Alfred M. Carroll (1912-1966) was a Civil Rights Leader and member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He served as the Chapter President from 1945-1947. Carroll was a graduate of Wilberforce University and the Howard University School of Law, in Washington, DC. He was admitted to the Louisville Bar in 1945. He was also the Pastor of St. Paul AME Church. First image is from the “Courier-Journal” October 17, 1948 and the second image is from an anonymous Find A Grave user.
Rev. Daniel Abraham Gaddie (1833-1911) was a Baptist minister who pastored across Kentucky. He was born into slavery in Hart County, Kentucky. Upon freedom, he changed his last name from Jamison to Gaddie. During his tenure at Green Street Baptist Church (1872-1911), Rev. Gaddie married over 500 couples and baptized over 1,500 people. He was an education activist and Simmons College of Kentucky gave him an honorary Doctor of Divinity for his service. Image of younger Gaddie is from “Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive and Rising.” Image of older Gaddie is from “Golden Jubilee of the General Association of Colored Baptist’s in Kentucky.”
David “Davy” Straws (1799-1872) was a slave who bought his own freedom and then became a prosperous barber. He later expanded his business to include an in-vogue Bath House. His shop was located at the rear of the Louisville Hotel, near Sixth Street, and he serviced the neighborhood for over 30 years. He was also a successful real estate investor, which enabled him to provide a substantial amount of the funding for the establishment of the Fourth Street Colored Methodist Church at Fourth and Liberty. Article from “Louisville Daily Courier” January 1, 1852.
Dr. William J. Simmons (1849-1890) was born with slave status in Charleston, South Carolina. Not much is known about his early life. Simmons was a member of Company B of the 41st US Colored Infantry during the Civil War. In 1873, he graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC and began teaching. He married Josephine A. Silence in 1874 and together they had eight children, but we could only find seven: Josephine, William, Effie, Minnie, Mary, John, and Augusta. Simmons became a Baptist minister in 1879. That same year he moved to Lexington, KY to preach, and in 1880 became the second president of Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute, which was later named Simmons College in his honor. In 1882, he became editor of the “American Baptist” newspaper for African Americans and organized the American Baptist National Convention in 1886. Wilberforce University made him a Doctor of Divinity in 1885. In 1890, Simmons cofounded Eckstein Norton University with Charles H. Parrish in Bullitt County, KY. On October 30, 1890, Simmons died from heart failure at the approximate age of 41. Simmons is buried in the Ladies Union Band Society Lot in Eastern Cemetery. Simmons leaves a legacy as an African American rights and education activist. Image from “The History of the Negro Church.”
Dr. John Aaron Cicero Lattimore (1874-1959) was born to John Lattimore and Marcilla Hambrick Lattimore on June 23, 1874 in Cleveland County, NC. He had a brother and seven sisters. His father was a former slave. Clement Richardson published an article in 1919 in the “National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race,” Volume 1 in which he noted Dr. Bullock of Greensboro, NC was a tremendous influence on Lattimore’s decision to become a doctor. Lattimore was a “buggy boy” for Dr. Bullock and accompanied him on daily house calls.
Lattimore attended public schools in North Carolina. In 1897, he graduated from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC and went on to Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN where he received his doctor’s degree in 1901. He was twenty-seven. He began practicing medicine in Louisville where he practiced for over fifty years. In the early days of his career, he charged 50 cents for an office visit, $1.00 for a house call, and $10.00 to deliver a baby. During this time, Lattimore enjoyed spending his free time coaching football for Simmons University, and he was the team physician for the Central High School football team.
Dr. Lattimore married Naomi Agness Melissa Anthony of Illinois sometime between 1920 and 1930. We have not been able to find a marriage license yet to determine when. They had no children. Lattimore served as president of the National Medical Association and was on the board of trustees for the Broadway Temple AME Zion Church for 58 years. Lattimore was a true civic leader and helped to organize numerous medical associations and African American advocacy groups including a chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Louisville Urban League. He was also a Mason, an Elk, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities. When Dr. Lattimore retired, he was running the twelve room Lattimore Clinic at 1432 W. Walnut Street. He died at the age of 85 of chronic kidney disease. Photos from Ancestry user leelandj.
Dr. Orville Ballard (1896-1972) was born on August 20, 1896 in Lexington, KY to Dr. William Henry and Elizabeth “Bessie” Hudson (Brady) Ballard. Orville had three brothers and two sisters. Dr. William Ballard was a pharmacist in Lexington for 54 years. We are not exactly sure when Ballard married Kathryn Wise but between 1929 and 1939, the couple had four children: Pamela, Kathryn, Orville, and Bruce. Two of which, Kathryn and Bruce, became doctors. Ballard attended Howard University in Washington, DC where he received his medical degree in 1923. He interned at Kansas City Hospital and by 1924 was in private practice in Louisville, KY. In 1928, Ballard became a senior resident physician at Waverly Hills Tuberculosis Sanatorium. He would hold this position for the next 31 years. Ballard was a lifelong advocate for the advancement of African Americans in the medical field. In 1941, Dr. August Schachner donated a 1,000 volume medical library for the use of African American doctors. The dedication ceremony was held at the Western Library. Ballard was quoted as saying to Dr. Schachner, “You will live forever in the hearts of the Negro medical fraternity.” In 1943, Ballard won the Howard University first annual award for distinguished public service by an alumnus for his work at Waverly Hills. In 1953, Ballard made national headlines when he and Dr. Grace M. James were the first African Americans to join the faculty of a southern school: University of Louisville. Ballard was a member of Quinn Chapel AME Church, Falls City Medical Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Psi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi. He died on December 29, 1972. At the time of his death, he was living at 661 S. 44th Street in the Shawnee Neighborhood. Photo of Ballard and Dr. Schachner is from an April 26, 1941 “Courier-Journal” article. Single photo of Dr. Ballard is from “Courier-Journal” December 17, 1953.
James C. Cunningham (1787-1877) was born in Bermuda and arrived in Louisville around 1835. As a dance master and prestigious band leader, he played soirees for Louisville’s elite. In 1850 he performed at a masked ball for Louisville socialite Sallie Ward. The “Louisville Morning Courier” described his music as “filling three large parlors with the most delicious tones.” He performed at a ball to honor President-elect Zachary Taylor. Cunningham was also active in the Underground Railroad. Image is from “Louisville Daily Courier” article from October 13, 1848.
James R. Cunningham (1853-1943) was the son of dance master/band leader James C. Cunningham. James R. Cunningham was steeped in music at an early age and could play 22 instruments. He was the founder of the Falls City Coronet Band, later known as the Falls City Brass Band. During his career, he toured Europe and had the distinction of performing for three American presidents: Rutherford B. Hayes, Ulysses S. Grant, and Grover Cleveland. Image is from “Courier-Journal” article from November 11, 1943.
Mary V. (Cunningham) Smith (1842-1919) was the daughter of dance master/band leader James C. Cunningham. Mary was raised to appreciate music, and she became a widely known pianist and organist. In 1870, Mary and her husband Early Smith, a barber and saloon owner, filed a lawsuit against the Louisville City Railway Company indicating the company had removed Mary and her six-year-old stepson, Gustavus, from the streetcar because of their race. Mary and her husband were represented by three white attorneys, one of them was James Speed. The Smiths won the case. Image from Kentucky Center for African American Heritage.
Diana Thompson (1818-1895) was enslaved by the Speed Family at the Farmington Plantation. Mary Speed enslaved Diana for her personal use during the time Abraham Lincoln visited Joshua Speed at the Plantation in 1841. In 1854, Mary Speed moved Diana and her family to her home on 5th Street. Diana married Spencer Thompson and gave birth to Dinnie in 1857. Spencer died a year later. Diana tried to escape slavery with Dinnie several times, but they were captured each time. They were freed in 1864 and traveled to Indianapolis to view President Lincoln lying in state. Dinnie Thompson (1857-1939) was educated in the public school for black students. She was a maid at the Neighborhood House from 1913 until her death in 1939. Dinnie was an officer in the St. Mary Chapter of the Sisters of the Mysterious Ten, a benevolent African American group. Diana and Dinnie are buried in unmarked graves in Eastern Cemetery. The photo of Dinnie is from a “Courier-Journal” article from February 21, 1997.
Elizabeth Young (Smith) Murrell (1875-1960) was the former principal of the 29th Street School (James M. Bond School), and a former teacher at the Benjamin Banneker Colored School and the Mary B. Talbert School, which were all schools for black children. Murrell was active at Quinn Chapel AME Church for 30 years: president of the E.Y.S. Murrell Sewing Circle; a Sunday school teacher; and a class leader. Murrell lived at 1550 Prentice Street with her sisters, nieces, and nephews until her death. Her husband Samuel Murrell died within a year of marriage around 1918. Image is from a “Courier-Journal” article from June 13, 1918.
Fannie Rosalind (Hicks) Givens (circa 1864-1947) was born near Chicago, IL, but we could not find more information. Her death certificate and passport application say she was born in 1876, but her headstone says 1864. Fannie Hicks attended Simmons College where she was also the head of the art department. She was a renowned artist. On June 26, 1895, she married James Edward Givens, a graduate of Howard University and Harvard College. He was a professor at State University, teacher at Central Colored School, and president of Kentucky State University. James’s brother and wife, William and Jessie (Harris) Givens, died young leaving their four children orphaned. Three of the children (Margaret, James, and Jessie) lived with the couple and one child, Fannie, they adopted. James Givens died in 1910 from typhoid. Fannie remained a widow at 507 E. Finzer Street in the Smoketown Neighborhood. In 1927, Fannie became a policewoman in Louisville. Her friend Bertha Whedbee, the first African American policewoman in Louisville, helped her get the job. However, Fannie and the other policewomen were fired in 1938 when a new democratic administration deemed them unnecessary.
Fannie was politically and civically active. She was president of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Convention as well as vice president of the East End Nursery. According to Carol Mattingly of the University of Louisville, “Her roles as representative of such groups as the National Association of Colored Women, the Baptist World’s Alliance, and America’s World Union of Women for International Concord and Peace allowed her to travel widely; she made at least five international trips.” Fannie died on August 4, 1947 from breast cancer and is buried with her husband. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority placed a plaque at her grave to honor her as a former national president. Many thanks to Carol Mattingly for her research on African American suffragettes. Photo of young Fannie is from “Golden Jubilee of the General Association of Colored Baptists in Kentucky.” Photo of older Fannie is from “The Sphinx” 1930.
Georgia Anne Nugent (1864-1940) was the co-founder of the Woman’s Improvement Club (renamed the Georgia A. Nugent Improvement Club) and the first president of the Kentucky Association of Colored Women’s Clubs. She served as an officer in the National Association of Colored Women. She was a teacher for the Louisville Colored Schools. Her sister Alice Emma Nugent (1890-1971) was a teacher for the Louisville Colored Schools. She was active in many of the same organizations as her sister Georgia but in less visible roles.
Mamie E. (Lee) Steward (1858-1930) was born free to Isaac Lee and Caroline Allen in Lexington. She attended private schools, where she excelled in music. On April 25, 1878 she married William H. Steward, also featured this month. Together they had four children: Lucy, Jeannette, William Jr., and Carolyn. An accomplished musician, Mamie taught and head the music department at Simmons College of Kentucky. She was employed there for 40 years. She also served as organist at Fifth Street Baptist Church. Mamie was a part of the women’s club movement on the local, state, and national level. Mamie wrote articles for Baptist publications on racial elevation, child upbringing, and community improvements. In 1883, she was one of the founders of the Baptist Women’s Education Convention. Mamie was also a founding member or officer for the following clubs: Louisville’s Woman’s Improvement Club, Kentucky Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, the Ladies Sewing Circle, the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, and Louisville’s West-End Republican League of Colored Women. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Colored Orphans’ Home. In 1930, the Mamie E. Steward Friendly Group was established in her honor. Mamie died on March 21, 1930 after a two year illness. At her funeral, National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs member Lindsay Davis said, “Beautiful in person, beautiful in life, beautiful in character, always congenial, always lovable, always amiable, always affable, always patient, always happy, she had an unlimited circle of friends at home and abroad who knew her worth, who commended and approved her work and called her blessed.” First photo is from University of Louisville Photographic Archives of Simmons College faculty and staff. Mamie is seated in front row. Her husband is standing in right upper corner. Photo of Mamie is from the “Kentucky African American Encyclopedia.”
Betsy (Fry) Hopkins (circa 1796-1911) was born in Danville, KY on the Springhouse Plantation. She was the slave of Thomas Walker Fry, the brother of Lucy Fry and brother-in-law of Judge John Speed who owned Farmington Plantation in Louisville. When Thomas Walker Fry’s daughter Mary Ann married Elias Lawrence in Middletown, Fry gave them Betsy and six other slaves. Elias died three years later, and two thirds of his slaves went to his son, Joshua Fry Lawrence. Betsy’s husband Jesse Hopkins was a slave of James Hopkins who owned a nearby farm. Betsy and Jesse had 18 children. Betsy was president of the Sisters of the Mysterious Ten for 50 years.
