Archive for August, 2020

Louvisa Melisa “Lue” (Rodman) Love

Louvisa Melisa “Lue” (Rodman) Love (1855-1938) was born to William Rodman and Rebecca Reed on April 10, 1855 in Arkansas. Louvisa was one of six children; she had four sisters and a brother. It seems that the family lived on a farm and allowed sawmill workers to board with them. At the time of the 1870 Federal Census, Louvisa was twelve. There were six sawmill workers living with the family, and one of them was twenty-six-year-old Joe Moore of Tennessee. On October 10, 1875, Louvisa and Joe were married in Monroe County, AR. Joe was thirty-six and Louvisa was twenty-two. Together the couple had five children. Joe died in 1885 at the age of forty-two. He is buried in the Moore Family Cemetery in Bybee, TN. Louvisa appears to have had a son in 1892, seven years after the death of her husband. According to the 1900 Federal Census, the son’s name was Fred Eckstine. By the time of the 1910 Federal Census, he was going by Fred Moore. Fred died in 1964, and his death certificate indicated his name was Fred Walter Eckstine Moore. It also stated that his father was Henry Moore. However, other documents claim his father was Henry Eckstine. We could not clarify this information further.
On July 3, 1895, Louvisa married Thomas Love who was from Scotland. The couple was married in Indiana and settled on Adams Street in the Butchertown Neighborhood in Louisville. Thomas worked as a butcher and helped to raise Louvisa’s children. Together, Louvisa and Thomas had one child: Lillyian. By 1920, the family was living at 1504 Story Avenue, still in Butchertown. Thomas died of stomach cancer on May 31, 1931. He is buried at Resthaven Cemetery. He was working as a night watchman at the time of his death. Louvisa died at the age of 83 from cardio renal disease on May 5, 1938. She is buried at Eastern Cemetery. Photo of Louvisa is from Find A Grave user GBRooneyiv.

Nora Lee (Moreman) Payne

Nora Lee (Moreman) Payne (circa 1872-1933) was born to Jackson and Augusta (Jones) Moreman. Not much is known about Nora’s early life. On October 15, 1886, she married Aaron H. Payne, Jr. in Hopkinsville, KY. Together the couple had four children: Clarence, Marie, Augusta, and Aaron. As early as 1887, Nora was a teacher at the Hopkinsville Colored School where her husband was principal. They moved to Louisville around 1895 when Aaron was named principal of the Maiden Lane Colored School. Aaron was principal there for a number of years as well as superintendent for the Sunday-School Institute, which was established for African Americans, and the “colored night school” at 9th and Madison Streets. Aaron died on May 5, 1905. After his death, Nora became principal of the Maiden Lane Colored School, her husband’s former position. The school was later named the Benjamin Bannecker School. Nora went on to be principal of the Portland Colored School and the Mary B. Talbert School. Nora died on September 19, 1933. She and her husband share a headstone with an inscription that reads, “Teachers in the highest tradition. Louisville Public Schools. Parents of Clarence Henry, Marie, Augusta and Aaron III.” Aaron and Nora’s children all moved to Chicago, IL. Clarence became a physician, Marie was a teacher, Augusta was a mother, and Aaron became an attorney.

Elizabeth Bell (Pike) Embry

Elizabeth Bell (Pike) Embry (1914-1988) was born to Benjamin and Rebecca Jane (Hohimer) Pike. Elizabeth was one of four children, and their family moved around quite a bit. It appears that they followed jobs. On April 9, 1935, she married Daymon Ray Embry in Rosine, KY. Together the couple had seven children: Franklin, Darrel, Dallas, Nina, Barbara, Betty, and Kathleen. According to the 1940 Federal Census, the couple were living in Grayson County, KY where Daymon was working as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) laborer and Elizabeth was home with their children. The family moved to Louisville around 1949 and they were living in the Portland Neighborhood at 1702 Rowan Street. From the 1950s through the 1960s, the family was living at 1809 Mellwood Avenue in the Butchertown Neighborhood. Daymon worked as a driver for V.D. Morgan Van Service and Storage. Elizabeth died on January 29, 1988 in Harlan County, KY. According to her “Courier-Journal” obituary, she was a native of Nelson County, a retired nursing home housekeeper, and a member of Van Buren Baptist Church. She is buried in Eastern Cemetery as is her husband Daymon who died the previous year. Images of Elizabeth and Daymon are from Ancestry user imakiihnle.

Maudellen (Brice) Lanier

Maudellen (Brice) Lanier (1881-1972) was born to Louis and Harriet (Enty) Brice on March 10, 1881 in Pittsburgh, PA. According to Carol Mattingly with University of Louisville, Maudellen was born to literate parents who had never been enslaved. In 1900, she married Marshall Bell Lanier, a Presbyterian minister who became president of Simmons College. Together they had three daughters and one son. Maudellen also joined the faculty of Simmons College as part of the preparatory division, which helped students who were not prepared for college coursework. Maudellen later taught at Shelby County High School. The Laniers had leading roles in the African American community in Louisville and worked to advance the rights of African Americans. The couple lived at 1704 W. Chestnut Street in the Russell Neighborhood. Maudellen was a member and leader in a number of organizations, including Kentucky Baptist Women’s Educational Convention, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, Red Cross Hospital Auxiliary, Scholarship Loan Department of the Kentucky Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, National Association of Christian Women, 3-L Club, Louisville Ministers’ Wives Council, Georgia A. Nugent Improvement Club, and Executive Committee of the Kentucky Interracial Commission. Rev. Marshall Bell Lanier died in 1961 and was buried in Eastern Cemetery. Maudellen died in 1972 and was buried next to her husband. At the time of her death, Maudellen was living at 943 S. 47th Street in the Chickasaw Neighborhood. Many thanks to Carol Mattingly for her research on African American suffragettes. The photo of Maudellen is from Carol.

Lucy Alma (Purnell) Vaughan

Lucy Alma (Purnell) Vaughan (1886-1962) was born to James M. Purnell and Elizabeth “Bettie” Crowell Purnell on December 7, 1886, in Louisville. Her father was a cigar maker and her mother stayed home and took care of the couple’s four children. In 1900, the family was living at 105 Walnut Street. Lucy Alma Purnell went by the name Alma throughout her life. On April 26, 1905, Alma married Chester L. Vaughan in Hamilton, OH. By 1910, the couple was living on Georgetown Street in Lexington, KY. Chester was working for the railroad and Alma was taking care of the children.
Alma and Chester had three sons, Milburn, Charles and Chester Jr. By 1920, Chester had been promoted to an engineer with the railroad and the family was living on Main Street in Lexington. Also living with the family was Chester’s sister, Hallie. In 1930, the family was still in Lexington. By 1940, the family was living at 1836 Frankfort Avenue in the Clifton Neighborhood in Louisville. Chester was a Locomotive Engineer, and it is likely the family’s move to Louisville was due to his job. Alma and Chester lived at the Frankfort Avenue home until her death from cancer on January 3, 1962. Chester died in 1970. The couple is buried together at Eastern Cemetery. Photos are from Find a Grave user Dee (Delores) Vaughan Lamb.

Madge (Irwin) Boalware

Madge (Irwin) Boalware (1903-1970) was born to William Arthur and Estella (Owen) Irwin on June 30, 1903 in Alabama. Her father was a barber and her mother took care of the couple’s five daughters: Lilla, Wilhelmina, Henrietta, Madge, and Naomi. On October 19, 1925, Madge married Dr. Theodore Roosevelt Boalware in Morgan County, AL. Theodore was a pharmacist and graduate from the Meharry Medical School’s School of Pharmacy. In 1930, the couple was living with Madge’s father, a widower, in Decatur, AL where Theodore was a pharmacist and Madge was a teacher. According to the 1940 Federal Census, the couple was living in Louisville with Madge’s sister Wilhelmina (Irwin) Bright and her family: Dr. Andrew J. Bright, a pharmacist, and their children. Theodore was a pharmacist at Bright’s Pharmacy and Madge was a receptionist at a doctor’s office. The family lived at 2204 W. Chestnut Street in the Russell Neighborhood.
By the 1942 city directory, Theodore and Madge were living in their own home at 1784 W. Ormsby Avenue in the Park Hill Neighborhood. Madge attended the Spaulding School of Library Science and worked in the Louisville Library system for 18 years. She eventually became head librarian of the Harris Branch. Madge was a member of a number of clubs. In October 1951, she was one of 15 founding members of the Louisville Chapter of Links, Inc. with her sister Wilhelmina and neice Elizabeth (Bright) Belmear. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Louisville Urban League, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She also served as financial secretary for the “Negro division” of the Red Cross Campaign. Theodore and Madge were members of the Plymouth Congregational Church. Theodore owned Boalware’s Pharmacy (516 S. 6th Street) until 1961 and was a member of the Falls City Medical Society. Madge died on October 26, 1970 at the age of 67. Dr. Boalware died on September 10, 1972 at the age of 70. Photo of charter members of the Links is from “Two Centuries of Black Louisville.” Madge is standing in back, 2nd from the left.

Sarah Elizabeth (Capps) Baldwin

Sarah Elizabeth (Capps) Baldwin (1835-1911) was born to John Walker and Louamerica (Casbeer) Capps on October 17, 1835 in Nashville, TN. Sarah went by the name Elizabeth throughout her life. She was the oldest of nine children. Her father was the tavern keeper at the Mud Tavern. According to Davidson County, Tennessee Historic Highway Marker 131, the Mud Tavern Community developed around the crossroads of the Elm Hill and McGavock Turnpikes. The name derives from the mud and log inn at the cross roads where early 19th century travelers found rest and refreshments. Mud Tavern later became a lively rural community with a railway stop, schools, post office, and general store, which thrived until overtaken by 20th century commercial development.
Elizabeth married William H. Baldwin on October 9, 1857 in Davidson County, TN. The couple had four children: Mary Virginia, Lula, Alphonse, and William T. It is not clear how the Baldwin family made their way to Louisville, but according to the 1880 Federal Census, the family was living at 115 Marshall Street (South Side) in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. William was working as a bill poster, which likely means he was responsible for installing promotional materials, such as billboards, around the city. Elizabeth was taking care of the family. William died of liver disease in 1909. By 1910, Elizabeth was living with her daughter Mary and her four children at 836 E. Market Street in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. Elizabeth died on February 6, 1911 at the age of 75. Photo of Sarah Elizabeth is from Find A Grave user Russel E Richardson. William H., Sarah Elizabeth, Mary, Lula, and Alphonse are all buried in Eastern Cemetery.

Georgia A. Nugent

“The ballot without intelligence back of it is a menace instead of a blessing and I like to believe that women are accepting their recently granted citizenship with a sense of reverent responsibility.” Georgia Nugent, National Association of Colored Women (NACW) 1920 Convention in Tuskegee, AL after the 19th passed.
Georgia A. Nugent (circa 1870-1940) was George and Anna Nugent’s second child of four, born circa 1870-1873. In 1889, Georgia graduated from Central Colored High School. She also graduated Simmons College and Kentucky State University. Throughout her almost 50 years of teaching, Georgia taught at Booker T. Washington, Jackson Street (Eastern) Colored Junior High School, Lincoln Colored School, and Wheatley Colored School. Georgia was highly regarded and praised for her teaching work. Outside of the classroom, Georgia dedicated a tremendous amount of time to her service work. Georgia taught a Sunday School class at Lampton Street Baptist Church. On September 25, 1896, Georgia heard Ida B. Wells, a nationally famous suffragist, speak. She was inspired to organize the Woman’s Improvement Club that very day. Georgia assumed the role of president two years later. The club provided funds for the first teacher class for black kindergarten teachers. The club also started Louisville’s first day nursery for black children. She was on the Louisville YWCA Board, the Secretary of the Louisville Kindergarten Association, and President of the State Association of Colored Women’s Clubs. Nationally, Georgia was Corresponding Secretary and Chairman of the Executive Board of the NACW. Through her club work, Georgia also traveled across the country promoting education, suffrage, and community advancement. On November 25, 1940, Georgia passed away. In her memory, the Woman’s Improvement Club was renamed the Georgia A. Nugent Improvement Club. Sepia photo of Georgia is from “Lifting as They Climb.” Black and white photo is from Carol Mattingly- Bio by Girl Scout Laura Bache. Her project’s FB page: Shattering the Glass Ceiling: A Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Her Instagram featuring more role models like Georgia: @rolemodelmoxie

Ophelia (Crouch) Bowman Borders Bronnenberg

Ophelia (Crouch) Bowman Borders Bronnenberg (1850-1924) was born to Absolem and Louisa Ann (Sanders) Crouch on October 14, 1850 in Marion County, KY. Absolem was a farmer in Garrard County, KY. On August 17, 1865, Ophelia married John T. Bowman In Washington County, KY. Together they had one child: Harriet “Hattie” Bowman. John T. Bowman was a farmer and the family lived in Williamstown, KY. It is unclear what happened to John T. Bownman. He may have died or they may have divorced. By the 1880 Federal Census, Ophelia was married to John Borders, a teamster, and living in Lebanon, KY. Her daughter was living with them and noted as having consumption. They also have a son named Buford Cleaver and a servant named Mary. According to the 1900 Federal Census, Ophelia was living in Louisville with her daughter Hattie and her family: husband M. Daniel Bossing and three children (John R. Woods, Emma Bossing, and Hattie Bassing). Ophelia is enumerated as a widow working as a trained nurse. On May 8, 1911, Ophelia married Henry Bronnenberg, a first generation German American from Madison County, IN. Henry had also been previously married and had 10 children. Accoding to a “Courier-Journal” article May 10, 1911, the two married after knowing each other for only 12 hours. Henry died on October 31, 1918 and was buried in his family cemetery in Madison County, IN. According to the 1920 Federal Census, Ophelia was living with her son Buford’s family on Lonsdale Avenue in the Iroquois Neighborhood. Buford was a floor boss at a hardware factory. Also in his household was his wife Clara and their children Harold and Louise. Ophelia died on February 17, 1924 at her home at 1918 Maple Street and was buried in Eastern Cemetery. Her daughter and son are also buried there. Photo of Ophelia and Henry Bronnenberg is from Find a Grave user Sharon Benefiel Palmer. Newspaper article is from “Courier-Journal” May 10, 1911.

Louise (Westermann) Rastetter

Louise (Westermann) Rastetter (1850-1922) was born to Gabriel and Margaretha Westermann on June 22, 1850 in Oberotterbach, Germany. On May 22, 1866, Louise married Joseph Rastetter in Jefferson County, KY. It is not exactly clear why or when Louise immigrated to the United States; however, census records claim she arrived in 1860. According to the 1880 Federal Census, Joseph and Louise were living in a part of Louisville formerly known as Gilman’s Point, which is now the intersection of Frankfort Avenue and Shelbyville Road. Joseph was a gardener, and their household was comprised of Joseph’s father Thomas, a retired gardener, and their adopted children: Christian “Christy” and Elizabeth “Lizzie.” The census states that Christian and Elizabeth were adopted, which is not commonly seen. By 1900, the couple was living on Payne Street and Joseph was a landlord. At the time of the 1910 Federal Census, the couple was still living on Payne Street, specifically at 2213 Payne Street in the Clifton Neighborhood. Joseph was enumerated as a retired gardener. On September 27, 1914, Joseph died from cancer. By the time of the 1920 Federal Census, Louise’s son Christian had moved in as did Joseph’s sister, Amelia (Rastetter) Whalen, a widow. On December 18, 1922, Louise died from cancer. Joseph, Louise, and Christian are buried together in Eastern Cemetery and share a monument. According to death records, their daughter Elizabeth (Rastetter) Kurz is also buried in their lot but does not have a headstone.
The house where Joseph and Louise lived is now known as the Thomas Rastetter House (2213 Payne Street). In 1843, Rastetter purchased a 15 acre tract south of the Louisville and Shelbyville Turnpike. The 1858 Bergmann map confirms its location between Frankfort Avenue and Payne Street. The Rastetter House is the oldest farm house still standing in the Clifton Neighborhood. The house originally faced the Turnpike and had a deep setback. At some point after 1884, the year Payne Street first appears on the City of Louisville Atlas, the main door was reoriented to face Payne Street. The photo of the house is from Historic Louisville Guide.

Susan (St. Clair) Minor

Susan (St. Clair) Minor was born in Kentucky to Mitchell and Fannie (Webster) St. Clair on August 24, 1899. She was the youngest of four children. Her siblings were Irvin, Victor, and Mitchell. Her father worked as a janitor and her mother worked as a dressmaker and a laundress. Susan went by the nickname of Susie for most of her life.
Susie graduated from college and at the time of 1930 Federal Census, she was living with her parents and her brother Victor on Jackson Street, working as a teacher for Louisville’s African American schools. Victor was working as a chauffeur for a real estate firm. In 1935, Susie was 36 years old, head of her own household, living at 3030 Greenwood Avenue in the Parkland Neighborhood. By the time of the 1940 Federal Census, her father was living with her. In addition to being a teacher, Susie was a member of the YWCA and Community Chest, which was a precursor to United Way.
Although the date is not clear, Susie married Floyd Minor. He was 23 years her junior. Floyd was in the Army and served in WWII and Korea. The couple lived together at 3030 Greenwood Avenue. They had no children. Susie died at the age of 82 on November 5, 1981. Floyd died the following year on August 4, 1982 at the age of 60. Floyd and Susie are buried at Eastern Cemetery. Neither have a grave marker. The photo is a Google photo of 3030 Greenwood Avenue.

Brady (Pence) Harley Schneble

Brady (Pence) Harley Schneble (1877-1940) was born to James and Martha (Decker) Pence in Hardin County, KY. Brady was at least one of four children. Not a lot of information could be found on her family. On September 9, 1900, she married Oliver Ellis Harley in Clark County, IN. Together the couple had two children: Stella and Raymond. However, the couple soon divorced. Brady then married German immigrant Jacob Schneble on April 12, 1910. According to the 1910 Federal Census, the couple were living at 1469 S. 9th Street with Jacob’s parents Fred and Elizabeth, his brother John G., and Brady’s son Raymond. Jacob was working as a bartender. In 1918, Brady was a member of the Women’s Settlement Club, which were part of the Cabbage Patch. The settlement movement was often spearheaded by women’s clubs to benefit children and lower income families, typically immigrant or African American. By 1920, Jacob and Brady were living with Jacob’s mother and two boarders at the same address. Jacob died on June 3, 1935. Brady died on January 22, 1940. They are buried together in Eastern Cemetery. Image of Brady and Jacob Schneble is from Find a Grave user Toni Mivelaz.

Lucretia Gibson

Lucretia Gibson (circa 1865-1956) was born to William H. and Mary Jane (Constable) Gibson in 1865 in Indianapolis, IN. According to Carol Mattingly with University of Louisville, “Although the family lived in Louisville prior to the Civil War, Gibson’s employment as recruiting sergeant for the 55th Massachusetts Colored Regiment made his family and him targets, and they moved to Indianapolis in 1862. Lucretia was born there in 1865, the sixth of the seven children. The family returned to Louisville sometime after the war.” William H. Gibson was influential in Louisville as a teacher and active in many civic organizations. Lucretia followed in her father’s footsteps. She graduated from Central High School in 1884. She also attended Indiana State University, Chicago School of Dramatic Arts, Spelman College, Wilberforce University, and Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught for a number of years in Louisville’s schools for African Americans, specifically Booker T. Washington School and Western Colored School. Lucretia retired in 1942 at the age of 77.
She was an officer in the State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs along with Mamie Steward and Georgia Nugent. She was also active in the State Colored Teachers Association; YWCA; Mu-So-Lit Club, a club affiliated with the National Association of Colored Women; and Quinn Chapel AME Church. She also helped to incorporate the Louisville Choral Society. Lucretia owned her own home at 2912 Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.) in the Russell Neighborhood. On March 14, 1956 Lucretia Gibson died at the approximate age of 91. She shares a headstone with her mother and siblings in Eastern Cemetery. Many thanks to Carol Mattingly for her research on African American suffragettes.

Nancy Jane (Sage) Newkirk

Nancy Jane (Sage) Newkirk (1832-1889) was born to George T. and Sallie (Harris) Sage in Clark County, IN. Not a lot of information could be found on her family. According to the 1850 Federal Census, her father was a farmer living with his five kids and mother Mary in Bethlehem, IN. On March 1, 1851, Nancy married James H. Newkirk in Indiana. Together the couple had six children: Sarah, Charles, George, Emma, Fannie, Frank, and James. According to the Federal Census records, the Newkirk family lived in Jeffersontown, KY. James worked as a huckster (a salesman) and writing master. Nancy Jane was a stay at home mother. On May 21, 1889, Nancy died from heart disease at the age of 57. She is buried in Eastern Cemetery. The photograph of Nancy is from Find a Grave user Judy Lawson. This type of photograph is called a cabinet card. They were first introduced in the 1860s as horizontal photographs and eventually evolved to vertical. Their peak popularity was the 1880s, and they began to decline in the 1890s as personal photography became commonplace. However, the last cabinet cards were produced well into the 1930s. Nancy Newkirk’s cabinet card was produced by J.M. Gregory at 810 Market Street in Louisville. Gregory appears in the Louisville City Directories between 1870 and 1893. However, he was only listed at 810 Market Street from 1886 to 1893, so that’s likely when this photograph was taken.

Ellen Lowe (Bullock) Taylor

Ellen Lowe (Bullock) Taylor (circa 1874-1960) was born to John and Mary (Snowden) Bullock circa 1874 in Louisville. She was one of at least six children. Ellen graduated from Central High School in 1889 and began teaching in Louisville’s African American schools while also continuing her education. She attended Kentucky State University, Indiana University, Indiana State Normal School, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago. On December 28, 1892 Ellen married Samuel Bartlett Taylor, a teacher and principal, and together they had two children: Samuel and Raymond. Ellen had stopped teaching after her marriage, but began again after the deaths of her husband and son Raymond. In 1918, she began teaching at Central Colored High School. She later became principal of Portland Colored School, Paul Dunbar Colored School, Mary B. Talbert Colored School, City Summer School, and the Louisville Colored Normal School. She also taught at Central Colored High Night School. Ellen was very active in a number of organizations: National Association of Colored Women, Kentucky Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools, Colored Orphans Home Society, and Plymouth Settlement House.
On June 8, 1953, Louisville Public Schools honored Ellen with a formal program that identified her as a symbol of the schools’ contribution to the history of Louisville. At the “This is Your Life Ellen L Taylor” program, she was praised by many of her former students. Furthermore, the official program noted the success of those who graduated from the Normal School during her administration. Ellen retired in 1944 at the approximate age of 70. Ellen owned her own home at 2329 Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.) in the Russell Neighborhood. Her sister Mary Bullock, a teacher, also lived with her. On May 10, 1960, Ellen died at the approximate age of 86. She is buried next to her husband in Eastern Cemetery. Neither have headstones. Many thanks to Carol Mattingly for her research on African American suffragettes. Photo of Ellen is from “Courier-Journal” June 9, 1953.

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