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HISTOJl
OF THE
AMERICAN NEGRO
C
VIRGINIA EDITION
EDITED BY A. B. CALDWELL
ORIGINAL EDITION ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME V
/
1921
A. B. CALDWELL PUBLISHING COMPANY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
',5894
Copyright 1921 A. B. CALDWELL PUBLISHING COMPANY
PREFACE
This collection of biographies of prominent Negro men and women of Virginia is Volume V of the Biographical History of the American Negro. It does not include all the important men and women of the race in the Old Dominion, but it does include many of the greatest and best. A book dealing with contemporary men and women can never be made quite complete or exhaustive, for even while it is being made some will move or die, while others will rise to take their places.
We have sought to make the work representative, deal- ing with the leaders in every honorable profession and line of work. The representatives of business and commercial life have been given a rather larger place than in any of the preceding volumes.
The Editor, who is also the Publisher, is grateful for the cordial spirit of co-operation shown by the hundreds who were interviewed. The present generation should find in- spiration and encouragement in these stories, and it is be- lieved that the future historian will find in them a faithful portrayal of the lives and times with which they deal.
THE PUBLISHER.
_>
CONTENTS
Page
ADAMS, ROBERT GREEN 329
ADDISON. LUCY 195
ALLEN, HERBERT AUGUSTUS 15
ALLEN, THOMAS MONROE 337
ALEXANDER, CLAUDE L. 77
ANDERSON, WILLIAM BENJAMIN — 63
ANDERSON, WILLIAM HANCOCK 170
ARMISTEAD, JOHN MAURICE 89
ARNOLD, ISAAC 128
ARTHURS, RUFUS AUGUSTUS — 396
ASHBY, JOHN HILLYER 222
AUSTIN. THOMAS NEVILLE 229
BAGLEY, JAMES HARRISON — 210
BAILEY, WILLIAM EDWARD 82
BALDWIN, DANA OLDEN 289
BARCO, JOHN WILLIAM 217
BASS, EUGENE JEREMIAH — 260
BASS, SOUTHALL 532
BENJAMIN, JOHN JOSEPH 376
BERRY. LLEWELLYN L. 139
BLACKWELL, JAMES HEYWARD 478
BLACKWELL, JAMES H., JR. 12
BLANEY, LILTON DANIEL 316
BLOUNT, GEORGE WESLEY 144
BOLDING, BEVERLY JOSEPH — 533
BOWLER, JAMES ANDREW 464
BOWLES, ALLEN MARCELLUS 459
BOWSER. OSWALD B. H. 104
BRAXTON, JOHN HENRY — 203
BROOKS, ALFRED FRANKLIN 483
BROWN, CHARLES EDWARD — 351
BROWNE, EDWARD WELLINGTON 487
BROWN, FEDERAL AUGUSTUS 521
BROWN, GEORGE WILLIAM C. — 257
BROWN, HENRY CRITCHER 428
BROWN, JOHN ALLEN 180
BROWN, JOHN BAPTIST — 177
BROWN, LEVI CROMWELL 50
BROWN, NELSON BENJAMIN 481
BROWN, ROBERT JUNIUS 71
BROWN, SAMUEL ALLEN 35
BROWN, WALTER 418
BROWN, WILLIAM CLEVELAND 342
BROWN. WILLIAM HENRY 187
BULLOCK, SAMUEL GREY 47
BURRELL, ISAAC DAVID — 303
BYRD, JUNIUS ERASMUS 148
CALLOWAY, SAMUEL D. — 29
CEPHAS. BENJAMIN ADDISON 368
CLARKE, MELCHESIDEC C. — _ 33
COOKE, SAMUEL PETER 39
COOK, PEPCY WORTHINGTON 472
CONNOR, EDWARD THOMAS 496
CORBIN. PERCY CASINO 388
COUSINS. WILLIAM 277
COWAN, CORNELIUS SAMPSON __ — 485
CRALLE, McNOAH BLUE 535
CURRY, GEORGE EDWARD 628
CUSTIS. JOHN RICHARD 319
DAVIS, LISTON LEANDER 457
DAVIS, MARION EDWARD 286
DENNY. WILLIAM FRANKLIN — 541
DICKERSON. EUGENE 422
DOWNING. LYLBURN LIGGINS 294
DUDLEY. EDWARD RICHARD 504
DUNGEE. JOHN RILEY — 68
EATON. CHESTER ARTHUR 538
EDMUNDS. THOMAS CALVIN 183
ELDRIDGE, SCHUYLER T. 41
ERWIN. TEMPLE CUTLER 27
EUBANK. CHRISTOPHER C. 335
EWER. ISAAC I_I '_' 208
Page
FLACK, FHINN ROY IJf
FOREMAN, WILLIAM TECUMSEH 421
GAINES, EDISON HENSHAW — 442
GANDY, JOHN MANUEL 84
GARRETT, ROSEMOND K. D. f74
GIVENS, JOHN TALMADGE 512
GOODALL, LINDSEY BAXTER — 173
GOODE, GEORGE W. 53
GORDON, CHARLES B. W. 607
GORDON, MAURICE LOVESTER ol7
GRAHAM. ARCHIE ALLEN — 220
GRASTY, WILLIAM FRANKLIN 101
GRAY. JOHN HENRY 268
HANDY. JAMES ALBERT 347
HARRELL, JAMES ALBERT 234
HARRIS, DAVID WASHINGTON 612
HARRIS. HARRISON L. — 18
HARRIS. WEBSTER LEE 382
HARRIS, WILLIAM 4.52
HATCHER. JAMES STERLING 558
HENRY, PETER JAMES 120
HEWIN, JOHN THOMAS 21
HOARD. ALONZO SAMUEL 156
HOBBS. ADOLPHUS — 197
HOFFLER. THOMAS C. 192
HOLMES, FRED DOUGLAS 493
HOWE, EDWARD DAVID — 225
HOWELL, SMITH ALLEN 167
HOWERTON, WILLIAM ROBERT — 625
HUDGINS. ALEXANDER 435
HUMBLES, ADOLPHUS — — 61
HUNTER. EDWARD HUGHES 99
JACOX, DAVID GILBERT — 56
JACKSON, EDWARD PRINCE 244
JACKSON. ISAIAH ALLEN 291
JACKSON, JOHN ANDREW 437
JACKSON. JULIEN DABNEY — 87
JACKSON. THOMAS ERSKINE 614
JAMES. ARTHUR LEONARD 263
JEFFERSON. EDWARD RICHARD 143
JOHNSON, BERRYMAN HILL 332
JOHNSON, CHARLES HENRY — 231
JOHNSON, JACKSON TRICE 205
JOHNSON, SAMUEL MORDOCK 373
JOHNSON, TEMPLE PENDLETON 5€4
JOHNSON, WILLIAM THOMAS 297
JONES, AGNES CARVER 525
JONES, CHARLES EDWARD — 607
JONES, GEORGE ROBERT 556
JONES, FRANK MARTIN — 344
JONES. JESSE SWINTON 366
JONES, OSCAR CONKLIN — 153
JONES. ULYSSES S. GRANT 31
JONES. WELCOME TURNER 501
JORDAN, BOOKER LAWRENCE 64
KELLY, EMMA V. 499
KENDRICK, ABRAHAM 393
KENT, ARCHER MITCHELL -__— 425
KING, NICHOLAS DASHIELL 544
KYLES, ROGER JEFFERSON 514
LANGSTON, ROBERT JACKSON 241
LASSITER, NORMAN _ 446
LATTIMORE. JOHN T. 340
LEE. ALONZO BRYANT 308
LEWIS. MOTEA MELVIN 444
LEWIS. MATTHEW NATHANIEL 185
LEWIS. ZACHARIAH D. 16
LINDSEY, CHESTER ARTHUR 415
LOMAX, ROGER WILLIAMS ^ 489
LONG, EDGAR ALLAN 251
LUSHINGTON, AUGUSTUS N. — 117
LYNN. DAVID THOMAS 547
MADISON. COLLIN PATRICK 439
MALLOY. GARFIELD ROLAND _ 361
MAPP. WILLIAM ROY " '___ III_ 524
MARCHANT. FRANK ARTHUR ." _!_!_ 161
MARSHALL. OSCAR WILLIAM ___ ._ 528
MASON. JAMES MADISON . _ _ ' . '" 552
Page
MAYS, PRESTON HENRY __- 491
MILLER, CHARLES ECHOLES 313
MILLNER. GEORGE WILLIAM 305
MITCHELL, ELISHA M. 461
MITCHELL, JOHN, JR. 122
MOONE, QUALLIE WILLIAM 571
MOONE, SAMUEL ISAAC 455
MOORE. JOHN EDWARD, JR. 430
MORRIS, SAMUEL SOLOMON .468
MORTON, CHARLES HENRY 266
MUNDIN. REGINALD ORLANDO 353
MURRAY, CHASTEEN — 58
McCREARY, EDWARD DANIEL 280
McNORTON, NELSON FREDERICK 175
NEWBIE, THOMAS WILLIAM 97
NEWMAN, JEREMIAH MILTON — 131
NIZER, ROBERT OSCAR 569
NOBLE, SAMUEL BLAND 189
NOTTINGHAM. ALFRED JAIRUS 74
NOWLIN, WILLIAM ALVAH 246
OLIVER, ANDREW JACKSON — 449
PALMER, DANIEL WEBSTER 236
PANNELL, PATRICK HENRY 159
PANNELL, ROBERT CICERO 271
PATTERSON. JESSE WADDELL — 321
PAYNE, MARSHALL HENRY 408
PENN, GREEN 562
PETTIS. WILLIAM JAMES 515
PEYTON. RANDOLPH VINCENT 111
POWELL, GEORGE WASHINGTON — _— 617
PREE. FRANCIS EAGER 301
PREE, RIDDICK HENRY 214
PRICE, WALTER ALEXANDER 620
PURCELL, THOMAS ALEXANDER 550
RANEY, GEORGE WESLEY 283
RANDOLPH. HENRY 413
READ, GEORGE EDWARD 378
RICH, FREDERICK HAMPTON 572
ROBERTS, WILLIAM HENRY 575
ROPTNSON. SIMON PETER 24
ROSSER, LUTHER EDWARD B. 4 577
RUSSELL. JAMES SOLOMON 398
RUX. MARCELLUS CARLYLE 254
SANDERS JAMES WOOD — 163
SAPP, JAMES LEE 96
SCOTT, CHARLES WALDO 349
SCOTT, SPFNCER LENDOUS 391
SCOTT, STUART 364
SHACKLEFORD. SILAS HENRY, JR. 311
SHIELDS. JAMES EDWARD 622
SMITH, JAMES HENRY — 580
SMITH, LEON WASHINGTON 249
SMITH, WILLIAM HENRY 582
SOMERVILLE, CLANTON CLAY 92
STANARD, LIZZIE LUNSFORD 584
STOKES, ORA BROWN — 136
STOKES, WILLIAM HERBERT 134
TANCIL, RICHARD FILIMORE 586
TAYLOR. JOHN THOMAS 106
THOMAS, JAMES HENRY 603
THOMAS, SAMUEL ARTHUR — 358
THOMPSON, JAMES WILLIAM 108
T^TTK REFORMERS, THE 591
TYLER. MARCELLUS HUBERT 467
VALENTINE. JAMES ALEXANDER 356
WALKER, GEORGE HENRY — 476
WALKER. MAGGIE LENA 9
WALLACE. PERCY JOHNSON 150
WALES, LEWIS WELLINGTON 598
WARD, CHARLES ALEXANDER 529
WARD, JULIUS DECIMUS — 370
WATTS. SAMUEL SHERMAN - 200
WATKINS, GEORGE PRESTON 212
WEEDEN, HENRY PAGE — 519
WELLS, ARTHUR JAMES 411
WHITE. DAVID FRENCH 384
WHITE, THOMAS H. .,,, 433
Page
WHITING. ZACHAKIAH TAYLOR 596
WILLIAMS. ADDIE GATEWOOD 406
WILLIAMS. FENDALI> W. 43
WILLIAMS, JOHN DOWNING — 473
WILLIAMS. NELSON, JR. 403
WILSON. SAMUEL ROSS - 79
WILSON. ULYSSES GRANT 592
WINSLOW. ALBERT WINSTON 567
WOOD, HENRY GRANT 239
WOODS. ROBERT CLISSON 125
WOODSON. WALTER SCCTT 589
WOODYARD, WALTER EDWARD — — 509
WOOLRIDGE, THOMAS JERRY 325
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MAGGIE LENA WALKER
The story of the life and work of Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker of Richmond constitutes a chapter in the progress and development of the race, which should be read and studied by every aspiring boy and girl in the South. It is a story of struggle and shows to a rare degree the qualities of faith, courage and enthusiasm, even in the face of diffi- culties, and withal a fine disregard for such traditions and precedents as threatened to hamper or discourage her.
To say that Mrs. Walker has done a man's work, merely because she has done a number of things usually done by men, is not a fair statement of the case. Rather she has done her own work in her own way. One does not have to know her long, to learn that she loves her work and enjoys the arduous tasks which her success has brought with it. It is her life. Her thinking, her plannig, and her actions are direct, straightforward, and constructive. This is true in her church work, her business operations, and her social relations. It is one of the secrets of her success. When she wants a thing she goes after it in the most direct and logical way and gets results. She is free from the hesi- tancy and variableness with which her sex is sometimes charged. Another quality which has contributed much to her success is her splendid executive ability. Neither in the office nor in the field, does she permit herself to be in- volved in details which others can handle as well. She has the happy faculty of putting others to work and of inspir- ing them with her confidence and enthusiasm. This does not mean that she spares herself, for all her life she has been a hard worker, but she works at the center where her efforts count for most and passes the details on to others.
Mrs. Walker is a native of Richmond, where she was born. Her maiden name was Mitchell and her mother was Elizabeth Mitchell, who was a daughter of Frederick and Peggy Draper.
As a girl, Mrs. Walker attended the Richmond public schools and passed from the grades into the high school,
10 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
from which she was graduated in 1888. The way was not easy. Her mother was a widow and had other children to support, so that it was necessary for our subject to make her own way, as well as contribute something to the support of the family, but the girl never faltered.
After her graduation she began teaching in the local schools and remained in that work till her marriage.
On Sept. 14, 1890, she was married to Mr. Armistead Walker, Jr., of Richmond, a son of Armistead and Mary A. Walker. After her marriage, the school board dispensed with her services, as was the rule. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker: Russell E. T. and Meilvin DeWitte Walker. Mr. Walker passed away on June 20, 1915.
Mrs. Walker took a commercial course and soon found steady and remunerative employment. In 1889, she was made Executive Secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke. She had the wisdom to see the possibclities of the order and the ability to organize and push the work.
The records of the order tell the story of her splendid work. When she took charge there were a thousand mem- bers, now (1920) there are a hundred thousand in the twelve hundred and forty-five local lodges for adults and the nearly six hundred lodges for the juniors.
With the growth in fiannces, she was not slow to see the advantages arising from a bank in connection with the order. Accordingly, the St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank was organized in the fall of 1902, with Mrs. Walker as Presi- dent. She was at that time the only woman bank presi- dent in the United States, and rem.ains one of the very few. The bank has taken its place in the financial and commer- cial life of the city, and is in a prosperous condition, as shown by its official statement.
With the growth of the order in members and resources, there was also the need of headquarters or general offices, and a building for this purpose was accordingly erected. Today there stands on St. James Street, Richmond, a mod- ern hundred thousand dollar office and business building,
VIRGINIA EDITION 11
which is itself a monument to Mrs. Walker's zeal and enthu- siasm as well as good business sense.
She has done a great deal of outside organization work. She is a forceful and entertaining speaker and her voice has been heard frequently at race conferences and other meet- ings, not onlly in Virginia, but in every part of the country. She is a prominent and active member of the First Baptist Church, and has for a long time been a teacher in the Sun- day School.
Mrs. Walker is President of the Council of Colored Women, which has a membership of 1,400. She is a Trus- tee of the National Training School for Girls and the Dou- glas Home, both at Washington, D. C. She is also a Trus- tee of the Industrial Training Home at Peake, Va., and the Negro Organization Society of Virginia.
Among the secret orders and benevolent societies, she is identified with the I.^O. of St. Luke, Eastern Star, House- hold of Ruth, Ideal Shepherds, the Southern Aid, and the Richmond Benefit Association.
During the war she was a leader in the various drives and campaigns and the St. Luke's Building was the center of war activities for the race in Richmond.
Notwithstanding all these activities, this remarkable woman finds time for considerable reading and has occa- sionally taken up a correspondence course in order to keep up with the times.
She advocates no short cuts to success, but believes that progress must rest on such old-fashioned virtues as thrift, frugality, union, loyalty, confidence, and co-operation. She is herself a living exampde of what these things will accom- plish in the life of an individual.
JAMES H. BLACKWELL, JR.
No story of the progress and development of the race in Virginia would be complete without some account oi that brilliant young physician of Richmond, Dr. James Hey- ward Blackwell, Jr., Secretary of the Old Dominion Medi- cal Society.
Dr. Blackwell was born on March 22, 1887, in what was then Manchester, now South Richmond. His father, Prof. James H. Blackwell, is a prominent and successful teacher, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. Dr. Blackwell's mother, before her marriage, was Miss Annie Estelle Jordan, a daughter of Armstead and Har- riett Jordan, of Petersburg, Va.
Dr. Blackwell is the brother of Attorney George W. Blackwell, of Chicago, formerly assistant prosecuting attor- ney of the city of Chicago.
As a boy, young Blackwell attended the Manchester high school, from which he was graduated at the age of thirteen. He holds the record of being the youngest graduate of that school to the present day. He went to Virginia Union University for his college preparatory work, finishing the course there at the early age of sixteen, and holding the same record at that institution as at the Manchester high school.
It is interesting to note that, at the university, he took the record directly from his father as the youngest grad- uate, his father having held it from 1880 to 1903. Passing from Virginia Union University to Lincoln University, he won the highest honors in mathematics and was graduated with the A. B. degree in 1906. He was at once appointed Associate Professor of Mathematics at the same institu- tion, but resigned a year later to take up the study of medicine.
In 1907, Lincoln University conferred on him the A. M. degree. He studied medicine at Howard University, where he won his M. D. degree in 1911. Returning to his home
JAMES HEYWARD BLACKWELL, JR.
14 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
town, he began the general practice in the fall of 1911, and has already firmly established himself in the professional, business, and social life of the city.
On Augusta 27, 1915, he was married to Miss Charlotte Virginia Jackson, daughter of Moses H. and Charlotte V. Jackson. Of the two children born to them, one survives — Heyward Jordan Blackwell.
Almost from the beginning of his practice. Dr. Black- well took a prominent place in the local, state and national organizations of his profession. He has held the position of Secretary of the Richmond Medical Society for seven years, serving as President for one year. He has been Secretary of the Old Dominion Medical Society since 1916, and is Assistant Secretary of the Nationail Medical Association.
Looking back over his career. Dr. Blackwell is of the opinion that the teachings and sacrifices of his parents, together with the achievements of others who went before, have been the chief inspiration of his life.
After his professional reading, he has a liking for politi- cal economy, psychology, and the best English and Ameri- can classics. He gives special attention to literature of the race. In politics, he is a Republican and belongs to the Baptist Church. He is President of the Thursday Club, and is identified with the Good Samaritans and the Royal Order of Meneliks. He is also a prominent Mason.
Dr. Blackwell's investments and property interests are in and around Richmond. He is Vice President of the South Richmond Realty Corporation, and is Medical Exam- iner for the Richmond Beneficial Insurance Co., the United Working S. and D. of Zion, the Standard Life Insurance Co., American Beneficial Insurance Co., Southern Aid So- ciety and the Love and Union Club.
He believes that the read progress of the race depends on thrift, education and the power of the ballot.
HERBERT AUGUSTUS ALLEN
One of the progressive and successful young physicians of the Old Dominion is Dr. Herbert Augustus Allen of Richmond. Dr. Allen enjoys the distinction of having worked out for himself a large measure of success in his home town. He is a native of Richmond, where he was born, Jan. 31, 1885. His father, Robert J. Allen, was a Pullman porter and the son of Jane Allen.
Dr. Allen's mother was, before her marriage, Louisa Brockenborough, and she was the daughter of Joseph and Louisa Brockenborough.
As a boy, young Allen attended the Richmond public schools, from which he passed to Virginia Union Univer- sity for his literary work. He was graduated from that institution in 1906. Later, he matriculated at Howard Uni- versity for his medical course, where he won his M. D. degree in 1912.
On the completion of his course, he returned to Rich- mond, and right among the friends and neighbors, who knew his character and ability, began the practice of medi- cine. He has firmly established himself in the practice, and is prominent in the various local, state and national medical societies. He was at one time President of the Richmond Medical Society. He maintains a modern, well- equipped office on Buchanan Street.
Dr. Allen is a member of the Baptist Church, and is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows, St. Lukes, and the Richmond Industrial.
While in college, he was active in athletics, and especially fond of baseball.
Following the example of his father, he worked as Pull- man porter several years prior to his graduation from medical college.
On July 8, 1913, Dr. Allien was married to Miss Maggie May Jordan, a daughter of Harrison and Emeline Jordan.
16 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Dr. Allen takes an active part in everything looking to the betterment of his people, and believes that the progress of the race depends on a spirit of racial co-operation.
ZACHARIAH D. LEWIS
Rev. Zachariah Dearborn Lewis, D. D., pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond, has made for himself a prominent place in his denomination and the religious life of the State. This place has been won, not by accident nor chance, but by years of faithful, loyal service.
Dr. Lewis is a native of Campbell County, having been born at Perrowville in that county, Nov. 25, 1859. Thus it will be seen that he was a boy of school age at the close of the war.
His father, Rev. Reazin Lewis, was a local Baptist preacher, and in this way, the boy had the advantage of religious training from childhood. Dr. Lewis' mother was, before marriage, Maria Walker. In the absence of written records, he knows nothing of his ancestors back of his parents. While he was still a boy, the family moved to Lynchburg, and he worked in the tobacco factory and at- tended the public schools of Lynchburg. He was con- verted when about twenty years of age, and soon after felt called to the work of the ministry. He did not begin preach- ing, however, until 1883, when he was licensed by the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg. In 1884, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by the same church, and for nearly forty years has been going in and out before the peopfle. His first pastorate was the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Orange County, which he served four years. From that work, he was called to his present pastorate, the Second Baptist -Church of Richmond, which he has served for thirty-one years. Here, the work has greatly pros- pered under his hand. He found a membership of about 800, which has now grown to more than 2,000.
The church has been practically rebuilt, and every de-
ZACHARIAH D. LEWIS
VIRGINIA EDITION 17
partment of the work has gone forward under his direc- tion. He is a man of power and ability, a good preacher and a careful, patient pastor. Several years ago in a dis- cussion with a Catholic priest upon the subject, "Who Can Forgive Sin?" he became famous as a religious de- bater and an able defender of the doctrines of his church and denomination. Dr. Lewis is also a man of good busi- ness ability. He is a member of the executive board of the Independent Order of St. Luke, and is Vice President of the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. He is also identified with the Order of Love and Charity and is Editor of the Love and Charity Messenger. In addition, he is a mem- ber of the Masons. He has long been a prominent figure in his denomination. He was Secretary of the Shiloh Asso- 'ciation for twenty years and gave up the position only on account of failing health. For seven years he was Presi- dent of the General Association of Virginia and is now a member of the State Mission Board. He is on the Execu- tive Board of the Lott Carey Convention and the Home Mission Board of the National Convention, also a Trustee of Virginia Union University.
As he looks back over the years of his boyhood and youth, he is inclined to give credit to his mother for the greatest inspiration that came into his life. He recalls to this day how she bought for him his first book and later induced him to go to school. She was ambitious for her boy in the best sense of the word.
On July 2, 1889, Dr. Lewis was married to Miss Ada McKinney of Richm.ond. She was a teacher in the public siohools of Richm.ond. They have two children: Zachariah D. Jr. and Hattie, now Mrs. Bland. There are two grand- children.
During the war, Dr. Lewis took an active part in all the drives and campaigns, and is now a member of the History Commission appointed to collect data for the same by Governor Davis of Virginia. In short, he has always sought to place himself in line with those movements which have for their objects the betterment of the race. He
18 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
organized the largest Negro sick and death benefit society in Virginia, the Southern Aid Society. He is the friend and supporter of education, but is of the opinion that the prog- ress of the race depends on something even more vital than that. He looks to the homes and to the motherhood of the race for real and permanent progress, and this puts him in line with the best thought of the age.
HARRISON L. HARRIS
In that part of Fairfax County which some years later was to become a part of the famous Bull Run battlefield, there was born on March 17, 1855, a Negro boy who was destined to make for himself a large place in the profes- sional life of the State. That boy was Harrison Llewellyn Harris, now a successful practition£r in the capital city of the State and for thirty-six years Se'cretary of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Virginia. His father, Henry Harris, was free born. His mother, Jemima Harris, however, was a slave and as the condition of the children, by law, fol- lowed that of the mother rather than that of the father, Dr. Harris was in slavery for the first few years of his life, though Emancipation became an accomplished fact before he felt the weight of that baleful institution. His maternal grandmother was Secorda Manzings, who is reputed to have descended from an African prince. Certainly the name would indicate some such origin.
Early in the Civil War the family moved to Alexandria and it was there the boy attended school. As he grew older ihe learned the printer's trade and worked in the office of Fred Douglas and was soon self-supporting. He had the misfortune to lose his father while still a child, so that in the matter of education it was necessary for him to make his own way. His mother was ambitious for him, and while herself an uneducated woman, she encouraged her son in every way possible. When ready for his medi-
HARRISON LLEWELLYN HARRIS
20 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
cal course, he matrioalated at Howard University, where he won his M. D. degree in 1882.
Locating in Petersburg after his graduation, he began the practice which has continued to grow. He was for eight years a member of the Board of Health of Petersburg, serving one of these as President. In 1890 he opened an office in Richmond and since that time has practiced in the capital city, though he still calls Petersburg home and votes there. In recent years he has given special atten- tion to obstetrics and the diseases of women and children.
On Nov. 14, 1883, Dr. Harris was married to Miss Jennie E. Arnold of Alexandria, who was at that time a teacher in the public schools. They have three children, H. L. Jr., of Chicago; Wm. H. and Carrie J. (now Mrs. Mackey). There are now (1920) five grandchildren.
Dr. Harris has long been prominent in the work of the secret orders and benevolent societies
For a third of a century he has been Secretary of the Virginia Grand Lodge of Masons an4 is regarded as an authority in matters of jurisprudence for this order. He is author of the order's official text-book. He is also affil- iated with the Pythians, the Odd Fellows and the St. Lukes. He belongs to the various professional organiza- tions such as the local, the State and the national medical societies. Besides this, he has been examiner for a num- ber of the orders and has occasionally made contributions to the medical journals. He is an active member of the Baptist Church.
Dr. Harris is a man of wide experience and extensive observation, having traveled much in this country and con- siderably in Europe. He is Past Grand Chief of the I. O. of St. Luke and a director in their bank at Richmond, and owns considerable real estate in both Richmond and Peters- burg. He has for years been a close observer and a care- ful student of conditions and is of the opinion that the race needs nor demands any special favors but merely a man's chance as citizens of a free country, and equality of oppor- tunity.
JOHN THOMAS HEWIN
The Negro preacher in the South fears no competition from the "white preacher. The members of his congrega- tion are not expect&d at the white churches. In a 'large measure the same is true of the Negro teacher. But with the Negro lawyer it is different. Not only does he come into keenest competition with the white attorney, but must also overcome, even among his own colored clients, a feel- ing that, in the courts presided over by white judges and before white juries, the white lawyer has certain advantages over his colored brother at the Bar. So it requires cour- age, equipment and steady perseverance on the part of the young colored man who would make a success in the legal profession. These are the qualities which have enabled John Thomas Hewin of Richmond to forge to the front both as a 'lawyer and as a business man. He was born m Dinwiddle County on Dec. 25, 1873. His mother, Harriet Hewin, passed away when the boy was only nine years of age. So from an early age he has been dependent, for both support and education, on his own efforts. He came to Richmond as a mere boy. Fortunately, he has never been afraid or ashamed to work.
He was willing to begin at the bottom if he could but see the way to something better. He went to school in Rich- mond and found work downtown at cleaning up offices. Later he secured a place as janitor at Smithdeal Business College, then located on Main street. By a special arrange- ment he was able to take the whole course, including com- mercial law. Later he matriculated a\ Boston University for his law course and also studied at the College of Liberal Arts. He won his LL. B. degree in 1900 and was admitted to the Bar in Virginia the same year. While studying in the North his vacations were spent at the summer resorts or on the steamboat lines where his earnings were suffi- cient each summer to take care of the following year's expenses at college.
He began the practice of law on July 6, 1900, and has steadily built up a good clientage. He practices in both
duHiN ini^MAS HEWIN
VIRGINIA EDITION 23
the civil and criminal courts and as attorney for numerous organizations and business institutions has come to be rec- ognized as one of the capable, conservative business men of the rai3e. He is counsel for The Four and Twenty Elders, The Independent Order of St. Luke, The St. Luke's Savings Bank and the Order of Good Samaritans. He was one of the incorporators of The American Beneficial Insurance Co., for which he has been counsel since its organization. He handled the legal affairs of the organization in such a way that in 1915 he was elected President, which position he still holds.
As he looks back over the years of struggle, he is of the opinion that the most potent factor in his life has been contact with other men. It is not strange, therefore, that his favorite reading should be history and philosophy.
In pontics, Mr. Hewin is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, in which he is a trus- tee. Among the secret orders he belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Good Samaritans, the Four and Twenty Elders and the Shepherds of Bethlehem.
He has brought to bear his well-trained mind on racial conditions and has reached some definite conclusions which put him in line with the best thought of the day. He be- lieves that the drift from the rural sections to the city should be arrested, that the youth of the race should be trained to continuity of action and steadiness of purpose, and that educational conditions should be improved and so adjusted as to make for the ends referred to above.
On June 4, 1902, Mr. Hewin was happily married to Miss Mattie Murphy Terrell of Richmond. She was educated in Richmond, taught for awhile and, was later engaged in commercial work. They have two children: J. Thomas, Jr., and Harriet T. Hewin.
There is no more elegant or substantial home among the colored people of Richm.ond than the place on North First Street, known in the community as the "Hewin House," constructed at a cost of $42,500.
SIMON PETER ROBINSON
The Rev. Simon Peter Robinson, pastor of the Thirty- First Street Baptist Church of Richmond, began life under conditions which held out little promise of a career of large influence, yet he has made for himself a name and a place in the work of the kingdom and is a recognized leader in the great Baptist denomination. The secret of his success is to be found in the character of his work. He believes in thoroughness and has found that even a small field, thoroughly and intelligently worked, can be made to yield large results.
He was born in King William County, on June 1, 1870. His father, Rev. Simon Robinson, was a Baptist preacher, but he died before the boy was two years old. Even so young Robinson from earliest childhood was familiar with the work and worship of the church. His paternal grand- father was Burl Robinson. The mother of our subject was, before her marriage. Miss Phoebe Grantlin.
On Oct. 23, 1895, Rev. Robinson was happily married to Miss Olivia Rebecca Yancey of Richmond. They have two children, Olivia (Mrs. Hill), and Hortense B. (Mrs. Nelson).
Young Robinson grew up on the farm, where he re- mained till he was seventeen years of age. Up to that time he had gone to school only about three months, and that had been scattered over a period of three years. So, when he went to work in the C. & 0. blacksmith shop he was practically without education. When about nineteen, he was converted and joined the church of which the late Rev. John Jasper was the pastor. Soon after this he felt called to preach, but neglected the matter for nine years. He was superintendent of the Sunday School at Sixth Mt. Zion and the leadership in that congregation was not such as to encourage education. He worked six years in the shop and later determined to go to school. Though now a mature man, he entered Virginia Union University, begin- ning at the bottom and making rapid progress. He was in
SIMON PETER ROBINSON
26 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
school fourteen years, twelve in day school and two in night school. In 1902 he was ordained to the full work of the ministry. With the advance in years and the growth in knowledge, the desire to be of real service in the world came to occupy a larger and larger place in his thinking and planning.
His first pastorate was the St. James Church in Gooch- land County, where he preached two Sundays a month. Be- ginning here with a membership of only sixteen, he built and paid for a commodious new house of worship and trained the congregation along the lines of benevolent and denominational work. He resigned that work after a pas- torate of seventeen years. The congregation was most re- luctant to give him up. He also pastored Mt. Nebo Bap- tist Church in New Kent County for a while. In February, 1919, he came to the pastorate of the Thirty-First Street Baptist Church of Richmond, which, under his ministry of a little more than a year has taken on new life. An em- barrassing debt has been canceled, money coP.ected for re- pairs, and nearly a hundred new members added to the roll. Best of all, the spiritual growth and power of the congregation have kept pace with the growth in numbers and finances.
Mr. Robinson is a man of unique personality. He is an adept at helping young men who are just starting in the ministry. At the same time, he has the confidence of the older brethren. He is Moderator of the Tuckahoe Baptist Association. In his reading he, of course, gives first place to the Bible and theological literature. After that his fav- orite subjects are history and biography. His work in the country and in the city has enabled him to study general conditions and draw intelligent conclusions. He believes that the greatest need of the race is intelligent leadership which will reach out and train the country people as well as the city worker for efficient service.
TEMPLE CUTLER ERWIN
Prof. Temple Cutler Erwin, of Richmond, is a versatile man of affairs, v/ho comes to the Old Dominion from Ten^ nessee, though having been born in Birmingham, Ala., Dec. 31, 1878.
His work as Field Agent of the Negro Organization So- ciety is well known. The purposes of that organization may perhaps best be stated in the language of its own lit- erature: "To build better schools, lengthen terms, create and promote a general interest in education and co-opera- tion between school and community.
"To improve the health of the people by enlightening the public on the causes and prevention of diseases, and by seeking to establish better health conditior.s at home and at all public meeting places.
"To secure co-operation among farmers in buying and selling products; enliven their conscience to the necessity of better methods in farming, and to encourage land buy- ing.
"To wage an unceasing campaign for better homes and better morals, and thus to develop a higher type of citi- zenship."
Prof. Erwin's parents were John Quincy Adams and Hat- tie (Whitesides) Erwin. His paternal grandfather was also John Quincy Adams Erwin and his maternal grand- mother Mrs. Fannie Whitesides.
When young Erwin was four years of age the family moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and it was there that he laid the foundation of his education in the public schools. When he was about fifteen years old another move was made which took him to Nashville, where he did his preparatory and college work at Fisk University. Suc^h was the condi- tion of the family finances at the time that it was neces- sary for young Erwin to work out his own expenses. This he did by working mornings and evenings and serving as janitor at one of the local clubs. During school vacation he would spend the whole of his time at the club. One vaca-
28 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
tion was spent in the phosphate mines. Toward the dose of his college course he taug'ht for one year in Marshall County, having walked fifteen miles to secure the school. He earned a few dollars a month while in college as editor of the Fisk Herald, the college paper.
On completion of his work at Fisk, he went to Texas, where he taught for two years in Karnes County. After that he taught for two years at Bowling Green, Ky., and was at Mayesville, S. C, for a year. He was then made president of the Greenville College, at Greenville, Tenn., over which he presided for three and a half years. On Jan. 1, 1910, he was elected principal of the Dinwiddle In- dustrial School, an A. M. E. Zion institution at Dinwiddle, Va., which position he held until September, 1914, when he resigned to take up the work as Field Agent for the Negro Organization Society, previously mentioned. So it will be seen that Prof. Erwin has had an opportunity to study conditions among his people in various States ; in fact, he has a pretty thorough knowledge of the whole South. He has definite and constructive ideas about the educational life of the people and still keeps up his interest in educa- tional matters. He is at this time a trustee of the Din^ widdie Industrial School, but he saw in another direction an even more promising field and so, with others, organ- ized what is known as the Melwin Finance Corporation of Richmond, of which institution he is the Secretary-Treas- urer. The purpose of the organization is the promotion of banks and other financial institutions among the Negroes.
Prof. Erwin is peculiarly fitted, by his ability and tact, for this character of work. Associating with him some of the most enterprising spirits in and around Richmond, The Commercial Bank & Trust Company of Richmond was re- cently organized, with an authorized capital of $250,000. It was seen that Prof. Erwin was the logical man for the presi- dency of this new financial venture and accordingly he was unanimously elected to that position.
He is an active and prominent member of the A. M. E. Zion Church and chairman of its local board of trustees.
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VIRGINIA EDITION 29
He belongs to a number of the secret orders, the Masons, St. Luke's, True Reformers, American Woodmen and the National Ideal Benefit Society. He is also chairman of the Negro Section of the Board of Collaborators of the Virginia War History Commission which is gathering material for the history of the part which Virginia citizens took in the war.
While in college. Prof. Erwin was an athlete. He played on the football team for two years and was captain of the baseball team. His favorite reading is biography.
On April 12, 1906, he married Miss Xenia Lucile Stew- art, of Bowling Green, Ky. She is also an educator by profession,
SAMUEL D. CALLOWAY
Dr. Samuel Dismond Calloway, one of the energetic and successful young dentists of Richmond, has firmly estab- lished himself in a good practice and enters heartily into the professional, business and social life of the city. Not a few young men think it necessary, after going through college, to go away from home in order to succeed. A few, however, take up the work of life and succeed in their native towns, among those who know their characters and understand their abilities best. Dr. Calloway is among this number. He was born at Richmond, Nov. 10, 1885. His parents were John and Ella (Tinsley) Calloway. John Calloway was a son of Mary Calloway, while Ella Tinsley was a daughter of Carolina Tinsley.
As a boy, young Calloway attended the local public schools, from which he passed to Virginia Union Univer- sity, where he took the preparatory course. Thus equipped, he matriculated at Howard University, Washington, D. C, for his dental course, and won his D. D. S. degree in 1912.
By hard work and close economy, he was able to main- tain himself in school and complete his course without a break.
SAMUEL DISMOND CALUOWAY
VIRGINIA EDITION 31
The year following his graduation, he began the prac- tice in Richmond, where he has since resided. He took an active part in college athletics while in school and played both baseball and football. On Sept. 23, 1913, Dr. Callo- way was happily married to Miss Ernestine Christian of Richmond. She was educated in the home schools and was before her marriage an accomplished teacher. They have two children, Samuel D., Jr., and William Calloway.
In politics, Dr. CaP.oway is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Elks. He holds membership in the Old Dominion Dental Association, the Richmond Medical Society and the Peter B. Ramsey Dental Society. He is a member of the N. A. A. C. P.
ULYSSES S. GRANT JONES
Dr. Ulysses Simpson Grant Jones is a native of Peters- burg, where he was born January 7, 1885, and is named for the man who did perhaps more than anyone else to make his native town famous. Dr. Jones' father, Robert J. Jones, was a son of Mary (Bland) Jones. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Elizabeth Osborne.
Dr. Jones is in every way well equipped for his work. Growing up in Petersburg, he attended the local public schools, from which he passed to Virginia Union Univer- sity for his college course, which he completed with the A. B. degree in 1907. Later, deciding to take up medicine, he matriculated at Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, N. C, where he won the M. D. degree in 1913. During his col- lege days his vacations were spent at the North in hotel and steamboat service. He was an active baseball player but has given little attention to the game since graduation.
Upon the completion of his medical course, he located at Charleston, W. Va., where he practiced for two years. In 1915 he returned to his old home, where he has since re- sided and practiced with marked success. He is a member of the National Medical Society and is also identified with
ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT JONES
VIRGINIA EDITION 33^
the Old Dominion Medical Association. He is president of the local association among the doctors known as the Appo- matox Medical Society.
While not active in politics, Dr. Jones is a Republican and is a member of the Baptist Church. His secret order affiha- tions are with the Pythians, Masons, St. Lukes, for which he is medical examiner as well as for the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Dr. Jones volunteered, during the war, in the Medical Reserve Corps, but was not called into the service. His per- sonal and property interests are at Petersburg, though he is a stockholder and director in the Commercial Bank & Trust Company of Richmond.
On December 22, 1915. Dr. Jones was united in matrimony to Miss Mattie Perry, a daughter of Mrs. Delia Perry of Raleigh. Mrs. Jones is a graduate of Shaw University and was before her marriage a successful teacher. They have two children, Ulysses S. G. Jones, Jr., and Burton P. Jones.
MELCHESIDEC C. CLARKE
Melchesidec Clarence Clarke, of Richmond, is President of the Melwin Finance Corporation, one of the few Negro finance corporations in the country.
Mr. Clarke is a native of North Carolina, having been born at Lewiston, in that State, on November 10, 1889. His parents were Jesse and Elydia (Pugh) Clarke. The family moved from North Carolina to Virginia when the boy was about four years old. He went to the Franklin Normal School, at Franklin, Va., where he laid the foundation of his education and passed thence to Kittrell College, Kit- trell, N. C, for two years. From KittreM he went to the State University at Columbus, Ohio, for two years. His desire for an education may be measured by the fact that he worked during his school days on the school farm, and in hotels, morning and evening, for his board. During the whole period of his college course he did not give himself
34 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
a single vacation but spent the summers, for the most part, in hotel work at popular resorts. He early learned to con- centrate on the work in hand and in consequence made a good record as a student and as an employe. With confi- dence in himself and in his fellow man, he forged steadily ahead and has made for himself a record in the business world of w'hich a man of fifty might well be proud.
After coming out of school, he began work as an agent for the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, in January, 1914. He soon demonstrated his abihty and was promoted to the district superintendency and sent to Fay- etteville, N. C. From this, he was promoted to the general agency and sent to Newport News, Va. In that capacity he worked for two years. While there, he was elected cash- ier of the Crown Savings Bank, which position he held until the demands of the insurance work required all his time and necessitated his resignation as cashier.
In August, 1919, Mr. Clarke was again promoted and sent to Richmond to look after the interests of the company in the capital city. Here the development of new interests made it necessary to resign his insurance work, but he car- ried with him the good will and strong testimonials of his former employers, including both the heads of the insur- ance company and the bank at Newport News.
In January, 1920, he began the organization of The Com- mercial Bank & Trust Company of Richmond, with an authorized capital of $250,000. This work was undertaken in connection with Prof. T. C. Erwin and others, of Rich- mond, and Mr. Clarke was chosen Secretary-Treasurer of the organization. As previously stated, he is also Presi- dent of the Melwin Finance Corporation, which has for its purpose the promotion of banks and other commercial en- terprises and is a pioneer among the Negroes of that line of work.
Mr. Clarke is an active member of the Episcopal Church and is affiliated with the Masonic order, having taken the thirty-second degree.
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VIRGINIA EDITION 35.
On June 28, 1913, he married Miss Callie Electa Mack, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mildred Mack, of Wilmington, N. C. Mr. Clarke keeps in touch with the movements of the world through the current literature of the day and has found most helpful the modern business course issued by the Alexander Hamilton Institute. He believes that the best interests of the race, State and nation, are to be pro- moted by proper education and economic development.
SAMUEL ALLEN BROWN
It is not easy to write the story of a man like the Rev. Samuel Allen Brown, pastor of the Oilfield Baptist Church of Petersburg. It is to be hoped that sometime Dr. Brown will write an autobiography in which not only his own story, but the remarkable story of his family, may be told.
Dr. Brown is a native of Charles City County, where he was born Feb. 27, 1876. His father. Rev. Samuel Brown, Sr., was a Baptist minister, who enjoyed the distinction of being the first ordained Negro Baptist preacher of Virginia. He was ordained in 1860 and was pastor of the Elam Bap- tist Church for twenty-one years. This same historic church had been organized by the grandfather of our subject, Abra- ham Brown, in 1810. The family history can be traced back even further, to England; but the Browns have resided in the same section and, in fact, on the same plantations, since 1789. Dr. Brown's mother was, before her marriage. Miss Martha Bowman.
Dr. Brown was married on Sept. 2, 1903, to Miss Clemen- tine Poole, of Warwick Court House, Va. She was an accom- plished teacher, having received her education at the State Normal at Petersburg. Dr. and Mrs. Brown have six chil- dren: Mildred O., Ernestine A., Samuel H., Lucille I., Wil- bur W., and Luther Brown.
Growing up in his native county, young Brown went to school there and later entered the State college at Peters- burg, where he took first the normal and later the college
SAMUEL ALLEN BROWN
VIRGINIA EDITION 37
course, which was completed with the A, B. degree in 1902. He was brought up in a home atmosphere of piety and at the early age of twelve joined the Elam Baptist Church, with which his father and grandfather had been so long identified. There was always a feeling on the part of his friends that he would be a preacher, but as a matter of fact he was never licensed for the ministry, though active in various phases of religious work. While in college he be- came identified with the Y. M. C. A. and was "Y" Secretary at Petersburg for a year after finishing his studies.
He then began teaching and was for eleven years princi- pal of the Fredericksburg Public School. In 1905, at Fred- ericksburg, Va., the subject of this sketch organized and established the Fredericksburg Normal and Industrial High School. The school was opened in the basement of the Shiloh Baptist Church and after the first year's work the present home of the school, consisting of a fifty-five-acre tract of land, adjacent to and lying south of the city, was bought. Two buildings were erected in which were four classrooms and dormitories. The State Board of Education has recog- nized the merits of the work by giving to each graduate a State certificate for seven years to teach in the State with- out examination.
The city also has recognized the worth of the work and so has made an annual appropriation of $1,000. The tract of land was divided so as to reserve twenty acres for a demon- stration plat and the remainder was laid ofi" in blocks and lots so that a settlement might be developed. Lots were then sold and now there are sixtythre-e dwellings surround- ing the school, varying from $1,000 to $3,500 in value. This beautiful settlement is now known as Mayfield. While here he kept in touch with the religious life of his section and was always willing to do his part in any public undertak- ing. Being a man of learning and a ready speaker, he was frequently called on to make addresses. This, coupled with his well-known piety, created the impression that he was a minister. As a matter of fact, he was really ambitious to practice medicine, but could not turn his mind successfully
38 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
in that direction because of his religious predilection. While engaged in teaching at Fredericksburg, he was actually called by a church in Spottsylvania County and was then under the necessity of explaining that he was not a minister. This attitude was not due to any desire on his part to evade or shirk, but rather to a feeling of unworthiness for the high calling. At the earnest solicitation of his friends, how- ever, he overcame this feeling and was ordained to the min- istry and took up the work of the pastorate.
Needless to say, he was successful from the beginning and served that first church for five years. Other calls came to him, including that of the old home church. While on work in Spottsylvania he was also called to the Mt. Garland Bap- tist Church in Louisa County, which he served for five years. He also preached at Mt. Hope for nearly ten years.
He had not long been actually in the ministry, however, before he attracted the attention of the large city congrega- tions, and, in 1913, accepted a call from the Oilfield Baptist Church of Petersburg. This work was organized over a century before — in 1803 — and is one of the pioneer Negro churches in Virginia. Not only has the congregation lived up to its fine traditions of faithful service for years, but has, under the ministry of Dr. Brown, taken on new life and is now regarded as one of the strong churches of the denomination.
Dr. Brown has taken his place in the community as a representative citizen and is identified with various organi- zations and enterprises looking to the uplift of the race.
Dr. Brown did his theological work under private tutors, but has the D. D. degree from Virginia Theologial Seminary and College at Lynchburg. He was active in war work and is identified with the Ideal Investment Company of Peters- burg, being one of its organizers. He is a forceful and effective speaker, a careful and methodical pastor and a good executive. He believes that the things which will con- tribute most to the progress and development of the race are sympathy and a better and more cordial understanding between the races.
SAMUEL PETER COOKE
No State in the Union has furnished the A. M. E. Zion connection more strong men than has North Carolina. Its contribution to the ministry of that denomination has been splendid. It includes bishops, presiding elders, and pastors of the highest rank in the church. Among these must be mentioned Rev. Samuel Peter Cooke, now (1920) residing at Norfolk, Va., and presiding over the Norfolk District. He was born at Henderson, N. C, March 1, 1857, and is a son of Robert and Fannie (Hawkins) Cooke. His father was sold away from the rest of the family before the boy was born. His maternal grandparents were Nathan and Susan Hawkins. He grew to manhood and was educated in North Carolina. Coming to school age soon after the war, he at- tended school at Henderson, and when ready for college went to Shaw University, from which he was graduated with the A. B. degree in 1877. Prior to this, he had learned the bar- ber trade and by means of his trade, by painting, and by work on the farm, made his school expenses. His way was not easy ,but he early showed that spirit and determina- tion which later made of him a leader in his denomination. A thing might be difficult without being impossible. About the time he reached his majority, he was happily converted and about six years later consecrated his life to the work of the ministry. He joined the conference under Bishop Thompson at Goldsboro in 1886 and has since been one of the active men of the denomination. His first appointment was to a mission at Oxford, where he preached for one year. He was then transferred to the Chowan Circuit in the Vir- ginia Conference, which he served for four years. Here he built two churches and made such a record that he was promoted to the presiding eldership and presided over the Petersburg District for six years. He afterward presided over the Edenton District for fourteen years and has been on the Norfolk District for nearly four years. In the mean- time he has served some important stations, such as the Metropolitan Station of Norfolk, Va. It is as a presiding
SAMUEL PETER COOKE
VIRGINIA EDITION 41
elder, however, that he is best known. While himself a good preacher, he is a man of good executive ability and has de- veloped to a rare degree the quality of leadership. He is a prominent figure in denominational gatherings, having at- tended every General Conference since 1888 with the single exception of 1892. This means that he has traveled all over America.
Among the secret orders. Dr. Cooke belongs to the Masons and the Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican. These things claim but little of his attention, however, as he de- votes himself with singleness of purpose to the sacred work of the ministry. He believes that the greatest bar to the progress of the race is the lack of efficient leadership. He is devoting his life to the improvement of that condition. While he knows literary values and is a lover of history, both ancient and modern, he gives the Bible and his theo- logical books first place in his reading. Livingstone College conferred the degree of D. D. upon him in 1908.
On Aug. 18, 1882, he was united in matrimony to Miss Virginia Richardson of Henderson, N. C. She, like her hus- band, was educated at Shaw University. Seven children were born to them. They are Robert L., Leonora E. (Mrs. Crutchfield), Pearl E. (Mrs. Yancey), William T., David B., Frederick C, and Alexander W. Cooke. There are now (1920) ten grandchildren.
SCHUYLER T. ELDRIDGE
In the Baptist denomination of the Old Dominion there is perhaps no man who stands higher than does Rev. Schuyler Thomas Eldridge, pastor of the First Baptist Church in the historic old town of Petersburg. The other ministers of the denomination always hear him gladly at conventions and denominational gatherings.
Dr. Eldridge is a native of Loudon County, Tenn., where he was born July 31, 1881. His parents, William Albert and Vienna (Schuyler) Eldridge, were devout people, the former
42 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
being a deacon in the Baptist Church. His mother was a public school teacher for thirty years. She was the daughter of Annanias and Annie Schooler.
Growing up in Loudon County, young Eldridge attended the local public schools and passed from there to the Freed- men's Normal Institute at Maryville, Tenn. When ready for more advanced work he matriculated at Knoxville Col- lege and remained at that institution up to and through the junior year, also taking the course in theology. Both here and at Maryville it was necessary for the young man to make his own way. He was possessed of a determination, however, which did not take failure into account.
He was converted when about fourteen years of age and identified himself with the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Even from boyhood. Dr. Eldridge felt impressed with the obliga- tion to prealch the Gospel and was licensed at the age of twenty-one and later ordained by the home church to the full work of the ministry. Fluent in speech, pious in life, and prepossessing in appearance, he was successful from the beginning.
On Aug. 20, 1902, he was married to Miss Mattie Ken- nedy, of Maryville, Tenn. Mrs. Eldridge, who, before her marriage, was a teacher, had been educated at Swift Memo- rial School at Rogerville, Tenn. Of the children born to them, three are living. They are Edna May, Kenneth C, and Schuyler Thomas Eldridge, Jr.
Dr. Eldridge taught school for several years in Tennes- see. His first regular pastorate was at Little Zion Baptist Church, now Rodgers Memorial, which he served for seven years. This was during his college days. He cleared the property of debt and remodeled the parsonage. From Rodgers Memorial he was called to the Ebenezer Church at Charlotte, N. C, which he served for six years. Un- der his ministry the work at Ebenezer took on new life. A parsonage was erected near the church and a thou- sand new members added to the roll and every depart- ment 0 fthe work strengthened. A debt of $5,000.00 was
SCHUYLER T. ELDRIDGE
vr<Y
VIRGINIA EDITION 43
cleared up and the young pastor soon became one of the most popular preachers in that part of the State.
He was called from Charlotte to his present pastorate, the First Baptist Church of Petersburg and is now (1920) in his fourth year in its service. This is one of the historic old churches of Virginia, with a present membership of more than a thousand. Under the leadership of Dr. Eldridge the work has been thoroughly organized and is moving along satisfactorily.
While residing in Tennessee, he was Moderator of the Knox District Association for two years and was Vice Presi- dent of the Baptist State Convention ; also President of the Board of Trustees of Nelson Mary College at Jefferson City. While in North Carolina, he was made financial agent of the Reform School and saved the property of that institu- tion. During the war he was active in the various cam- paigns and drives and was fully identified with the regular work at Camp Lee. His property interests are in Tennessee and North Carolina. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Friendship College, of Rock Hill, S. C.
FENDALL W. WILLIAMS
About five years after the close of the war, on Feb. 14, 1870, there was born in the historic old county of King Wil- liam a boy who was destined to occupy a large place in the onward and upward movement of the race. When fifteen years of age, the boy gave his young heart to God. From that time forth he put God at the center and everything else in life has been placed where it is, with relation to God. So in loyalty to God and unselfish service to others we have the secret of the success of Rev. Fendall Wallace Williams, D. D., the subject of this biography. The years have brought experience, popularity, financial strength and high official position, but these are all incidental. He is a mes- senger, an ambassador of Jesus Christ in the world, and that has been his main business.
44 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
The parents of our subject were George and Mary Wil- liams. They were members of the Baptist Church, of which the father was a deacon. His paternal grandparents were John and Nancy Williams.
Young Williams grew up on the farm and laid there the foundation of that robust manhood which has stood so well the strain of the years. As he grew to young manhood he was ambitious to study law or medicine but after his con- version could never make his mind work in that direction. He began his schooling in the local public schools, from which he passed to the V. N. C. I. at Petersburg. For his theo- logical training he went to Virginia Union University, where he won his B. D. degree in 1901. In 1891 he was licensed to preach by the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of King William and five years later was ordained to the full work of the min- istry by the same church. He was in demand as a preacher even before completing his theological course and declined a call from the First Baptist Church of Westfield, N. J., rather than leave his course unfinished. Even to this day he recalls with gratitude the work of his faithful teachers and holds that the struggles, the inspiration and contacts of his school days have been among the most potent factors, humanly speaking, which have entered into his life.
On June 19, 1901, Dr. Williams took an important step in life when he was married to Miss Bessie Harris, an accom- plished young lady of Richmond. She was educated at Hartshorn College and was before her marriage a success- ful teacher. She entered most heartily and sympathetically into the work of her distinguished husband. Of the six chil- dren born to them five are living. They are Fendall, Char- ley, Lloyd, Mary and Lucile Williams.
His first pastorate was the Rising Mt. Zion Church, Rich- mond. Of his work there, he says: "When called to this work in 1898 I found their house of worship unfinished and the congregation worshipping in the basement. The mem- bership was at low ebb in interest, numbers and spirituality. I looked the field over and went to work, under God, to resur- rect the church. The people rallied to the sound of the
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VIRGINIA EDITION 45
Gospel and filled the Lord's house. The house begun six years before was completed and paid for, more than 200 new members added, and the life and organization of the whole church strengthened in such a way that it was reflected in the business, social and intellectual life of the community. I served this church six years and while on this work was called to the St. James Church in Henrico County. I ac- cepted this work in connection with Rising Mt. Zion and put into this field the same zeal and enthusiasm that had brought success in the city, and with the same results. The house of worship was remodeled, a debt canceled, and eighty new members added to the roll."
While still in Richmond, Dr. Williams was honored by a call from his old home church in King William, which he was compelled to decline. He had the satisfaction, however, of seeing a friend and classmate take up the work there.
In 1904, Dr. Williams resigned his work in Richmond to accept the call of the Queen Street Baptist Church of Nor- folk, which he has served continuously since with remark- able success. The situation at Queen Street was far from promising. Other ministers had been afraid to take it up because of the outlook. A troublesome old debt had been hanging over the work for nearly twenty years and the membership was reduced to less than a hundred. Seven m.onths later the mortgage for the old debt was burned and the church was overflowing. Now (1920) there are more than 1,300 members, who meet in a modern, commodious house of worship erected at a cost of $35,000 The churcV ov/ns property altogether to the value of $100,000, entirely free from debt. In fact, when they raised the last claim against them they had a balance of $7,000 left in the treasury.
On entering the new house of worship the pastor was impressed with the need of a united efi'ort on the part of the churches in a city-wide evangelistic campaign. Other churches were interested, the Baptist Conference endorsed it, and Dr. Williams was appointed General Director. The meetings started in his church and the campaign spread
46 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
over the city and continued for four weeks. Norfolk had never before witnessed such a scene. Factories were closed, bar rooms were emptied, gambhng dens put out of business, and houses of ill fame broken up. Policemen were idle and the Police Judge had but few cases. It was »jstimated that there were 5,000 conversions. Nearly 400 of these joined Queen Street Ohurch and were baptized by Dr. Williams. After this, his place as a leader was fixed and his hold on the people unshakable. Other great churches have desired this peerless leader and some of them, like the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Washington, have called him, but he has preferred to remain in his native State, greatly to the de- light of Norfolk and Virginia Baptists.
In 1907, he was called to the Ebenezer Church in Princess Anne County, where he worked the same sort of revolution in building, in membership and in finances that had charac- terized his work at other points.
Dr. Williams has not contented himself with doing the mere routine work of the pastorate but has sought to make his church count for good in the life of the community. He led a reform movement when it required real courage to op- pose the forces of evil. He won because he was right and because he was unafraid. His relief work was also done on a large scale, so that while primarily ministering to the spiritual needs of the people, like the Master, he and his great church have fed the hungry, healed the sick, and clothed the naked.
It was not strange that a man of this type and character should attract the attention of the denomination. In 1919 he was chosen President of the General Baptist Association of Virginia, the biggest religious organization in the State. He is also Vice President of the Lott Carey Convention and identified with numerous religious and educational enter- prises. He belongs to the Masons and Pythians. His rela- tionship with the white leaders, business and religious, has been cordial always. He was a leader in war work among the colored people and made an enviable record for himself and his people.
SAMUEL GREY BULLOCK
Among the young professional men of Danville none are more active or energetic than Samuel Grey Bullock, D. D. S. Though reared and educated in Washington, D. C, Dr. Bullock is a native of North Carolina, where he was bom Aug. 6, 1890. His parents were Gus and Bettie E. Bullock. His maternal grandfather was Simon Bullock. While still a baby, our subject lost his father. Fortunately for the boy, his mother had visions for her son and when he was three years of age moved to Washington in order that he might have educational advantages which were not available where they resided in North Carolina.
The story of the strenuous years that followed cannot be told better than in his own straightforward manner. He says, "Having lost my father when a baby, my mother was the only support. During her life, school life for me was that of the average boy of working parents. When sixteen years of age I lost my mother, and from that time on it was a hard struggle to earn a livelihood and at the same time go to school. I was fortunate enough to obtain night work in hotels until, through civil service examination, I was given an appointment in the government printing office at Washington, where I went to work in August, 1909, as ele- vator conductor. At that time one or two of the elevators were in service twenty-four hours a day, the men changing at eight-hour intervals. As there was then no extra pay for night or Sunday work, none of the men wanted night work, but the men, about thirty in number, had to take turns at night work for a week at a time. I saw that if I could have this night shift permanently it would enable me to return to school. I applied for it and it was given to me. I went on at midnight and got off at 8 A. M. In this way I was able to enter the dental department of Howard Univer- sity. The following summer, Aug. 10, 1910, I was married to Miss Marjorie Kieser of Calhoun Falls, S. C. By the time school had opened we had started housekeeping. The multi- plied duties of housekeping, going to school and working at
SAMUEL GREY BULLOCK
VIRGINIA EDITION 49
night were quite a strain but I somehow found the time and energy to become one of the point winners on the track, winning medals in the 440-yard and 880-yard contests. I was also a member of the G. P. 0. basketball team. In 1911 I was transferred to day work, which forced me to lose one year at school. The following year, by accepting a position as laborer at a reduced salary, I was able to get night work again and proceed with my dental course. My hours were now from 9 at night to 5:30 in the morning and the work was heavy. It required almost superhuman effort to stick to it until graduation, June, 1913."
We have in this simple narrative the secret of his success and a prophecy of his future. On completing his course, he began practice in Washington and at the same time con- tinued to hold the position which he had held during the last year in college. That he came through such a strain strong and fit without any impairment of health shows his vitality and indicates that he has learned the fine art of how to live. He built up a good practice in Washington, but in 1917 decided to try another field. He took the Virginia State Board examination in that year and was one of only two colored men to pass. He located in Danville, where he has since resided and where he has entered heartily into the local and business life of the city.
Since his high school days he has been active in school and college athletics. While in high school he was a mem- ber of the football team and a member of the cadets, reach- ing the position of Senior First Lieutenant in his graduat- ing year. During his first year at Howard he was captain of the class football team and was also a member of the track team and the basketball team.
On coming to Danville he found no athletics worthy of the name among the young people of the race. He organ- ized basketball teams and taught them the game, supply- ing the equipment at his own expense.
The Pittsburgh Courier (March, 1919) said: "Dr. S. G. Bullock is a 'sport' of the first magnitude, a lover of clean athletics and a genuine gentleman. Dr. Bullock went down
50 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
into his 'jeans', equipped a team, trained them, went to Lynchburg, arranged a game and gave the Seminary girls a guarantee, with no hope of making his money back."
Two boy teams and two girl teams were organized. Expe- rienced players speak in the highest terms of their work. Best of all, an interest in clean, wholesome athletics has been awakened in Danville. Dr. Bullock is President of the Forum Club of Danville, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Danville Savings Bank, and a member of the Executive Board of the Providence Hospital.
He has prospered since coming to Danville and has con- siderable local investments. He owns and occupies a hand- some building costing $16,000.00 on N. Ridge Street.
From his observation. Dr. Bullock is of the opinion that ignorance is the great bar to progress and believes that the thing most needed by both races is the right sort of edu- cation.
In 1918 Dr. Bullock obtained absolute divorce from his
wife.
LEVI CROMWELL BROWN
The President of the Mutual Savings Bank of Ports- mouth, Mr. Levi Cromwell Brown, is one of a group of young men at Portsmouth and Norfolk who have had the foresight and the courage to do some pioneer work along financial lines.
The old idea of banking as good for the banker only has long been exploded. The banker who helps the business man, and teaches him better methods, and especially the banker who encourages the people in the habit of saving, is a benefactor, no matter how much he may profit by it himself. This is the spirit in which Mr. Brown and his associates are doing their work. They have not sought to attract accounts away from other bankers. Rather, they have induced people who never before kept a bank ac- count to put aside some money regularly and have in this
VIRGINIA EDITION 51
way built up business for themselves as well as for their customers.
Mr. Brown is a native of Portsmouth, where he was born March 12, 1883. His father, William J. Brown, passed away when the boy was only nine years old. His mother, who, before her marriage, was Miss Rachel Wilkins, was ambitious for her children and not only encouraged them to go to school but prayed earnestly for their success in life, in their presence. Mr. Brown frankly admits that these ideas and ambitions of his mother for him have been potent factor in shaping his life. His paternal grand- parents were Samuel and Grace Brown, and the maternal grandparents, George and Harriet Wilkins.
He attended the local public schools until such time as he felt he must help support the family. He then secured a place as messenger with the Merchants & Farmers' Bank, where he remained for several years. After that he got into the postal service and for ten years was a letter car- rier. His work at the bank had brought him into contact with forceful and successful men, and he looks upon this as one of the best influences that came into his life.
Finding that the postal service was a mere rut, with little future to it for him, he planned to get out of it as soon as possible. In 1916, he associated himself with some other young men and was the moving spirit in the organi- zation of the Mutual Savings Bank. For a time he was its Vice President, but the following year was elected Presi- dent, which position he has since held.
Mr. Brown early realized that he must master not only the details of his business, but the underlying principles as well. Accordingly, he has kept up with the trade maga- zines and has found the business literature issued by the Alexander Hamilton Institute especially helpful.
In politics he is a Republican, though he has little time for attention to political aifairs. He is an active and influ- ential member of the A. M. E. Church, of which he is a steward. Among the secret orders he is identified with the Masons and Pythians. He is also a member of the
52 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Inter-racial Committee and Chairman of Community Serv- ice, Portsmouth, Va.
Mr. Brown's vision includes more than merely a local bank. In fact, he has been instrumental in organizing at least half a dozen banks and is constantly training young men who are then in a position to go out and take charge of these other institutions.
He is Vice President of the Tidewater Bank & Trust Company, of Norfolk ; director of the Albemarle Bank, recently organized at Elizabeth City, and among other posi- tions of honor and trust which he holds may be mentioned the fact that he is chairman of the executive committee of the Old Dominion Bankers' Association, Treasurer of the Standard Building and Loan Association, President of the Portsmouth Co-operative and Investment Corporation, Treasurer of the Norfolk Holding Corporation, Director of the Attucks Twin City Amusement Company, a member of the board of the Bankers' Fire Insurance Company, and Director of the Commercial Bank and Trust Co.
Notwithstanding all these activities, Mr. Brown works in the open, is easy of approach and seems to find time for everything and has a kind word for everybody.
The growth of the Portsmouth Bank in the four years since its organization has been remarkable. Beginning with the organization only, a line of 8,000 depositors has been built up, to say nothing of the 7,500 members of the Christmas Savings Department.
Mr. Brown is more than a business man. He is a mis- sionary, preaching to his people the gospel of work, thrift, and economy, and is happy in his work.
On June 15, 1905, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Luda Mason, of Seaboard, N. C. She was educated at St. Paul's Normal and Industrial Institute at Lawrenceville, Va., and taught school for two years prior to her marriage. They have two children, Fanny May and Lula Brown.
GEORGE W. GOODE
No matter whether measured by the standard of the educator, the business man, or the preacher, Rev. George Washington Goode, of Danville, is a man among men. Though born in slavery on March 14, 1865, the date of his birth was so near the conclusion of the slavery period which came with the downfall of the Confederacy less than a month later that he felt none of the baleful influence of that institution. In fact, his life is so nearly contemporary with the freedom of the race that it may be taken as an illustration of what one generation of freedom has meant.
Dr. Goode's father, Henderson Goode, still living (1920), is a son of Benjamin and Sylvia Goode. His mother was, before her marriage. Miss Julia Carter. Dr. Goode is a native of Patrick County. While still a child, the family moved to Smythe County, and the boy worked and laid the foundation of his education at Marion. These early years on the farm and in the mines gave him physical strength and endurance which have enabled him to stand well the strain of many years of hard work. He gave his heart to God when about twenty years of age. At that time he was teaching in the public schools. In 1887 he was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church of Marion and two years later was ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry by the same church. For his higher literary and theological training he went to Richmond Institute, now Virginia Union University, and won from that institution the B. D. degree in 1895. It was necessary for him to make his own way at college. He had planned to go to Tennessee to school, but was induced by Dr. Morris to turn his face toward Richmond.
His first pastorate was at Rich Hill in Pulaski County, where he preached one year. While in college he preached for three years at West Point and at Church View in Mid- dlesex County. A new house of worship was built at West Point. In 1896 he accepted the call of Calvary Church at Danville and for nearly a quarter of a century had gon3
GEORGE WASHINGTON GOODE
VIRGINIA EDITION 55
in and out before that congregation. Dr. Goode has been more than a pulpiteer, more than a pastor. He has stood as a conservative influence between the races. It was not unnatural that such a man should find his way into educa- tional work. Accordingly when the Pittsylvania Industrial Normal and Collegiate Institute was established under the auspices of the Baptists of that section it was fitting that he should be asked to start the work off. That was in 1903 and the patrons of the school have not yet been willing to release him from his place of leadership. Avi enrollment of more than a hundred has been built up and much work accomplished. His life and his work have inspired confi- dence, with the result that many organizations, business, religious and racial, have sought his influence and honored him with official positions. He is Secretary of the Cherry Stone Baptist Asseociation and was for seven years Moder- ator of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. He is now Treasurer of the General Association and Treasurer of the State B. Y. P. U. and member of the Executive Board of the State Sunday School Convention. He is also a member of the Baptist Educational Board and on the Foreign Mission Committee of the Lott Carey Association. In addition to these he is President of Providence Hos- pital Association and Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Hospital Association, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank, and Chairman of the Exec- utive Committee of the bank; State member of the Inter- racial Committee, and one of the Collaborateurs of the war history. Among the secret orders, he is identified with the Masons.
His philosophy of life is simple but fundamental: "The consecration of life to Christ, the realization of the value of time and the proper use of money." He credits his father and mother with inspiring him with high ideals which have been the greatest factors in his life.
On June 24, 1896, Dr. Goode was happily married to Miss Mary L. Gaines, an accomplished teacher of Rich- mond, who has entered heartily into all his plans. He has
56 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
property in Danville, a beautiful eleven-room residence, and a rental piece on same street, and a farm near Dan- ville and property in Marion, Va. He contributes largely to charities, education and missions, and attributes his financial success to his liberal giving, which is never less than a tenth of his gettings.
DAVID GILBERT JACOX
Many of the most successful men of Norfolk, of both races and various lines of work, are natives of the Old North State. Among the successful educators of the city who come from North Carolina is Prof. David Gilbert Jacox, who was born in Perquimans County on Jan. 12, 1870. His father, Richard Jacox, was a farmer whose parents lived in Bertie County, N. C, till they were sold and taken South into Alabama. Prof. Jacox's mother was, before her marriage. Miss Caro- lina Tucker. She was a daughter of Lemuel and Annie Tuck- er, who lived to the ripe old age of ninety-eight and a hun- dred and five, respectively.
Young Jacox went to Norfolk as a small boy and there attended the Norfolk schools and the Norfolk Mission Col- lege. Speaking of this period, he says, "I carried newspa- pers, and made market baskets, sold rags, bones, blacked boots and lived in the home of Mr. S. Frank for six years for my board and clothes and fifty cents a week, and waited on teachers in the dormitory of the teachers' home of Nor- folk Mission College, while attending the public school and one term at the Mission College. I early decided to be a good teacher and a minister of the Gospel. Thus I took pri- vate lessons from Rev. A. L. Sumner, D. D., who was at that time pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church."
Mr. Jacox remained at the Norfolk Mission College for his junior college work, which he completed in 1893. His first work as a teacher was at Durant's Neck, N. C, where he taught two short terms, one at New Hope School and one at Oak Hill. As a teacher he has been successful from the
DAVID GILBERT JACOX
ART
VIRGINIA EDITION 57
beginning and is widely known as an able educator. His next teaching was at West Norfolk, where he taught for twelve years. Beginning with a one-room school, he was steadily advanced as the character of his work became recog- nized, until he became principal of the John T. West County School with a teaching force of fourteen. In 1911, this was by annexation made a city school and was reorganized as a regular State high school with elementary work and forty- six teachers. He is now (1920) supervising principal of the Booker T, Washington High School of Norfolk. His position in the profession may be inferred from the fact that he is President of the Colored Teachers' Association, Busi- ness Manager of the Tidewater Teacher, a quarterly paper issued as the organ of the teachers in that section. He is also a member of the executive board of the National Asso- ciation of Teachers of the Colored Schools of America and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Smallwood-Corey Institute at Claremont, Va.
Professor Jacox is more than a teacher. He is a leader of constructive ability, who not only seeks to train the chil- dren who come into his schools in the ordinary ways, but to lead them and those under his influence among parents and teachers into lives of larger service to the community. Accordingly, he has been active in such business enterprises as his time would permit. He helped organize the Norfolk Building and Loan Association and the Virginia Beneficial Insurance Company. He also organized and carried on sue- cessfully a land and store company in West Norfolk while teaching in that section.
From boyhood he has been identified with the Baptist Church and is a regularly ordained minister of that denomi- nation, though he has never gone into the active pastorate. As a preacher, however, he has had the privilege of supply- ing some of the largest and best churches in Virginia and adjacent States. He was for twelve years President of the State B. Y. P. U. and is now Corresponding Secretary of the Virginia Baptist State Sunday School Convention (Inc.). He seems equally at home in the schoolroom or in the pulpit
58 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
and is much in demand as a public speaker on notable occa- sions.
Professor Jacox is prominent in the Grand Lodge of the Virginia Masons. He is also a member of the Pythians and is identified with the Community Service Committee ap- pointed by the City Council of Norfolk.
While in school he was interested in athletics and was skilled in boxing, running and wrestling. In his reading he is fond of books of travel, psychology, and of Shakespeare.
On Aug. 9, 1900, Prof. Jacox was married to Miss Ida N. Deans, of West Norfolk. They have one child, Eloise Juanita Jacox now (1920) a student at Howard University, Washington, D. C.
Prof. Jacox has had a splendid opportunity to study conditions and believes that the progress of the race depends on "better schools and longer terms in all the rural schools ; on more sympathetic and co-operative feeling between the races, through conferences and general leagues; on educa- tional campaigns led by the best people of both races, so that white people may know of the race as it is today and stop trying to think of them as our parents were fifty years ago."
CHASTEEN MURRAY
Rev. Chasteen Murray, pastor of the Loyal Street Bap- tist Church, of Danville, is a native of Knoph, in Caroline County, Virginia, where he was born Sept. 16, 1887. He is a brilliant young man who had the wisdom to take time enough to prepare himself for his work as a minister before entering upon the active pastorate. His father, Fountain Murray, was a farmer and the boy himself grew up on the farm in Caroline County, where he attended the local public schools. His mother, before her marriage, was Cas- sanda Mont. After completing his work at the public schools, Mr. Murray went to the Virginia Seminary and College at Lynchburg, from which institution he has the A. B. and B. D. degrees. He was graduated in 1919.
CHASTEEN MURRAY
60 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
While in college, he was active in athletics. Mr. Murray, less fortunate than some other young men, was born of poor parents, therefore he had to work his own way through college. He made his tuition during his vacation months. He entered college in 1910. His first vacation was spent running a steam drill for the New York Central Railroad Company on the Hudson River above Fishkill Landing. In 1911 his vacation was spent working at the home of Mr. John D. Rockefeller at Tarrytown, N. Y. In 1912 he was employed, during vacation period, as missionary for the Virginia Baptist State Convention. In 1915 he ws called to his first pastoral charge, the Dearington Hill Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va., which he served four years. He came into the work of the church when twenty-six years of age and was licensed by the St. John's Baptist Church at Knoph, Va. He was ordained by the Dearington Hill Baptist Church, Lynchburg, in 1913. While pastoring at Lynchburg he accepted the call of the Mt. Evergreen Church at Evington, Va. Rev. Mr. Murray, before giving up the pastorate of Dearington Hill Baptist Church added to the membership more than 150 members. Improve- ments were made amounting to more than $1500. Rev. Murray, notwithstanding he served the Mt. Evergreen Church only a little more than one year, added to its mem- bership more than seventy-five members anc^ made improve- ments amounting to $1500.
He went to his third pastorate in 1919, which was the Washington Street Baptist Church, Bedford City. He served this church one year, during which time eighty members were added to the church and an improvement to the amount of $2,500 made. In 1920 he was called to the Loyal Street Baptist Church, Danville. In six months after accepting this church, eighty-five new members were added and plans were passed upon and put in operation for the erection of an edifice, which will cost approximately $100,000. Dr. Murray is identified with the Pythians, the Masons, the Golden Rule Association and the True Re- formers.
VIRGINIA EDITION 61
When asked how the best interests of the race are to be promoted, he said, "First, by a development of racial independence; second, better educational opportunities; third, equal opportunities in the economic and political life of this nation ; fourth, ehmination of propaganda which is perpetrated upon the race through the press and serves as a menace to its progress."
On December 21, 1919, Dr. Murray was happily married to Miss Sadie Janeiva Reynolds, a daughter of James and Sarah Reynolds of Bigland, Va. Mrs. Murray was edu- cated at Virginia Seminary and College of Lynchburg. She was before marriage an accomplished teacher.
ADOLPHUS HUMBLES
The story of a man like Adolphus Humbles must deal almost entirely with what the man himself has done rather thn .with his ancestry. While he looks much younger, Mr. Humbles was born in 1847 and was thus a boy seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the war and a grown young man at the time of the surrender.
He was born at Lynchburg, where the whole of his life has been spent. The fact that he has been able to accum- ulate a fortune and lead a life of large usefulness among the friends who understand his ability and know his char- acter best, is the greatest compliment which could be paid him.
Mr. Humbles was married October 15, 1870, to Miss Rosa Swift, of Goochland, C. H., Va. Of the five children born to them, the following are living: Alphonso, Willie, Clifton and Geneva,
Mr. Humbles is well and favorably known in and around Lynchburg as a capable and conservative business man, whose knowledge of values is based on long experience and whose judgment is frequently sought by investors. He was for thirty-six years a merchant at Jackstown, near Lynchburg, owned and operated a toll road from Lynch-
62 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
burg to Rustburg, the county site of Campbell County, and has for a long time dealt in stocks, bonds and all classes of realty investments.
Coming of school age at a time When it was illegal to teach a colored person to read or write, of course, he did not have any schooling. Later, however, he contrived to provide himself with enough to enable him to do a suc- cessful business. This, added to his great fund of com- mon sense, has made him successful where many a man of much more liberal education has failed.
In recent years the demand on the part of religious and educational institutions has been for business men who are willing to devote their time and money to religious and educational work. There have been all too few men who are willing to turn aside from financial rewards and give to these institutions the sort of business direction which they so much need. Mr. Humbles, fortunately, belongs to the small class who are willing to make the sacrifice. He has, since 1904, been Treasurer of the Virginia State Baptist Convention and is also Treasurer of the Virginia Theologi- cal Seminary and College at Lynchburg, in which capacity he has served for eight years. He is a well-known figure in the institution and perhaps there are few, if any other, laymen in the State more widely known than is Mr. Hum- bles. He has been a member of the church for forty years and a deacon for thirty-eight years. In matters of real estate, building, investment, finances, etc., the brethren are always willing to follow his judgment. In politics he is a Republican and was for thirteen years Chairman of the Campbell County Executive Committee.
Mr. Humbles is a quiet, unassuming man in appearance and impresses one as a man who believes in character rather than noise. While he does not look like a strong man physically, yet he is one who is ever ready to do his part of any worthy undertaking.
Virginia Baptists owe Mr. Humbles a debt of gratitude and it is fitting that he should be identified with the Bap-
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VIRGINIA EDITION 63
tist institution of learning where he may touch the lives of those who are later to be leaders of the race.
It is gratifying to know that in his own business he has been so successful. He is known as the wealthiest colored man in the State of Virginia. His various holdings are estimated to be worth at least $300,000.
WILLIAM BENJAMIN ANDERSON
Dr. William Benjamin Anderson, a leading dentist of Portsmouth, was born there on June 8, 1882. His story is one of talent and hard struggle with adverse circum- stances. By dint of industry, patience and perseverance he rose to success in his chosen profession. Through this he has also reached a commanding position in the business life of his people.
His father, William Benjamin Anderson, Sr., was a hard- working stevedore. His mother, who, before her mar- riage, was Miss Margaret Council, was especially ambitious for her boy and he confesses that he owes much to her training.
Young Anderson attended the Portsmouth public school and went from there to Virginia Union University, where he pursued the scientific course, winning the B. S. degree in 1908. Desiring the best training possible for his pro- fessional work, he matriculated at Howard University for his course in dentistry and gained his D. D. S. degree in 1911.
On completion of his course at Howard, he passed the State Board and began practice in Baltimore, where he remained for one year. In 1912 he returned to his old home town and was successful from the first. He main- tains attractive dental parlors and operating rooms on Green Street.
In addition to his professional work. Dr. Anderson is a man of fine executive ability and as his growing practice brought in larger means, he began to invest in various
64 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
local enterprises of merit. His financial and executive abili- ties have been recognized by his associates and is evidenced by the fact that he is now Vice President of the Commu- nity Savings Bank, stockholder in the Tidewater Bank and Trust Company, Secretary of the Virginia Drug Corpora- tion, stockholder in the Twin City Amusement Corporation and stockholder in the Tidewater Building Association.
Dr. Anderson is an active member of the Baptist Church and is President of Men's League of the Zion Baptist Church, He takes a deep interest in a number of benevo- lent organizations and is President of the board of direc- tors of the Miller Day Nursery. He is identified with the Skull and Bones Club of Portsmouth and is ex-Treasurer of the Reindeer order. Among the purely professional organizations, he belongs to the Old Dominion Dental Asso- ciation, the National Medical Society and the Interstate Dental Association.
He is a thoughtful and devout man and believes that the best interests of the race are to be promoted by more edu- cation and more prayer.
On Sept. 9, 1918, Dr. Anderson was united in matrimony to Miss Goldie Drew, a daughter of Rebecca Drew of Ports- mouth. They have one daughter, Maye T. Anderson.
BOOKER LAWRENCE JORDAN
Whoever has studied the development of American busi- ness institutions, has been compelled to recognize in many of them the dominating influence of the country boy and the self-made man. The subject of this biography, Mr. Booker Lawrence Jordan, belongs to that class. He is a native of Louisa County, where he was born Aug. 14, 1874. His father, Robert A. Jordan, was a farmer and a mer- chant. He passed away before our subject was quite six years of age. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Texanna Johnson.
.Young Jordan attended the public school at Louisa one
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term. The year following the death of his father, and be- fore he was seven, the family moved to Richmond. Here there was more work to be done and better opportunities for an education. For nearly forty years he has resided at Richmond and has made for himself a name in the finan- cial and commercial life of the race second to none in the State. There have been many obstacles and difficulties in the way, but instead of allowing them to discourage or defeat him, he has used them like rounds on a ladder to mount to higher and better things. From boyhood he was influenced by his mother's teaching in religion %nd upright- ness, and through the years of struggle and of prosperity has remained loyal to the church and is a teacher in the Sunday School of the Baptist Church of which he is a member.
After the family moved to Richmond, he entered the public school but along with the other older children of the family had to go to work. This is usually the signal for a boy to abandon his books, but not so with young Jor- dan. He went to night school and studied with the younger children from their books at home.
Increasing knowledge brought a larger outlook on life and the boy determined to fit himself for a business career. A unique and characteristic trait of Mr. Jordan has been this: that when he has been confronted by a situation re- quiring special skill or training, he has not hired an expert, but has, while carrying on his other work, equipped him- self for the task. This policy has taken him into the fields of accountancy, law, insurance, and architecture. As a re- sult, he is a business man of unusual versatility.
In 1894 he matriculated at the Buffalo (N. Y.) Business College for the full commercial course and was graduated from that institution in 1897. Here he became interested in commercial law, and in 1911 completed a full law course with the American Correspondence School of Law of Chi- cago. Prior to this he had, in 1909, completed an account- ant's course on a hundred per cent average.
66 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
His rise in the business world cannot be told better than in his own language. He says:
"Beginning as an agent for the Southern Aid Society of Virginia, Inc., I worked my way up to the position of Secretary-Manager. This was not accomplished by any easy-going or royal road to the goal, or by sudden flights, but by persistent efforts and hard struggles, making it round by round, and often when others slept I made my greatest flights, through most earnest efforts, upwards in the night.
"This rise from agent to Secretary-Manager of the South- ern Aid Society represents twenty-odd years of conscien- tious and zealous service. During these many years, I had experiences in other businesses, such as grocery and shoe business, wood and coal yard, having been the general manager of a large mercantile business and the director and auditor of the Capital Shoe and Supply Company's shoe store and the Young Men's Business Association's coal and wood business.
"Beginning as an agent and working nine years at this position with signal success, I quit the insurance business to accept the position of general manager of tRe mercan- tile department of the True Reformers, which had just secured a charter for the operation of a chain of stores in many cities. I systematized the business and opened six stores in the following cities: Richmond, Portsmouth, Manchester, Roanoke, Salem, Washington, D. C. Manag- ing this business successfully for two years and four months, and leaving it in a flourishing condition at the time of retiring from it on account of my health, I returned to the insurance business, beginning as a traveling super- intendent or inspector, which position I filled with credit to myself and much profit to the cause.
"My next promotion came in about four years, when I was elected Assistant Secretary-Manager and Auditor, which position I held until Aug. 12, 1918, on which date I was elected Secretary-Manager.
VIRGINIA EDITION 67
"When I began as agent, the corporation was not worth $500.00. It had only one small rented office — Richmond, Va. It bought fuel in 25-cent lots. On many occasions, the office force, consisting of Secretary-Manager and one clerk, had to wait for me to come in with my final report for the week before they could pay themselves their weekly salary. The corporation now owns office buildings in all of the prin- cipal cities in the State of Virginia and stores from one to three carloads of coal in the basement of each office build- ing every summer. Its employees number nearly 1000. At this date its net assets are over $400,000, with an annual business approaching $1,000,000."
On Dec. 12, 1899, Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Mollie Blanche Johnson, a daughter of Edward and Susan John- son of Louisa, Va.
They have two children, Daisy B. (Mrs. Foy) and Miss Marion A. Jordan.
Mr. Jordan's reading marks him as a man of culture and wide information. It consists of law, the best English and American classics, history, biography, and the current mag- azines and papers. He is identified with the Negro Busi- ness League, State and local, and is a member of the N. A. A. C. P.
When asked how the best interests of the race are to be promoted, he said:
"The Negro as a race group, in the United States, has reached that point in racial progress which, when viewed through their surroundings, suggests the most careful con- sideration of every problem affecting them before any ac- tion thereon is determined upon.
"As the Negro makes progress in education, culture, and in the accumulation of wealth, his economic and social con- dition will receive greater attention, and efforts to prescribe and limit his sphere will increase.
"The result of such action is reflected in the migration of the Negroes from the South to the North. This is be- lieved to be but a part of the Divine plan.
68 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
"The Anglo-Saxon views the Negro as an inferior race group and by nature fitted especially for certain lines of service, and is only to serve him in this capacity. Natur- ally, the ambition of the Negro for higher things meets but poor encouragement. The Negro believes in the fun- damental principles of this government, and that he is here for as long a stay as any other race group; with equal rights, and should be accorded equal opportunity. He is determined to fight it out right here upon the principles of right and justice, believing that he will eventually awaken an enlightened conscience which will accord him full and equal rights and opportunities in America. By reason of this, he will develop into a prosperous, cultured group of American citizens the equal of any other group. In the meantime, Africa, with its teeming millions of souls, is perishing away.
"God sent Joseph to Egypt to school his race group for the purpose of proper racial development so essential to a self determining government of that people in their own land. God brought the Negro to America to receive training, education and Christianity, and with this power goes the responsibility to redeem Africa.
"The principal thing needed for development of the Negro in America is improved educational facilities and better economic opportunities, then he will make greater progress and hasten the day of his return to redeem Africa, in which country God will bless him and he will in course of time develop into a great nation and will be accorded treaty rights by all other nations and governments."
JOHN RILEY DUNGEE
Prof. John Riley Dungee, A. M. LL. B., a prominent edu- cator of Norfolk, is a native of King William County, where he was born about a year before the outbreak of the war between the States, on April 16, 1860. His father, Jesse Dungee, was a shoe-maker by trade, and also a minister,
JOHN RILEY DUNGEE
70 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
who at one time represented his county in the Virginia Legislature. He was a son of Joseph and Betsy Dungee. Prof. Dungee's mother, before her marriage, was Miss Mary James Custello. On both the maternal and paternal sides there was an intermixture of African, English, and Indian.
Our subject grew up on the farm in King William County, where he remained till he had reached maturity. He at- tended the local schools established by the Freedmen's Bu- reau and later went to Hampton Institute, where he com- pleted the normal course. From Hampton he passed to Howard University for the law course, which he completed with the LL. B. degree in 1888.
As a young man, he worked in the summer and went to school in the winter. While at Howard University he worked at local boarding houses for his own board. Early in life there grew up in his mind a desire to serve God and be helpful to his fellow men. He has held firmly to this purpose through the years and has, by means of his educa- tional work, been able to help many a boy and girl to a larger and more beneficial life than would otherwise have been possible.
Prof. Dungee's first work as a teacher was in his native county of King William in 1880. After leaving Hampton and Howard, he again taught in the same county. His next work was in New Jersey, where he taught for two years. After that, he went to West Virginia for one year and was principal of the public school at Roanoke, Va., for ten years. He taught also at Harriman, Tenn., for a year.
In 1911 he came to Norfolk, since which time he has been actively identified with the Norfolk public school system.
In 1890, he began the practice of law at West Point, Va., and on going to Roanoke the following year gave some attention to law practice there, but has in the main devoted himself to his educational work. Though by no means an old man, he has lived to see many of the boys and girls he first taught grow up to occupy places of influence and use- fulness in their respective communities.
VIRGINIA EDITION 71
He has taken no active part in politics, nor is he iden- tified with the secret orders. He has for years been an active and prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder and superintendent of the Sunday School.
In his reading. Prof. Dungee gives first place to religious works, history, books on education, civics, and sociology. He has, from time to time during the years, written a num- ber of poems which have attracted attention and has pub- lished one book of poetry entitled "Random Rhymes."
On August 27, 1896, Prof. Dungee was happily married to Miss Flossie Belle Wingfield, a daughter of Jesse and Sallie Wingfield, of Martinsville, Va. Of the eight children born to them, the following are living: John Riley, II., Roger Benton, Doris, Helma, and Carolyn Dungee.
When asked how, in his estimation, the best interests of the race are to be promoted. Prof. Dungee said : "Let the race be faithful to God."
ROBERT JUNIUS BROWN
Dr. Robert Junius Brown, a leading dentist of Norfolk, is a native of Norfolk County, where he was born on Nov. 7, 1883. His father, Robert Junius Brown, Sr., married, in 1881, Miss Addie Lee Parker, who was a native of Warren- ton, Va. To this union were born four children, of whom our subject, Robert Junius, Jr., was the oldest.
At seven years of age, young Brown entered St. Joseph's Catholic School at Norfolk. After laying here the founda- tion of his education, he went to Norfolk Mission College, now the Norfolk High School, where he pursued his studies for several terms. Being under the necessity of making his own way in school, he worked at hotels and summer resorts.
From Norfolk he went to the A. & M. College at Normal, Ala., and in 1903 completed a course in blacksmithing and painting. The following term he took charge of the paint-
ROBERT JUNIUS BROWN
VIRGINIA EDITION 73
ing department on a salary which was used for the next year's tuition. He completed the normal course in 1906. From Alabama, he went to New York and studied one year preparatory to entering Meharry Dental School, where he matriculated in the fall of 1907.
His way at Meharry was not easy. Lack of means made it necessary for him to work not only during vacations, but after school during the term. He was hopeful and ambi- tious, however, and completed the course with the D. D. S. degree in 1911.
On completion of his course, he went to work on the rail road to provide himself with funds to purchase the supplies and equipment necessary to begin the practice. By Jan. 1, 1912, he was ready to begin the practice, and opened an office at Newnan, Ga. From Newnan he went to George- town, S. C., which, after a trial of two years proved less fruitful than the first. By that time he was able to see the possibilities of his home town, and located at Norfolk, with the result that he has built up a splendid practice.
He says his inspiration for a higher education came from his mother, who desired her son to be a helper to his race. When he was fourteen years of age he was working in a private family. With the approach of school time, he told the lady of his desire to go to school. She said, "You need not go to school, you will never be a lawyer, nor a doctor." This very denial made the boy resolve to make his life count for his race.
Dr. Brown has traveled extensively in this country and in Canada. His reading takes a wide range, and includes the Bible, Hugo, Dunbar, Shakespeare, with ancient and modern history.
Dr. Brown has not only been successful in his practice but is also prominent in business circles. He is a member of the board of directors of the Brown Savings Bank, the Tide- water Bank and Trust Co., and the Interstate Dental Co. of Norfolk. He is a member of the National Medical Asso., the Interstate Dental Asso., and the Old Dominion Dental Asso. He belongs to the Masons, Pythians, and other local
74 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
orders. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of the A. M. E. Church.
On Dec. 26, 1917, Dr. Brown was happily marired to Miss Pearl Ann Jenkins, daughter of Jedadiah D. and Mary Jen- kins of Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Brown was educated at Clark University and was, before her marriage, a teacher. They have one son, Robt. J. Brown, Jr.
ALFRED JAIRUS NOTTINGHAM
While the A. M. E. connection in Virginia is not numeri- cally as strong as it is in some of the other Southern States, still the church has cause to be proud of the character of her leadership as represented by the ministry on the princi- pal circuits and stations. Among these ministers is the Rev. Alfred Jairus Nottingham, D. D., pastor of the Trinity Station at Berkley-Norfolk.
Dr. Nottingham is a native of the Eastern Shore, having been born at the old town of Eastville in Northampton County on August 18, 1868. His father was Jay Notting- ham, who was a son of Southey and Sarah (Bailey) Not- tingham. Dr. Nottingham's mother, who before her mar- riage was Miss Caroline Winder, still survives (1920) and is a daughter of Joseph and Edith Winder.
Dr. Nottingham has been married twice. His first mar- riage was on Sept. 6, 1893, to Miss Mattie J. C. Robins, a daughter of John and Timmie Robins, of Eastville, Va. Of the three children whom she bore him, only one, Celestine, survives. She is now Mrs. Traynham. Mrs. Nottingham passed away on September 4, 1915. Dr. Nottingham was married to Mrs. S. Blanche Poole, of Philadelphia, Dec. 5, 1917.
Young Nottingham grew up on the farm where he in- herited and cultivated those sturdy qualities which made for a vigorous manhood. He first attended the local pub- lic schools, after which he entered the celebrated Hampton Institute where he remained for three years. He became
ALFRED JAIRUS NOTTINGHAM
76 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
active in the work of the church at an early age, having been converted when about fifteen.
Upon completion of the work at Hampton he taught in Nansemond County for one year, beginning in 1888. Later he taught in his native county of Northampton for several years. After reaching mature manhood, he felt called to the ministry and was licensed to preach in 1895. The fol- lowing year he joined the Conference under the late Bishop W. J. Gaines. Since that time he has devoted practically his whole time to the work of the ministry, having filled the following appointments: Norfolk County three years, Oceana two years, and St. James, Berkley, five years. At each of these places he built a parsonage. He served Rich- mond Station two years, Roanoke three years, Hampton five years, Franktown three years, and John Brown Memorial Station, at Norfolk, two years. He went to his present work in 1921. He is a prominent figure at the Annual Con- ferences and has for eight years served the Virginia Con- ference in official capacities as either Recording Secretary or Chief Secretary, and is now Treasurer of the Conference. In May, 1921, he was elected Pres. of the Norfolk Preachers' Conference.
When a younger man, he was more or less active in poli- tics, but now gives very little attention to such affairs.
Among the secret orders Rev. Nottingham belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows. He has attended the last three General Conferences of his denomination.
Dr. Nottingham is a fluent speaker, a careful pastor, and a capable executive. He knows how to organize his work and how to get results out of his congregations. He invari- ably comes up to Conference with a splendid report. He is affable and cordial and has the appearance of being consid- erably younger than his years. During the war he partici- pated effectively in all the campaigns and drives as they proceeded.
CLAUDE L. ALEXANDER
That happy interchange and transfer of preachers, through the itinerancy of the Methodist Church, has brought into Virginia some notable characters from the other States of the South. One of the bright lights of the A. M. E. Zion connection comes to the State from Alabama. He is the Rev. Claude Livingstone Alexander, D. D., now (1920) stationed at Petersburg.
Dr. Alexander was born at Tuskegee, Ala., Oct. 25, 1870. His parents were Lewis and Julia Ann Alexander. Grow- ing up in Macon County, young Alexander first attended the local grammar schools, after which he attended Tuske- gee Institute. In this day of high wages, it is not easy to realize how a farmer boy made his way in college in the eighties. For one thing, young Alexander chopped wood at fifty cents a cord and applied the proceeds to his ex- penses at Tuskegee. Fortunately, the robust physique developed during his early years on the farm stood well the strain of such hard work coupled with his work in the school. At Tuskegee he learned the tailor's trade and was able to make that of assistance in furthering his career. Altogether he spent five years at Tuskegee Institute, where he pursued the normal and theological courses. He studied two years at Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta. Livingstone College, at Salisbury, conferred on him the
D. D. degree, and he also did special theological work under the direction of the Boston Seminary.
On February 15, 1890, Dr. Alexander was married to Miss Mary C. Howard, of Alabama. They have had nine chil- dren, of whom the following are living: Benjamin, Pearl, Ruth, Bernice H., Gladys, Annie, and Erline E. Alexander. Edgar, a spelndid young man of good ability, died in the service in France. Two of his daughters are married: Mrs. Bernice H. Young, Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Eunice
E. Jackson, Pittsburgh, Pa.
The same year of his marriage, Dr. Alexander began preaching and joined the Conference in 1891 at Montgom-
78 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
ery, Ala., under Bishop T. H. Lomax. He was ordained Elder at Talladega in 1893. From the very beginning, he was successful as a minister. His first appointment was to a mission at Kinhaw, Ala., where he found only two members. Under his administration the work grew in a year to sixty-three members, land was bought, and a house of worship erected and paid for. His next appointment was to Tallassee, which he served three years, remodeling the church and doubling its membership. From Tallassee he went to Chehaw circuit for one year and remodeled three houses of worship during that time, and taught the public school at Chehaw. His next appointment was the Union Springs Station, which he served for three years. Here he also taught in the school for two years and erected a new parsonage. He then went to Opelika for three years, remodeled the church and made it larger to accommodate the audience that overran the former edifice, and doubled the memebership. At the end of his pastorate there he was transferred to North Carolina and appointed to the Wilson Station, which he served two years, built a parson- age, paid the church out of debt, added 135 members and purchased a new organ. His next success was at Goldsboro, where in three years he completed a splendid brick church and brought the congregation into the city, which had a large growth in membership.
At this time, conditions at Knoxville, Tenn., demanded the attention of a man of unusual ability, so Dr. Alexander was again transferred and took charge of that Station for a year, where a new brick church was erected and the membership greatly strengthened and general claims dou- bled. At Knoxville he was the first Negro pastor to raise $1,000.00 at a single offering. From Knoxville he went to Warner Temple, at Memphis, for four years, where a new church was purchased from the Presbyterians at corner of William and Porter Streets, and increased membership and general claims over three hundred per cent. From Memphis he went to Mississippi for another four years, paid the church debt, doubled the membership and bought
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an organ. After this, he was sent to Payne Chapel Sta- tion at Little Rock, Ark., where, during a pastorate of three years he completed the brick church building. This church became the place of every public gathering — where the Gov- ernor of the State, the Superintendent of Education and Commissioner of Labor were frequent visitors and made many addresses.
In 1916, Dr. Alexander was transferred to Petersburg, Va., where the church building has been remodeled at a cost of $8,000.00, the parsonage repaired at an expense of $600.00, and a pipe organ installed at a cost of $5,000.00. The membership has increased from 500 to 1280 and Con- ference claims have advanced from $285.00 to $1,400. Dr. Alexander was made Presiding Elder and was on the dis- trict for a year and a half, to carry out the unexpired term of the late J. N. Cooper, D. D., though he much preferred the pastorate.
Dr. Alexander is a prominent figure at all the conferences and has attended all the General Conferences since 1900. Among the secret orders he stands high in the Masons, Pythians, Elks, Woodmen, and Mosaic Templars of America, being State Grand Master of the latter organization.
In connection with his pastoral work he has held many positions of trust, was Treas. of the Dinwiddle Normal School for four years, and is now first vice-president of the Trustee Board.
He has given liberally to the leading charities and has provided his children with the means for securing liberal education.
SAMUEL ROSS WILSON
There is rapidly coming to the front a splendid group of young men at Norfolk, who in a few years must dominate the professional life of the Negroes in that prosperous city. Among these, as one who has already reached a distinctive place, must be mentioned Dr. Samuel Ross Wilson, who is
SAMUEL ROSS WILSON
VIRGINIA EDITION 81
a native of Keysville, in Charlotte County, where he was born September 28, 1877. His father, Robert M. Wilson, who is now living (1920), was a farmer and a carpenter. Young Wilson was brought up on the farm, and learned the trades of carpenter and cooper. His paternal grandpar- ents were John Wilson, who died at the age of eighty-three, and Ellen Wilson, who died at the age of seventy-four. Dr. Wilson's mother, before her marriage, was Miss Frances Dean, who is now living. Her parents were Isaac Dean, who reached eighty years, and Susan Dean, who lived to be seventy-two.
Young Wilson laid the foundation of his education in the public schools of his native county, from which he passed to the V. N. and C. I. at Petersburg for his normal course. Following this he did his college work at Fisk University, Nashville, and when ready for the medical course matricu- lated at Leonard Medical College of Shaw University, where he won his M. D. degree in 1907. Upon completion of the course, he passed the State Board and practiced in his home town of Keysville for a few months, after which he moved to Farmville and practiced there for three years. Seeking a larger field, he went to Danville and remained there for nine years. In 1917 he made still another move and located in Norfolk, where he has since resided and where he is stead- ily building up a good general practice. He is identified with the Tidewater, the Old Dominion, and the National Medical organizations and is Secretary of the Physicians' Club of Norfolk.
Among the secret orders he affiliates with tlie Masons, Pythians, Elks, True Reformers, Knights and Daughters of Tabor, and the Courts of Calanthe. He is medical examiner for some of these and also for the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company. While in school he played on the baseball and football teams.
On April 19, 1911, Dr. Wilson was married to Miss Jennie Scott, of Amelia County. She was educated at Ingleside Seminary and after her graduation there was employed as a
82 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
teacher in the same institution. They have four children: Pearl, Vivian, Samuel Ross, Jr., and Clarence Wilson.
Dr. Wilson enters heartily into the business, professional, and social life of the city. He believes that the great need of the race today is the right sort of education. He is not active in pohtics, but is a Republican. He devotes much talent to service in the Baptist denomination, being a mem- ber of the choir and a teacher in the Sunday School of his local church.
Dr. Wilson is one of the Assistant Surgeons at the Tide- water Hospital.
WILLIAM EDWARD BAILEY
Dr. William Edward Bailey, A. B., M. D., a rising young physician and surgeon of Norfolk, is well established in a growing general practice although just entering into his forties. He "made haste slowly" by taking in youth the necessary time for sound preparation before entering upon his important work.
Dr. Bailey comes from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, having been born in Accomac County, Oct. 8, 1880. His father, William Henry Bailey, was a farmer, and young Bailey grew up on the home farm and attended the local public schools. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Frances Weeks.
As a young fellow, and in order to help along with his college expenses, Dr. Bailey did hotel, railroad, and steam- boat work from time to time.
For his college work he went to that well known institu- tion at Washington, D. C, Howard University, where he won the A. B. degree in 1904. When ready for the medi- cal course he matriculated at Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, N. C, graduating in 1912 with the M. D. degree.
From early boyhood he had been ambitious and was prompted by a desire to be of service in the world and to make life count among his people, in which ideals he was helped and greatly inspired by an older sister.
WILLIAM EDWARD BAILEY
84 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Upon completion of the course at Leonard, he located at Norfolk in 1913 and began the practice of his profession. In 1919 and 1920 he did special work at the Freedmen's Hospital at Washington, D. C.
Dr. Bailey is a Republican in politics, but has taken no active part in pohtical affairs. He is a member of the Bap- tist denomination and belongs to the Masons. Of course he is fully identified with the professional organizations, the local Physicians' Club, the Tidewater, Old Dominion and Na- tional Medical Societies.
Dr. Bailey volunteered for service in the war and was commissioned First Lieutenant of the Medical Reserve Corps. He has taken considerable interest in out-door sports and is very fond of tennis, football, fishing and motoring.
The peculiarly intimate relations into which he is brought with his people as a physician have enabled Dr. Bailey to make observations of conditions, and he is of the opinion that the thing most neded by the race, as a whole, is that fundamentally informative sort of instruction which makes for sturdy health, straight thinking, and right living.
JOHN MANUEL GANDY
The story of Dr. John Manuel Gandy, President of Vir- ginia Normal and Industrial Institute at Petersburg, and President of the National Association of Teachers in Col- ored Schools, is a record of humble beginnings, steady per- severance, and a Hfe of large usefulness.
He is a native of Mississippi, having been born at Starks- ville, Oct. 31, 1870. His father, Horace Gandy, was a farmer, and our subject spent his boyhood days on the farm. His paternal grandparents were Ed Gandy, a slave- holder of Scotch-Irish extraction, and Mary Gandy, who was of unmixed African descent. Dr. Candy's mother, before her marriage v/as Miss Mary Ann Goodon, a daugh-
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VIRGINIA EDITION 85
ter of Julia Randall, through whom he inherits a strain of Indian blood.
Young Gandy attended the local schools and early aspired to a college education. Of this period he says, "My par- ents were poor and were not able to educate their children. I had an ambition to go to college. The people of the church to which I belonged contributed the money which enabled me to enter Jackson College. From that time on I earned, during the summer, all the money I spent except what was contributed by Northern friends." He attended Jackson College three years, from which he passed to Oberlin Acad- emy in Ohio, where he studied for two years. For his col- lege work he went to Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., where he was graduated with the A. B. degree in 1898. Three years later the degree of A. M. was conferred on him by the same institution, and in 1920 the honorary degree of Doctor of Pedagogy was given him by Morgan College. He has done post-graduate work at Columbia University. As early as 1889, he began teaching in the rural schools of Mississippi and has for more than thirty years been actively engaged in educational work. Immediately after his graduation from Fisk, he was elected to the chair of Latin and Greek at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, a State institution at Petersburg. Later the college course was abandoned by act of the Legislature, the name of the institution was changed to Virginia Nor- mal and Industrial Institute, with special emphasis on the Normal and Industrial departments. Professor Gandy was elected to the enlarged department of pedagogy, where for eleven years he devoted himself to teaching teachers, and came to be recognized as one of the most efficient educators of the race. Such in fact was his record, that in 1914 he was made President of the Institute, which has had its most splendid growth under his administration. Beginning with an old farm in the late eighties, there is now a modern plant of twelve permanent buildings on a campus of twenty- six acres, though the school has a total of ninety-three acres. The act creating the school provided an annuity of
86 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
twenty thousand dollars, which later dropped as low as fif- teen thousand. This year (1920) the school will spend more than a hundred thousand dollars.
Dr. Gandy has surrounded himself with a faculty of more than half a hundred, and the enrollment this year will reach perhaps fifteen hundred, including the summer ses- sion.
In revising the courses, provision has been made for high school and academic work, while the Normal Course has been raised to the rank of the Standard Normal Course for such a school. Attention is also given to Agriculture, Domestic Science, and Manual Training. In recent years, no other institution in Virginia has exerted a greater influ- ence over the educational life of the State.
On July 17, 1901, Dr. Gandy was married to Miss Carrie Brown of Franklin, Va. She was a daughter of Charlie and Mattie Brown, and was educated at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute. Of the four children bron to them, the following are living: Theodore I., Marion E., and John Manuel Gandy, Jr.
Dr. Gandy has for years been an active member of the Baptist Church. He is Executive Secretary of the Negro Organization Society ; a member of the Inter Racial Com- mittee; member of the State Committee of Y. M. C. A.; member Trustee Boards of Virginia Union University, Franklin Normal and Industrial Institute, St. Paul Normal and Industrial Institute; member of State Inter Racial Committee; member Staff of Collaborators Virginia War History Commission ; member Staff Virginia School Survey Commission; and President of the National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools.
During the war Dr. Gandy was especially active. He was the first special representative for the organization of the War Camp Community Service, and spent considerable time at different camps. It was a part of his duty to recom- mend colored workers, and he placed a large majority of the men and women engaged in that line of service.
VIRGINIA EDITION 87
Looking back over his career, Dr. Gandy is of the opinion that the greatest factors in shaping his life have been the lives of the devoted men and women who taught him, the influence of a World's Student Conference attended at Northfield in 1897, and the influence of his mother.
JULIEN DABNEY JACKSON
There is a remarkable group of young men engaged in the practice of medicine at Norfolk. As a rule they are men of a high type, intelligent, well equipped and energetic. Most of them are natives of the Old Dominion, though one finds an occasional North Carolinian among them. Among the native sons of Virginia must be included Dr. Julien Dab- ney Jackson, who was born in the capital city of Richmond, on April 22, 1890. He is a son of Baxter F. and Kate (Dabney) Jackson. His maternal grandfather, the late John M. Dabney, was one of the best known men of the State during the last generation and figured prominently in its affairs. Dr. Jackson's maternal grandmother was Elizabeth F. Dabney.
Growing up in Richmond, young Jackson availed himself of the opportunities afforded by the public schools, from which he passed to Virginia Union University, where he did his preparatory work. Later, he did special work in lan- guages and mathematics at Howard University, and took his medical course at the same institution, winning the M. D. degree in 1914.
The following year he began to practice in Richmond, his home town, where he remained for three years. In 1919 he moved to Norfolk, where he has built up a good general practice. While he now does a general practice in medicine and surgery, he expects to specialize later.
In politics. Dr. Jackson is a Republican and is a member of the Episcopal Church. During his school days, a part of his vacations were spent in the dining car service, which
JULIEN DABNEY JACKSON
VIRGINIA EDITION 89
gave him a splendid opportunity to travel over America, and, being a close observer, he profited by the experience.
He is a member of the Physicians' Club of Norfolk, and also belongs to the Tidewater, the Old Dominion, and the National Medical organizations.
Dr. Jackson's favorite game is tennis, and in reading, next after his professional works, he prefers psychology and the best American classics, including, of course, the leading magazines and papers.
His work, both as a student and as a doctor, has given him acquaintance with conditions at close range and he believes that the greatest single need of the race today is a more wide-psread and thorough education.
On Aug. 22, 1921, Dr. Jackson was married to Miss Janie Bell Daniel, daughter of Rev. William Daniel, of Savannah and Brunswick, Ga.
JOHN MAURICE ARMISTEAD
It is a great thing to have lived through that momentous period of our history which marked the decline and fall of human slavery and the inauguration in America of a new system of things. Men like Rev. John Maurice Armistead, D. D., of Portsmouth, illustrate in their own lives and careers what one generation of freedom has meant to the race. He was born at Lynchburg on March 1, 1852, and so was a slave boy nine years of age at the outbreak of the war and thirteen years old at the time of Lee's surrender. His father, Frank B. Armistead, while a Christian man, was not a minister. He was the son of Moses and Agnes Langley. Dr. Armistead's mother was Eliza Armistead, a daughter of Jack and Mollie Maxey,
Young Armistead grew up in Lynchburg and learned the shoe-maker's trade: • When about seventeen years of age his mind turned to religious matters and he joined the Court Street Baptist Church, Lynchburg. In the fall of 1869 he felt called to take up the work of the ministry and
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JOHN MAURICE ARMISTEAD
VIRGINIA EDITION 91
began to prepare himself for the important misison which lay before him. He entered Richmond Institute, now Vir- ginia Union University, and remained there for four years, then took his theological course at Roger Williams College, Nashville, Tenn., which he completed in 1879. In that same year he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by the General Association of East Tennessee and accepted a call from the First Baptist Church of Knoxville, which he served for five years. The congregation made splendid progress under his ministry. During his pastorate in Knoxville he founded and edited the Baptist Companion, as denominational organ of the State. On coming to Vir- ginia its name was changed to The Virginia Baptist, which he still edited. In 1882 he was called back to the mother State and took charge of the work at the Zion Baptist Church at Portsmouth, which he has served continuously for thirty-eight years. Soon after returning to Virginia he made for himself a prominent place in the work of the denomination and his church came to be one of the leading congregations in the State Association. A new house of worship was erected and a number of missions were estab- lished from time to time, some of which have grown into regular churches. His prominence in the ministry and his work as a man were recognized in the denomination and he was for seven years Moderator of the State Convention, and for six years Secretary of the Foreign Mission Conven- tion. His position as Chairman of the State Mission Board for twenty-one years gave him a full insight into the de- nominational work in the State, as well as a deep knowledge of the needs of the race throughout Virginia. He has not sought to reach the people by new devices, or questionable methods., but has preached to them a simple Gospel from the Word of God, and it has borne fruit in the lives of his people. He has given himself wholly to the work of the ministry and has not taken time for any political activities. Dr. Armistead, ever on the alert for the good of his people, called together a few of the prominent churchmen, who founded "The Carey Memorial Institute" in 1906, which is
92 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
doing a commendable educational work. Dr. Armistead baptized nine-tenths of the present membership of 2,400.
Among the secret orders he is affiliated with the Masons, Good Samaritans and Pythians. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him in 1906 by Virginia Union University.
While residing in Tennessee he was married, on Novem- ber 6, 1880, to Miss Emma J. Niles, of Knoxville. They have two children. Miss Mary E. and Mrs. Alma A. Cannon.
Dr. Armistead seeks to lead his people, not only in reli- gious matters, but in all enterprises looking to betterment of conditions about them. He took an active part in all the war drives and campaigns, and the prohibition move- ment.
Dr. Armistead believes that the fundamental need of the Negro race today is for spiritual enlightenment and proper development, which is another way of saying the right sort of education.
CLANTON CLAY SOMERVILLE
Rev. Clanton Clay Somerville, A. B., D. D., LL. B., pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Portsmouth, is one of the recognized leaders of the Virginia Baptist pulpit. Like so many of the notable Protestant ministers of the South, he is a native of North Carolina, having been born there, in Warren County, March 16, 1859. His father, Richard Somerville, was a son of Fred Somerville. The mother of our subject was, before her marrige, Mary Tripp.
He came to school age just about the time the war closed and had such advantages as were afforded by the newly established public schools of that day. There was, some years ago, a State Normal School conducted at Salisbury, and young Somerville attended that for his normal course. Later he matriculated at Shaw University from which he was graduated in 1886 with the A. B. degree. Since that time, Livingstone College has conferred on him the D. D. degree and McKinley University the LL. B. degree.
CLANTON CLAY SOMERVILLE
94 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Growing up on the Warren County farm, young Somer- ville developed those sturdy qualities which were later to raise him to a place of leadership in the race. One of those peculiar circumstances in the life of many a youth caused him to leave home at the age of 16, wearing two pairs of pants and with 35 cents in his pocket. This, with pluck and self determination constituted his capital, and out of which he has built his splendid holdings in realty and mental worth.
He was converted when about sixteen years of age, and joined the First Baptist Church of Warrenton, and after reaching his majority was licensed to preach by this same home church. At the annual session of the Rowan Baptist Association, in 1887, he was regularly ordained to the full work of the ministry, there being 54 churches in the coun- cil. He had long before this, however, left Warrenton, but began preaching while still in Warren County. He worked at Hillsboro for several years. He was an earnest and eager student and made for himself an enviable record while in school and college.
Dr. Somerville's first pastorate was the Emmaus Baptist Church at Statesville, N. C, which he served for three years. While on this work he also taught in the local pub- lic school, and the church house was repaired under his pastorate. From that time to the present his work has been sucessful and he has moved steadily upward, occupying some of the best pulpits in the South.
From Statesville he went to the First Baptist Church at Reidsville, which he pastored for five years, remodeling the church and at the same time serving as principal of the local graded school.
At the end of five years at Reidsville, he was chosen District Missionary for the Baptist State Convention and assigned to the work in the eastern part of the State. After three years of fruitful service in this capacity, he re- signed to accept the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Charlotte. Here Dr. Somerville built one of the finest and most commodious colored churches in the South, at an
VIRGINIA EDITION 95
expense of $35,000.00 then, though it could not be duplicated for twice that sum now. The successful housing of his congregation at Charlotte was, however, not the most im- portant part of his work. The growth in numbers and in spirituality there was a real contribution to the educational and religious life of the State, and a monument of his zeal. Dr. Somerville remained at Charlotte for six years, resigning in 1905 to accept the pastorate of the Ebenezer Baptist Church at Portsmouth, since which time he has found it necessary twice to remodel the church building and has had the pleasure of seeing large numbers added to the congregation. Its present membership is more than 1,600. The rank of his church in the denomination may be inferred from the fact that the 1920 Lott Carey Convention was entertained by his church. Something of the growth of the missionary spirit of the church may also be seen from the fact that he found it a bit difficult to raise a mis- sionary offering of $25.00 during his first year in Ports- mouth, while in the current year (1920) his people have contributed $500.00 to the missionary fund and raised $600.00 for the entertainment of the convention.
While in North Carolina Dr. Somerville was for seven years Moderator of the Rowan Baptist Association, and on retiring from the work to move to Virginia was by that body awarded a gold medal in recognition of his splendid services. Since coming to Portsmouth he has served as President of the Baptist Ministers' Conference one year and as President of the Ministers' League for two years.
In politics he is a Republican and was a delegate at large to the National Republican convention at Chicago in 1920. Among the secret orders he affiliates with the Masons, Pythians, Knights and Daughters of Tabor, and Love and Charity.
On March 15, 1886, which was the year of his graduation at Shaw University, Dr. Somerville was married to Miss Addie L. Brown, a daughter of Henry and Flora Brown, of Salisbury, N. C. Of the eight children born to them, the following are living: Galileo L., Mary L., Julia B., Lillian
96 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
B., Wendell C, Olympia, and Anetta F., the two latter of which are now students in Shaw University. In his travel he has practically covered the U. S. and has traveled exten- sively in Canada.
In addition to his parish work in Portsmouth, he has found time to deliver many orations at corner-stone laying and founding of churches. He has written eight pamph- lets and books on race and religious subjects. He operates a printing plant of his own in his own building with three jobbers and one newspaper press on which he prints his weekly paper, "Vigil." He gives employment to four of his own children, besides outside help. His printing business has forced him to install recently a Mergenthaler linotype machine.
JAMES LEE SAPP
If the contribution which the farms of North Carolina have made, through the lives of their boys, to the business and professional life of adjacent and even of distant States, could be summarized, it would be seen that many of the most capable and successful men of both races have laid the foundation of their careers in the Old North State.
Dr. James Lee Sapp, of Norfolk, is a native of the old town of Jamestown, N. C, where he was born in 1883. His father, Thomas F. Sapp, was a farmer, and a school teacher, so that the boy had a rather early start in his edu- cation. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Harriett Smith. His paternal grandparents were Fred and Leah Hunt.
Growing up on the farm, young Sapp attended the James- town public graded school and later went to Bennett Col- lege, Greensboro, for his literary course, from which he was graduated with the A. B. degree in 1907. The boy found it necessary to make his own way at Bennett and later through his medical studies. He did not permit this to discourage him, however, and passed from Bennett College
VIRGINIA EDITION 97
to Meharry Medical College, where he won the M. D. de- gree in 1911. He looks back upon the years spent at Ben- nett College as having been the most potent in shaping his life.
On completing his course in 1911, he located at Lexington, N. C, where he practiced for one year, moving thence to Emporia, Va., where he remained for eight years. In 1920 he made another move, and located at Suffolk, and later still went to Norfolk. He is a member of the Old Dominion Medical Society and of the National Medical Association.
Among the secret orders, he is identified with the Odd Fellows, Masons, Pythians, Gideons, and the Household of Ruth. He holds various official positions in these organiza- tions for several of which he is medical examiner. He is also the local medical examiner for the Metropolitan, the American Beneficial, the North Carolina Mutual and the Southern Aid Insurance Companies.
As Dr. Sapp has studied conditions in the South he has noted a lack of unity among his people and believes that the development of a spirit of co-operation is one of the things most needed today by the race.
At this writing (1920) Dr. Sapp is not married.
THOMAS WILLIAM NEWBIE
There is at Norfolk and Portsmouth a remarkable group of young men who are doing splendid pioneer work along financial and industrial lines. One of these is Mr. Thomas William Newbie, of Portsmouth. He was born and reared at Portsmouth and so has worked out his success in his home city. His father, Robert Newbie, who is still living (1920), is a son of Azariah Newbie. The mother of our subject was Mrs. Martha Newbie.
Mr. Newbie has been married twice. His first marriage was to Miss Mary Williams, of Portsmouth, at the age of nineteen. One child, Rosa Newbie, was born to this union. Mrs. Newbie passed to her reward in 1907. On Oct. 4, 1915,
98 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Mr. Newbie was married to Miss Pearl Watford, of the old town of Winton, N. C.
Growing up at Portsmouth, young Newbie went to the local graded school and later to the high school. He made a creditable record at school but as he did not plan to enter professional life, he did not go to college. After leaving high school, he worked ten years in the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Having passed the Civil Service examination, he entered the postal service and was for twelve years attached to the local post office as a letter carrier. Realizing the limitations of the postal service, and observing conditions about him, he launched a real estate business, out of which grew T, W. Newbie & Co., now doing an extensive business in real estate, rents, insurance, stocks, and bonds. His suc- cess as a business man brought him into contact and co-op- eration with several other enterprising young men of Nor- folk and Portsmouth, and they have worked together in the formation of a number of successful enterprises. He was one of the promoters and founders of the Mutual Savings Bank of Portsmouth, having been Secretary of the Board of Directors since its organization. He was also one of the promoters of the Tidewater Bank and Trust Co., of Norfolk, and still more recently organized the Standard Building and Loan Association, of which he is Secretary and Manager.
Mr. Newbie is a man of splendid executive ability and remarkable capacity for organization. He is direct and posi- tive without being blunt or assertive. In other words, he is a business man's man. The secret of his success lies in the fact that he puts the best there is in him on the task in hand, but does it with a forward look so as to be ready for opportunity when it comes.
Mr. Newbie is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Masons and Pythians. He is an active and useful member of the A. M. E. church, of which he is a trustee and Asst. Supt. of the Sunday School. He is also identified with the N. A. A. C. P.
Mr. Newbie has studied not only financial conditions but is also familiar with the economic, political, and social
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problems of the race. He believes that a thorough under- standing between the races and the right sort of education would contribute much to the betterment of conditions.
EDWARD HUGHES HUNTER
One does not find it easy to tell the story of so brilliant and versatile a man as Rev. Edward Hughes Hunter, A. B., A. M., LL. B., LL. M., D. D., without indulging in superla- tives.
Beginning life in poverty and obscurity he has won for himself distinction in more than one line of work. This has not been due to any fortuitous circumstances, but has been accomplished by sheer force of character and ability and by the character of the service rendered.
Dr. Hunter is a native of the Old North State, having been born at Raleigh, N. C, Nov. 13, 1865. His mother, Harriet Hunter, was a daughter of Osborne and Mary Hun- ter, all three having been slaves before Emancipation. Young Hunter's mother was ambitious for him and when he came of school age gave him such advantages as were available in Raleigh at that time. He attended the Mis- sion and public schools of his home town and was fortunate enough to come under the tuition of Miss Louise S. Dorr, a most capable teacher from the North. By the time he was fifteen he had passed the teacher's examination and was actually teaching at sixteen. About this time he was converted and soon after felt called to preach. Other things beckoned, however, and the call to preach was pushed aside from year to year, though he could never quite get away from it. From Raleigh he went to Lincoln University where he was able to enter the Sophomore class, and where he won his A. B. degree at nineteen. Later the same institution conferred on him the A. M. degree. Re- turning to Raleigh, he taught in the graded school and was later promoted to the principalship, and taught in the Raleigh schools for five years. Having passed the Civil
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100 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Service examination, he accepted a government appoint- ment and was assigned to the War Department, where he remained for four years. It was while thus employed that he pursued the law course at Howard University and won the LL. B. degree in 1893. In 1896 he received the LL. M. degree. In the war department he had attained high rank in the classified civil service. After completing his law course at Howard, he was promoted to the Land Office, where he was Law Examiner of Land Claims, He remained in the Land Office for fifteen years.
While in Washington he was active in the work of the church and in 1901 was licensed to preach, doing city mis- sion work and holding small country pastorates. He was also Supt. of the Young People's work, in the Baltimore Annual Conference for several years. In 1909 he resigned his Govt, position at Washington and joined the Virginia A. M. E, Conference. His first pastorate in this Conference was the Bethel Station (Third Street) at Richmond. Here he preached for two years. His wide reading, his splendid training, and his executive ability were all brought to bear on his work. As a pastor he was successful from the begin- ning. From Richmond he was sent to St. John's, Norfolk, which he served for five years, and which under his minis- try came to be one of the most attractive stations of the connection. The church was repaired and an embarrassing old debt was cleared up, while the congregation was greatly strengthened in spirit and in numbers. He served the Emanuel Station, Portsmouth, five years, where the work has greatly prospered under his administration, and was from there promoted to the Portsmouth district. Since joining the Conference he has been a prominent and influ- ential figure in denominational gatherings. He has been a member of the last three General Conferences of the con- nection and is Secretary of the General Missionary Board. Also a member of the Commission on Incorporation for the General Church. At the 1920 General Conference he was put forward by the Virginia delegation for the bishopric and received a flattering vote.
EDWARD HUGHES HUNTER
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VIRGINIA EDITION 101
Among the secret orders and benevolent societies, Dr. Hunter belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Crispus Attucks Benevolent Society of Washington.
On June 18, 1903, Dr. Hunter was married to Miss Jen- nie M. Spears, a daughter of John and Mary Spears. An earlier union with Miss Mary L. Russell, a daughter of Brinkley and Hettie Russell, was blessed with two children, Evangeline and Russell Hunter. The first wife died in 1901. The second was a prominent and successful school principal in Washington, D. C, and has been a wonderful help in the development of Dr. Hunter's public life.
Dr. Hunter's training and experience prior to entering the ministry has made him more than a religious leader. Because of this he has the sympathy and respect of the pew and his advice is frequently sought in legal, educational, and business problems.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN GRASTY
Just before the outbreak of the war which was to bring freedom to the race, there was born in Danville, on Nov. 10, 1860, a boy who was destined to make a large place for himself in the religious and educational life of his people. There is no more interesting study in American annals than the stories of men like Dr. Grasty, whose lives so nearly coincide with the period of freedom for the race. Their lives show more clearly than anything else just what one generation of freedom has meant.
Mr. Grasty's parents were John F. Grasty, a farmer, and Jane (Giles) Grasty. On the paternal side the grandfather was a white man of ability and distinction ; on the maternal side the grandfather was Paul Townes, a slave of recognized integrity, selected by his master as headsman in place of the usual overseer.
From boyhood young Grasty's mind was inclined to the ministry. In fact he hardly remembers the time when he did not feel that his work in life would be that of preaching
102 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
the Gospel. He came to school age soon after the close of the war and entered the local public graded and normal schools. This was followed by a course at Hampton Insti- tute from which he was graduated in 1879. He pursued his advanced college studies and theological work under private tutors'hip. Let no one imagine, however, that be- cause the story of his education is told in a few lines that the way was easy. In the first place, the home environment was unfavorable, and his father at least was openly antag- onistic. As a result, it was necessary for the boy to make his own way by hard work and many sacrifices. But just here the boy and the youth developed those traits which have made of him in mature life the leader true and tried. A thing may be hard without being impossible. In fact, the years have taught him that the most important things are sometimes the hardest.
When about eighteen years of age he was happily con- verted and identified himself with the Baptist Church. This new relationship reinforced by the study of the Bible has given tone and direction to his whole life. When able to secure a teacher's license he began teaching in Chester- field County, where he taught for two years. After that he was called back to the schools of his home town and for thirty-eight years has been identified either as teacher or principal with the Danville schools. In this time he has had the satisfaction of seeing many of his boys and girls grow up and pass into places of usefulness in Virginia and adjacent States. His work as an educator soon came to be rescognized and he has been selected as instructor in State Summer Normals repeatedly. For the last five years he has been State Director of Summer Normals. For ten years he was President of the Virginia Teachers' Asso. He is a trustee of the Pittsylvania Collegiate Institute at Chatham and Pres. of the Booker T. Washington Institute at Rocky Mount.
The above merely summarizes his work as an educator. Yet he is equally as well known as a preacher. In 1906 he accepted the call of the First Baptist Church of Danville
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which has greatly prospered under his ministry. His popu- larity in the denomination may be measured by the fact that for twenty years he has been Recording Secretary of the State S. S. Convention and is Corresponding Secretary of the Baptist Association. He is not only a pulpiteer but also a pastor who knows how to organize and push his work.
In politics he is a Republican. Among the secret orders he is a Mason, and has risen rapidly from the local lodge to the head of the order, having been made Grand Master of the Virginia Grand Lodge in 1919. He is also a man of recognized business ability and is a director of the local savings bank.
His reading is that of a thinker and a scholar and in- cludes the best English and American classics. During the war he took a leading and active part in all the drives and campaigns. It fell to his lot to stand as a sort of inter- preter between the races at this most critical time. This delicate but important work was done in a way worthy of the man and the occasion.
Dr. Grasty has been married twice. In 1883 he was married to Miss Alice E. Tucker, a daughter of John and Cena Tucker. Two children were born to this marriage: Clarence H., and Dr. Ernest R. Grasty. In 1898 Dr. Grasty was marired to Miss Mary Tucker, a daughter of John C. and Rosa Tucker of Richmond. Mrs. Grasty was educated at Hampton Institute and at Hartshorn College and is her- self an accomplished teacher. Two children were also born to this marriage. They are Harriet Annetta and May Alice Grasty.
Dr. Grasty being a close observer and an intelligent man, his views as to how the best interests of the race are to be promoted are of interest. He says, "By the cultivation of a more friendly relationship with the whites; the acqui- sition of property ; the securing and wise use of the ballot ; intensifying the work of education, both secular and Chris- tian, and a stricter adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ".
OSWALD B. H. BOWSER
All the professions have felt the rising tide of intelligence. We are not far removed, in years, from the time when a Negro physicaian was something of a curiosity. Now the Negro youth progresses, without exciting comment, from the preparatory school or college to the medical college, takes his State Board, and settles down to build up a practice in his home town or in some other inviting field. One of these young professional men who has gone about his work with quiet dignity and has succeeded among the friends of his boyhood days is Dr. Oswald Barrington Hern- don Bowser of Richmond,
Dr. Bowser was born at Richmond on Aug. 10, 1880. His father, James H. Bowser, who was for a long time in the postal service, was a son of James and Maria Bowser, Dr. Bowser's mother was, before her marriage. Miss Rosa Dixon. She was a daughter of Henry and Augusta Dixon. Young Bowser grew up in Richmond and attended the local public sichools and the Richmond High and Normal School, from which he passed to Howard University for his medical work. He won his M. D. degree at Howard in 1901. He took an active interest in athletics while in college.
Dr. Bowser began the practice of his profession in Rich- mond in the fall of 1901. Not only by hk, reading but by special post-graduate work on whatever subject he might be most interested in at the time, he has kept up with the progress of his profession. He impresses one as a man who uses his profession without permitting it to enslave or over- work him. He is a man of culture and broad sympathies. He belongs to the Baptist Church and holds membership in the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He is examiner for the latter, also examiner for the Mutual Benefit Asso. of Post Office Dept. Branch No. 496, and for the Southern Mu- tual Aid Society. He is identified with the Richmond and the Old Dominion Medical Associations, and Ex-President Richmond Med. Society and member of National Medical Assn. Member of Staff and Visiting Physician to Rich-
OSWALD BARRINGTON HERNDON BOWSER
106 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
mond Hospital. He volunteered in the M. R. C. during the late war and was commissioned First Lieutenant under com- petitive examination.
Dr. Bowser has been twice married; first, to Miss Lena Logan Jasper, a popular teacher in the public schools. She survived only a short time, leaving him one child — a son — James Oswald Bowser. Later, he married Miss Alice Estelle Smith, a popular and accomplished public school teacher and elocutionist, with whom he seems happily do- mesticated.
While naturaly the Doctor's professional reading claims much of his time, he still finds time for current literature and loves to dip into the collateral sciences. He is inter- ested in all the larger movements of the race and believes that particular attention should be given to education and training in citizenship. He is a member of the N. A A C. P.
JOHN THOMAS TAYLOR
Modern insurance has brought to the front in American business life a type of man whose qualities have contributed much to the growth of American business institutions, commercial and industrial, as well as the insurance busi- ness itself. There are few lines of activity which call for more versatile and agressive qualities in a man than does insurance. The financial end of it, which is little else than a phase of banking, must be handled with the care and precision of the banking business. The investment end calls for the foresight and business judgment of a real estate man, while the field end of the work, or that which touches the customers personally, requires a man of ability, energy, and address.
Among the competent and successful insurance men of Richmond must be mentioned John Thomas Taylor, Secre- tary and General Manager of the Richmond Beneficial In-
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VIRGINIA EDITION 107
surance Company, whose work is at once a credit to himself and a monument to the growing prosperity of the race.
He was born in Nottaway County November, 1866. His parents were Charles Wesley and Mary Ann Taylor. While the boy was still in his childhood, the family moved to Richmond and here he attended the public schools. When ready for college, he entered Richmond Institute, now Virginia Union University, where he pursued the normal course. When confronted with the question of struggling through life without an education, or digging it out for him- self, he bravely chose the latter course, notwithstanding the difficulties in the way. He went to work in a tobacco fac- tory and was in this way enabled to maintain himself at college.
From early boyhood he was prompted by a desire to be something in the world, and to accomplish something worth while. His work, both as an educator and as a business organizer, has fulfilled this early desire. He began teach- ing school in 1884 and taught for ten years in the rural schools of King William County, residing at Richmond all the while.
In 1894 he began the organization of the Richmond Bene- ficial Insurance Company, which, under his direction as Secretary and General Manager, has grown into a prosper- ous institution. Twenty men were brought together who were willing to put ten dollars each into the venture, mak- ing a total capital of $200.00. From this small beginning has grown an institution with assets of more than $125,000.00, with agencies scattered all over Virginia and in the District of Columbia. With the growth of the busi- ness, there came the need of larger office facilities and the growing resources of the concern made possible a modern office building in Richmond, a considerable part of which is used for the home office, while the rest of the building is rented to colored tenants. The fact that Prof. Taylor and his associates have been able, in the face of other com- panies, and keen competition, to build up so prosperous a
108 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
business is a compliment to their energy and capacity and to the soundness of their company.
On July 7, 1892, while still in the work of teaching, Prof. Taylor was married to Miss Lavinia Cox, of Goochland County. Mrs. Taylor was, before her marriage, an accom- plished teacher. They have three children: John T., Jr., Ethel L., and Olivia C. Taylor.
In politics Prof. Taylor is a Republican. He has not per- mitted his pressing business affairs to absorb all of his interest, but gives constant attention to his church work as well. He is a member of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond, and is chairman of the Board of Deacons. For- merly he was Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Among the secret orders he is identified with the Pyth- ians and is chairman of the business committee of the Grand Lodge. He is also identified with the Order of St. Luke. He took an active and prominent interest in all the various war drives and campaigns and is the ardent friend and supporter of education among his people. In fact, he believes that the progress of his race depends upon the right sort of education and training.
He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Second Street Savings Bank of Richmond, and his busi- ness experience and ability pointed to him as the logical man for president of that institution, to which position he was elected bv the board of directors.
JAMES WILLIAM THOMPSON
It is a well known fact that many of the most substantial men of the race today began life in the most humble man- ner. Of course ,those who were born before Emancipation had to struggle up from poverty and obscurity. Among these, James William Thompson, of Richmond, has won for himself a measure of success of which he may justly be proud.
He was born in Amelia County on April 14, 1858, so he was a boy of seven when the war closed and remembers
JAMES WILLIAM THOMPSON
110 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
vaguely some of the closing scenes of that terrible struggle which was to bring freedom to him and to his race. His parents were Essex and Nellie Thompson, both slaves. They remained on the farm after the war and young Thomp- son grew up on the farm.
He went to the local rural schools, but being in the tobacco belt frequently was kept out of school to work on the tobacco farms.
When about eighteen years of age he broke away from the farm and moved to Richmond. He served as porter for a while, after which he worked at Johnson's Iron Works for two years. He then got into hotel work which he fol- lowed for twenty-eight years in the leading hotels of the country. The traveling public in Richmond during the eighties and nineties knew him well. It is as a secret order and benevolent society man, however, that he is best known. Years ago he went into the fraternal work and was a pioneer in the insurance department of the order popularly known as the Independent Order of Good Samaritans. He has been Grand Secretary of the Order for eighteen years, though he has been serving in one capacity or another for twenty-five years. Under his administration more than two hundred thousand dollars have been paid in death benefits, while the total number now insured amounts to approximately ten thousand five hundred, and all this business is handled through Mr. Thompson's office.
On Feb. 19, 1880, he was happily married to Miss Harriett E. Dabney, of Ashland, Va. Of the two children born to them one is living, Bertha E. Thompson.
In politics Mr. Thompson is a member of the Republican party. He is an active member of the Baptist Church, in which he is a trustee. In addition to his connection with the Good Samaritans, he is also prominent in a number of other orders. He is a Pythian and treasurer of his local lodge. He is a member of the Court of Calanthe, in which he is Worthy Counsellor. He belongs to the St. Lukes, in which he is Treasurer.
VIRGINIA EDITION 111
He holds membership in the True Reformers and the Shepherds. In his Masonic lodge he is Treasurer. He is also identified with the South Side Beneficial Club. He has prospered in a business way and is a stockholder in the local banks. His principel investments are in Richmond.
Though denied the opportunities, which come with college education, on account of the conditions which prevailed in the days of his boyhood, he has succeeded nevertheless. And what is more, he is the friend and supporter of educa- tion for the race because he believes in that lies the way to progress for the race.
RANDOLPH VINCENT PEYTON
A new book entitled "Acts of the Apostles," might be written each generation, for God still deals with His saints, and Divine leadership is as real in the twentieth century as it was in the first. The progress of the on-coming kingdom has been marked by changes in the lives of individuals and of nations no less marvelous than those which followed Pentecost. We no longer wonder at them because we no longer call them miraculous. But that God does reveal Himself to His chosen ministers and guide these who give him a chance, is illustrated by the life and work of Rev. Randolph Vincent Peyton, D. D., pastor of the Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church, of Richmond, which has reached, under his administration, its greatest membership as well as its greatest efficiency in service.
Dr. Peyton was born in Caroline County on Aug. 15, 1863, so it will be seen that he was a boy two years of age at the close of the war. His father, Ananias Peyton, was an "old time" preacher among his people. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Mary Peyton. Dr. Peyton's grandparents were Philip and Dorcas Whitfield. The boy grew up about the quarters much as other boys of his time, but was subject to religious impress'ons at a very early age. Even as a small boy he had a vision which was as real and
RANDOLPH VINCENT PEYTON
VIRGINIA EDITION 113
as full of meaning to him as were the visions of Ezekiel to that prophet. Soon after the war he lost his father and had to go to work. The family moved to Alexandria and later to Washington. Young Peyton did all sorts of manual labor. Before leaving Alexandria he went to school for a short time. His mother was ambitious for him and like another mother of whom we read '*kep* in her heart" many things about her boy. To this day he reveres her memory. At nineteen young Peyton was converted and joined the Hillsdale (D. C.) Baptist Church. Immediately he felt called to preach the Gospel, but hung back and hesitated. His brethren sensed what was going on in the mind and heart of the young man, and in the absence of the pastor arranged a week night service for him. He harnessed up and drove sixty miles into Maryland, only to find that he could not get away from God. Patiently he retraced his steps and filled the appointment. He had been none too pious and when it was noised abroad that he was to preach the house was filled to overflowing. A brother introduced him and he rose to speak, but speech there was none. He seemed bound and fettered till, gradually, beginning at the crown of his head, a sensation as of something unwinding spread over him and he realized he was free. He opened his mouth and spoke to the waiting congregation (text Matt. 18:11), which was wonderfully moved. From that day to this he has never had any fear or hesitancy in the presence of an audience, and the ministry thus begun has continued with uninterrupted success to the present time (1920). That was just the beginning. Now again came the realiza- tion of the need for better preparation, so he continued studying at Washington.
On July 17, 1878, he had married Miss Mary White, of Caroline County, but he did not permit this to interfere with his plans for an education. He took a course in theology at Howard University and was ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry in 1887.
In 1889 he organized the Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, which he served for five years. He pastored the Mt. Horeb
114 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Baptist Church, of Washington, for sixteen years, and re- built the house of worship. The membership grew from 37 to 460. In 1902 he accepted a call to the pulpit of the Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church, to succeed the late lamented John Jasper. At the end of ten successful years he resigned and went to Mt. Jezreel for a year and a half. Sixth Mt. Zion, however, steadily refused to give him up and positively re- fused to call another pastor, so he was prevailed on to re- turn and has done a really great work in that part of the city. The membership has been built up to 2,280, and elab- orate plans for rebuilding are now (1920) under way. Dr. Peyton has been successful as an evangelist.
He is identified with a number of secret and benevolent orders, including the Masons, Pythians, Good Samaritans, St. Lukes, St. John Watchman and other local societies. He is a member of the Foreign Mission Board of the Virginia General Association.
His favorite reading next after the Bible consists of history and biography.
He looks to Christian education as the best means of pro- moting the progress of the race.
PHINN ROY FLACK
Rev. Phinn Roy Flack, A. B., B. D., now (1921) sta- tioned at Oak Street A. M. E. Zion Church, Petersburg, one of the most important stations in the Old Dominion, comes from the mountains of North Carolina He was born at Alexander, in Buncombe Co., N. C, on Dec. 22, 1889. Though just now turning into his thirties. Dr. Flack has already made for himself a place in the denominational life of his people. His father, Berry Rolins Flack, was a lumiber inspector and farmer. The maiden name of his mother was Mary Coleman.
Young Flack laid the foundation of 'his education in the local public schools, after which he went to Greenville Col- lege, Greenville, Tenn. He passed from there to Living-
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116 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
stone College at Salisbury, N, C, where he finished his clas- sical course with the A. B. degree in 1914. Three years later he completed the theological course at the same insti- tution with the B. D. degree.
This preparation for the serious work of life was not made without a struggle and many sacrifice's. He was crowded for time and money. The difficulties in the way, however, stirred him to greater effort instead of discour- aging him. Dr. Flack experienced the new birth when about eighteen years of age. He soon felt divinely led to give his life to the work of the gospel ministry and in 1910 joined the conference at Asheville under Bishop C. R, Harris.
His first appointment was the Cedar Hill Circuit, which he pastored two years. After that he served Greenville Chapel, Charlotte, one year and remodeled the house of worship; Matthews Chapel, Matthews, N. C, one year, and built a new church, and Pleasant Ridge, Gastonia, N. C, three years and built a new church. At the end of that time, he was transferred to Richmond, Va., where, under his ministry, a splendid brick church formerly used by a white congregation was purchased at a cost of $35,000. This is at the corner of Clay and Adams streets and was renamed Hood's Temple, in honor of the late Bishop Hood. Both church and parsonage are well equipped and consti- tute one of the best plants in the connection. Dr. Flack went from this important field to the Oak Street Church at Petersburg, where the work is prospering. Dr. Flack tries to attend all the general connectional meetings and for a man of his age has traveled considerably. His read- ing has been along the line of his work. Such have been the demands on his time and energies, till now, that he has not given much attention to the secret orders and benevolent societies.
On August 18, 1914, he took a most important step when he was married to Miss Hattie L. P. Neal at Charlotte, N. C. She was educated at Scotia Seminary, Concord, N. C. Mrs. Flack has been of great help to him, being of musical
VIRGINIA EDITION 117
turn, she has managed his church music and all other festi- vals. She is truly a helpmeet. They have two children, both girls, Mary Permilla Rollins Flack and Phinn Roy Fredericka Fiack.
Dr. Flack has made a careful study of conditions among the people in both city and country and is of the opinion that the thing most needed today is a spirit of racial co- operation.
AUGUSTUS N. LUSHINGTON
Dr. Augustus Nathaniel Lushington, V. M. D., of Lynch- burg, is a very successful veterinary surgeon. Dr. Lush- ington is not successful because of any particular fortui- tious circumstances, but because he possessed those quali- ties of mind and heart which would have brought success in other lines of work.
He is a native of Trinidad, British West Indies, where he was born Aug. 1, 1869. His father, William Lushing- ton, was stockman, butcher and truck gardener. William Lushington's father was a ntive African from the Congo and there is a family tradition that he was closely related to a native prince. Dr. Lushington's mother, before her marriage, was Miss Mollie Dickerson.
When young Lushington came of school age he entered the government schools and pursued his studies through what we would call the grades and the high school, after which he took the teacher training course. After com- pleting this course, he began teaching in the government schools and was soon promoted to a principalship. After teaching for five years, he resigned and went to Venezuela, where he spent three years. The first year out, he was with a British company operating at La Guayra and was engaged in railroad work in the capacity of chief locomo- tive clerk, general timekeeper and paymaster the balance of the time.
In 1889 he came to the States, where he has since re- sided. He landed at New York, and having some connsc-
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VIRGINIA EDITION 119
tions at Binghamton, went there for a short while. On Jan. 2, 1890, he was married to Miss EHzabeth Hubert, also a native of the British West Indies. They have three chil- dren, Drucilla A., Christina A., and Bernetta T. Lushington.
After his marriage, he spent two years at Cornell Uni- versity studying agriculture and general sciences in con- nection with the medical preparatory course. In the fall of 1894, he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania for a course in Veterinary Surgery which he completed in three years with the V. M. D. degree. After his gradua- tion he located at Philadelphia, where he practiced for two years, when he was appointed instructor in Veterinary and Sanitary Science and Hygiene at the Bell Mead Industrial and Agricultural College at Rock Castle, Va. Later he re- signed this work in order to return to the general practice of his profession. He took time to look the State over and, in 1900, located in Lynchburg, where he has become firmly established. As the character of the man and his work became better known there came to him an increas- ing practice from the best people. He sought to give them high-class, scientific service which is appreciated. Dr. Lushington's reading runs largely to scientific publications and the current magazines and papers.
Among the secret orders, he is identified with the Ma- sons and the St. Lukes. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, in which he is a trustee. He also enjoys the dis- tinction of being a member of the local Chamber of Com- merce.
Dr. Lushington is a careful observer and has had oppor- tunity to study conditions since coming to the States. He believes that the first essential to progress is a better understanding between the best elements of the two races. This, he believes, would lead to closer and more harmo- nious relationships ; mutual confidence would grow, and both races would gain as all advanced toward better citi- zenship. These views are all the more interesting because they come from a man who is intelligent and not afraid to face the facts.
120 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
As Dr. Lushington retains his British citizenship, he takes no active part in American politics. He has been a frequent contributor to the press, and for many years has been serving the Federal Government in the capacity of a Statistical Reporter to the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Federal Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C. He is a substantial taxpayer.
PETER JAMES HENRY
Prof. Peter James Henry, A. B., LL.B., who is a lawyer and also an educator of distinction, is a native of Mary- land, having been born in Worcester County, Md., April 3, 1871. His father, Samuel Henry, and his grandfather, after whom he was named, were farmers. Prof. Henry's mother was, before her marriage. Miss Amy Jarman.
Young Henry grew up on his father's farm and attended the local public schools. He was vigorous and energetic and was accustomed to do all sorts of farm work.
He did his preparatory and academic work at Wayland Seminary in Washington, which he attended for five years. He had to support himself and defray his own expenses at college. During the summer he would serve as butler or coachman and return to school in the fall. He passed from Wayland to Virginia Union University for his college course and won his A. B. degree in 1904. While here, he found work about the school property to help out on ex- penses.
Having decided to study law, he matriculated at Howard University and won his LL. B. degree from that institu- tion in 1907. Three years later, he was admitted to the bar but his practice has been chiefly advisory, as his school work has occupied so much of his time that there has been little left for the courts.
On completion of his course at Howard in 1907 he was called back to his alma mater in Richmond and has since been on the faculty of that institution. He is a versatile
PETER JAMES HENRY
122 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
man and has taught various branches but has given special attention to the languages and civil government. Looking back over the years when he was struggling for an educa- tion, he gives to his brother, Rev. E. J. Henry, the credit for a large share in his success.
Prof. Henry belongs to the Knights of Pythias and some local benevolent orders. During the World War he was a member of the Legal Advisory Board, of Richmond, Va. He has been a Notary Public since 1910.
Prof. Henry has been married twice. His first marriage was to Miss Myrtle Holmes, on Oct. 7, 1905. She passed away on Oct. 10, 1910. On Dec. 26, 1916, he was married to Miss Marion W. Steward of Richmond, who is herself an accomplished teacher.
Prof. Henrj is of the opinion that real progress depends largely on character and intelligence.
JOHN MITCHELL, JR.
It is not easy to tell the story of John Mitchell, Jr., of Richmond, without dealing in superlatives ; and yet there is something about the quiet dignity and courtesy of the man which makes one feel that superlatives would be dis- tasteful to him.
He was born in Henrico County on July 11, 1863, which at that time was about the most dangerous place in the world in which a boy could be born His father , John Mitchell, was a son of Emily Mason, his mother's name was Rebecca Mitchell.
He grew up in Richmond and has been identified with that city all his life. From boyhood he has been a hard worker. What is more important, his work has been of a constructive character. He was educated at the Richmond High and Normal School, from which he was graduated. He taught school one year at Fredericksburg and one year at Richmond.
JOHN MITCHELL, JR.
124 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
It is, perhaps, as editor and publisher of the Planet that Mr. Mitchell is most widely known. He founded the Planet in 1883, beginning with a total capital of only $50.00. He is the editor and sole owner of the paper, which he has made a publication of great influence in the race. As an editor he is fearless but conservative. He seeks to be a true and helpful leader of his people. The mere noise of agitation does not appeal to him, he seeks progress. He believes in movement and action — provided it is forward. Has he succeeded? The unpromising beginning has grown into a great general newspaper and the insignificant capital has grown to an investment including real estate, plant and equipment which could not be duplicated for twenty-live thousand dollars: His plant is equipped with modern lino- type machines, power presses, folder, etc. In addition to printing the Planet, the establishment turns out a large volume of commercial work.
The story of Mr. Mitchell's experience as a banker is as interesting and has been as successful as has his career as a journalist and publisher. In 1909, he and his associ- ates organized the Mechanics Bank with capital of $16,- 000.00. It would be tedious to trace the growth of the institution year by year. Sufficient to say that now (1920) the bank has assets amounting to $672,000.00. Mr. Mitchell has been president since its organization. For sixteen years he has been a member of the American Bankers' Associa- tion and enjoys the distinction of having been the only colored man given the chairmanship of a committee of that association. It is also interesting to note that we was taken into the association by a prominent white banker of Rich- mond who knew him, and was familiar with his history and methods of business. He is a regular attendant of the meetings of the association.
No story of Mr. Mitchell would be complete without some mention of his work in connection with the secret orders and benevolent societies. For twenty-five years he has been Grand Chancellor of the Virginia Knights of Pythias. The order has had good growth under his administration. He
VIRGINIA EDITION 125
also holds membership in the Odd Fellows and Masons and is Grand Worthy Counsel of the Grand Court of Calant'he. In politics he is a Republican and has been active in the councils of his party. He was in the Common Council of Richmond for two years and served on the City Board of Alderman for eight years from his ward. He has been a delegate to two National Republican Conventions.
Mr. Mitchell has traveled over the United States and Canada. He is a member of the Baptist Church and his favorite reading is history.
^ It would weary the reader to tell of all his business activi- ties. He seems to have a genius for going to the head of things with which he is identified. He is President of the Bonded Realty Company, President of the Woodland Ceme- tery Corporation and President of the Repton Land Com- pany.
Well informed, a clear thinker and a ready speaker, he has been much in demand for speeches and addresses on public occasions.
Such is the outline of a career which is a real asset to the race and which demonstrates the power of steady perseverance and real character.
ROBERT CLISSON WOODS
Rev. Robert Clisson Woods, D. D., of Lynchburg, Va., is a young man, not yet thirty-nine years old, who in the last fifteen years has compassed an amount and quality of use- ful and constructive work, that would be creditable to a man of ability after fifty years service.
He was born at Stewartsville, Bedford County, Va., Nov. 17, 1882. After preliminary training in grammar school and Academy he entered the Virginia Theological Seminary and College, for both college and theological courses, and was finally graduated in 1906. He also read law under private tutors and as a student of Lasalle Extension Uni^ versify. Immediately after his graduation he was called
126 HISTORY AMEPJCAN NEGRO
to the Presidency of Clayton-Williams Academy, Baltimore, Md. This was m.erely incidental as he has devoted his life to the ministry, and so in 1908 he accepted a call to the First Baptist Church of Staunton, Va., the largest church building and the largest congregation in Northeast Vir- ginia. He was then a young man of 26. In the next three years under his administration a debt of twenty thousand dollars was reduced to seven thousand. Three hundred members were added to church and a large amount of social service work was done among the younger membership of the church.
In 1911 he was caHed to the Presidency of the Virginia Theological Seminary and College.
This was a remarkable compliment, considering that the men in charge were drafting as the active head of the "School of the prophets" a young man of 29 who but five years before they had sent forth into the world as one of their graduates. The past ten years have amply justified their judgment.
He has made the school an institution of power and in- fluence. Under his able management, the student body has trebled, the faculty has increased one hundred per cent and along with this great growth and improvement along edu- cational lines there has been proportionate growth along the material lines essential to the proper care of the stu- dents and teachers. In 1913 was added Fox Memorial Building, a four story brick structure, commodious and with all modern appliances. This building is used as a girls' dormitory. In 1917 was erected Graham Hall, used as a dining hall. This is a one story building with a seating capacity of five hundred. In 1920 a new president's home was purchased and remodelled and fourteen lots added to the campus. In 1921 at a cost of one hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars was built the Administration Building, which includes offices of administration, gymnasium, class rooms, and an auditorium with a seating capacity of seventeen hundred.
The total increase of the material value of the institution
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VIRGINIA EDITION 127
in these ten years exceeds two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Striking as that fact is, a larger fact is the great prestige the school has gained as a great and successful institution for the propagation of sound learning and Christian ethics.
Naturally knowledge of Dr. Wood's work has spread abroad and he has been honored by many institutions of learning. He is a Doctor of Divinity of Oskaloosa College, Iowa, and of Virginia Theological Seminary and College; Master of Arts of Clayton-Williams University, Guadaloupe College, and others schools.
He is a member of the American Academy of Political Science; National Association for Advancement of Colored People; National Baptist Convention; Virginia Baptist State Convention, of which he was Corresponding Secretary from 1909 to 1912, when pressure of other duties compelled his resignation; Red Men and Odd Fellows. During the World War Dr. Woods was Chairman of the Second, Third,, Fourth and Fifth Liberty Loan Committees for Colored in the city of Lynchburg and was affiliated with the Depart- ment of the Interior in its work of Negro labor and Eco- nomics.
Dr. Woods has been too much pressed for time to engage in literary work but he has found time to write some pamph- lets, one of which is "Why I am a Baptist." This pamph- let has had a very wide circulation.
In his younger days he was a base ball player as his preferred form of athletics and has been an extensive trav- eler in the United States.
Biographies of great men have been most inspirational to him and constitute his preferred reading.
Dr. Woods has been twice married, first on June 6, 1907, to Miss Octavia Hunter, and secondly to Miss Nellie E. Hunter on April 9, 1919.
His children are Octavia M., Reginald C, Maurice F. H., Alcia H,, Roslyn and Graham A. H. Woods.
We quote his own words as to the best way to promote the interests of the race : "My opinion is that the best in-
128 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
erests of the race will be promoted by the education of all the children of the races, strict adherence to law, proper administration of justice and equal distribution of State benefits" — which is a so'und platform.
A good executive, a wise administrator, he has done bril- liant work of a high order, and is yet a young man. It is to be hoped that long life will be his portion that he may add to the sum of his work, for it will be difficult to sur- pass in quality he work he has already done.
ISAAC ARNOLD
North Carolina has contributed many strong men of both races to the religious and educational life of Virginia. Among the leaders of the Baptist denomination who came from the Old North State must be mentioned Rev. Isaac Arnold, pastor of St. Thomas Baptist Church, Portsmouth.
He was born in Washington County, N. C, and there grew to manhood, dividing the days of his boyhood between the farm, on which he did all sorts of manual labor, and the short-term schools where he laid the foundation of his education. He was a steady boy whose mind turned toward the preaching of the Gospel at a very early age, even before his conversion.
The date of Rev. Arnold's birth was November 10, 1867. His father, Jack Arnold, was the son of Sam Davenport, and his wife. Twenty Davenport. She was so named by her mother because she was the twentieth child born to her. Rev. Arnold's mother, before her marriage, was Miss Anne New'berry, a daughter of Bill Arnold and Maria Newberry. The divergence in names is due to the fact that under slavery, the name of the slave usually followed that of the master.
On December 19, 1894, Rev. Arnold was happily married to Miss Mattie Armstrong, a daughter of Anderson and Angelico Armstrong, of North Carolina. Of the nine chil- dren born to them, eight are living. They are, Luther I.,
ISAAC ARNOLD
130 HISTORY AMERICAN NEGRO
Eva G., Mary A., Johnnie W., Rosa Lee, Lilly Bell, Moses, and James H. Arnold.
When young Arnold was about fourteen years of age, he experienced the new birth and identified himself with the Zion Grove Baptist Church, by which he was ordained to the full work of the ministry. Since then he has led an active life as a preacher, devoting his whole time to the ministry. All the early years of his ministry were spent in North Carolina, where he rose to some prominence in the denomi- nation and was for one year Moderator of the Roanoke Mis- sionary Baptist Association. His first pastorate was Bag- ley's Chapel in Perquimans County, which he served for seven years. He preached at Alligator Chapel in Tyrrell County two years. He served the church at Columbia eight years and remodeled the house. He pastored Chapel Hill three years and Second Baptist, Plymouth, two years. Dur- ing a pastorate of ten years at Colerian, a new house of wor- ship was erected. He also preached at White Oak Chapel in Chowan County, one year and Powell's Point one year. His first work in Virginia was at Willow Grove, where he preached two years. He served Little Piney Grove in Prin- cess Anne County, eighteen months, and built a church at a cost of about twelve thousand dollars. He pastored Di- vine Baptist Church at Deep Creek six years and remodeled the house and preached at Kempsville nine years. Being called to Mt. Zion on the Eastern Shore he served that con- gregation six years and built a church. A new church edi- fice was also built at Wachapreage where he served the Herbert Baptist Church. Of course, it will be understood that many of these pastorates overlapped, as frequently Rev. Arnold would be serving three or four churches at the same time. In 1917, he resigned his country work to accept the call of the St. Thomas Baptist Church at Portsmouth, which has taken on new life and has greatly prospered under his administration. He was called back to Deep Creek, which he gives an evening appointment and where he is very popular. He pastored First Baptist Church at Gilmer- ton, Va., six years with great success.
VIRGINIA EDITION 131
Rev. Arnold has done a great deal of evangelistic work and has been blessed with an unusually fruitful ministry. He has baptized at least three thousand into the member- ship of the church. Since moving to Portsmouth where he owns a comfortable home, he has been chosen president of the Baptist Ministers' League of that city. He believes that the greatest needs of the race today are co-operation and self-confidence.
Rev. Arnold spent two years in the Albemarle Training School, Edenton, N. C, during which time he led his class. He completed in two years a course which held some others four years. Later, he was a trustee of the same institution and was at one time a trustee of the Roanoke Institute at Elizabeth City, N. C. He believes in liberty and freedom for all men, and is of the opinion that the Gospel, and the Gospel alone, will bring universal peace. He does not think it can be brought about by man-made plans.
JEREMIAH MILTON NEWMAN
Dr. Jeremiah Milton Newman, who has been practicing medicine in Richmond since 1910, is a native Virginiain, having been born in Orange County on Oct. 13, 1879. His father, the late Rev. Hardin Newman, was a Baptist preacher and a farmer. The Newman family is a remark- able one for numbers and for intelligence. There were fif- teen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity. The oldest brother was in the Spanish-American war, including the battle of San Juan, and in the U. S. Army four years. Another is a minister and was Chaplain with the A. E. F. ■ in France, now (1920) in California; another, the subject of this sketch, is a physician, one is a trained nurse, two are teachers, one a stenographer, one a merchant, and one a mechanic. When our subject was five years of age, the family moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania. It was there that young Newman laid the foundation of his education in the rural schools of Delaware County, after which he went to the Upper Providence High School in the same county.
JEREMIAH MILTON NEWMAN
VIRGINIA EDITION 133
When ready to begin his medical course, he matriculated at Leonard Medical College of Shaw University, where he won his M. D. degree in 1905. Under the conditions by which he was surrounded in his boyhood and youth, it was necessary for him to make his way in school. He spent his summer vacations on the Fall River Line. He was in the Pullman service for two years after graduation. He did post-graduate work at Philadelphia Polyclinic and the Lying-In Hospital, with a view to specializing on diseases of women and children.
Through the years, from boyhood up, he has been led on and inspired, as he puts it, by "an unlimited faith in God and His promises." He is an active member of the Baptist church, in which he is a trustee.
In July, 1910, he located at Richmond, where he has since resided and where he has taken his place among the leading physicians of the city. Conditions are such that he has been compelled to do a general practice rather than special- ize. In his success he has not overlooked the opportunities for service about him. He is always ready to respond to the call of distress and as a result does a great deal of charity work.
On Dec. 2, 1914, he was united in matrimony to Miss Ora Arneta Johnson, of Richmond. She was educated in Rich- mond and was, before her marriage, an accomplished teacher.
Dr. Newman belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Elks, being Medical Examiner for his local lodges. He is identified with the Richmond Medical Society, the Old Do- minion Medical Society and the National Medical Associa- tion. He is Medical Examiner for the Standard life Iri^ surance Co. His property interests and investments are in Richmond.
WILLIAM HERBERT STOKES
Rev. William Herbert Stokes, A. B., B. D., A. M., Ph. D.,
pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, of Richmond, is also a capable teacher and is fully identified with all the larger movements of his denomination and of the race.
He was born at Lunenburg Court House, Nov. 11, 1872. His father, Moses Stokes, was a deacon in the Tussekiah Baptist Church, at Lunenburg Court House,
The father passing away while the boy was still a child, subjected him to unusual responsibility at an early age. He was thrown on his own resources for an education. Fortu- nately for him, his mother who, before her marriage was Miss Cheney Woods, was a godly woman and was ambitious for her boy. Together they made a living — yea, more than