Negroes have the whole town
to themselves and get all the les
sons in self-government that come with the man
agement of a town. The University has in all
thirteen buildings. There is the Main Building,
which is the largest and most important of the
group. The other buildings are dormitories, trades
buildings, etc. All the buildings are heated and
lighted from a central plant. To make the Col
ored Agricultural and Normal University even
more sustaining they have their own water and
sewerage system.
The University was established at Langston by
an act of the Territorial Legislature in 1897. The
purpose of the University is to give the colored
people of Oklahoma an opportunity to get within
the State a very thorough training for life's work.
Here they may receive Collegiate, Mechanical and
Agricultural training without the expense of trav
eling to distant States for the purpose, and at a
minimum cost per month for board, lodging, etc.
Forty acres of land were donated by the Negroes
of Langston and its immediate vicinity. As the
school grew, they became pressed for space for
farm demonstration, actual farm land, etc, and so
the acreage was increased. Today they have
three hundred and twenty acres of land.
The support of the University is derived from
three distinct sources. Yearly they have appro
priated for their support a sum from the State
Treasury. Then they receive one third of one
tenth of the proceeds from the rental of Section
Thirteen which was reserved by Congress for the
benefit of institutions of higher learning. They
also get one tenth of the Morrill Fund, a fund ap
propriated by the United States government for the
teaching of trades to its citizens. This one tenth
received by the Colored Agricultural and Normal
University represents the amount due the Colored
people in the State of Oklahoma; the division be
ing made according to the population.
The piant of the University is How valued at
about $225,000.00.
The Faculty of A. & N. University is composed
of thirty-two individuals. All of these teachers
have had very thorough preparation for their
tasks. All are graduates of some standard College
or Normal and several have their masters degrees
from institutions like Yale and Columbia Univer
sity of New York City. Among the schools repres
ented on the faculty of the University are Fisk, Ho
ward, Tuskegee, Hampton, Oberlin, Pratt, Touga-
loo, Bennett, Wilberforce, Walden, University of
California, Spelman Seminary, Wiley, and Tillot-
son.
In addition to the College work leading the de
gree of Bachelor of Arts, the Teacher Training
Course and Agricultural Course, the school offers
training in all the mechanical trades. The equip
ment for the work is complete. The school has
not forgotten to develop the asthetical side of its
students. There is a musical department that in
cludes instrumental and vocal music. It has its
Glee Club, Jubilee Clubs, Band and Orchestra. Spe
cial emphasis is laid on the training of Sunday
School workers. The development of the physi
cal side of the students is looked after in the ath
letics which are endorsed and encouraged.
No tuition is charged students who reside
in the the State of Oklahoma. Eleven dollars
mental music lessons there is placed an extra
charge of one dollar per month.
The graduates, for the most part, are engaged
in teaching. The demand for them is much larger
than the supply.
285
JAMES ROYAL JOHNSON
R. Johnson, Superintendent of Ok
lahoma State Institute for Deaf,
Blind and Orphan Colored Chil
dren, was born in Washington,
Wilkes County, Georgia, Sep
tember, 1870. He is the son of
Johanna and Amos Johnson, who were slaves of
Senator Robert Toombs. Secretary of State in Jeff
Davis' Cabinet.
His early life as a boy was like that of other Ne
gro boys of his time and section, only distinguished
by his intense, longing for an education. H. H. Wil
liams, prosperous business man, of Atlanta, Geor
gia, and R. R. Wright, President of the Georgia
State Industrial College, Savannah, were among
his teachers. Completing his education, Mr. John
son taught school in Georgia for a number of years
and then went west. After teaching in Mississippi
Arkansas and Texas, he landed in Oklahoma City,
April, 1905. His first and only public school work
was near Edmond, a town then and now without
a single Colored inhabitant. Here Mr. Johnson
lived for two years. During his sojourn here the
citizens united in a monster petition to the Re
gents of Langston University, that he be given a
place on the faculty of that Institution. Where
upon he was elected Assistant Professor of Math
ematics, and two years later Vice-President of the
University. In this capacity he was in absolute
control of the Langston Literary activities. Lang
ston University reached its highest place as a use
ful factor in race life while Mr. Johnson was its
Vice-President.
Thus it was that when Oklahoma came into
Statehood, and founded an Institute for the deaf,
blind and orphan, her officials elected Mr. Johnson
to preside over the institute. What he is doing at
this post can be seen from two excerpts from the
Muskogee Times-Democrat, a white daily paper.
MANAGEMENT OF TAFT INSTITUTION
"It is very gratifying to learn that the State
Board of Education and the Legislative Committee
on Appropriations, after having gone over the re
ports of the various educational and elemosyn-
ary institutions of the State, unite in saying that
the Institution that makes the best showing, as to
business management, is the institution for col
ored, at Taft, of which J. R. Johnson is Superin
tendent. Johnson's management of this Institu
tion deserves the highest commendation and his
record ought to be a matter of very great pride to
the members of his race."
INVITE BAPTISTS TO TAFT SCHOOL
ON A BUSINESS BASIS
"President Johnson has the unique distinction of
conducting his institution on what is admitted by
all to be the best business basis of any institution
in the State. Johnson not only looks after the ed
ucational features of the school, but keeps the
school absolutely free from criticism and scandal ;
but he teaches the students to work, and produce
on the farm owned by the State and on land which
he personally rents, crops which go far toward
paying the living expenses of 200 pupils."
"President Johnson is a most remarkable man.
It is not generally known that early in this year,
feeling the positive necessity of having a large
sanitary barn, he undertook to build the barn out
of savings from his appropriation for maintenance.
The cost exceeded the estimate and in order not
to have a deficit, Johnson waived three months
salary. This does not mean that he passed it up
for future payment, but it means that he just gave
the State three months of his salary in order to
have the barn.
PAYS FROM OWN POCKET
"Appropriation has been made for more land
but the land has not been purchased. Johnson
rented 160 acres, paid the rent, bought the seed
and fertilizer out of his own pocket and has 141
acres of as fine cotton as is in the State. The State
will realize after reimbursing Johnson for the rent,
a net profit of twice the value of the land. Not
many State officials would do this. If the crop
had been a failure Johnson would have lost what
he put into it. The State stood to win but not to
lose. Many people believe that President John
son of the Taft Institute, measured by results of
his work, is the biggest Afro-American in Okla
homa."
The size of the institute and what it is doing can
be best judged by two reports, one from the State
Superintendent of Education, the other from Su
perintendent Johnson :
286
STATE INSTITUTE FOR DEAF, BLIND AND ORPHAN COLORED CHILDREN— TAFT, OKLAHOMA.
INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE FOR DEAF, BLIND AND
ORPHANS— S. DOUGLASS RUSSELL PRES
IDENT— TAFT, OKLAOHMA.
Land $ 5.000.00
One frame building $ 1.000.00
One brick building $35.000.00
One power house and boiler $ 3.000.00
Furniture and equipment in two buildings $ 3,000.90
STATE INSTITUTE FOR DEAF. BLIND AND COLO
RED ORPHANS— TAFT, OKLAHOMA— J. R.
JOHNSON, SUPERINTENDENT.
1. Property:
1. Total acreage belonging to Institution 101,
valued at '_ $ 5,000.00
Buildings :
Girl's dormitory, brick $35.000.00
Boy's dormitory, frame 1,000.00
Superintendent's residence, frame 1,800.00
Light and heating plant 3,000.00
Modern barn, valued at . 3,100.00
Total $43,900.00
As shown above, the farm consists of 101 acres
and is entirely too small to give proper employ
ment to the large number of boys living at this in
stitution. The Superintendent, with the advice and
consent of the State Board of Public Affairs and
Dr. F. B. Fite, resident member of the State Board
of Education, rented 180 acres of land which he
planted in wheat and oats. We have harvested
from this land 2,467 bushels of oats and 809 bushels
of wheat, a plentiful supply for all our wants.
In addition to wheat and oats we have raised 300
bushels of Irish potatoes. 400 bushels of sweet po
tatoes, 380 gallons of syrup, canned 452 gallons of
tomatoes, and 10 barrels of kraut. We have 62
hogs, and will kill 5000 pounds of meat this winter.
Because of the abundance of our farm and gar
den produce, we have been able to furnish food for
an average of 186 children at an average cost of
thi;ee and six mills per day.
While we are able to furnish healthful and prof
itable employment for our boys, the same condi
tion does not obtain with regard to the girls. We
are doing something toward training them to be
come bread winners, but not enough. We need'an
Industrial building wherein our girls will receive
practical training in every day house work ; clean
ing, cooking, sewing, etc. This is not possible as
we are now situated.
To have invested his own money to make the
farm feed his school, to have built up sources and
increased the general usefulness of this Institute
would seem a good life work for any one man.
But to this Superintendent Johnson adds the re
sponsibility of caring for the State Reformatory of
Negro Boys and the Home for incorrigible Girls.
These he is shaping and giving character just as he
is doing for the institute for the Deaf, Blind and
the Orphans.
287
SAMUEL I. MOONE. A. B., M. D.
F we stop to note the list of great
men who have been born on the
farm and who spent their early
life in tilling the soil, we are
forced to conclude that there is
something in such a life which
lays a strong foundation for a successful career.
It may be due to the discipline of early rising and
hard physical labor which develops the body, or the
opportunity for quiet contemplation which helps to
develop the mind, but whatever the cause it is a
fact that many of our great men come from the
country.
Dr. Samuel I. Moone was born on a farm and
passed his early days working as a farm laborer.
He was born in Spartanburg County, South Caro
lina. January 6th., 1874. He attended the County
schools, when they were in session.
School terms in the County were short ; the
hours of labor on the farm, even for a lad, were
long. Tiring of this life, seeing that he made but
little headway in gaining an education, the young
man sought to try his fortune elsewhere.
Leaving his native home at the age of fifteen, he
went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and found em
ployment as a day laborer in the rolling mills. The
work was hard, too hard for one so young, but he
kept in mind his goal, that of getting an education,
of being a man of service and distinction among
his fellowmen.
Finally he was able to pursue his course. Leav
ing the rolling mills, he entered Biddle University,
Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1890. Working at any
task he could find both in vacations and at odd
times, he completed the Normal and Collegiate
Courses in 1898.
After teaching through the winter of 1898 and
the spring of 1899, he left the school room and
sought harder but surer means of pursuing his
course. Once more he resorted to the rolling mills,
going to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, for the purpose.
This hard and arduous labor provided him with
sufficient money to take up the study of medicine.
In 1899 he entered the Leonard Medical School,
completing his course in 1904. He had worked
hard, had suffered privations, but he could now
see the horizon, and he went out to begin life as a
professional man.
Fixing upon Norfolk, Virginia, as a desirable
place, he opened an office and put up his shingle.
As is true of most doctors and professional men, he
waited a short while before patronage became
sufficiently large to insure a living. However, he
had courage and the confidence to labor and wait.
In due time the public found him out. and his suc
cess as a physician was assured. A practice of
fourteen years has yielded him a comfortable liv
ing for himself and for his family, has enabled him
to provide himself with a home and several valuable
pieces of property in the city of Norfolk.
Dr. Moone was wise enough at the beginning not
to keep to himself. Experience in life had taught
him how to mingle quite at ease with his fellows
and his success was due largely to the fact that he
had the welfare of his people at heart and be
ing willing to lift while rising. He joined the Pres
byterian Church of Norfolk and became an elder.
He joined the Masonic Lodge and became one of
the leading members of the body. He soon came
to be sought out for all big undertakings among
the colored people of Norfolk. He is a director and
a stockholder in Brown Savings and Banking Com
pany, of __orfolk. He is a director and a stock
holder in the Seaside Building Association of Nor
folk, and a stockholder in the Bayshore Summer
Resort, at Hampton.
Dr .Moone has been twice married. The first
Mrs. Moone was Miss Susie Fox, of Charlotte.
North Carolina. She died in 1907. The present
Mrs. Moone was Miss Jessie E. Stoney, who for
several years was a teacher in Claflin University,
Orangeburg, South Carolina.
288
GIRLS' DORMITORY, STATE COLLEGE— ELIZABE TH CITY, N. C— PETER W. MOORE. PRESIDENT.
"FER W. Moore, of Elizabeth
City, North Carolina, was born
near Clinton, Sampson County,
North Carolina, June 1859. His
early education was received in
the rural school of this county.
Here he applied himself, getting
from his books all that the
teacher could explain to him, and reading into
them a great deal from his own mind.
While in the rural schools he led the life of a farm
boy. Here he had all the toil of the farmer, and
he had also the joys that come to the farm lad. So
although he had to hoe and plow and milk cows
and catch the horses and feed them, the young lad
also had time off here and there to enjoy a fishing
trip and to go hunting, and look after his traps. It
is this diversion that comes with the farm life that
keeps it from breaking the ambition of those who
are born to become leaders, although born in out-
of-the-way places.
Leaving the farm in 1879, Mr. Moore entered
Shaw University. Here for eight years he re
mained, making for himself a record as a student
and as a man at the same time. In order to re
main in school, each summer he returned to the
farm and worked at all the odd jobs and hard labor
as well, to which he had become so accustomed and
which he had not as yet out-grown. Mr. Moore
went to the North Carolina State Normal school,
located at New Bern. Here he trained for the de
finite work of teaching.
After his graduation in 1887, he was elected Vice
Principal of the State Normal school, at Plymouth,
North Carolina. Here he remained for four years,
serving in this capacity. During these years he got
the practical experience of an executive in the
school world. These four years only helped fit
him for the more responsible position which await-
c-d him. In 1892 Mr. Moore was elected principal of
the State Normal and Industrial School, at Eliza
beth City, North Carolina. Here he has remained.
When he took the work, January, 1892, he had an
enrollment of 64 pupils and one assistant. In 1918
he had an enrollment of 473 and a faculty of thir
teen. This growth has been due not only to the
untiring efforts of Mr. Moore, in advertising his
school, but to the good work done there. The
fact of this good work has been told by the many
pupils going out, and so the work has grown.
Mr. Moore has not confined his efforts to the
running of his school alone. In fact, he has had
a conspicious place in the educational world in his
State. He served as Teachers' Institute Conduc
tor and as Assistant Superintendent of Public
Schools. He has served as President of theNorth
Carolina Teachers' Association, and is at present
serving that organization in the capacity of Secre
tary. Because of the prominent place he held in
the educational circles of his state, when the Gov
ernor wanted a representative in the National Ed
ucational Congress on two occasions he chose Mr.
.Mi iore for the job.
In 1889 Mr. Peter W. Moore was married to
Miss S. T. Rayner, at Windsor, North Carolina.
To them have been born two daughters. Miss
Ruth S. Moore is married to Mr. Henry Games.
Although married, she still teaches. Miss Bessie
V. Moore is still a student.
No better prepared man could be found to serve
at the head of the institution over which Mr. Moore
is now President. His training in early youth fits
him to sympathize with the students from the rural
districts of North Carolina. He knows their prob
lems and can help solve them. And then, going out
from his school, his pupils carry with tbem the en
thusiasm, and high ideals of service which they
have imbibeJ. under the influence of Mr. Moore.
2S9
CAPTAIN J. E. HAM LIN
MONG the few mer who passed
through the schools and secured a
thorough education and chose a
business career instead of enter
ing the professions, is James Ed
ward Hamlin, of Raleigh, North
Carolina. He not only chose a business career, but
made a conspicious success of the business, which
finally claimed his attention. He did not find the
line of endeavor which gripped his interest and
awakened his business talent and energies until af
ter he had tried several different ventures.
He turned instinctively from tailoring, and the
pressing club, and all the other easier, self-running
enterprises failed to attract him. The business in
stinct in him was strong and he sought an occupa
tion which would give free play to his gifts. For a
time, on leaving school he worked in the Raleigh
Post Office. This gave him time to cast about for
a business of his own. He soon noticed that there
was a good opening for a Negro fish market, a
business in which but few Negroes are engaged in
even today. The business did not suit him alto
gether so he yielded to the lure of travel, disposd
of his stand, and went to New York, where he
secured a position in the dining car service. Again
his mind turned towards Raleigh, and a business
career. This time he opened a restaurant which he
conducted with marked success, but the call of his
Government, just when his restaurant had reached
a high point of prosperity, caused him to give it up
and lay himself upon the altar of his country. The
war with Spain was announced and Mr. Hamlin
was quick to volunteer for service. He was made
Captain of Company B., of the North Carolina
Thirty-Second volunteers.
He served through the Spanish-American war
and, won the respect of his commanding officers
and love and confidence of the men of his company,
and merited the gratitude of his country to which
he gave his loyal support. After returning from
the Spanish-American War, Captain Hamlin de
cided to remain in the army and enlisted for service
in the Phillipines. and served in those Islands as
Captain of the Forty-eighth Infantry Volunteers
for two years.
After remaining in the Phillipines for the term
of his enlistment he received his honorable dis
charge from the army, and returned to the United
States. For the time that he was in the army all
thoughts of business were dismissed from his mind,
but immediately after ^|hs retirement his mind
again reverted to it, and his face was turned again
towards Raleigh. This time he ventured into the
drug business, and in that he found a business to
his liking, although he still had a leaning to the res
taurant. He opened his first drug store in 1904.
Today he owns two drug stores, and a lunch
room in Raleigh, a large farm not far from
the city, and has interest in a drug store in Blue-
field, North Carolina. All of these business ven
tures have proved successful and very remunera
tive, the earnings from same he very wisely invest
ed in real estate, which in turn has added to his in
come.
He is a member of the African Methodist Epis
copal Church.
Though he has moved several times, Mr. Hamlin
has been a very useful citizen. He was Secretary
of the Negro State Fair of North Carolina for
twelve years, during which period he lifted the or
ganization out of confusion and loss to one of the
best Negro Fairs in the country. He is a notary
public, the only Negro Notary in Raleigh. He is
connected with the North Carolina Mutual Indus
trial Association. He is a thirty-second degree
Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias,
Knight of Gideon, and a Good Samaritan.
Mr. Hamlin has traveled very extensively, hav
ing gone all over the United States, in the Philli
pines and in Europe. For all his travel he has ac
cumulated a comfortable sum of money and large
property holdings. He owns his home, a store
building in the heart of the city, and fourteen rent
houses, and a farm valued at $6,800. His wealth
is estimated at from $65,000 to $78,000.
Mr. Hamlin was married in 1885 to Miss Annie
W. Foushee, of Raleigh. There are two children,
Miss Annie Ethel, now Mrs. Rogers, and Dr. V. C.
Hamlin, of Raleigh.
290
JONAH EMANUEL
ANY a man has gone from the
farm to carve his way to high po
sitions of honor and proficiency
in his chosen profession. We find
such an instance in the career of
Dr. Jonah Emanuel. Dr. Eman-
uel was born in Bible County, Georgia, September
9th, 1858. He removed from Georgia with his pa
rents at the age of seven years and located in the
State of Arkansas. He attended the public schools
of Arkansas for three years.
His father, Benjamin Emanuel, was a farmer, for
some years, and in fact until he was twenty one
years of age, Dr. Emanuel worked with his father
on the farm. When he reached his majority he
decided to shift for himself, and his eyes turned
towards the city.
He left the farm and came to the city of New
York. When he reached Jersey City, he had ex
hausted his funds and found that he did not have
sufficient money to pay his way from that city to
the point of his destination. Nothing daunted he
continued his way on foot and reached Bedford,
New York, where he obtained work at one dollar
and a half a day.
Remaining a few months in Bedford he saved
enough money to continue his way to New York
City where he obtained employment at four dollars
per week. For two years he labored hard during
the day and attended school at night. He applied
himself diligently to his studies and built largely
upon the foundation he had received at the public .
schools.
He chose Chiropody as his profession and set
about preparing himself for his work. He served
three years under a most proficient Chiropodist,
and when he acquired sufficient skill he opened an
office for himself in the Windsor Hotel, and then
located at 46th Street and 5th Avenue.
For the first two or three years he averaged
about one hundred and fifty dollars per month; this
was much below the amount he hoped to" realize
but his disappointment did not discourage him, it
only made him more determined to succeed. He
applied himself more diligently and worked hard
day and night to improve his knowledge of his pro
fession, and to give perfect satisfaction to his pa
tients ; and in the course of time increased his in
come to more than five thousand dollars per an
num.
Some of the richest and best families of New
York and i any other cities are to be found
among his large and ever-increasing number of
patients, about ninety-nine per cent of which are
white. He has the reputation of having no super
ior in his profession, the character of his patients
bearing testimony to the correctness of this esti
mate placed upon his ability. He has the distinc
tion of being the one Colored charter member of
the New York State Pedic Society.
Dr. Emanuel has been thrice married ; the first
time to Miss Susie Johnson, of Virginia, in 1888;
in 1899 he married Miss Louise Dyer, of Virginia,
by whom three children — Gussie, Blanch, and Viola
were born. In 1909 he married Miss Bertha B.
Harper, of South Carolina.
Dr. Emanuel is a member of the St. Marks Me
thodist Episcopal Church, and is actively and offi
cially identified with its work. He is also a mem
ber of the Young Men's Christian Association. He
is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a
Master Mason.
Dr. Emanuel is deeply interested in the develop
ment of his race, and in every way possible, accord
ing to his ability, contributes to their uplift, both
in time, talent and money.
Notwithstanding his most generous contribu
tions to the various enterprises of his people, and
the making of investments to his own disadvantage
in order to encourage them along business lines,
he has succeeded in accumulating considerable
wealth and is now well fixed financially.
291
Zion Baptist Church, Churchview, Va. Four years
labor in these churches, which he pastored jointly,
gained him the call to the Calvary Baptist Church,
Danville, Va. Here he has labored for twenty-two
years, making the Calvary Baptist Church a pow
er in the state, making it also the center from
which he radiated into other kinds of needed ser
vices.
To pastor a big church as Dr. Goode has done is
ample work for the average minister. To Dr.
Goode. so thoroughly prepared, so rich in the com
mon man's experience, it was an item in a big ca
reer. He founded the P. I. N. and C. Institute, and
has been its president for fifteen years. He was
president of the General Baptist Association of
Virginia for seven years ; secretary of the Cherry
Stone Baptist Association for eighteen years, mem
ber of the Fxecutve Board of the State Sunday
School Convention; treasurer and Board member
of the B. Y. P. U. ; member of the Lott Carey For
eign Missionary Convention; member of the Ne
gro Organization Society and of the State Teach
ers' Association ; chairman of the Executive Board
of the United Charity and Welfare League, an or
ganization which supports a sick nurse in the city
of Danville. No wonder he bewails the days,
months and years as being too short to do all the
tasks before him.
Dr. Goode was married to Miss Mary L. Gaines,
who was formerly a school teacher of Richmond,
Virginia, in 1896. To her he cheerfully owns that
he is indebted for much of his success. There have
been no children born to Dr. and Mrs. Goode, but
they have turned this seeming misfortune into a
blessing. They have taken into their home and
educated five children: Miss Rosa B. Gaines they
have educated in the public schools of Richmond,
then at Hartshorn College ; Caleb S. Mahlemgara,
an African, they have had for ten years, taking him
drectly from Africa. He has been graduated from
the P. I. N. and C. Institute, from the Virginia
Goode spent the larger part of the first seventeen Union University 'Academic Department, and is
*-»j~i-iir t*4-mAiTii~if-r iri-t-i/""iilt-iif£i i n +ri£* '••it^'i fr» Am"wiilfiif]l
GEORGE WASHINGTON GOODE, B. D., D. D.
O day, no month, no year is long
enough" to accomplish the tasks
that devolve upon Dr. George
Washington Goode, B. D., D. D..
of Danville, Virginia, so he states
it himself, and so it is. Born in
Patrick County, Virginia, March 14th, 1865, Dr.
.;.., ,. (
years of his life c
now studying agriculture in the State Agricultural
College at Columbus, Oh\o. Warner H. Gaines is
, . .
Completing the High School Course in Mar- the third cnjjd to receive parental care from Dr.
n Virginia, at the age of eighteen, he taught ancl Mrs. Goode. This young man is now a finish-
school in his' home County, in Smyth, in Bedford ed carpenter in Richmond, Virginia. George W.
and Montgomery for seven years. Converted about Goode Jr. is now in their care. Margaret Smith,
ctuu j.niiiiL£,winv_._y t ,i fffh -irlnntpr! rViilrl is nko with them
on
the age of twenty one, he felt his call to the min
istry. His first charge was at Red Hill, Pulaski
County, Va., a mining town. Here he organized a
church and was the means of forty souls being con
verted. From Red Hill, where he gathered his
strength and established his fame as a coming
preacher, he entered the Richmond Theological
Seminary. Here he spent six years; three in com
pleting the institute course and three in the theolo
gical, graduating from the full Greek and Hebrew
course in 1895.
For three years he was student teacher of arith
metic and beginnner's Greek. Dr. Goode pastored
the Salem Baptist Church, West Point, and the Mt.
the fifth adopted child, is also with them.
Along with all these responsibilities at home and
abroad Dr. Goode has kept upon his heart one great
task for mankind, that of bringing about Temper
ance. For twenty years he has labored in and out
of season at this, taking active part in all meetings
and campaigns in its behalf. He is an aggressive
and fearless fighter, yet much loved for his gen
uineness and for his services throughout Virginia.
He wears one of the finest gold medals available,
given by the Baptist Association of his state.
He owns a beautiful ten room residence in the
residential section of Danville, a farm of one hun
dred acres, with other city and country property.
He is, as has been said of him, "a busy man with a
willing spirit, with hands and heart open to help
everybody that he can."
292
John P. Morris, A. B., B. D.
N educator of no mean attainment
and a church-man of deep conse
cration and abiding faith. Reve
rend John P. Morris, of Greens
boro, North Carolina, has devoted
a full quarter of a century in ac
tive service to his people, giving especial attention
to the advancement of the Negro along lines of ed
ucation and religion. His work has carried him
into the remote districts of his native state, and he
is tireless in his efforts to help uplift the Negro
race.
While he is more concerned about their religious
and educational advance he is not unmindful of
their physical welfare.
Rev. Morris was born in Caswell County, North
Carolina. January 23rd. 1861. His early school days
were far from pleasant and were fraught with
many discouragements, and indeed, he met with
so many rebuffs and deep privations that a spirit
less courageous than his would have lost his am
bition. He would not have been human had he not
felt the pressure of these trials, which at times al
most suppressed his ambition to be a scholar, but
grit and determination won out, and the flame
while it flickered at times, continued to burn and
never went out.
Overcoming all obstacles and pressing forward
towards his goal, perseverance at last rewarded
him and he was enabled to attend Bennett College.
It was at this college that he secured his prepara
tory work which enabled him to move with greater
freedom in the accomplishment of his fixed purpose
to obtain an education. It may be said that here
the shackles fell from him and he progressed rap
idly in completing his education.
He remained at Bennett College until he had fin
ished his preparatory course, when he left that in
stitution and entered Clark University, Atlanta,
Ga. He continued at Clark University until he
received his degree of Bachelor of Arts, and then
enrolled in Gammon Theological Seminary, an in-
stituton with a large endowment devoted entirely
to the training of ministers, and with an equipment
and teaching force capable of standard theological
work. He remained in this institution for three
years, where he applied himself diligently to his du
ties and where he gained some practical experience
as a preacher. This Institution bestowed upon him
the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. During his pre
paration in other schools, the Bennett College had
never lost trace of him, for his personality had
been deeply impressed upon this school, and it
was not long after his graduation before he was
called to a post on the faculty. He accepted the
call and for twenty-three years served the college
with distinction. His teaching and executive abil
ity was recognized by the college and he was pro
moted to the office of Vice-President.
Mr. Morris felt that the finger of Providence
pointed him to educational work and impressed
upon his mind this as a great field of endeavor for
the development of his people, at the same time
keeping before him their spiritual needs, so while
he devoted the best of his life to the college work,
he never neglected his church work, but made them
work together for the one purpose of his life to
help his people. His labors in the interest of his
denomination have been marked by long and effi
cient service. For four years he served as Secre
tary for the North Carolina Conference and for
sixteen years he was the Conference statistican.
While he is an earnest believer in Methodism, and
adheres strictly to its principals, he is big enough
to work for the good of all people regardless
of creed. As the years went by the church be
gan to lay heavier duties upon him which finally
claimed all of his time. It was not an easy thing
for him to give up the school room and especially
the college which had sheltered his struggling
youth and fostered his maturer dreams, and to
which he had devoted so many years of his life, but
the call of duty was stronger with him than perso
nal desires, so he gave up the school and devoted
his entire time to the work of the church. Rev.
Morris was married to Miss Mary K. Waugh, of
Salem, North Carolina, September fifteenth, 1889.
They have seven children of which they are very
proud. There is Robert Gammon, who is a gra
duate of Bennett College, of Gammon Theological
Seminary, and of the North Western College; Miss
Lucy L. Tillman, who holds a diploma from Ben
nett College, and from the Musical department of
Fisk University ; Mrs. Agnes P. Whiteman, who
graduated at the Bennett College and then finish
ed a course in the Pharmaceutical Department of
Meharry Medical College, of Nashville, Tennessee,
and then the younger children, John P. Jr., Elsie
Gladys, Mary Esther and Frank Bristol, are still
doing college preparatory work.
It is too often the case where men are so much
engaged in work outside of the family that they
neglect the training of their children, but not so
with Mr. Morris, he wishes his children, like him
self, to find some useful occupation in life, and he
wishes them well equipped for their work, and
to this end he has wisely directed and prepared
them for their life work.
293
JOHN THOMAS WILSON, M. D.
T is no mean satisfaction to the
Black Race that it has men in the
medical profession who can be
classed with Verchow, Pasteur,
or the Mayo Brothers. Such a
man is Dr. J. T. Wilson, of Nash
ville, Tennessee.
Dr. Wilson was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His
mother died when he was but a year old and his
After having eked out a common school educa
tion, he entered Atlanta University, where he stu
died not only books, but also his teachers and his
fellow students. He learned that his life affected
theirs and and their lives affected his. This made
him sure that there was a real place in the
universe for him.
From Atlanta University he went to Roger Wil
liams University, in Nashville, Tennesse, and it
was here that he decided to study medicine. In
1889 he went to Mcharry Medical College. He
kept up his expenses by running a grocery and
huckster. He put as much effort in his work as in
his study. In 1895 he was graduated and after
having practiced three years he was elected a
member of Meharry's staff.
He realized his own deficiencies when he began
to teach. So to broaden his store of knowledge he
entered the Post Course in the Chicago Medical
College. Here he remained two years and finished
two courses. He was then elected Head of tin-
Hospital of Hydrotheropy at Nashville, Tennessee,
which is a branch of the Battle Creek Hospital.
This position he resigned after a year to go to
Philadelphia. In this city he made a study of the
work of three hospitals, Poly-Clinic, Jefferson
Hospital and Medicochirugical. From Philadel
phia he went to Canada to study, and he then spent
eleven years at St. Mary's Hospital, under the su
pervision of the Mayo Brothers. Dr. Wilson next
went to Clyde at Cleveland, Ohio, to do research
work and to make an exhaustive study of the
nerves.
The next five years Dr. Wilson served as Chief
Surgeon at Collins Chapel, Home and Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee. He left this in March of
1917, to establish a hospital of his own. This is
known as the Wilson Surgical Hospital and Nurse
Training School. The hospital is a large, well
father survived but a few years, leaving young Wil- equiPPed one. sanitary throughout and located in a
son an orphan.
The first fourteen years of his life were spent on
a farm ten miles outside of Atlanta. Here he
knew no luxury. The bare necessities of life were
all he coveted. Out in this hard life the young lad
learned three lessons : industry, obedience, and
punctuality. On this farm he toiled early and late,
yet he found time to attend the short term summer
school. This was his only opportunity to learn to
read and write. Coupled with this he found time
to attend the rude log church. Here he listened
most attentively to the preacher expound the gos
pel, and having given himself to God he lifted up
his heart in hymns of praise. Here he laid the firm
foundation for the kind, sympathetic doctor he was
to become.
quiet, healthful district.
Many and varied are the operations that have
established the reputation of Dr. Wilson. One is
truly remarkable. A man was dead from a shot
near the heart. Dr. Wilson cut a window through
the man's fourth rib, cleansed the heart of the clot
of blood, started the heart to moving, and this man
now moves among his fellow men.
Dr. Wilson was naturally endowed with the ten
dencies to heal the ills of the body. Not content
with this gift of nature he has spent years and
years in study as we have already pointed out.
And his mind is still open and ready to receive in
formation about the human body. Then his un
bounded faith in God has played a great part in the
work of this great and good man.
294
W. Curtis Reid
CURTIS Reid, of Muskogee, Okla
homa, is by birth a Texan. Some
of the sterling qualities that are
the birthright of most of the sons
of this broad, liberal state are to
be found in Mr. Reid. The abil
ity to go ahead and get for himself the things de
sired is not the least developed of these traits in
the character of this young man. Mr. Reid is from
one of the best families in the State of Texas. In
his native state he received his education in the
common schools, and later at the Prairie View
State Normal School. Throughout his school ca
reer he was looked upon as one of the brightest
students. This was particularly true of his work
in the State Normal School.
He went to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1909, for the
purpose of attending school and completing his
education. Here he met Miss Sallie Hodges,
whom he later made his wife. They were mar
ried in July 1912, Mr. Reid thereby securing a com
panion for his home and a helper in his business.
In both spheres she has proved a help-meet indeed
and her husband praises her. Mrs. Reid was born
in Taft, Oklahoma, and received her education in
her native state. She has received a thorough
training and because of this she has been enabled
to render her husband great assistance in his bus
iness affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Reid are very con
genial in their ideas of life and consequently have
made their home an ideal one. They have two lit
tle girls who add sunshine to their home, and ce
ment more strongly the bond which binds their pa
rents to each other. The names of these little
girls are Velma, five years of age, and baby Jack.
While attending school at Muskogee, Mr. Reid
noticed that the city was growing at a rate which
made real estate investments very profitable and
this suggested to him the idea of establishing a
ral astate business. He had already formed a
great liking for the place, so it was not hard for
him to make up his mind to locate here. He ma
tured his plans so there was no delay in starting his
business after he had finished his school course.
He opened his real estate and loan office imme
diately and went to work.
With a good mental equipment, and energy born
of a fine physical condition he set out to win his
way which he did by giving close and faithful at
tention to his business, ft was not long before his
business began to grow and it continued to develop
until it soon was a large and lucrative affair. His
clientile grew with his business for his fidelity to
their interest made them his friends and through
them added others to his list. In selecting an of
fice he chose one in the heart of the city, where he
would be in the midst of business activities, at 115
Court Square. Here he delights to receive friends
but they know his rule not to neglect his business
interests, so they are not offended when he excuses
himself from time to time to look after his affairs.
Mr. Reid, so ably assisted by his good wife, has
succeeded far beyond his most sanguine expecta
tions, and is now classed among the wealthy citi
zens of his community, and is one of the wealthiest
colored men in his State. He and his wife hold
their possessions jointly and are pleased to point to
them as their's rather than his. Their realty and
other holdings are valued at about three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. In the list of their as
sets may be found eleven hundred acres of farm
lands, oil lands and city property.
They own a beautiful home containing all the
modern conveniences, with surroundings conducive
to a pleasant home life. The home is only valued
at $5600.00, their plan being to make it home-like
rather than expensive.
His personal interests do not claim all of the
time and energy of Mr. Reid; he is one of those
men who recognizes the right of a community to
require tribute from its citizens, not alone in taxes,
but in the support of all its interests; and though
he is yet a young man, he is conspicious for his
public spirited activities. His activities are es
pecially notable when the enterprises look to the
advancement of his race. He is deeply interested
in the Negro State Fair Corporation and is among
its most ardent supporters. The Automobile dis
play at the Fair is under his control and direction.
Mr. Reid, like so many men has becon: t an auto
enthusiast, and is the owner of three of these fast
moving vehicles. He owns a Ford runabout, a Hud
son Super-Six, and a 1917 model Morman.
In their religious belief, Mr. and Mrs. Reid are
united as they are in every department of their
lives, and are ardent supporters of the First Bap-
list Church, of which they are members. They not
only contribute their money to its support, but
qive t>, it their time and talent, and are numbered
among its most active members.
Mr. Reid is a Mason (thirty-second degree). Odd
Fellow, U. B. F. and K. of P.
With a growing real estate business, income
bearing property and oil wells spouting thousands
of dollars in the much-sought-for liquid gold, Mr.
Reid has the prospect of becoming a very rich man,
I .ut he considers that the greatest blessing that
Fortune has bestowed upon him is his wife and
children.
295
JOHN HARRIS HENDERSON, B. D.
HE life of John Harris Henderson
has been one of action and of de
cision. He has been able to ac
complish things and to accomplish
them with dispatch. Born on a
plantation near Bayou, Sara,
Louisiana, December 23rd, 1872, he had the start of
the average boy with his environment. When nine
years old he entered the public school and re
mained there for ten years getting what he could
from the poor teaching which was to be had at that
time in that section. In 1891 he entered Howe In
stitute, New Iberia, Louisiana, and remained in
this institution for three years.
After leaving Howe Institute' he entered Leland
University, and spent four years in study there.
Rev. Henderson was still not satisfied with his pre
paration for his life work, and so we find him once
more entering a new school. The one of his choice
was this time Virginia Union University, at Rich
mond. Here he remained for three years and re
ceived the degree of B. D.
To read about the school life of Rev. Henderson
one would suppose that he had nothing to do but
attend the various schools of his choice. This how
ever was not the case. During his early school
days, in fact all through his school career, he was
a young man who worked with his hands in order
that he might have the privilege of studying. The
one form of work that Rev. Henderson remembers
most distinctly is that of rail splitter. At this
task he became quite accomplished. In fact he
could split as many as 410 rails per day.
Having received his degree in 1902 and having
been ordained the year previous, Rev. Henderson
went out into life well equipped, able to hold his po
sition and make good at any place. Thus we find
him in 1902 teaching theology in Coleman College,
Gibsland, La., from 1903 to 1906 President of the
Thirteenth District Normal and Collegiate Insti
tute, Shreveport, La. Here in this institution he
did such effective work that for the first time the
school became self supporting, He bought and
paid for 120 acres of farm land for the school while
serving at its head.
At the same time that Rev. Henderson was serv
ing as President of the Institute in Shreveport, he
was pastoring the Trinity Baptist Church of that
city. Here he added $8000 to its property and 200
members to its roll. In 1908 Rev. Henderson
Founded the Henderson Chapel Baptist Church, to
which he was elected Pastor for life, and the same
year organized the Baptist Ministers Union in.
Shreveport. In 1910 he was called to pastor the
First Baptist Church, Minden, Louisiana, where he
erected a new house of worship at a cost of $4000.
In the year 1911 the state of Louisiana honored
him by electing him Vice-President of the Baptist
Convention of that State. In 1913 Rev. Henderson
answered a call which came to him from Hot
Springs, Arkansas. He resigned his important
posts in the State of Louisiana and went to Arkan
sas where he pastored the Roanoke Baptist Church.
While pastoring this charge he erected a new edi
fice at a cost of $35,000.00. Of this amount in a
single effort he raised with the strong support of
all his people, the sum of $4,619.11.
In the year 1917 Rev. Henderson was appointed
General Field Secretary by the Educational Board
of the National Baptist Convention of the United
States ; he is also a member of the Federal Alliance
of the Church as of Christ in America. This or
ganization had honored him before by giving him
very responsible work to do. The same year he
was made field Secretary ; he was called to the pas
torate of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Knoxville,
Tennessee. Already he has canceled the debt on
the church, and the Baptists of the State have
made him Vice-President of the State Convention.
December 30, 1902, Rev. Henderson was married
to Miss Rairiey F. Butler, of Arnandville, Louis
iana. There are four children who have conic to
bless the home — Leona B., Joseph L., Harvey A.,
and John H. Jr.
296
JOSEPH SAMUEL CLARK, A. B.
OSEPH Samuel Clark, President
of Southern University, and Ag
ricultural and Mechanical Col-
ler;- , was born on a cotton farm
in Bienville Parish, near Sparta,
La., in 1871. His early educa
tion consisted of three months in
a private school and from two
to three months during the year in the little pub
lic schools of that time. Fortunately his parents
were of that sterling stock from which have sprung
so many of our best men. They taught him many
good lessons of thrift and industry during the day,
and many lessons in character before the fire at
night.
At the age of twenty-one he entered Colemen
College, at Gibsland, Louisiana, where he remained
three years. During this time he filled every po
sition from janitor to student teacher. The in
dustrious habits he had acquired in his home train
ing never forsook him and stood him well when he
entered the Coleman College. These coupled with
grace of manners and sterling character made col
lege life easy and pleasant for him. He won the
confidence, respect and admiration of schoolmates
and teachers and added them to his long list of
friends.
In the fall of 1896 his ambition was gratified by
entering Leland University. In the first sesr,!on
there he graduated from the nonr.al and prepara
tory courses. Immediately he entered the four-
year college course, taking his A. B. degree in 1901.
Closely following his graduation he was elected
President of Baton Rouge College, where his re-
1-utation as an educator and an administrator was
soon established. For thirteen years he presided
over this college and gave to it the service of a
wise and intelligent head. His administration was
such as to win the approval of his people who were
quick to realize that they had made no mistake in
calling him to the presidential chair. It was his
service in this institution that led to his election to
the position he now occupies. He did not rest upon
his laurels when called to preside over this college,
but took advantage of every opportunity to im
prove his mind and add to his fund of information.
He studied in summer at Harvard and other great
Universities, and especially made a close study of
human nature.
So. when there was to be a cul red man chosen
for Southern University, there was but one man in
the minds of all concerned— and that was Dr. Clark.
His election was appreciated by both races, an 1
while he has been at the head of the school' but
four years, the wisdom of the selection is amply
shown by the wonderful progress the institution
is making.
Dr. Clark is a big-hearted, big-brained man.
Both as a speaker and writer he has done much in
the State to encourage his people in making for
themselves names worthy of consideration.
^ In addition to being the leading educator in his
State he may be considered among the leading pro
perty holders among the pedagogues. He "owns
valuable property in Baton Rouge and New Orleans
—Outside of a small heritage through his grand
mother he has accumulated most of this propertv
since being out of school. He is a stockholder iii
one of the leading banks of Baton Rouge. Be
sides, he has shares in the Building Loan Associa
tion and other firms of financial standing.
For eight years he was president of the Louis
iana Colored State Teachers Association. He led
the movement for the establishment of a State
school; served six years as registrar of the Nation
al Association of Teachers in Colored Schools and
is at present president of that organization.
While he is a staunch member of the Baptist
Church, he is broad enough to worship freely with
all denominations. He is loved and admired" by all
of the denominations in the State.
He has been initiated as a Pythian and a Mason.
At present he is a member of the Council of the
American Georgraphical Society. He is an hon
orary member of the State Medical Association,
and enjoys the distinction of being chairm i of the
Louisiana Council of Defense for Colored People.
r.o man in the State is asked to serve in more ca
pacities than the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Clark has traveled extensively, though his
travels have been confined to the United States.
He is following the injunction to 'see your own
country before going abroad.'
He married Miss Octavia Head, December 29,
1901, West Monroe, La. Miss Head is the daugh
ter of Rev. W. G. Head, a prominent Baptist min
ister of Louisiana. He has a son of fifteen, a very
promising young man. He is a devoted father and
an ideal companion.
297
WILLIAM THOMAS FULLER, M. D.
R. William Thomas Fuller was
born in Caswell County, North
Carolina, on January the twenty-
fourth, 1886. Although a native
of North Carolina, at an early age
he went to Virginia. Here in the
city of Danville he got his early training. He was
a pupil in the public schools of the city for a num
ber of years. He applied himself diligently to his
tasks, and even as a boy gave promise of becoming
a man of power. When he had completed the work
of the public schools of Danville young Fuller went
to Hampton Institute. Here he studied long
enough to get the real spirit of the school. In
all his after life the real spirit of service, of help
fulness to others, of making the most of opportun
ities, of improving ones self and ones surroundings,
has been with him to spur him on to good deeds.
Having completed the work of Hampton Insti
tute, Mr. Fuller returned to his native State and
matriculated in the Leonard Medical College, at
Raleigh, North Carolina. Here he remained to com
plete the work of his profession. In 1895 Dr. Ful
ler opened office for practice in Reedville, North
Carolina. Finding the place not altogether to his
liking he moved the next year to Winston-Salem.
North Carolina. Here he remained for five years.
Still Dr. Fuller was not satisfied with his location,
and the opportunity offered him for service and
progress. So for a third time we find him remov
ing his sign and journeying to another town. This
time he left his native State altogether and return
ed to the State of his early adoption. 1 1 ere in Suf
folk, Virginia, Dr. Fuller started out anew, and
here he has remained.
For the past seventeen years the practice and
business of the subject of the sketch has grown
steadily. In 1903 he opened a Drug Store. This
he has maintained since that date with the help of
his wife. Mrs. Fuller is a woman of unusual abil
ity and she has done her part toward making the
life of Dr. Fuller in Suffolk a success. Although
Dr. Fuller is not affiliated with any church in parti
cular he is a thorough believer in Christianty and
gives of his means to the support of all denomina
tions. He also gives liberally to all the move
ments for the uplift of his people. He is a public
spirited man, according to the testimony of the
local white bankers and is a credit to any commun
ity.
Dr. Fuller was among the men who made it pos
sible for the late Dr. Booker T. Washington to go
to Suffolk. This Dr. Fuller did in the interests of
his own race, and in the interest of the people of
Suffolk in general. The visit left a lasting feeling
of good will and better understanding between the
white and the colored people of that section. While
Dr. Fuller will not take the credit of this to him
self, he is in a large measure responsible for it.
Dr. Fuller has been twice married. His first
wife was Miss Alberta F. Boyd, of Asheville, North
Carolina. They were married May 25, 1895. She
died September 13, 1896. Eleven years later he
was again married; this time to Miss Lavonia A.
Carter, of Petersburg, Virgina. It is she who so
ably administers the business of the drug store
when Dr. Fuller is out making calls. There are two
daughters in the family, Cory L. and Goler Mae.
Both are young misses in school.
Dr. Fuller, with his family lives in one of the
most beautiful homes in the country. Nor does
the beauty of this home stop with the beauty of
the structure. The home life is also beautiful.
Mrs. Fuller makes a very charming hostess on all
occasions and manages the home, along with the
Drug Store and at the same time in no way ne
glects the young girls.
During the years Dr. Fuller has spent in Suffolk
he has managed to save from his practice and from
the business conducted in his Drug Store, enough
money to invest in and around the city. He is
rated as one of the very substantial citizens of the
place. A conservative estimate of the value of his
holdings is placed at $50,000.00.
298
REVEREND JOHN EDMUND WOOD
ORN in Kentucky shortly after
slavery, Reverend John Edmund
Wood has clung tenaciously to his
native soil, attending school there,
working there, and becoming a
power there. He was born in Ba-
ren County, May 21, 1867. He was educated in the
common schools and' in the state schools. Finish
ing at the State Normal and Industrial Institute,
he decided at first upon a life work in the class
room. As the harvest was ripe in the rural com
munities he went out into the country schools and
began his labors. Here for sixteen years he put
his life into instructing the country youth of his
state ; teaching in Baren, his native County ; in
Metcalf and in Hardin Counties. Meantime he be
gan to find himself as a speaker, leader and organ-
i/.er. More and more also he began to realize that
his place was in the pulpit alone, directing the spir
its and minds of old and young rather than in the
class room instructing only the young. Sometimes
he preached and taught but he soon found that
each task was likely to be half performed, owing to
the energy expended on the other. He was called
to Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1891. Leaving here he
went in response to a call to Elizabeth Town,
where he spent seven years and where he estabish-
ed his reputation state-wide as a speaker, thinker
and presiding officer.
His last charge is Danville. Here he has spent
the last eighteen years of his life, pastoring. organ
izing, and for the last year, being elected in 1916,
serving as state moderator of the Baptist denomin
ation of his state.
Reverend Wood is allied with many strong or
ganizations outside the church. He is a Mason ; an
Odd Fellow; a Knight of Pythias, and a Good Sa
maritan. He is National Chief Good Samaritan in
the last named body. He has traveled all over the
eastern part of the United States ; over the middle
west and south, mainly on business in connection
with Lodge and Church duties.
He owns his residence and several pieces of rent
property in Danville, his home. Married in 1891 to
Miss Ella B. Reid, he is the father of a large fam
ily. Miss lola is a teacher in the public schools of
Berryville; John Franklin is a student at Linco'n
Institute of Simpsonville ; Miss Frances Ophelia is
attending the National Training school for women
at Washington, D. C. ; Simon Flsworth, Margaret
and Virginia are pupils in the public schools of Dan
ville.
Next perhaps to the Pullman service the Negro
school room has been one of the strongest agencies
in the advancement of our able men. Some might
argue, "Yes, much to the detriment of the public."
Such, however, is most likely not the case. Our
young men have come out of college and prepara
tory school full of enthusiasm, full of zeal to do.
They were to our people like pilgrims from a far
country, bringing fresh cargoes of rich lore. More
over, had they not taught our children and our pa
rents in the early days, there would very likely have
been but little teaching. Thus while these young
teachers gained a few sheckles to advance their
education they left behind them a precious heritage
of enthusiasm and scholarship which more than
paid for the mere pittance of a salary which they
received.
Moreover, such time and energy were a splendid
investment for the race ; for whereas these men af
terwards w -'it to advanced schools, completed their
courses and took their places in community life,
they carried with them experiences that have tided
many over its roughest seas. These Doctors and
ministers were able from experience thus gained to
direct school activities, to build new schools, to ad
vise in business, to save the community from no
end of fatal disasters, in health, in business, in so-
ciaLand racial affairs.
Such was the help gained by John E. Wood, and
such returns he has been able to give to his com
munity, church, and lodge wherever he has made
his home.
299
SOLOMON HENRY THOMPSON, M. D.
HEN a boy wishes an education
and wants it bad enough to work
for it he is certain to get that for
which he seeks. Education does
not come easy, even under the
most favorable conditions, and is
intensely hard when the student has to add to the
mental labor necessary to pay his own way. This
was the lot of Solomon Henry Thompson, M. D.
He worked his way through school from the time
he was thirteen years of age until he graduated in
medicine. He first passed through the schools of
his native town and then Storer College, Harpers
Ferry. From Storer he went to Howard Univer
sity, D. C., and graduated in medicine in 1892.
In all this time and in all the v ^rs it took to
obtain this education, for with the Doctor it was
a case of work a while and study a while, he
never once faltered or gave up hope of one day
ranking with the best physicians and surgeons in
the land. He, however, determined that if ever
he was so fortunate as to be blessed with a fam
ily, his children should never have to suffer the
hardships endured by their father. It was this
spirit of pluck and perseverance of the men of
a generation back in overcoming difficulties of a
hundred fold greater than encountered at the pres
ent day, that should serve as an inspiration to fu
ture generations, and spur them on to greater
achievements.
Realizing that the greatest need of his people
was highly skilled physicians with practical ex
perience, that would be qualified, not only to aid
in sickness and distress, but to act as instructors
and leaders in matters of home hygiene, and civic
sanitation. Feeling the technical knowledge gleaned
from the medical department of Howard, while un
surpassed an so far as it went was not all that was
needed, he served a full internship in the Freed-
man's Hospital at Washinyton, D. C. Then tak
ing Horace Greely's advice he "went West," and
settled in Kansas City, Kansas.
So highly had his sense of Racial and Civic
Pride been developed that he attracted the atten
tion of his fellow citizens from the start. Soon,
no movement for social or public uplift was start
ed without Dr. S. H. Thompson being consulted,
lie was elected chief surgeon of Douglass Hos
pital ; The Masons, Odd Fellows, K. of P's and
Knights of Tabor, vied with each other in elect
ing him to honorary positions Today he ranks
Pre-Eminently as one of the strongest charac
ters as well as the most brilliant Negro Sur-
geans and Physicians in Kansas.
He has held the position of Grand Commander of
the Grand Commandery of Kansas, and Grand
Chancellor of the K. of P.'s. Dr. Thompson has not
been an extensive tralever, these having been con
fined to this country and from Colorado to the ex
treme East. He is following the advice to see the
United States before visiting Europe. Dr. Thomp
son married June 1st, 1898, Miss Belle J. Arm
strong, og St. Louis, Missouri. Four children
have been born to them, making their home
life bright and happy beyond the companionship
of their own congenial spirits. Always bearing in
mind the difficulties he struggled under in obtain
ing his own education, the Doctor is determined to
aid his children in fitting themselves to meet life's
battle by giving them the best education obtain
able. One, a girl of seventeen, is a student of Kan
sas University, two boys are in High School, and
the baby, a girl of ten, is in the graded schools.
Parents cannot do a better part for their children
than to give them a good education. What they
leave them in material wealth may be swept away
but what they put into their minds is there for
ever. This is especially true when the religious
training of children keeps pace with their mental
development. In this home the value of both are
recognized and encouraged.
In Church affiliation, Dr. Thompson is a member
of the African Methodist Episcopal. He and his
family occupy a handsome residence in Kansas
City, Kansas, where one is impressed that they are
in a home of culture and refinement, where hospi
tality is a gift rather than a study.
300
Isaac Napoleon Porter, M. D.
R. I. N. Porter, of New Haven,
Connecticut, is a striking exam
ple of a man who has made good
in his profession, regardless of
color. The fact that he is a man
of the Negro race has not militat
ed against his success and in fact is not to be con
sidered in connection with his achievement in his
chosen Hue of work. In spite of his color he has
risen to his high place because of merit alone,
which is recognized by the white as well as the col
ored citi/ens of New Haven, the former constitut
ing the vastly larger number of his patron:'.
Dr. Porter was born October 15th, 1865, in Sum
mit Bridge, Delaware. He was born at a time
when the attention of Negroes everywhere was di
rected to the subject of education. The Negro,
having had but little or no opportunities to secure
an edm.ai.ion had learned considerable from obser
vation, and he was quick to see what education had
done for the white race, and reasoned that it would
also help to elevate the colored race so that the
subject of mind development became one of the ut
most thoughts of his mind. Even in the ex
treme South men of color at this time were
thinking in terms of books for their children. Dr.
Porter had the advantage over many in the place
of birth. Here the question of his color was not
one of such great importance after all. He had
the opportunity to attend school with all the other
boys and girls of the town. This he did, getting
from the public school system of Delaware all that
he could. Having finished the public schools at
his home, he matriculated at Lincoln University.
This was in the year 1886 and four years later he
was graduated from this institution. Lincoln Uni
versity leaves its stamp of good scholarship and
true manhood on all who go from her doors. Dr.
Porter went from her with this stamp and also
with the ambition to increase his store of learning,
lie went the fall of the same year to Yale, where
he entered the medical department. From Yale
he was graduated in 1903.
Feeling that his student days were at last behind
him. Dr. Porter immediately settled down to the
practice of his profession in New Haven. Here he
has made a place for himself. He enjoys a large
and remunerative practice. The number of color
ed families in New Haven is not great when com
pared to the number of white families. But in spite
of this fact, Dr. Porter has built up for himself a
large practice, 90% of which is white. He stands
as a proof of the fact that a well trained colored
physician can get and hold the trade of the white
people by competence. The position of this young
physician was very similar to that of a number of
young colored men who found it necessary to look
to the white race for support. Great merit in their
line of endeavor overcame race prejudice and won
their favor. But he has had the experience that has
come to many others. When the white man finds
cut that the colored man can do what he wants and
needs done, the question of his color is entirely for
gotten and the quality of his work takes prece
dence over all other facts. Because of this fact,
Dr. Porter has been enabled to build for himself a
line practice.
As evidence of his large and remunerative prac
tice no less than his thrifty habits. Dr. Porter has
met all the demands of his various interests and
lias been able to invest in property to the amount
of twenty thousand dollars. He has made all of
his investments in the city of New Haven, where
he could give them his personal attention.
Dr. Porter while giving strict attention to his
business has not been unmindful of the general in
terests of his people and works untiringly in their
behalf. All organizations which have for their aim
the uplift of the colored race receive his earnest
cooperation. He is actively identified with the
cause of religion and has found his place as a
church worker in the Baptist Church of which he
is a member. He is also a member of the Masonic
Order, of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows,
and of the Elks. Through these organizations he
has had ample opportunity to touch the lives of
men along lines other than those strictly held to
by physicians.
His home city has not been slow to recognize Dr.
Porter's ability and sterling worth and on a num
ber of occasions has called him to positions of hon
or and trust, in the various city organizations.
He is a member of the Historical Society. He is a
member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a
member of the New Haven Medical Society, and
he is also a member of the American Medical So
ciety. Membership in these organizations indi
cate the interest he takes in civic matters and his
desire to contribute to his city's advance in its
higher ideals of service, and is also a tribute to his
thorough training for service and recognition <
his obligations as a citizen.
In 1908 Dr. Porter was married to Miss Gertrude
C. Ward, of St. Joseph. Michigan. There are no
children in the Porter family. Dr. Porter has trav
eled through Canada and in some parts of the Un
ited States. The record of this man's life since
leaving school speaks for itself.
301
ALBERT BRYSON SINGFIELD
OR all the scoffs hurled at her,
Georgia, as far as the Negro is
concerned, is making her mark in
some praiseworthy things. Geor
gia is distinguished for a large
number of very good Negro
schools, there being a cluster of colleges in Atlanta,
and good colleges and secondary schools in every
city and town of any considerable size. If she ex
cels in good schools, she goes a step further in Ne
gro Insurance. The Standard Life weathered the
storm and kept its mooring in Atlanta. The North
Carolina Mutual has in Atlanta a branch office that
competes for distinction with the home office in
Durham.
If Atlanta surpasses in the old line companies,
Savannah takes the lead in Benefit Insurance. Of
these the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Com
pany is one of the best and most substantial. To
use its own wording is, "The oldest, ablest and
safest of all."
Mr. Albert B. Sing-field is General .Superinten
dent of this company for the State, and is manager
of the Savannah District. Mr. Singfield was born in
Harlem, Georgia. March 15, 1876. Mr. Singfield
went to school in Columbia County, at a very
early age, and received a Normal education. After
taking a Normal course he entered the insurance
business.
Augusta is twenty-five miles from Mr. Sing-
field's birthplace. There was difficulty in getting
in touch with the city life and city opportunities
from Mr. Singfield's native home. In 1903 he be
gan business in Augusta for the Pilgrim Health
and Life Insurance Company. For six years he
was the Augusta local agent. From the first Mr.
Singfield and the company grew hand in hand, as
it were. Taking over the business in Savannah he
found but few agents and few members. He stu
died the field and how to handle soliciters, becom
ing himself an active worker.
He began in 1903 ; and traveled for years thru
the State; in 1909 he was called to Savannah to be
come Manager of that District. Immediately the
business took on new life. Its reputation spread
its force rapidly increased. He knew the field
back there in Augusta ; and though he had left it
himself, he worked it over harder than when he
was there. The result was that wheareas Savan
nah was supporting but five agents in 1909, when
Mr. Singfield took the Superintendency of the Pil
grim, as it is called, it now supports twenty-one
agents. Again, in 1909, one person constituted the
office force of Savannah, today five persons are
necessary to do all the office work entailed in the
employment of twenty one agents.
There are several reasons for the wonderful
strides of the Pilgrim Health and Life, under Su
perintendency of Mr. Singfield. In the first place
Mr. Singfield knew the game of soliciting at first
hand. His own knowledge gained in the field
taught him how to handle agents ; but more impor
tant still it gave him an intimate knowledge of the
situations which would confront the agents. He
knew the weakness of the agents demands. He
knew their inspirations. He knew the weak points
and the strong points in a prospective member's
argument. When therefore he talked with his
men he did not have to read theory ; he knew, and
his men knew that he knew all the highways and
byways of the territory. It is this that enabled
him to add so quickly four to an office force of one,
and eighteen agents to an agent's force of five.
Mr. Singfield made Savannah his home. He un
ited with the First Baptist Church, and he and Mrs.
Singfield began immediately to take an active part
in church work. He bought a home for his family
in Savannah, and then he became a tax payer and
a promoter of civil life; he is a Deacon of his
church, and he joined all worthy local lodges, lie
is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias.
Mr. Singfield was married in 1894 to Miss Anna
Wilson, of Harlem Georgia. They have two daugh
ters, Misses Mary Bertha and Nellie Louise.
302
Reverend Archibald James Carey
KV. Archibald James Carey, was
the son of the Rev. Jefferson and
Anna B. Carey, both members of
the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. He was born in Atlanta,
Georgia, August 25th, 1868. and
was one of three children.
His educational training began when he was
quite young, having entered school at the early
age of four years. From the beginning and end
ing of his school days he made continuous pro
gress and upon the completion of his course of
training he was thoroughly equipped for his life
work. In the course of his educational career he
has attended Atlanta University, Chicago Theolo
gical Seminary, and the University of Chicago, and
is a graduate of Chicago Theological Seminary and
has received the honorary degrees of A. M., D. D.,
and Ph. D.
Like his school days, his religious life began
when he was a mere child. He was converted when
nine years of age and joined the African Metho
dist Episcopal Church, and at once became incor
porated in its activities. He has held nearly every
office .in the local church to which he belongs, and
made his influence felt in its work and life.
He received his license to preach in Atlanta,
Georgia in 1888, when he was twenty years of age,
and the following year was ordained a deacon at
Washington, Georgia. In 1890, he was made an
Elder at Monticello, Georgia. Bishop Gaines offi
ciated at all of these services.
In 1888 he joined the North Georgia Annual Con
ference, under Bishop Gaines, and has held the fol
lowing appointments : Bethel, Athens, Georgia,
1891-1895; Mt. Zion, Jacksonville, 1895-1898; Quinn
Chapel, Chicago, 1898-1904; Bethel, Chicago, 1904-
1909; Institutional, Chicago, 1909 to 1918, when he
was appointed Presiding Elder of the Chicago dis
trict.
He built Bethel, Athens, Georgia, at a cost of
twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500), in 1892; lifted
a mortgage on Quinn Chapel, to the amounty of
twenty-three thousand dollars ($23,000.), in 1898-
1904 ; on Bethel, Chicago, to the amount of twelve
thousand five hundred dollars ($12.500), in 1904-
1909. and has taken about five thousand people in
to the church.
He was a delegate to the General Conference of
1904. 1908, 1912, and 1916. He was a member of
the Financial Board from 1904 to 1912 ; member of
the Commission on Federation of Methodist chur
ches, 1915 ; and was voted for for Financial Secre
tary in 1912, and for Bishop in 1916.
Dr. Carey is as gifted with his pen as he is on the
platform, which he uses for the good of his people ;
he is a frequent contributor to newspapers and his
articles command attention and are read with much
interest; as a platform speaker his ability is recog
nized by all who have enjoyed his appealing elo
quence and he is in great demand for public ad
dresses.
Being a man of friendly disposition and a sym
pathetic spirit he found pleasure in mingling with
his fellows not only in their church life, but in their
social activities.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of
I'ythias, Foresters, Elks, and Tabor, and is prom
inently connected with these orders. In politics
he is a Republican and stands high in the councils
of his party in his city.
In 1890 he married Miss Elizabeth Davis, of Ath
ens, Georgia, who has borne him five children —
Eloise, 22 years; Annabell, 21; Madison, 19; Dor
othy, 10; and Archibald, Jr., 7 years. Eloise and
Anabel are graduates of Chicago University, and
received degrees of A. B. and I Mi. B. respectively.
This sketch would be incomplete without re
cording additional honors conferred upon Dr.
Carey, which show that his rare gifts were known
and appreciated outside of his church and local
community.
On the occasion of the contennial celebration of
Perry's victory on the Lakes, he was chosen by the
International Commission to deliver the oration for
the Negroes, which he did with great credit to
himself and the race he represented.
All states participating in the War of 1812, made
appropriations and were represented on the pro
gram. Other speakers were : President Wilson,
Ex-Presideht Taft, Dr. McDonald, of Montreal,
and Governor Cox, of Ohio. To sit on the plat
form with such distinguished characters is an hon
or which any man might covet and which comes to
but few.
Dr. Carey was appointed by Governor Dunn as
Commissioner of Half-Century Negro Freedom
Celebration held in Chicago ; he was appointed by
Mayor Harrison, member of the Chicago Board of
Moving Picture Censors, and appointed by Mayor
Thompson, Chief Examiner of Law Claims.
Besides his rich mental endowment and magnetic
manner. Dr. Carey possesses a good physique
which added to the impressiveness of his pulpit
work has made him conspicuous among men.
A life consecrated to religion and elevation of
his people, his influence is felt in every circle in
which he moves.
303
ISAIAH MONTGOMERY
R. Montgomery was born a slave
His name will ever inspire a cer
tain degree of romance because
of his close association with Jef
ferson Davis, the President of the
Confederacy. He was the prop
erty of Joseph E. Davis, Jefferson
Davis' elder brother, being born
on the Hurricane Plantation, in 1847. His father
came from Virginia, where through his young Thas-
ter he picked up a knowledge of the alphabet and
the rudiments of spelling and writing ; his fondness
for education was encouraged by Mr. Davis until
he obtained a good knowledge of English, and be
came a fair accountant, mechanical engineer, and
architect. The son, Isaiah, and an elder brother,
William Thornton, and two sisters were carefully
instructed by their father during his spare time.
At the age of nine years the slave lad became the
master's office boy, carried the mails for New Or
leans and Vicksburg steamers.
Shortly after Admiral Porter ran part of his
Fleet past the Vicksburg batteries, he came into
contact with Isaiah through making inquiries in re
gard to the Gunboat Indianola, which had been
sunk at the Hurricane landing. The Admiral per
suaded Isaiah's parents to let him go as his cab
in boy, and also advised them to leave the south
for a time, predicting that times would be very
rough for a period. The Admiral supplied trans
portation to Cincinnati.
Isaiah participated in the battle of Grand Gulf,
went with the Gunboat expedition up Red River as
far as Fort De-Russey, and took part in the bom
bardment of Vicksburg on several occasions, and
was at the capitulation of that famous city in Julv,
1863.
After the war, Isaiah, and his brother with their
father, agreed to purchase the plantation of Jo
seph Davis and that of his Brother Jefferson Davis,
altogether some four thousand acres, for $300,000
in gold. Mr. Montgomery signed the purchase
notes before he had reached his majority. Gen.
Grant had been using the places for headquarters
of refugees. The Government accounted for the
rents amounting to $26,000.00. Ben Montgomery
acted as Mr. Davis' auditor and approved the set
tlement. The Montgomerys occupied the Davis
properties for thirteen years, part of the time rank
ing third among the largest cotton raisers of tb-
south.
It was the dream of Joseph that the Negroes of
his plantation be kept together making the old
plantation their permanent home. Catching the
vision of the Master the young ex-save book-keep
er went into the wilderness of the great Yazoo.
Miss., Delta in Bolivar County, and began a Negro
Colony. On reaching the chosen spot, Isaiah Mont
gomery said to the few men who followed him :
"You see this is a pretty wild place. But this whole
country was like this once. You have seen it
change. You and your fathers for the most part
performed the work that has made it what it is.
You and your fathers did this for some one else.
Can't you do the same for yourselves?"
This was the way he went forth to found a town.
Here Mr. Montgomery has worked ever since. In
1872 he had married Miss Martha Robb, whose
mother was a favorite servant in the family of Mrs.
Sallie Bridges. Mrs. Bridges was very much at
tached to Miss Robb and gave her careful training.
Mr. Montgomery brought his young wife and
growing family to Mound Bayou in the early spring
of 1888. Out of a number of children born to them,
only four are now living, Mrs. Mary C. Booze,
Misses Estella and Lillie Belle and Mrs. Eva Pearl
Canton, the latter is her father's private secretary.
Mr. Montgomery was the only colored member
of the Mississippi Constitutional Convention of
1890 and delivered a noted speech on the adoption
of the new Constitution. The same year he head
ed a committee of Negroes, who called on Presi
dent Harrison and Speaker Reed ; also appeared be
fore the Senate Committee on Rivers and Harbors,
where he summed up the evidence and quoted
authorities in behalf of levee building to withstand
the floods of the Mississippi River. And during
the early fall he was called to New York to appear
before the U. S. River Commission to assist in se
curing the largest possible allotment for levees in
the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta. He assisted in found
ing the National Negro Business League at Boston,
and became one of its earliest life members. He
is considerably interested in planting, operates a
Gin and Saw Mill, is President of the Farmers Co
operative Mercantile Co., the largest business
house in Mound Bayou, is one of the leading Di
rectors in the Mound Bayou State Bank, and gives
much time to Church and School work.
304
William J. Tompkins, M. D. and Old City Hospital
HEN a magnificent new building
was erected in Kansas City, Mo.,
in 1906, for a general Hospital,
and the white patients transfer
red there, the old building was
thrown open to Negro patients,
where they had formerly only
been allowed in the basement.
But the institution remained under white manage
ment with white doctors, nurses and employees.
Some of the Negro physicians saw how, since this
segregation could not be avoided, it might be used
to the advantage of their race. They saw that not
(inly would the Negroes receive more considerate
treatment at the hands of their own people, but
also vast opportunities would be open to the Negro
physicians in the forum of hospital experience and
the direct association with white surgeons who
had had greater advantages, and also that great
facilities would be afforded Negro girls for becom
ing proficient nurses. They worked perservering-
ly toward the accomplishment of this hope, but it
was not until 1911, that the first tangible results
of these efforts became evident. In October of
that year Negro nurses and internes entered the
Old City Hospital (as it was now called) to care
for their own people, and four Negro physicians
and surgeons were appointed as assistants to the
various chiefs on the visiting staff.
Dr. Thompkins succeeded in convincing a broad-
minded President of the Hospital and Health
Board, and a sympathetic Mayor of the city that
it would be best for all concerned to place the in
stitution entirely in the hands of the Negroes.
Consequently, in November, 1914, whites were
removed, and all positions filled by Negroes. So
that now the Institution affords thirty-five (35)
pupil nurses, a Superintendent of Nurses, and five
assistants, a Superintendent, Matron, Pathologist
and assistant, three clerks, eight internes and
twenty-five employees.
This hospital is in A Class, and is the largest Ne
gro hospital in the country. It consists of four
buildings, including a main brick building that ac-
comodates two hundred and twenty-five (225) pa
tients, a tuberculosis pavilion of forty (40) beds, an
isolation cottage of forty (40) beds, and a two-
story Nurses House. To this was added this year
(1918), a beautiful stone building, accomodating
one hundred and eighty-five (185) patients, that
is used for United State Government detention pa
tients, which department has three nurses, a visit
ing physician, clinic, and clinician, a Matron and
twelve employees, all under the same administra
tion.
The training school of this hospital offers a three
year course of instruction, graduates from which
are eligible to State registration and enrollment
in the National Red Cross organization. In re
cognition of the needs of the government for more
nurses in time of war, the hospital instituted an
auxiliary school for nurses assistants which gives
an eight week course in Elementary Hygiene and
Home Care of the sick.
Dr. Wm. Thompkins was born in Jefferson City,
Missouri, July 6, 1878. He finished the course giv
en in the public school ; and then completed the
Academic and Normal course at Lincoln Institute,
in 1901. After spending two years of study in the
College of Medicine at the University of Colorado,
he went to Howard University, in Washington, D.
C., where he received the degree of M. D., in 1905.
After a year's internship at the Freedmen's Hos
pital, in Washington, he located in Kansas City,
Missouri, in 1906, where he is still engaged in the
practice of medicine.
Dr. Thompkins was the first Negro Medical In
spector of schools in the State of Missouri, at that
time being city physician for Negroes, all of which
work was later divided among three men, he re
taining one-third of the work at the same salary
for which he had done it all.
Through his efforts the St. Simon Nursery -4. as
established, an institution which cared for between
four and five hundred children annually. There
he established the first Child Hygiene Department
among Negroes in Kansas City, a work that was
later taken over and maintained by the city. He
was also for seven years physician to the Old Folks
and Orphans Home.
He was President of the Kansas City Medical
Society, is Secretary of the Pan-Missouri State
Medical Association, a charter member of the Tri-
State Medical Society, of Missouri, Kansas and
Oklahoma and an honorary member of the Okla
homa State Medical Asociation. So, when a City
Hospital was given to the Negroes of Kansas City,
for their own, Dr. Thompkins was naturally the
logical one decided upon to manage the institu
tion, which he took charge of in November, 1914.
He is a member of the Allen Chapel A. M. E.;
Church, a thirty-third degree Mason, a U. B. F.,
an Odd Fellow, and a Knight of Pythias. In the
last named organization he was for seven consecu
tive years Grand Medical Registrar of Missouri. He
is a member of the Educational and Industrial
Commission of Missouri, and was recently appoint
ed by the Governor of Missouri, a delegate to the
National Educational Congress, to meet in New
York City. He has been a member of all State
delegations appearing before the Governor or Leg
islature of iiis State for the past ten years in the
interest of his people. He has also been interested
in all civic movements for his people, being instru
mental in securing for them the Garrison Square
Field House and Play Ground.
At one time he was endorsed for the position of
Surgeon-in-chief at the Freedmen's Hospital by
the State Medical Association of Missouri, Speak
er Champ Clark, of the House of Representatives,
and both United States Senators from the State of
Missouri, and the Missouri State Legislature for
the first time in its history gave him unanimous
endorsement.
He owns a beautiful residence, valuable property
in Spring Valley Park of Kansas City and oil land
in Oklahoma and land in Mexico.
In 1913 Dr. Thompkins was married to Miss Jes
sie Embry, of Columbus, Ohio. They have one
daughter, three years old.
305
CLINTON METROPOLITAN A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. CHARLOTTE, N. C.
This church has had a long and glorious history.
It was organized fifty one years ago, and has num
bered among its pastors some of the most promi
nent ministers of the denomination. Several of
them have advanced to the office of Bishop. Bish
op James Walker Hood; Bishop Andrew Jackson
Warner; Bishop Lomax. This beautiful church
edifice was erected during the pastorate of Dr.
Warner, (now Bishop). It has a large member
ship ; pays a salary of $1800, and has a splendid par
sonage. The present Board of Trustees are : W. P.
Robinson, President ; Col. C. S. L. A. Taylor, Secre
tary-Treasurer ; W. R. Moore, J. R. Funderburk,
John Gray, Thomas Davis, James Taylor, W. M.
Peoples, and Walter Fronabarger. M. D. Smith,
D. D., is Pastor.
306
Dinwiddie Normal and Industrial Institute
N 1898 the Dinwiddie Agricultural
and Industrial School was organi-
ized. It was incorporated in
March, 1899, as the John A. Dix
Industrial School. Under this
name the school continued to
grow and develop till 1907, when the name was
changed to the Dinwiddie Agricultural and Indus
trial School. The first purchase of land for the
school was a tract of 114 acres. On this land they
erected a building 40x50 with six large rooms in
which school was opened in 1900. Later the
Board purchased and increased the farm tract to
250 acres.
One man who played a large part in the develop
ment of the school was Mr. Alexander Van Rans-
sellaer, a philanthropist of Philadelphia, Pennsyl
vania. He was a staunch friend of the colored peo
ple and assisted in the development of the Dinwid
die School till he brought it up to a high degree of
efficiency. When the school was fully established
and running smoothly, Mr. Ranssallaer decided to
place the school in the custody of the colored peo
ple. With this in view he conveyed it to the Board
of Education of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, in 1908.
PROPERTY AND LOCATION
The property of the school consists of two hun
dred and fifty acres of land, the Southern part of
which borders on a creek. There is also a stream
running through the farm from which, with the
use of a reservoir, the grounds and buildings are
supplied with water. There is a large two-story
dormitory with an airy basement. This is in real
ity the Boys' Building, but the girls are using it at
present, their own building1 having been destroyed
by fire. The boys are using a two-story cottage
for dormitory. There is a cottage used as the home
for the farm manager, and the Principals' Home.
Aside from these buildings there are several wagon
sheds, barns, two industrial shops and the poultry
houses. The property is valued at $18.750. The
school owns a number of hogs, chickens, cattle,
two mules, and a horse.
The property is situated on the Seaboard Air
Line Railway, fifteen miles South of Petersburg,
in a most healthful and appropriate locality, ahd
is accessible to a large Negro population.
GENERAL AIM
The general aim of the school is to develop men
and women. It offers Negro youth an opportunity
to build a foundation for useful life. This is done
through moral, literary and manual training. The
Normal Training is given to all who are preparing
to teach. The Preparatory Training is given those
who expect to go to college and the Comprehen
sive High School Course is designed especially for
those who plan to leave school early for business
careers.
With Agriculture as a central thought such in
dustries are taught as are closely related to agri
culture. C'arpentry and blacksmithing are given.
not only for their training values, but also because
they are closely related to the work of the farmer.
Gardening, dairying, poultry raising, cooking, sew
ing and laundrying. The school seeks to teach boys
and girls, not only books and trades, but how to
live and become a vital part of the community life.
ADVANTAGES
Some of the advantages of the school are the
healthfulness of the location and the wholesome
rural surroundings, the literary and industrial
courses offered; the personal attention given each
student ; and the earnest, conscientious, Christian
teachers. The pupils while in the school live in the
dormitories and take up the regular life of the well
regluated Christian home. Another homelike fea
ture of the school plan is that every student bears
a portion of the burden of the household.
In the development of Christian character the
schools puts great emphasis. There are distinct
ive religious services, attendance upon which is
required. There is the Sunday School, preaching
services and the Sunday evening services as well
as the regular student's Prayer Meeting. In this
way the students are trained to do active work in
the religious life of their communities when they
leave school.
The Present Principal of the Dinwiddie Normal
School is Mr. W. E. Woodyard. Under his effi
cient management the school has developed great-
iy.
ORGANIZATION
Elementary — The elementary work covers the
three upper elementary grades, with liberal time
for physiology and hygiene.
Secondary - The preparatory course of three
years includes the usual secondary subjects with
three years of Latin and two years of Greek or
German. The teachers' course differs from the
preparatory course in the omission of languages
and the institution of science, animal husbandry,
and principles of teaching.
Industrial — Four hours a week of industrial work
is required of all pupils. A little training in carpen
try and blacksmithing is provided for the boys and
co'oking and sewing for the girls. The farm is
maintained on a commercial basis.
307
HENRY FLOYD GAMBLE, M. D.
HOUGH born in 1862, when edu
cation was almost impossible for
the Negro. Dr. Henry F. Gamble,
of Charleston, West Virginia,
managed to gain the best of both
literary and professional training.
He was born on the farm at North Garden, Alber-
marle County, Virginia, January 16th, 1862. For a
good while the road to learning and attainment
seemed as dark and impossible as it was to the
millions of other colored people.
Working and hoping and trying, working on the
farm in the day and making what headway he could
at night, he at length found someone to teach him
at night. He now began to master his books and
was soon able to enter Lincoln University in Penn
sylvania. His drawbacks of early days appeared
now to have been a spur rather than a hindrance ;
for though his early education had been irregular,
he was able to graduate with honors in 1888. and
this, even though he had to earn his way. From
Lincoln University he entered the Medical Depart
ment of Yale University, where, in 1891, he gained
his doctors' degree.
He began to practice at Charlottsville, Virginia.
Here he remained but one year, moving at the close
of the year, 1892 to Charleston, West Virginia,
where for a little more than a quarter of a century
he has been practicing, to use his own modest
words, "with a reasonable amount of success."
Dr. Gamble has been according to professional
men who know and honor him. an intensely hard
worker and a close student in his profession, study
ing not only books and treatises, but everyday-
cases that come under his observation.
His work engages almost his exclusive time and
attention and has kept him from entering the mys
tic doors of the secret orders. His ear is ever at
tuned to the cry of distress and the call of the suf
fering and he holds himself in readiness to quicklv
respond when the summons comes.
When Dr. Gamble in 1911-12 was elected Pres
ident of the National Medical Association, the daily
papers of his home city showed how very much
the laity agreed with the medical profession. 'Hit-
Charleston Gazette said: "The Gazette desires to
extend to Dr. Gamble its heartiest congratulations
upon his election to the presidency of the National
Medical Association.
"Dr. Gamble, alone, however, should not be con
gratulated. The Medical Association should come
in for its share of felicitations. To the people of
Charleston the choice seems to have been a fitting
and a splendid one. Dr. Gamble is a man \vho has
reflected credit upon his race and profession. He is
an educated man, who, by his ability and personal
ity has earned many friends and much admiration
here. It is in men of the stamp and character of
Dr. Gamble that the Negro race will find its real
salvation. Charleston is glad that Dr. Gamble has
been honored."
To win such an endorsement from his home peo
ple is an honor that any man may covet and is a
reward worth striving for. The Doctor accepts
the honor with commendable pride but with a
modesty which itself is an evidence of greatness
coming from such a source.
Dr. Gamble was married in 1894, to Miss Gilmer
of Charleston, West Virginia. Miss Gilmer was a
graduate of Storer College. She died in 1901. Dr.
Gamble was again married in 1917, to Miss Nina
H. Clinton of Zanesville, Ohio. Mrs. Gamble is a
graduate of Wilberforce University. Dr. Gamble's
two children, Catherine Lee and Henry Floyd, Jr.,
are both in school. The former is a Freshman in
Oberlin College ; the latter attending school in
Charleston.
Dr. Gamble owns his home, office and office
equipment. He is a Baptist in his religious beliefs,
being a faithful member of the First Baptist
Church of Charleston.
308
John C. Asbury, LL. 'B., LL. M.
T is worthy of note that the edu
cated Negro, as a rule, has aspi
rations looking to the betterment
and elevation of his race, and
wherever the interests of the race
are concerned you will find him
at work.
His operations are not confined to the church,
the school and the medical profession, but reach
out and touch the home life of their people, and
has regard to their social comforts and recreation
al diversions.
They have learned in their own experience that
education not only enlightens the mind but broad
ens the concept of life, and excites the ambition to
rise to higher attainments in the higher ideals of
life. Feeling these impulses in their own souls they
wish the same for their people and almost as a
natural instinct they are led to work for race ele
vation.
John C. Asbury is among this class, and his in
tensive habits of mind have caused him to consider
the interests of the Colored citizens of his com
munity from every aspect of their lives. This was
carried beyond the bounds of the living to con
template the resting place of the dead. The out
come of this investigation is told elsewhere in this
sketch.
Mr. Asbury is a native of Washington County,
Pennsylvania, in which State he received in large
part his education. He got the ground work of his
education from the public schools of Washington
County, and after finishing at these schools he en
tered the Washington and Jefferson College, lo
cated at Washington, Pennsylvania.
Choosing Law as his profession, he next enrolled
at Howard University, Washington ,D. C. and took
the law course. Here he won the degress of LL.
B. and LL. M. In June, 1885, he was admitted to
the Bar of the district of Columbia, but began his
practice in the State of Virginia. He opened his
office in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1885, and soon won
recognition which brought him into prominent no
tice.
In May, 1887. he was elected Commonwealth
(District) Attorney, of Norfolk County, in which
office he served four years. During his term of
office he had no assistant but conducted the busi
ness of the Court alone.
Among the many cas'es prosecuted by him there
were eleven murder cases which he handled with
consummate skill. Mr. Asbury takes a deep in
terest in the political questions which stir the coun-
trv and true to his nature he lets his interest take
active form. In politics he is a staunch Republi
can, and he gives to his party the best that is in
him.
In January, 1892 he was a delegate to the Nat
ional Republican Convention, at Minneapolis, rep
resenting the Second Congressional District of
Virginia.
In January, 1897, Mr. Asbury left Virginia, and
located in Philadelphia, since which time he has
been an active practitioner at the Philadelphia Bar.
While investigating the conditions of his people
Mr. Asbury made a note of the very inadequate
provision made for their burial, and set about to
work a change to give them pleasanter surround
ings for their dead.
It is one thing to see a need but quite another
thing to undertake the task of supplying it. Mr.
Asbury did both and succeeded beyond his expec
tation in the effort. He organized the Eden Cem
etery Company, of which he is the President and
directing head, and it has the reputation of being
the most beautiful and best managed Negro cem
etery in America. It comprises fifty-three acres
(53),, and it is estimated that it will furnish graves
for the colored population of Philadelphia for the
next ^hundred years. While the enterprise was
born of a desire to help the colored race to find an
attractive place to bury their dead, it has proved a
fine investment for the stockholders. They have
already received a dividend upon their stock ex
ceeding the cost of the shares and the great bulk
of the property yet remains to be disposed of.
The cemetery was established in 1902. This
Company is not the extent of his activities for his
people. He is connected with other institutions
which seek their good. He is President of the
Keystone Beneficial Society, the largest institution
of its kind among colored people in the North. He
is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Union
Baptist Church, among the largest of Baptist
Churches, having a membership of thirty-five hun
dred (3500).
He is a member of the Masonic .Fraternity, the
Odd Fellows, and the Elks.
Notwithstanding the demands upon his time
which his connection with these various institu
tions call for, he never neglects his business as an
Attorney. His large and lucrative practice attest
it. He has made a good record in the trial of the
cases assigned him, being many times compliment
ed by the trial judge in open Court.
In February 1916. he was appointed Court as
sistant in the Municipal C'ourt by City Solicitor
Connelly.
309
The Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
HE Virginia Normal and Indus
trial Institute owns seventy-two
acres of land, forty-two are un
der cultivation and twenty-six
make up the Campus and Athele-
tic Field. There are twelve per-
manent buildings -- five cottages
for married teachers, a residence
for the President, the main building, three smaller
buildings, a boiler house, and a laundry. The In
stitution is beautifully located on the top of a high
hill over-looking the surrounding country. The
land has a natural drainage and the health condi
tions are excellent.
The Institute is primarily a Normal School, pre
paring teachers for the Colored public schools of
Virginia. It has graduated 1477 men and women.
These graduates are engaged in practically all the
pursuits of life. Some of them are physicians, law
yers, preachers, farmers, business men, home-
keepers and the like. Most of them however are
engaged as teachers in the public schools of the
State and as social workers in various centers.
The program of studies of the Institute compris
es a High School, a Normal School, a Normal In
dustrial School, and departments in Agriculture,
Domestic Science, Manual Training, business, and
music. The high school comprises four years of
high school work above the eighth grade. The
Normal School, two years of professional work
above the four year high school, and the Normal
Industrial, two years of industrial work and teach
er training above the first two years of the high
school. This last course is to train teachers for the
rural public schools. The High school and Normal
School are accredited by the State in their respect
ive classes.
Industrial work in conducted with a view to the
training of young people to teach the subject in the
schools of the State. Particularly strong courses
in household arts and agriculture are given. The
agricultural department has the distinction of be
ing run on a "paying basis." The Manual Train
ing Work leads to practical skill in handling situa
tions around the home and on the farm. The do
mestic science is correlated with the student's and
teachers' kitchen and dining rooms.
Physical training receives special attention.
There is a coach for the athletic interest of the
boys and a physical director for the girls. Military
drill is given the boys under the direction of a com
petent drill master.
The religious life receives emphasis in the acti
vities of the Christian Associations, Bible Classes,
weekly prayer meetings, daily devotional exer
cises, and annual week of prayer and Sunday af
ternoon preaching services.
The faculty is composed of thirty-seven officers,
teachers and workers. Of this number twelve are
men and twenty-five are women. Most of these
men and women were trained in the best Negro
Colleges of the South ; some of them come from
the larger institutions of the North. Practically
all of them have studied in the Summer Schools of
the large institutions of the North.
For the session 1916-1917 nine hundred and nine
teen studejits were enrolled in the regular session
and three hundred and fifty in the summer ses
sion, making a total of one thousand two hundred
and sixty-nine instructed in the Institute during
the year. Of the nine hundred and nineteen in the
regular session two hundred and twenty-six were
boys and six hundred and ninty-three were girls.
The enrollment was distributed as follows ; pro
fessional department 146; Senior High School 388;
Junior High School 198; and training school 117.
JOHN MANUEL GANDY, A. B.
John Manuel Gandy, President of the Virginia
State Normal School, was born near Starkesville,
Mississippi. He began his educational career early
in life in the rural public schools of Oktibba County,
Mississippi, where the strong intellect which char
acterized his later life, thus early began to unfold.
In 1889 he left his rural home and went to the
Capitol of the State, where he entered Jackson Col
lege, remained there two years, graduating from
the Normal Department in 1892. Due to the
shortage of money, he left Oberlin and entered
Fisk University in 1894, and was graduated with
the degree of A. B. in 1898. Before graduation he
was offered a position as instructor of Latin and
Greek in the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Insti
tute, and also the secretaryship of the Y. M. C. A.,
in New Haven, Conn. He accepted the latter. After
serving for a couple of months he discovered that
it was hardly possible to develop a work in New
Haven. He then accepted the first position offered
him as it was at that time open.
President Gandy went to Virginia and put his
life into his work. He allied himself with the so
cial uplift movements of the State, attending most
of the State meetings. His value became gradual
ly known and when the Negro Organization So
ciety looked around for an Executive Secretary
the mantle fell on him. This position took him
into practically every County of the State. He
gave himself freely in helping the people into new
ideas and practices of health, education, and farm
ing. He introduced the Negro Organization So
ciety to the people.
When the President of the State Normal School
died Mr. Gandy was elected his successor. H£ has
had phenomenal success as an administrator and
educator. Practically every feature of the school
has been reorganized. The courses of study have
been raised ; the equipment and plant greatly im
proved ; the student body and teaching force nearly
doubled.
311
MISS EMMA J. WILSON
AYESVILLE Educational and In
dustrial Institute is Miss Emma
Wilson's monument, her life
story. Born in the days border
ing on slavery, Miss Wilson early
grew eager for an education. In
making known her desire to her
slave mother, the latter replied,
"Why you are crazy child, you can't go to school.
Only white children go to school." Since this was
so the child did the next best thing. She got three
little white children to teach her. Having learned
her alphabet, she got hold of a speller and began to
master the big words. Later she attended a Mis
sion School taught by Northern women. From
here she enrolled at Scotia Seminary, at Concord,
North Carolina.
When she was planning and praying that she
might go to Scotia, she promised the Lord that she
would go to Africa as a Missionary, if that was his
will. Finishing her course at Scotia, she returned
to Mayesville, her birth place, and found her Afri
ca at her own door." That is she found her home
viliage without a Negro school building or any one
to teach. Securing the use of an old abandoned
cotton gin house, she opened school with ten pu
pils. Books were donated, children paid tuition in
eggs, chickens and provisions. However, Miss
Wilson did not accept these as her pay. She had
her mother cook these and sell them. The pro
ceeds she turned in to the work of her cotton gin
•-thool house.
In a short time the school outgrew the gin house.
Believing in her work, Dr. Mayes, for whom the
little town was named influenced the County Board
of Education to grant her forty-five dollars a year
to aid, in her work. This she invested in an Assis
tant Teacher, and then used for a school house any
building she could secure free of rent charges. Pu
pils now began to pour in from the surrounding
country. To meet the increasing demand. Dr.
Mayes advised her to go north and solicit funds.
She started her journey North by asking the
minister in her church for the Sunday night col
lection. This he granted. The sum amounted to
fifty cents. With this she rode to the next town
where she found a camp meeting. Given the col
lection here, she raised seventy-five cents. In this
way she made her way North, where she often suf
fered rebuffs and extreme hunger. Sometimes she
washed and ironed by 'the day to earn her food.
Finally, however, she got the ear of Lloyd Garri
son and Richard H. Dana, who investigated her
work and pronounced it sound and deserving. She
remained in the North three years, sending back
funds to keep the school going. When she re
turned she had money enough to put up a ne\v
school building.
This marked the formal beginning of the Mayes
ville Institute. From this point it grew in num
ber, in standing, in building, in land, in friends, in
money. In 1896 it obtained a charter from the
State of South Carolina. Its trustee Board is com
posed of Northern white men, Southern white men
and Southern colored men. Mr. Richard H. Dana
subsequently became the school's Treasurer, other
representative people of the North, Reverend Ho
ward Brown, Mrs. Quincy Shaw, Mrs. Paul Revere
Frothington, Mrs. R. R. Booker, joined the Board
of Trustees.
The school is now well equipped and has sub
stantial courses for teachers, and for industrial
students. It has an enrollment of 500 students,
150 of whom are boarders; 40 are orphans. It
teaches Agriculture in all its forms, giving theory
and practice on the school's farm, in the Truck
Garden, Orchard, and in Diary. Among the Me--
chanical and Domestic Arts are taught Carpentry,
Shoe-making, Brick-making, Tailoring, Sewing,
Cooking, Nursing and House Work. Miss Wilson
herself is the founder of the course in brick-mak
ing. Having found clay on her farm, she went to
Pittsburg and learned brick-making first hand.
The institution's running expenses are $9000, $200
t,f which is given by the State of South Carolina.
The rest, save the proceeds from the truck garden
and from a few rented cottages, is raised by Miss
Wilson. She has an annual Farmers' Conference,
of which she is President. The United States Gov
ernment has established an Experiment Station
here.
JOSLYN HALL AND HARRIET JOSLYN HALL
312
Will Henry Bennett Vodery
S a musical prodigy, Will Henry
Bennett Vodery, the subject of
this sketch, may be properly
classed, for he wrote music and
played upon musical instruments
at a very early age. He played
the piano in the Sunday School when only nine
years of age, and at the age of thirteen he was the
church organist. He wrote the song, "My Country
I Love Thee," when he was twelve years old.
His musical talent showing itself thus early in
life, being developed by Master instructors, has
brought him much fame in his later years and has
made him a notable character.
Mr. Vodery is a native of Pensylvania. He was
born in Philadelphia, October 8, 1885, and received
his education in the public schools of that city,
graduating from the Central High School in 1902.
Unlike a great many men, he was quick to dis
cern his talent and to determine upon his life ca
reer. He was a born musician and with a soul
fully attuned to music's melody, it was natural that
he should surrender to the compelling call of the
Divine Muse.
After graduating from the Central High School,
he immediately entered upon the study of music at
the Hugh A. Clark University, Pennsylvania, and
was under the instruction of Louis Koemmenick,
Grand Director of the University of Leipsic.
He commenced his professional career in 1904,
in the City of New York, arranged for M. Whit-
mark & Sons their play, "A Trip To Africa," and
accompanied the show on its tour through the mid
dle West and the South. He wrote the music for the
plays, "South Africa," and "Time, Place and Girl."
The music was inspiring and fun-provoking.
Leaving New York in 1905, he went to Chicago,
and was made custodian for theTheodore Thomas
Orchestra. While serving in this capacity he stu
died symphony under the concert manager.
In addition to his duties in connection with the
Theodore Thomas Orchestra, he managed the Pro
fessional Department of Charles K. Harris.
While in Chicago he wrote the song, "After The
Ball Was Over," which made a decided 'hit' with
the public and became very popular. It was sung
in every part of the country, in the theatres, in
the homes and upon the streets. The street ur
chins whistled it and young men and maidens danc
ed to its catchy music.
He left Chicago in 1907, and returned to New
York City, where he wrote "Oyster Man," and
many other popular songs. He also arranged the
music for Williams and Walker's "Bandanna
Land," and traveled with the show as musical di
rector, going with it to Europe. It gave an exhi
bition in Shaftes Bury Theatre, London.
In 1908 he managed a show in which the famous
comedian, Hogan, featured and scored so great a
success that the next season he secured control of
the show for himself, making an eighteen weeks
tour which added to its popularity.
After this he wrote a number of songs, among
which were "Too Much Isaacs," "Girls From Hap
py Land," "Saucy Maid," and "Me Hun And I."
From New York he went to Washington, D. C,
to take charge of the Vaudeville show of Rosen-
thald & Benedict, which was afterwards changed
to a stock company. The first play of the new
company was "My Friend From Dixie." The play
was well received and proved a great financial suc
cess. His satisfactory management of this ven
ture added to his reputation and brought about a
business connection between him and J. Lubrie
Hull, who formed a partnership and traveled to
gether during the season 1910-1911. Their itine
rary covered the entire country — their show was
highly pleasing, as was its financial outcome. Mr.
Vodery was in constant demand and his talent as
a song writer generally recognized. He wrote the
music for "Dr. Beans From Boston," a show in
which S. H. Dudley was the commedian.
For the season of 1912-1913, he took charge of
the Overtoil & Walker enterprise, a Vaudeville
show, and wrote the music for "Porto Rico Girls,"
and "Happy Girls." The show proved a drawing
card and was so well received on the coast that a
second trip was made there. He also did special
work in 1913 for Florence Ziegfield, writing seve
ral successes for Bert A. Williams, among them,
"Can't Get Away From It," "Dark Town Poker
Club," and "Land Lady."
Mr. Vodery's ability as a song writer is recog
nized by all of the big Broadway producers, such
as Klaw & Erlanger, Schubert, Ziegfield and oth
ers, and he is often engaged by them to arrange
and construct the music of their plays. He is a pro
lific writer of songs and music, some of his most
popular pieces being — "Dearest Memories," "West
Virginia Dance," and "Carolina Fox Trot," this lat
ter being a musical innovocation, being the first
fox trot ever written. It was published by Joseph
Stern & Co.
Mr. Vodery has traveled extensively, both in this
country and in Europe.
Mr. Vodery is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows,
the Knights of Pythias and of the Elks.
313
RT REV. WILLIAM DAVID CHAPPELLE, A. P...
A. M., D. D.. LL. D.
ILLIAM David Chappelle was born
a slave in or about the year 1857,
November 16th, and began school
in the Fairfield Normal school in
1869. His parents Henry and Pat-
sey Chappelle, were slaves and
belonged to one Henry McCrorey.
They had thirteen children, Wil
liam being the sixth child and as a child was feeble ;
but was keen in intellect and always eager to go
to school.
He finished his Normal or English course under
the Rev. Willard Richardson and began teaching in
a country school near Winnsboro. To secure his
first book, he dug up a stump of kindling wood
from his father's field and carried, in turns of ten
cent bunches to town a mile away at night and
sold it, this was done for four nights to secure
forty cents with which to buy a book that he might
have something to study from to get his lessons.
After this struggle he secured a certificate, sec
ond grade, but it was the highest marked second
grade in the county white or black, so said the
school supervisor. His school was five miles in
the country to which he walked daily that he might
save his money and enter college.
In 1875 he was converted and finding that he was
not prepared to preach he joined the Columbia An
nual Conference and was sent to the Pine Grove
Mission, at the same time he entered Allen Univer
sity and kept up his studies while preaching at this
Mission; but it was not long before his money gave
out and he had to stop and go to teaching that he
might better support his wife and child, having
married in December 1875 and had at this time one
child.
After three months he re-entered school and
made his classes and continued until 1887, at which
tune he graduated from the college Department,
with the degree of A. B. He led his class. He was
ordained Deacon in 1883, Bethel A. M. E. Church,
Columbia, S. C., by Bishop W. F. Dickerson. Or
dained Elder by Bishop James A. Shorter, Green
ville, S. C., in 1885. He served in the Pastorate
eight years, pastoring the following places : Pine
Grove Mission, two years, 1882-83 ; Lexington Cir
cuit, 1884; Rockhill Circuit, 1885-87; Pendleton
Station, 1889-1900. He served as P. E. eleven
years; Manning District, 1889-93; Orangeburg Dis
trict, 1893-98; Sumter District, 1899-1900.
At the General Conference which met in Colum
bus, Ohio, in 1900, he was elected Secretary and
Treasurer of the Sunday School Union with Head
quarters at Nashville, Tenn., where he prepared
and Edited the Sunday School literature for eight
years. When he took charge of the S. S. Union of
the A. M. E. Church, the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, was doing the printing. Dr. Chap
pelle after figuring out the cost of printing the lit
erature himself and also the income of the circu
lation of his periodicals, ventured to do the work
himself, which was a successful venture. Thus,
he built for the A. M. E. Church, one of the best
Negro Printing Houses in the country. Leav
ing there, when he left, about fifty thousand dol
lars worth of assets consisting of a complete outfit,
machinery, type and fixtures and the plant out of
debt.
In June 1908 he was re-elected President of Al
len University, a position which he occupied for
two years, 1898-99, before he was elected General
Officer. He served Allen University as President
for four years, 1908-12. At the General Conference
in 1912 he was elected Bishop with 406 votes, the
largest amount of ballots ever cast for a bishop in
the A. M. E. Church. As Bishop he was assigned to
Arkansas and Oklahoma, the twelfth Episcopal
District of the A. M. E. Church. In 1916 at the Gen
eral Conference which met in Philadelphia, he was
assigned by that body to his home State, South
Carolina, the seventh Episcopal District of the A.
M. 1C. Church. He received the degrees of A. M., D.
D from Allen University and the degree LL. D.
from Campbell College, Miss. He was elected
President of Allen University twice, elected Irus-
tee of A. U. 1887, and elected to the General Con
ference the same year, to which position he has
been elected for thirty consecutive years. He is
now President of the Educational Board of the A.
M. E. Church, and President of the Trustee Board
of Allen University.
ALLEN UNIVERSITY
Allen University, a Co-educational Institution,
under the auspices of the African Methodist Epis
copal Church, was founded in 1881.
Departments: College, Normal Grammar School,
Music, Sewing, Theological, and Printing.
During the thirty seven years existence of this
institution over two thousand graduates have gone
forth into public service from the various depart
ments, reflecting credit, upon themselves, the race,
and the institution.
The yearly enrollment is approximately six hun
dred and fifty.
The denomination, in this State, raises, yearly,
between twenty-five and thirty thousand dollars
for the maintenance of the school.
314
ROBERT WESTON MANSE. A. B, A. M., D. D.
EV. Robert Weston Manse was
born at Coksbury, S. C, Sep
tember 27th, 1876, in the Old
Paine Institute, an institution op
erated under the auspices of the
African Methodist Episcopal
Church, in South Carolina.
His father was the station pas
tor of the A. M. E. Church at Coksbury during the
operation of the Paine Institute and was a charter
member of Allen University that grew out of the
Paine Institute.
The mother of this subject was Charity Ann
Nash, the youngest daughter of the historic Nash
family of Coksbury, Abbeville County, who, alone,
struggled, after the death of her husband to se
cure funds with which to educate Robert, her
eldest son.
His early training was had in the Public School
at Newberry, S. C., subsequently entering Claflin
University, Orangeburg, S. C., and graduating
from the Collegiate Department, with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts, in the year 1899.
Shortly after his graduation, he was elected
Principal of the Newberry High School, which po
sition he held for eight consecutive years.
He was converted in 1889, joined Miller Chapel
A. M. E. Church, Newberry, S. C., joined the min
istry at Greenville, S. C., December 1902 and served
the following charges :
New Miller Mission, Sulada Old Town, S. C,
1904; Jalapa Mission, Jalapa, S. C., 1904, six
months; Enoree Mission, 1905; St. Paul Circuit.
Chapin, S. C., 1906; South Carolina Conference;
Georgetown Station, Georgetown, S. C., 1907-9;
Presiding Elder, Beaufort District, 1910-15; Pastor
Mt. Zion Station, Charleston, S. C, 1915-16; Pres
ident Allen University, S. C., 1916-18.
Dr. Manse was elected Chairman of the South
Carolina Conference delegation to the General
Conference at Kansas City, Mo., 1912, a delega
tion to the Centennial General Conference at Phil
adelphia, Pa., 1912, and Chairman of the State del
egation.
He is now President of the A. M. E. Connection-
al Council, which position he has held for the past
two years.
He married Miss Elizabeth Clara Grimes, of
Newberry,' S. C., April 12th, 1902, and to them have
been born five children ; Evelyn Frederica, Robert
Weston, Jr., Charity Marguerite, Nerissa Terrell,
and Mercer Montgomery, the first four of them
being under fifteen years of age and now in school.
Other positions which he has held are Past Chan
cellor Meridian Lodge Masonry, Grand Prelate K.
of P.. Jurisdiction of South Carolina.
COPPIN HALL— ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ALLEN UNIVERSITY— COLUMBIA, S. C.
315
J. W. WILLIAMS
ULY third, 1884, in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, there was born a
little boy who was destined to
use all three sections of this great
country in getting his training
for life. This lad was J. W. Wil
liams. While he was born as far
North as Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
it was in the extreme south, Holly Springs, Miss
issippi, that he received his education. Here in
Mississippi he took his chances at education with
the other colored boys of Holly Springs. While the
school lasted he received pretty good instruction,
but it was soon closed and the boy was thrown up
on his own resources, and received a great portion
of his education in the school of experience.
At an early age he developed an aptness with
mechanical tools. But he was unable to enter a
trade for his training. This did not restrain him
from following the bent of his inclination and de
veloping the talent he felt that he possessed. Be
ing denied the privilege of obtaining it in the in
dustrial schools, he sought it in the various work
shops where he served as a laborer. He made the
best of his opportunities and in time received a
pretty thorough education in mechanism.
He lost his parents while quite young. His father
died when he was only two years of age, and his
mother followed his father to the grave when he
reached his thirteenth year. Thus early in life he
was left to shift for himself, so his training in the
practical school of the every day work shop was
rather an advantage than otherwise as it provided
fur his sustenance while he learned his trade. His
mother had trained him to stick to his task until he
had mastered it, and the memory of this training to
gether with his natural ability caused him to hold
to his work with great tenacity until he became
proficient in the line in which he was engaged. The
exhibition of these qualities in either man or boy
usually bring a sure reward and it was so with
young Williams for today he is highly regarded as
a very thorough and reliable mechanic.
Having in mind the desire to learn the art of
mechanism rather than earning a livelihood, Mr.
Williams did not confine himself to one city or to
any section of the country, but went from place to
place as his judgement and opportunity dictated,
finally locating in the far West, not as a laborer,
but as the owner of a large Auto shop, where he
is putting into practical use the information he
learned in the various shops where he had worked.
It is now his turn to employ labor and to direct it
which he does with a master hand, but with a con
sideration he did not always enjoy. He keeps in
his employ six men as master mechanics. But re
membering his own boyhood and young manhood,
he gives employment to the unskilled and allows
them to gather from watching the others as much
as possible. In this manner, Mr. Williams endeav
ors to help others along, as his own experience had
taught him that a kind and encouraging word is a
help to any man who is trying to rise.
This auto shop of which Mr. Williams is the
owner and manager is fifty feet by ninety feet.
Here he has sufficient space to do a great deal of
work. Besides being interested in his work at the
shop and the work of the men under him, Mr. Wil
liams has taken time to do some real estate work.
In 1914, he was appointed by the Town Site Com
pany to sell the Skidmore addition at Tulsa, Okla
homa. This he did at a great profit to himself.
Mr. Williams is a member of the A. M. E. church.
Here he gives of his time and of his means to the
support of the Gospel. In all the undertakings of
the denomination he is ever ready with his support.
In fraternal orders he is a Mason. This as else
where is in itself a recommendation for the worth
of the man in the community.
Ably assisted by Mrs. Williams, Mr. Williams
has been successful in starting other business con
cerns that come more directly under the control of
Mrs. Williams. There is the Dreamland Theatre
and the Williams Confectionery. These are told
of more fully in the sketch of Mrs. Williams.
Mr. Williams was married to Miss Lula Cotton,
March 10, 1901, at Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is one
son who is now a high school student. He helps
to make life happy for his parents and lends incen
tive to their working so hard in their various lines
of business.
WILLIAMS AUTO REPAIR SHOP
316
MRS. J. W. WILLIAMS
HAT hack of every man who is
succeeding, either in the business
world, the literary world, or poli
tical world, there is an efficient
woman, is one of the sayings that
we hear a great deal. Whether
this be true or not it is not for us
to decide. But it does hold good
in the case of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Williams, of Tul-
sa. Oklahoma. Mrs. Williams was born February
12, 1878, at Jackson, Tennessee, Madison County.
Here, as Lola Thomas Cotton, she spent her child
hood and young womanhood. In Madison County
she attended the public school till she had gotten
from them all that they could give her. She then
entered Lane College, where she remained to com-
p'ete the course of study offered there. June 2nd,
1898, she was graduated from this institution.
Not entirely satisfied with her training, Mrs.
Williams went to the Agricultural and Mechanical
College, at Normal, Alabama. Here she took her
industrial training. She entered the classes offer
ed in dressmaking and in millinery. From these
she received her certificate in 1903.
For a number of years Mrs. William taught
school in the rural districts of her native State.
She had an abundant chance to develop her powers
as an executive. Not only as an executive was she
developed in the rural work, but as a close business
woman as well. For the teacher in the rural dis
trict has to be all things to the people with whom
she makes her home. After a number of years she
left Tennessee and went out to Oklahoma. Here
she taught for some time. But after working for
a time in the school rooms of Oklahoma, she decid
ed that she could do more with her life in the mil
linery and dressmaking trade. To this end she
worked in this line for three years. In the mean
time she had married Mr. Williams, and they were
anxious to go in business. From the proceeds of
the millinery and dressmaking establishment she
managed to save enough to open a large moving
picture house. This they have run ever since. At
present they own and operate the Dreamland The
atre. This is in a large two-story brick structure,
at 127 N. Greenwood Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
But the running of the Dreamland has not taken
all the time of Mrs. Williams, nor all of their mon
ey and so she, with the aid of her husband have
opened the Williams Confectionery Store, on one
of the prominent streets of Tulsa. This store is
housed in a three-story brick building, which is
owned by the Willams'. In addition to the two
businesses mentioned here in which Mrs. Williams
is interested, there is the Auto business that be
longs strictly to her husband and seven lots in the
city which have not as yet been improved.
To the church of her choice, Mrs. Williams
brings her business ability and her strong perso
nality. She is a member of the C. M. F. Church,
and is ever ready to do for it. She gives her time,
her money and her influence to the betterment of
this church. She is Captain of the Lane College
Club. In this organization she is able to render
aid, both directly and indirectly to the College,
which is in a large measure responsible for her
training. Not to cut herself off from her people,
in any line of endeavor, we find Mrs. Williams
working as a member of the Eastern Star Lodge.
She is also a member of the S. M. T. Lodge. In
both of these lodges she has held positions of honor
and trust. And in them she has proven herself
worthy of the trust put in her.
For her health and on business trips, Mrs. Will
iams has traveled over the greater portion of the
United States. This travel has served to broaden
her and render her of greater service to her people
wherever she has worked.
She was married to Mr. J. W. Williams, in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, March 10. 1909. To them has been
born one son. He is now a young man in the High
School. To her husband, Mrs. Williams has always
been a very great help. In all matters of business
she has been able to give advice.
Though still a young woman, Mrs. Williams has
spent a great number of years serving in the inter
est of her race. She, through her teaching has been
able to reach hundreds of young people, who are
better off for having come in contact with one of
so positive a character.
WILLIAMS' DREAMLAND THEATRE
317
WILLIAM H .CROGMAN, A. M., LITT. D.
R. Crogman was graduated from
Atlanta University in 1876, hav
ing made an enviable record for
industry and thorough scholar
ship. He has since been honored
by the degree of Doctor of Let
ters, the only degree of the kind
ever bestowed by Atlanta Univer
sity. About the time of his graduation there was
established in South Atlanta Clark University,
which was destined to become one of the strongest
and most influential of the schools of the Metho
dist Church for the Negro race. He was immedia
tely called to a position on the facu'ty of this insti
tution, where he has remained working quietly and
faithfully until this day. For seven years, 1903-
10, he was President of Clark University, and un
der his wise and careful administration the work
grew continually in numbers and strength.
Affiliated with Clark University and located
nearby is Gammon Theological Seminary of the
Methodist Church. Dr. Crogman is a charter mem
ber and the Secretary of the Boards of Trustees of
both these institutions, the only Secretary they
have ever had. The records have been kept with
great accuracy and in a marvelously regular and
beautiful hand. For twenty-nine years he was also
Superintendent of the Sunday School of Clark Uni
versity and during all that time was not once tardy.
His work brought him into relationship with tin-
larger field of the Methodist Church. He was
three times a member of the General Conference.
He was also for eight years a member of the Uni
versity Senate of this church, and afterwards a
member of the commission for the Unification of
the Book Concern.
In 1878 he married Lavinia C. Mott, a graduate of
the Normal School of Atlanta University of the
class of 1877. They have a family of eight chil
dren, for all of whom their parents have provided
a good education. Their family life has had a
beautiful influence upon the institution in which
their life work has centered.
As a teacher Dr. Crogman has been remarkably
successful. He is a born teacher, loving his work.
and his power rests not only in his thorough fami
liarity with the subjects but in his strong personal
ity. During the past thirty-five years thousands
of students have come under his influence, and
many lives have been strengthened for useful ser
vice.
As a public speaker. Dr. Crogman's power rests
in his quiet dignity, the beauty of his diction and
the clear and forceful treatment of his subject. He
has a dee]) and musical voice and an irresistible
sense of quiet humor. His addresses have been
collected into book form under the title of "Talks
for the Times." When a new edition was brought
out in 1897, many favorable book notices appeared
in the press. The Atlanta Journal for ebruary 13.
1897, comments as follows:
"All the subjects of these talks relate to the Ne
gro race. They show marked ability, research, ex
cellent literary finish and have the ring of sincer
ity from end to end."
Perhaps no stronger evidence of the force of Dr.
Crogman's character can be found than the high
esteem in which the citizens of Atlanta of both
races hold him. There is absolutely nothing un
dignified or servile in his speech or bearing. He is
fearless in his denunciation of all unfairness to the
Negro race and vet seems never to have aroused
the antagonism of the white South.
Who can measure the good which a man of
this stamp accomplishes? In him are combined
the qualities of courage and of faith. In the pre
face of his volume of addresses as well as its dedi
cation to his children, he has given utterance to the
principles which have characterized his life work
and which make him so powerful an influence for
good. In the preface he says : "All the subjects
treated are such as relate to the race with which I
am identified. In the discussion of these subjects
I have endeavored, whatever may have been my
success, to use candor and moderation, to condemn
the wrong where I have seen the wrong, and com
mend the right where I have seen the right, re
gardless of the section of country in which the one
or the other has appeared."
318
T. GILLIS NUTTER
Gillis Nutter was born at Princess
Anne, Ivlcl., June 15, 1876. His pa
rents were William and Emma
Nutter, ex-slaves, who were high
ly respected for their strength of
character and industry. While
uneducated themselves they were
great lovers of education and
made many sacrifices in order to give their child
ren an education.
T. Gillis Nutter attended the public schools of
Princess Anne and graduated from the high school
thereof, in 1892. Being one of eight children, he
was put to work at the early age of nine years,
splitting wood with his father, who had a monoply
on sawing fire-wood in his native town. Young
Nutter soon became the champion wood-sawyer in
his town, sawing a cord of wood a day and attend
ing school. He would go to work at five in the
morning and saw until 8:35, run all the way to
school, about a mile from his home, eating break
fast as he ran, and return to his saw-horse, immed
iately after school was out. He decided to give up
"Old Pomp," as he called his old saw-horse, and
left for Philadelphia. June 4. 1896, and worked at
Old Gerard Hotel until the fall of 1897, when he
entered Howard University Law School, having
been inspired to take up the study of law by the
eloquent apeals of Judge Walter L. Dixon and Jos
hua W. Miles, to hear whom argue a case, he would
steal away from school. He was graduated from
Howard in the class of 1899, being one of the big
four of his class.
His father having died a few months after his
graduation, he was forced to return to Princess
Anne to look after his mother, to whom he was
greatly devoted. He was principal of one of the
graded schools of Fairmont, Md., for two years,
declining the third appointment in order to enter
upon his profession, lie was admitted to the
Marion County (Ind.) Bar Nov. 13, 1901, but being
without sufficient means to carry him through the
starvation period, he was forced to return to the
hotels for a short time. On March 12, 1903, he re
ceived a telegram from his boyhood friend and
classmate, R. S. King, to come to Charleston, W.
Va., to assist in the trial of the famous Guice mur
der case. Guice's friends felt confident that he
would go to the gallows, but the brilliant defense
of his young attorneys, reduced his offense to vol
untary man-slaughter. The eloquent and forceful
plea of Nutter attracted wide attention and
brought him quite a clientele. His rise dates from
the Guice case and today he enjoys a lucrative
practice.
His greatest criminal triumph was the skillful
handling of the Campbell Clark rape case. For
four days he faced a seething-blood-thirsty mob,
but with unfailing courtesy and a fearlessness that
challenged admiration, he calmed the mob and got
his client off with conviction of attempted assault.
Only one poor white man in the entire town
dared face the mob, aside from Nutter.
It is generally believed that Gov. Samuel W. Mc-
Call, of Massachusetts was greatly influenced in
reaching his decision in the Johnny Johnson ex
tradition case by the State of public mind in the
Clark case.
He has appeared as Chief Counsel in the three
most noted murder cases tried in Kanawha County
in the last fourteen years.
His work has not been confined to the criminal
side of the court as he has appeared as advocate in
numbers of chancery and land cases involving thou
sands of dollars and has been generally successful.
He is Grand Attorney of the Knights of Pythias
and numbers of other corporations, including the
Peoples Exchange Bank, white, for which institu
tion he has made a number of investments.
He is a Mason, Knight of Pythias and an Elk.
For three years he was Grand Exalted Ruler of the
Elks of the World, and the Order witnessed a won
derful growth under his administration. He is
quite active in civic matters, having led the fight
against the Birth of a Nation, taking the case to
the Supreme Court of Appeals, which court, by an
evenly divided vote, over-ruled his motion to dis
solve the injunction granted by the Circuit Court,
prohibiting the Mayor and Chief of Police of Char
leston from interferring with the exhibtion of the
photo-play.
He edited the Mountain Leader, of Charleston,
W. Va., for several years and gave the paper a
standing in the journalistic field.
He is a Methodist and founded the first colored
Y. M. C. A., in the city of Charleston and was its
president for several years.
Mr. Nutter owns a beautiful home on one of the
aristocratic streets of his home city, as well as
other valuable property in Kanawha County.
319
Payne University, Selma, Alabama
AYNE University, Selma. Ala
bama, is owned by the six Ala
bama Conferences of the African
Methodist Church. It is a State
Institution to the extent that it is
supported wholly by the Colored
Methodists of the State in which it is situated.
Governing this school there is a Board of Trustees
that numbers 125 members. Each Trustee is ex
pected to contribute at least ten dollars a year
toward the support of this institution. This
yearly donation from the Trustees, the support
of the A. M. M. Conference and Sunday Schools
and the tuition fees represent the total income of
the school. This amounts to about $6.500.00 yearly.
The school was founded in 1888, and has grown
to be such a large and notable institution that it
stands today as a monument to the Self-Help of
the Colored people. It originated with them — they
built it and they have maintained it, and they may
be excused for pointing to it with a commendable'
pride at what they have achieved.
The courses offered to the people are ele
mentary and secondary. The elementary work is
done in the sixth grades and in two additional
years. Of the attendance the greater portion of
the pupils are in the elementary classes. These
students are for the most part children of public
school age who live in Selma. In the Higher class
es are about sixty pupils. There are seventy-five
boarding pupils in the dormitories of the school.
The pupils above the eighth year are designated as
"Normal" or "College" students. The course in
cludes : Latin, 4 years ; Greek, 1 year ; German, 1
year; English, 4 years; Mathematics, 7 years; His
tory, 2 years ; Economics, 1 year ; Psychology, 1
year; Education, 1 year; Physiology, 1 year; Ele-
mentar Science, 3 years.
The land owned by the school comprises a city
block conveniently located for school purposes.
There are two large buildings and several small
cottages on the grounds. They have a total val
uation of $24.000.00. The academic building is a
t\v» -story brick structure and contains classrooms,
chapel and offices. The girls' dormitory is a three-
story fr:.me building. The smaller cottages are
used for teachers' homes and for dormitories for
the boys. The school is managed by the President
and seven teachers. This represents a great deal
of work on the part of all the people connected
with the institution. Each person is called upon
to do more than one distinct thing in the running
of this organization.
Being a church school, Payne is also a school in
which young men aspiring to the ministry can go
'f'.T training. The course offered to the young
minister is such that while getting the theolog'cal
tnining needed, he can at the same time get ;•
more thorough preparation in the other branches
•f study that go to make up the well-rounded min
ister. Because of this fact, a man is not barred
from the theological course because of lack of book
knowledge, but is taken in and trained in all the
subjects at one and the same time. This makes
the course of study more or less complicated, but
even in spite of this the teaching in this branch of
the school is effective.
At the head of this institution and responsible
for its development to his church and for its finan
ces to the trustees is Professor H. E. Archer.
President Archer is a man well fitted to the duties
that have been his since he took charge of this
school. He is a graduate of Olivet College, Olivet,
Michigan. From this College he took the degree
of B. S. He later took a post graduate course and
received the degree of M. S. Not satisfied with
his preparation he then took special work in the
University of Chicago. After leaving school he
went to the Agricultural and Mechanical College,
at Normal, Alabama. Here for a number of years
he served as head of the Department of Science,
and at the same time was special assistant to Dr.
Council, the founder of that Institution. Under
Dr. Council he got the training that fitted him for
the duties of an Executive. At the death of Dr.
Council, Professor Archer was considered for the
Presidency of that school, but went instead to take
the Presidency of Payne University, in Selma, Ala
bama.
Mrs. Archer is a very capable woman. She has
been of great service to her husband in his work in
the Payne University. She is also connected with
the National Colored Woman's Association. To
the school she brings the experience of years of
teaching in the Agricultural and Normal College at
Normal, Alabama.
Payne University stands as a monument to the
Colored people of Alabama, especially to the A. M.
K. Church. They do a very effective work that is
felt all over the State.
320
RESIDENCE OF JOHN BROWN BELL
OMN Brown Hell, business man
and public servant, was born in
Tombabaro County, Georgia, De
cember 25, 1858. In his early
youth he migrated to Houston,
Texas, and attended the public
school for a while in that city.
In 1881, after spending a few
months in Tennison College, of Austin, Texas, he
withdrew and entered business.
His apprenticeship in business was spent be
hind the counters of the grocery store of Rubin
and Thorton, in Houston. At the end of one year,
Mr. Thornton, having died and his wife wishing
to sell, Mr. Bell bought the business for $315.00.
Now when Mr. Bell came to Houston he had work
ed for a man for $5.00 per month. From this em
ployer, Mr. Bell borrowed $250.00 to. invest in the
business. In three years and four months he had
made enough from this undertaking to purchase
property, which brought him $200.00 a month, not
counting a number of vacant lots. This opened his
eyes to the possibilities of real estate. Hence he
sold his grocery business, geting $500.00 for it, and
staked his future on dealing in real estate and in
building and selling houses and stores. Today he
owns forty nine rent houses, which include the
store in which he made his first business venture
as a grocery clerk. These buildings are valued at
$125,000, and yield him an income of $500.00 per
month.
Looming far above this is John B. Bell, the pub
lic servant. He appears to have taken a sort of
an inspired view of his talents in business and of
his wealth, looking upon it all as merely a fee in
trust. This contact in business and the position
gained by his wealth soon set him apart in Hous
ton, giving him a hearing and an entre, not accor
ding to the common run of men of either race. In
this he was as quick to see the opportunity to serve
his people as he had been to detect a good sale in
real estate.
Probably in no one part of his career does this
appear clearer than in his dealing with the Emanci
pation Park, a Negro City Park, of Houston. For
fourteen years he was member of the Board of
Trustees of this park. In 1915 Mr. Bell and others
entered suit against the park Board, alleging that
the ground was insolvent and would be sold for
debt, thus being lost to the colored people. In the
meantime, the Mayor of Houston, Ben Campbell,
who is a close friend of Dr. Bell, appointed him
manager of the park for two years. As soon as
this appointment became effective, things at the
colored park took on new life. At the solicitation
of Mr. Bell, the Mayor authorized the building of
a park house with cement floors and drop curtains
all around to shield the people in case of bad wea
ther, also the building of three restaurants, the
establishment of public sanitary toilets and the
construction of gravel walks. Plans for all this
have been drawn up awaiting the approval of the
City before the work is begun.
In 1910, E. J. Scott, of Tuskegee Institute in
formed certain citizens of Houston that Mr. Car
negie would give the city a $15.000 Colored Li
brary if the city would guarantee $1500 a year for
up-keep. Once more Bell was called into service
and delegated to see the Mayor of the City, then
Mayor Rice. The Mayor agreed if the Negroes
of Houston would buy the ground, the city would
vote the up-keep fund. Mr. Bell was appointed
chairman of the committee to raise the money to
purchase the site. The colored people appointed
him chairman of the committee to raise the money
to buy the ground. In six months, Mr. Bell had
received $500.00. He loaned the $1000 necessary
to hold the property. In six months he had raised
the $1000 to repay the loan. On April fourth,
1913. the library was dedicated. L B. Bell was
made treasurer of the Library Association.
Houston now discovered another demand for this
public servant. In 1915 the Mayor of the city ap
pealed to the colored people at the Carnegie Li
brary to aid the city in doing charity work. Im
mediately Bell was made chairman of the Negro
branch of this undertaking. He leased the for
mer home of Emmett J. Scott, fitting it up as a
modern hospital and established there a clinic for
the colored people. In this way he divided his
time and his energies, giving about one third to
his own personal affairs and two-thirds to the
public service. No wonder when Booker T.
Washington was to tour Texas. J. B. Bell was
chosen from among the able Negroes of the "lone
star state" to manage the trip.
Mr. Bell was married in 1900 to Miss V. Nora
Allen, the daughter of Hon. Richard Allen. Since
the above was written, Mr. Bell has passed away.
321
JOHN T. GIBSON
LOBBY ENTRANCE & TIIKET SELLER'S BOOTH
WO cities of America will always
be historic for the Negro ; they
were among; the earliest places of
refuge, they have fostered his
welfare even to this clay. One of
these is Boston, the other Phila
delphia. The "Hub" early had Negroes within her
precincts, and though the Puritan was a stickler
for the letter as well as for the spirit of the law,
he almost invariably gave in a bit when the Negro
was involved. So true did this become in Boston
that at times it appeared to one's advantage to be
colored.
Philadelphia, however, proved a happier home
for the Negroes. There they had a wider range of
intellectual and social freedom. A great many re
mained there and established themselves as leading
citizens, notwithstanding the fact that they were
persons of color.
Coming thus to the front they put up stores, es
tablished businesses, took an active part in city
government, built handsome churches, hospitals
and schools ; with this result, the Negroes of the
Quaker City usually get a representative not only
in the city, but in the State government. Here in
Philadelphia he stands upon his merit alone.
A product of this environment, one who stands
as an example of the type of business men possi
ble to the race we have John T. Gibson, who is one
of the remarkable men of modern times, who with
in a very short time and with a small capital has
made for himself a fortune that is rated at $600.-
000.00. This is indeed a very great achievement.
Born in Maryland in 1878, he received his education
in Baltimore. He finished the courses offered by
the public schools of that city after which he en
tered Morgan College. While there he applied
himself diligently to his studies, and even then was
a young man of great promise. Well may Mor
gan be proud of this son who received his inspira
tion within her walls.
After leaving Morgan College, Mr. Gibson en
gaged in a number of business enterprises before
he decided upon his present career. He was al
ways successful in whatever he undertook, and
when one day it came his chance to purchase a
small theatre he grasped the opportunity, for he
saw far in the future, and right from the first, be
gan to lay plans that meant the development of the
finest theatre in the country owned and managed
by a colored man.
Mr. Gibson has one trait of character which
served him well in the development of his scheme.
He is a patient man. So step by step he develop
ed his idea, never hurrying things but always di
recting the course they took, so to-day, after his
first venture he has invested in the Gibson New
Standard Theatre half a million dollars ! The
building in which this sagacious man invested his
money and is making 100 per cent on the invest
ment has helped make a world-wide reputation for
him. It is located on South street at twelfth, the
third greatest business street in the city, and this
great big structure can be seen glowing with its
myriad of lights, throwing into bold relief the
EAST PROMENADE
WEST PROMENADE
323
GIBSON'S ,NEW STANDARD THEATRE— EXTERIOR FRONT VIEW— INTERIOR VIEW FROM STAGE-
INTERIOR VIEW FROM ORCHESTRA
JOHN T. GIBSON'S PRIVATE OFFICE
beautiful design of the exterior while the interior
with its beauty of gold, purple, marble, and tints
of rose, looks like fairy land. Out of all the thea
tres in the city, of which there are 59, Gibson's
New Standard Theatre is the only one owned and
run by a single person, and he is also the first col
ored business man in the history of the city to
make so great an investment in property. The
theatre has an ideal location as it is accessible to
all lines of cars which radiate in every direction.
Mr. Gibson in his social hours is a good compan
ion and a humorous one. He is very clever in ap
plying his jests to illustrate a point. His shrewd
ness, sagacity and promptness have won for him
an enviable reputation and many seek his counsel.
Mr. Gibson married Miss Ella Lewis, of Ches
ter County, Pennsylvania, a highly cultured wo
man, coming from one of the oldest families in
the state, and with her tender, lovable disposition
and business acumen she makes an ideal help-mate ;
she surrounds her husband with ties that are the
truest and most tender that a noble woman can
create about a home. Indeed the home of the
TREASURER'S OFFICE
Gibsons is one of the most beautiful in the north
ern part of the city. Its beauty of architecture is
not surpassed by the beautiful home life within.
Mr. Gibson is a public spirited citizen. Every
thing for the betterment of his people always in
terest him. As his means grow so he continues
to grow and shares his fortune with others. His
hand is open and his heart is warm.
What a difference a few years makes in the ca
reer of an ambitious and energetic man. A few
short years ago John T. Gibson was practically
unknown, to-day he is known all over the world
having reached the top round of his managerial
career. It is not often it can be said with genuine
verity that an event marks an epoch. The peo
ple of Philadelphia bow at the shrine of the man
who has made it possible for them to have the fin
est play-house in the country to witness the best
that the amusement world affords and out of which
he has made a name and a fortune. Mr. Gibson is
a member of the Masonic order and a true Mason
at heart.
STENOGRAPHER'S OFFICE
LADIES' ROOM— SECOND FLOOR
325
THOMAS H. PINCKNEY
HOMAS H. Pinckney was born
in Columbia, in 1863, on the cam
pus of the old South Carolina
College. As early as age would
permit, he entered the Howard
Public School, of Columbia, and
continued his course until he
was ready to enter South Caro
lina College, where he remained until the law of
separating the races in school compelled him to
leave.
Somehow, he grasped the principle that any
work was honorable, that only idleness was a
curse. For a while he shined shoes ; then he sold
newspapers; then he bought and sold rags and
bones, an occupation sneered at by the masses of
men. From this he took to peddling. He would
go hunting and catch rabbits, squirrels and birds.
Immediately he dressed these, put them in a bas
ket and peddled them out. He went fishing. Once
more he filled his basket and became a walking
fish wagon. Then his ingenuity discovered a way
to coin extra pennies while an apprentice in a white
barber shop. Mr. Pinckey found himself getting
theory on the front and practice out back in the
wood shed. Working for the white people in the
front he would every little while step out in the
326
back and cut the hair of, and shave his Negro
friends at half price. In a little while his clientele
in the wood shed yielded him not only a larger in
come than that he received in the shop, but larger
than that of any man working in the shop.
He then opened a shop for Negro customers. A
few years proved that his first shop was too small.
He sought larger quarters. Again his shop be
came too small and again he changed. This was
repeated several times before he could accommo
date the hosts of customers who poured into his
parlors.
The shop made another contribution to the life
of Thomas H. Pinckney. In the old shop lay a
fiddle. It was stroked by musicians and no musi
cians. Mr. Pinckney took his turn at this violin,
in a little while he discovered that he had musical
talent of the first order. He cultivated his talent
in music and soon he was not only training young
Negro barbers, but also Negro musicians. He or
ganized choruses, he conducted orchestras, both
of which brought snug sums to his coffers and
more business to his establishment.
Known widely as a man of business and of talent
he began to receive suggestions for local improve
ments in business and in accomodation. One day
a young man noticed at a funeral that the White
undertaker was none too considerate. This was the
basis of an argument for a Negro undertaking
firm, with Mr. Pinckney as the senior member.
Forthwith the young man was dispatched to New
York to learn the business. He returned, passed
the required State examination, and organized the
firm of Harly, Pinckney and Briggs, whose capital
was $1,500. The firm was soon able to buy its
own building and established a branch at Green
ville, S. C, and already plans other branch houses.
Finding this buisiness very attractive, Mr.
Pinckney has made a special study of embalming,
and in 1915 passed the State examination as an
emba liner.
From his business he has accumulated some
ready money and much real estate in his native
city. He owns his home, several vacant lots and
rent houses. With his business and real estate
he finds time for membership in several organiza
tions and for some volunteer services. He is a
Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a Good Samaritan. He
is an active member of the Zion Baptist church and
a clarinet player in the choir.
Mr. Pinckney was married in 1885 to Miss Lot
tie M. Howell, of Conguill, South Carolina. Two
daughters have been born and reared in the Pinck
ney family. Miss Beatrice Pinckney is now Mrs.
Alonzo Hardy and Miss Theosina is now Mrs.
Louis Gaten. Fifty odd years lie upon Mr. Pinck
ney as he keeps in close contact with all the Negro
life in Columbia.
ALEXANDER ARTHUR GALVIN, D. D.
LEXANDER A. Galvin, was born
May 12th., 1869, on a farm near
New Glasgow, Amherst County.
Virginia. Prior to his birth his fa
ther followed the carpenter trade,
but having a large family, most of
whom were boys he decided that he could sustain
and. rear them better in the country than he could
in town, so he gave up the hammer and saw for
the plow. Thus it was that Alexander Galvin was
country bred and got his early training on the
farm. Here he learned to follow the plow, swing
the axe, and form an intimate acquaintance with
animals, plants, streams and mountains and here
he formed those habits of thought which finally
led to his conversion and entrance into the minis
try. He was converted at the age of seventeen,
and early felt the call to preach, but his father
needed him on the farm, so he had to be satisfied
for a while with such preparation as he could get
from the public school at New Glasgow. He made
the most of this and laid a good foundation upon
which he built until better educational advantages
were within his reach.
He remained on the farm with his father until
he reached his majority, and then decided to yield
to the divine call to preach, and left home, in order
to earn the money to pay his way through college.
He realized that he could not do his best work
without a course of preparation and he determined
to use every exertion to secure it.
That he succeeded is not surprising, and in the
course of time he was enabled to enter the Vir
ginia Theological Seminary and College, at Lynch-
burg, Virginia, where he graduated with honors
from the Academic and Theological courses in May
1897.
Shortly after graduation, Dr. Galvin was called
to the pastorate of the Ebenezer Baptist Church
Staunton, Va. In this field he labored until June
1902 when he accepted a call to the Loyal Street
Baptist Church, Danville, Virginia, where he still
pastors. Thus Dr. Galvin has spent twenty years
in two pastorates, which puts him on the exception
al list from the viewpoint of long pastorates. He
has worked intensively rather than extensively, be
coming one of the people, and not a sojourner,
where he has preached.
He and his wife are property owners in Dan
ville, having a city lot there on which is built
a two story tenement house. As he worked in the
city so has he worked in his state. He was Moder
ator of the Berean Valley Baptist Association four
years and has been the President of the Virginia
Baptist State Convention four years. The latter
position he still holds.
President Galvin presided at the golden jubilee
meeting of the Virginia Baptist State Convention,
July 10th-15th, 1917, on Seminary Hill, Lynchburg,
when the Woman's State Educational, the Sunday
School and Baptist Young People's Union State
Conventions all met in joint sessions and $13,698.31
was raised, in cash, for education and missions.
While Doctor Galvin has not been an extensive
traveler, other than much travel in his native state
upon business incident to his interest, office and
calling, short trips into the middle west, the far
south, and the eastern states constitute his record
in this direction.
In Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1897, Doctor Galvin
was married to Miss Janie Penn Toles of Lexing
ton, Va. They have three children, in the persons
of Misses Susie C. and Elizabeth and Master G.
Alexander. In May 1,917 Miss Susie, at the age of
18 years, graduated from the Normal Department
of the Virginia Theological Seminary and College,
while G. Alexander a lad of thirteen and Elizabeth
a child of seven are attending the High School and
graded school respectively in the city of Danville.
In 1906, Rev. Galvin was honored by his Alma
Mater with the title of Doctor of Divinity. And he
is generally regarded as one of the leading preach
ers of his race and denomination.
327
WILLIAM VIVIAN CHAMBLISS
William Vivian Chambliss
OONER or later most people visit
Tuskegee. That this is true is
due to the fact that from its
founding it has stood for things
of an advanced nature for the col
ored people of this country. It is
the greatest institution operated
by Negroes in the world and has
from the first used a system of education that is
now being copied by schools in all parts of this
country and other countries. And so daily there
are men and women who seek the school. Some
seek inspiration, some knowledge, that they may
run a school on similar plan; some seek informa
tion on how to handle colored men in mass and
some seek to know how the much advertised agri
cultural department is run, and how well the men
who have gone out from this departmet have been
able to fit into rural life. Whenever the question
of rural life comes up and a concrete example is
wanted of a Tuskegee man who has made a suc-
jess of his life in the country — those in authority
point, and they point with pride, to W. V. Cham-
bliss, who lives only a few miles from the school.
Mr. Chambliss is an example of the man who
made a success of his life on his native soil. He
was born in Macon County, Alabama, Dec. 4th,
1866. He received his early training in the rural
schools of his country and then entered Tuskegee
Institute. From this school he was graduated in
1890. As a lad, Mr. Chambliss was poor. He not
only did odd chores, but during the summer he
mined coal at the tender age of seventeen, and
worked in the steel plants as well. In this way
Mr. Chambliss got his first lessons in handling
money.
The summer after his graduation, he taught
school in Macon County. The school term was
short and the pay small. He was then employed
by Tuskegee Institute as an instructor in the brick
masonry division. This work was not to the liking
of Mr. Chambliss either. When the school stood
in need of a trained man to take charge of the live
stock that they were gradually acquiring, Mr.
Chambliss was chosen as the man who had natural
ability along this line. He was sent to Hampton
Institute where he received a special training in
the subject. He then returned to Tuskegee and
took charge of the live stock of the school. In this
capacity he served the school for ten years. Dur
ing this time he so conducted his division, and so
handled his duties that he had the implicit confi
dence of Dr. Booker T. Washington, the Founder
of the school. Because of this confidence, which
he won by marked ability and faithfulness to duty,
Mr. Chambliss stands today an example of the suc
cessful planter and a successful business man as
well. Mr. Robert C. Ogden and Mr. Alexander
Purvis, two Northern philanthropists, organized a
stock company under the laws of New York and
purchased several thousand acres of land in Macon
County. This land was to be sold on easy terms,
long time payments, to colored people. They open
ed a general store where these farmers could fade
and they bought up the necessary stock to work
the land. Five thousand acres of land represent
a big tract and $75,000.00 represents a big invest
ment. These men, Mr. Ogden and Mr. Purvis,
sought the advice of Dr. Washington when they
wanted a man to take entire charge of this under
taking. Dr. Washington recommended Mr. Wil
liam Vivian Chambliss, the subject of this sketch.
That he made a success of the undertaking the re
cords of the company will show.
The plan was to sell off the land in forty acre
lots to colored farmers. Not only did Mr. Cham-
bliss seek the purchasers and sell the land, but he
served in the capacity of general guardian and ad
visor. He supplied them with live stock, tools, farm
implements, fertilizer, groceries and other supplies.
He built their homes, marketed their produce for
them and helped them settle their accounts. As
Superintendent of the Southern Improvement
Company, the name of the organization, he became
responsible for the people living on the land. The
unsold land was cultivated by him and by renters.
In his management of the enterprise he evinced
great executive ability. Although the Company
was of philanthropic nature, he paid the stock
holders 6% annual dividends, and received himself
a salary and 5'/f of the net earnings of the com
pany. He bought and operated with a partner, A.
]. Wilborn, a colored man of Tuskegee, 1700 acres
of land. From time to time he invested in other
tracts of land. In 1913 he bought from the com
pany 1000 acres of the land owned by the Southern
Improvement Co.
After eighteen years the company dissolved. At
that time Mr. Chambliss bought all the unsold land
that remained of the original tract. He bought the
store, the gin, all the live stock, implements, equip
ment, etc., and assumed all the company's liabili
ties. Thus after eighteen years of service for the
Company we find him sole owner of the Company's
holdings.
In all his business dealings Mr. Chambliss never
once gr>ve a mortgage and only once in his life bor
rowed money from a bank. In the Liberty Loan
Drive Mr. Chambliss bought $30,000 in Bonds and
$1000.00 in War Savings Stamps. He was the lar
gest purchaser of bonds in Macon County regard
less of color. He owns 3000 acres of land, 2000
acres of which he cultivates and advances to 120
plows ; operates a general store that does between
$20,000 and $24,000 business annually ; owns and
operates a cotton gin that handles as high as 11,000
bales of cotton annually.
Mr. Chambliss is a member and a trustee of the
A. M. E. Zion Church, of Tuskegee, and served for
a long time as steward of the church. He is a Ma
son, he was several times State delegate to the
National Republican Convention ; he was speaker
for the graduates of Tuskegee Institute at the
First Memorial Exercise held in honor of Dr. B. T.
Washington. He subscribed $800.00 to the Booker
T. Washington Memorial Fund, which was one of
the largest donations made by colored people. Ik-
has traveled in all parts of the U. S., and to some
places in Canada. He is unmarried; he lives in his
own home with his sister.
329
JOHN I. STARKS. D. D.
T falls to the good fortune of but
few to found and establish on a
sound business basis one institu
tion, administer its affairs for a
long time, then take over the
presidency of another. Such, how
ever, has been the fortune of President John J.
Starks, President of the Morris College, at Sum-
ter, South Carolina. Leaving his Alma Mater on
graduating in 1898, he went into South Carolina,
•and one year later, 1899, founded the Seneca Insti
tute, at Seneca, South Carolina.
The founding of Seneca Institute was no easy
task. There was no money, no building, no land
on which he could begin to build. The school was
opened in a frame building which measured thirty-
six feet by forty feet. It had but a handful of
students and exceedingly meagre equipment. For
thirteen years the young founder worked away,
now begging for land, now for money, for a build
ing, now for equipment, now for students, now for
salary for teachers. At the end of this period he
had accumulated property and buildings for the
Seneqa Institute, worth thirty thousand dollars.
He had an enrollment of two hundred and thirty-
five students, one hundred of whom were in the
boarding department. He left the institute ,at the
close of a thirteen years administration, free of
debt. In 1912, he was elected President of Morris
College, in Sumter, the position which he still
holds.
President Starks was born in South Carolina, in
Greenwood, April fifteenth, 1872. He attended
school in his native state until he was ready to go
nway to further his education. Choosing More-
house, in Atlanta, he was graduated there in 1898.
Ten vears after graduation, in view of his service
of education, Benedict College conferred upon him
the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He is
a member of the Executive Board of the Baptist
State Convention, and is one of the leading denomi
national educators and thinkers of South Caro
lina. President Starks was married in 1897, to
Miss Julia A. Sherard, of Anderson, South Caro
lina. She has been a strong second in all the uplift
works of her husband.
MORRIS COLLEGE
This Institution was founded in 1905, by the Bap
tist Missionary and Educational Convention, of
South Carolina. It is controlled bv a Board of
Trustees elected by the Convention. It is a school
of elementary and secondary grade. The elemen
tary work covers the usual elementary grades. In
the secondary work emphasis is placed on the an
cient languages and mathematics. One teacher
gives all his time to languages, teaching Latin,
Greek and German. The other subjects offered in
the four-year "preparatory" course and the two-
year "college" course, are English, History, Bible,
and Chemistry. A few of the girls take sewing.
The school has twelve teachers, all colored; three
male and nine female, the teachers are well trained.
It has an enrollment of about sixty. In addition
a few ministers attend irregularly. Its sources of
income are from Baptist Churches, tuition and fees
and from the boarding department.
The plant consists of eight acres of land on the
outskirts of Sumter, valued at $5,000, part of which
is used for truck gardening ; buildings valued at
$18,500, consisting of three large frame buildings,
one comparatively new and the others in fairly
good condition, and the movable equipment, which
consists of furniture for class rooms and dormito
ries and a few farm implements. The movable
equipment is valued at $1,500.
President Starks is giving to the college the ben
efit of his fine executive ability and profound men
tal training, and under his management the school
is showing marked signs of development. It is his
purpose and plan to make it one of the best schools
in the land.
330
REVEREND EPHRIAM MELMUM SEYMOUR
EVEREND Ephriam M. Seymour,
pastor of the Rogers Memorial
Baptist Church, Knoxville, Ten
nessee, was born in Fayette Coun
ty, Tenn., in 1873. When yet a
small boy he was possessed of the
desire to do something for his people that would
be worth while. For a desire of this character to
enter the heart and brain of a mere lad bespoke a
career of great usefulness and was prophecy of a
life of note. This desire became intensified with
his growing years, and after a careful survey of the
field which offered to the colored youth avenues
of service, he was led to concentrate his mind upon
the Gospel ministry. He realized that Christian
religion was the foundation stone upon which to
build character and that if built upon any other it
could not stand the test of temptation and adver
sity. He wished the best for his people and felt
that if he could help them lay a good foundation
for their life work, he would make a contribution
for their development which would be worth while
and meet the dream of his early childhood. It was
this line of reasoning together with the influence
of the church which led him to his life work.
He had seen the evil effects of ignorant preach
ers presiding over the churches of his people and
was fully persuaded that the time had come when
the men who offered themselves for that sacred
office should be prepared for their work. He knew
that he was not prepared educationally for the
work of a minister and he decided that his first
step was to secure an education.
The fact that his parents were not in a position
to give him financial aid and the knowledge of the
hardships which faced those who had to educate
themselves, did not deter him from his purpose,
but rather served to strengthen his determination
and nerve him to his task, encouraged and sus
tained, no doubt, by the noble end he had in view.
He began his school life in the public schools
of Sommersville. From here he made his way
in the Baptist College, at Memphis, Tenn., from
which he was graduated in 1900. On finishing from
the college, he entered Roger Williams in Nash
ville, for a course in theology. None of these
courses came to him without struggle. All through
his school life he worked early in the morning and
late in the evenings and at spare times to earn
money for his board and lodging.
Completing his college work and his studies in
theology he began pastoral duties at Franklin,
Tenn., occupying the pulpit here in the First Bap
tist Church. Spending- two years in Franklin, he
was called to Shelbyville, Tenn., where he remain
ed one year. From Shelbyville, Rev. Seymour
went to Mt. Olive, Clarksville, Tenn., where he
was pastor for five years. Thence he accepted the
pastorate of Holly Grove Baptist Church, Ripley,
Tenn. From Ripley, he came to Knoxville to the
Rogers Memorial Church, where he is now pas
tor.
The bulk of his work has been done at the Roger
Memorial Church, of Knoxville. He accepted the
call here when every thing about the church was
ebbing rather low. The old church had gone, the
new was started, merely started. Enthusiasm and
money were rapidly diminishing. Rev Seymour
.took hold, rallied the forces, organized communi
ties to secure more funds, and completed the Mem
orial Church. This task he looks upon as coming
nearer to fulfilling his early visions of service than
anything else he has thus far undertaken.
Mr. Seymour was married in 1906. Mrs. Sey
mour was formerly Miss Lizzie Saunders, of Mem
phis, Tenn. Sadie B. is the only child in the Sey
mour household. She is eight years of age.
Mr. Seymour has translated his vision which
came to him in early life, into an effective and lov
ing service for his people.
331
GASTON ALONZO EDWARDS, M. S.
E hear of Negro physicians, Negro
school teachers, Negro dentists,
Negro merchants etc,, but seklqm
find one who has made his mark
as an architect.
Professor Edwards is a notable
exception, his gifts as an architect being recog
nized by both white and black. While occupying
a high place in architecture he also stands high as
a scholar.
Professor Edwards was born in Belvoir, North
Carolina, April 12th, 1875. Passing through the
common schools he entered the Agricultural and
Mechanical College at Greensboro, North, Carolina,
and completed his education at Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York.
In 1901-1902, he established the Mechanical De
partment of the N. C. D. D., and B. Institute, at
Raleigh, North Carolina. In October of 1902, he
accepted the position as teacher of Natural Science
and Superintendent of Men's Industrial Depart
ment of Shaw University, which position he held
for fifteen years.
While at Shaw University his fame as an archi
tect spread throughout the country and brought
him into conspicious note as a designer of build
ings. He was the first Negro to design and con
struct buildings for the American Baptist Home
Mission Society.
His work as an architect is not confined to his
own race, but because of his strict adherence to
the three F's in architectture. fit, firm and fair, he
enjoys a liberal patronage of the white race as well.
On March 9th, 1915, by an act of the General As
sembly of North Carolina, all architects were re
quired to be examined, licensed and registered in
order to practice Architecture in the State of North
Carolina.
He successfully passed the Board and has the
distinction of being the only licensed colored ar
chitect in the State.
On June 12th, 1912 he was commissioned by Hon.
W. W. Kitchen, Governor of North Carolina, as a
delegate to the third annual session of the Negro
National Educational Congress held in St. Paul,
Minn., July 1st., 1912.
He received the degree of Master of Science
from his Alma Mater, May 27th, 1909, being the
first graduate of that school to be so honored.
In the spring of 1917, by unanimous vote of the
Board of Trustees of Kittrell College, he was
elected President, which position he now holds.
Under his administration the school has taken on
new life and is destined to become one of the great
est schools for higher education of the Negro.
Kittrell College is located on the historic place
known as "Kittrell Springs," in Vance County,
North Caroling, on the main line of the Seaboard
Air Line Railway, eight miles south of Henderson,
and thirty-six miles north of Raleigh, the Capital,
on one of the most beautiful sites in the country.
It is 480 feet above sea level on a hill that slopes
gently to the north and west, affording perfect
drainage. The site contains 240 acres, with two
streams flowing through it. Upon the school prem
ises are two mineral springs, which prior to its pur
chase for a school site was known as a health re
sort attracting hither hundreds of tourists in
search of health and rest.
Touching the history of Kittrell College, it is re
lated that several years previous to the purchase
of the property, Miss Louise Dorr, a faithful
teacher from the North, conducted a Bible Train
ing Class in connection with her school work in the
city of Raleigh.
Several of the young men became enthusiastic
over the studies and started to talk of better facili
ties. The matter was taken to the North Carolina
Conference of the A. M. E. Church, and at once as
sumed definite shape, resulting in the proposition
to establish a school at Kittrell, N. C'. In 1885 the
North Carolina Conference passed a resolution au-
• • • *
DUKE MEMORIAL HALL— GIRLS' DORMITORY— KITTRELL COLLEGE, KITTRELL, N. C.
thorizing the establishment of a Normal and In
dustrial School, and appointed a Committee to se
lect a suitable site. In the selection of Kittrell the
Committee secured one of the most desirable lo
calities in North Carolina. The leading spirit in the
organization of the school was Rev. R. N. W. Leak.
D. D., and associated with him were such men as
Rev. George D. Jimmerson, Rev. J. W. Telfair, Rev.
J. E. C. Barham, Rev. George Hunter, Rev. W. D.
Brown, Allen University and Paul Quinn ; these
five forming the first group of connectional schools.
Its students come from several States.
The outlook is that Kittrell is destined to be
come a great educational centre, attracting hither
not only hundreds of boys and girls, but families
who wish to locate where the best educational ad
vantages may be enjoyed.
BUILDINGS
At present it has seven buildings : Shady Side
C'ook, Rev. W. H. Giles, Rev. Henry Epps. Rev. Cottage, Northside Cottage, Orient Cottage, Fair-
Cornelius Sampson, Rev. W. H. Bishop, Rev. R. view Cottage-
DUKE-MEMORIAL HALL js a large four story
Lucas and Rev. J. C'. Fry, who were under the Es-
brick structure with ample accommodations for
. , .. l-T-1'1 TT T I -< T-v • 1 fc« *•*»» h>I.A M\.l.MA V VV I III Cl 111 I/I I, CH~\_t.MlllllUtlell,H.MIft 1(!|
piscopal supervision of Bishop W. K Dickerson. two hundred gir,Si has n:odern conveniences and
The first session began February 7th., 1886, with the very best arrangements for home and school
three teachers, Prof. B. B. Coins, Principal; Mrs. life. It contains the college chapel, dining room,
music room, parlor and offices.
THE PEARSON O'KELLY MODEL SCHOOL
M. A. Coins, Matron, and Prof. J. R. Hawkins,
Business Manager. The charter was granted by
the Legislature of North Carolina March 7th, 1887.
The first Commencement exercises were held in
is a
beautiful structure made of native stone.
THE MARTHA MERRICK LIBRARY js a modern
building erected by the banker-philanthropist, John
1890. In 1888, the Virginia Conference agreed to Merrick, President of the North Carolina Mutual
support this school and transferred its school in
terest from Portsmouth, Va., to Kittrell, said Con
ference being given equal representation on the
Trustee Board.
In 1892, the General Conference in session in
Philadelphia, Pa., changed the Educational Dis
tricts so as to add the State of Maryland and the
District of Columbia to the territory supporting
Kittrell Institute, and it now receives liberal pat
ronage and support from the entire Second Episco
pal District, viz : North Carolina, West North Car
olina, Virginia and Baltimore Conferences.
The school had a steady growth and its present
status ranks it along with Wilberforce, Morris
Provident Association.
THE BOYS' DORMITORY AND CHAPEL BUILD
ING. The plans for these buildings to be con
structed of brick and stone at a cost of $50,000.00
has been raised already. When completed the dor
mitory will accommodate two hundred and fifty
young men.
The Institution has its own water and sewerage
systems extending through all the buildings.
LIBRARY — The Library contains many import
ant works of reference and is open daily.
ORGANIZATIONN— Elementary, normal com
mercial, industrial, college, music and theological
departments.
The elementary department comprises eight
grades. The secondary work is done in the" Nor
mal" department.
333
REVEREND PRESTON TAYLOR
E often hear of self-made men and
sometimes wonder what the ex
pression really means. In essense
it means that a man who in spite
of adverse circumstances and mea
gre advantages has made a suc
cess of life and left an impress upon the world.
Such a man is Rev. Preston Taylor, an eloquent
preacher and a marvelous successful business man.
Rev. Taylor was born in Shreveport, La., Novem
ber 7th, 1849, of humble parentage, in fact he was
born into slavery. Little did his parents think
when their baby came that they had given birth to
a child who was destined to occupy a high place
in the church and influence the business world.
When one year of age he was moved from Louis
iana to Lexington, Ky., the resting place of Henry
Clay. , ,
At the early age of four he sat in the First Bap
tist Church, Lexington, Ky., under the sound of the
pious and impressive voice of Rev. Ferrell, which
deeply impressed his youthful mind. He gave ex
pression to this impression in a remark made to
his mother, "Some day I'll be a preacher." His
wise and good mother used every influence to
deepen the impression. Under the fostering care
of parents and religious friends he grew in the
knowledge of the scriptures and was filled with
the spirit of Christ. At the age of twenty-one he
entered the ministry of the Christian Church, and
ranks high in that denomination.
For fifteen years he was Pastor of a church in
Sterling, Ky. When he took charge of the church
it was in its infancy, and when he left it the mem
bership had reached about eight hundred. Under
his ministry the church erected one of the finest
church edifices of the colored race in Kentucky.
His ability was so marked that his denomination
felt that, he should fill a larger field and so elected
him as General Evangelist, a position he held for
many years. About eight years ago he gave up
his office as Evangelist to take charge of the Gay
Street Church, in Nashville, and now in his declin
ing years, he is the beloved and zealous leader of
Lee Avenue Christian Church.
Like a number of great men his educational fa
cilities were small, much of his information and
knowledge having been acquired from observation
and experience, and such helps as he could master
himself. In a large degree his education is practi
cal and his knowledge experimental.
In preparation for his ministerial work he re
ceived a few month's training in the Bible School
in Louisville. Even this training was marked with
great hardships which, however, were propellers
rather than a hindrance to his development and
advance.
We turn now to his business career, through
out which you can trace the pride of race and a de
sire to help his people. When the "Big Sandy"
railroad, now operated by the Chespeake & Ohio
Railroad, was being built the contractors refused
to hire colored men, preferring white labor. Mr.
Taylor, being a man of nerve and iron-will deter
mined to pave the way for his people. He made
a bid and fortune crowned his effort. He received
the contract and then the difficult task was begun.
It was one of the most hazardous undertakings ev
er attempted by a man of color. As is his usual
custom he invoked the help of his Maker, and then
with determination and energy he completed the
job. He erected a large commissary and quar
ters for his men ; bought 75 head of mules and
horses, carts, wagons, cars and all the necessary
implements and tools and with 150 men he went to
work. He completed his contract in less time than
the contract called for, receiving the contract price
of $75.000.00, and the following words of praise
from Mr. C. P. Huntington. President of the road:
"I have built thousands of miles of road but I
never before saw a contractor who finished his con
tract in advance.
334
This removed the prejudice of Negro labor and
from that time it was sought instead of being re
jected. He won his fight and enshrined himself
in the affection and memory of the 150 men who
he had succored by his resolute action.
Another evidence of his great business ability is
on the Lebanon Pike. Electric cars run to it on
regular scheduled time with privileges of transfer
ring to all parts of the city for five cents fare. The
situation of Greenwood Park is ideal for such an
enterprise. It comprises forty acres of hills and
dales, surrounded- by clusters of ever-green that
the large undertaking business he has established. adorn the hills, for which Nashville is so famously
In the face of great opposition and acting under
an impulse to see that his people were amply pro
vided for in this line of their need, he opened his
undertaking establishment. He now has the larg
est establishment of its kind and does the largest
noted, and is well shaded with numerous forest
trees. A number of limpid streams flow through
it, giving coolness to the atmosphere and adding to
its beauty. These streams also afford abundance
of refreshing drinking water, thus combining
business of any man of his race in the county. He pleasure with utility. Besides the many inviting
iias purchased for his business a large two-story
brick building 42x180 feet, which he has converted
into a model undertaking establishment.
Dr. Taylor married Miss Georgia Gordon, one of
the original Fisk Jubilee Singers, who presides
with grace and dignity over his home.
In 1866, Dr. Taylor started without a dollar. Ik-
is now said to be worth not less than $350.000.
It seems that Dr. Taylor never tires of working,
and planning for the comfort and welfare of his
people. This sketch would be incomplete if ref
erence was made to another enterprise of his which
walks and shady nooks provided by nature, provis
ion has been made for those who desire other
forms of recreation. A club house, with restau
rant and refreshment stand ; a theatre, skating
rink, roller coaster, shooting gallery, box ball,
knife, cane and baby rack, merry-go-round, a zoo,
and a base-ball park. A grand stand has been erec
ted at the ball park which will seat several thous
and persons.
This park is the home of the "Greenwood Giants"
one of the "crack" baseball teams of the South.
This team has crossed bats with some of the best
has done much to elevate the ideals of his race. teams of the country. The park is open day and
No people can rise to a high state of refinement night and is made unusually attractive at night by
who neglect the resting place of their dead. Dr. the glare and glimmer of hundreds of electric-
Taylor recognized this fact and determined to pro- lights. The park is regarded with much pride by
vide a resting place for the colored people which the colored population of Nashville, who give it
would be keeping with the high ideals which he
was trying to bring them up to.
He secured a plot of ground, close by Greenwood
Park, which he had provided for their recreation,
and laid out a cemetery which will compare in ar
rangements, and beautiful surroundings with any
in the land. It is Sodded with grass and subdivided
into lots and shaded with beautiful trees, and is
cordial support, visiting it in large numbers. The
park is highly appreciated by the colored people
generally and many important functions of the
colored race are held there.
The "Tennessee Colored Fair Association" holds
its annual meeting at Greenwood Park. For its
accomodation a splendid track has been built for
exhibiting stock and sufficient stable room, erect-
conceded to be one of the most beautiful cemeter- eel for the accomodation and housing of stock i
ies in the whole country. An attractive arch way
spans the entrance to the cemetery which makes a
fitting entrance to this beautiful though silent city.
in
GREENWOOD PARK, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
large numbers.
The design of the Park is not alone for pleasure
but also has an educational feature. A Chatauqua
for teachers is planned for the summer season
which will bring together a great crowd of the best
All men need recreation which applies with educators and workers of the race. It is expected
that this feature will attract teachers from near
and far, as well as others interested in educational
matters. Then the "Good Old-Fashioned Camp
Meeting" has not been overlooked. Provisions
have been made for that which lends additional at
tractions for this pleasure and educational resort.
Nashville has a Negro population of about forty
thousand, who will compare favorably with any
equal force to women and children, for the well-
known aphorism, "All work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy," is a well recognized truth. There
must be moments in the life of every one when
work and the many cares of life can be set aside
for a while and the mind given over to ease and
diversion.
Possibly no better source of recreation can be
found than a well regulated park with its attendant community for industry and wealth, and who ap
preciate the value of such a Park as has been out
lined. Their support of the enterprise has been
so genuine and hearty that it has greatly pleased
the management.
amusement auxiliaries. Such a pleasure resort is
Greenwood Park. It is situated in one of the most
beautiful suburban portions of Nashville, Tennes
see, at a distance of only three miles from the city,
335
THOMAS PRYOR TURNER
HOMAS Pryor Turner, Principal
High School. Here he served first as Assistant
Principal, and was later given the Principalship.
Here for twenty-seven consecutive years Prof.
Turner has labored with the young people of Pu-
laski, and surrounding country, and here he still
works.
That Professor Turner was bound to make a
success of his life was evident from his early boy
hood. He was willing to do any sort of work that
would turn an honest penny, and having taken hold
of any given work, he kept at it till success was his.
He was at one period a book agent. This is one
of the most difficult of all the known kinds of work
and yet he made a success at it. He never let him
self get out of touch with public affairs. To this
end he spent his money for daily papers, and took
the time to read them in order that he might know
all that was happening in the world. Even after
he took up the work of teaching, Professor Turner
did other kinds of work. He deals largely in real
estate and is the owner of property valued at more
than $20,000.00.
He is an ardent supporter of the Fraternal Or
ders of his section of the country. He is Worthy
Master of the St. John Lodge No. 19, of the An
cient Free and Accepted Masons, Member and C.
C. of the Masonic Lodge, of the Knights of
Pythias, Member and P. S., of the Giles County
L'nion Lodge, Member and C. S. of the Zephoiraii
Lodge of Pulaski. Not only has he served these
fraternal orders in their local meetings, but he
has been for eighteen years Grand Secretary of the
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, and for four
of the High School, at Pulaski, years Grand Auditor of this same order in America
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also Grand
Auditor of the Masonic Order for Tennessee.
Professor Turner is an active member of the
Bulah Baptist Church. Here he serves as a dea
con and as the clerk. In the Sunday School he is
the Superintendent. All the people of Pulaski know,
love and respect Professor Turner. His influence,
Tennessee, was born near Selma,
Alabama, in August, 1867. His
parents were very poor. After
his father died in South Alabama,
his mother, with her five children, moved to Giles
County, Tennessee. Thus at a tender age we find
Thomas P. Turner with his mother, sister and bro- however, is not confined to the limits of his adopt-
thers trying to earn a living from the soil. Young
Turner remained on the farm till he was sixteen
years of age, working at all the jobs of a farm boy
when school was not in session, and getting a
chance to attend the county schools whenever they
were being taught.
Having gotten all in the way of book learning
from the County Schools that he could, the young
man entered Roger Williams University, at Nash
ville. Tennessee. While in Roger Williams he
earned his way by teaching country school in the
summer. In this way he managed to get his edu
cation. He was still in his teens when he began
earning his living by teaching. So when he came
out of Roger Williams he was already a teacher
of experience. He secured work in the Pulaski
ed town. He is known throughout the State of
Tennessee, and in many parts of the country. He
has traveled extensively in the United States and
Canada.
Professor Turner was married to Miss Mary
Agnes Bramlett, of Pulaski, Tennessee, on Novem
ber 24th. 1892. Four children have been born to
them. Three of whom are living, and the second
one, Willis James Turner, died when only three
years old. Miss Mamie A. Turner is a graduate
from Fisk University. She finished the classical
course and received the degree of A. B. At the
same time she specialized in Education and so fit
ted herself very definitely for the task of school
teaching. At present she is teaching in the Topeka
Industrial and Educational Institute, Tokepa, Kan
sas. Thomas Pryor. Jr., is a Junior College stu
dent in Union University, at Richmond, Virginia.
Edward Roosevelt s still" a High School student.
336
BURRELL HAEMAN MORRELL
T is no disadvantage but rather
the reverse for a man to be born
in the country and spend his early
days upon the farm. Cultivating
the soil and breathing the fresh
country air develops him physi
cally and brings him into closer touch with nature
and nature's God. It is a fact often noted that
many of our great men came from the farm.
Mr. Burrell Haeman Morrell was born on a
farm and spent his early life in the country and the
love of the soil has clung to him through all his
years. He was born near Elkton, in the Southern
part of Giles County, Tennessee, December the 2nd,
1863, and this county has always been his home.
His father died, when he was quite young, at a
Federal prison in Mobile, Alabama, during the Civil
War, and left him and his brother Albert a soldier's
bounty of eleven hundred and forty dollars and a
Government pension for their support. This bounty
was a monthly payment from the Federal Govern
ment to the guardian of the heirs of the deceased
soldier. The guardian paid out this money for the
education and support of these children until they
were sixteen and when they reached the age of
twenty-one the balance was paid to them in full.
The portion coming to Burrell Haeman was four
hundred dollars.
While working upon the farm he took advantage
of the opportunity the rural schools offered for an
education. While these did not carry him very far
in mental development the training created in him
a greater thirst for knowledge which took him
temporarily from the farm to Fisk Unversity. He
entered this Institution when he was sixteen years
of age. He completed the College course, with the
exception of Greek, at the age of twenty-seven,
having attended the college about eight years.
Three years of his time after first entering Fisk
Unversity was lost from school on account of poor
health. He adopted teaching as his life work,
though the lure of the farm was still upon him and
claimed a portion of his time.
After graduating from the Fisk University he
was for five years the Principal of the McMinnville
City school and for twenty years he has been and
is now an assistant in the Pulaski High School.
When he was twenty years old he purchased a
farm of eighty-five acres, which he operated for
twenty-one years and sold for twice its cost. While
actively working this farm he taught in the coun
try school.
He is still a land owner and has two farms of
considerable value. One of 101 acres he values at
$8000.00 and the other of 178 acres at $6000.00. In
addition to these he owns three houses and two va
cant lots in the town of Pulaski, and one vacant
lot in Washington. D. C. The value of his town
property is about $2000.00.
With the exception of a homestead inherited by
his wife from her parents, their property was ac
quired by the practice of the closest economy and
self denial.
Mr. Morrell points with much pride to the part
his wife has taken in aiding him to acquire proper
ty. They worked together with a unanimity of
purpose and have sacrificed the comforts of youth
that they might provide for the necessities of old
age. Their aims and hopes were realized while
still in their prime and they now enjoy not only the
comforts of life, but many of its luxuries and are
able to gratify a desire to make contributions for
the uplift of their people.
Mr. .Morrell was married to Miss Addie Florine
Taylor, of Giles County, Tennessee, September
24th, 1896, which has proved a most happy mar
riage, the only cloud upon their union being the
death of two of their children. One child, a boy,
E. M. Morrell, has been spared to them, and they
are giving to him the best of educational advan
tages.
337
.TAMES DELBRIDGE RYAN
AMES Delbridge Ryan was born
October 25, 1872, in Navasota,
Grimes County, Texas, being the
second of four children born to
Huldah and James Ryan. He at
tended the Public Schools of
Navasota, then administered by very excellent
teachers, and entered the Prairie View Normal and
Industrial College in September, 1889. From this
institution he was graduated in June 1890. In Oc
tober of the same year he was elected a grade-
teacher in the Public Schools of the City of Hous
ton, where he has beq'n continuously employed
since that time.
When the Colored High School was reorganized
on the Departmental basis in September, 1900, he
was selected as the teacher of Mathematics, and
having thoroughly qualified himself by close appli
cation to study under private tutors and in Summer
Schools, when a vacancy occurred in 1912, he was
elected to the Principalship, with the distinction of
having taught in every grade in the system
through the four-year High School Course, except
ing the first Primary Grade only.
During his administration the enrollment of the
school has increased from 212 to 446, the number
of teachers doing High School work only from 7
to 11, and the graduates of the school make the
Freshman Year in some of the best Colleges and
Universities in the Country. In a system that
prides itself on being one of the best in the South,
Mr. Ryan easily ranks among the first, and because
of his ability as a school man he was elected Presi
dent of the Colored Teachers' State Association in
November, 1916.
His property holdings, excluding exemptions,
consists of improved and unimproved city property,
and securities, which are conservatively estimated
at Ten Thousand Dollars. He is a member of the
Board of Park Commissioners for Colored people
through appointment by the Mayor, and is a mem
ber of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, now
serving his fourteenth year as Superintendent of
the Sunday School.
He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, the Colored Knights of Pythias, the United
Brothers of Friendship and the Sisters of the Mys
terious Ten, and of the Ancient Order of Pilgrims.
During the past 21 years Mr. Ryan has been the
guiding genius in the development of the Ancient
Order of Pilgrims, a Fraternal Beneficiary Asso
ciation founded by Henry Cohen Hardy, who was
joined in the incorporation thereof by Reuben
Thornton and Joseph I. Rogers, October 23, 1882.
The purpose of this organization is thus stated in
the articles of incorporation :
"To promote industry, temperance and economy ;
to enable us to assist ourselves and each other and
every member of said corporation while living ; to
provide for the increased expenses of life, the des
titution of old age, sickness, misfortune, calamity
and death ; to leave our widows, mothers sisters,
and children adequate support ; to promote charity
and benevolence, and to build and furnish halls for
the use of this Order for these purposes."
The principal officers are B. H. Grimes, Prin
cipal of Dunbar School. President; James D. Ryan,
Secretary ; Jesse Washington, President of Gaud-
alupe College, Treasurer ; Dr. W. F. Warren, Tyler,
R. G. Lockett and W. C. Conway. Houston, Trus
tees ; L. D. Lyons of Austin, B. J. Mathis of Marlin,
Texas, T. D. Mitchell, E. P. Harrison, and Van H.
McKinley, members of the Supreme Council.
The Order has a membership of 5,600; Assets,
$24,80481; Surplus of $4,068.51, and has paid to
beneficiaries of deceased members $297.099.60 with
in the past 21 years. A cash benefit is paid to mem
bers during illness, and at death a mortuary benefit
of $480.00.
The last Actual Valuation of its Certificates in
force December 31, 1916, indicates that the future
net premiums to be collected, together with the
invested assets, are sufficient to meet all certificates
as they mature, by their terms, with a margin of
safety of $90,486.14 (or 16 per cent.) over the sta
tutory requirements.
Mr. Ryan was married to Miss Ella Sims in June,
1896. Mrs. Ryan is a native of Houston. She is a
strong support to her husband in all his arduous
undertakings.
338
WILLIAM LEONARD DAVIS
RACE advances only as far as its
individuals. The colored people
have been held down by the mass
es, because of their ignorance and
their indifference to all the de
tail that make for a higher civili-
zation. Very rapidly now this
condition of affairs is being
changed. This is being done through the schools,
the churches and the fraternal organizations as
well as through the influence of the better homes.
One man who has done his share of this work in all
of these lines is William Leonard Davis, of Hous
ton, Texas.
William L. Davis, prominent in Texas as an edit
cator and as a leader in secret orders, conspicuous
in a state of conspicuous leaders, was born in La-
vaca County, Texas, January 6th., 1873. Receiv
ing his early education in the public schools of La-
Grange, Texas, he entered Paul Quinn College, at
Waco, Texas. To finish his training for the pro
fession of school teaching, he enrolled in the Prai
rie View Normal and Industrial Institute, at Prai
rie View, Texas.
Completing his studies while still young, Mr.
Davis went out as a teacher in the rural schools.
Rural school teaching in Texas in those days yield
ed very good salaries, better by far than are paid
today for the same work in other states. Out there
among the country folk Mr. Davis soon became
interested and active in the business undertakings
of farmers and of all people who were working to
invest in land. Soon he was promoted from teach
er of rural schools to principal of the Hempstead
City School. It was then he became Grand Secre
tary of the Farmers Improvement Society of Tex
as. This post he held for twelve years. This post,
like the teaching in rural schools, served to place
him in more important places. Resigning his po
sition in the Hempstead City School and the Secre
taryship of the Farmers Improvement Society, he
became Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of
the United Brothers of Friendship of Texas, and
Assistant Principal of the Emancipation School at
Houston.
School work now appears to give way to the
thing the man seemed born to; namely .the job of
Secretary. For twelve years he served as Secre
tary of the F. I. S., at Waco. Then in 1915. he
left Waco, and became Secretary of the State
Grand Lodge United Brothers of Friendship, at
Houston, a post which means the keeping track of
ten thousand state members. He also accepted the
nort folio as secretary of the Baptist Sunday-
School State Convention
In order to be given the post of Secretary of
the State Baptist Sunday School Convention, Mr.
Davis had to be a very active member of the church.
This he is beyond doubt. He is a member of the
Baptist Church and an active member of the local
Sunday School. Here he takes a great interest in
the religious development of the younger genera
tion, and all the young people love and respect him.
To him they go with their questions and doubts
and Mr. Davis never fails to give them the aid they
seek.
His is a labor for humanity, a labor for the bet
terment of all his people. As secretary of the Un
ited Brothers of Friendship he has many an oppor
tunity to lend aid to the bereaved and to give sym
pathy and good cheer to the sick. In fact all the
activities of Mr. Davis have been of a nature to
endear him to people ; for years in the school room,
in the lodges and in the Sunday School work.
In changing from place to place, Secretary Davis
accumulated some valuable holdings in both towns
and country. He owns his residence in Houston,
one of the best colored homes in the city. Back in
Hempstead, the scene of his earlier activities, he
owns city property and a farm, consisting of seven
ty-five acres of land. He is also a stock holder in an
overall factory in Waco, Texas.
In addition to his membership in the F. I. S., and
U. B. F., Mr. Davis is a Mason, Odd Fellow and a
Knight of Pythias.
Secretary Davis was married to Miss Emma R
Sampson, of Carmine, Texas, in 1906. Mr. and Mrs.
Davis live in their own home in the city of Hous
ton. Here they help make life pleasant for their
many friends. Although there are no children in
the Davis family, they take great interest in other
people's children and have the pleasure of seeing
their young friends in large numbers at least on
Sunday.
339
REVEREND S. A. BROWN
HOSE who jest at the perennial
"split" going on in the Baptist
Church must pause when they
come face to face with the Gill-
field Baptist Church at Peters
burg, Virginia. Organized in 1803,
it has had but six pastors, having never had a divis
ion, and maintains to this day the practice of receiv
ing, disciplining and expelling its members. It has
a membership of 1500, among which are many of
the most substantial Negro citizens of Petersburg,
It carries a Sunday School of six hundred, under
twenty-four teachers. It has a library of eight
hundred volumes. Recently the church bought a
parsonage for which it paid four thousand dollars.
Its remodeling now under way will cost fifteen
thousand dollars. It has no indebtedness and is
valued at seventy-seven thousand dollars.
The history of the pastorates in the Gillfield
Church is short, there having been but three pas
tors from 1803 up to the close of the civil war and
but three since the close of the civil war. The first
pastor, Dr. Henry Williams, after the civil war
served for thirty-four years. He was followed by
Reverend G. B. Howard, who served eleven vears.
In 1913 the present pastor, Reverend S. A. Brown
accepted the call to this venerable pulpit. He came
of Baptist preachers, his father having been the
first Negro minister in Virginia to be ordained.
Unlike his predecessors, Reverend Brown is on
his native heath. He was born in Ruthsville.
Charles City County, February twenty-seventh,
1876. Reared on the farm, he attended the pub
lic schools, until he was nineteen when he left to
seek funds to further his education. However,
from his early youth he has had to earn a livli-
hood, for his father had died, leaving the mother
with eight children, Mr. Brown being at the time
but five years old. Reaching the Petersburg Nor
mal and Collegiate Institute, he took both prepa
ratory and college courses. Meantime he read
theology under a private tutor. He commenced
his ministerial work in 1902. For ten years he
was principal of a school in Fredericksburg, Va.,
serving three country churches at the same time.
When he came to the Gillfield Church in 1913, he
was ripe for the kind of work that lay before him.
He had built one church, remodeled two, and had
been in the habit of dealing with people who called
a spade a spade. Thus when it became necessary to
remodel the Petersburg building he knew what to
ask for and how to go about the work of getting
the money and plans.
During his career Reverend Brown has been able,
though working against heavy odds, to purchase
some property and join many helpful organiza
tions.
He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and District Moder
ator of the Baptist Association.
Reverend Brown was married in 1903 to Miss
Clementine Poole, of Hampton. Six children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown : Mildred O.
Brown, age 13 ; Anna E. Brown, 10 years ; Samuel
H. Brown, 9 years ; Lucile Brown, 7 years ; Wilbur
Hughes Brown, 5 years ; Abraham L. Brown, 2
years. They are all in school, except the last
named.
GILLFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
340
BISHOP ELIAS COTTRELL, D. D.
Bishop Elias Cottrell, D. D.
OT to many men is it given tc
have the wonderful experience of
Bishop Elias Cottrell, of the Col
ored Methodist Episcopal Church.
When a lad of only four years of
age he was placed on the block in
Holly Springs, Mississippi, and sold .at auction. He
with all the other members of his family, was tak
en to the auction block. The father, mother and
seven children were all sold at the same time, and
as was so often the case, they were sold to five dif
ferent masters, and separated. Thus the lad was
brought face to face with one of the direful effects
of slavery. Some of these members of his fam
ily Bishop Cottrell has never since seen. Young
as he was this scene was never effaced from his
memory and had its influence upon his after life.
In fact it was the most vivid memory which clung
to him, and later in life when he came to do a no
ble work for his people in the establishment of
a college, the site selected was within four blocks
of the spot where he was sold at auction. The
presence of this institution so near the spot, which
marked the sparation of his family, has no doubt
mitigated the intense feeling of resentment which
has rankled in his brain against an institution
which caused his people so many heart aches.
Standing over against the block is the college,
and the close proximity of the two, is a constant
reminder to his people of the great change that has
taken place in their condition. It is a contrast to
the surroundings of his own youth and the oppor
tunities to the colored children of today. He has
no doubt pointed out to the students attending the
college, the spot where he was sold, and urged
them to take advantage of their improved condi
tions and make the most of their lives.
This one fact shows that during his lifetime he
has used every opportunity that has come his way
for his personal development and for the develop
ment of his people.
Bishop Elias Cottrell was born a slave in Mar
shall County, Mississippi, January 31, 1867. His
father came from the State of North Carolina, and
while living in that State, he had been given an op
portunity to gain some knowledge of reading,
writing and arithmetic. Being of a bright mind he
had made the most of his opportunity and was thus
providently prepared to instruct his young son,
who inherited his wonderful mental endowment.
His father taught him habits of stucliousness that
have served him well in his future development. It
was fortunate for Bishop Cottrell that in the se
paration of the family he remained with his father,
and received his early training under his eye and
guidance. As stated his father had secured some
learning and this he imparted to his son, and when
he had carried him as far as he was able, he aided
htm to obtain additional knowledge from other
sources. For two years he attended a night school
that was taught by a white man of German ex
traction. Little progress, however, could be made
in this school for the facilities were very poor in
deed. In the early seventies a number of well pre
pared teachers came into that section of Missis
sippi and Bishop Cottrell took advantage of this to
get a thorough knowledge of the common branches.
Under their instruction he made such rapid pro
gress that his thirst for knowledge was greatly
stimulated and he determined to seek wisdom from
other and higher sources. To decide with him was
to act, so he entered the Central Tennessee Col
lege, now Walden University, and took a two years
course in English Theology. After finishing this
course he did not consider himself an educated man
but only beginning. He had acquired sufficient
equipment to start upon his life work, but his ca
reer as a student would never end until his mind
ceased to act. As a matter of fact, most of his
hardest work along educational lines has been done
since he left the class room. He has worked in
cessantly under private instructors until he has a
good knowledge of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and
German, as well as ability along other lines.
In the year 1876 Bishop Cottrell began his ca
reer as a minister of the Gospel. From this year
to 1894, when he was made Bishop, the subject of
this sketch worked with a good will ih all the capa
cities that are offered in his branch of the church.
He was elected delegate to the first, second and
third Ecumenical Conferences, and he has been el
ected to every General Conference of his church
since he was eligible for membership in the year of
1878
He was for four years the one to collect all mon
eys that were used for schools under the jurisdic
tion of his church. This brought him very closely in
touch with all the educational interests of his de
nomination. One direct result of this great inter
est in the uplift of his people through education is
Mississippi Industrial College, which stands as a
monument to Bishop Cottrell.
The school is located at Holly Springs, Mississ
ippi, and has three very beautiful and substantial
342
BI,SHOP J EU
TREASURER.
COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
buildings in which to work. These three buildings
were erected at a cost of about $85,000.00. In ad
dition to these three main buildings there are sev
eral smaller houses on the campus. In land the
school owns two hundred ten acres which are val
ued at $30,000.00. The college has courses leading
to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of
Science, Thelogical course, business course, and in
dustrial courses. In this school Bishop Cottrell
has been able to gather many men and women of
great worth, to associate with him in this work.
Throughout his life, Bishop Cottrell has been a
good business man. He has managed his own af
fairs and now is worth several thousands of dol
lars. He is a good farmer as well as a great edu
cator and a great Bishop. To him many honors
have come. The degree of D. D. was given him
by Rust University, Holly Springs, because of his
great worth to the -community, to the church and
to the country at large. He is recognized as one
of the great leaders of the race and in this capacity
has done a wonderful work for the down-trodden
race.
Bishop. Cottrell was married June 6th, 1880, to
Miss Catherine Davis, of Columbia, Tennessee. To
him she has been a wonderful helpmate. Through
all the steps that led to the present exalted posi
tion now held by him she has been a great source
of inspiration and to her he gives credit for much
of his success. One daughter, Mrs. C. Gillis, Jr.,
has been to the Cottrells a constant source of de
light. She was educated in Holly Springs, and at
Walden University, Nashville, Tennessee. She 'is
now the teacher of music in the Mississippi In
dustrial College.
At this writing Bishop Cottrell is in the early
sixties. In this time he has been able to accom
plish a great deal for the uplift of colored people.
He can be pointed out as an example to men in
many walks in life. To the farmer he is a good
farmer, to the business man, a successful example
of business management, to preachers a good
preacher, and to all his people, a great Bishop.
He has put his best into every undertaking and
has conducted his work with characteristic energy
and uprightness and has won the respect and love
of all whose lives he touches.
343
CHARLES C. SPAULDING— JOHN MERRICK —AARON McDUFFIE MOORE, M. D., LL. D.
O find a better locality than Dur
ham, North Carolina, for the be
ginning of a Negro business con
cern of any high standard, would
be a difficult task. Here the col
ored people work together and
help build up all worthy causes among this peo
ple ; here the relation between the races is exceed
ingly good, with the result that a number of good
business men and women too, have been encourag
ed to establish themselves in Durham.
The North Carolina Mutual and Provident Asso
ciation with its home office at 112-122 West Par-
rish Street, was founded by John Merrick, in 1898.
When they opened their office for business it was
without capital and in a rented office furnished at
a cost of $15.00, and paying a rental of $2.00 per
month. This was in 1899. Six years later they
erected the present home office at a cost of $35,000-
00. When the company began business it was as
a Mutual assessment life insurance company, but
in 1909 the charter was amended and the assess
ment feature eliminated and the business placed on
the regular old line legal reserve basis.
In 1899, the company had a weekly debit of
$29.00. Today it collects on industrial business
alone over $12,000.00 per week and on ordinary
premiums over $100,000.00 per year. For the
year 1917, the company collected over $625,000.00,
paid out in sick and death claims, $231,283.83, and
closed the year with essets amounting to $372,000.-
00, and with liabilities amounting to $270,000.00.
This figure includes the net reserve according to
the American Experience Table, and 3 1-2 per cent
interest, $258,918.00. This leaves in unassigned
funds or surplus, $87,562.46, and Insurance in force,
$11,157,472.00.
The company has not confined its operations to
Durham nor to North Carolina. But as the busi
ness grew it sought larger territory. So we find
the North Carolina Mutual now operating in both
North and South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, the
District of Columbia, Maryland, and Tennessee.
The company issues policies from $5.00 to
$5,000.00 and in a few years will be able to get up
a table of Mortality, of purely Negro risks.
The Company is officered by John Merrick,
344
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER,
C. C. SPAULDING'S OFFICE
Founder and President ; A. M. Moore, Secretary-
Treasurer and Medical Examiner; C. C. Spaulding,
Vice-President and General Manager; E. R. Mer-
rick, Assistant Secretary; J. M. Avery, Assistant
Manager.
The company has prospered because is was
founded upon correct business principles and be
cause it was managed by men of great business and
executive ability who have given their best thought
and effort to its development. They have made
no move without wise consideration and when a
policy was decided upon they have given their time,
and energy to its presecution. While the officers
are busy men and it would seem had enough in
their business life to engage their whole time and
CASHIER'S OFFICE.
In 1898, he founded the North Carolina Mutual
and Provident Association, at Durham, and he
still serves as the chief executive of this company.
In addition to looking after the affairs of the Mu
tual, he is also president of the Mechanics and
Farmers Bank, Supreme Grand Treasurer of the
Royal Knights of King David, and President and
Director of the Lincoln Hospital Board.
Mr. Merrick does not give all his time to busi
ness. He is an active member of the St. Joseph
A. M. E. Church. In this church he serves as
president of the Allen Christian Endeavor, and as
a Trustee. In fraternal matters, Mr. Merrick is a
Mason. He has traveled to all points of impor
tance in the United States and in Cuba. In 1879 he
thought, they are also Christian men and promi- was married to Miss Martha Hunter, at Raleigh,
' ' ~ ' North Carolina. Five children were born to them
nent in church work, uplift work, and civic affairs,
and recognize that they owe an obligation to the
church, and the community in which they live.
JOHN MERRICK
John Merrick, the man whose brain conceived
and whose energies made possible the North Car
olina Mutual and Provident Association, was born
in Clinton, Sampson County, North Carolina, in
1859. He did not have the advantages of much
training in the school room, but got his training in
the school of experience. He began his career as
a brick mason, but moved to Durham at the age
of 22, and started in the barber business. Of this
work he made a great success. In fact success
seems to be the keynote of Mr. Merrick's charact
er. He was considered one of the most successful
barbers in the South, having amassed quite a for
tune from this trade.
to give them an incentive for better living— Mrs.
Dr. P. H. Williams, Raleigh, North Carolina; Mrs.
Dr. Wm. H. Bruce, Winston-Salem, North Caro
lina; Mr. E. R. Merrick, Assistant Secretary of the
North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association;
Mr. John T. Merrick, Jr., Real Estate Agent, Dur
ham, North Carolina; and Miss Martha C. Merrick,
Durham.
In establishing the widely known company of
which he is president, Mr. Merrick became a great
benefactor to the race. Not only does he make it
possible for men of color to obtain insurance with
ease, but he has furnished good employment to
many of our young men and women.
AARON McDUFFIE MOORE, M. D., LL. D.
Dr. A. M. Moore, Secretary-Treasurer and Med
ical Examiner of the North Carolina Mutual and
345
GENERAL OFFICE
Provident Association, was born near Whiteville,
Columbus County, North Carolina, September 6,
1863. As a lad he attended the Public Schools of
Columbus County, the State Normal, Fayetteville,
North Carolina., and later entered the Leonard
Medical School, of ^Shaw University, Raleigh,
North Carolina. From this school he was grad
uated with the degree M. D., in 1887, having com
pleted the four years course of study in three
years. That he was thoroughly prepared for the
profession of his choice was shown when he went
before the board of examiners. He stood second
in a class of forty-two. He is a very successful
physician.
Dr. Moore was in the organization of the North
Carolina Mutual and Provident Association and has
been one of its officers ever since. He is the foun
der and Superintendent of the Lincoln Hospital, of
Durham, Director of the Mechanics and Farmers
Bank, Durham ; Director of the Oxford Orphan
Asylum, Oxford; Secretary of the Extension De
partment of the State Teachers' Association ; mem
ber of the Executive Board of Shaw University ;
Founder and Superintendent of the Durham Col
ored Library.
Dr. Moore is an active member of the White
Rock Baptist Church, one of the most successful
churches of the denomination. He is chairman of
the Deacon Board, and Superintendent of the Sun
day School. Through the medium of the Sunday
School he is able to come in contact with many of
the young people of Durham, and so to impress
them with his excellent example. Dr. Moore is a
Mason. He has traveled extensively in the Un
ited States, Cuba and Haiti.
In 1889, Dr. Moore was married to Miss Cottie
S. Dancy, at Tarboro, North Carolina. There are
two beautiful daughters in the family, Miss Mattie
Louise Moore, Durham, and Mrs. E. R. Merrick,
also of Durham.
CHARLES C. SPAULDING
Mr. C. C. Spaulding, Vice President and General
Manager of the North Carolina Mutual and Provi
dent Association, was born near Whiteville, Co
lumbus County, North Carolina, in 1874. He at
tended the Public Schools of Columbus County and
the Whitted High School, at Durham. After gra
duating from the high school course, Mr. Spauld
ing was for years a merchant, doing at the same
time, agency work for the North Carolina Mutual
and Provident Association. In 1900 he was elec
ted Director and General Manager of this Associa
tion. In this capacity he served for five years,
when he was elected Vice-President. Mr. Spauld
ing serves also as a member of the Finance com
mittee and a Director and Cashier of the Mechan
ics and Farmer's Bank and lie is a director of the
Lincoln Hospital Board.
Mr. Spaulding is a Deacon and Treasurer of the
White Rock Baptist Church and Assistant Superin
tendent of the Sunday School. In 1900 Mr. Spauld
ing was married to Miss Fannie Jones of Washing
ton, D. C. There are four children in the Spauld
ing home. Miss Margaret Louise Spaulding, age
16, is a student at Scotia Seminary, Concord, North
Carolina; Charles Spaulding, Jr., age 11, and John
Aaron Spaulding, age 8, are pupils in the Durham
public schools. Booker B. Spaulding is still a baby
at home, being but three years of age.
His wife is not only a congenial companion but
has been a great help to him. She is in full sym
pathy with his efforts to rear their children so that
they will fill positions of honor and usefulness.
It can be said without fear of contradiction that
the foregoing triumvirate not only set a splendid
example for members of their race, but have prov
ed to be a powerful force for the elimination of
racial prejudice and gaining the respect and co
operation of the white citizens. And it is by se
lecting such men as leaders, that the Merchant
Princes of Durham have been induced to contribute
so liberally to colored hospitals and educational in
stitutions.
346
CHARLES WADDELL CHESTNUT
HARLES Wacldell Chestnut, au
thor, was born at Cleveland, Ohio,
June 20th, 1858, son of Andrew
J. and Maria (Sampson) Chest-
nutt. Both his parents were na
tives of North Carolina. He at
tended the public schools of Cleve
land until his father, after serv
ing four years in the Union Army, returned to the
South. In North Carolina, Charles attended the
Public schools, and began to teach at a very early
age, first as a pupil teacher, then, successively, in
primary and grammar schools at various points in
North and South Carolina. At the age of nineteen
he was appointed a teacher in the State Colored
Normal School at Fayetteville, N. C, and upon the
death of the principal several years later was chos
en to fill his place, in which he served acceptably
for three years. At the age of twenty-five he re
moved to New York City, where he found employ
ment in a Wall Street News Agency, contributing
at the same time a daily column of Wall Street
gossip to the "Mail and Express."
After a brief sojourn in New York he resigned
and went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became a
stenographer and bookkeeper in the accounting de
partment of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis
Railroad Co. A year and a half later he was trans
ferred to the legal department, where he remained
two years, during which time he studied law and
was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1887. He has
never practiced his profession of the law very ac
tively, his principal occupation having been that of
a court and convention shorthand reporter, ^for
which business he has for many years conducted an
office with a staff of assistants.
Mr. Chestnutt's first story was written at four
teen, and was published in a North Carolina news
paper. It was intended to show the evil effects
upon the youthful mind of reading dime novels.
Beginning in 1884 he contributed many stories and
articles to the periodical press. His best short
story, "The Wife of His Youth," appeared in the
Atlantic Monthly, in 1898, since which he has pub
lished "The Conjure Woman," (1899), a volume of
dialect stories of plantation life in North Carolina,
most of which had appeared in the Atlantic; "The
Wife of His Youth," and "Other Stories of the Col
or Line" (1899) ; "The House Behind the Cedars"
(1900); "The Marrow of Tradition" (1901); and
"The Colonel's Dream" (1905). All of these books
deal with race problem motives. Mr. Chestnutt
is also the author of "The Life of Frederick Doug
lass," which forms one of the volumes of the Bea
con Series of Biographies of Eminent Americans.
He was married at Fayetteville, North Carolina,
in 1897, to Susan, daughter of Edwin and Catherine
Perry, who has borne him four children. Two of
his daughters are graduates of Smith College, an
other of the College for Women of Western Re
serve University.
His only son is a graduate of Harvard Univer-
versity, studied dentistry in Northwestern Univer
sity, Chicago, and is practicing his profession in
Chicago. One of his daughters, Mrs. Ethel C. Wil
liams, is the wife of Professor Edward C. Williams,
of Howard University; another, Miss Helen Chest
nut is a teacher in Central High School, Cleve
land, and the third, Miss Dorothy Chestnut, is a
teacher in the Cleveland public schools.
Mr. Chestnut is a member of the Rowfant Club,
The Chamber of Commerce, The City Club, The
Western Reserve Club, The Cleveland Bar Asso
ciation, The Church Club, and the Council of Socio
logy, of which latter body he served one year as
President. He and his family are connected with
Emanuel Episcopal Church, on Euclid Avenue.
Mr. Chestnut has appeared upon the platform as
a reader of his own writings and has charmed large
audiences with the rare skill with which he handles
the dialect of the North Carolina Negro.
The Washington Times says: "There was not
a dull moment in the two hours spent with Mr.
Chestnut last evening, and at the conclusion of the
program he received the hearty applause and indi
vidual congratulations of his auditors."
From The Augusta Ga., Chronicle: "There have
arisen many interpreters of the Negro character,
but none have made him more humorous than
Charles W. Chestnut in the various stories brought
together in 'The Conjure Woman.' The 'Uncle Ju
lius' who relates these stories of Negro supersti
tion bids fair to become as popular as 'Uncle Re
mus' because of his rich, lazy dialect, his character
istic dark garrulousness, and his cunning con
sciousness of effect his yarns have upon his hearers."
The Christian Register, Boston, says: "They
are like none of the other Negro stories with which
we are familiar, and take an exceptionally high
place both as a study of race characteristics and
for genuine dramatic interest.
347
MACK MATTHEW RODGERS
OME men fall far behind the
times ; while there are others
ahead of the times ; then, too,
there are many right along with
the times. It is to this latter
class belongs the subject now-
claiming our attention. His mind is ever opened
to light and old-time dogmas are feasible to him
only as they apply to the greater enlightenment of
the present.
Mack Matthew Rodgers first saw the light of day
July 13th, 1859, in Wharton County, Texas, where
he grew to manhood. He is the only surviving
child of Stephen and Lucinda Rodgers.
In 1878 he married Miss Caroline Jackson, and of
the union were born six daughters and one son.
In the fall of 1878 Mr. Rodgers removed to Fay-
ette County, graduating in 1881, with honors, from
the Prairie View State Normal School. In 1887,
having located at LaGrange, he was elected prin
cipal of the city school. His career as a teacher
commenced at the age of sixteen.
Mr. Rodgers became interested in politics, and
for three successive terms — twice from his ward
and once from the city at large — he was elected
alderman of the city of LaGrange.
His political service and reputation soon extend
ed over the state, and he was elected in 1888, 1892,
1900, 1904, and 1912, to the National Republican
Convention. In 1897 he resigned the position of
Principal of the LaGrange City School to accept the
appointment, under Collector Webster Flanagan,
of deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the
Third District of Texas. He was the first Negro
in Texas to hold such an office.
Mr. Rodgers is regarded as a good business man,
a deep thinker, a close writer, a fearless but conser
vative debater, a sane and safe leader and a smooth
but reliable politician. It is because of his manly
qualities that he is recognized and respected by the
people of his state.
He accepted Christ in 1879 and was baptized by
Elder James Davenport. In religion, as in politics,
he became active and manifested a lively interest
in the work of the Church and in the development
of denominational principles. In 1883 he was made
secretary of the LaGrange Baptist Association— a
position which he still holds— and in 1889 he became
secretary of the Baptist Missionary and Educa
tional Convention of Texas. To both organizations
he has given his best thought and energies. For the
last eighteen years he has striven to systematize
the business and improve the financial status of the
Convention and of its institutions of learning. To
him, more than to any other person, credit should
be given for incorporating the Convention. Its
present healthy condition and splendid school reg
ulations are also due to his efforts.
Mr. Rodgers is Auditor of the National Baptist
Convention of the United States of America and is
giving much attention to the affairs of the Na
tional Baptist Convention, and his opinions are at
tracting the attention not only of that body, but
of Baptists throughout the country.
TEXAS PYTHIAN TEMPLE
About 1912 a peculiar current shot through
nearly all big organizations of Negroes, especially
in the fraternal bodies. This current asserted it
self in the form of big buildings. In Atlanta, it
was the Odd Fellows Building ; in Macon, Geor
gia, the Masonic Temple ; in Little Rock, the Mo-
siac; in Dallas, Texas, the Knights of Pythias. It
was a capital instance of Negro readiness, of the
Negro acting when he was equipped. The Archi-
348
PYTHIAN TEMPLE BUILDING,
DALLAS. TEXAS.
tects and Contractors were Negroes, Negro money
paid the bills. Negro bookkeepers and business
men managed the business, Negro business men,
merchants and professional men occupy the rooms
in these temples. Very clearly these structures
represent a mile stone in Negro progress.
The Pythian Temple, at Dallas, is one of the bril
liant mile stones. W. Sydney Pittman, son-in-law
of Booker T. Washington, designed the sructure.
S. A. Harper was the contractor, Dr. A. N. Prince,
the Grand Chancellor, M. M. Rodgers. Secretary
and Grand Keeper of Records and Seals. Grand
Worthy Councellor, Mrs. A. M. Key, Dr. J. W.
Anderson, J. M. Frierson, G. M. Guest, J. H. Hinds,
Commissioners.
The entire building rising 76 feet in the air above
sidewalk level, is constructed from the founda
tion to the roof with a complete non-vibratory
steel frame and brick walls securely laid in cem
ent mortar. The stairway and elevator hall is en-
ception office. Ninety percent of the partition
wall space on this floor is taken up with Florentine
glass sash and transom. Spacious Corridors and
Lobby provide ample means of exit and inter com
munication.
On the third floor are three large rooms and An
terooms, four robin rooms, ten sets of lockers, and
corridors, and Lobby similar to those on second
floor. One of these Lodge rooms is devoted mainly
to the Dallas Knights of Pythias Lodge. Another
(the largest), is set aside for the use of the Grand
Court of Calanthe, and the third to be rented to
lodges of other Orders. The Lodge rooms are
equipped wih individual locker rooms for each ten
ant Lodge.
On the fourth floor is located the Grand Lodge
(K. of P.) Auditorium, with its Committee Rooms,
Ante-rooms, stairs, hall, lobby, rostrum and Mez
zanine, toilet and dressing room. The Auditorium
extends through the fourth and fifth floors — the
clear height of the ceiling from main floor being
twenty-five feet.
On all floors are provided separate toilets for
men and women, conveniently arranged in plain
view on all corridors. On the second and third
floors in the lobbies is installed a drinking foun
tain for the benefit of the patrons. All offices, all
stores, shops, lodge rooms, Ante-rooms, cafe, etc.,
are equipped with a lavatory and running water.
The building throughout, is lighted with the "Re-
flecto-lite" system fixtures, the very latest elec
tric light fixtures on the market. All electric
wires are laid in conduits arranged so as to pro
duce the least friction possible to tenants. Elec
tric fans are provided in all lodge rooms, exit lights
at all exterior doors and two handsome bracket
lamps on either side of the Main Entrance on Elm
Street. All offices are also provided with a wall
tirely fire-proof from to]) to bottom. In this hall socket for buzz fan attachment.
way are two sets of iron stairs, each five feet wide
all the way up. and a twelve passenger standard
Otis Electric Elevator installed in a fire-proof en
closure. In addition to these stairway and eleva
tor services there are also two sets of approved
fire (stairway) escapes, located at two separate
and distinct places of escape in case of panics or
other emergencies.
Properly speaking, the building is five stories
Other special interior features include the beaut
iful color scheme on all floors and especially in the
Grand Lodge Auditorium, also the great stage
and its procenium,, and the seventeen large 8x15
feet windows in this Auditorium. This stage is
typical of all theatre stages in essentials, including
foot lights, border lights, scenery, dressing rooms,
fly gallerys, electric switch board, etc.
A special feature on this floor is the separate
high ; the first floor containing two large stories, Department (a suite of rooms) set apart for the
Grand Lodge officers. It includes a private lobby,
or reception hall, a private entrance and other ap
purtenances necessary in creating a distinct and
separate grouping of rooms for its State Head
quarters, particularly requested in the original con
ditions submitted to the architect.
three small "shops" and a large spacious cafe in the
rear. On this floor is also a large well-lighted
corridor and lobby leading from the beautiful stone
and marble vestibule entrance.
On the second floor are seventeen suites of
offices, each containing a private office and a re-
349
COLONEL JAMES HUNTER YOUNG
Colonel James Hunter Young
ORN in Henderson, North Caro
lina, in 1860, Colonel James Hun
ter Young has served in and wit
nessed the deeds of well nigh two
generations of American History.
The young man got all he could in
the way of book-learning in his home town and
then entered Shaw University. Here he remained
for five years. During this time he gave good
account of himself, and although he left the insti
tution before he finished his course of studv, he
now serves as President of the Alumni Association.
This is indeed a great tribute to the time spent in
the school and to the life of the man after leaving.
Young left Shaw in 1877, and immediately ac
cepted employment as a federal officer. He be
came deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, hold
ing the position for eight years. In 1886 he re
signed the post and was made Registrar of Deeds
at Wake County, North Carolina, which position he
held for three years. The next four years saw
him Special Inspector of Customs in the districts
of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
In 1895, he became a member of the State Legis
lature from Wake County, North Carolina. Two
years later he was State Inspector of Agriculture.
This position he held till the Spanish-American
War caused him to go to the front and here he
was Colonel of the Thirty-second North Carolina
Volunteers.
After giving his country such long service in the
army, Colonel Young once more returned to private
life, but he was not destined to give up the service
of "Uncle-Sam," for he was immediately called in
to another branch of work by the United States
Government. The excellent record he made in the
Internal Revenue Department in 1877 had not been
forgotten and he was again called to enter the rev
enue service as a Deputy Collector of Internal Rev
enue, a position he held from 1899 to 1913.
Although he has far passed the half century
mark, he is ever ready to respond to his country's
call. He rendered valuable aid in the Selective
Draft, and did his "Hit" to win the World War for
Democracy.
Thus we have recorded the work of a public man
in a very brief form. Indeed from the entrance of
the United States in the World War, this public
spirited man gave freely of his time.
He was one of the Advisors and Workers in
the Selective Draft, and he made one of the best
speeches delivered in his section in the interest of
the war. On this occasion he addressed a Mass
Meeting of both white and colored citizens and he
had for his theme "Co-operation in the War." Thus
the veteran of the Spanish-American War served
in the World War in a different way, but never-the
less he served.
In religious belief, Colonel Young is a Baptist.
He is very active in Sunday School work. For
over thirty years he has served his denomination
in an official capacity. He is the Clerk of the
Baptist church and Superintendent of the Sunday
School. His interest in Sunday School work has
caused him to go beyond the limits of his home
and take up the broader work of the State. Thus
we find him Treasurer of the State Sunday School
Convention of North Carolina.
Colonel Young has had time to devote to other
organizations that work for the bettermeat of the
colored race also. He is an Odd Fellow and serv
es this organization as District Grand Master. He
is a Mason and serves the Masons of his town and
State as Endowment Secretary and as Past Grand
Master. He is a member of the order of the
Knights of Pythias and in this body he served as
Chairman of the Finance Committee. Colonel
Young is also a member of the Eastern Star and
of the Household of Ruth. Thus he gives his time
to many organizations which work for the better
ment of his people.
In business matters, Colonel Young is as wide
awake and as active for the good of his people as he
is in Church and Fraternal matters. So we find
him serving as President of the Raleigh Under
taking Company, acting as a director of the Mal-
lette Drug Company, President of the Masonic
Benevolent Company and Director of the North
Carolina Industrial Association. To carry on all
these responsible positions, Colonel Young has to
husband his strength and his energies. But he is
always ready to serve when he is needed.
Colonel Young has been three times married.
His first and second wives were natives of Ra
leigh. Miss Bettie Ellison and Mrs. Mary Christ
mas. Both are dead. The present Mrs. Young
was Miss Lula Evans, also of Raleigh. The third
marriage took place July 27, 1913. Colonel Young
has one child a daughter. Miss Maud Electa Young.
She is now married and is Mrs. Carter, of Win-
ston-Salem, North Carolina.
Colonel and Mrs. Young live in their handsome
two-story residence. Here they receive their many
friends and help make life pleasant for Colored
Raleigh. Colonel Young, a soldier, a Federal of
ficer, in many positions ; a leading church worker,
a distinguished Mason and Odd Fellow, a mem
ber of the State legislature, a man of great busi
ness ability and a natural leader of men, is a man
worthy of our praise and emulation.
351
iert Williams
HO in America has not heard of
the "Follies?" Who, having heard
of the "Follies" does not lean
hack and chuckle or laugh out
right at the drollery, the wit, the
surprising turn of humor, both in
phrase and incident? The leading spirit of this
company is Bert Williams. Now it is a song talked
or chanted, now a dialogue, now an anecdote, now
mere humorous manner. Address a letter to him
in care of the Follies, or to the Follies in the care
of him. Each would reach its proper destination.
Each has contributed to the making of the other.
It is a sort of compact — the "Follies" is one mem
ber of the firm, Bert Williams is the other.
The critics say that one evidence of the immor
tality of author's comes when the latter are quoted.
If this be so the comedian of the Follies and of the
famous Williams and Walker troupe can already
lay claim to living beyond his generation. The
Scotchman counts it a special mark of patriotism
to preface his remarks with a quotation from
"Bobbie Burns." The American Negro is no less
proud, when wishing to embellish a jest to intro
duce or conclude with a saying or a situation from
Bert Williams.
One has to speak of situation in discussing Bert
Williams ; for many, many times the whole success
of the piece hangs upon the comical picture that
he is able to conjure before the mind. Thus the
parody on "Woodman spare that tree" hangs upon
the vision of the rude male of the home rapidly
ascending the tree to escape the dire punishment
of an irate spouse. So with the goat story, "Wait
Till Martin Comes and you aint Gwine Play 'dis
game 'cording to Hoyle, but Cordin' to ME."
Harlenguin was comical on the stage, but a poor
melancholy creature when left to himself. Not so
is it with this man of the "Follies." In the street,
in the office, everywhere, Mr. Williams bounteous
ly gifted with good health, is always brim full of
fun and good humor. And then that accent, who
can immitate it? It is original with Mr. Williams.
He is one of the hardest workers on the stage.
To see him toss off his jest one would think
that the whole thing was easy and had come
to him in a moment. As a matter of fact, he tra
vels about with his note book constantly jotting
down whatever chance remark he hears from pass
ers by, and also the scraps of stories or plot sug
gestions that are brought to him as he goes about
the city in the day.
Moreover, Mr. Williams has gone abroad to
study under the world's best artists and keeps
in close touch with these and with all the modern
changes on the stage. It is thus, and not by dint
of good health and ready and fertile wit, that he
has been able to hold thus securely his enviable
post with the world famous "Follies".
Mr. Williams came upon his vocation by chance.
He had shaped for himself a wholly different ca
reer. He was born a British subject, being a na
tive of New Providence, Nassau, in the British Ba
hama Islands. When he was two years old his
family moved to New York. His father was a
maker of Papier mache. This, of course, brought
the father, and through him the son, into contact
with the stage. In this way the young lad came
to know at least some of the mechanics of the
stage. The family later moved to California, where
the son was graduated from High School. At this
time young Williams decided that he wanted to be
a civil engineer, and he left home and went to San
Francisco, to study.
However, falling in with some youths who
wished to do some local stage work, he became a
member of a mountebank minstrel show, who
toured the lumber camps and the mining camps,
making fun for themselves and for the rough work
men on the frontiers years ago. It was in this rude
work that Mr. Williams discovered his talent, and
was drawn upon the stage. Next, he discovered
George Walker. These two later formed the cel
ebrated company of Williams and Walker, which
with the fine dancing, melodious singing, and clev
er jokes, held them in vogue on the stage till Wal
ker died.
After the death of his partner Williams struck
out alone. For a long time he fought an uphill
conflict. The play houses and managers who wel
comed a whole company of Negro stars, because
they would do their play and pass on, were at a
loss to use a lone Negro star. Of course the color
question frequently bobbed up. White stars and
near stars, too, did not wish to appear on the same
bill with a black man. However his own good na
ture, his splendid candor and above all, his genuine
worth, gradually wore down the timidity of the
manager as well as the resentment of fellow play
ers, so that today few players are more popular in
New York or elsewhere, on the stage or with the
public, than Bert Williams. He has been with the
Follies for about ten years.
The Negro of America owes Mr. Williams much.
He has portrayed Negro humor without burles
quing it and without teaching the public to des
pise the black man. He has made it easier for any
talented Negro actor to gain the hearing of manag
ers, and he has by his clean living, demonstrated to
both the Negro and the White public, that a col
ored actor can be sane, decent, and straight for
ward in every day civilian life.
352
COLLEGE CHAPEL— BRANCH NORMAL COLLEGE
HE Branch Normal College, lo
cated at Pine Bluff, Jefferson
County, Arkansas, is a branch of
the University of Arkansas, it
was established pursuant to an
act of the General Assembly of
Arkansas, approved April 27. 1873, and has been in
operation since April, 1875. Its primary object is
to provide practical instruction in agriculture, me
chanical arts, home economics, and such branches
of learning as relate thereto and to train teachers
for efficient service in public school work.
The school property consists of a beautiful* tract
of twenty acres of ground in the western suburbs
of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on which are
located the main building, the dormitory for young
women and the mechanical arts building. The
school building, completed in 1881, and occupied in
January, 1882, is a two-story edifice, containing an
assembly hall on the second floor with a seating
capacity for four hundred students.
GOVERNMENT
The government of the school is vested primar- .
ily in the Board of Trustees of the Unversity of
Arkansas. The administration of the school is
vested in the Superintendent and the Prudential
Committee. The Superintendent is the adminis
trative head of the school. The directors of the
departments are responsible to the Superintendent
for carrying out the policies and rules of the col
lege in their departments and for the development
and efficiency of the work.
By the laws of the state the appointment of stu
dents to the Branch Normal College in numbers
from each county in the State, is the same as to
the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The
power to make appointments is vested in the coun
ty judge of each county. Students so appointed
are entitled to four years' free tuition, upon the
payment of ($5.00) five dollars matriculation fee,
in advance.
The departments maintained in the School are
353
Preparatory, High School,, Normal, Mechanical
Home Economics, Agricultural and Music. In
all the departments of the school, the aim is to
prepare the student for life. To that end the
teaching in one department is, as far as possible
correlated with that of another. The religious life
of the student, the general health and all points
in which young people need supervision are looked
out for by the authorities.
The Superintendent of Branch Normal College,
and the man directly responsible for all the affairs
of the institution is Jefferson G. Ish, Jr., B. S., A.
B. Mr. Tsh is a native of the city of Little Rock.
Both his father and his mother are teachers and
they gave him a very early start in school. He is
a graduate of the High School of Little Rock, of
Talladega College, (Alabama), and of Yale Univer
sity. His preparation for the post he now fills has
been very thorough indeed. Mrs. Ish was Miss
Florence Ross, of Oklahoma. She is a graduate of
Fisk University, from both the College and Mus
ical departments. One little daughter, Marietta,
aged six years, completes the Ish family.
Ably seconding Superintendent Ish in all affairs
pertaining to the school, we find Professor Frede
rick T. Venegar. He is Director of the Normal De
partment. He is a graduate of Wilberforce Univer
sity, and has for the past fifteen years been con
nected with Branch Normal College. He teaches
the Pedagogy, Geometry and Physical Science.
During the world war. Branch Normal was used
as one of the schools in which soldiers were trained
in the mechanical arts. In this way she served her
government. At present the school is greatly over
crowded and could easily get many more students
if they had the room to accommodate them. But
full use is made of all the facilities at hand. Branch
Normal is considered one of the best of the Land
Grant Schools.
MECHANICS ARTS BUILDING-BRANCH
NORMAL COLLEGE
MAIN BUILDING— CLARK UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA, GA.
LARK University is a Christian
school, founded in the year 1870,
by the Freedmen's Aid Society
of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. From the beginning it
has been open to all classes, re
gardless of sex, color or creed. The sole condi
tions of admission being a desire to learn, good
moral character, and obedience to lawfully consti
tuted authority.
The prime object in the founding of this institu
tion was to furnish to the newly emancipated peo
ple an open door into the higher and broader
realms of learning, where they might have an op
portunity to develop whatever in them is poten
tially best mentally and spiritually.
The institution, though at present largely de
pendent upon the Freedmen's Aid Society for fi
nancial support, has, nevertheless, a large prospec
tive endowment in the four hundred acres of land
it possesses on the outskirts of the growing city
of Atlanta. In fact, more than one hundred acres
of this lanct is already within the corporate limits.
This property, it should be said, was largely se-
354
ci ;-ed through the persistent and untiring efforts
of Bishop Gilbert Haven, of the Methodist Epis
copal Church. With prophetic insight he saw At-
Ir.nta then as Atlanta is today — a large, thriving,
progressive city, spreading out in every direction,
and by its salubrious climate attracting people to it
from all sections of the country. This was the place
for a large school. When most of the trustees, the
writer included, expressed fears lest by locating
the school so far beyond the city limits, few stu
dents would come to it, the good Bishop re
plied, "The city will come to you." and with his
hand pointing down what was then called McDon-
nough Street, said : "Georgia is on the eve of
building a new capitol. It will be built at the end
of this street, and this street will then be called
Capitol Avenue, leading straight to the front en
trance of this campus." It is interesting to note
how these predictions have been fulfilled.
Few schools have l-een favored with a more de
sirable location for the ends to be reached. Of all
the states Georgia has one of the largest Negro
populations, and by its central position places the
other states within easv reach of the institution,
while the numerous railroads radiating from At
lanta render it easy of access to students.
The campus, beautiful for situation, consisting
of fifty acres .heavily wooded with oak and pine,
and hickory and other trees native to the South,
occupies one of the highest points around Atlanta,
and because of its elevation, has a perfect natural
drainage on all sides. A more healthful location it
would be difficult to find. At first, more than a
mile outside the corporate limits, today the elec
tric cars, communicating with all parts of the city,
pass by the campus gates.
There are three substantial brick buildings — •
Chrisman Hall. Warren Hall, and Ballard Hall.
Chrisman Hall was named for Mrs. Eliza Chris
man. of Topeka, Kansas, who furnished the larger
part of the twenty-five thousand dollars for its
construction. Burnt down in 1892, it was immed
iately rebuilt and somewhat enlarged. Used for
administration purposes, it also furnishes dormi
tory accommodations for boys. In it are the of
fices, class room, reading room, library, and a cha
pel, with seating capacity of six hundred .
Warren Hall, a girls' dormitory, accommodating
approximately one hundred girls' contains also a
dining room for the whole student body. This hall
was named for Bishop Henry W. Warren, who
spent the first four years of his Bishopric on the
University campus, and whose presence was a
constant benediction to both students and teach
ers. Noticing the crowded condition of things,
consequent upon the growth of the school, he un
dertook to raise half the amount for the erection
of another building. This he did. The other half
was given by Mr. E. H. Gammon, the generous
founder of the Gammon Theological Seminary.
The building cost twenty-seven thousand dollars.
As a matter of history, and to the credit of
Bishop Warren, it ought also to be said that with
Bishop Warren originated the idea of the "Model
Home," the institution that today, under the man
agement of the Woman's Home Missionary So
ciety, is found in every State of the union, where
womanhood needs to be helped and elevated. The
original conception of Bishop Warren was to have
a cottage connected with the school in which, under
the direction of a matron, a few girls at a time
might live and be instructed in all matters per
taining to a well ordered home. Timber was cut,
355
a small cottage erected, and a good Christian
woman; in the person of Miss Flora Mitchell, took
upon herself the responsibility of this new venture.
Her success may be seen in the fact, that she is
still in charge ; but not of that little cottage. In
deed, it is a far cry from that humble beginning to
the now imposing and spacious Thayer Home with
its modern appointments, giving instruction in do
mestic Science to hundreds of young women. No
young woman is allowed to graduate from Clark
University, from any course, without knowledge
of Domestic Science, and no young woman is al
lowed to graduate without spending her senior
year in residence in the Thayer Home. A number
of young women thus trained have gone to Africa
as Missionaries, and the wives of Missionaries.
Credit should also be given to Bishop Warren for
the emphasis placed on the necessity of industrial
training for the youth. It was under his direction
that a little carpenter's shop and blacksmith shop
were called into existence. From this as a nucleus
was envolved that trades department which at
tracted the attention of Dr. Atticus G. Haygood.
at that time agent of the Slater Board. This man,
generous, sympathetic, with a heart large enough
to include all mankind, and with an ardent desire
for the prosperity of the "New South," wished to
see in Atlanta a large industrial school that would
be an object lesson to the whole South; but such
a school he wished to see connected with a large
literary institution as a part of it ; for Dr. Haygood
believed in the education of the whole man. Hence
it was through the influence of Dr. Haygood that
the Slater Board was led to give to Clark Univer
sity for several years, for its industrial department,
an annual appropriation of five thousand dollars.
With the withdrawal of this appropriation the in
terest in the department waned. The building in
which the industries were conducted is now the
home of the Science department. This building
was the gift of Mr. Stephen Ballard. of Brooklyn.
N. Y.. for whom it was named. The University
was named for Bishop D. W. Clark, who shortly
after the close of the War visited this section and
organized the work of the church.
Clark University has had many Presidents. Any
information needed now with a reference to the
school may be had by addressing President Harry
Andrew King.
THOMAS W. FLEMING, LL. B.
HOMAS W. Fleming was born on
May 13th, 1874, in Mercer, Mer
cer County, Pennsylvania. He
commenced earning money in
early life. First he worked on
the farm where he labored for a
while and then went to the city. He located in
Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he became a news
boy, and a shoeblack. While pursuing his work he
attended the Common school and High School and
received a fairly good education. In 1892 he left
Meadville and went to Cleveland, Ohio. Here he
entered a barber shop and followed his trade as a
barber for twelve years. His aspirations rose
higher than the barber shop, and he decided to en
ter the profession of law.
At the age of twenty-five he entered the Cleve
land Law School and took up the study of law.
Having put his hand to the plow he did not turn
back until he had accomplished his purpose. He
was graduated from Baldwin, Wallace College, with
356
the degree of LL. B., in 1906, passed the Ohio Bar
examination the same year and started to practice
law in Cleveland, Ohio. His interest in civic mat
ters led him into politics and he became active in
municipal political affairs. In 1907 he was nomi
nated by the Republicans of Cleveland, as Coun
cilman at Large, being defeated with his ticket. In
1909 he was again nominated for Councilman at
Large and was elected, being the first Colored man
to ever occupy a seat in the City Council of Cleve
land. In 1911 he was again nominated for Coun
cilman at Large, but was defeated with the bal
ance of the Republican ticket. In 1914 he was ap
pointed as Deputy State Oil Inspector, by Gover
nor Frank B. Willis. In 1915. Mr. Fleming was
nominated over five white opponents for Coun
cilman of Ward Eleven (11),) and was elected,
being the first Colored man to ever represent a
Ward in the City Council of Cleveland. In 1917,
he was again nominated and elected to the City
Council from his Ward and is now serving his third
term as member of that body. He is a member of
several of its most important committees. This
action of the citizens of Cleveland in placing Mr.
Fleming in the Council and of that body in plac
ing him upon its most important committees is
stronger testimony than mere words of his ability
and worth as a leader in municipal affairs.
Mr. Fleming is Congregational in his church af
filiation, and is connected with one of the leading
Congregational churches of Cleveland. He is so
cial in his disposition and is connected with several
of the Clubs. He is a member of the Tippecanoe
Club, The Western Reserve Club, and is President
of the Attucks Club. He is a member of and ex-
President of The Cleveland Association of Colo
red Men, a member of the local branch of the Na
tional Association for the Advancement of Colored
People, and a director in several business concerns.
Mr. Fleming is a man of family and lives in a
beautiful home at 2342 East 40th Street with his
wife and three sons. Here he finds sweet comfort
and rest from the heavy burdens of professional
and civic duties. While devoting his energy of
brain to his work he has not been unmindful of the
future, when advanced age will weaken his efforts,
and is making provision for that period of his life.
He has already accumulated a nice property, which
he hopes to add to as the days go by.
j- -
• **•*•
VIEW OF LINCOLN INSTITU TE— JEFFERSON CITY, MO.
INCOLN Institute is one of the
few State schools, if not the only
one, to owe its origin to the con
tribution of Negroes. Shortly af
ter the Civil War, the soldiers of
the Sixty-second and Sixty-fifth
Regiments of the United States Colored Infantry
contributed a fund of $6,379.00 to establish a Negro
school in the State of Missouri.
The Board of Trustees was organized on June
eighth, and incorporated on the twenty-fifth of
the same month, 1866. In the same year on the
seventeenth of September school opened.
The first President of Lincoln Institute was Rich
ard Baxter Foster, of Hanover, N. H. He was born
October 25, 1826, and died April 26, 1901. He was
the first and only white president of Lincoln Insti
tute.
"The Legislature of 1879 appropriated $15,000
for the support of the Institute, provided $5,000
should be applied to the payment of its indebted
ness. This appropriation was contained in the gen
eral appropriation bill, and was a grant to a cor
poration managing a charity.
The school could not accept the money, however,
till the board met and transferred the entire school
property to the State. Since that time the school
has been the State School for the Colored people of
Missouri.
The main building was destroyed by fire on the
first of August, 1894, but was soon replaced by a
far more commodious structure, for the erection of
which the Legislature appropriated the sum of
$40,000.
Since then the Legislature has appropriated at
different times money to erect a dormitory for
young men, one for the young women and a cen
tral heating plant.
Lincoln Institute has a high school department, a
normal department, a college department, a pre
paratory department, departments of mechanical
industries, a musical department, a model school,
and a farm.
Dr. Inman Page was for eighteen years at the
head of this School. Under him sat some of the
men who are now men of importance in the State
of Missouri, and of other States. Among those
who have gone out from Lincoln might be men
tioned Dr. A. Wilberforce Williams of Chicago.
He is a physician of note, and has made a place for
himself in the medical world. Dr. I. T. Vernon is
another man who received training in Lincoln In
stitute, Dr. Vernon was at one time Registrar of
the Treasury of the United States. He is one of
the most brilliant of the sons who have gone forth
from Lincoln.
Following Dr. Page, Dr. B. F. Allen was at the
head of the school for a period of sixteen years.
Dr. Allen resigned his post in 1918, and accepted
the Presidency of Turner College, in Tennessee.
Clement Richardson, the editor of this work, is
the present President of Lincoln Institute. Since
he took charge in June, of 1918, President Richard
son has taken a firm hold of the situation at the
school, and is trying to re-shape its policies to fit
the needs and wants of the people of Missouri. For
the first time in the history of the school the farm
is in the control of the school authorities for edu
cational purposes. Prior to President Richardson's
administration, the farm was under a white man,
and only a small part of the land was given the
school for the teaching of gardening. For the first
time in seventeen years the College department is
once more open. It is the purpose of the present
President to build up a strong college course lead
ing to the A. B. Degree.
357
Isaac Fisher
HE University Editor at Fisk Un
iversity, Mr. Isaac Fisher, holds
a rather unique position in the list
of persons who have attracted
public attention because of unu
sual services rendered the public.
In the first place, although not a college grad
uate, he holds one of the most responsible posi
tions in Fisk University, that of Editor of the
school's official organ — "Fisk University News,"
and of all the publications of the University. The
way Mr. Fisher came to be called to such a posi
tion is the story of his public services for his race.
He was graduated from the Tuskegee Institute,
Alabama, in 1898, after having won the admira
tion of the late Dr. Booker T. Washington for his
persistence in working to pay his education, and
for his great ability as a speaker. As soon as Mr.
Fisher received his diploma, Dr. Washington sent
him to the Schofield School in Aiken, South Caro
lina, to teach in the class-room and to organize
conferences of farmers in that State ; called him
from this position to present the cause of the Tus
kegee Institute in New England ; transferred him
from the East, upon Mr. Fisher's request, to or
ganize farmers' conferences for Tuskegee, in Ala
bama ; and, to meet an emergency call for an able
disciplinarian, sent him to fill out an unexpired
term of principal of Swayne High School, in Mont
gomery, Alabama. Mr. Fisher was re-elected to
this position at the close of the short term for
which he had been elected, only to find that Dr.
Washington, asked to name a man to go to Arkan
sas to become President of the State Agricultural
and Mechanical College for Negroes, at Pine Bluff
— "A man who is without fear and thoroughly pro
gressive," had recommended him for the place. Al
though but twenty-five years of age, Mr. Fisher
accepted the call.
He held this position for nine years — from 1902
to 1911 — giving the school new dignity and stand
ard; but he resigned in 1911. It was while he was
at the head of this school that the country discov
ered that he was an essayist of the first rank. In
a series of essay contests open to the entire na
tion, Mr. Fisher began taking the highest prize in
each case. The subject made no difference — he
generally succeeded in writing the best essay on
the subject given. For example, when Missouri
358
wished to have drafted the "Ten Best Reasons
Why Persons Should Go to Missouri" Mr. Fisher
gave the best reasons although he had never even
passed through the State. When Everybody's
Magazine wanted to have the last word about the
liquor question, Mr. Fisher gave that last word,
although he has always been a total abstainer from
alchoholic drinks.
Thirty or more times he won in these nation
wide contests and the colored people of the coun
try began to see that he was in his quiet way dem
onstrating the possibilities of the Negro mind to
all the people of the earth.
In 1914, the Tuskegee Institute called him back
again to become the first editor of "The Negro
Farmer;" and he had made this journal take a
commanding position in its field when the newly-
elected President of Fisk University, Dr. Fayette
Avery McKenzie, who had been watching Mr. Fish
er's literary career for several years, called him
to become University Editor at Fisk. It was a
bold step to take; but Dr. Washington had been
willing to say over his signature in Everybody's
Magazine, that if a position required tact, ability,
fearlessness and devotion, he never hesitated to
recommend Mr. Fisher for it, knowing that if he
were not the equal of some others, when he accept
ed the work, within a short time he would fully
qualify for the tasks given him. And, so, Dr. Mc
Kenzie took the risk of calling this young writer-
educator to his present work.
In his position at Fisk University, Mr. Fisher
has justified Dr. Washington's estimate and Dr.
McKenzie's judgment, for his editorials in the Fisk
University News attracted national attention from
the first, and that magazine is recognized as one
of the constructive forces of journalism because ot
the national outlook which its editor takes; and
as a professor at Mt. Holyoke College remarks, "It
is the one college journal which is of interest to
persons outside of college circles." In addition to
his other duties at Fisk, Mr. Fisher gives instruc
tion in argumentation, and under his direction,
Fisk's debating teams have der€tope<l astonishing
strength in intercollegiate debating contests.
Mr. Fisher was married in 1901, to Miss Sallie
A. McCann, of Birmingham, Alabama .and has one
daughter, Constance. At forty, he is one of the
quiet and effective workers of his clay.
Fisk---Past, Present and Future
FISK— PAST
At a time when all Americans were not 'agreed
that the colored people in the United States had
sufficient mental capacity to profit by any formal
education above the most elementary grades, the
American Missionary Association founded in the
City of Nashville, Tennessee, a school for Freed-
men, under the exalted name of Fisk University, a
school which was to become "in time a first class
college" — a great university that should adequately
provide for the newly emancipated people and their
descendants forever the advantages of Christian
education, to whatever extent the capacity and
energy of the race should in the future demand.
On January 9, 1866, this University of "faith"
was formally opened in an old Government hospi
tal building — a frame shanty.
When the complete story of Fisk University is
told, the facts following will not be forgotten :
The University was founded by a religious organ
ization, which has distinguished itself for the brave
Fight it has made for the highest interests of
the colored race ; one of the two men who were
sent in 1865 to select a site for the new school —
Rev. E. M. Cravath — was a Soldier; the Universi
ty was opened in hospital buildings and on land
which had been used by Soldiers ; Fisk was
named for a Soldier, Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, then
chief of the Freedmen's Bureau for Tennessee and
through whose efforts and interest the buildings
and the ground on which they stood were turned
over to the A. M. A., for the school; and, finally,
the first President and the great outstanding figure
in the history of Fisk University, Dr. Erastus Milo
Cravath, was a Soldier.
If these facts possess no significance out of the
ordinary, it remains true, nevertheless, that Fisk
from the first, Has Fought — Is Fighting Still for
the very highest standards of scholarship and char
acter, in the face of persistent efforts, some
times open and oft-times concealed, to reduce these
standards for colored people below those demand
ed by and for the white race.
JUBILEE SINGERS. At one time of darkness
and doubt, it was decided to close the "Univer
sity ;" but a few brave souls thought otherwise.
Head of this small number was Professor George
L. White, teacher of Music, who conceived the
plan of training a body of students to sing the
slave songs of their fathers before such bodies as
would hear them, in tin- hope that friends might
thereby be raised up for the school. It was a
daring project, no precedent being known for
359
such a course ; and it was only because Professor
White could not be made to see the obstacles in
the way nor to give weight to the objections of
his friends that the tour was finally begun. With
practically no funds against heavy odds and in
the face of prophecies of failure, Professor White,
with his unmovable faith in the future of the col
ored people and the providence of God, left the
University in 1871, carrying with him the little
group of students whom he had trained in song.
Thus was begun the work of the famous "Jubilee
Singers," who first brought the folk songs of the
colored people to the attention of the world. Tour
ing New England and Great Britian, they earned
enough money to purchase the present site of the
University and to erect its first building, Jubilee
Hall.
PRESIDENTS. From its beginning until 1875, the
School and University were under the charge of
Prof. John Ogden (1866-1870) and Prof. A. K.
Spence (1870-1875). Under Prof. Spence began
the real development of the college work of the
University.
In 1875, Dr. E. M. Cravath was elected President
of the University. Simple justice demands the
statement that he stamped Fisk with its present
high ideals, and under his guidance was builded the
visible university as well as the one "not made with
hands." Of the eleven buildings comprising the
school, eight were erected during his administra
tion. He was a soldier and statesman with the
type of courage needed to build and defend a school
of highest standards for an unpopular race at a
time when a member of the white race who was
identified with such a work paid a bitter, bitter
price.
President Cravath fell asleep in 1900. He was
succeeded by President James G. Merrill, in 1901.
Gentle, loving, and lovable, he took up the work of
his great predecessor and prosecuted it with the
same faith as had moved the founders. Three new
buildings were added during his Presidency. He
resigned his work in 1908, and was succeeded in
1909 by Dr. Geo. A. Gates. On account of ill health
this splendid scholar and executive remained but
a short time with the University — from 1909 to
1912. Fisk's present executive, Fayette Avery Mc-
Kenzie, Ph. D., LL. D., was elected in 1915. Dr.
McKenzie is a close student of social questions and
a man thoroughly saturated with the ideals which
have made Fisk University synonymous with cul
ture — with the higher education of the colored
people in the United States.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF FISK CAMPUS— FISK UNIVERSITY
FISK— PRESENT
WHAT FISK IS. "Fisk University," to quote
President McKenzie, "is the symbol, the corporate
realization of education and culture for the Negro
race in the South." The United States Commis
sioner of Education, Dr. Philander P. Claxton, said,
recently, that Fisk "is a great national institution,"
and that the ten millions of colored people in the
United States "look to Fisk University very
largely for the leadership that will enable them to
develop in all of their lines."
Stated in more concrete terms, Fisk is the sec
ond largest arts college for colored people in the
world. Its faculty, taken from the best schools of
the United States, numbers 40; and it has upward
of 560 students in all departments. The school
owns thirty-five acres of land, fourteen buildings,
including Jubilee Hall for Women ; Livingstone
and Bennett Halls for men ; Chase Hall for Science ;
Fisk Memorial Chapel; Daniel Hand Training
School ; Carnegie Library ; a Gymnasium and
Workshop; and Magnolia Cottage for the Music
Department.
In the past the College has offered four courses
of study, all leading to the degree of BACHELOR
OF ARTS, i, e., classical, scientific, education, and
home economics. But the requirements have now
been so liberalized that those who desire may spe
cialize along with the fixed requirements essential
to general culture, in practically any subject they
may choose.
In the Graduate Department courses are offered
leading to the degree of MASTER OF ARTS. Many
360
of the best northern colleges accept Fisk students,
class for class, on a parity with their own.
Fisk's major work has been the training of
teachers, but she has sent a host of graduates into
practically all of the learned professions.
The Department of Music at Fisk has been and
still remains of such a character that the Univer
sity has come to be recognized as the leading con
servatory of music for colored people in the whole
country. A large number of the most successful
musical artists of the race received their training
in this department.
FISK— FUTURE
President McKenzie thus defines the ideals for
the future : "We are working every year to reach
the best standards of scholarship. But we are not
content with mere book learning. Character is
still the first object of the University. Honesty,
truthfulness, morality, and economy are constantly
urged upon the students. As of old, so now it is
and in the future it will be that "Fisk Stands for
Mind, for Life, for Divinity, and for Eternity."
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT FISK
Under the brief administration of the present
President, Dr. McKenzie, there has been maintain
ed the best traditions of the past, and new steps of
considerable importance have been taken. The
plant, by reason of lack of funds, had for many
years remained without adequate repairs. Through
the generosity of the General Education Board and
the Carnegie Corporation, and a number of other
friends, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF FISK CAMPUS FLSK UNIVERSITY
dollars was made available in the summer of 1917.
This money made possible the installation of a
modern and efficient central heating plant, located
upon a spur of the railroad, thus providing coal
without the cost of hauling by wagon. The build
ings were wired for electricity, which replaced the
old kerosene lamps in lighting the dormitories.
Practically all the floors of the main buildings were
relaid in hard wood, and the walls and ceilings
were repaired and repainted in beautiful tan
shades. Student toilet and bathing facilities of the
most modern approved type were installed on every
floor of all the dormitories. With these improve
ments the University plant was put into unusually
splendid condition.
During the same period of time the University
has taken over the house known as the Waterman
house, has purchased four acres of land upon which
there stood three buildings, once the property of
the Nashville Institute and has bought a little house
and some adjoining land, in order to provide a right
of way for the pipe lines connecting the campus
with the power plant on the railroad track. One
of the three buildings purchased from the Nashville
Institute has been turned into a teachers' dormi
tory, where a very considerable number of our
teachers are given very comfortable quarters. Not
only are there dormitorv rooms, but there are one
or more general assembly rooms, a dining room, a
kitchen, and a small laundry. Another of the houses
has been turned into a two-apartment house. The
third has been converted into a modern laundry,
equipped with electrically run machinery, and sup
plied with hot water from the central heating
361
plant. The removal of the boilers and laundry
from Jubilee Hall has made that building far safer
and has opened up new spaces for additional ac
tivities in that building. The girls have a splendid
little laundry for themselves, the music depart
ment has at least seven additional music rooms in
the basement, and a large recreation-study hall has
been provided for the girls. In the kitchen there
has been placed five new ranges ; a dishwashing
machine, and a number of other modern conven
iences. The kitchen and diningroom are thorough
ly clean, and every precaution is taken to protect
the health of the students.
New offices have been provided for the Presi
dent, and for the registrar, and thus the adminis
trative details of the University have been made
much easier to handle.
All these changes have been, in a way and to a
large degree, merely the background and founda
tion for the more important work of the Univer
sity. Once the physical foundation has been thor
oughly provided, the attention of the administra
tion was turned to developments of a more imme
diate educational character. Already a number of
very important changes have been made. The work
of physical education has been very greatly
changed and enlarged. The University believes that
health is a prerequisite for good mental effort, and
also believes that regular, systematic exercise in
the gymnasium and on the campus will not be an
encroachment upon the time for study, but a means
of increasing the efficiency and enlarging the pro
duct of mental effort. It is hoped to place all the
physical and athletic activities upon the highest
standards which modern thought can suggest. The
standards of the best institutions of the world are
the standards which Fisk aims to establish and
maintain. Nothing less than the best is satisfac
tory to the University.
One of the most important changes of the recent
years has been the new emphasis placed upon the
monthly publication of the University. The Fisk
News, under the editorship of Mr. Isaac Fisher,
has made a splendid national reputation for itself
and for the University.
Increased variety of subjects for study has also
marked the policy of President McKenzie. New
courses have been added in Greek, in history, in
modern languages, in social science, in physics, in
chemistry, in agriculture, in manual training, in
music and in various other lines. In order to get the
most benefit out of such a wide range of electives
the University has adopted a scheme of majors, by
which each student is allowed and requred to con
centrate to the extent of one-fourth, or possibly to
even one-third, of his full four years, upon one sub
ject or specially related group of subjects. In ad
dition, he is required to take a certain range of sub
jects which will assure him a liberal point of view
Every effort is being made to standardize the me
thods of marking among the various teachers, so
that full credit — and uniform credit — shall be given
to the work of all students in every department.
In the crisis years of the war, Fisk has not failed
to play its part among the institutions of the coun
try. Early after the declaration of war with Ger
many telegrams went from the University offering
the services of the students. Since that time more
than one hundred alumni, former students and stu
dents of the present year, have volunteered or been
drafted into the army of the republic. Many of
them are already in France ; some of them may al
ready have taken part on the battle line. Among
them, there is one major, in the medical service ;
several captains, many first lieutenants, and still
more in other official positions. In fact, there are
very few who have been at Fisk who remain pri
vates very long after entering military service.
The training which they have secured in the Uni
versity has prepared them for larger service even
in the army.
In contributions of money to the Army Y. M. C.
A., to the Red Cross, to Armenian Relief, Fisk has
not failed to show its loyalty in large degree.
Thrift stamps have been purchased in large num
bers and the faculty, and some students, have pur
chased liberally of Liberty Bonds. The girls and
women have not forgotten that even knitting can
be made a patriotic service.
The University has not forgotten that it can
serve by sacrifice of its own working force. It
has sent into the army, and into the 'various war
362
work activities, a considerable proportion of its
teaching force. Mr. Dexter Lutz is in the Avia
tion Corps, Dr. L. E. Welker in the Medical Corps
in France ; Professor A. F. Shaw is a Y. M. C. A.
Secretary with the Portugese ; Professor J. W.
Chambers a Y. M. C. A. Secretary with the Irish
in Ireland; Professors J. N. Haskell and G. D. Yoa-
kum in Y. M. C. A. work in France; Professor
Messenger and Professor Belsinger are among the
drafted men in camp. Dr. George E. Haynes has
been lent to the government for the period of the
war, as Director of Negro Economics and Advisor
to the Secretary of Labor, on the question of Ne
gro Labor and Negro migration, thus providing
one of the most important national services any
one of the 'Negro race could possibly render. The
Jubilee Singers, who are travelling on the road,
have given without price, of their time and services
that the soldiers of the various camps scattered
over the country might enjoy their singing for an
evening.
The last service which the government has asked
— and one which the University was glad to render
— was to open the campus as a receiving, or con
centration, cam]) for six hundred soldiers for the
period of mobilization. This plan has meant the
giving over to the army of practically three of the
buildings of the University ; it has meant the feed
ing of six hundred soldiers in the dining room
where formerly less than three hundred students
were ordinarily fed ; it has meant the putting of all
our male students in one building where formerly
they occupied two ; it has meant crowding to a
very unusual degree ; it has meant the limitation of
activities of the University life in many respects.
It has all been done gladly, that the University
might serve with her fellow institutions in what
ever way would contribute to the success of the
great struggle which the allied nations are now
waging for the liberty of the world.
All these things suggest clearly the fact that
Fisk University, which started at the close of the
great Civil War, which was in some senses the
outcome of that War, has labored in season and
out of season for half a century so that she might
be prepared to render a new service — a large one
—to the nation and to the world, in a new war of
larger significance to the liberties of mankind
Fisk hopes to continue to fight for liberty ,not
long upon the battlefields of military force, but for
ever in the arena where the struggle is made for
the liberty of the mind. Fisk will always struggle
for that "truth which shall make men free," and
which shall make not only men free, but races free,
and nations, and which shall establish peace on
earth as it is also in Heaven.
Written for year 1917-1918.
CHARLES VICTOR ROMAN, A. M., M. D., PH. D.,
LL. D.
HOEVER has heard the resonant
voice of C. V. Roman, A. M., M.
D., LL. D., sound from pulpit or
platform, dropping now a classical
allusion, now bits of history, now
logic, would never set him down
as the great eye, ear, nose and
throat specialist of the Meharry
Medical College. It would be thought that he had
given days and nights to the study of the poets and
philosophers rather than to the ailments of the deli
cate organs of the human body.
Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1864.
Dr. Roman migrated to Ontario, Canada when but
eight years of age. His mother, a Canadian, was
the daughter of a fugitive slave. His father also
anticipated Lincoln's proclamation by more than a
score of years.
Dr. Roman attended the Ontario public schools,
graduating from the Hamilton Collegiate Institute,
of Hamilton, Ontario. Then he returned to the
United States to make his way in the world. He
planned to enter the medical profession, but means
were lacking to pursue his course. He turned aside
and taught school in Kentucky and Tennessee, in
both of which states he taught on his first grade
licenses. He then enrolled as a student of medicine
in Meharry Medical College receiving the degree of
M. D. in 1890.
• The same year he opened office in Clarksville,
Tennessee, where he remained three years and was
successful from the outset. He removed to Texas,
where he continued his practice for eleven years.
In 1904 he was called to Meharry to accept the
chair of instruction in eye, ear, nose and throat dis
eases. Here as a professor and specialist in his
subject he has remained, teaching, practicing and
delivering popular lectures, working in the church
and joining energetically in uplift work of every
kind for the race.
He is one of the strongest laymen in the A. M. E.
Church, and wherever members of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church are assembled in large
numbers, there will you find Dr. Roman, making-
addresses and joining in counsel. He is a member
of the Southern Sociological Congress and has ad
dressed that body on nearly every occasion of its
gathering.
To satisfy a youthful ambition, he studied at Fisk
University and gained the degree of Master of
Arts, in philosophy and history. He took post
graduate courses in Chicago, in Philadelphia and in
London, England. On his accepting the chair at
Meharry Medical College in 1904, Paul Quin Col
lege honored him with the degree of Ph. D., and
seven years later, in 1911, Wilberforce University
conferred the degree of LL. D.
He has been, three times, a delegate to the Gen
eral Conference of his church. He was delegate to
the Ecumenical Conference of Methodism which
met in Toronto, Canada, in 1911, and was widely
credited as making the ablest address of the occas"-
ion. In 1903 he was elected president of the Na
tional Medical Association and in!909 was one of
the founders of the National Medical Journal, of
which he is still editor-in-chief. He has been hon
ored as the guest of the medical societies of Phila
delphia, New York, Chicago, New Orleans and Dal
las, Tex. ; and the invited guest of the State Asso
ciations of New Jersey, Alabama, Mississippi,
South Carolina, Georgia and Texas. He is the au
thor of "American Civilization and the Negro," the
most comprehensive work of the kind written by a
Negro. He is a prominent Odd Fellow and Knight
of Pythias and a man much traveled in America
and in Europe.
He is one of the advisors and associate editors of
these pages, one whose advice and good judgment
are highly prized on all social and racial questions.
Dr. Roman was married to Miss Margaret Lee
Voorhees of Columbia, Tennessee, in 1891. The
family lives in Nashville, surrounded by a host of
friends and admirers.
Intellectual pursuits and altruistic efforts engage
his mind so completely that he has but little
room for the consideration of material things. He
is, however, a good provider though he has accum
ulated but little of the world's goods. Having no
children, and with a mind centered upon the wel
fare of others the incentive to save was not strong
in him.
Dr. Roman has been one of the strongest per
sonalities in America so far as influencing the re
ligious life of young Negro professional men, by
thousands of whom in every part of the new World
he is sincerely loved.
363
WILLIAMS HAYNES, B. TH., D. D.
PEAKING of the good deeds of
Dr. William Haynes on the occa
sion of his election as correspond
ing secretary of the Sunday-
school Publishing Board of the
National Baptist Convention, Dr.
Sutton E. Griggs says— "As a worker, the Rev. Mr.
Haynes has been a success in his personal and
public undertakings. He has massed some amount
of property for himself and he did this in a thor
oughly open and honest way by unceasing labor
and strict economy.
On the east bank of the Cumberland river, just
North of the city of Nashville, situated on a high
ground, you will see some of the finest brick build
ings to be found anywhere in the South. Here
stands Roger Williams University. Some years
ago, this school located elsewhere, was burned. Jts
rise from the ashes and its journey to the present
location and stage of development, are to be at
tributed in a large measure, to the firmness, en
ergy and integrity of Rev. William Haynes, another
founder of Roger Williams University. This is
high praise for any one man and such praise stands
as a substantial monument to so hard a worker as
Rev. Haynes. The beauty of his service to Roger
Williams was that he was doing all this for his
Alma Mater, discharging a moral debt, which all
men feel toward the school which <>'ave them a
364
grip on things. Dr. Haynes graduated from the
Normal Department of Roger Williams University
in 1889, and the Theological Department in 1899.
He did not wait until his graduation to begin
preaching the Gospel, but started preaching as
early as 1881. Unlike many ministers, Rev. Haynes
has been a sticker.
He has been in Nashville for more than 20 years.
He has spent most of his time pasturing two or
three churches. Two of the churches he really
built and for that purpose, he raised a total amount
of $15,000, and he stood by each of these churches
until they were freed of debt. While engaged in
church work, his heart was also in Roger Williams.
He is the chairman of the Trustee Board of Roger
Williams University, and when he was Educational
Secretary, he paid $10,000.00 for the new site of
that institution. This Dr. Haynes considers as the
principal episode in his life.
As Secretary of the Sunday School Publishing
Board, Dr. Haynes is doing a good work in trying
to hold together the Baptists of the country. He
also served as pastor of the old celebrated Spruce
Street Baptist Church, and is now serving as pas
tor of the Sylvan Street Baptist Church.
In 1890, Dr. Haynes was married to Miss Anna
R. Wilson, of Davidson County, Tenn. Dr. and
Mrs. Haynes have a large family of happy sons
and they all show the early training received in a
good Christian home. One of his sons, Rev. J. C.
Haynes, is a teacher as well as a minister. Ano
ther son. W. H. Haynes, is a professor in More-
house College, Atlanta, Ga. The younger sons
are students.
In conclusion, Dr. Haynes is a man who has done
a great deal of traveling over the country as Edu
cational Secretary of Roger Williams, and his
name will never die. He leaves too great a monu
ment behind him and especially will he be remem
bered by Roger Williams University.
THE TRUSTEES OF ROGER WILLIAMS
UNIVERSITY
On the thirteenth day of February, 1883, the
Nashville Normal and Theological Institute was
incorporated under the laws of the State of Tenn
essee, as Roger Williams University. The follow
ing are the trustees in 1918 and 1919, Win. Haynes,
B. Th., D. D., who is at this writing the chairman of
the Board and was efficient in re-establishing New
Roger Williams University after the burning of
"Old Roger," and made the first payment of ten
thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for the site. Dr. G.
H. Bandy is the Secretary of the Trustee Board
and one of the most proficient practitioneers in
medical profession. He is also an alumnus of
Roger Williams University, who has given much
of his valuable time to the University. A. B. Hill,
INMAN E. PAGE, A. M., A. B., LL. D.
Esq., (white), has been of great help to the Uni
versity, as he is one of the leading business men of
the city of Nashville. Dr. J. B. Singleton, now
President of the Peoples Savings Bank and Trust
Co., and one of the leading dentists in the City of
Nashville, has deep interest in the University, and
he has shown a willingness to be on hand at all of
the meetings to advise as his experience would al
low him. Rev. A. D. Hurt, D. D., is Superintend
ent of Missions in Tennessee, and is doing much to
make the University a success. Dr. A. M. Town-
send, A. B., is the Ex-President of the University.
He, having resigned last year, was among the most
proficient presidents that the University has ever
had. He is now pastor of the Metropolitan Bap
tist Church, in Memphis, Tenn. As an educator,
he is splendid; as a pastor he is kind, as a Gospel
preacher, he is effective. He did much to bring
Roger Williams University upon a level with other
schools of its kind.
E. M. Lawrence, B. Th., D. D., is an alumnus of
Roger Williams University, and is among the old
est trustees of the University. He, having been
elected long before "old Roger" burned, was in
strumental in creating enthusiasm among the con
stituents of the Baptist denomination. After the
365
burning of the University, as he was superinten
dent of Missions at that time, he gave Rev. Haynes
who was President of the Missionary and Educa
tional Baptist Convention at that time, substantial
help. Rev. A. O. Kenney, B. Th., D. D., is also an
alumnus of the University who has been about the
University for thirty odd years as a teacher. He
has been a great asset to the success of the school.
Dr. Chas. A. McMurry, A. M., Ph. D., (white), is
a teacher at Peabody who came to us recently and
is intensely interested in the education of the Ne
gro. Rev. Peter Vetrees, D. D., is one of the oldest
teachers of Sumner County. He taught thirty odd
years in Gallatin. Tenn., the county seat of the
above named county. Rev. Rufus W. Weaver, Th.
D., D. D., resigned. Dr. H. M. Green. Ph. D., of
Knoxville, Tenn.. is one of the leading physicians
of that city, and a staunch friend to "Roger Wil
liams University." B. J. Carr, Esq., of Nashville,
Tenn., is a farmer of enormous capacity, having
owned two or three farms and success has attended
him as such. He has the courage of his convic
tion, contending what he believes to be right. He
is loyal to Roger Williams University, and believes
in the rights of the Trustee Board.
A STATEMENT CONCERNING THE LIFE AND
WORK OF PROF. JOHNSON BY MRS. ANNA
R. HAYNES.
Prof. J. W. Johnson, first president of new
Roger Williams University ,was born in Columbia,
Tenn., June 23, 1863. After receiving his public
school education in Columbia, he entered Roger
Williams University, in September, 1882, under Dr.
Daniel Phillips, first President of Roger Williams
University.
He graduated from the Classical Department in
May, 1889, receiving an A. B. degree. He was an
energetic young man and taught in the rural schools
during his vacation and in that way, helped himself
through school. After he had completed his grad
uation, he taught two years in Hopkinsville, Ky.
While there without any solicitation on his part, he
was elected as a Professor in Roger Williams Uni
versity, which place he held with credit to himself
for eight years. During his vacation, he spent a
deal of his time in county institutes helping to pre
pare teachers for their work.
From 1900 to 1907, he was principal of the pub
lic school, at Martin, Tenn., and while there he or
ganized the Educational Congress of West Tennes
see. This great work gave him prestige with tin-
teachers of the State of Tennessee, and especially
the alumni of Roger Williams University, which
caused him to be elected as the first President of
the new Roger Williams University, in 1905. He
willingly came on the scene under very discourag
ing features and made a great success out of what
many of his friends thought an impossibility. But
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF ROGER V/ILLIAMS UNIVERSITY
he had won the hearts of the alumni of Roger Wil
liams University, and many of the best friends,
both white and colored, and especially Dr. More-
house, who was at that time corresponding secre
tary of the American Baptist Home Mission So
ciety. With the unfaltering confidence in these
friends, he and four other teachers entered Roger
Williams University. As they labored, the school
grew in number from four teachers and thirty-
eight students in 1907, to twelve teachers and one
hundred eighty students in 1913.
The property of the school at that time was val
ued at $10,000.00, and rose to $65.000.00. The girls'
building was completed and is now called Phillips
Hall. Many other improvements were added dur
ing the presidency of Prof. Johnson.
DR. INMAN EDWARD PAGE
In August 1918, the Board of Trustees of Roger
Williams University elected as President of that
Institution, Dr. Intnan Edward Page, then Presi
dent of Western College, Macon, Mo. This elect
ion was the result of the resignation of Rev. A. M.
Townsend, who had been at the head of the insti
tution the past five years, and who had resigned to
accept the pastorate of the Metropolitan Baptist
Church, of Memphis, Tenn.
The Board of Trustees was fortunate indeed to
secure the services of a man so able as Dr. Page,
a man of a broad and ripe experience bringing to
the University an experience of forty years in edu
cational work. Dr. Page is not only a man of edu
cation, but is an educator, a fact well attested by
his Alma Mater, Brown University, in conferring
upon him in May, 1918, the honorary degree of
Master of Arts, in recognition of his services in his
chosen field of labor. Dr. Page had long since re
ceived in cursu this degree from his Alma Mater.
But this last act of honor was given in true recog
nition of his long and imminent service as an edu
cator, and at a time when honorary degrees were
conferred upon Senator Henry Cabet Lodge, Presi
dent William A. Neilson and many other distin
guished men.
At the time this honor was conferred upon him.
The Evening Bulletin, Providence, R. I., had this
to say : "Inman Edward Page was graduated from
Brown University, with the class of 1877, receiving
366
the degree of A. B., and A. M.. upon completing
his course. At Commencement he was chosen by
his class to be class orator.
In the Fall of 1877. he became a teacher at Natchez
Seminary, Natchez, Miss. Soon after he was called
to become Vice President of Lincoln Institute, Jef
ferson City, Mo. At the end of two years in that
position, he was made President and was at the
head of the institution which is the State institu
tion of Missouri, for the collegiate, normal and in
dustrial education of the Negro for 18 years. In
1898, Mr. Page became President of the Agricultu
ral and Normal University, at Langston. Okla. He
was there for seventeen years, resigning to become
head of the Western College, at Macon, Mo.
Dr. Page had been previously honored twice, the
degree of Doctor of Law having been conferred
upon him by Howard University and Wilberforce
University. Thus it will be seen that Roger Wil
liams has before it a bright future, having at its
head an upright and Christian gentleman, and a
man of broad experience in matters in general, but
particularly in matters educational.
DR. A. M. TOWNSEND— AS PRESIDENT OF ROGER
WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY
It is said in speaking of Jesus, John 21 :25 : "And
there are also many other things which Jesus did,
the which, if they should be written every one, I
suppose that even the world itself could not con
tain the books that should be written." I hope we
do not border upon sacrilege by our comparison
here, but these who have taken note of Dr. Town-
send's work and labor of love, as the efficient pres
ident of Roger Williams University, will agree that
it would require, at least, many books to contain
the deeds of daring, love and sacrifice during his
incumbency as President of Roger Williams Uni
versity.
Dr. Townsend was first a student of that insti
tution, and then an alumnus, and then a trustee,
and on he went, becoming President of that insti
tution in 1913.
After five years of arduous toil as President, he
retired from the scene, leaving a splendid faculty,
student body, president's mansion, and other ade
quate facilities, coupled with the love and esteem
of the Baptists of Tennessee.
MATHEW W. DOGAN, A. B., D. D.
OR the last quarter of a century
Mathew W. Dogan, President of
Wiley University, has been a con
spicuous figure in Negro educa
tion, and in the work of the Me
thodist Episcopal Church. He has
kept up a close relationship with all educational
movements, both in the church and in the secular
world, has been instrumental in bringing men and
women together from many various organizations,
and has, to keep himself fresh in school matters,
slipped away to attend summer schools whenever
he could spare the time.
Dr. Dogan was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi,
December 21st., 1863 His early years were spent
in want, so much so that any sort of education
seemed for a long time absolutely beyond his reach.
Such meagre educational advantages as his home
town offered he embraced, when he could spare
the time from the task of earning his bread. Dur
ing those days of hardship he worked at whatever
task he could find. For a time he was a boot-black
in his father's shop. The few pennies he gathered
here were put to a very practical use, not squan
dered as spending change. He had heard of Rust
367
University ,at Holly Springs, and was determined
to complete a course there. Thus the boot black
money was used to pay his way in this school.
He was not of those to be satisfied with a little
education, however. He wanted a college, as well
as preparatory course. Thus the finishing of the
one only gave thirst for the other. To stem the
tide of want he at one time engaged in the grocery
business. But the gods of merchandise would not
yield him the coveted crown of wealth and pros
perity, may be they knew he was marked for ano
ther career. When all seemed fair to succeed the
flames came and swept all away, his dreams of
wealth as well as his world's goods. With all his
struggling and economy he was not able to stem
the tide of circumstances in college. And so for
two years he bade his alma mater adieu. In the
interim he turned his undertakings to school teach
ing, at which he so well succeeded that he was able
to return to college and complete his course with
out further interrupt'on.
Clearly the President of Wiley was no mean pu
pil ; for in spite of money worry, in spite of inter
ruptions, he was graduated in the class of 1886,
from the full college course and what is more to
the point, at the head of his class. Wras he better
or worse for the hardships, for the interruptions,
for the concern over the money to defray his ex
penses?
It is one thing to win distinction as a scholar ;
it is quite another thing to win a place as a man
worthy to conduct classes and to take a hand in
the management of a college. Dr. Dogan had won
both of these distinctions in graduating from Rust
University. In the fall term following his grad
uation from Rust he was elected to a place on the
Rust University faculty, a place which he held for
the next five years. In 1891, he was elected as a
teacher of mathematics in the Central Tennessee
College, at Nashville. This institution is now Wai-
den. Five years later he was chosen President of
Wiley University, the position which he still holds.
Under Dr. Dogan's Administration many chang
es for the better have taken place in Wiley Uni
versity. While this is, of course a church school,
and while it is true that church leaders and classical
scholars are expected to come out of this and other
schools of a like character, yet Wiley, like many
other institutions, has so shaped its courses under
Dr. Dogan's presidency that it can meet the de
mands of modern times, as well as supply courses
for those who wish to pursue the more formal stu
dies for church and school. It has added science,
and those industrial phases which fit students for
a practical and immediately useful life. It has put
new life into its whole student body by lending all
possible encouragement to the various kinds of
MAIN BUILDING— WILEY UNIVERSITY
athletics and sports ; teaching that these features
are also very essential elements in modern life.
For all these more modern phases of adaption,
Wiley is very largely indebted to her President,
Dr. Dogan.
As -a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
Dr. Dogan is almost as active as he is in the school.
He belongs to the General and is a member of the
Board of Education of his church. This post he
has held for twelve years. In secret orders he is
a member of the Knights of Pythias. He has been
Prsident of the Texas State Teachers' Association,
and President of the National Association for
Teachers in Colored Schools. He is still active in
both of these bodies, being on the Executive com
mittee of the latter and a frequent attendant at
the meetings of the former. He has traveled very
extensively, having been into most of the States of
the Union, on pleasure and on educational tours.
Dr. Dogan was married to Miss Fannie F. Falk-
ner, of Memphis, Tenn.. in 1888. Dr. and Mrs.
Dogan have five children — four girls and one boy.
The oldest daughter attended Oberlin. but had to
drop out in her Junior year because of poor health.
The second daughter finished college at Wiley this
year. The other children are in the preparatory
course, at Wiley.
With all his handicaps at the outset, Dr. Dogan
has managed to accumulate a goodly share of the
world's goods. He now pays taxes on $7,000 worth
of property.
Of all the States of the South and Southwest,
Texas has the fairest record in good schools and
high educational standards for the Negro. Gal-
veston. Houston, Dallas, Beaumont, and many
other of the big cities of the State boast of the
High Schools ; schools with the best equipment and
the ablest teachers that can be found. Flanking
these all about the State are the colleges and nor
mal schools. The colleges are for the most part
fostered by denominational boards. The oldest of
these, oldest not only of Texas, but west of the
Mississippi, is Wiley University.
Wiley was founded by the Freedmen's Aid So
ciety, of the Methodist Church, in the year 1872.
It received its charter nine years later, in 1882. As
has been stated it is the oldest institution of col
lege grade open to Negroes west of the Mississ
ippi River. From its beginning it has carried a
good record for scholarship, sound business prin
ciples and clean religious teachings. During its
history of nearly fifty years it has graduated more
than five hundred students and has taught and in
fluenced and directed the lives of thousands of un
dergraduates. Some years ago the question as to
the standing and the rating of various Negro col
leges was widely discussed. Many of the so-called
colleges received the black eye. Not so with Wiley
University. Many experts from the North gave it
a high rating, and four state boards of education,
among which is Texas, placed her on the roll of
first class colleges.
368
CARNEGIE LIBRARY— WILEY UNIVERISTY
While the institution was begun as a University,
yet it lias so adjusted its courses to the needs of
the people and the times that a student may re
ceive a complete course for almost any career he
wishes to follow. Due to the early needs of the
people, Wiley opened, and continues to maintain,
a grammar school department and a college prep
aratory department. Thus one can enter at the
bottom of the intellectual ladder, and ascend all the
way through his college course.
In the college department are a classical course,
a course in Education, in Music and in Commerce.
Along with these Wiley maintains an industrial
course for girls. This course covers the various
forms of housekeeping, needle work, and many of
the handicrafts. These are all furnished by the
King Industrial Home, which is just across the
street from the University, and is under the direc
tion of the Woman's Ho'me Missionary Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
As her course has grown to meet the demands of
the times so have her buildings. Wiley University
riant consists of a Main Building, of the Pres
ident's Home, a Carnegie Library, two Recitation
Malls, a Science Hall, a Laundry, Coe Hall, which
is a dormitory, and four cottages, which are frame
structures. It carries a full nine months session,
has recitation periods of fifty minutes, and main
tains all the clubs, athletic teams, and debating ac
tivities common to the college of the first rank.
Three new buildings are to grace her campus next
year.
Having a faculty of moderate size, Wiley num
bers among her teachers men and women from
many of the leading institutions of the country.
369
Its staff numbers twenty-four teachers. It has
an income of $56,932 dollars. This sum comes larg
ely from the Freedmen's Aid Society, which, in ad
dition to paying salaries and providing money for
current expenses, keeps a field Secretary on the
road looking after the interest of Wiley, and other
institutions under its charge. Deserving young
men and women, who demonstrate that they are
really in earnest, and who are willing to work sel
dom, if ever, have to leave school on account of
lack of funds. Employment about the campus, in
the dormitories, in the dining room, and in the of
fice of the school, as well as work in the town pro
vide ways for industrious students to earn a good
deal of their expenses through school.
The President of Wiley University is Dr. M. W.
Dogan. D. D., who is a graduate of Walden Uni
versity in Nashville, Tenn., and a former Professor
in that institution. Dr. Dogan is responsible for
many of the changes in the University during the
twenty-two ^ears he has been at the head. Of
these the adjustment of courses and the increase
of buildings and courses have been the most im
portant
Some time ago several experts in school matters
visited Wiley and examined her work. Here is
their verdict :
"W'iley is an example of the best work done by
the Methodist Episcopal Church for the Negro."
Mr. W. T. B. Williams. Agent for the Jeanes and
Slater Funds, said : "Wiley is one of the three
schools of the Freedmen's Aid Society that should
do full college work."
Of like character was the testimony of President
Holgate, of North Western University, and of
President Plantz, of Lawrence College.
PRESIDENT'S HOME- WILEY UNIVERSITY
KENT HOME— BENNETT COLLEGE— GREENSBORO, N. C.
ENNETT College v^s founded in
1873, by the Freedmen's Aid So-
ciet} . Located at Greensboro,
North Carolina, which is situated
in Guilford County, it has a very
SK^^y J I large colored population to draw
^ ^^^^SM on. In Guilford County alone, '
there are more than fifteen thous
and colored people, a large percent of them being
illiterate. In fact considering the condition of the
colored people in that section, the founders of Ben
nett College could not have chosen a more appro
priate place in which to build a school. Although
Bennett carries a College department and a Normal
department, its greatest number of pupils is en
rolled in the primary department.
Bennett College owns thirty-seven acres of land
within the city limits of Greensboro. Of this
amount about twenty are under cultivation. This
furnishes not only a source from which to get fresh
vegetables, but also a place where a practical edu
cation in Agriculture may be had. The rest of the
land is used for a campus. On this campus there
are several buildings. Central Building is four
stories high and is used for office, Library, class
rooms, dining room and girls' dormitory. The
President's house is a new building and suited to
its use. Carolina Hall contains the chapel and the
boy's dormitory. Besides the three main buildings
there are two frame structures that are in use for
industrial work and laundry. The valuation of the
buildings is $30,000. The value of the land is $35,-
000. and movable equipment $5,000.
The attendance at Greensboro is between 300
and 350. More than half of these are in the ele
mentary grades due in part to lack of room in the
public school. The greater portion of the pupils
are from Greensboro, but the entire State of North
Carolina is fairly well represented.
370
In addition to the regular subjects taught in the
course of study there are offered sewing and cook
ing for girls and gardening has been recently add
ed. The girls have in connection with the school
Kent Home. This home is owned and supported by
the Woman's Missionary Society, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The finances of the Kent Home
are entirely separate from those of the College, but
the home is a vital part of the school and the train
ing received by the young women who are enrolled
in the Home is very thorough and is what is needed
by the young women of the race. The teachers in
charge of the Home are three white women who
see to it that the girls take good care of their
rooms, and personal surroundings and that they
are well trained in all the domestic virtues
The teachers at Bennett College are twelve in
number. All of them are colored. They are equally
divided as to sex and they enter into the work of
the school and in the training of the young with
enthusiasm. The President of the school is Mr.
Frank Trigg, A. M. President Trigg has had
charge of the school since 1916 and is developing
the school along progressive lines.
Most of the funds for the maintenance of Ben
nett are derived from the Freedmen's aid Society,
$3,800 being the sum that is given by this body
for the support of the institution. The next larg
est income is from the tuition and fees. This
amounts to over $1500 annually. Money derived
from other sources amounts to very little. Non-
educational receipts were received from the board
ing department and amounted to $3,720.
Bennett College is placed where it can be a
mighty force for good in the up-lift of the Negro
race. That the work of the institution has been
hampered to some extent in the past is true. But
Bennett has in spite of all this accomplished a lot
for our people.
REVEREND D. J. JENKINS
HE founder of the lenkins Or
phanage and Reformatory was
born near Bamberg, South Caro-
ina, in April, 1865. He was reared
by a careful, prayerful mother,
aided by Mrs. Dickerson, in whose
home he was placed. He got such education from
the public schools as he could in those days.
He was married in 1881 to Miss Lena James of
Barnwell. County. Eight years later he entered
Benedict College to study theology and at the same
time was assistant pastor of the Fourth Baptist
Church.
One cold winter morning on passing the railroad
track he saw some half dozen naked children hud
dled together in a freight car where they had taken
refuge for the night. He reasoned that these were
but a remnant of what were cast about in cellars,
and alleys and corners — yes, and in jail. Thus on
December 16, 1891, he opened his orphanage in an
old shed at 666 King Street, Charleston, with three
boys and one girl. In a few months the number
had increased to 96. The next year. 1892, the or
phanage moved to Franklin Street and increased its
number of waifs to 360. In the same year it be
came regularly incorporated, and by 1898 it had en-
371
rolled 536 pupils, with very little funds, food or
clothing to make the children comfortable.
To meet all their needs Rev. Jenkins had but one
combined recourse — prayer and toil. By persist
ent struggle he caught the ear of the white people
and the colored people of his State, and here and
there gained a friend in the North. The former
gave him 130 acres of land with the equipment of
a blacksmith shop, saw mill and farm. Deacon
Wild, of Brooklyn, N. Y. added one hundred acres
to this, making 230 acres available for training the
children.
The names of all donors with the amount given
is published in the "Charleston Messenger," a
weekly published by the Jenkins Orphanage with
Rev. Jenkins as Editor. The City Council has
granted the orphanage a sum of money each year
for the last fifteen years. Beginning with a grant
of $200 in 1897, it increased the amount year by
'year until in 1904 it gave $1,000, in 1914 it gave
$2,500, which sum it has continued to grant.
There is also in addition to the orphanage a Jen
kins Reformatory which is located at Ladson,
South Carolina. Here children are kept free or at
a small cost, educated in books and manners and
taught one or more trades. In all cases, in the
Orphanage and in the Reformatory, Agriculture is
made a specialty.
The school is supported mainly by donations. Se
curing these, falls wholly upon the shoulders of the
founder and such friends as he may draw to him,
North and South. He travels much, writes many
letters and has many workers in the field. One of
his most popular means of making known the needs
and merits of his school is with the Jenkins' Band.
With this he has traveled much, both in America
and in Europe. The Little Musicians are a crown
ing and shining light of the kind of pupils that are
taken in and an indisputable instance of what one
consecrated man can do in the hands of his Maker.
Five years ago he resigned the pastorate of the
Fourth Tabernacle Baptist Church in order to give
his entire life to the cause of the Orphanage. But
the church would not accept and passed a resolution
unanimously electing him for life and doubling his
salary accordingly.
His first wife was a mother of eleven children, of
whom nine are dead, only two survivors, namely :
Edward T. Jenkins, who won his scholarship in
the Royal Academy, London, England in every con
test that he entered, and is now 20 years of age.
Little Mildred, the baby daughter, is the only girl
living. Dr. S. If. Jenkins, his odest son, came out
at the head of his class in Penssylvania Dental Col
lege. His oldest daughter, Lena came out head in
her class in Howard University. Washington, D. C.
The most regretted part — his older children after
attaining years of usefulness and help to his work,
departed this life.
SCENE OF ROYAL UNDERTAKING COMPANY— SAVANNAH, GA.
R. L. M. Pollard is one of those big
enterprising Negro business men,
of Savannah. Like Messrs Scott
and Sherman, men whom he
works with, and like many other
men of large vision in Savannah.
Mr. Pollard believes in and prac
tices co-operative business. With
him, opportunities for the Negro business are too
numerous, the race too young, and modern compe
tition far too keen in the business world today.
Mr. Pollard is among the comparatively few
men anywhere to see opportunity near at hand.
This is true of his life in Savannah. All his ener
gies have been spent here ; all his successes attain
ed here.
He was born in Savannah, December 12, 1867.
He was educated here, having attended the public
schools and Beach Institute, which is also in Sa
vannah. On finishing his school career, Mr. Pol
lard turned his attention to civil service ; for here
an uneducated colored man found employment that
compared most nearly with his training, with a
faint hope of advancement. And this, by the way,
explains the presence of so large a number of edu
cated colored men in government service. It ex
plains also why Negroes often pass the Civil Ser
vice Examinations when white people fail. White
people with an equal grade of training have larger
opportunities open to them, while the educated col
ored man was and is limited largely to teaching in
six months schools, on a pittance for a salary, or
preaching in four country churches per month for
sustenance. Happily the growing love of the old
black man for his son is rapidly opening the door
of business for the educated Negro.
Mr. Pollard entered the civil service in 1890. For
twelve years he was a letter carrier for Savannah.
By this time he had put by a few dollars and felt
himself ready to venture forth in business. In
1912, he, with his partners began the Royal Under-
372
taking Company. Mr. Pollard became general
manager.
In the life of Savannah and in the organization
of the State Mr. Pollard is also a useful and lead
ing member. He is a member of the Episcopal
Church of his city. In his church he takes an ac
tive part in the Church and in the Sunday School.
In the latter he is especially interested, being par
ticularly fond of working with children and with
those who have the children in charge. He is Sen
ior Warden in the Saint Stephens Episcopal church
and director of the Primary school and kindergar
ten.
The experience with the Royal Undertaking
Company opened Mr. Pollard's eyes to the many
business chances that lay right at his door. There
fore as capital increased rapidly he joined in open
ing other business houses of one kind or another.
In a little while the Savannah Savings and Realty
Corporation swung open the doors for business.
Mr. Pollard was one of the charter members and is
today one of the directors of the bank. Then
came the Guaranty Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany. Mr. Pollard was made treasurer and is still
treasurer of this organization, one of the safest
companies of its kind in Georgia.
Mr. Pollard is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, an
Odd Fellow. Indeed, he is an active member of all
local lodges.
Mr. Pollard was married in Savannah, on No
vember 28, 1901. Mrs. Pollard was Miss Nellie
Scott, of Savannah. Two children, Miss Eleanor
Scott and Miss Susan, have been reared by Mr.
and Mrs. Pollard. They have been educated in
their home and in the South, and are now pursu
ing courses in New York City.
WALTER SANFORD SCOTT
Mr. Walter Sanford Scott, banker and prime
mover of a long list of Negro enterprises in Savan
nah, Georgia, is an apostle of the doctrine, "Cast
down your bucket where you are." To be sure.
there is something peculiarly apt in his adopting
this principle ; for he not only sat at the feet of the
man who made this doctrine famous, but was gra
duated from Tuskegee in 1895, the year that Dr.
Washington made this address at Atlanta Exposi
tion.
Mr. Scott was born in Savannah, July 26th, 1877.
After spending the years of his youth in Savannah,
he went to Tuskegee, where he was graduated
from the Academic Department and from the trade
of Printing, in 1895. Mr. Scott then lost no time
in putting into application the theory of Dr. Wash
ington. He returned to Savannah and for several
years worked at his trade.
Seven years after his graduation from Tuskegee
Institute, Mr. Scott made his appearance as one of
the business men to be reckoned with in Savannah.
In 1902 he became the Secretary and Treasurer of
the Wage Earners' Loan and Investment Company.
The next year he opened an ice cream parlor and a
dry goods store. The year following, the leading
thinkers of Savannah felt the need of a health ben
efit insurance. This company was organized un
der the name of Life and Health Insurance Com
pany. Mr. Scott, who by this time had become
known as a sort of genius in Secretary -Treasurer
posts, was made Secretary and Treasurer of this
company. Savannah, by the way, is now perhaps
the leading city of the world for successful Negro
Insurance Companies.
Organizing and promoting business enterprises
now became with Mr. Scott a habit. In 1906 the
Royal Undertaking Company, a firm that has long
since become established is one of the big Negro
businesses of Savannah. Mr. Scott was made treas
urer of the firm. With this he appears to have
graduated from Secretary-Treasurerships and to
have gone to higher honors. In 1913 he was elec
ted President of the Mutual Health Insurance
Company, a post which he still holds. The next
year, 1914, he was elevated to the Presidency of
the Royal Undertaking Company. This post he
still holds also. Mr. Scott organized the Savannah
Savings and Real Estate Corporation. Of this he
was made President in 1915.
Thus very literally he has cast down his bucket
in his native city ; and then too, when it came up
it has had clear, cool, fresh — gold and satisfaction
of doing a constructive service for his neighbors
and for his race. Mr. Scott owns his home, a beaut
iful residence on East Taylor Street, in Savannah.
He has under way plans and specifications for a
country home. He is a good active church mem
ber, being a member of the Episcopal Church. He
is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias.
Mr. Scott's reputation for handling and organiz
ing business long ago became both State wide and
National. His talent was soon sought everywhere,
by those who needed business methods. He is
Vice-President of National Negro Bankers' Asso
ciation. A member of the Executive Committee
of the Standard Life Insurance Company, of Atlan
ta, Georgia, Associate member of the State Council
of Georgia, a council which has for its purpose the
production and conservation of food. He has been
appointed I)/ the Governor of Georgia as the direc
tor of the Y. M. C. A. Former Governor Harris
appointed him during his administration and now
Governor Dewey has reappointed him.
373
Mr. Scott was married on December 26th, 1910.
to Miss Laura McDowell, of Savannah. Mr. and
Mrs. Scott have three children, Laura, Gertrude
and Walter S. All are little folk in school. Mr.
Scott is still young, still vigorously active in pion
eering in business.
EDWARD WINIFRED SHERMAN
Somebody has written a lecture on the heroism
of a private life. Herein the quieter, constructive
virtues were extolled. The hero was lorded not
for the peaks he scaled or for the armed foes he
vanguished, but for living his opinions, rearing his
family and for being a law-abiding, loving citizen
and a good neighbor.
Such have been the virtues of Edward W. Sher
man, of Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Sherman was
born in Washington County, Georgia, March 17,
1868. He attended the public schools, gaining
what training he could from these and worked at
home until he was ready to advance training else
where. Mr. Sherman then went to Atlanta Uni
versity, completed his education and settled down
immediately to his life work.
On leaving Atlanta he secured employment with
the Government and has been in its employ ever
since, never having sought any other employment.
However, he has quietly lent his influence, in
terest and means to many phases of Negro ad
vancement. He has always been interested in ed
ucation of Negro children, and both from the
child's side and from the view point of the school
has been a ready and eager helper. In like manner
he has seen a big future for the black man in bus
iness. To this end, once more he has been a ready
helper with money and time and influence. He
has, therefore, been a sort of charter member or
prime mover in many of the business endeavors of
Savannah — in Savannah where Negro Grocery
.stores, dry goods houses, insurance offices and
banks are common. Mr. Sherman is himself a
member of several of these concerns. He is a
stockholder in the Guaranty Mutual Insurance
Company, in the Savings Bank, and is one of the
Real Estate Corporations. He has also several
pieces of valuable real estate in very desirable lo
cations of Savannah. In this last however, he takes
no special delight ; that is, none compared with the
satisfaction of having seen Negro business grow
from nothing to such gigantic proportions, as it
has done, in Savannah, and to know that he him
self has given some little impetus to it.
Mr. Sherman belongs to several organizations
of uplift. In these he gives his quiet but sure and
substantial support. He is a Congregationalist be
ing a member of the First Congregationalist
Church of Savannah. He is also a Knight of Py
thias, and is a member of the Endowment Board
of this body. He holds membership in and gives
support to the N. A. C. P., National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People. This organi
zation he believes in and has great hopes for. He
is also a member of the Negro Protective Associa
tion.
Mr. Sherman was married to Miss Mary Eliza
beth Harne of Hawkinsville Georgia. Their chil
dren are deceased. The eldest, Miss Alberta Win
ifred, died during her first year as a student at At
lanta University.
THOMAS ALEXANDER CARR
O win distinction, it is not neces
sary for a man to live in the lime
light. Many a man who has pur
sued his course in a quiet and un
ostentatious manner has left his
mark upon the world for its good.
Thomas Alexander Carr belongs to this class.
Mr. Carr was born October 26th, 1868, in Orange
County, in the State of Texas. He attended the
common school until he was twelve years of age.
After that date he gained such additional infor
mation as he could absorb from reading at nights
and at odd times during the day.
There are two ways of learning — one from study
and the other from observation. Mr. Carr, while
denied the former strictly adhered to the latter,
and was not slow to imitate the strong points he
saw in others.
At an early age he entered the employment of
the Morgan Line of Steamships, then plying their
trade, along all of the Southern ports. While this
work took him away from home, it gave him an op
portunity to see many interesting places and to en
joy a rich and varied experience.
374
During his cruises he visited Galveston, Texas,
Vera Cruz, Mexico, Havana, and Morgan City.
After five years service with the Morgan steam
ship Line, he located in New Orleans and took up
steamboating. From steamboating he went to
work in a boarding house at a salary which never
exceeded twenty dollars per month. He finally
landed the job of janitor for the Southern Athletic
Club, of New Orleans, which lie held for fifteen
years. Here he made a record for punctuality of
which he is very proud. During his entire term of
service he never missed but sixteen days from his
work, and that was clue to sickness.
It has been his privilege to serve all the first-
class Prize Fighters, like Corbett, Killrain, and oth
ers of that day. He also served the first Foot Ball
team of the S. A. C., and went with their Battalion
to Chicago during the World's fair.
Mr. Carr had long' desired to enter the arena of
business, and first thought of entering the dry
goods business, but his sympathetic and loyal dis
position frequently called him to the bed side of the
sick, and to the house of mourning. This service
brought him into constant touch with undertakers,
one of whom, Jas. H. Taylor, formed a strong
friendship for him, which resulted in his becoming-
connected with the Boyne & Taylor Co., Ltd., and
finally its sole owner upon the death of Mr. Taylor.
In 1918, he dissolved the Company, and formed a
co-partnership with R. ]. LLopis, under the firm
name of Carr and LLopis, which is now doing a
good business.
Mr. Carr is emphatically a man of peace and
honesty. He never gets in broils and has steered
away from Courts. He cannot ever recall having
been before the court even as a witness.
Mr. Carr is a strong advocate of athletics but
he believes it is not inconsistent with the life of a
Christian, so he found his place in the church. He
is a member of the First Street Methodist Episco
pal Church, of New Orleans.
He is also a member of a number of Negro So
cieties, such as Cresent City Lodge, Knights of
Pythias, Past Superior of Pilgrim Tabernacle, G.
G. A. A. B. and S. of L. and C, and now Chairman
of the Order's Burial Board; a member of Cresent
Lodge, G. N. O. O. Fellows; a member of Grand
Council M. O. H., of La., Past Grand Treasurer of
Supreme Council of the State of Louisiana, A. O.
Order Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, and various
other benevolent orders and clubs.
He married Marst 31st, 1885, Miss Octavia
Carter, and the only cloud upon an unusual happy
married life was the death of their only child, Oc
tavia Caroline Carr, who died in 1892.
MAIN BUILDING— CENTRAL ALABAMA INSTITUTE
EN'TRAL Alabama Institute is lo
cated in Birmingham, Alabama.
It was founded in 1872, at Hunts-
ville, Alabama. In 1904, it was
moved to Birmingham. Here in
Birmingham it has a larger num
ber from which to draw students. The school is
owned by the Freedmen's Aid Society, but the Cen
tral Alabama Conference of the Methodist Epis
copal Church co-operates with the- Freedmen's Aid
Society in the support and supervision of the work.
Central Alabama Institute offers elementary
courses, college, preparatory, and normal courses.
Although the school is small, it fills a place much
in need, in that it trains teachers for the rural
districts. The pupils who attend the elementary
department could be in the public schools of the
city, but in this Modal school they are being train
ed to teach.
The courses followed in the preparatory and
Normal courses are outlined by the Freedmen's
Aid Society. In this particular the school co-ope
rates with all the other institutions directly under
the supervision of this society. It has, however,
the opportunity to do individual work as far as do
ing the work thoroughly is concerned. This, the
President, Mr. J. B. F. Shaw and his corp of work
ers, endeavor to do.
Provision is made for sixty boarding pupils.
Here in the school, the pupils who make it their
home are taught, no only the books prescribed by
the Freedmen's Aid Society, but they are given les-
375
sons in "How to Live." They are required to care
for the .buildings in which they live and for the
grounds around. In this way the boys and the
girls get valuable lessons in home making. The
girls are taught plain sewing by one of the mat
rons. All the pupils, whether they have money or
not, are required to give one hour each day in
work. In this way the interest of each student is
kept up in the general appearance of the buildings
and grounds. This hour of work is aside from car
ing for their own personal rooms.
The school owns forty acres of valuable land in
Mason City, a few miles from Birmingham. There
are six buildings on the grounds. Two of these are
large brick structures. The buildings are new and
are in good repair. They are worth $25,000. The
value of the entire plant is about $42,500.00. The
Freedmen's Aid Society gives to the school $29,000
yearly, but this is not enough to run the plant.
From other sources they receive about $1500.00.
With this and the tuition money, they manage to
keep the school in good shape.
The faculty consists of eleven teachers. Three
of these do the grade work and three do the Acad
emic work. There is a strong music department.
That the entire plant is doing good work is seen
from the work of those who go out from the school.
In the report of the Commission of specialists who
made an exhaustive study of all Negro schools,
they recommend "That the training of teachers for
rural districts be made the main object of the
school.
MINOR FRANCIS McCLEARY, M. D.
FTEN it happens that an incident,
frequently in early life, determ
ines a man's life work. He catch
es an inspiration from it which
grips his soul and moulds his af-
ter career. It was so with Dr.
McCleary. When a boy, only ten years of age, he
witnessed the amputation of a man's leg. He
watched the physicians as they skillfully removed
the injured member and was so impressed with it
that then and there he decided to enter the medical
profession. He adhered to the decision thus early
formed, and in due course of time had the satisfac
tion of having M. D. written after his name.
There was a long stretch from the formation of
his purpose and its accomplishment and the way
was hard for it called for years of study and pre
paration which he obtained mainly through his
own efforts.
Dr. McCleary was born January 22nd., 1876. in
Fernandina, Florida. Here in the land of sunshine
and flowers, where Jaun Ponce de Leon sought
"the fountain of perpetual youth," he spent his
early days and to this state he returned to spend
his remaining days in the service of his people.
He began his educational development in the
Public Schools of his native City, and after com
pleting his course he entered the Central Tennessee
College. Finishing his course here, he went to
Meharry Medical College, to perfect himself for his
life work. His boyhood dream was now about to
be realized, and he applied himself while at this
college with a zeal born of an intense desire to suc
ceed in a profession which he had chosen in his
youth.
He had to rely upon his own exertions to raise
the money to pay his tuition, but this was a slight
obstacle to a man who had purposed in his heart
that he would be a physician. The difficulties add
ed greater zest to his efforts. After finishing at
Meharry he took a Post-graduate course at the
Rush Medical College.
He began his practice in 1901. in Kansas City.
Missouri, and for one year worked in the Medical
College. For five years he was the assistant to the
Marine Physician at Key West, Florida, and in
1907, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he
hung out his shingle and soon established himself
in his profession. While he does a general practice
surgery is his specialty, and he takes great pride
and pleasure in his work. No doubt he often re
calls the incident of his boyhood, when dressed in
the surgeon's garb, and holding the keen blade
knife ready to operate upon some unfortunate pat
ient. Aside from the opportunity to serve which
his profession has brought him, it has enabled him
to accumulate quite a handsome property. The
value of his realty holdings is estimated to be
thirty thousand dollars. This is evidence that Dr.
•McCleary has a turn for business, as well as medi
cine, and speaks well for his business sagacity, and
thrift.
Dr. McCarty's family consists of a wife and two
children. He was married September 16th, 1908,
to Miss Margaret Anna Daunt, of Washington,
Penn. There was born to them two children —
Margurite Grace, and Minor Francis, Jr.
He is ambitious that these children shall find
their places in life in some honorable and useful
occupation.
In religious belief, Dr. McCleary is a Romanist,
and in respect to the policy of his church has re
frained from joining secret societies.
While the Doctor has not crossed the briny deep
he is nevertheless something of a traveler. He has
traveled in Cuba, Canada, and the greater part of
the United States. He has followed the plan to see
America first, and as he is yet a young man, he will
no doubt visit Europe, and the battlefields of the
great war.
376
MRS. MARY McLEOD BETHUNE
HE Daytona Normal and Indus
trial Institute for Negro Girls
stands as a monument to Mrs.
Mary McLeod Bethune. Mrs.
Bethune is a woman of faith and
of works. The institution of
which she is still principal is evidence of that.
Mrs. Bethune was born in South Carolina. Here
she received her early training. She not only got
all that she could from the public school system,
but attended and was graduated from the Scotia
Seminary, Concord, North Carolina. Her work in
Scotia but whetted her appetite for more learning.
She entered the Moody Bible School, of Chicago,
Illinois, and once more applied herself to acquir
ing knowledge. Here in the Moody School she
had her religious life deepened, and all through
her teaching, the influence of this institution is
felt.
Having completed the work at Chicago, Mrs.
Bethune began teaching. For a number of years
she taught in the missionary schools and in the
public school system. But there was a greater
377
work for this Christian woman, and in 1904 she
made the first step in its development. In October
of that year Mrs. Bethune started the Daytona
Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls,
in a rented cabin. She had as her first class, five
little girls. She had as assets $1.50, firm faith in
God and determination to make a success of the
effort. How well the school has succeeded is told
in the history of the school. This history is in a
large measure the personal history of the founder.
The two cannot be very well separated.
In the interest of her school, Mrs. Bethune has
traveled over the greater part of this country. In
her travels she has made many friends for herself
and for the school. Because of the school, Mrs.
Bethune had to develop her powers as a speaker.
She has made many notable addresses. On a num
ber of occasions she has appeared before large aud
iences of prominent speakers when she was the
only colored speaker. Among these may be men
tioned an address in Waldorf-Astoria, before the
Colony Club, in the Belasco Theatre, Washington.
D. C. Her ability along this line has won for her
a number of honorary positions. She was a Red
Cross Lecturer of the Potomac Division. She was
also an Officer of the Circle of Negro War Relief
of New York City. Indeed Mrs. Bethune was one
of the founders of this last named organization.
Another position which Mrs. Bethune has held and
still holds is that of President of the Florida Fede
ration of Colored Women's Clubs. Through this
organization she has been able to reach most of the
women of the State in which she has located her
school.
At the dedication of one of her buildings, Mrs.
Bethune was able to assemble a very noted crowd
of speakers. Among them were Vice-president
Marshall, Governor Catts and 'his staff, and the
Mayor of Daytona. This gathering of very busy
men goes to show with what esteem and with what
interest the work of Mrs. Bethune is held.
Mrs. Bethune is a member of the A. M. F.
Church. In this church she is an active worker.
But her endeavor along Christian lines can be more
readily seen through her students than through her
church. Mrs. Bethune is the wife of Mr. Albert
Bethune. There is one son who is a student in the
Army Training Corps, Morehouse Cain]). More-
house College, Atlanta, Ga.
The good that Mrs. Bethune has done can never
be estimated. She could not have chosen a more
needy spot in which to plant her school. Through
faith and prayer she has been enabled to develop
this institution from its small beginning to the
place where it is a real factor in the advance-mem
of the colored people of Florida.
DAYTONA NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE
N October, 1904, Mrs. Mary Mc-
Leod Bethune, a native of South
Carolina, established in a little
rented cabin the Daytona Nor
mal and Industrial Institute. She
had five little girls for pupils,
$1.50 for cash and a firm faith in God and a great
deal of grit as resources. Since that time the
school has grown in size and in usefulness till today
it is one of the widely known schools for Negro
girls in the South. By means of concerts, festivals
and the like Mrs. Bethune was enabled to purchase
the land on which the school now is located.
In all the school now owns twenty acres of land,
In 1907 a four story frame structure was "Prayed
up, sung up and talked up." The name of this
building is Faith Hall. Back of this was placed a
two story frame building which is used for kitchen,
etc, In 1918 the new $40,000.00 auditorium was
completed and dedicated. Mrs. Bethune was able
to assemble many people of note for this service.
The vice-President Marshall of the United States,
the governor of Florida, the Mayor of Daytona and
many other White men of prominence. Kmmett
J. Scott, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War
and Dr. J. W. E. Bowen of Gammon Theological
Seminary were both on the programme. Such an
assembly of prominent men and women show in
a measure the esteem in which Mrs. Bethune is
held and the regard that is given her work.
378
The school stands for broad, thorough, practi
cal training. Its purpose is to train its students to
become strong, useful, Christian women, to afford
them an opportunity to learn a vocation, so that
when they leave the school they may be self sup
porting, and by precept and example, in a very de
finite way help to improve the communities in
which they live. A sound body, a trained mind,
hand and heart, is Mrs. Bethune's idea of a com
plete education.
For the training of the mind the courses offered
are from the primary through high school and then
special studies for teacher training. This work is
done in a thorough manner. For the hand there
are offered sewing, dressmaking, domestic science,
gardening, poultry raising, raffia work, rug weav
ing, chair caning, broom making and nurse train
ing. For the training of the heart, the Bible is
studied throughout the school and twice a day a
short time is set aside for "quiet hour." This
time is devoted to personal devotion. Then there
is the musical department and the business course,
both of which train the head and the hand.
Throughout all that section of Florida there is no
other school that compares with the Daytona Nor
mal and Industrial Institute in the training that is
given to the Negro girls.
The work of the Institute is made so practical
that when the pupils go out they fit into the life of
the community. They do not have to go through
A FIELD OF EARLY PEAS ON THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FARM
the period of once again adjusting their lives to
the rural life. Mrs. Bethune never lets the young
people who came under her care get too far away
from practical life. This in spite of the fact that
the book training is thoroughly done.
One of the ways in which the school becomes a
very definite part of the community of Daytona is
through its hospital and nurses. In the hospital
a three years course is offered. After three months
probation and then one year of training, the nurses
in the McLeod Hospital are permitted to take cases
in the city. In this way the school becomes an as
set in the health of the community. The hospital
sends out a community nurse, who helps in the
care of the sick children and of the old people and
of young mothers. To give some idea of the
amount of work done the report of the hospital for
1917-1918 follows:
Number of patients cared for 230
Number of Dispensary patients 518
Number of Operations 38
Number of free patients 84
Another extension work that is carried on from
the Daytona Institute is the Public Building for
men and boys. There is no adequate educational
system for the boys and men of that section. Mrs.
Bethune seeing this need has in a way tried to -help
the young men. A building has been obtained some
distance from the campus. This has been fitted up
for the boys and men. Much good has come from
this. They have improved in manners and have
learned to enjoy reading good books. The spirit
of saving and investing money has gotten abroad.
379
Although there is no extensive training for the
men and boys the'use of this building has improved
the manhood of Daytona.
This school stands as a monument to the found
er. Faith is indeed the chief corner stone of this
institution of learning. Beginning with $1.50 fif
teen years ago the work has developed to this ex
tent. The needs of the school are still many, but
with the Faith of Mrs. Bethune and of her Christ
ian workers they have gone forward and developed
the school to the point where it can offer to the
colored girls of that section a training that com
pares favorably with that offered by similar schools
anywhere. The girls who have already gone forth
justify all that has been done for this institution.
TEACHING DOMESTIC SCIENCE
JAMES SETH HILLS, M. D.
MONG the professions it seems
that medicine appeals most to
the colored man, and a number of
them have taken a high stand in
this profession. Among this num
ber and one who stands at the
very head of the profession is Dr. James Seth Hills.
Fired by ambition, a thirst for knowledge and a
determined spirit, causes such men to reach their
goal. Dr. Hills is of that class.
Dr. Hills, now a resident of Jacksonville, Florida,
was born in Gainesville, this State, May 19th, 1872.
His early environments and the influences at work
upon him had a tendency to turn his mind to a bus
iness rather than a professional career, but a good
Providence was at work upon him too, and he was
finally led into a profession that has given him an
unbounded field for usefulness.
When a boy, only eleven years of age, he entered
a cigar factory and learned the cigar maker's trade.
This he followed for seven years, earning money to
pursue his studies. He attended the Public School
of his native city, but before and after school hours
he worked at the factory.
During the vacation months he helped his father.
His father was a builder and had built up a large
380
business, which he no doubt hoped to lead his son
into, but his son had ideas of his own, and it was
not in the contracting line, However, he worked
with his father and learned both the carpenters and
and plasterers trade. It is needless to say that he
did his work well and was dependable in this as in
all of his occupations. By means of his work he
was enabled to send himself to school, paying all of
his expenses except his course in the Long Island
College Hospital.
While acting as Secretary to the head waiter of a
Long Island Hotel, his affable manner made him
many friends among the guests. One of them, a
lady guest, brought him to the attention of Mr. S.
V. White, of New York, a promnient Wall Street
business man.
Mr. White took a great liking to him, and was so
impressed with his keen and active mind that he
interested himself in his education. He gave ex
pression to his interest in the young man by direct
ing that all of the expenses of young Hills' tuition
as well as his personal expenses he sent to him for
payment. As stated the foundation of his educa
tion was laid at the Public School of his native
city, and here he made the most of his opportunity
and paved the way for further advance in other in
stitutions.
From the Public School he entered the Cookman
Institute, a school under the supervision of the
Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Finishing his course in the Cookman In
stitute he entered the Walden College, located at
Nashville, Tennessee. From here he entered the
Long Island College Hospital, and took the medical
course. Not satisfied with even the fine training he
received here, his next move was to take a Post-
Graduate Course in several of the European coun
tries. He took these courses in England, Ireland,
France and Germany. Returning to this country,
he was for several years intern at the Freedmen's
Hospital, Washington, D. C.
In 1896 he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and
began his practice of special and general surgery.
For thirteen years he was surgeon for the Clyde
Steamship Line, and for eleven years surgeon for
the Jacksonville Traction Company.
He has practiced in Jacksonville for twenty years
and is recognized as a surgeon of marked ability.
Dr. Hills is a member of the Episcopal Church,
and is Secretary to the Board of Vestrymen.
He is a member of the City, State and National
Medical Associations. He has traveled extensively,
and has seen much of this country and Europe.
Although a single man, Dr. Hills owns and occu
pies a very handsome residence in Jacksonville. His
possessions mark him as a success in business as
well as in his choen profession.
JOSEPH NEWMAN CLINTON
OSEPH N. Clinton, of Tampa,
Florida has spent about his whole
life in the services of the United
States Government. Change of
administrations, war and locality
have not affected apparfently his
hold upon his position.
Mr. Clinton was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl
vania in 1854. He is the oldest son of Bishop Clin
ton, of the A. M. E. Church, one of the pioneer
Hishops who established and planted this church,
lie was educated in the public schools of his native
city, and in Lincoln University. Graduating from
Lincoln in 1873. he taught school, and finally en
tered the service of his government.
As a school teacher, he used his spare moments
and midnight oil to prepare himself for a better
place. Strange enough to read like fiction, Mr.
Clinton believed his opportunity lay in the South,
and he determined to emigrate to the land of flow
ers and sunshine. To this end he secured a posi
tion as teacher in the schools of Florida. As it
turned out this was but the mildest of a series of
shocks Mr. Clinton was to administer to his friends.
Progressive and Aggressive to a marked degree.
he soon secured a position as clerk in the land office
at Gainesville, Florida. When Mr. Clinton's Pitts
burgh friends heard this, they were thunder struck.
Already amazed at the success of the young ped
agogue, they thought it the height of foolhardiness,
for him to tempt a kind providence further by ac
cepting a Federal position in the untamed South.
But Mr. Clinton had learned better. He saw that
while his path was no bed of roses, as long as a
Negro was law-abiding and self respecting he was
as safe from physical violence in Florida as he was
in Pennsylvania. He held this clerkship at Gaincs-
vil'e through two Presidential administrations,
Benjamin Harrison and James A. Garfield. lie
was then promoted and transferred, though he re
mained in the State of Florida. He was sent to
Pensacola. where he was made inspector of cus
toms. This post he held under President Harrison,
which was nothing more than his friends back
home expected at this time from his past remarka
ble record. However, they received their final
shock when Mr. Clinton was reappointed by Dem
ocratic President Grover Cleveland.
This successful record of a Northern Negro in
the South stamps Joseph M. Clinton as one of the
most remarkable characters in public life. He af
terwards worked fifteen years for the treasury de
partment of the Government as Revenue Collector
of the Tampa District, in Tampa, Florida. This
position he held until after the inauguration of
President Wilson.
During his many years of public service, Mr.
Clinton conducted himself in a manner that re
flected credit on himself and on his people. Al
ways remembering that not only he himself, but
through him the Negroes as a race were on trial
before the most critical jury in the world, his every
action bespoke the studied consideration of a high
ly trained public servant, towards the public he was
appointed to serve. He was just as considerate
of those serving under him and they felt a distinct
sense of loss upon his retirement from public life.
Mr. Clinton has erected for himself and his wife.
formerly Miss Agnes Stewart, of Atlantic City, to
whom he was married in 1882. an elegant bungalow
in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Clinton has accumulated
a fine property consisting of some nine rent houses
in Tampa, and holdings in two other counties. The
Clintons are members of the A. M. F. Church, and
take an active part in all religious and civic work.
They were not only liberal contributors to the
Red Cross, Y. M. C. A.. Salvation Army, and all
War Camp Community service, but bought liberal
ly of Liberty Bonds and Thrift Stamps during the
World War. Mr. Clinton also gave freely his ser
vices.
381
JOHN T. T. WARREN
R. Warren, born in Hot Springs,
Arkansas, and starting life under
the greatest handicap possible,
the loss of both parents before
he was a week old, Mr. Warren
lived to reach a pinnacle of com
mercial success and Fraternal popularity, attained
by few and surpassed by none.
The death of his mother when he was two days
old and of his father, a captain in the U. S. Army
two days later, left him in the care of his grand
mother, who died when he was nine years old. For
a while he lived with an aunt, whose only interest
in him was to get all the work out of him possi
ble.
Even at this early age he displayed that spirit
of independence and grit, that was in later years
to make him famous. He had been delivering bas
kets of clothes to his aunt's patrons and becoming
tired of this servitude, he set the basket in tin-
street and struck out for himself.
Although he missed many a meal, and had only
the sky for a canopy night after night, he never
faltered in his determination to make good.
Accepting odd jobs as porter and errand boy he
finally landed as a waiter in the Waverly Hotel.
This was the turning point in his career. By care
ful study of the wishes of those he served, he rose
in a short time to the position of Head Waiter.
From there he went to the Park Hotel as a bath
house attendant, and soon saved enough to start
in the Undertaking business. While he always de
voted a great deal of his time to this business, and
conducted it in a manner that made him many
friends, he also developed into a realty operator of
no mean ability. At the time of his death he
owned besides his undertaking establishment and
an elegant home, twenty-eight rent houses in Hot
Springs, two farms near there, and property locat
ed in Pine Bluff, Ark., Chicago, 111., Parigona,
Okla., and Phoenix, Arizona.
In spite of his many financial interests, and the
numberless calls on his time, he was never too busy
to respond to requests for assistance in forward
ing the interests of his fellow citizens. He was
not only a member of every fraternity that a Ne
gro could join in the State of Arkansas, (eighteen
in number) and of the Chicago Elks, but an active
participant in their work and a liberal contributor
to all of their charities. He went through every
elective station in each lodge of which he was a
member and at the time of his death was Grand
Worthy Councillor of the Court of Calanthe of the
State of Arkansas, and Dictator of the Knights of
Honor of Arkansas.
He was made manager of the K. of P.'s bath
house at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and conducted
that resort in a manner that gave it a national rep
utation.
An astute politician, he was made chairman of
the Republican State Executive Committee. En
joying the confidence and esteem of the white cit
izenship, he was appointed a deputy sheriff. This
gives evidence of his executive ability and no less
evidence of his personal magnetism and popularity.
Large as were his commercial interests and strong
as his fraternal ties, he always put his religion and
his home first. He married Miss Mamie Hancock,
who dying, left him one son Lance Warren, the
idol of his eye, who died April 17, 1918. Mr. War
ren married Miss Laura J. Curtis of Hot Springs,
Jan. 22nd, 1919, only a few months before his
death. He was a trustee and a consistent member
of Tanner Chapel A. M. E. Church.
Mr. Warren died in the month of June, 1919, and
his funeral, which was held from Visitor's Chapel,
A. M. E. Church June 29th, was said to be the
greatest tribute ever paid a citizen of Hot Springs.
Not only did his associates come from all parts of
the country to pay their last respects, but the
white citizens, headed by the Hon. Walter M. Ebel
of the Business Men's League, joined in honoring
a man that was a credit to his country and to his
people.
382
HON. ROBERT L. SMITH
ONORABLE R. L. Smith, as he is
commonly known, is one of the
few genuine leaders of business
and uplift enterprises among Ne
gro farmers. Thoroughly trained
to what is often termed as the
higher things, such as school teaching, business,
politics, he has preferred to put all these behind
him and to cast in his lot working among men of
the soil.
Mr. Smith was born in Charleston, South Caro
lina, January eighth, 1861. He was educated in the
city schools of Charleston, at Avery Institute, and
at Atlanta University. Finishing his education he
decided to enter the profession of school teaching.
Texas at that time offered the fairest field for the
aspirant for distinction in the schoolroom ; and so
in 1885 he went to the "Lone Star" state and began
his career.
Before leaving for Texas' he had gone back to
Charleston from school and had after the collapse
of the Reconstruction Government run a Republi
can paper. His journal went down with the final
defeat of the government it supported. It was
then he bade adieu to his state and moved to Texas.
However, having been nominated in his absence
much to his astonishment, he ran for the Texas
Legislature in 1895. Supported by a large number
of white voters he won his seat, served his first
term and was re-elected by an increased majority
for a second term.
His election to the legislature did not, however,
divert him from his real chosen profession in Tex
as. He had begun to work among farmers a system
of personal improvement, which looked to inde
pendence and to the accumulation of property and
wealth.
When Mr. Smith landed in Oakland and began
teaching in Freedsmanstown, which was the color
ed section of Oakland. He found the farmer's land
mortgaged and they heavily in debt. This condi
tion of affairs caused him no little worry and he
determined to correct it. He put his mind to work
and developed a plan which he put into successful
operation and which has brought about changes
beyond his most hopeful expectation and to the
lasting benefit of his people. And so Mr. Smith
organized the Farmers' Improvement Society. The
organization saved money for its members by
purchasing all kinds of products in large quan
tities and distributing them pro rata, but its
chief features were its fight against the mortgage
system, its improvement of methods of farming
and the establishing of business enterprises on the
principle of co-operation. To this Mr. Smith added
a plan of a general improvement of the homes of
its members. To accomplish this he made the or
ganization fraternal and gave degrees on the fol
lowing basis. The first degree was conferred upon
him who kept out of debt for three months ; the
second, to him who kept out of debt for nine
months ; and so on through the year. Other de
grees required a surplusage of money, or land or
some possessions in addition to keeping clear of
debt. To this Mr. Smith has added a bank, which
is located in Waco, and a school, which is known as
the F. I. S. Agricultural College located in North
Texas, near Ladonia. The members of the order in
addition to adhering to the first principles of the
order, keeping out of debt, own some 80,000 acres
of farm land, which is estimated at one and a half
million dollars, and live stock valued at $300,000.
He is an active member of the Negro Business
League, the Farmers' Conference and a member of
the Anna T. Jeans Board. He is president of the
Farmers' Improvement Bank at Waco, the head of
an Overall factory and president of the Board of
Trustees of the Agricultural School. He success
fully inaugurated the Agricultural Extension Work.
Mr. Smith was married in 1890 at Oakland. Tex
as, to Miss Isabella Isaacs. There are two children.
Mr. Roscoe Conkling Smith, the son, is cashier of
the Farmers' Improvement Bank at Waco. Miss
Olive Bell is a teacher in the Farmers' Improve
ment Agricultural College.
383
JACOB AUGUSTUS WHITE, M. D.
R. Jacob A. White, of Tampa, Fla.,
love? the soil of his nativity. He
in one of those who see opportun
ities near at hand instead of far
away. Not many miles from
where he now labors, he was
born and to some extent educated. Had there been
a good Negro school of medicine near at hand it is
doubtful if he would have gone beyond the confines
of the land of flowers to complete his training.
Dr. White was born in Marianna, September 19.
1876. His youth wa^ spent in and about his nat
ive city, where he attended the public schools and
worked at odd times. His public school career
ended. IT; went to Florida State College. Complet
ing his work at the Florida State College he enter
ed Howard University, in Washington. D. C. Hav
ing long before decided to study medicine, he took
the Howard Medical course, and graduated in 1903.
Going back to Florida and passing the State ex
amination, he opened office first in Apalachicola.
Here he practiced for thirteen years, then moved
to the city of Tampa, where his reputation as a
physician is being made.
Long before he returned to his native state. Dr.
White had thoroughly diagnosed Florida. He knew
her needs for a physician or physicians ; he knew
her need for competent sane leadership ; and he
knew what opportunities lay everywhere for a
hardworking, competent man. In Tampa, there
fore, he began not only to practice medicine, but
enter the lives of the people and to take interest in
their affairs, to establish such organizations as
would promote the general good. In 1917, he es
tablished in Tampa a sanitarium which served not
only for the ailing and tired out people of Tampa,
but for colored people everywhere. This sanitar
ium sent abroad not only its presence as a bene
factor but the reputation of Dr. White, as a sur
geon Foreseeing the grave crisis that was coin
ing upon the people because of the shortage of food,
Dr. White began to preach Agriculture along with
health. All through South Florida, indeed where
ever he went he made Agriculture his theme, stim
ulating the people to raise more, preserve more
food. In 1917. he was President of South Florida
Fair, which brought to a very happv climax, all the
good things he had been preaching.
Much of his influence is due to the fact he has
allied himself with most of the worth while bodies
in Florida, lie is a member of the A. M. E. Church
in his community, and gives as much time as his
busy life will permit, to his church work. He is
a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, an
American Woodman, a member of the Household
of Ruth, and of the Court of Calanthe. Holding
active membership in all these bodies, he does not
find it difficult to secure cooperation for any up
lift undertaking which one may set apart.
Working hard for the public weal. Dr. White has
realized returns in many ways. His financial re
turns have been moderate; his returns in grati
tude of the people and in the satisfaction of seeing
needed service rendered and the results gained have
been large ; and his returns in honors bestowed and
in confidence entrusted are perhaps his dearest re
wards. The Household of Ruth has entrusted to
him the examination of all candidates and mem
bers, he being the Medical Director for that body
throughout the State of Florida. He is interested
in the movement for the betterment and defense of
colored people. He has been made President of
the Tampa branch of the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People. Founder of
the South Florida Fair, he was chosen President of
that organization. He is also President of the (ias-
pariles Carnival, and banker for the American
Woodmen. This, his life in his native state, grows
each day richer in service, in opportunity, in satis-
facton at seeing things accomplished.
Dr. White was married in Tampa, in 1915. to
Miss Sarah Stanley, of Sanford. They have one
son. Jacob Augustus, Jr.
384
CAMPUS SCENE— SCHOFIELD NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
CHOFIELD Normal and Industrial
School of Aiken, South Carolina,
is one of those score or more in
stitutions to spring up immediate
ly after the Civil War. Inspired
with zeal to give all black men
training in skilled labor, Miss Martha Schofield of
Pennsylvania went to South Carolina in 1865 and
began to teach among the freedmen. For three
years Miss Schofield taught on the coast. In 1868
she made her way into Aiken, and there began to
assemble the colored people, for a school.
Like Hampton, like Fisk, Atlanta University and
many other institutions of this period, the school
had little trouble with enrolling enough students
to insure a school. Like most of the institutions
referred to, Schofield was dependent largely upon
voluntary contributions. Its staunchest friends
were, and are. the Society of Friends. Backed by
these and by public donations. Miss Schofield added
now an acre or two of land, now a building or two,
now a teacher or a trade. Today it has three large
and substantial brick buildings, and several frame
structures, four hundred acres of farm land, one
hundred and twenty-five acres of which are under
cultivation. It has a faculty of twenty members
and is teaching six trades. It carries a registra
tion of 600 students and has an endowment of
$106,000. The value of the property is $50,0.0. It
is free from debt.
Much of the history of the school has been de
stroyed or lost, especially pertaining to the early
offices of the school. However the school enjoys
an unusual distinction in having at its head a lady,
who is a Bachelor of Arts and a minister of long
and varied experiences. The Reverend Miss L.
Louise Haight is the Superintendent of Schofield.
The Rev. Miss Haight was educated at Alma Col
lege, Saint Thomas County, North Carolina, at
Swathmore College, Swathmore, Pennsylvania, and
at the Meadville Theological School, Meadville,
Pennsylvania. Miss Haight preached for twelve
years. After this she left the pulpit and engaged
in educational and social work in Chicago and Phil
adelphia. It was from this work that she was call
ed to the head of the Schofield Normal and Indus
trial School.
Schofield points with pride to many milestones in
her career. She rejoices that, thanks to her influ
ence, Aiken is one of the most peaceful spots on
earth for anybody, especially the Negro. She is
rather proud that on her farm, in the gardens and
shops many students who would remain in darkness
are given a chance to earn their way through
school. Finally, she is exceedingly gratified by the
records made by her seven hundred or more grad-
utes. She numbers principals and founders of
schools, business men, clergymen, physicians,
among whom is a woman physician and surgeon,
successful farmers, missionaries to Africa, on the
list of her alumni. This is her ideal :
"The first and constant aim of the school, is to
give such moral, mental and industrial training as
will fit them to take their respective places in the
world as intelligent, self-supporting, self-respect
ing citizens, to prepare young men and young wo
men to be better husbands, wives, farmers, artisans,
skilled, conscientious in their duties and obligations.
385
ST. LUKE PENNY SAVINGS BANK— MISS MAGGIE L. WALKER AND OTHER OFFICERS.
HAT a prophet is without honor in
his own country is a saying that
does not hold good in the case of
Mrs. Maggie L. Walker. She was
born, educated and worked her
way to prominence in the same
town. She must be the exception
that proves the rule.
Mrs. Walker was born in Richmond, Virginia.
Here she attended the public school, the High
School and the Normal School, finishing each in
turn. After she had completed her course of study
she took up the work of teaching. She taught in
the Public Schools of Richmond till her marriage
in 1890, when she gave up the work in the public
school system and began teaching in a private
school. The life of Mrs. Walker has been a very
active one. While still teaching she became the
agent for the Woman's Union. This is an insur
ance company that looks solely after the interest
of women. Then in 1900 she accepted the very
important post of Secretary-Treasurer of the In
dependent Order of St. Luke. This is a fraternal
organization that operates in several states and
has at present many thousand members. When
Mrs. Walker took up the work it was given up by
a man because of the condition of affairs in the
order. These are the reasons why he declined to
serve the order further: the order was at its low
est ebb ; there was no money in the treasury ; the
order was not spreading as it should ; there was a
lack of co-operation between the Grand Officers
and the Officers and members of the Subordinate
Councils and the salary paid for the work ($300.00)
per year was not justifiable.
To take up any work after the person leaving it
has given it such a reputation shows courage of the
highest order. This courage Maggie L. Walker
had and she assumed the responsibilities of the of
fice and the steadiness of its growth is a monu
ment to her ability as an organizer and as an exe
cutive. In the Building of the Independent Order
of St. Luke the experiences of Mrs. Walker have
been such as all pioneer workers encounter. The
organization numbered less than one thousand
when she took up the work. Today it has a list
of fifty thousand financial members.
The organization had no assets whatever. Today
it has assets to the amount of $150,750.00. All this
marvelous growth is due directly to the untiring
efforts of Mrs. Walker and to her great ability and
charming personality. She has been able to reach
the people, as they had not been reached before,
by the appeals of other secretaries. When a bank
was opened in connection with the order Mrs. Wal
ker was the one chosen to serve in the capacity of
President.
Mrs. Walker has taken an active part in every
organization in the city of Richmond that is man
aged be persons of color. Among these are the
Eastern Star, Household of Ruth, Court of Calan-
tha, Richmond Benefit Insurance Company, and
the American. Mrs. Walker is deeply religious in
her make up. She has been a member of the Old
Historic First African Baptist Church from early
childhood.
'' hroughout the State of Virginia, Mrs. Walker
is honored in the various organizations among col
ored women. She is president of the Council of
Colored Women, Auditor of the Virginia State
Federation, Trustee of Girls' Home School, Peake.
Virginia, Grand Matron of the Juvenile Depart-
386
ST. LUKE PENNY SAVINGS BANK
nicnt of the Independent Order of St. Luke. Vice-
President of the Richmond Branch of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored Peo
ple. Vice-President of the Negro Organization So
ciety of Virginia, and one of the Advisory Com
mittee of the National Training School, Lincoln
Heights, D. C.
September 14, 1890 she was united in marriage
to Mr. Armstead Walker. Jr.. of Richmond. There
are two sons in the family. The older, Russell E.
T. Walker, is in the work of the Independent Order
nf St. Luke, serving the organization in the capa
city of auditor. The second son, Melvin DeWitt
\\ aiker, is a student in the College Department of
Shaw University, at Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Independent Order of St. Luke has recently
passed its fifth anniversary. At this time they held
quite a gathering in honor of the occasion. And
the occasion was one worthy of honor, for the
amount of good done by and through this organiza
tion cannot be estimated. The Order was first
started in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, by
Miss Prout, in 1867. Looking about her and see
ing the suffering among the sick and aged of our
race, and seeing the distress in some of the fam
ilies for lack of means with which to bury their
dead, this sainted, Christian woman conceived the
idea of a fraternal Order. The first thought was
for women only as members, but as the work grew,
men were admitted. She carried the work from
Baltimore into Norfolk, Portsmouth, Peters
burg, and Richmond. Virginia, accepting as mem
bers of the council some of the best men and wom
en of the Methodist Episcopal Faith.
As the Order was started in Maryland it was the
Grand United Order of St. Luke. Mr. Richard
Forrester led in a movement to pull the Virginia
Councils out of the Grand body. This was done
and it became known as the Independent Order
of St. Luke. He proved his worth to the order by
revising and compiling the Ritual of the Order.
Those who know the merit of the work say of it :
"It was declared perfect, and will live to honor his
name after we all have passed away. This Grand
piece of work proved his worth to the Order and to
the community at large." Mr. W. T. Forrester
was the active Secretary for thirty-five years.
But in 1899 he refused to serve longer because, as
is stated elsewhere in these pages, the work had
ceased to develop under his leadership. The order
was turned over to Mrs. Maggie L. Walker, with
fifty-seven benefited Councils, 1,080 financial mem
bers, $31.61, turned over from the Grand Treasurer
J. J. Carter, and bills amounting to $400.
One year after the Order was turned over to
Mrs. Walker, it had doubled itself. Mrs. Walker
gathered around herself advisors of good sound
judgment and they took steps that were for the
betterment of the whole organization. The order
spread. It was taken into New York and the Dis
trict of Columbia. By careful handling of the
funds they accumulated money enough to invest
500 dollars in the St. Luke Asociation in 1902, and
at the same time they made a first payment of
$5.00 on the printing press, from each of the two
branches of the order. With the press purchased
they started the St. Luke Herald, which was the
mouthpiece of the Order.
The next year the amount paid into the St. Luke
Association was $2000.00. The Grand Secretary
reported 4,101 new members added during the year
and a total financial membership of 10,200 adults.
While the Grand Chief changed from time to time,
Mrs. Maggie L. Walker continued to hold the posi
tion of Grand Secretary of the Order. And under
her direction it grew from year to year. The
growth was rapid. Space forbids that'we recount
all the steps in the progress of this upward growth.
In 1907 the report included the statement that the
Order had in the Penny Savings Bank over on
Broad Street, the sum of $7200.00. This was un
der the head of Emergency Fund, and was held to
await the orders of the Subordinate Councils. It
was in this year that the laws of various States in
which the Order was being operated made it im
perative for them to have a large reserve fund.
Had these laws been passed the year that the Or
der changed Secretaries it would of necessity have
gone under. But under the new order of things
they were prepared for the emergencies that con
fronted them. This was done by building up an
order that was able to weather all financial storms.
April 1, 1911, they began using a new system of
Book-keeping, which had been installed at "a cost of
$1000. With the new system the whole business
end of the Order was put on an up-to-date footing.
With the use of this system it was an easy matter
to keep track of all the money paid in and of each
individual member.
To estimate the good of this organization is be
yond us. They have provided work for a large
number. They have looked after the interest
of many bereaved persons. They have developed
the business ability of the people who came to
work for them. They have acquired property—
they own a large building in which they have their
offices, meetings, etc., and a building in which they
operate the Penny Savings Bank. Through the
administration of their affairs, they have compelled
the respect of the best people of both races. They
are never afraid to open their books to the inspec
tion of others, for they keep their affairs in per
fect order. This is the record of the I. O. of St.
Luke.
387
REV. JOHN O. WILLIAMS, A. B., B. D.,
AND TRINITY CHURCH
EVEREND Mr. Joshua O. Wil
liams, of Marshall, Texas ,is one
of those ministers who set educa
tion ahove riches and placed
learning as the only true founda
tion of genuine achievements. To
him no hardships were too severe, no privation too
sharp, if only he could make his way into the
schools to drink from the fount of knowledge.
Mr. Williams is in hone and fibre a Texan. He
was born at Montgomery, Montgomery County,
Texas. He appeared for advanced work in the
public schools of his native county and town.
From the public schools of Montgomery County
he went to the State Normal School, to Prairie
Normal and Industrial Institute, at Prairie View.
From Prairie View he went to Wiley University,
at Marshall. Here he received his Bachelor of
Arts degree, and completed in a fair measure all
of the courses Texas could give him for his parti
cular purpose in life.
He had long before made up his mind to enter
the ministry. He had been converted and had
joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Leaving
Marshall he entered Gammon Theological Semi
nary, at Atlanta, Georgia, where he received the
degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He spent some
time as a school teacher both in Georgia and in his
native State.
However, his great work has been done in his
chosen calling, the ministry. This too, like the
most of his schooling, has been done in Texas. He
has held some of the largest appointments in the
Texas Methodist Episcopal Conference. Among
these are numbered Ebenezer, at Marshall, Texas ;
Mount Vernon, at Houston, Texas ; Tabernacle, at
Galveston, Texas ; Trinity, at Houston, Texas, and
the District Superintendent of Paris, Texas.
Recognized as a leader and an unselfish worker,
he has been placed at the head of many organiza
tions in his state. He has been president of the
Preachers' Aid Society, of the Texas Conference ;
president of the Board of Trustees of his alma ma
ter. Wiley University; president, and this in the
business world, of the Boley Light and Power
Company of Boley. Oklahoma. Boley it will be re
membered, is a Negro town. He was a member of
the last General Conference, which met at Sara
toga Springs, New York, in 1916. He has traveled
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Lakes to
the Gulf, and into Canada. He is a Knight of Py
thias, a member of the Mosiac Templars and of the
Court of Calanthe. In these bodies, as in the church
and -in business organizations, he is regarded by his
fellows as a man of universal power and leadership.
Rev. Williams has twice been married. The first
Mrs. Williams was Miss Katie Kendall, of Atlanta,
Georgia. They were married in 1894. To them
three children— one son and two daughters were
born. But only two are living. The mother her
self soon passed away.
Rev. Williams was married the second time to
Miss Lenora B. Green, of Galveston, Texas. They
were married in 1900. There are two children in
the Williams home, a young lady and a young man.
Through these the father is establishing a family
tradition, as it were, by sending them along the
paths which he trod, both in education and in vo
cation. Miss Lillian Katy Williams, the daugh
ter, is a student at Wiley University, like her fath
er years ago, she is a candidate for the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. Robert M. Wrilliams, the son,
has already run the early gauntlet in preparing for
a career. Like his father back there in the eight
ies, he is now a student at Gammon Theological
Seminary, and is a candidate for the degree of
Bachelor of Divinity.
Rev. Williams own a handsome residence in
Marshall, Texas, has valuable property in Hous
ton, and owns an apple farm in the State of Wash
ington.
088
State Agricultural and Mechanical College
HE State Colored Normal Indus
trial, Agricultural and Mechani
cal College, at Orangeburg, South
Carolina, was founded in 1896, by
the State of South Carolina. It is
supported partly by the State and
partly by the 'Federal government. The Federal
money drawn is from the funds set aside for agri
cultural and mechanical training. The board of
trustees that governs the affairs of the institution
is elected by the Legislature. Of this Board the
Governor of the State is ex-officio chairman.
The courses of study offered by the State Color
ed Normal, Industrial, Agricultural and Mechani
cal College are elementary, preparatory and Nor
mal. Doing this work there are fourteen teachers,
in Academic work. The other teachers on the fa
culty, thirteen in number, devote their time to
teaching the trades and agriculture.
The attendance at this college is very good.
There are about 700 pupils in all of the courses. Of
this number the greater portion is enrolled in the
Flementary Course. In the Secondary Courses
there are enrolled only 197. The school does good
work with the equipment they have. But the
teaching force is small for so large a number of
pupils.
The Industrial work is in charge of teachers well
prepared in the lines they teach. An interest in the
work is shown by all the students. The system
used in the State Colored Normal, Industrial, Ag
ricultural and Mechanical College in combining the
industrial work with that of the academic depart
ment is the part time system. The classes are
required to devote one day each week to the trade
work.
The shop in which this trade work is taught is
well fitted up for teaching. Carpentry, bricklay
ing, tailoring, plumbing, blacksmithing, wheel-
wrighting, painting, and harness making are the
mechanical trades offered to the young men.
The young women of the -school are offered two
trades, sewing and cooking. The work is in charge
of two well prepared teachers. The girls are
taught these subjects not from the standpoint of
using them as trades, but every girl in the school
is required to take up the two trades because they
should be a part of a normal woman's knowledge.
The agricultural department has a farm of
eighty-five acres, an agricultural building, dairy
and stables. The work is in charge of four teach
ers. Aside from the actual work done on the
farm there is some class room work in the sub
ject of agriculture. The work on the farm is done
largely by the students under the direct super
vision of the teachers in charge. The course in
agriculture begins in the senior preparatory class.
In this class they have to do two hours each week
in market gardening. The Normal classes have
two courses in agriculture besides one in rural so
ciology and one in agricultural economics.
The State College at Orangeburg is, besides be
ing a State College, a Land Grant School. From
the Land Grant Fund, it draws the greater portion
of its support. The amount from this source is
$30,754.00. The State appropriations are $12,614.00.
Then the fees paid by the students and money
from farm and shops raised the amount more than
two thousand dollars.
The school owns 130 acres of land. Of this num
ber only eighty-five acres are under cultivation.
The entire tract of land is valued at $50,000.00.
The buildings on the place are valued at $227,000.00
The two larger buildings are Morrill Hall, boy's
dormitory, and Bradham Hall, the girl's dormi
tory. The latter is a large two story brick struc
ture with rooms to accommodate 400 girls and the
administrative offices. The dining hall is a one-
story building which accomodates 750. Industrial
Hall is a large two-story brick building. It contains
all the shops and is well equipped throughout.
There are smaller buildings — the President's home,
six teacher's houses, agricultural building, the
dairy, two barns and a heating and electrical buil
ding.
The man at the head of this State College is
President R. S. Wilkinson. Mr. Wilkinson belongs
to that type of instructors whose success has been
won by their combining a splendid education, and
a natural talent for educational leadership, with
a gift of diplomacy that enables them to not only
successfully manage the affairs of their colleges,
but to obtain the maximum allowances from the
State at large for the support and extension of
Negro educational enterprises. Mr. Wilkinson has
made a record at the head of State A. & M. Col
lege that has not only gained the commendation
of his fellow citizens, but established for him
a reputation as an educator and constructive lead
er throughout the country. Mr. Wilkinson is not
only a leader along educational lines, but takes a
prominent part in all civic and religious move
ments. He proved himself a power for good in the
world war, and placed his services unreservedly at
the disposal of his country.
389
PICKFORD HALL— LECTURE HALL— VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY
MONG the first schools organized
for the training of freedmen by
the Christian people of the North
were those which were later un
ited into Virginia Union Univer
sity. Both the American Baptist
Home Mission Society and the National Baptist
Institute and University began work in Washing
ton and Richmond, immediately after the close of
the war.
In 1865, Maryland Seminary was opened as well
as the National Theological Institute in Washing
ton. After a few years the latter was merged with
the former, and under Dr. G. M. P. King, the new
Maryland Seminary became a prosperous and
strong Normal School and Academy, at which hun
dreds of young men and women prepared for use
ful and honored service especially in teaching and
preaching. Dr. King was President from 1867 to
1897, and gave untiring zeal and unstinted devotion
to his work.
In 1865, a theological school was opened in Rich-
L
COBURN HALL— CHAPEL AND LIBRARY
mond, Va., known successively as Colver Institute,
Richmond Institute, and Richmond Theological
Seminary. Among its earliest teachers were Dr.
J. C. Binney, Dr. Nathaniel Colver, the famous ab
olitionist and preacher, Dr. Robert Ryland, for
many years President of Richmond College, and
Dr. C. H. Corey, President from 1868 to 1898. Af
ter 1886 this school limited its work strictly to
those preparing for the Christian ministry, and
trained many of its leadng colored preachers.
Virginia Union University, combining these two
schools was opened in the Fall of 1899 in new gran
ite buildings on the outskirts of Richmond, as an
Academy, College and Theological Seminary for
young men.
The campus and farm comprises about 50 acres
of land on a gentle elevation in the Northwestern
part of the city. Here 250 years ago was Nathan
iel Bacon's quarters, and here 60 years ago Con
federate soldiers encamped and defended the cap-
itol of the Confederacy at Battery number 9.
The buildings include ten substantial and beaut
iful granite structures and four frame teachers res
idences. Most of the buildings were erected with
money secured by the American Baptist Home
Mission Society. Their cost was about $300,000.
The main group consists of Library and Chapel,
Lecture Hall, two Dormitories, and Dining Hall.
A subordinate group includes Industrial Hall. Pow
er House and Barn.
The University is controlled by a Board of Trus
tees composed of Northern and Southern White
and Colored men in about equal numbers. The
American Baptist Home Mission Society of New
York which at present contributes three fourths of
the cost of the school outside the boarding depart-
390
HUNTLEY HALL— DORMITORY— VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY
ment has large influence in determining the policy
of the University.
Three purposes are prominent in the establish
ment and management of the school. (1) To train
Christian leaders — especially preachers and teach
ers, with the emphasis on Christian. (2) To give to
colored young men of ability the opportunity to se
cure in the South a higher education equal to that
open to white young men. (3) To secure the co
operation of both races and all parts of the country
in giving the highest education to colored men.
The faculty consists of seventeen professors and
teachers, graduates from the best Normal schools
and colleges North and South. The Library con
tains 13000 bound volumes, and is open for consult
ation twelve hours each day. The science labora
tories are well equipped for the work given. The
Industrial Hall is fitted out with anvils, forges, car
penters benches, turning lathes, tools, and a twenty
horse power gasoline engine. The buildings are
heated by steam and lighted by electricity. The
dormitories accomodate about two hundred-fifty
voting men. in rooms provided with the necessary
heavy furniture. The Dining Hall seats about two
hundred and seventy-five. A farm of about twenty
acres, cultivated largely by students, furnishes a
large part of the vegetables and the milk for the
table. A fenced athletic field gives space for sports
and recreation.
The University comprises a standard four year
College Course, requiring fifteen units of secondary
work for entrance, with school year of thirty-six
weeks, and an enrollment (1916-17) of sixty-five
students; a standard three year theological course
with college graduation as entrance requirements
for the degree of B. D., and fifteen secondary un
its as entrance requirement for regular students,
and an enrollment of thirty. In addition to these,
eighty five in other departments are preparing to
preach ; and a four year high school academy course
with manual training, and an enrollment of 234.
The total enrollment for the school year was 350.
A summer Normal under the State Board of Ed
ucation, is held for six weeks. Last year the en
rollment was 298 teachers.
In fifty years this school, with its predecessors,
Maryland Seminary in Washington, and Richmond
Theological Seminary, has trained about 4000 col
ored students of all grades, about 1500 preachers
about 1000 teachers ; 12 foreign missionaries, many
physicians and hundreds of leaders of the race in
other professions and occupations. The full grad
uates from the different departments number near
ly 1000. They are to be found in positions of prom
inence and leadership in the ministry, in education,
in medicine, in editorship, and in social service.
Whatever the profession they naturally take a
leading part in temperance and health and moral
movements for the betterment of the people.
MARTIN E. GRAY HALL— DINING HALL.
391
WESLEY WARREN JEFFERSON, D. S.
MONG the professions which have
come into very great prominence
lately, because of the number of
young men who have entered
them, and because of the good be
ing accomplished, Dentistry ranks
high. For years, colored people everywhere suf
fered from all the ills directly traceable to bad
teeth, without having Dentists of their own race
to teach them proper tooth care, or to remedy the
ill from this lack of care. But of recent years,
such great stress has been laid on this particular
branch of work, that many of our young men have
taken up the profession. Among these is Wesley
Warren Jefferson.
Dr. Jefferson was born in Florence, South Caro
lina, on July 25, 1879. As lad he attended the
public schools of Florence. Mr. Jefferson, like
many another lad, was ambitious enough to over
come the obstacle of no cash ; and so he pressed on
to his goal of a thorough education by earning with
his hands, during vacations and before and after
schools hours, money enough to support himseii.
When he finished the public school course in Flor
ence he was ambitious to be a thorough trades
man, and so he entered Tuskegee Institute. Tus-
kegee was just coming into prominence at that
time, and the young man went with the crowds
that were beginning to throng its halls. Dr. Jef
ferson was graduated from Tuskegee Institute in
1899. Throughout his after life, Dr. Jefferson
found that the general training at working, whicli
he received while in Tuskegee, as well as the rigid
ly taught habits came to his aid many times.
On leaving Tuskegee Institui-.1, Dr. Jefferson
went to the West Indies, and taught school there
for two years. He then returned to the United
States. He had tried teaching and did not like it
well enough to make it his life work. So when he
returned to this counry he matriculated at Howard
University, as a student in Dentistry. Dr. Jef
ferson needed to earn his way through school and
so he took the Civil Service examination and se
cured a position with the government, and earned
enough to pay his way through college.
He was graduated from the Howard course of
Dentistry with the degree of D. S., in 1904. After
graduation, Dr. Jefferson, realizing that all profes
sional men go through the "starvation period" if
they have no money for the start, decided to con
tinue in his government work for a period. For
three years Dr. Jefferson therefore worked in
Washington, and thus eliminated the period of
pinched circumstances suffered by most profes
sional men while the public gets used to the sign.
In 1910, Dr. Jefferson opened his office in Nor
folk, Virginia. In the same year he was married
to Miss Geraldine Merriam Muldraw, of Florence,
South Carolina. The young couple made their
home in Norfolk and began to make friends. They
joined the Baptist Church of Norfolk, and began
to take part in all the activities of the people. It
was not long before the new dentist and his wife
had many friends and the former a very large prac
tice. For seven years, Dr. Jefferson has practiced
in Norfolk, and during that time he has made for
himself a great reputation and he stands out as a
leader of his people and as a worker. Dr. Jeffer
son has also the respect and good will of the white
people.
Dr. Jefferson has traveled extensively. While
still a student, he began his travels, having to go
about at times in connection with his work. He
has traveled over the United States, both North
and South, and in the West Indes.
By hard work and very careful economy, Dr.
Jefferson has been able to live comfortably, to
equip and keep up-to-date his large office, and at
the same time accumulate a goodly number of pro
perty holdings. He owns his own home, which is
a very attractive residence on Queen Street. He
owns two rent houses, and several vacant lots.
Thus Dr. Jefferson is numbered not only among
the leading professional Negroes of Norfolk, but
among the most substantial business men.
Dr. and Mrs. Jefferson have no children of their
own, nevertheless their home is a happy one, and
is presided over very charmingly by Mrs. Jefferson.
392
Robert Horace Brooks, M. D.
HILE much has been written der
ogatory to the State of Georgia,
in the treatment of Negroes, a
study of the colored citizens that
are making good will convince
the most skeptical, that while
conditions are by no means ideal, there is no state
in the union where there is greater opportunity for
the self-respecting and law-abiding citizen to make
good. A splendid example of this is shown by the
success of Dr. Brooks, in Rome, Ga. The citizens
of this beautiful and aristrocratic old Southern
town point with genuine pleasure and pride to the
success of Dr. Brooks. His reputation as a success
ful practioner, is only equalled by his record as
a business man, and his credit rating the equal of
almost any merchant in the city.
In spite of all that has been said and written,
the Georgia Negro has made giants strides, espec
ially in the cities. You will go far and look wth
argus eyes to find a state with so much Negro bus
iness enterprise, refinement, talent and education.
Take Atlanta for an example. It flourishes with
handsome Negro homes. It is the home of the
famous Odd Fellows Building, the still more fam
ous Standard Insurance Company, writing its pol
icies like the best of the old line companies, send
ing forth its agents and establishing branch houses
in the leading cities over the land. Education is in
the keenest competition here. Morehouse College
stands on one hill ; Atlanta University on another ;
Clark University and Morris Brown University in
other parts of the city ; Spelman Seminary, the lar
gest school in the world for the education of Negro
girls is here sending out all over the South and into
foreign lands, especially into Africa, her well-
rounded students. Atlanta is not in a class to her
self. Close to her come Savannah, Athens, Bruns
wick and other cities in which we find many re
fined Negroes — all this goes to show that where
determination abounds, success does also abound.
It is here that one of the most scholarly of the
Negroes lives and follows his calling in all safety-
day by day. This man is Dr. Robert Horace Brooks
who is known as the Scholarly Physician." Re
gardless of race or creed he wears and defends this
title. On questions of History, of literature, of
Geography, of War and Peace, and of education, as
well as of the medical profession, he is very often
referred to as the final arbiter, because his judg
ment is sound and his reading and study wide and
thorough.
Unlike many of his brother practioneers, he had
the advantage of a splendid early education. Born
in Trinidad British West Indies, his parents from
the first inbued him with the spirit of thorough
ness, typical of the British subject wherever he is
found.
Education under the British Flag is by no means
so general, certainly higher education is not so
popular, but the training in the literary branches
is most exhaustive, so much so that your lad of
fifteen is already a scholar in his habit of mind and
as thoroughly a Britisher as your decendant of
Plantagenet — wiry, confident, unpeturbed.
Having gone to and finished the public schools
uf Trinidad he entered Queens College. Finishing
here he came to America, in 1900, and enrolled in
the medical department of Howard University,
Washington, D. C. His course was broken into on
account of the serious illness and death of his mo
ther which called him home. In 1902, he returned
to America to take up again his duties in medicine.
Instead of returning to the Howard University he
entered as a student of medicine Shaw University,
Raleigh, N. C. Dr. Brooks was graduated from
the Shaw Medical College in 1906. After graduat
ing at Shaw Medical College he took a Post Grad
uate course at Jefferson College and from there
went to Tuskegee and served as an intern in the
hospital at Tuskegee Institute, gaining experience
of people of this country, as well as practice in
medicine. His year of internship ended, Dr. Brooks
began practice in Madison, Ga. Here he remained
for five years. In 1912, he moved to Rome, Geor-
gie, where he is now practicing and where he is
held in such high esteem as a doctor and a scholar.
While he is an able practitioneer and well versed
in medical science, his natural aptitude and inclina
tion leads him to surgery, in which branch he is
an expert. Dr. Brooks is known not only in Rome
and surrounding country, but pretty generally
through the State of Georgia. He is a Roman
Catholic in Faith. He is a member of the Ma
sonic Lodge and of the Pythians. He is medical
examiner of his town for the Standard Life Insur
ance Company, of Atlanta, for the Columbia Life
and for the Mutual Life Insurance Companies.
Dr. Brooks is much traveled, having in addition
to spending time in North Carolina and in Alabama
as - student, traveled through the Eastern states,
through the South and on many of the Islands.
Dr. Brooks was married in 1907, to Miss Anita
Rochon, of New Orleans, Louisiana. There are
two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, Robert
Horace. Jr., and Frederick.
393
UNDERTAKING ESTABLISHMENT OF
W. I. JOHNSON & SONS
R. William Isaac Johnson was born
of slave parents in 1852, in Char
lotte County, Virginia. At the
close of the Civil War he attend
ed the free schools that had been
started for the freedom of the
South, in the city of Richmond. He finished the
Richmond Normal School course and taught for
two years. His next work was that of letter car
rier, in which work he was engaged for twelve
years. But Mr. Johnson, like a great number of
our men, saw no future for himself in the work of
letter carrier. So, with no previous training in
business, he gave up his steady income and launch
ed out into business for himself. With undaunted
courage and energy, he has forged ahead until to
day he is one of the leading undertakers of his race
in this country.
The firm first opened in 1886, at 23 West Broad
Street, where for five years they did a prosperous
business. Outgrowing this establishment, Mr.
Johnson bought property at 207 N. Foushee St.,
where he conducted the business for twenty years.
In 1911 once more Mr. Johnson considered his
quarters unsuitable, and so he sold the property on
Foushee Street for the sum of $25,000.00. and
bought and built his present commodious establish
ment at 10 West Leigh Street, and two residences
adjoining. The building is a three-story brick and
is well equipped. On the first floor are the offices,
show room, stock room, ware room and the mor
gue. The second floor is taken up by an auditorium
which is used as a chapel and for various other
public functions. The third floor is divided into
four beautiful lodge rooms which are used by va
rious fraternal societies throughout the city. The
entire building is heated by steam and lighted by
electricity.
In addition to the Undertaking business and en
tirely separate from it is the Garage, owned and
managed by this firm. The Garage, formerly the
stable, is a two-story brick structure, that extends
from one. street to the other. It was formerly
equipped with a full line of horse-drawn vehicles
for the conduct of their business. Most of these
have been recently disposed of and replaced by
auto vehicles, a black and grey motor hearse,
four seven passenger limousines, three seven pas
senger touring cars, one Ford sedan, two Ford
touring cars, and two motor delivery wagons.
Their equipment is sought by the leading funeral
directors of the city.
In building up this business for himself, Mr.
Johnson has made a place for his sons. In 1911,
he took the two sons into the business with him.
One of them serves as his father's principal assist
ant. The other is now in he Army, and has for the
time given up his active work with the firm. The
business methods of the firm are of the highest or
der, their equipment up-to-date, and they enjoy the
confidence and the highest respect of all classes of
citizens, both in their own locality and in the un
dertaking profession at large.
Mr. Johnson has taken time from his business
to serve in other concerns. He is a member of the
Henrico Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Ma
sons. He is director of the St. Luke Penny Saving
Bank, of Richmond, and a Director of the Crown
Savings Bank, of Newport News. To these organi
zations he brings his great business ability and
helps to hold the confidence of the public. Many
honors have been shown to Mr. Johnson because
of the great work he has done and is doing in the
colored business world. Among these might be
mentioned — he was President of the Negro exhibit
of the Jamestown exposition and he is a trustee of
the Negro Reformatory of Virginia.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the National Negro
Business Men's League. He has been present at
most of their gatherings. Most of the traveling
that Mr. Johnson has taken the time to do has been
in going from one section of the country to another
while in attendance upon the National League.
In May, of 1889, Mr. Johnson was married to
Miss Maria Cooley, of Richmond, Virginia. To
them have been born three children. Mrs. Tar-
quinia A. Middleton is a daughter who now resides
in Chicago. W. I. Johnson, Jr., is his father's
mainstay in the undertaking and livery business,
and the other son, Jas. A. C. Johnson, is a Ser
geant in the United States Army. Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson live in one of the new residences which
they have recently built and the sons, with their
wives, live in the other. It is a far cry from the
poverty-stricken boyhood of this man to the place
he now occupies in the world of business and in the
social world. He has shown what one who has
made up his mind to succeed, can really do in thir
ty-two years.
394
Reverend John Franklin Drane
HEN you think of Kentucky, your when the school house doors nor the theological
mind is likely to go out to the school doors did not swing so easily on the hinge
Cobbs. the Watersons, Brecken- as they do now. Rev. Drane was born in Washing-
bridges and others of that noble ton County. He spent some time in the country
strain which makes the blue grass schools and then went to Louisville, where he at-
state so universally popular and tended the Central High School for eight years,
lovable. When you add to this her fame for beau- For a long time he worked and studied. It was not
tiful ladies you might well wonder why everybody for him to go away to take formal courses in theo-
doesn't pull up and go clown there to live. Per- logy and in the doctrines. He had to fight the bat-
haps this would be so were it not that men are so tie for daily sustenance where he was and study
devoid of the spirit of adventure and of romance. his theology when and where he could,
both being wholly eclipsed by the everlasting tug- To educate himself for the ministry, which he
ging after sordid gains. was resolved to enter, he made various shifts. For
The Negroes of the state are no less famed a good while he had a private tutor, J. T. Sullivan,
among their brothers than are the whites among Then he applied himself much alone; then he stu-
theirs. Kentucky has a high scale of general edu- died by correspondence, taking courses in the Mc-
cation, good taste and refinement. Perhaps in no Kinley Extension University of Oak Park. Ill Fin-
other Southern state or semi-Southern state does ally when thirty years of age, feeling that he was
one hear so little of that modern epedemic, race in a measure prepared to do the work to which he
friction. This is without doubt due to the high aspired, he entered the ministry. He began at
standards of both the races, for almost without ex- Louisville, Ky., in 1898. with the church of the
ception, when misunderstandings come they are Good Shepherd. In a few years he was in Cov-
started by the lower element of one race or the ington, where he purchased the Ninth Street Bap-
other- tist church. From Covington he went to May's
Kentucky is a sort of Baptist strong-hold. In- I-ick, where he inaugurated the Building Fund for
deed the Baptists feel, and not without considera- <i church there. On January 1st, 1915, he was calle 1
ble warrant in this case, that they lead the race, to take charge of the big church at Bowling-
They have more schools, better schools and hand- Green, Thus in fifteen years, Rev Drane 1 -
somer churches than do the others. They have climbed to the highest round of the ladder as a
keener competition for places of leadership in the tor in his native State.
schools, in the churches, in the clubs and civic bod- As a pastor and as a citizen he has c-irri > 1 I' •
ies than do most of the other sects. Their papers full quota of extra duties outside of the church In
and their journals are more numerous and are Lodge affiliations he is a Mason, an Odd F 11
longer lived. and a Good Samaritan. In religious bodies he is a
'therefore, to be pastor of one of the largest and member of the Baptist Foreign Mission Bo- 1 f
most costiy churches in one's state is no ditinction the National Convention and chairman of th TT
to be passed over lightly. Such is the good fortune ion District Association and Sunday School Con-
uf Rev. John F. Drane, of Bowling Green, Ky. The vention. He is editor of the "Blaze," a weekly pa-
ehurch oi winch he is pastor is known as the State per of Bowling Green, and past Grand Chaplain of
1'irst Baptist Lhurcii. it has a seating capacity of the F. and A. M.
eleven hundred and cost twenty thousand dollars. Rev. Drane has traveled much, having toured the
Rev. Drane's ascent to his post has been steady whole country on business or pleasure trips He
and unwavering, though born in a state where the was married in 1910, to Miss Mary F. Jordan of
Baptists are legion and where the Baptist preach- May's Lick, Ky. They have one son, Joseph Fraiik-
ers are among the giants in the pulpit. He was ]jn Drane, who will soon be a pupil in the public
born shortly after the war. in 1866, to be explicit, school.
.195
JOHN B. KEY.
HE life of John B. Key, should be
an inspiration to any boy who has
for his ambition the acquiring of
a good share of this world's
goods ; for in this story we have
a lad who earned his way in the
common schools by shining shoes
— advanced to the position of ow
ner of Real Estate and Oil Lease Business, and
worth in his own right over one million dollars.
John B. Key is a southerner by birth. He was
born in Florence Alabama, June 10, 1867. Here
he lived with his parents till he was nine years of
age. Up to that time he was a little farm lad, at
tending school during the short sessions held in the
rural districts. At the age of nine he was sent to
his first cousin in Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Ran
dall Clay, who was a finished mechanic in the
James and Graham Wagon Factory. Here his op
portunities for getting an education were greater.
He entered the Clay Street Public School. Here
he remained, applying himself to the work in
hand till he completed the English branches.
In order to remain in school for this length of time
he had to work at something that would take only
out of school time. For this purpose he chose
shoe-shining. After leaving school he tried work
ing successively in Foundry, Hotel and Wagon
Factory.
While still a young man, Mr. Key worked his
way from the position of porter to that of clerk
in one of the best white hotels of that period, and
operated the United States Barber Shop, at Hot
Springs, Arkansas. Later he moved to Port Ar
thur, Canada, and clerked in the Northern Hotel.
But Mr. Key was not altogether satisfied with the
life of a hotel clerk. He felt that there were big
ger things and better opportunities in store for
him. So once more we find him moving. This
time he moved out to the territory of Oklahoma,
in 1891. Here he got a farm for himself and set
for himself the task of learning to run it. This
was a farm of 160 acres of land. Mr. Key has
never since given up his interest in farms and farm
ing. At present he own 2800 acres of farm land.
Later he engaged in the Mercantile business. In
this business he continued till 1917, when he open
ed up a real estate and oil lease business. In
this business he is still engaged and it is growing
rapidly under his direction. He organized a com
pany with a capital stock of $100,000 under the
corporate name of J. B. Key Oil & Gas Company,
which has secured some of the best oil leases in the
Peoner Oil Fields, and is now drilling in the fam
ous Willcox Pool, in the heart of production. In
addition to this lease the company owns leases on
several thousand acres.
It is the purpose of this company to erect a re
finery and conduct a banking business in addition
to boring for oil and gas. In addition to the
land owned by Mr. Key he has several blocks of
improved real estate and considerable interests in
valuable oil production, to the amount of over one
million dollars. He has just finished two more
blocks of fine three-story brick buildings contain
ing 128 rooms and 6 stores, 25 by 100 feet,
Mr. Key is a member of the A. M. E. Church,
being a Trustee and Steward of the Church of
which he is a member. But in religious matters,
Mr. Key is broad and liberal. He visits all the
Churches of the colored people of Okmulgee and
contributes liberally to the support of them all.
In this manner, Mr. Key shows that he is broad
er than any creed. In fraternal matters, Mr. Key
is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Mo-
siac Templars of America and of the United Bro
thers of Friedship. In the order of the Knights of
Pythias he serves as Grand Master of EXQ.
Mr. Key is the President of Flipper-Key-Davis
University, he is also a member of the board
of Trustees. This school is maintained by the
A. M. E. Church in the State of Oklahoma. The
school has his name as a part of its own. lie is
not only President and Trustee but a very liberal
supporter of this institution of learning.
As recorded in the first part of this sketch, Mr.
Key went with his work from place to place. And
so in travels he has gone over the whole of the
United States, over part of Canada, and has trav
eled extensively in Mexico.
Mr. Key was married to Miss Annie B. Collins
on the 22nd day of February, 1888. She has
been a true helpmate to him. In all his business
undertakings he has asked for and gotten her ad
vice and very frequently it was the joint plans,
rather than the plans of one that have made the
successful business deals.
There are no children in the family, but the
Key's have made up for this by loving and rearing
the children of relatives.
396
Thomas F. Parks
<)f
R. Parks was born in Albany, Ga., Mr. Parks once started a dairy business, but
in 1864. When a child his parents a|K,ut the time he was beginning this, he was ad-
moved to Greensboro, Gi., where vocating tllat the dty a])])oint a truant officer to
he received his first school train- k)ok after absent co]ored chndren who gtay from
ing. This was very meagre and schoo, Ag he ha(, bepn chjef adv()Cate hfi ^ ap_
when he moved to Louisville, Ky., pointed Thus he haf,
he brought with him the determination to succeed. workjng as truant offjcer he f()un(, tha't the
Unable to go to school, in the day time as he was rpn werp not on]
coni])elled to earn his living, he entered a night )1orant_ thev and
school where in a remarkably short time he became f(>r
proficient in all branches necessary to business suc
cess. Quick to see and grasp an opportunity, Mr.
I 'arks was impressed with the fact that there was
a splendid field for the development u' an insurance
agency that catered exclusively to the Negroes.
He became identified with the Insurance l-usines?
in 1S99. and is today special agent for the National
Benefit Association of Washington, D. C., and one
of the leading producers for that company. In
se
education.
Thoroughly engrossed in business and uplift
work. Mr. Parks has given but little t;me to other
"-p-anizations. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and
•i Knight of Pythias. He once served for nine
vears as Vice-President of the Board of Guardians
for Children.
Beyond membership in these bodies and his bus
iness, Mr. Parks devotes most of his time to his
ttling the death claims incident to this business, family. He was married in 1887, to Miss Tola May
he saw the need of a cemetery where his peoples Lewis, of Louisville. Two boys and a Girl coin-
last resting place would be a beautiful tribute of P"se the family circle in the splendid Parks brick
the love and affection of those left behind. It was home on Chestnut Street. They are Lewis Parks,
with this idea in view that he organized a stock who was formerly a student at Ohio State Univer-
company and purchased the site for beautiful *ity, but had to cease studying on account of ill
Greenwood Cemetery. A park located right in the health ; Miss Margaret, who was graduated from
city, and one that could hardly be purchased to- the Louisville High School, and from Fisk Univer-
day sity, carrying off at Fisk the highest honors, and
To quote the Company's circular: "About twelve Albert Paul, who is associated with the father in
years ago the Greenwood Cemetery was opened; business.
since that time more than three thousand of our
relatives and friends have been buried there," a
statement that shows what the cemetery has
meant to the colored people of Louisville.
Quite different were the impulses which prompt
ed Mr. Parks to enter the real estate business. He
Mr. Parks realizes keenly that this is the day of
the highly developed specialist and of the thor
oughly trained business man and is determined to
hold what he has so successfully fought to gain.
With this end in view he has taken his son. Albert
Paul, into business with him and is giving him the
was paying rent. He figured that if he could only advantage of his practical experience. Many boys
get the first house he could make one building pay are given the advantage of a thorough education,
for the other. and many are given the advantage of a practical
To accomplish this he joined a building and loan training, but fortunate is the boy that has the ben-
association, paying $50.00 per month for mem- efit of both under the care of a loving father,
bership fee. then he borrowed $800.00 from the Desirous of securing a first hand estimate of Mr.
company and $200.00 from a bank and put up for Parks as a public servant from the officers of the
himself a two and a half story brick house. Then city of Louisville, the authors interviewed several,
he began to put up other houses until today he which resulted in convincing them that Mr. Parks
owns and collects rents from eight houses, this in record had given the officials a very high regard
addition to his two and half story residence.
for him both as an officer and a man.
397
GEORGE CLAYTON SHAW, D. D.
HE Mary Potter Memorial School,
founded in 1910, by the present
principal, Rev. G. C. Shaw. Rev.
Shaw is a graduate of Lincoln
University, (Pa.), class of 1886,
and of Auburn Theological Semi
nary, Auburn, N. Y., in 1890. He also studied one
year at Princeton, Theological Seminary, N. J. He
was born at Louisburgh, N. C, in 1863, being next
to the youngest of six children. His parents were
slaves but his mother was given a fairly good edu-
cation by her mistress. Also his two oldest sisters
who were eight and six years old, respectively, at
the close of the war, were taught to read and write
and were among the first colored teachers of
North Carolina, having begun to teach in 1872.
Each of the six children began to teach as soon as
they were old enough and there has not been a
year since 1872 that some of them have not been
teaching in North Carolina.
Rev. Shaw married, in 1890, Miss Mary E. Lewis,
of Penn Valley, Pa., a highly educated woman.
She has been a faithful worker with her husband
in establishing and developing Mary Potter School.
While a student at Auburn, Rev. Shaw attracted
the attention of Mrs. Mary Potter of Schenectady
who became very much interested in him. Through
her influence he went to Oxford, N. C. In addition
to establishing the school which bears the name of
his friend Mrs. Mary Potter, he organized a Pres
byterian Church. He is still pastor of the church and
has organized in the county two other Presbyter
ian churches and one in the adjoining county
(Vance). Mrs. Potter died soon after the work
was started. Through her friends and the Freed-
men's Board of the Presbyterian Church, Rev.
Shaw has been able to develop the work to its pres
ent proportions. It has 485 students.
The school is conducted by Rev. Shaw along
carefully conceived lines that not only equip the
students for business and home, but impress upon
them the beauties of a Christian life. A born ped
agogue, and a forceful speaker. Rev. Shaw is at all
times the kindly gentle leader and instructor of
youth. His sound judgment and wise policies have
made him a capable leader of the older element in
his community, and Dr. Shaw has the respect and
esteem of both races. No man of any people could
wish for a higher eulogy than was paid him by a
prominent white citizen of Oxford, N. C., who said,
"Dr. G. C. Shaw is a citizen that any town would
be proud to claim."
MARY POTTER MEMORIAL SCHOOL
398
Reverend Mansfield Temple Cooper
I
EVEREND Mansfield Temple
's a native °f Mississippi.
was born m Hinds County,
"*J
li fa\\f ^e was born
Kd K^ ^X\ Mississippi, in the year 1866.
His father lived in the country,
and the early life of Mansfield
was spent on the farm. While he did his share of
the farm work and was being trained in handling
the hoe and plow the training of his mind was be
ing neglected for want of the proper facilities for
educational development. He early evinced a de
sire to learn and to the credit of his father, this de
sire was enlarged rather than held back. To give
him the proper mental training meant the loss of
a worker on the farm, but this wise father saw the
possibilities of a greater life for his son, if he was
trained for service, and he cheerfully made the sac
rifice in the interest of his son's education. When
about twelve years of age, his father sent him to
town where he could obtain better educational fa
cilities than the country afforded.
Leaving the farm, he went to the town of Ed
wards, where he entered the public school. He ap
plied himself diligently to his books and proved a
good student. By hard work he passed through
the public schools ending with his course in the
high school. After finishing at Edwards he went
to Jackson, Mississippi, the capital of the state, and
entered the High School there. He finished his
course at the Jackson High School when he reached
the age of nineteen, and then entered college. He
first attended the Granada and Zion College, then
entered Princeton University and Tougaloo Col
lege. At all of these institutions he applied him
self diligently, paying his way by hard work.
While his father helped him to secure an educa
tion he did not depend upon him altogether, but
worked to help himself. During the progress of
his education and for some years after his grad
uation he followed the profession of teacher and
at one time it seemed that this would be his life
work, but God had other work for him, and laid
its call upon his heart and conscience and finally
led him to the ministry. He began to teach when
he was sixteen years of age, and before he had fin
ished his High School Course. He left school when
he was about twenty-two years old and first took
up the occupation of teaching. His first appoint
ment was that of principal of the public school at
Charleston, Mississippi, which he served for four
years. He next served the school at Harrison
Station. Mississippi, as principal for three years.
This station is now known as Einid. His work at
these schools was of the best and the schools
flourished under his management.
From Harrison Station he went to Memphis,
Tennessee. There he continued teaching for a
short while, but gave it up to engage in manual
labor. He continued at hard labor for sometime
when he recognized the call to preach and then
gave it up to prepare for the ministry.
He entered the ministry in the year 1895 and
since that date has been actively engaged in church
work. When he gave himself to the work of the
ministry he made a complete surrender of all per
sonal ambition and sought only to serve God and
humanity. He went where duty called and regard
ed not the field from the standpoint of self. He
was satisfied it he could serve and the larger the
service the greater joy he experienced. In the
course of his labors he has served some of the
humblest mission stations and some of the leading
churches in the State of Tennessee.
Thirteen years out of the twenty-one years he
has spent in Tennessee, he has lived at Memphis.
There he was pastor of Providence three years
and accomplished a good work for his charge. He
paid off a mortgage on the church property of over
$2,000. During his pastorate at Tyler Chapel, he
built a church edifice at a cost of $1500. He was
pastor at St. Andrews for five years, and when he
retired from that pastorate he had raised $5,000
with which to erect a new building.
In 1917 he returned to Providence church and
is today the pastor of that people.
It is not often that a pastor can return to a
church that he formerly served and do his best
work, but Rev. Cooper is an exception. He not
only keeps up the interest of his flock in many
lines of church work, but has reduced the debt on
the church property from $4,000 to $1500. In 1916
he was a delegate to the General Conference which
met in Philadelphia.
He has served on the board of trustees of Wil-
berforce University, and is now a trustee of Tur
ner College, and has held the position for ten years.
He was the Statistical Secretary of the West
Tennessee Conference for seven years and could
have continued, but resigned in favor of another.
In 1892, he married Miss Clara Key, of Rober-
sonville. Mississippi. They have one child, Mans
field Temple Cooper, Jr. Rev. Cooper's travels
have been confined to the South and East. His
extensive labors in connection with his church life
have not prevented him from taking an active in
terest in a number of fraternal organizations.
He is a member of the Masons, Knights of Py
thias, Odd Fellows and the Knights of Tabor. For
several years he was the Chancellor Commander
of the Knights of Pythias.
399
HARRY C. SMITH
ON. Harry C. Smith, the subject of
this sketch, a native of West Vir
ginia, has lived for half a cen
tury in Ohio, at Cleveland, where
he secured his education in the
public schools of that city. It
was in August, 1883, that Mr. Smith and three
other members of the race started The Cleveland
-^•^r'
IM!
This position he held for four years. In 1893
Mr. Smith was elected a member of the Ohio Leg
islature ; in 1895 and 1899 he was re-elected to a
second and third term , serving six years in all. His
most conspicious work as a Legislator in the inter
est of his people was the passage of Ohio's Civil
Rights' Law. in 1884. and Ohio's Ariti-Lynching
Law in 1896. New York State's "Malhy Civil
Rights Law" and Illinois' Anti-Lynching Law are
largely copies of Ohio's. Illinois and Ohio are the
only States in the Union that have affective laws
against mob violence and both were introduced by
Afro-American Legislators.
Editor Smith, though a member of the Legis
lature and a very busy one, too, continued his
newspaper work. In recent years thrice Mr. Smith
has successfully called upon the State Railroad
Commission of Ohio to stop Southern railroads
from running coaches bearing "Jim Crow" car
signs into Ohio.
The following tribute was paid to him by W. S.
Scarborough, President of Wilberforce University :
"This paper (Mr. Smith's paper — The Gazette)
has proven a success and is now by far the best
Colored paper published in the State of Ohio, and
is one among the best edited by Colored journalists
in the United States. It is vigorous in tone, fear
less in its defense of right, a strong advocate of
equal rights to all men without any distinction, an
uncompromising enemy of prejudice in all its
forms, and a staunch Republican in politics — with
principle rather than expediency as the basis.
Mr. Smith has always wielded an able pen for
right and truth. He has fought squarely in be
half of his race, demanding for it recognition vvher-
(Ohio) Gazette, which he has edited and managed ever denied. No other proof of this is needed than
from the beginning and owned for more than twen
ty-five years. It is the one race weekly newspaper
in this country that has been issued every week on
time since its birth twenty-six years ago — and has
done such good, consistent and constant work for
the colored people that it is known to Afro-Amer
ican readers throughout the country as one of
their truest and best race newspapers and advo
cates, and its editor as one of their most aggress
ive and successful race leaders.
When Senator Joseph Benson Foraker was Gov
ernor of Ohio, many years ago, he caused Harry C.
Smith to be appointed a Deputy State Oil Inspect
or, the first time in their history the colored race
had been so honored in this country.
The Gazette itself."
Hon. Frederick Douglas pays him this tribute
a few years prior to his death :
"In the midst of hurried preparations for a long
tour in Europe I snatched my pen and spend a few
moments to tell you how completely I sympathize
with your political attitude." Then again he adds :
'I do exhort your readers to stand by you in your
efforts to lead the Colored citizens of Ohio to wise
and successful political action."
Tributes such as the above are well worth striv
ing for, and when deserved, speak volumes as to
the character and ability of the one to whom they
are paid. Mr. Smith is eminently deserving of the
tribute.
400
Charles Banks
HE fact that he engineered the
tour of the Tuskegee "Wizard"
through Mississippi is sufficient
proof that Mr. Banks stands far
above the ordinary man. Booker
T. Washington made mistakes, as
who does not. h'lt in some things he was exceed
ingly sure. It is doubtful if the Founder of Tuske-
gee ever made a bad speech or made a bad select
ion of a man to do a particular job. Banks is cer
tainly a demonstration of Dr. Washington's ability
to select men who could combine action with
thought. He was Dr. Washington's special choice
because the Tuskegean discerned that Charles
Banks could stem the tide of prejudice of the white
Mississippian. the tide of superstition of the black
to 1903, Mr. Banks was engaged in a mercantile
business in Clarksdale, under the firm name of
Banks & Bro. ; they did a general merchandise bus
iness.
In 1903. he made his home in Mound Bayou, and
organized the Bank of Mound Bayou, which is
capitalized for $100,000. He served the bank as
Cashier for eleven years. In 1907, he organized
the Mound Bayou Oil Mill and Manufacturing
Company, a corporation of $100.000 capital. It is
the only manufactory of such proportion owned by
the colored race in America. He is general man
ager of the company.
He also organized the Mound Bayou Land and
Investment Company, with a capital of $50.000,
which has for its aim the keeping of the farm lands
Mississippian, the tide of competition of the Negro in and around Mound Bayou in the ownership of
banker and the tide of jealousy of the politician.
Another reason Dr. Washington clung to Charles
Banks was that the latter was an instance of one
of Dr. Washington's theories. Not a pure blooded
Negro himself, he nevertheless believed in the abil
ity of men of genuine African blood, so that he
could point to these and no one could say, "An well
it's the white blood that's in him that accounts for
his success." Thus it was he was fond of having
ever ready men like Dr. Moton, Bishop Clinton, and
Charles Banks to prove beyond a doubt that the
Negro race, regardless of individual complexion
was capable of the highest degree of civilization
and refinement.
There is as great a variety of business men as
there are differences in men generally. Some men
have only one idea and bend all of their energies
to working it out ; some men can only see beyond
their nose, and are too timid to venture out of their
sight — some men have visions of large ventures,
but lack the ability to work them out ; others have
the visions and the skill to execute and become the
founders of great enterprises. Of this latter class
belongs Charles Banks, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Banks was born at Clarksdale, Mississippi,
March 25, 1873, and has spent his life in his native
State. He is the son of Daniel A. and Sallie Ann
Banks. He received his education in the public
schools and at Rust College, Holly Springs, Miss
issippi.
In 1893, he married Miss Trenma O. Booze, of
the Negro.
He is a director of the Union Guaranty Company
of Jackson, Miss., and of the Mississippi Beneficial
Insurance Company, of Indianola. In a word he
stands in the front rank of the progressive and in-
fluencial citizens of the Negro town of Mound Ba
you.
In 1901 he was elected third Vice-President of
the National Negro Business League, and in 1907
was elected first Vice-President.
He is a trustee of Wilberforce University, and of
Campbell College.
Mr. Banks is a Republican and has taken an ac
tive part in politics. In 1904 and again in 1908. he
was a delegate to the Republican National Con
vention. and in 1912 he was a delegate at-large. He
was the original Taft supporter in Mississippi, and
at the Chicago Convention was the choice of the
Negroes to second the nomination of Mr. Taft. He
had charge of the tour of the late Dr. Booker T.
Washington, through Mississippi, which was con
sidered by many to be the most elaborate demon
stration ever given the distinguished educator.
Mr. Banks is a member of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and is active in its work and
support. Mr. Banks owns the controlling interest
in the Mound Bayou Bank and is a large owner of
town property and of the surrounding farm lands.
He is connected with the leading fraternal or
ganizations among the Negroes. He is a Mason,
Natchez. Mississippi. She has contributed largely member of Odd Fellows, and of Knights of Py-
to the wonderful .success of her husband's career, thias.
She is a woman of high character and culture and Mr. Banks is not only a business man of high
deservedly takes a position of leadership among character, and remarkable executive ability, but he
the women of her race in Mississippi. From 1889 is a public speaker of unusual talent,
401
WILLIAM A. CREDITT, A. B., A. M., S. T. B.,
D. D., LL. D.
ILLIAM A. Creditt was born in
the city of Baltimore, July 14th,
1864. His parents, Bushrod Cre
ditt and Mary L. Creditt, were
considered people of means and
they were also free born. Mr.
Creditt had all the advantages of
the public schools of the city of
Baltimore. He was very studious, and at the age
of seventeen he had finished the public school
course. He then matriculated at Lincoln Univer
sity. From this institution he was graduated with
honor before he reached his twenty-first birthday.
All through his college course he was an honor stu
dent and he had the honor of the philosophical Ora
tion.
Dr. Creditt looked forward to the Gospel Min
istry from his earliest childhood. After finishing
his college course he entered the post graduate
course of the same institution, and upon the com
pletion of this course entered the old Newton The
ological Institution of Newton Center, Massachu
setts. This is the oldest and most renowned The
ological Institution among the White Baptists of
America. From this institution he was graduated
in 1899, with the honor of delivering the Class Ora
tion to the Boston Social Union, at Tremont Tem
ple.
Dr. Creditt then entered upon a long life of use
fulness. He was President of the Normal Depart
ment and University Preacher for a year. He
served as pastor for the Corinthian Baptist Church,
Frankfort, Kentucky, during the same year. He
next took examination for professorship at the
State Normal Institution in 1890. He retained the
pastorate at Frankfort and at the same time served
as Professor at the State Institution. In 1892 he
accepted the- pastorate of the Berean Baptist
Church, at Washington, D. C., and held this posi
tion for five years. One of the things in which
Dr. Creditt takes pride is that while pastoring in
Washington he frequently had in his audience at
the same time, Hon. Frederick Douglass. Hon.
John R. Lynch, Senator B. K. Bruce, and men of
kindred significance While in Washington he did
not confine his efforts to his church. He was in
charge of the University Extension Course of
Wayland Institution and lectured frequently at
Howard University. He organized an Evening
Bible Class. Upon leaving Washington he turned
this class over to Howard University. Out of this
class has grown the present evening class, at How
ard, for the training of young ministers.
In 1897 he became pastor of the old Cherry
Street Baptist Church, of Philadelphia. Under his
leadership the church grew and purchased new
property on 16th and Christian Streets. This was
a step in the development of the church and a
step in the advancement of the colored people of
Philadelphia as well, for this purchase opened up
to them one of the finest residential sections. Dr.
Creditt kept the charge of this church till 1915,
when he gave it up to devote more of his time to
the Downingtown School. During his pastorate he
added to the membership of the church an average
of 100 members per year.
One of the characteristics of this church and
school worker is that of an organizer. He or
ganized the Reliable Mutual Aid Society of Phila
delphia, one of the strongest Industrial Insurance
companies of the country. He was also one of the
founders of the Cherry Building and Loan Associa
tion. Through these organizations he influenced
a great number of people to buy their own homes.
Not satisfied with working with the older people.
Dr. Creditt with Mr. John S. Trower, his faithful
friend, decided to found an Industrial School for
the training of Colored Youths of the North, along
industrial lines. Elsewhere in these pages the
story of his school is told. It stands as a monu
ment to this man, who has never once lost courage
during the years of the development of this school.
Many honors have been showered upon Dr.
Creditt because of his long years of usefulness. He
has the degrees A. B., A. M., S. T. B., D. D., and in
the year 1909 Lincoln University, his Alma Mater,
conferred upon him the degree LL. D. Dr. Creditt
was the fifth man in the institution to receive this
degree. The National Baptist Convention invited
him to deliver the Booker T. Washington Oration
before that body in 1917. He is noted for his ser
mons and orations and is much in demand as a lec
turer and preacher. He has potential influence
with the white citizens of this country and espe
cially the people of Pennsylvania ,and is one with
marked influence among his own people.
402
DOWNINGTOWN INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
OWNINGTOWN Industrial and
Agricultural School grew out of
the recognized need of training in
these subjects for the colored
Northern Youth. In the year
1905, John S. Trower and William
A. Creditt of Philadelphia, called together a number
of leading colored men of various religious deno
minations from every section of the state of Penn
sylvania, and laid before them this great need. Af
ter consideration those present decided that the
school be established. The charter of the Down-
ingtown Industrial and Agricultural School was
granted the same year and Dr. Creditt was pre
vailed upon to accept the presidency.
The property now owned by this school was
paid for by Mr. J. S. Trower, and his heirs still hold
mortgages on the property. The property of the
school consists of 110 acres of land valued at $8.250
— one hundred acres of this land is cultivated as a
school farm and ten acres are used as a campus.
There are two large stone buildings used for dor
mitories, administration, and class rooms ; two
small stone buildings ; a stone barn and two frame
buildings. The total value of the buildings amounts
to $44,850.00. In addition to this property there
is movable property owned by the school which is
valued at $9,000.00.
The institution receives some aid from the State,
which therefore has supervision of the financial af
fairs of the school. The State of Pennsylvania do
nates to the upkeep of the school the sum of
$10,000.00. This amount, with the general dona
tions received and the money received from the va
rious departments of the institution form the bulk
of the income for this plant.
The motto of the institution is "Self Help
Through Self Work." To further the aims of the
school the courses are planned to give to the indi
vidual student the studies that will best fit him
for what he plans for his life work. In this way
the student who has for his object the work in
trade is given more time in trade work and the
minimum of work in the literary subjects. The
reverse is true when the student is striving toward
a vocation in the professional world. In this case
the maximum of literary work is given and the
minimum of trade work.
The Downington Industrial and Agricultural
School fills a unique place in tlie State in which it
is located. All the opportunity necessary for a cer
tain kind of education was already provided by the
State. But this institution has its place in the
training of the Northern youth, along industrial
lines. That the school is on the hearts of the col
ored people of Pennsylvania is shown by the num
ber of colored churches and organizations of one
kind or another that help the school. The Auxi
liary that gives the greatest amount of help is the
Fanny Coppin Association. This is a body of two
hundred women. They have rallied to the needs
of the institution and have been instrumental in
getting a great deal of aid for it.
There are a number of influential people who are
personally interested in the success of this venture
to give industrial training to the colored youth of
the North.
403
REVEREND CALVIN SCOTT BROWN
EV. Calvin Scott Brown was born
in Salisbury, N. C, March 23,
1857. His early days were spent
amid the trying scenes which fol
lowed the Civil War, a period of-
ten referred to as "Reconstruct
ion days," and which was fraught with grave prob
lems for white and black to solve. His father died
when he was a mere lad, leaving his mother depen
dent upon her son for a support. To assume such
a responsibility at such a time was a man's work,
but young Brown went to his task with a brave
heart and a strong affection for his widowed mo
ther.
When the soldiers were relieved of the care of
the Federal Cemetery at Salisbury, this young
boy was employed to look after it, which he
did, among his duties being that of keeping the re
cord of those buried there. The placing of such a
task upon such young shoulders speaks highly of
his ability no less than his reliability.
The first school he attended was one opened by
the Friends Association of Philadelphia, at Salis
bury. Here he made remarkable progress and in
the end of his course he received a first grade
teacher's certificate. This was in the year 1878,
when he had reached his twenty-third birth-day.
In 1879 he entered Shaw University and gradua
ted from both the college and theological depart
ments in 1886. When he entered Shaw University
he had only $5.00 in his pocket, but he made
a start with this small sum and a brave heart and
worked his way through. He took part in a de
bate which held out a scholarship as the prize and
came out victor. This helped him through col
lege.
His diligent and commendable demeanor won for
him the close friendship of President Tupper, who
made him his private Secretary.
He started upon his career as a school teacher
and in 1886 he founded and became President of the
Waters Normal School, a rural school of elemen
tary grade. He is still the head of this Institu
tion. Rev. Brown is a Baptist, and for twenty-
two years he has held the office of President of the
Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention and for
thirty-four years he has held the position of Cor
responding Secretary of the North Carolina Bap
tist State Convention. He is pastor of four large
country churches and moderator of the Baptist As
sociation of which his churches arc members.
His work in connection with the Lott Carey Con
vention has caused him to become a great traveler.
He made an inspection trip to Hayti in an effort
to organize the Baptist interest there ; he visited
Liberia to bring about the centralization of the
Baptist missions in that country ; he attended the
World's Baptist Congress, which met in London,
and made an address in Albert Hall. He made
two tours of Europe and has visited the principal
countries and cities of Northern Africa ; he has vis
ited Hayti, Santo Domingo and Porto Rico. He
has served as Grand Secretary of the Good Temp
lars ; Grand Chief and Supreme Grand Secretary of
the Good Samaritans ; and is now officially con
nected with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights
of Pythias. He was for several years a member of
the County Board of Education.
Rev. Brown was married in December, 1886 to
Amaza J. Drummond, of Lexington, Virginia. She
has borne him eight children, four -of which are
boys and four girls; William D; Flora B. Joyner ;
Julia A. Delaney ; Calvin S. Jr.; Marie E. ; Purcell
T. ; Knice H. ; and Schley Brown. Those (that are
grown) are filling useful places in life. No great
er joy can come to parents than to see their chil
dren walking uprightly and working industriously
Rev. Brown owns his own home, situated in Win-
ton, North Carolina, and worth $3500; also two
farms, one valued at $6000. and one at $1500; in ad
dition to these he owns other buildings of less val
ue.
404
PARTIAL VIEW OF CAMPUS— INDUSTRIAL AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.
N 1895 two colored workers seeing
the need of some training for the
very young colored children in
and around Topeka founded a
kindergarten and sewing school.
The work was one that was need
ed. The children continued to come and still needed
the training after they had passed the kindergarten
age. In 1900 the work was placed under a board of
trustees. Seven years later the State Agricultural
and Industrial Department was created and appro
priations made for the erection of buildings. The
schools were then taken over by the State and put
under a board of regents appointed by the Gover
nor. There is still an independent board of trus
tees, but they act in an advisory capacity only.
For a number of years Prof. Wm. R. Carter was
at the head of this institution. But in 1918 he re
signed, and Prof. G. R. Bridgeforth was given the
presidency. Mr. Bridgeforth's training for the po
sition has been a very thorough one.
His early training was received in the A.
M. A. Schools of Alabama, the last of which
was Talladega College. From Talladega he went
to the Amherst Agricultural College, in Massachu
setts. After graduating from Amherst, Prof.
Bridgeforth went to Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.
Here for a number of years he served as the head
of the Agricultural Department. In this work at
Tuskegee he got all the training that is necessary
for him to make a success of his new field. He had
under him a number of teachers and had all the du
ties that devolve upon the head of such a large de
partment. Leaving Tuskegee in 1918, Mr. Bridge-
forth assumed the duties of the President of To
peka Industrial and Educational Institute.
The enrollment of the Kansas Industrial and Ed
ucational Institute ranges from 128, to 175 with 20
teachers. Of this number about half are from Kan
sas, and the rest from other states. In this school
only a few students below the seventh grade are
admitted. There has been constantly an effort to
keep the elementary work confined to the seventh
and eighth grades. In the secondary work there
are four years.
In the Industrial courses, Laundrying, cooking,
and sewing are provided, for the girls ; and tailor
ing, woodworking, printing, blacksmithing and
auto repairing for the boys. In the Agricultural de
partment a genuine effort is made to give thorough
instruction in Agriculture. All the pupils below
the Senior class are required to pursue the full
course in market gardening and poultry raising.
The School was made a State Institution by the
Kansas Legislature of 1919. The State made an
appropriation of $90,700 for two years support.
The value of the plant is estimated at $225.000. The
sources of income are State appropriations, $90,700
for two years; tuition and fees, $1,359; donations,
$1,351; special receipts $408; miscellaneous $712.
This money is spent wisely for the various needs of
the school, and the accounts turned over to the
board of regents.
The school owns 105 acres of land, some two
miles out of Topeka. Of this 80 acres are under
cultivation, 15 acres are in pasture, and 10 acres in
the campus.
This land is valued at $21,000. The school has its
own water system, and the whole plant is in a well
kept condition. The buildings are well construct
ed and very attractive. They are all made from
stone, which was quarried on the place. There are
five buildings, three cottages and a stone barn. The
cottages are used as homes for the teachers. The
other buildings are Boys' dormitory, Girls' dormi
tory, Boys' Industrial Building, Administration and
Class room building, and Girls trade building. The
first three named are three-story buildings, and the
last two are only two-stories high. The plant is
attractive, well kept, and used to good advantage.
405
BENJAMIN BRAWLEY
HE subject of this sketch is class
ed by Dr. John Hope, President
of Morehouse College, as the best
posted English scholar of the
Race. Not many young men with
the great advantages of birth and
education, enjoyed by Benjamin Brawley, have
made the most of them in the thorough manner
that he has. It was his good fortune to have for his
father. Dr. E. M. Brawley. who was at that time,
and still is, one of the greatest teachers the race
has produced.
Although his training was not confined to the
home, this added to his public school instruction,
accounts for the early age at which Mr. Brawley
finished his college work.
Born in Columbia, S. C., April 22, 1882, Mr.
Brawley's parents moved with him to Nashville,
Tenn., then to Petersburg, Va., when he was a
mere lad, and in both places he was sent to the
public schools. Mr. Brawley proved such an apt
pupil, that he soon entered Morehouse College,
where he graduated with the degree of A. B., in
1901. Although he had not reached his 20th birth
day the work done by him in the class room was
so exceptional, the president of the college asked
him to return to the school as instructor in En
glish. This offer was accepted by Mr. Brawley and
this position held by him for five years.
Mr. Brawley then took a literary course in Chi
cago University. On receiving his degree of A. B.,
in 1906, he returned to Morehouse as professor of
English, which position he held until 1910. Mr.
Brawley then accepted a position as professorship
of English at Howard University, Washington, D.
C., and at the same time served as head of the de
partment of English for two years. The President
of Morehouse, however, had no idea of losing this
brilliant young instructor, so persuaded him to re
turn to his Alma Mater in 1912, as Dean, which
position Mr. Brawley still holds.
In 1907, 1908, Mr. Brawley studied a year at Har
vard University, where he won his Masters De
gree. Since that time he has spent a year of study
in Chicago University. While serving as Dean of
Morehouse, Mr. Brawley has spent the summers
of 1912, 1914, 1915 as an instructor in the summer
school at Hampton Institute.
He is a lecturer of note and a man interested in
all the problems pertaining to college work and col
lege life. At present he is serving as President of
the Association of Colleges of Negro Youth. In
this capacity he has the opportunity to influence
for good the work of all the institutions for the
higher training of young people of the colored race.
Not only is Mr. Brawley known to all educated
Negroes as a good teacher and an .authority on
questions of English, but he is widely known as an
author. His "History of the American Negro is be
ing used as a text book in some of the schools
where the wish is to have Negro children know all
about the lives and the works of their people.
Among the works published by Mr. Brawley, are:
"A Short History of the American Negro," Mac-
Millan, 1913-revised 1919; "History of Morehouse
College," 1917; "The Negro in Literature and
Art", Duffield & Co., 1918; "Our Negro Neigh
bor," MacMillan, 1918; "Africa and the War," Duf
field, 1918; "New Era Declamations," Sewanee Un
iversity Press, 1918; "Women of Achievement," W.
A. B. H. M. Society, Chicago, 1919. This is a not
able list of work from the pen of one so young as
Mr. Brawley. He has given himself unreservedly
to the work of a man of close studious habits.
In July, of 1912, Mr. Brawley married in Wash
ington, D. C., Miss Hilda Demaris Prowd, of
Kingston, Jamaica, B. W. I. Mrs. Brawley is
a woman of great personal charm and one who
takes pride in the literary attainment of her hus
band, giving to him the moral support that has
helped him in his achievements in recent years.
406
,4
TINGLEY MEMORIAL HALL— CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY
T the close of the war between the of land, seven brick and five frame school buildings
States the Methodist Episcopal
Church was foremost in establish
ing missions and schools both
among the Freedmen and the ru
ral white people. As a result the
Methodist Episcopal Church now has one or more
Conferences in each of the Southern States and
more than forty schools.
Claflin University, founded in 1869 by the Claflin
family of Boston, is one of this system of schools.
Courses of study have been provided with wise ref
erence to the needs of the many in the most useful
subjects.
Teacher training, manual training and Christian
training have been especially emphasized. A full
College course, however, has been maintained for
the few who desired to enter professional life.
Claflin University being under the control and
supported very largely by the Methodist Episcopal
Church has stressed the training of its youth for
efficient service in the Church as well as in the
world. Its motto has been, "Training for Charac
ter". This is in accordance with the teaching of
the Book of Books. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of
God and his righteousness and all these things shall
be added unto you." Learning, wealth or promi
nence are of little value unless they are re-inforced
by enlightened and sturdy character.
The Claflin University plant consists of 220 acres
all valued at about $300,000.
The Institution employs 25 teachers and enrolls
about 600 students annually.
On account of the lack of rural schools for color
ed youth, the Institution, like most others of its
kind, is obliged to maintain Grades for the majority
of its students. These are followed by two paral
lel courses, Teacher Training and College prepara
tory. Then follows a four years College course
leading to the degrees A. B. and B. S.
The Institution also maintains a large Industrial
plant, a business course, and cultivates a well
equipped farm.
RESOURCES
Claflin University is supported in part by Annual
appropriations from the Freedman's Aid Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, by the John F.
Slater fund, by the S. C. Annual Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and by special dona
tions from friends North.
The Institution now has a productive endow
ment of $60,000, and has on hand a lively campaign
for an additional forty thousand. It is probable
that no school in the South has a stronger local
backing. The friends of higher Christian education
in South Carolina are determined to place the Insti
tution not only in class A, but among the very best
of its kind. L. M. Dunton has been its President
for thirty-four years.
407
G. W. FRANKLIN
few years ago a colored undertak
er, of Chattanooga, Term., sold a
piece of city property for four
teen odd thousand dollars. He
took some of the payments in
cash, the others in notes. As the
notes fell due the undertaker cashed them at the
bank. "What, you mean to say, you are holding
those notes and cashing them when they fall due?
They had been used to having colored business
people cash their notes at a discount, not to hold
them for time and interest. The owner of these
notes was G. W. Franklin of Chattanooga, Ten
nessee, undertaker, business man, farm-owner and
President of the Negro National Undertakers' As
sociation.
Mr. Franklin began his career as a poor farm lad
in Georgia. His education was meagre. Singu
larly enough his system of training was like that
now in vogue in Tuskegee Institute. Mr. Frank
lin's father was a blacksmith. Me was ambitious
to educate his two sons, and at the same time to
train them in some useful occupation. Thus he
employed them on alternate weeks paying the one
who worked 50c per week.
Having learned his trade, Mr. Franklin came to
Chattanooga, and began the struggle for himself.
While following the blacksmith trade, he took up
the study of undertaking. In a little while he
was starting his business on a small scale. Now
he added a horse, now a vehicle, most of the vehi
cles however he made himself, as they were too
expensive for his very small purse — small at that
time.
Though he made most of the vehicles, Mr. Frank
lin found with buying lumber the process was very
expensive. Thus instead of purchasing lumber,
lie turned his attention to farms. He searched
out a farm with plenty of timber on it, bought the
tools for his shop and began the task of making
hearses and carriages, indeed practically every
kind of woodwork used in his business.
"Yes sir," said Mr. Franklin, "I lie on my bed at
night and work out all my designs. I rent my
farms and use the timber as lumber for my vehi
cles."
Mr. Franklin keeps a stable of 40 odd horses,
with plenty of carriages and hearses to match. He
has educated his son and so taught him the bus
iness that the son can manage almost as well
as the father. A New York paper places Mr.
Franklin's worth at $52,000, which is very conser
vative.
Hut G. W. Franklin is a good deal more than
a maker of money. He is a most useful citizen.
Every Sunday finds him in the choir of the Chat
tanooga M. E. Church, where he faithfully plays
the cornet for religious services. He has been
President of the Negro Undertakers' Association
for many years. More than this he . is a good
speaker.
"Dr Washington swung me off," he says, "I
was timid, afraid, but Dr. Washington told me to
just get up and tell what I did. I followed his
advice and I have been speaking to all kinds of
audiences ever since.
Mr. Franklin has continually improved on his ed
ucation by travel and contact until he is not only
one of our best business men, but a man of edu
cation and refinement.
Working up from a boyhood of poverty and
want to a manhood where command of thous
ands of dollars is his, to a manhood where the
respect and the esteem of the people of his
community are given unreservedly, this is the
life of Mr. Franklin in a nut-shell. A man with
the determined character of G. W. Franklin would
make good in any line he cared to undertake for
his life work. One of the things that has contri
buted largely to the success of this man in his line
of business is his careful attention to detail.
408
liVRD PRILLERMAN, B. S., M. A., LITT. D.
YRD Pillerman was born in Frank
lin County, Virginia, October 19,
1859. He now lives at Institute,
West Virginia. He was born a
slave, being the youngest of the
seventeen children of Franklin
and Charlotte Prillerman. He
takes his surname from his ma
ternal grandfather, Jacob Prillerman, who was
the owner as well as the father of his mother.
The Prillermans came from Holland about 1760,
and settled in Franklin County, Virginia.
In 1868, young Prillerman, then eight years of
age, walked with his parents and other members
of the family from Franklin County, Virginia, to
Kanawha County, West Virginia, and settled on a
farm near Charleston. The distance walked was
250 miles. The journey was taken in March.
Byrd first attended school in Charleston, in 1872,
after the death of his father. He then attended
school at his home, Sissonsville, West Virginia, un
til he was twenty-years of age, when he became a
teacher of the same school November 10, 1879. Af
ter teaching three or four terms he entered Knox-
ville College, Knoxville, Tennessee, September 3,
1883. He graduated from this institution with the
degree of Bachelor of Science in May, 1889. He
returned to his home in West Virginia, and became
a teacher in the public schools of Charleston, West
Virginia. He was largely instrumental in the
building up of the West Virginia Collegiate Insti
tute and became the first assistant teacher in this
institution in 1892. He has been connected with
this institution as teacher and president since that
date. On the death of President J. McHenry Jones,
September 22, 1909, he was the next day made
President of the State Board of Regents, in which
capacity he has served with a marked degree of
success. Under his administration the course of
study has been so improved that graduates from
the secondary course of the institution enter the
best colleges and universities of the West without
examination. The name of the school has been
changed from the West Virginia Colored Institute
to the West Virginia Collegiate Institute, and was
raised to college rank by an act of the Legislature
in 1915.
He owns a farm near Sissonsville, where he was
reared, a house and lot in Charleston, a small farm
at Institute, and several vacant lots. He is a lay
member of the Baptist Church. He has served as
moderator and clerk of the Mount Olivet Baptist
Association, of which Booker T. Washington was
clerk from 1872 to 1875. Mr. Prillerman has the
distinction of being the only lay-man in West
Virginia to serve as moderator of an association.
He is now President of the West Virginia Sunday
School Convention. Mr. Prillerman became a
member of the Fxecutive Committee of the West
Virginia Sunday School Association in 1918. In
the same year, he was made a member of the Ex
ecutive Committee of the International Sunday
School Association and attended the session in To
ronto. Canada, February, 1919.
He is a Republican and was an alternate Delegate
to the Republican National Convention in Chicago,
which nominated Theodore Roosevelt for Presi
dent. He has served as a Notary Public since
March 17, 1897.
He has taught some in each year since 1879. He
was largely instrumental in organizing the West
Virginia Teachers' Association, which he served as
President for nine years. He is a trustee of the
National Training School for Women and Girls at
Washington, D. C. In 1895, Westminster College
New Wilmington, Pa., conferred upon him the de
gree of M. A. In 1916 Selma University (Ala
bama) conferred upon him the degree of Litt. D.
He has been an active member of the National Ed
ucation Association since 1891.
Mr. Prillerman's travels have been principally
connected with the work of education. He has
visited most of the schools in this country for the
education of Negro youth and has been a regular
attendant upon the National Education Association
and the Association of Agricultural Colleges for a
number of years. He attended the reception of
President McKinley, in the White House in 1898,
and of President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, where
he was introduced to the President by President
W. O. Thompson, of the Ohio State University.
He was an honorary pall-bearer at the funeral of
Dr. Booker T. Washington, with whom he was
very intimately associated.
Mr. Prillerman married Miss Mattie E. Brown,
a graduate of Wayland Seminary, July 24, 1893.
They have two boys, Delbert McCullouch and
Henry Laurence, and two girls, Ednora Mae and
Myrtle Elizabeth.
409
JAMES C. NAPIER
AMES C. Napier, was born in
Tennessee, near Nashville, June 9,
1848. He received his early edu
cation in the public schools and in
1859 went to Wilberforce Univer
sity, Ohio, and thence to Oberlin
College, Oberlin, Ohio, where he remained until
near the completion of his junior college year,
when he left school to accept a position in the gov
ernment service war department, in Washington.
While in Washington he took a course in the law
department of Howard University, and graduated
from that Institution in 1873. His residence in
Washington also gave him an opportunity to study
the methods of the world's greatest debaters and
to note the different styles of oratory. It would
be difficult to conceive what influence they had
upon his future career.
While still in the government service he passed
a civil service examination and became a clerk in
the bureau of the sixth auditor, the first of his race
in that branch of the government service.
After one promotion he was appointed revenue
agent for Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, and
Louisiana, and later returned to Nashville to be
come an internal revenue department gauger.
When Grover Cleveland was elected President
of the United States, the change in administration,
brought about his retirement from office.
Immediately after his retirement he began the
practice of law in Nashville, and has been engaged
therein ever since. He has taken a conspicuous part
in the municipal affairs of Nashville, and was four
times elected a member of the City Council. While
a member of the Council he succeeded in securing
the appointment of Negro teachers in the Negro
public schools, and the erection of new and ad
ditional school buildings, and the increase of the
educational and financial condition of the colored
people.
Mr. Napier reached the height of his govern
ment service when he was appointed Register of
the Treasury at Washington, D. C., which position
he held for a long period.
Mr. Napier is not only a lawyer of high standing
and ability, but a business man of judgment and
fine executive turn. He is cashier of the Penny
Savings Bank, of which Rev. Dr. R. H. Boyd is
President, and he has been for several years chair
man of the Executive Committee of the National
Negro Business League.
He is a large property owner in Nashville, and
is regarded as one of the most substantial colored
citizens of Tennessee.
In 1878 he married a daughter of Hon. John M.
Langston, then United States minister to Hayti.
Mr. Napier is active in political affairs. He has
been a member of the Republican State Executive
Committee nearly twenty years, and has four time?
been a delegate to the Republican National Conven
tion, an unusual honor. Mr. Napier is not only in
terested in the busin?ss movements of his race, but
is keenly alive to every movement which has for
its object their uplift and betterment.
Though pushing his three score alotment of
years, J. C. Napier is still exceedingly active in all
his work. He runs his bank, keeps up his business,
church and social relations, and still carries heavy
cares of the race. Along with all his daily routine,
which is tedious even for a young man, Mr. Na
pier took over the Presidency of the National
Negro Business Men's League, the largest organi
zation of its kind among colored people in the
world. Booker T. Washington, the founder and
till his death the president of this organization, has
let this part of his mantle fall upon the shoulders
of his life long friend. And he upon whom even
the hem of the mantle of Booker T. Washington
falls, needs to be a patient and stalwart worker.
Mr. Napier is this. As president of this organi
zation he has been able to keep the organization
in all of its units thoroughly alive and active and
this too in the turmoil of war times when counter
interests shut the door of so many men's shops.
410
Miss Nannie H. Burroughs
OW is the age when woman is
coming into her own, and the
world is fast recognizing her ca
pacity for labor in all depart
ments of life, religious, mental
and physical. In that department
of life which requires physical strength and endur
ance man has the advantage but in religious and
mental endeavor she is his equal. Because of long
training man may appear to excell woman in these
departments but in reality he does not, and he is
being brought face to face with that fact.
Miss Nannie H. Burroughs is a striking illustra
tion of woman's capacity for labor in these new
fields. She is Corresponding Secretary of the
Women's Convention, Auxiliary of the National
Baptist Convention and. President of the National
Training School for Women and Girls at Washing
ton, D. C., the only vocational training school for
colored women in the world and is a writer and
lecturer of rare powers, and a leader of unusual
gifts and influence among the colored Baptists,
who number nearly two thirds of the membership
of the Negro churches in the land.
Miss Burroughs was born in Orange, Va., May
2, 1878. Her parents had been slaves, and her
grandfather was known as "Lizah, the Slave Car
penter."
At the age of seven she was striken with typhoid
fever, and remained out of school four years. On
her return, for several years she made two grades
a year, graduating from the high school and from
the academic course in the Washington High
School, making a good record in deportment and
scholarship in both departments.
On account of her remarkable oratorical powers
and executive ability, she was soon after head of a
Girls' Literary Society, and participated in all pub
lic debates. She took an active part in the church
and Sunday School work.
Leaving Washington, she became associate ed
itor of the Christian Banner, of Philadelphia. Re
turning to her home, she took a position as book
keeper for a manufacturing house.
Her interest in the work of the Church brought
her in contact with the officers of the National
Baptist Convention. She was for several years
private Secretary for Dr. L. G. Jordan, Secretary
of the Foreign Mission Board, and when the Wo
men's Convention Auxiliary was organized, Miss
Burroughs was selected to take part in the work.
She lectured in various parts of the country, and
wrote very much for denominational papers. New
life came into the churches, and Missionary work
was stimulated as never before. In the ten years
since the Auxiliary was organized much good has
been done, and in 1908, the colored women gave
more than $13,000 for missionary and educational
work. Many girls and boys have been brought
from Africa to be educated by the National Bap
tist Convention and have returned home to work
among their own people. Miss Burroughs says :
"We do this because it strengthens our sympathy
and makes us more convinced of our duty to our
brothers who are bone of our bone and flesh of our
flesh."
The work that perhaps will reflect the greatest
credit upon this young woman as leader and or
ganizer, able to bring things to pass, is the estab
lishment of the National Training School for Wo
men and Girl's, at Washington, D. C. This school
was opened October 19, 1909. It is national in
scope, and opened to women and girls of all de
nominations. Miss Burroughs is President, find
directs the affairs of this school. She says the
prospects are very bright for its success.
"Two thirds of the colored women must work
with their hands for a living, and it is indeed an
oversight not to prepare this army of breadwinners
to do their work well.
In July, 1905, Miss Burroughs attended the
World's Baptist Congress, in London. She gave
an address at the Congress on "Woman's Part in
the World's Work," which caused favorable com
ment from delegates from all parts of the world.
The London Mirror said: "She was one of the most
notable personages at the meeting. She addressed
thousands at a great mass meeting in Hyde Park,
London."
A friend writing of Miss Burroughs, says: "She
lives a simple life, and is free from vanity and af
fection. She has a head full of common sense, and
that head is well pinned on. Success does not turn
it. Women in all walks of life admire her. She
is not affected by praise. Here is a story of a young
woman who is just beyond thirty and has come
from the bottom of the round to the position of
President of the only school of national character
over which a Negro woman presides."
Miss Burroughs is part owner of the Douglass
Building, Walnut Street, Louisville, a fine office
building, headquarters of the Women's Auxiliary,
the Foreign Mission Board, and other work of the
National Baptist Convention. She is the origina
tor and successful promoter of the "Negro Picture
Calendar," which, with its pictures of homes and
incidents in the lives of colored people, has met
with large success.
411
BISHOP GEORGE WYLIE CLINTON
NK of the self made men
is Bishop George
of our
race, is Bishop Ueorge Wylie
Clinton. He was born of poor
parentage, slave parents as a mat
ter of fact, and his father died
when he was hut two years of
age. This put the matter of his education squarely
up to the young fellow. But attend school he did
and for a number of years.
During his early life he lived on a farm doing the
chores of a farm lad and taking advantage of the
country schools that were near him, both public
and private. Part of the time he walked to the
nearest school, a distance of seven miles. This dis
tance seems great, but when you remember that
he was a farm lad and that he had to milk the cows,
three in number, before he could start on the jour
ney it seems a little harder. But Bishop Clinton
was even then a man of determination. In order
to get a chance to study he had to gather pine
knots that he might have light to read. Part of the
time he attended night school. This work went on
till the young man was fifteen years of age.
Under the tutorage of J. H. Stewart, Bishop
Clinton was prepared for college. In October of
1874 he entered South Carolina University, where
he took up the classical College Course, going as
far as the Junior Class. He also studied at Brain-
ard Institute, at Chester, South Carolina, and for
two years in Theological Department, in Living
stone College, Salisbury, N. C. Because of lack of
funds Bishop Clinton through all these years had
to work and work hard. He worked before and
after school, he taught school during the summer
vacations, he studied hard and entered the com
petitive examinations of scholarship in the State
school at the age of fifteen. This he won and so
his education was assured.
At the age of sixteen years Bishop Clinton taught
his first school. At the age of eighteen years he
began the study of law under a white firm. This
he gave up, however, when he felt that he was
called to be a minister of the gospel. He then took
up the study of the ministry and at the age of nine
teen was preaching. For thirteen years Bishop
Clinton served as a pastor, for six years he served
as an editor and for twenty-three years he has
served as a Bishop in the African Methodist Epis
copal Zion Church.
Bishop Clinton for the past twenty-five years has
taken an active part in every movement for the
betterment of the Negro race. He is widely known
as a lecurer. He has for years lectured at Tuske-
gee Institute, Alabama, he worked in the Campaign
for War Funds, he has served in Educational Com-
paigns conducted by his church, he has served three
times in the Ecumenical Conference, he has served
as President of Atkinson College, Madisonville,
Kentucky. Everywhere he has gone and at all
times he has worked for the betterment of the race.
Bishop Clinton has been twice married. There
is one son in the family, Geo. William Clinton, who
is now a student in the Dental College of Philadel
phia. Bishop Clinton has traveled extensively, both
in this country and abroad. He toured five states
with Dr. B. T. Washington, has traveled in Canada,
and while in Europe he visited Belgium, France,
England, Ireland, Wales and Holland.
It is estimated that the property holdings of
Bishop Clinton amount to between $18,000.00 and
$25,000.00. The home is valued at $10,000.00.
Bishop Clinton has interested himself in all the
lines of work taken up by the Colored people. I It-
has also interested himself in the organizations
that are conducted by them. He is a member of
the Odd Fellows, and of the Masons. He is a man
full of energy that he puts to work for his people
and for his church.
412
George C. Hall, M. D.
fl
TARTING out in his public life with
"A man can be whatever he
chooses to be if he is willing to
pay the price," for a motto, Dr.
George C. Hall has made the
statement come true. The thing
that he chose to make of himself was a great sur
geon, a surgeon that would be known for his good
work regardless of color. He was willing to pay
the price, the price of constant attention to duty,
the price of never ceasing to study, the price of
taking great care in the smallest detail, the price of
serving all who came — he was willing to pay this
price and he is today one of the most eminent sur
geons in the country. So far has his fame spread
as a great surgeon that in every part of the coun
try there are persons who bare the mark of his
knife on their bodies, and because of these scars
they enjoy good health.
Not only has Dr. Hall developed himself along
the line of the surgeon, but he is a great teacher
of surgery as well. To so many of the young men
of the colored race who are aspiring to the medical
profession, he is an inspiration. It is an inspira-
toin to them to watch this great surgeon at his
task. Me has the patience to show and to teach
them just how each step is taken in the work. Dr.
Hall even goes one step farther — he can write in
detail just how he has accomplished an end. This
gives him a place among the few great surgeons in
the country, for from three standpoints he can sec
and perform his work — for himself alone, the swift,
clean, sure work : for the student standing by and
watching him — each step distinct and yet not slow;
for the medical journals — where older doctors may
see just how he has done the work and come back
to him with criticisms and suggestions.
Dr. Hall was born in Ypsilamti, Michigan, in
1864. His father was a minister of the gospel in
the Baptist Church. When the subject of this
sketch was but five years old his father moved to
the city of Chicago. Here he had advantages of
good educational systems that gave him habits of
close studiousness. From the Chicago High School
he went to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
From this school he was graduated with honors in
the year 1886. The young student had his mind
already made up as to the calling he wished to fol
low and so he lost no time when he returned to
Chicago, in matriculating at the Bennett Medical
College. He was not from a family that had wealth
enough to support him through school for this
great number of years, and so we find him working
his way through college. For half the day he
worked, the other half he devoted to study. So
well did he apply himself to the tasks that were
set for him that at the end of the course he was
at the head of his class. This rank made him best
out of a class of fifty-four young men who were
about to begin the practice of medicine.
After completing the course of study, Dr. Hall
spent a great deal of time in the practice of his
profession before he decided to specialize in surg
ery. For this work he studied under Dr. Byron
Robinson and later under Dr. T. J. Watkins. He
has operated in Chicago and out of the city. He
has been before a number of the state Medical As
sociations where he has held surgical clinics, thus
bringing to a great many of the doctors in the
South, opportunities, here-to-fore denied them.
Among these states are Alabama. Tennessee, Ken
tucky, Virginia, Georgia, and Missouri. Wher
ever Dr. Hall has gone his work has been eagerly
received.
Since the founding of Provident Hospital, Dr.
Hall has been one of its main supporters. While
still a physician he took his patients to the hospital
and then helped plan for places for them. He
has been an active member of the board of trust
ees since 1897, he was twice elected president of
the medical staff and later he was chosen a mem
ber of the surgical staff. The hospital is dear to
the heart of Dr. Hall and he gives to it some of his
very best work.
Not only is Dr. Hall interested in the Negro and
his welfare from the standpoint of his health, but
wherever there are movements for the improve
ment of the colored man, Dr. Hall is ready and will
ing to take a part. He is a director and treasurer
of Frederick Douglass Center; a member of the
Western Economic Society; chairman of the com
mittee in charge of the erection of the Y. M. C. A.
Building; a member of the Chicago Association of
Commerce ; one of the organizers of the Local
Medical Association and for a number of years a
willing worker in the National Medical Associa
tion of Colored men. One of the pieces of work
for which he deserves great credit is the organiza
tion of the Civic League of Illinois. Through this
organization he has been enabled to bring about
many improvements in the housing conditions of
the colored people of Chicago.
Dr. Hall has managed to save and invest some of
the money he has earned in the practice of his pro
fession, and he is considered one of the substantial
Colored citizens of the city of Chicago. Working
with the advancement of his people ever in his
mind and the development of his own skill as a sur
geon ever before him, Dr. Hall has made a place
for himself that is enviable. "A man can be what
ever he chooses if he is willing to pay the price,"
was in the case of Dr. Hall, an excellent motto.
413
REV. R. H. BOYD
HE work of Rev. R. H. Boyd, for
the development of his people is
one of the most remarkable
achievements in the history of the
Race. Although past 74 years of
age he is still active in all the
affairs of the National Baptist
Publishing House, which is the
outgrowth of his well laid plans. This mammoth
institution, owned and controlled and operated by
Negroes stands as a monument to this ex-slave.
Rev. Boyd does not like to talk about himself
so a great deal of the personal history of the man
is not to be had. He was born a slave. He stood
by and watched the dying groans of his master. He
had left the home in Texas and gone with the mas
ter into the army. Here he saw some of the
struggle between the North and the South that
was the battle for his freedom. When his master
died, he took the body and returned to Texas with
it. He then took upon himself the man's tasks of
disposing of the farm produce and making the
necessary purchases for the family of his dead
master. It is this slave, this property of a Con
federate soldier, this man unlearned in books with
out the knowledge of the textbook itself, but true
to every principle of the Southern home ; this slave
who stood by his master till his death and then
went to the assistance of the widow; it is this
slave who had the sterling qualities needed to es-
tablish such a wonderful organization
as the National Publishing House.
Rev. Boyd was married to Miss Har
riet Moore, of Texas, in 1868. Mrs.
Boyd has been to him in every sense of
the word a helper. Through her very
strict economy the education which
Rev. Boyd had the privilege ot secur
ing late in life was made possible. She
even surpassed most of her sisters in
this respect and was one with her hus
band in all his efforts. From this union
there came six children: Mrs. Annie
Boyd-Hall, Galveston, Texas, wife of
undertaker and embalmer ; Mrs. Mattie
Boyd-Bennefield, Nashville, Term. ;
Rev. Henry Allen Boyd, Nashville,
Tenn., Secretary Sunday School Con
gress, Assistant Secretary National
Baptist Publishing Board, Manager
Nashville Globe, Secretary National
Negro Press Association; Mrs. Lula
Boyd-Landers, Nashville, Tenn. Mr.
J. Garfield Elaine Boyd, Nashville,
Tenn., general foreman National Bap
tist Publishing Board's plant; Mr. The-
ophilus Bartholomew Boyd, Nashville,
Tenn., Linotype operator and machin
ist at the National Baptist Board's
plant.
The plant itself fills a niche in the
commercial life of Nashville, that is a
credit to the city, the State and the
nation. All who know Dr. R. H. Boyd,
regardless of race, regard him as a con
scientious, honest, well-thinking, well
meaning, industrious citizen who
knows how and who really does make
the conditions between the races more tolerable,
for he spends no time in attempting to solve the
race problem. He abhors any inference at social
equality, believes implicitly in the fact that the
Negro should work out his own salvation and be-
ccme a worthy citizen in his own city, in his own
community and in his own State, and that he
should uphold the flag of the nation and march un
der the principles of their respective denomina
tions.
It is interesting to note the achievements of the
institution of which this ex-slave is the founder. It
in inspiring to see his devotion, even to the cause
that his old master fought so nobly for. Without
any show of demonstration, he has fought the busi
ness fights that must be fought by large concerns,
succeeding without any philanthropic effort, with
out a donation of as much as one dollar from the
treasury of the National Baptist Convention for
the maintenance and operation of the plant or the
purchase of property and machinery, he has in
some way and somehow managed to keep this in
stitution going and to make steady and constant
improvements from time to time and from year to
year. The past quarter the institution broke all
former records in the receipt of mail and the dis
patch of the output of the product of the institu
tion. For instance, from Monday morning, March
20. up to Saturday afternoon. March 25, the letter
carrier on that route delivered to the National Bap-
414
PLANT OF NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING HOUSE
list I'ublishing Board, of which Rev. R. H. Boyd is
Secretary, 7,657 letters. On one of the days, Wed
nesday. March 22, 2,221 of these letters were de
livered. This is a record unequaled during- the
years that the concern has been in operation.
There are many interesting facts about the plant
managed by Dr. Boyd which make it one of the
plants of interest for the sightseer and visitor to
this city. The secretary and the employes are in
tensely religious in their work and in their every
day life, but the most interesting feature about the
work of the National Baptist Publishing House is
the- steady and persistent advancement that it has
made as a substantial institution, measuring up to
similar concerns operated in this, the capital city
of the Volunteer State. It is interesting to read of
the National Baptist Publishing Board's success.
To know what has been accomplished by an ex-
slave for the Negro Baptists of the United States
within a decade, and an inside glimpse of the life
of a constructive genius and his contribution to
race development ; to see what he has been able to
do for the Baptist Churches and Sunday Schools,
at the same time soliciting their patronage to an
institution where members of his race have made
good as skilled artisans, and then to see the gigan
tic scores of members of the race who send out
millions of copies of religious literature annually,
is inspiring to the Negro youth. The success that
the Rev. R. H. Boyd has achieved is nothing less
than marvelous.
Tall and commanding of stature, very intelligent
in conversation, he makes friends and holds them.
In a recent publication there appeared the follow
ing concerning the institution :
Were some one to put the National Baptist Pub
lishing' Board's plant in this city on a moving pic
ture film, showing the wonderful achievements and
the accomplishments of the gigantic institution
that has been built up for the Negro Baptists of
the United States, and for their posterity, it would
take a film hundreds of yards long, which would
entertain thousands of people. The National Bap
tist I'ublishing House has come into existence
within the past twenty-one years, and today tow
ers magnificently over anything which has been
accomplished by the race, whether it be in the re
ligious, educational or in the business world.
"It has furnished and is furnishing employment
to scores of Negro boys and girls
that hitherto were shut out of what
is commonly known as the art pre
servative among printers and pub
lishers. It has given a rating in
the commercial world to the race
and denomination that has no par
allel. It has put the Negro Bap
tists on an equal footing with the
denominations of other races be
cause of the creative genius dis
played in operating and maintain
ing the institution. It has forged a
link in racial pride that has brought
together more support for one in
stitution than has ever been at
tempted before. It has outstripped
Jack's bean stalk story in its
growth and development. It has
served as an opener of the "door of
lope" to the ambitious and deserving members of
the race that has been closed to them by labor un
ions, which refuse to allow members of the race
to acquire certain knowledge in printing and book
binding. It has put the race on the map in the
theological world as producers of a religious litera
ture distinctively their own. It has installed and
is operating printing machinery of the most com
plicated and intricate designing and this, too, with
amateur help that has been found in the race. It
has helped to make intellectual lights out of what
has been regarded as a race of hewers of wood and
drawers of water.
"This institution was founded by an ex-slave,
the Rev. R. H. Boyd, who still lives, and who is
secretary and manager. Many say that Rev. Dr.
1'oyd saw the invisible in his early pioneer days,
and that after operating on a very small scale in
his Texas home he succeeded in convincing the Ne
groes to see the wisdom of supporting a plant on
a national scope. It was the latter part of 1896,
when he began his pilgrimage to Nashville, Tenn.,
after having looked all over the United States for
a location that would be suitable for his work. It
has been said that he was directed by God from his
Texas home, like Abraham, of the Chaldeans, when
God said to him: "Get thee out of thy country
and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house,
unto a land that I will shew thee." Whatever way
it was, it is a known fact that the Negro Baptists
had no publishing plant and were preparing and
sending out no Sunday school literature ; they
were giving no employment to the Negro boys and
girls, doing nothing tangible until Dr. Boyd came
upon the scene.
"His book, The Story of the Publishing Board,'
which has just been issued and is now in great de
mand has proven one of the most interesting nar
ratives that has come from the lips of any man.
Stranger than fiction, and yet as real as the gos
pel itself, the story is told and then the thousands
of wheels that revolve at the plant and the millions
of copies of books and publications that are sent
out each quarter, together with the magnificent
institution, standing like the pyramids of Egypt,
attest the substantial part of the story. The
founder of the institution has often been referred
to as a giant oak in a forest among the Negro
Baptists of the United States. His far-sighted
415
REVEREND HENRY ALLEN BOYD
business tact in building up the institution has at
tracted the attention of the entire business world
as well as the entire race to which his denomina
tion belongs, and who feel indebted to him and are
standing loyally by the institution which has been
built up for them, and which will stand for ages to
come by the support that is being given from every
quarter of the globe. At the close of the last fiscal
year, Dr. Boyd showed in his report the work of
the institution for the past eighteen years. The
figures themselves are staggering. In this num
ber of years the institution has written and circu
lated 136,794,339 copies of religious literature,
which does not include the thousands of volumes
of books which have been made up and distributed
throughout the civilized world. They have writ
ten and received 3,684,149 letters, and it is said that
sometimes as high as 2,000 letters are received in
a single day."
"It developed that the National Baptist Publish
ing Board furnishes employment to more Negro
men and women, boys and girls, than any other
institution of a commercial nature ope
rated by the race. Very little is said to
be known of Dr. Boyd, who has refused
all along to allow anything to be written
about his life. Jrle knows that he was
born a slave and he was 40 years old be
fore he went to school, and that his
mother, who died only a few months ago,
was over 95 years of age.
"The publishing house, his life's work,
is looked upon as a monument that he has
built as an humble worker in his denom
ination and as his contribution to the race
as a constructive genius. Nashville, Ten.,
the home of the institution, is now as
well known as a religious publishing cen
ter as it is an educational center, having
been made possible by the millions of
pages of religious tracts and literature
that have been issued from this gigantic
religious and commercial business institu
tion."
Upon investigation it has been found
that one of the great achievements of Dr.
Boyd was the bringing out and setting to
music the Negro plantation melodies, the
songs that were sung in the days of slav
ery by his parents and their ancestors. In
the preparation of this work. Dr. Boyd
says that he has given a rich heritage to
unborn generations. Thus National Jubi
lee Melody Song Book, as it is called, has
met a popular demand.
Other publications turned out by the institution
include a full line of literature, a complete line of
church helps for Baptist Sunday Schools and
churches, among which are to be found Boyd's Pas
tors' Guide, Boyd's Church Record, Theological
Kernels, a National Baptist Sunday School Lesson
Commentary, Boyd's Record and Roll Book, An
Outline of Negro Baptist History, and twenty-
three different song books. In fact, the plant is
able to print anything from a calling card to an
encyclopedia, or from a postal card to a Bible.
The plant is estimated to be worth over a quart
er of a million dollars. The operating expenses
are estimated at $400.00 per day. Dr. Boyd de
clared that the prayer service held each morning at
9 :30 o'clock in their own chapel, where each em
ploye is required to be present, and which costs
$17.50 per day, is his collection to the Lord. This
"hour of prayer," as they call it, has proven of
great benefit to the employees. At these meetings
Dr. Boyd often delivers an address, the Bible is al
ways read, and good singing is indulged in.
As a religious publishing plant their printing de
partment is complete in every particular.
416
WILLIAM TAYLOR BURWELL WILLIAMS, A. B.
1LLIAM Taylor Burwell Williams,
was born at Stonebridge, Clarke
County, Virginia. He attended
the public school at Millwood, in
this county, and at seventeen, be
came a teacher in one of its pub
lic schools. Later he spent two years at Hampton
Institute, Hampton, Va., graduating in the
class of 1888. He then taught a year in the Whit-
tier School, the elementary department of this in
stitution. His next step was to enter Phillips Aca
demy, Andover, Mass., from which he was gradua
ted in the class of 1893. From Phillips Academy
he went to Harvard University, where he took his
A. B. degree with the class of 1897.
Upon the completion of his college course, Mr.
Williams was appointed principal of School No. 24,
subsequently named the McCoy School, Indian
apolis, Indiana. Here he served with conspicious
merit for five years, when he resigned to accept
work at his Alma Mater, Hampton Institute, as
field agent for the school and for the Southern Ed
ucation Board. His first duty was to make a study
of educational conditions in Virginia, and in the
other Southern States, and to help relate Hamp
ton Institute effectively with its field.
He soon became the field agent also of the Gen
eral Education Board, the John E. Slater Fund, and
finally of the Negro Rural School Fund, popularly
known as the Jeanes Fund. Since all of these foun
dations are either primarily for Negro education
or are greatly interested in promoting education
among colored people, Mr. Williams' work has
brought him constantly for years into direct con
tact with every phase of Negro education in the
South. And he has played a helpful constructive
part in the education of Negro youth. He has been
especially active in promoting industrial training
in the private schools and colleges, in directing
the work of the Jeanes Industrial teachers, and in
building up the recently created County Training
Schools in all the Southern States.
Mr. Williams' work has also brought him into
direct, sympathetic contact with such noted white
educators as Dr. Wallace Buttrick of the General
Education Board, Dr. H. B. Frissell, of Hampton
Institute, and Dr. James H. Dillard, President of
the Jeanes and Slater Funds as well as with the
leading Negro schoolmen of the country.
Mr. Williams has been one of the most active
and serviceable members of the National Associa
tion of Teachers in Colored Schools. He served
this organization as President for two terms and is
a member of its executive committee. He is also
a member of the National Education Association.
And he is a leader in the work of the Virginia State
Teachers' Association. He was one of the organi
zers of the Negro Organization Society, of Vir
ginia. He served this body as Secretary, and is
now its treasurer. And in addition to his regular
duties as field agent for Hampton Institute, direc
tor of the Jeanes and Slater Funds, Mr. Williams
has, during the fall of 1918, acted as Assistant sup
ervisor of vocational training in colored schools for
the Committee on Education and Special Training
of the War Department, and aided in the work of
establishing vocational units of the Students Army
Training Corps.
Mr. Williams is thoroughly a school man. It is
safe to say that he is the best informed man there
is on the subject of Negro education. Mr. Wil
liams has gotten this information at first hand.
He has for a number of years traveled all over the
United States in the interest of Negro education.
He has visited all the schools, has met and known
personally the teachers in the schools and colleges.
Wherever men are gathered together in the inter
est of Negro Education there Mr. Williams is sure
1o be giving freely of his advice and store of infor-
mat-r.n when he is asked, but never trying to show
that he is superior in knowledge of facts on the
subject. He is an Associate Editor of the Cyclo
pedia of the Colored Race,
417
HUBBARD HOSPITAL— MEHARRV MEDICAL COLLEGE
HE Meharry Medical College was
organized as the medical depart
ment of Central Tennessee Col
lege, in 1876, with two teachers
and eleven students. It was the
first institution in the South to
open its doors for the education of Negro physi
cians.
It was named for the five Meharry Brothers who
contributed largely to its establishment and sup
port.
The Dental Department was opened in 1886, and
the Department of Pharmacy in 1889.
The Medical Faculty consists of 26 members,
Dental 10, and Pharmacy 4, making a total of 40.
During the 40 years of its existence there has
been 1450 graduates in medicine, 325 in dentistry,
233 in pharmacy and 55 in nurse training, making
2063 in all. These graduates constitute about one-
half of the regular colored members in these pro
fessions in the Southern States. They have been
well received by the white professional brethren,
and they have met with good success both pro
fessionally and financially. A large proportion
have comfortable, and many elegant homes, and
they have been potent factors in establishing kind
ly feeling between the two races.
A unique feature of Meharry is the perfect re
cord kept of all the alumni after they leave school.
One can get a complete professional record of the
success of nearly every man and woman that holds
a diploma from this school.
The courses are well planned, and the addition
of the Anderson anatomical laboratory makes the
equipment as complete as is possible with the funds
available.
Medical : The medical department requires for
admission graduation from an approved high
school and one year of college work in physics,
chemistry, and biology. The regular course for
the degree of M. D. covers a period of four years
of 32 weeks each.
Dental: The dental department requires for ad
mission graduation from an accredited high school.
The degree of'D. D. S. is granted upon the satis
factory completion of the course, which covers
four years of 28 weeks each.
Pharmacy : The pharmacy department requires
for admission two years of high school work, in
cluding one year of Latin and physics. Three years
of 28 weeks each are required for graduation from
this course. Those who comply with the require
ments receive the degree of pharmaceutical chem
ist (Ph. C.)
Nurse Training: A good nurse-training course
is provided at Hubbard Hospital. The requirement
for admission is graduation from a four-year high
school. The course covers three years of eight
months each.
Every one of these departments furnished their
quota of graduates in the world's war.
418
MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
The buildings, 5 in number, consist of the Me-
harry Medical College, the Meharry Dental and
Pharmaceutical Hall, the Auditorium, the Dormi
tory and the George W. Hubbarcl Hospital. The
(leo. \Y. Hubbarcl Hospital is of sufficient size to
accommodate from 75 to 100 patients.
The .Anderson Anatomical Hall, the gift of Dr.
J. \Y. Anderson and wife of Dallas, Texas, was
completed in time for use for the session of 1917-
1918. This gift is of especial interest because it
was given by one of Meharry's own sons, and lie-
cause it is among the few buildings of the kind to
be given by any colored person. The value of the
buildings and grounds is about $140.000.00. The
Library, furniture and apparatus $10,000.00.
Meharry Medical College is a member of the
Association of American Medical Colleges, of the
National Association of Dental Faculties and of
the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Fa
culties.
GEORGE WHIPPLE HUBBARD
George Whipple Hubbard, the President of
Meharry, was born in North Charleston, N. H.,
August llth, 1841. Was educated in the public-
schools of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Con
ference Seminary, and New London Literary and
Scientific Institute.
He was delegate of the Christian Commission
in the Army of the Potomac and also in the Army
of the Cumberland in 1864. Taught a regiment
School in the 110th LT. S. C. I., in 1865-6, Principal
of the Belle View public School of Nashville, 1867
to 1874
Graduated from the Medical Department of
Nashville University, 1876. and from Vanderbilt
University 1879.
MEHARRY MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL HALL
MEHARRY AUDITORIUM
In 1876 he was appointed by the Freedmen's Aid
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to or
ganize a Medical Department at Central Tennessee
College, Nashville, Tenn. This school was opened
in October, 1876. and was the first school establish
ed in the South for the education of colored physi
cians. More than one-half of the regularly educat
ed Negro physicians of the South are graduates of
this school. He served as Dean for 40 years.
I)r Hubbard was Professor of Natural Science
at Central Tennessee College, from 1876 to 1891,
and from 1889 to 1894 was acting Dean and Pro
fessor of Hygiene and Toxicology in the Medical
Department of New Orleans University.
In 1916 a Separate Charter for Meharry Medical
College was procured and in October, 1916, he was
inaugurated as its President.
419
\
NATHAN B. YOUNG
ATHAN B. Young, President of
the State School for Negroes, at
Tallahassee, Florida, like many
other of our prominent men had a
poor start in life. He was born
in Newbern, Alabama, in 1862.
Here on a farm he worked in the fields and with
the stock, and enjoyed at the same time the simple
pleasures of country life. When there was nothing
urgent to be done on the farm he was permitted
to attend school, provided there was a school in
session within walking distance. Even though he
attended school but irregularly he got a taste for
knowledge and when the chance came for him to
attend better schools he had the desire within him.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he attended a private
school, getting all he could from the course of
study offered there. Later he matriculated at Tal-
ladega College, Talladega, Alabama. Here in Tal-
ladega, he obtained a real thorough training in the
branches he chose. Later he entered Oberlin Col
lege, Ohio. As Mr. Young went through these
schools he gathered not only a knowledge of books
and things, but a knowledge of men. Because of
this in his life as a teacher, he has been able
to gather around him some of the best teachers
that the race affords and he has been able to so
organize them that the work goes on in such a
manner as to be a pleasure to all, both teachers and
pupils. In speaking of the difficulties that con
fronted him in obtaining his education, Mr. Young
said "I had no special difficulty to speak of — I
worked a bit, paid in cash a bit, borrowed the rest."
Practically all of the life of Mr. Young has been
spent in the school room. First as a student, then
as a teacher. While making up his mind as to his
life work between his work at Talladega and his
work at Oberlin, Mr. Young taught in Mississippi.
Since his graduation he has worked in Alabama,
Georgia, and now he is located in Florida. Where-
ever he was working there he was a leader among
the school people. He was at one time President
of the Alabama State Teachers Association, and
later of the Florida State Teachers' Association.
So high was Mr. Young held in the educational cir
cles of our people that the National Association of
Teachers in Colored Schools also had him as its
President.
In church affiliation, Mr. Young is a Congrega-
tionalist. He was educated in the schools support
ed by that denomination and has at all times been
a faithful worker in the churches. He is now serv
ing as the acting President of the Congregational
Workers. Through his work in the church and
through his work in the schools, Mr. Young conies
in direct contact with thousands of people during
the course of several years — but through his lead
ership in the national organizations his influence is
greatly enlarged and widened. In the cause of ed
ucation and for pleasure he has traveled over the
greater part of the United States.
Mr. Young has been twice married. His first
wife was Miss Emma M. Garrette, of Selma, Ala
bama. They were married in 1892. In 1905, Mr.
Young was married to Miss Margaret Bulkly, at
Charleston, S. C. There are five children in the
Young family. Nathan B. Young. Jr., is a lawyer
in Birmingham, Alabama. Frank Deforest, Wil
liam Henry, Emma Garrette, and Julia Bulkly are
in school in Tallahassee. The young people make
the home a happy and an interesting one.
Through the Presidency of the Florida Agricul
tural and Mechanical College for Negroes, Mr.
Young has done his greatest work. He has the
work thoroughly organized and his knowledge of
men and women has enabled him to choose a good
faculty and to get them to work with him for one-
end. Through the school he is awakening an in
terest, not only in the study of books, but the prob
lems that will confront the students when they go
out from the school. Mr. Young might be taken
for an example of a good organizer, and thorough
school man.
420
John Mitchell, Jr.
OHN Mitchell, Jr., is one of the The interest, next to the Planet that marks Mr.
Negroes who should be known to Mitchell a man of action is the Mechanic's Savings
all our young people. One of the Bank. This bank was organized by Mr. Mitchell
reasons that his life should be in 1901. The need of the bank was felt by him.
known to them is his fearless- This in itself was reason enough for its establish
ment. The bank owns property valued as high as
six figures, and the aggregate deposits of this bank
ness. Another is his manner of
using one step to go on up to a higher plane. Born
of slave parents, he has steadily made his wav to
,. ... . . t. a • *i when written run into seven figures. The building-
the front till, today, he is a man of affairs, both
in the financial world and in the world of journal- in which this business is. housed is owned by the
institution and is one that is a credit to the race and
ism.
John Mitchell, Jr., was born in Henrico County, an ornament to the city in which it is placed. Just
Virginia, in 1863. He received his early education as Mr. Mitchell was a leader among newspaper
in the public schools of the State, graduating from men, in just the same manner is he a leader in the
the High and Normal School at Richmond, in 1881. banking world of the colored people. At one time
Like most men who received training, he went he attended the banking association in New York
through the period of teaching. This period with (jity. He was asked to make an address. This
Mr. Mitchell lasted but three years. At the end was favorably received and was commented upon
of that time he gave up the work to connect him- all over the country. He is the only colored mar
self with the Planet. The Planet is a weekly jour- who has had the honor of occupying a seat in the
ual that is published in the interest of the Colored body.
Race. After working on the staff of the Planet for In church affiliation, Mr. Mitchell is a Baptist,
some time, Mr. Mitchell became the owner of the He brings to the church that same enthusiasm that
sheet. Through this means some of the best things jlas characterized his efforts in the financial world
in the life of Mr. Mitchell have come and through and in the world of journalism. Mr. Mitchell is a
it some of the hardships.
large property holder and through his life and
At one time when a lynching had taken place, works he has won the esteem and the good will of
Mr. Mitchell condemned the act in no uncertain a)1 the peopie who know him, be they white or
verms, through tne coiumns of his paper. This of- black. Some one in writing about Mr. Mitchell
tended the persons most concerned in the lynching. savs Q£ m'm that his success is due to three things—
Une result was a threat to Mr. Mitchell. An un- his application to business, his strict integrity and
signed letter containing a piece of hemp and a to his always keeping his word and his engage-
urawin0- of a skull and cross bones was sent to him. meiits with others. Any one who can have these
This in no way kept Mr. Mitchell from doing his three things truthfully said concerning him, is in-
duty. He visited the place where the lynching had deed a person who is worthy of emulation,
occured, in this way showing that he did not re- Mr. Mitchell, born of slave parents has this long
gard the threat on his life. Mr. Mitchell was for ijne Of accomplishments to his credit: President of
a number of years President of the National Afro- the Mechanic's Savings Bank, proprietor of the
American Press Association. All through the Richmond Planet, former President of the Nat-
South Mr. Mitchell is known to the reading public ional Afro-American Press Association, member of
through his paper, and one of the things that stamp the Common Council for two years, member of the
him a man is the fearless manner in which he Board of Aldermen for eight years, worker in the
speaks out where the interest of the colored man is interest of the colored man, man of means, a man
at stake. of great fearlessness and a man of his word.
421
PANORAMIC VIEW AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
HE State Normal Schools - - one
each in East, Middle and West
Tennessee, and the Agricultural
and Industrial State Normal
School for Negroes — were autho
rized by Chapter 26 of the Acts of
1909, popularly known as the "General Education
Bill " This hill set aside twenty-five per cent of
the gross-revenue of the State for public Educa
tional purposes, ancf was amended by Chapter 23 of
the Acts of 1913, by the increase of this appropria
tion to thirty-three and one-third per cent.
PURPOSE: It is the purpose of the Agricultural
and Industrial State Normal School to practically
train its students that they may better grasp their
great economic opportunity in becoming commun
ity leaders, farmers and teachers.
The school recognizes the fact that scientific
farming and other industries pursued on a scien
tific basis is the hope of the South, and it is en
deavoring to fulfill its place in furnishing better
farmers and mechanics as well as teachers who
are able to instruct the children of our different
communities in both literary and industrial pur
suits.
The Academic Department will take those who
have finished the grammar grades in the county
or city schools and prepare them for the Normal or
Professional courses. In the Normal or Profes
sional Department the prescribed literary course is
taken with the choice of electives. The electives
are Teaching, Agriculture, Domestic Science, Do
mestic Art, Manual Arts, Trades and Business. In
dustrial training is given all students. Instruction
in domestic science and domestic art is given ac
cording to the latest scientific methods with special
reference to their practical application in the home.
The buildings of the Agricultural and Industrial
State Normal School are ideally located on a bluff
overlooking the Cumberland River. The campus
proper, consisting of 35 acres is within the corpor
ate limits of the city of Nashville, "the Athens of
the South," and is furnished with water and elec
tric lights.
The farm is located just outside the city limits
at the foot of the bluff on which the buildings are
situated and slopes gradually to the Cumberland
River. The farm consists of 135 acres adjoining
the campus. Students taking Agriculture do not
have to waste an hour or more of time in going
to a farm a mile or two away, as is the case in a
great many agricultural schools, but can change
clothing and go immediately from the class room
where the theory is taught, to the farm where they
learn also the practical side.
The control of the Colored Normal as in the
case of all Tennessee's State Normal Schools, is
vested in the State Board of Education and it is
due to their wisdom and liberal spirit that this
school is so well located and its material equipment
is so thoroughly modern and well appointed that
the general health of the student body is w 11 con
served.
BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT: The buildings
include a main or Academic Building, two dormi
tories for women and men, the trades building with
heating plant, residence for the President, two cot
tages, three barns and several farm houses. The
main building is a modern brick and stone structure
three stories in height. In it are the offices, lab
oratories, recitation rooms. Library, reading room,
auditorium, dining hall, kitchen, laundry and wo
men's rest room — in all forty rooms.
The Auditorium, with gallery will accommodate
422
PANORAMIC VIEW— AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
nine hundred persons. The class rooms are fur
nished with modern desks and recitation seats and
the laboratories are fully equipped with all needed
apparatus and supplies. The Industrial Training
Department occupies commodious quarters. The
Manual Training rooms are fitted up with the most
modern initial equipment, and the students in this
department are taught to make additional equip
ment as it is needed. The Trades building is fitted
out with its necessary machinery which is run by
two big electric motors. A large dairy barn with
modern equipment was built by students during the
school term of 1915, and a dairy herd has been pur
chased. The school is well fitted to teach scienti
fic methods in dairying.
The school has more than 2000 books listed in its
library. These books have been selected to meet
the peculiar needs of instruction and to suit the
conditions of the rural communities from which the
students are selected. Over seventy-five leading
magazines and periodicals are on file for the use
of the students. A spacious, excellently lighted
and ventilated reading room is accessible to all who
use the library and a competent librarian has been
placed in charge. The young men and women are
exceptionally fortunate in having modern and com
fortable quarters. The dormitory buildings are
three-story brick with steam heat, electric lights,
bathrooms, with hot and cold water, large, bright
and well ventilated outside bed rooms.
All the work in the building is done by the stu
dents under the supervision of two excellent ma
trons, who rotate the work so as to give complete
round of housekeeping and nurse training exper
ience to each student, and at the same time hold
before them a high standard of living.
The laundry, which is under an experienced ma
tron, has been fitted with machinery, steam wash
er extracter, mangle, and electric irons. The ma
chinery is operated by the students.
Special attention is given the girls in order to
train them in matters pertaining to dress, health,
physical development and the simple rules of good
manners. They are under the constant care of
the preceptress and other female teachers who give
them kind and helpful instruction as needed.
The men's dormitory is also in charge of an ex
perienced preceptress kwho sees that the rights of
the young men are carefully guarded and their
needs faithfully met. A school physician may be
called whenever necessary.
It has an "Aesthetic Club" to promote correct
standards of life.
Societies : It has four Literary Societies ; an
Athletic Association ; society of Agricultural and
Mechanical Students ; and numerous clubs organ
ized for mutual welfare and enjoyment of the stu
dents.
The school gives special attention to the religi
ous training and life of the students. Every third
Sunday services are held at the school and Sunday
school is held every Sunday. A Bible Training
Class is maintained in connection with the Sun
day school.
W. J. HALE, the President of the Institution, has
the honor of being the first president of the First
State Normal School for Negroes in the State of
Tennessee. He was elected again last year for an
other term, which was a year before the expira
tion of his previous election. President Hale stands
high not only as an educator, but as a man of ster
ling worth, a genuine friend of his race, and a wise
and safe leader.
423
HARRY T. BURLEIGH, A. M.
ELF made men in this country are
not so rare in the business world,
but in the world of music the self
made man is an object of wonder.
Harry T. Burleigh has the dis
tinction of being a self made mu
sician. He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, where
he attended the high school of the city. Here in
Erie Mr. Burleigh was fired with the ambition that
has never died within him, the ambition that has
spurred him on and on to higher endeavor in his
line till today, he is not only a great singer, but a
great composer as well. The opportunity to hear
real music came to him through service. His mo
ther worked in the family of a lady who was fond
of music and who often entertained the great mu
sicians when they visited that city. He heard them
at times and realized that music was in his soul
and that he wanted to hear and to produce good
music. On one occasion when a great artist was
coming to town, young Burleigh stood out under
the drawing room windows in order that he might
hear the concert at any cost. The snow was deep
— up to his knees. As a result of this exposure for
the love of music he became ill. When questioned,
his mother found out what he had done. After
that she obtained for him the permission to help
serve the guests in order that he might hear the
music.
Through serving in this home there came to
Harry Burleigh a few years later the great chance
for his advancement in the musical world. Hear
ing that there were to be scholarships in the Na
tional Conservatory of Music, he went up to try for
one. After trying out his voice, he went away to
await the decision of the judges. He went back
the next day for the decision. He had fallen a little
below the mark required. The registrar was a
lady whom he had served at one of the musical
festivals back in his home town of Erie. He re
cognized her, told her who he was and she was not
only interested and sympathetic, but she went to
work and secured for him the scholarship that he
so much wanted, the scholarship that gave him his
chance to become the great musician that we now
know.
Although his tuition was free, his living expenses
caused him much concern, and it was through hard
work that he was enabled to continue his studies.
In 1894, competing with sixty applicants, he won
the position of baritone soloist at St. George's
Church in New York — a position which he has held
for twenty-five years. Speaking of his work on
the completion of his twenty-fifth year, the Bul
letin of the church said of him — "Through all these
years, with their inevitable changes, he has been
a faithful and devoted helper, friend and worker in
the varied activities of this church."
Although Mr. Burleigh says of himself that he is
a singer, not a composer, he is known to more peo
ple as a writer of music than as a singer of songs.
Thousands of people who have never heard him
sing, who do not even know that he is a man of
color, sing his compositions and enjoy them. One
of these in particular has won for him great pop
ularity — "Deep River." It is one of the most pop
ular of the concert pieces. Many of the songs from
his pen are popular. Among these are "The Grey
Wolf," "Ethiopia Saluting the Colors," "The Young
Warrior," "The Soldier" and "Jean." These are
only a few of the songs that have been arranged
by Mr. Burleigh. In choosing his texts he is al
ways careful to choose poems with big meanings.
He says "The text determines the character of
the song." Mr. Burleigh has remembered this
himself in his own musical compositions.
February 1898, Mr. Harry T. Burlegh was mar
ried to Miss Louise Alston in Washington, D. C.
There is one son in the family, Alston Waters Bur
leigh who is a student in Howard University.
Mr. Burleigh has traveled in England, in 1908
and 1909. In 1917 he was awarded the Springarn
prize. Another honor that has come to him is the
Master of Arts Degree from Atlanta University.
Austin M. Curtis, A. B., A. M., M. D.
R. A. M. Curtis is a man who while race to hold the position on the Cook County- Hos-
he has won distinction in the pro- pjtal Staff. In 1898. Dr. Curtis was appointed Sur-
geon-in-Chief of Freedmen's Hospital, Washing
ton, District of Columbia. He gave up the work-
in Provident Hospital in Chicago and took the-
work in Freedmen's, the most noted of all the hos
pitals in the country. Here at Freedmen's Dr.
fession of his choice has also had
time to engage in other duties
that make for the uplift of the
whole people. Thus while a man
whose time has many calls upon it for its skilled
work, we still see him with time to go to the va
rious churches and deliver lectures to the masses Curtis made a national reputation as a surgeon,
on "Sanitation and Hygiene." In this manner he many of his cases receiving mention in surgical lit-
has clone much to bring about better health con- erature. After four years Dr. Curtis gave up the
ditions in all the communities in which he has lived, work to take up a private practice. He still serves
Another phase of work that has taken much of his Freedmen's in the capacity of attending Surgeon
time is the Y. M. C. A. In Washington, District however, and at the same time is consulting sur-
of Columbia, when funds were needed to complete geon at the Provident Hospital, Baltimore, Marv-
the $100,000.00 building that they had under way, land, and of Richmond Hospital, Richmond, Vir-
it was Dr. Curtis who was made chairman of the ginia. In addition to these duties, Dr Curtis
campaign committee, because of his ability to or- makes frequent trips into the South to perform op-
ganize men and get them to respond to his plans. erations in various cities.
Dr. Austin M. Curtis was born in Raleigh, North Dr. Curtis also serves as a teacher of his science
Carolina, in 1868. He was one in a family of ten. He is Associate Professor of surgery, Howard Med-
The schools of Raleigh were pretty good and in ical School, and clinical professor of surgery in the
them Dr. Curtis proved himself to be a pupil so apt Post Graduate School of Howard University. In
and so willing to apply himself that through the this manner. Dr. Curtis has hopes of passing on
kindness of a Northern lady teaching in the schools some of the knowlege that he has gained from his
of Raleigh, he obtained a scholarship in Lincoln extensive practice. And those who see the work
University, Pennsylvania. Although this scholar- of the young men who go out from under his in-
ship made life a little easier for the ambitious struction realize that he has had his hopes come
young man, he still had to work, and work hard to
keep himself in funds during the winter month.
Thus we find him during the summer months en- charge of the medical exhibit of the Negroes. He
gaged in some sort of lucrative work. installed a model hospital and had it in good work-
After four years of college work in Lincoln Uni- ing order. Here he was able to show the progress
versity, Dr. Curtis was graduated with the well of the medical science among his people and to
earned degree of A. B. Later, because of the good show the best methods of management of the hos-
true.
At the Jamestown exposition, Dr. Curtis had
oes.
work that he had done after leaving school the Un
iversity conferred upon him the degree of A. M.
pital.
Dr. Curtis has an interesting family. The sons
But on leaving Lincoln, Dr. Curtis was still unsat- in the family are following in the footsteps of their
father and are one by one taking up the practice
of medicine as a profession. To the father this is
most gratifying for it shows that to his own fam
ily he has been their ideal of a man. No greater
honor can be done any man than to have his own
children take him for a model.
Dr. Curtis is a man who has traveled extensively
and the contact that he has gotten from this travel
shows in his bearing, he is thoroughly at home in
any emergency, is a good friend and is always
ready to help those who need him.
isfied with his training. He wanted to be a profes
sional man. Once more he matriculated, this time
in Northwestern University Medical School, Chi
cago. From this institution he was graduated in
1891 with honors.
For seven years after his graduation he practiced
his profession in Chicago.
During this time he served as attending surgeon
to Provident Hospital and for one year he served
mi the staff of the Cook County Hospital of that
city. Dr. Curtis was the first physician of the Negro
425
MAJOR ROBERT R. JACKSON
AJOR Robert R. Jackson was born
in Malta, Illinois, September 1st.,
1870. At an early age he entered
the public schools of Chicago, and
remained in them till he complet
ed the High School Course. While
still in school, Major Jackson served as a newsboy.
From this work he gained a business training that
has served him in all his after life. After leaving
school, Major Jackson took the Civil Service Ex
amination and was appointed to a clerkship in the
Chicago Postoffice. In this capacity he served for
twenty-one years. For twelve years he served as
Assistant Superintendent of the Armour Station
Post Office. This is the highest position ever held
by any member of the Colored Race, in the Post
Office System of Chicago.
During his life as a public man Major Jackson
has served in a number of capacities. He has
worked in the Civil Service, he has served as a sol
dier and he has done good work as a politician. As
a soldier he has made a splendid record. He served
in the Spanish-American War in 1898, and on the
Mexican border in 1916. In all he served his coun
try as a soldier for twenty-five years. He was
given his honorable discharge in 1917. Major Jack
son did his part to bring fame to the Illinois Nat
ional Guard, Eighth Regiment. Of this regiment
he was a charter member and with it he worked for
the twenty-five years that he put in the service.
In the political life of the city of his adoption
lie has for a number of years been very prominent.
He was elected to the forty-eighth General Assem
bly and was seated just a short time before the
Legislature adjourned sine die. He was re-elect
ed to the forty-ninth General Assembly and once
more to the Fiftieth General Assembly. He had
the opportunity to get in some good work for the
colored people while serving these three terms.
For one thing, the fiftieth anniversary of the em
ancipation of the slaves claimed his attention and
he supported a bill appropriating $25,000.00 for that
purpose. After his re-election he passed a bill for
an additional $25,000.00 for the Half Century Ex
position. It was through his tireless endeavor that
the famous Jackson law was passed which put the
Birth of a Nation out of business. In 1918, Major
Jackson was elected Alderman from the Second
Ward to the City Council of Chicago. This elec
tion was for two years.
In church affiliation Major Jackson is an African
Methodist Episcopal. His membership is in the
Quinn Chapel, of Chicago. He is a Knight of Py
thias, a Mason, An Odd Fellow, an Elk and a mem
ber of the United Brothers of Friendship. In the
first named of these secret orders he holds high
rank, being the Major General Uniform Rank of
Knight of Pythias. This position he has held for
the past twenty years.
Major Jackson owns a Fraternal Press, Printing
and Publishing, which is conservatively valued at
$55,000.00. This is one of the largest printing es
tablishments of Chicago. Through his press he is
able to reach many people.
In May, 1888, he was married to Miss Annie
Green, of Chicago, Illinois. To them two children
have been born. George Jackson is a clerk in the
City of Chicago, and the daughter, Naomi, is now
married and busy making a home of her own.
In the interest of his work, and a soldier, Major
Jackson has traveled all over the United States.
To him came the chance to train during his twenty-
five years of service, forty thousand men for mil-
itary service. This work he did willingly and well.
In summing up what he had tried to do in his long
life of usefulness Major Jackson says that the prin
cipal episodes of his life have come in "Fighting
for the Race and for the Flag of our Country."
426
William A. Warfield, M. D.
R. Warfield is a good example of
the man who has stayed in one
place and steadily worked his way
up from the ground floor to the
top. That he has done this has
been due to perseverance and to
real merit. Dr. Warfield was born at Hyattstoen,
Maryland, in 1866. In the public schools of his
county he received his early training, and then he
entered Morgan College, Baltimore, Maryland.
From Morgan he was graduated in 1890 and ever
since that time he has done honor to the school that
gave him his grasp on things. And Morgan is just
ly proud of this son of hers that has won so much
distinction in the profession that he made his life
work. After completing the course at Morgan Dr.
Warfield entered the Howard School of Medicine
and was graduated with the degree M. D., in 1894.
Since that time Freedmen's Hospital, the hospital
connected with the medical school of Howard Un
iversity has been the scene of Dr. Warfield's labors.
He first entered the hospital as an intern. In
this capacity he served in 1894 and 1895. His next
stej) in the ascent was to that of school assistant
surgeon. At this post he served from 1895 to 1896,
when he was once more promoted, this time to the
work of First Assistant Surgeon. As first assist
ant surgeon he served from 1897 to 1901. At this
time he was appointed surgeon-in-chief, which po
sition he still holds. When Dr. Warfield was serv
ing his internship at Freedmen's he was under Dr.
Dan Williams, of Chicago, who was at that time
surgeon-in-chief of Freedmen's Hospital. He could
not have chosen a better man to work under if he
had had the power of choice, for Dr. Williams has
given to the medical science some points that will
make him a name forever in the medical and sur
gical world.
Since 1901, Dr. Warfield has been at the head of
Freedmen's. During that time the work of the in
stitution has grown, the plant has been" enlarged,
and the work strengthened. Much of the credit for
this is due Dr. Warfield. With untiring effort he
has wisely administered the affairs of the Hospital
and has brought it up to the point where it serves
a large number of persons, not only persons from
the District of Columbia but people from all over
the United States, who go there to take advantage
of the skill of the staff employed in the work there.
Dr. Warfield is Professor of abdominal surgery
at Howard Medical School. Indeed Dr. Warfield
is inclined to make a specialty of this line of work
and has won rank among the most noted of our
clever operators in this work. The interest of Dr.
Warfield is in all lines of work of his profession as
is easily shown by the organizations with which he
has affiliated himself. He is a member of the Am
erican Hospital Association, he is a member of the
National Medical Association and he is a member
of the Medico-Chururgical Society of the District
of Columbia.
Dr. Warfield has found time to serve in other
capacities that are not strictly in his profession.
He is a member of the Board of Childrens' Guard
ians in the District of Columbia and he is a member
of the Masonic order. In church connection, Dr.
Warfield is a Methodist and in political belief he is
a Republican. During the crisis through which
our country has just passed, Dr. Warfield gave
freely of his time and energies and ripe wisdom to
the service of his country. Early and late, even
when he was needed to see after the affairs of the
Hospital he was off to serve on the Exemption
Board, or to help with a drive or in some way to
help keep the work of the war under way.
In Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Warfield was mar
ried to Miss Violet B. Thompson, in 1891. From
this union two children have been born to help the
parents enjoy life and to make the life worth living
for them. These two young people, William and
Violet are being given opportunity to take advan
tage of all the educational facilities that are afford
ed in such an abundance in the Capitol City.
Dr. Warfield still remains in the place where he
begun the practice of his profession. He started
at the bottom, as an intern. Step by step, and
through years of self development and self applica
tion he has continued up, till now he is at the head
of Freedmen's and since Freedmen's is the largest
and best institution of her type, we might say that
Dr. Warfield stands in the medical profession to
day without a peer.
427
C. H. JAMES
ISTORY centers around the name
of C. H. James of Charleston,
West Virginia. His father was a
soldier in the Union Army. Hon
orably discharged in West Virgi
nia in 1865 the father set to work
to make a career for himself and for his family.
Before entering the war he had made up his mind
to preach. He now began his chosen work. He
was the first colored ordained minister in West Vir
ginia ; and he and his sister Lucy were the first
public school teachers of West Virginia. Thus does
the son, C. H. James come into an envious heritage.
Mr. C. H. James was born in Gallia County, Ohio,
The father having gone to the war, the son lived
with and was reared by his grandfather.
lie remained with his grandfather until In-
reached the age of eighteen, when he, with other
members of the family, joined the father in West
Virginia. When he reached his new home he
thought to follow the steps of his father and so en
tered upon a career of teaching but the school room
was not to his liking, his taste and inclantion lead
ing in another direction. The game of buying and
selling appealed to him and the counter and cash
register held a facination for him, so he determined
to become a mercant.
There being no money to back him and no stores
in which he could get an apprenticeship, he bought
such articles as he could afford from his teacher's
wage, packed them in a sack and started forth a
peddler. The thing was a novelty, goods were
scarce ; and so the business prospered. It grew
too large to carry on his back. Profits increased
until the young peddler felt able to pay rent and
to buy a fairly large assortment of goods. Thus
was begun on a small scale the well known firm
of C. H. James and Sons, wholesale commission
merchants.
The business has been continuous in its growth
and while he has kept a stock adequate to meet
the greater demands of his business, he has been
enabled to use a good per cent of his profits in en
joying the comforts of life and in making good real
estate investments. He owns his residence, which
is a handsome structure and has invested largely
in other real estate. His possessions embrace im
proved and unimproved lots valued at $130.0fP.
Mr. James is every inch a business man and he
has made such a great success of his business by
giving it his strict and constant attention, so much
so, that he has resisted the temptaton of outside
attractions. In early years there was no part
ner, no one to share the responsibilities, hence
he must needs be on hand by day and by night. In
later years his son has come in to share the bur
dens as well as the earnings of the firm. He is a
good and loyal Baptist, a Knight of Pythias and a
Mason. Here and there he has had a L'vv hours
to devote to political interests. (If course he is a
Republican. In 1912 he was a delegate to the con
vention at Chicago, to nominate Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt on the Progressive Ticket. This was one
of the big events of his career, not only in politics,
but in being away so long and care-free irom his
business.
In civic life, however, he never permits politi
cal prejudice to influence him in the least and al
ways stands for the right regardless of party af
filiation. There is no public movement started in
Charleston without his being consulted.
Mr. James was married to Miss Roxie A. Clark,
of Meigs County, Ohio, September 24. 1884. Three
children have been born to and rented by Mr. and
Mrs. James. Mr. Edward L. James is the partner
in the firm of C. H. James and Sons. M>ss Kstella
A. is a teacher in the public schools of Ch irleston,
Miss Carrie B. is now Mrs. B. A. Crichiov.', being
the wife of Dr. B. A. Crichlow of the Criehlow
Hospital. Mrs. Crichlow was formerly of the C.
1 1. James and Sons, having served as the bookkeep
er for this firm for several years.
428
ni/.ccl the call to the ministry and announced his
purpose to enter the sacred office. He joined the
then famous Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, pastored
by Dr. Daniel W. Wisher, who took note of the
young man and gave him frequent opportunities
for the exercise of his gifts. It was apparent from
the start that he was endowed with unusual gifts
as an orator and he was encouraged to go forward
in his chosen profession. Although a young man
his reputation began to spread and it was not long
before he received a call to a church. Returning
home when about twenty-one or two years old the
young Mr. Bowling received his first call to a
church from the little Baptist church in Waynes-
boro, Virginia, at a salary of hut $15 per month.
Then followed in quick succession brief pastorates
in Harrisonburg. Va., where he drew great crowds
of both races to hear his eloquent preaching, and in
Steelton. Pa., where he built a comfortable church
house.
While on a visit to his old home in Hampton in
December 1889, he heard of the efforts then being
made by the historic old First Church of Norfolk.
Va., to secure a pastor. His engagement with
them was filled so acceptably that on Jan. 1st. 1890
he received a unanimous call. The twenty-three
years that followed the acceptance of this call un
til his death in July 1913 were busy and filled with
successful labors. During his Norfolk pastorate .he
conducted a number of unprecedented revivals,
added large numbers to the church, encouraged his
people by precept and example to buy homes, edu
cate their children and live soberlv server! -.«
RICHARD H. BOWLING. D. D, LL. D, AND FIRST p . ' ''V ;"*•
BAPTIST CHURCH— NORFOLK. VA. the Y- M- C. A., helped organize a col
ored insurance company, and gave himself unsel-
EV. Richard Hausber Bowling, D. fishiy to every civic and philanthropic movement.
D., LL. D., church builder, preach
er and religious leader, was born
Sept. 4, 1864, in a rude cabin be- graduate of Fisk and also a young woman nat-
tween Old Point and Hampton, uraiiv endowed with a sweet " disposition and the
In October, 1890, he married Miss Haynes
whom he had met some years before. Being a
Va. The first fifteen years of his
life were spent in farm work, fishing and helping
out in his father's little store. It was then his
good fortune also as a student to come under the
influence of the noted General Armstrong, found
er and principal of the Hampton Normal School.
When about fifteen years old in December 1879
"Fighting Dick," as he was then called, ran away
from his home in Hampton. From Norfolk he g'ot a
chance to work his way on a boat to Boston, Mass.
After a year in Boston he went West for some
eighteen months. The next year he spent in New
York working as butler and attending school. Dur
ing the next three years he worked in the Summer
as a waiter on Shelton's Island and in the Winter
as a farm hand in Connecticut. That he did not
relax in his efforts for an education, however, is
evident in the story he used to tell of himself, of
how he fell asleep one night while studying and
awoke to find that his candle had burned low and
set fire to his little soap-box bookcase and all its
precious contents.
It was during these last few years that he recog-
power of convincing speech she proved to him a
helpmate indeed. To them were born seven child
ren, four of whom are still living. His first wife
having died in February 1905, he was married again
in 1907 to Miss Grace P. Melton of Winton, N. C.
To them were born three chidren.
For fourteen years he was the president of the
Virginia Baptist State Convention, which under
him paid for and operated successfully the Virginia
Theological Seminary and College at Lynchburg,
Va. As an orator and preacher he was well and
favorably known all through the South and in the
larger cities of the East.
The crowning achievement of his life perhaps
was the building and paying for in the last seven
years of his life of the beautiful stone church, now
pastored by his son, Richard Hausber Bowling, Jr.,
at a total cost of a little over $72,000.
He was a hard worker and a close student. He
strove for a better feeling between the races and
thereby won the love and respect of them both.
Above all he was honest, dependable and of a spot
less character.
429
HEMAN E. PERRY
EM AN E. Perry, born in Hous
ton, Texas, March 5, 1873, his ear--
ly experience was not unlike
many of the colored men who
have risen from the huts of pov
erty and traversed the roads of
hardships to the high positions
they have filled in the affairs of
men. lie did not enjoy a finished education,
his schooling carrying him only through the
seventh grade of the public school, but what he
lacked in this particular he more than made up in a
natural adaptibility for business, and in gifts along
this line he seems to have received a double portion.
Coupled with his keen, active business mentality,
he possessed an indomitable will, which would not
yield to the most discouraging conditions. His
business career started when quite young as a clerk
in his father's grocery store, where he remained
for two years. His father gave up the grocery
business and went to the farm, taking his son with
him.
Here he engaged in general farm work and in the
harvest season peddled the farm products from
door to door.
He was twelve years of age when he went to the
farm, and he continued there for about two years,
when he returned to the city and spent the next
ten years working for a cotton firm, during which
time he became an expert cotton sampler and clas-
ser. Having learned the business he decided to
shift for himself, so he gave up the position he had
filled for so long a period, and offered his services
to the trade as an expert in the lines above men
tioned.
His ability as a sampler and classer was general
ly recognized and he had no trouble in securing
contracts from the large and well known firms,
such as George H. McFadden and Hooper & Co.
He eventually gave up the cotton business and
sought a wider field in which to develop his talent.
He commenced as a life insurance solicitor and
worked for the Equitable, Manhattan Life, Fidel
ity Mutual and the Mutual Reserve. He spent
about twelve years as a solicitor and the experience
he gained in the field was of great help to him when
he organized the company which has established
his reputation as an insurance man. To gain fur
ther knowledge of the business he went to New
York and obtained employment in the home offices
of several of the companies he had worked for in
the field. While thus employed he formed the ac
quaintance of actuaries of national reputation.
When he worked he dreamed, and he saw in his
minds eye an insurance institution owned and op
erated by Negroes. After a while his dream began
to take concrete form, and he left New York and
came to Atlanta, Georgia, to launch his enterprise.
STANDARD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
The organization of this company did not have
easy sailing, in fact the first attempt met with fail
ure, and had another hand been at the helm instead
of that of Mr. Perry, it would no doubt have sunk
to rise no more.
In 1908 he gathered together a group of bus
iness men in the Young Men's Christian Associa
tion hall at Atlanta, and unfolded to them his pur
pose and plan to organize a Life Insurance Com
pany among the Negroes and to start with a cap
ital of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. Some of
those who were present sat up and gasped, and
others thought that the young man was crazy.
Some of them did not hesitate to say so. They
could hardly believe their ears when he told them
in a frank, straight forward way, that the least
amount with which they could begin business
would be $100,000 paid in capital which must be in
vested in bonds and deposited with the State Trea
surer for the protection of the policy holders of the
company.
These men who had been in business and in the
professions in Atlanta for many years, a number
of whom had grown wealthy thr.mgh real estate
investments, and who had been accustomed to se"
things clone on a large scale by the white citizens
of Atlanta, were not prepared to see a Negro with
an idea as big as this. They plied him with ques
tions and thought they must have misunderstood
his proposition, that he meant $10,000. and not
$100.000 and then they did not know the meaning
of some of the technical insurance terms he used,
which he had to explain. He finally convinced
them that he was in sober, serious earnestness, and
while he succeeded in enthusing them a little with
the enterprise, they left the hall without committ
ing themselves, and went home to think it over.
While it burned with but a faint glow at first the
fire kindled at that meeting never went out. Lit-
430
tit by little the idea grew and men and women in
every walk of life became interested in what this
stranger was trying to do. He opened a subscrip
tion list, which provided that not one penny of the
money paid in should be used for the expenses of
the organization ; that if the Company was not
launched every dollar received, with 4 per cent in
terest, should be returned to the subscriber.
A charter of incorporation was secured in Jan
uary. 1909. Then began the real struggle, for the
charter was granted with the provision that the
company should begin business within two years
from the date of issuance or the money received
for subscriptions be refunded to subscribers and
the charter revoked. January 28. 1911, was the
last day on which the Standard Life Insurance
Company could begin to do business under the
charter.
After two years of the hardest kind of work, and
the greatest of sacrifices, in the closing days of
1910, there was little more than $60,000 in hand,
and 'it needed $40,000 more before anything could
be done. Mr. Perry was a man of faith as well as
determination and energy, and by herculean efforts
within the next thirty days he raised another
$10,000. but when the llth -of January dawned, it
became apparent to him that the remaining $30,000
necessary could not be raised from subscribers, so
he made an effort to borrow the amount. While
those to whom he applied recognized his absolute
integrity and honesty of purpose, and sympathized
with his intense earnestness, he only found en
couragement from one banker, and as he required
time to consult his lawyer and board, his enterprise
was placed in great jeopardy, for the 28th of the
month was rapidly approaching, when either bus
iness must begin or the charter surrendered. The
fatal day finally arrived and he had not accom
plished his purpose, and with a keen disappoint
ment, but a brave heart he gave up his charter and
paid the subscribers back their money with 4'/r in
terest as promised. He had borne the burden of
the fight, defrayed his own expenses, and hired oth
ers to help him, using up his own resources and
going in debt to others for means necessary to
carry on the work.
It would seem that the end of the Standard Life
Insurance Company had come. It would have been
the end to an ordinary man. It would have crushed
a weak man. But the man who had worked for
two years making untold sacrifices was made of
sterner stuff.
After the sting of the crushing defeat had lost
its pain, he set about the task of doing it all over
again, and this time he succeeded.
Long before the time limit of his charter had
expired, he had sold the 1000 shares of stock at
$125 to $150 per share, collected over $50,000 in
cash and had taken notes for the balance of $80.000,
and with the cooperation of his associates m the
organization had borrowed on the notes of the
stockholders $50,000 more, and purchased and de
posited with the treasurer of the State of Georgia
$100,000 in bonds. The company was born, but it
was only in its swaddling clothes, only a beginning
—much work still remained to be done, and it had
to be developed. The man who founded the en
terprise was equal to the task of developing it. It
has succeeded marvelously. The policy of the com
pany from the beginning was to give full publicity
to its affairs, so that both the public and those fi
nancially interested might have complete confi
dence and security. It has been examined by a
number of expert accountants and actuaries and
their reports given wide publicity.
The death claims paid in 1918 amounted to
$79.733.47, and the total amount of beneficiaries
paid since organization is $145,353.78.
In 1913, the insurance in force was $381,500 and
the premium income $10,293.68; in 1918 the insur
ance in force amounted to $8.208,720 and the Prem
ium income to $339.327.77. It bears the distinction
of being the only Old Line Negro Life Insurance
Company.
OFFICERS :
Heman E. Perry, President : Harry H. Pace, Se
cretary-Treasurer ; J. A. Robinson, Auditor; C. C.
Cater, M. D.. Medical Director; Wm. H. King, Di
rector of Agencies ; D. P. Cater, Cashier ; C. A.
Shaw, Director of Inspection ; I. S. Blocker, Supt.
Policy Division; Geo. Dyre Eldridge, (Boston,
Mass.,) Actuary; Candler, Thomson and Hirsch,
Counsel.
DIRECTORS:
Henry A. Boyd, Nashville ; E. C. Brown. Phila
delphia ; Walter S. Buchanan, Normal; B. J. Davis,
gusta ; J. F. Dugas, Augusta; A. D. Hamilton, At
lanta; Thos. H. Hayes, Memphis; J. W. Huguley.
Americus ; R. L. Isaacs, Prairie View; Sol. C. John
son, Savannah ; R. E. Jones, New Orleans ; A. L.
Lewis, Jacksonville; Harry H. Pace, Atlanta; J. O.
Ross, Atlanta; Emmett J. Scott, Washington: Wal
ter S. Scott, Savannah ; N. B. Young, Tallahassee.
In addition to the officers mentioned the Com
pany has an advisory board composed of the lead
ing financiers, educators and religious teachers of
the Negro race, who live in different sections of
the country, where they are easily accessible for in
formation and advice.
The organization of the Standard Life Insurance
Company is not the only achievement of Mr. Perry.
He organized the Citizens Trust Company, with
a capital stock of $250,000, and a surplus of $250,-
000. This Company is located in Atlanta, Georgia.
The company bears the distinction of being the
only one passing the Capitol Issues Committee,
Sixth Federal Reserve District and in Washing
ton.
He also organized "The Service Company," with
a capital stock of $100,000. The purpose of this
organization is to equip and operate a chain of
laundries and dry cleaning plants in different cit
ies. It now has two plants in successful operation ;
one in Atlanta, another in Augusta, Ga.
Mr. Perry organized the hospital association
which purchased the Old Bishop Turner home for
fifteen thousand dollars, and obtained the promise
of $150,000 from Eastern Philanthropists contin
gent on a certain sum being raised by the associa
tion, for the erection of a hospital in Atlanta. Ga.
He has recently purchased the Old Calico House,
Atlanta, at present occupied by the Wesley Mem
orial Hospital, and the two adpoining lots, and will
construct here a handsome office building for col
ored tenants. This project will involve several
hundred thousand dollars.
431
REVEREND FREDERICK LEE LIGHTS
IKE many who have risen from
the ranks of the colored race to
occupy places of distinction, Dr.
Lights was reared in the lap of
poverty and passed through a
stage of trial and tribulation bc-
for he reached his goal. He was born in the State
of Louisiana, where his boyhood struggles began.
His parents were poor, his father being a Baptist
minister, whose labors extended back to 1859, who
appreciated the value of an education but was un
able to give his son Frederick the benefit of one.
Young Fredrick had the ambition and desire to
learn and the grit and energy to seek an education
which he finally secured by the labor of his hands.
At the age of twelve, he left his native State and
moved with his parents to Bayou, Texas. Here
he enrolled in the public schools and was permitted
to attend them for a while without undue anxiety
and care. Mis respite from struggle was of
short duration for in a little while his father died
and placed upon his shoulders the care and respon
sibility, not of himself alone, but in a large meas
ure the entire family. He met the burden with
fortitude and strength and at once addressed him
self to the problems thus thrust upon him. To
meet the situation he found it necessary to devote-
his days to labor but he robbed work of its fatigue
and night of its repose and spent many of the
hours which should have been devoted to sleep in
hard study. He finished his course in the public
schools and then entered the Hearne Academy. He
was among the first to enter this institution of
learning, remaining there until lie had completed
his course.
While at Bayou he was converted and joined tin-
Baptist Church, being the church his father organ
ized.
The dee]) religious impressions made upon him
in his youth continued to grow until they finally
decided him upon his life work. When he com
pleted his work at the Hearne Academy he went to
Edge, Texas, and was there ordained as a minis
ter. This was in 1882, and immediately after his
ordination he began his ministerial work. Among
the churches he served as Pastor was the Baptist
church, at Hearne, the church at Bavou. his old
home ; the church at Franklin, at Dremond, at Can
non, at Rockdale, at Hamstead, at Harmon Colony,
at Allen Farm, and at Wellsburn. At three of
these — Edge, Franklin and Cannon, he built houses
of worship.
From the beginning of his ministerial career he
has grown in wisdom and popularity and has been
enabled to accomplish a large work. His record
shows that he has received into the church more
than five thousand members and has united in mar
riage more than one thousand couples.
His labors have not been confined to the local
church but have also been of an international char
acter.
In 1905 he was a messenger to the World's Bap
tist Congress, which met in England.
He took advantage of the opportunity while in
Europe to make a tour of England, Ireland, Scot
land and France. Again in 1910 he visited Europe
as a delegate to the World's Mission Congress,
which met in Edinburgh. This time he visited
Germany, Belgium and Wales, and revisited
France.
He also took an active part in the National meet
ings of his denomination and was instrumental in
a large measure, for the National Baptist Conven
tion, being held in Houston Texas, in 1912.
Dr. Light was married in 1895, to Miss Pearl
Augustus Reed, of Houston. Texas. At the time
of their marriage she was a teacher in the Public-
Schools of Houston. Six children have been born
to them, five of whom are living. Freddie Lee,
Ada Estelle, Emerson Augusta, Roger Williams,
Pearl Emma Eduara, and Louise Venara, deceased.
432
S. W. Bacote, B. D., M. A., I). D., and Second Baptist Church
HOEVER visits Kansas City, Mis- church is in a way the history of the work of Rev.
souri. for any length of time will, Bacote.
\X7Kai
if he wishes to know anything' at
all about the religious life of the
people, come very soon to the Se
cond Baptist Church and its pas
tor, Rev. S. W. Bacote. The Second Baptist Church
building is one that will make a stranger enquire
about it, the pastor of the second Baptist Church
is one who will make the stranger feel at home
within his city.
Rev. Bacote was born at Society Hill, South Car
olina. Here in the public schools he received his
When he took charge of the work of that church
in 1895 the basement of the new church was built
and had been built for some time, but there it stood,
doing good to no one, depreciating in value with
the passing of time, yet the people of the church,
without the proper leader, had not the will to carry
the structure to completion. Rev. Bacote, like the
good business man that he is, said to his people —
"We will pay as we go." So they set to work to
raise the funds for the church. When they had
funds they were spent carefully, so that all might
see the work go up another step. So with each
e-irliest trainin<T for his life work. He next enter-
rally of the people the building went up. Not till
cd Benedict College, where he remained for five .
they came to the roof did they seek aid from bor
row rs Benedict is one of those schools supported .
rowed money. But when they reached this point.
hv the Bantists of the North in which such thor- "
the money necessary to hurry it through was bor-
ouo-h training- is offered to our voung people. Rev. .
rowed and the congregation moved in. But they
Bacote next entered Shaw University, Raleigh,
North Carolina. Here he remained for one year
and then entered Richmond Theological Seminary,
from which he received the degree of B. D., in 1891,
he received his master's degree in 1900 and the
did not wait to get the money together to pay off
this bill. That was one thing that Rev. Bacote ab-
hored and it was one of the things that he tried to
teach his people to look upon with disfavor. So
the sum that was necessary to cover the Second
lec-ree of D D. in 1904. Thus, Rev. Bacote went ".
Baptist Church was soon paid back.
. 1 r
from one school to another, from one degree of
I he edifice stands as a monument to the tireless
training- to another till he was fitted for the work .
endeavor of this man and his faithful workers. It
he had in his heart and in his mind to do.
In 1902 Rev. Bacote married Miss Lucy Jean-
ette Bledsoe, of Topeka, Kansas. Mrs. Bacote is
is well planned, well built, and is kept in the best
of order. The church is worth $100,000.00.
Rev. Bacote does not spend all of his energies
as much of a help to her husband as his very thor- jn thc wQ].k of the peop]e of Kansas city. He has
ough training. She is active in every line of work alsQ a national interest in the affairs of the Bap-
that is taken up by the church, knows just how to tistg Re wag e,ected statjstician of the National
make the people feel at home in the church and Ba])tist Convention in 1902. In this work he con-
stands in all matters right with Rev. Bacote, ready tinued for a number Of years organizing it so thor-
to help him wherever a woman's help is needed. oughly that an the facts could be seen at a glance.
To the Bacote home four children have come; Among the thjng.s that have been written by Rev.
Bacote are "Who's Who Among the Colored Bap
tists of the United States," and The National Bap
tist Year Book. The interests of Rev. Bacote are
Samuel and Geraldine (deceased) ; and Clarence
and Lucille.
Rev. Bacote is a man who has chosen to work
in a few places and who has done his work so well jn tln> work. He has the work in his heart as can
in those places that he is wanted there permantly. be secn from his talks, his work in his church and
His first pastorate was in Alabama, where he pas- his work in the national organizations and in his
tored the Second Baptist Church, at Marion, and
at the same time served as President of the Marion
Baptist College. He left this work to enter the
field at Kansas City, Mo. Here he is pastor of
the Second Baptist Church. The history of this him for an example,"
433
Rev. Bacote is the type of minister to
whom we can point with pride and say: "There is
a man, thoroughly trained, with the interest of the
work and the people upon his heart, Let us take
EDWARD RANDOLPH CARTER. D. D.
ROM the shoemaker's bench there
has gone forth many illustrious
men who have made themselves
felt in the world's progress.
Since the days of William Carey,
men have turned from their work
upon the soles of shoes to labor for the salvation of
the souls of men.
Rev. Edward Randolph Carter, D. D., was once
a cobbler, but like Carey, he cobbled for a living
while his real work was the carrying on the work
of his Lord. Dr. Carter was born in Athens, Geor
gia, about the year 1867, being the son of Thomas
and Sibble Carter.
After the foundation of his education was
laid in the public schools, he attended Morehouse
College. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon
him by this college and the Gaudeloup College,
Texas.
He took a course in Hebrew at the Chicago Uni
versity. While securing his education he followed
the shoemakers trade and gave some time to teach
ing. Atlanta, Georgia, has been the seat of his
ministerial work and in fact the center of his active
life.
Since 1882 he has been the pastor of the Friend
ship Baptist Church, Atlanta, and while serving this
church as pastor he has been actively identified
with a number of denominational institutions and
enterprises. He is a trustee and secretary of the
Board of Trustees of Morehouse College ; for a
number of years he has been President of the Bap
tist Educational Convention of Georgia ; was Pres
ident of the Baptist State Convention, of Georgia
a number of years ; is editor of Reflections of Nat
ional Baptist Convention Teacher.
Through his efforts a home for the old folks was
established in Atlanta, and he is now building a
home for boys and girls.
For nine years he was Vice-President of the In
ternational Baptist Association.
He was a pioneer in the prohibition campaign in
the South among the Negroes. He made speaking
tours in all of the counties of Georgia. Tennessee,
the Carolinas and Virginia. He is a member of
the National Baptist Publication Board, and of the
founder's committee of this board.
He is a member of the Southern Sociological
Congress. He was a delegate to the World's Mis
sionary Congress, which met in Edinburgh Scot
land in 1910. He is Lecturer of West side Baptist
Ministers' Union, Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Carter has been a great traveler and has seen
more of the world than is the privilege of but feu-
men. He has visited the countries of Europe, Pal
estine, Syria, Asia, Asia Minor, Africa and Egypt.
In 1876 Dr. Carter married Miss Obeie Ceicil
Brown, at Athens, Georgia. She has borne him
five children: Edward Randolph, Jr., M. D. ; Capt.
Raymond H., M. D. ; Earnest Mays, Ph. D. ; James
B. Electrician ; and Madam Tola Rogers.
Dr. Carter's manifold duties have occupied so
much of his time that he has had but little oppor
tunity to devote to his secular interests though he-
has accumulated property to the value of $5000.
A recent honor conferred upon Dr. Carter and
one which speaks highly of his ability and worth,
was being selected by the personal war council to
go to France to lecture to the colored soldiers.
The offices held by Dr. Carter are not mere posi
tions of honorary- distinction, but call for much lo-
bor. and the fact that he fills them so acceptably
goes to show that he is a man of work.
To be elected to an office and then neglect the
duties connected therewith, is to strip the position
of its honor, for the honor lies in duty well per
formed.
Taking this view of place, Dr. Carter is entitled
to all the honors attaching to the positions he holds.
Dr. Carter is yet in his prime and hopes to accom
plish much for his people before he encounters the
feebleness of old age.
434
JOSEPH HAYGOOD BLODGETT
HAT a man of energy and talent
should rise above his obscure sur
rounding's and become a factor in
the world's progress and make a
name for himself, is no argument
against education but is an en
couragement to those who are denied the great
benefits of an education.
Joseph Haygood Blodgett was denied the ad
vantages of a mental training, such as is supplied
bv the common schools and colleges and yet he has
made a success of his life.
He spent his early years upon the farm where
the strength of his youth was employed in tilling
the soil.
He was born in Augusta, Georgia, February 8th..
1858, and remained on the farm until young man
hood when he moved to Summerville, South Caro
lina. I lere he began as a common laborer but soon
branched out for himself. His first venture was a
hauling contractor for delivering phosphates from
the mines and then for four years he furnished
cross-ties and wood to the South Carolina Railroad
Company. After this he engaged in farming upon
an extensive scale and succeeded in sinking all the
money he had saved.
The loss dissapointed him, but did not discourage
him — it only served to stimulate his energies for
another effort. Leaving Summerville, he went tu
Jacksonville, Florida, and arrived there with only
one dollar and ten cents in his pocket. For six
months he worked for the Railroad Company at
one dollar and five cents per day after which he
again ventured for himself. He went into the dray-
age business and started with one team. He added
to this a wood yard and ran a farm. He also ope
rated a restaurant. From this he went into build
ing contracting, which he began in 1898. The great
fire of 1901 swept away his buildings and left him
only vacant lots.
The State Bank of Florida, came to his rescue
and loaned him five thousand dollars to improve his
vacant lots, payable in five years. With this assist
ance he went to work and was soon doing a large
business in improving vacant lots and selling them.
He has built two hundred and fifty-eight houses,
one hundred of which he now owns.
To J. H. Blodgett is due the credit for the beau
tiful residence section of elegant homes for Jack
sonville's colored population — a section that is un
surpassed for beauty.
His home. "Blodgett Villa," is one of the show
places of Florida. It is a fine two story brick
residence, beautifully finished inside and out and
is elegantly furnished in the best of taste. His
home is one of the finest owned by colored people
anywhere. In it he has entertained the late Book
er T. Washington, and many other notables. It is
his ruling passion, and since his retirement from
active business, he spends most of his time with
his garden and flowers. Although ill health keeps
him at home, of recent years, he is still a power in
the business world of Jacksonville, and his advice
is eagerly sought on nearly all matters of busi
ness. He is a great lover of the State of his adop
tion, and is fond of recounting his conversations
with John Wannamaker and that merchant prince's
astonishment at a southern Negro being able to
accumulate a fortune in the South. Without capi
tal and without education. It is a remarkable fact
that there are very few men of any race in Jack
sonville today who could borrow more from tin-
banks on an unendorsed note, than J. H. Blodgett.
In fact he has so conducted himself and his busi
ness that his credit is almost without limit.
Mr. Blodgett's business engagements do not con
sume so much of his time that he cannot give at
tention to religious matters. He is a member of
the .Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes to
its support, both in time and money.
In 1894. he married Miss Sallie O. Barnes, of
Bamburg, South Carolina, who has been a potent
factor in Mr. Blodgett's success.
435
ROBERT C. WOODS, A. M.
IRGINIA Theological Seminary
and College, located at Lynch-
burg, Virginia, was founded in
1887, as Virginia Seminary. In
a session of the Virginia Baptist
State Convention, convened in Al
exandria, Va., May 1887, the plans for the estab
lishment of the Institution were perfected, the
Trustee Board elected and immediate work start
ed. It was incorporated February 24, 1888, by the
act of the General Assembly. July. 1887, the cor
ner stone of the Main Building was laid. The class
room work began in 1890 and the first class was
graduated in 1894. In 1899 the charter was revised
and college and theological departments were
added. The name was then changed to Virginia
Theological Seminary and College.
COURSES: The courses offered are Normal-In
dustrial, Academic, College and Theological. The
Normal-Industrial Course is especially adapted to
the work of teacher training, the course being the
uniform course recommended by a committee, un
der the supervision of the State Board of Public
Instruction. The Academic Course is four years in
length, modern in its appointments and prepares
for College and Professional schools. The College
Course is a standard Bachelor of Art Course, (A.
B.), covering a period of four years, doing special
work in the Social, Moral and Physical Sciences,
Languages, with other standard college outlines.
The Theological Course embraces three years,
leading to the degree of Bachelor of Theology (B.
Th.) and Bachelor of Divinity (B. D).
The Bachelor of Divinity Degree is award
ed only to those who offer as entrance units a min
imum of two years college work and upon com
pletion of the full outline course. The Bachelor of
Theology degree is awarded to those that have not
the college credits and who do not cover the lan
guage courses in the department.
Among some of the comments of educators on
the class of work done at this institution is one
submitted from Junior Dean G. W. Fiske of the
Graduate School of Oberlin College.
"Allow me to say that I held Mr. * * * * 's
application in abeyance for about ten weeks, dur
ing the summer, while I investigated the standing
of the institution at Lynchburg (Virginia Theolo
gical Seminary and College.) Having satisfied my
self the course which Mr. * * * * completed
was of college grade. His scholarship is fully
equal to that of graduates from Fiske University
and Lincoln University."
The work of the Institution receives full credits
from the leading universities of the country. Stu
dents go from here to such universities as Oberlin,
Syracuse, University of Michigan. Bucknell and
others, to do professional and graduate work and
receive the very best rating.
FACULTY: Beginning with the Academic year
of 1917-18, the faculty numbers twenty-one active
professors and instructors, fifteen male and six fe
male, who come from the leading American insti
tutions. Among the institutions represented in
the faculty at present are, Yale. Oberlin, Univer
sity of Pittsburgh, Hillsdale College, and other
leading institutions. All members of the faculty
are Christians, being well trained and with years of
experience.
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS: The Institution owns
on the City limits an immediate campus of six acres
— in addition it has other properties consisting of
houses and lots in this city and in other cities, left
from estates to the Institution. The buildings on
the grounds, which are all brick, consist first, of the
Main Building, four story which includes recita
tion ha'll, with fine spacious class rooms, library
and reception rooms, with two additional stories
for dormitories used for young men. To this main
building is attached an annexed three-story which
includes laboratory for Physical and Biological
Sciences, Domestic Science Department, the other
436
MAIN BUILDING— VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND COLLEGE.
story used as a dormitory for men. Fox Hall is
three-story building above basement, which In
cludes Chapel, offices and dormitory for young
women. The Board authorized for immediate erec
tion, in its past session, of dining hall and hos
pital. These buildings which were completed dur
ing the year 1917-18, are each two-story brick,
with such facilities as are needed. The President's
home is a large frame structure. All these build
ings are modernly equipped with steam heat, elec
tric light, hot and cold water. Many members
of the faculty live adjacent to the Institution on
property owned by themselves.
The Board authorizes the buying of a farm,
where the Institution will begin upon a new field
of endeavor, such as farming and dairying, etc.
The valuation of the property at present is
$175,000.00 (One hundred seventy-five thousand
dollars) free of all indebtedness. The additional
buildings added $25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand
dollars) to the property valuation.
STUDENTS AND GRADUATES: The institution
had on attendance in the 1916-17 session, three
hundred ten students, one hundred sixty young
men and one hundred fifty young women. These
were distributed in all departments, with twenty-
seven in College and sixty-seven in Theological de
partments. These students represent twenty-two
states and four foreign countries. There are four
hundred graduates. Of this number 118 are activ
ely engaged in the ministry, pastoring leading
churches in every city in Virginia and leadirg cit-
ties of the United States, including many of the
Southern cities in the far South. Eight ;ire mis
sionaries of foreign fields, twenty doctors of med
icine, ten pharmacists, ten dentists, ten lawyers,
thirty academy and college professors, two college
presidents, two principals of academies, eighteen
civil service workers, four trained nurses. Of the
two hundred eight remaining, they chiefly fill posi
tions as teachers in the public school system in the
cities and rural districts.
The graduates hold prominent places as officials
in leagues, conventions, and take active part in
civic and religious life of the people.
The first president was Phillip F. Morris, D. D.,
from 1888 to 1891, the second president was Greg
ory W. Hayes, A. M., from 1891 to 1906, from 1906
to 1908, there was an acting president, Mrs. G. W.
Hayes, the third president was Jas. R. L. Diggs,
A. M., 1908 to 1911, the fourth and present pres
ident is Robert C. Woods, A. M., from 1911.
SOURCES OF SUPPORT : The Institution is sup
ported by the Virginia Baptist State Convention of
Virginia, the Baptist State organizatons from Vir
ginia to Maine and personal donations. The annual
subscription for the present year will amount to
twenty five thousand dollars. There is a small en
dowment and small income from properties. The
Institution is denominational, but is open alike to
students of all denominations.
There are more than two thousand former stu
dents.
437
PRESIDENT L. E. WILLIAMS IN PRIVATE OFFICE— WAGE EARNERS SAVINGS BANK
AGE Earners Savings Bank, of
Savannah, Georgia, reputed to
be the leading Negro Savings
Hank in America, has truly served
as a mighty stimulating agency.
For the thoughful Negroes were
only waiting for the formation of such an institu
tion to he promoted and led on by such men of
their race as heads the Wage Earners Savings
Bank today.
Miraculously as it may seem, about ten or a doz
en ambitious Negroes met in the home of one of
their number in the year 1900 for the purpose of
organizing a bank, and the magnificient sum of
One Hundred and Two Dollars was all they could
raise. But it was a bank that these Negroes
wanted for themselves and their race, and today,
a bank they have, domiciled in their own build
ing, which is said to be the finest banking building
owned by Negroes in the United States.
Through the careful management of the officers
of this Negro Bank, it has been able to declare a
divident of 12 per cent per annum for a number of
years. Deposits payable on demand earn 5 per
cent, per annum, compounded quarterly. Deposits
of One Hundred Dollars or over, when left for a
year earn 6 per cent. The slogan of the Wage
Earners Savings Bank to the Negroes everywhere
is "Own Your Own Home," and since this bank
started in business they have built or otherwise
aided the people of its race in Savannah to obtain
more than 1000 homes. Its officers and directors
are : L. E. Williams, President ; Sol C. Johnson,
Vice-President ; R. A. Harper, Cashier ; E. C. Black-
shear, Asst. -Cashier ; Mrs. R. L. Barnes, G. H. Bo-
wen, E. Seabrook, J. M. Ferreebee, Thos. M. Holly,
Dr. J. W. Jamerson, Jno. F. Jones, J. C. Lindsay.
Nathan Roberts, A. B. Singfield, W. J. Williams, H.
B. Wright.
Through well directed plans and efforts, and
down-right rugged honesty, the Wage Earners
Savings Bank has grown from $102.00 in 1900 to a
volume of business, as shown by the files of the
State Bank Examiner of Georgia, of the condition
of the Bank at the close of business November 21st,
1917, as follows :
RESOURCES
Loans and discounts $233.33,3.82
Stocks, Bonds and Investments 37,828.08
Banking House and Fixtures 72,554.20
Cash on hand & due from Banks 33,016.66
$376.732.76
LIABILITIES
Capital stock paid in $ 50.000.00
Surplus & undivided profits 25,066.33
Unpaid dividends 27120
Deposits 271,395.23
Bills Payable . 30,000.00
$376.732.76
438
Simmeon L. Carson, M. D.
R. Simmeon L. Carson was born at
Marion, North Carolina. His par
ents had been slaves and had
been denied the advantages of
education and the very fact that
they had been deprived of the
blessing's and opportunities which come to the ed
ucated man, made them more determined that their
children should have the proper chance to rise to a
higher plane of usefulness and honor in the battle
of life.
After giving the matter mature thought they de
cided that they could best secure an education for
their children in the State of Michigan, so they left
their home in North Carolina and went to the State
of Michigan and located in the City of Ann Arbor.
It was here in Ann Arbor that Dr. Carson began
that preparation which fitted him for his life work ;
it was here that he discovered the possibilities that
were wrapped within himself and it was here that
he gave himself up to hard work and earnest study
to fan into a flame the embers of genius which
lay dormant in his soul. His entire educa
tional training was received in this city and that
it was thoroughly done his after life has fully clem-,
onstrated. He was at first a student in the public
schools, completing all the courses they had to of
fer and later entered the medical college of that
place and graduated with honors.
His ability as a physician was early recognized
bv those who were close to him and when the op
portunity offered he was not slow in convincing
others of that fact.
In 1904, Dr. Carson was appointed government
physician to Lower Brule, Indian Reservation, at
Lower Brule, South Dakota. He received this ap
pointment as a result of a competitive examination.
For four years Dr. Carson remained on this reser
vation doing the medical work that was required
of him and gaining much knowledge along his line.
When he was appointed to this position his services
in the main were devoted to medicine and reliev
ing the sick of the ordinary ailments, but the time
came when his ability as a surgeon was put to the
test and he came out of the ordeal with flying col
ors and his surgical skill was generally admitted.
Mis success as a surgeon has continued to grow
until today he enjoys a national reputation.
liis first operation was the removal of an incipient
cancer from the face of a woman on the reserva
tion. Having performed this operation successfully
and receiving praise from the State Board of
1 lealth for removing the cancer while it was in that
stage made Dr. Carson ambitious for other work
along surgical lines. He made a close study of
many books written about the science and thereby
obtained a great knowledge of the theory of sur
gery to which he added the practical knowledge
secured by experience. At first his operations
were performed more from the standpoint of pro
fessional pride than of remuneration, the fee be
ing a secondary consideration, and it is no doubt
due to this spirit that he has taken such high rank
in the profession.
In 1908 he once more entered a competitive ex
amination. This time it was for the position of As
sistant Surgeon in the Freedmen's Hospital, at
Washington, D. C. Once more he was successful,
and in October of that year he received his appoint
ment to the position. Here for the past ten years
Dr. Carson has labored, gaining experience every
day and growing more skillful all the time.
Today Dr. Carson stands as one of the best sur
geons in the country. He does not restrict his
work to any one portion of the body, but pays spe
cial attention to neck, stomach and intestinal sur
gery. He is frank with his patients and treats them
in such a manner that they have the utmost con
fidence in him. And through the trying period of
convalescence, Dr. Carson still puts thought into
the work he has done and by his general atmos
phere of good cheer and good will helps his patients
on to a thorough recovery. At no place in the Un
ited States could a colored Surgeon get a greater
amount of practice than he can get in Freedmen's
Hospital.
Dr. Carson is just opening up for himself in the
city of Washington, D. C., a sanitarium. To this
work he brings a rich experience. With this ex
perience he brings also to this endeavor of his own,
one of the most perfectly controlled nervous sys
tems possible for man. He can go into an opera
tion without a quaver and without stimulant of any
kind. This great steadiness of nerve he attributes
to the clean, simple life that he has led.
In June of 1905, Dr. Carson was married to Miss
Carol Clark, of Detroit, Michigan. Mrs. Carson is
a woman of great charm and pleasing personality.
To the Carsons have been born twins, a boy and a
girl, Carol Carson and Clark Carson. These two
little folks are now twelve years of age and they
are a great source of joy to their parents.
In speaking of Dr. Carson, Dr. Kenney, in his
book, "The Negro in Medicine" says: "He is among
the best of the race in this field, and while he has
already made his mark, we feel sure that great
things are in store for him."
439
H
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3
Thomas H. Henry and South Carolina Pythians
HOMAS H. Henry, Grand Chan
cellor of the Knights of Pythias
of South Carolina is pointed to by
his fellow Knights as well as by
his neighbors as the man who cre
ated and multiplied the Knights
of Pythias as an organization in
South Carolina, giving it confi
dence, popularity, and strength. This, however,
was an instance of achieved distinction in this di
rection, as nothng was farther from his thought
at the beginning of his career, than a Grand Chan
cellorship of the Knights of Pythias or of any
other organization.
Mr. Henry was born in Dallas, Gaston County,
North Carolina, August 19, 1871. His education
was acquired here and there as the opportunity
presented itself he having been compelled to go to
work at an early age.
When he was twenty six years of age, in 1899.
he entered the service of the United States Gov
eminent, as a mail weigher. This position he
gained in Wheeling, West Va., running from
Wheeling to Kenova.
In 1901, changing his position and place of res
idence, he moved into South Carolina as a locomo
tive fireman on the Southern Railroad. The next
year found him a letter carrier in Columbia, having
made the highest grade of thirty-five who took the
examination. It was at Columbia, and as a letter
carrier, that he began his active career as a Knight
of Pythias.
In 1902 he was appointed Deputy Supreme Chan
cellor by Supreme Chancellor S. W. Starks. In
this position, he went into Greenwood, South Caro
lina, and organized the first lodge there, with thirty
members. This one act established him immed
iately as an organizer. In a few years, being given
free rein because of his aptness in organizing, he
had organized 216 lodges, with a membership of
8.000. No wonder his fellow Pythians elected him
Grand Chancellor in 1906, and still honor him with
this post, for who is so fit to hold an organization
together as he who made it?
Mr. Henry was married in 1894, to Miss Rosa A.
Davis, of Carlisle, South Carolina. Loys Ernest
ine, Mildred Anita, and Thomas Houston are their
three children. The two younger are still in school.
The oldest. Loys E., is a teacher in the public-
schools of Columbia. *
HISTORY OF THE PYTHIAN ORDER IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.
The first Negro Pythian Lodge in South Carolina
was Ionic No. 1, at Charleston, organized by Prof.
S. H. Hlocker, of Augusta, Ga., June, 1888. This
Lodge and Vashti No. 2, located at Charleston also,
had among its membership some of the leading col
ored men of the race. A roster of the membership
of these Lodges show that Dr. W. D. Crum. Mr.
F. P. Crum, Col. W. H. Robertson, Colonel Com
manding a Regiment of State Militia, Rev. J. H. M.
Pollard, an Episcopal clergyman were prominent
advocates of the principles of Pythianism.
The Order soon after its advent in the State be
came one of the most popular in South Carolina,
and in a short while nearly every town of any size
boasted of a Pythian Castle. In the year 189l'there
arose a controversy about the conduct of the En
dowment Department by the Supreme Lodge, the
membership in this State was not satisfied with
some features of the Endowment Law, this caused
an upheaval in the State and resulted in the with
drawal of all the subordinate Lodges from the par
ent body. Under the leadership of Rev. J. H. M.
Pollard, the seceding Lodges affiliated with an or
ganization known as the Knights of Pythias of the
Eastern & Western Hemisphere, this name being
assumed to distinguish the organization from the
parent body the "Knights of Pythias of North Am
erica, .South America," etc.
For a number of years the E. & W. H. Order
flourished and became a power in the coast counties
invaded middle and Piedmont Carolina, establish
ed a Grand Lodge and numerically ranked with the
Odd Fellows.
The parent body was apparently dead and there
was not a single advocate in the State until T. H.
Henry, of Columbia, holding a deputy's commission
from Supreme Chancellor S. W. Starks. organized
Greenwood Banner Lodge No. 1, at Greenwood,
November 4, 1902. This date marks the renais
sance of Pythianism in South Carolina.
Soon after the institution of Greenwood Banner
Lodge No. 1, fifteen others were organized. The
E. & W. H. Order began to decline and it was not
long before the entire membership of this branch
of Pythianism consolidated with the parent body.
A Grand Lodge was organized in Charleston, Nov.
4, 1904, by Supreme Chancellor S. W. Starks, as
sisted by Grand Chancellor Chas. D. Creswell, of
Georgia, and the following Deputy Supreme Chan
cellors : F. M. Cohen; John Bollen, of Ga. ; and T.
H. Henry, with the following officers: Julius A.
Brown, Grand Chancellor, Robt. P. Scott. Grand
Vice Chancellor, Win. 11. Houston, Grand K. R.
& S.
Mr. Brown served two terms as Grand Chan
cellor; T. H. Henry, was elected Grand Chancellor
in 1906, and still holds this post.
The growth of the Order since the organization
of Greenwood Banner Lodge No. 1, has been phe-
nominal. On the first day of October, 1907, the
Grand Lodge assumed control of the Endowment
Rank of Insurance without a penny and with a
number of death claims due, determined to win its
way into the hearts of the people by living up to
the principles of the Order, has demonstrated its
ability to redeem every promise by raising $203,-
543.26 for the mortuary department, and have paid
to the widows and orphans of its deceased mem
bers $131,431.48.
There is connected with the Order a branch
known as the Uniformed Rank, comprising twenty
two companies and two cadet organizations and at
their annual military display prizes are given.
Another healthy branch is the Woman's Auxil
iary known as the Court of Calanthe, with a mem
bership of thirty-five hundred. It has collected
$30.000, since organization and has an Endowment
Fund of $10,000.00 to its credit.
441
HOTEL DALE— CAPE MAY, N. J.
HE Colored people have long felt
the discomforts of traveling ac
commodations and adequate ar
rangements for their needs when
visiting cities and pleasure re
sorts. The demand for better
quarters has been met in at least one instance in
the establishment of Hotel Dale, at Cape May, an
ideal all the year recreation resort.
About seven years ago the management of the
Hotel Dale undertook the gigantic responsibility to
submit to the traveling public the opportunity to
choose as a place of abode, during their vacation in
the summer season, a first-class hotel, to supplant
the old custom of being crowded into small lodg
ing and boarding houses, where the sanitary con
ditions, as a rule, were not conducive to good
health. In so doing the management was confront
ed with a number of problems to solve to insure
the confidence of the public in general, that success
might be attained. The Hotel Dale is not a pic
torial structure on paper, but, in reality, an archi
tectural building — a work of art, a monument to
good taste.
Every known device which makes for safety
and comfort has been introduced to make this as
complete a living place as possible, for the accom
modation of the colored race, where they can en
joy the pleasure of life, with pleasant surroundings
and the demands of all classes met. The interior
of the hotel, conceived in perfect taste, even in
seemingly insignificant details, cannot be surpassed.
The rooms are light, airy and luxuriously furnished
and contain every modern convenience, suites with
bath. The dining room is operated on the Europ
ean system, and its cuisine rivals that of the finest
hotels of record. It is a place where those who ap
preciate simple elegance of service and all that
makes for ease of living may have their desires sat
isfied without extravagance.
The Abyssinian Orchestra renders afternoon and
evening concerts daily during the season. The op
en-air amusements are numerous, with lawn ten
nis courts on the premises.
The moral status of the hotel is above reproach,
and reflects credit on the management, who have
passed the crucial period and stood the test of thr
most profound critics, and today it is the most pop
ular hostelry of color in the country.
Until one has seen for himself the charming
rooms in this palatial building, it is not possible to
conceive the grace and elegance of the decorations
— lighting and furnishing of the room floors. The
dining room, halls and public parlors are handsom
ely decorated and adorned with works of art. In
the decoration of these rooms, an air of elegance
has been maintained, that never has been attempt
ed at the shore. Another important feature of
Hotel Dale is the large and spacious reception
room, well furnished and a model of beauty and
comfort. The hotel hae fifty sleeping chambers
and ten baths. The furniture of these rooms is
of the best and they are equipped with hot and cold
water and with telephones. Recreation features
are provided for both in and out door pleasures.
The success of his hotel enterprise has been very
gratifying to Mr. Dale, and he realizes that he
made no mistake in the opening of this gem of sea
shore resorts. The hotel is personally managed by
Mr. Dale, with a corps of attendants, who are tho
roughly experienced in every department, and their
efficiency of service enables them to give satisfact
ion to the guests without friction.
Cape May is an ideal all-the-year recreation re
sort. It is at the extreme southern point of New
Jersey; with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on
the South and East, and the Delaware bay on tin-
west. Its proximity to the Gulf stream tempers
the severity of the northern winter. The location
of Hotel Dale is superb, on the highest point in
Cape May, and directly opposite the Cape May Golf
Club links, which are unsurpassed in the country.
The golf games can be viewed from the hotel ver
anda.
BED ROOM— HOTEL DALE
442
Kelly Miller, A. B.
man who is outspoken when the
interest of the Negro is in ques
tion, a man who can speak upon
anv given subject with all the ease
and grace of an accomplished or
ator a man, who in the class room
and in all college activities is an inspiration to the
voting, a man who is thoroughly at home with all
people, this is Professor Kelly Miller.
Kelly Miller was born in South Carolina, in 1867.
llis early training in schools was like that of most
of our people who made their homes in the coun
try. The schools lasted but a short time, three or
four months a year, but for that time Kelly Miller
was a studious person and used his mind. From
his early childhood he showed a fondness for arith
metic and his mind developed unusual clearness
from following his inclination in this direction.
When school was not in session, Kelly Miller had
to do the usual work of the farm boy. Here on
the farm he learned to love the animals, the cows,
the horses and the dogs. He was even as a child a
good example of the kind of workman a really clear
minded person can make. He did not leave his
wits behind him in the school room but took them
with him to his daily tasks. Through this applica
tion to the task in hand he earned the distortion
of being the fastest cotton picker among the boys
of his neighborhood.
When Kelly Miller was thirteen years of age he
left the country school that he had attended and
went to the Fairh'eld Institute. Kvery morning
and every afternoon he walked the distance of two
miles in order that he might learn. From Fair-
field he went to Howard University. In this justly
famous school he was one of the banner pupils. He
was graduated from Howard in 1886, with the de
gree of A. B. Still seeking knowledge he went to
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, after com
pleting his course in Howard. Here he spent two
years. We cannot say that his school days really
ended here. Kelly Miller has never left the school
room. And although his position now is that of
teacher, he is himself a deep student of books, of
men and of conditions.
In 1889 Professor Miller was appointed teacher
of mathematics in the Washington High School.
Here he served only one year for the next year he
was asked to return to his Alma Mater. Here he
was given the Chair of Mathematics: This posi
tion he still holds. In addition to this work in the
/ »
mathematical courses of Howard Universty, Pro
fessor Miller has served as Dean of the College of
Arts and Sciences since 1906.
But the activities of Kelly Miller have not been
confined to the work of Howard University. He is
a man of great activity and a tireless worker. Be
cause of this he has found time to take a deep in
terest in the affairs of the race at large. He has
taken up his pen in the behalf of our people and
has written some things that will live on and on.
One of these is an open letter to Thomas Dixon,
Jr., written in 1905, "As to The Leopard's Spots."
This is considered the greatest single contribution
that has been made to the literature of the race
problem. Through this work and through other
similar works, through his many addresses in var
ious parts of the country. Kelly Miller has made
his influence felt in all sections of the country. As
a matter of fact he is called upon to travel all over
the country, both North and South to fill engage
ments on the lecture platform. His contributions
to the leading magazines and periodicals are ac
cepted and read. This broadens his influence. One
of his writings, "Race adjustment," which is a book
published in 1908 is referred to as an "authority
to all serious students of the problems growing
out of the contact and attrition of the races."
Kelly Miller was born in the South, but has lived
in Washington, D. C., longer than in any other sec
tion of the country. He has had the oportunity to
study the facts concerning the relation of the races
at first hand. He has had the clear brain develop
ed by years of study along general lines and spe
cial training in mathematics, to see these facts in
their right relationship. He has the literary skill
to give these facts in a pleasing and logical manner.
All that he has written in the interest of the race
has been right to the point, and all that he has
written has been for the uplift of the Negro and to
help him bear his burden.
The influence of Kelly Miller is far reaching.
Hundreds of young people come under his direct
instruction during the year and hundreds of
others hear him talk and see him in every day life,
thousands of people go to hear him lecture and
others, by the thousands read his articles in the
magazines and read his books. Surely he has done
what he could to help in the uplift of the Negro
race.
443
THIRKIELD SCIENCE HALL— HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
N 1865 General W. T. Sherman
wrote Major General O. O. How
ard assuring him of sympathy
with his projects for the spiritual
and intellectual redemption of the
four million Negroes of America,
and expressing confidence in his sincerity and abil
ity. "But," said General Sherman, "you have a
Hercules' task." In the light of this sincere hut
very discouraging letter, it is interesting to reflect
that within less than two years from the date on
which he received it, General Howard was instru
mental in establishing a University which on
March 2, 1917, celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary,
a monument to the faith, the wisdom and the cour
age of its founders.
The Institution was incorporated under an act of
the United States Congress.
Without one cent in the treasury, the normal
and preparatory departments opened on May 1,
1867, in a rented frame building, with five students,
and the authorities arranged for the purchase of
150 acres of land at $100 per acre.
Like many similar institutions, the first ten years
of its life, were of feverish growth. Its first struc
tures were the main building of the University, a
woman's dormitory, and dining - room, a men's
dormitory, the Medical Building, and the- Profess
ors' homes. The departments too, multiplied rap
idly, so that by 1872, the original Theological Sem
inary, which existed on paper only in 1866, had ex
panded into Normal, Preparatory, Military, Musi
cal, Industrial, Commercial, Collegiate, Law, and
Medical Departments, with a Library and a Mu
seum. The money which later sustained the first
decade of the work came by accident — through the
refusal of another school to accept it.
$500,000 received from the Freedmen's Bureau,
together with the income from the sale of much of
the 150 acres of land at four times its cost, cleared
the University of debt and started an endowment
fund. Thus was faith justified.
The panic of '73 gave the University a severe
set-back, but it soon recovered. Its first twenty-
seven years was a period of consolidation ; the last
twelve a period of material expansion. This first
period was inaugurated by Dr. Patton, the first
President to give his undivided attention to the
University.
It was during his presidency that the United
States Congress began to make annual appropria
tions to assist the University.
President Thirkfield pursued a policy of mater
ial expansion. During his term of office, he se
cured from Congress $675,700. With this income
a Science Hall, an Industrial Building, and a cen
tral heating and lighting plant were added.
444
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY— WASHINGTON, D. C.
In conformity with the spirit of the charter of
the University, the Medical School, including the
Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical colleges, is
open to all persons, without regard to sex or race,
who are qualified by good moral character, proper
age and suitable preliminary education.
In addition to individual instruction in vocal and
instrumental music, there are various classes in
which careful trailing is given. A vested choir of
about fifty voices is maintained. There are also
Young Men's and Young Women's Glee Clubs thor
oughly drilled by instructors of the University.
The University Chorus has given Mendelssohn's
"Elijah," "Handel's "Messiah," and Coleridge-Tay
lor's "Hiawatha."
The charter contains no religious test or limita
tion. The University, however, is distinctly Chris
tian in its spirit and work. It is not denomination
al, and its students are drawn from all churches, in
cluding the Roman Catholic.
Washington has been called a university in itself.
To live in such an atmosphere is a liberal educa
tion to an eager, receptive mind. Students of all
departments have unusual opportunities for gen
eral culture and the larger outlook upon life gained
through lectures, concerts and entertainments of
an elevating character. On the floors of the Sen
ate and House of Representatives, leaders in nat
ional thought and statesmanship may be heard on
vital questions. Many lectures of fine order are
given in the city, and not a few of them are free.
The University buildings are all located on the
main campus with the exception of the Law School
building, which is on Judiciary Square. They are
heated with steam and lighted by electricity. They
are in charge of a superintendent of buildings and
grounds and a competent engineer. Pains are tak
en to keep the buildings always in a sanitary con
dition, and the healthfulness of the campus and sur
roundings is well known.
On the square adjacent to that on which the
Medical College Building stands have been erected,
hospital buildings at a cost of $600,000.
The hospital has the advantage of being design
ed primarily for teaching purposes, as practically
all the patients admitted are utilized freely for in
struction.
Each student is obliged to attend 80 per cent of
the exercises in every course of study for which he
seeks credit. Students must obtain a passing
grade in each study in order to receive credit for
the same. A student whose work, for any reason
is not satisfactory, will be notified, and if no im
provement is noted, he will be asked to terminate
his connection with the school. The advantages
stated and the strict rules governing the institu
tion have made Howard one of the best Medical
schools in the land. Its lecture courses embrace
many subjects and lists speakers and lecturers of
national reputation.
Howard University took a most active part in
the establishment of an officer's training camp for
colored men during the war at Fort Des Moines,
Iowa, and made a large contribution of men who
entered the training. Approximately 200 Howard
men joined the cam]). Of the 659, who were com
missioned from this camp ninety-five were sons of
Howard.
It has sent forth nearly four thousand gradu
ates to every state in the Union, to the Islands of
the Sea and to Africa, Asia, Europe, and South
America.
FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL. HOWARD UNIVERSITY— WASHINGTON, D. C.
445
Judge Robert H. Terrell and Mary Church Terrell
OBERT H. Terrell, Washington. many of the things denied most of our young wo-
District of Columbia, .has a long men. She was educated in Oberlin College, re-
line of achievements in the liter- ceiving both the Bachelor and the Master of Arts
ary world to his credit. He was Degree. After leaving schools, Mrs. Terrell was
born in 1857, in Virginia. His appointed teacher of languages in the Colored High
early training was received in the School, of Washington. Here she worked for a
public schools of Washington, District of Columbia. short time and then went abroad to further pre-
He went to Massachusetts for his academic work pare herself for the school work. She spent two
and received his bachelor of arts degree from Mar- years abroad spending the time in France, Switzer-
vard in 1884. In 1889 he received the degree of land, Germany and Italy. In 1890 she returned to
LL. H., from Howard University, LL. M.. in 1893., the work in the High School of Washington. The
A. M., in 1900, and LL. 1)., from Livingstone Col
lege. Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1913.
Robert H. Terrell is one of the Negroes to whom
the rest of the colored people point with great decline the position, however, because of her ap-
pride. He is municipal judge and has held this po- proaching marriage,
sition since 1909.
next year she was offered the position of Regis
trar of Oberlin. She was the first Colored woman
to whom this work had been offered. She had to
Under Roosevelt, Taft and Wil
son, he has received this same appointment. All
the life of Judge Terrell is one of action. He be
gan his career as a teacher and was soon made
Mrs. Terrell has never given up her work for
the public good. She was for three terms pres
ident of the National Asociation of C'olored Wo
men's Clubs and after that time she was made Hon
principal of the Colored High School of Washing- orary President of the organization. She has trav-
ton. 1 lis next work was that of Chief of the Divis- cled all over the country as a lecturer and her
ion of the Treasury. This position he held from speeches are listened to with great interest. She
1889 to 1893. At this time he was admitted to tin-
Bar of the District. For five years he was in bus
iness with John M. Lynch.
From 1902 to 1909 he served as Civil Magistrate
and at that time he was appointed Judge in Muni
cipal Court. In this manner has the time of Judge
is the only woman who ever held the position of
President of the Bethel Literary and Historical As
sociation of Washington. D. (_'., and this position
she filled with such marked ability that it helped
her in other work later.
When it was decided to appoint two women on
Terrell been spent since completing his studies. the board of Education for the District of Colum-
One thing that might be pointed out as contribu' bia, Mrs. Terrell was one of the women appointed,
ing to the success of Judge Terrell is this — his very On this Board she served for five years doing credit
thorough preparation before he entered any line to her own training and to the race in general,
of work. This was an uncommon thing in the day Mrs. Terrell is a woman in public affairs, but
which Judge Terrell began his work, and it is she has a home and a home life that is ideal. She
is also a mother. The daughter is named for Phil-
lis Wheatlev. In this name, Mrs. Terrell shows
n
still rare for our people. But where the time and
the means are to be had this should be encouraged
and the success which has attended all the efforts honor to the Negro poetess who helped make an
of Judge Terrell could be pointed to as an example opening for the black women of America. Mrs.
of the type of work that can be done by the thor
oughly prepared man.
In church work Judge Terrell is a Congregation -
Terrell has done much for the advancement of her
sisters. Through her many honors have come to
the race that would not have come to us, but for
alist. He is a member of the Sigma Pi Phil. He her great tact and great ability. One thing that
is a member of'the Odd Fellows and of the Masons.
Of the last named organization he has served as
Grand Master of his lodge for four terms.
In 1891 Judge Terrell was married to Miss Mary
Church, of Memphis, Tennessee.
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell was born of well-to-
do parents and had therefore as her birthright
was said of her in the press when she was lectur
ing before the Chautauqua of Danville, Illinois.
was "She should be paid to travel as a model of
good English and good manners." Mrs. Terrell is
a woman of high ideals, thorough education, and
action, when that action means the advancement
of her sisters of her race.
446
Charles William Anderson
HARLES William Anderson is a
native of Ohio, and was reared
under conditions quite different
from those which faced many of
the colored race living; in the
_ South. He had better educational
advantages and his surroundings were different.
He was born at Oxford, Ohio, April 28, 1866, where
he spent his early life, passing through the public
schools. From Oxford he went to Middleton,
Ohio, and took a course in the High School. He
took a course in Cleveland Spencerian Business
College. He also attended the Berlitz School of
Language, located at Worcester, Massachusetts.
In 1890 he was appointed United States guager,
for the Second District of the State of New York,
which office he held for three years. For two years
from 1893 to 5, he was the private secretary to the
state treasurer of New York. From 1895 to 8, he
was the chief clerk in the State Treasury. He
was the ^supervisor of accounts for the New York
Racing Commission during the years of 1898-1905.
In 1905, he was made collector of Internal Revenue
in the Second District of New York, and continued
in this office until 1915.
New York World pays him this glowing tribute:
"Charles W. Anderson goes out of office today
after holding for ten years this responsible post
under the Treasury. Many millions of dollars have
passed through his hands. His dealings have been
practically all with white men of the keenest in
tellect and of substantial business standing. Ca
pacity and courtesy have been the qualities most
remarked in his conduct of an office maintained al
ways in the highest efficiency. In Collector An
derson's time, three complicated and important
new revenue measures, in income tax, the corpora
tion tax and the war revenue tax, have made this
office the most difficult, as it is the most important
ever held by a colored man under the Government.
He has stood the test. No race is fairly judged by
holding up as types for reprobation its most de
graded speciments. Every race has the right to
be judged by its patient, toiling, useful average, and
its best."
He was President of the New York Commission
to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, at Nash
ville, in 1897, appointed by Governor Morton.
When the Columbia Post, G. A. R. tendered a
banquet to President William McKinley, at Buf
falo. N. Y., Aug. 4, 1897, he was selected as one of
the speakers.
He was also a member of the citizens committee
of the Hudson Fulton Celebration Committee to
welcome Admiral George Dewey and the fleet on
its return from the Phillipine Islands, and a mem
ber of the citizens committee to welcome Admiral
William T. Sampson and Winfield S. Schley when
the fleet returned from Cuba.
He was a member of a committee appointed to
welcome Theodore Roosevelt on his return from
Africa. He was an honorary pall bearer at the fun
eral of Mayor William J. Gaynor, of New York. At
the Peace Banquet of Citizens representing fifty
foreign nations at Hotel Astor, New York, Jan. 4,
1914, he was one of the speakers.
He was a member of the citizens committee ap
pointed to receive the bodies of the United States
Marines killed at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914. Ik-
is a permanent member of the New York City In
dependence Day Commission; Director of the Col
ored Advisory Committee of The National Repub
lican Committee, 1916; member of the Mayor's
Committee to entertain the Right Honorable Ar
thur J. Balfour and the English High Commission
at official banquet at the Waldorf-Astonia, in 1917;
member of Mayor's Committee to entertain Mar
shal Joffe, Mons. Viviani and the French Commis
sion, at official banquet at Waldorf-Astoria. 1917;
member of Mayor's Committee to entertain His
Royal Highness, Prince Ferdinand, of Savoy, Sig-
nor Marconi. Prime Minister Francesco Nitti, and
the Italian Royal Commission, at official Ban
quet at Waldorf-Astoria, 1917 ; member of Mayors'
Committee to entertain Viscount Ishii. and the Im
perial Japanese Commission at official Banquet a:
The Wraldorf-Astoria, 1917 ; member of Mayors''
Committee to entertain the Russian High Com
mission at official Banquet at the Ritz-Carlton Ho
tel, 1917; member of the Catskill Aqueduct Cele
bration Committee. 1917; Chairman of Local Board
(Draft) No. 139, from the beginning to the end of
the draft ; Honorary Colonel of the 367 Infantry,
(The Buffaloes) ; now serving as Supervisory
Agent of the Department of Farms and Markets
of the State of New York.
He served on the Republican State Committee
sixteen years. He is a member of the National
Geographical Society, the Metropolitan Museum
of Art, Institute of Art and Sciences of Columbia
University, Academy of Political Science, New
York Peace Society, Japanese Franchise League.
Appointed by Mayor Hylan, a member of "May
or's Committee on Receptions to Distinguished
Guests.' Among those expected are: His Royal
Highness, The Prince of Wales; His Majesty, King
Albert of Belgium, Marshal Foch ; General Persh-
ing, and Mis Majesty, the Shah of Persia.
He married Miss Emma Lee Bonaparte, of
Hampton, Va.
447
JOSEPH ALBERT BOOKER, A. B., A. M., D. D.
OSEPH Albert Booker, was born
at Portland, Ashby County, Ark
ansas, before the Civil War. He
was early left an orphan, his mo
ther dying while he was in his se
cond year and his father followed
his mother to the grave when he was only four
years of age. After the death of his parents he
went to live with his grand-mother (Amy Fisher,)
who had the care of him until he reached his six
teenth year. She reared him with the tenderest
care and consideration and used he best endeavor
to prepare him for life.
She taught him the alphabet and spelling, which
was as far, as she could carry him, which the chil
dren of her former owner supplemented by teach
ing him the elements of Geography, Arithmetic and
Grammar. His high school training was received
at the Branch Normal College, Pine Bluff, Arkan
sas, and his college and theological training was
secured at the Roger Williams University, at Nash
ville, Tennessee.
While those who taught him in his boyhood days
were willing and did the best they could to instruct
him he was greatly handicapped for want of books,
etc.. he frequenty used charcoal instead of pen
cils for writing and in working his sums in arith
metic. When he entered college he again encoun
tered difficulties for lack of funds and found it nec
essary to pay his way by manual labor. He washed
the dishes, chopped the wood and made the fires
at the college and in this manner he worked his
way through.
During his early years and in fact, until he was
19 years of age, his life was spent on the farm.
Here he learned to till the soil, look after the stock
and perform other farm duties, but during this pe
riod his mind was active and was employed in the
interest of his people.
When only ten years old he taught a night school
—giving the daylight hours to farm work. At the
age of sixteen he was a teacher in the public school.
After graduation he was ordained a minister of
the Missionary Baptist Church, and for a while was
pastor of a church, but Providence pointed to an
other sphere of work which has proved his life call
ing.
For thirty two years he has been the President
of the Arkansas Baptist College, and as he ex
pressed it himself, he has been so enthused with
his work that he has had but little time to bestow
upon his worldly affairs. For thirty years he has
edited a paper known as the "Baptist Vanguard.-'
Dr. Booker has figured conspiciously in tin-
councils of his denomination and is a frequent at
tendant of its conventions, both state and National.
He was a messenger to the Baptist European Con
gress in 1913. He has traveled extensively over
the United States and North Western Europe.
June 28. 1887, he married Mary J. Cover, in Hel
ena, Ark., who has borne him eight children, four
boys and four girls.
While his time and talents have been devoted al
most exclusively to the development of the Arkan
sas Baptist College, Dr. Booker has acquired some
property. He owns a few houses and lots in Little
Rock, Ark., and a small farm. He has also iden
tified himself with a number of the secret orders
of his race. He is a member of the Masons, Knights
of Pythias, Mosiac Templars and others. Dr.
Booker has been brought face to face with death
on three occasions, and he attributes his deliver
ance to an over-ruling Providence. When a boy
he was in bathing with his companions when lie
got beyond his depth and was going under for the
last time when rescued ; again he was in a burning
building where a number were injured before being
delivered; and on his way home from Europe, the
train on which he was traveling, when nearing
Malmo, Sweden, was wrecked, and about twenty
around him were killed and he escaped with but a
slight hurt. He felt that the Lord had a use for
him and preserved his life.
448
REVEREND RICHARD CARROLL
KV. Richard Carroll was horn in
Barmvell County, South Carolina,
just when the slave regime was
making place for the freedom
which came to the black race af
ter the war. His mother was a
trusted house-servant in the home of a prominent
South Carolina family and as was often the case an
attachment grew up between the servant and the
family she so faithfully served. The interest in
the mother extended to the son and no doubt ac
counts, in a measure, for the influence he exerted
in later life in bringing about a better understand
ing- between the two races.
Richard Carroll grew up on the plantation and
was afterwards educated at Benedict College, South
Carolina. He developed early unusual gifts of elo
quence in public speech. When he came to man
hood, he distinguished himself by his interest in all
that contributes to the welfare of his race and in
bringing about a better and more helpful under
standing between the whites and the blacks.
He became a Baptist minister and developed at
Columbia, South Carolina, a home for Negro or
phans and youthful delinquents. In order to do
this he resigned his commission as chaplain in the
army during the Spanish-American War, which in
fluential white leaders desired him to hold. He
took up the scheme of the orphanage without a
dollar in sight with which to build it. He proposed
to build it on faith and through prayer to God. He
did build it on this foundation, and accomplished
through it a great amount of good, confirming the
good opinion which both white people and black
people were forming of him in his native State.
During this period, it was my privilege to help in
opening the way for the subject of this sketch to
appear before the white Baptist District Associa
tion in South Carolina and present his Institution
and also make an appeal for better race relations.
This campaign strengthened and confirmed his
hold among white people and he became one of the
most influential Negro leaders in South Carolina
or the South. He made frequent trips to the North
for funds to aid his uplift enterprises, but he always
seemed to prize most the good will and encourage
ment of Southern white people. He had learned
that they were the friends of his people and that
they really had their interest at heart and were
willing to aid him in his efforts to help them.
It was about 1908 when Mr. Carroll instituted a
race conference in South Carolina which has since
met annually. The propaganda which eventuated
in this conference was conducted in the paper the
"Plowman," which he edited for a number of years.
This Annual Conference is still conducted and is
accomplishing most helpful results.
In 1913 Brother Carroll accepted a position as
Evangelist to Negroes of the South under the pay
of the white Baptist Home Mission Board of At
lanta. He is holding this position still and has add
ed to his reputation as a wonderful organizer of
men and as a trusted Negro leader. Mis outstand
ing popular gift is that of oratory and there are
surely few public speakers in the South more gifted
It is a difficult thing for a Negro leader to tell
white people the truth about certain significant
things in the relation of the two races without giv
ing offense. Dr. Carroll has done this repeatedly
and with such wonderful tact that his white aud
iences always want to hear him again. Mr. Vic
tor I. Masters, Supt. of Publicity, of the white Bap
tist Home Mission Board of Atlanta, Ga., prepared
this sketch by special request, as a token of the es
teem in which the subject is held.
449
WILLIAM HENRY HOLTZCLAW
T is no mean distinction to be call
ed a "Second Booker T. Washing
ton," for it argues great poise of
mind and intellectual ability and
carries with it the idea that the
man who has this distinction, like
the illustrious head of the Tuske-
gee Institute, has devoted his life
to the uplift of his race. William Henry Holtz-
claw is so designated. Having come into personal
touch with Booker Washington he no doubt caught
his spirit and went forth from the Tuskegee Insti
tute to follow his example.
Professor Holtzclaw was born in Roanoke, Ala
bama, but the date of his birth is unknown. His
father and mother could not write and for this rea
son a record of his birth was not kept.
He received his education in the main from the
Tuskegee Institute and Harvard College. While
at the Tuskegee Institute he was greatly impressed
with the work being done for the colored race by
that institution and the spirit of it remained to in
fluence his life work. After completing his edu
cation or rather graduating, for he is still a learn
er, he set about the establishing of an educational
institute somewhat after the pattern of his alma-
mater.
He established his school, the Utica Normal and
Industrial Institute, in 1903, and has been its prin
cipal since its organization. It is an elementary
school with a few pupils in secondary subjects. It
is located in a rural community and has done much
good work in the county. It has an attendance of
376; male 154, and female 222. Of these 241 are
boarders. It has twenty-seven teachers and n >rk-
ers, all colored. Of these .ten are male and seven
teen are female. The school owns about two hun
dred and ten acres of land, ten of which are in the
campus and two hundred in the school farm. In
addition the school owns 1390 acres of land which
was given as an endowment. The land holdings
of the school are estimated to be worth $48.800. The
estimated value of the buildings is $77,230. All the
buildings except one are frame structures. The
exception is a three story concrete structure. Of
the frame buildings three are used for dormitories,
and one each for trades, offices, hospitals, and ag
riculture. There are also two barns and a number
of small cottages and houses. The equipment, in
cluding furniture, shop equipment, farm equipment,
electric plant, saw mill, etc.. is valued at $28,000.
This school is the largest Industrial School in the
State of Mississippi and is a monument to the en
ergy, wisdom and patient and persevering efforts
of Professor Holtzclaw. Professor Holtzclaw is
an orator of considerable force and the forceful
speech he made in 1908 in the interest of his school
at Bar Harbor Maine secured a collection for his
school of $5000, while Booker Washington who
presented the claims of his institution only got
$3000. This incident caused Booker Washington
to' remark : "It will not require a prophet to tell
of the future of young Holtzclaw."
Professor Holtzclaw is a member of the Bap
tist Church, and takes an interest in religious work,
but is not connected with any of the secret orders.
His time is so much taken up in the work of his
school and organizations related to education that
he has so far refrained from joining the secret or
ders of the race. He is a member of American
Academy of Political and Social Science, Black
Belt Improvement Society, Geographic Society.
etc.
He has traleved extensively in this country and
in Canada. His property holdings amount to some
few thousand dollars.
Mr. Holtzclaw was married in 1901, to Miss
Mary Ella Patterson. They have five children.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF UTICA INSTITUTE, UTICA INSTITUTE, MISS.
450
Daniel Hale Williams, M. D.
O record of the achievements of
the Negro along lines of medical
science would be complete with
out mention of the life of our pio
neer Negro surgeon. Dr. Daniel
Hale Williams, of Chicago, nei-
would a record of the works of Negroes in
all lines of endeavor be complete without his per
sonal history.
Dr. Williams is a native of Pennsylvania, but at
an early age moved to the Northwest, where he
received his early training. Even when in the sec
ondary schools, Dr. Williams showed a fondness
for science and things pertaining thereto. Finish
ing his academic work he entered Northwestern
University and graduated from this institution in
1883. The institution from which he was graduat
ed saw in him a young man of great promise and
gave to him the position of demonstrator of an-
tomy. In this place he served for six years doing
credit to the position and gaining a richer, broader
foundation for his work in the world.
It was during the early years of his practice that
Dr. Dan Williams made for himself the name of a
great surgeon. That place he has kept and has im
proved in his work with each passing year, till to
day he is recognized among the leaders of the pro
fession without regard to color. From 1884 to
1891 Dr. Williams was so placed that he received
an abundance of practice in the line he wished to
perfect. He was surgeon at the Chicago South
Side Dispensary. At the same time he was sur
geon and physician in the Chicago Protestant Or
phan Asylum. In these two places he laid the
foundation for his very great skill along surgical
lines.
Seeing the need of better hospital facilities for
colored people. Dr. Williams, with prominent col
ored citizens organized the Provident Hospital, of
Chicago. The hospital has grown along with the
surgeon who helped found it and who never lost
interest in it, even during the five years he spent
as surgeon-in-chief of Freedmen's Hospital, in
Washington, District of Columbia.
During the five years that Dr. Williams spent in
Washington, he was able to better organize the
plant at the Freedmen's Hospital. It was he who
installed the first corps of colored interns in this in
stitution and it was he who organized the first
training school for colored nurses in connection
with the hospital.
Dr. Williams is a member of the American Med
ical Association, the Chicago Medical Society and
the Illinois Medical Society. For three years he
served on the Illinois State Board of Health and
he has served as attending physician at the St.
Luke's Hospital of Chicago, and as a member of
the International Medical Congress. As a matter
of fact. Dr. Williams has his profession very much
on his heart and wherever he can either give inspi
ration or knowledge or receive either of these there
you may find him busily engaged. He is professor
of clinical surgery at Meharry Medical College,
and each year holds a surgical clinic at this school
that benefits a great number, both patients and
young doctors.
But the thing that will claim for Dr. Dan Wil
liams the lasting gratitude of all surgeons all over
the world is his creation of a method by which the
heart can be sutured. Everywhere he is looked up
on as a wonder because of this discovery. Still one
other thing will keep him ever alive in the minds
of men of his profession. He invented "a peculiar
ly arranged 'cnot, by which the delicate tissues of
the spleen can be ligated to prevent hemorrhage of
that onyan." While this last named invention is
one of great importance, it has not won for Dr.
Williams the distinction that the other did. As a
matter of fact, when you say Dr. Dan Williams,
even to a layman, he immediately says "The heart
specialist."
>
While Dr. Williams has spent a great deal of
time on this organ and while he has the honor of
being the first to operate upon this most delicate
and most important organ of the whole system, he
still works upon other portions of the body and is
a well rounded surgeon that would be a credit to
any people, to any city, to any country.
Not only does Dr. Williams operate, both privat
ely and for the benefit of young doctors, but he
writes out the things of importance that he finds,
thus giving to a larger number of doctors the ben
efit of his ripe wisdom. All men in the profession
look up to him. He is a man who has honor not
only in his profession, but in the social world as
well. Mrs. Williams, formerly Miss Alice John
son, of Washington, D. C., is in all these matters
his helper. They live in their beautiful home in
Chicago, where she is a charming hostess.
Dr. Williams is to all Negro Doctors, old as well
as young, a source of inspiration.
451
EDWARD C. BROWN
HILE the Negro has proved him
self to be enterprising in many
fields of endeavor, there are still
some that only few have entered.
In nearly every kind of business
the black man has been able to
succeed in a one-man concern. He has run his tailor
shop, his restaurant, or hotel, his dry goods store,
his shoe shop, as the case may be, but rare indeed
is the Negro who in any sense has become a
"Kress," a "Woolworth," a "Fred Harvey," or any
of these leading men who have been able through
far sighted planning to establish a chain of busi
ness stretching throughout the United States.
When Edward C. Brown, who was born in Phila
delphia, in 1877, and educated in the public schools
and Spencerian Business College of that city, start
ed in to emulated these mighty captains of indus
try, with a chain of banks, a business requiring the
highest type of business skill, the colored business
world was amazed.
Mr. Brown first came into public notice through
the Philadelphia banking firm of Brown and Ste
vens, of which he is President and founder. Al
ways a firm believer in co-operation, and knowing
that in Union there is strength, Mr. Brown has
dreamed and worked always with plans that were
nation wide in their scope. While others have
been busy organizing and successfully launching
local enterprises, he has been working and laying
the foundation of a financial organization suffi
ciently strong to furnish backing for national hold
ing companies that could take over local business
throughout the country, susceptible of being or
ganized and conducted in a manner that would not
only increase their earnings, but put sufficient cap
ital behind them to insure their being developed
to their highest degree of efficiency. Mr. Brown
in 1909, organized the Brown Savings Bank, of
Norfolk, Va., of which he is President. This bank
has grown under his direction to a position of fi
nancial strength and state-wide influence. It has
a paid in capital stock of $50,000. and the last state
ment to the state comptroller shows $341,000 as
sets, which are growing at a rate that will put
them over the half million mark in the near future.
Mr. Brown is also President of the Beneficial In
surance Co., of Norfolk, and of a bank in Newport
News, Va. His main interests and work for some
time, however, lay in Philadelphia, where he, with
his associate, Andrew F. Stevens, conduct a bank
ing and realty business. Mr. Brown's outside in
vestments in Virginia seem to have been "Feelers,"
and were so successful, that his reputation as a
financier was firmly established.
On the death of Philip A. Payton, of New York,
which occurred Aug. 29th, 1917, Mr. Brown was
the main figure in forming the Payton Apart
ments Corporation in order to perpetuate the
work started by that noted realty dealer. The fol
lowing clipping from the New York Times gives
some idea of the magnitude of this undertaking:
"The Payton Apartments Corporation, formed at
Albany, a few days ago, with a capital of $250,OCO
has identified with it Edward C. and W. H. C.
Brown, and Andrew F. Stevens, bankers, of Phila
delphia and Washington; Emmett J. Scott, Sec
retary of the Tuskegee, Normal and Indusrial In
stitute of Tuskegee, Ala., and Heman F.. Perry.
President of the Standard Life Insurance Company
of Atlanta, Ga. Its purpose is to take over the six
story modern elevator apartments at Nos. 117 to
143 W. 141 St., and Nos. 130 to 148 W. 142nd St.,
which were bought last year by the late Phillip A.
Payton from the New York Title and Mortgage
Company. The houses were valued at $1.000.000
in that deal."
The most recent and bv far the greatest of Mr.
Brown's undertakings is the organization of a the
atrical syndicate for the leasing and operating of a
chain of colored theatres and picture houses in
every city in the United States having a large Ne
gro population.
452
Brown Savings Bank, Norfolf, Va.
HE Brown Savings and Banking
Co., incorporated, of Norfolk, Va.,
was organized April 10, 1909. It
was the second link in a chain of
banks being established by that
financial genius E. C. Brown, of
Philadelphia and New York, Mr. Brown was elect
ed president ani had associated with him one of the
most prominent physicians in the country, Dr. An
drew J. Strong, who has shown marked ability as
a financier. The entrance of Negroes into the
banking world, being at that time in its infancy, the
officers were unable to secure a cashier with prac
tical banking experience, so President Brown with
his usual sagacity fell back on an institution with
world wide reputation for turning out graduates,
that not only "made good" but were invariably re
cognized as leaders in their chosen professions.
Crossing Hampton Roads to the Alma Mater of Dr.
Booker T. Washington and Major R. R. Moton,
Mr. Brown was fortunate in securing the services
of William M. Rich. Trained in the unexcelled
Commercial Department of Hampton Institutte,
Mr. Rich combined a keen business sagacity with a
pleasant personality, that enables him not only to
attract patrons to the bank, but to hold them by
successfully managing the banks affairs in such
manner as to enable it to fill a long needed place in
financing worthy colored business enterprises. Fol
lowing the footsteps of his illustrious fellow grad
uate Major Moton, he is devoting his talents to aid
in establishing for the Negroes successful enter
prises of their own. In this connection it might be
stated he even followed the Major in choosing a
wife from the same family, although there is room
for argument as to whether he was following the
Major, or it "just happened." The bank has been
so successfully conducted, that two years ago the
directors were compelled to grant Mr. Rich an as
sistant cashier, and it speaks volumes for Mr. Rich
and his Alma Mater that they elected Edward H.
Vaughn, another Hampton graduate to the posi
tion. The bank has not only grown to a position
of financial power in Norfolk, but did yeomans ser
vice during the world war in handling Liberty
Bonds and Thrift Stamps. The bank as an institu
tion, and its personnel as individuals, were always
to the forefront in all war work, and liberally con
tributed to all Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., Salvation
Army and Camp Community Service Drives. The
bank is establishing a pride of race and a spirit of
thrift in the Negroes of Norfolk, that makes it a
distinct gain to the community, and there is a care
fully nourished spirit of fellowship between the de
positors and officers that causes these depositors to
come to the bank with all of their financial troubles
for advice, and in this way the laboring class as
well as the merchants are being taught that thrift
means independence and independence means self
respect. This institution and its work has also
gained the respect, and increased the co-operation
between the white and Negro business elements of
Norfolk, and is bringing about a friendlier spirit
which is enabling the Negroes to secure better
schools and other civic improvements. Nothing will
show more clearly the very remarkable growth of
the bank in the last two years than an advertise
ment which appeared in "The Journal Guide."
"BROWN SAVINGS AND BANKING COMPANY IN
CREASES ITS CAPITAL STOCK
Capital Paid In $ 50,000
Surplus 20,900
Resources 341,047.53
Beginning ten years ago with a paid in capital of
$10,000, by faithful application of sound business
methods, Brown Savings and Banking Company
has enjoyed phenominal growth and attained re
sources that are today over a quarter of a million
dollars.
ENLARGED FACILITIES.
To handle our increasing volume of business and
to render our patrons and the community at large
the best possible service our directors at a recent
session authorized an increase of the bank's capital
to $50,000. This remarkable growth is an evidence
of the hearty co-operation which we have received
from the public, and in return we have endeavored,
and will continue to render the best service con
sistent with sound business principles."
(Signed),
BROWN SAVINGS & BANKING CO., INC.,
NORFOLK, VA.
E. C. BROWN, Pres.
A. J. STRONG, Vice-Pres.
Win. M. RICH, Cashier.
E. H. VAUGHN,
Asst. Cashier.
The increase of $234,000 in the bank's resources
in three years as shown by the bank's statement
speaks for itself.
"Efficiency" and "courtesy" is the bank's motto,
and embraces every department. Misses Reddick
and Tolson insure sympathetic assistance to any
ladies having business dealings with this institu
tion. The stockholders are to be congratulated on
the first ten years growth which bids fair to put
the resources of the bank over the half million
mark in the near future.
453
LACY KIRK WILLIAMS, A. B., D. D.
EV. Lacey Kirk Williams was horn
in a one-room cabin in Kufaula,
Alabama, where he spent his baby
hood days and in a two room
cabin later until he was six years
of age, when he moved with his
father to Texas.
When 12 years of age he was
converted and baptized into the Thankful Baptist
Church, by its pastor, Rev. A. Rivers.
In securing an education he passed through the
public schools of Texas, and then attended respect
ively, Hearne College, Hearne, Texas ; Bishop Col
lege, Marshall Texas, where he finished the Theo
logical and Academic courses, and then the Arkan
sas Baptist College, where his A. B. course was
finished.
In 1914 the Selma University conferred upon him
the degree of D. D.
in 1894, he organized his first church, which
started with four members. It was located at Col
lege Station, Brazos County, Texas.
He built church edifices at Lyons Station, Cam
eron, Macedonia, Dallas, Mt. Gilead and Ft. Worth,
Texas. The church at Ft. Worth cost $95.000, and
is a most beautiful structure.
He is now pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, Chi
cago, Illinois. 1 his church has a membership of
8600; it collected and spent in 1918, $64,000. To
accommodate its large membership requires three
places of worship, and every Sunday it is necessary
to hold three to four overflow services.
He has held many honorary positions ; Chairman
of the State Prohibition Association of Texas ;
President LaGrange District Baptist Sunday-
School Convention ; President for 12 years of the
Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention of
Texas; President of the I. & M. College, Fort
Worth, a Dean of Theology of the same school
prior to being elected President ; Editor Western
Star, official organ of the Colored Baptists of
Texas; and now President of the Baptist State
Convention of Illinois.
Mr .Williams was the only minister appointed
by Governor Lawnden to serve on a mixed board of
prominent citizens to study and report on inter
racial relations in Chicago.
August 16, 1894, he married Miss Georgia Lewis,
of Pitt Bridge, Texas. They have one child, a boy
13 years old.
Many regard Dr. Williams as the foremost
speaker and leader of the Negro Baptists since tin-
death of the lamented Booker T. Washington.
CABIN IN WHICH DR. WILLIAMS WAS BORN
W. CURTIS REID
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PETER JAMES BRYANT. D. D.
ETER James Bryant, is what is
often termed a precocious youth,
but in reality, with him, it was
the early unfolding of a strong
and active brain. He was born in
Sylvania, Screven County, Geor
gia, April 13, 1872. At the early age of four he
gave evidence of that characteristic which finally
led to his life work. While yet on the borderland
of babyhood he would call the children about him
and preach to them. His gift was so pronounced
that the older people had him preach to them and
listened attentively to his messages.
His parents, though poor, had an ambition to ed
ucate their children, numbering nine, and made
great sacrifices to send them to school.
At the age of six years Peter was sent to the
Public Schools at Guyton, Georgia, and after fin
ishing at the lower school he entered the Pilgrim
High School, of the same town. He was an apt
student and led his classes. After finishing at tlv
Pilgrim High School, he went to Atlanta, Georgia.
and entered Morehouse College. Here .again
he applied himself diligently, and advanced rapidly.
While in Atlanta, he also took a course in the
American Normal Correspondence School, of Dan
ville, New York. When ten years of age, he was
converted and joined the Macedonia Baptist Church
of Guyton, Ga., and he developed such an aptitude
for religious work, that at the age of twelve years,
he was made superintendent of the Sunday School.
When fourteen years of age he took up the work
of teaching, and was placed in charge of a rural
school. From the rural school he advanced to
teacher in the public school of Madison, Georgia,
and of Jonesboro, Georgia.
He began his ministerial work among the coun
try churches, which he served faithfully, but a man
of his ability was needed in the larger fields and
it was only a few years before he had charge of
the Wheat Street Baptist Church of Atlanta. Un
der his able leadership the congregation has grown
until it ranks among the largest in the United
States. The church was burned in the big fire that
swept Atlanta in 1918. Dr. Bryant, nothing daunt
ed is raising the funds with which to build a
greater and grander edifice; one that will in every
way measure up to the high religious ideals of the
congregation and minister. Needless to say the
work will succeed, for this noted divine doesn't
know the meaning of the word failure.
His ability as a pulpit orator is only second to
his ability as a successful pastor, and many mem
bers of other congregations frequent his church.
He is deeply interested in the Baptist Young
People's Union, and served as President of the
Georgia State Convention of this Union and also
President of the National Baptist Young People's
Union. He served as Corresponding Secretary
of the Young People's Christian and Eucational
Congress of America, representing forty denomi
nations, at Guyton, Georgia, and at Atlanta. He
is a member of the Commission of Church and
Country Life of American Federation of Churches ;
Chairman of Colored Department of Associated
Churches, Atlanta, Georgia ; and a member 'of the
Executive Committee both of the Georgia and
National Baptist Conventions. He has traveled
over America, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland,
France, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Egypt, Pales
tine, and Syria.
October 26, 1892, he was married to Miss Sylvia
Cecil Jenkins, of Savannah, Georgia. They have
PO children. He owns his residence and several
lots valued at $6000. He is a Mason, member of
Knights of Pythias, and of the Supreme Circle.
He rendered patriotic service during the war and
was one of the four minute speakers. He also
took part in the War Workers Campaign and
raised $60,000 in ten days.
During his ministerial work he has baptised more
than 8000 converts.
456
W. H. Harris, M. D.
R. W. H. Harris, Grand Secretary
of the Improved Order of Samar
itans is a man who has helped his
people from three different an
gles — doing all of the work well.
His first endeavor along the line
of public uplift was made as a teacher, his next as a
doctor und his present as a lodge man where he
helps to look out for the fatherless and the widows.
In all of these endeavors he has taken front rank
and has made his influence felt in the lives of those
he has touched, and has already made a record
which will keep him in fond remembrance and of
which any man could well be proud, though his
work is still in its active stage.
Dr. Harris was born in Augusta. Georgia, im
mediately after the days of slavery, when the
South was in the throes of reconstruction, and
when the transition from slavery to freedom was
attended with many trials and great hardships. He
was one of fourteen children and his father found
it difficult to provide them with bread and was in
no postion to have him educated. He early felt the
cravings for an education and notwithstanding his
environment which seemed an impassable barrier
to his ambition, he determined to secure one.
He studied alone and with such help as he could
get for a time. He then entered Clark University.
Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886. Here he remained till
1890. His next studying was done in Meharry
Medical College from which institution he received
a degree in 1893. Since that time he has done post
graduate work in both Harvard and New York
Clinical School and so prepared himself thoroughly
for the profession of his choice.
Before taking up the study of medicine, still
a young man in his teens, Dr. Harris taught school
for a number of years. He taught in a number
of places in the Northern part of Georgia. After
he finished his medical course he settled down to
the practice of medicine in the city of Athens.
Here for twenty-five years he followed this profes
sion of his choice. Like most conscientious Doc
tors, his was the opportunity to learn of the inside
lives of his patients, his was the chance to send
them on a higher endeavor after relieving their
bodily suffering, his was the duty to show nobler
ways of living. During the twenty-five years that
Dr. Harris spent in this work, he did great good
along all these lines. He also served as the first
President of the' Georgia State Medical Associa
tion of Colored Doctors.
His duties as Grand Secretary and Chief Medi
cal Examiner of the Improved Order of Samaritans
claimed so much of his attention, as to finally cause
him to give up his active practice of medicine, and
to this order he is giving his time and talent.
Under his wise and conservative management
the order is making great progress and gaining
much strength. Through his untiring efforts and
leadership the order has built a magnificent tem
ple, costing $50,000, which is a modern structure
in all of its appointments.
Dr. Harris is well prepared for this work.
As a teacher he became well acquainted with the
working of the mind, as a Doctor he became well
acquainted with the functioning of the parts of the
body, and also with the ideals and aspirations of
our people. To the widows and the orphans he is
one who understands and one who can advise.
Through the organization, Dr. Harris has been able
to continue the uplift work that he began while
still in his teens — that of helping others.
In line with his other work, he organized the E.
D. Harris Drug Company, of which he is president,
which conducts one of the largest and best equip
ped drug stores for the colored people in the whole
country.
In_ church connections he is an African Methodist
Episcopal, being a member of the Pierce Chapel of
the faith in Athens, Georgia. Besides being a mem
ber of the Good Samaritans, Dr. Harris is an Odd
Fellow, a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and an Elk.
Through these organizations he has come in con
tact with many, of the problems that con
front colored people everywhere. Not all of his
time and interest have gone into the school, the
church, the practice of medicine and the lodges.
Dr. Harris has also been interested in the National
affairs. He is chairman of the Ninth Republican
Congressional District and he has been elected del
egate to the Republican National Convention four
times. His old interest in schools stills holds as
is seen from the fact that he now serves as trustee
of Morris Brown University.
In the Harris family there are five children, Hat-
tie, Marie, Roderick, Percival, and Taliaferro Har
ris. The oldest son is General Manager in Frater
nal Insurance work and the oldest daughter is chief
book-keeper. Another of the sons is a pharma
cist. Mrs. Harris was Miss Mary Jane Badger.
They make an interesting family and have served
to keep Dr. Harris with a keen interest in the lives
of young people.
Dr. Harris has succeeded in saving a competence
for the care of his family and to meet the de
mands of old age. He is estimated to be worth
$50.000.
457
JUDGE SCIPIO A. JONES
Judge Scipio A. Jones
WENTY, even ten years age, tc
speak of illiteracy or of a back
ward country, was to conjure uji
a picture of the Arkansas made
famous by Opie Read. A country
that from the Mississippi delta to
the Ozarks, was supposed to be people by a semi-
civilized people, the height of whose ambition was
to gather at some out of the way community store
and talk politics. Such a type could be found in
Arkansas, and can still be found there as they can
in every other state in the Union, but they are not
types of the state's citizens, but of a small minor
ity, too remotely located from schools, to receive
any educational advantages. There is another type
in Arkansas, that is representative of the ma
jority of her citizens. It is this type that is
draining the immensely fertile Mississippi delta
lands that comprise a big part of the Eastern half
of the state, and putting them in a state of produc
tivity that is bringing untold riches to her farmers
and merchants. It is this class of men that have
changed the picturesque Ozark Mountains from a
vast wilderness to the greatest apple producing
country in the world. It is this type of citizens that
have made such modern cities as Little Rock, Hot
Springs, Ft. Smith. Pine Bluff, and Helena possible,
and it is all these as a whole that are fast putting
Arkansas in the forefront of progressive states. It
has been truthfully said that a chain is as strong
as its weakest link. Therefore in judging the pro
gress of a state or community, any one at all quali
fied for the task, would at once seek to find the re
sults, being obtained, not by those with the great
est opportunities, but those who were overcoming
the greatest difficulties. The splendid record of
the Arkansas Negroes in the professional, commer
cial, rural and religious life of the State has con
tributed wonderfully to the State's development.
There are quite a number of colored citizens, whose
records are a source of pride to the communities
in which they reside and to the State at large, ir
respective of race. Prominent among these is
Judge Scipio A. Jones, of Little Rock.
Admitted to the Pulaski Circuit Court, June 15th,
1889, Attorney Jones began the practice of law at
a time when conditions necessarily made a great
part of his work pure charity, his only reward be
ing the knowledge that he was, in a measure, pro
tecting his people and aiding them in getting jus
tice.
His ability became so marked that he attracted
the attention of J. E. Hush, of Little Rock, Pres
ident and founder of the Mosiac Templars. Mr.
Bush, who has been likened to Andrew Carnegie in
his ability to find and develop talented heads of de
partments for his interests, in or about 1895, ap
pointed Judge Jones, National Attorney General
for the Mosiac Templars. It is sufficient to state
that for the last twenty years Judge (ones has
guided this remarkably successful organization
through the shoals of legal entanglements, in a
manner that stamps him as a corporate attorney
of exceptional ability. Many members of the bar
are ever on the alert for personal publicity and rush
their clients into court on the slightest provocation.
It has always been the Judges' principle to appeal
to the courts only as a last resort. He has un
bounded confidence in the integrity of his fellow
man and goes on the principle that calm reasoning,
and common sense save court costs. Judge Jones'
position with the Mosiac Templars requires only-
part of his time, and he has builded a private prac
tice in Arkansas, second to none. His offices are
located at Little Rock, where his work necessitates
him having a large corps of highly trained assist
ants. Judge Jones was admitted to the Supreme
Court of Arkansas, Nov. 26th, 1900. To the U. S.
District Court for the Western Division of the
Eastern District of Arkansas, and the U. S. Circuit
Court for Arkansas October 30, 1901. To the U.
S. Supreme Court, May 29th, 1905, and to the U.
S. Court of Appeals, Dec. 10, 1914.
The Judge's personal popularity in his home
town was shown by his election as Special Judge in
the Municipal Court of Little Rock, April *8th,
1915, which position he filled with credit to himself
and to his people.
The Judge is not only National Attorney for the
Mosaic Templars, but an active member of all of
the strongest fraternities with lodges in Little
Rock, and attends the State and National Conven
tions whenever possible.
No greater tribute can be paid to the Judge's pa
triotism than to quote from his speech to the Na
tional Grand Lodge of the Mosaic Templars at the
outbreak of the world's war.
"These are perilous times. Among those who
will march under the flag of the United States will
be true and tried Mosaics. These Mosaics will
leave their families and go to fight and die for you
and for me. Your Executive Committee bought
thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) worth of Lib
erty Loan Bonds, but we ought to go further, as
the "end is not yet." If you can't fight with vour
musket you can fight with your dollars ! There arc-
no cowards among us — no slackers on our rolls."
459
State Normal School, Normal, Ala.
HE oft-quoted saying of Emerson,
that an "institution is the length
ened shadow -of one man," is es
pecially applicable in the case of
the State Agricultural and Me
chanical College, at Normal, Ala
bama, Normal, as the institution is common y
designated, is the lengthened shadow of the late
William Hooper Council, ex-slave, legislator, edu
cator and author.
Dr. Council was born in Fayetteville, North Car
olina, in 1848. Sold through the famous "Rich
mond Slave Pen," he was shipped into Alabama in
1857, when a lad of but nine years. Young though
he was, he was put to work in the cotton fields,
where he toiled till the Emancipation Proclamation
severed his bondman's shackles. His freedom
gained, he looked about for a place to improve his
mind. It chanced that missionaries from the North
had come down to Stevenson, Alabama, in 1865 to
open a school. Dr. Council was one of the first
pupils to enter. He remained at Stevenson three
years, which though a short time within itself,
gave the young ex-slave habits of study and of
thought and aided him much in mapping out a fu
ture career.
Leaving school but still studying hard, Dr. Coun
cil taught, preached, and indeed threw the weight
of his strong personality into many channels of
service for the benighted colored people of his
state. His rise in the public activities of Alabama
was rapid, yet secure ; for the footing which he
gained in those early days of Reconstruction, he
held and expanded to the day of his death.
Four years after leaving the school at Stevenson
saw him a prominent figure in the state. He was
Enrolling Clerk in the Alabama Legislature from
1872 to 1874. In 1875 he was appointed, by Pres
ident Grant, as Receiver of the Land Office for the
Northern District of Alabama. Two years later
he founded the "Huntsville Herald," which he ed
ited for seven years and through which he did much
to educate his people and to shape their thoughts
properly on public matters.
Though he gave much time to public service,
Dr. Council never neglected to improve himself.
Continuing his studies under private instruction, he
developed a rare proficiency, regardless of race and
previous limited advantages, in the modern lan
guages, in the sciences, in higher mathematics, in
the classics, and in history. He was an authority
on race history and conditions as is well attested
bv his "Lamp of Wisdom," a splendid compendium
of Negro history, published in 1898. He studied
law and was admitted to the Supreme Court of
Alabama, in 1883. For his rare scholarship he was
honored by Morris Brown College, with the de
gree of Doctor of Philosophy. He was an orator
much in demand and widely known; so well known
indeed that when he traveled in Europe he was
most cordially received by Hon. William E. Glad
stone, and by King Leopold of Belgium, lie spoke,
wrote and labored incessantly for industrial edu
cation, for African Missions, and for better trained
teachers and workers. He was a strong advocate
of temperance, and contributed many helpful race
articles to magazines and newspapers. Among his
published works are two books : "The Lamp of
Wisdom," mentioned before, and "The Negro La-
borer-A Word to Him." He left in manuscript
form three books : "The History of My Life,"
"The Teacher's Manual," and "The Silver Lining."
He ranked high as a churchman and was an im
portant factor in our fraternal organizations.
However, through all his activities, he remained
what he began, a school teacher, an educator. Nor
mal was founded by him in 1875, the same year that
he was made Receiver of the Land Office in North
Alabama. The school through his powerful influ
ence secured substantial financial backing from the
beginning, receiving from the state an annual ap
propriation of $1000. It opened in May, 1875.
with sixty-one pupils and two teachers, and
in rented quarters. The large property now owned
by the College had its origin in the self-sacrificing
labors of Dr. Council, assisted by a devoted faculty
that taught with him in the first few years of the
institution's existence. Under his inspirational in
fluence, the teachers signed with him a contract do
nating a certain percentage of their salaries to be
used in the purchase of a school site. The site was
purchased in Huntsville, Alabama, and deeded to
the state for the exclusive use of furthering the
education of the Negro youth. This was the first
property owned by the College and it formed the
nucleus and the incentive for all that followed. In
1878, the annual state appropriation was raised to
two thousand dollars.
Self-made, knowing the struggles, needs and
yearnings of his people, Dr. Council sought to
shape the policies of the institution to help as many
classes of people as possible. In 1885 the State
increased the grant from two thousand to four
thousand dollars per year, to which was added later
help from the Slater and Peabody Funds, and from
private donors who gave at the solicitation of Dr.
Council.
In 1891 the Legislature of Alabama made this
460
ar
VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM 1019.
ESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING
REPAIRING ABi& GASOLINE ENGINE
A CLASS IN FANCY SEWING
A CLASS IN COOKING.
DEPARTMENT VIEWS— STATE NORMAL SCHOOL— NORMAL, ALA.
school the beneficiary of the fund granted by Act has twenty-one buildings, and a total property val-
of Congress, approved on August 30, 1890, "for nation of $185,000. It has one hundred eighty-two
the more complete endowment and the support of acres of land, ninety of which are under cultivation
the colleges for the benefit of agrculture and me- for educational purposes, and to aid in running
chanic arts." lnc school. It has twenty-nine instructors, twenty
Thus supported, Normal was not long in bccom- four students taking the college course, and three
ing an important educational factor in the state of hundred seventy-nine taking other courses, most
Alabama. One by one brick buildings went up, s'u- of which are practical in their training.
dents increased and courses were added until the It is in offering courses of study that Normal
school was numbered with the larger Negro insti- has shown itself the most useful and adaptable,
tutions of the nation. Seeking as it did under its founder to fit the young
Happily, Dr. Council lived to a ripe old age. and for all pursuits, Normal, in addition to its college
was able to see the institution thoroughly estab- courses, has departments giving Mechanical, Ag-
lished in equipment, in courses and in practical use- ricultural. Domestic, Commercia1 and Nurse Train-
fulness in the state. For more than a third of a ing Courses in all their various detail. Thus in tlr-
century he served as its head, and died in office. Agricultural Department are taught Truck Farm-
April 14, 1909. ing. Dairying and the like ; in the Department of
His successor, Mr. Walter S. Buchanan, is carry- Mechanical Industries, Steam and Electrical F.n-
ing out and re-enforcing all the policies laid down gineering, Carpentry, Wheelwrighting and Black-
In- the founder. Mr. Buchanan is thoroughly smithing. Shoe-making. Printing, Tailoring, etc. :
trained for the office to which he succeeds. He in Domestic Arts: Cooking, Sewing, Dress-making,
was born and reared in Troy, Alabama. Having Millinery and Handicrafts. The Department of
attended the public schools of Troy, he entered Commercial Arts gives instruction in Typewriting.
Tuskegee Institute, where he was graduated in Shorthand, and Bookkeeping. Normal is one of
1899. the few Negro Colleges that offers a thorough
From Tuskegee, President Buchanan went to business course.
Aiken, S. C, where he taught for two years in the But the school realized years ago that it must
Schofield School before going to Boston, Massa- go outside of the class room to give the full meas-
chusetts, where he enrolled in the Sloyd Training ure of service. Hence for years. Normal has been
School, from which he was graduated in 1902. Af- the North Alabama center for farmers' institutes
ter preparing with the help of private tutors and and Conferences, rural club meetings for farmers'
the Y. M. C. A. night school of Boston, he entered , ( , , • , ,
wives, and for rural children. When the Corn
Harvard University in 1904, and was graduated
Club. Pig Club and Tomato Club idea struck the
with the degree, B. A. S., in 1907. On graduating
, ,, South, Normal was one of the first institutions to
from Harvard, Mr. Buchanan served two months
as Southern Agent for Tuskegee Institute. He 1nlt an a-ent in the field- to establish such clubs
was called from Tuskegee to accept the principal- among Negroes. Under the Smith-Lever Bill, it
ship of the Corona Industrial Institute, Corona, has been able to extend its services as well as pro-
Alabama. Here he remained for two years, becom- long them among the Negro boys and girls of
ing President of Normal in 1909. It was during this North Alabama. To perpetuate and improve these
year that he married Miss Ida Council, the daugh- endeavors among rural folk, the college is train-
ter of the founder. Three children have blessed ing students in all the phases of rural extension
the union. work. In summer and in winter it keeps open its
Under him Normal is now realizing to the full doors to instruct both students and teachers to
the meaning of the dreams of its founder. It has teach others. This holds not only in giving spe-
added many new buildings, the most important of cial instruction from texts and in trades, but also
which is perhaps the new hospital which serves as in showing the student how to organize and lead
a health center not only for the student body, but communities and to touch their lives for good in
for the whole community. In all, the institution material progress and in clean living.
462
CHARLES HARRY ANDERSON
HE subject of this sketch who to
day ranks as one of the foremost
Negro financiers of the Country,
inherits his ability from his moth
er. Charlotte (Lewis) Anderson.
This remarkable woman was left
heavily in debt and with seven little children to
support. By taking in washing and working al
most day and night she managed to not only sup
port the children but pay the indebtedness left by
her husband. As the children grew older, she
started a little store and a truck garden, in. this
way they not only aided in making a living, but
were given the practical training that was to serve
them so well in later years.
Charles Harry Anderson, her mainstay, was born
in Jacksonville, Fla., July 25, 1879. He was educa
ted at the Florida Baptist Academy of that place,
and took a business course in a Philadelphia Bus
iness College.
His first independent business venture was in
1902. buying fish by the barrel and peddling them
from a street corner. So well did he succeed that
it was only a short time before he rented a store
and opened a fish and oyster business. By close
attention to detail, and carefully studying the
wants and needs of his customers, he has built up
l IK- present splendid business of the Anderson Fish
and Oyster Co., of which he is proprietor. This es
tablishment is located on Broad Street, and here is
installed the most modern cold storage and sani
tary equipment throughout.
Mr. Anderson makes it a rule to employ only
clerks, whose unfailing courtesy make them an as
set to his business and he has made the motto of
the Anderson Fish & Oyster Co., "sell goods that
won't come back, to customers that will."
From his very first business venture, he saw the
need of a banking institution that would serve a
two fold purpose in teaching his people to have and
to aid them in starting businesses of their own. It
was here that the early training he received from
his mother stood him in good stead, as the exper
ience of his own family had demonstrated to him
that by application to business and square dealing.
Negroes could succeed in business for themselves,
and all they needed was encouragement and a- lit
tle help in starting. It was the knowledge of this
need and the confidence he had in the ability of his
people to succeed that caused him in 1914, to start
a private banking institution under the name of
Anderson Tucker & Co.
One year later, Mr. Tucker's interest was
bought by Mr. Anderson's Brother, Richard, and
the firm name changed to Anderson and Co. This
banking institution is located on the main corner,
ground floor of the magnificent Masonic Temple
Building on Broad Street. It is here that more
than a quarter of a million dollars belonging to the
Negroes of Jacksonville is handled with an efficien
cy that is attracting the attention of the business
interest of the whole State of Florida and the Bank
bids fair to develop into a state wide institution for
the promotion of Negro business enterprises.
With a paid in Capital of $15,000.00, the esteem
in which these bankers are held by the Negroes of
Jacksonville is best shown by the fact that, al
though the bank has still to be nationalized, the
last statement to the comptroller of the State of
Florida, made June 30, 1919, shows Deposits of
$217,029.82, with additional deposits in the Xmas
Savings Club, of $16,932.14. No greater endorse
ment could be given any men by their people. Hun
dreds of depositors in this bank are laborers who
cannot reach the bank during regular banking
hours and the officers, in keeping with their policy
of accommodating their clients first, keep the doors
open for deposits until six P. M. daily and 9 P. M.
Saturday.
Mr. Chas. H. Anderson was married to Margaret
H. Myatt, of' Jacksonville, Fla.. Sept 18, 1907. They
have four children: Hodge, Seattle, Chas. H. Jr.,
and Joseph M. The Andersons occupv their own
home, an elegant residence on 8th and Centre
Streets. An atmosphere of quiet refinement per
vades the home, and serves as an inspiration to
those fortunate enough to be guests of the family.
Mr. Anderson is an active member of the A. M.
F.. Church, and is also an active member of the K.
nf P's, and Odd Fellows.
-J63
MASONIC TEMPLE BUILDING-JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
Union Grand Lodge of Masons, Florida Jurisdiction
HE present Union Grand Lodge of
Masons in the State of FloriJa
was formed in 1879, by consoli
dating the then Union Grand
Lodge and the Sovereign Grind
Lodge. The committee designat
ed to draw up terms of union be
tween the two Grand Lodges was
composed of Charles H. Pearce, Tillman Valentine,
and Edward A. Brown, from the Union Grand
Lodge ; and Richard L. Jones, Jasper N. Tully, Al-
onzo R. Jones and James A. Meadows from the
Sovereign Grand Lodge. The report rendered by
the committee was the basis of union of the two
grand bodies, thus making the beginning of the ca
reer of the present Most Worshipful Union Grand
Lodge whose former grand masters have been:
Most Worshipful John R. Scott, Most Worship
ful Tillman Valentine, Most Worshipful S. H. Cole-
man. Most Worshipful R. S. Mitchell, Most
Worshipful John H. Dickerson, and the Most Wor
shipful D. D. Powell, the present incumbent.
The organization and successful operation of
the Masonic Benefit Association, the more perfect
working of the large corps of deputies whose du
ties cover a jurisdiction now comprising a mem
bership of nearly twelve thousand Master Masons,
not including the hundreds who hold membership
in the Royal Arch, Knights-Templar, and Mystic
Sliriners division. The affiliated branches of the
Order of the Eastern Star, and the Heroines of
Jericho are also reckoned in the growth of the
craft in this jurisdiction in the past decade.
The Masonic Temple at the corner of Duval and
Broad Sts., Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the best
edifices of its kind owned by colored people in this
country. All clases of our citizens irrespective of
their affiliation, point with pride to the Masonic
Temple. It is the one thing in Jacksonville which
stands ahead of all others, demonstrating what
our people can do when we marshal our resources,
combine our forces and work unitedly for one end,
In the erection of this splendid building, of which
Rev. John H. Dickerson, ex-Grand Master of the
Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida,
was the projector, it was not only necessary to ov
ercome the incredulity which is peculiar to our peo
ple, but with the elements of character which ex-
Grand Master Dickerson possessed to a marked
degree to push forward and overcome obstacles
which were in his pathway. This he did, which re
sulted in the completion of the building in the fall
of 1913.
The temple is located in the heart of the city and
is a six story massive structure of reinforced con
crete and steel, and is finished with fine pressed
brick and marble. The corridors are twelve feet
wide, with tiled floors. There are forty-six of
fice rooms, which are used for business purposes
by some of the leading colored men of Jackson
ville, whose offices are splendidly furnished and
well equipped for their different lines of business,
and which are heated by steam in winter and light
ed by electricity. The ground floor has six com
modious store rooms, all of which are occupied.
The offices and reception room of the Grand
Master are located on the fifth floor, and are ele
gantly furnished. It is from these apartments
with the aid of his private secretary, stenographers
and clerks that he directs the Masonic forces of the
State, and makes plans to advance the interests of
the craft. The director's room adjoins the apart
ment of the grand master and is splendidly fur
nished in keeping with the dignity of the order.
On the sixth floor is the beautiful Eastern Star
Chamber and the lodge room of the Mystic Shrin-
ers and Sublime Princess of the Royal Secret.
Above all this is an elaborate roof garden, where
in summer evenings 300 guests may enjoy the cool
atmosphere that wafts with the breeze that is al
ways to be felt at a high attitude.
The basement of this magnificant building is
splendidly furnished, and it is here that the mem
bers of the Masonic Clubs meet and "jolly" each
other concerning their last experience in "riding
the goat." Set basins are in every office in the
building, two elevators are operated to carry per
sons to different floors janitor service is furnished
to keep the offices and apartments clean, and ev
ery modern convenience which goes to make a first
class business is to lie found in this splendid edi
fice. The furnishings, equipments and parapher
nalia used in the lodge rooms and departmental
quarters are also first class and up-to-date and
"goat riding," which is still hazardous, is conduct
ed with just a bit more dignity, pomp and splendor
than it used to be by the brethren of the craft in
the task of inducting "raw recruits" into the sub-
iime mysteries of the degree of the fraternity.
A sketch of Florida Masonry, however, brief,
would not be complete without special mention of
the present most Worshipful Grand Master, D. D
Powell, and Rt. Worshipful Grand Secretary, Wil
liam A. Glover.
Grand Master Powell first came into the lime
light when he organized Solomon Lodge 166 and
was elected first Worshipful Master. He quickly
attracted the attention of the State officers by his
ability a« an organizer, and was elected District
Deputy Grand Master. He was elected Junior
Grand Warden in 1909, Deputy Grand Master in
1910, and Grand Master in 1916. Mr. Powell still
occupies this position with a brilliancy that is add
ing luster to the Masonic body of Florida. He is a
33rd degree Mason, Royal Arch Mason, Knight
Templar, Shriner and member of the Eastern Star.
He is also a member of the K. of P's and Odd Fel
lows and a Deacon in the Spring Hill Baptist
Church.
William A. Glover, Grand Secretary, is also a
33rd degree Mason, Royal Arch Mason. Knight
Templar. Shriner, Member of Eastern Star, and
Master of Finance of M. C. B. Mason Lodge No.
97 K. of P's. Secretary Glover enjoys the distinc
tion of being the oldest officer in the Masonic body
of Florida. He joined the Masons in 1894. and has
served continuously since. He organized Myrtle
Lodge 136, organized the Masonic Benefit Associa
tion and served as its first Secretary. Served as
Grand Chancellor K. of P's. of Florida from 1896
to 1903, and is now serving fourth term as Grand
Secretary of the Masons.
465
LAWTON LEROY PRATT
AWTON Leroy Pratt, proprietor
of the L. L. Pratt Undertaking
Co. was born in Lake City, Flor
ida, Dec. 23, 1885. Mr. Pratt
came to Jacksonville when a
mere lad, and got his first bus
iness experience selling papers on the street cor
ners.
Mr. Pratt always ambitious to rise saved and
skimped to pay his way through Cookman Insti
tute. After finishing here he continued to sell
papers until he had saved sufficient funds to take
a course in Parks School of Embalming at Cincin
nati, Ohio. On receiving his diploma he returned
to Jacksonville where he started in the Undertak
ing business for himself with a capital of $60.00.
Mr. Pratt's personality from the very start made
him many friends. Always courteous and unas
suming, being ever alert to protect the feelings and
sensibilities of bereaved relatives in the hours of
deepest sorrow, he soon drew to himself a patron
age that taxed his establishment to the utmost to
handle.
Thoroughly trained himself in the most modern
schools, he is a firm believer in modern method?
and modern equipment. While occupying the
building at 416 Broad Street, he conceived the idea
of building an establishment that would be not only
the most complete undertaking and embalming
plant owned and operated by Negroes, in connect
ion with splendid stables for his horse drawn vehi
cles and garage for his magnificent hearses, but to
have the upper floors fitted up with every modern
home convenience so that he might, at all hours of
the day and night, be in close personal touch with
his business. In this he was aided by the advice of
his talented wife, who was Mrs. Mamie L. Ander
son, of New York City. Mrs. Pratt is a graduate
of Barnes School of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and
Embalming, having received her diploma in 1909.
Immediately after their marriage in 1913 they
began the study of the plants and methods of the
finest undertakers in both the South and East.
They determined that the best was none too good
for Jacksonville, and that the Pratts were going to
furnish that best. They even made special trips
East in order to study the equipment and arrange
ment of the newest plants. When fully satisfied,
plans were drawn for the present modern building
on West Beaver Street. The main building is of
pressed brick two stories in height. On the first
floor are the offices and private reception rooms.
Just back of these are the casket rooms. On the
side of the building leading back to the garage and
stables, is a broad concrete^drive. The stables and
garage are kept as scrupulously clean as the rest
of the place. There are three horse drawn hearses,
that five years ago would have been sufficient for
the most up-to-date establishment, but the Pratts
have so educated their clientile up to expecting the
latest that they have been compelled to buy three
auto hearses. On the second floor is located the
living apartments of the Pratts, and it is here that
many noted Northerners and Easterners are guests
in the tourist season, and are entertained in a man
ner that sends them home with pleasant memories
of Southern hospitality. The real record of the
Pratts success is best given in Mr. Pratts own
words : "Years ago, in my school days, I learned
the motto, 'Aim at a definite end." This motto
made a special impression on me. Whatever suc
cess I have achieved in my profession has been
through observing this motto, and aiming at a def
inite end — giving the best possible service to our
patrons. I realized that to succeed we must do
things different from others, and better than oth
ers. When I think of the small way in which we
started eleven years ago, in an obscure room, I be
lieve that our efforts have really met with success,
for our present establishment provides facilities
not found in this part of the country.
In our Chapel there is nothing to remind one that
it is a funeral home. The utmost care is shown
466
UNDERTAKING ESTABLISHMENT OF L. L. PRATT
to remove from grief stricken people any reminder
of this nature. The same care is taken to secure
the utmost privacy so that the remains of loved
ones shall not be open to the inspection of the mer
ely curious. In our embalming room where prepa
rations are made for burial including embalming by
the most scientific methods special attention is giv
en to the Sanitary features. Refined and tender
natures only should ever attempt this delicate ser
vice. In view of this fact, only men of experience
and ability, and who are qualified to perform in a
proper and respectful manner the sacred duties of
this profession, have been selected.
Some thought at first that the motor funeral
was introduced as a matter of style. But this is
not the case. The motor funeral is not for style,
speed or fashion, but is simply the result of the era
of the automobile. The motor car has succeeded
the family carriage everywhere. Practically no
one rides in carriages any more. Liverymen have
been selling out for years as a result of lack of bus
iness. When all pleasure vehicles and most bus
iness vehicles are motor driven, the time is cer
tainly here for us to offer our patrons at least the
choice of horse-driven or automobile service. The
automobile funeral has several distinct advantages
— it is the most comfortable, and owing to absence
of noise it is also the most dignified. The charge
for motor equipment is just the same as for horse
drawn equipment, and it often actually saves ex
pense by enabling the family and friends who have
cars to use them. It is the most simple and natu
ral. Persons are accustomed nowadays to ride in
motor cars, they feel more at ease under such con
ditions. The motor funeral does not hurry and on
the other hand it does not waste time, or needless
ly prolong the strain to which friends and relatives
are subjected. We have no desire to urge our pa
trons to use motor equipment against their wish.
Our experience leads us to suggest, however, that
it will be found more satisfactory. One rule we in
sist upon, service must be all horse drawn or all
automobile. It cannot satisfactorily be part one
and part the other. We know that the life of loved
ones does not end. It simply goes on. Its work
is done here only to take up its work in "the other
room," and our work is modeled with this know
ledge always to the fore."
With such sentiments, it is small wonder that
from a mere pittance Mr. Pratt's holdings have
grown until he is ranked with the foremost of
Jacksonville's business men. He is a member of
all the leading Fraternal orders of Jacksonville, a
member of the National Negro Business League.
and a consistent churchman. He is a liberal con
tributor to every movement having for its object
the betterment of his country or his people. As a
citizen he is a credit to his home and country.
467
W. W. ANDREWS
NOW, which melts on ridges,
peaks and sides of mountains on
account of its consequent slope
runs down the mountain side.
This little stream, while wending
its way downward, meets a num
ber of other little streams. A confluence takes
place. A larger stream is formed, which continues
its course, meeting other streams, it joins them,
which is ladened with greetings and contributions
from contiguous mountain sides. Then a mighty
stream is formed, which, with many meanderings,
wends its way to the sea, where it contributes some
matter in solution, others in solidity, but at the
same time bearing upon the bosom of its waters
numerous craft loaded with products of commerce
to be distributed into the diversified channels of
trade.
The coining of Columbus to an unknown world ;
the discovery of the Land of Flowers by Ponce de
Leon in search of a Fountain of Youth, the con
fluence of those mountain streams, of which men
tion has been made in the preceding paragraph, to
form the rivulet, and the rivulets to form the slug
gish or impetuous river, are of no greater value or
import to the populace of Florida than the visit to
our Fair Florida of Sir S. W. Green, the present
Supreme Chancellor of New Orleans, La., and Sir
Bell, of Mississippi, in the Spring of 1886. These
two Pythian Knights came to Jacksonville with. I
am told, a complete set of Lodge Paraphernalia to
be given as a premium to the first person who
formed a Knights of Pythias Lodge. A few gen
tlemen were initiated into the work in Jackson
ville among whom was D. M. Pappy, of St. Augus
tine. Upon returning to his home city, the said D.
M. Pappy proceeded to organize a Pythian Lod^c.
In a short time, during the month of June, the Py
thian banner was unfurled to the breeze in the
State of Florida; San Marco Lodge No. 1 was or
ganized with the following officers : Alfonso Pap
py, C. C. ; William Pappy, V. C. ; D. M. Pappy, M. of
W. ; John Williams, K. of R. and S. ; Lee Saunders,
M. of F. ; James Mongum. M. of Ex.; S. Martin, 1.
G. ; Pierce Redclick. O. G. ; Frank Johnson, M. of
O. Having been created a P. C., along with a Bro
ther McGinniss, of Jacksonville, to whom the in
formation was imparted by Sir Green, that the par
aphernalia which he had brought into the state was
to be given to the first Past Chancellor who or
ganized a lodge, Mr. Pappy returned to Jackson
ville, received the paraphernalia and delivered the
same to San Marco Lodge No. 1. This parapher
nalia was used by San Marco Lodge No. 1 for many
years.
With the melting of the snow in the organiza
tion of San Marco Lodge, followed by a sufficient
number of Subordinate Lodges to form the Grand
Lodge, the Order of Knights of Pythias in this
State started as a little stream down the mountain
side. In due course of time other little streams
were met, and with the election of J. C. Jordan in
Pensacola three years after the organization of the
Grand Lodge there were ten votes in the Grand
Lodge. D. M. Pappy was again elected in Ocala,
then the little streams began to form a little rivu
let. The little rivulets began to form a little larger
rivulet when W. A. Glover was elected for the first
time in Fernandina. Then Col. H. James, who is
now the Supreme Outer Guard, took hold of affairs,
convoked the Grand Lodge at St. Augustine, where
C'ol. D. G. Aclger. the present Past Grand Chan
cellor, was elected. Then the little rivulets began
to form larger rivulets, the rivulets began to unite
to form a river, the Order began to take on flesh.
took her place among leading secret organizations
of the State, caused men and women to recognize
it and see that it had to be reckoned with. With
the election of W. W. Andrews, the present Grand
Chancellor at the Apalachicola session, a new era
dawned upon the Pythian horizon. The streams,
rivulets and rivers began to form into one mighty
and powerful river, and with velocity safe, certain
468
HOME OFFICE OF FLORIDA PYTHIANS AND RESIDENCE OF GRAND CHANCELLOR
and sure, noiselessly but steadily made its way into
the great sea of progress, took its place at the head
of all secret organizations in this State, causing
persons who formerly looked upon the order as a
pigmy to now recognize it as a giant and bow as
suppliant minions before its shrine.
K. OF P.'S FLORIDA.
Any one who studies the records of Colored Fra-
ternalism, will be impressed with the fact that the
K. of P.'s have been remarkably fortunate in the
selection of their officers. A splendid example of
this is shown in the elevation of W. W. Andrews to
the post of Grand Chancellor of the Jurisdiction of
Florida.
Born in Sparta, Ga., Feb. 4, 1874, Mr. Andrews
worked in the cotton fields to earn the money to
pay for his early education. As soon as he was old
enough, he secured a position in the barber ship of
Angelo Harden & James F. Reeves. It was only
a short while before he had mastered the trade and
saved enough to move to Apalachicola, and open
his own shop. It was here in 1901 that he joined
the order, the upbuilding of which in future years
was to become his life's work. The order who's
membership, always quick to recognize exceptional
executive ability, has promoted him through suc
cessive steps to the highest office in the gift of the
State Jurisdiction.
Mr. Andrews was elected State Grand Lecturer
of the K. of P's in 1905, State Grand Keeper of Re
cords & Seals in 1907, and State Grand Chancellor
in 1910. The Florida Jurisdiction has grown under
his chancellorship until today it embraces 220 lodg
es with a membership of thirteen thousand. The
endowment bureau has paid since 1912, $200,000.00,
to widows and orphans and has assets of $160,000.00
fifty thousand of which are in Liberty Bonds and
seven thousand in Thrift Stamps.
Mr. Andrews has served in the Uniform Rank
from private to brigadier general. He is also a
32nd degree Mason, having joined the order in 1899,
and is a consistent member and trustee of the C.
M. E. Church. Mr. Andrews was married to Miss
Henrietta G. Smith of Apalachicola, Fla., Sept. 15,
1900, and has two sons, Cyril B. and W. W., Jr.,
both school boys. Although Mr. Andrews has a
home in Apalachicola, a plantation near Jackson
ville and a handsome two story mansion in Jack
sonville, he spends most of his time on the road in
the interest of the order so dear to his heart and
leaves his efficient wife in charge of the Home of
fice, the results of whose work speaks for itself.
Mrs. Andrews, a highly trained and efficient bus
iness woman, is to the Grand Chancellor what
Emmett Scott was to the late Booker T. Washing
ton.
469
A. L. LEWIS, PRESIDENT
AFRO-AMERICAN INSURANCE CO.
HE editor once heard the Pres
ident of one of the South's largest
Banking Institutions, state that
Negro insurance companies were
doing more in building the com
munities in which they were lo
cated than all other colored businesses combined.
He stated that ten years ago there were millions
of dollars annually collected by insurance com
panies centered in the east, that left the country
never to return, while now, the vast bulk of this
business was underwritten by local companies, and
invested in local securities, and he believed these
companies should have the hearty co-operation of
both the white and Negro business organizations
whereever they were located.
It is the work being done by such institutions
as the Afro-American Industrial Insurance Co., of
Jacksonville, Florida, that called forth this com
ment. This company was founded in March, 1901,
by Messrs. E. J. Gregg, D. D., A. W. Price, Dr. A.
W. Smith, J. E Spearing, W. H. Hampton, Geo. W.
Branning, J. Milton Waldron, D. D., A. L. Lewis,
Tillman Valentine, K. W. Latson, L. H. Myers and
Dr. Thos. E. Butler. These citizens determined to
organize an industrial insurance company that
would give the Negroes of the state the greatest
protection possible, for their money. Rev. E. J.
Gregg, was elected first President, Rev. J. Milton,
Secretary, and Dr. A. W. Smith, Medical Director.
Offices were opened at number 14 Ocean St.,
April 1st, 1901. These offices were destroyed by
the great tire in May of the same year, and the
company moved to the residence of A. L. Lewis, at
621 Florida Ave. In two years time the company
had outgrown these quarters, and moved to 609
Main Street. They remained here about four years.
In the mean time, their success had been so pheno-
minal the company paid $10,000.00 for the property
at 722 Main St. The soundness of this investment
was demonstrated when they later sold it for
$40,000.00.
They erected the present building at 105 East
Union Street, in 1908 This property, besides
giving ample office room for the company brings
sufficient rentals to pay good interest on the in
vestment. The company itself has grown from a
one-room office to an organization owning; its own
office buildings in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miama,
having 81 branch offices throughout the state and
giving employment to 178 people, all colored. The
capital stock of $20,000.00 is fully paid in and the
company bought and owns $10,000.00 in Liberty
Bonds. The present President, Mr. A. L. Lewis,
born in 1864, and now just in the prime of life, de
serves a big share of the credit for making the Af
ro-American what it is today. Mr. Lewis married
Mary F. Samis, of Jacksonville, Fla., and has one
Ron, James H. Lewis, 33 years of age, and an able
assistant in his fathers' office.
Mr. Lewis along with a group of progressive,
constructive citizens, has set an example in home
building for Negroes that is at once the admiration
and envy of every other city in the country. They
have done more to open the eyes of the Northern
tourist to the real ability of the colored people to
make good, than all the publicity from other sour
ces combined. Northern tourists are anxious to
see for themselves how Southern Negroes live, and
homes of the Lewis type are a revelation to them.
Mr. Lewis is not only a man of splendid executive
ability, but possesses a pleasing personality that is
worth many dollars to any organization fortunate
enough to have his services as an officer. In fact,
the company has been exceptionally fortunate in
the selection of its officers. Mr. Lewis has in
Messrs. J. E. Spearing, Vice-Pres., L. D. Ervin.
Gen. Mgr., T. W. Bryan, State Supt., and Wash
Hampton. Secretary, a quartette hard to equal and
gives the company a well rounded force and a com
bination of brains and capital that are bound to
succeed.
470
W. S. SUMTER
ECORDS of the Union Mutual
and William Seymour Sumter, its
founder and first president are so
blended, and interwoven, that it
is impossible to write a historical
sketch of one without the other
Incorporated under the State laws of Florida, in
1904, this company under the able leadership of
President Sumter, began business in February of
that year and has enjoyed continuously great pros
perity during this period of time and has found its
way into thousands of homes of the good people
of this fair State.
When first organized the company employed
about ten persons, from the President to the Solici
tors. This has grown until the company has more
than 40 agencies throughout the state employing
about one hundred and twenty-five people. The
Sumters from the President down have a record
truly remarkable for the combined co-operation of
the family in both their home and business life.
Mr. Sumter married Henrietta Albertina Ewart.
a graduate of Cookman Institute. He was strong
ly opposed to his wife's participation in the wor
ries of business life, and made a studied effort at
all times to keep their home life free from care.
A devoted father, he gave his children the benefit
of the best education obtainable. A true son, he
placed his father in the position of sick claim ad
juster for the company.
When Mr. Sumter died Aug. 27, 1918, he left be-
MRS. HENRIETTA E. SUMTER
sides his widow, four daughters, Aline, who at the
age of 22 is head clerk, Irene at 19 cashier of the
company which he founded. The other two girls,
Wilhelmina and Julia, age 16 and 11, respectively,
are still school girls, although Wilhelmina has in
herited her parents' business ability to such a mark
ed degree that she was able to take her sister's
place as cashier during the summer vacation. Al
though Mrs. Sumter had been carefully guarded
from the cares of the business during the life of
her husband, after six months deliberation and care
ful consideration, the Board of Directors voted un
animously to elect her to succeed him as President
of the company. Mrs. Sumter, public spirited to
a marked degree, and with an undying pride in the
work her husband had so painstakingly builded,
agreed to accept the responsibility and to per
petuate his memory by continuing the company
along lines that made it a public benefaction.
The Sumters in their work have been ably assist
ed by an exceptionally strong directorate, compos
ed of the President, F. J. Thorington, Vice-
President; M. S. Adams, Secretary; W. W. Par
ker, Gen-Mgr. ; and J. M. Sumter sick claim ad
juster. When seen at the home office 411 Broad
Street, Jacksonville, Florida. The President, II. K.
Sumter, on being asked to give a brief statement
of the aims of the company, said : "It is our aim
to build an institution that will enable the educated
colored youth to find employment that gives him
an opportunity to take advantage of his training."
471
REVEREND JOHN ELIJAH FORD, D. D.,
PRESIDENT LELAND UNIVERSITY
ELAND University was located on
St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, La.
until 1916. It was founded in
1869, by Holbrook Chamberlain,
a philanthropist of Brooklyn, N.
N. Y., who purchased the land and
erected the buildings. It was incorporated in 1870.
Title to the property is invested in an in
dependent, self perpetuating board of trustees.
The act of incorporation provides that : The trus
tees shall not have the power to encumber by mort
gage, the whole, or any part of the property or to
use the principal of any endowment funds for the
current expenses of its work." The last scholastic
year, there was a total attendance of 300 pupils.
There were fourteen teachers, six men and eight
women. The sources of income at that time were :
Endowment fund $8,000. tuition and fees $2,240.
Alumni and Baptist Associations $362.00. The non-
educational receipts were from the boarding de
partment, and amounted to $5,760.00. The school
was closed in 1916, and the plant sold, as the trus
tees had decided to move to Alexandria, La., where
they could obtain sufficient land to build and operate
an Industrial College in keeping with the need and
training of present conditions of this section of the
country. To this end, 258 acres of land has been
bought and paid for ; $75,000.00 added to the endow
ment fund. A plant which will be a model in ev
ery respect is in course of construction. The trus
tees have taken a long step forward in electing
Kev. John E. Ford, D. D., of Jacksonville, Pres
ident and assuring him their support in the select
ion of an able faculty. He is splendidly endowe.l,
both by education and native ability to fill the
chair of President of the new and finer Leland
University. Born in Owensboro, Ky., his parents
moved to Chicago, while he was yet a child, lie
obtained his early education in the public schools
of Chicago, under the most adverse and trying cir
cumstances. His parents were twice burned out.
once in the great fires of 1871. and again in 187-1.
Nothing daunted, young John not only continued
his duties but working out of school hours, aided
his parents in rebuilding their home and in educat
ing his younger brothers and sisters. Determined to
have a thorough training at all cost, he worked his
way, with the aid of one white friend, successively
through Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., Beloit
College, Wisconsin, and the University of Chicago.
Not satisfied with this he took a post graduate
course at the University of Denver. Most of his
college courses were paid for by money earned
while working as a stenographer in Chicago. Af
ter graduating from Chicago University Divinity
School, Dr. Ford Pastored the Bethesda Church,
Chicago, Tabernacle Church, Los Angeles, Cal.,
Zion Church, Denver, Col., and is at present pastor
of Bethel Institutional Church, Jacksonville, Fla.
He served one year. 1906, as President of State Un
iversity of Kentucky. Was delegate in 1907 to the
World's Sunday School Convention, at Rome, Italy.
While there he visited England, France, Spain and
Switzerland. Dr. Ford has also visited Cuba and
South Amerca. He is president of the Progressive
Baptist State Convention of Florida, and Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of Florida Baptist Col
lege. Dr. Ford is also a member of the American
Geographical Society of Applied Science. By this
it will be seen that, to one of the finest academic
educations obtainable, Dr. Ford has added a won
derful course of practical experience in the schools
of travel and human nature. In him is found a
combination of the highly educated, aggressively
constructive Yankee, and the whole-souled sympa
thetic Southerner. He has the knack of spurring
his co-workers on to a pitch of enthusiastic energy
that makes him peculiarly fitted for the task of
presiding over a southern college. Dr. Ford was
married to Miss Elizabeth Walker Wilson, of Ral
eigh. N. C., in 1918.
472
CLASS ROOM— WALKER BUSINESS COLLEGE
HIS institution enjoys the unique
distinction of being one of the
youngest and the largest exclus
ive Negro business colleges in the
United States. Prof R. Wendell
Walker, President, is a graduate
of the High School and Fairmont College at Wich
ita, Kansas, and the Topeka Business College, at
Topeka, Kansas. He has also taken post graduate
courses in several other colleges in Michigan and
Ohio (all white schools and colleges). He served
five years as a stenographer in the United States
Department Service, and has therefore had the
necessary practical experience to qualify him to be
a successful teacher and a prctical business man.
He established the Walker Business College in
Jacksonville a little more than four years ago — be
ginning in one rented room with five pupils, and
himself as the only teacher. Today the college
owns its own building valued at $50,000.00; a fac
ulty of eight competent teachers and over 1,000
students enrolled.
The remarkable success of the college is attribu
ted by those who know, to the thorough training
of the President combined with an abundance of
"Pep," and enthusiasm so necessary to success in
these clays of specialization and keen competition.
He is thoroughly modern in his methods and beliefs
and keeps consistenly and continuously driving to
get hold of raw material, and turn out a finished
product that will prove an endless chain of suc
cess and an ever-growing practical testimonial to
the thoroughness of the college work. Even now,
with only four short years elapsed since the foun
dation, graduates are filling responsible positions
all over the country, and the demands on the school
so great that lucrative positions are always wait
ing graduates.
The Walker College is filling a long felt want in
establishing a summer course, as it enables gram
mar students to save time and money by getting a
business training even before finishing their reg
ular school work.
As the college grew, President Walker found
many Negroes wished to take a business course,
but were unable to attend day school as they were
compelled to make their own living. To enable
these men and women to take advantage of the col
lege, Prof. Walker established night classes, where
a full course in all branches of the day courses are
taught.
The rapidly developing business interests of the
Negroes requiring trained help, make the Walker
Business College a welcome addition to the educa
tional institutions of the country.
473
James W. Ames, M. D.
HE lives of men differ in many
ways and their paths are devious,
yet in many respects they have
the same experience. This is par
ticularly so regarding the Negro
race. Most of them are born in
poverty and are reared amidst great hardships.
Looking at them in early life the imagination can
hardly picture them as men who would win dis
tinction in the various departments of life. Yet
this book is full of sketches of boys who have risen
above the discouraging environments which sur
rounded their youth and have made for themselves
the character of work he engaged in, for here as
elsewhere he paid his own way.
From 1890 to 1894, he worked as clerk in the
War Department, serving in the Record and Pen
sion Division. From his salary he saved sufficient
money to enable him to attend the Medical School
of the Institution during the spring months.
By close application to his studies he completed
his course in 1894, and June 5th, of that year he-
went to Detroit, Michigan, and entered upon his
career as a physician. His rapid rise in the pro
fession attest how well he had applied himself dur
ing the days of his preparation. He was appointed
physician to the United States prisoners and served
the Government in this capacity for one year, lie
sixteen years he served on the Detroit Board of
names which will live in the history of their race.
Tames W Ames is one of the boys. His early .
was recognized as an expert diagnostician, and for
life was not marked with many thrills and yet his
path was far from being strewn with flowers. He Health ag such
fought his way through the ordinary vicissitudes
incident to the Negro youth and forged ahead step
by step until he reached his goal.
A double demand was made upon his energies
While holding these public positions he has con
tinued his private practice, and has won a large
clientile and built up a lucratve business. With
out apparent effort he has ingratiated himself into
and strength, for while he was securing an educa- thg gQod graces of the dtizens and commands the
tion he had to work hard to meet his physical de
mands. He had to eat and sleep and obtain clo-
respect and confidence of all classes.
In September, 1898, he married Miss Florence P.
thing decent to appear at school, besides the cost Cole> who djed after bearing him {our chiidren .
of education, and to provide for these required in- ch'ester Qj who is a medicai stUclent ; William E.,
cessant labor.
who is studying electrical engineering; Marion (_'..
His first schooling was in the public schools of a musjc and pedagogic student, and Florence F.,
New Orleans, Louisiana. While attending these
schools he worked at the Cooper's trade. When he
who is a student of Domestic Science. Thus it will
be seen that he has ambition for his children to
finished the public school he entered Straight Col- occupy useful places in life.
ege, an institution founded by the American Mis- jn j9Qg ]ie agajn married and this time to Miss
sionary Association of the Congregational Church, Norma Alembro.
from which he graduated, in the Literary Depart- He is the secretary of the Cole Realty Company,
ment, with the class of 1888. He also took a year's a family corporation capitalized at $95,000, which
course
in the law school and a year's course in the represents the family real estate interests.
Theological School of the same Institution. Here, jjr Ames is a member of the Presbyterian church
too, it was work and study, for his tuition must and while interested in religious work he is not
officially identified with the church, lie is also a
member of the Masonic body, Knights of Pythias
and Elks. He has held official positions in several
orders of which he is connected; he is Past Grand
Secretary of I. B. P. O. C. ; Past Grand Secretary
be paid and he had no other way to raise the
money but by his own exertions.
During the summer months, he taught a rural
school which enabled him to continue at college
during the winter months.
After finishing his course in Straight College, he of the Knights of Pythias, of the State of Michi
gan ; alternate delegate to the National Republican
Convention since 1908; and a member of the Mich
igan State Legislature 1901-1902.
went to Washington, and entered the Medical De
partment of the Howard University. His exper
ience here to advance his education differed only in
474
Honorable James Thomas Peterson
HEN in the course of human
events an individual, born under
circumstances the most unfavora
ble, and struggling against diffi
culties too numerous to be men
tioned, by force of charagter and
a dogged determination to rise in
spite of environments and opposi
tions, lifts himself from the poverty in which he
was born to a commanding position in the affairs of
the nation, that individual's life should be held up
before the adolescent youth as a worthy example,
and his career may be studied with profit by all
ambitious young people who are struggling against
odds to prepare for a life of efficient service, for
the Poet Longfellow very tritely said in his "Pslam
of Life", "lives of great men but remind us, we can
make our lives sublime ; and departing, leave be
hind us, footprints on the sand of time."
Such is example we have in Hon. James Thomas
Peterson, who was born near Calhoun Station,
Lowndes County, Alabama, June 22, 1867.
Patsy Peterson, his mother, prayed, as did Hagar
in the wilderness, for God's blessing upon her and
her child, who though not daring to tell it, had the
blood of royalty coursing through his veins.
She, with her boy, moved to Greenville, in order
that he might have a chance for an education and
for several years he attended the public school
there.
When James was about fifteen years of age, his
mother moved with him to Pensacola, Florida,
where he entered the Black Public School, which
he attended for two years, when, with her, he came
to Mobile, where he found it necessary to begin
life for himself. He secured a position as buss boy
at the Point Clear Hotel at a salary of $2.50 per
week and his board. Here he attracted the atten
tion of Mr. George C. Bennett, who at an increase
of wage, employed him as a porter in the club
rooms then conducted by him at No. 6 North Roy
al Street.
The energy and enthusiasm of James attracted
the attention of General James E. Slaughter, Post
Master of Mobile, who felt that so intelligent a
boy should be given a chance, and employed him as
a sustitute letter carrier. He served in this capa
city for eighten months, when, not receiving the
promotion which he felt was him due, to be ap
pointed as a letter carrier, he left the service,
and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, and engaged
as a Pullman porter over the Iron Mountain Route,
which gave him a splendid opportunity for enlarg
ing his knowledge by travel through various parts
of Texas and intervening places. In 1892, he re
turned to Mobile and again served as a letter car
rier under Colonel P. 1). Barker, who had become
postmaster.
Under Postmaster Barker, Mr| Peterson, by
dint of hard .earnest, consecrated devotion to duty
worked himself into the body of the office, then
later to a clerkship, thence to the General Delivery
Clerk, then Foreman of the carriers, and lastly to
the Superintendent of the Post Office.
Shortly after his appointment as a letter carrier,
Mr. Peterson had the good fortune to become ac
quainted with Hon. Allen Alexander, at that time
the most influential Negro politician in Southern
Alabama. It was througn the efforts of Hon. Al
exander that Mr. Peterson was elected as alternate
delegate to the National Republican Convention,
which met in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Peter
son displayed such rare political ability at the 1896
Convention that in 1900 he was elected a delegate
to the National Convention which met in Philadel
phia. At this Convention he taught the world to
know him by his uncompromising stand for the
nomination of Messrs. William McKinley and The
odore Roosevelt for President and Vice-President
respectively.
He was elected without opposition to the Nat
ional Republican Convention, which met in 1904,
and was one of the most aggressive of the support
ers of Mr. Roosevelt for President. In 1908, he
was again elected to the National Convention,
which met in Chicago, and was a conspicious char
acter among those whose efforts resulted in the
nomination of Mr. William Howard Taft. His
aggressiveness made him such a necessary factor
in the National political affairs of the Republican
Party that he was constrained to drop out of the
post office and serve as a member of the Republi
can National Executive Council which met in the
tower of the Metropolitan Building on the tenth
floor.
In 1912 Civil Service Rules inaugurated prevent
ed Mr. Peterson from leaving his positions in the
Post Offce to attend the National Convention and
he nominated Hon. C. W. Allen, who was elected
as his choice.
In 1915, he again severed his relations with the
Post Office of Mobile and engaged actively in real
estate, a business which had always appealed to
him because of the many successful transactions
which he had made from time to time.
In 1918 he purchased a complete job and news
paper office outfit and organized a company which
does a very thriving job printing business and be
sides, publishes a weekly newspaper, "The Forum,"
which is the largest Negro Paper in the South.
Mr. Peterson has never been married, but is very
fond of children, whom he delights to assist and
make happy.
He is very active in all public affairs for the up
building of the race, and during the world war he
was a member of the Four Minute Organization, a
member of the Advisory Committee to the Draft
Board, and is now an active member of the War
Cam]) Community Service Executive Committee.
He is a member of the St. Louis St. Baptist Church
P. N. F., of Thompkin Lodge No. 1521 G. U. O. of
O. F. P. M., of St. John No. 2 Free & Accepted
Masons, is Chairman of the War Council Recon
struction Work Committee of Mobile, President of
the Union Mutual Aid Insurance Co., and President
of the Forum Publishing Co.
He is said to pay tax on more real estate than
any Negro in Southern Alabama, and his wealth is
variously estimated at from two to three hundred
thousand dollars.
475
Edward Thomas Belsaw, D. S.
R. Belsaw is the son of Rev. J. T.
and Mary Chambers Belsaw. His
father was an African Methodist
Episcopal minister, which caused
Belsaw to live in a number of dif
ferent localities. He was born in
Madison, Georgia and when eight years of age he
had the misfortune to lose his mother. His father
being engaged in his ministerial duties. Edward
was to a large extent left to shift for himself. His
school life and working hcurs became so correlated
that he was soon enabled to support himself. He-
was educated in the Public Schools of Atlanta,
Georgia, and after his course there he entered Dick-
e-.-son Institute, however, he did not enter Dick-
erson Institute immediately, but during the inter
val he was not idle with his books. He studied un
der many private tutors, notably among them be
ing Professor G. E. Masterson, of Morris Brown
Co lege. who trained him for quite a while in High
er Mathematics and Languages. He also took a
course in dentistry in the Meharry Dental College
where he applied himself with such diligence as to
win distinction among his fellow students and
paved the way to the honors bestowed upon by the
dental organizations after he established himself in
business.
Instead of spending his vacation in rest and t'.ie
pursun of recreational diversions, a so many of
his companions were privileged to do, he had to
center his mind and his time in making provision
for the next session, so his vacations instead of
being given over to pleasure, were spent in various
occupations to earn the money to pay his way
through school. In the accomplishment of this
end he did not confine himself to any one line of
work. Like many successful Negroes who have
worked their way to distinction and left their mark
upon the world, he served a time in the Pullman
Car Service, working in the Dining Car Depart
ment. Here he was uniformly courteous and at
tentive to the passengers and made many friends.
Then he spent a time in the school room and
stood at the school master's desk and taught in the
State of Georgia ; and then he entered the arena of
business and hung out his shingle as a Real Estate
dealer in the city of Birmingham.
During all this time he kept his mind centered
upon the career he had decided upon and let all of
these occupations contribute a mite to the desired
end.
In 1908 he went to Mobile, Alabama, and opened
an office in that city for the practice of dentistry
and is now there, where he has built up a good and
lucrative business.
As an evidence of his prosperity he has purchas
ed a home in Mobile, and is the owner of other pro
perty. On the 25th of August, 1901, he was mar
ried to Miss Marie V. Lowell.
He is a member of the State Street African Me
thodist Episcopal Zion Church, Mobile, Ala.
Dr. Belsaw is a man of social instincts and like;-
to mingle with his fellow men. He is a member of
many benevolent societies and social organiza
tions, both local and national in character,
membership, in which he takes an active interest.
He is a Mason and is now Past Master of that or
der. He is also a Past Chancellor of the Knights
of Pythias, and a prominent member of the Mo-
siac Templars. Dr. Belsaw has held miiny honor
ary positions, among which might be mentioned,
that he was a member of the Republican National
Convention, in 1916; President of the Alabama
Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association in
1915; Executive Secretary National Medical Asso
ciation since 1912; Member Inter-State Dental As
sociation; Member Missouri Pan-Medical Associa
tion ; member United States Navy League ; and a
member of the National Geographic Society.
Dr. Belsaw has traveled extensively, both in this
country and in foreign lands, which has enlarged
his vision of human family and has added to his
equipment for service.
Dr. Belsaw has held the honorary positions men
tioned above, not through favor, but because of his
personal ability and character, which is generally
recognized and appreciated. He is loyal to his par
ty and friends and conscientious in the perform
ance of duty. He has the interest of his people at
heart and never tires in working for their better
ment. The same honest and capable service ren
dered in his dental parlor, which has won him such
large patronage, is shown in his relation to the dif
ferent orders and associations of which he is a
member and which makes him so popular among
his fellows. He is a man of good physique and
pleasing address and with a dignity of bearing
which commands respect, while at the same time
he has a cordiality of manner which makes it easy
to approach him.
He is a man who makes friends and having made
them holds them. The man is fortunate who poss
esses this gift. It is a gift which many covet but
few possess.
476
Walter Thomas Woods
' often happens that a man's tal
ent as a financier is brought to
light through other agencies than
through the marts of trade. It
was so with Walter Thomas
Wood. He came into light as a
financial genius by reason of his connections, in
the main, with a number of fraternal organizations.
Mr. Wood was born in Mobile, Alabama, February
14. 1872, which city is still his place of residence.
He was educated in the public schools of Mobile,
but his way to learning was marked .with many
hardships and intense labor.
At the age of twelve he was forced to give up
school and go to work, and during the period that
lie attended school his morning and afternoon
hours, before the opening and closing exercises,
he devoted to manual labor.
Grand unior Warden of the Grand Lodge and was
re-elected to the same position in 1900.
In 1907, he was elected Grand Senior Warden,
and was continuously re-elected to this office until
the Lodge met at Tuskegee Institute in 1911, when
he was chosen Deputy Grand Master.
When the Mobile Masons decided to erect a tem
ple, a building committee was formed consisting
of one member from each lodge. Mr. Wood re
presented his lodge upon this committee. LTnder
the guidance of this committee the temple was
built at a cost of $24,000.
In 1916 he was elected a delegate to the Inter
national Conference of Grand Masters which met
in Chicago. He was elected First Vice-President
of the Conference, a position he still holds.
When he was elected Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Alabama Masons, the lodge was one hun
dred thousand dollars in debt, which debt he has
In May, 1908, he was married to Miss Louise
Harney, a teacher in the public school. From this removed. He wears with a great deal of pleasure
union was born two sons and a daughter : W. T. and pride a beautiful 32nd degree watch charm pre-
Woods, Jr.. James Harney Wood, and Claribelle sented to him by St. Johns Lodge upon his election
Fmma Woods.
He is a member of the African Methodist Epis
copal Church, of Mobile.
We now come to consider the distinguishing fea
ture of his career, which, as has been suggested,
as Grand Master. Mr. Wood is also a member of
the Odd Fellows. For four years he was Deputy
Grand Master of the Odd Fellows. He represent
ed this lodge at the eleventh B. M. C. 1904. at Co
lumbus, Ohio; at the twelfth B. M. C., Richmond.
grew out of his connection with fraternal organi- Va.. j» 1906: and at the thirteenth B. M. C.. 1908
nations, especially that of the Masonic order. In »* Atlantic City, New Jersey.
1892, when he was twenty years old. he became a
Mason. His first official position in the lodge was
that of Senior Deacon.
In 1894, he was admitted to the St. John Lodge
No. 2, in which he was soon elected Senior War
den, an office he held for one year and was then
elected to the office of Worshipful Master — which
position he filled for seven years.
He declined to serve longer in this office for the
reason that the law of the Grand Lodge would not
permit him to continue as Worshipful Master and
at the same time hold an office in the Grand Lodge.
When he was first elected Worshipful Master of
the lodge the lodge did not have a penny in the
treasury and was in debt. Under his wise and
skillful administration of seven years service, when
he voluntarily surrendered the gavel, the lodge was
free of debt and had to its credit in bank one thous
and dollars. In addition to this the membership
of the lodge had been increased by twenty mem
bers. In token of its appreciation of his valuable
services the lodge presented him with a beautiful
Masonic apron.
In 1905, at Selma, Alabama, he was elected
While the fraternal orders no doubt awakened
his financial and executive ability his services in
this line did not end with them.
From 1899 to 1906 he served as President of Pro
tector Fire Company No. 11. When he took charge
of the company it was in debt but under his man
agement the debt has been paid, their hall remodel
ed, the sidewalk paved ; with a balance in the treas
ury of $2400.
When he resigned the company presented him
with a beautiful watch and chain, valued at $150,
in recognition of his services and as a mark of high
appreciation.
In 1898 he stood and passed the Civil service ex
amination and was appointed a mail carrier in the
Mobile Post Office, a position he still holds. Mr.
Wood takes deep interest in matters looking to the
improvement and development of the colored race
and encourages his people in their efforts to estab
lish business enterprises.
He is a stockholder and director of Mobile's only
shoe store owned and operated by Negroes, and
Chairman of Board of Directors of Mobile Forum,
a colored newspaper.
477
H. Roger Williams, M. D.
N the balmy, gulf-cooled atmos
phere where flows the "Bayou La
Teche," made famous by Longfel
low in his "Fvangeline," just as
the sugar-laden stalks of cane
were ripening into liquid sweet
ness, and the multitudinous crops
from the fertile soil of Southern Louisiana were
being gathered, on the fourth day of September.
1869* was born, in a dirt-floored two roomed
plantation cabin, Henry Roger Williams, whose
name was destined to be a household word and
whose life was to be inspiration for multitudes of
struggling Negro children.
His babyhood was not unlike that of thousands
of other plantation Negro children. He was the
eighth of the thirteen children born to his parents,
both of whom were sold into Louisiana as slaves—
his father from Tennessee and his mother from
Virginia. In 1876 his parents moved to Baldwin,
five miles West of their home, and invested their
savings in a ten acre farm. Here the children were
sent to a school taught by Northern White teach
ers, who had come South as missionaries to the
Negroes.
In 1880. Henry, with thirteen other children of
the school were taken North as a band of singers,
in the interest of the institution, by Dr. W. D. God-
man and his family. Their tour through the New
England States was so successful, and the impres
sion they made was so favorable, that Mr. W. L.
Gilbert, of Winsted, Connecticut gave to the school
his check for $10,000, in honor of which the name
of the institution was changed to Gilbert Academy.
In the spring of 1881 these same children were
taken North and placed in homes of culture and re
finement to test the value of environment in their
development. Henry had the good fortune to be
placed in the home of the Godman family in Mich
igan, and attended the public schools at Dexter and
Lansing.
In the summer of 1885, he was sent by the God-
man's to Connecticut and finished a course in print
ing at New Haven. In 1888 he was called to his
home town and taught his trade in the same insti
tution which he, by his vocal talent had helped to
create. While teaching, he continued his studies
preparing for college.
In 1890, his mother died, and he resigned his po
sition at Baldwin, and entered the Walden Univer-
sty (then known as Central Tennessee College,)
Nashville, Term. While here he pursued the study
of sacred theology in connection with his college
work.
In 1897 he entered the Meharry Medical Depart
ment of the same school and graduated a Doctor
of Medicine with the class of 1900.
His travels in connection with entertainment
troupes during the summer enabled him to visit
practically every city of note in the United States.
After graduating at Meharry he went to Mobile
and opened an office in the year 1900. In Septem
ber of the same year he married Miss Fannie Bran
don, of Huntsville, Alabama, a graduate of the A.
& M. College there, and who at the time was a
teacher in the public school of her home town. They
have two children, Hirschell and Ariel, whom they
look upon as jewels beyond the value of money.
They inherit their father's musical talent. Hirsch
ell is a master of the violin and Ariel is a pianist of
considerable gifts.
In connection with his practice as a physician,
Dr. Williams owns a large, well stocked drug store.
His drug store is located on one of Mobile's prin
ciple thoroughfares and his home is situated across
the street from it.
He has a large, growing practice and has made a
success of his drug business. He takes <T<>-it pride
in his library which is worth exceeding $2,000. His
library is not for show but is a collection of rare
volumes which afford him great delight and recrea
tion. He also possesses property in value about
$20,000. Dr. Williams is a- clear thinker, a forceful
speaker, a sound advisor and a thoughtful and tal
ented writer. His best known published works are
"The Blighted Life of Methuselah." "Isaac and His
Two Sons of Different Nationalities," "Fifty Years
of Freedom," and "The American Negro."
He is an active member of the Warren St. M. K.
Church, for which he secured an organ by setting
aside $300 a year from his income. He represented
the Alabama Churches as a lay delegate to the Gen
eral Conference which met in Los Angeles. Califor-
ia. He is a Mason and member of Knights of T'v-
thias.
Seventeen times his local church recommended
him for deacon's order, but he declined the honor,
preferring to work in the humble sphere of a lay
man.
He is President of the Mobile Medical Society,
President of the Mobile Negro Business League,
General Chairman of the Mobile Emancipation As
sociation, and Chairman of the Executive Commit
tee of the War Camp Community Service. He was
regarded as one of the most active Negroes taking
a conspicuous part in all the various drives, and
was the organixer of the Red Cross Society among
the Colored women of the city.
He was a member of the Advisory Committee of
the draft Board and chairman of the Four Minute
Men.
478
Thomas H. Hayes
so many other
R. Hayes was horn in the suburbs
of Richmond, Virginia, Aug. 15th,
1868. When only three years old,
his parents moved to the western
part of Tennessee and located on
a plantation near LaGrange. Like
great men, he spent his childhood
days on the farm. He continued on the farm until
he was sixteen years of age. but as he thirsted for
knowledge and there was no means of obtaining
it where he was, he moved to Memphis, Tenn. Like
so many country boys, Mr. Hayes thought that all
he had to do to acquire knowledge was to move to
the city. His first position was with the Millburn
Iron Works Co. Here he saved a bit of money and
returned to the farm but only for a short whiK
On his return to Memphis, he worked as a porter
on Front Street for ten years. His first business
venture was a grocery on Gholston Street, which
proved a failure. He next opened a grocery on
Real Ave. which also failed. His third attempt was
on South Second Street and went the way of its
predecessors.
Believing he had as much native ability as any of
the men who were succeeding where he failed, Mr.
Hayes began to hunt for cause of his lack of suc
cess. He was convinced a lack of education was
one reason, and entered Howe University, where
he was assigned to the lowest classes. From the
beginning his success was remarkable, and he was
promoted so rapidly that he reached the eighth
grade in two years. In order to complete his edu
cation, Mr. Hayes bought an outfit and opened a
barber shop, although he had never worked as a
barber. This shop was located on Poplar Street
and was a success from the first. There is some
thing insipiring in the superb confidence, of this
comparatively uneducated boy in his ability to suc
ceed in business for himself. Failure served only
to strengthen his determination. On leaving school
he sold clocks and Bibles for the Red Star Supply
Company, of Memphis, Tenn. While on the road
forthis firm, Mr. Hayes developed his ability as a
salesman until he felt competent to succeed in the
business that had previously proved his "Jonah."
He organized the Central Grocery Company, which
soon not only swept away his savings, but left him
heavily in debt. Thoroughly honorable, his next
step was the liquidation of this indebtedness, which
he accomplished by returning to hard work on
Front Street. As soon as he was free from debt,
Mr. Hayes started his fifth grocery. However, he
this time had gained the knowledge he heretofore
lacked, that is. if you want a thing well done, do it
yourself.
He started this venture on a capital of thirty-five
dollars, but with a line of credit that en
abled him to stock his store, Mr. Hayes successfully
conducted this store, until by a mere accident, he
entered the undertaking business. On account of
the death of a local undertaker, leaving a vacancy
in that fie'd, and knowing: M<-. Haves had a large
barn that could be quickly utilized, a friend per
suaded him to form a partnership, which was the
real foundation on which Mr. Hayes fortune has
been built. He was at that time as iernorant of the
undertaking businesh. as he was of the grocery
business when he started his first store, but he wns
now thoroughly aware of the value of knowledge
of ones business and immediately began to study
his new venture. Today, Mr. Hayes is one of the
best posted undertakers in the business. Begin
ning in 1902, with a capital of $1400.00, his under
taking company is pronounced today by impartial
commercial travellers as one of the most substan
tial and best equipped plants in the country. It
has a commodious chapel, and the morgue, embal
ming rooms, stables and garages are modern in ev
ery 'detail.
From 1902, Mr. Hayes' financial success has been
nothing short of marvelous. He is today a stock
holder of the Mississippi Beneficial Life Insurance
Co.. and officer and heavy stockholder in the Sol
vent Savings Bank & Trust Co., of Memphis, Tenn.,
and a stockholder in the Standard Life Insurance
Co., of Atlanta, Ga.
In addition to his handsome residence he has
valuable rental property all over the city and su
burbs. Mr. Hayes is an active member of all lead
ing colored fraternities represented in his home
town, and a substantial and consistent member of
St. Johns Baptist Church. He was married to
Miss Florence Taylor, of Covington, Tenn., March
31, 1898, and several children have blessed this un
ion. Mrs. Hayes has proven a wise counsellor for
her husband in his business undertakings, whose
advice receives careful consideration.
479
Willie Lee Harnblin, D. D.
EV. Hamblin, born near Camden
'kid" to pastor a charge where he had to meet
in Madison County, Miss., May the critical approval of a highly educated and in-
19th, 1878. He received his first telligent class of Northerners, who were not only
educational training from Liberty
Chapel Public School to which he
was sent until ten years of age.
frequent attendants and supporters- of this church,
but exerted a strong influence over its members.
On his first Sunday the church was crowded,
many coming out of curiosity to see what that
"kid" would have to say. It can be said to his ev-
He is said to have shown marked ability as a scho
lar from the time he entered school, and was con
sidered an infant prodigy. His teachers were com- erlasting credit that the "kid" met this trying or-
pelled to advance him time and again, in the mid- deal in a manner that won the friendship and ap-
dle of school periods, bcause he would master his proval of the most skeptical. From Citronelle.
lessons so far ahead of his classes. His parents Hr. Hamblin was sent to Meridian, where he pas-
moved to Canton, Miss., and he entered Lincoln tored two years. But Alabama was not to be de-
High School. Mr. Hamblin proved such an apt nied, and he was called to Clinton Chapel, of Selma.
pupil he was appointed an assistant teacher four Ala., where he remained three years. After his
months before he graduated. It is the good for- Selma charge, Dr. Hamblin pastored Hunter's Cha-
tune of some men to succeed in everything they pel of Tuscaloosa, Ala., for three and a half ve.-i
ears.
undertake. Nature seems to have given them a From this place he was moved to the Historical
greater scope of vision and foresight than she has Old Ship Church of Montgomery, Ala., where he
'bestowed on the generality of men, and this in a was kept until made a Presiding Elder five years
great measure accounts for their uniform success. later. In the interval between charges, he coin-
After all, the ability to succeed lies in a mans char- pleted a course in Livingston College, where he
acter. Real success comes from within the incli- graduated with honors in 1909. In about 1917, Dr.
vidual. and must be attained by the individual him- Hamblin was made presiding elder of the Mobile
self. The life story of Dr. Hamblin is the story of District, under Bishop Caldwell, which important
a successful man and one who is proud to be identi- position he now holds.
fied with the Negro race. It is the story of a man During the World War, Dr. Hamblin used every
whose success is not the result of a patrimony or ounce of his intellect and ability as an orator, in
of any other external cause, but of his own strong guiding his people in the path that would immor-
mind and indomitable energy of action.
Dr. Hamblin entered the ministry in 1895, when
talize them in the years to come.
Dr. Hamblin married Miss Minnie M. Bennett,
he was licensed to preach by Bishop J. B. Small, June 28th, 1899. This estimable couple have three
at Durant. Bishop Small passed on twelve appli- girls, all of whom inherit their parents brilliant in
tellect to a marked degree. Dr. Hamblin is giving
these talented young ladies every educational ad
vantage possible. Gladys, although only 19 is a
graduate of and has finished the sewing, nursing,
cants at this time, and stated that Dr. Hamblin
stood by far the best examination of them all. At
this time he was still nothing but a boy. He was
ordained an elder at Meridian, Miss., about 1898.
just as he was rounding out his majority. Dr. and Literary courses at State Normal, of Mont-
Hamblin's first charge was at Harpersville, in Scott
County, Miss. From there he moved to Koscius-
gomery, Ala. The other two, Fostina and Bernice,
aged 16 and 11, respectively are still students; one
ko. Miss., where he was principal and teacher of at State Normal and the other in the graded
Theology in Hazley Institute, a graded school. He
was transferred from the South Mississippi to the
West Alabama Conference and sent to Citronelle,
Ala. At that time, it was a thriving winter resort
for Northern people, with plenty of life and wealth.
When Dr. Hambln arrived there were many who
wanted to know why the powers that be, had sent
schools. During the world war. Dr. Hamblin wield
ed the influence and power his position gave him.
in a manner that aided in no small way, his county
and his people.
It is, no doubt, only a question of time as to
when the Bishop's mantle will be bestowed on this
Eminent Divine and Christian Citizen.
480
E. W. D. Isaac, D. D.
HE subject of this sketch is high
ly endowed with the three talents
most essential in a man of his
calling. Fortunate indeed is the
possessor of a combination such
as Dr. Isaac is endowed with. His
gift of making friends and holding them, enables
him to fill the churches when he occupies the pulpit.
His gift of explaining the teachings of Christ, en
ables him to use his gift of oratory in a manner
that is at once instructive and inspiring to his hear
ers. His gift of music enables him to build choirs
that are glorious. Not only a wonderful speaker, he
is d< ubly gifted in being able to write as well as he
speaks and thereby thousands are reached that
would never have the opportunity to hear him.
Dr. Isaac has been for ten years corresponding
Secretary of the National Baptist Young People's
Union Board of the National Baptist Convention,
and editor of the National Baptist Union, the or
gan of the denomination.
He was born in Marshall, Texas, January 2, 1863.
His early home was fifteen miles from the county
seat on the banks of the Sabine River, where his
father, a pioneer Baptist preacher, lived and was
permitted 'to conduct religious services among his
people, enjoying the privilege of a gospel minister,
during the days of slavery.
He first attended school at Marshall Academy,
and then went to Wiley University, a Methodist
school at Marshall, and Bishop College, one of the
schools of the American Baptist Home Mission So
ciety. After his graduation from Bishop College,
he served as Missionary of the Louisiana and Texas
Associations, and was then called to the pastorate
of the First Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas, where
he served six years in one of the largest and most
progressive Baptist Churches in Western Texas.
During his residence at Tyler, he taught music in
the public schools and served as a member of the
Board of Commissioners for the colored teachers
in Smith County.
At the close of his Sunday-School pastorate, he
was elected State Sunday-School Missionary and
served the Texas Baptist State Sunday-School
Association in co-operation with the American
I'-aptist Publication Society for several years.
He served ten years as pastor of the New Hope
Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, the largest Negro
church in the State. During his pastorate the
membership was increased from 900 to 2,000. The
first pipe organ that was installed in a Negro
church in Texas, was put in the New Hope Church.
He served three years in the Missionary and Edu
cational Convention of Texas, as editor of the de
nominational paper, the Baptist Star. For the past
ten years, he has been connected with the success
ful work of the Young People's Union Board of the
National Baptist Convention.
So much for the record of Dr. Isaac. He was
doubly fortunate in having a Christian father and
mother and in being born near such a noted 'seat
of learning as Marshall, Texas. Something in the
atmosphere of the Grand old State of Texas seems
to imbue her native sons with the fighting spirit so
necessary to the success of leaders in any line in
these days of turmoil and strife. Like M. M. Rog
ers, of Dallas, Texas, Emmett J. Scott, of Tuskegee
Institute. Ben J. Davis, of Atlanta, Ga., and other
noted Texans by birth. Dr. Isaac is always select
ed as a leader of any movement be becomes iden
tified with. Like them in another respect, he never
confines his sphere of action to local issues. Dur
ing all his pastorates, he was continually working
and planning for the success of the National Bap
tist Convention. His election as corresponding
secretary of the National Baptist Young People's
Union Board and editor of the Baptist Union gave
him the opportunity he had so long desired, and
his ability as a writer of national reputation was
soon established. Dr. Isaac played a prominent
part in helping his country support "the men be
hind the guns." And his influence and advice set
a splendid example for his people in the trying
times of German Propaganda.
Personally, Dr. Isaac is one of the most mag
netic men in public life. Wielding a virile pen, he
is no less a forceful speaker and talented musician
He is a powerful and uncompromising fighter for
any cause that he believes is right and just, yet he
is always ready and willing to lend a sympathetic
ear to any one in trouble and distress. The State
of Tennessee is fortunate in the acquisition of this
gifted son of Texas.
481
NATHAN W. COLLIER. A. B., A. M , Litt. D.
ATHAN W. Collier, A. B. A. M.,
Litt. D., is a native of Augusta,
Georgia, and came from one of
the best known and most highly
esteemed families of that city. In
his early boyhood days and
through most of his public school career he worked
under his father who followed the brick mason's
trade. Under the direction of his father he became
quite proficient as a brick mason. He did not
choose, however, to follow this trade for his inclin
ations led in other directions.
After graduating at Ware High School, a public
institution of his native city, he became an appren
tice at the Georgia Baptist Printing Office, one of
the oldest and most reliable printing establish
ments among colored people in the South. He ap
plied himself diligently to his new trade and devel
oped into a first class printer.
In 1890, Mr. Collier entered the Atlanta Univer
sity, Atlanta, Georgia, and remained in that insti
tution until he had completed his college course,
and graduated with high honor. He received the
degree of A. B., in the class of 1894. Mr. Collier,
while at the University, became noted as an orator
and as a scholar. On two occasions he won the
Boston Quizz Club prize for oratory and stood
among the best in his class for scholarship.
In 1894 he was called to Florida as assistant prin
cipal of the Florida Baptist Academy at Jackson
ville. In 1896, he was unanimously elected Pres
ident of the same Institution, which position he
has held for twenty-four consecutive years, and is
now its President, honored and beloved by thous
ands of young people whose lives he has touched,
and who are now settled all over this country.
Mr. Collier has traveled extensively over this
country and Canada, speaking before large au
diences, presenting his work and pressing the
claims and interests of his people. In Florida,
where he has done most of his life's work in build
ing up one of the leading secondary schools in this
Southland and from which many of the leading
men of Florida have gone forth into larger institu
tions, the business world, and the professions Mr.
Collier's name is a household word. He is known
everywhere as a polished Christian gentleman. He
numbers his friends by the hundreds among both
races.
One of the most notable addresses delivered by
Mr. Collier, was the one before the World's Inter
national Sunday School Convention held in Atlanta,
some years ago. He sat on the platform with
Governor Chandler of the State of Georgia, and
representatives from this country, Canada, England
and other foreign countries. He represented the
colored people of America. Of this address, Mr.
W. S. Witham, a millionaire representative of the
International Association, said, "Your speech is the
best I have ever heard in my life and I have heard
thousands."
Mr. Collier received the degree of Doctor of Lit
erature from Selma University, Selma, Alabama,
in May, 1916.
June 5, 1918, one of the greatest audiences ever
assembled in Jacksonville was to present an Honor
Flag to the colored citizens of that city in recog
nition of the splendid work they had done in the
sale of Third Liberty Loan Bonds, raising the mag-
.nificent sum of $298,000. The hall was packed with
both white and colored citizens, and it fell to the
honor of this scholarly man, Nathan W. Collier,
to make the speech of acceptance. This is the first
482
honor flag ever presented to the Negro race in the
United States.
Mr. C 'oilier feels that he can best serve his race
by helping the youth of his people to acquire an ed
ucation and does not consider an education com
plete that does not deal with the moral and spirit
ual, atid so he is devoting his life through the in
stitution over which he presides in educating the
whole man. That he is succeeding in his under
taking is attested by the noble band of young men
and women that are going out from this school to
fill places of trust and usefulness.
Not alone does his denomination serve and hon
or him but he is held in high esteem by all members
of the Negro race and maintains the respect and
confidence of the white race.
FLORIDA BAPTIST ACADEMY
The Florida Baptist Academy was founded in
1892, by the Florida Negro Baptist Convention. It
is owned and controlled by a Board of nine trus
tees, of whom four are white. The American Bap
tist Home Mission Society gives it aid and super
vision. It is a secondary school with large ele
mentary enrollment. Training in gardening and
simple industrial work is provided. The manage
ment is very effective. It has a large enrollment
of between four and five hundred students, who
come from a number of states other than Florida.
The teaching force, numbering eighteen, is all
colored ; four are male and fourteen female. The
elementary work is done in eight grades by five
regular teachers. Two of the academy teachers
give part time to the grades. The Secondary work
outlined in the catalogue is divided into "college
preparatory" and "normal" courses. In practice
the majority of the pupils combine the essential
studies of the two courses.
Manual training in wood and iron is provided for
boys ; cooking, sewing, dressmaking, millinery, and
house cleaning for girls. The Industrial teachers
are well trained.
While the Institution had a splendid plant at
Jacksonville, valued at $75.000. it was thought best
for the school to change its location. October 1,
1918, this was done, when the institution found a
new home at St. Augustine, Florida. Here it has
acquired a thousand acres of land and has started
on a new career, with promise of becoming one of
the greatest schools for colored people jn all, the
Southland.
The encouragement and support received by the
school and the hearty endorsement given the trus
tees in their efforts to build a bigger and better
school were so spontaneous and unanimous that a
drive is now being conducted for funds with which
to complete the plant on a scale that will be in
keeping with the high type of institutions for
which the state of Florida is noted ; the splendid
faculty, has been secured, and the many students
who have expressed a desire to enroll for a course
in this noted seat of learning.
The success of Dr. Collier at the start, gives pro
mise of putting "Florida Baptist" over the top in a
manner that will be a splendid Institute to all con
cerned.
• -..-':
'. •• -; • ' '— • "" .-, , i,-.
*, - ' *
PARTIAL VIEW OF THE NEW HOME OF FLORIDA BAPTIST ACADEMY
483
J. R. E. Lee
ROBABLY no Negro in America,
certainly in modern times, has
been flattered with as many of
fers for presidencies of schools as
has J. R. E. Lee. These offers
have come as the result not of
wire-pulling or because Profes
sor Lee has in any way gone
aside to make special friends, rather they have
come because for nearly a half century Professor
Lee has made himself indispensable, as nearly so
as the average man does in the whole field of edu
cation.
Born, reared and educated in Texas, Mr. Lee was
fortunate enough to fall heir to the training given
by the early graduates of the Mission schools, that
is, graduates of Fisk and other such Institutions.
Inspired by the personality as well as the teaching
of the Missionaries from the North who went into
the South to teach these graduates carried with
them not merely a good store of book learning, but
the zeal for service. It is to these that J. R. E. Lee
owes much of his zeal for school work and for so
cial work.
Graduating from Bishop College, Marshall, Tex
as, Mr. Lee spent several years teaching in his na
tive state. From Texas he went over into the
south, taking the professorship of mathematics at
Tuskegee Insttiute.
Literally by dint of hard work Mr. Lee outgrew
the position as the head of the division of mathe
matics at Tuskegee Institute. From Tuskegee In
stitute he went to Benedict College, South Caro
lina. From Benedict he went to Corona, Ala. In
both of these he was the booster of education in
all its forms as he afterwards became nationally.
From Corona Professor Lee was recalled to Tus-
kege Institute to become head of the Academic
Department of that Institution. It was during his
half score or more years here, that Mr. Lee ren
dered yeoman service not only to Tuskegee Insti
tute as an educator but to the whole South. In
the Institution Professor Lee developed to its
highest pitch the Tuskegee Educational Scheme of
Correlation ; that is, the teachers under him so man
aged their Geography, English and Mathematics
as to give them a particular naming in every-day
life. The mathematics for example dealt with ac
tual measurements and weights ; the English, with
the daily occurrences both local and national.
While pushing this scheme at Tuskegee Mr. Lee
at various intervals travelled over the whole south
boosting the cause of education. He was instru
mental if not pioneer in establishing and putting
on its feet the State Teachers Association of Ala
bama. He was organizer and promoter of the Na
tional Association for Teachers in colored schools.
He was chief organizer and booster under Dr.
Washington for the National Negro Business
Mens' League. Of the first two bodies he was
president and secretary for a number of years. As
president of the National Association, he travelled
from state to state even paying his own expenses,
to inspire various state organizations to fall in line
with the National Organizations. In the same way
he assumed the personal responsibility for publish
ing minutes and various kinds of data for both the
State Teachers Association, and the National Body.
He corresponded at his own expense and at the
expense of Tuskegee Institute with all the lead
ing teachers of the country to get them in line
with the current thoughts in education. It will be
a long time before the South appreciates fully the
service rendered to education by J. R. E. Lee.
From Tuskegee Institute Professor Lee went to
Kansas City, Mo., where he became principal of
the Lincoln High School. It is difficult at this
time of writing to determine whether Professor
Lee has excelled the more by putting the school
on a higher educational plane, or at social service
work in Kansas City. In the latter he has organ
ized Mothers' C'lubs, hospital clubs, savings clubs,
indeed an almost innumerable list of social service
bodies to promote better living in the City. At the
same time he is a big Church worker in Kansas
City, and is very active on the hospital board of
the Phyllis Wheatley Hospital. Though Mr. Lee
has left the South, the States and schools
have not forgotten him. Each summer during his
vacation time he has been called back to work
either for the schools, or for the summer schools in
the states. One summer the state of Arkansas en
gaged him to intruct its teachers in public schools.
Another summer the State of Louisiana engaged
his services ; a third, he was called back to Alabama
to lecture at Tuskegee Institute, at Miles Memo
rial College and at Normal, Ala.
With all the experience coming from contact and
from service Professor Lee has nevertheless kept
the student's mind. Travelling here and there and
working endlessly he has nevertheless found time
to go to school. He has attended Summer school
at Chicago University, at the University of Michi
gan, and at other places even after making his
trips south and lecturing and teaching for the va
rious states and Institutions.
Professor Lee has reared and educated a large
family. He had four sons enlisted in the recent
war. His eldest son, Edwin, is a practicing physi
cian in Kansas City, having graduated from Tuske
gee Institute, from Columbia University, where he
was an honor man, and from the Medical College of
Howard University. The second oldest son, George,
was graduated from Tuskegee Institute and from
the School of Pharmacy at Howard University.
Robert E. is a student at Virginia Union Univer
sity in Richmond, Va. Maurice is a student in
Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga. Ralph, the
youngest son, is in public school in Kansas City,
Mo. There are also two daughters, Mrs. Birdie
Lee Jones and Miss Beatrice Lee. Mrs. Birdie Lee
Jones is at Tuskegee Institute and Miss Beatrice
is a teacher of music at Lincoln Institute. Both
were graduates of Tuskegee and Spellman.
Professor Lee was recently offered the presi
dency of the State School in WestVirginia and was
also offered the post to go to France to do educa
tional work there. Both of these he declined, pre
ferring to develop the many schemes he has set
afoot in Kansas City.
484
LANE COLLEGE— JACKSON, TENNESSEE
T Lane College the literary and
religious ideas of education are
emphasized and harmoniously
blended. Founded in 1882 by the
Colored Methodist Church, it was
the first to be made a connection-
al school of that denomination and is .one of the
most representative of its denomination in enter
prise.
Bishop Isaac Lane, in whose honor the institu
tion is named, at one time a slave, was denied the
advantages of education. Largely through his own
efforts he learned to read and write and acquired a
good education that placed him in the front ranks
among his brothers. After his election as bishop he
was impressed with the idea of establishing an in
stitution for the training of the youth of his race.
His untiring efforts, splendid leadership, and self-
sacrifice brought the results within a few years
that stand to his credit today, — for it is to him that
the institution owes its success and usefulness. The
school began in November, 1882, under Miss Jen
nie E. Lane, who continued it until January. Prof.
j. H. Harper finished the unexpired term.
Lane College is located in a railroad and manu
facturing town in western Tennessee, where the
colored population is greatest and where there is
a lack of higher institutions of learning. The col
lege has seven buildings, located on a campus of
about seven acres. These serve as administration
hall, reading room, chapel, lecture hall, class rooms,
laboratories, and teachers' cottage and dormitor
ies. The school owns a farm of about forty-two
acres, about half a miie from the institution. It is
well cultivated, well watered, and is a large profit
to the college. In addition to the regular college,
normal, teacher-training, college, preparatory, nor
mal preparatory, English, and music courses, the
theological course of four years is maintained. Bet
ter-prepared ministry is one of the great demands
today, and Lane College is doing everything pos
sible to prepare the young men for this work, as
well as fit others to be more useful in churches, the
Sunday-school, the Epworth League, and other de
partments of religious work.
The college seeks to qualify these students to be
come leaders in thought. It is strictly religious in
its work, and everything else is made subsidiary
to this one idea. Graduates of Lane College are to
be found in all ranks, — in the ministry, in the school
room, as president, principal, and teachers, in the
office, and in the other lines of professions and bus
iness ; on the farm, in the shop, and in stores of
their own. As a rule they strive to cultivate peace.
November 4, 1904, fire destroyed the girls' dor
mitory building and the main hall, a beautiful three-
story brick structure. By reason of much self-sac
rifice among the people, contributions have been se
cured, so that the buildings destroyed by fire have
been replaced by commodious ones at a cost of
about $42,000. One of these and a steam heating
plant, was installed at a cost of $7,200. A strong
asset of the college is a complete commercial
course.
The Negroes have given hundreds of thousands
of dollars to this institution.
485
Robert Elijah Jones A. B., A. M., B. D., LL. I).
MIDST the commercial, industrial
and literary progress of the
South, there has also come up a
younger crop of men who while
while grasping the hand of their
sires nevertheless are squinting
their eves into the future. This generation of
younger men has retained a great deal of the old
sentiment for the South, of the politeness if not
the humility of their sires.
At the same time it has not hesitated to go
forward in all those ideals which make a finer
grade of American citizenship. They have recog
nized the value of money, the value of religion, the
value of education, the value of social contact, the
value of a decent environment. Appreciating these
in their highest, they have come out and asked
for them with a positiveness that almost belies
their modesty under more ordinary circumstances.
Robert Elijah Jones, Clergyman and Editor,
stands in the vanguard of this generation. With
headquarters in New Orleans, La., where men still
revel in many of the older theories, Dr. Jones has
been outspoken on all the leading questions that
bear upon the interest of the Negro.
R. E. Jones was born at Greensboro, North Car
olina, on the 19th of February, 1872. He is the
son of Sidney Dallas and Mary Holly Jones. North
Carolina is far from being one of the backward
states of the South. Greensboro is one of the more
liberal cities of this fairly liberal southern state.
Here in Greensboro, Dr. Jones received a good ele
mentary education. Later he attended Bennett
College in his native city, receiving the degree of
Bachelor of Arts in 1895. Three years later he re
ceived from the same institution the degree of Mas
ter of Arts. Working and studying in turns Dr.
Jones later attended Gammon Theological Semi
nary where he received the degree of Bachelor of
Divinity. Howard University made him L.L.D. in
1911.
Dr. Jones began his career as a local preacher at
Leeksburg, N. C., in 1891. He was ordained in the
M. E. Ministry in 1892 and was made Elder in 1896.
From the Leeksburg ordination, Dr. Jones pastorec'.
successfully a number of churches. These were
in Lexington, in Thomasville, and in Reidsville of
his native state.
Beginning with 1897. Dr. Jones entered upoi:
new fields of religious work. For a time he was
assistant manager of the South Western Christian
Advocate in New Orleans, La. Later he served as
field Secretary, of the Board of Sunday Schools of
the M. E. Church. This work he did between the
years of 1901-04. In 1904 he was made editor of
the South Western Christian Advocate.
For the past 15 years he has edited this now
celebrated periodical. This paper's reputation for
clean, straight-forward Christianity, is in itself a
splendid monument to Dr. Jones.
As editor of the Advocate Dr. Jones has traveled
much over the country attending conventions, not
only of the church, but of all bodies which mean the
development of the Negro race. In the same way-
he has served in whatever capacity he could to im
prove the religious and social life of the black man.
He has been President of the Negro Y. M. C. A.
in New Orleans, Vice-President and Trustee of New
Orleans University, Vice President of the Board
of Trustees of Bennett College. He is a trustee of
Gammon Theological Seminary, and President of
the colored Travellers Protection Association. He
is first Vice-President of the National Negro Press
Association and Chairman of the Executive Com
mittee of the National Negro Business League.
His efforts are not confined to service of this
kind or to religious work. He is a platform speak
er much in demand. One of his addresses "A Few
Remarks on Making Good in Life" is illustrated in
the Masterpieces of Negro eloquence.
Dr. Jones was married January 2nd, 1901, to Miss
Valena T. MacArthur, of Bay St. Louis, Mississip
pi. He is the father of a happy family living on
Constant St. in New Orleans, Louisiana. There
are few men in the church, be the denomination
what it may, who do more of the kind of service
which usually falls under the head of secular ; there
are fewer men classed as secular, who throw them
selves into the church with the abandon of Rob
ert E. Jones.
The following excerpt from the Southeastern
Christian Advocate, shows clearly Dr. Jones' broad
mindedness and level headedness :
"There is grave danger in the position that some
of our race leaders are taking in charging that the
white race as a whole is an enemy to the Negro
race, and therefore such race leaders are seeking
to array race against race and to meet prejudice
with prejudice, hatred with hatred, and bitterness
with bitterness. This position is wrong. In the
first place, it is wrong as a matter of policy. We
will get nowhere in our effort to secure justice and
equity if we array ourselves as a race against a
race that has superior numbers, intelligence and
wealth, and social and political advantage. 1 1
would be far better to seek to show the white peo
ple themselves and the world the fairness of our
appeal.
486
ARNETT HALL— WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY— GALLOWAY HALL
HE institution traces its history
to 1847, when the Ohio Confer
ence of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church opened Union
Seminary, twelve miles west of
Columbus, Ohio.
The present site of Wilber-
force University was purchased
in 1856 by the Ohio Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
The conferences of the Methodist Episcopal and
the African Methodist Episcopal churches then
formed a corporation and appointed a board of trus
tees for the new institution. Both schools were
closed by the war. In 1863 Bishop Payne, of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, purchased the
Wilberforce property ; the Union Seminary proper
ty was sold and the two schools combined. In 1870
The languages and mathematics receive greater
emphasis than the other courses.
While the theological seminary has a separate
board of directors, it is supported by the African
Methodist Episcopal Church and its management is
closely related to that of the university. It offers
two three-year courses in theological subjects.
Its sources of income are from Church confer
ences, tuition and fees, state appropriations, gen
eral donations and from other sources.
Wilberforce University stands for the united ed
ucation of head, heart and hand, and is located to
do this work to a decided advantage. It is contigu
ous to a territory of three states, each having a
large Negro population. It draws from these and
the entire belt of southern states, together with
an appropriation of $26,000 was made to the insti- the immediate iarge Negro belt in Ohio. It pre-
tution by the United States Congress and legacies
were bequeathed by Chief Justice Chase and the
Avery estate,
The institution is managed by a board of trus
tees elected by the church conference.
In 1889 the Ohio legislature passed a law estab
lishing the "combined Normal and Industrial De
partment."
This department is practically a separate institu
tion. Payne Theological Seminary was founded in
1891 with a separate board of directors.
The pupils of the preparatory and collegiate de
partment of the university are not required to take
industrial courses in the "C. N. and I." department,
and those electing such courses receive no credit
for these electives toward graduation in the univer
sity proper. Classes in elementary subjects are pro
vided for the few pupils not prepared for second
ary classes.
The secondary course covers four years. The
following subjects are taken by all: English, Latin,
Elementary Sciences, Mathematics, Chemistry and
Physics. The college subjects are Mathematics,
English, Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish,
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and Philoso
phy.
sents to its patrons an exceptional race environ
ment, where high ideals and practices obtain, where
race social life is on a high plane, where evil sur
roundings are few, where country air and influ
ences do their healthful work, where race friction
is quite unknown, where is found on every hand for
youth the greatest possible inspiration to right liv
ing, right thinking, industry, sobriety, and success
in life.
It has illustrated to the world what the race can
do for itself. For over fifty years the work has
continued and President Scarborough is now reach
ing out in a broad endeavor to expand its useful
ness.
With its continuous growth, its needs have kept
pace, so to-day the school faces pressing necessi
ties. It needs $100,000 added to its small endow
ment. It cannot accommodate the numbers apply
ing for admission, and more room must be pro
vided.
Wilberforce University is doing a noble work
lor both sexes. The number of students who have
received instruction in this intitution go into the
thousands, and some of the ablest preachers in the
denomination are proud of Wilberforce as their
Alma Mater.
487
MISS EVA D. BOWLES
ISS Bowies' record as a war sec
retary for the Young Women's
Christian Association not only in
the selection of well trained
women to take charge of hostess
houses that were provided at va
rious camps and cantonments,
but in keeping alive the fires of
patriotism among the colored women of the coun
try, entitles her to rank with the greatest war he
roes the country produced. Working day and
night, going from place to place, lecturing and
otherwise working for the betterment of social
conditions in army camps, she brought order out of
chaos, and set a standard of patriotic effort that
hardly has a parallel in the history of colored
women.
Miss Bowles brought to the place an experience
gained by many years work in associated charities
and Y. W. C. A.s' and this experience was gladly
welcomed by a board that had offers of service
from many volunteers but very few of them were
experienced workers. Miss Bowles is a native of
Columbus, Ohio, where for four years she was dis
trict visitor of associated charities. Her early edu
cation was obtained from the public schools of Co
lumbus. After finishing high school, she entered
and completed the literary course in Ohio State
University. After graduating, Miss Bowles taught
for ten years in the schools of the South. She is
a member of St. Philips Episcopal Church, Colum
bus, Ohio, and an ardent church worker. It was
her love of religious life that led her to become af
filiated with the active work of the Colored Young
Women's Christian Association. Her ability as an
organizer and lecturer is so marked that she was
appointed to the position of General Secretary,
Colored Women's Branch, Young Women's Chris
tian Association of New York City and Executive
Secretary of Colored Work in cities, under Nat
ional Board of Y. W. C. A. When war was de
clared she was proffered the position of -Executive
Secretary for colored work, under the War Work
Council of the National Board of the Young Wom
en's Christian Association. It was in the last nam
ed place that she became nationally famous. Miss
Bowles is a profound scholar of human nature, a
tireless worker and magnetic speaker.
Since her election to the Young Women's Chris
tian Association Secretaryship in 1913, there has
been a steady increase in the number of city asso
ciations, and they are rapidly being affiliated with
the National organization. Miss Bowles has the
happy faculty of gaining and holding the best
wishes of the white people as easily as she does the
colored. She has long since realized the benefits
which always accrue by cultivating the good will
and friendship of all that she comes in contact with,
irrespective of race or creed, with the result that
she is in position to be and is of inestimable ser
vice to her people.
Miss Bowles had associated with her in the War
Work Council as heads of departments a splendid
galaxy of patriotic workers. The heads of the de
partments assisting her were Miss Mary E. Jack
son, Special Industrial Worker among the Colored
Women for the War Work Council ; Miss Crystal
Bird, Girls' Worker; Mrs. Vivian W. Stokes, who
at one time was associated with the National Ur
ban League and assisted in making a survey of
New York City in connection with the Urban
League of New York; Mrs. Lucy B. Richmond,
special worker for town and country; Miss Mabel
S. Brady, recruiting secretary in the Personnel Bu
reau ; Miss Juliette Dericotte, special student
worker; Mrs. Cordelia A. Winn, formerly a teach
er in the public schools of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs.
Ethel J. Kindle, special office worker. Miss Jose
phine V. Pinyon was appointed a special war work
er in August, 1917. She is a graduate of Cornell
University, a former teacher, and a student Y. W.
C. A. Secretary from 1912 to 1916. She is a tire
less worker and her services were invaluable.
The field workers were Mrs. Adele Ruffin, South
Atlantic Field, appointed in October, 1917. Mrs.
Ruffin was a teacher for some years at Kittrell
College, and then secretary of the Y .W. C. A.
branch at Richmond, Virginia. Miss May Belcher
had charge of the South Central field and Miss
Maria L. Wielder of the Southwestern field. Miss
Elizabeth Carter was loaned to the Association
work by the Board of Education of New Bedford,
Massachusetts, where she is the only colored
teacher in the city. She is chairman of the North
eastern Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, and
former President of the National Association of
Colored Women's Clubs. She was placed in charge
of the center in Washington, D. C.
488
Mrs. Alice Dunbar Nelson
T is not often that famous men
wed famous wives ; that is, wom
en who are able to maintain a so
cial and intellectual position in
the world without the borrowed
light of their husbands. Among
ave been able to do this is Mrs..
the fe\v \vh
Alice Dunbar Nelson.
Mrs. Nelson was formerly Mrs. Paul Laurence
Dunbar. However, long before she met the poet,
she had a popularity and a standing all her own,
having achieved an enviable record in her school
life and made for herself a more enviable career
afterwards as school teacher, writer and social
worker.
Mrs. Nelson, who was Miss Alice Ruth Moore,
was born in New Orleans, La., July 19th, 1875. She
attended the public schools of her native city and
afterwards Straight University. She was grad
uated from Straight University in 1892. Upon
graduation she taught for a number of years in
the public schools of her native city. She belonged
to that class of progressive teachers who strive
eagerly to improve themselves, and who work to
increase their efficiency in some one chosen sub
ject.
In 1896, Mrs. Nelson went to Boston and then
to New York to study Manual Training. In New
York she pursued her course at Teachers College
in Columbia University. The East quickly learn
ed to appreciate the services of this daughter of
the fair South. In 1897, she became teacher in the
public schools in Brooklyn, N. Y. She had met the
poet laureate of his race, Paul Laurence Dunbar,
in the year following in March, 1897. As has al
ready been said, Mrs. Nelson had made for herself
a career. While she was teaching in Brooklyn, she
took active part in many forms of real life. She
was then as she is now a worker in Missions and
in social settlements. On the east side in New
York she taught manual training classes and
classes in kindergarten work in the evenings and
after school hours also. Born Missionary that she
was, she did this and many other kinds of work
without pay save the consolation of rendering
needed services.
But Mission work and teaching were not the
only fields in which Mrs. Nelson excelled. Though
she could not sing as could her poet husband, she
could wield her pen with great ease and she could
picture life and make plots. Thus while the poet
sang and loved because God gave him "The gift
of Song," the wife was weaving her plots and
making for herself a name and place in the mag
azines as a writer of short stories. While still in
New York, she contributed many stories to the
newspapers and magazines. Among the latter are
numbered such publications as the McClure's Mag
azines, Smart Set, Ladies' Home Journal and Les
lie's Weekly.
Upon her marriage with the poet, Mrs. Nelson
moved to Washington, where she continued her
work as story writer, article writer, helper, in-
spirer and secretary to the great Negro poet.
However, she has several books to her credit. In
1895 appeared her first effort entitled, "Violets and
other Tales." Her second publication was the
Goddess of St. Roque," which appeared in 1899.
Both of these publications were most kindly re
ceived by the public.
Soon after the death of the poet, Mrs. Nelson
again entered upon more active public life. She
compiled an authentic volume of Dunbar's poems
along with his Biography and some stories. She
has also put together the most serviceable of the
master pieces of Negro Eloquence. Mrs. Nelson
was thus engaged in writing and publishing when
the great war in Europe broke out.
Widely known as a social worker she became in
dispensable in leading and directing the war work
campaign among the colored women. In the
newspapers and in the reports of the Red Cross,
Y. W. C. A. and other such organizations, Mrs
Nelson's name frequently appears ; indeed, in the
East, and especially in and around New York she
is regarded as the bone and sinew of the social and
religious work for the Negro soldiers. Her chap
ter in a recent book by Emmett J. Scott on the
American Negro in the World War, is one of the
most enlightening and instructive on the Negro
Women's share in that great unheaval.
Mrs. Nelson writes with a grasp not only upon
the specific work in which she and her sisters are
engaged, but with an intimate touch upon peoples
and movements everywhere. Though her specific-
work was that of mobilizing colored women for
the United States war work under the auspices of
the Council of National Defence, yet her pen ap
pears only to have to be prompted in order to re
cite all the names and actions of the colored women
in every section of the country and in every line
of endeavor.
Mrs. Nelson is easily reckoned as one of the
race's greatest and noblest women.
489
Solomon Porter Hood A. M., D. D.
LERGYMAN, teacher, writer, Dr.
Hood ranks high in all these call
ings, and has a splendid record in
the diplomatic service of his coun
try, in addition to his other lau
rels. He is the son of Lewis P.
and Matilda Hood and was born at Lancaster, Pa.,
July, 1853. Although there were eight children in
the family his parents managed to give them an
education. He entered the public schools when he
was eight years of age. He graduated from Lin
coln University with the degree of A. M. and Liv
ingstone College with degree of D. D. He studied
at both Princeton and Columbia University. Took
an extension course at the University of Pennsyl
vania. He was a teacher in the public schools of
Middleton, Pa., from 1873 to 1877, in the prepara
tory department of Lincoln University, from 1877
to 1880. Was principal of Beaufort (S. C.) Normal
and Industrial Academy from 1883 to 1887.
He was converted and joined the Presbyteian
Church in 1869 ; was licensed to preach in 1880 at
Lincoln University by the Presbytery of Chester
and ordained deacon at the same time. He joined
the annual conference of the A. M .E. Church in
1887 at Georgetown, S. C., under Bishop Arnett ;
has received the following appointments in the A.
M. E. Church; Port au Prince, Haiti, 1889; Morris
Brown, Phila., 1893; Lamott, Pa., 1895; Reading,
Pa., 1896; Frankfort, Pa., 1900; Harrisburg, Pa.,
1904; Orange, N. J, 1907; Trenton, N. J., since
1911. He remodeled church and built parsonage at
Reading at a cost of $5,000 in 1897 and 1898; re
modeled the church at Frankfort at a cost of $3,000
in 1901 and 1902 ; has taken about 400 people into
the church. He has been delegate to one general
conference in 1904. He was a member of the edu
cational board from 1904 to 1908.
The political experience of the Doctor and the
consequent national renown he gained therefrom,
was when he was acting as under secretary in the
American Legation at Haiti in 1890. He carried
the message of peace under the United States flag,
out of Port au Prince from Legitime to Hypolyte.
He was the chief organizer and Director General
of the Emancipation Exposition of New Jersey in
1913 under the auspices of the State Legislature.
These in brief are, the cold facts of Dr. Hood's
career as a teacher, minister, writer and public
official. As a teacher he began his career in the
public schools of Middletown, Pa., in 1873. He
taught here for four years until 1877, when he re
signed to accept a position with the noted Lincoln
University, Pa. Dr. Hood taught here for thre"
years. The rest of his time as an educator was
given to the Beaufort Normal and Industrial
Academy which he founded at Beaufort, South
Carolina, and which he remained principal of until
1887. Doctor Hood's career as a clergyman in
cludes the assistant pastorate of Shiloh Presbyte
rian Church, New York City, under Rev. Henry
Highland Garnet and the organization of the Be-
reau Presbyterian Church at Beaufort, S. C.
He then joined the African Methodist Episcopal
Conference in 1887 and was sent as a missionary
to Haiti. In 1889 he returned to this country and
has since confined his labors to Pennsylvania and
New Jersey. Among his most prominent works
as an author are Sanchfred Dollars, published in
1910, and What Every African Methodist Should
Know, published in 1913.
His writings are chaste, scholarly, instructive
and entertaining. They flow from a heart full of
tenderness and love toward mankind and show a
simple faith in Christ, which is touching and ten
der. He longs for a higher spirituality himseh,
and seeks to impress the same earnestness of sou.
into the minds of others.
There is much that is potential in one's person
ality, for an agreeable personality is one of t._
most valuable assets in the character of any one.
There is something wholesome and refreshing in
the personality of this man. The hearty hand
shake, the wreathing smile demonstrate the fact
that nature was in her best humor when she pro
duced him. He is one of the most popular as we .
as one of the most capable ministers of the race.
Dr. Hood has been for some time literary editor
,of the African Methodist Episcopal Sunday
School Teachers' Quarterly, and is a valued con
tributor to other church magazines and periodi
cals. He was made a Presiding Elder of the A. M.
Iv Church in 1916.
He married Miss Mary A. Davis of New York
City, in 1880. They have one adopted daughter.
'His present home is Trenton, N. J.
490
JOHN WESLEY E. BOWEN, A. B., A. M., B. D
Ph. D., D. D., LL. D., S. T. D.
IIS noted theologian, the son of
Edward and Rose Bowen, was
born at New Orleans, La., Dec.
3rd, 1855. He received the de
gree of A. B., from New Orleans
University in 1878 and the degree
of A. M. in 1882. From New Or
leans he went to Boston, Mass.,
where he entered Boston University. He received
the degree of B. D. in 1885 and Ph. D. in 1887. He
afterwards entered the Theological Department of
Gammon where he earned his D. D. in 1893.
Thus equipped, Dr. Bowen began the career of
minister, orator, theologian scholar, author and
publicist that was to bring him world-wide fame.
Doctor Bowen has served in the pastorates of
churches in Boston, Newark, N. J., Baltimore,
Maryland, Washington, D. C.
In" his professional work, Doctor Bowen serv
ed as follows: In Walden University, Nashville,
Tennessee, four years professor of Ancient Lan
guages and Literature ; Morgan College, Balti
more, Md.. professor of Systematic Theology and
Historical Theology; Howard University, Wash
ington, I). C., Professor of Hebrew; Gammon The
ological Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., twenty-six years,
Professor of Historical Theology and religious ed
ucation, four of these years he was President of
the Seminary and is now its Vice-President, occu
pying his same chair. He is a contributor to relig-
ious and social periodicals of the day, and one of
the contributing editors of the National Cyclopedia
of the Colored Race.
He has been a delegate to the General Confer
ence of his church in 1896; 1900, 1904, 1908; 1916.
He was also a delegate to represent his church to
the Ecumenical Conference of Methodism in Wash
ington, D. C., 1891 ; and London, 1901.
He is author of the following books:
(1) National Sermons; (2) Africa and the Ame
rican Negro; (3) 'I he United Negro; (4) Appeal to
the Kind; (5) Appeal for Negro Bishops; (6) Psy
chological Process of History; (7) The Negro A
Missionary Investment; (8) The Theolocial and
Philosophy of the Negro Plantation Melodies, In
preparation ; Pastoral Theology "The Psychology
of Personality Teaching." Dr. Bowen has lectured
and is still lecturing before chautaugua Assembles
and literary gatherings in all parts of the country.
Mr. Cyrus C. Adams, one of the editors of the New
York Sun speaking of Doctor Bowen in an article
to the Sun says: "It is doubtful if there is another
man of his race in this country who combines in a
higher degree than Doctor Bowen ripe scholar
ship, intellectual vigor and the gift of eloquence."
The editor of the Valley Tribune in Washington,
writes in his paper this estimate : "It was thought
by many that the representations of his oratorical
powers were exaggerated. Now that he has come
and gone, we have to say that those representa
tions were not extravagant and that they might
very well have been supplemented by the assurance
that he was not only a man of extraordinary gifts
in public speech, but a scholar, a trained intellect,
a man of wide culture, familiar with the best
thought of our day and especially profoundly vers
ed in political philosophy of the times in which we
live. He is an orator equal to the best this country
has produced, an orator after the style of that
grand galaxy of orators of the ante-bellum fame
with Brother Beecher in the lead. He has the
strong rich mellow voice that the great Brooklyn
divine is said to have possessed; he has the same
flow of invective when that is needed in the unin
terrupted flow of chaste exuberant English. He is
an orator, scholar and statesman combined.
He had the honorary degre of LL. D., conferred
on him by Wilberforce in 1917 and the S. T. D. by
Lincoln University, Penn., in 1918. He has been a
member of the Board of Control, secretary of the
committee on Episcopacy, and secretary of the
Stewart Missionary foundation for Africa, (all of
the M. E. Church), for eight years. He is a mem
ber of the Masons, The American Negro Academy,
American Academy of Political Science, and the
Burbank Scientific Association. He was a member
of the speakers division in the late world war, and
was elected to go to France to conduct institutes
among the Negro soldiers.
Dr. Bowens first wife, Miss Ariel S. Hodegs, of
Baltimore, Md., died in 1904. She was a woman of
refinement, and a talented musician. This union
was blessed with four children: Irene Theodosia,
John E. E.. Jaunita and Portai Edmonia. The last
name died in 1900.
Dr. Bowens present wife, who was Miss Irene
Smallwood, was a prominent leader in the social
and club life of Atlanta.
491
iilC**kt •" — V
Dormitories an
Lecture!
Gt
Librarij of Gammon Theological Semina
GROUP OF BUILDINGS OF GAMMON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ATLANTA, GA.
HE Rev. Bishop Gilbert Haven, D.
D., LL. D., the resident Bishop of
the Methodist Episcopal Church,
residing in Atlanta, at the time,
sat under a famous Oak, at the
East End of Christman Hall, and
saw with the vision of a seer, a
great University and Theological
Seminary rising up upon these hills and amid the
wooded forests of South Atlanta, for the Educa
tion of the Negro race and its leaders. That Oak
is called by Bishop Walden — "The Gilbert Haven
Oak."
The Freedmen's Aid Society took up the thought
of Bishop Haven and saw his vision also and coop
erating with the Bishop, purchased 500 acres of this
land and in 1881 ,with Bishop D. W. Clark, then
resident in Atlanta, moved Clark University from
its cramped quarters in Atlanta to this new site,
The Rev. Richard S. Rust, D. D., LL. D., was the
Corresponding Secretary of the Board at the time
and contributed heartily in all these plans of his
rich store of knowledge and wisdom.
In the early Spring of 1882, the Rev. Bishop
Henry W. Warren, D. D., LL. D., the resident Bish
op in Atlanta at the time, presented the case of the
necessity for a trained Ministry for the Negro peo
ple's to the Rev. Elijah H. Gammon, of Batvaria,
Illinois, a retired minister of the Rock River Con
ference, and set forth this large opportunity for
him in the use of his consecrated wealth. After
deliberation and prayer and in consultation with
Mrs. Gammon, who with her usual womanly saga
city had sensed the Bishop's errand 'ere he had
spoken and who saw the path of divine opportunity
with the swiftness of characteristic instinct, Mr.
Gammon gave $20,000.00 to endow a Chair of The
ology in Clark University, and a pledge of $5,000.00
towards a new hall with only two conditions, viz :
the professor should be a young man, and that
Bishop Warren should raise $20,000.00 more to
complete the New Hall of Theology.
Bishop Warren went to his task with faith, fer
vor and untiring effort and more than met Mr.
Gammon's requirement.
The Corner Stone of Gammon Hall was laid May
12. 1883, and the Rev. Wilbur P. Thirkield, A. M..
B. D., was elected Dean of the Gammon School of-
Theology in June, 1883, and began his work with
the school Oct. 3, 1883.
Allied by marriage with the cultured daughter of
Bishop Haven, and by natural instinct, sympathy
and broad vision with the colored people. Dean
Thirkeld took up the work of his life for the train
ing of the Negro ministry, and has made Gammon
Theological Seminary the chief corner stone of the
492
splendid arch of his valuable service to the church,
and mankind.
The building was formally dedicated Dec. 18,
1883, and named Gammon Hall, to the surprise of
Mr. Gammon but to the delight of the vast con
course of interested friends.
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FOR THE WHOLE
SOUTH.
Early in 1887, at the request of Mr. Gammon, the
Society purchased about seven acres additional to
give a suitable frontage for the campus on Mc-
Donough road. Mr. Gammon had been for a great
many years a trustee of Garrett Biblical Institute,
which was entirely separate from the adjoining lit
erary institution, the Northwestern University.
About this time he proposed to set aside property
conservatively valued at $200,000 as the endow
ment. It was to be held in trust by the trustees
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and its income
paid to the Freedmen's Aid Society, which was to
administer it in maintaining the school. During
Mr. Gammon's lifetime he was himself to admin
ister the income for the purpose of further accum
ulation and for additional buildings and equipment.
During the same time the Freedmen's Aid Society
was to pay the salaries of the professors except the
one provided for by Mr. Gammon's first gift. The
only condition was that the school should be purely
theological and entirely separate. He desired it to
sustain the same relation to all the schools of Ihe
Freedmen's Aid Society. The charter was granted
March 24, 1888. In drawing it the Hon. Grant
Goodrich, of Chicago, who had drawn the charter
of Garrett Biblical Institutte and had been one of
its trustees from its founding, was consulted. The
charter provides for a Board of Trustees of nine,
of which the President and Corresponding Secre
tary of the Freedmen's Aid Society and the Pres
ident of the Seminary are ex-officio members. The
board of trustees acts conjointly with the board of
managers of the Freedmen's Aid Society. But in
most matters the former alone has the initiative.
In April, 1887, the official connection of the
school with Clark University dissolved, and it was
placed upon an independent basis with its own
Charter and Board of Trustees and the "Dean" was
elected President under the new Charter. This
Charter was printed March, 1888.
On April 3, 1891, Mr. Gammon passed to his re
ward. He had made the Seminary a legatee to
one half of the residuary portion of his estate. This
was in addition to what he had given during his
life-time. Next to Mr. Gammon's death the great
est loss the Seminary ever suffered was in- the sud
den death of Mrs. Gammon, December 22, 1892.
During all the years she had heartily co-operated
with Mr. Gammon in his gifts and plans for the
Seminary.
The following comprise the building of the Sem
inary. Aside from the main hall, Mr. Gammon
gave funds for the erection of four modern, well-
equipped residences for the professors : 1886, Pres
ident Thirkield's residence; 1887-1888, Doctor's
Murray's and Parks' residences ; in 1888, the Li
brary building, and in 1888-1889, Doctor Crawford's
residence. In March, 1915, the new and artist-c
Gammon Refectory was erected under Bishop F.
D. Leete and President P. M. Watters, D. D.
STEWART MISSIONARY FOUNDATION
FOR AFRICA.
This Foundation is in the interest, especially
among American Negroes, of missionary work for
Africa. It has been established by Rev. W. F. Ste
wart, A. M., of the Rock River Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. It is the outgrowth
of many years of thought in the consecration of a
large portion of his property.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE SEMINARY MAY
BE SUMARIZED AS FOLLOWS:
1883-1887— Rev. Wilbur P. Thirkield, D. D., dean
of "Gammon School of Theology," a department
of Clark University.
1887-January, 1900— The Rev. Wilbur P. Thirk
ield, D. D., president of Gammon Theological Sem
inary.
January, 1900-May, 1901— The seminary admin
istered by the remaining members of the Faculty,
each member serving a portion of the time as
"Chairman of the Faculty."
May, 1901 — January 19, 1906— The Rev. L. G.
Adkinson, O. O., president.
January, 1906-October, 1906— The seminary ad
ministered by the remaining members of the Facul
ty ; Doctor Bowen, the office and treasury; Doctor
Trever, general correspondence; Doctor Yates,
students, buildings, and grounds.
October, 1906-August 16, 1910— The Rev. J. W.
E. Bowen, Ph., D. D., president.
August, 1910-March, 1914 — The Rev. Silas E.
Idleman, D. D., president.
March, 1914— The Rev. Phillip M. Watters, D.
D., president.
This Seminary has had upon its records from its
beginning nearly 3,000 students and has graduated
over 500 men and through the work of the Depart
ment of Missions, has sent into the home field and
foreign field nearly 50 men and women.
These men and women are found doing yeoman
service for mankind in the Methodist Episcopal
Church; the African Methodist Episcopal Church;
the Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church ; the
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church ; the Baptist
Congregational, Episcopal, Presbyterian Churches.
Remove Gammon Theological Seminary from
the life of the Negro race and you cripple and im
poverish the moral forces at work for the stability
of our democratic institutions in the South, and you
stunt or handicap the Negro race in its steady
March towards the best things in the Kingdom of
God. For this institution perhaps more than any
other in the South, represents the pulsating son-
science of Christianity upon the ethics of the Bible.
Faculty : Rev. Philip Melancthon Watters, D.
D., President and Professor of Apologetics and
Christian Ethics.
Rev. J. W. E. Bowen, Ph. D., S. T. D, LL D—
Vice-President and Professor of Church History
and Religious Education.
Rev. Geo. H. Trever, Ph. D., D. D.— Professor of
New Testament and Christian Doctrine.
Rev. Chas. H. Haines, D. D. — Professor of Pub
lic Speaking and Sacred Rhetoric.
Rev. Dempster D. Martin, D. D. — Professor of
Christian Missions.
Rev. Willis J. King. S. T. B., D. D.— Professor of
Old Testament and Christian Sociology.
493
ROBERT ROBINSON TAYLOR, B. S.
OBERT Robinson Taylor was born
in Wilmington, North Carolina.
His father was a building con
tractor and from his earliest years
he was brought in contact with
building matters. He attended
Gregory Institute, a school maintained by the Am
erican Missionary Association in Wilmington, gra
duating from that school at the head of the class.
With the necessary preparation he went to Bos
ton and entered the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, graduating from that Institution in
the year 1892, with the degree of B. S., being the
first colored graduate from this school.
After working in some architectural offices he
yielded to the persuasion of Dr. Booker T. Wash
ington, and accepted a position at the Tuskegee
Normal & Industrial Institute as instructor of Ar
chitectural and Mechanical drawing and architect
for the Institution. After remaining at the Insti
tution for a number of years during which he de
signed and super in tended the construction of all of
its buildings^ he resigned and went to Cleveland,
Ohio, where he remained four years, working in an
architects' office and later engaging in private
work.
He was asked to return to Tuskegee as Head of
the Mechanical Industries and accepted this posi
tion which he has since held. Mr. Taylor has de
signed and superintended the construction of most
of the buildings at the Tuskegee Institute and has
had charge of the other mechanical trades which
have been largely developed under his direction.
In addition to his work at the Tuskegee Insti
tute he has done a large amount of private archi
tectural work in many states including school
houses, churches, libraries, residences, etc. His
work has been most favorably spoken of by great
numbers of persons who have seen it and for whom
he has executed work.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Society of Arts
of Boston, Mass., of the American Economic So
ciety, of the Masonic Fraternity, the Local Bus
iness League of Tuskegee, the Educational Asso
ciation of Teachers and of other educational, bus
iness and technical associations.
He was invited and delivered an address at the
fiftieth Anniversary of the founding Of the Massa
chusetts Institute of Technology, in Boston, and
has appeared before educational societies, schools
and organizations of various kinds.
Mr. Taylor has been asked to take responsible
positions in other places, among these the Pres
idency of a College, but preferred to remain at
Tuskegee believing that he could be of more service
to the race in helping to develop this Institution in
its industrial side than in other places and has held
to this belief in spite of more lucrative offers.
Tuskegee Institute was selected as one of the
schools to train soldiers in vocational work during
the great war. As Head of the Mechanical Indus
tries, Mr. Taylor was in charge of this work with
the soldiers and it was so well organized and con
ducted as to draw forth most complimentary com
ments from the inspecting officers. He is chair
man of the Executive Committee of the Local Red
Cross Society. This chapter of which he is chair
man is the only distinctive colored chapter in the
United States.
He was also very active in the drives for Liberty
Loans, being asked to assume chairmanship of the
local committee for one of these drives among
colored people.
His home life is particularly happy. His wife is
most helpful and there is a family of five children
consisting of three boys and two girls. The oldest
son and daughter have finished school at Tuskegee
and are now attending college.
Mr. Taylor has served on many occasions as
Acting Principal of the Tuskegee Institute, in the
absence of the Principal, and Vice-Principal which
positions he regularly fills when the two are away
from the school.
494
BALLARD INDUSTRIAL BUILDING— LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
EADING educational institution
of the African Methodist Episco
pal Zion Denomination, "The
finishing school" of the church.
It was incorporated in 1879, and
the first session was held in one
room of a colored minister's par
sonage, the late Bishop C. R. Har
ris, in Concord, N. C., in 1880, but was more defin
itely organized in 1882, and moved to the present
premises the first Wednesday in October of that
year. The new site consisted of one building and
forty acres of land in Salisbury. N. C. The school
opened with three teachers, three pupils and a ma
tron. It was chartered as a college in 1885. The
idea of an educational institution for the train
ing of colored youths was the result of a confer
ence of colored ministers for the promotion of self-
reliant education among the colored people.
Livingstone College has gradually increased
from year to year in numbers, efficiency and the
list of substantial friends. During the thirty-seven
years it has had in attendance students from near
ly every State in the Union, Canada, Central
America, the West Indies, and Africa.
It has now five large buildings on the campus, a
small one and an auditorium. Huntington Hall
was totally destroyed by fire December 31, 1819.
Hood Theological Seminary was regularly open-
en with competent instructors in 1911. Quite a
number of young men have entered and are in
training for the ministry. Advantages are offered
also for persons to be trained for Home and For
eign Missions. The first floor has four large recita
tion rooms, a practice chapel and offices for the
President and Dean of the Theological Depart
ment. The second floor affords dormitory accom
modation for persons in direct training for the
ministry.
The new Girls' Dormitory, Goler Hall, a magnifi
cent and imposing structure recently completed, is
named in honor of ex-President W. H. Qpler. It
is a three-story and basement brick structure with
102 dormitory rooms, music rooms, reception
rooms, a large and commodious as well as light
and airy dining hall, steam heated, lighted by elec
tricity, and with all modern conveniences attached.
Each room is an outside room.
The teaching force now numbers about twenty-
four persons and the pupils more than five hundred
annually.
Starting with forty acres and property valued at
$4,600, the plant at this time consists of 310 acres
of land and nine buildings valued at $250.000.
D. C. Suggs, Ph. D., succeeded Dr. W. H. Goler
as President of the college in 1917. He is assisted
by an exceptionally strong faculty, that has been
carefully selected for the qualifications necessary
to success in their respective departments.
LIBRARY- LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
DODGE HALL— LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
495
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING..
GROUP OF BUILDINGS OF ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE, MONTGOMERY. ALA.
T. Joseph's College is a Boarding
School for Catholic colored boys.
It is located five miles from
Montgomery, Ala., on Mt. Meigs
Road. The premises include a
farm of two hundred and sixteen
acres, and a healthier or prettier site for an In
stitution could hardly be found.
The Institute is owned and controlled by a So
ciety of Missionary priests, with Headquarters in
Baltimore, Mel. This Society works exclusively
among the Negroes. It has churches and schools
in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N. Carolina. Flor
ida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi.
Louisiana and Texas. Of the six colored priests
listed in the American Catholic Eclesiastical Di
rectory, three owe their promotion to this Society.
St. Joseph's College was founded in 1901, and in
corporated in 1911. Rev. Thomas B. Donovan, a
native of Kentucky, pioneered the undertaking, fol
lowed in succession by Fathers Kellogg, Tobin,
Butscb. and McNamara. The present incumbent
is Rev. J. St. Laurent, who took charge in 1909.
The Institution consists of several frame buildings,
put up tentatively, with a view to permanent re
building when circumstances permit the expansion.
The accompanying cut shows some of the build
ings and the style of construction.
The Institute is neither a Trade, nor Divinity
School. Its aim is to prepare bright boys, from
good homes, for entrance into professional schools,
by forming, along with the Christian character, the
student type, and laying the foundation required by
post graduate studies. The discipline, while se
vere, is paternal, and no corporal punishment is al
lowed. A certain amount of manual labor is re
quired of all students, both for its moral effect and
for economic reasons. No charges are made for
tuition, but a fee of five dollars a month is asked
for bed and board. This requirement is more a
matter of principle than of income, as may readily
be inferred from a knowledge of the heavy expen
ses to which a boarding school is put. For its
maintenance the Institution chiefly depends on the
voluntary contributions of its friends and the as
sistance given by the Catholic Mission Boards.
The Institution carries about fifty students, hail
ing from seven Southern States. The Administra
tion is hopeful of success, and while busy with
matters of fundamental import, is accumulating
the funds that will enable it to take care of three
hundred students.
496
C First Johnson
S the years succeeding the eman
cipation of the Negro have drift-
pense. Mr. Johnson organized the Union Mutual
Aid Association and in this work as its first and
ed into the dim mists of the past, only general manager he has demonstrated his ex-
and the race has gained in exper- ectitive and financial ability. The company nn-
ience and knowledge of the world, der his management blazed the pathway through
it has been able to pause in its doubt and prejudice, demonstrated the administra-
take an inventory of its stock in the tive ability of the Negro, inspired confidence in
material world. When it is considered that four the company's stability by being faithful to every
million ex-slaves, wholly unprepared for citizen- promise, and establishing its operation upon such
career an<
ship, were literally turned loose in all of their
ignorance and poverty on the cold charity of the
master classes and the philanthrophy of the world
at large, the Negro has made marvelous progress.
Not only has the percent of illiteracy been de
creased many fold, but all of the evils that follow
in the wake of illiteracy and ignorance have de
creased in like ration. The great increase in intel
ligence on the part of the Negro is reflected in the
business life of the race, for it is in the domain of
business life that all knowledge is most effective
and serviceable.
The commercial life of every race is a matter
of evolution and comes only with increased knowl
edge of the world, and confidence in the members
of the race in their relationship with each other.
The progress of the Negro in business life in the
past few years has been indeed highly gratifying,
and there seems to be at hand a regular tidal wave
of business prosperity unprecedented in the his
tory of the race. If the signs of the times look
auspicious for the business life of the Negro it is
due to the indefatigable efforts of the premier busi
ness men of the race, who have labored unceasing
ly to promote the business interests of their peo
ple.
High up among these men ranks C. First John
son of Mobile, Ala. Born in Hayneville, Ala., of
former slave parents, he received his first educa
tion from the "blue back speller down on the
farm." His first view of Montgomery was from
the to]) of a bale of cotton ,on which he ate and
slept as his father drove in from the far-away
country home. At the age of fourteen he entered
the State Normal School at Montgomery from
which he graduated. He left school and entered
politics. He became secretary of the Republican
Executive Committee of the State ; was at one
time employed at the Mobile Custom House, and
received minor appointments, among them a
chance to run the Custom House elevator. He
gave up politics to enter business.
The successful launching of a great insurance
company is not only a matter of unremitting labor
for a period of many years, but it entails great ex-
a high plane as to merit the confidence and pat
ronage of the best citizens of the State of Ala
bama.
In the truest sense of the word is Dr. Johnson a
race man. There is no Negro in the South that
has done more, according to his means, towards
getting young men and women started on success
ful careers. His company gives employment to
hundreds of clerks and solicitors. Many success
ful teachers, physicians, and others have graduated
from their ranks. He exhibits a keen sight into
the psychology of business, and all of his letters
bear a purpose, carry a message of straightfor
ward business dealing.
Trite and bromide are many of his expressions
in the weekly letters he sends all of his men, and
that appear in some of the books he has written.
For example :
"God never made a man for failure. In this land
of opportunity it is a disgrace for a man to live
in poverty."
"Men who exercise initiative are builders of em
pires. All others are merely tenants, janitors and
followers."
These epigrams are a part of the man. A part
of his daily work, of his daily life. He is and al
ways has been a leader in the religious and civic
life of the community. He stands high in the coun
cils of the Baptist Church of which he is a deacon.
He is a Past District Grand Master of the Grand
United Order of the Odd Fellows, and is one of the
best fixed Negroes financially in the country. Some
time ago he purchased as a home for his parents,
who are still living, a part of the old plantation of
their former master.
Verily, C. First Johnson is a man with a mes
sage for his people. He delivers that message in
season and out of season. Surely in the life of the
people of the South there is a place for many more
such men. Men who are getting their larger sat
isfaction in the knowledge of duty well done. Not
only does Mr. Johnson rank with the foremost
among the colored people, but stands high in the
respect and esteem of the business leaders of his
state, and his war work ranks him a patriot of the
purest type.
It might be of interest to add that the associa
tion founded by Mr. Johnson was recently made a
stock company under the name of the Union Mu
tual Insurance Co., with a paid in capital of $25,-
000.00.
497
:
"BIG ZION," A. M. E. ZION CHURCH, MOBILE, ALA.
Reverend Green W. Johnson
H KN a great preacher becomes the Rev. Johnson is a forcible, eloquent speaker, and
pastor of a great and historical always brings something to his audience that is
church, and the leader of a large worth listening to. In his sermons there is a happy
and influential congregation, noth- mixture of scholarship and spiritual fervor. He
ing but great results are looked has never forgotten the fact that the primary ob-
for. "Big Zion" A. M. E. Zion ject of all preaching is the conversion of souls to
Church of Mobile, Alabama, is just what its name Christ, and that is the great ambition of his life.
implies: Big in every sense of the word. Found- He is a profound theologian, but he does not put
ed in the days of slavery, it has grown in power
and influence, until today, it ranks with the strong
est churches in the state, financially, numerically,
this power in as much evidence as he does that
spiritual power which for years has made him one
of the most effective preachers in his church. He
and in moral influence. Therefore in calling a js a great preacher, and to be a gifted preacher of
leader, a man had to be sought that was thor- the gospel is to rank not subordinate even to a
oughly trained and mentally equipped to adminis- bishop.
ter not only to the moral welfare of his charges, Wherever Rev. Johnson goes he preaches and
but to manage the finances of an organization that iectures on the necessity of education,, morality
requires the raising and expenditures of thousands amj reijejon for t|le
of dollars annually. The present pastor, Rev. thoughtflllt his advice timely, and his counsel
Green W. Johnson, not only has the requisite qual- WJse He hag a|1 the equipment f)f the forcefu1
race. His discourses are
ifications to a marked degree, but is a leader in all
civil movements in Mobile, having for their object
the betterment of his country, his town, and his
people. He is a splendid example of the highly
educated religious leader that has done so much
for the advancement of the Negro in the last fifty
years. Rev. Johnson is a native of South Carolina,
where he first saw the light of day about sixty
years ago. When quite a youth he moved to Char-
public speaker. He is entertaining, witty, elo
quent and profound at will. He is not an extremist
along any line that would provoke fierce antagon
ism either in the ranks of the race or outside.
He is temperamentally sound on all questions af
fecting the welfare of his people, and is thus fitted
by nature for leadership.
His lectures throughout the country are always
lotte, North Carolina. While living here he at- noted for his vigorous treatment of the social evils
tended Biddle University where he received the of the times. He is constantly exhorting his peo
ple to make themselves decent, industrious, re
spectable .law-abiding citizens,. so that they may be
foundation of his mental training that was to serve
him so well in later years. He later did active
work as a minister but was not satisfied until he
had taken a course in the "Finishing School" of
worthy of the respect of all classes of people white
and black alike. He exhorts them to buy lands,
his church. While preaching, he attended Living
stone College until he was thoroughly equipped for build homes and live lives of industry and sobriety,
the minitsry. About twenty-three years ago, he He wants the race to wake up from its Rip Van
became pastor of a church at Citronellc, a winter Winkle sleep and take hold of the inheritance that
resort for Northern tourists, located a few miles every man has left to them, the opportunity to
north of Mobile. His reputation as a leader spread
and he went to Pittsburg, Pa. From there he went
to Boston, Mass., and afterward to Brooklyn, N.
Y. However, the call of the South was too strong
to be denied and he returned to Mobile as the pas-
work and make a living by the sweat of their own
brows, to be honest men and women and respect
themselves in the laws of common sense and com
mon decency.
Rev. Johnson's course during the World Wai-
tor of the A. M. K. Zion congregation whose splen-' gained for him an added love and admiration from
did house of worship is pictured on the opposite his own people and the respect and friendship of
page. the white people of Mobile.
499
Sunday School Union of A. M. E. Church
UNDAY School Union of A. M. E.
Church was organized August 11,
1882, at Cape May, N. J., by
Bishops Daniel A. Payne, Alexan
der W. Wayman, Jabez P. Camp
bell, John M. Brown, Thomas M.
D. Ward, William F. Dickerson,
Richard H. Cain and Rev. Chas.
S. Smith. Bishop Payne was the first president
and Rev. C. S. Smith was its first corresponding
secretary and prepared its constitution. Its pur
pose was the organization and development of Sun
day Schools. It was first located at Bloomington,
111., and here the first publication— "Our Sunday
School Review"— was published in January, 1883.
In January, 1886, it was moved to Nashville. Tenn.,
and in April the Teachers' and Scholars' Quarter
lies were published. The publication of these was
followed by the Juvenile and Gem Lesson Papers
in July of the same year. February 28. 1886. Rev.
C S Smith purchased at 206 Public Square., Nash
ville for $9.000, a brick and stone building, five
stories high, including the basement. The Sunday
School. Union was then incorporated, the incorpo-
rators being Chas. S. Smith, Henry M. Turner,
Fvans Tyree, Green L. Jackson and Louis Winter.
An outlay of printing material was bought in Feb
ruary 1889. over $5,000 being expended for this
purpose. In order that the work might be festered,
there was set aside a special day, known as Oul-
dren's Day" first observed in October, 1882, and
thereafter the second Sunday in every June, when
the whole connection rallied to the support of the
Sunday School Union. From 1884 to 1900 Rev. C,
S Smith served as secretary-treasurer, pushing
the work forward for the good of the Sunday
Schools throughout the Church In 1900 he was
elected to the bishopric and Rev. Win. D. Chappelle
of South Carolina, was elected to succeed him and
served from 1900 to 1908. In the meantime,
Children's Day collections were increased and the
work kept alive by the rallies .every June, of the
army of loyal Allenites throughout the Connection.
The Sunday-School Union had now been running
as an organization (1882-1908) for twenty-six
years, and as an incorporated institution nearly
twenty years. The subsidy known as Children's
Day money had been sent to the Union for all these
years and the time was ripe when there was to be
demonstrated the truth that an institution running
for a quarter of a century should now be self-sup
porting.
In 1908 the general conference elected Mr. Bry
ant as secretary-treasurer, without Children's Day
funds or financial assistance. His first task was to
organize a competent working force. Then came
the task of building the foundation of a pub
lishing plant which would be able to print anything
needed by the Church or race. And so, as the pro
ceeds increased, the result of Mr. Bryant's tact and
economy, modern machinery was installed. A com
plete typesetting and typemaking department was
put in at a cost of thousands of dollars. Presses,
folders, binders, feeders, stitchers and trimmers
were purchased and the building at 206 Public
Square became too small to meet the needs of the
department. Over $50,000 worth of machinery has
been purchased, and paid for from the proceeds
from the work done by the plant. The literature
issued compares favorably with this class of mat
ter published by any other publishing house in the
country. The Richard Allen Monthly, a magazine
for teachers, is the latest addition. At the Young
People's Congress, at Atlanta, Ga., in July, 1914,
hundreds of preachers and laymen saw the Sunday
School Department in another light.
All the helps and printed matter, vari-colored and
illustrated, from cradle roll to home department,
such as any Sunday school might need, were on
exhibition, and represented advancement along
this line made by the Sunday School Union. The
biggest achievement of Mr. Bryant has been the
purchase and building in 1914 of the most commo
dious and well-designed publishing plant owned by
colored people. This building is valued at more
than $50,000 and contains an automatic fire sprink
ler system, valued at $5,000. The entrance to the
building brings to view the main office where the
clerical force receive orders upon top of orders
daily, and after recording them pass them on to the
well-arranged mailing room just to the rear. Here
tons of mail of all description are sent down the
chute to the auto trucks waiting in the subway to
transfer it to the main post office. In this part of
the building are located : on the second floor the
editorial rooms, offices of the Allen C. E. League,
evangelical bureau and Secretary Bryant. The re
ception room, the display room and the beautiful
"Bishops' Room" — an assembly room where serv
ices or meetings may be held — are also located on
this floor. The rest room is adjacent, and is fitted
up with swings, improvised tables and kitchen, all
used for entertainment and refreshment. The third
floor is a large hall in which, if need be, large gath
erings may be had. But the department which
most interests the visitors, is the mechanical divi
sion, all situated in well-lighted and freely ventil-
lated apartments. From the street one views the
mammoth cylinder presses, turning out the large
contracts .the job presses, trimmers and folders,
all working with clocklike regularity. To the rear
is the wonderful monotype plant where the young
ladies may be seen operating the typesetting key
boards, with skill and dexterity, while the casting
machines are noisily transforing molden lead into
type, ready for the printer's use. The bindery is
another beehive. Here a big force of girls is con
tinually folding, stitching, binding, pasting and
trimming books and periodicals of all sizes and fo
lios. — From Encyclopaedia of African Methodism,
by R. R. Wright, Jr.
500
TWO OF THE SIXTEEN BUILDINGS OF ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL.
HE school was founded in 1867 by
Dr. J. B. Smith. It is owned by
an independent board of trustees
and is supported and supervised
by the Board of Missions and the
American Church Institute of the
Protestant Episcopal Church.
The school is located at Raleigh, North Carolina,
and the principal is A. B. Hunter.
It is a school of elementary and secondary grade
with provision for industrial training, and its influ
ence on the character of the pupils is very effect
ive. The Institution is accomplishing a good work
and is commended by the United States Depart
ment of the Interior who recommends that it re
ceive encouragement.
The attendance is about 264 divided among the
elementary and secondary grades and boarders. Of
the elementary pupils about 30 were in the "even
ing school." Of the secondary and night-school
pupils about 39 were male and 55 were female.
The teaching force is divided between white and
black, being ten male and eighteen female teach
ers.
Nine of the teachers are white and nineteen col
ored. They embrace teachers in all departments
of the school, grades, academic, industries, music,
drill, bookkeeping and nurse training.
Good elementary work is done in the eight grades
of the day school. The evening school has three
classes corresponding roughly to the fourth, fifth
and sixth grades. The pupils work during most of
the day and go to school from 4 to 6:10 p. m.
Secondary work is done in the "normal" course
and covers a period of three years. The collegiate
course includes Latin, French, Greek. Mathematics,
English, Elementary Science, History, Economics.
Bible and Psychology.
A few pupils take a half year of history, soci
ology, and geometry.
Considerable provision is made for industrial
training. The required courses are cooking, sew
ing, printing, woodworking or bricklaying.
There are also classes in basketry, chair caning,
and weaving. The time given to this work varies
from seven to nine periods per week.
The work in cooking and sewing for girls is well
planned and effective.
A two-year course is given in a well-equipped
hospital under the direction of competent instruc
tors.
The resident staff consists of a physician and a
head nurse.
The school property consists of $163,000 in the
plant and $37,000 in endowment.
The value of the land is estimated at $22,000. The
land comprises one hundred and ten acres, of which
seventy-five are used for the farm. The school har
a beautiful campus of over twenty acres.
The buildings are estimated to be worth $123,000.
There are sixteen buildings, including the hospital,
chapel and library.
Eight of the buildings are of stone or brick; the
others are of frame construction. Three are four
stories high and five are of three stories. The
buildings are in good condition and the rooms are
well kept.
A large part of the equipment is in hospital, in
dustrial, and farm equipment and is valued at
$18,000.
An excellent system of accounting has been in
stalled and the books are audited annually.
It receives its income from the Episcopal Board
of Missions, American Church Institute, general
donations, special donations and scholarships, en
dowments, special funds, Slater Fund and rent of
house.
The income from the St. Agnes Hospital amount
ed to approximately $12,000 practically all of which
was used for maintenance.
501
MAIN BUILDING, IIAINES NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
McGRKGGOR HALL, HAINES NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
HAINES NORMAL SCHOOL AND MISS LUCY LANEY, FOUNDER.
NE of the schools in Georgia that
has done such effective work as
to win the confidence of the peo
ple, all the people, regardless of
race, color or creed is the Haines
Normal and Industrial Institute,
located in Augusta, Georgia. The school was
founded by Miss Lucy Laney, the present principal,
in 1886. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian
Board of Missions for Freedmen ; in fact the prop
erty is vested in the Presbyterian Board. But the
school is not run by this organization. It has a
separate board of trustees. Haines School has an
attendance that runs near 900 pupils. By far the
larger number are registered in the elementary
work, though the secondary grade work has about
150 pupils registered for subjects in that depart
ment. Some of these students are boarders and
a great number who attend the school live in the
City of Augusta. The courses are well planned
and the teachers are well prepared and the teach
ing thorough. Because of all these conditions the
reputation of the school is very high.
Most of the pupils are girls. Indeed, one of the
aims in the mind of Miss Laney in founding this
school was the betterment of the Negro woman
hood. That she has accomplished this in so many
being done by all members of the faculty. There
are twenty-two teachers. All colored, and most
of them women. These teachers were chosen be
cause of their preparation for work of this kind.
Along with the work in the academic department
there is carried on an industrial department. For
the girls instruction in cooking and in sewing is
provided. For the boys, manual training and gar
dening. The funds for the support of the indus
trial courses in Haines Normal and Industrial
School are inadequate. But as far as they allow,
the training is thorough. The school proper is on
a tract of land comprising a city block. On this
are two large brick structures and several smaller
ones, arranged in such a manner as to give the
maximum light and ventilation. In these buildings
are class rooms, a model kitchen and a well equip
ped sewing department, where the girls are not
only taught to be self-supporting but are given in
structions in many of the finer crafts that go to
make the model housewife. Here also are located
the carpenters shop for the boys. A model garden
is run in connection with the school for the benefit
of both boys and girjs. Across the street are lo
cated the cottages of the teachers, which were ar
ranged with the view of making Haines School a
real home for them. Miss Laney, the founder and
cases is due to the very conscientious work that is principal of the school is a graduate of Atlanta
502
University. On completion of her studies, she
taught in several different schools in the State.
Like many others of her people. Miss Laney felt
keenly the need of more institutions for training
of girls and boys to become useful men and women.
She realized the terrible handicap of illiteracy bad
to be met and overcome before her people could
advance very far, and with an impulsive generosity
that is characteristic of her every act, she deter
mined to devote her life to the establishment of an
institution that would equip boys and girls for life's
battles and teach them to lead the lives of Chris
tian men and women.
In 1886, she gave up her position as teacher, and
on her own volition, without backing of any sort,
went to Augusta, Ga., with the fixed determination
of starting the work she had so long dreamed of.
It has been truthfully said that no cause involving
the welfare and uplift of humanity can well suc
ceed without the efforts of a woman. In all ages
of the world women have worked, played and made
every possible human sacrifice for the cause of hu
man progress, and none are more potential today
in the affairs of the world than that noble band of
pioneers in the development of Negro schools. Con
secrating her life to the betterment of her people is
the noblest contribution one can ma'ce to human so
ciety. The very earnestness of Miss Laney made
her many friends from the very start, and gained
their support in getting the school started. A de
voted Christian she interested the members of the
Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member
in aiding her to secure the support of the Pres
byterian Board of Missions for Freedmen. Grad
ually building the school, step by step. Raising the
money by every honorable means ; by lecture tours,
by entertainments, by soliciting private contribu
tions, Miss Laney can look today upon a work that
represents a money value of around fifty thousand
dollars, with an income running into the thousands.
But who can estimate the value of the good accom
plished for the race and for humanity? Only those
that have been lifted from depths of poverty and
illiteracy, and given an opportunity to become part
of a better and brighter world, can even remotely
estimate this. One need not, however, rely on the
eulogies of the students and alumni of Haines Col
lege. All one needs to be convinced of the high
character of the work being accomplished by Miss
Laney, is to ask any citizen of Augusta, irrespect
ive of race, or pay a visit to the school, where the
work speaks for itself.
Hon. William H. Taft, shortly before his inaugu
ration as President of the United States, visited
Haines School, and, speaking of Miss Laney. who
is considered one of the most brilliant daughters
of the colored race — said to the friend with him:
"That a colored woman could have constructed this
great institution of learning and brought it to its
present state of usefulness speaks volumes for her
capacity. Therefore, I shall go out of this meet
ing, despite the distinguished presence here, carry
ing in my memory only the figure of that woman
who has been able to create all this."
The faculty and pupils of Haines College, from
the Principal down, took a prominent part in all
world war work ; always, oversubscribing their
quota of Bonds and Thrift Stamps, as well as be
ing liberal contributors to the Red Cross, Y. M. C.
A., Salvation Army, and all War Community Ser-
•";<-es. Haines always answered "Ready" when our
country called.
Vol 2 of Negro Education, published by the gov
ernment makes the following statement of Haines
Normal and Industrial School:
A secondary school with a large elementary en
rollment. Two-thirds of the pupils are girls. The
management is effective. The wise administration
of the principal has won for the school the confi
dence of both white and colored people.
It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Board of
Missions for Freedmen, but has an independent
board of trustees. Title to the property is vested
in the Presbyterian Board.
Attendance — Total, 860; elementary 711, secon
dary 149; male 289, female 571. Of the pupils
above the eighth grade 84 were boarders. Of those
reporting home address 65 were from Augusta, 47
from other places in Georgia, and 35 from other
states ; 17 were from farm homes and 132 from
city homes.
Teachers — Total 22 ; all colored ; male 4, female
18; academic 19, industrial 2, music 1. The teach
ers are well prepared and doing thorough work.
Organization — Elementary : There are eight
grades and kindergarten.
Secondary : The secondary course requires En
glish, 4 years; Mathematics, 4; and History 3.
Elective subjects included: Latin, taken by 91 pu
pils; French, taken by 31; German, 26; Greek, 17;
psychology, 21; physics, 16; physiology, 14; chem
istry, 9; history and civics, 19; sociology, 6.
Financial — The accounts of the school are hon
estly kept.
Sources of income : Presbyterian Board, $4,595 ;
tuition and fees, $1,680; general donations, $1,561;
entertainment, $989. The non-educational receipts
were from the boarding department and amounted
to $3,751.
Items of Expenditure : Supplies for boarding
and other departments, $6,751; salaries, $4,554;
fuel, light, and water, $976; equipment, $596; labor,
$480 ; repairs, $86.
503
Thomas T. Pollard
HOMAS T. POLLARD, a Texan vention, in Saint Louis, which gave the country
by birth, rearing and occupation. William McKinley, for President.
is one of the men who made the Active in politics and in sports, he takes also a
"Lone Star State" famous in ed- leading part in church and secret orders. He is a
ucation. Mr. Pollard was born in Missionary Baptist, a Free and Accepted Mason,
Danville, Montgomery County, & ^.^ ^ Pyth{^ an(, an American Woodman.
Texas, February 22nd, 1866. Having spent suf- He .^ ^ _m cxtensive travder havi,]R cuvered (jn]y
ficient time in the public schools of his native conn- & ^ <>f ^ Southern and Western states, but like
ty, spending his spare hours on the farm, he matri
culated at the Prairie View Normal and Industrial
Institute. Graduating on the twenty-sixth of June,
1888, he immediately entered the profession of
school teaching. Mr. Pollard was fortunate enough
to be elected to a principalship at the outset. He
became the head of one of the ward schools of
Beaumont, and has remained in his post these thir
ty years. He has grown with educational ideas,
introducing into his school new methods as the conscientious energies of his life to the profes.
n
fields
Professor Pollard was married June 30th, 1892,
at Beaumont, to Miss Francis Ventun Charlton.
Mr. Pollard owns personal property, valued at
$10,000.
He is one of the veteran educators of his state,
dedicated the best and
time demanded such.
sion of teaching. He is an affable, congenial and
Further finding that the school teacher should llnassumjng malli and enjoys universal appreciation
take the lead not only in the progress of educa- and C(mfidence. Success has crowned his efforts in
tional ideas, but in all that pertains to the life of a the past an(, the future will ))Ut the more empiiat.
community, he has several times ventured into -}Cil\\y ])estow upon him the rewards and glories
business, and into plans for the improvement of whjch ;m honorabie; uprjght and useful life will
his community. always merit. With him the profession of teach-
in 1900 he organized the People's Drug Company jng js a jai,or of iove jne almjghty dollar influ-
of Beaumont, having seen a crying need for a con- ences him not, for in continuing to teach school
genial place where his people could buy drugs and ]1e ;s realiy making a sacrifice instead of a gain of
sodas unmolested. The business was a success dollars; but it is his love for the work and his
from the day it opened its doors. Foreseeing that earnest desire to do good for the race that cause
everyone must live more and more out of his own njni to continue to pull in pedagogical harness,
garden, Professor Pollard introduced Home Gar- Prof. Pollard is not of a grasping, avaricious na-
dening into his school. From here, he took it into ture, nor does he consider the dollar as the sum
the city homes. This he has been making a spec- total of human existence. He realizes that there
iality, thereby training the people to cope with the is a serious responsibility devolving upon the edu-
stringency of the times. cated colored man of the South, and that it is the
Few school men allow more real life to come in- bounden duty of the educated colored man to do
to their routine than does this principal at Beau
mont. He is classed among the most daring and
yet the safest bear and deer hunters in Fast Texas.
He had at one time a hand to hand encounter, so
to speak — no — not with a bear — but with a 140
pound buck, which had been wounded. His rifle vantages that he has received as a dispensation
being inaccessible, he had to despatch the beast from Providence to enable him to help his strug
gling and benighted people, and for this reason he
has found the attraction of service and hard work
his part in the great work of uplifting his be
nighted people. Personally he is in practically in
dependent circumstances, but it has ever been his
earnest desire to lift others up with him while he
was climbing. lie considers the educational ad-
with his hunter's knife.
He is like many a Texan, a live politician. In
1896, he was a delegate from the fourteenth Con
gressional district to the Republican National Con-
in the school room to be greater than any other
attraction in life.
504
Rev. William Thomas Silvey
EV. William Thomas Silvey has
studded ris whole crown of life
with church buildings. He cares
not for the size of the church, the
grade of the congregation, the
large salary, the brilliant choir;
that is these things are not the main ideal with
him. His ambition throughout his career has been
to see the people housed, to watch the building rise
from the ground. All the struggle at campaigning
for funds, the holding of suppers, giving concerts,
using collection cards and the thousand other de
vices resorted to for the raising of funds have been
to him so many thrilling detail by-plays of the
game.
Rev. Silvey began life in Ohio. He was born in
Greene County in 1853, when slavery held his
brothers in bondage in the South and when Ohio
was doing yeomen service as a haven of refuge
and a way station for the run-a-away slave. For
several years he attended the common schools of
the county, making his way slowly as the boy of
his race had to do in those trying days.
However, he could not remain in school very
long ; neither did the way appear whereby he could
study and work. Thus he soon bade farewell to
the school room and sought employment on the
farm. Forty-five years ago saw him a farm labor
er earning his bread, with only hopes and ambi
tion to lead him to a higher position of service to
himself and to others. In 1877 he left the farm,
having studied and thought as best he could, and
entered the Baptist ministry. For all he had not
been able to specialize to any great degree, he nev
ertheless had a great advantage of the mass of his
brethren of the cloth, many of whom had had but
little schooling of any kind and that under the most
trying circumstances.
His first charge was given him at Fddyville, Ky.
Immediately he saw the crying need for the Negro
churches. Moving now and then, but working fer
vently, he has built during his forty years in the
ministry, fourteen churches in the State of Ken
tucky. The last was indeed worthy of his crown
ing effort. It was the handsome modern brick
building, the First Baptist Church of Frankfort,
Ky. Over this church, though he is well into his
sixties, he still presides, in many ways as vigorous
and as ambitious as in the early davs of his career.
Notwithstanding the fact that Rev. Silvev is a
minister of the gospel and an eloquent divine, yet
his very life, humble in origin, filled with strug
gles and hardships in its early days, and now beau
tified and glorified with unbound success, is the
most eloquent sermon that he has ever preached in
the course of his brilliant career. By reading his
life and comparing his humble origin with his
present position of influence, dignity and power,
every ambitious youth of the race may be encour
aged, stimulated and inspired to persevere until
he reaches the gcml of his ambition. From an un
tutored, hard-working boy on a farm to the lead
ership of one of the great churches of the race is
a sublime height to climb, and this great honor is
a fitting monument to his patience, perseverance
and determination to make himself serviceable to
his race, to the cause of humanity and to the Cre
ator of mankind. The Rev. Silvey is really a bea
con light of inspiration that lights up the pathway
of hope for the youth of the whole race, and no
son or daughter of Africa should be discouraged in
the ambition to aspire to the best and the greatest
in American life. Whether as plowboy on the
farm, or hard laborer in the ditch, or student in
the school room, or teacher in the small churches,
or an inspired minister of the gospel, the life of
Rev. Silvey is worthy of emulation by the aspiring
youth of the race, and should be treasured by them
as one of their most precious legacies.
The leadership of a race is something that can
not be assumed by any man, for it is an attribute
that results from the mental attitude of those
whose prerogative it is to accord or withdraw.
Rev. Silvey has every requisite and every equip
ment for the ideal leader of the race that he is.
He is one of the best prepared men in the galaxy
of the race's greatness, and his many years of con
secrated effort for the advancement and uplift of
the race is worthy of the race's greatest appre
ciation. He is one of the pillars of his branch of
the Baptist Church, and his clarion notes have been
heard in a majority of the churches of Kentucky,
exhorting the race to take a stand against vice,
corruption and iniquity, and to show to the world
that it stands for education, morality, religion and
everything that will help the world to move ever
upward, onward and heavenward
Rev. Silvey owns his residence and one other,
which he rents. These are valued at $5,000. He
was married in Lime County in 1878. one year
after entering the ministry, to Miss Ida Holland.
There have been eight children born into Rev Sii-
vey's family. One of these, Miss Virginia, is de
ceased. Two others, Marion and Fd, are coal
miners. Miss Gertrude and Bessie are married.
Miss Catherine is a seamstress and Miss Lutitia
and Willie are engaged in school teaching.
505
TYPE OF GRADUATES OF PHILANDER
SMITH COLLEGE
HILANDER Smith College, a
school offering elementary and
secondary grade as well as col
lege courses is located in Little
Rock, Arkansas. The school is
owned and controlled by the
Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episco
pal Church. The school owes its existence chiefly
to the generosity of the family of Philander Smith
of Oak Park, Illinois. He gave the first ten thous
and dollars toward the present main building. This
gift was made in the early part of 1883. The school
was at this time six years old.
In connection with the Philander Smith College
the Adeline Smith Home for Girls is maintained.
The Home is the property of the Woman's Home
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and was dedicated in 1884. In this home
for girls the true principles that underlie strong,
honest womanhood, are taught, and daily practiced.
The Home is strictly religious, giving much time
to the teaching of the Bible and requiring each
girl to get a good portion of it in her memory.
In the Home the courses offered are cooking, or
ganization of home, sewing, fancy work. In all
these branches of Domestic Art the teaching is
thorough and is so taught as to make it a real part
of the lives of the students.
In the government, appeal is made direct to the
students' sense of right. In so far as possible self-
government is practiced. Hut the rules and regu
lations of the institution are rigid and all must
obey. All the work and activities of the Adeline
Smith Home is a part of the educational activities
of Philander Smith College. Although the work
of the two plants is separate in some things, the
real school work is together.
The land owned by the Phiiande • Smith College
is valued at $15,000. It is in two separate lots.
The main building is located on a lot which com
prises about half a city block. The Girls' Home is
on a large city lot some distance from the Main
Building. The Main Building is a four-story brick
structure that is used for offices, classrooms and
boys' dormitory. The girls' dormitory is a three-
story brick building and is a new, well constructed
one. There are in addition to these, two frame
buildings used for classes in grade work and for
shops.
The course of study is based largely on the
Freedmen's Aid Society course. Strong emphasis
is placed on the classical languages. The courses
include the Elementary, with industrial work for
the girls in the Adeline Smith Home ; College Prep
aratory and Normal courses ; and a College course.
In industries the work is limited to the Domestic
Art work in the Home for the Girls.
In offering a thorough Teachers' Normal Course
the school fills a great need of the state. Like
most of the Southern States the teachers in the
rural districts are lacking in thorough training. In
establishing this course the authorities of Philan
der Smith had in mind the preparation of well-
trained and efficient teachers for public and rural
schools. The course of study was so arranged as
to meet the needs of the Normal Training High
Schools of the State. Along with the regular
studies required in this course there are several
literary and social activities that are compulsory
upon students taking this course. These are the
Literary Society, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A. and the
lecture course Although in most. schools these or
ganizations exist they are not compulsory. Reali/.-
ing the needs of all teachers of well rounded lives,
this school has made the attendance upon these or
ganizations compulsory.
The man at the head of this school is Mr. J. M.
Cox. Through his efforts he has brought the school
up to a good standard. Mrs. H. M. Masmyth, a
white woman, is superintendent of the Girls' Home
that is connected with this college.
506
George L. Knox and W. A. Attaway M. D.
GEORGE L. KNOX
UK veteran editor and publisher of
the Indianapolis Freeman first
saw the light of clay in Wilson
County, Tenn., during the days
of slavery. For many years while
a slave he worked as a plantation
laborer. He was afterwards transferred by his
master as an apprentice in the shoe makers busi
ness. He served in the Union Army for one year
and after the war took up the barber's trade. From
the barber shop he entered the journalistic field and
became publisher of the Indianapolis Freeman.
This paper under Mr. Knox has grown to be a pow
er to be reckoned with.
Mr. Knox is a self-made man in every sense of
the word ; he educated himself and at the same
time supported his family. He is a staunch mem
ber of the M. K. Church.
Mr. Knox married Miss Aurrila Harvey of In
dianapolis, Indiana in 1866. This couple have five
children, four boys and one girl. The only sur
viving boy, TCdward C ., is the business manager of
the Freeman.
Dr. Attaway, has been a factor in the profes
sional and financial life of the State of Mississippi
for a number of years, yet he is still a man, in the
very prime of life. He has been tried in the cruci
ble of business responsibility, and has demonstated
to the world his ability to make good. His suc
cess as a business promoter in the State of Mis
sissippi has been phenomenal and few other mem
bers of the race have been endowed with the same
degree of confidence to bring to a successful con
clusion such undertakings, when confronted with
the same difficulties.
The subject of this sketch is the President of
the Mississippi Beneficial Life Insurance Com
pany, a company that is chartered under the laws
of Mississippi, and is now operating in all sections
of the state. The insurance company in question
is the result of the brain, finance and confidence
of Dr. W. A. Attaway, who was willing to blaze
out the path to success in this novel business ven
ture and, if necessary, sacrifice his career as an ex
ceptionally successful physician trying to promote
the business welfare of the race.
It is one of the few insurance companies operat
ed by Negroes that is now writing all kinds of old
line insurance policies.
It is the history of business institutions that
they are monuments to the brain and brawn of
some one man, who not only has every requisite
for intelligent and successful leadership, in the
business ventures with which he is connected but
is endowed with a sixth sense that enables them to
select assistants of a type that can be welded into
an organization that is the acme of efficiency.
Dr. Attaway is a big man in every department
of human excellence. He is one of the leading
physicians of the Southland ; he is a successful bus
iness promoter and business man ; he is among the
foremost insurance magnates of the country; he is
broad in his conceptions for the welfare of the Ne
gro. He has made good as have few men in the
ranks of the state's leading men.
The subject of this sketch is not only a splendid
physician, but a business man of first magnitude,
and his mere word stands for as much as that of
any other in the State of Mississippi. He is the
central figure in one of the largest combinations
of capital that has ever been gotten together in
the state, and this combination of capital is but a
faint testimonial of the appreciation in which his
remarkable business talents are held by his ad
mirers and friends.
He stands high in the respect and esteem of both
races in his home town of Greenville, Miss.
507
A. F. Henderson and A. D. Price
R. Herndon is one of the wealthiest
Negroes in Atlanta, Georgia. He
is said to be worth well up in six
figures. His rise in the scale of
prosperity was marked by many
hardships which required an in
domitable will and true courage
to overcome. He was born a
slave in Walton County, Georgia, June 26, 1858.
After emancipation his mother went out into the
world with two children, a corded bed, and a few
quilts. Hiring out by the day, she received in pay
potatoes, molasses and peas, to maintain the fam
ily. She found shelter in a one room log cabin
also occupied by four other families.
The space allotted to his mother was only suffi
cient for her bedstead, under which she stored her
daily earnings.
Alonzo Franklin (the boy's name), began to
work at the early age of about seven years and
worked for his grandfather until he was thirteen
years old for his board and keep, at which time he
was pulling a cross-cut saw with full-grown men.
His old master then hired him for three years,
paying his mother $25 for the first year, $30 for the
second and $40 for the third.
At the age of twenty, with his meager savings
of $11.00 he stole away in the darkness of night,
with his little hand-trunk on his shoulder, and
walked fourteen miles to Covington, Georgia.
He had received twelve months schooling in the
common school before he was twenty, receiving
five weeks a year.
When he reached Atlanta he hired himself to a
barber for $6 per month. He soon learned the
trade and passed from one stage to another in it,
finally establishing a shop of his own which has
grown until now he owns three shops, all modern,
and one noted as the largest sanitary barber shop
in the world. The pictures in this shop cost twelve
thousand dollars and it is one of the show places of
Atlanta. It has twenty-five chairs and requires
the services of forty men.
Mr. Herndon founded the Atlanta Mutual Insur
ance Association, which absorbed eight other com
panies. It is one of the largest insurance com
panies in America owned by Negroes and doing
purely industrial insurance business with colored
people.
He is President of Atlanta Loan & Trust Com
pany, Secretary Southview Cemetery Association ;
Director Atlanta State Savings Bank, Gate City
Drug Store, Inc., Trustee Leonard Street Orphan
Home.
He is a member of the Congregational Church.
Member Odd Fellows, and in politics a Republican.
His first wife was Adriene McNeal, who died
leaving him one child.
May 30, 1912, he married Jessie Gilespie, of Chi
cago, 111.
Mr. Herndon is a great believer in real estate
as an investment and is showing his faith by his
works. He owns about one hundred rental houses.
His magnificent home situated on a high hill,
overlooks Atlanta near Atlanta University.
One of the remarkable signs of development of
the colored race is the large number of men who
are engaged in large business enterprises. There
was a time when the activities of the colored man
were cast in a small mold, but that time is past and
a new day has dawned for them.
He has rightly reasoned that if others could ac
complish great things so could he- if he would pre
pare himself for his work and apply himself dili
gently to his task. Realizing that a man must be
informed who desires to do big things he has set
himself earnestly to secure an education, for he
knows that the educated man has an advantage
over the ignorant one.
Such a man is A. D. Price of Richmond, Vir
ginia. He was born in Hanover County, Virginia,
August 9, 1860, and has risen to his high standing
as a business man in his native state.
Commencing in a small way, step by step, he has
advanced to a position which commands the respect
of both the white and black citizens of Richmond.
He attended the first public school established
for colored children after the Civil War.
After leaving school he began his business career
as a clerk, which he followed for several years.
Standing behind the counter was not to his taste
so he gave it up and learned a trade. He took up
blacksmithing and after working with others un
til he had mastered the science, in 1881, he opened
a shop of his own. Here he began to recognize his
powers of business management. His blacksmith
and wheelwright establishment grew to such an
extent that it required the services of twelve men
and boys. In his employment were both white and
colored laborers. In 1886 he began to branch out.
He established an undertaking and livery business,
but it failed to meet with the success anticipated
so he gave it up. However, he never gave up his
purpose to establish such a business, and in 1893
he again entered it. His next effort was crowned
with great success and he now has the satisfac
tion of being the proprietor of one of the best
arranged and conducted undertaking establish
ments in the South.
It requires twenty-five persons to carry on the
business.
Mr. Price is the President of the Southern Aid
Society of Virginia. This institution is doing a
world of good in the State of Virginia .where it
reaches hundreds of homes with its benefits.
He has learned that real estate is the true foun
dation of wealth and when wisely purchased is
sure to prove a fine investment. The value of his
real estate holdings is estimated at six figures.
He owns a business block in which are located
halls used for lodge rooms and for other public
purposes. He owns some of the most modern ten
ement buildings in the City of Richmond for col
ored tenants. His residence is one of the finest
owned by one of his race in the South.
Mr. Price is interested in other business institu
tions. He is a director of the Mechanic's Savings
Bank, the Capital Shoe and Supply Co., and the
American Beneficiary Insurance Company.
508
Nathan K. McGill and Robert R. Church, Jr.
NATHAN
McGILL
ORN of a slave mother Nathan K.
McGill of Jacksonville, Fla.,
knows the clay, month and place
of his birth but not the year. But
£ yV^yy All ne als° knows that as a pick-
•j ClS^^gjlJ aniny he was hungry for an
education. Student in Cookman Institute, Jack
sonville, Fla., whose principal secured for him a
chance to run a barber shop at Monument Beach,
Mass., during' the summer vacation.
!t was at this seaside resort that he met the
noted Boston Philanthropist, Rufus B. Tobey, who
agreed to assume all expense of completing his
education on condition that when properly train
ed, he would return to Jacksonville and devote his
life to assisting his people, a promise he has faith
fully kept.
Graduate Boston University Law School in June.
1912. Qualified to practice before the Court of
every state in the Union as well as before the U.
S. Supreme Court. Mr. McGill is a member of
Ebenezer M. E. Church.
He married Idalee P. Thornton, August 1st, 1917.
They have one boy, Nathan K. Jr.
Robert Reid Church, Jr., is among the compat>
atively few American Negroes to have a big name
to defend and uphold.
Mr. Church was born at Memphis, Tenn., Octo
ber 26. 1885. He is the son of Robert R. Church
and Annie Wright Church, and a brother of Mrs.
Mary Church Terrell of Washington, D. C, the
noted writer and wife of Judge R. R. Terrell.
Robert R. Church was a well known man. He
was looked upon as one of the biggest and wealth
iest citizens of Memphis, Tenn., regardless of color.
Indeed some of his acts led the Memphis citizens
to regard him not only as a leader, but as a bene
factor. When Memphis was in a bankrupt condi
tion the elder Church was the first citizen to come
forward and aid.
He purchased No. 1 of the city bonds at
$2000. This act was looked upon by the leading
citizens of Memphis as one of great importance.
When in 1894 the big daily Memphis Schimitar,
issued its 50th anniversary edition, Robert Church
was the only Negro recognized in its pages. The
paper gave him a full page article with a portrait
of family and engraving of his home.
Robert Church, Jr., was educated in the Protest
ant Episcopal Parochial School at Memphis, Tenn.,
and completed his course at Oberlin College, Ohio.
From the first the younger Church looked forward
to assuming the responsibility of carrying forward
his father's business. On finishing at Oberlin, he
plunged immediately into business. He began his
career as cashier of the Solvent Savings Bank and
Trust Company in Memphis, Tenn., in 1905. Three
years later, that is in 1908, he became its President.
Conducting the business of the Solvent Savings
Bank and Trust Co. with success brought Mr.
Church unlimited prestige in the Negro business
world.
Also Mr. Church like his father, took active in
terest in the public affairs of the city and in the
affairs of the nation. In both of these arenas, he
soon became an effective worker. When the
Standard Life Insurance Company of Atlanta, Ga.,
was established Mr. Church was chosen one of the
directors.
He is a staunch Republican and was the only col
ored delegate from Tennessee to the National Re
publican Convention in 1912.
Mr. Church is a Mason and is a member of tlu-
famous "Frogs" in New York City. He was mar
ried July 26th, 1911, to Miss Johnson of Washing
ton, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Church have one daugh
ter, Sarah Roberta, who lives with them at their
beautiful home on South Lauderdale Street in
Memphis.
509
Enos L. Scruggs and Mrs. Anna R. Fisher
EXOS L. SCRUGGS, B. D., A. M., D. D.
R. Enos L. Scruggs was born in
Cole County, near Jefferson City,
Mo., Feb. 23rd, 1858. He was
left an orphan when a boy. He
graduated from Lincoln Institute,
Jefferson City, Mo., in 1885. Un
ion Theological Seminary, (now the Divinity
School of the University of Chicago), with the
degree of B. D. in 1890. Dr. Scruggs' first pas
torate was the Second Baptist Church of Ann Ar
bor and while there he attended a course of
lectures at the University of Michigan. Ac
cepted the presidency of Western College, Macon,
Mo., in 1892. Became pastor of Calvary Baptist
Church, Monmouth. 111., in 1906; took charge of
Mt. Emory Church, Jacksonville, 111., in 1915. From
Jacksonville, he went to his present pastorate in
Jefferson City, Mo., Oct. 1st, 1918.
In recognition of his services as an educator,
Western College and Lincoln Institute conferred
the degree of Master of Arts upon him. and the
Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock, honored
him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
When visiting in Missouri, in almost any part,
if yon talk about men and women who have <rone
out with nothing for a start Vid mad" p-ood, very
soon some one will mention tlvj name of i.lrs.
Anna R. Fisher.
Mrs. Fisher was one of a large family of children
and since her parents were poor, she had little
opportunity to attend school. She did attend the
district school nearest her when she could be spar
ed from the work at the house and in the fields, but
this was not for a long time.
But the little foundation gained by Mrs. Fish
er at this time has proved sufficient for her
to amass quite a fortune for a 'colored woman.
She is a caterer. She is just naturally one. She
started out with little and added to her stock and
undertook larger affairs till now she owns silver,
china and linen enough to set a table for one
thousand. Aside from using this silver for her
own banquets and dinners, she rents it out, at her
own figure, to others who want to serve large
numbers.
Mrs. Fisher owns a beautiful home. She bought
the stone, the brick, the lumber, herself; lived in a
tent on the place, hired all the workmen and bossed
the job. Asked what her home cost her she said :
"Well, I've never told anybody yet." Asked again.
"Do you know what it cost you,?" she replied,
"Yes Madam, to the fraction of a cent." Mrs.
Fisher makes beaten biscuit which she ships to all
points in and out of the State. Catering is her
trade, but on the side she runs a farm. Here she
raises all the hams that she uses in her dinners and
banquets as well as a great many other things.
Besides her catering business she sells about five
hundred dollars worth of meat a year from her
farm ; her rental propertv brings her twelve hun
dred a year more.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. ANNA R. FISHER
510
Isaiah J. Whitley
HE life of Isaiah J. Whitley dif
fered much in his youth from the
majority of the Negro boys who
came up out of poverty and great
tribulation to occupy their sta
tions in life.
He was born in Franklin, Washington County,
Alubama, of honest, industrious and respected
parents. His father was a prominent farmer of
the county in which they lived and was the lead
ing Baptist of his day. Isaiah was reared on the
farm and because his father was in good financial
condition he never experienced the life of a ser
vant.
After receiving an elementary education he en
tered the Selma University and graduated with
honor, being valedictorian of his class. While ;it
Selma University he was President of the College
Y. M. C. A. and served as assistant bookkeeper to
the institution.
He also took courses at both the Tuskegee In
stitute and the Hampton Institute, studying the
trade at both institutions.
He chose teaching as his profession and has serv
ed a number of schools. He taught school at Fair-
ford, Alabama, and five years in the common
schools of Alabama ; three years in the State of
Mississippi ; served one year as principal of the
Aldrich Grammar Schools, Aldrich, Alabama ; and
for the past eight years has been principal of Mo
bile County Training School. Under his manage
ment the school has grown from 80 pupils and two
teachers to 441 pupils and nine teachers
Mr. Whitley is broad minded and progressive.
He is a prime mover in every educational and up
lift work in the community. He is a member of
the National Association of Teachers in Colored
Schools, is secretary of the Alabama State Teach
ers' Association, and president of the National
Rural Teachers' Association. He is the founder of
the Plateau Farmers and Truckers' Conference,
and his work in this connection cannot lie too high
ly praised. He not only stands high in the esteem
of the Negroes, but is so well thought of by the
white citizens of his home county, that he was
made a member of the Draft Board, and Colored
County Food Administrator during the World
War and was highly commended for his work in
both places.
He married Miss Cornelia Leon Carrington,
Sept. 8, 1910. They have two boys and one girl.
He is a member of the Baptist Church, a Mason,
and K. of P., and the owner of a comfortable homo.
Unlike a great many members of the Negro race
the career of Dr. Leath has been smooth and pleas
ant. The secret of his tranquil life is no doubt due
to his loving and sympathetic disposition and his
intense spirit of loyalty. He was an affectionate
and loyal son and brother, and always rendered to
his parents that honor and consideration due from
a child to its father and mother. His father died
in 1900 and his mother in 1912 and it is a source of
great satisfaction to him that he can let his mind
dwell upon them with only thoughts of sweet and
pleasant memories.
He was one of thirteen children, and frequently
did his part in helping his mother clean house and
cook. In the course of his life he has worked on
the farm, stood behind the barber's chair, solicited
insurance, filled the office of teacher and now stands
in the pulpit and on the rostrum. In securing an
education he attended the public schools of Colum
bia, Alabama, afterwards teaching in these same
schools, then went to the Tuskegee Normal and In
dustrial Institute, graduating in 1897; then to
Payne University; graduating from the scientific
course in 1901 ; he took a correspondence course
in Howard University, studying Greek under Ger
man scholars. Having received the necessary pre
paration for his work he entered the ministry of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and in
the course of his ministry, has served some of the
best colored churches in the South. He is now
Presiding Elder of the Mobile, Alabama, district.
He is the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of
Payne University. His ministerial career has been
one of continued success and he has made friends in
every field where he has labored. He was espec
ially fond of children and because of his intense
love and sympathy for them he won many of them
to himself and to the cause of^his Savior. Dr. Leath
is an able man from every standpoint. He is an
able orator, a great educator and a splendid preach
er and pastor. He is an untiring worker and gave
his services unstintingly in behalf of his country
during the Worlds War. He is a member of the
Masons and has held high office in that body.
/ Dr. Leath has prospered from the material
standpoint and owns a 100 acre farm, and a house
and lot at Greensboro, Ala.
The position he has obtained in the district he
presides over has made it possible for him to be of
great service to other members of his race.
He married Miss Pinkie C. Reece of Autauga-
ville in 1901, who has been a great help to him
in his work.
511
C. W. Allen
T is said a prophet is without hon- bile postoffice. He served as a carrier for ten
or in his own country, hut this years, and made a record for high efficiency. While
declaration is far from being a serving in postoffice he had the honor of repre-
fact in the case of the serviceable senting the Mobile Letter Carriers' Association
and popular subject of this sketch, three different times at the National Conventions
whose life story forms the bur- of Letter Carriers at its sessions in Denver, Col.,
den of this narrative, for no other man of the race Chicago, Ills., and New York City,
in the city of Mobile, Ala., be he native born 01 Mr. Allen is a veteran dealer in real estate, and
otherwise, has been more highly honored or shown in co-partnership with Mr. James T. Peterson, he
himself to be more deserving of trust, confidence successfully engaged in the realty business for
and honor. several years. The firm operated under the name
Mr. Allen is a native of the city of Mobile, and of Peterson & Allen, and it was one of the leading
was born October 17, 1872. Unlike the majority real estate firms in the State of Alabama,
of men that have risen to place and prominence in On the 10th of November, 1904, Mr. Allen, in
the domain of church or state, he can not claim partnership with Mr. Harney. purchased the un-
the pride of birth on a farm ; nor can he claim an dertaking firm of A. N. Johnson, which at that
experience with any of the hardships that are in- time was one of the most complete and one of the
cident to farming life. In his case, at least, it has costliest funeral establishments in the South. Since
been demonstrated that it is not necessary to be purchasing this well established business they have
born on a farm and inured to its hardships in order added to their equipment, modernized it and de-
to attain to the highest degree of service and use- veloped it along progressive and up-to-date lines,
fulness to one's fellow citizens and country. until now it is second to few. if any. in this whole
The fact that he is one of the worthy native country.
sons of Mobile, possibly accounts for the high es- The Company has modern and up-to-date equip-
teem in which he is held by the citizens of Mobile. ment and facilities and it can satisfy the wishes
The parents of Mr. Allen were in most humble of the greatest dignitary in the State. "A
circumstances, and thus could not give to their son maximum of service for a minimum cost" is the
the educational advantages that they would have business maxim of this premier funeral establish-
been glad to do if they had been able. His educa- ment of the race, and it is the concensus of opinion
tion was gained largely by his own earnest efforts on the part of the people of Mobile that the com-
and hard work. He was educated in the public pany carries out its business maxim to the letter,
schools of Mobile, Ala., and at Emerson Institute On the 6th of June, 1893, Mr. Allen married
of the same city. Emerson Institute is one of the Miss Josephine Blackledge, of Mobile, Alabama,
pioneer educational institutions of the race in the She is a graduate of the Mobile Colored High
city of Mobile, and has done much to improve the School, and was also a student of Emerson Insti-
intellectual and moral life of that community. This title of the same city. A woman of great intelli-
school was long ago established by the American gence and influence in her community, she is one
Missionary Association, and has been the only of the useful and serviceable women of the race.
Alma Mater of many of the worthiest and mosi and has done much for their welfare and uplift,
successful men and women of the city of Mobile. Mrs. Allen was an honored teacher in the Mobile
Mr. Allen has not the honor of a diploma from this Colored High Schools for three vears. In the year
worthy institution, but he gained in its hallowed of 1898 she organized the widely known Josephine
halls an inspiration to accomplish something wor- Allen Private School. The growth of this school
thy in life.
lie started out in life early to make an honest
living. At the age of fifteen years he took up the
responsibilities of a wage-earner. Beginning at
has been phenomenal in every respect from its
very beginning.
Mr. Allen is an organizer and a man of splendid
executive ability. As a financier he has few supe-
the humblest stage of menial service, he gradually riors, if any, and his administration of affairs, both
worked his way up to employment in the govern- fraternal and personal has demonstrated the fact
ment service in the position of carrier in the Mo- that he is an extraordinary business man.
512
Ralph W. Tyler
NE of the later fields for the -Ne- During the interim between 1913 and 1916. Mr.
gro to enter was that of journal- Tyler was contributor to both the white and col-
ism. While the Negro journalist
soon learned to do well on papers
of his own he found it difficult to
enter the arena with the re-
ored newspapers. When Emmett J. Scott became
special assistant to the Secretary of War, Mr. Ty
ler took work in Mr. Scott's office as publicity
porters of the big daily and metropolitan papers. a"ent In this capacity he had one of the most
Here as elsewhere he found an almost impassable trying positions in public life to fill. He was coin-
barrier. First of all he had no background, his pelled to see that the magnificent part being play-
oiily hope of commendation would have to be bas- ed by the Negro in the world was brought before
ed upon experience and excellence in the calling. the puh]ic am, kept there Jt waR hjs ^^ ^ ^
The only way of getting these was upon these very that comliti()ns needinR correction,] were brought
before the public in a way that would bring tin-
desired result without gaining the antagonism of
dailies for which he aspired to work, thus the thing
ran in a circle, shutting door after door to him.
In the South, it is customary to have at least one
that class of the press that is always ready and
Negro reporter on all the dailies, but as yet few of wining Qn the slightest provocation to flaunt the
the northern papers have adopted this policy.
red flag. That he met the issue with honor to him
Among the few upon whom the goddess of Tol- sdf and tf) hjs peop]e js shown ,)y ^ ^ ^ ^
erance smiled in the Editorium Sanctum, was was the Qne NegrQ waf correspondent sent abroad
Ra'ph W. Tyler of Columbus, Ohio. Fortunately 1)y the L-nited States Government to tell the story
of our troops in France.
Mr. Tyler is a descriptive writer of rare ability.
He not only ranks as the foremost Negro Journal
ist and special correspondent, but ranks high
among that galaxy of stars irrespective of race,
that were selected by their countries to send tin-
news back home of the every movement of tin-
armies that contained the flower of their young
manhood. His writings are of such character that
Mr. Tyler gained an entrance in his native town.
Horn and reared here at Columbus, he did not have
the awful task of getting used to the Editors of
liis town, or having them to get used to him.
On finishing- High School at Columbus, Ohio. Mr.
Tyler began his journalistic apprenticeship, lie
gained his experience on the staff of the Columbus
livening Despatch, where he began work in 1884.
The satisfaction which he gave the editors of this
naner both as an apprentice and as a seasoned , .,, .
he will be remembered not as a great Negro Jour-
,vorker must have been the best for he remained
on the livening Despatch for 17 years. Working correspulldent
for the Despatch he rose from reporter to assistant
to the Manager and confidential secretary to the
publisher.
Leaving the Evening Despatch. Mr. Tyler ac
cepted work with the Ohio State Journal. Here
he remained for three years. Throughout this
score of years on the livening Despatch and tin-
Ohio Journal Mr. Tyler was the only Negro reg
ularly employed on a white daily paper in tin-
State of Ohio.
In 1905 because of his effective work as a jour
nalist. Mr. Tvler was called to a position of prom
inence in the United States Government. In this
nalist, but as a great American Journalist and war
Who has not read the wonderful word pictures
drawn by this brilliant young journalist?
Who has not been thrilled by his stories of (he
exploits of the Famous 92nd Division ?
There is something inspiring in the human in
terest stories that he sent back from the battle
scarred fields of Europe, and it is certain that many
of his articles will be handed down to future gen
erations as classics.
For more than thirty years Mr. Tvler has been
engaged in newspaper and publicity work. He has
served on the start of some of the most famous
year
he was appointed by President Theodore dailies in the United States, and has made a repu-
Roosevelt as auditor to the Navy. He was re- tation that is nation wide for his fearlessness in
appointed by President Taft, thus he served in this defending the interests of the Negroes. His efforts
post for eight years.
in behalf of the race cannot ever be approximated.
513
VIRGINIA HALL— SUNG UP BY THE HAMPTON SINGERS, 1872-73.
AMPTON Institute, the pioneer
industrial school for the training
of colored and Indian youth,
which is situated on the Lower
Peninsula of Virginia, is now pre
paring for intelligent public ser-
vice and at the expense of gener
ous citizens who represent many
sections and classes, some 900 earnest Negroes and
a small group of Indians in its Boarding Depart
ment.
Between four and five hundred colored boys and
girls attend the Community graded school, known
as "The Whittier School," which "offers excellent
opportunities for the training of teachers under
natural conditions."
The Hampton boys and girls are making a brave
struggle to become leaders in community improve
ment work and efficient homemakers.
Over one hundred ,and fifty Hampton men are al
ready in the United States Army and Navy doing
their bit — intelligently and cheerfully to make the
world safe for democracy.
Founded in 1868 by Gen. Samuel C. Armstrong,
for over fifty years, through the co-operation
and support of many of the best people of America,
Hampton Institute has been training young peo
ple for unselfish and reliable service to their re
spective races and to their white neghbors.
The training of an army of over 2000 graduates
and nearly 8000 former students — "soldiers of the
common good" — represents a vast sum of money
and effort which the American public has invested
in carefully selected, ambitious colored and Indian
youth.
Increased returns from farm lands, the multipli
cation and improvement of public schools, the
building of good churches, the establishment of
clean, pure homes — these are some of the fruits of
the "Hampton Spirit."
The late Dr. Hollis B. Frissell, principal of Hamp
ton from 1893 to 1917, said in his last report to the
trustee :
"We hear much, in these days of preparedness
for service, of how young people can be trained so
as to be of the greatest possible use to their com
munity and their country. This is the keynote of
Hampton. He said shortly before his death : "Tell
the American people that Hampton is a war meas
ure."
The Robert C. Ogden Auditorium, designed by
Ludlow & Peabody, of New York, is now complet
ed. It accommodates some 2500 persons and has
cost over $200,000. The money was raised by pop
ular subscription. Gifts have come from white.
colored, and Indian friends.
The General Education Board of New York has
donated $25,000. The interest from this fund will
be used for the maintenance of the Ogden Audito
rium.
Students of the Hampton Institute Trade School
recently completed their work on the new Admin
istration Building.
They have also placed a new water tank on the
tower of "Stone Building," which is one of the lar
ger dormitories for boys. This tank will be used
in connection with the sprinkler system for fire
protection which is to be installed in the audito
rium.
James Hall, the building of which was made pos
sible through the gift of the late Mrs. Willis D.
James, of New York, is a modern, fireproof dormi
tory which accommodates about 175 boys. It was
built by Hampton Institute students.
Mrs. John S. Kennedy, of New York, through a
514
•
OGDEN HALL— IN MEMORY OF ROBERT C. OGDEN
similar gift, will make possible the building of new
dormitories for the Hampton girls.
Clarke Hall, a two-story brick building, which
is another Hampton Trade School product, was the
first Negro student Y. M. C. A. building in this
country.
Some 250 acres adjacent to "Shellbanks," the
Hampton Institute farm, which is some six miles
out from Hampton, have been acquired to give
more Hampton students practical training in farm
ing.
Hampton Institute also has a modern cold-stor
age equipment, as well as facilities for making
steam, ice, and electricity.
Hampton Institute is, in short, an industrial vil
lage, and "an educational demonstration center
where three races work out daily, with a minimum
of friction, the problems of everyday life."
General Armstrong described the aim of Hamp
ton in these striking words : "To train selected
youth who shall go out and teach and lead their
people, first by example by getting lands and homes
— to teach respect for labor ; to replace stupid drud
gery with skilled hands ; and to these ends to build
up an industrial system, for the sake not only of
self-support and intelligent labor, but also for the
sake of character."
This aim was not changed by Dr. Frissell. It
was developed, however, with rare skill and wis
dom through his remarkable principalship of nearly
twenty-five years.
Hampton has always emphasized the importance
of 'self-sacrifice and service. Dr. Booker T. Wash
ington, who founded Tuskegee Institute, and Dr.
Robert R. Moton, who has succeeded Dr. Washing
ton as principal of Tuskegee, were both trained at
Hampton under General Armstrong and Dodtor
Frissell.
Hampton students have been fitted for life. They
have also been trained to live fpr others. Through
out the South and West especially, there are many
communities which have been literally reconstruc
ted through the patient, thoughtful, and persistent
work of Hampton graduates and former students.
Since Hampton Institute aims to train young
people to earn an honest living and help improve
the economic and social conditions of their races,
the courses of study combine industrial training
with academic work.
The regular courses are four years in length, and
include Academic-Normal, Agricultural, Business,
and Trade courses in any one of the following thir
teen trades : Blacksmithing, Bricklaying and Plas
tering; Cabinet making; Carpentry; Machine
Work; Painting; Printing; Shoemaking ; Steam-
fitting and Plumbing; Tailoring; Tinsmithing; Up
holstery ; and Wheelwrighting. A two-year, ad
vanced course in Teacher-training is also offered.
Through the Hampton courses young men and
women are trained to earn an honest living by
practicing a useful vocation.
Colored and Indian girls at Hampton receive
thorough training in cooking, sewing, laundering
gardening, and methods of teaching.
In the Domestic Science Work Class, for ex
ample-, "the girls work daily for twelve months in
the laundry and in the boarding departments under
the supervision of experienced teachers, and carry
on their academic studies in the evening the same
as the boys in the Work Class.
"The mental and moral training that the year
of combined work and study gives makes it one of
the most valuable years of the course. The work
ing day for the girl is shorter than for the boy :
but a girl can earn from $15 to $18 a month. This
SIS
CLASS IN DOMESTIC SCIENCE
HOME ECONOMIC DEPARTMENT
enables her to be entirely self-supporting during
her first year in school, and to accumulate a bal
ance toward defraying the expenses of the second
year.
"In the Academic-Normal course girls receive
training in Agriculture, Art, Bible, Business Trans
actions, English, Ge'orgraphy, History, Home Eco
nomics, Physical Training, Sociology, and training
in Teaching." The object of all Hampton's work
is to fit leaders for service to their communities.
Some interestinng tributes have been paid to
Hampton and its constructive work.
President Wilson has said: "The people who are
aiding Hampton Institute are doing a really great
work for their country."
Former President Taft, who is the President of
the Hampton board of trustees, says : "Hampton
is small compared with many great universities,
but it is not the size, it is the type, it is the method,
it is the result in the individual, that gives it today
the right to be considered the most important sin
gle institution of learning in the country."
Through General Armstrong and Doctor Fris-
sell, as well as a large company of devoted workers
and friends Hampton Institute has rendered a
significant service to the nation (1) by training
thousands of colored and Indian youth to believe in
themselves and in their races ; (2) by teaching hun
dreds of thousands of white people to believe in
members of the red and black races ; and (3) by
helping to reshape public opinion, not only in mat
ters of racial goodwill, but also jn matters of sound
educational policy.
Dr. Frissell's stirring words will live -on and on:
"Out from Hampton there are going every years
young people who carry the thought of service to
others — the thought which Christ brought into the
world when He said, 'Whosoever will save his life
RUG WEAVING
HOME ECONOMIC DEPARTMENT
PRESS ROOM OF PRINTING DEPARTMENT
HAMPTON TRADE SCHOOL
shall lose it ; and whosoever will lose his life for
My sake shall find it."
Dr. James E. Gregg, formerly a Congregational
minister of Pittsfield. Mass., is the present princi
pal of Hampton Institute. William Howard Taft,
former President of the United States, who is the
chairman of Hampton's board of trustees, refers to
Dr. George as "straight-forward, effective, earnest,
religious, broad, and feeling the joy of service and
full of the greatness of the task he has assumed."
George Foster Peabody, Hampton's senior trus
tee, introduced Dr. Gregg to the great Hampton
family of friends, alumni, workers, and students in
these words :
"The new principal. Doctor Gregg, brings to his
task the moral courage which made General Arm
strong daring and the spiritual serenity which
made Doctor Frissell wise. The friends of the
school look with renewed confidence and hope to
the beginning of Hampton's half-century of nat
ional service under the leadership of a man so well
equipped as Doctor Gregg."
516
Sidney Dillon Redmond, A. iVL, M. D.
OST striking and one of the
most sensational examples of pro
fessional and financial success
in the great State of Mississippi,
or in the whole of the United
States, for that matter, is in the
case of Dr. Sidney Dillon Redmond, of the capital
city of the State of Mississippi. It is true that in
fortunate mining investments and in lucky specula
tive ventures fabulous fortunes have been the re
ward of the efforts of a few years or a few months ;
but in the ordinary channels of legitimate business
and professional skill there are indeed few men in
the State or Nation, regardless of race, that have
as much in a material way to show for their labors
as has the successful physician and sterling busi
ness man whose name not only graces this sketch,
but is a source of inspiration to thousands of the
race, who are ambitious to give a better account
of themselves in the material walks of life.
Dr. Redmond was born at Ebenezer, in Holmes
County, Miss., Oct. 12, 1872. His father having
died when he was twelve years of age, his mother
moved to Holly Springs, Miss., for the purpose of
providing for her children the advantage of a good
education. After completing the graded school
courses, Dr. Redmond entered Rust University,
from which he graduated in 1894. As an evidence
of the esteem in which his scholarship was held, by
the powers of Rust University, he was called to fill
the chair of mathematics in that institution, which
position he held one year. At the expiration of that
t.me, he was promoted to the prncipalship of Me
ridian Academy, Meridian, Miss., which school is
one of the preparatory centers for Rust University.
He left here to enter the Illinois Medical College,
in 1894, and graduated with honors in 1897.
Many times during his course at Illinois he was
hard pressed for funds, but he knew that his peo
ple were suffering in many cases from poorly train
ed physicians and surgeons and he determined that
ho would obtain a training that would enable him
to give his patients the benefit of every amount of
skill and knowledge it was possible for him to ob
tain.
After his graduation in 1897, he decided to return
to his native State to practice his profession. Car
rying this resolution into effect, he arrived in the
city of Jackson, Miss., November 15. 1897.
The only asset of the doctor at this time was a
splendid education. He passed with flying colors
the rigid examination of the medical board of ex
aminers of the State of Mississippi, and it is said
that the Board of Examiners gave him the honor
of having passed the best examination of the two
hundred and fifty (250) applicants that were pres
ent at that time, and one of the best in the history
of the State, irrespective of race. After practi
cing his profession in the city of his choice for a
season, he went to Boston, Mass., and pursued a
post-graduate course in medicine at Harvard Med
ical College. He is one of the best prepared phy
sicians in the medical profession, and his opinions
have the weght of authority among his fellow
practitioners. He is a specialist in surgery, with a
State- wide reputation.
That the doctor is a capital business man is evi
dent from the various business enterprises with
which he is connected. He owns stock in the Cap
ital Light and Power Company and in a number of
the banks of Jackson, Miss.
It is believed by many people who are in position
to know, that Dr. Sidney Dillion Redmond is the
owner of more city property than any other col
ored man in the State of Mississippi. However,
doubtful this statement may be, the writer is cer
tain of the fact that the doctor is the owner of more
than one hundred houses in the city of Jackson,
among which are some of the most substantial and
most pretentious buildings in the city. He owns
business blocks in the center of the city's business
section. In addition to his residence property, he
owns a number of stores, several three and four
story offce buildings and a theater and roof garden
in the heart of the city. The doctor is the owner
of two of the largest drug stores in the city of
Jackson, one of them being located on the main
part of the principal street in the city.
In 1894, the doctor married Miss Ida Alcorn Re
vels, of Holly Springs, Miss., the talented daugh
ter of ex-United States Senator H. S. Revels of the
State of Mississippi. Mrs. Redmond is a graduate
of the Academic Department of Rus't University;
and taught for a year as assistant to her husband
when he was at the head of Meridian Academy.
Two children have been born to the doctor and his
estimable wife — Esther and Sidney Dillion. | r.
517
Hon. Perry W. Howard, A. B., A. M., LL. B.
OR some reason thousands of the himself to the study of law. Three months of
foremost men of the nation have each year were spent at the Illinois College of Law,
taken great pride in calling to the Chicago, 111. He graduated from this law school
attention of the world the fact in the year of 1905, with the degree of LL. B. He
aM^SHH that they have rejoiced because resjRned the chair of mathematics in Alcorn Col-
ESEgSagl their infant mouths missed the ,egc< ,)egan the practice of )aw in jackson, Miss.
proverbial golden spoon that, figuratively speaking, He demonstrated his fitness for the practice of his
plays such a prominent part in the lives of those profession by runnillR the gauntlet of examination
who are born to the purple; but there is one dis- ))y the members of the Supreme Court of Mississ.
tinguished man in the State of Mississippi that
brings to his rescue no plea of poverty by birth,
but who, on the contrary, is proud of the fact that ^
the circumstances of his parents were such as en-
abanduning the pr(^ession of teaching for that
carrying out the plan of life>
adopted by hjm when he first entered coiiege, and
abled them to look well to the interest of their adhered to throughout
children from every standpoint involving their wel- He wag & teacher of the highest quaiincatjon and
fare. This exceptional man is none other than that breadth and depth of mind that enabled him to
Honorable Perry W. Howard, the able and eminent take such
barrister of Jackson, Miss.
Like his fellow citizens, that eminent physician, magnitude in the legal prufessjon. He is one of the
surgeon and financier, S. D. Redmond, Mr. Howard leading poHticai OI-ators of the State, and an effect-
s born at Ebenezer, Holmes County, Miss. He iye man Qn the hustlings in any capacity. He did
rank m the teachelV profession
]lave enabled him to take a rank of even greater
was
first saw the light of day June 14, 1878. His father yeoman's service for his country in this respect
was a successful blacksmith in comfortable circum- during the world>s war
stances, who believed in using his means for the Mf Howard is as successful in busjness as he
education of his children. After completing his ig jn the practice of law He ig a large stock hold.
preliminary studies in the public schools of Holmes er jn m&ny u{ the conimercial enterprises of the
County, Mr. Howard entered Alcorn A. & M., in cjty of jackson
1891. In 1893, he transferred his allegiance to Rust He married Miss Wjiheimina Lucas, of Macon,
University, of Holly Springs, Miss., from which Miss.; m 19Q~ Her nl()ther; who wag a Miss Ro])_
place he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of -^^^ wag the first female graduate of Fisk Uni_
Arts, in 1899. versity, Nashville, Tennessee, and a member of the
Immediately after his graduation from Rust Urn- original Fisk jubjiet, singers for five years. Mrs.
versity he was elected to the presidency of Camp- Howard is a graduate of Fisk University, and had
bell College, of Jackson, Miss., one of the leading much experience in the teachers' profession. She
colleges of Central Mississippi, and he served at was once a teacher jn thc iiteral-y department of
the head of this institution until the conclusion of Tuskegee Nonnai lnstjtute, and at another time
the school session in the year of 1900. In the same she wag a teacner ;n tne miisic department of Al-
year, while serving as President of Campbell Col- corn A & M College.
lege, it was the pleasure of the trustees of that Lawyer Howard is peculiarly adapted by temper-
well-known Institution of learning to confer upon ament for success in the practice of his profession.
the distinguished subject of this sketch the honor- He has had the literary training; he has had the
ary degree of Master of Arts, as an humble testi- legal training, and he has undying confidence in his
monial to his ability. From the Presidency of ability to look well after the interests of his client,
Campbell College he was elected to fill the chair of and confidence under such conditions is nine points
mathematics in Alcorn A. & M. College, and he in his favor. His gentlemanly bearing and unfail-
served in that capacity for five years, or until the ing courtesy have won for him the friendship and
year of 1905. While occupying the chair of math- respect of both the white and colored members of
atics in Alcorn University he diligently applied the State bar of Mississippi.
518
em
Louis K. Atwood, A. B.
OME score of years ago, some
body asked if it was Booker T.
Washington who discovered Mis
sissippi. Since the wizard of Tus-
kegee is blamed and credited with
so many feats it would not be
altogether inappropriate to credit him with the
Right discovery of Mississippi. To be sure every-
D
eficent organizations soliciting the patronage of
the public. It has come before the people of Mis
sissippi for recognition and support solely on its
merits. It is founded on Gibraltar like business
principles. While its ritualistic work is sublime,
the fact must not be overlooked that this fraternity
is first of all, a high class business organization.
was not known until recent years. Then it was
found on the farms, in the delta lands, in the vil-
of the State of Mississippi. Finding a success in
the order and in politics, Mr. Atwood turned his
attention to banking. In the year 1904 he organ
ized at Jackson, the American Trust and Savings
Bank. Its first dividend paid 27 per cent. Two
years later he resigned his place with the Ameri
can Trust and Savings Bank and organized the
body knew that the land of Private John Allen and While the primary object of any fraternal organ-
Jefferson Davis was there, but the real resource- ization is the promoting of the moral, physical, in-
ful Mississippi and especially Negro Mississippi tellectual and material welfare of its members,
Mr. Atwood knows this can be done only by com
bining correct business principals with proper
lages, in the small towns and in a few large towns mental and moral training and this accounts for
there were Negroes of considerable wealth. his success with the Jacobs.
To be a peer with a financier of Mississippi is Mr. Atwood is Editor of the Jacobs Watchman as
no mean post. Such is the good fortune of L. K. well as master of the order. Through this paper he
Atwood of Jackson, Mississippi. Mr. Atwood was reaches and knows many people both in and out
born in Alabama. He completed the work in ele
mentary education in his native state. He then
went to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania,
whence he was graduated in 1874 with the honors
of his class. For some years after graduation he
taught school in Hinds County, Mississippi.
Showing greater freedom and aspiring to man
age larger finances, Mr. Atwood engaged in the Southern Bank, of which he is president,
mercantile business. In the mean time he also
read law and in 1879 was admitted to the bar in
Mississippi. In this year and in 1883 he was a
member of the Mississippi Legislature. In both
years Mr. Atwood goes down in history as the can
didate who won the best vote ever polled for a
representative in Hinds County. His most dis
tinctive work in the Mississippi Legislature was
that of securing liberal appropriation for Alcorn
College. In 1899 Mr. Atwood was made Deputy
United States Collector of Internal Revenue for
the States of Mississippi and Louisiana. In busi
ness and in a number of the secret organizations
Mr. Atwood is a man of great power and far-
reaching influence.
Probably no one Negro in the State of Missis
sippi can state with greater pride his regard for
benevolent society work than Mr. Atwood. In the
year 1884 he joined the Order of Jacobs. Under his
leadership, for he was master of the order, this
body has paid out more than $410,000 in benefits
to the Negroes in the State of Mississippi.
This powerful fraternity is one of the most ben-
There is not a man in the State of Mississippi
that is more widely and more favorably known
than Mr. Atwood. He conducts all of his business
on a safe and sane basis and his pronounced suc
cess in this particular should be an inspiration to
others. In his relation to his many employes he
accords them every courtesy. He has not resorted
to domineering methods to get the required
work out of the men in his employment, but
has ever been just and considerate and gets the
maximum of service and loyalty from his em
ployees. As measured by his achievements, he is a
highly successful man. He is an organizer and a
worker and has the power of initiative so essen
tial for the success of any leader. He has the
ability to carry on to a successful conclusion, a
great many different enterprises at one time. He
is a convincing conversationalist and a forceful
orator. He is well poised and never loses his dig'-
nity.
He is widely known both in Mississippi and in
Negro business circles as a successful banker,
astute lawyer, and able financier.
519
IRVINE GARLAND PKNN, A. M., LITT. D.
RVINK Garland Penn was born at
New Glasgow, Virginia, October
7, 1867, and is 52 years of age.
His present place of residence is
Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents.
Isham and Maria Penn, moved to
Lynchburg, Virginia, when he
was five years of age to give their
children the advantage of city educational facili
ties. He graduated from the elementary and High
School of Lynchburg and received his college train
ing under private tutorage and was given the de
gree of Master of Arts from Rust College. Later
the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature was
conferred upon him by Wiley College.
He is the oldest of five children. He had there
fore to get an early training in life that he might
help his parents educate his brothers and sisters.
His father never earned more than $30.00 per
month and for years received only $25.00 as his
wage.
He began therefore to teach in the public schools
cif Virginia at 18, was editor of a newspaper at 19
and principal of the public schools in Lynchburg,
Virginia, at 20. continuing until he resigned in
1895 to accept the National Commissionership of
Negro Exhibits at the Cotton States and Interna
tional Exposition.
He has been a general officer in the Methodist
Episcopal Church for 23 years. He has also been
a member of the General Conference of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church which is the highest law
making body of the church, for 28 years in contin
uous service. He has held four important salaried
positions in 34 years of public life, always resign
ing the one to accept another, namely, principal in
the public schools in Virginia, for 10 years. Nat
ional Commissioner Negro Exhibits Cotton States
and International Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia,
one year 1895, General Secretary for colored peo
ple of the Epworth League of the Methodist Epis
copal Church residing in Atlanta, Georgia, 16 years
and Corresponding Secretary of the Freedmen's
Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church re
siding in Cincinnati 7 years.
He has traveled extensively for 23 years
throughout the United States as a general officer
in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He married December 26, 1889, in Lynchburg,
Virginia, Miss Anna Belle Rhodes, a teacher in the
city schools of Lynchburg and a classical graduate
of Shaw University, Raleigh, N. C. He has been
married 30 years and has seven children and three
grandchildren. The names of these children are
Mrs. Wilhelmina Franklin, Cincinnati ;Rev. I. Gar
land Penn, Jr., Maysville, Kentucky; Mrs. Georgia
S. Williams, Little Rock, and Misses Elizabeth.
Louise, Marie and Anna B. Penn.
When at Atlanta, Georgia, as National Commis
sioner of the Cotton States and International Ex
position in 1895, he received a gold medal of first
award for the excellence of the Negro Exhibit. He
is credited with having given Dr. Booker T. Wash
ington and Tuskegee its new impetus because he
selected Dr. Washington to make the famous ad
dress which was conceded to be the turning point
in the life of that great man.
His career in literary life has been that of the
author of the Afro-American Press, a book of 600
pages and the only authoritative history of Negro
journalism and its relationship to the abolition of
slavery. He is also co-author with Dr. Northrup
in the preparation and publication of The College
of Life or Self Educator and with Dr. J. W. E.
Bowen in the publication of the United Negro. He
was the originator of the Congress of Christian
Workers and Educators known as the Young Peo
ples' Christian and Educational Congress which
met in Atlanta in 1902 and in Washington in 1906.
These meetings have been since duplicated in vari
ous churches throughout the United States and
furnished greater stimulus to religious and educa
tional work among Negro people than any other
meetings ever held. The meeting at Atlanta was
attended by 10,000 of the most representative peo
ple of the Negro race and has the record of being
the largest attended meeting ever held before the
since of the Negro race.
Secretary Penn participated in the Centenary of
the Methodist Episcopal Church as the Freedmen's
Aid representative by appointment of his Board.
He helped in the raising of the 112 millions for
education and missions. This Centenary is to ben
efit the Freedmen's Aid Society in contributing to
the endowment and building program of the
schools.
520
SAMUEL N. VASS, D. D.
R. Vass, son of Major W. W. and
Annie Victoria (Mitchell) Vass,
was born in Raleigh, N. C., May
22, 1866, and educated in St. Aug-
ustine School and Shaw Univer
sity, located in his native city. At
fourteen years of age. being poor, he began teach
ing school in the country during vacation and also
for two months during the school session, but he
kept up with his studies. Graduating from St.
Augustine School at seventeen, he was elected
Vice-Principal of one of the public schools in Ral
eigh, was called to teach at Shaw University. He
began at the bottom, but was promoted gradually
until he was the Dean of the college department.
He resigned at Shaw in 1893, to become Sunday
School Missionary of the American Baptist Publi
cation Society for Virginia, Maryland, and the 1) :
trict of Columbia. After serving as Missionary for
about three years, he was made the District Sec
retary for the Southern States, with headquarters
at Atlanta, Ga.
About this time many leaders of the colored
race inclined to a policy of entire separation from
their white friends in all denominational work, and
the Teat National Baptist Convention itself lent
its influence for a while in this direction, and great
race bitterness was developed, and bitter dissen
sions among the Negro Baptist leaders. Dr. Vass
was the central figure in this controversy, which
lasted a decade, his position being that the time had
not arrived for Negroes to part with their white
friends in denominational work, and he advocated
cooperation as the proper policy of the race and
denomination.
Today, co-operation is the watchword of the en
tire Negro Baptist family. Negro Baptist consti
tute so large a percentage of the Negro race thai
the policy of the Baptists largely dominated the
policy of the race, with the result that Dr. Vass be
gan to assume national importance and is today
one of the most prominent men of the race.
During the sixteen years he has been continuous
ly in the service of the Publication Society, he has
been twice offered the presidency of one institution
of learning, and was recently elected to take charge
of another school, at Augusta, Ga. He has also
been urged to assume the pastorate, but he has
preferred the field work on account of the great
possibilities of reaching the largest number for
good.
The Publication Society has promoted Dr. Vass
to become its Superintendent for Colored Work for
the entire United States. He supervises the field
work of colored missionaries and suggests to them
the best methods of doing the field work, and from
time to time calls them all together into a school of
methods.
Dr. Vass has made a specialty of normal work,
and he restricts his normal work to its applica
tion to Bible study and teaching. He illustrates
his method of actually imparting Bible knowledge
at the same time he teaches method. In fact, he
pays as much attention to teaching the Bible as he
does to imparting method, and he often gathers
ministers and other workers in conference at strat
egic points for the special study of the Bible. A
recent conference at Shreveport, La., had an at
tendance of more than a hundred preachers.
He is often invited to do this normal Bible work-
before state conventions. There is very close co
operation between the work of Dr. Vass and that
of the National Baptist Convention, and he holds
joint meetings with National Convention workers
on the field and occupies an important and influen
tial place among the leaders of that body today.
Dr. Vass enjoys the highest confidence of the great
society under which he works.
He has a national reputation as an author and his
works are widely read.
Dr. Vass married Mary Eliza Haywood. of Ral
eigh, N. C., June 1885. They have two children,
Maud Lillian, (Mrs. N. F. Bass), and Dr. K. S. Vass.
521
Richard Robert Wright, Jr., A. B., A. M., B. D., Ph. D.
ICHARD Robert Wright, Jr., is
the son of Major R. R. and
Mrs. Lydia Elizabeth Howard;
Wright. His father has been for
twenty-five years the president
of the Georgia State Industrial
College, Savannah, Ga., and was major and pay
master of the United States Volunteers in the
Spanish-American war. He was born April 16,
1878, at Cuthbert, Ga. He is a member of a fam
ily of nine children. Entered school at the age of
six years, and attended school about eighteen years
in all, attending the graded schools of Augusta,
Ga. ; Haines Institute, Augusta, Ga. ; Georgia State
College, University of Chicago and University of
Pennsylvania. Graduated from the normal depart
ment of the Georgia State College in 1895, receiv
ing gold medal for scholarship. He received A. B.
degree from Georgia State College, 1898; A. M.,
Georgia State College, 1901 ; B. D., from the Uni
versity of Chicago, 1901 ; A. M., from the Universi
ty of Chicago, 1904; Ph. D., from the University of
Pennsylvania, 1911. He was Research Fellow in So
ciology, 1905-6. and Special University Fellow in
Sociology at University of Pennsylvania, 1906-8.
During 1903-1904 he studied in the University of
Berlin, Germany ; in 1904 he was a student at the
University of Liepzig, Germany. He refused to ac
cept the honorary degree of D. D. from Wilber-
force University, in 1914, because of the convic
tion that no man under forty years of age should
receive an honorary degree. He was converted
February, 1891, and joined Bethel A. M. E. Church,
Augusta, Ga. He has been an exhorter, local
preacher, Sunday school teacher, secretary and as
sistant superintendent of Sunday schools, and pres
ident of Allen Christian Endeavor. Licensed to ex
hort by Rev. S. D. Roseborough, in 1898, and li
censed to preach in 1899 at St. Phillip's, Savannah.
Ga., by Rev. T. N. M Smith ; joined the Iowa An
nual Conference under Bishop Arnett, September,
1899, at Bethel Church, Chicago, Rev. R. C. Ran
som, pastor ; ordained deacon, September, 1900, at
Minneapolis, Minn., by Bishop Grant ; ordained el
der September, 1901, at St. Stephen's, Chicago, by
Bishop Grant. Dr. Wright has held the following
appointments: Assistant pastor of the Institu
tional Church, Chicago, 1900-01 ; instructor of
Hebrew and New Testament Greek in Payne The
ological Seminary, 1901-1903 ; on leave of absence
to study in Germany, 1903-1904; Elgin, 111., 1904;
Trinity, Chicago, 1904-1905 ; in University of Penn
sylvania, 1905-1908; Conshohockon, Penn., 1908;
editor Christian Recorder since 1909. He was a
member of the general conference of 1912, and
business manager of the Book Concern, as well a:
editor from February, 1909 to 1912, succeeding L
H. T. Johnson editor and Dr. J. H. Collett, man
ager, both deceased. He was a delegate to the
Ecumenical Conference, Toronto, Canada, 1911 ;
was elected editor of Christian Recorder in 1912
and re-elected without opposition in 1916. Mar
ried Miss Charlotte Crogman, daughter of Dr. W.
H. Crogman, then president of Clark University, at
Atlanta, Ga., in 1909. They have three children —
Ruth, 5 years; Richard R., Ill, 3 years; Alberta,
1 year. In July, 1911, when the Book Concern was
to be sold by the sheriff for a $5000 judgment, Dr.
Wright prevented the sale by purchasing the judg
ment for $1900 of his own funds. In 1916 he pur
chased a permanent church home for St. John's
Mission, Philadelphia, for more than $2000 cash.
Dr. Wright was elected instructor of sociology
in Howard University, at $1500 per year, but de
clined. He is the founder and president of Eighth
Ward Settlement Building and Loan Association,
member of board of managers of Association for
Protection of Colored Women, Spring Street So
cial Settlement, member board of direction of
Work for Colored Churches, of Federal Council of
Churches of Christ in America, Abolition Society,
Mercy Hospital, member American Academy of
Political and Social Science, Sigma Pi Phi, Alpha
Boule, American Negro Academy. Author of
"Negro in Pennsylvania, "Teaching of Jesus,"
"The Negro Problem," and numerous pamph
lets, magazine articles. His sociological studies
have been published by United States Bureau of
Labor, Pennsylvania Bureau of Industrial Statis
tics, Pittsburgh Survey, Annals of American Acad
emy of Political and Social Science, Southern
Workman, Star Center, Inter-Municipal Review,
publications of the Southern Sociological So
ciety. He has lectured at Howard University,
Wilberforce, Georgia State College, Morris Brown
University, Allen University, Campbell College, A.
and M. College (Mississippi), Lincoln Institute
(Missouri), A. and T. College (Greensboro, N. C.),
the University of Pennsylvania, Institute for Col
ored youths, and numerous educational institutions.
The above sketch reproduced from the "Ency
clopedia of African Methodism" gives some idea ot
the preparation of the guiding spirit in that tre
mendous undertaking and accounts for the high
character of the contents. The Encyclopedia of
African Methodism was compiled by Dr. Wright in
1916, assisted by John R. Hawkins.
522
Toussaint L'Overture
OUSSAINT L'Overture is regard
ed by historians and the thinking
world as one of the best instances
In 1796 he was made Commander-in-chief of the
French forces on the Island. The next year he
caused the surrender of the English who were at
reasonable and modest. In public he assumed a
good bit of pomp in order to inspire his followers.
of what a pure blooded Negro can that time invading Hayti. In a quarrel with the
make of himself even under try- French Commissioner Hedoville, Toussaint sent
mo conditions. He was born a him home. By 1801, he had put down all foes and
slave near Cape Francais in the Island of Hayti, in had the island under complete subjection.
1743. His father and mother were African slaves. From now on he was the dictator on the island,
His particular work on the farm was that of coach- however he ruled with moderation and justice to
man, and afterwards assistant to the overseer on wards all classes. Under his dictatorship, both
his master's sugar plantation. In contact with the Hayti and Santo Domingo reached great heights
overseer and his master in these two capacities, he of prosperjty. jt ;s probable also that in no pe-
gained some education which as all the world riodg of these hag there been guch uniform £
knows he used to great advantage for his fellow Jn hjs
countrymen. As is well known, the French Revo
lution broke out in 1789. The islands of Hayti and
Santo Domingo being among the chief if not the
chief possessions of the French Government quick- H,s t, le was Life President,
ly imbibed the spirit of Revolution. Negroes had A* M, however, the French Commander Le-
been imported upon these islands from every sec- clerc promised the whole island absolute freedom,
tion of the world. So numerous had they become He thus won to him the Negro chieftain. Toussaint
that they out-numbered the whites about 17 to 1. was treacherously seized and sent to France to
The population of Hayti in 1700 numbered about die in a dungeon.
500,000. Of these 38,300 were Europeans, 23,370 The climax of Wendell Phillips' speech in corn-
were free mulattoes. Caught in the whirl of the paring Toussaint L'Overture with other great gen-
Kevolutionary spirit, the Negroes started a revolu- erals of the world should be known by every Ne-
tion. gro. Phillips says: "Hayti from the ruins of her
'] he European Governments saw to it that even colonial dependence, is become a civilized State,
the mulattoes had little freedom, though the latter the seventh Nation in the catalogue of commerce
were wealthy and intelligent as a class. In May, with this country, inferior in morals and education
1791, the French General Assembly gave to the free to none of the West indjan lsles. Foreign mer-
Negro rights of citizenship. These rights, however, chants trust her goods as willingly as they do our
the Colonial planters were inclined to suppress. In Qwn Thug far ghe has fojled the a,nbition of
August of the same year the slaves began their in- Spain> thg greed Q{ England and the malicious
surrection. Ihe mulattoes and whites dropped their statesmanship of Leclerc. Toussaint made her
quarrels and turned their attention to the Revolu- what ghe jg Jn ^ wQrk ^^ ^^ ^^ g e(,
tion. '1 he mulattoes joined forces with the slaves. around hjm & scQre Q{ mgn ^ (>{
It was in this uprising that Toussamt L'Ovei b,ood who ably secon(Jed hjs efforts_ They
won distinction.
able in war and skilful in civil affairs, but not like
In the second battle in 1792, Toussaint joined hjm remarkable for that rare mingling of high
with the Spaniards and succeeded in routing the quaities whch alone makes true greatness and en-
French, 'ihe next year the French Commissioners sues a man ieadersri{p among those otherwise al-
proclaimed universal freedom. Ihis won the Ne- most hjs equals. Toussaint was indisputably their
gro to the colours of the French Republic. At this cnief. Courage, purpose, endurance— these are the
time the English were beseiging Port Au Prince. tests He did plant a state so deep that all the
Toussaint rushed to the aid of the French and sue- world has not been able to root it up.
ceeded in repelling the English. The French Gen- i would call him Napoleon, but Napoleon made
eral who was defending Port Au Prince was named m's wav to empjre over broken oaths and through
Laveaux. It is from Laveaux, so history records,
that Toussaint gained his surname L'Overture.
Laveaux is said to have exclaimed: "Mais set
homme fait ouverture patout." After this L'Over
ture was made a general of the division and fought
bravely against the Spaniards.
a sea of blood. This man never broke his word :
"No retaliation," was his great motto and the rule
of his life; and the last words uttered to his son in
France were these: "My boy, you will some day go
back to Santo Domingo; forget that France mur
dered your father."
523
Hon. Edward Wilmont Blyden, LL. D.
ITHOUT doubt, the Hon. E. W.
Blyden was the most learned man
of the race, especially in the lan
guages, and as such, was acknow
ledged a man of a most gigantic
intellect and acquisitive powers.
He was born in St. Thomas, one of the Danish
West Indies, August 3, 1832, hut lived in the Un
ited States for some time during his youth. From
this country, accompanied by his brother, he went
to Liberia, landing January 26, 1851. At this time
he was about nineteen years old. He was educated
at Alexander High School, of which he became
principal. This school was situated up the river
St. Paul, about twenty miles from Monrovia. He
has held many positions of honor and trust under
the Liberian Government. He has been tv/ice the
Secretary of State of Liberia, and secretary of the
interior once. For eight years he was minister
plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary to the
Court of St. James. He was candidate and nom
inee of the Liberia Republican Party, for the Pres
idency, in 1884, but was defeated by H. R. W. John
son, who was for years President of Liberia.
Dr. Blyden was a distinguished linguist and or
iental scholar ,and a prolific magazine writer, and
had a wonderful knowledge of the Arabic language,
having been professor of this language at one
time. The following notice appeared in the Lon
don Official Gazette and is here quoted by way of
information:
"The Liberian Minister To The Court of St.
James."
"Osborne, August 3.— This day had audience of
Her Majesty, Edward Wilmont Blyden, esq., Min
ister Plenipotentiary from the Republic of Liberia,
to deliver new credentials, to which audience he
was introduced by the Marquis of Salisbury, K.
G., Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for
Foreign affairs.
Dr. Blyden has the honor of being the first Ne
gro Plenipotentiary of the First Christian Negro
State in Africa ever received at a court in Europe.
In 1866, he visited Palestine and Egypt, and af
terwards published an account of his travels in a
volume, entitled "From West Africa to Palestine."
In 1871, he resigned his professorship in the col
lege and traveled in England. On his return to
Africa he accepted the appointment from Governor
Kennedy of Sierra Leone, of envoy to the pagan
King of the Soolima Country. His report on that
expedition was printed by the government and pub
lished in the proceedings of the Royal Geographical
Society.
In 1873, he was sent by Governor J. Pope Hen-
nessy on another mission to a Mohammedan chief,
three hundred miles northeast of Sierra Leone. In
1874. he was authorized to re-open the Alexander
High School, on the St. Paul River, which is now
in charge of an assistant. In 1877, he was appoint
ed by President Payne, minister to England, and
President Gardner has continued the appointment.
Dr. Blyden has contributed several articles to the
Methodist Quarterly Review in New York, and
Eraser's Magazine in England. His local paper
on "Africa and the Africans" has appeared in Fras-
er for August, 1878.
Dr. Blyden has been chosen an honorary member
of the Atheneutn Club, one of the most aristocratic
and exclusive clubs of London. On the committee
who elected him are such men as Sir John Lubbock,
Lord Carnarvon, Herbert Spencer, Viscount Cald-
well and Dean Church. The Marquis of Salisbury,
the foreign secretary, is a member of the club. Dr
Blyden is probably the first Nergo who has been
so honored."
It is said that he was acquainted with more than
forty languages and speaks all of them fluently.
He has been a believer in the Christian religion,
but it is now currently reported and pretty satis
factorily understood that he became an advocate of
the Mohammedan faith. He wrote a series of ar
ticles upon that topic to the A. M. E. Review, in
which it is apparent he seeks to commend the fine
points concerning the doctrines of that faith. Be
ing brought in contact with many of the Arabic
professors, he had an abundant opportunity of in
quiring into the faith more practically than any one
else of his color, because he gathered his informa
tion from the actual professors of that faith.
Mr. Blyden returned to Africa and spent the bal
ance of his days there. He was formerly a Pres
byterian minister, but abandoned the pulpit. This
man's ability, scholarship and talent was a wonder
ful example of the native ability of the Negro. His
intellect towers above that of ordinary men as the
church steeple above the brick chimney of the or-
dinarv house.
524
Thomas Green Bethune, "Blind Torn'
HOMAS Green Bethune. better
known as "Blind Tom," was born
May 25. 18-49. in Columbus, Geor-
Thomas was born blind and
as the beauties of nature could
only be revealed to him through
the sense of hearing, and retained by the power of
memory and imitation, these faculties were culti
vated to a remarkable degree, making him a mar
vel to the age in which he lived.
He was the embodiment of music, and in this
art his powers were unlimited.
Me first had access to a piano when he was four
years of age, and his joy could not be imagined
when he could perform on the instrument the
thoughts of his youthful brain.
After exhausting his store of lessons he began
to improvise for himself, playing what he said "the
wind .said," or the trees or birds.
His "Rain Storm," composed during a thunder
storm when Tom was but five years old, is so per
fect that the hearer instinctively looked for the
lightning flash. His soul was the master of music,
and so great a master that musicians declined to
instruct him. Said one musician: "1 can't teach
him anything ; he knows more of music than we
J O '
know or can know. We can learn all that great
genius can reduce to rule and put in tangible form ;
he knows more than that. I do not even know
what it is; but 1 feel it is something beyond my
comprehension. All that can be done for him will
be to let him hear fine playing; he will work it all
out by himself after awhile."
When a babe Thomas seemed totally blind and
it was because of this that he received the cog
nomen, "Blind Tom." As he grew he was enabled
in time to enjoy to a limited extent the blessing of
sight.
When a young child, often he might be seen with
head upturned, gazing intently upon the sun, and
he would thrust his fingers into his eyes with such
force that they would bleed.
This he continued until he became able to dis
tinguish any very bright object.
Mr. Trotter says of him: "Considering that in
early life he learned nothing, and later but little
from sight, that he is possessed by an overmas
tering passion which so pervades his whole nature
as to leave little room for interest in anything else,
and the gratification of which has been indulged
to the largest extent, it is not surprising that to
the outside world he should exhibit but few mani
festations of intellect as applicable to any of the
ordinary affairs of life, or that those who see him
under its influence should conclude that he is
idiotic."
He had a most extraordinary memory of names,
dates and events, a wonderful power of imitation
and an elegance of taste and power in his perform
ances.
He adhered strictly to what he believed was
right, was uniformly polite and exhibited a nice
sense of propriety.
Eminent musicians both in America and Europe
bear testimony to his musical genius.
Among his classical selections was Andante by
Mendelssohn and Sonata "Pathetique" by Beetho
ven. His marches include "Delta Kappa Epsilon,"
Pease; "Grand March de Concert," Wallace; "Gen
eral Ripley's March," Amazon March, Masonic
Grand March.
His powers of imitation were so perfect as often
to deceive the hearer. They were imitations of
the Music Box, Dutch Woman and Hand Organ,
Harp, Scotch Bagpipes, Scotch Fidler. Church Or
gan, Guitar, Banjo, Douglass' Speech, Uncle
Charlie, The Cascade, Rain Storm and Battle of
Manassas. The two latter were his own compo
sition, representing his descriptive music.
His fame is world wide. He has visited all tin-
large cities of America and Europe and has enter
tained thousands, who have listened to his perfor
mances with wonder and accorded him enthusiastic
applause.
Doubtless more persons have flocked to see and
hear him than any other living wonder.
After playing, he generally sprang up and ap
plauded himself vociferously.
For a while he disappeared from the stage, but
reappeared in New York in 1904-05 and finally
ended his career in lloboken. N. J., in 1908, where
he died.
An article of this length can merely touch upon
his most wonderful career.
525
Samuel Coleridge Taylor
OMMON are the names of the Ne- as a composer and as a musical director. From
gro poet, the orator, the business that time on the world knew him for his weird and
man. indeed the names of black
folk in nearly every achievement.
But somehow when you call for
the Negro composer the names
are not so familiar. It appears that only in very
me'ancholy music. From this time for a score of
years later he held sway first in the British music
halls and then in American.
Phileas, it is said got all of his images of the
recent years has the Negro himself begun to appr-- ('reek Gods from the poet Homer. The sculptor
ciate either music or the musician in our midst,
and especially the genuine composer.
Coleridge Taylor, or to give him his full name.
Samuel Coleridge Taylor, is worthy of the name he
carries. The poet, after whom no doubt his name
has been chosen, though differently placed, was in
everything a mystic. The critics say that ever in
his composition the musician is true in this mysti
cism to the spirit of the past. Coleridge Taylor
comes almost fresh from the land of mystery and
weird songs and lurid lights. His father was a na
tive of Sierra Leone; his mother a British woman.
For a while after their marriage the parents lived
happily together in England. Then the father re
turned to Africa. The lad remained in England
with his mother. Young Taylor was a prodigy
from the first. His aptness inspired his mother to
direct even at a very early age, his attention speci
fically to music, thus saving time and energy and
perhaps saving to the world a splendid musician ;
for had she tried to send him through regular cur
riculum who knows what might have happened to
the musical prodigy.
Born in London, in 1875, young Taylor entered
the Royal Academy of Music at the age of fifteen.
Before entering he had had some training with
the violin and the piano. At the Royal Academy
the young man soon took his place as the most bril
liant in the school, for he distinguished himself by
winning the prize for musical composition in 1893,
during his third year there. He continued his stu
dies here, putting himself under the famous Vil-
livers-Stanford until 1896.
In 1903, he landed his first endeavor in organiza
tion. Fortunately he hit upon the task in which he
.was to excel at the very first. At Craydon, in the
year mentioned he organized and brought to a very
successful conclusion a series of orchestral con
certs.
This marked the beginning of musical fame, both
took the blind poets words and made them live in
stone. Such was the genius of Coleridge Tavkir.
He took the words of the poet and gave them a
new meaning with note and bar. \Yho does not
know his Hiawatha, which he rendered himself
with a chorus, more than once in this country. His
music but puts new meaning into the words of
Longfellow. So with the poems of Dunbar and
with the works of others, he gave to them the
touch which only music can offer as the finish to
verse.
No real music shelf is now complete without one
or two pieces of his work. Indeed, few entertain
ments, and none among Negroes are given without
at least one selection from his hand. In addition
to Hiawatha and the poems of Dunbar already
mentioned, Coleridge Taylor has the following fa
mous pieces: "The Blind Girl of Castle;" "Guille."
"The Atonement," "Dream Towers," which is an
operetta. He has also piano music, and anthems
as well.
Whatever may be his fate abroad and in his nat
ive land, Coleridge Taylor is pretty sure of immor
tality among the American Negroes. He will pro
bably never be popular but among those who strive
for perfection and for the highest in musical com
position he will always be famous. During his life
time and immediately after his death, the devotees
of the art sought to make his election to popular
fancy sure by naming many choral clubs after him.
No doubt this will hold his name before the public
a little longer, but before it binds itself around the
public heart, the worshippers at his shrine must
raise the standard so high that the rag-time and
the jog will not so easily drown out the voice of
the master. Until they can accomplish this let the
few continue to worship at his shrine and the whole
race rejoice that at least one Negro commands the
best artists, wherever good music is loved and
played.
526
LT. COLONEL CHARLES YOUNG
MIDST the sharp, even harsh,
competition for rank, it is a rare
and glorious honor to be distin
guished in any one of the wars of
America. How happy must the
soldier be therefore who receives
laurels from any battle fields and from periods of
history, and who amidst it all is a candidate for
new fields and battles and a rival for the highest
military honors his nation has to give.
Such is the good fortune of Lieutenant Colonel
Charles Young, who received the rank of Lieuten
ant Colonel in 1916 during the world war. The
subject of this sketch had by his skill, intelligence,
courage and hard work been in the ascendency for
the last score of years. Indeed Colonel Young is
one of the picked men. The rank he now holds is
the highest ever attained by a Negro in the regular
army. He is one of the three Negroes to be grad
uated from West Point, having completed tin-
course there in 1889.
Colonel Young is a native of the State of Ken
tucky. On completing his course at West Point
he was commissioned to the Tenth Cavalry. It
was not long before his distinguished services won
for him the rank of Major. It was during the
Spanish-American War that Colonel Young and his
horse began to win fame. It was the famous Tenth
who, following their tactics which they had learn
ed in fighting the Indians, succeeded in rescuing
the Rough Riders and their Colonel, Roosevelt,
from sure defeat. From now on Colonel Young
and his men are famous whether they are camp
ing, doing a practice drill or actual service.
Following the Spanish-American War Colonel
Young was assigned to the Island of Philippines.
Once more thorough workmanship, coolness under
fire, geniality and diplomacy characterized his life
here. At another period of his life he was Com
mandant of cadets at Wilberforce University in tin-
State of Ohio. Another time he was sent to tin-
Republic of Liberia to give instruction in Military
science, a post which he filled with credit to him
self, his race and his country as well.
When Mexico under Villa, began to attack-
America on the southern border Colonel Young
was sent to Texas with his men to protect his coun
try. As in all other battles he and his famous
Tenth came off with the glory. During the war
in Europe some question arose as to the health of
Colonel Young. It was alleged that his heart was
too weak to stand the strain of European service.
Specialists examined him, but found his heart
sound. However, he was for a time retired and
sent back to Wilberforce. To demonstrate flic-
soundness of the whole man, Colonel Young rod -
horse back all the way from the West to the Na
tion's Capitol. He was re-instated during the lat
ter part of the war.
Not only is Colonel Young a soldier, he is a
military scholar and a man of exceptional diplo
macy, and while in the army so conducted himself
as to gain the respect and esteem of every officer
he came in contact with. Colonel Young is an au
thority on cavalry. He has written a most learned
treatise on cavalry service. Much of his time since
the war Colonel Young has spent in appearing in
public, inspiring the Negro to patience and hope
under the new conditions brought by the war in
Europe.
Personally. Colonel Young is modest and unas
suming, and no one would ever judge by his con
versation that he was one of the most noted cav
alry leaders this country has produced.
He set an example of military discipline and re
spect for superior officers that would make a
splendid standard for any country to adopt.
lie is absolutely fearless and inspired his men
in a manner that made them absolutely fearless.
Colonel Young deserves to be classed with tu
really Great Negroes, and it is regrettable that he
did not see active service in Europe.
527
Hon. Pinckney Eenton Stewart Pinchback
HE subject 'of this sketch was born
May 10. 1837, while his mother
was in transit from Virginia to
Mississippi. His father was a
prominent planter in Holmes
County, Mississippi. His mother,
Kliza Stewart, was of mixed blood and known as a
mulatto, though she claimed to have Indian blood
in her veins.
Though freed, she returned with the father of
her children to Virginia. Pinckney was born free.
In 1846, in company with his brother Napoleon,
who was seven years his senior, Pinckney was sent
by his father to Cincinnati to attend Gilmores Higli
School.
In 1848 they returned home. The same year his
father died, and his mother with five children, were
sent to Cincinnati by the administrator of his fa
ther's estate. His brother Napoleon, the mainstay
of the family, lost his mind in Cincinnati, which
compelled Pinckney at the tender age of twelve to
start out into the world on his own responsibility.
He secured work as a cabin boy at eight dol
lars a month on a canal boat on the Miami canal,
running from Cincinnati to Toledo, Ohio.
Several years were spent in canal boating on
the Miami, and also the Ft. Wayne and Toledo
canals.
From 1854 to 1861 he followed steamboating on
the Red, Missouri and the Mississippi rivers and
had reached the position of steward, when the war
interrupted that business.
May 10, 1862, in Yax.oo City, Mississippi, he-
abandoned the steamer Alonzo Childs. of which he
was steward, ran the Confederate blockade and ar
rived in New Orleans two days after.
May 16, 1882, he had a serious difficulty with his
brother-in-law. John Keppard. who was wounded
in the encounter. The civil authorities arrested
him. but he gave bail. While awaiting trial, the
military authorities re-arrested, speedily tried and
convicted him for assault with attempt to murder
and sentenced' him to two years in the work house.
May 25, 1862, he was committed and August 18,
1862, released to enlist in the First Louisiana Vol
unteer infantry. A few days after enlistment he-
was detailed to assist in recruiting the Second Lou-
isiana infantry.
October 12. 1862, the second regiment. Louisiana
Native Guards, with Captain Pinchback in com
mand of Company A. was mustered into the service
of the United States.
The Federal soldiery, rank and file, in the main
were as hostile as the bitterest Confederates.
In his efiorts to maintain the manhood and
equality of rights of the colored soldiery. Captain
Pinchback was often placed in great peril.
Mis boldness always excited admiration, and
many have wondered that he did not lose his life.
Passing over further notice of his military ca
reer we come now to cons-ider his advent into pol
itics.
April 9, 1867, he made his first move in the po
litical field, upon which he afterward won such
distinction, by organizing the Fourth Ward Re
publican Club of New Orleans, Louisiana.
From that time on he filled a large place and
many important positions. Almost continuously he
was a member of the Louisiana Republican State
Committee.
The first civil appointment for which he held a
warrant was Inspector of Customs, made by the
Hon. William P. Kellogg .May 22. 1867. who at
that time was collector of the port of New Orleans.
However, the position was declined.
He was an influential member of the Convention
called for the purpose of establishing a constitu
tion and civil government for the State of Lou
isiana.
At the election to ratify the Constitution, April
17 and 18, 1868, he was elected a State Senator.
The same year he was elected a delegate at large
to the Republican National Convention held at
Chicago, May 20, 1868.
In 1869 he was appointed registrar of the land
office at New Orleans, but declined the office.
December 25, 1870, he started the publication of
the New Orleans Louisianian, which he ran for
eleven years with great credit to himself and ad
vantage to his race. From March 18, 1871. to
March, 1877, he served as Educational School Di
rector of the City of New Orleans.
He was nominated by the Republican State Con
vention for Governor of Louisiana, but in order to
bring together two factions of the party, a com
promise was made and he was elected to the LTnited
States Congress. In 1873 he was elected United
States Senator.
To recount all the honors heaped upon Mr.
Pinchback and the incidents of his active career.
would require more space than that given to this
article, lie has made his place in history and his
name will live, although he has passed into the
other world.
He was a prudent, economical financier, and ac
cumulated a very handsome fortune. His income
from stocks and bonds amounted annually to about
$10,000.
528
Hon. John Mercer Langston, A. B., A. M., LL. D.
HE subject of this sketch is not
only one of the greatest Negroes
of America, but is on the list of
America's great men irrespective
of color. He was born in Louisa
County, Virginia, December 14,
1829, and the blood of three races ran through his
viens : Indian, Negro and Anglo-Saxon. He , has
the fortitude of the first, the pride of the second
and the progressiveness of the third.
He was born in slavery, his father being his own
er, so he took the name of his mother's family,
which was Indian and Negro mainly, and was clos
ely related to the family of Pocahontas.
By will his father emancipated him when a mere
child, and he was sent to the State of Ohio, where
he grew to manhood, and was educated and pur
sued a professional and official life to the year
1867.
In 1884 he entered Oberlin College, located at
Oberlin, Ohio, and graduated after five years reg
ular collegiate study in 18-49. lie then sought ad
mission to a law school, conducted by Mr. ]. W.
Fowler, at Ballston Spa, New York, but was re
fused admission on account of his color.
He was also refused admission to a law school in
Cincinnati, Ohio, for the same reason.
His next step to secure a legal education was to
seek a situation as a student in some lawyer's of
fice. He made but poor success in this direction.
Only the Hon. Sherlock J. Andrews, of Cleveland,
Ohio, would consent to furnish him books, with an
occasional opportunity for explanation of law doc
trines and principles, so that no interference was
made in ordinary office business. He accomplished
but little in this way and the attendant embarrass
ment so discouraged him, that he abandoned the
study for a while, and entered the Theological De
partment of Oberlin College, from which he grad
uated in 1853.
He finally entered upon the study of law under
the tuition of Hon. Philemon Bliss, of Elyria. Ohio,
at the time one of the first lawyers of the Ohio Bar.
About one year later, Mr. Langston appeared by
order of the court for examination, with reference
to his admission to the bar, before a special com
mittee appointed by the court, composed of two
Democrats and one Whig.
The matter of admitting colored men to the bar
was novel. No one of this class up to that time
had the temerity to offer himself as a candidate for
such an honor.
The question of legality of admitting a colored
man to the Ohio Bar arose and was decided against
such admission. The question of Langston's co!or
was inquired into and it was decided that he had
more white than Negro blood, so he was ordered
to be sworn by the court as a lawyer, October 24,
1854.
Owing to ill health, and upon the advice of his
physician, immediately after being admitted to the
bar, he went upon a farm in Brownhelm, Lorain
County, Ohio. He was the only colored person
residing in that section of Ohio, but he received a
cordial welcome and given opportunity for the .em
ployment of all the ability, legal and otherwise,
which he possessed.
In the fall of 1854, one of the leading lawyers as
sociated with him in an important case involv
ing landed interest. The court, the witnesses, the
lawyers, except Langston, were all white. Such
was the success of the colored lawyer in connection
with the case that he found himself at once sur
rounded by numerous clients with fat retainers.
From that time he grew in business and influence
rapidly.
In 1855, he was elected to the clerkship of one of
the most advanced townships of the state by a
white vote.
He moved to Oberlin in 1856 and was at once el
ected clerk of the township of Russia; next year he
was elected a member of the City Council of Ober
lin, a position he held for two years, and for eleven
years was a member of the Board of Education.
In the fall of 1860, he was engaged in looking
after the school interests of the colored youth of
Ohio, organizing schools among them and supply
ing teachers thereof.
In 1867 he was appointed to act as general in
spector of the schools of the freed people of the
country, and in July of that year he made his first
trip Southward on the errand indicated.
In 1867. he was admitted to practice in the Su
preme Court of the United States.
In 1869 he was called to a professorship in the
Law Department of Howard University. He at
once became Dean of that department, organizing
it, and for seven years he was at the head of wh-
was recognized as one of the finest law schools in
the country.
In 1877 he was appointed by President Hayes,
United States minister resident and consul-general
to Hayti. As a diplomat he was an entire success,
and won the respect and approval of all with whom
he had to deal.
In 1885 he was elected by the Board of Education
of Virginia, President of the Virginia Normal and
Collegiate Institute.
529
Richard Theodore Greener, A. B., LL. B., LI,. D.
HERE are some men whose lives
or opportunities in life, you envy.
It is not that they have necessar
ily done anything startling or
lasting. Indeed this question is
not considered. But somehow
certain men manage to be on hand at the right mo
ment and this, too, through no ingenuity or fore
thought of their own.
Such was the good fortune in many ways of
Richard T. Greener, of Washington, D. C. Tn the
first place, Mr. Greener escaped many of the hard
ships of slavery and the vexations of the days of re
construction. Shortly after the Civil War the Bos
ton daily papers carried two news stories. In the
one they told of a young Southerner, a former Re
bel soldier, who was entering Harvard College. In
the other they related that a Negro was also ma
triculating here. Thus came together under the
shade of the old Elms the three forces of the great
struggle of '63. the Yankee, the Southerner and the
Negro.
Mr. Richard T. Greener was this Negro. Happy
the m?.n to be at Harvard at any time. Thrice
happy to be there is those days ! There was Charles
Sunnier, and Wendell Phillips and William Loyd
Garrison and Holmes and Longfellow and Emerson
ami Lowell — Alas ! one almost chokes with both
envy and despair at the luxury of being even in or
around Cambridge in those days. Why there was
Mr. Greener right in the wake of the making of
those essays, poems and orations, not to mention
Hawthorn's and Poe's influence, that have made
American literature. One could no doubt almost
feel on the breeze from Back Bay the impulses
from "Self-Reliance," from the "American schol
ar," from the "Chambered Nautilus," and the "Vil
lage Blacksmith," so pregnant was the air with the
inspiration from the rich harvest of geniuses.
Mr. Greener lived in this atmosphere, caught
much of the inspiration and turned it to account.
Mr. Greener prosecuted his studies, won scholar
ships, and came forth the first Negro to receive a
degree from Harvard University and he lives to
day, the oldest Negro graduate from the halls of
the crimson.
Leaving his Alma Mater, Mr. Greener like most
educated Negroes of that time felt called to the
school room. For many years he taught and man
aged in the schools of South Carolina. Having
completed his law studies he became after a time
Dean of the Law Department of Howard Univer
sity. Here, as afterward, all that culture which he
gained from living in that refined and intellectual
atmosphere at Cambridge stood him in good stead.
He was able to give by his very life a culture that
few Negroes at that time could impart.
Mr. Greener also took part in the affairs of state.
Under the McKinley and Roosevelt administra
tions he was both a national and an international
figure. His most signal service was that rendered
as Consul in Russia, especially at Vladivostok. He
spent seven and a half vears in Russia, seeing few
Americans and fewer Negroes. Both his diplom
acy and his general conduct were during this time
above reproach.
On returning to America, Mr. Greener took to
the lecture platform and to his pen. He is opti
mistic in his messages to the black American. His
experience and long life give him a perspective de
nied to many. Nothing better illustrates this than
a paragraph from one of his addresses :
"I am old enough to remember when John Brown
fired the shot at Harper's Ferry heard 'round the
world — the shot which made a rebellion possible
and precipitated a conflict which, had it not come
then would, perhaps, have left us in a condition of
slavery today. I remember, too, at the beginning
of the war when Negro slaves were not allowed
to help preserve the Union — when the Negro was
simply known as a "contraband of war." When I
recall the condition of the colored people at that
time throughout the United States I venture to
think that those who are unduly alarmed at the
sporadic instances of race persecution, of which
we hear so much at times — do not value the ex
tent of the opportunities we have for substantial
progress, nor do they measure adequately the force
and effect of the real American civilization of to
day."
Mr. Greener represented officially Japanese an;!
British interest during the Russian-Japanese War.
For service to Chinese Boxer War in 1900 and for
aid to Shansi famine sufferers, he was decorated
with the order of Double Dragon by Chinese Gov
ernment, 1902 ; the only colored man so honored.
530
Major John R. Lynch
K. Lynch, was born in Concordia
Parish, Louisiana, September 10,
1847. The bonds of slavery fast
ened themselves upon his young
life and held him from the bene
fits of freedom, culture, and from
developing into a full grown man, such as the pe
culiarity of our institutions can bring forth. Des
titute of the means by which a youth is inspired
to greatness, he came forth after the war naturally
lacking those qualities which would make a com
petent statesman and a capable leader. It is as
tonishing, indeed, how great have been the achieve
ments of most of the despised race when we re
member that without any previous training they
were called to the most important stations in Am
erican affairs ; and the wonder is that they made no
more mistakes than they did.
Few have succeeded in coming out of the turmoil,
strife, and political contest of the past with a rep
utation so untarnished as that of Mr. Lynch, lie
remained in slaver}' until Abraham Lincoln, with
a stroke of his pen. cut the Gordian knot and gave
liberty to the bondmen.
lie had no early education, but began to apply
himself as soon as he was permitted to do so. A
purchaser of his mother had carried her with her
children to Natchez, where, when the Union troops
took possession he attended evening school for a
few months. He has given diligent attention to
private instructors to the acquirement of a first
class F.nglish education, and has read with consid
erable attention the best works published of an
cient and modern literature.
lie engaged in the business of photography at
Natchez, until 1869, when Governor Ames appoint
ed him a Justice of the Peace for Adams County.
Natchez, Mississippi. He held that position until
the fall of the same year, when he was elected to
the State Legislature from that county for the
term of two years. He was re-elected in 1871, and
served during the latter term as speaker of the
Mouse of Representatives. He was elected a repre
sentative from Mississippi in the Forty-third Con
gress as a member of the lower house, receiving
fifteen thousand three hundred and ninety-one
votes against eight thousand for hundred and
thirty for II. Cassidy. Sr., (Democrat), and was
re-elected to the Forty-fourth Congress as a Re
publican, defeating Roderick Seals (Democrat).
He was also re-elected to the Forty-seventh Con
gress, but was not allowed to take his seat. It
will be remembered that the contest was between
Lynch and Chalmers, in what was known as the
"Shoestring" district of Mississippi.
In the National Republican Convention at Chi
cago, in 1884, he was elected temporary chairman
over Bowell Clayton, by a majority of thirty votes.
Clayton was the nominee of the representatives of
the Blaine interests; Mr. Lynch was nominated
and supported by the different elements that were
opposed to Mr. Blaine, but he also received the
vote of the minority of the Blaine men. He is
the first and only colored man who has ever presid
ed over any National Convention of the Republican
Party, and in this respect it shows very plainly that
he is a man of large influence and of high standing
in party councils — one who has so conducted him
self as to be chosen from all the vast number of
colored men who have from time to time attended
these conventions, to preside over the deliberations
of a convention which was fraught with so much
interest and pregnant with such vast results.
Mr. Lynch, like Langston and Bruce, worked his
way into the political world against the keenest
competition possible. He was a representative
from Mississippi in the Forty-third. Forty-fourth,
and Forty-seventh Congress. Thus he spent six
years in Washington and conducted himself coolly
and courteously under trying circumstances. He
has been an inspiration and a source of pride to the
Negro both young and old. since his day.
Major Lynch served his country faithfully dur
ing the Civil War. Following the War as has been
pointed out, he served both his country and race.
When he could no longer be a soldier or represent
ative statesman, Major Lynch was appointed au
ditor in the treasury for the Navy Department.
Washington, D. C., from 1889 to 1893. He then
began the practice of law in Washington, under the
firm name of Lynch and Terrell, and followed this
profession until 1898. He was paymaster in the
United States Army from 1898 to 1911 when he was
retired with the rank of Major. This last named
position was made famous by the way in which it-
was handled by him.
Major Lynch is a member of the Episcopal
Church. A Mason and honorary member of the
Appomatox Club. He is author of: "The Facts of
Reconstruction," which is considered a master es
say on that turbulent period. Major Lynch mar
ried Mrs. Cora E. Williamson, of Chicago, 111., Aug
ust 12. 1911.
531
Henry Ossawa Tanner
VER since Colonial days the Ame
rican Negro has steadily progress
ed in the field of Art. The acme of
progress has been made in this di
rection by Henry O. Tanner, of
Philadelphia, Penn., who makes
his home in France. Mr. Tanner is the son of Bish
op Benjamin T. Tanner, of the A. M. E. Church.
The artist, Henry O., was born at Pittsburg,
Penn., in 1859. He prosecuted his studies in the
Academy of fine arts under Thomas Eakins. Later
he opened a photographic gallery in Atlanta. Ga..
where he also undertook to teach art. This ven
ture failing he taught for a time the subject of
Freehand drawing in Clark University in the same
town.
However his general ambition was to study in
Paris. With the assistance of friends, Mr. Tanner
being poor, he finally made his way to France. Here
he studied under Jean Paul I.aurens. and Benjamin
Constad.
His first real success was in 1900. In this year
he won the Lippincott prize at Philadelphia, and
the Medal at the Paris Exposition.
Growing up in religious environments the artist
chose almost invariably his themes from the Bi
ble. These he has been able to surround with a my
sticism that reflects Bible times and Bible spirits
upon canvas without parallel.
His "Raising of Lazarus" hangs in the Luxem
bourg gallery, his "Christ and Nicodemus," and
"The Denunciation" are both in Philadelphia. The
former is in the academy of fine arts, the latter in
Memorial Hall at Fairmont Park.
Nothing gives better appreciation of Mr. Tanner
and his art than the article published some years
ago in the New York Herald. The art critic in the
Herald says of Mr. Tanner and his work :
"Works of Mr. Henry Tanner, a distinguished
American Artist, long resident in Paris, who has
been honored abroad, are shown in a comprehen
sive exhibition for the first time at the American
Art Galleries. All are religious paintings, and
veal, as in flights of poetic fancy, the story of "The
Prince of Peace." The thirty-three canvasses form
a veritable epic, and unfold the life of Christ from
the Nativity to Golgotha, and then picture events
that followed the Resurrection."
Mr. Tanner is the son of a bishop and from his
earliest years the inspiring traditions of the Old
Testament and the New have been to him realities.
With the development of his genius came the wish
to show his conception of the ideals which to him
had been realities from a child. Yet his point of
view is not that of a religionist, but that of a true
artist. He has sensed events, removed by the lapse
of nineteen centuries, and has depicted them with
such sincerity and feeling that the personages seem
to live and breathe. Such qualities as these en
abled him to make a deep impression in Paris, and
two of his canvasses were purchased by the French
Government for the Luxembourg.
The largest painting in the present exhibition
was received with the warmest praise and occupied
a prominent -place in the last Paris Salon. It i:
entitled "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh," and its
theme is the familiar parable of the wise and fool
ish virgins. This with its numerous figures of life
size, occupies an entire panel of one of the galler
ies. The Master of Ceremonies is in the act of
giving his summons and the maidens are forming
themselves into the procession which is to go forth
and meet the Lord. The masterly composition, the
oriental richness yet softness of the colouring, the
instinctive command of detail have drawn the va
rious elements together into a convincing picture.
Among notable canvasses are several which, on
account of the ideality of their conception and
beauty of their tone, will at once draw to them the
notice of the observer. They are: "Christ at the
home of Mary and Martha," Christ and Nicode
mus," "The Return of the Holy Women," "On the
Road to Emmanaus," and "He vanished out of their
sight."
To Henry O. Tanner all true lovers of art point
with pride. He is an American recognized every
where as one of the best. To Henry O. Tanner
the Negro points not only in pride, but in hope.
lie is a man that commands the respect of the
white race to the same extent that he does the peo-
p'e of his own race. He is a man among men
irrespective of race, and his friends who are legion,
treasure his friendship as one of their most price
less possessions. His place is made with the "Im
mortals."
532
Crispus Attucks
ROM the Boston Ga/ettc, of Oct
ober 2, 1750, the only copy in ex
istence, now carefully preserved
in the great antiquarian library of
Worcester, Mass. Advertisement
of that slave is as follows : "Ran
away from his master William Brown, of Fram-
ington, on the 30th of September last, a mulatto
fellow about twenty-seven years of age. named
Crispus. six feet two inches high." etc., describing
his dress and warning ship captains not to hire him.
"Ten pounds reward, old tenor, will be paid for his
return." Crispus Attucks was not returned but
served as a sailor up and down the coast and
worked on the wharves of Boston. He became
known as a powerful turbulent fellow, leader of the
street gang and Deacon Wm. Brown didn't try fur
ther to get him back.
When British troops occupied Boston, and that
port was under embargo, there were no vessels
loading or unloading and hence no work for wharf
men. This made the street mob angry at their
jobs and Attucks, now forty-seven years old was
their fearless leader.
On that famous evening of March 8, 177G. :i:
Boston, about eleven o'clock, the young fellows on
the street near the Old State House were making
noise when out came -the British Captain Preston
with a file of soldiers and ordered them to disperse.
Attucks encouraged them to refuse, shouted :
"These soldiers don't dare fire," stepped up to the
line, seized one of the men, threw him down and
took his musket away from him. Then to show
his contempt he tossed the man's musket away
from him and turned away with a laugh. The
angry soldier springing up seized his gun and with
out orders shot Attucks dead. Captain Preston
then ordered his men to fire and as the dead pa
triot's companions rushed forward over his body
four more of them were killed. The whole five
fell within a circle of about ten feet diameter,
which is now marked by the paving bricks being
there laid in concentric circles to distinguish that
sacred spot from the rest of the street pavement.
It was near midnight. There was newly fallen
snow on the ground and, in the starlight, the red
blood of these martyrs poured out on it made a
vivid contrast.
On Boston Common near the Tremont Hall
stands a granite monument, twenty feet high, bear
ing on it's base a bronze tablet picturing that Bos
ton Massacre. In the upper shaft are carved the
names of these five martyrs of the Revolution with
Crispus Attucks at the top. The old Granary bury
ing ground is on Tremont Street, just off the Com
mon. At the extreme right hand corner near the
front iron fence is the granite boulder which marks
the grave of that Revolutionary champion of Ame
rican liberty, Governor Sam Adams. And next to
that is a long mound which then bore five little flag
staffs and flags. At the head of this stood and still
stands, a polished slab of dark stone bearing this
inscription, "here are buried the remains of five
victims of the Boston Massacre of March 8, 1770."
Then follows the names, the third of w'.ich is Cris
pus Attucks. Immediately after his death the fol
lowing lines appeared :
"Long as in freedom's cause the wise contend,
Dear to your country shall your fame extend;
While to the world the lettered stone shall tell.
Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray and Maverick fell.'
Daniel Webster said, speaking of the assault,
"From that Moment we may date the severance of
the British Empire."
For all his heroism, Attucks, like Toussaint L'-
Overture, like Phyllis Wheatley, like Booker T.
Washington, was born a slave. History places his
birth about 1720. He was a half breed Indian or
mulatto. His birth place is Framingham, Massa
chusetts. Little is known of his boyhood and
youth, it is evident however that he was a restless
temperament, and that he did not take peacefully
the change of freedom even in New England. Some
say he was a mere loafer and lounger, others say
he was a seaman and that on the action of the mas
sacre he had just returned from a voyage.
Be he slave or vagabond, be he full Negro or In
dian or half-breed, he still holds the title of being
the first to give his life for the cause of American
freedom. From him date the American Negro
Soldier, and the American Negro patriot. Both
the white people and the Negroes in America are
coming more and more to do him honour as the
years go by. Thus can the Negro point to an un
broken line of service, from the revolution to the
world's war.
Senator Blanch K. Bruce
LANCH K. Bruce, the famous However, Bruce was no slacker cither with his
Mississippian of Reconstruction purse. his brain or his endeavors. He continued
days, falls into that class of the tr. .1,. , , , c ...
to do yoeman labor for the Republican 1'artv so
enviable hrst and only. He was ., . ,,,.,,.
the first Negro to put his signa- that whe" Wllham McK'nley came to office he
ture to the money of the United °DCe more ^pointed Bruce in 1897. However, he
States Government. In 1881, on the twenty-third lla(1 (lone nis work. With the armor of the good
of May he was made Registrar of the treasury by soldier <»". h<-' died in 1898.
James A. Garfield. He had won this honor by his ^- K- Bruce exerted a wonderful influence over
distinguished services in the State of Misissippi. the Negro youth of America. His had been a dif-
Like his contemporary John M. Langston, Blanch fere»t experience in his early childhood from that
K. Bruce was born in the State of Virginia. Like of most of the othcr celebrated Negroes. These
Langston also Bruce was born a slave. He was had been tard>' in thcir educational advantages.
a native of Prince Edward County, where he was The>' had not known culture and contact, without
born in 1841. In his early training Bruce was ex- which true education is incomplete, as had Bruce,
ceptionally fortunate. In other cases, even where 1 hus the Senator from Mississippi fell heir natur-
the Negro child was akin to the master, the line all>' to niany things those giants like Douglass and
between the two was closely and persistantly Washington had to struggle for. This the black
drawn. In Bruce's case, however, this was not >'outh of the country saw and still sees, and by it
done. Thus the Negro lad gained his early train was> and is> Aspired to seek refinement from every
ing with his master's son. possible source.
Receiving his freedom, Bruce went into the State Again Bruce became a man of wealth. He made
of Missouri, where for several years he taught no n°ise about it, because once more wealth was
school. For a time he studied at Oberlin College, to nml a natural heritage. Even though he had
in Ohio. Wearying of school teaching, Mr. Bruce not been used to owning it he had been accustomed
went south, and in 1869 became a planter in the to contact with it. Handling bales of cotton by
rich bottoms of Boliver County in Mississippi. tne hundred, handling plantation hands, mules, im-
Here in the home of his adoption he became a big plements, were all education that had come to him
man and he continued to be a man of affairs and '>>' contact. This served him greatly when he was
a large cotton planter. Even in recent years his ln tlle presence of those who thought and spoke
widow still handled many hundreds of bales of cot- and dealt with things on a big scale. He married
ton from their plantation. As a man of affairs, Mlss Josephine B. Wilson, of Cleveland, Ohio, June
Bruce was at one time sheriff of the county and at 24, 1878, and made a bridal tour of the principal
another superintendent of public schools. As is countries of Europe, where marked attention was
well known he was Senator from Mississippi from shown the young couple by European statesmen.
1875 to 1881. Here again, Bruce blazed the way, an«J members of the American embassies. They
as he had done in Mississippi. He had been the were highly entertained by Minister Welch in Lon-
first Negro sheriff of his section, he had also been don, and Minister Noyes at Paris.
the first Negro county Superintendent of schools in All this has gone into the life of the Negro youth
Mississippi. He was the second Negro to hold of America who honor and appreciate him more
a seat in the United States Senate. It was at the than even the youths themselves know or proclaim,
conclusion of his career as Republican Senator Senator Bruce was a splendid orator, and de-
from Mississippi that Bruce was made Registrar voted much of his time in his later years to the
of the Treasury, in 1881. Just prior to this appoint- lecture platform. He never became so enorossfd
ment he had refused offers as Minister to Bra/.;' in his work that he would not, on short notice de-
and 3rd Assistant Postmaster General. This post liver one of his forceful speeches if he thought it
he held for four years, going out of office in 1885. was for the good of his people.
534
^ixtovp of tfte jgegro Bate
THE NEGRO IN HISTORY
Only a brief sketch of the part that the Negro
has played in the world and in civilization can be
given here. Wherever races have played a part
the Negro from the dawn of history has come in
for his share of responsibility and for his share of
the glory.
First let us decide what a Negro is. As a general
rule the term Negro is applied to black people of
unimixed blood and also to persons of any race
whatsoever who have some Negro blood in their
veins.
The states where the Negro question is most ac
ute have undertaken to define definitely the term
Negro. Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina,
Tennessee and Texas state that "a person of color
is one who is decended from a Negro to the third
generation inclusive, though one ancestor in each
generation may have been white. In Alabama one
is a Negro who has had any Negro blood in his an
cestry in five generations. In Michigan, Nebraska,
and Oregon one is not legally a person of color who
has less than one fourth Negro blood, while in Flor
ida, Georgia, Indiana and Missouri and South Car
olina one eighth Negro blood makes a Negro of a
man. But in general practice the term Negro is
applied to any person having any Negro blood
whatever.
Because of this definition of the race, the colored
race includes persons of all colors, many of whom
are fairer than some members of the white race.
It is of this race with its many mixtures that we
are trying to give a brief history. The black people
are natives of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
From his native home he has been brought by trad
ers to this country and to other countries. The
first Negroes brought to America were with the
the explorers. As early as 1501 Negroes were
brought to Hispaniola and as early as 1516 Negroes
were helping- in the affairs of America. It was in
that year that Balboa with the assistance of thirty
Negroes built the first ship that was ever con
structed on the Pacific Coast of America. After
that the Negro was in most of the expeditions.
They were with Cortez in his conquest of Mex
ico; they were with Vasques de Ayllon in his at
tempt to establish a settlement in what is now
North and South Carolina ; they were with the ex
peditions of Panfilo de Narvaez to conquer Flor
ida; and in many of the other expeditions. The
second settler in the State of Alabama (1540) was
a Negro who was a member of the De Soto expedi
tion.
In this manner the Negroes first came to this
country. Afterward they were brought over as
servants and as slaves later. The history of slav
ery in the United States is outlined more fully else
where. But in bringing over the Negro men and
women for slave purposes there were brought over
more than one class of Africans. The Negro who
was a slave in his own country and was sold to
traders for a small sum represented by bright bits
of colored beads and bright colored cloth was
brought over. With him came Negroes from other
tribes that had been taken in war between the
tribes. This second class were of a higher type.
But the highest type of Negroes brought direct
from Africa was taken from the ruling class. Some
of these were gotten by being fooled aboard ships
and other underhand methods used by the un
scrupulous traders who first got the interest and
the confidence of the Negro and then took advan
tage of it. Among those who are represented in
this class we have an ancestor of Robert R. Moton,
Principal of Tuskegee Institute. The story of the
coming to this country of this Negro of royal blood
is interesting and is told as follows: The young
prince with a drove of slaves to sell to the trader
went down to the ship. The commander of tin-
vessel after settling for the slaves he had pur
chased asked the young prince if he would not like
to look over the vessel. Replying in the affirma
tive he went aboard and was shown around with a
great deal of ceremony. When he came back from
his tour of inspection the ship was miles out at sea.
While speaking of this case it might be added that
R. R. Moton, recognized as one of the leaders of
the race is of pure blooded African descent. This
goes to prove that the theory, that all the achieve
ment of the Negro in this country is due to the
white blood that is now mixed in the race, is false.
Another case will show that the Negroes of ro
yal blood from Africa were held in respect by the
others. There was brought to Massachusetts a
535
young girl of the ruling class. Two men from
her tribe were in the same place. The owner of
the men tried to make one of them marry the girl
or at least mate with her, but remembering that
she had royal blood in her veins, even in this coun
try where they were held in bondage he refused
to so insult the daughter of his king.
Not only were the Negroes brought over of dif
ferent classes, but there were brought over persons
who were sold as Negroes who were not in the
strictest sense of the word Negroes, but were of
the other darker nations that occupy the conti
nent. This in a measure accounts for the differ
ent types we have at present whore mixed blood
cannot be offered as the solution.
Thus from the beginning of the history of the
Negro in this country there was more then one
class, and with the education and development and
the mixing of the races there has been developed
a race of men far superior to the general concep
tion when the term Negro is used. Since coming
to the United States the Negro has played an im
portant part in the affairs of the country, directly
and indirectly, for indirectly the Negro is respon
sible for the great wealth that has come to this
country through the cotton industry.
HISTORY OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA
African Slave trade was begun by Portugal in
1442. Spain, took a part in it in 1517. England.
France, Holland, Denmark and the American col
onies one by one took part in this trade. The Am
erican Colonies afforded a good place for the trad
ing of these slaves. Thus to our country came the
institution of slavery.
In the year 1619 the first African immigrants
were landed in Virginia. According to Monroe N.
Work, in the "Year Book" these twenty Negroes
were not necessarily sold into slavery, but into ser
vice. He says, "It was not uncommon practice in
this period for ship masters to sell white servants
to planters ; hence an inference that these twenty
Negroes were slaves, drawn from the fact that they
were sold to the colony or planters would be un
justified." The first record of a "Negro servant for
life" or a slave in the state of Virginia was in the
year 1640. In that year also the first record of
discriminating against Negroes in the state of Vir
ginia is recorded. Both came out in the same ac
count. Three servants ran away, one a Dutch
man, one a Scotchman and one a Negro. They
were caught. Each was given thirty lashes. The
Dutchman and the Scotchman were condemned to
serve four years beyond their indenture. The Ne
gro, John Punch, was condemned to servitude for
life. In the year 1662 slavery was declared here
ditary in the State of Virginia. This was done by
536
decreeing that the issue of slave mothers should
follow in the condition of servitude. Thus by the
end of the year 1662 slavery was fully established
in Virginia, the oldest of the colonies.
New York (1628), New Jersey (1628) Massachu
setts (1630), Connecticut (1631-1636), Delaware.
(1636), Rhode Island (1647), South Carolina (1665)
North Carolina (1669) one by one saw the traffic
in slaves fully established within their borders.
New Hampshire was founded in 1679 with .slavery
in all probability -already established. Pennsylvania
was ceded to William Perm in 1681 with slavery
probably already established. Georgia was found
ed in 1733, but slavery was forbidden within tin-
borders till 1749. The reason for the change of at
titude toward the institution was the lack of prog
ress being made by the State. The surrounding
states were in a very prosperous condition, due to
the labor of the slaves. Seeing this Georgia
changed her laws in order that some of the wealth
derived from Negro labor might come her way.
Slavery in the Colonies did not develop without
opposition. As early as 1688 the first step was tak
en to check the sale of Negroes. Virginia, the
state that led in the establishing of slavery, also
triid to lead in the prohibition of the importation
of slaves ,but the mother country, England, did not
allow any of these acts to become law.
In the far South the Negroes soon outnumbered
the whites and this caused the whites to live in con
stant fear of an uprising. Eor this reason they
placed very heavy duties on the importation of
slaves. None of these measures, however, were
able to check the rapid growth of the institution
(.nee it had a good start.
There are those among colored people today
who claim that their people were never slaves. This
is especially true of people comim; iron: Virginia
and the Carolinas. There is some ground for llv
claim. Hack in the days of the colonies there were
many free Negroes. The Negro gained his free
dom in several ways. Some were allowed to bin1
their time to other people. All that was earned
above the $100 the master required for their time
became the possession of that particular slave. Ar-
ter years of toil some had money enough to pur
chase their own freedom. Sometimes a master at
death gave a number of his slaves their freedom.
Slaves were sometimes given their freedom be
cause of some act for the good of the community.
But by far the larger number of free Negroes dur
ing the days of the colonists, "inherited" their free
dom. There was a law making free the children of
indentured white mothers and Negro fathers after
a period of thirty or thirty-one years of service.
From these various ways the number of free Ne
groes increased. But the lives of these free Ne
groes were hedged about with difficulties and hard-
ships. He could not associate with the Negro
slaves without being' held under suspicion. His
one great advantage came in his being able to pur
chase land and purchase the liberty of his family
if they were enslaved.
SLAVERY IN THE STATES.
The Negro played a part in the war which gave
to the States their freedom from the English yoke.
Sentiment had been aroused against slave trade in
England. When the war broke out, the governor
of Virginia promised freedom to all Negroes who
would join the English army and fight against their
masters. Thousands did this. Alarmed, the col
onists changed their attitude and began to enlist
the Negroes in the American Army. It is estimat
ed that three thousand Negroes served in the Ame
rican army, many of whom were given their free
dom at the close of the war.
From the first the question of the slave and the
rights of the free Negro became an issue in the
newly formed republic. Vermont was the first
state to prohibit and abolish slavery.
This measure was adopted by Vermont in
1777, but she was not admitted to the Union till
1791. Several of the states passed laws for the
gradual abolition of slavery. By this method the
children of slave parents remained in service till
the boys and girls were twenty-eight and twenty-
five respectively. While this method took some
time it gave freedom to the slaves at a much ear
lier date than other states. New York, New Jer
sey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania
were states with the gradual abolition system.
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and
Ohio took very definite stand against the institu
tion and prohibited the barter of human beings.
Georgia ceded to the Union the land which after
ward became Alabama and Mississippi. This was
done on the condition that slavery should not be
prohibited within this territory. An effort ',was
made to keep the number of free and slave states
about the same. In this manner there was hope
that no harm would result to the central govern
ment. But there were forces at work for the free
ing of this slave people. For years there was sen
timent against the enslaving of the colored people
in most of the northern states. And in some of the
southern states there were persons who took the
stand that slavery was wrong.
Of all the forces that were at work for the free
dom of the slaves the book. Uncle Tom's Cabin, by
Harriet Beecher Stowe, did most to bring it about.
Based on facts, it pictured the life of the slave in
its best and in its worst forms. This book was
published in 1852. Next to the influence of this
book. Henry Ward Beecher, pastor of Plymouth
Church, Brooklyn, Charles Sunnier of the United
States Senate along with many others talked open
ly against the institution of slavery. John Brown,
with his enthusiastic attack on the arsenal at Har
pers' Ferry, Virginia, in 1859 really supplied the
spark that set the whole country in flames on the
subject of Negro Slavery in the States.
The question of slaves was discussed in all por
tions of the country. In some places the slaves
were declared free, as for instance, in Georgia, only
to have the proclamation rescinded by President
Lincoln. But the question could not go on unset
tled. On September 22nd, 1862, President Lincoln
issued the preliminary proclamation of emancipa
tion. January first, 1863, the Emancipation Pro
clamation was issued. This proclamation was sup
ported by the Civil War and by the amendments
to the constitution which followed. One by one
the States in which slavery had been abolished by
voluntary acts, took up the matter and declared the
non-existence of slaves within their borders.
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
The Underground Railway had none of the fea
tures of the modern railway, except the carrying of
passengers, and these were limited in kind and in
the direction of the travel. No one could obtain
passage on this road, unless he or she were a slave,
and wanted to be free. The trains ran in but one
direction, and that was Northward. There were
no "Jim Crow" cars, no sleepers, and no smokers,
and all passengers were carried free of charge. It
was a railroad without stockholders, but it had
innumerable directors. No dividends were paid ex
cept to passengers, and such dividends were in the
form of certificates of freedom from bondage.
To be more explicit, the Underground Railway
was a system of clandestine travel, extending from
the borders of "Mason and Dixon's Line" through
the North and West to Canada.
It required large sums of money to keep this
Underground Railway system in motion. The run
aways must be fed, clothed, and their passage paid
across the lake to Canada. Mr. Douglass was in
the lecture-field most of the time to raise money
to do his part. The Female Anti-Slavery Society,
with its branches throughout the North, solicited
funds and clothing, and as these unfortunate fugi
tives were invaribly destitute, means had to be
supplied them until they could secure employment
under the British flag.
The majority of the escapes were made in Win
ter, when the oversight on the plantation was less
rigid than in^the working season, and many who
were given passes during the Christmas holidays
to visit neighboring towns or plantations, seized
that opportunity for a longer journey.
The western and southwestern branch of the
Underground Railway was operated from Cincin-
537
nati, Ohio, and through Michigan to Canada. Fu
gitive slaves from Kentucky, Tennessee, Missis
sippi, Arkansas and Louisiana took this route. The
whole number of slaves who successfully made
their escape through the system has never been as
certained.
•The manner of Douglass's flight— riding out of
Baltimore, Maryland, in daylight and in sight
of those who knew that he was a slave — is a
good illustration of the boldness and ingenuity of
some of the escapes. Among the hundreds of in
teresting cases cited by Mr. Still, is that of William
Crafts, who gained his liberty by acting the part of
a valet or body-servant of his wife. She was of
light brown complexion, and for this adventure
wore men's clothing. Another case is that of a
slave-woman who hitched up her master's horse
and carriage, and taking her family of five children
and several others, drove off to liberty. Box Brown
was the name of a slave, who permitted himself to
be nailed up in a box and sent by express to Balti
more. Two colored women dressed in deep mourn
ing and rode Northward to freedom in the same
coach- as their masters, who did not know them.
In some cases slaves secreted themselves for sev
eral months and, when search for them had ceased,
crept off unsuspected. In hundreds of instances,
the parts were as cleverly played as if the fugitives
had had special training in the drama of running
away from their masters. In nearly all cases these
black men and women took desperate chances. The
conductors of the Underground Railway were ev
erywhere, and at all times on the alert. They
knew every path, the byways and highways in
which slaves might hide or on which they might
travel to reach freedom. The stations were al
ways open and ready to receive them. It was nev
er too late, or too early, or too difficult, or too per
ilous to be on the lookout to welcome, to protect,
and pass on fugitives to the next place of safety.
Clothing, food, shoes, carriages, wagons, horses,
and mules were always at hand. No secret so
ciety has ever veiled its proceedings in deeper mys
tery than this widely separated army of determin
ed conspirators and emancipators. The secret-ser
vice men of the government tried to locate the sta
tions and the station agents, but the more they
searched, the less they found. It is a curious fact
that the Uited States secret service men seem to
have had just as little success in uncovering the
systematic plans for aiding slaves to escape to the
Northern states as in preventing the smuggling of
slaves from Africa into the Southern states. The
traffic of the Underground Railroad continued to
increase in volume and the slave once off United
States soil was beyond reach of recall.
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
Whereas, on the 22nd day of September, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the Pres
ident of the United States, containing, among
other things, the following, to-wit :
That on the first day of January, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-
three, all persons held as slaves within any State
or designated part of a State, the people whereof
shall then be in rebellion against the United States
shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free ; and
the Executive Government of the United States, in
cluding the military and naval authority thereof,
will recognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such
persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may
make for their actual freedom.
That the Executive will, on the first day of Jan
uary, aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the
States and parts of States, if any, in which the
people therof respectively shall then be in rebel
lion against the United States ; and the fact that
any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day
be in good faith represented in the Congress of the
United States, by members chosen thereto at elec
tions wherein a majority of the qualified voters of
such State shall have participated, shall, in the ab
sence of strong countervailing testimony, be deem
ed conclusive evidence that such State, and the
people thereof, are not then in rebellion against
the United States.
Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Pres
ident of the United States, by virtue of the power
in me vested as Commander-in-Chief of the Army
and Navy of the United States in time of actual
armed rebellion against the authority and Govern
ment of the United States, and as a fit and neces
sary war measure for suppressing said rebellion,
do, on this first day of January, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three
and in accordance with my purpose so to do, pub
licly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred
days from the day first above mentioned, order
and designate as the States and parts of States,
wherein the people thereof respectfully are this
day in rebellion against the United States, the fol
lowing, to-wit :
"Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the parish
es of St. Bernard, Plaquemine, Jefferson, St. John,
St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption,
Terre Bonne, LaFourche, St. Mary, St. Martin,
and Orleans, including the city of New Orleans),
Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Car
oline, North Carolina and Virginia (except the for
ty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and
also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northamp-
538
ton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Nor
folk, including the cities of Norfolk and Ports
mouth), and which excepted parts are for the pres
ent, left precisely as if this proclamation was not
issued.
"And, by virtue of the power and for the purpose
aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons
held as slaves within said designated States and
parts of States, are and henceforward shall be free ;
and that the Executive Government of the United
States, including the military and naval authori
ties thereof, will recognize and maintain the free
dom of said persons.
"And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared
to be free, to abstain from all violence, unless in
necessary self-defense ; and I recommend to them
that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faith
fully for reasonable wages.
"And I further declare and make known that
such persons, of suitable conditions, will be re
ceived into the armed service of the United States
to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other
places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said ser
vice.
"And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an
act of justice, warranted by the Constitution upon
military necessity, I invoke the considerate judg
ment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Al
mighty God.
"In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
name and caused the seal of the United States to
be affixed.
"Done at the City of Washington, this 1st day
of January, in the year of our Lord 1863, and of
the independence of the United States the eighty-
seventh.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President :
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
NEGRO IN BUSINESS.
Perhaps the two greatest agents to foster and
promote Negro business in this country have been
the Negro banks and the Negro secret organiza
tions. The secret orders have undoubtedly been
the prime movers because they have not only been
built by Negro capital in large sums, but the build
ings themselves are of such a sort that any one
would be proud to conduct a business within them
Such buildings as the Mosiac Temple in Little
Rock, Arkansas; Odd Fellows Building, in Atlanta,
Georgia; Pythian Temple, in New Orleans; Pyth
ian Building, in Louisville, Kentucky; Mosiac Tem
ple, in Jacksonville, Fla. ; Pvthian Building in Dal
las, Texas, furnish inspiring centers for the colored
people to have their businesses in.
The factory that was established by Madam
Walker and in which she gave employment to hun
dreds of Negro women and girls is another type
of building that has been erected by the colored
race, and that has done so much good for the up
lift of the race. This work of Madam Walker is
described in full elsewhere in this volume. Similar
to the establishment of Madam Walker in the
point of the articles manufactured is the Poro
Building.
Under the name of Poro College, there is ope
rated in St. Louis, Missouri, the largest manufac
turing plant of its kind in the world. It is owned,
controlled and operated wholly by colored people.
Through this plant 40,000 girls and women are en
abled to earn a livlihood; 150 of this number work
in the plant. It was founded in 1900 by Mrs. An
nie M. Pope-Turnbo Malone, who had made a spe
cialty of the study of chemistry and put her know
ledge into these compounds, which together with
the Poro System have revolutionized Hair Culture.
The new Poro Building which was completed in
1918, cost upward of $250,000.00. The building is
three stories, has basement, mezzanine floor and
roof garden. It is indeed an inspiration to any one
to visit this wonderful plant. It is so planned that
all the needs of the visitor can be satisfied within
the plant. There are 95 dormitories, there is a
public dining room, is an auditorium with
a seating capacity of 800, is a refrigerating
plant that furnishes ice water for the entire build
ing, and Lamson pneumatic tube carriers. In the
section that is reserved for beautv, hair and scalp
treatment there are thirty-one booths. The kit
chen is most modern and is thoroughly equipped ,
the halls reserved for receptions are very beauti
ful and spacious ; there is in the rear a room set
apart for the care of small children where they
may receive kindergarten training. Everything
about this plant is wonderful. The order, the spirit
of cheer, the most wonderful art of all working to
ward one end — all are to be felt when paying a
visit to this establishment.
The two people who are responsible for this
wonderful piece of business among the Negroes are
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Malone. Mrs. Malone spent
her early life in Metropolis and Peoria, Illinois.
Mr. Malone for a number of years was a teacher
in Illinois, serving as principal of some of the large
schools. Both of these people, who are still young,
are genii in the business world and it is through
their wise administration of their affairs that the
phenomenal success of Poro has come. Mr. and
Mrs. Malone are philanthropists. To the St. Louis
Y. M. C. A., they gave $75,000. the largest sum giv
en by colored people to any one institution. A
5.59
1 jp**-
. or M^- ^BARNES
SAVANNAH, OA,
RB5. OF J.H. BLODGETT, -» JACKSOKVILt,!:. , FLA.
RKPRKSHNTATIVE HOMES OF NEGROES jN DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE COUNTRY
540
RE8. OF L.H. STEWART- EYANSVlUJE, 1ND.
. EVANS, — SHREVEPOR.T, LA .
RES. OF
PRESTON TAYLOR-
GREENWOOD PARK, S •«_,
NASHVILLE, TEND, -j i
RES. 07 J05.1. JONES. emCWHATI.
RES. OF Dn,3.H. GEORGE,- PADUCAH, KV
RES. OF D*.W.T. PULLER,,
. 3UFFOUK, VA.
•RE5. OP J.N.CUKITON,- TAMPA. TLA.
Res. of W. Curtis Reich, Muskogee, Okla.
RT,S.Or KR. S.W. HARBISON. -
FT. SMITH, ARK.
REPRESENTATIVE HOMES OF NEGROES IX DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE COUNTRY
541
few months ago to Tuskegee Institute they gave
$1200, and to Wilberforce they gave $1000m They
support the St. Louis Orphans Home and contri-
hute largely to many institutions without letting
the public know anything about it.
With Poro College as a manufacturing plant, and
hotel for our people, Mr. and Mrs. Malone deserve
great credit for producing a business of this size
that is perfectly planned, perfectly executed and
wholly an asset to the race.
Another business of great importance to the
Race is that in Durham, North Carolina, known
as the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Asso
ciation. This was founded by John Merrick. This
work is described in full elsewhere in this volume.
The Standard Life Insurance Company of Atlanta
Ga., the only Old Line Insurance Company owned
and controlled by Negroes.
E. C. Brown's Theatrical Syndicate, details of
which are found elsewhere in this volume.
The Baptist Publishing House at Nashville, Tenn
essee is another example of a large business owned
and operated by members of the colored race. This
work is told in full elsewhere. A. M. E. Sunday
School Union Publishing House. In nearly every
town and city where Negroes are at all in prevail
ing numbers are found various Negro stores, some
of them run in as orderly a fashion as those run
by members of the other race. There are in all
about 43.000 places of business being run by col
ored people. This does not include barber shops,
shoe shops and blacksmith shops. The National
Negro Business League is responsible for stimu
lating and increasing Negro Business enterprises.
It was for this purpose that Dr. Washington in his
wisdom organized this League and through it and
its branches in the various cities of the country
the colored man has been shown just what can
be done through organized effort.
NEGRO HOMES
Nothing has been a greater seurce of pride to
the colored man in America than the progress he
has made in the improvement of his home and
home life. Beginning at Boston, Massachusetts,
running the whole length of the coast to the Gulf
and going across the continent to San Francisco,
to Denver, to Portland, one finds dotted here and
there Negro residences comparing favorably with
any. Many of these homes cost from $10,000 to
$20,000 and there are a few that cost a great deal
more than that, notably among these last is the
home of Madam C. J. Walker, on the Hudson,
which cost $300.000.00. These homes are kept with
the same skill and neatness as those of any people
in similar corcumstances. There are hundreds and
thousands of homes that are not so pretentious,
but are models in the manner in which they are
kept. It is for the purpose of training the young
girls and women of the race in matters pertaining
to home making that the courses in Home Econ
omics and Domestic Science are maintained in all
of the schools that are provided by the church and
the state. This training is now even being offered
in the courses of the rural schools of the South
land. There is still a large class of people who
remain unreached, but the beginning is made and it
is a great and good beginning.
Some of the cities are more noted for the beau
tiful residences owned by the colored people than
are others. In Washington, New York, Baltimore,
Richmond, Raleigh. Durham, Atlanta. Birmingham,
Jacksonville, St. Louis, and Chicago there are
homes that are second to none owned bv the av
erage well-to-do citizen. In these various centers
are sometimes whole streets owned by Negroes.
One instance of this is the Beautiful West Belle,
in St. Louis. This was once an exclusive residen
tial district for white people. Gradually it has
changed hands and is now the best residential sec
tion for Negroes. These property holders have
made an effort to keep up the standard of the
street and it is beautiful to visit.
Home life among Negroes has developed during
the past fifty years, as has everything else that be
longs to them. But even in the days of slavery
when many lived under the worst circumstances
there were examples of beautiful home life, beaut
iful from the standpoint of the regard in which the
members of the family held each other and tin-
character that the mothers tried to build up in their
children. From these families have sprung some
of the best and most noted of the colored people
who are prominent today. Take for an example,
Booker T. Washington. He lived in a hut with his
mother and brother and sister, yet this mother
managed to surround them with the spirit of home,
the spirit that made her provide food for them at
regular intervals, the spirit that made her gather
them to gether and teach them to pray and to fear
God and live right. It was the spirit that made the
home. Many are the humble examples of this
type of home today in which are trained some of
the best people.
But the same spirit may be had in the great and
rich homes as well as in the humble ones. Take
the home life of Booker T. Washington after he
was able to have the comforts and some of the lux
uries of life. The same spirit of keeping the chil
dren together that his mother had shown in her
humble home was apparent in his home. If he came
home and missed one of the boys, immediately
that child was asked for and if necessary sent for.
Although he was much away from home he always
tried to get back to his family for the holidays in
order that he might be with his wife and children.
542
The spirit of love, of tenderness, of protection in
which he held his children was beautiful to see.
This side of this wonderful man is one that is not
often referred to, but is one of the things that
helped make him the great man that he was.
There are many other examples that might be
cited of the beautiful home life within the beauti
ful home ; of beautiful home life within the well
kept modest home. In fact it has been in a large
measure the home life that has made for the won
derful advancement of the Negro during the past
fifty odd years.
NEGRO IN PUBLIC LIFE
Kvcr since Crispus Attucks fell in Boston, the
Negro of America has had some claim to public of
fice. Regardless of politics he has managed, some
how, to hold office under nearly every administra
tion. Among these a few of the noteworthy ex
amples may be mentioned — Blanche K. Bruce, born
in the State of Virginia, a slave, was sent to the
United States Senate in 1895, from the State of
Mississippi.
Another Senator from the State of Mississippi
was a colored man. This was Hiram R. Revels, a
native of North Carolina, and a free man. He was
educated during the days of slavery at Knox Col
lege, from which he was graduated in 1847. He
became the first of all the colored United States
Senators: Judge Robert H. Terrell, of Washington,
D. C. ; Congressman John M. Langston. of Vir
ginia ; John R. Lynch, of Mississippi ; George W.
Murray, of South Carolina; Charles W. Anderson,
of New York City; Hon. John W. Green, of Cleve
land ; William H. Lewis, of Boston ; J. C. Napier,
and Henry W. Furniss, most of whom are told
about in full elsewhere are examples of colored of
fice holders who during the terms of office received
from two to ten thousand dollars per year for their
services.
Of another type of public man was Frederick
Douglass who became such a help in the cause of
freedom through his lectures.
A bright example of the man in public life as a
public speaker of this day we have Roscoe C. Sim
mons, who is a native of Mississippi and still a man
in his early thirties. This young man is gifted as
a speaker and is employed in a number of public
issues as a speaker. He has the ability to thrill
his audience and paint pictures as very few men
can do. Regardless of color Simmons is a great
orator and uses his gift in the interest of his peo
ple.
NEGRO FARMER
has won his spurs and the encouraging feature of
the whole matter is, that though manv young peo
ple leave the farms, yet when the total is taken
the number of Negro farmers as well as the num
ber of Negro farms has increased year by year.
Today the Negro owns farm property to the extent
of five hundred million dollars in value. Nor has
he restricted his work to any one branch, dairy
men, stock-breeders, poultry-men, cotton growers,
grain growers, potato growers, indeed, there is not
a branch of agriculture in which the Negro is not
classed. One might name such men as the po
tato king, Junius G. Groves, of Kansas ; the fam
ous horsebreeder, Bass, of Mexico, Missouri ; the
cotton grower, Deal Jackson, of Georgia; as in
stances of Negroes who excel in the various
branches of agriculture.
In the South Negro farming has been greatly
improved during the last decade by the construct
ive work of the State government and of the Fed
eral government. Both of these have co-operated
in employing agents to teach practical agriculture.
Women trained in housekeeping, in cooking, gar
dening, and poultry raising have gone into the
homes of the Negro farmer and taught the wives
the details of scientific methods of good house
keeping. Men trained in agriculture have taught
the Negro farmer more scientific methods of
plowing, harvesting, selecting seed, and given most
valuable instruction on the selection and treatment
of stock. These teachers going from farm to farm
have increased farming values in the South.
Coming under this head something of the life of
Groves mentioned above will without doubt prove
an inspiration to boys who may read this. Junius
Groves was born a slave in Kentucky. In 1879 he
moved to Kansas where he hired out as a farm la
borer at forty cents a day. From the first his am
bition was to have a farm of his own ; the second
year he rented a small plot of ground and afte-
taking out all expenses he found that he had
cleared $125. He continued to add to the number
of acres that he tilled and to add to his savings
till in 1884 he had $2,200 in the bank to his credit.
Then Mr. Groves began to purchase land for him
self and on this land he specialized in raising tV"-
white potato. Today as a result of this careful
hoarding of his means and a careful planning of his
crops, Mr. Groves is worth $80,000. He has earned
the title of "Potato King," by producing in a single
year 100,000 bushels of potatoes. Mr. Groves is
not only classed as a farmer, but as a business
man. He has made a business of his farming.
NEGRO'S CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION.
Of all the operations in which the Negro won For a long time it appears that the Negro did
distinction perhaps farming is the most marked. not feel that education of his children depended at
In every section of the country the Negro farmer all upon contributions from the black man's cof-
543
fers. Reared as a dependent and sent forth as such
he for a long time, looked to those who had been
his master to educate the black children. How
ever, as he gained self-confidence and refinement
he began to invest his money in the education of
• his own, and today in almost every section of the
South, the Negro, in addition to paying his regular
tax as assessed by the county and State is taxing
himself to build better schools for his children, to
buy better equipment, extend the school term and
to secure better school teachers.
Also with his religion the Negro carried the con
viction that his children should be educated ; thus
through the church, the denominational schools of
the South and of the West receive staunch support
from the colored people. The Year-book estimates
that the Negro through the churches and other
means raised about a million five hundred 'thous
and dollars. The school property being- valued at
two million five hundred thousand dollars. In
some instances the schools are run by Negroes
alone ; that is, the Negro has purchased the ground,
selected the field, elected their own trustees and
own teachers. Such schools as Morris Brown,
Atlanta, Ga., Selma University, in Selma, Ala., and
Western College, in Macon, Missouri, gain their
sustenance almost wholly from Negro effort.
Perhaps in no one field of labor has the Negro
achieved so much as he has in that of the school.
The Negro as a school founder, organizer and
school teacher is probably, taken for all and all,
the best product that the black man of America
can show for his sixty years of freedom. The Ne
gro school man sacrificing his insight, his almost
super-human struggles and his willingness to turn
his efforts back into the education of his own peo
ple for a mere pittance brings him forward as the
most sublime of his race. One needs only to think
of the labors of Booker T. Washington and the
men and women who surrounded him and of the
efforts of Negro school teachers in every school of
the country today. To justify this claim made for
the Negro school man; add to this the fact tha<
he in part can never be an out and out teacher and
you have even a sublimer situation. For every
Negro man, even to this day, who interprets his
task in the light of modern education, must be
father, mother; in a word he must be "Black Mark-
Hopkins on the other end of the log."
NEGRO' ARTIST
Under the Negro artists let us include the painter
and the sculptor. They, like the literatee named
above have been in some instances thought to in
terpret their own people, but not so strictly. More
often their subjects have been universal in selec
tion and treatment rather than specific. Among
the Negro painters perhaps Henry O. Tanner, a
modern artist, is the most celebrated and famous.
An American by birth and rearing he pursued hi:
studies abroad. The greater part of his work has
been clone in France where his pictures hang
among those of many of the French and Italian
immortals in the great art gallaries in Paris and
'n the Louvre.
Among his most famous paintings are the Holy
Family, Moses and Elisha, and Christ Walking on
the Sea; "Hiding of Moses;" "Christ at the Home
of Lazarus." A full sketch of his life appears else
where in this volume.
The first in point of time to achieve distinction
as a Negro painter was E. M. Bannister. His
paintings seem to live, though perhaps he is best
remembered by his organization of art clubs and b>
his promotion of the study of art than by any par-
cular work.
A young artist of great promise is William Ed
ward Scott, of Indianapolis, Indiana. He, like
Henry O. Tanner, has studied abroad, but he has
done most of his actual work in America.
The leading Negro sculptor is a woman, Ed-
monia Lewis, who resides in Italv. Her most cel
ebrated productions are the "Freed Woman."
"Marriage of Hiawatha," " Death of Cleopatria."
Mrs. Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, of Pennsyl
vania rearing, but now residing in Massachusetts,
is accepted as the leading sculptor of today. She
too spent much time abroad studying art in Paris.
"The Dancing Girl." "The Wrestler," and "Carry
ing the Dead Body" are among her best known
subjects.
NEGRO SCHOLAR
Perhaps one of the earliest ambitions to throb in
the Negroe's breast was that to achieve distinction
in scholarship. Perhaps one of the first and most
facinating points in the White man's civilization to
attract him was that of the Caucasian's mastering
and using things found in books. Thus we find
ex-slaves, men who, in some cases would have been
regarded as having passed the plastic stage of
learning, achieving quite wonderful things in
scholarship attainment. However, they got no par
ticular credit in the annals of scholarship. The
Negro scholar, as understood in popular circles, is
he who has had the persistence and intellect to go
forth and win the highest college degrees attain
able in some of the best universties of the country.
At present, there are at least four thousand Negro
college graduates and about twenty Negroes to
gain the degree of Dr. of Philosophy from the
leading Universities of the country, such as Har
vard, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia
University, and the like. Further, the Negro has
won his spurs in every phase of scholarship. Some
of these degrees have been given in History, some
544
in Sociology, some in Mathematics, and some in
Science. The Negro has proved himself a ready
scholar, and has numbers of students to become
members of the Phi Beta Kappa in these leading
Universities of the North competing with the sons
of those who were scholars generations ago. There
are some fifty of these in this country.
NEGRO AUTHORS
The Negro in the field of letters began to arrive
in some respects somewhat late. This was inevit
able for several reasons : First of all, there had, of
course to be education and the ability to interpret ;
in the second place, the Negro had to learn that
there was material for literature in the emotions of
his people ; in the third place he had to learn to love
his people in order to grasp their feelings and in
terpret them to a somewhat indifferent public,
This, of course, is a general statement and refers
to the conspicuous authors of later date.
As a matter of history, the Negro author was
among the first, foremost and most lasting authors
in America. As has been pointed out elsewhere,
Phillis Wheatley was one of the first and foremost
women poets of America and still remains the lead
ing colored poet of America.
She was not only the first Negro woman poet,
but was one of the first and foremost of American
poets.
Benjamin Bannaker as a later writer and advo
cate of justice for his people was another conspi
cuous literary light of the early Colonial days. His
rare scholarship was equalled by few Americans
of any race in that day.
The authors whose works will undoubtedly defy
the ravages of time, as Shakespeare would put it
are : Paul Lawrence Dunbar, W. E. B. DuBois,
Booker T. Washington, Charles W. Chestnut, Kel
ly Miller, James W. Johnson, Benjamin G. Braw-
ley, Dr. C. V. Roman, these have already establish
ed their claim to immortality and others by the
score are clamoring for a place, but the test of
time has not been fully applied.
Abroad, Alexander Dumas, of France, and Alex
ander Puskin, known as "Father of Russian poe
try," transcend all boundaries of time, or place, of
race or nation. They belong to the world. Each
of these authors, both American and foreign, have
received attention elsewhere in this volume.
NEGRO MUSIC
That the Negro is naturally musical is admitted
by all, even his enemies. Back in the days of slav
ery there were among the free, educated Negroes
many who wrote music. Among these may be
mentioned Dede, Snaer. and Bares Basil. Where
the Negro could not write music, he made up the
words and sang them to tunes that fitted perfect
ly. These songs are now classed as the Real Amer
ican Music. Some of our best Musicians of this
day have made exhaustive study of these Negro
Melodies.
Samuel Coleridge Taylor, of London, England.
1875-1912, was one of the most distinguished of
colored writers as well as one of the best known
modern composers regardless of race. The work
that is best known from this famous musician is
Hiawatha. This composition won for its writer
fame on both sides of the Atlantic.
Other musicians of note are Will Marion Cook,
James Reese Europe, J. Rosemond Johnson. Scott
Joplin. N. Clark Smith and Harry T. Burleigb —
these men and a number of others have endeavored
to produce music, that represents the feeling of the
race, in such a manner that the compositions will
live forever.
Will Henry Bennett Vodery is the leading com
poser of popular music. Mr. Vodery's ability as a
composer and arranger is recognized by the big
Broadway producers. His services are constantly
in demand by Klaw and Erlanger, Schubert, Zeig-
fiield and others.
The race has also produced a number of noted
singers. Among these Madame Sisseretta Jones
of Providence, Rhode Island, is very popular. She
has sung in all the principal cities of Europe with
marked success. For the past twenty years she
has been at the head of her own company. With
this company she has appeared in all the leading
cities of the United States, the West Indies and
Central America.
Other singers of note are Mrs. Azalia Hackley,
Mrs. Martha Broadus Anderson, Madam Anita
Patti Brown, Harry T. Burleigh, the most fam n:s
baritone singer of the race, and Roland W. Hayes,
who is regarded as one of the most remarkable
tenors in America.
Joseph Douglass, of Washington, and Clarence
C. White, of Boston, and Kemper Harold, of At
lanta, are violinists of distinction, Maud Cuney
Hare, Carl Diton and L. H. Caldwell, are pianists
of great note.
The Negro race has also produced Thomas
Greene Bethune, better known as Blind Tom, 1849-
1908, who for years traveled in concert all over
America and Europe. John William Boone, "Blind
Boone" is another musical prodigy of the Negro
race. A native of Missouri, he has traveled regu
larly over the Western States and Canada in con
cert since 1880.
There are a number of organizations that have
acquired national fame ; Wrilliams Famous Singers,
a concert company that is fully described elsewhere
in the Cyclopedia, are known wherever there is a
lover of fine music. Who has not heard of Fisk
545
Jubilee Singrs, with a record dating back for gen
erations.
A splendid work is being done by the Clef Club
of New York City and the Thomas L. Shoop Mus:-
cal Organization of Detroit, Michigan, organiza
tions that train and furnish singers, quartettes, in
strumentalists, and dancers for private entertain
ments, cabarets, etc. The wealthiest class of so-
cietv people are their chief patrons.
THE NEGRO AS A SOLDIER.
Very early, however, though he was confined to
the work of the fields, the Negro began to develop
the qualities of a soldier. The Negroes were with
Lewis and Clark. In Colonial warfare, Negroes
wherever called upon showed themselves equal to
any race in endurance, in discipline and in marks
manship.
During the Revolution Negroes in the South
were drafted into service and served in many ca
pacities ; sometimes fighting for their masters and
sometimes by the side of their masters. In Mass
achusetts during the Revolutionary War Negroes
wrote their names on the pages of history there to
remain. Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Salem
Poors, with many others won distinction against
the British. The famous Negro regiment that al
lowed itself to be cut down almost to a man to save
its commander. Colonel Nathaniel Green, at the
battle of Redbank, New Jersey, will always be re
membered in the pages of American history. A
large number of Negroes, as is well known, won
their freedom by fighting in the Revolutionary
War. In the war of 1812 the black soldiers came
even further to the front, so well did they fight at
the battle of New Orleans that they won from so
stern a commander as "Old Hickory," one of the
finest compliments paid to American soldiers any
where. In an address to them. Andrew Jackson
said, at the conclusion of the battle, "To men of
color, soldiers from the shores of Mobile, I called
you to arms ; I invited you to defend the glory of
your white countrymen ; I expected much from
you. for I. was not uninformed of those qualities
which must render you so formidable a foe. I
knew you could endure hunger and thirst and all
the hardships of war. I knew that you loved the
land of your nativity and that like ourselves you
had to defend all that is most clear to man ; but you
surpassed my hopes. I have found in you united
to these qualities that noble enthusiasm which im
pels great deeds." "Just as he behaved on land, so
he behaved on sea," Commander Perry said of the
black soldier. In this war they seemed to be ab
solutely insensible to danger.
In the Civil War they were almost 200,000 strong.
There were 160 regiments, of which 140 were in
fantry ; 7 cavalry ; 12 heavy artillery and 1 light.
The first Negro regiment is said to have come from
South Carolina. Probably the most famous in the
Civil War was the 54th Massachusetts, which or
ganized on February 9th. 1863. The Negroes were
in practically every battle of any importance in the
Civil War. They were conspicuous for their brav
ery and endurance at Milliken's Bend ; at Port
Hudson ; at Fort Wagner ; at Charleston and Pet-
ersburgh. From the time of the Civil War nobody
has questioned the Negroe's ability as a soldier.
There has been some doubt as to the rank he could
hold, but nobody has questioned his ability to fight
and to endure.
In the Spanish-American War, in 1898, one needs
only to mention Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough
Riders and San Jaun Hill, to bring to mind the
valiant deeds of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the
25th Infantry. At the outbreak of the great world
war when American forces joined with those of
the Allies the Negroes once more came to the front
as soldiers. Once more also the famous 9th and
10th won distinction on the field of honor. At Car-
ranzal, in Mexico. Negro soldiers walked to their
death singing. Their deeds here marked the one
conspicuous fight and noble sacrifice in that rather
desperate skirmish between the United States and
Mexico. In France, as far is known, the Negro
fought in the front with other nations.
NEGRO CHURCH
Of all the agencies to foster Negro education
and advancement the church has played the most
conspicuous part. The Negro was early taught in
his church ; he has for half a century featured the
talent of his people in his church. With the ex
ception of the schools that have sprung up and with
the exception of a few places and a few people Ne
gro talent can find vent only in the Negro church.
The early Negro churches were not buildings,
but simply places to assemble to sing and pray.
Among the early church buildings is the Baptist
church at Williamsburgh, Virginia, which is said
to have been erected in 1785. The M. E. Church of
Pennsylvania, founded by Richard Allen in 1757.
The St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Philadelphia,
in 1791. The A. M. E. Zion Church, founded in
New York, in 1796. The Abyssinian Baptist Church
in 1800. The Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia,
in 1857. The Negro church spread rapidly over
the whole country and was often the one good
place where colored people were allowed. Today
they extend from Boston to Key West. In every
large city where Negroes are in considerable num
bers the Negro Church stands out as one conspicu
ous building for them. Negro churches in Boston,
New York, Philadelphia. Baltimore, Richmond,
Birmingham, Jacksonville, Lexington, Louisville,
St. Louis, and Kansas Citv, and other cities stand
546
out as conspicuously for architecture and grandeur
as do churches of any people in these cities ; and in
many instances they have added educational and so
cial features, such as night schools, industrial
schools, playgrounds, rest-rooms, etc, indeed, all
means of improvement for their memhers and for
tin- Colored people generally. Several Negro de
nominations own their own publishing houses, no
tably among these are the Boyd Publishing House
and the A. ^\ . E. Publishing House, of Nashville,
Tennessee. In fifty odd years church property
alone is worth some seventy-five millions of dol
lars, a fact which indicates not only spiritual prog
ress but great material wealth.
Tl 1 K NEGRO INVENTOR.
For a long time, owing to the rulings of the
Government, the Negro inventor got no recogni
tion for his patents, but the Negro inventor, like
the Negro soldier, early took his place in American
history.
BENJAMIN BANNEKER, as is pretty well
known, was not only an early Negro writer of the
United States, but was among the foremost Ame
rican inventors. Be it said by the way, also that
his efforts were not confined to inventions alone,
but he was a leading thinker, writer and worker
of the period as well as an inventor. He was a
noted astronomer. Born free, November 9th, 17ol,
in Baltimore County, Maryland. Received some
education in a pay school. Early showed an in
clination for mechanics. He constructed the first
clock made in America.
JAMES FORTEN.
Of Philadelphia, who died in 1842. invented an
apparatus for managing sails.
ROBERT BENJAMIN LEWIS.
Born in Gardiner, Maine, in 1802, invented a ma
chine for picking oakum. This machine, in all its
essential particulars, is said to still be used by the
ship-building interests of Maine.
WILLIAM B. PURVIS.
Of Philadelphia, began in 1912, to invent ma
chines for making paper bags and his improve
ments in this line of machinery are covered by a
dozen patents. He was also granted patents on
electric railways, a fountain pen, a magnetic car-
balancing device, and for a cutter for roll holders.
His inventions covered a variety of subjects.
JOSEPH HUNTER DICKINSON.
O'f New Jersey, has invented devices for auto
matically playing the piano. His various inven
tions in piano-player mechanism are adopted in the
construction of some of the finest player pianos on
the market. He has more than a dozen patents to
his credit already, and is still devoting his energies
to that line of invention. He is at present in the
employ of a large piano factory.
GEORGE W. MURRAY.
Of South Carolina, former member of Congress,
from that State, has received eight patents for his
inventions in agircultural implements, including
mostly such different attachments as readily adapt
a single implement to a variety of uses.
HENRY CREAMER.
Of New York, has patents covering seven differ
ent inventions in steam traps.
ANDREW J. BEARD.
Of Alabama has a number of inventions to his
credit in car-coupling devices.
WILLIAM DOUGLASS.
Of Arkansas, has received patents for various in
ventions for harvesting machines.
JAMES DOYLE.
Of Pittsburgh, has patented an automatic serv
ing system. This device is a scheme for dispens
ing with the use of waiters in dining rooms, res
taurants and at railroad lunch counters.
SHELBY J. DAVIDSON.
Of Kentucky, a clerk in the office of the Auditor
for the Post Office Department, operated a ma
chine for tabulating and totalizing the quarterly
accounts which were regularly submitted by the
postmasters of the country. Mr. Davidson's at
tention was first directed to the loss in time
through the necessary periodically stopping to man
ually dispose of the paper coming from the ma
chine. He invented a rewind device which served
as an attachment for automatically taking up the
paper as it issued from the machines, and adapted
it for use again on the reverse side, thus effecting
a very considerable economy of time and material.
He also invented an attachment for adding ma
chines which was designed to automatically include
the government fee, as well as the amount sent,
when totalizing the money orders in the reports
submitted bv postmasters.
ROBERT PELHAM.
Of Detroit, employed in the Census Office Bu
reau, devised a machine used as an adjunct in tab
ulating the statistics from the manufacturer's sche
dules in a way that displaced a dozen men in a
given quantity of work, doing the work economic
ally, speedily and with faultless precision. The
United States Government has leased his patents,
paying him a royalty for their use, in addition to
his salary for operating them.
GRANVILLE T. WOODS.
Of New York, assisted by his brother, Lyates,
bears the distinction of having taken out more
patents than any other Negro. His patents num
ber more than fifty. His principal inventions re
late to electrical subjects, such as telegraph and
telephone instruments, electric railways and gen
eral systems of electrical control ,
547
ELIJAH McCOY.
Of Detroit, stands next to Woods as an inventor,
in point of number of inventions. His first patent
was secured July, 1872, and since that period he
has about forty patents to his credit. His patents
cover a wide range of subjects, but relate particu
larly to the lubricating machinery. He was pioneer
in the art of steadily supplying oil to machinery in
intermittent drops from a cup so as to avoid the
necessity for stopping the machine to oil it.
JOHN ERNEST MATZELIGER.
Born in Dutch Guiana, 1852, died in Lynn, Mass.,
1889. He is the inventor of the first machine that
performed automatically all operations involved in
attaching soles to shoes. This was the only ma
chine invented up to that time that would dis
charge the completely soled shoe from the ma
chine, everything being done automatically, and re
quiring less than a minute to complete a single
shoe.
Matzeliger attempted to capitalize his patents
by organizing a company but failing health frus
trated his plans. After his death the patent and
much of the stock of the company organized by
Matzeliger was bought up. The purchase laid the
foundation for the organization of the United
Shoe Machinery Company, the largest and richest
corporation of the kind in the world.
The list of inventors among the Negroes is al
most endless from inventing farm implements and
manufacturing implements to the designing and
running of airplanes and machinery devices for
submarines.
NEGRO Y. M. C. A.
The first colored Young Men's Christian Asso
ciation was organized in Washington, D. C., in
December, 1853. Anthony Brown, colored, was the
first president. He worked in the Patent Office.
The second to be organized was in Charleston,
South Carolina in April, 1866, and the third in New
York City, February, 1867, E. B. C. Cato, President.
The first colored student association was organ
ized at Howard University in 1869. E. B. Cato,
who attended the Montreal Convention in 1867.
was the first colored delegate to attend an inter
national Y. M. C. A. Convention. William A. Hun-
ton was the first colored man to enter the secre
taryship of the Young Men's Christian Association
work. In January, 1888, he was appointed the
General Secretary of the Colored Association in
Norfolk, Virginia. In 1890 he succeeded Mr. Brown
as an International Secretary.
The Y. M. C. A. work has been established in a
number of places in connection with large corpo
rate industries in which numbers of Negroes are
employed. The company usually puts up the build
ing and pays the secretary. The running expenses
are paid out of annual and monthly dues. The first
rural Young Men's Christian Association for Ne
groes was organized in 1913 in Brunswick County,
Virginia. It is under the supervision of the St.
Paul Normal and Industrial Institute which is lo
cated in this county.
However, until the famous philanthropist, Jul
ius Rosenwald, of Chicago, offered to give $25,000
to any city whose Negroes would raise $75,000,
the Negro Y. M. C. A. stood for little. It was an
out-of-the-way house whose rooms were dingy,
whose equipment was dilapidated and whose se
cretaries, existing on small pay, worked but a short
time. True, the organization began as early as
1853, but the Rosenwald fund enabled the colored
people to put up such brick buildings as those for
example, in Indianapolis, Indiana ; Chicago, Illinois ;
Kansas City, Missouri ; St. Louis, Missouri ; Atlan
ta, Ga. ; and to establish the Negro Y. M. C. A., as a
lasting organization in America.
In the recent War the "Y" work, as it was called
rendered valuable service to the Negro boys on the
front. Be this also added that the Negro men
who volunteered to serve the Y. M. C. A., were
among the best that the race could produce, and
thus far, the war having terminated at this writing,
no Negro "Y" worker has been convicted of any
adroit dealings in office. Today there is scarcely
a state or a city where Negro population abounds
but has a respectable Y. M. C. A.
NEGRO Y. W. C. A.
In 1893, students associations had been organized
in a number of Negro schools. Associations at
Claflin, Straight, and Tougaloo Universities, Spel-
man Seminary and the Alabama A. and M. College
became affilited, in the early 90's with what was
then the National Association of Young Women's
Christian Association. In 1906, the National Board
of Young Women's Christian Associations of the
United States of America was formed. Its pro
gram included plans for the supervision and ex
tension of the association movement among col
ored women.
The Y. W. C. A. is an organization much like the
Y. M. C. A. The Y. W. .C A. is now doing effect
ive work, both in the schools and among the gen
eral public for colored young women. The Y. W.
C. A. is scarcely more than a quarter of a century
old. Certainly its active work does not date back
much further than this. Such colored women as
Mrs. Wm. A. Hunton. wife of Y. M. C. A. Worker,
W. A. Hunton ; Mrs. Elizabeth Ross Haines ; Mrs.
Kva D. Bowles; Mrs. Josephine Penyon, are among
the early sponsors for the work of the Y. W. asso
ciation. Mrs. William A. Hunton was the first col
ored secretary. She spent the winter of 1907-
08 investigating the colored field and interesting
548
YM.C.A.BUII.DIN&,
NASH vl
A. ,
LOUISVILLE, K.Y.
TYPES OF MODERN NEGRO Y. M.C. A. BUILDINGS
the colored women in the work. She founded four
teen student Associations and four City Associa
tions : New York, Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Wash
ington. In 1908, Miss Elizabeth Ross was appoint
ed to be the special worker for the National Board
among colored students. Miss Ross was succeed
ed in 1910 by Miss Cecelia Holloway, and Miss Hol-
loway, by Miss Josephine Pinyon.
In 1910, Mrs. Elizabeth Ross Haynes and Mrs
Hunton undertook a systematic and intensive de
velopment of city association work among colored
women and the placing of trained secretaries in lo
cal associations. In 1913, Miss Eva D. Bowles was
appointed by the National Board to have special
supervision of the city work. In order that pros
pective secretaries may gain a definite knowledge
of association methods and principles and their
practical application, training centers are provided
in addition to the regular training school courses.
Special summer courses have also been provided
for those desiring to prepare for the secretaryship.
In recent years the association has broaden
ed the equipment of its corps of workers, going
far and wide throughout the nation. Not only have
many buildings been put up in the cities, but some
very careful and effective work has been done ir
saving and educating girls of various large cities.
In the recent war the Y. W., like the "Y." ren
dered most helpful service. Perhaps one of the
greatest services was the establishment of lodg
ings for young women who travel. In this way
the Y. W. saves many a girl who travels from pos
sible ruin.
COLORED EXPLORERS
Two men must be mentioned among the colored
explorers. The first is Estenvanillo or Estevanico,
sometimes referred to as "Steve." He was with
the ill fated expedition of DeNarvaez. This expe
dition set out from Spain in 1627. Only four men
survived. Of this number Estevanico was one.
He, with a companion set out to investigate
for himself. He was one of the first persons to
cross the continent of America. For eight years
he wandered over the plains of Texas, and discov
ered Arizona and New Mexico. To him also be
longs the credit of the discovery of the Zuni In
dians.
The other explorer of prominence in the Negro
race is Matthew A. Henson. Henson was born in
1866, in Maryland. He had the honor of accom
panying Commander Robert 1'-. Peary on all his ex
peditions in search for the North Pole, with the
exception of the first one. He was with Command
er Peary when the final dash was made in 1909. In
fact he was the only civilized person with the com
mander at that time. Of Henson's part in the dis
covery of the North Pole Commander Peary said :
"On that bitter brilliant day in April ,1909, when
the stars and stripes floated at the North Pole,
Caucasian, Ethiopian, and Mongolian stood side by
side at the Apex of the earth, in the harmoniovv
companionship resulting from hard work, expos
ure, danger, and a common object.
"Mathew A. Henson, my Negro assistant, has
been with me in one capacity or another since my
second trip to Nicaragua in 1887. I have taken
him on each and all of my expeditions, except the
first, and also without exception on each of my
fartherest sledge trips. This position I have given
him primarily because of his adaptability and fit
ness for the work and secondly, on account of his
loyalty. He is a better dog driver than any man
living, except some of the best Esquimo hunter
themselves."
550
Negro Education
ANY forces have been working to
gether for the education of the
Negro in the South. The North
ern born Negro is no problem.
While he has not always availed
himself of fine chances for good
education, still the choice is left largely with the
individual.
This is not so in the South. The Public school
system all over the Southland is inadequate. The
terms in the rural districts are too short, the build
ings and the equipment too poor. The city schools
are too few in number to afford training for the
vast number of children of color who have to at
tend them .As I said, at the first, many forces
have been at work for the education of the Negro.
In the Rural District the Jeans' Fund Workers are
making a marked change in the class-room work.
The Rosenwald Fund is making a vast change in
the physical surroundings of the schools. Through
these two funds as they are used in the rural dis
tricts in the South, much good has been derived
for the betterment of the educational facilities of
the rural Negro.
The larger cities have come, some of them lately
and some of them a long time ago to realize the
need for High Schools. In Washington, D. C., there
is the Dunbar High School, and the Manual Train
ing School, which is of High School grade. There
is an excellent High School in both St. Louis and
ii' Kansas City, Missouri. A newly established
High School in Sedalia is also clamoring for recog
nition as a first class High School. Savannah,
Georgia. Birmingham, Alabama, Little Rock, Ark
ansas ; Muscogee, Oklahoma, Louisville, Kentucky,
and all the larger cities of Texas are able to boast
of their High School for Colored Children. There
are some other cities that are doing part High
school work, but the number is far too small for
the number of children that need the training.
COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOLS
Arising to fill a long felt need in the training of
colored you'.h the County Training Schools in the
South hav ; come forward to a plac.- i ; prominence.
In most of the rural communities of the Scuth the
time spent, equipment and the ability of the teach
er of the -ural school have held the children back.
To quote from Dr. James H. Dillard, ;.f the Slater
Fund :
"The ir:ovement for the establishment c.f County
Training Schools for Negroes came from the coun
ty superintendents. In an address delivered in 1913
at the Southern Sociological Congress Mr. B. C.
Caldwell said : "Three years ago a parish superin
tendent in Louisiana applied to the Slater Fund for
assistance in establishing a county high school for
Negro children. Almost at the same time a county
superintendent in Arkansas, one in Virginia, and
one in Mississippi proposed substantially the same
thing. It was the purpose in each case to train
teachers for the schools of the county.
Every county in the South has felt the need of
fairly well trained teachers in its rural schools. But
so far as we know this is the first time that supe
rintendents have deliberately planned to get them
by training them at home." This correspondence
Jed to discussion of plans and investigation of con
ditions, to which Messrs. Caldwell, Davis, and W.
T. B. Williams devoted careful attention. The re
sult was that for the session 1911-12 the Slater
Fund contributed $500 in each of four counties with
the understanding that the schools should be pub
lic schools supported by the public funds.
"Our purpose in these four instances is to aid in
establishing a county industrial training school for
Negroes as a part of the public school system.
"One great need, as I have previously stated to
che Board, is to provide means for some sort of
preparation for the rural teachers, hardly any of
whom have been able to attend any institution out
side of their own county or some adjoining county."
Many of these County Training Schools were
crude in their beginnings, but the superintendents
and supervisors and all concerned have struggled
to develop them to a point where they will serve
the purpose for which they were established. To
get a good teacher in the rural districts was al
most impossible. The well trained teachers pre
ferred to work in the town, cities and private
schools. The County Training schools were es
tablished to prepare teachers in the county for the
•uork of the county. That the plan has succeeded
is shown by the steady increase in the number of
County Training Schools.
The minimum requirement of the Slater Board
which has furnished assistance for these schools
follows :
M INIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE SLATER
BOARD
"To aid in the establishment of these schools, the
'trustees of the John F. Slater Fund have voted
an appropriation of $500 to each for maintenance
subject to the following conditions :
I. The school property shall belong to the state,
county, or district, and the school shall be a part
of the public school system.
II. There shall be an appropriation for main-
SSI
TIFT COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL,
GEORGIA,
FAYETTE COUNTY
SCHOOL^OMERVIULE, TEWN
PlCKENS CoUAITY
TfiAlNlNOt SCHOOL,
ALABAMA.
COMMUNITY MEETING,
PICK-ENS COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL
RMITORY, tJoHNSTON CoUlVTY. No. CAROLINA
ILLUSTRATIONS OF MODERN TRAINING SCHOOLS.
tenance of not less than $750 from public funds
-aised by the state, county, or district taxation.
III. The teaching shall extend through the
eighth year, with the intention of adding at least
two years as soon as it shall be possible to make
such extension."
These County Training Schools become the cen
tres of learning for the county in which they are
located and for the neighboring counties. Better
teachers may be had for them because of the better
pay and because of the emphasis that is being-
placed upon them.
The good that is being accomplished in this new
development in the Public School system of the
South is great. The larger institutions of learn
ing in the South can furnish teachers enough for
these educational centers. The pay and the life of
fered are sufficiently enticing to make the new
teachers happy. These teachers carry to the rural
districts all the ideas that they have gained through
years of association with real educators. The pup
ils in the County Training schools will in turn go
out into the remote places of the country and es
tablish better and bigger schools and in this way
the people on the farms will learn to live a broader.
more wholesome life. Too much cannot be said in
praise for these New County Training Schools.
In addition to the work that is done through the
public school system and through the .various
funds helping out the public school system there
have been a number of organizations that will have
to be studied separately in order to get some idea
of the scope of the work that has been done by
them.
AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION
SOCIETY.
The work of the American Baptist Home Mis
sion Society in the South was begun in 1862. The
following resolution marked the beginning of their
endeavor for the colored people, "Resolved, That
we recommend the society to take immediate
steps to supply with Christian instruction by means
of missionaries and teachers, the emancipated
slaves. From that clay the organization has worked
steadily for the education of the Negro youth.
While at the start the teachers nd officers em
ployed by this Society to manage the schools it
was founding were of necessity white, the schools
have gradually added to the list of teachers per-
552
PARTIAL BIRD-EVE VIEW OF BENEDICT COLLEGE
sons of color till today there are a greater number
of colored than white teachers working in these
schools. Several of the larger schools have been
given over entirely into the hands of the colored
people. So well have these institutions been man
aged that they have gone forward and have stead
ily increased in efficiency.
Among the schools established by the American
Baptist Home Mission Society may be mentioned
Morehouse College, established in 1867, Spelman
Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., established in 1881. These
two schools are told of in full elsewhere in this vol
ume and represent the type of work being done by
all the schools owned and controlled by this body.
Benedict .College, in South Carolina, was estab
lished in 1871. Bishop College, in Texas, was es
tablished in 1881, Hartshorn Memorial College, in
Virginia, was established in 1883, Shaw University
in North Carolina is one of the oldest of the schools
established by this Society. This institution dates
from 1865. Another of the earliest institutions is
the Virginia Union University, established in 1865.
The number of Baptists among colored people
of the Souih outnumbers any other denomination.
For this reason the Baptist boards working for the
colored people have had a large field. Many have
been the problems that have arisen because of the
division of the work in this denomination. In sev
eral of the states the colored Baptists have divided.
One branch of colored Baptists supports the
schools organized and owned by the American
Baptist Home Mission Society. The other branch
supports the schools that they have organized and
run in opposition to American Baptist Home Mis
sion Schools. This has been but an outcome of
the Negroes' ambition to apply the lessons of self
help that have been implanted in his breast while
attending these institutions of learning. The col
ored man is yet too poor to finance properly his
own schools for higher education. Where the at-
SHAW UNIVERSITY, RALEIGH, N. C.
553
ansi
its Residence)
he Pool
Bishop
CGirl.s' Dormitory
pus Enirran
iff I
Rocketeller
iXU^'v*--'* ., -v
(Girls' Dormitory^
GROUP OF VIEWS OF BISHOP COLLEGE, MARSHALL, TEXAS.
- •
HARTSHORN MEMORIAL COLLEGE, RICHMOND, VA.
tempt has been made they have suffered from in
sufficient funds.
Another division of the Baptists in the work for
the colored people is the Northern and the South
ern whites. The Northern whites have done most
for the Negro, but Southern Baptists have also felt
the responsibility for the training of the Colored
youth. In 1916 the Southern Baptists pledged fifty
thousand dollars for a Theological School for Ne
groes.
The work that is done by the American Baptist
Home Mission Board is strongly supported by the
Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Board.
In fact the schools that are helped by the Woman's
branch are also helped by the regular board. To
gether these two boards own and control twenty-
four institutions that are classed as "larger and
more important" in the U. S. Bulletin Number 38.
'Hie total valuation of these twenty-four schools
is $3,870,744. This represents a great investment
for the development of the Colored Baptists of the
South. Not only has the Northern White man giv
en of his money, to the development of this cause,
but he has sent his sons and daughters into the field
to labor as well. Then when there were colored
men sufficiently trained to share the responsibility
the work was divided with him. John Hope, Pres
ident of Morehouse College, Atlanta. Ga.. is tin
type of colored man that this Society has placed
at the head of its institutions, Z. T. Hubert, Pres
ident of Jackson College, Jackson. Mississippi, is
another young colored man who. having been given
the responsibility of the management of one of the
larger schools supported by Northern Baptists, has
made good.
The good of these two organizations cannot be
estimated. Never in the history of any race has
the progress upward been so rapid as that of the
Negro race. When we consider the untiring ef
forts of these unselfish people and others equally
zealous for our uplift, we can in a small way be
gin to realize the great force that was back of this
rapid rise. Never will the Negro of the South for
get the efforts of the Northern white man in be
half of his educational uplift.
AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION
The American Missionary Association was or
ganized September 3, 1846. From the first the or
ganization held high ideals and it was run by men
of broad educational training. These men were
strong men, men of power and vision. The organ
ization was not formed to furnish relief for the
black men, but at the outbreak of the War, it was
in a very good position to do so. For fifteen years it
had carried on work in the South hoping to arouse
the Southern Whites to a realization of the evils of
slavery. The Association in 1858 founded Berea
College, Kentucky. This school was not founded
for Negroes alone, but for all who needed training.
In 1868 this College had an attendance of 200 pu
pils, and two-thirds of these were Negroes.
From the first efforts of this Association were
strong for the education of the Negro. In 1866
Fisk University was established. The story of the
progress of this institution and of its becoming in
dependent is told elsewhere in this volume. In
1867 Talladega College was established. This
school is one of the strongest supported by the As
sociation. It is situated at Talladega, Alabama, and
stands for the thorough preparation of colored men
and women in all lines of endeavor. The work of
555
CHORUS IN THE CHAPEL, TOUGALOO, UNIVERSITY, TOUGALOO, MISS.
the college department is of such grade that two
years in Harvard or Yale wins for Talladega men
their degree.
In 1868, Hampton Institute was founded. It was
of course not then what it is today, but out of the
school planted in that year has grown our great
Hampton of today. Hampton, like Fisk, is now an
independent school. Hampton stands for the train
ing of both the head and the hand. There are
900 boarding pupils. 400 day pupils in the elemen
tary school, and about 400 teachers attending sum
mer school. The work took its shape under Gen
eral Armstrong, the first principal and Dr. Frissell
carried out the ideas that were started by him.
The work is now under Dr. Gregg.
In 1869, both Atlanta University at Atlanta, Ga.,
and Straight University, at New Orleans, were es
tablished. Both these schools now have the repu
tation of doing very thorough classical work. At
lanta University is one of the best known institu
tions for the training of the Negro youth of the
South. It is also one of the schools in which the
most thorough work is being done. They carry
an enrollment of about 500 pupils, a great number
of these come from the city of Atlanta. It is one
of the best equipped of the schools doing work for
the colored people.
Straight, like Talladega College, is still under the
control of the American Missionary Association.
It has a strong faculty and is religious in its train
ing. Straight is one of the first class institutions
for the higher education of the Negroes of the
South. Although chartered as Straight University
in 1915, the name was changed to Straight College
as that more nearly represented the scope of the
work that could be done by this school.
In the same year as the two above mentioned
schools were established, Tougaloo College was
founded in the State of Mississippi. This school
is still under the control of the A. M. A. It is one
of the oldest and strongest of the schools still sup
ported by this organization. Tougaloo is especial
ly strong in its musical course. If the good of an
institution is to be counted by the work done by
the graduates that go from its doors, then Touga
loo is one of the best of our Southern schools.
STRAIGHT COLLEGE, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
556
GROUP OF BUILDINGS OF TALLADEGA COLLEGE, TALLADEGA. ALA.
The work of the American Missionary Associa
tion can be estimated by the work of the Universi
ties and colleges established and maintained by it.
The good that has been done through establish
ment of smaller schools in all parts of the South has
also to be taken into account. These schools were
invariably put in the care of good earnest Christian
workers. At first most of these workers were
white men and women, but as soon as there were
colored workers sufficiently trained for the posi
tions they were added to the list of workers in
these secondary schools. Among these schools
might be mentioned Lincoln School, at Meridian,
Mississippi, for a number of years under the lead
ership of Mrs. H. I. Miller, of Topeka. Kansas. The
Emerson School in Mobile, Le Moyne Institute, in
Memphis, Cotton Valley, which is out in a country
district of Alabama. In fact the number of these
schools is too great for them all to be mentioned.
But the good training they have given to the Ne
gro girls and boys, and the inspiration that has
come through them- for better living has made
them a great factor in the development of the Ne
gro in the South.
The schools of the American Missionary Associa
tion, both the small schools and the colleges have
been a great factor in making the progress of the
Colored man so rapid.
FEDERAL SCHOOLS, LAND GRANT SCHOOLS.
AND STATES SCHOOLS FOR THE NEGRO
That the educated Negro is far more of an asset
in the state than an uneducated one has gradually
become an established and known fact among the
white people of the South. At first the white man
was not over sympathetic with the education of
the Negro. But the Religious bodies of the North
continued to work for his education and uplift, till
even the Southern white man saw that an educated
Negro was an improvement on the uneducated one.
CARNEGIE LIBRARY, STATE A. & M. COLLEGE. TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MECHANICTS .ART BUILDING
557
GIRLS, DORMITORY, PRAIRIE VIEW. N. & S. INSTITUTE, ADMINISTRATION RLDG. AND FOSTER HALL.
When this fact dawned upon the Southern law
maker, they began to establish state schools for
the training of the colored boys and girls.
The Land-Grant schools are the greatest in num
ber. The Morrill Fund under which these schools
receive Government money was established in 1862.
The Negroes at first came into only a small share
of this money. In Virginia, Hampton Institute re
ceived $12,000 from this fund as early as 1870. In
South Carolina, Claflin University received a por
tion of the. fund for the development of an indus
trial course. In Mississippi, however, Alcorn Col
lege was opened to both white and colored for
training. In 1876 Alcorn was practically wholly
colored. But the school did not take a definite
place in the education of the colored youth til)
much later. It was still much later that the
State school and Land Grant School for the Negro
became a real factor in the development of the col
ored boy and girl in Southern States.
Of the Land Grant Schools there are now six
teen. All of the Southern States have taken ad
vantage of the liberal appropriation of the Govern
ment for the school training of the young. The
amount of money invested in the plants of these
sixteen schools is more than two million, five hun
dred thousand dollars. Some of these schools are
taken up in full in other parts of this book — The
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College for
Negroes at Normal ; Princess Anne Academy of
Maryland; and the Lincoln Institute of Missouri
But there are others that are doing equally as good
work and some of the others are larger. For ex
ample the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
College for Negroes, at Tallahassee, has played a
great part in the training of the youth of that state.
Mr. N. B. Young, who has been at the head of this
institution for years has developed the work along
all the lines that make for the full development of
strong character. This is probably the best organ
ized of all the Land Grant Schools.
This is the complete list of the Land Grant
Schools — Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical
College, Normal, Alabama,, Walter Buchanan,
Pres. ; Branch Normal, Pine Bluff. Arkansas, J. (!.
Ish, President; Delaware State College for Colored
Youth, Dover, Del., W. C. Jason, President. ;Flor-
ida Agricultural and Mechanical College, Tallassee,
N. B. Young, President; Georgia State Industrial
College, Savannah, R. R. Wright, President ; Ken
tucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored,
Frankfort, G. P. Rusell, President ; Southern Uni
versity, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, J. S. Clark, Pres
ident ; Princess Anne Academy, Princess Anne.
Thomas H. Kiah, President ; Alcorn Agricultural
and Mechanical College, Alcorn, Mississippi, L. J.
Rowan, President; Lincoln Institute, Jefferson
City, Missouri ; Clement Richardson. President ;
Colored Agricultural and Technical College, Greens
boro, N. C., James B. Dudley, President; Colored
Agricultural and Normal University, Langston.
Oklahoma, J. M. Marquess, President ; Colored
Normal, Industrial and Mechanical College, Or-
angeburg, S. C., R. S. Wilkinson, President ; Agri
cultural and Industrial State School, Nashville,
Tenn. ; W. J. Hoyle, President; Prairie View State
Normal and Industrial College, Prairie View, Tex
as, I. M. Terrell, President ; West Virginia Collegi
ate Institute, Institute, W. Va., Byrd Prillerinan,
President.
Hampton Institute might be mentioned as a Land
Grant School, for it received part of its support
fund from this source. These schools represent an
anual investment of more than one million, one
hundred eighty-five thousand dollars in tin- train
ing of the colored youth of the South.
The State schools of the South are supported en
tirely by the state receiving no funds from the Fed
eral Government. There are eleven of these
schools. Alabama has one, Kansas two, Mary
land one. New Jersey one. North Carolina three,
Ohio one, and Virginia and West Virginia one each.
The Federal school is Howard University locat
ed at Washington, D. C. Howard represents an in
vestment of one million seven hundred fifty odd
thousand dollars.
558
FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY. THE NEGRO FIFTY YEARS AGO.
The Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Population census 1860; Slaves
Episcopal Church was organized in Cincinnati, 3.953,750; Free, 487,970; total.. 441,730
Ohio, in 1866. and at once sent school teachers into Illiteracy 90%
the South to gather the scattered and ignorant peo- Value of property, estimated at_. $1,200,000
pie together in any sort of shack or building, or Number of colleges and universities.. 1
even in open air. to teach them desponsibilities of Number of college graduates, esti-
manhood and womanhood and citizenship. Gradual- mated at .
ly the Church responded to calls of the Society for Number of practicing physicians and
money necessary to put up buildings and pay teach- pharmacists . 0
ers, until, after fifty years of earnest and faithful Number of lawyers _. 0
service on the part of teachers, and liberal giving Number of banks operated by Negroes 0
by the Church, there are at the present time un- Number of Negro towns _. 0
der the control of the Freedmen's Aid Society Number of newspapers.. 1
eighteen institutions of learning, located in strate- Number of churches owned, estimated
gic centers throughout the Southern States, with at 400
334 teachers and 5,702 students, sending out their Value of church property $500,000
streams of intellectual, industrial, and moral influ- Membership of Negro churches, esti-
ence into the masses of the Negro race, now grown mated at . 40,000
to be twelve million. During the half century of Number of children in schools, esti-
their work, over 200,000 boys and girls have at- mated at 25,000
tended the schools. Large numbers of them have HALF A CENTURY OF NEGRO PROGRESS.
graduated and are now the leading factors in the Total Negro population (U n j t e d
ministry and membership not only of the Metho- States) 1910 9828294
dist Episcopal Church, but of all the colored Romes ,owned by"^"™"" 'sOOOOO
churches in the South. From nothing the property churches owned by Negroes__ 3^393
of the Society has grown until today it is valued church Membershi _ 3 207'305
at $2,008.750. and the annual income from collec- Sunday schools 24380
tions in the churches, bequests, gifts, and legacies, Sunday-school scholars ~ 1,448^570
with payments from students themselves, amounts Illiteracy census 1910 _ 3o'sc/
to a round half million of dollars, and the perma- Va]ue of property; estimated"atV. .7$ 1,000,000 000
nent endowment is now one million dollars and Number of farms owner 250;000
daily growing. Value of church property $65,000000
The 350,000 colored members of the Methodist Number of college and university gra.
Episcopal Church, with their 3,375 churches, 215,- duates 8000
206 Sunday-school scholars (and a church property Professiona7men7 75000
valued at $8,091,929), would have been impossible Number of practicing physicianSj es_
were it not for the trained and converted leaders timated at ? SOO
who have gone out from the schools. The work Number of prVctic7ng"7awyers7 \',500
could not have been carried on in these churches Number of business men, estimated at 50,000
and Sunday schools were it not for the young life Number Q{ chi,dren -n schoo,s__ 2,000,000
constantly pouring out of the schools into their Number Q{ NegrQ towng 5Q
ministry and membership. Ten millions of dollars Number Q{ NegrQ teachers__ 3Q^
make up the total cost for fifty years. Just about ^ Qwned by NegrQes__ 20.000.000
the price of one battleship, or less than the money -. „„.-. ..
wasted in the European war in half a day. Drue- stores' 300
WHAT GOD HATH WROUGHT FOR THE NE- General stores"and~ o7h7r~~ industrial
GRO RACE IN AMERICA IN FIFTY enterprises 20,000
YEARS. Newspapers and periodicals 398
Half a century ago the Negro was a chattel. Hospital and Nurse training schools. _ 61
without education, property, or opportunity of any Banks owned by Negroes 72
sort. Four millions of him then, twelve millions Insurance companies 100
now, but what a wonderful contrast between the 66.2 per cent of all Negroes in the Uni-
condition of the twelve millions of today and the ted States, ten years of age or over,
four millions of fifty years ago. Read both sides are engaged in gainful occupations.
of this parallel and see what has been accomplish- Property owned by Negro secret so-
ed through fifty years of Christian training. cieties $8,000,000
559
Capital stock Negro banks $2,000,000
Annual business done by Negro banks $20,000.000
The Freedmen's Aid Society has contributed a
large share of this magnificent result through its
eighteen schools. During that time it has sent out
more than 200,000 young people, who received the
broader and higher outlook from its Christian
teachers.
The work of these young people is the largest
factor among the Negro people in making the
world safe for democracy.
SOCIETY'S NEW OUTLOOK.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has just com
pleted a drive in which ONE HUNDRED AND
TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS was raised for
missions and education, home and foreign. THE
THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND
NEGRO membership of that church subscribed
FOUR MILLION DOLLARS. The entire one hun
dred and twelve millions covers a period of five
years, so the Negroes will have eight hundred
thousand dollars per year to raise. While but two
months of the first year have passed since the close
of the drive the Negro membership has paid in
approximately two hundred thousand in cash.
The colored people gave but four million on the
basis of the five year period but eight million will
be expendd in building churches and employing
church workers in the North and the South and in
education.
The Freedmen's Aid Society which directs the
educational institutions of the Methodist Episcopal
Church for the education of Negroes is the agency
to push the new program of education.
That Society will have available in the five year
period two million dollars over its regular income
to be applied to endowment, new buildings and
equipment. At a recent meeting, the Board of
Managers advanced the current appropriations to
the schools for the year 1919-1920 from $95,985.61
to $118,000. The appropriation for Morgan
College and branches which are operated by a self-
perpetuating Board of Trustees amounts to $15,-
410, making a total appropriation $133,410.00. Nor
is this all of direct appropriations, because each in
stitution gets the amount raised in the patronizing
colored conferences. All of the above is extra from
the regular income of the school in fees, board and
tuition.
ANNUITIES AND SPECIAL GIFTS.
In addition to the offerings from the churches,
the Society receives many gifts of large amounts
during each year. For those who wish to contrib
ute to the work of these schools, and who need
of the donor. This makes sure that such gifts
shall go on fulfilling a great commission, in the
name of these donors for all time to come.
The schools operated by the Freedmen's Aid So
ciety are Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta.
Ga., Meharry Medical College, Nashville. Tenn.,
Flint-Goodridge Hospital, New Orleans, La., Clark
University, So. Atlanta, Ga., Morristown Normal
College, Morristown, Tenn., Morgan College and
Princess An/ie Academy, Baltimore, Md., New Or
leans College, and Gilbert Academy. New Orleans,
La., Rust College, Holly Springs, Miss., Philander
Smith College, Little Rock, Ark., Sam Huston Col
lege, Austin, Texas, Bennett College, Greensboro.
N. Carolina, George R. Smith College, Sedalia,
Mo., Haven Institute, Meridian, Miss., Central Ala
bama Institute, Birmingham. Ala., Cookman Insti
tute, Jacksonville, Fla., Claflin College. Orange-
burg. So. Carolina, Wiley College, Marshall, Texas.
The officers of the Freedmen's Aid Society are
as follows :
BOARD OF MANAGERS— Bishops : W. F. An
derson, F. J. McConnell, F. D. Leete, W. P. Thirk-
field, W. A. Quayle, and F. M Bristol Ministers:
J. C. Hartzell, H. C. Jennings, A. J. Nast, D. L. Ault-
man, Herbert Scott, John H. Race, C. E. Schenk.
V. F. Brown, W. B. Slutz, E. R. Overley. Wr. H.
Wohrly, and E. C. Wareing. Laymen : R. H. Mc-
Rary, E. R. Graham, L. N. Gatch, E. C'. Harley, C.
F. Coffin, C. L. Swain, H. H. Garrison, Harlan C'.
West, George D. Webb, and Charles Hommeyer.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD— Bishop W. F.
Anderson, President; Bishop F. D. Leete, First
Vice-President ; Bishop W. P. Thirkield, Second
Vice-President ; Rev. C. E. Schenk, Third Vice-
President ; Rev. W. H. Wehrly, Fourth Vice-Presi
dent ; C. L. Swain, Fifth Vice-President ; Rev. John
H. Race, Treasurer; Rev. D. Lee Aultman, Record
ing Secretary ; Rev. P. J. Maveety and I. Garland
Penn. Corresponding Secretaries. Assistant Re
cording Secretary; Miss May Getzendanner, As
sistant Treasurer, E. R. Graham.
PROMINENT MEN WHO ARE FREEDMEN'S
AID GRADUATES.
Half of all the colored physicians in the United
States are graduates of Meharry Medical College,
one of the Freedmen's Schools. Such outstanding
and prominent men as Dr. Emmett J. Scott, Sec
retary-Treasurer of Howard University, Washing
ton, D. C. ; Dr. R. E. Jones, Editor South Western
Christian Advocate, New Orleans, La. ; Dr. War-
field, Surgeon-in-Chief Freedmen's Hospital,
Washington, D. C. ; Lawyer W. Ashbie Hawkins,
Baltimore, Md. ; Dr. J. W. E. Bowen, Professor
Historical Theology, Atlanta. Ga. ; Dr. Ernest Ly-
on, former Minister to Liberia, and a host of others
the income from their money while they live, the
Society pays a liberal annuity during the lifetime are graduates of these schools.
560
GRLS' DORMITORY, PAUL QUINN COLLEGE, WACO, TEXAS.
OTHER PROMINENT INSTITUTIONS SUP
PORTED BY THE METHODIST CHURCH
The Methodist Church has the honor of taking
the first definite steps for the education of the col
ored youth. This step was taken in Ohio in the
year 1844. At that time the Ohio Conference of
the A. M. E. Church appointed a committee to se
lect a site for the Seminary of learning'. It was
three years later when the school was opened. The
same state took the next step for the education of
the colored man. This was when they established
Wilberforce University. The object of Wilberforce
was the higher order of education of colored peo
ple generally and the site for it was purchased in
1856.
From the first the broad principle that there
should be no race discrimination was established
Wilberforce changed hands in 1863, when Bish
op Payne of the A. M. E. Church purchased the in
stitution from the M. E. Church. The school has
been in the hands of strong race leaders. They
have builded well for the distinctive University
that is now Wilberforce. The present President is
Dr. W. S. Scarborough, who was for a number of
years prior to this Professor of Latin and Greek
in this University.
While Wilberforce is by far the best known and
the largest of these schools, Kittrell College, Kit-
trell. North Carolina, with President G. A. Edwards
at its head is well known and is doing a good work.
Ranking along with Kittrell we have Paul Quinn in
Texas and Morris Brown in Atlanta, Georgia.
These schools all receive their support from the
church, and in turn send out trained young people
to work in the interest of the denomination.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
The first step for Negro education was taken in
Ohio, in 1844. Ten years later, 1854, Pennsylvania
took the next step when Lincoln University was
first founded. The first charter was granted un
der the name of Ashmun Institute. When the
name was changed in 1866, the plan was to have
training in the various professions ; theology, med
icine, law — in adition to the regular preparatory
department and college course. The courses were
one by one discontinued, however, till in 1893, there
remained the College and the Theological Sem
inary as departments of the University.
OTHER CHURCH SCHOOLS
Besides the schools that fall into the groups that
have already been considered there are the Presby
terian Schools, the Catholic Schools, Christian
Schools, The Schools owned by the Societies of
Friends, the schools of the Lutheran Board, the
Episcopal Boards, the United Presbyterion Board
and then there are Negro Church Boards maintain
ing schools.
The work done for the Negro through these var
ious boards shows the genuine interest of the
churches in the social uplift of the colored man.
The Baptist Board with its large investment in
Negro education has a large Negro membership
in its denomination. While they do not limit the
students in anyway to persons of their own faith,
they have a very large number of young men and
women of their own faith to draw on. The same
is true of the Methodists. While not so numerous
as the Baptists they are present in vast number.
This is not true of the other boards that are strug
gling to help the Negro in his upward strides. They
561
are working for the Negro through their love of
humanity. This fact will be more and more recog
nized.
Less than 4 percent of the Negro population of
the United States are connected with churches oth
er than Baptist and Methodist. The other relig
ious bodies however, including the Congregational-
ists, have invested more than seven million dollars
in the education of the Colored people. This. is a
sum that equals the combined investment of the
two leading denominations. This shows the in
terest of these broad, people in education in its
broadest sense. The good thus done for the Negro
*ias meant much in his rapid progress during the
past fifty years. The schools established and con
trolled by these organizations are for the most part
well supervised and amply supported.
CONGREGATIONALISM AND THE NEGRO.
Congregationalism is apostolic in origin. In its
modern meaning, it dates as far back as the
close of the Sixteenth Century, when Puritan
ism arose in the days of "Good Queen Bess." Un
der James I, one group began to meet by them
selves, and to worship in an unorthodox way.
These were days when religious toleration was not
known ; hence, they were "harried out of the land,"
and found refuge first in Holland, and after twelve
years, found a home in the wilds of the new world,
at Plymouth, in 1620.
Their splendid heroism is a matter of history.
How they toiled and suffered and died in laying the
foundations of a church without a Bishop, and of
a State without a King, is known by every school
boy.
Their ministers, from Robinson down, were men
of letters. Education was fostered along with re
ligion, as a matter of course. Harvard, Yale, An-
dover, Dartsmouth, Princeton, and scores of other
colleges and schools of high rank bear eloquent
witness to their intellectual zeal.
They were, however, pre-eminently a spiritual-
minded folk and felt themselves divinely led in all
matters of both church and state.
The church in the wilderness grew and flour
ished, sometimes "with toil and persecution." Their
ears caught the macedonian cry from lands afar,
and in 1810 they organized the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions ; the first or
ganization of the kind in the new world, and moth
er of an illustrious progeny in all the churches. In
1846 the American Missionary Association was or
ganized. Five other Societies followed these in
rapid succession, but we shall dwell mainly on the
work of the American Missionary Association be
cause of its relation to the Negro. For quite three
quarters of a century this organization has stood
in the very van of the agencies that have been at
work for the uplift and enlargement of the Negro
in America and in Africa.
It was at Hampton, shortly after Gen. Butler had
declared the Negroes within the federal lines "con
traband of war," that the work of education began.
That beginning has through the passing years cul
minated in the organization of more than 250 Negro
churches and in the establishing of half dozen col
leges and universities such as : Fisk, Atlanta. Tal-
ladega, Tougaloo ; besides more than fifty primary
and Secondary schools in strategic centers extend
ing from Virginia to Texas.
These schools have administered to the threefold
need of the Negro in his struggle for a place in the
ranks of the nineteenth and twentieth century pro
gress. First of all was seen the need of educated,
trained leadership. No race can advance to its
promised land without its Moses and Aaron, and
Joshua and Samson, and Samuel ,and the rest.
The dawn of freedom discovered the Negro lead-
erless, save for a group of Negro preachers whom
nature in a mysterious way, had provided. They
did their best under the handicap of illiteracy and
the inwrought traditions of two hundred and fifty
years of servitude. In many, if not in most in
stances, this leadership was in blind obedience to
the instinct of worship and reverence ; and on the
other hand reverence and obedience to priestly and
prophetic authority. It was a concrete case of the
"blind leading the blind."
And yet in this very thing was contained the seed
of promise and of hope. The soul of the race was
crying aloud for light and for enlightenment ; and
through the A. M. A. the Congregational Church
answered that cry by founding and sustaining the
schools and churches already mentioned. Thous
ands of graduates and undergraduates have gone
out to service from these schools. There is now in
attendance eight or ten thousand Negro youths in
these schools. Here, leaders have been trained for
the task of guiding the race along the safe and sure
way of racial respectability and racial eminence
and freedom. For the past half century, yeoman
service has been done in church and school and
community. Remarkable wisdom, and tact, and pa
tience have revealed themselves in the delicate task
of raising a backward people up to the standards
and ideals of a progressive people among and with
whom they lived and by whom they were meas
ured. Honesty, efficiency, thrift, industry and
Christian good will have been the burthen of their
teaching. This has added tremendously to the eco
nomic progress of the entire South and has kept
down clashes of a racial nature.
The leadership of the Negro is still in the hands
of the minister, and it is here that emphasis has
been stressed. Intellectual and industrial leaders
562
have not been undervalued. But the descendants
of the Pilgrims are true to their traditions, and
are still insisting on the supreme place of the spir
itual. The educated minister has always been put
to the front. At Talladega College, alone, the ven
erable and beloved Dr. G. W. Andrews has taught
and sent out more than two hundred Negro preach
ers to the various branches of the Negro church.
The Baptists and the various branches of the Me
thodist Churches, with rare exceptions, gladly ac
knowledge their debt to Congregationalism for
some of their foremost leaders.
The Congregational Churches among Negroes,
serve mainly as models and stimulants to the other
churches. They are not a separate body from the
general Congregational brotherhood. Just as there
are Italian groups. Slav groups and other racial
groups, so is there this Negro group having the
fullest fellowship, and amplest privilege in all the
general affairs of the great Congregational Church.
For the past several years Negroes have held the
office of vice-president of the National Council of
Congregational Churches and have presided with
dignity and acceptably over that august body.
There are five Negro Superintendents of church
work now in the field; there are a number of Ne
groes on various boards of trustees of our Colleges,
and numbers of Negro deans, professors and
teachers, laboring side by side in utmost harmony
with the white co-laborers in the work of church
and school. All the benevolences go through the
common channel of our national administrative
boards.
Our churches are necessarily small for they
came South late, due to their attitude toward slav
ery. They have a definite purpose and a definite
mission ; that is, to train the abundant emotional
ism of the race into submission to reason and res
traint, and to present to the great church catholic
an element of worship that must greatly enrich and
enhance the religion of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Thus, shall Ethiopia stretch forth her hands unto
God, offering her princely gift to bless all mankind.
E. E. SCOTT,
Montgomery, Ala.
July 3, 1919.
NATIONAL WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPER
ANCE UNION WORK AMONG COLORED
PEOPLE
National Superintendent, Mrs. Eliza E. Peterson,
Texarkana, Texas.
Associates, Mrs. J. W. Sexton, Mobile, Ala ; Mrs.
Phoebe Allen, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Advisory Committee on College Work : Pres
ident, Miss Mary A. Lynch, Livingston College,
Salisbury, N. C. ; Secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Ross
Haynes, Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.
Work among colored people became a separate
Department in 1881. with Mrs. Jane M. Kenney
of Michigan, as Superintendent. Mrs. Frances E.
Harper, of Pennsylvania, became superintendent in
1883. and continued to fill the position until 1890.
In 1891, Mrs. J. E. Ray, of North Carolina, was
a committee on "Home and Foreign Missionary
Work for Colored People. In 1895. Mrs. Lucy
Thurman, of Michigan, became superintendent of
the colored work. She continued in this position
until 1908, when she was succeeded by the present
superintendent, Mrs. Eliza E. Peterson.
The W. C. T. U. work among colored people is
carried on in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Col
orado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Kansas, Ken
tucky, Louisiana, Maryland. Michigan. Minnesota,
Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
and West Virginia. The colored women are or
ganized into local unions, and in the District of Co
lumbia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, they have
separate State organizations with their own State
officers. Many colored women belong to mixed
unions. Altogether, the colored membership in
the W. C. T. U. is about 6.000.
Texas has the largest paid W. C. T. U. member
ship among colored women of the United States.
The city with the largest paid membership is Nash
ville, Tenn. Prairie View State Normal and In
dustrial College, Prairie View, Texas, has the larg
est young people's branch among colored women in
the United States. The branch has 150 young
women who are paid-up members.
WORK OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST PUB
LICATION SOCIETY AMONG NEGROES
This society has carried on such work since
emancipation.
During the past year the Society maintained six
Sunday School workers among colored people in
Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas,
and Virginia. These workers held Sunday School
Conventions, Bible Institutes and delivered ad
dresses to Sunday Schools and Churches. They
visited the past year over 800 Sunday Schools and
Churches. The names of these workers and their
fields are as follows :
S. N. Vass, D. D., Box. 430, Raleigh, N. C., Gen
eral Superintendent of Negro Work of the Society
throughout the United States.
D. A- Scott, D. D., Austin, Texas, State Sunday
School Missionary for Texas.
L. W. Galloway, D. D., Selma, Ala., State Sunday-
School Missionary for Alabama.
E. R. Roberts, D. D., Florence, S. C.. State Sun
day School Missionary for South Carolina.
563
Rev. T. C. Walker, Gloucester, Va., State Sunday
School Missionary for Virginia.
Rev. M. A. Talley, Raleigh, N. C, State Sunday
School Missionary for North Carolina.
THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE NEGRO
The Salvation Army is making an attempt i
reach the Negro mainly through Negroes who arc
being trained in the Salvation Army Workers'
School, in New York City. Only a few Negroes
thus far have gone through this school. As they
finish, they are sent in to the South. At present
work is being conducted exclusively among Ne
groes in Washington, D. C., Richmond, Va., and
Charleston, S. C.
WORK AMONG NEGROES BY THE INTER
NATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Believing that the colleges and the normal
schools should be the source of supply for efficient
Sunday School teachers in the local churches, the
committee on Work Among Negroes of the Inter
national Sunday School Association, appointed by
Dr. H. C. Lyman, 78 East Mitchell Street, Atlanta,
Georgia, to introduce in these schools a special
course for the training of Sunday School teachers.
"Beginning in 1911 with the five colleges in Atlanta
the interest has gradually grown until Sunday
School teacher training has been presented in prac
tically all of the 263 Boarding Schools that carry
six or more teachers. Recognition of the need for
better teachers in the local Sunday Schools was in
stant. The fine body of students in the colleges is
the logical source of supply. They are the natural
leaders. Enlistment in a specific work for the prac
tical betterment of the home church appeals to
them. Community betterment may be realized by
working for the younger generation through the
Sunday School. There is no better guarantee that
these college students will become permanent fac
tors in the local churches. The results have more
than justified the efforts. Two hundred teachers
training classes have been organized. The enroll
ment in these classes for 1915-1916 was 3060. In
forty-seven schools this work is required and reg
ular credit given for it.
In addition to the work done in the colleges a
Training School for the leaders of these teacher
training classes was held at Knoxville, Tennessee,
with an enrollment of forty-seven, representing
nineteen institutions. Co-operation between the
white Sunday School workers and the colored has
been established at Birmingham, Ala., Louisville,
Ky., Atlanta, Ga., and Greensboro, N. C. Six other
cities have given encouragement that it will be
done. Whenever the white people have a special
School of Methods they give the same work by the
same speakers to the colored Sunday School work
ers of the community. Rev. R. A. Scott, Rev. E.
C. Page, and Prof. K. D. Reddick, have been ap
pointed Associate State Secretaries in Mississippi,
West Virginia and Georgia respectively. These
are efficient and trained men. Their work is closely
supervised by the General Secretaries of the State
Sunday School Associations and their reports are
passed upon by the State executive committees.
Their salaries are largely paid by the white state
associations. Kentucky, North Carolina and Vir
ginia State associations have signified a purpose to
inaugurate a similar cooperative work as soon as
efficient men are found for the positions. Summer
schools at State institutions have been visited in
North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. In
this way about four hundred rural school teachers
have been reached each year and enlisted in more
aggressive and efficient Sunday School methods.
Because of the work done in the colleges four of
the denominations have stressed the Sunday School
teacher training work. The Baptists, the African
Methodists and the African Methodist Zions have
regularly appointed Superintendents for this work.
The Colored Methodists and the African Methodist
VIEW OF CAMPUS, KNOXVILLE COLLEGE, KNOXVILLE, TENN.
564
Zions have formally approved of the teacher train
ing as a regular part of their Sunday School pro
gram.
THE WORK OF THE AMERICAN SUNDAY
SCHOOL UNION AMONG NEGROES
This society has had some general work among
the Negroes of Virginia for several years. Recent
ly it inaugurated the policy of placing a missionary
in connection with an industrial school in which
he teaches the Bible and Sunday School normal
class work on two days of each week, and spends
the remaining part of the week in pastoral visita
tion and in organizing the work in the adjacent
territory.
These new schools organized by the missionary
are placed under the care of officers and teachers,
for the most part taken from the ranks of the stu
dent body who have been under his instruction.
Work of this kind is carried on at Fort Valley High
and Industrial School, Fort Valley, Georgia ; Pren-
tiss Normal and Industrial Institute at Prentiss,
Mississippi; Bettis Academy, Trenton, S. C. ; Voor-
hees Industrial School, Denmark, S. C., and Utica
Normal and Industrial Institute, Utica, Mississippi.
The American Sunday School Union is deeply in
terested in the religious welfare of the Negroes of
the South and is seeking to cooperate with every
agency looking toward their moral and religious
betterment. The headquarters of the American
Sunday School Union are 1816 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The officers are : Mar
tin L. Finckel, President; William H. Hirst, Re
cording Secretary; John E. Stevenson, Treasurer;
George P. Williams, D. D., Secretary of Missions
and in charge of the work among Negroes ; Edwin
W. Rice. D. D., Editor of Publications ; James Mc-
Conaughty, Managing Editor.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND COLORED
WORK.
By Rev. J. D. Bustin, Asst. Director General and
Field Secretary of The Catholic Board for Mission
Work Among the Colored People.
The Catholic Church has been interested in
Christianizing and educating the colored people
from the earliest days of their appearance in this
country. Her sphere of influence has been until
recent years, confined to those territories where
the population was largely Catholic, the Western
shore of the Chesapeake bay in Maryland and that
strip, fifty miles in width lying along the Gulf of
Mexico, from Pensacola, Florida, to Corpus Christi,
Texas, including also most of State of Louisiana. In
these territories the Church dealt with the Negro
as with any other unit of the population through
the Parish system. The Church did not nor does
not look upon the Negro as a distinct race to be
segregated but rather a part of the whole popula
tion and, as such, to be handled by the group lead
er, the Parish Priest, in the system devised for all
the people living in the fixed territory lying within
easy reach of the Parish Church and school. This
system of necessity varied greatly. In the large
and wealthy centres the churches were equipped
with a large number of priests and teachers,
schools of importance, hospitals and all those in
fluences that make for the betterment of old and
young; in new and sparsely settled districts, how
ever, the parish working machinery often consist
ed of a log church, a single priest, and a pair of
saddle bags. The results of the system differed as
widely as the equipment. Some places education
flourished, in others illiteracy; one priest, with in
stincts of a great leader fired his parish with am
bition and religion of lofty type, another let them
drift along at any gait.
Under this varied influence was the Negro as a
part of the parish, the weakest part also, — the
slave for the most part. Although there was a
considerable number of free Negroes in the Gulf
district, some of whom possessed wealth and edu
cation. These like the rest of the population shared
in the parish life.
When anti-slavery agitation came under the
leadership of William Lloyd Garrison, about 1824,
a new phase of the agitated question began to
show. Heretofore there had been, as inherent to
slavery, injustice, brutal treatment and exploita
tion, but no general race antipathy showed itself
against the Negro as such. Now the color and
African origin began to be the test, and sufficient
reason for love or hate,, for reward of punishment.
Unjust as this may be it has continued to be the
underlying principle of law and literature from
Garrison's day to ours.
It was to overcome this new difficulty to Negro
education and betterment, that the Oblates of
Providence were founded in 1829 at Baltimore.
Four young colored women, Elizabeth Lange, Rosa
Boegus, Magdalen Balas, and Teresa Duchemin un
der the guidance of Father Joubert, organized this
society to conduct schools for colored girls, to pro
vide for orphans and to seek the erring. The
Oblates have been pursuing their lofty purpose for
nearly a century and today have about 200 women
in the society and are conducting houses of study
in Baltimore, Washington, St. Louis, Leavenworth,
Charleston, Havanna and other places on the West
India Islands.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy
Family, was founded at New Orleans in 1842, by
Harriet Delisle, Juliette Gaudin, Josephine Charles,
and Miss Alcot, "free women of color" who de
voted their wealth and lives to instruct and care
for those of the colored people whom they could
565
reach. These Sisters now conduct Houses for aged who attend parochial schools, making the entire
Colored men and women. The community now
numbers nearly 200 women.
After the Emancipation when race prejudice first
enrollment over 20,000 children. The Board pays
the salary of 140 teachers, besides paying the
whole, or greater part of the salary of 21 priests
showed itself in absolute segregation of the col- engaged excluisevly in the Colored Missionary
ored people, the Catholic Church was forced Work.
Priests having charge of Missions for Colored
against her will to take up with the new system.
Many foreigners were coming into the country in
People — Josephites Fathers, 71 ; Diocesan, 33 ;
the seventies and eighties of the last century who Fathers of the Divine Word, 10; Lyons Mission
demanded churches and schools of their own Ian- Fathers, 10; Holy Ghost Fathers, 24; Congrega
tion of the Missions, 5; Jesuit Fathers, 4; Francis
cans, 1.
There are 554 teachers in Catholic Schools fo-
Colored Children, mostly Sisters, and there are 15
Brothers in Industrial School Work.
The Catholic Mission Work among the Colored
People during 1918 cost approximately $350,000.
PRESBYTERIAN WORK AMONG THE
NEGROES
There are seven different branches of the Pres-
guage respectively. Slowly the authorities yielded
to the demand and from that date began to be
seen German Churches, Polish Churches, French
Churches, and Italian Churches and so on.
When it became evident that this insane race
prejudice was here to last for many years the Cath
olic authorities had to modify the parish system
or lose their influence on both races.
So when Monsignor Bourne afterward Cardi
nal Bourne the founder of the Missionary Society
whose members are commonly known as Jose-
phites, visited this country in 1871 and was after- Merian denomination in the United States, viz:
wards allowed to send four priests of his com
munity to devote their entire attention to Negro
ihe Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America, The Presbyterian Church in the United
religious work, the interest of the Catholics began States, The United Presbyterian Church, The Re-
to be directed to the work as never before. Iorm Presbyterian Church of the United States ;
At the council of Baltimore in 1884, the prelates ''"he Reform Prsebyterian Church of America, The
in attendance took especial care to awaken enthu- Associate Presbyterian Church, and The Cumber-
siasm by decreeing that a regular collection should lancl Presbyterian Church. The two first named
be taken up in all the Catholic Churches of the are more commonly known as the Northern Pres-
United States on the first Sunday of Lent, part of byterian and Southern Presbyterian, respectively,
which should be devoted to Negro Missionary All of these branches maintain organizations for
work. mission and school work among the Negroes. A
In 1907 a Board was established to which were £ood illustration of the type of schools being ope-
appointed seven Arch-bishops and Bishops who rated h.v the Presbyterian Boards, is Biddle Uni-
should have general charge of this branch of Cath- versity, found elsewhere in this volume. Scotia
olic Missionary activity. Incorporated under the Seminary at Concord, N. C., is one of the leading
laws of Tennessee it is known as "The Catholic female colleges of the Presbyterians.
Board of Mission Work among the Colored Peo- The Presbyterian Church in the United States:
pie." The Arch-bishops selected as their personal the chief work of this church for colored people
representative Rev. John E. Burke, who for twen- is embraced in the Snedecor Memorial Synod, con-
ty-four years had been pastor of the Colored sisting of 4 Presbyteries, with 35 ministers.
Church of St. Benedict the Moor, in New York ' serving 62 churches and missions and 2700 coin-
City, and since then this clergyman has been Direc- municants ; with mission schools at Louisville, Ky. ;
tor-General of the Board. Beyond the supervision Atlanta, Ga. ; Richmond. Va. ; Abbeville, S. C., and
of Missions in the South, the Director-General so- other places. There were added to our colored
licits funds in Northern churches in which labor he churches last year 155 persons upon profession of
is assisted by other priests assigned to the work.
At the present time Rev. D J. Bustin, Rev. Jas. J.
Mulholland, both of Scranton, and Rev. Chas. A.
Edwards of Providence, Rhole Island, are the col
leagues of Father Burke. In recognition of his zeal with the commencement at Stillman Institute. The
faith. Stilhnan Institute, with three white teach
ers, is maintained for the education of the colored
ministry. The annual meeting of the Colored
Synod is held at Tuscaloosa in May, in connection
in this field. Father Burke was elevated to pre-
latial dignity by the Pope and as a member of the
Papal household he has the title of Monsignor.
Since the establishment of this Board sixty new
mission centers have been started. Over 10,000
new pupils have been added to the list of children
Executive Committee conducts a helpful Institute
and Bible Conference for the colored ministers in
connection with the Synod, and also aids the com
missioners in the matter of expenses. Our colored
churches are greatly encouraged in their work by
this Conference, and are being stimulated to self
566
help in having their own organization. Rev. W. A.
Young, our colored evangelist, is doing a splendid
work among the churches of the Synod.
WORK AMONG NEGROES OF THE PRESBY
TERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND
SABBATH SCHOOL WORK
The Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America began its mission Sunday School work
among Negroes in the South in 1890. Since that
time more than 3000 schools have been organized.
Out of them several hundred churches have grown.
The aim is two-fold: Missionary and Education
al. It is the duty of the missionary to visit the
homes in which the children are not attending
church or Sunday School and distribute religious
literature, while at the same time he ministers to
the religious life of that home. If it is possible, he
organizes a Sunday School, provides it with neces
sary literature, and subsequently fosters the
growth and development of this school.
At the same time, this missionary is ministering
to the educational life and development, not only of
the mission Sabbath School under his care, but of
all the Negro Presbyterian Sabbath Schools within
the territory assigned to him.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
By J. B. Lehman, Supt. Educational and Evan
gelistic Work for Negroes under the Christian
Woman's Board of Missions.
The Disciples of Christ expended last year
$90000.00 for the work among the Negroes. The
money was expended for Educational Institutions,
organizing in the Sunday Schools and Missionary
Societies, Evangelistic and Church help at strate
gic points and General Supervision.
It will perhaps be necessary to give a few words
on the origin of the Disciples of Christ in order to
be able to make clear the nature of the work. In
1809 Thomas Campbell, a Seceder Presbyterian
Minister recently come from Scotland, protested
against sectarian divisions in the church. This
protest drew upon him much antagonism which re
sulted in forcing him and his followers into a se
parate people which now numbers over one and a
quarter million communicants, with about six hun
dred churches among the Negroes. This people
was not a great missionary people from the be
ginning because taking upon themselves the task
of righting a serious defect in the church life it
self they were naturally a little slow in finding the
Missionary task. Their membership was nearly
as strong in the South as in the North and there
was never any organic division between Negro and
White Churches. Consequently, when they under
took to do missionary work among the Negroes
they could move no faster than they could carry
with them the three somewhat discordant ele
ments. But while this way was slow in the be
ginning it was building on a sure basis, and the de
lay is amply compensated for in the results. Now
our Southern and Northern and Negro Churches
are cooperating in perfect harmony and the enthu
siasm for the work in the Southern Churches is not
one whit behind that in the Northern Churches.
The schools consist of the following:
1. The Southern Christian Institute at Edwards,
Mississippi, with 1265 acres of land and a plant
worth $175,000.00. Its President is J. B. Lehman,
and the entire faculty is white. The average at
tendance is about 225. During the last few years
students matriculated from every Southern State,
from the West Indies and from Africa. A faculty
of twenty-four teachers and workers is maintained
The courses of instruction consist of College, Aca
demic, Ministerial and the Primary and Prepara
tory Grades. The Industrial work consists in large
part in building up and maintaining the school.
2. Jarvis Christian Institute, Hawkins, Texas,
with 800 acres and a plant worth about $50,000. The
average attendance has been about 100. It is a
new plant, which was started in 1912 and has had
a remarkable growth in this time. It draws its
students largely from Texas, Oklahoma, and Ar
kansas. Its President is J. N. Ervin and its faculty
numbering about eighteen, is colored. The same
courses of instruction are maintained as described
above.
3. Piedmont Christian Institute, Martinsville,
Virginia. This school, up to the present, has been
a town high school, since Martinsville maintained
no high school for the colored people. But we have
now purchased a tract of land and very soon build
ings will be erected and the school will take its
place as an academy or college. This school is
presided over by James H. Thomas, and has a fa-
.culty of seven members.
4. The Alabama Christian Institute, Lum, Ala
bama. This school has sixty acres and is attempt
ing to do a rural work in a plantation section where
conditions are very primitive. The work is pre
sided over by I. C. Franklin and has a force of sev
en workers.
5. Plans are now on foot to build a new school
of college grade to be known as Central Christian
Institute and to be located somewhere in Kentucky
or Tennessee. In a very short time the location
and plans will be determined upon.
The Sunday school work is under the direction
of I'. H. Moss, who has made himself an expert of
note. Since 1916 he has been at work to bring out
the efficiency of the Sunday schools of our six-
hundred churches and the work has developed to
the extent that plans are now on foot to divide it
567
into districts and send some four others into the
field to help in it.
Miss Rosa V. Brown is in charge of the work
of organizing the women into Missionary Socie
ties. About one-hundred and twenty-five socie
ties have been organized and are in a very fair
working order.
State Evangelists are maintained in Texas, Ok
lahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississip
pi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
Churches are aided in Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio,
Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.
Plans are now under way for greatly enlarged
enterprises along all lines. The Negroes them
selves raised a Jubilee Fund of $20,000, to com
memorate the fiftieth anniversary of freedom and
will now take their full and equitable share of all
the new work.
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
The object of this article is not to go into the
history of the Society of Friends, nor to exploit
their faith, but merely draw attention to some of
the schools established by them for the education
of the Negro race. The Friends have been consis
tent in their opposition to slavery and have shown
great sympathy and made every effort to free the
Negroes, and now that they are free they are doing
their part to free them of the shackels of ignor
ance. They have established a number of schools
for Negroes, but space allotted to this article will
not permit the mentioning of more than a few.
The High Point Normal and Industrial School
is located at High Point, North Carolina.
It was founded in 1893 by the annual yearly
meeting of the Society of Friends.
The institution is equipped with model buildings
and grounds. It has one of the largest school
libraries in North Carolina.
In addition to the usual courses, it offers several
industrial courses without extra charge. Its effort
is to give superior instruction in all courses. It is
the purpose of the institution to give young men
and women a practical academic education, a thor
ough industrial training, and to prepare teachers
for the public schools.
The school is thoroughly Christian and every re
ligious influence is thrown around the students.
The value of the property is $40,000 and its an
nual expense is $8,500.
Southland College and Normal Institute, South
land, Arkansas, was founded in 1864 by the Indiana
Society of Friends.
The college is located on a farm of over 300
acres, which lies to the northwest of Helena about
nine miles. Besides four large buildings, there is,
on the campus a dwelling for laborers, a large
laundry, kitchen, commissary, store, power house
and necessary out houses.
It has a fine library with valuable works of an
tiquity, ancient and modern history, biography,
science, and general literature, to which the stu
dents have access. This institution, too, is sur
rounded with a religious atmosphere, and the stu
dents are encouraged to live the higher life.
The property is valued at $50,000 and the annual
expense is $10,000.
The aim of the work done is to make the stu
dents useful and law-abiding citizens of the com
monwealth, a blessing to their race, and a benefit
to the state.
Institute for Colored Youth, located at Cheney,
Pennsylvania. This school was founded by the
Friends in 1837. It gives a course of instruction,
both academic and industrial, and prepares its stu
dents to go forth as agents to uplift the colored
race and to live useful and upright lives. It is well
serving the race in the accomplishment of these
ends. There is a complete description of Schofield
Normal and Industrial Institute elsewhere in this
volume.
Many of the schools mentioned in the education
al section are fully described elsewhere in this
work.
NEW ASSOCIATIONS
The most recently organized associations that
are taking up work in connection with the Negro,
are : Inter-Racial Co-operation Commission of the
South, composed of representative white men from
each of the Southern States. The organization
was formed in May, 1919, at Atlanta, Ga.
Mr. J. J. Eagan, a noted capitalist of Atlanta,
was elected first president and R. H. King of At
lanta, secretary. The object of the commission is
to study ways and means of bringing about a bet
ter understanding and a closer co-operation among
the white and colored people of the South.
The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ
in America, Dr. George S. McFarland of Philadel
phia, secretary. The council is composed of all
churches in the United States and its object is the
study of all religions. There is a special depart
ment for the study of colored religions.
568
Co-OperatiVe School Building
BY CLINTON J. GALLOWAY
Director of the Extension Department of Tuskegee
Institute.
AGENTS ROSENWALD RURAL SCHOOLS.
N June, 1914, Mr. Julius Rosen-
wakl of Chicago, authorized Tus
kegee Institute, of which he is a
trustee, to launch a campaign in
the South for better rural school-
houses for colored people. Eight
months previous to this time, Mr. Rosenwald had
permitted the Extension Department of Tuskegee
Institute to try out six near-by communities in
Alabama, to see if they would give a worth-while
response. Two communities in Macon County, one
in Lee County, and three in Montgomery County
were selected. Plans for a one-teacher school-
house, to cost about $600, were drawn in the Arch
itectural Division of Tuskegee Institute. When
these were presented to the communities they were
readily accepted. Mr. Rosenwald offered one dol
lar for every dollar furnished by each of the com
munities, up to the amount of $300.
The county superintendent of education of each
of the counties, the Jeanes Fund supervisors, pas
tors of churches located in the communities and
the county agricultural agents were asked to give
their co-operation in helping to rally the people to
raise their share of the funds necessary to com
plete the buildings. After many visits by repre
sentatives of Tuskegee's Extension Department,
the six schools were finished at a cost of about
$700 each. They were furnished with home-made
desks and the necessary chairs and tables. The
people were so happy and grateful that they wrote
many letters to their good friend, Mr. Rosenwald,
about their beautiful buildings.
The coming of the Rosenwald schools marked
the period of educational awakening; the time
when the people ceased to think of the city as the
only place for decent schoolhouses ; the time when
patrons began to realize the possibility of organiz
ed effort. There were other evidences of com
munity improvement. The white people seemed
to recognize the aspirations of their Negro neigh
bors to higher and better things and contributed
towards the new schoolhouses. The school terms
were lengthened from four to seven months. The
attendance of the children improved. The teachers
were able to do better work by reason of the con
veniences in the classrooms, the increased com
fort of the buildings, and the general awakening
in the community.
Mr. Rosenwald continued to encourage commu-
£69
TEACHERS ROSENWALD RURAL SCHOOLS
nities by offering his aid in blocks of 100 schools
at a time until the number reached 300 in Novem
ber, 1917, at which time he offered to aid in the
building of 300 more schoolhouses ; and on account
of the increased cost of building material, he rais
ed, in 1918, the maximum amount of each school-
house to $400 for a one-teacher school and $500
for a school built for two or more teachers.
Possibly the most interesting part of the cam
paign work is the manner in which the Negro re
sponds to the call to raise money in his little com
munity, composed of twenty-five or thirty families,
to meet the conditions of Mr. Rosenwald's offer.
This is usually made in a meeting where nearly
every family is present. Pledges are made in cash,
labor, or material. In many cases farmers can do
hauling. In some instances the material is donated
by the patron from saw-milling timber on his land.
In such cases the patrons meet in the woods, cut
the saw stock, carry it to the mill, and have the
lumber sawed on shares.
In one of these meetings where pledges were
made, a widow of ninety years subscribed one dol
lar toward the building. The next day she was
seen about the community selling ginger cakes
which she had baked. In this way she succeeded
in raising the amount of her pledge. In many com
munities the children are organized into little clubs
STATES
0
o
.=
o -o
t/3 0
<~ aj u
O c/j V
ill
AMOUNTS CONTRIBUTED BY
</)
a
•f,
H
t/3
ȣ
t: o.
A 0
*-, V
>0H
•a
OJ OJ
11
ej O
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cu
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O
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-3
£1
j
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Alabama
184
31
31
20
61
6
33
111
10
76
46
609
$ 45,576.00
15,839.00
5,625.00
17,895.00
14,600.00
7.700.00
3,613.50
44,706.00
3,900.00
80,755.00
32,405.00
$272.614.50
$ 8.465.00
1,735.00
10,552.00
2,500.00
3,750.00
600.00
14,249.95
4.129,25
8.428.001
4,275.00
750.00
$59,434.20
$ 93,514.93
18,034.00
26,507.77
7,741.50
41,410.57
2.575.00
21,623.27
50,633.75
6,644.00
48.796.00
25,444.80
$ 342,925.59
$ 57,350.00
13,800.00
11,300.00
7,700.00
13,000.00
2,250.00
14,275.00
35.565.00
4,400.00
46,775.00
22,000.00
$228,415.00
$204,905.93
49.408.00
53,984.77
35,836.50
72,760.50
12,125.00
55,761.72
135,034.00
23,372.00
180,601.00
80.599.80
$ 904,389.22
Arkansas
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
M arvltind
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
570
PUPILS AND PATRONS OF A ROSENWALD SCHOOL
for the purpose of raising money to meet Mr. Ros-
enwald's offer.
Many communities must get rid of petty preju
dices and old ideals if they are to succeed in ob
taining- a modern schoolhouse. Now and then
friendly progressive leaders must wait until some
old influential opposer dies and is respectfully put
out of the way. A common viewpoint for Baptist
and Methodist must be found. It sometimes be
comes necessary to convince the white landowner
that no harm, but rather substantial returns, will
come by encouraging the building of a comforta
ble Negro schoolhouse near his land. Perhaps the
greatest difficulty is the absence
of strong community leadership.
It is Mr. Rosenwald's desire to
help only in those states where
state officers of public school
funds, and others who, in any
way, control the public schools,
wish this help. No community
will be granted aid by Mr. Ros-
enwakl toward the erection of
schoolhouses whose school term
does not run at least five months.
Neither will Mr. Rosenwalcl aid
in the building of schoolhouses
unless the money raised by the
community, county, and state,
added to what he gives, is suffi
cient to complete and furnish the
schoolhouse. Tn the eleven states
where Mr. Rosenwald is extend
ing his aid state officers and
other agencies are actively at
work trying to get communities
to qualify for his help.
The writer, in company with
Mr. George D. Godard, state
agent for rural schools in Geor
gia, visited a school community
in that state and on the day of
the visit found the county super
intendent of education leading a
volunteer group of colored farm
ers in the construction of the
new schoolhouse. The superin
tendent was enthusiastic over
the work. He was not a carpen
ter, but, with his bruised and
bleeding hands, he was a real in
spiration to the others at work.
The significance of this work
in co-operative school building is
shown in the table on the previ
ous page, which covers the "Ros
enwald School Improvement Campaign" up to
March 1, 1919.
It was found at the very beginning that school
patrons, as well as others, need information first
hand from agents who might attend the meetings
to explain the necessity of better school buildings
and the importance of sticking to certain modern
lines of procedure in the erection. For the pur
pose of helping in this way Mr. Rosenwald has
contributed each year additional funds to pay one-
half the salary and traveling expenses of agents
to assist the state agents for rural schools. In
North Carilina, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi,
A HOMK-MAKKRS' CI.LT,.
571
Louisiana, and Alabama, agents
have been employed by the state
especially to look after this kind
of work. In all these states ex
cept one, one-half the expenses
of agents' assistants have been
paid by local funds. Some of
these assistants have raised as
much as $5000 in one month to
ward the erection of school-
houses. The General Education
Board and the Jeanes Fund have
heartily co-operated in the work.
Although much better teach
ing is being done in these new
buildings, though the terms have
been lengthened, and the attend
ance has been much better, there
is still room for improvement in
ROSENWALD SCHOOL REPLACING THE OLD ONE BESIDE IT
MrtrtV L^ND
r*x
- • • • v • u
y-'.-.-'^H1
. ' VIRCINIrt . .\ /
vr- *. • . ®: • . r\ ^
• **y • • • , \
. • '. • • . . • • • .1
. • • ' / « • * TENNESSEE I \' '\ • /.
' ' ' ' {•''•'••'''.®:'.'-:-'''/^''-
KHKANSAS . ' J i ' * f ' • '• ,*Vy
• © •. /.- •./:•.••.•.•.! v!
.-/../• . . »••••..•.•••:. ;
. • •{••.' -wxA :."...
.• . • .'ImsSISSIPPI /ALflBAjtrf.'tSA '^r
• <"•'.'•:• . ® • /•*•» "® <<^'d\ • ."« ?
./'•':'."• "• * " /•.••^
rtlV • '• * • '^
. .^N^RTH CAROLINA c-!^y
^^: ::©::.:V.y0
.sou -r X cflROL WAV^
VI
O.
MAP
SHOWING LOGVTION OF
RURAL SQ100LS AIDED BY
MR. JULIUS ROSLNVVALU
. - I, ISIS
THf ]te«f«f NORIKL- iimujRui INSTITUTE
many cases. To encourage the
movement and make these
schools meet the needs of the
community Mr. Rosenwald has
recently offered to help in ex
tending school terms where the
community, county, and state
are willing to furnish a like
amount. The hope is that all who
can possibly do so will join the
forces already at work and im
prove the chances for country
boys and girls by helping to
place one of these modern
schoolhouses in needy communi
ties.
572
Gfiurch Among Negroes
HE following information is pub
lished through the courtesy of
the Negro Year Book, edition
1916-17, published annually at
Tuskegee Institute, and edited by
Monroe N. Work in charge of Di
vision of Records and Research.
DATE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
COLORED DENOMINATIONS
1865.
1813.
1816.
1821.
1836.
1838.
1853.
1864.
1867.
1850.
1850.
1860.
1865.
1866.
1869.
1870.
1880.
1882.
1896.
1896.
1899.
1899.
1899.
1900.
1901.
1905.
Note : There are approximately five hundred
thousand Negroes in the United States who are
members of white churches.
DATE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
COLORED CHURCHES
1785. Colored Baptist Church, Williamsburg, Va.
1787. Independent Methodist Church, Philadel
phia, Pa.
1788. First African Baptist Church, of Savannah.
1790. African Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky.
1791. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Philadelphia.
1793. Springfield Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga.
1796. African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
New York City.
1800. Abyssinia Baptist Church, New York City.
1802. Second Baptist Church, Savannah, Ga.
1805. African Meeting House, Boston, Mass.
1809. First African Church, Philadelphia, Pa.
1807. First African Presbyterian Church, Philadel
phia, Pa.
Colored Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church.
Union Church of Africans.
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Providence Baptist Association of Ohio.
Wood River Baptist Association of Illinois.
Western Colored Baptist Convention-.
Northwestern and Southern Baptist Conven
tion.
Consolidated American Baptist Convention.
African Union Church.
Union American Methodist Episcopal
Church.
First Colored Methodist Protestant Church.
Colored Primitive Baptist Church.
African Union First Colored Methodist Pro
testant Church.
Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church)
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.
National Baptist Convention.
Reformed Zion Apostolic Church.
Reformed Methodist U n i o n Episcopal
Church.
Church of God and Saints of Christ.
Church of the Living God (Christian work
ers for friendship.)
Church of the Living God (Apostolic.)
Church of Christ in God.
Voluntary Missionary Society in America
(Colored.)
United American Free-Will Baptist.
Free Christian Zion Church in Christ.
1812. Colored Peoples Church, Clinton, N. J.
1805. Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wil
mington, Del.
1818. St. Phillips Protestant Episcopal Church,
New York City.
1824. St. James First African Church, Baltimore.
1838. First Bethel Baptist Church, Jacksonville.
1867. Plymouth Congregational Church, Charles
ton, S. C.
1878. First Lutheran Colored Church, Little Rock.
NOTED NEGRO PREACHERS.
George Leile, born 1750. Freed by master and be
came famous preaching to the slaves of Sa
vannah, Ga., during Revolutionary War.
Andrew Bryan, born 1788. Founded the first Afri
can Baptist Church of Savannah, Ga.
Lemuel Haynes, born 1753, at West Hartford, Conn.
Revolutionary Soldier and first Congrega
tional Minister.
Richard Allen, born at Philadelphia, in 1760. Was
first A. M. E. Bishop.
Joseph Willis, born in 1762, organized the fiirst
Baptist Church west of the Mississippi.
Daniel A. Payne, born 1811. Bishop A. M. E.
Church, and one of the founders of Wilber-
force University.
John Jasper, born in 1812. Famous Richmond, Va.,
preacher. He became a national character by
trying to prove by the Bible that "The Sun
Do Move."
Alexander Crummell, eminent Episcopal minister,
born at New York City in 1818. Died 1898.
Caeser Blackwell, born in Lowndes County, Ala., in
1828. Bought by the Baptist Association of
that state and set free to preach to slaves.
Dock Phillips, born at Cotton Valley, Macon Coun
ty, Ala., in 1828. The Alabama Baptist As
sociation tried to buy him of his master?
John Phillips, but he refused to be sold. Was
universally respected by whites and blacks.
Harry Hosier, born in 1810. First American Ne
gro preacher in the Methodist Church.
John Chavis commissioned by the Presbyterian
General Assembly as a missionary to the
Negroes. He was the first Negro in the
Presbyterian Church to be prepared for
Christian leadership. Chavis is said to have
been born in Granville County, North Caro
lina in 1801.
It was not as a preacher, but as a
teacher of white boys and apparently white
girls also, that Chavis is best remembered in
North Carolina. The greater part of the
time after he was silenced as a preacher and
probably for a large part of the time from
his return to North Carolina until his death
in 1838, he conducted a private school in
Wake County, and also probably in Chatham.
Orange and Granville counties. Some of his
pupils later became distinguished. Among
these were Charles Manly, Governor of North
Carolina and Priestly H. Mangum, brother of
Senator Mangum and himself a lawyer of
distinction.
573
BETHEL BAPTIST
INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH.
Mr. ZJON A. M.E. CHURCH AND PARSONA&E , JACKSONVILLI;:, FLA.
^WHT
»
A GROUP OF REPRESENTATIVE NEGRO CHURCHES.
THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION
By E. C. Morris, D. D.
The National Baptist Convention, the largest or
ganization among Negro Christians in the world,
now has a membership of 3,018,341. according to
the latest religious census.
The first National Organization among Negro
Baptist was the Foreign Mission Convention of the
United States, which organization was effected at
Montgomery, Ala., in 1880. The first president of
the Convention was the Rev. W. H. McAlpine, of
Alabama.
The preliminary work of getting the Baptists to
gether was done by the Rev. W. W. Colley, of
Richmond, Va., who had spent three years in Af
rica as a Missionary under appointment from the
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.
Nothing was done the first three years of the
organization, except to gather means and arouse
an interest in the denomination for the establish
ment of a Mission station on the West Coast of
Africa. The first Missionaries were sent out to
Africa in 1883.
Up to 1883 there had not been a religious census
taken of the Negro organizations, and but little
was known of their numerical strength, hence in
1886 the Rev. Wm. J. Simmons, D. D., of Louisville.
Ky., organized at St. Louis, Mo. The American
National Baptist Convention and was elected its
first president. The object given was, "To gather
statistics, and study the moral conditions of vhc
race."
In 1893, the Negro Baptists organized the Nation
al Educational Convention, the object being to
study and promote the educational interests of the
denomination. The Rev. W. Bishop Johnson, of
Washington, D. C., was the founder, and Rev. M.
Vann, of Tennessee was the first president. The
Convention began at once the publication of the
National Baptist Magazine, which was suspend
ed in 1895.
The three above named organizations met an
nually in the same city each occupying two days,
but under different management until 1895. When
the three were merged into, one, under the name,
"The National Baptist Convention," the consolidat
ing of the three Conventions took place at Atlanta,
Georgia, in 1895, and Rev. E. C. Morris, was elect
ed President, which position he has held continuous
ly for twenty-three years.
Immediately upon the consolidation of the three
conventions, three Boards were chosen by the Con
vention, to represent the interest of the three for
mer Conventions, and the work has been prosecut
ed by these Boards under the direction of the Con
vention since that time. In 1896 a Home Mission
Board was created by the Convention, and was
charged with the duty of publishing Sunday School
literature for the denomination, and conducting the
mission work on the Home field. In 1888 the Home
Mission Board, by authority of the National Baptist
Convention, organized the National Baptist Pub
lishing Board, and the work of Home Missions and
publications were practically under the same man
agement until 1914, though an order had been giv
en as far back as 1904 for the separation of the
Home Mission and Publishing Boards.
In 1899 the National B. Y. P. TJ. Board was or
ganized at Nashville, Tennessee, and its headquar
ters located at that place. Rev. E. W. D. Isaac, D.
D., was chosen as Corresponding Secretary of the
Board. This Board has organized hundreds of
thousands of Baptist Young People into local So
cieties, for training in religious work.
In 1900, the Woman's Auxiliary Convention was
organized at Richmond, Va., and Mrs. S. W. Lay-
ton was chosen President and Miss N. H. Bur
roughs was chosen Corresponding Secretary. This
organization meets at the same time and place of
the National Baptist Convention, and reports an
nually to the parent body. The Woman's Auxil
iary Convention supports a Woman's and Girl's
Training School at Washington, D. C.
THE MINISTERS' RELIEF BOARD
The Ministers Relief Board was organized in
1903, the first chairman was Rev. C. B. Brown, of
Marianna, Ark., and the Rev. W. A. Holmes was
the first Corresponding Secretary. This Board
seeks to gather means with which to give relief to
old worn out ministers, who are not able to earn a
support in their declining years.
The youngest of the Board of the National Bap
tist Convention, is the Church Extension Board, lo
cated at Memphis, Tenn. The Chairman of this
Board is the Rev. J. B. Roberts, the Correspond
ing Secretary is the Rev. B. J. Perkins. Already
this Board which is less than two years old, has
afforded relief to several struggling churches, and
has built some churches where the people were not
able to build for themselves.
The principal object before the National Educa
tional Board at this time is the building of a Theo
logical Seminary for the training of ministers. The
Southern Baptist Convention, (White) has voted
to put 150,000 into the project, and the hope is
held out that the Northern (White) Baptists will
give a like amount.
The Home Mission Board of the National Bap
tist Convention co-operates with the Home Board
of the Southern Baptist Convention in Missionary
work in the Southern Field. The Home Mission
Board of the National Baptist Convention is at
present being directed by Dr. Jos. A. Booker, of
575
Little Rock, Ark. About twenty Missionaries are
being regularly employed by this Board.
The Foreign Mission work is under the superin-
tendency of Rev. L. G. Jordan, and is at present
confining its labors to Africa, which has been
greatly disturbed by the war, but the Missionaries
have not left the field, and are being supported by
the Foreign Mission Board.
The Headquarters of the Foreign Mission Board
is 701 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
The Sunday School Board is located at 418 N.
4th. Ave., Nashville, Tenn., the present Corres
ponding Secretary is the Rev. Wm. Haynes. This
Board publishes the Sunday School literature used
in a majority of the Negro Baptist Sunday Schools
in this country.
There are three strong District organizations,
viz ; The New England Convention ; the Lot Carey
Convention and the General Convention of the
Western States and Territories, all of which are in
cooperation with the National Baptist Convention.
The officers of the National Baptist Convention
for 1918, are: E. C. Morris, D. D., President; Rev.
W. G. Parks, D. D., Vice President at large ; Prof.
R. B. Hudson, A. M., Secretary; Rev. T. O. Fuller,
D. D., E. A. Wilson, D. D., E. H. McDonald, D. D.,
and J. H. Nesbrit, A. B., Assistant Secretaries.
Rev. A. J. Stokes, D. D. Treasurer, Prof. M.
M. Rogers, Auditor. There is elected from each
State one Vice-President, at every annual meet
ing, who, together with the officers of the Conven
tion constitute an Executive Committee.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
By Bishop C. H. Phillips.
Resenting what they considered bad treatment
upon the part of their white brethren and imbued
with the spirit of independence then in the Amer
ican atmosphere, being led by Richard Allen, a col
ored local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in Philadelphia, a number of persons of Af
rican descent, withdrew from St. George's Metho
dist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia and estab
lished a society of their own. This was in 1787,
from which date the history of this church began.
After withdrawing from the white church they
took immediate steps to secure a building of their
own, which was not accomplished until they had
overcome many trials and difficulties. Their build
ing was finally completed and at their request,
Frances Asbury, then Bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church opened the house for divine wor
ship. It was named "Bethel Church."
Soon Negroes of other Pennsylvania localities,
and of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and
Maryland followed the example of the Philaclel-
phians, and formed distinctively African congrega
tions—often with the encouragement of the whites.
In 1816 representatives, sixteen in all, from Be
thel African Church in Philadelphia and African
churches in Baltimore, Md., Wilmington, Del., At-
tleboro, Perm., and Salem, New Jersey, met in Phil
adelphia and formed a church organization or con
nection under the title of "The African Methodist
Episcopal Church."
They adopted the policy and doctrine of the Me
thodist Episcopal Church, with some slight changes
and elected one of their number, Richard Allen, as
their Bishop. Bishop Allen died in 1831. He was
their first Bishop but the denomination has had a
succession of able superintendents, some of whom
have been remarkable for administrative talent and
pulpit eloquence.
During the first fifty years, the church was con
fined almost entirely to the Northern States, and
its growth was comparatively slow but after eman
cipation its development became rapid. In 1816 it
had only 7 churches and 400 members ; in 1836 it
had 86 churches and 7,594 members ; in 1866 it had
286 churches and 73,000 members; in 1896 it had
4,850 churches and 518.000 members, and in 1916 it
had 7,500 churches and 650,000 members. It start
ed with one Bishop in 1816, and had 16 Bishops in
1916. The number of conferences in 1816 was 2,
and in 1916 they had grown to 81. It had no schools
until 1866, and then only one but in 1916 it had 24
schools. The value of its property in 1816 was
$25,000, and in 1918 it was -12,500,000.
Plans for the first school were laid in 1844 — a
manual labor school — near Columbus, Ohio, and in
1863 it secured Wilberforce University, now one of
the largest Negro institutions of higher learning
in America. Since then an institution of learning
has been established in most Southern States.
In 1848 the Missionary Department was origin
ated and in 1864 put into actual operation, although
a misionary had been sent to Haiti in 1824.
In 1916 more than a hundred missionaries and
native workers are in foreign lands.
In 1852, "The Christian Recorder," a weekly
newspaper was established as the official organ and
has been maintained ever since.
In 1882, the Sunday School Department was or
ganized. By it, all of the literature of the A. M. E.
Sunday Schools is edited and published.
The A. M. E. Church has successfully solved the
problems of Negro organization from the religious
side.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION
CHURCH
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
was organized June 21, 1821, in New York City. It
grew out of the decision of the Colored Methodists
to declare for independence. It differed in organi
zation somewhat from the other Methodist church-
576
es. It was governed by Bishops quadrennially
elected but not set apart by the usual forms of or
dination.
They got their name of Zionists from the name
of the local church, called Zion church, which start
ed the movement that eventuated in the establish
ment of the denomination.
James Varick became the first Bishop of the
church. The denomination has had a marvelous
growth and has churches throughout the land.
It now has twelve Bishops, three thousand one
hundred and eighty churches, with five hundred
and sixty eight thousand, six hundred and eight
communicants. It has three thousand and one hun
dred Sunday Schools and one hundred and seven
thousand six hundred and ninety two scholars. Its
church property is valued at $4,833.207. It has a
publishing house located at Charlotte, N. C. Its
foreign mission work was organized in 1892. It has
in its foreign mission fields three stations, five out-
stations, and eleven organized churches. There are
five ordained ministers and thirteen native workers
and other helpers. In 1878 the church did not own
a single school building nor any school property
worth mentioning. There were no pupils in schools
controlled by the church. Thirty years later, at
the General Conference, Philadelphia, June, 1908,
Rev. S. G. Atkins. A. M. Ph. D., of Wiston-Salem,
N. C., Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Ed
ucation, reported 10 colleges, institutes, and acad
emies, with an enrollment of 1,842 pupils, and con
trolling property valued at $276,500.
Two of the schools of the denomination are lo
cated in Alabama, three in North Carolina, two in
South Carolina, and one each in Kentucky, Tennes
see and Virginia. One of its schools, Livingstone
College, located at Salisbury, is an institution of
real college rank.
The aim of the denomination is to develop two
more of its schools to such a rank and to advance
the Livingstone College into the field of University
work.
Secretary Atkins, writing under date of April 6,
1909. said:
"We think we have the foundation for a signifi
cant and comprehensive work in connection with
the uplift of the Negro people of the country. With
our schools graded and co-ordinated, and all
brought into harmony with the latest requirements
of the science of education, we shall hope to have
a system that will take rank with the best educa
tional forces of the world, especially as the enlight
enment and Christianizing of nearly a million peo
ple will soon be on our hands."
THE COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
By Bishop C. H. Phillips. D.D.
Before the Civil War, colored people were, very
largely, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Epis
copalians, and what not, according to the religious
beliefs of their owners.
But they had no church organization separate
from the white people, for, the laws of the South,
did not allow them to hold meetings among them
selves.
At the beginning of the war in 1861, the Metho
dist Episcopal Church. South, had. in the slave-
holding States a colored membership of 207.766.
But after emancipation, the African Methodist, the
African Methodist Episcopal, and the African Me
thodist Episcopal Zion Churches, which already
had organizations across Mason and Dixon's Line,
began to establish their churches in the South with
great rapidity and marvelous success.
The fortunes of war had wrought such changes
between the master-class and the slave and the
declaration of freedom had made such an impres
sion on the minds and hearts of the colored people,
that any association with white people in religious
affairs, was, not only looked upon with disfavor
and suspicion, but was regarded an act of disloyal
ty to the race on the one hand, and base ingrati
tude for the new birth of freedom on the other.
Under these conditions propagandists for church
es, which had existence at the North entirely dis
tinct from white people, found a most responsive
and fruitful field for operations in the South.
For, when the war closed, out of 207,766 only
78.000 remained in the M. E. Church, South. There
had been an exodus of the colored members of this
Church into the A. M. E.. A. M. E. Zion, and M.
E. Churches. To save this remnant was the su
preme thought of the leaders of the Church. South.
This remnant desired to be organized into a
Church organization of their own. and the M. E.
Church. South, acceded to that request by ap
pointing at its General Conference in May, 1870,
Bishop Paine, and Doctors A. L. P. Green, Samuel
Watson, Thomas Taylor, and James A. Heard, to
assist in the organization.
In December of this year in Jackson, Tennessee,
the Church was formally organized and named the
"Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America."
William H. Miles of Kentucky, and Richard If.
Vanderhorst of South Carolina, were elected and
consecrated the first bishops of the new organiza
tion.
With two Bishops, eight annual conferences,
about seventy eight thousand members, legal and
constitutional in organization, legitimately descen
ded from the very Father of Methodist, firm in its
577
doctrines and principles, the Colored Methodist
Episcopal Church started upon its career, "clear as
the sun, bright as the moon, and terrible as an
army with banners."
At its beginning it had no schools, colleges, pub
lishing house, or churches at the North. Today it
has church organizations from the Atlantic to the
Pacific; a Publishing House located at Jackson,
Tennessee, which, in the near future will be remov
ed to Nashville ; 10 schools and colleges ; 7 living
Bishops ; 34 Annual Conferences ; 3285 churches ;
3402 preachers ; and 267,361 members. This church
publishes three papers, which voice its sentiments,
advocates its enterprises and performs such oth
er functions as are peculiar to denominational or
gans.
Tie Missionary Church Extension, Epworth
League, Educational, and Superannuated Preach
ers, Widows and Orphans Departments are helpful
adjuncts to our Church Machinery and are power
ful exponents of everything that is necessary to
push the Kingdom of Jesus Christ among men.
Some of her leaders have had a measure of success
in the field of literature. "Auto-Biography and
Addresses" by Bishop L. H. Holsey ; "Auto-Bio
graphy," by Bishop Isaac Lane; "Sermons and
Addresses" by Bishop R. S. Williams ; "History of
the C. M. E. Church" by Bishop C. H. Phillips;
"Morning Meditations" by Bishop R. A. Carter;
"Auto-Biography" by Bishop M. F. Jamison; and
"Doctrines of Christ and His Church, by Dr. R. T.
Brown, deserve special mention.
The Church is making preparations to celebrate
the centenary of the establishment of the first Mis
sionary Society in this country and the Semi-Cen-
tennial of our Church organizations in 1920. It
proposes to raise $1,000,000 for Church-extension,
missionary, educational, and other purposes.
The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church has
had a phenominal growth and development. It is
fortunate in its inheritance ; rich in its possibili
ties ; and Evangelical and fruitful in all its opera
tions.
It preserves all the traditions and spiritual fer
vor of Methodism, and. as a part of the invisible
Church of Jesus Christ, it essays to do its portion
in bringing on the era of peace and good \vil!
among men.
COLORED CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Prior to the Civil War the colored members of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church belonged to
the same congregations as the white people, and
sat under the same pastor, though they had preach
ers of their own race and often held separate meet
ings. They were estimated to number at that
time about 20,000.
After the close of the War conditions changed.
and the Colored members thought it best to form
themselves into a separate organization, and made
application to the white congregations to be set
apart to themselves. Their request was granted,
and they were legally set apart by the General As
sembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in May, 1869.
The first synod organized was the Tennessee Sy
nod, in 1871, at Fayetteville ; and the first General
Assembly was organized in 1874, at Nashville.
The Educational work of the church includes
three schools, one each in Tennessee, Alabama, and
Kentucky, with eleven teachers. 350 pupils and
property valued at $6750.
The church has also a publishing plant, valued
at $1500. In 1906 the church had 196 church edi
fices, 18,066 communicants, 92 Sunday Schools with
6952 scholars and property valued at $203,778.
COLORED PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
During the years of slavery the Colored Prim
itive Baptists worshipped with the white churches.
They were provided seats in the gallery, but had no
voice in the management of the churches. After
emancipation they withdrew from the white
churches.
In 1865, Elder Thomas Williamson, at Columbia,
Tennessee, organized the White Springs Primitive
Baptist Church.
The first association, the Big Harpeth Primitive
Baptist Association, was organized in 1866, in the
State of Tennessee, and soon thereafter other
churches began to spring up in the Southern
States.
In 1867, the first church was formed in West
Florida.
The churches of America number 797, with a
membership of 35,076, they have 166 Sunday
Schools and 6,224 scholars. The value of the church
property is $296,539.00.
UNITED AMERICAN FREEWILL BAPTISTS
The lines between the white and colored Free
will Baptist churches in the Southern States for
some years after the Civil War seem not to have
been drawn very sharply.
The increase of the colored churches and the en
largement of their activities finally led to their se
paration from the white churches. In 1901 they
were organized as separate denomination.
The church has two large schools — one, Kinston
College, North Carolina, the other at Dawson. Ga.
There is also a printing establishment at Kinston,
N. C., which issues a weekly paper.
There are 251 churches, 14,489 communicants,
100 Sunday Schools, 3,307 scholars, and church pro
perty valued at $79,278.00.
578
National and Fraternal Organizations
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE.
HE National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
is an indirect result of race riots,
in 1919 of the booklet entitled "Thirty Years of
Lynching in the United States," containing all
available statistics.
In the closing years of the world war the Asso
ciation made its greatest membership gains. From
in Springfield, Ohio, the home of a membership of 9,282 comprising 80 branches in
Abraham Lincoln, in the summer
_ of 1908.
It was decided to inaugurate a campaign on Lin
coln's birthday, February 12. 1909. On that day a
call was published signed by Jane Addams, of Chi
cago; Harriet Stanton Blatch ; Prof. John Dewey ;
Hamilton Holt; Charles Edward Russell; Oswald
Garrison Villard; Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, and Hor
ace White, of New York; Judge Wendell Stafford,
of Washington; Lincoln Steffens, of Boston, and
many other public spirited people.
On May 30, 1909, a Conference was held in New
York City, at which a Committee of forty was
formed and a Secretary employed. Four mass
meetings were held and thousands of pamphlets
distributed. It was followed by a second Confer
ence in 1910, at which the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People was or
ganized. The officers were : National President,
Moorfield Storey, Boston; Chairman of the Execu
tive Committee, William English Walling; Treas
urer, John E. Milholland; Disbursing Treasurer,
Oswald Garrison Villard; Executive Secretary,
Frances Blascoer; Director of Publicity and Re
search, Dr. W. E. B. DuBois. Through Dr. Du-
Bois the Association was brought closely in touch
with a group of Colored people known as the Nia
gara Movement, which had attempted a work of
legal redress similar to that of the Association.
In the same year, 1910, was published the first
number of "The Crisis," a monthly magazine, ed
ited by Dr. Dubois, which early in 1919 had at
tained a circulation of 105,000.
Concurrent with a constant effort to organize
Negroes for the maintenance and defense of their
rights as United States citizens throughout the
country, the Association devoted itself to a number
of activities which may be classified as: The fight
against lynching; Fighting the color line; Educa
tional and publicity work ; Legislative work and in
vestigations ; and during the world war Welfare
and defense of the colored soldier.
In the fight against lynching trained investigat
ors were employed to ascertain the facts underly
ing outbreaks of mob brutality against Negroes,
December, 1917, the Association grew to 165 bran
ches and 43,994 members in December 1918. At
the conclusion of the tenth anniversary meeting of
the Association, held in Cleveland, Ohio, in June,
1919, the Association had increased to 237 branches
and 68,031 members. The information from which
this article was prepared was furnished by James
W. Johnson, Field Secretary of the National Asso
ciation for the Advancement of Colored People.
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE.
George Edmund Haynes founded the league
about 1912 in the city of New York. It first was
local in its work and scope but like many institu
tions looking to the betterment of the race it soon
overleaped the bounds of locality and developed
into a National movement.
When the National League on Urban Conditions
was formed it began to study the problems of the
Negro i-,i cities upon the basis that it was a ques
tion which called for the co-operation of the best
men and women, white and colored. The program
of work which was adopted was elastic and well
adapted to the new situation created in many cities
by recent events.
During the Fall of 1916, concentrated efforts
were made to organize movements in local commu
nities where the problems were in danger of be
coming acute. The result of this effort has brought
about the organization of branches in more than
thirty cities.
The first year of the organization its annual
budget amounted to $2.500.00 and now it is over
$100,000.00. Until several years ago the work of
the National League and the New York branch
were conducted in the same office, but the growth
of the work has made it necessary to separate the
two organizations.
The League advocates the forming of organiza
tions for the purpose of fostering good feeling be
tween the two races ; to study the health, school
and work needs of the Negro population : to de
velop agencies and stimulate activities to meet
those needs ; by training and health protection to
increase the industrial efficiency of Negroes and to
and the facts were then published in periodicals encourage a fairer attitude toward Negro labor es-
and made available for publication in the press. pecially in regard to hours, conditions and regular-
One consequence of this work was the publication ity of work and standard of wages ; and to increase
579
the respect for law and the orderly administration
of justice.
The rapid development of the League and the
valuable work it has already accomplished is clear
evidence that it has a mission in the world and the
carrying out of that mission is sure to work well
in the uplift of the Negro race.
Its labors should continue until every city in the
Union has a branch established in it.
This effort of the Negro race to ameliorate the
condition of its members is meeting with a hearty
response by their white friends, who not only sym
pathize with it but give its substantial support.
This was illustrated when the great conflagra
tion s\vept Atlanta and destroyed many Negro
homes. There the white and colored co-operated in
good spirit to care for the unfortunate.
The work relief for the colored families was un
der the general supervision of the Urban League.
THE NATIONAL NEGRO BUSINESS MENS'
LEAGUE.
The trend of the modern Negro as he grasps the
scheme of things, is towards organization. Once
he rushed into this, but disappointed, yes shocked
by trickery of his brothers of both races he for a
long time stood aloof with distrust. Education
has re-adjusted his faith, as it has reformed the
plans of those who lead. The Negro therefore or
ganizes now for protection, for ideas, for strength,
and for inspiration.
Among the many bodies that leaped to the fore
for the welfare of the black man, the National Ne
gro Business Men's League stands foremost. It is
comprehensive in its membership and most benevo
lent in its platform. Beginning with a few mem
bers in Boston twenty years ago, it has grown in
importance and in its composite scope until it has
absorbed at least a goodly part of every Negro or
ganization of importance in the land. Under its
general head come the National Negro Insurance
Association, National Negro Retail Merchants As
sociation, National Negro Farmers' Association.
National Negro Undertakers Association. National
Negro Bar Association, National Negro Medical
Association.
The League was founded by Booker T. Wash
ington, and had its first meeting in Bos
ton. Booker T. Washington was there chosen
president and Emmett J. Scott secretary. Officials
in other capacities went and came, but Dr. Wash
ington and Emmett J. Scott continued to serve;
the former to his death and the latter to this day.
Immediately upon its incorporation, the Negro
Business men of all sections rallied to its colors.
Drawing no very distinct lines. Dr. Washington
enlisted the educated and the uneducated so long-
as the candidate stood for some progress in his
community. Thus he had meet in one body and
appear on the same platform an illiterate, but suc
cessful farmer, a leading teacher, a bishop of the
church, a banker, a merchant, a hair dresser, a boot
black, a dentist, an undertaker.
The League members all had a story to tell, a
tale of success, brief, succinct, full of hardship, pre
judice, and frequently, humor. The press was en
listed at the League's annual gatherings, and year
by year the public was. and still is, told those tales
America loves so well, of the steady plod from pov
erty to wealth. Some men at these meetings grew
discontented with themselves because they had
done so little. Others took courage and ventured
to walk where once they had scarcely dared to
crawl.
Beginning thus with encouragement in simple
business undertakings, the League soon became the
center from which radiated many plans of organ
ized effort for the welfare of the Negro throughout
the country. When it seemed best for the Negro
to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his freedom,
the League took up the matter and through its
press association and through the assistance of the
GROUP NATIONAL NEGRO BUSINESS MENS1 LEAGUE DURING DR. WASHINGTON'S LIFE TIME.
580
Associated Press let the world know that there
were in America persons of color known as the
American Negro, that this same American Negro
had once been enslaved, but now he was free, and
that the same freeman, so far from lack of appre
ciation, so thoroughly rejoiced over his freedom
that he had built churches, bought farms, erected
schools, cut down illiteracy against all sorts of en
croaching odds, accumulated millions of dollars and
gathered from his contact with his white neigh
bors, taste, culture, refinement, business acumen,
tact and diplomacy. All this he wished the world
to know about and the National Negro Business
Men's League saw to it that the public was in
formed.
Thus it was with every notion of uplift or enter
prise. It aids and encourages the banker, the un
dertaker, the journalist. When the idea of a clean
up time became current, the League seized upon
it and gave it impetus, until it reached the black
man in every section of the country. When pig
clubs and canning clubs attracted the economists
of- the Nation, the League saw to it that the Negro
in the school, in the church, on the farm, played
their part in aiding the government to conserve
food and to perpetuate the idea of economy and
thrift. It sent out appeals for better homes, bet
ter schools, cleaner living and a more cordial re
lationship between the two races everywhere.
Though the members of the League are all col
ored men it has managed to enlist the good will and
co-operation of Governors of States, ministers,
jurists, philanthropists and public men in all walks
of life. Theodore Roosevelt kept in the closest
touch with its activities, as did many of his cabinet
members. Andrew Carnegie was one of its personal
friends, aiding it financially for a number of years.
George Foster Peabody, of New York, John E.
White, of Atlanta, Georgia ; Colonel Henry Water-
son, of Louisville, Colonel Parker, of Louisiana,
have all been in close touch with it at one time or
another.
For years it supported, largely through the help
of Andrew Carnegie, an organizer, who went from
State to State and from city to city, to organize or
to rejuvenate smaller leagues. This was kept up
until every state and every city where there is a
large number of Negroes could boast of a local lea
gue. Delegates from these make up the great cos
mopolitan, the National League. First, foremost,
and always, whether the business League survives
or perishes, it will always be one of the monuments
to Booker T. Washington, to his foresight, to his
genius for service and organization.
The officers of the League at this writing are :
Mr. John C. Napier, banker, of Nashville, Tennes
see, is the President; Chas. Banks, First Vice-Pres-
ident, Mound Bayou, Mississippi ; C. H. Brooks,
Second Vice-President, Philadelphia, Penn. ; John
M. Wright, Third Vice-President, Topeka, Kansas ;
Fred R. Moore, Fourth Vice-President, New York ;
Robert R. Church, Fifth Vice-President. Memphis,
WAGE EARNERS SAVINGS BANK. SAVANNAH. GA.
581
Tennessee; Emmett J. Scott, Washington, D. C.
Secretary; Albert L. Hosley, Assistant Secretary,
Tuskegee Institutee, Alabama ; Charles H. Ander
son, Treasurer, Jacksonville, Florida ; F. H. Gil
bert, Brooklyn, N. Y., Registrar; R. E. Clay, Asst.
Registrar, Briston, Tennnessee ; William H. Davis,
Official Stenographer, Rosecraft. Maryland; Ern
est T. Attwell, Transportation Agent, Tuskegee In
stitute, Alabama.
MEDICAL, DENTAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL
ASSOCIATION.
From the hoodooism of African jungles and the
"root docterin" of the benighted Southern slave
plantations to the modern treatment of typhoid
fever, the administration of salvarsan and the ab
dominal section, has been a long stride for the
Negro physician. But this stride he has taken —
sometimes by plodding, sometimes by leaps and
bounds till he now occupies a position in the med
ical world that is recognized and respected.
While a few educated physicians and apotheca
ries, some of them slave-born, were practising
among their people as early as the end of the eigh
teenth century, yet the majority of the Negro "doc
tors" consisted till far into the nineteenth century
of "herb doctors" who healed by spells and by prac
tising superstition. After the Civil War, how
ever, a number of Negroes took up the scientific
study of medicine and medical colleges in the
United States alone have graduated many thous
and such students.
In general these colored physicians, surgeons
and pharmacists have the esteem of their white
colleagues, and contribute notably to the improve
ment of the hygiene of their race which still leaves
much to be desired. It is indubitable that these
colored physicians have made the greatest pro
gress of any members of their race, and together
with the teachers, have been of the greatest ser
vice to it, as is clearly shown by the slowly de
creasing mortality of the Negroes. The colored
physician, like his white colleague in North Amer
ica, is often the proprietor of a pharmacy. Patent
medicines are as much beloved by the Negroes as
by the people of North America in general.
Another element in the work of improving the
health of the Negroes, is the rise of the Negro hos
pitals. These hospitals and sanitariums are well
patronized and have not only done much to pre
vent the sufferings of the colored people, but have
proven financially successful.
Along with the establishment of Negro hospitals
have arisen the nurses' training schools. Most of
the hospitals mentioned above have connected
with them such schools, which are sending out
from year to year a large number of colored
women, who are not only getting ready employ
ment among the white people, but are taking their
share of the burden of spreading the gospel of
good health and right living among Negroes.
The National Medical Association is composed
of Negro physicians, dentists and pharmacists; and
was organized in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1895, dur
ing the Cotton States and International Exposi
tion. The object of the Association is to organize
for mutual benefit and helpfulness the Negro phy
sicians, dentists and pharmacists ; and to insure
progressiveness in the profession. It is also the
object of the Association to help improve living
conditions among the Negro people by teaching
them the simple rule of health.
NATIONAL NEGRO PRESS ASSOCIATION
By Henry Allen Boyd, Corresponding Secretary.
The National Negro Press Association is an or
ganization of newspaper men, publishers and cor
respondents organized for the highest development
of Negro journalism. The Association came into
existence more than thirty-five years ago. The
plan is the result of matured thought on the part
of some of the race's foremost journalists. It had
its existence back in times and days during the re
construction period following close on the heels
of the civil war. For a number of years it simply
marked time, but within the past ten years it has
been very active, having succeeded in blending to
gether one hundred and twenty-six publications
and their representatives with a combined weekly
circulation of 2,300,000 journals ; or in other words,
more than 20% of the population are furnished
publications each week through the efforts of the
National Negro Press Association and its mem
bers.
Among the things accomplished in the recent
years by the Association was the standardization
of advertising; the inaugurating of reciprocal news
service ; the promotion of inter-telegraph circles
among the larger publications ; the dividing of
membership into zones ; the formation of a code
service committee that is preparing a special code
to be used by the members belonging to the As
sociation ; the placing of a permanent exhibit of
bound volumes of the publications to be sent to
various fairs and expositions ; to work for the mu
tual uplift of the smaller journals to see that only
wholesome literature is sent in the rural districts :
the co-operating of all agencies in helping the gov
ernment in solving perplexing problems, the assist
ing in stamping out crime in the race and the re
ducing of illiteracy by the dissemination of purer
literature and the working for an untrammeled
Democracy among the people of the United States ;
the making of America safe for Americans. The
officers for 1919 aer as follows :
582
Copyright — A. N. Scurlock.
MEETING OF PROMINENT COLORED EDITORS IN WASHINGTON. D. C, DURING WORLD WAR.
C. J. Perry, Philadelphia, Pa., President; W. E.
King-, Dallas. Texas, Vice-President ; J. H. Ander
son, Charlotte, N. C, Second Vice- President ; Henry
Allen Boyd, Nashville, Tenn., Corresponding Sec
retary; J. A. Hamlett, Jackson, Tenn., Recording-
Secretary; Miss Blanche Johnson, Newport News,
Va., Assistant Recording Secretary; B. J. Davis,
Atlanta, Ga., Treasurer ; E. A. Williams. Cincinnati,
•Ohio, Auditor; Jos. L. Jones, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Chairman, Executive Committee.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, WHEN OR
GANIZED.
American Negro Academy, 1897.
American Negro Historical Society, 1897.
National Association of Teachers in Colored
Schools, 1904.
Negro National Educational Congress, 1910.
Negro Society for Historical Research, 1911.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, at Cornell Uni
versity, 1906.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, at Indiana Univer
sity, 1911.
National Negro Business League, 1900.
National Negro Insurance Association.
National Negro Bankers' Association, 1906.
National Railway Employees' Protective Ass'n.
National Association of Funeral Directors.
National Marine Cooks', Stewards', Head and
Side Waiters' Association.
National Negro Retail Merchants Association.
National Alliance of Postal Employees, 1913.
National Medical Association, 1895.
National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.
1908.
National Negro Bar Association, 1909.
National Negro Press Association, 1909.
Western Negro Press Association.
National Association of Colored Musical and Art
Clubs, 1908.
National Equal Rights League, 1910.
National Colored Democratic League.
National Association of Colored Women, 1895.
Southern Negro Anti-Saloon Federation.
The National Association for the Advancement
of the Colored People, 1909.
NEGRO MASONRY.
Extracts from "Prince Hall and His Followers" by
Geo. W. Crawford.
"The test of the legitimacy of a Masonic body is
this : Is the authority by which it assumes to
practice and exemplify Masonic principles derived
from the proper source and did the manner of the
derivation of such authority conform to the ac
cepted Masonic usage for the time being? Tried bv
this test, the Negro Masonry of the United States,
which is in direct line of succession from Prince
Hall Grand Lodge, can make out as good a case for
the legitimacy of its existence as any Masonry in
the Western hemisphere."
The clean cut and orderly work of Prince Hall,
Provincial Grand Master and the father of Negro
Masonry in America, is well established.
583
. Concerning the constitution of African Lodge
No. 459, F. and A. M. (subsequently No. 370) and
the establishment of all that is in Masonic se
quence thereto, there is not the slightest difficulty
in determining what was done and upon what au
thority.
In 1775. in an Army Lodge holding a warrant
under the Grand Lodge of England, and attached
to one of the Regiments at Bunker Hill, Prince
Hall and fourteen other men of African descent
were duly initiated, passed and raised. Nine years
later almost to a day these fifteen Negro Masons
applied to the Grand Lodge of England to be set
apart as a regular lodge. Their application was
granted and a warrant issued to them September
29. 1784, authorizing them to be constituted into
a regular lodge under the designation as African
Lodge No. 459.
This warrant, which follows, was delivered to
them three years later, i. e. May 2, 1787, and the
lodge was duly organized four days after that date,
with Prince Hall as its Master.
WARRANT OF AFRICAN LODGE, NO. 459.
WARRANT OF CONSTITUTION: A. G. M.
To All And Every :
"Our Right Worshipful and Loving Brethren : —
We, Thomas Howard, Earl of Effingham, Lord
Howard, etc., Acting Grand Master, under the au
thority of his Royal Highness, Henry Frederick,
Uuke of Cumberland, etc.. Grand Master of th-j
Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and
Accepted Masons, send greeting:
"Know ye that we, at the humble petition of on:
Right Trust and well beloved brethren, Prince
Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson, and sev
eral other brethren residing in Boston, New Eng
land, in North America, do hereby constitute the
said brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Ac
cepted Masons, under the title or denomination of
the African Lodge, to be opened in Boston, afore
said, and do further, at their said petition and of
the great trust and confidence reposed in every one
of the said above-named brethren, hereby appoint
the said Prince Hall to be Master ; Boston Smith,
Senior Warden ; and Thomas Sanderson, Junior
Warden, for opening the said Lodge, and for such
further time only as shall be thought by the breth
ren thereof, it being our will that this, our appoint
ment of the above officers, shall in no wise affect
any future election of officers of said Lodge, but
that such election shall be regulated, agreeable to
such By-Laws of the said Lodge as shall be con
sistent with the Grand Laws of the society, con
tained in the Book of Constitutions ; and we here
by will, and require of you, the said Prince Hall,
to take special care that all and every, the said
brethren are to have been regularly made Masons,
584
and that they do observe, perform and keep all the
rules and orders contained in the Book of Consti
tutions ; and, further, that you do from time to time
cause to be entered, in a book kept for that pur
pose, an account of your proceedings in the Lodge,
together with all such Rules, Orders, and Regu
lations as shall be made for the good government
of the same, that in no wise you omit once in every
year to send to us, or our successors, Grand Mas
ters, or Rowland Holt, Esq. our Deputy Grand
Master, for the time being, an account of your
said proceedings, and copies of all such Rules, Or
ders and Regulations as shall be made as aforesaid,
together with the list of the members of the Lodge.
and such sum of money as may suit the circum
stances of the Lodge, and reasonably be expected
toward the Grand Charity. "Moreover, we will,
and require of you, the said Prince Hall, as soon as
conveniently may be, to send an account in writing
of what may be done by virtue of these presents.
"Given at London, under our hand ;uid seal of
Masonry, this 29th day of September, A. L. 5784.
A. D. 1784, by the Grand Master's command..
R. Holt, Deputy Grand Master.
Attest : William White, Grand Secretary."
In the same year African Lodge was formerly
entered upon the English Registry along with oth
er colonial Masonic bodies.
This lodge continued as a subordinate lodge, ex
ercising all the prerogatives of a regular Masonic
body, until June 24, 1791, when it was superceded
by African Grand Lodge which was organized in
Boston, Massachusetts, on that date.
At no time during the 18th century was there
any accepted form of constituting a Grand Lodge.
Especially was this true of early American Grand
bodies. Scarcely any two of these were formed in
the same way. Some were organized by Provin
cial Grand Masters, acting under deputations from
England ; others by self assumption of Grand
Lodge powers ; still others by union of lodges in
her localities.
It was some years after the achievement of Ame
rican independence before these provincial bodies
were totally emancipated by the English Grand
Lodge ; they were all carried upon the English reg
istry until 1813 when the "Ancients" and "Mod
erns" agreed upon terms of peace aud became uni
ted.
The African Grand Lodge was formed at Boston,
Massachusetts, on St. John's (The Baptist) Day,
1791. The meeting was presided over by Provin
cial Grand Master Prince Hall, and participated in
by many of the members of the craft who had been
made in African Lodge No. 459.
The badge of recognition alone would be a com
plete answer to the critics of African Grand Lodge
for in countless ways the treatment accorded
African Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Grand Lodge
in England, shows conclusively that they were con
sidered by the Mother Grand Lodge to be higher
than subordinate bodies in dignity.
African Grand Lodge does not have to rely upon
Fnglish recognition, however, for no matter which
of the three procedures outlined above was follow
ed, there are numerous and weighty precedents in
favor of its regularity. To impeach the regularity
of African Grand Lodge, it is manifest that there
must be shown a violation of some vital principle
of Freemansonry universally recognized.
Masonry is entirely different from all other fra
ternal organizations. In other fraternal bodies, if
one element of its membership is offended because
of the presence of another elemnt, the disgruntled
ones usually settle the difficulty by withdrawing
and setting up for themselves an "Independent" or
"Improved" branch of the same order. In Ma
sonry such things cannot be done. Masonry knows
no caste. The badge of a Mason to its worthy pos
sessor is an honor which is equal to any which he
could ever receive from Kings or Potentates. To
a true Mason an admission of his inferiority to any
man is a disavowal of his Masonry.
THK KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF NORTH
AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE.
ASIA, AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA
By John L. Jones, Supreme Vice-Chancellor.
This well known and aggressive Order is one of
the strongest and best governed institutions
among colored fraternities. It is non-sectarian and
non political. Its mottoes are: Friendship, Charity
and Benevolence.
It was patterned after the Order instituted by
J. H. Rathbone and others just after the Civil War.
Several attempts were made by colored men to join
the Order instituted by Mr. Rathbone, but in each
case the applicants were met by refusal.
Finally the degrees were unwittingly conferred
upon several colored men, led by Dr. Geo. A. Place,
of Macon, Miss., Dr. Thos. W. Stringer, of Vicks-
burg, Miss., and Mr. A. E. Lightfoot, of Lauder-
dale, Miss.
Dr. Stringer, regarded as the founder of the Or
der, lost no time in launching the work among his
race. The first lodge organized was Lightfoot
Lodge No. 1, at Vicksburg, Miss, March 26th, 1880.
The female department of the order, known as
the Order of Calanthe, was authorized at. a Su
preme Lodge meeting at Vicksburg, May 14th,
1883, and the first Subordinate Court of Calanthe
was instituted at Whitehall, La, during the same
year.
The Military Department of the Order, known
as the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and re
cognized as the best governed military organiza
tion of the race, was also authorized in May, 1883.
There is also a Military Cadet Department at
tached to the U. R. K. P. for boys and a Juvenile
Department for girls and boys attached to the Cal
anthe Department.
The growth of this order has been phenomenal
and lack of space here forbids the mention this Or
der deserves. For the benefit of those desiring
further information, we refer them to that very
complete History of the Colored Knights of Py
thias, sold by the Central Regalia Co, of Cincin-
na'tti, Ohio.
GROWTH AND RESOURCES OF THE ORDER
RECAPITUATION
The following statement from the official re
ports show the growth and financial resources of
the Order.
Number of Lodges July 1, 1915 3,185
Number of Lodges July 1, 1917 3,113
Decrease for the term 72
Number of Members July 1, 1915 105,140
Number of Members July 1, 1917 118,210
Increase for the term 13,070
Total amount of Endowment paid out for term
ending July 1, 1915— $1,182,574.39. Total amount
of Endowment paid out for term ending July 1,
1917 — $935,153. 4. Amount of Endowment in treas
uries July 1, 1915— $338,838. 6. Amount of En
dowment in treasuries July 1, 1917 — $463.688.08.
Increase over last term — $124,850.02. Amount of
Grand Lodge Fund on hand July 1, 1917— $42,356.62.
Amount of Supreme Lodge Fund on hand July 1st,
1917 — $16,936.32. Value of property owned by
Grand Lodges— $702,848.90. Value of property
owned by Supreme Lodge— $70,000.00. Value of
Property owned by Subordinate Lodges —
$474,619.83.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE ORDER
Endowment in treasuries $463,688.08
Grand Lodge Funds on hand 42,356.62
Supreme Lodge Funds on hand 16,936.32
Property owned by Grand Lodges 702,848.90
Property owned by Supreme Lodge _-_ 70,000.00
Property owned by Subordinate Lodges, 474,619.83
Total Resources $1,770,449.75
There are about eighty thousand women, mem
bers of the Order of Calanthe, and about twenty-
five thousand members of the Military Depart
ment. The very efficient executive officers of
the several Departments of the Order are : Smith
W. Green, of New Orleans. La, Supreme Chan
cellor of Lodge Dept, Jos. L. Jones, of Cincinnatti,
Ohio, Supreme Worthy Counsellor of the Order
of Calanthe ; R. R. Jackson, of Chicago, 111, Maj.
General of the Uniform Rank ; J. L .V. Washing-
585
COLORED PYTHIAN TEMPLE, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
ton, of Louisville, Ky., Royal Potentate of the
Dramatic Order of Knights of Omar.
There are twenty-eight Grand Lodge or State
Organizations of men, and twenty-five Grand
Courts or State Organizations of women. The
Military Department of this Order holds en
campments biennially at the place where the Su
preme Lodge and Supreme Court meets. The af
fairs of this Department are modeled after the Un
ited States Army, and their encampments of five
thousand Sir Knights or more every two years re
ceive high commendation .from the daily press.
This Order owns Pythian Temples in many
States. The Supreme Lodge owns and operates
at Hot Springs, Ark., the Pythian Sanitarium and
Bath House — and in Chicago it owns two valuable
pieces of property.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF OFF FELLOWS
An international secret fraternal beneficiary so
ciety. The history of its English Odd Fellows So
ciety projenitors runs back to about 1745. The
early English order appeared about twenty-five
years after the modern revival of Free Masonry in
1717 at London. Fragmentary historic records and
conjectures intimate that the first English Odd Fel
lows were an outgrowth of rivalry to the Masons,
who had acquired prominence in the early half of
the 18th century, particularly among the so-called
upper classes, in the army, navy, diplomatic serv
ice and among the nobility. The distinctive feature
of the order, not only the early English branches
but also those resulting from consolidations and
from schism, as well as the now Independent Amer
ican child of English Odd Fellowship, is found in
their being based on definitely expressed obligations
to care systematically, financially and otherwise,
for sick, distressed, and dependent members of
their family.
That Odd Fellowship in England was the fount
from which flowed the stream of non-secret friend
ly societies there is no doubt, and it was the activ
ities of the latter that suggested the flood of
American secret assessment, life insurance and
beneficiary societies of the last fifty years.
The earliest recorded English Odd Fellows Lodge
is that of Aristarchus No. 9 which in 1748 met at
the Globe Tavern, London.
Almost all secret society meetings, in the Uni
ted Kingdom, except those of the Masons, were
proscribed by the British Government late in the
18th century, and the Odd Fellows, Orangemen,
and fric-iidly societies of that time suffered ac
cordingly. There was a revival of activity early in
the 19th century, and a Grand Lodge of Odd Fel
lows for England was formed at London in 1803.
In 1809 one of the subordinate lodges at Manches-
587
ter declared itself independent and started as a
grand lodge to form a new order of Odd Fellows.
By 1813 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Manchester Unity, had become fully established
and constitutes the largest English branch of the
order today. The Manchester Unity was respon
sible for the introduction of the order into the
United States in 1819.
In 1843 the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
of England established a lodge in the United States,
petitioners for the same being Negroes.
The American Independent Order of Odd Fel
lows had previously refused such a petition, on the
ground of racial incompatibility. The English
Grand United Order found fertile soil among Ne
groes in the United States and has continued to es
tablish lodges upon application from them since.
It thus has a white membership in England and
black in the United States. This explains the ap
parent anomally of the existence of Colored Odd
Fellows in the United States, side by side, but not
connected, with an order having a similar, but not
the same name.
Peter Ogden was the founder of the Order of
Odd Fellows among Negroes in the United States.
He had joined the Grand United Order of Odd Fel
lows of England and secured a charter for the first
Negro lodge, Philomethean, No. 646, of New York,
which was set up March 1, 1843. Negro Odd Fel
lows in America are under the jurisdiction of Eng
land and are regularly represented in the general
meetings of the Order.
KNIGHTS AND DAUGHTERS OF TABOR
The Order of Twelve, of Knights and Daughters
of Tabor, was not organized under a sudden im
pulse, but rather the growth of an inspiration born
of a desire to break the shackles of slavery, which
came to Rev. Mose Dickson, of Ohio, who interest
ed with him eleven companies who in August, 1846,
formulated a plan which they put into immediate
execution. The plan was one fraught with great
clanger both to originators and those who should
follow their lead. For this reason the organizers
were careful to pick the men that were courageous,
patient, temperate and possessed of sound common
sense. The oath that bound them together was so
binding that it could not be broken. One feature
of it was : "I can die, but I cannot reveal the name
of any member until the slaves are free." This
oath never was broken.
The first organization that was created, under
the distinct name of the Order of Twelve, was or
ganized in the city of Galena. 111., by Mr. Dickson,
at the residence of Alfred H. Richardson, in August
1856. The secret work of the Knights of Liberty
was not imparted to this Society. At the close of
the war, so far as is known, seven men of that
great number, returned from the battlefield.
In 1871, Mr. Dickson organized an order to per
petuate the the memory of the TWELVE that or
ganized the Knights of Liberty. He organized a
Temple and Tabernacle in Independence, Mo. ; a
Tabernacle in Kansas City, Mo. ; a Temple and
Tabernacle in Lexington, Mo. With these five or
ganizations a Convention was called to meet in In
dependence, Mo., the second Tuesday in August,
1872.
This Convention organized the National Grand
Temple and Tabernacle of the Order of Twelve, of
Knights and Daughters of Tabor. The Child of
Destiny was born, and named. The Order was of
rapid growth and spread from State to State, gath
ering strength in its onward march. Within for
ty-seven years this Order has taken its place and
rank with the greatest organizations of the world.
It is united by the strongest ties of ''riendship, and
bound together by solemn obligations, and estab
lished on a firm basis, for the purpose of making a
united and effective effort in aiding each member
in sickness or distress, to protect and defend each
other, to aid and help the widows and orphans of
members that died in good standing, to inculcate
true morality, to build up and spread the Christian
religion.
The Order is non-sectarian — all members being
free to make a choice of any Evangelical Church.
The members are encouraged to use every hon
orable method to advance the cause of education;
to avoid intemperance ; to cultivate true manhood,
and to eschew immoral and degraded people. They
are encouraged to acquire real estate. It seeks to
help and elevate the colored race.
THE ROYAL KNGHTS OF KING DAVID
By W. G. Pearson, Supreme Grand Scribe.
The Royal Knights of King David, an organiza
tion carrying endowment, was organized in the
city of Durham, N. C, the 24th of Sept, 1883.
This organization is composed of departments of
men and women and children.
It has a governing department known as The
Supreme Grand Lodge, with headquarters in the
city of Durham. It is a purely Negro organiza
tion ; organized for the protection and advance
ment of the Negro race. The Initiation fee is small,
which with monthly dues of only twenty-five cents
each entitles a member in case of death to ONE
HUNDRED dollars. The local Lodge, in addition
to this, pays twenty-five dollars burial expenses.
It also gives weekly indemnity when sick ; and
further, it furnishes physicians and free medicine
to its sick members. This organization has had a
phenominal growth and has a membership of
100,000. It has paid to widows and orphans and
male beneficiaries since its organization $750,000
in sick and death benefits.
It has bought and paid for $25,000 worth of State
bonds, and $11,000 worth of government bonds,
and has much holdings in other securities.
In the Actuary's report of 1918, among other
things he said that "The Royal Knights of King
David is a substantial institution, and is one of few
among the many, regardless of color, who has a
reserve in compliance with the Laws of the State
in which they operate." He said, further, "If The
Royal Knights of King David initiated NO MORE,
and every one who is now a member remain in the
Lodge till his death, that the Order would be able
to pay off each and every assessment and then
have a BALANCE of $70,586.82."
The Supreme Grand Lodge — with headquarters
in Durham, employs NINE regular, commercially
educated clerks. Its system of book-keeping is
very far in advance of anything seen of its kind in
this country. Too much cannot be said of the
work this organization is doing throughout this
country.
It is operated and managed by the Supreme
Grand Scribe — Prof. W. G. Pearson, of Durham
N. C.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Secret societies among the Negroes may be
roughly divided into two classes : the old line so
cieties, such as the Masons, Odd Fellows and the
Knights of Pythias ; and the benevolent secret so
cieties, such as the Mosaic Templars, Royal Knights
of King David, United Order of Good Shepherds,
.Independent Order of St. Luke, Royal Circle of
Friends of the World, the Knights and Daughters
of Tabor, all of which have been t" ;ated in full
.elsewhere in this volume. Other societies of note
are :
Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, organized 1899. National Ideal Benefit Soci
ety, United Order of True Reformers, Grand Unit
ed Order of Gallilean Fishermen, organized in 1856,
United Brothers of Friendship and Sisters of the
Mysterious Ten, organized in 1854, Grand United
Order of Wise Men, organized in 1901, The United
Brothers of Friendship, Grand United Order of
Tents of the J. R. Giddings and Jollifee Union or
ganized in 1866, Independent Benevolent Order,
Independent Order of Brothers and Sisters, Sons
and Daughters of Moses, organized in 1868, Grand
United Order Sons and Daughters of Peace, organ
izer in 1900. Grand United Order of Brothers and
Sisters of Love and Charity.
588
Socample of Successful Negro Towns
RESTDEXCE OF CHARLES BANKS, BOOKER T.
WASHINGTON DAY.
MOUXD BAYOU— THE BLACK MAN'S PRIDE
bank, a post office, an ice factory,
a school, a Carnegie Library, a
cotton seed oil mill, shops, stores,
farms, laws, all in the hands of
colored people, administered by a
Negro town council, a Negro Ma
yor and a Negro marshall — who
does not feel pride and hope surg
ing in the breast? Here all the "Jim Crow" laws
and customs are reversed ; the black man's waiting
room is in the front; the black man is in the ticket
office ,the black man maintains law and order.
Prior to 1887, this fair little town of black folk
was a wilderness, dense with trees and foliage, be
ing in Bolivar County, a very rich delta section. In
the fall of 1887, Isaiah T. Montgomery, a former
slave, landed here with a few followers to clear
this forest and to establish a colony of colored peo
ple. For nearly a year they worked away with ax
and saw, living in shanties and eating what food
they could find. In 1888 the settlers returned home
and brought their families and the town began.
At the time there was no land sufficiently cleared
to cultivate. But the railroads needed cross ties,
hence the men sawed and hewed, and thus earned
their bread while they were clearing land for til
lage. Three years then passed rapidly by. When
they looked around they had cleared 4078 acres of
land and had made ready some 1250 acres for cul
tivation. The sum of $8,780 had been earned from
timber. 370 bales of cotton had been raised and
3045 bushels of corn. The squatter settlement now
became the mecca for black folk, not only in Miss
issippi, but in nearly every state in the South. The
town soon grew from three or four families to
scores, then to hundreds. Todav it numbers a
STREET SCENE— MOUND BAYOU.
thousand families, making a population of 5000.
The people own 40,000 acres of land, and produce
cotton in abundance, cultivating about 65% of the
40,000 acres. It produces one-twentieth of the cot
ton crop of Bolivar County, and Bolivar is one of
the leading cotton producing counties of the world.
So much for the historical side of the town. He
who has not seen Mound Bayou has missed one of
the blessings of the age. Whether one approves
of racial isolation or not, he is inspired by the stur
dy independence, the genial atmosphere, the stride
of progress and the spirit of cooperation of its in
habitants. There is about the town the old time
communal spirit. Everyone knows his neighbor,
speaks of him as he does of his own family. The
formality of knocking at the door, or of ringing
door bells appears never to have entered the town :
you walk right in. put down your grip and say
whether or not you are hungry, how long you are
staying and the like. Stores, banks, offices, are
all open, no sign or secrecy, no jealous guarding for
fear of stealing goods, money or ideas.
The people in the town and about the country do
most of their buying in a cooperate store, which is
in charge of**********Booze, son-in-law of the
founder. They bottle their own soft drinks, having
voted liquor out of the town long before the state
joined the ranks of prohibition. They manufac
ture their own ice ; they ship lumber, they have all
the agencies for modern improvement.
The bank of Mound Bayou, over which Charles
Banks, the financial genius of the place presides,
has taught the proper use of checks, how to deposit
and draw out money ; indeed, given them instruct
ion in business.
Thus does Mound Bayou flourish, demonstrating
that the Negro can organize, obey and live together
in peace and good will.
MOUND BAYOU OIL MILL
589
Negro Progress in if\e Soutf\ and in tf\e
COLORED ATLANTA
By J. W. Davidson, Managing- Editor of the
Atlanta Independent, Atlanta. Ga.
F -Atlanta's two hundred twenty-
five thousand people, its colored
citizens number seventy-five thou
sand. The city itself radiates
from a common center like the
spokes radiating from the hub of
a wheel, and the colored people live in all parts of
the city except in places where the extraordinary
price of land preclude people of ordinary means.
The relationship of the races is most cordial.
However different the past may have been, the pre
sent is certainly harmonious.
Colored Atlanta is as progressive as white At
lanta, and the progressiveness characteristic of
both combined, constitutes what the world knows
as "the Atlanta spirit."
For this brief review, we shall group colored
Atlanta as follows :
1. RELIGIOUS, denominational :
A. BAPTIST. Comprise four-tenths ; its prin
cipal churches are Friendship, Rev. E. R. Carter,
pastor ; Wheat Street, Rev. P. James Bryant, pas
tor ; Liberty, Rev. Ernest Hall, pastor ; Mt. Olive,
Rev. T. L. Ballou, pastor; these being chiefest
among a hundred others.
B. METHODIST. All branches constitute about
three-tenths sub-divided as follows :
(a) A. M. E. — composing fully two-thirds of
Methodism ; Main churches, Big Bethel, Rev. R. H.
Singleton, pastor; Allen Temple, Rev. J. A. Lincl-
sey, pastor ; St. Paul, Rev. Wm. McLendon, pastor ;
Cosmopolitan, Rev. W. J. Williams, pastor ; and
a score of others. Big Bethel is a general refuge
for all colored Atlanta. Its distinguished expon
ents, resident, the late Bishops Turner and Gaines,
and J. S. Flipper, presiding Bishop of the diocese.
(b) M. F.. — composing about one-sixth of col
ored Methodism; chief churches. Central Avenue.
Rev. L. H. King, pastor; Warren Chapel, Rev. E.
H. Oliver, pastor; South Atlanta, Rev. James De-
mory, pastor ; and a few others.
(c) C. M. E. — about one-twelfth of colored Me
thodism ; largest churches Butler Street. Rev. H.
W. Evans, pastor; Holsey Temple, Rev. Willie
Williams, pastor; West Mitchell Street C. M. E.
Church ; and a few others. The distinguished ex
ponents of the church, resident, being Bishops L.
H. Holsey and R. A. Carter.
(d). All other branches of Methodism about
one-twelfth of colored Atlanta, the leading of the
remaining branches being the A. M. E. Z. Church,
represented by the A. M. E. Z. Boulevard Church,
Rev. W. Q. Welch, pastor.
ODD FELLOWS BLOCK— SHOWING AUDITORIUM AND OFFICE BUILDING
590
All other denominations combined make up
about three-tenths of colored Atlanta, the more
important being:
C. Congregational, Rev. H. H. Proctor, pastor ;
Rush Memorial, Rev. Geo. F. Thomas, pastor.
D. Presbyterian, principal church ( Radcliffe Me
morial, Rev. E. C. Hames, pastor.
E. Episcopal, principal church, St. Paul, Father
L. Q. Rogers, rector.
F. Catholic, Boulevard Mission; and a large va
riety of minor churches.
2. EDUCATION :
City and state provision includes common
schools thru the seventh grade, there being no
higher educational provisions. All high school and
collegiate training is provided for by colored At
lanta itself and by Northern philanthropy as fol
lows :
A. ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, Edward T. Ware,
President; strictly collegiate, founded under the
auspices of the American Missionary Association
in 1867. It has graduated more prominent colored
leaders and educators than any institution for col
ored people in America. Its presidents and officers
include such distinguished men as Edmund Asa
Ware, founder ; Dr. Horance Bumstead, Prof. T.
N. Chase, Rev. Cyrus W. Francis, Mrs. Lucy E.
Case, and Dr. W. E. B. Dubois ; all very dear to the
hearts of colored Atlanta
B. CLARK UNIVERSITY, Harry Andrews
King, president ; founded in 1870 by the Freed-
men's Aid Society under the patronage of the M.
E. Church ; provides normal, academic and classical
training.
C. SPELMAN SEMINARY, Miss Lucy Hale
Tapley, principal ; the largest female institution in
America for colored girls ; founded under Baptist
auspices, under its distinguished first principal,
Miss Packard, and her associate, Miss Hattie E.
Giles ; provides for training in normal, nurse train
ing and domestic science courses ; patronized by
the Rockefellers.
C. MORRIS BROWN UNIVERSITY; founded,
officered and maintained by the A. M. E. Church
in Georgia, exclusively; Wm. Alfred Fountain,
president; Bishop J. S. Flipper, Chancellor; pro
vides preparatory, normal, commercial, classical
and theological training.
D. MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, founded in the
sixties by the Baptist Home Mission Board, at Au
gusta, Georgia, under the lamented Dr. Roberts,
president ; later removed to Atlanta under the late
Dr. Graves, as president ; rehabilitated and re
named under its present president, John Hope ; pro
vides normal, academic, classical and theological
courses.
E. GAMMON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,
organized under the auspices of the M. E. Church ;
largely endowed ; located on the campus of Clark
University ; provides higher theological training ;
Dr. J. M. Waters, president; Dr. J. W. E. Bowen,
vice president.
These colleges dot the hills surrounding Atlanta
and are generally erected upon, the breastworks
thrown up for the defense of the city in the war
between the states. They constitute an educational
center for that section of the United States where
colored people live in largest numbers, and make
Atlanta an educational center, greatly accounting
for the marvelous progress of the colored people of
the Gate City of the South.
3. FRATERNITIES— Colored Atlanta easily
leads all other cities in America from a fraternal
standpoint, and the Grand United Order of Odd
Fellows leads all others here.
A. ODD FELLOWS— District Grand Lodge No.
18, G. U. O. O. F. of America, Jurisdiction of Geor
gia, has assets in money, stocks, bonds and real es
tate aggregating a million dollars, with no mort
gage encumbrance upon it whatsoever. It has dis
bursed among its members thru the local lodges
and its Atlanta headquarters over three million dol
lars under the capable direction of B. J. Davis, its
guilding spirit. Its headquarters in Atlanta, cov
ering a city block and valued at over a half million
dollars, is easily the largest property of its kind
owned by colored people in the United States and
has been the principal factor in inspiring the race
with the spirit of cooperation, race pride, and race
consciousness. Out of its successful operation has
grown the remarkable strides that colored Atlanta
has taken in economic and businesss lines. In its
office building there is housed Negro corporations
of upwards of over a half million dollars in autho
rized capital stock, and its membership in the state
approximates forty thousand.
B. MASONS :
(a). Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, gen
erally spoken of as state rite Masons, easily pre
dominate in the state among Masons with their
headquarters in the Odd Fellows Building, where
their Grand Master, Dr. H. R. Butler, and the sec
retary of their endowment bureau, Mr. W. C.
Thomas, have their offices. Their growth has
been steady and conservative, as characteristic of
the fraternity, with a large membership embracing
some of the brightest and best citizens of the race.
(b.) Ancient Free and Accepted York rite Mas
ons, having a considerable membership in the state,
have their principal office in Atlanta, this being the
home of their Grand Secretary, Mr. J. H. Dent,
capable and efficient.
C. I. B. O. — A large and flourishing fraternity ;
591
has its headquarters in Atlanta, owning and oc
cupying a three-story brick building on Bell Street
near the Odd Fellows Building. The officer in
charge of its Headquarters is W. S. Cannon, active
energetic and progressive.
D. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS— has a large mem
bership both in its straight fraternity and its uni
form ranks here, but none of its general officers
are domiciled here.
E. GOOD SAMARITANS— has a considerable
following in the state and Atlanta is the home of
its Grand Secretary, W. H. Whittaker.
F. KNIGHTS AND DAUGHTERS OF TABOR
— has a considerable following in the State and one
of its principal officers, T. W. Holmes, the Grand
Secretary, is domiciled in the Odd Fellows Build-
in. There are scores of minor secret societies in
the city.
4. BUSINESS:
A. STANDARD LIFE INSURANCE COM
PANY — straight, old line life insurance ; capital
stock paid up $125,000; assets $295.000; income,
$382,000; total insurance outstanding, $8,200,000;
total paid beneficiaries since its organization in
1913, $145,350. Heman E. Perry, president; Harry
H. Pace, secretary. Its officers and directors com
prise some of the most prominent and successful
business men in the race throughout the country.
It occupies fully an entire floor and one-half in the
Odd Fellows Building to transact its business.
B. GATE CITY DRUG STORE— capitalized at
$20,000.00 ; the pioneer colored drug store of Geor
gia and the South. Moses Amos, manager and
founder. Its store, in the Odd Fellows Building,
is one of the finest in the entire south irrespective
of race. There are also in the city the Walton
Drug Store, Auburn Avenue ; South Atlanta Drug
Store, and some two or three others.
C. ATLANTA STATE SAVINGS BANK— cap
ital stock authorized $100,000; has grown steadily
since its organization, having the entire confidence
of the people. J. O. Ross, president, C. C. Cater,
cashier, are retired merchants bringing to the
banking business the experience gained from suc
cessfully conducted commercial enterprises for a
number of years, occupies one-fourth of the ground
floor of the Odd Fellows Building.
D. THE SERVICE COMPANY— capital stock,
$100,000; business headquarters in the Odd Fellows
Building ; H. E. Perry, president ; conducts an up-
to-date laundry in a four-story brick building on
Auburn Avenue, and an equally large establishment
in Augusta, Ga.
E ATLANTA MUTUAL I NSURANCE COM
PANY — the largest industrial insurance company
in the State with headquarters in the Odd Fellows
Building; A. F. Herndon, president.
F. FIRESIDE INSURANCE COMPANY— T.
K. Gibson, Manager, is officered and promoted hv
the wealthiest colored men in Atlanta.
Other insurance companies, with headquarters
elsewhere, conduct large businesses here, viz: The
Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, S.
W. Walker, Manager ; Guaranty Mutual Life In
surance Company, Thomas Taylor, Manager, Geor
gia Mutual Insurance Company. J. D. Whitlow,
Manager, and the North Carolina Mutual, 1. L.
Wheeler, Manager, a North Carolina Company do
ing business here both industrial and straight life
insurance, with capital stock and other resources
of over fully $500,000.
G. GROCERY BUSINESS— Men engaged in
the retail grocery business are many, there being
upwards of fifty-three well stocked and prosperous
grocery concerns in the different parts of the city.
H. PRINTING HOUSES— There are three
printing establishments owned and operated by
colored men, the principal of which is the Union
Publishing Company, under the capable manage
ment of C. A. Bullard. There is one large printing
establishment owned by the Odd Fellows.
I. REAL ESTATE.— The real estate business
is well represented in agents and corporations that
are prosperous. There are the Standard Loan and
Realty Company, W. J. Shaw, secretary; the Au
burn Loan and Savings Corporation, B. H. Towns-
ley, manager ; both located in the Odd Fellows
Building. There are S. Cunningham, Broad Street,
H. D. McGhee, Broad Street, A. Graves. Wall
Street, and scores of others.
J. AMUSEMENTS.— There is but one place for
theatrical amusement, the Auditorium Theatre, a
moving picture concern located in the Odd Fellows
Building under the capable management of R.
Black.
K. UNDERTAKERS.— David T. Howard and
Son. under the management of David T. Howard,
one of the wealthiest of Atlanta's Colored men and
most charitable and public spirited of its citizens;
Cox Brothers, C. S. Cox, manager ; Atlanta Under
taking Company, Sam Ware, manager ; A. B Cum-
mings, Dunn Brothers, Ivery Brothrs. H. H. and P.
E .Williams, and J. M. Robinson complete the list
of prosperous undertakers the latter. J. M. Robin
son, in addition, conducting on a large scale one of
the largest sale, feed and livery stables.
L. CAFES. — We have upwards of 115 well reg
ulated cafes, the most up-to-date of which are
Robt. J. Harper's cafe in the Odd Fellows Build
ing, Elijah Best, Cafe de Luxe, and Mrs. Scott Sut-
ton's.
M. NEWSPAPERS.— The Atlanta Independent
leads. Its circulation is the largest ; its mechanical
make-up perfect, and its editorial page the most
straightforward, comprehensive and courageous of
an}' weekly publication in America ; B. J. Davis,
592
editor, J. W. Davidson, managing editor ; its of
fices in the Odd Fellows Building.
5. PROFESSIONS :
A. PHYSICIANS.— There are forty-four reg
ular licensed and practicing physicians in the city,
graduates of all the leading medical colleges in
the country.
B. DENTISTS. — There are eight dentists in the
city, alumni of the most representatives of Amer
ican colleges.
C. LAWYERS.— There are four colored law
yers in the city, some of whom rank among the
best. Henry Lincoln Johnson is the Dean.
D. MISCELLANEOUS.— There are four chiro
podists, on occulist, six pharmacists, seventeen au
tomobile, mechanics, one surveyor and engineer,
and one architect.
E. BARBERS.— Atlanta boasts of the finest,
most elaborate and comprehensive barber shops in
THE WEALTHIEST NEGRO COLONY IN THE
WORLD— HARLEM— NEW YORK CITY
In uptown New York flourishes the wealthiest
Negro Colony in the world. There are those
among them who count their possessions in six
figures. This Colony is usually spoken of as Har
lem. It extends roughly from 131st street to 144th
Street and from Seventh Avenue to the Harlem
River. But this boundary is constantly changing
for the Colony is constantly growing.
Within this area is to be found every thing that
is needed for the comfort, convenience and pleas
ure of an intelligent people. There are apartment
houses, churches, institutions, shops, restaurants,
clubs, theatres and dance halls. The homes are
varied. Some are modest and well appointed,
some apartments rent from $20 to $60 a month
and some of the people live in their own handsome
residences. Several of the apartment houses are
the country and of these, A. F. Herndon s shop on
r> i i c± i r i • luxurious. 1 here are rich rusrs marble statuarv
Peachtree Street, operated for white customers,
and J. F. Griffin's shop in the Odd Fellows Build
ing, operated for colored customers, are each the
last word in art, sanitation, arrangement and
equipment.
valuable paintings in the corridors. Liveried ser
vants, sometimes foreign born whites, are to be
seen in some of the more pretentious homes.
In some of the restaurants the food served com-
F. CONTRACTORS.— A. D. Hamilton & Sons, pares with the best served "" Broadway. In fact.
L. G. Harris. Geo.-L. Goosly, R. F, Pharrow, and a" the necessary things for comfortable living arc
a few others are contractors on a large scale.
to be had right in the community. There are all
G. CHARITIES.— Carrie State Orphans' Home, sorts °f husiness enterprises that are flourishing.
Leonard Street Orphans' Home, Carter's Old Folks Many "f these are incorporated and well capita-
Home, and Meadow Brook Old Folks Home, sup- Uz.ed; The Professions are also well represented
there, being many physicians, dentists, lawyers
and publishers. Three newspapers are supported
also in this Colony.
Social life in the Colony finds expression in
Church festivals and clubs. Among the principal
clubs are the New York Colored Men's Association,
the United Civic League and the Pullman Porter's
ported by public charity.
II. CEMETERIES.— South View Cemetery.
I. HOSPITALS.— St. Luke's Hospital, made
from enlargement of the home of the late Bishop
Turner.
J . MISCELLANEOUS-INDUSTRIAL— Brick-
masons, organized under American Federation of
Labor, are fully a half of this branch of skilled la- Clulx Here in this section the Colored people of
bor, as are also the lathers and plasterers, tailors New York llave I)llilt for themselves a little world
and pressers ; carpenters and joiners, numerous ; where they can develop along all lines. They have
painters, harness and shoe-makers and repairers, their own moving- picture shows, theatres, places
of amusements of all kinds. Their churches are
up-to-date and form social centers, giving to their
members all kinds of recreations. They run their
own businesses. They own automobiles and all
sorts of luxuries.
The famous fifteenth regiment was the first in
the State of New York to receive its full quota.
They are all justly proud of this fact. Indeed
they are very proud of the record of the regiment
stone-masons, tinners in fair numbers ; blacksmiths
and dressmakers ; chauffeurs, coachmen, railroad
and electric wire laborers abound ; few plumbers ;
bakers, confection makers numerous ; wagoners
exclusively; porters, janitors, char-women, maids,
cooks, butlers in abundance.
6. Colored Atlanta as regards it home manifests
the high ideals inculcated by its educational envi
ronment; they stand easily at the head of the list
in architecture and design. They are Southern in and of its leader — Major Tandy. With this justly
taste, but Yankee in keeping. Very nearly each
home is well filled with choice literature, the Bible
generally taking the chief place in the library ;
music of all kinds — classic and modern. Not one
graduate of all the colleges has ever been convicted
of crime or even charged with heinous offense.
famous regiment is the European Band. This band
is winning distinction for its music in France. It
was two men from this regiment — Robinson and
Johnson — who were decorated for bringing in a
number of German prisoners. Harlem should,
with all colored America, be proud of her soldiers.
593
The Republic of Liberia
LIBERIA COURT OF ARMS
IBERIA is situated on the west
coast of Africa between Sierra
Leone and the Ivory Coast. The
Republic has a coast line stretch
ing along the Atlantic for about
350 miles Northwest to Southeast.
Three promonitories, Cape Mount, Cape Mesura-
do and Bafu Point are the only actual interruptions
of a monotonous coast line. There are no good har
bors. Ships regularly anchor at a considerable dis
tance from the shore and load and unload by means
of small boats sent from the towns.
Its area is approximately 43,000 square miles — a
little larger than the State of Idaho. Only the
coast strip with an average width of seven miles is
under development and a strip of not over 40 miles
is under administration and this line is constantly
being contended by hostile natives. Be it said to
the credit of the D. E. Howard administration's
positive dealings with these hostile .tribes
in 1917, persons might walk from Monrovia
to Cape Palmas without being attacked for the
first time since the foundation of the Republic.
Five sixths of the total area of the Republic is cov
ered with dense tropical forests. The highest lands
are found in the eastern half of the country. With
the exception of the coast lands all the interior is
elevated and rolling, in some places there are large
plateau regions covered with tall grass and few
trees.
Liberia is exceptionally well watered. Some
thirty-five rivers furrow its bosom supplying mois
ture for plant life, and furnishing fish and means
of travel. Few of them are navigable to any dis
tance. The St. Paul can be ascended only to a dis
tance of 25 miles ; the Dukvia only 30 miles and
the Cavalla only 80 miles.
Brilliantly plumed birds flit through the tropical
forests and flowers in rich profusion bloom every
where.
Mahogany, ebony and other valuable trees are
found in large quantities and rubber producing
trees and plants abound. Fruit trees which bear
almost perennially bend beneath the weight of lus
cious tropical fruit.
CLIMATE
Throughout Liberia the climate is salubrious.
There are two rainy seasons — one in June and July,
the other in October and November. There is a
marked difference between the climate of the forest
region and that of the Mandingo Plateau. In the
forest region, the dry season is short, it is the hot
test period of the year and includes the months of
December and January. The temperature ranges
from 55 degrees at night to 100 degrees in the
shade at mid-day. During the wet season the con
stant temperature stands at about 75 degrees. The
coolest month of the year is August with a day
temperature of 69 degrees and a night temperature
of 65 degrees. On the Mandingo Plateau the dry
season extends from November to May. The hot
test time of the year is at the beginning and end
of the rainy season when the thermometer may
mark more than one hundred degrees at mid-day.
HISTORICAL
The Republic of Liberia owes its origin to the
efforts of the National Colonization Society of
America, organized in 1816 for the purpose of col
onizing in Africa the free colored people of the
United States. Several attempts were made at
colonization but nothing was permanent until 1821
when a treaty was concluded by Lieut. Stockton
with certain native princes by which a tract of land
suitable for the purpose was acquired about Cape
Montserrado. Liberia existed as a colony till July
26, 1847, when the Declaration, of Independence was
signed.
THE FLAG, ETC.
The flag consists of eleven stripes alternately
red and white: the field, blue bears a single star
594
POLITICAL
The Constitution of Liberia is framed after that
of the United States. Executive authority is vest
ed in a President and Vice-President, elected for
four years and a council of six members. Legisla
tive power rests with a Congress of two houses,
known as the Senate consisting of eight members
and the House of Representatives with fourteen
members. Voters must be of Negro blood and own
Real Estate. Natives have not yet availed them
selves generally of the suffrage. No foreigner can
own real estate without the consent of the govern
ment.
The President, Vice-President and Congressmen
are elected: all other officers of state are appoint
ed by the President, subject to the approval of the
Senate.
There are also Quarterly, Probate and Justice
courts, for each of the countries and territories.
Monrovia recently abolished the Justices of the
Peace and established a Municipal Court with a
special judge, whose tenure of office is, during
good behavior.
The actual Military forces consist of militia, vol
unteers and police. All able-bodied men between
the ages of 16 and 50 are liable for military service.
POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT
Liberia has a population of two and one-half
millions and more than two millions are aborigin-
ies. The rest are Americo-Liberians. The truly
native population consists of many different tribes,
each with its own language, territory, government
and life. Most of the native tribes are pagan. In
the western half of Liberia, however, Mohamme
danism has taken hold of the great tribes of Man-
dingo and Vai. Among all these natives tri
bal organization and government remain in full
force, although most of them recognize the sov
ereignty of the Republic, native dress, art and in
dustries remain ; among the pagan tribes poligamy
is common : domestic slavery still exists : witch
craft is recognized and the ancient ordeals are
practiced. Most of the Americo-Liberian settle
ments are on the coast although there are a num
ber along the St. Paul River and a few along other
rivers. The Republic is divided into four counties,
viz: Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Sinoe and Mary
land. There are four cities in the Republic, with
Mayor and common council, viz: Monrovia, Grand
Bassa, Edina, and Harper. These cities, with
Manna, Nifu, Sarstown and Fishtown are the only
ports open to foreign trade.
Monrovia the capital city is the best representa
tive of the development. It is a city consisting of
about 7000 inhabitants. It is sharply divided into
two divisions, a civilized quarter upon the summit
of a ridge some 290 feet in height : here live the
Americo-Liberians and the European residents.
While nearly all around the city are the village and
native towns composed of members of various
tribes from all parts of the republic. To illustrate
this : I have found the name of Jesus given in 14
dialects in a group of about 200 persons.
The Liberians are a sociable people. They love
to gather on almost any occasion. There are prac
tically no places of public amusement. In 1831 there
was a public library with 1200 volumes in the city
of Monrovia ; today there is no public library or
reading room in the capital city. The number of
secret organizations is very large. Literary socie
ties and lyceums are from time to time organized.
There is one at Cape Palmas which has had a con
tinued existence for many years. A respectable
Bar Association has been in existence for several
years, has annual meetings, and prints its proceed
ings.
A considerable number of men write remarkably
well. The public documents of the Republic have
always been well worded and forceful.
The message of successive presidents to the leg
islature have shown extraordinary ability. In de
liberation they show judgment, and in diplomatic
procedure extraordinary skill.
RESOURCES
Liberia is rich in material resources. Perhaps in
all the world there can not be found a more fertile
soil and a more productive country. Cotton grows
plentifully and sugar cane flourishes also: rice, cof-
tee. edible roots, and oil palms may be found in the
clearings. Bananas and plantains grow in rich
profusion. Salt is common in some places and
"salt sticks" form a desirable article of trade. For
the present and for sometime to come the country
must necessairly depend upon its trade in raw pro
ducts. Wealth must come from palm nuts and oil,
passava, rubber and the like. In such products the
Republic has enormous wealth none of which has
been developed save to a very limited extent.
RELIGION
The Liberians are stid to be very religious. The
Bible is read in many homes with a devotion which
people in better favored lands might emulate. Sun
day is a day of rest and religious duty and woe
to him who desecrates it. Most of the leading de
nominations are found there either as an independ
ent church or as Missions.
EDUCATION
Education is not neglected in Liberia although it
has always been difficult to raise money to conduct
Schools. The Superintendent of Public Instruction
is a Cabinet Officer. In 1912 there were ninety-one
Schools under his direction.
Liberia College is fifty years old and many men
prominent in Liberian affairs received their educa
tion here. There are many Mission schools also
which are doing high grade, useful work.
595
Colored Theatricals
By Lester A. Walton, of the New York Age,
New York City.
OLORED theatricals are on the
boom. When announcement was
made by the daily and colored
press in June of this year (1919)
that a circuit of first class colored
theatres had been formed and the
merger was generally regarded
as the most far reaching step
ever taken in the history of the stage in which Ne
groes prominently figured, both colored and white
people evinced more than ordinary concern in this
piece of information.
Since the publication of the first statement about
the colored circuit white publications have vied
with colored papers and magazines in telling of
the big project in which thousands of dollars are
involved — of the systematic movement launched by
colored promoters to create a more agreeable con
dition throughout the United States for the colored
theatregoer and also open up opportunities for the
colored performer.
The first significant move to establish a chain of
colored houses taking in the principal cities of the
North and South, was made in the early part of
June, when a syndicate headed by E. C. Brown, the
colored banker, of Philadelphia and Norfolk, took
over the lease of the Lafayette Theater, at 131st
Street and Seventh Avenue, New York, and as
sumed all outstanding contracts which the Quality
Amusement Company had with the Lafayette
Players. The Lafayette Theatre is the best known
colored theatre in America, and the Lafayette
Players is the best known dramatic organization
among colored people in the country.
The next important house is the Dunbar Thea
tre of Philadelphia, just completed, which has a
seating capacity of 1600 and is situated at Broad
and Lombard Streets, only two blocks from the
Shubert Theatre. This large and modern struct
ure was built by a company headed by E. C. Brown,
president ; Lester A. Walton, vice president ; An
drew F. Stevens, secretary and treasurer. The
ground, building and equipment cost $375,000.
The Howard Theatre, Washington, D. C., the
Avenue Theatre, Chicago, and the Lyceum Thea
tre, Cincinnati, were the other houses originally in
cluded in the chain, but the numerical strength of
the circuit has been greatly increased since June.
The Pershing Theatre, controlled and managed by
Negroes, has been taken in, as well as theatres in
Richmond, Norfolk, Savannah and New Orleans.
Before the year it is expected that St. Louis, Louis
ville, Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, Memphis, Bir
mingham and Nashville, will be represented.
In organizing a chain of frst class theatres the
promoters had in mind the bettering of conditions
for colored amusement-lovers, especially in the
South. The existence of what are known as "col
ored" theatres in such cities as New York, Phila
delphia, Chicago and Detroit are due to the pres
ence of thousands of Negroes residing in a district
and such houses are the natural product of a com
munity as a Jewish thetre in a Jewish community
or a German theatre in a German community. Col
ored people in these cities also attend houses under
white management.
The reason for opening colored theatres in the
Southland is vastly different. In this section of the
country there are many cities where the Negro is
not wanted at all as a patron, and when he is ad
mitted it usually is in the gallery and then he is set
off to himself. There are thousands of self-respect-
ting colored people who do not take kindly to this
policy and, therefore, religiously remain away from
the white theatres. They also refuse to patronize
colored theatres where the performer is permitted
to say and do what he pleases and the management
is lax and general conditions extremely objection
able.
With theatres built in the South for colored peo
ple where an effort will be made to afford clean,
wholesome entertainment, and race standards will
be put on a higher plane, the colored person with
high ideals will be given an opportunity to secure
up-to-date amusements and at the same time sup
port meritorious race enterprises.
The theatres on the circuit will be provided with
attractions by the Quality Amusement Corporation
of New York, of which E. C. Brown and Andrew
F. Stevens are controlling factors, and Lester A.
Walton is general manager. A school of dramatic
art has been opened for young colored men and
women who give indication of possessing histrionic
ability, and they will be brought to New York from
all sections.
Various companies — dramatic and musical — are
being organized by Quality Amusement Company
and the dramatic directors employed are the best
that can be secured in New York.
With the enforced withdrawal from the scene
of action of the William & Walker, Cole & John
son and Ernest Hogan companies some ten years
ago, colored theatricals have been at a low ebb.
These companies played in cities throughout the
North and West, appearing in theatres owned and
controlled by white managers. The advent of the
movies, which turned many of such theatres into
moving picture houses, was largely responsible for
the disappearance of the big colored musical show
on the road.
Colored theatricals are now being revived along
practical and sane lines. Instead of depending on
others, the Negro is taking the initiative and ex
ploiting among his own people a field hitherto un
touched, one pregnant with wonderful possibilities.
He is, therefore, making opportunities for himself
and race — which is one of the most constructive
pieces of work the colored American has undertak
en during this great era of rehabilitation.
596
Reminiscences of Slavery Days
By J. W. Beverly, Principal State Normal School,
Montgomery, Ala.
Slavery was introduced into English colonies by
way of the colony of Virginia in 1619. However,
the first landing of slaves in what is now the Unit
ed States was in Florida in 1565.
As early as 1637 some Pequod Indians were ex
changed for Negroes from the Bermudas. It is
worth while to note that the Indians were ex
changed because they would not obey their mas
ters.
Note — the Negro, as a class, had always been
obedient to authority. Of course there have been
and will always be cases of disloyalty ; but the Ne
gro as a class is loyal even when he is mistreated.
A mere declaration of this sort would amount to
but little ; but all history will bear out this state
ment.
In some cases in the New England colonies, there
is record of the fact that when slaves were no
longer serviceable to their masters by reason of
having spent their energies, they manumitted them
to live on charity or do otherwise. But in 1702, in
Connecticut, a law was soon passed compelling
the former owners to care for these manumitted
and worn out slaves.
Washington and Jefferson were both opposed to
buying or selling Negroes off the plantations to
which they belonged. Washington manumitted
his slaves in his last will. Thomas Jefferson never
favored slavery ; and Benjamin Franklin was op
posed to the trafflce in human beings.
Patrick Henry said of the overseer of his time,
"They are the most abject, and unprincipled race."
The above statement is quoted to show, that most
of the oppression and cruelty practiced against Ne
groes came not from the hand of the master ; but
from that of the overseer.
Sometimes, yes often times, cruel and oppressive
Negroes were used as slave drivers. These Negro
drivers were most crude in many instances.
History fails to produce a parallel case to that
of the fidelity of the Negro towards his master in
the time of the Civil War.
While the best blood of the South was at the
front, fighting to retain slavery, the Negro, the
bone of contention, was at home and was tilling the
fields, and caring for the family left behind.
The leading white men and the public press have
ever since that day declared that this act of fidelity
on the part of the Negro is deserving to be cele
brated in song, and to be recorded on the pages of
history. They have declared that the Negro fidel
ity in these trying times has endeared the race to
the entire white South,
Almost any other race on the face of the globe,
with conditions so favorable for revolt and destruc
tion, would have used the opportunity.
Many colored men went to the war to act as
body guards to their masters and when the master
was cut down the Negro body guard with loving
hands would remove the body and accompany it
home to be laid away in the home cemtery. And
well does the writer know of instances, where the
faithful Negro slave would turn over the body of
his dead master and search it for valuable belong
ings such as a gold watch, a fine ring, and would
report these things to the white folks at home. And
many a time, the family would say to the faithful
slave, "you may have the watch or what not."
In this world, and as we colored people are wont
to stay, "in this cold and unfriendly world" there
is no abiding place, no continuing city unless it be
in the loving remembrance, of good deeds done
whch will enshrine us in the heart and affection of
mankind.
The late Booker T .Washington used to say that,
every Negro had his white man that he could go to
in times of need, and that every white man had his
Negro friend that he could trust in the dark house
of this unfriendly world.
And there is much in this — inter-dependence the
white needing the Negroes, and the Negroes need
ing the whites. What do the Scriptures say about
this? The members of the body can not say the
one to the other "I have no need of thee. Can the
eye say to the hand. I have no need of thee?"
That many masters were cruel to their slaves no
one will deny but the main source of cruelty was
not the master ; but usually the overseer, or Negro
driver. He had no interest in the slave, and so had
no care for him.
There were many free Negroes even in the slave
states. The free Negro in a slave state had to be
under the protection of some white man, who repre
sented him in some legal phases. Some masters
manumitted their slave. s George Washington, the
father of his country it is said, manumitted his
slaves. Many masters allowed certain skilled me
chanics of their slaves to hire themselves out for
a certain wage by the year, a portion of the wage
to go to the slave and a portion to the master in
the way of purchase of the slave by his own labor.
The writer's own great grandfather, a good doc
tor purchased himself from his master.
Thousands of the best blood of the South will
forever bless the memory of the Negro race for
the many kind and nice attentions given by the
"Black Mammy" and the attachment between the
white children and the "Black Mammy" have come
down from the days of slavery with endearing sen
timent to many distinguished white men of the
South.
Many a "Black Mammy" has been cared for
while living; and peacefully laid away after death
by the loving hands of white men, whose parents
used to own them.
And these "Mammies" in the days of slavery
were the real rulers of the household. What they
demanded for the children of the family usually
was granted even in opposition to the mistress'
wishes. The "Mammy" had her way in most mat
ters that concerned the whims or welfare of the
children ; and to her would the children look for
refuge even to the restraining of the rod correc
tions in conduct.
597
TOP VIEW— Raw recruits arriving at cantonment, Copyright Underwood and Underwood.
CENTER VIEW- 325th Field Signal Battalion colored troops, boarding boat for Camp Merritt. Copyright
Western Newspaper Union.
BOTTOM VIEW— Temporary resting place between Pont a Maisson and Metz, of Heroes of the 92nd divi
sion who made the "Supreme Sacrifice." U. S. Official.
The Negro in the World War
By EMMETT J. SC'OTT, Secretary-Treasurer of Howard University, Washington, D. C.
Prepared for this publication in October, 1918 — thirty days before signing of Armistice.
EMMETT J. SCOTT, Special Assistant to the
Secretary of War, who prepared the article which
follows, is by virtue of his commanding position
and closeness of view to the incidents and circum
stances which are shown herein, most happily sit
uated to give authentic testimony concerning
"THE NEGROE'S PART IN WINNING THE
WAR."
The office of Special Assistant to the Secretary
of War was created because of the recognized im
portance and weight of the Negro in the National
equation, and because of the broad-minded opinion
of the Hon. Newton 1). Baker. Secretary of War,
that the problems growing out of the relations of
the 12,COO,OCO colored people of the country in a pe
riod of war, with new conditions and new demands
to be met and adjusted, were of sufficient impor
tance to justify the establishment of a special bu
reau to deal exclusively with their affairs. Seek
ing the best fitted man of the race in America to
handle the delicate and far-reaching questions that
must necessarily arise in a crisis that touches the
fundamental principles of Government, Secretary
Baker placed at his right hand to advise him with
reference to the Negro millions, a man, who need
ed no introduction to the American people of any
race, and whose selection was at once acclaimed by
all as the very best that could have been made.
I'or eighteen years Mr. Scott was the Secretary
and confidential advisor of the late Booker T.
Washington, and he has had intimate contact with
the- most influential forces of the nation, white and
black. The wide experience thus gained and val
uable acquaintanceships formed, coupled with na
tive zeal, wisdom and industry, render him an ideal
man for this post of exacting responsibility.
That the office, with its increasing volume of in
tricate questions and broadening scope of activities
is giving excellent service, is convincingly attest
ed by the laudatory comments at the hands of the
United press of the country, and the warm perso
nal congratulations received by Mr. Scott by tel
egram, letter and "word of mouth" every day in
the year, as well as by the grateful acknowledg
ments of hundreds of persons in all sections of the
land, who have been faithfully and efficiently serv
ed through the official channels covered by this
Bureau. Ft is a veritable "clearing house" for Ne
gro problems, military and civil, emphasized by
reason of the war, and it is universally admitted
that the condition of the race has been improved
bevond measure since the establishment of this di
rect point of contact between the Negro and the
high officials of the War Department. Mr. Scott
has justly earned the commendation of the entire
nation by his comprehensive grasp of the vital is
sues of the day and wrought out concrete results
through his courageous mastery of them in con
ference, on the platform, and through the public
prints.
Secretary Baker is a true friend of the Negro
people— not as Negroes per se, but as human be
ings and citizens of the Republic. He is a genuine
100 per cent American and a democrat — in the
strictest interpretation of those lofty terms— and
has indicated in a thousand forceful ways that race
prejudice has no place in his personal make-up ;
and he has made it plain that he would brook no
color discrimination or the practice of narrow-
gauged methods in the administration of his offi
cial duties. His high regard for the welfare of the
12,000.000 colored Americans has been demonstra
ted in a most practical fashion by his organization
of the Bureau for the consideration of affairs di
rectly affecting this loyal and productive group of
citizens which, under the sympathetic and pain
staking supervision of Mr. Scott, has proven its
worth to the nation and to all concerned. — (Editor.)
The NEGRO in the present war for LIBERTY
AND WORLD-WIDE DEMOCRACY is proving
to be a notable and inspiring figure. The Colored
American, in common with his brother in White,
realizes more and more that this is THE PEO
PLE'S WAR, and it is his determination to remain
in the fight to the finish. He is cheerfully laying
upon the altar of his country's honor every ounce
of his manhood strength, his individual influence
and the limit of his means to bring VICTORY to
the only flag he claims as his own. The Negro is
100 per cent American and rightly regards it as his
FIRST DUTY to utilize every resource at his conu
mand to aid the nation to win its batle for civiliza
tion and justice in this hour of humanity's peril.
THE NEGROE'S "MAN-POWER" IN THE PRESENT
CONFLICT.
The Negro now (October, 1918) has in the mil
itary establishment of the nation nearly 400,000
men. He entered the war with four regiments to
his credit — the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th
and 25th Infantry of the Regular U. S. Army
these regiments embracing about 10,000 men. In
the National Guard — as it was formerly known
599
TOP VIEW — Negro soldiers arriving at a typical French village.
UPPER CENTER VIEW— Colored Soldiers advancing along a camouflaged road in France.
LOWER CENTER VIEW— Gas mask drill in France.
BOTTOM VIEW— Narrow gauged railroad used in trench warfare on French battlefields.
U. S. Official.
600
made up of units from several states, such as the
8th Illinois, the 15th New York, the First Separate
Battalion of the District of Columbia, the First
Separate Company of Maryland, a company from
Massachusetts and one from Connecticut, the 9th
Ohio, etc., the race also had about 10,000 men. A
large number of these forces came through volun
tary enlistments and their work on the field and in
camp has been of the highest possible order.
To this call to the colors, the Negro responded
with a cheerfulness that made the world stare in
wonderment. It is worthy of note that in the first
draft in June, 1917, there were 737,628 colored reg
istrants, or nearly 8 per cent of the total registra
tion of the country, which was 9,586.508. Of the
first group of 208,953 colored registrants examined
under call of November 12, 1917, 36.23 per cent of
them were accepted for service. Out of 2.873.996
white men examined at approximately the same
time, 24.75 per cent of them were accepted. In
groups representing nearly an identical proportion,
it will be noted that in relative military fitness the
Negro race outranked other races by about 12
per cent. It is also a matter of pride with the Ne
gro to note that the per centage of colored men
claiming exemption from military service is much
lower than that of other groups. Many thousands
of colored men are on duty overseas.
NEGRO REPRESENTED IN NEARLY EVERY
BRANCH OF SERVICE
The Negro is represented in practically every
branch of the military service — including Infantry,
Cavalry, Engineers, Field and Coast Artillery, Sig
nal Corps (radio, or wireless, telegraphers, etc.),
Medical Corps, Sospital and Ambulance Corps,
Aviation Corps, (ground section), Veterinary
Corps and in the noncombatant forces, which em
brace, among other organizations, the Stevedore
Regiments, Service of Labor Battalions, Depot
Brigades. These latter render valuable service be
hind the lines and are indispensable to the well-be
ing of the troops on the firing lines. Many Ne
groes are employed as chemists, draftsmen, sur
veyors, etc. A premium is placed on men who are
skilled in the technical and mechanical pursuits,
such as electricians, auto-repairers, wheelwrights,
blacksmiths, carpenters, etc.
The colored combat troops overseas are now
comprised in the 92nd and 93rd divisions, com
manded respectively, at the time of their assign
ment, by Major-General C. C. Ballon and Briga
dier-General Roy C. Hoffman.
MORE THAN 1,000 NEGRO OFFICERS NOW UNDER
COMMISSION
The Negro now has passed far beyond the 1,000
mark in the matter of commissioned officers, the
number being now fully 1,200. There were few
in the original Regular Army. The highest in
rank was Charles Young, of Ohio, who, prior to his
retirement from active service, had risen to the
rank of Colonel in the 10th Cavalry, and had served
.with distinction in the Indian fights on the Ameri
can border, in the Spanish-American War, in the
Philippines and Mexico, and had won honors as
the formative genius in the Government Constabu
lary and as United States Military Attache in
Haiti. He is a graduate of West Point Military
Academy. The highest active officer of the race
now in the Army is Lieut-Col. Benjamin Oliver
Davis, of the 9th Cavalry, a native of Washington,
a product of her public school system, who entered
the service at the outbreak of the Spanish-Ameri
can War as a private in a volunteer regiment. He
rose to his present station by merit. He has been
military instructor at Wilberforce University, Un
ited States 'Military Attache and head of the Con
stabulary in Liberia and is now stationed with his
regiment in the Philippines. Walter H. Loving,
also a Washingtonian, developed the famous Phil
ippine Constabulary Band, and is now a Major on
the retired list, but engaged in a special work for
the Government in the present conflict.
In the National Guard, several colored men, well
versed in military tactics and with fine capacity for
organization, have held ranks as Colonels, Majors,
and officers of subordinate grade and have given an
excellent account of themselves in preserving order
in their respective States and have assisted the
Federal Government in instances of national em
ergency.
CAPABLE YOUNG OFFICERS FROM THE NEW
TRAINING CAMPS
The present war has brought to the front a
splendid array of talented and capable young men
who have won commissions as officers in the new
training camps that have been formed for the pur
pose of supplying' leaders for the new United
States Army. Out of the Reserve Officers' Train
ing Camp at Fort Des Moines, came 639 colored of
ficers, commissioned as captains and first and se
cond Lieutenants, after a course of intensive train
ing, covering four months, concluding in October,
1917. Many of these • commanders were college
men, hailing from such standard institutions of
learning as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, University of
Pennsylvania, Amhurst, University of Chicago,
Howard, Fisk, Wilberforce and Lincoln University.
In the field service these officers, for the most part,
have "made good," and are in command of troops
of the race at a number of camps on this side and
across the sea. They have stood up bravely
through their "baptism of fire," and in cases, now
almost numerous, they have won the French Croix
De Guerre and were conspicious in the terrific en-
601
TOP VIEW — The men and officers of the 369th Infantry were decorated at the Stadium of City College
by General Collerdet of the French Army and Colonel Hayward of the 369th Infantry who is in command of the
unit. The view shows the officers at attention during the playing of the Marsellaise. Copyright Underwood &
Underwood. N. Y.
BOTTOM VIEW — Decks of the "France" loaded with New York's Colored Troops. The "France" brought
back New York's famous colored regiment the 389th Infantry, better known as the old 15th. These men cov
ered themselves with glory, were the first American soldiers to reach the Rhine, never had one of their men
captured by the Hun and received the Croix De Guerre for their bravery in action. Copyright Western News
paper Union.
gagement which led to a whole regiment of Ne
groes being cited for valorous conduct, and the re
port of the same to the War Department at home
by General Pershing, the intrepid and square-deal
ing Commander-in-Chief of the American Expe
ditionary Forces in France.
Speaking of the Colored troops in general, a mil
itary expert has said : "They are notably steady
under fire, patient to endure- hardships, and cheer
ful and good-natured at all times — and 'THEY
CAN FIGHT!" In addition to the officers already
mentioned, shortly after the Fort Des Moines
group, there were graduated at training camps 114
officers in Infantry. 11 in Cavalry and 35 in Field
Artillery. At the close of the series ended August
31, 33 colored men were commissioned as Lieuten
ants of Field Artillery at Camp Taylor, Louisville,
Ky., and 107 were graduated and commissioned as
Lieutenants of Infantry at Camp Pike, Little Rock,
Ark. They will be given desirable assignments
with troops of the race. With the output of Fort
Des Moines, this brings the total of officers from
the training camps alone up to 941. Those com
missioned in the Medical Reserve Corps number
about 250; about 100 of these are still on the inac
tive list. The hope is expressed that as the num
bers of colored men brought into the army through
the selective draft are increased, many colored of
ficers of the Medical and Dental Reserve Corps
\vi!I lie needed and will therefore be given their
place1 in active service.
Three regiments of Field Artillery were formed,
made up of colored troops and the doors were
thrown open for colored officers. A goodly num
ber of colored officers qualified for the work and
at Camp Meade and other points where instruct
ions was given, it is said by competent judges that
the young men detailed for this training showed
marked adaptability for the intricate problems in
volved and their college equipment stood them in
time'y stead. The Field Artillery Regiments re
ferred to are the 349th, 350th, and 351st, and they
were stationed in the East, prior to their departure
for France. The reports from the Officers' Train
ing Schools at Cam]) Taylor and Camp Pike are of
a flattering character and the personal conduct of
the young men was highly praised by the com
mandant in charge, and the people of the adjacent
cities welcomed their visits when they were on
furlough.
At the Field Artillery School at Camp Taylor,
Louisville, Ky., which closed August 31, 1918, there
was a total enrollment of 2,500 candidates. In the
list of graduates, thirty-three were colored. The
official report shows that out of the first fifteen
graduates, five (or one-third), were colored, whose
respective ratings ran from fourth, with a percen
tage of 82.44, to fifteenth, with a rating of 81.11—
merely a difference of one and one-third per cent
between the standing of the candidate who stood
fourth and the one who stood fifteenth.
FORTY-SEVEN COLORED CHAPLAINS IN THE
ARMY
There are now forty-seven colored Chaplains in
the several branches of the Army. They are. with
out exception a fine body of men— "sturdy, up
standing, red-blooded men"— such as the regula
tions call for, and they have been specially selected
because of their knowledge of the weakness and
the strength of mankind, and are thus particularly
well-fitted for the work of giving wise counsel un
der trying circumstances and getting the best out
of the thousand-and-one types that are necessarily
thrown together in army life. Before they are de
signated for the training school for Chaplains for
the five-weeks' course prescribed, candidates are
passed upon by the General War-Time Commission
on Churches, the Federal Council of Churches and
by the chief officials of their own denomination,
and they are compelled, as has been intimated, to
meet the requirements of a most rigid educational,
physical and moral standard. An effort is made to
select Chaplains, as far as possible, who represent
the faiths to which the soldiers belong in the larg
est numbers, with a fair division among the several
denominations.
Chaplains are appointed after the five-weeks'
training for war work and are commissioned as
First Lieutenants, receiving $2,000 per annum in
this country and $2,200 abroad, and they are pro
moted by seniority to the highest grade attainable
before retirement for age.
SPECIAL TRAINING IN TECHNICAL AND MECHAN
ICAL BRANCHES
A very recent achievement, and one to which the
race points with pardonable satisfaction, is the pro
vision by the Government for special training of
the young colored men in technical and mechanical
work, which will add to their efficiency as a factor
in the Army, enlarging their opportunities for use
fulness and for preferment, and rendering them
more capable of earning a livihood for themselves
at the close of the war. Since May, 1918, fifteen
of the leading educational institutions of the land
have been carrying on this training and not less
than 3,000 Colored men have finished courses in
such essential subjects as electricity, radio (or
wireless telegraphy), bench wood-working, chauf
feur, auto-mechanics, concrete working, black-
smithing, wheelvvrighting, army truck driving,
carpentry, cobbling horse-shoeing, pipe-fitting and
general mechanics.
Of the total graduating up to September 15.
1,140 came out of Tuskegee Institute, 600 from
Howard University, 250 from Hampton, 270 from
603
TOP VIEW (Left to Right)— Capt. Stewart Alexander, Lieut. Frank Robinson of Xew York's colored regi
ment who won the Croix De Guerre for conspicuous bravery. This regiment has the honor of being the first
American Unit to reach the Rhine. Copyright Western Newspaper Union.
CENTER VIEW — Heroes of old 15th Infantry, New York City all received the Croix De Guerre from the
French Government. Front (left to right) Privates "Eagle Eye" Ed. Williams, "Lamplight," Herbert Taylor, Leon
Traitor, "Kid Hawk," Ralph Hawkins (back row) Private H. D. Prunes, Sgt. D. Stormes, Private "Kid" Woney,
Joe Williams, Arthur Menly, Corporal Taylor. Copyrigh t western Newspaper Union.
BOTTOM VIEW — The men of a colored unit receiving the D. S. C. at Finistere, France. Major General
Eli Helmick is decorating the men. Admiral Moreau of the French Navy just behind the general. Copyright
Underwood & Underwood, N. Y.
the Greensboro, (N. C.) Agricultural and Technical
College and varying numbers from all the rest of
the fifteen. So successful was the experiment,
that the War Department Committee on Educa
tion and Special Training, which is in control of
this phase of the work, has decided to continue the
work, and training in technical and mechanical
branches will be given in fourteen of the principle
colored schools, where Vocational Training De
tachments are being formed, under the instruct
ion and command of carefully selected army offi
cers.
During the month of August and into Septem,
her, at Howard University, a special school for
student-instructors was carried on, under the di
rection of Lieut. Russell Smith, formerly of the
10th Cavalry, a graduate of the Fort Des Moines
Officers' Reserve Training Camp, and a disciplina
rian and military tactician of the First rank. This
school comprised 450 students and members of fa
culties, sent from the various schools and colleges
of the race, who, after receiving the prescribed
forty-seven days of intensive training in military
science and tactics at Howard, have returned to
their respective institutions to instruct others in
the courses which they have just finished. From
this school 320 went out September 15th, 1918, ful
ly equipped for the work of instructing the units of
the Student's Army Training Corps established in
their several institutions.
Provision has been made by the Special Com
mittee on Education and Special Training for the
instruction of this year and the next, of fully 20,000
colored men in technical and mechanical branches,
in conjunction with their military training. The
effect of this training and discipline undoubtedly
holds untold benefits for the race for all the future.
The executive Secretary of the Committee on Ed
ucation and Special Training is Dr. R. B. Perry, of
Harvard University, one of the ablest, broadest-
visioned and most resourceful educators in this
country. He is not only concerned about doing
that which will enable the American Negro to lend
himself most effectively toward winning the war,
but he is desirous at the same time to do for this
struggling race, a service that will best aid the Ne
gro to win a better position in life for himself.
THE STUDENT'S ARMY TRAINING CORPS
Following closely upon the heels of the Special
Vocational Training Detachments for the fourteen
technical and mechanical schools, comes a provis
ion by which young colored men of eighteen and
over, who desire to secure a college education, may
carry on a thorough course in military science and
tactics, while engaged in their academic studies
at any college on the list of institutions with which
the Government has entered into a contract. The
young men of college standard, who have register
ed with their local boards and who wish to be in
ducted into the military service after matriculating,
subject to the regulations of the college chosen,
constitute a new division of the constructive work,
planned by the Committee on Education and Spec
ial Training, and this is styled "The Students' Ar
my Training Corps," designed to fit young men for
the Army while permitting them to continue their
higher education. And all this is at the expense of
the Government, which obligates itself to pay for
the subsistence, housing, uniform, tuition and
equipment and allow the student-soldier $30.00 per
month besides. Graded by proficiency indicated,
the student may later be assigned to military duty,
either by transfer to an officers' training camp, or
to a non-commissioned officers' training school, or
to a vocational training school, or he may be trans
ferred to a cantonment for duty as a private. Or,
if it is deemed best, he may be directed to continue
his scientific studies in the school where he is en
rolled. Under this admirable Student Army Train
ing Corps system these young men will have the
advantage of a skillful preparation in war work be
fore entering upon their duties in the field, and
will not be losing precious moments from their
mental advancement.
Eleven schools, forming nine units, have been se
lected for the Collegiate Section of the Student
Army Training Corps, as follows :
Howard University, Washington, D. C.
Lincoln University, Chester County, Penn.
Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.
Meharry Medical School, Nashville, Tenn.
Atlanta University and Morehouse College,
(combined), Atlanta, Ga.
Wiley University and Bishop College, (com
bined), Marshall, Texas.
Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama.
Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia.
Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
SCHOOLS IN WHICH VOCATIONAL DETACHMENTS
HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED
The institutions in which the Vocational Train
ing Detachments of the S. A. T. C. have been es
tablished are :
Tuskege« Institute, Tuskegee Institute, Ala
bama.
Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va.
Howard University, Washington, D. C.
Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga.
Georgia State A. and M. College, Savannah, Ga.,
North Carolina A. and F. College, Greensboro,
South Carolina A. and M. College, Orangeburg.
Prairie View N. and I. College, Prairie View,
Texas.
Lincoln University, Chester County, Penn.
605
TOP VIEW (Left)— Lieut. Thos. A. Painter, of the 370th (Chicago) Infantry, decorated for conspicuous
bravery in action, who arrived with his regiment on the transport "France," Februar}' 10th, 1919. Copyright Un
derwood & Underwood. N. Y.
TOP VIEW (Right)— Lieut. Robert Campbell, of Company I, 368th U. S. Infantry, hero of the battle of Ar-
gonne Forest. The first man in the 92nd Division to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery. Copy
right Western Newspaper Union.
BOTTOM VIEW — Famous Jazz Band Leader back with colored 15th. Lieut. Europe, (deceased) who for
years has been N. Y. society's favorite orchestra (dance) leader, and who was formerly with Mr. Vernon Cas
tle, returned Feb. 12th with his regiment, the 369th, (Colored 15th). He is above shown with his band. Copy
right Underwood and Underwood, N. Y.
West Virginia Collegiate Institute, Institute, W.
Va.
Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
Alabama A. and M. College, Normal, Ala.
Tennessee A. and M. College, Nashville, Tenn.
Louisiana A. and M. College, Baton Rouge, La.
WAR WORK OF THE COLORED Y. M. C. A.
Vigorously supplementing the religious labors of
the forty-one Chaplains in the United States Army
WORK OF COMMISSION ON TRAINING CAMP
ACTIVITIES
To make a soldier "fit to fight," is is the belief
of the War Department that his mind should be
freed from "dull care" and during the time he is
released from the routine duties of the day. Men
and women, consecrated to the upbuilding of the
morale of the nation's valiant defenders, are en
gaged in the service of providing amusement and
contact, but the}- are working out systems of in
struction whereby the deplorable illiteracy so prev
alent in certain quarters may be reduced to a mini
mum and the mental attitude of indifferent soldiers
changed to one of enthusiasm and aspiration. The
Y. M. C. A. "huts" are serving as the social centers
fully 200 earnest colored men are engaged in Y. M. recreation for the men in the various camps. This
C. A. work in the various camps and cantonments branch of work is under the control of the War De-
where colored men are stationed. Some of them partment Commission on Training Camp Activi-
are also in France with the troops under General ties, of which Dr. Raymond B. Fosdick is Director.
1'ershing, carrying the cheering message of the It co-ordinates the work for the soldier planned by
"Red Triangle." These helpful agents of the Mas- all of the welfare institutions like the Y. M. C. A
ter not only assist in lifting up the moral nature of the Y. W. C. A., the Knights of Columbus, the
the Mien with whom they are brought into daily Jewish Welfare League, etc., organizes the singing
units of the camps, directs the operations of the
theaters and furnishes the talent for the vaude
ville, athletic, dramatic and other amusements and
recreations. At many of the camps there has been
established a "Liberty Theater" as a center of re
creational diversions, and where the men assemble
of the camps, where conveniences for writing and to enjoy the various dramatic, musical and athletic
reading and conversation are made available and a programs and view educational moving pictures,
home atmosphere is generated. "Hostess Houses" Lester A. Walton, of the New York Age, New
in a constantly increasing number are being estab- York City, is the colored representative on the
lished at the camps, with high-purposed women in Commission having in charge these theatrical at-
charge, and additions to the present list will be tractions. Camp songs, plantation melodies, folk-
made as rapidly as funds and competent workers songs and "spirituals" have proven popular and the
can be provided for the same. These "Hostess men are receiving instruction in this type of sing-
Houses" throw around female visitors a chaperon- ing by skilled directors, of whom Mr. J. E. Blanton
age that is essential to the well-being of the camp is one of the best-known. Some keen-witted ob-
and remedy many evils long complained of. There server has said: "You cannot defeat a singing na-
is an insistent and very proper call from every tion," and he had made the War Department be-
Camp for Hostess or Community Houses to im- lieve it — and the colored boys are "some singers."
prove sodial conditions. Back of the movement An important and far-reaching phase of the
will be the Y. M. C. A. Secretary, who is not infre- work of the Commission on Training Camp Acti-
quently the real "drive-wheel" of the camp when
any ingredients for comfort are to be secured for
the "boys." On the staff of Dr. J. E. Moorland,
vities is the educational propaganda to combat tin-
spread of venereal diseases among the colored men.
handling this campaign in conjunction with the of
International Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., in fice of the Surgeon-General of the Army, under
charge of war work of the "Y" among colored the immediate supervision of Capt. Arthur B.
people, are forty-seven executive secretaries, em- Springarn, who is manifesting in many practical
bracing some of the race's foremost men, and they ways his deep interest in the moral and physical
are getting results. They, with their army of as
sistants, cover a wide range of territory, serving
not only in the army camps, but have extensions
ramifying into the government training schools,
into centers where colored men are employed in
large numbers on industrial work, shipyards, mu
well-being of the colored wing of the service. Mov
ing pictures of the type of "Fit to Fight" are be
ing shown to emphasize the dangers that come
through the "social evil," and a course of instruc
tive lectures has been arranged, with that eminent
specialist. Dr. C. V. Roman, of Nashville, Tenn.,
nitions plants, nitrate works, lumber sections, and as a major campaigner, assisted by a group of ex-
the like. The scope of the Y. M. C. A.'s labors is
growing day by day, and its sweetening influence
is manifesting itself perceptibly in every direction.
If some service is wanted by a visitor at a camp,
the first man to whom he should turn is the Y. M.
C. A. Secretary.
perienced physicians who understand the psycho
logy and the pathology of this menace to our men
in the camps and cities.
The War Camp Community Service is another
wing of army auxiliaries that is doing much to
make the soldiers' lot a happy one. Clubs for the
607
accommodation and entertainment of soldiers and
sailors have been established under War Camp
Community Service auspices at many points, and
comfortable and well-appointed recreation centers
may be found in New York City, Washington (2),
Louisville, Ky., Battle Creek, Mich., Des Moines,
Iowa. Rockford, 111., Petersburg, Va., Chillicothe,
Ohio, Newport News, Va., and Baltimore, Md.
Plans are under way for additional clubs at Green-
vine, S. C., Atlanta and Macon, Ga. In fact, it is
the intention to have clubs in every community
near the camps where colored troops are stationed,
as, the good resulting from such centers fully jus
tifies the expense incurred through their mainten
ance. A very pleasing circumstance is the appoint
ment of Prof. John M. Gandy, President of the
Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, Peters
burg, Va., as special assistant to the War Camp
Community Service in the South on colored work.
Capable assistants are being named to aid the work
at all points and the organization is approaching
a most satisfactory stage. Hostess houses are also
being established at many camps and others are in
contemplation.
WAR WORK OF COLORED WOMEN
The colored women of the country are nobly do
ing their share of the work that must win the war.
In the Red Cross Society they are particularly ac
tive and enthusiastic. They are represented in
nearly every community through either the Red
Cross or the Young Women's Christian Associa
tion, or in some form of voluntary service organi
zation to assure the casting of the soldiers' lines in
pleasant places, over here and over there. They
are vieing with their brothers, fathers and sons
in the high quality of their patriotism and in the
practical methods of manifesting the same.
Mrs. Alice Dunbar Nelson of the faculty of
the Wilmington (Del.) High School, an edu-
actor, author, social worker and organizer of
tried capacity, has been appointed as a field agent
by the War Department and the Woman's Com
mittee of Council of National Defense, to mobilize
the colored women of the country and to indicate
to them how they may best aid the nation to win
the war. She has just concluded a broad survey of
the Southern States and has formed many new pa
triotic organizations in support of the War aims
of the government and revived and stimulated
many others that have been allowed to elapse in
their activities. Mrs. Dunbar's report is highly
encouraging and is an earnest of the loyal labor
that may be expected of the Negro womanhood of
the country.
CONCRETE EVIDENCES OF THE NEGROE'S
LOYALTY
Concrete evidences of the Negro's loyalty to his
country's flag have been abundant in all the strug
gles and combats of the Republic from its incept
ion to the present day. The colored American has
never been a laggard or "slacker." He is all-Amer-
ican. He knows no hyphen in his citizenship and
can have no divided allegiance. His only ensign is
the Stars and Stripes. For the defense and main
tenance of his country's ideals he is ready to lay
down his own life and to offer his beloved sons up
on her altars. He gives liberally of his means and
substance to uphold the lofty principles of man
hood and civic opportunity that the flag so proudly
represents! Be it remembered that a Negro, Cris-
pus Attucks, w.as the first man killed in the Revo
lutionary War. A Negro was the first to lose his
life in the Spanish-American War— Elijah McCoy,
a sailor, being drowned in line of duty in the har
bor of Havana. A Negro company, the First Se
parate Battalion of the District of Columbia, was
the first to be called out to defend the National
honor in the present European conflict, having
been summoned at the outbreak of war, under
command of the gallant Major James E. Walker,
to guard the public buildings, the bridges, power
plants, reservoirs, etc., or the nation's Capital.
From Bunker Hill to Carrizal in Mexico, as well as
with Pershing in the St. Mihiel sector, the Negro
has given indisputable evidence of his loyalty and
of his quality as a fighting unit for "Old Glory."
The story of the dashing exploits of Needham
Roberts and Harry Johnson is still fresh in the
memory of all, and the huzzahs from press and
public, white and black, extended in such gracious
and unstinted measure, has unquestionably
strenghtened the morale of the race, and stimulat
ed to an incalculable degree the endeavors of the
Negro people in those lines of endeavor that call
for patriotic service and self-sacrifice.
In one instance an entire regiment of colored
fighting troops was cited for extraordinarily he
roic conduct and were accorded the Croix de
Guerre. In another case, a stevedore regiment of
Negroes won honorable mention in the dispatches
for breaking the world's record by unloading and
coaling the monster steamship "Leviathan" at a
French port— 56 hours. In the trenches, in the
officer's habitat and in the cities of France, the
colored troops are welcomed, highly respected and
treated with exceptional courtesy by soldiers and
by the populace.
COLORED NURSES ACCEPTED FOR SERVICE IN
THE ARMY
There was general rejoicing when the announce
ment was made in July, 1918, that colored, nurses
who had registered with the Red Cross Society to
the number of about 2,000 would be accepted for
service in the army. Plans were worked out for the
assignment of colored nurses at six of the base
hospitals at camps where nearly 40,000 colored
609
TOP VIEW (Reading Left to Right)— Col. Frank Denison ; Col. Thos. A. Roberts ; Lt. Col. Otis B. Duncan
CENTER VIEW-Another group of officers of the 370th (Old 8th Illinois) on the deck of the La France
before landing. Reading left to right 2nd Lt. Lawson Price; 2nd Lt. L. W. Stearls ; 2nd Lt. Ed White; 2nd Lt.
Eli F. E. Williams; st Lt. Oasola Browning; Capt. Louis B. Johnson; 1st Lt. Frank Bates; 1st Lt. Binga Desmond.
BOTTOM VIEW — Chicago homecoming of the 370th Regiment (Old 8th Illinois) passing in parade at 113th
Street and Michigan Avenue.
troops were stationed. The camps named for this
service were : Camps Funston, Grant, Dodge, Tay
lor, Sherman and Dix. Comfortable buildings are
now being erected at several camps for the accom
modation of these nurses. General Pershing is con
sidering the use of Colored nurses in the base hos
pitals in France.
In addition to this, the Woman's Committee of
the Council of National Defense launched a move
ment to secure 25,000 nurses for army service, and
organized a Student Nurses' Training Corps, and
threw open its doors to young colored women who
wished to prepare for army work. As a result,
many responded and at an early date it is expected
that they will be assigned for instruction to var
ious colored hospitals in their respective localities
preparatory to being enlisted ultimately in the
work of caring for the sick and wounded soldiers
in this country and among the American Expedi
tionary Forces abroad.
CAMPAIGN OF "GINGER" BY THE Y. W. C. A.
The statement has been made that the War
Council of the Y. W. C. A. is to devote $400,000 of
its $5,000,000 war budget to its work among Negro
women. The money is being used, and more will
be forthcoming, for the maintenance of Hostess
Houses, housing for the families of colored troops
and recreational work among colored girls in war
industrial centers. Workers are being furnished
for places where there is no Y. W. C. A., and to do
all that is possible to protect colored girls for the
period of the war, and to help the female relatives
of the men in the service to take advantage of the
present unprecedented opportunities in the indus
trial world. Large recreational centers are plan
ned for Washington, where a $200,000 plant is to
be established at an early date, and in New York.
Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and other cities, some of
which in a limited way are already in operation.
Col. Theodore Roosevelt has just given $4,000
from the Nobel Peace Fund for the furtherance of
this work. A number of colored women have been
sent abroad to develop this phase of work among
our men on the western front in France, Mrs.
Helen Curtis and Mrs. A. W. Hunton being among
this group. The colored secretary of the National
Board of the Y. W. C. A., Miss Eva D. Bowles, 600
Lexington Avenue, New York City, is in charge of
this excellent movement. Although much has been
done to speed up and put "pep" into the labor of
increasing the technical skill of Negro men and
women and reducing the illiteracy found in many
quarters, much remains to be done. It is asserted
by the Y. W. C. A. authorities that the demand for
qualified workers and college-trained individuals
has far exceeded the supply. When a specific^
thing is to be done, they say they find it
ly hard to find the person who can render the ser
vice at a 100 per cent mark of efficiency.
The women of the race have displayed their spi
rit of self-sacrifice and patriotism by their readi
ness to enter the arena of industry, as well as in the
more refined branches of war service, many are
found in the mills, factories, in stores and offices,
on wagons and auto trucks, running elevators,
caring for live stock, and even in the field, doing
farm work of the most exhausting character— and
all this, too, without complaint.
It is not doubted that there are in the army
thousands of Roberts' and Johnsons' in embryo,
eager to repeat their courageous deed.
SALE OF LIBERTY BONDS, WAR SAVINGS STAMPS
AND KINDRED AIDS
In the purchase of Liberty Bonds, War Savings
Stamps and kindred aids the Negro has done, and
is still doing his full duty. Few Negroes are weal
thy, but the masses are thrifty, and out of their
moderate incomes they have bought generously
of all three issues of the Liberty Loan Bonds, and
of the War Savings and Thrift Stamps, besides
contributing heavily to the Red Cross, the War
Chest, and many other war relief institutions, and
lending themselves without limit to the support of
the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. ministrations.
They show no signs of weariness in well-doing.
A few notable instances of the financial aspect of
the Negro's patriotism may be cited by way of il
lustration: The North Carolina Mutual and Pro
vident Association, a Negro corporation of Dur
ham, N. C, has taken a total of $125,000 worth of
Liberty Bonds. The Mosiac Templars of Amer
ica, with headquarters at Little Rock, Ark., sub
scribed for $110,000 worth of Liberty Bonds, with
provision for an additional $40,000 in February,
next, and purchased outright $1,000 worth of War
Savings Stamps. The Atlanta Mutual Insurance
Company and the Standard Life Insurance Com
pany, both of Atlanta, Ga., bought $50,000 each of
Liberty Bonds. The Grand United Order of Odd
Fellows took $50,000 worth, and the Improved Be
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the
World followed with the purchase of $30,000 worth. _t
The Knights of Pythias of Florida bought $25,OQ9ch-
worth. Various churches in many states ^pU'iar as-
a policy of investing the surplus fun^lorale of the
treasury in Liberty Bonds, as did dl])it are sounding-
fraternities and social clubs. T^)r an<1 inteiligence.
tist Church, of Pittsburgh, is
$10.000 purchase. One Tuske °FC°L°RED EDIT°RS
.
ham V. Chambliss, individua , , , • ,,, , •
, /as held in Washington,
T,, . J. Scott, representing the
The colored citizens of ,J'
ri i tr A.-J ---•• anc' tne Committee on Public In-
nf • . ^nation, an important conference of colored ed-
613
TOP VIEW (Round broken for Base Unit to Assist in care of colored soldiers. Different organizations
CENTER VIEW-." breaking of the ground for the McDonough Memorial Hospital at West 133rd Street,
before landing. Reading IiThe plant can be completed and equipped and furnished for $100,000. It will be a
Eli F. E. Williams; st Lt. Oasolir JJospital Building. The Institution is named in honor of Dr. David Kearney
BOTTOM VIEW— Chicago homeccrrrroJLNew York City. Copyright Underwood & Underwood, N. Y.
Street and Michigan Avenue. '~ —*ne who have been wounded or gassed back on the "Giuseape
~ ivright Western Newspaper Union
Liberty Bonds of the third issue. At the close of
the campaign they had subscribed for bonds to the
amount of $250,000, and won an honor flag. At
Suffolk, Va., the colored committee, led by Robert
Williams, won honors in each of the Liberty Bond
"drives" and subscribed over $15,000 in the Red
Cross rally of last May. Many Negroes purchased
their bonds at banks where they do business, in
dependent of other purchases as members of or
ganizations, and no record was kept as to the color
of the investor. Robert L. Smith, a colored bank
er of Waco, Texas, contributed a full-page adver
tisement to a daily paper of his town in promotion
of a Liberty Bond campaign, and a similar gift was
made by the colored citizens of Louisville, Ky.,
through the Louisville News, a, colored paper. J. E.
Taylor, a public spirited colored man of Wilming
ton, N. C, disposed of over $2,000 worth of Bonds
in a single day, and in a "drive" in Philadelphia,
Pa., Amos Scott sold $80,000 worth among his peo
ple. The colored people of Washington, D. C, in
a War Savings Stamp "drive," captained by Dr.
William A. Warfield, and Rev. D. E. Wiseman, sold
$52,000 worth to colored people from February to
May, and the colored school children in the same
period averaged $200 per week, and this total does
not include the purchase by ' individuals in the
Federal departments or independent of the cam
paign 'committee. These are tangible evidences
that the fires of patriotism are burning brightly
in the breast of the American Negro, North and
South, East and West, alike. Totals for the coun
try at large are not available by races, but with
these scattering notations as a basis for calucula-
tion, it can be seen that the Negro is "doing his
bit" in the matter of putting forward his MONEY
POWER, just as it has herein been shown that he
is not a derelict in responding to the call for MAN
POWER Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo has
made a public acknowledgment of his gratitude
over the ready, prompt and generous response of
the Colored Americans everywhere to the nation's
appeal for financial aid. It is certain that in the
Fourth Liberty Loan campaign, just concluded, the
Negro will maintain the high average he has made
in the past.
THE NEGRO LENDS A HAND IN INDUSTRIES
AND PRODUCTION
To the demand of the Food Administration for
increased production in the food essentials and in
the conservation of Food already in hand the col
ored man has responded with equal cheerfulness
and fidelity.
In the field of agriculture, in the mines, in the
munitions and nitrate plants, building trades, on
the railroads and in the general industrial arena,
as well as in the business and professional world,
the Negro is laboring with all his might, and play
ing his part with no less fervor than is true of his
brother of lighter hue. Wherever and whenever
a patriotic duty is to be done, the Colored Ameri
can is quick to step forward and exclaim : "Here
I am, Uncle Sam ; take me !" If the Negro has
any one complaint above another, it is that Uncle
Sam has not found tasks enough for his willing
hands to perform.
THE SPEAKERS' "COMMITTEE OF ONE
HUNDRED
Through the office of the Special Assistant to
the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the
Committee on Public Information, a Speakers' Bu
reau has been placed in operation and one hundred
specially-equipped men of the race are in the field
taking part in an intensive campaign of educa
tion, presenting the war aims of the Government
in a plain and straight fashion, and their logical
statement of the issues involved in the present
world-wide conflict in going far toward inspiring
a livelier patriotism among all classes of colored
people and encouraging them to engage more
heartily in the activities designed to help America
to win the war. These speakers are all known
quantities, accepted leaders in their respective
spheres of influence and represent every group and
section with which the colored people are identi
fied. Their services are made more effective by
their close co-operation with the State Councils of
Defense in the North, East, South and West.
PRESS AND PULPIT SOUNDING THE "TOCSIN"
In connection with this campaign of education
due credit must be given to the press and the pul
pit, which' are doing their full duty in the circula
tion of information that tends to enlighten the
masses and therefore strengthen them in the cause
that lies nearest to all American hearts. The col
ored editors, with a unanimity that cannot be other
than gratifying, are giving columns of their valua
ble space weekly, to propaganda matter, without
charge to the Government, and at a positive sacri
fice of time and money, while the ministers are
delivering powerful sermons on the divinity of ser
vice and the bounden duty of a Christian people to
fight for the establishment of justice throughout
the world, and are allowing the use of their church
es rent-free for patriotic meetings and popular as
semblies devoted to improving the morale of the
race. Both the press and the pulpit are sounding
the tocsin of liberty with vigor and intelligence.
A FRUITFUL CONFERENCE OF COLORED EDITORS
AND LEADERS
In June, 1918, there was held in Washington,
under call of Emmett J. Scott, representing the
War Department and the Committee on Public In
formation, an important conference of colored ecl-
613
itors and a selected group of leaders of thought
and action. To the number of about fifty they
gathered at the nation's capital, and after three
days of free, frank and full discussion of all the is
sues relating to the Negro in the War and in civil
life, the conference agreed unanimously upon an
address for submission to the President of the Un
ited States, the Secretary of War and the Commit
tee on Public Information, which set forth in a
most illuminating fashion the grievances and de
sires of the colored people, together with sugges
tions looking to a correction of inequalities com
plained of, and making specific requests for certain
benefits, under the head of "A Bill of Particulars."
The well-tempered and wholly patriotic attitude of
this editorial conference so impressed the Federal
authorities, who thus sought the confidence of the
Negro people, through their accredited spokesmen,
that in the few weeks that have followed this sig
nificant exchange of views, the response to the
conference's "Bill of Particulars" has come in the
form of :
(a) A message from the President in denun
ciation of the practice of mob violence.
(b) The enrollment of colored Red Cross nurs
es for service in the camps and cantonments of the
army.
(c) The continuance of the training camps for
colored officers and the increase in their number
and enlargement of their scope of training.
(d) Betterment of the general conditions in the
camps where Negroes are stationed in large num
bers, and positive steps taken to reduce race fric
tion to a minimum everywhere soldiers are
brought into contact.
(e) The extension to young colored men of op
portunity for special training in technical, mechan
ical and military science in the various schools and
colleges of the country.
(f) An increase of the number of colored Chap
lains for army service.
(g) The establishment of a woman's branch
under the Council of National Defense, with a col
ored field agent, to organize the colored women of
the country for systematic war work.
(h) Steps taken to recall Colonel Charles
Young to active service in the United States Army.
(i) The appointment of the first colored, reg
ularly-commissioned war correspondent, to report
military operations on the western front in France.
(j) The granting of a loan of $5,000,000 for the
relief of the Republic of Liberia.
TRADITIONAL LOYALTY OF OTHER DAYS AD
HERED TO BY NEGRO
From this somewhat rambling recital of the ac
tivities, aspirations and achievements of the Negro
American of these times, it will be seen that he
is more than living up to his traditional loyalty of
other days. As has been stated, the Negro has
tken part in all the wars of the Republic, and
from Boston Common to France's bleeding west
ern front he has never failed to give a creditable
account of himself. He is an inseparable factor in
the history that this nation has made.
In war he has been brave ; in peace, he has been
faithful and true. There can be no doubt that the
"sacred jewel of liberty" is safe in his hands.
Whenever called upon to choose an alliance, he in
variably stands shoulder to shoulder with the sub
stantial forces of social and political fabric, and is
never identified with the reactionary or revolu
tionary elements that menace the tranquility and
civic order of our land. In the present conflict the
Negro is participating in more and larger ways
than ever before, and from the superb showing he
has thus far made, there is reason to believe that
in the future he will be, in a still larger and more
effective way, a DISTINCT AND VALUABLE
ASSET TO THE NATION.
The Negro is not forgetful of his RIGHTS in all
this strife and turmoil ; but he chooses, in this cris
is, to place the deeper emphasis on his DUTIES.
He is expecting that when the FRUITS OF VIC
TORY shall come to be distributed that he shall be
awarded the share he has justly won by his patrio
tism, and through his efficient service in battle and
in the not less essential work behind the lines.
61-1
Other Prominent Individuals and Institutions
ALLEN, DAVID B., merchant, born at Danville,
Va., Jan. 2, 1855, moved to Newport, Va., 1880,
where he still resides. Started as cook and event
ually established largest restaurant in Virginia,
sold out in 1916 and started bakery and delicates
sen in his own building. Married Charlotte Allen
in 1892. Member A. M. E. Church, Mason, Odd
Fellow, Independent Order of St. Luke's, National
Negro Business League ; and a charter member
Newport Board of Trade.
ALLISON, CHARLES WILLIAM, preacher,
born on his father's farm near Nashville, Term.
Graduate Meigs High School, Nashville and Cen
tral City College. Member A. M. E. Church and
began preaching in 1911. Held many important
charges in church and its organizations. Member
of U. B. F.'s. Married Miss Elizabeth Cecil Har-
lan of Mitchellsburg, Ky. Now pastoring at Stan
ford, Ky.
ANDERSON, JOSEPH CLINTON, minister,
born March 1, 1862, in Fluvanna County, Va. Grad
uate Taylor University ; McCormick Theological
Seminary. Converted at age of 23 ; ordained a
minister in the A. M. E. Church; trustees of Wil-
berforce University; fraternal delegate to the M.
E. General Conference which met at Saratoga
Springs, New York in 1916; member Odd Fellows,
Mason, International Order of Twelve. Knights
of Tabor. Married Miss Musadora Donley oi
Rockford, 111. Now pastor prominent Chicago
church.
ANDERSON, MAJOR JACKSON, born at Jef
ferson County, Florida, Oct. 23, 1863. Graduate
Florida Baptist Institute (now Florida Memorial
College), at Live Oak. Florida State College, at
Tallahassee. Graduated Meharry Medical College,
February, 1897. He is now a prominent physician
of Tampa, Florida. The Doctor has been twice
married, and has two daughters, Mirian J. and
Rebar.
THE ARLINGTON LITERARY & INDUS
TRIAL SCHOOL. One of five schools for Negroes
in Wilcox County, Ala., founded and fostered by
the United Presbyterian Church, with headquarters
in Pittsburg, Penn. The plant is situated on the
highlands near Arlington station on the Southern
Railway and consists of 510 acres of land, school
buildings, dormitories, saw mill, brick yard, car
penter shop, blacksmith shop, dairy and piggery.
The principal of the school, Prof. John T. Arter,
has made a splendid record for his school.
BALDWIN, MISS MARIA, noted educator. Has
made a national reputation as principal of the
Agassey School, Cambridge, Mass. This school is
considered one of the best in New England and a
majority of the pupils are white. It is under the
shadow of that noted seat of learning, Harvard
University, where thorough intellectual training is
taken as a matter of course, which makes Miss
Baldwin's record all the more noteworthy.
BARNES, ROBERT C, attorney, born Sept. 22,
1856, in Mercer County, Ohio. Educated, public
schools, Liber College, Ada Normal Institution,
Wilberforce University. Admitted to the Ohio and
to the Michigan Bar in 1889. Began practice in
Detroit the same year. For the past twenty-three
years he has associated in practice with Walter H.
Stowers. Married Miss Mabel Brown, Dec. 25,
1877, in Putnam County, Ohio.
CONWAY, HIRAM, minister, born in Northum-
ber County, Va., 1851. Graduate Richmond Insti
tute, now Virginia University, 1886. Mason, a
Gallilean Fisherman and President Buy State Mis
sionary Society of Massachusetts. Married in
1892 Miss Josephine Montgomery of Columbia. S.
C. Now pastoring prominent church of Worcester,
Mass.
DEBERRY, PERFECT R., minister First Con
gregational Church, Raleigh, N. C. Like most of
the Congregational ministers, Rev. DeBerry is
highly educated. Is a man of fine principles and is
doing splendid work. He is well thought of by the
citizens of Raleigh, irrespective of race.
DINKENS, EDWARD J., merchant, New Port,
R. I. A splendid example of what the Negro can
accomplish even in the face of keen New England
competition. Mr. Dinkens chose to match wits
with the sharpest merchants of the country and
his success speaks volumes for the native ability
of the colored man.
DUMAS, A. W., physician and surgeon, Natchez,
Miss., was born at Houma, Louisiana, Sept. 9, 1876.
Educated at Houma Academy, and at the age of
19 years completed the scientific course. Took up
the study of medicine at the Illinois Medical Col
lege, Department of Medicine of Loyola Univer
sity, Chicago, TIL, graduated 1899. Came to Miss
issippi, in 1899, began practice at Natchez. He has
been eminently successful as a physician, and finan
cially, having accumulated considerable valuable
real estate. In connection with the practice of
medicine, he operates a first-class drug store, and
a modern private infirmary for the care of the
sick, where many difficult medical and surgical
cases have been treated. He is held in high esteem
by both white and black citizens.
FAUCETT, T. J. Leading colored physician of
Lynchburg, Va. He is well recognized by the white
physicians as well as other citizens. He believes
heartily in everything that tends to develop and up
lift the Negro race. Has done many deeds of cha
rity and always contributes liberally of time and
money to whatever he believes is beneficial to hu
manity. Has a splendid practice and is financially
successful.
FORTE, ORMAND ADOLPHUS, scholar, pub
lisher, born in Bridgetown, Barbados, W. I., Dec.
17, 1887. Educated St. Mary's Public School, Com-
bermere Collegiate School, Harrison College, Bar-
615
hados, W. I. Matriculated Student University of
Cambridge, Eng., 1907. Asst. Master St. Mary's
School ; French Correspondent Mackay & Co., and
Special Asst. Office of Official Assignee at Barbados
W. I. (British Civil Service). In 1914 founded the
Cleveland Advocate, now editor and proprietor.
Director, National Colored Soldiers Comfort Com
mittee. Member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
Cleveland, Ohio. Married Ida Grant, at Cleveland
Ohio, July 27. 1910.
HAMILTON, RICHARD THEODORE, M. 1).,
born at Montgomery, Ala., March 31, 1869. Ed. Ala
bama State Normal School. Graduated Howard
University, 1901. Interne in Freedmen's Hospital.
Took special course in Organic Chemistry, Bacte
riology and Pathology. Opened office in Dallas,
Tex., in 1901. In 1906 appointed medical inspec
tor of the Dallas Colored Schools. Medical exam
iner Endowment Department G. U. O. of O. F., and
Household of Ruth.
HARRIS, J. SILAS. Mr. Harris is a native of
the State of Missouri. He has for years been a
leading worker in State and Educational matters.
HARRISON, COLUMBUS WILLIAM, physi
cian, born at Tarboro, N. C, educated in New Eng
land, and graduated from Tuft's College in 1906.
Practicing physician, official examiner for the Odd
Fellows of Boston, Pocahontas Lodge of Elks,
Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and the auxiliary
women's lodges of these organizations. Treasurer
Columbus Day Activities for the colored citizens of
Boston. Owns beautiful summer home at Ply
mouth, Mass., and residence in Boston.
HARTFIELD, ISHAM, a product of Tuskegee
Institute and a business man of Vicksburg, Miss.,
was born in Issequannah County, Miss., Jan. 4th,
1884. He is the owner of a good home, trustee and
class leader in the Bethel A. M. E. Church and a
Mason. Mr. Hartfield married in 1904 Miss Bon
nie Lou Collins of Vicksburg.
HICKS, LUCIUS SUMNER, born at Plymouth,
N. C. His father died when he was very young
and his mother moved with her two sons to Bos
ton, Mass., in 1894. Graduated Boston Law School
1908. Admitted to the Suffolk Bar in 1909, and
immediately began to practice in Boston. Repub
lican, Episcopalian, Mason. Served as Assistant
Registrar of Voters, Assistant Corporation Counsel
of Boston.
. HILL, LESLIE, P. Mr. Leslie P. Hill is a grad
uate of Harvard University. He was for a good
many years, in charge of the Department of Edu
cation at Tuskegee Institute. From Tuskegee he
went to Manassas where he was principal for s?v-
eral years. Manassas owes its development very
largely to Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill is at present princi
pal of Cheney Institute, Cheney, Pa.
HOLMES, D. A., physician, residing at 711 New
Jersey Ave., Kansas City, Mo. One of the leading
physicians of Missouri, and has many admirers,
both of his professional skill and personal affabil
ity. Has an extensive and growing practice and is
ranked as an eminently successful practitioner.
JACKSON, GEORGE W., born at Smith Sta
tion, Lee County, Ala. Graduated from Fisk Uni
versity, Nashville, Tenn., 1887. Has taught in
schools of Texas 34 years. At present principal,
Douglass High School, Corsicana, Tex. Supervis
ing Principal Negro Public Schools and church
worker in many capacities. Author. Married Miss
Jessie A. Ely the (deceased), in 1887. Miss M L
Morris, Helena, Ark., in 1903.
JONES, WILLIAM B., dentist; born in War
ren County, N. C, March 16, 1881. Graduate Shaw
University, Raleigh, N. C, and Dental Department
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Opened
dental office at Springfield, Mass., in 1908. Gets
splendid practice from both races. Member Bap
tist Church, President Men's Community Club.
Married Miss Cathrine Hill of Windsor, Conn, in
1910.
KNOX, L. AMASA, lawyer, born in Greenville
County, Va., Jan. 6, 1869. Educated at Virginia
N. & I. Institute, Petersburg, and LL. D. from
Howard University, Washington, D. C. Member
firm of Knox and Henderson, Kansas City, Mo.,
Baptist, Past Master Mason, Odd Fellow, K. of P.
For the two last named he is Grand Attorney.
Member Board Federated Charities, Board of Man
agement of the Pasco Y. M. C. A., Treasurer
Wheatley-Provident Hospital, member Draft
Board Division 11. Married at Washington, D. C.,
June 26, 1901, Miss Clara Tarquinia Chase.
LLOYD, AARON W., born at Little Springs,
1885. In April, 1863, he came to St. Louis, Mo. He
became a member of the Knights of Pythias in
June, 1885, was elected Grand Chancellor of Mis
souri in 1900, which office he has successfully filled
for 19 years. When Mr. Lloyd was complimented
on the manner in which the affairs of the Knights
of Pythias of Missouri were found, he replied.
"That's my specialty. I know that work and don't
try to do any other." This one fact alone shows
the reason why the work has developed so under
his leadership.
LUSHINGTON, AUGUSTINE NATHANIEL,
doctor; born and received his early education in
the British West Indies. Came to America and
graduated Cornell University. Principal Trinidad
Public Schools. Returned to America and grad
uated from Department of Veterinary Science,
University of Pennsylvania, and opened office in
Philadelphia ; taught in St. Emma Agricultural
College in Rock-castle, Va. Moved to Lynchburg,
Va., where he built large practice. Member I. O.
St. Lukes ; Reporter to the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture ; probation office of the Ju
venile Court of Lynchburg. Married Miss Eliza
beth N. Govino of Antigua, B. W. L, in 1890; three
daughters.
THE MODEL TRAINING SCHOOL— T h e
work of Mrs. Julia C. Jackson Harris, an
earnest Christian worker who has gone into the
rural district near Athens, is one that deserves men
tion. The work done in this school is exceptional.
Mrs. Harris' plan is to uplift the entire community.
This is done through the class room, the church,
616
the home and various clubs. Four weeks of the
ten months school year are devoted to the training
of the teachers in the county schools. In such high
esteem is the work of this school held that the
board of education has made it compulsory upon
the county teachers to attend the Model Training
School during the session for the teachers.
One of the unique features of the work of Mrs.
Harris is her method of getting the people into
better homes. They were formed into clubs and
• the club purchased property. When it was paid
for, it was divided and each member had a site for
a home.
MONEY, THOMAS JEFFERSON, born at Clay
ton, Arkansas. Educated Tuskegee Institute as a
bookkeeper, overseer on plantation, solicitor
Union Grocery Company, opened grocery store
there for himself, in Vicksburg, where he is still
doing a successful business. He financed himself
playing baseball. Episcopalian, a member of his
church's financial board. Married in 1916 Miss
Rosia E. Koeber of Vicksburg.
MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY of Baltimore,
incorporated 1903 in the State of Maryland. Ope
rates. only in Maryland. Number of financial policy
holders, December 31st. 1917, 28,369. Amount of
insurance in force $1,799,080.00. Legal Reserve
Life Insurance Company, providing reserves for
life on the basis of American Experience and three
and one-half per cent a sick benefit reserve, and an
emergency reserve, Harry O. Wilson, Gen. Mgr.
McCURDY, THEODORE E. A., physician, born
in British Guiana, South America, April 27, 1877.
Graduate Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, N. C.,
inl 1904. While in college he won prizes in obste
trics and in surgery. After graduating he opened
an office in Boston, Mass. Member National Med
ical Association, Bay State Medical and Dental
Association, and the Massachusetts Medical So
ciety. Member of the Baptist Church. Mason,
Odd Fellow and K. of P.
NICHOLS, HENRY WASHINGTON, physician,
born in Carroll County, Miss., in 1875. Educated
Tugaloo College. Graduated from Meharry Med
ical College in 1901, immediately thereafter open
ed an office in Clarendon, Ark., where he remain
ed one year and then moved to Clarksdale, Miss.,
where he is now practicing. Member A. M. E.
Church and K. of P.'s. Married Miss Georgia Rob
erts, of Pickens, Miss., in 1902.
PHILLIPS, HENRY C., preacher; born at Ja
maica, British West Indies, March 11, 1847. Grad
uate Philadelphia Divinity School of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church, 1875, ordained the same
year; served a year as Rector of St. Thomas' Pro
testant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia; from
1876 to 1912 served the church of the Crucifixion.
In 1912 appointed Archdeacon of colored work in
the Diocese of Pennsylvania, which position he
now holds. President and trustee of several char
itable institutions. K. of P. and Odd Fellow. Mar
ried Miss Sarah Elizabeth Cole of Philadelphia,
Dec. 2, 1875.
POTTER, M. D., clergyman, editor; born at
Dawson, Ga., educated, public schools of Dawson;
Howard Normal School Cuthbert, Ga. Taught in
Georgia public schools three years and thirteen
years in Florida. Entered ministry in 1903. Built
fine church and parsonage in Florida. Editor, man
ager and owner of the Tampa Bulletin, and Pub
lishing Co. Member A. M. E. Church, Sons and
Daughters of Jacob, Odd Fellows, trustee Edward
Waters College, Jacksonville, Fla., president Min
isterial Alliance of Tampa, Fla.
ROBINSON, WILLIAM PATRICK, born in
Cheraw, S. C, July 23, 1878. Benedict College.
Started undertaking business in 1909 and is one of
the most successful in the state. Mason, K. of P.
and Odd Fellow. Secretary local lodge Odd Fel
lows and of Clinton Chapel A. M. E. Z. Church,
of Charlotte, N. C., his home town. Married Miss
Sarah L. Wilson in 1905.
SHAFFER, CORNELIUS THADDEUS, Bishop
A. M. E. Church. Born Troy, O., Jan. 3, 1847. Ed.
Berea College, Ky. Private tutors, M. D. Jeffer
son Medical College, Phila. Honorary D. D. Allen
U. Columbia, S. C. Honorary D. D. and LL. D. from
Wilberforce. Veteran Civil War, Author. Takes
prominent part in upbuilding of Wilberforce U.
Married Miss Annie Maria Taylor of Lexington,
Ky., in 1870. Resides in Chicago.
STEWART, R. T., New Port News, Va., has been
engaged in the grocery business for the past 20
years. His business has increased to such an ex
tent that he employs three or four clerks in his
store and a number of trucks on the outside for the
purpose of delivery. Ex-Cashier Crown Savings
Bank. Member Baptist Church, Mason, Odd Fel
low, a Pythian and aGood Samaritan.
STOWERS, WALTER HASLIP, attorney, born
on February 7th, 1859, at Owensboro, Ky., educa
ted High Schools of Detroit, Mich., Mayhew's
Business University, Detroit College of Law. Ad
mitted to the bar in 1895, and for the past twenty-
three years has associated in the practice of law
with Robert C. Barnes at Detroit. They are one
of the leading firms of attorneys of the country.
Married Miss Susie F. Wallace, February 23rd,
1886, Oberlin, Ohio.
WILLIAMS, JAMES STEVE, born in Franklin
Parish, La., April 21, 1871. Educated there and in
New Orleans University. In 1900 he entered the
undertaking business. In this and in the business
of real estate he is still engaged in the city of
Shreveport, La. He is a member of the Christ
Temple Church, president of the Louisiana Negro
Business League and vice-president of the Under
taker's Association of the U. S. Married Miss Car
rie Bell Thomas, of Shreveport, in 1900.
INGE, HUTCH INS. Mr. Inge is a prominent
lawyer and leading citizen of St. Louis, Missouri.
He is a graduate of Hampton and an old school
mate of Booker T. Washington.
617
Statistical Review
PART OF BUSINESS SECTION COLORED JACKSONVILLE.
Within fifty-six years American Negroes have
acquired over $700,000.000 worth of property.
There are about fifty thousand Negro business
enterprises covering practically every line of en
deavor and doing an approximate business of one
and a quarter billion dollars annually.
They have shown a correspondingly keen inter
est in education and have reduced their illiteracy
from nearly 100 per cent to less than 30 per cent.
Annual expenditures for public schools by South
ern States are eleven million dollars.
Total number of schools for Negroes of certain
religious boards 300. Number of teachers 2,028.
Annual expenditures (1914-15) of boards, perma
nent funds and contributions $3,856,996.
It is estimated there were about 35 Negroes in
each regiment in the Revolutionary War. There
was altogether about 3,000 Negro soldiers employ
ed by the Americans.
In the War of 1812, there were two regi
ments of Negroes, a total of 2,000. In the Civil
War there were 141 infantry, 7 cavalry, 12 heavy
artillery and 1 light artillery regiments of Negroes
with a total strength of 178,975.
There were several regiments of free Negroes in
the Confederate Army, notably one of 1.400 men
reviewed in New Orleans, La., February 9, 1862.
July 28, 1866, Congress passed a law that Ne
gro regiments should be a part of the regular army.
Under this act the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry and
the Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth and For
ty-first Regiments of Infantry were organized.
In the Spanish-American War there were in ad
dition to the regulars, ten regiments of volunteers.
In the World War there were nearly 400,000 Ne
gro soldiers in the U. S. Army and Navy, of these,
10,000 regulars and 10,000 trained volunteers were
ready when war was declared.
There were 106 captains, 329 first lieutenants
and 204 second lieutenants, commissioned from the
training school at Ft. DesMoines, Iwoa.
COLORED OFFICERS IN THE REGULARS
WHEN WAR WAS DECLARED.
Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth (retired) Chaplain,
Twenty-fourth Infantry.
Major William T. Anderson (retired) Chaplain,
Ninth Cavalry.
Major John R .Lynch (retired) Paymaster.
Major Richard R. Wright, Paymaster, 1898.
Spanish-American War.
Major Charles Young, Tenth Cavalry.
618
Captain George W. Prioleau, Chaplin, Twenty-
fifth Infantry.
Captain Theophilus G. Steward (retired) Chap
lain, Twenty-fifth Infantry.
First Lieutenant Benjamin O. Davis, Tenth Cav
alry.
First Lieutenant John E. Green, Twenty-fifth In
fantry.
First Lieutenant W. W. E. Gladden, Chaplain,
Twenty-fourth Infantry.
First Lieutenant Oscar J. W. Scott, Chaplain,
Tenth Cavalry.
First Lieutenant Louis A. Carter, Chaplain, Ninth
Cavalry.
NEGROES AT WEST POINT.
Three Negroes have graduated from the United
States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Henry O. Flipper, 1877; John Alexander, 1887;
Charles Young, 1889.
NEGROES TO WHOM THE CARNEGIE HERO
FUND HAS MADE AWARDS.
John B. Hill, 1905; George A. Grant, 1906; Theo
dore H. Homer, 1908; Albert K. Sweet, 1909; Geo.
E. McCune, 1908; Martha Generals, 1906; Harley
Tomlinson, 1909; Frank Forest, James L. Smith.
1909; Boyce Lindsay, 1910; John G. Walker, 1909;
Charles A. Smith, 1910; Mack Stallworth, 1910;
James Pruitt, 1911; James Hunter, 1911; Nathan
Duncan, 1907; Nathan Record, 1908; Lucy G. Ed
wards, 1912; Elbert Gray, Nolden Townsell, 1912;
Arthur Lockett, 1912; Beecher Roberts, 1912; Rob
ert Kenney, 1913 ; Henry West, 1913 ; Lumis Little,
1913; James Williams, 1912; William R. Dyke,
1913; Woodson Graham, 1913; James W. Brice, Sr.,
1914; Abner Sullivan, 1914; Walter Roberson, 1914;
John E. Rufus, 1913; Henry H. Rogers, 1914; Wil
liam Pratt, 1914.
There are twenty-eight white persons to whom
the Carnegie Hero Fund has made awards for sav
ing Negroes.
HAITI.
The area of the Republic, which embraces the
western portion of the Island of Haiti is estimated
at 10,204 square miles. The population estimated
to be 2,029,700 is mainly Negroes. There are also,
large numbers of mulatto Haitians, the descend
ants of the former French settlers. There are some
5,000 foreigners, of whom about 10 per cent are
white. The population of the principal cities are
Port-au- Prince, the capital, 100,000; Cape Haiti,
30,0000; Les Cayes, 12,000; Gonaives, 13,000; Port
de Paix, 10,000. The language of the country is
French. Most of the common people speak a. dia
lect known as Creole French.
FIFTY YEARS ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
1866
Homes Owned 12,000
Farms Operated 20,000
Businesses Conducted 2,100
Wealth Accumulated $20,000,000
Educational Progress —
Per Cent Literate
Colleges and Normal Schools-
Students in Public Schools
Teachers in all Schools
Property for Higher Education.
10
15
100,000
600
$60,000
Expenditures for Education 700,000
Raised by Negroes-
Religious Progress —
Number of Churches
Number of Communicants
Number of Sunday Schools
Sunday School Pupils
Value of Church Property
Reference Negro Year Book.
1860 1910
Number of college graduates 30 8,000
Number of professional men 450 75,000
Number of practicing physicians
and pharmacists 0 3,500
Number of Lawyers 0 1,500
Number of Banks 0 72
Number of Negro Towns 0 50
Number of Newspapers and Pe
riodicals 1 398
Number of business men, esti
mated 600 50,000
80,000
700
600,000
1,000
50,000
$1.500,000
1916
600,000
981,000
45,000
$1,000,000,000
75
500
1,736,000
36,900
$21,500,000
14,600,000
1,600,000
42,000
4,570,000
43,000
2,400,000
$76,000,000
Gain in
Fifty Years
588,000
961,000
42,900
$980,000,000
65
485
1,636,000
36,300
$21,440,000
13,900,000
1,520,000
41,300
3,970,000
42,000
2,350,000
$74,500,000
1860 1910
Drug Stores 0 300
General stores and other industrial
enterprises 20,000
Hospitals and nurse training
schools 0 61
Insurance companies 0 100
Property owned by secret societies __ $8,000.000
Capital "stock Negro banks 0 $2,000.000
Number of Negroes in U. S. Gov
ernment employment, civil 0 22,087
Census 1910.
619
ALABAMA.
Adams, Oscar
Allen, C. W.
Alstork, J W.
Barnes, B. H.
Barnes, Jeremiah
Belsaw, E. T.
Beverly, J. W.
17
512
18
19
20
476
33
Big"zion" A. M. E. Z. Church 498
Blount, R. A.
Bowen, Miss Cornelia
Broughton, N. J.
Brown, A. M. ™
Brown, E. A.
Buchanan, W. S.
Burwell, L. L. 34-35
Calhoun Colored School ?c
Galloway, C. J. ^
Campbell, O. L.
Campbell, T. M 2°
Central Alabama Institute— 375
Chambliss, W. V. 328-329
Chandler, G. W. - ™
Coleman, W. H.
Council, Wm. H. 460
Davis, A. W. ^— I"
Day Street Baptist Church,
Montgomery
Dickerson, S. N. •**
Diffay, J. O.
Eason, J. H.
Edwards, W. J. ----
First Baptist Church, Colored,
Montgomery
Goodgame, J. W. *•
Hale Infirmary, Montgomery.
Hamblin, W. L. -
Henry, D. H.
Hudson, R. B. ..
Hutchins, P. S. L. ^
Johnson, C. First ™
Johnson, G. W.
Kenney, J. A. _„
Kowaliga A. & 1, Institute- /*
Lewis, G. W. ._
Loveless, H. A. ™
Mabry, R. L.
Madison, Wm. 22
Mason, U. G. - "
Moton, R. R.
Mt. Meigs Institute
McDuffie, J. B.
Newstell. G. E.
Owens, A. F.
Payne University .
People's Village School »
Peterson, J. T. 47J
Pollard, R. T. °|
Powell, L. L. _, _,
Scott, Emmet J. "78
Scott, D. H. C. - '°
Selma University
Simpson, H. T. --
Sixteenth St. Baptist Church,
Birmingham —
Smith, E. S.
Snowhill N. & I. Inst
State Normal School,
mal
Stokes, A. J.
St. Joseph College
Sykes, S. S. —
Taylor, R. R. -
Thomas, J. L- —
Tulane, V. H.
Tuskegee Institute — -70-/1-//-/-5
United Order of Good
Shepherds ;?'
Washington, Miss Georgia — 3
Washington, Mrs. Margaret— M-6J
Weaver, G. A. °j
Whitley, Isaiah J. 5"
Williams, A. C. °/
Williams H. Roger 4/«
80
51
52
320
INDEX
Williams, J. W. 64
Work! Monroe N. 86
Wood, C. W. 61
Woods, W. T. 477
Wright, J. G.
ARKANSAS.
Arkansas Baptist College 89
Barabin, J. H. 90
Blount, J. H.
Bond, Scott 92-93
Booker, J. A.
Branch Normal School 353
Bush, J. E. 102-103
Conner, J. M.
Harrison, S. W.
Havis, Ferdinand
Houser, N. B.
Ish, J. G., Jr. 353
Jones, S. A. 458-459
Jordan, S. A. 100
Josenberger, Mrs. M. S
Morris, E. C.
Mosaic Templars 104-105
Philander Smith College 506
Purifoy, W. L.
Royal Circle of Friends of
the World
Trent, E. O. 108
.Venegar, F. T. 353
Warren, J. T. T
Williams, R. A. 1()6
CONNECTICUT.
Crawford, Geo. W.
Porter, I. N. 301
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Burroughs, Miss Nannie H.—
Carson, S. L.
Curtis, A. M.
Howard University — 444-445
Miller, Kelly -
Nelson. Mrs. Alice Dunbar—
Terrell, Mary Church
Terrell, Robt. H.
Tyler, Ralph W. — 513
Warfield, W. A. 427
FLORIDA.
Afro. Amer. Ins. Co.—
Anderson, C. H. —
Andrews, W. W.
Bethune, Miss M. M. yi
Blodgett, J. H. 435
Clinton, J. N. 381
Collier, N. W. *°*
Daytona N. and I. Inst- .- 378-379
Fla. Bapt. Academy -
Ford, J. E. -Rf)
Hills, J. Seth
Knights of Pythias *«*
Lewis, A. L. — ,,
Masonic Temple
McCleary, M. F. ->'°
84
496
56
495
57
60
Sumter, Mrs. H. E.—
Sumter, W. S. ...
Union Grand Lodge, Masons
Union Mutual Ins. Co
Walker Bus. College ...
White, J. A.
Young, N. B.
GEORGIA.
Atlanta University
Barnes, Mrs. R. L
Bowen, J. W. E.
Brawley, Benjamin _
Brooks, R. H.
Bryant, P. J.
Butler, H. R.
Carter, E. R.
Carter, R. A.
Clark University
Crogman, W. H.
Davis, B. J.
Douglass, C. H. 118-119
Flipper, J. S. 120-121
Floyd, Silas X. 113
Fountain, W. A. 122
Gammon Theological Sem 492-493
Glibert, J. W. 123
Haines, N. & I. Institute 503
Hamilton, A. D. 128
Harris, W. H. 457
Harreld, Kemper 124
Herndon, A. F. 508
Hill, G. W. - 140
Holsey, L. H. 130
Hope, John 125
Howard, Clara A. 131
Howard, David T. 132
Hutto, G. R. 133
Johnson, E. P. — 134
Laney, Miss Lucy 502
Morehouse College 126-127
Odd Fellows, Atlanta 116-117
Perry, H. E. 430
Pharrow, R. E. 135
Pollard, L. M. 372
Proctor, H. H. 136
Royal Undertaking Co 372
Scott, W. S 372
Sherman, E. W. 373
Singfield, A. B. 302
Slater, T. H. 137
Spelman Seminary 138-139
Standard Life Ins. Co. 430-431
Turner, Edwin J. 242
Wage Earners Saving Bank 438
Walker Baptist Inst. Augusta 140
Walker, C. T. 141
Webb, J. R. 142
Williams, L. E. 438
ILLINOIS.
Anderson, Madame M. B 143
Carey A. J. 303
Ellis, G. W. 144-145
Hall, George C. - — 413
High Degree Masonry in 111— 147
Jackson, R. R. 426
Moore, R. E. 146
Olivet Baptist Church 455
Williams, A. W. 150
Williams, Daniel H. 451
Williams Famous Singers 148-149
Williams, L. K. 454
INDIANA.
Anderson, W. H 151
Bridgeforth G. R. 405
Carter William R. 405
Davis, Moses A. 152
Hodge, J. W. 153
Knox, George L. 507
Ransom, F. B.
Shelton, J. N.
„,„ Stewart, L. H.
509 Ward, G. W. "8
-467 KANSAS.
471 Bridgeforth, G. R. 405
471 Carter, Wm. R. .... 405
465 Ind. and Ed. Inst., Topeka 405
471 Thompson, S. H. 300
KENTUCKY.
Ballard, W. H. 159
420 Brooks, T. L. 160
Carter, D. C 155
109 Cooper, J. B. 161
110 Doram, T. M. 162
491 Drane, J. F. 395
406 George, S. H. 163
393 Hathaway, J. H. 164
456 Hogan, R. H. 165
111 Ky. Pythian Temple -194-195
434 Lanier, M. B. 166
112 Lattimore, J. A. C. 167
354-355 Meyzeek, A. E. 168
318 Mitchell, Robert 169
114-115 McCutchen, J. J. 170
468
171
397
172
173
SOS
Steward, W. H. 174-175
Offutt, E. T. ..
Parks, T. F. .
Parrish, C. H.
Porter, O. D. .
Silvey, W. T.
Underwood, E. E.
White, R. F.
Wood, J. E.
Wright, W. H.
LIBERIA.
176
177
299
178
238
Camphor, A. P.
LOUISIANA.
Carr, T. A. 374
Charles, H. M. 179
Clark, J. S. 297
Cohen. W. L. 180
Dejoie. P. H. V 181
Green, S. W 182
Hudson, H. C. 183
Jones. Robert E. 486
Leland University 472
MARYLAND.
Hawkins, Mason A. 184
Pickens, William 185
MASSACHUSETTS.
Braithwaite, W. Stanley 186
Crawford, D. E. 188
DeBerry, W. N. 187
Hays Roland W. 189
Hughes, Alexander 190
Lewis, W. H. 191
McKerrow, H. G. 192
MICHIGAN.
Ames, J. W. 474
Bundy, George 193
Davis, Gabriel
Johnson, A. H. 196
Kemp, W. P. 198
Watson, Edward 197
MISSISSIPPI.
Attaway, W. A. 507
Atwood, L. K. 519
Banks, Charles^. 401
Cosey. A. A. ™ 199
Cottrell, Elias 341-342
Holtzclaw, W. H. 450
Howard. P. W. 518
Tones, C. P. 200
Miss. Ind. College 343
Montgomery, Isaiah 304
McKissack, E. H. 201
Redmond, S. D. 517
MISSOURI.
Bacote, S. W. 433
Fisher, Mrs. Anna R. 510
Gordon, W. C. 202
Lee, J. R. E 484
Lincoln Institute 357
Old City Hospital, Kans. City 305
Perry, J. E. .
Richardson, Clement 208
Russell, Anderson 204
Scruggs, Enos L. 510
Second Baptist Church, Kan-
. sas City 433
T6mpkins, W. J. 305
Turpin, C. H. 205
Weaver, Fortune J. 206
Williams, Lee S. 207
NEW JERSEY
Alexander, W. G. 209
Cannon, G. E. 210
Cotton. N. T. 211
Dale Hotel 442
Ford, J. W. 212
Ghee, P. F. 214
Hood, S. P. 490
Kyle, G. A. 213
Lawrence, I. A 234
Manual Training and Indus
trial School, Bordentown 219
Nutter, I. H. . 216
Randolph, Florence — 215
Richardson, Harry __ 21
Sutherland, M. H. . . .. 217
447
488
223
424
424
232
260-261
291
229
257
226
224
2S9
231
259
258
227
225
266
222
313
228
352
Valentine, W. R. 218
Washington, W. H. 220
NEW YORK.
Anderson. Chas. W.
Bowles, Miss Eva D.
Brooks, W. H.
Brown, J. W.
Burleigh, H. T.
Clef Club
Dubois, W. E. B
Emanuel, Jonah
Hayes, W. P. Jr
Tohnson, James W.
Moore, Fred R.
Mother A. M. E. Zion Ch
Nail, J. E.
Neareon, L. Fitz
Parker, Henry
Payton, Philip A.
Powell, A. Clayton
Roberts, E. P.
Sims. G. H.
St. Phillips' Church .
Vodery, W. H. B.
Walton, L. A.
Williams, Bert
Walker. Madam C. J.— 262-263-264-265
NORTH CAROLINA.
Bennett College 370
Bidclle University . 271
Brown, C. S. !___ 404
Clinton, George W. 412
Clinton Metropolitan A. M.
E. Zion Church, Charlotte 305
Cotton, J. A. 272
Dudley, J. B. 274
Edwards, G. A. 332
Hamlin, J. E. 290
Hargrave, F. S. 267
Henderson N. and I. Inst 272-273
Kittrell College 333
Livingstone College 495
Mary Potter Memorial School 398
Merrick, John 345
Moore, A. M. 345
Moore, Peter W. 289
Morris, J. P. 293
McCrorey, H. L. 270
National Training School.
Durham 268-269
N. C. Mutual and Prov. Ass'n 344
O'Kelly, Berry 233
Pearson, W. G. 236
Pegues, A. W. 237
Shaw, G. C. 398
Shepard, J. E. 269
Spaulding, C. C. 346
State A. & T. College, Greens
boro 275
State N. & L Inst, Elizabeth
City 289
St. Augustine School 501
Trigg, Frank 370
Vick, S. H. 235
Vass, S. N. 521
Walker, J. W. 276
Young, James H. 350-351
OHIO.
Chestnut, Charles W. 347
Fleming, T. W. 356
Green, John P. 244
Green, W. R. 280
Jones, Jos. L. 277
Myers, Geo. A. 278-279
Penn, I. Garland
Reed, J. E.
Smith, H. C.
Vaughn, N. C.
Wilberforce University
Young, Charles
OKLAHOMA.
Bruner, F. W.
Col. A. & N. University...
Harrison, Wm.
Hughes, J. W.
Johns'on, J. R.
Key, J. B. _.
520
245
400
243
487
527
247
285
248
246
286
396
Marquess, J. M. 284
Reid, W. Curtis 295
Taft Inst. For Deaf, Blind and
Orphan Col. Children— Taft 287
Williams, Mrs. J. W. 317
Williams, J. W. 316
PENNSYLVANIA.
Asbury, John C. 309
Blackwell, G. L. 283
Brown, E. C. 453
Creditt, W. A. III 402
Downington N. & A. Inst 403
Gibson, John T. 322-323
Gibson's New 'Standard The
atre, Philadelphia ... ..324-325
Heard, W. H. 240
Jordan, L. G. 239
Lincoln University 241
Minton, H. M. 282
Wright, R. R. 522
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Allen University 3)4
Carroll, Richard 449
Chapelle, W. D. I__ II. 314
Claflin University 407
Durham, J. J. 2SO
Grand Lodge Officers, S. C.
Pythians 440
Henry, T. H. I 441
Jenkins, D. J. 371
Jenkins. Orphanage, Charles
ton 371
Manse, R. W. 31 s
Mayesville Ed. & Ind. Inst 312
Morris College 330
Pinckney, T. H. 326
S. C. Pythians 440-441
Schofield N. & I. School 385
Starks, J. J. 330
State A. & M. College, Or-
angeburg 339
Westberry, R. W. 249
Wilson, Miss Emma J. 312
TENNESSEE.
A. & I. State Normal, Nash
ville 400
Bell, C. A. .
Boyd, H. A.
Boyd, R. H. ..
Church. R. R.
Cooper, M. T. '..".
Fisher. Isaac
Fisk University .__. .1359-360- 361
Franklin, G. W
Hale. W. J.
Hayes. T. H.
Haynes, Wm. HI
Henderson, J. H.
Isaac, E. W. D.
James, O. W.
Johnson, A. N.
Johnson, J .W.
Lane College H
Meharry Medical College __418
Morrell, B. H.
Napier, J. C.
Nat. Bapt. Pub. House.!..
Page, Inman E. ...
Phillips. C. H. '__'__
Roger Williams University. __
Roman, C. V.
Seymour, E. M.
Sunday School Union of A
M. E. Church
Taylor, Preston 334
Townsend, A. M.
Turner, T. P. I.I
Tyree, Evans
Wilson, J. T.
TEXAS.
Bell, J. B.
Davis, W. L. .
Dogan, M. W.
Frierson, J. - M.
Holland, R. E. L.
Lights, F. L. . ..
Pollard, T. T. .
423
253
416
414
509
399
358
362
408
423
479
364
296
481
255
230
365
485
419
337
410
415
366
254
365
363
331
550
•335
366
336
256
294
321
339
367
252
251
432
504
Pythian Temple Dallas 348-349
Rodgers, M. M. 348
Ryan, J. D. 338
Smith, R. L 383
Supreme Home Ancient Order
of Pilgrims 338
Trinity Church. Marshall 388
Wiley University 368-369
Williams, J. O. 388
VIRGINIA.
Bowling, R. H. 429
Brown, S. A. 340
Brown Savings Bank 453
Dinwiddie N. & I. Inst 307
First Baptist Ch., Norfolk 429
Fuller, W. T. 298
Galvin, A. A. 327
Gandy, J. M. 311
Gillfield Bap. Ch., Petersburg. 340
Goode, G. W. 292
Hampton Institute 514-515-516
Ind. Order of St. Luke 387
Jefferson, W. W. 392
lohnson, W. I. 394
Mitchell, John Jr. 421
Moone, S. I. 288
Price, A. D. 508
St. Luke Bank, Richmond 386-387
Va. N. & I. Inst 310-311
Va. Theological Seminary 436-437
Va. Union University 390-39!
Walker, Maggie L. 386
Williams. W. T. B. 417
Woods. R. C. 436
WEST VIRGININA.
Gamble, H. F. 308
Tames, C. H. 428
Nutter, T. G. 319
Prillerman, Byrd 409
MISCELLANEOUS.
Attucks, Crispus 533
Banneker, Benjamin 14
Bethune, T. G. "Blind Tom" — 525
Blyden. E. W. 524
Bruce, Blanch K. 534
Copyright
Douglass, Frederick
Dumas, Alexander 10
Dunbar, Paul Lawrence 12
"Foreword" by R. R. Moton 4
Greener, Richard T. 530
Langston, John M. 529
Lynch, John R. 531
Overture, Toussant L. 523
Pinchback, P. B. S 528
Preface 5-6
Pushkin. Alexander 11
Tanner, Henry O. — 532
Taylor. Samuel Coleridge 526
Title Page 1
Truth, Soiourner
Tubman, Harriet 16
Washington, Booker T., Photo 3
Washington-, Booker T., Biog
raphy 7-8
Wheatley, Phillis IS
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
NEGRO.
The Negro in History 535
History of Slavery in
America 536
Slavery in the States 537
Emancipation Proclamation — 537-538
Negro 'in Business 539
Negro Homes — Illustra
tions 540-541
Negro Homes
Negro in Public Life
Negro Farmer 543
Negro's Contribution to
Education
Negro Artist 544
Negro Scholar 544
Negro Author 545
Negro Music 545
The Negro as a Soldier 546
Negro Church , 546
The Negro Inventor 547
Negro Y. M. C. A. 548
Negro Y. W. C. A. 548
Illustrations Negro Y. M.
C. A. Buildings 549
Colored Explorers . 550
NEGRO EDUCATION
County Training Schools — 551
Minimum Requirements of
the Slater Board 551
Amer. Baptist Home Mis
sion Society 552-553
Group View of Bishop
College 554
Amer. Missionary Assn. —555-556
Federal Schools, Land Grant
Schools and State
Schools 557-558
Freedmen's Aid Society.. 559-560
Other Prominent Institu
tions Supported by the
Methodist Church 561
Congregationalism and the
Negro 562
National Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Un
ion Work Among Col
ored People 563
Work of the American
Baptist Publication So
ciety Among Negroes.. 563
The Salvation Army and
the Negro 564
Work Among Negroes by
the International Sun
day School Association „ 564
The Work of the Ameri
can Sunday School Un
ion Among Negroes 565
The Catholic Church and
Colored Work 565
Work Among Negroes by
the Presbyterian Board
of Publication and Sab
bath School Work 566
Presbyterian Work Among
the Negroes 566
Disciples of Christ 567
Society of Friends 568
New Associations 568
CO-OPERATIVE SCHOOL
BUILDING
Rosenwald Rural Schools
569-570-571-572
THE CHURCH AMONG
NEGROES 573
Date of the Organization
of the Colored Denom
inations 573
Date of the Organization
of the Colored Churches
Noted Negro Preachers __
Group of Representative
Negro Churches 574
The National Baptist Con
vention 575
African Methodist Epis
copal Church 576
African Methodist Epis
copal Zion Church 576
C. M. E. Church 577
Col. Cumberland Pres. Ch. 578
Col. Primitive Baptists 578
United American Freewill
Baptists 578
NATIONAL AND FRATER
NAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Nat. Ass'n for Advance
ment of Colored People 579
Nat'!. Urban League 579
Nat'l Negro Bus. Men's
League 580-581
Medical, Dental and Phar
maceutical Ass'n 582
Nat'l Negro Press Ass'n— 582
Nat'l Assns. When Organ
ized 583
Negro Masonry 583-584
Knights of Pythias 585
Colored Pythian Temple
New Orleans, La. (Illus
tration) 586
Independent Order of Odd
Fellows 587
Knights and Daughters
of Tabor 587
Royal Knights of King
David 588
Fraternal Organizations 588
EXAMPLE OF SUCCESS
FUL NEGRO TOWNS
Mound Bayou, Miss. 589
NEGRO PROGRESS IN THE
SOUTH AND IN THE
NORTH.
Colored Atlanta —590-591-592-593
The Wealthiest Negro Col
ony in the World — Har
lem— N. Y. City 593
HISTORY OF LIBERIA 594-595
COLORED THEATRICALS- ' 5%
REMINISCENCES OF SLA
VERY DAYS 597
NERGO IN THE WORLD
WAR
The Negro's Part in Win
ning the War 599
The Negro's "Man-Power"
in the Present Conflict- 599
'Illustrations 598
Illustrations 600
Negro Represented in
Nearly Every Branch of
Service 601
More than 1,000 Negro
Officers Now Under
Commission 601
Capable Young Officers
from the New Training
Camps 601
Illustrations 602
Forty-seven Colored
Chaplains in the Army 603
Special Training in Tech
nical and Mechanical
Branches 603
Illustrations 604
The Student Army Train
ing Corps 605
Schools, in which Voca
tional Detachments have
been established 605
Illustrations 606
War Work in Colored Y.
M. C. A. 607
Work of Commission on
Training Camp Activi
ties 607
Illustrations 608
War Work of Colored
Women 609
Concrete Evidences of the
Negroes' Loyalty 609
Colored Nurses Accepted
for Service in the Army 609
Illustrations 610
"Campaign of Ginger" by
The Y. W. C. A 611
Sale of Liberty Bonds,
War Savings Stamps
and Kindred Arts 611
Illustrations 612
The Negro Lends A Hand
in Industries and Pro
duction .._ -- 613
The Speaker "Committee
of One Hundred" 613
A Fruitful Conference of
Colored Editors and
Leaders 613
Traditional Loyalty of
Other Days Adhered to
by Negro 614
OTHER" PROMINENT INDIVID
UALS. AND INSTITU
TIONS 615-616-617
STATISTICAL REVIEW ..-618-619
CJ
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