USA > Louisiana > History of Louisiana Negro Baptists : from 1804 to 1914 > Part 5
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Dorsey, Treasurer. Other organizations through- out the state were alive, and the influence of the Convention for good was felt everywhere. The organization of this body had supplied a long- felt want. The pioneer fathers at this time were on the scene, but were gradually turning the reins over to the younger brethren.
In this same year (1883) the Convention di- vided the state into thirteen district associations (Bishop J. M. Carter made the motion), making 16 in all (including three associations previous- y organized). The brethren throughout the state entered vigorously upon the work of de-
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veloping these districts, which work they have prosecuted admirably well. Forty-one years have gone by since the fathers started this work and many of them, Bishops Newman, Blunt Walk- er, Hamilton, Ladd, Dorsey, Flemings, Cotton, Flood and scores of others, have answered the roll call, but their well-begun work goes on. Their labors have borne fruit which has become ripe all over the state to the glory and honor of God. "Right blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."
The work of these great men and-the labors of those who have followed them are expressed in terms of churches, Old Folks Homes and schools all over Louisiana. They planted no cotton and corn, raised no large crops, but they planted churches and Christian schools and raised men. We have a splendid crop of men in the state to- day due to seed planted by the hand of "the fathers" forty years ago.
The Convention is proud of the fourteen or fifteen hundred churches with a membership of 135,000; two or three old folks homes; the eight- een or twenty District Schools, and the present- day opportunity to do greater work.
Convention Officers (1909) : President, Elder A. B. Flood; Vice President, Bishop W. M. Tay- lor; Recording Secretary, Prof. D. F. Ross, A. M., LL. B .; Corresponding Secretary, Bishop W. B. Purvis; Assistant Secretary, Elder G. W. Head; Treasurer, Elder T. L. Welch.
Missionaries-Superintendent of Missions, Dr. H. B .. N. Brown, Elder J. M. Carter, Elder J. W. Williard and Elder Luke Allen, Sr.
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BISHOP PHILLIP BERRYMAN LEWIS.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America.
Vice Presidents : First, Bishop E. D. Sims; Second, Elder A. Stephenson; fourth, Elder A. L. Ash; fifth, Elder C. D. Reese; sixth, Bishop A. Horton; seventh, Elder A. W. Renty; Educa- tional seventh, Bishop C. J. W. Boyd, Sr .; eighth, Elder H. J. Williams; S. E. eighth, Elder S. R. Franklin; tenth, Elder H. Y. Florence ;. Elders : L. Hill, P. B. Lewis, Wm. Wyatt, Luke Allen, Jr., F. J. Cook, R. B. Sloan, C. W. White, R. J. Dunlap.
State Board: First District, Dr. J. L. Burrell; Second District, Elder J. Roberson; Fourth Dis- trict, Bishop W. M. Taylor; Fifth District, El- der H. C. Cotton; Sixth District, Elder J. B. Livingston; Seventh District, Bishop L. C. Simon; Educational Eighth, Bishop C. J. W. Boyd; Eighth. District, Elder R. Cleveland; S. E. Eighth District, J. W. White; Tenth District, Bishop T. S. Washington; Gum Spring, Bishop A. Henry; Liberty Hill, Bishop L. W. Fuller; New Hope, Bishop B. C. Collins; Twelfth Dis- trict, Elder C. S. Satterwhite; Thirteenth Dis- trict, Elder J. M. Carter; Calvary Association, Bishop B. Moore; Union County Association, Elder W. B. Willis; North Louisiana Association, Elder C. W. White.
Recently, Elders Flood and Cotton have been called to their home in Heaven. Bishop W. M. Taylor is now (1914) President of the Conven- tion.
THE WOMAN'S BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION.
For twenty-two years after the brethren be- gan organic work, the sisterhood of the state was doing unorganized mission work as best they
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could until Bishops H. C. Cotton, William Hamil- ton, H. B. N. Brown, Israel Thomas, L. C. Simon, John Marks, A. S. Jackson, J. M. Carter and S. T. Clanton called them together and organized them into "The Woman's Baptist State Conven- tion of Louisiana," with Mrs. Alice Staff as President, in 1887.
The following Presidents came after: Sister Rosa Cotton, Sister Sarah A. Gates, Sister A. L. Windham, Sister N. L. West and Sister L. D. Pruit, who at this time is the efficient leader of Louisiana Baptist women.
All the good accomplished by these sisters will never be penned. Many of their noble deeds are . unwritten, and the writer is unable to record them here, but there is a Historian ON HIGH who has jotted the proceedings of all their meet- ings, and who will read them on Judgment Day to the teeming millions of "the great and the small."
After much good had been accomplished, it seemed that the work lagged and became practi- cally disorganized, but in September, 1896. Bishops L. G. Jordan, J. M. Carter, Israel Thomas and A. J. Horton encouraged and reor- ganized the sisters. Sister N. L. West was elect- ed President and the Convention "set sail" again. From 1896 to the present day they have come, scattering sunshine along their pathway and into many darkened homes. With the Joanna P. Moore spirit they are making glad and encourag- ing the hearts of many mothers.
The present wide-awake President is Sister Loretta Dunn Pruitt. She and her co-workers "are doing things." In addition to their already well-done work, they are pressing forward, and are making splendid headway in founding a State
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Female Seminary, which is to be known as "The Joanna P. Moore's State Female Seminary." Con- vention Officers: Sister L. D. Pruitt, President; Sister N. L. West, Vice President; Sister M. A. Cook, Recording Secretary; Sister Winnie Am- bler, Corresponding Secretary; Sister R. D. Wat- kins, Treasurer, and Sister Jane P. Harden, State Missionary.
FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY AND EDUCA- TIONAL ASSOCIATION.
This is perhaps one of the youngest associa- tions in the state. It is doing missionary and educational work in and around Homer, La. Having been very recently set up much cannot be said of its accomplishments. Under the lead- ership, however, of Bishop Roy A. Mayfield and others it is destined to do much good.
This association was organized by the follow- ing brethren: Bishops Wm. Garrett, J. M. Har- vey, R. A. Mayfield, Brothers J. W. Oliver, T. B. Dozier and others.
Present staff of officers follows: Elder Wm. Garrett, Moderator; Elder J. M. Harvey, Vice Moderator; Elder R. A. Mayfield, Recording Sec- retary; G. W. Adams, Corresponding Secretary ; W. Scott, Treasurer.
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NEW LINE NORTH NO 5 BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
We learn from an article in the News Enter- prise, dated October 3, 1914, that a "New Asso- ciation at Preston, La.," had been organized. We pray for these brethren unlimited success in the
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vineyard of the Lord. Officers: Bishop M. Ray, Moderator; Elder L. L. Gastin, Vice Moderator; Brother E. J. C. Allen, Recording Secretary ; Brother W. H. Green, Corresponding Secretary ; Brother Henry Demery, Treasurer, and Brothers J. Nash and B. J. Johnson, Board Members. Bishop W. L. Hobley, Missionary.
Women's District Home Mission Association Officers: Sister Ellen Hobley, President; Sister Josephine Demery, Vice President; Sister Siller Williams, Recording Secretary; Sister Henrietta Ray, Treasurer, and Sister Charlotte Russell, Board member.
BIOGRAPHIES.
T. A. WALKER, A. M., M. D., NOTED PHYSICIAN AND ORATOR.
The gentleman of whom we now write was born in the city of New Orleans in the year 1864. His parents were the revered and very popular minister, George W. Walker, pastor Austerlitz Street Baptist Church, New Orleans, and Mrs. Martha Jane Walker. At the fireside, listening to the reading of God's word by his sainted mother, he was imbued with higher ideals of life, and with a burning desire to give himself to the service of God and humanity. His mother and father having learned how to read through the generosity of their young master and mistress, encouraged him to go to school and prepare to battle with the stern realities of life.
Acting upon their advice he began laying deep and broad, the foundation of a thorough educa- tion by making good in the public schools of
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New Orleans. After receiving a pretty fair com- mon school education, he entered Leland Uni- versity, and by assiduous attention and studious application he completed the college course in six years, receiving the B. A. degree at the early age of 17. He is among the first classical graduates of our race. After his graduation, there ap- peared on the scene a benefactor in the person of the Hon. T. B. Stamps, a cotton factor who of- fered young Walker a position as cotton clerk in his office on Carondelet street, near Poydras. He remained in this position until Mr. Stamps failed financially.
Early in life he was converted and baptized into the membership of the Austerlitz Street Baptist Church by his father, and at once became an active church worker, identifying himself with the Sunday-school and other church auxiliaries. Unlike most college men he attend- ed regularly the prayer meetings and the Satur- day night Bible Class, conducted by Sister J. P. Moore.
After finishing his course at Leland, becoming converted, beginning work as office clerk and teacher, he began to consider what should be his life work. Inspired by his Professor in Latin at Leland, and encouraged by one of the ablest physicians of New Orleans, Dr. E. T. Shepherd, he began the study of medicine at Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, N. C. Being studious and industrious he could be seen on Saturdays and at other spare times sawing wood on the campus of Shaw University. Here he solved many knotty medical problems and stood at the head of his class in Chemistry. After studying two years at Shaw and passing a rigid examination, he entered Meharry Medical Col-
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ELDER JACKSON J. FULLER.
lege, Nashville, T'enn., October, 1884, taking up the senior studies and graduating at the head of his class in Gynecology, February 26th, 1885.
Returning to New Orleans he began practicing medicine. Soon afterwards he married Miss Fannie Elliott, of New Orleans, who has stood faithfully by him, serving as a source of comfort, cheer and inspiration. He first labored at Lake- land, La., away "down in the sticks," where he and his help-meet first began life's struggle. Be- coming anxious for a larger field, after practic- ing here successfully, removed to Baton Rouge, where he is known and acknowledged as a physi- cian skilled in minor surgery and the science of Materia Medica. Dr. Walker has shown himself an able scholar and an apt teacher by his thor- ough work as Professor of Gynecology at Flint Medical College, New Orleans. The lectures de- livered here were always considered both scien- tific and literary treats.
He was commissioner from Louisiana to the World's Negro Congress at Atlanta, Ga., in the year 1902. The following positions have also been honorably filled by him: General Superintendent Education of Fourth District Association; Baton Rouge College physician (blessing many suffer- ing students with his healing powers) ; Historian of the National Medical Association, writing its history from 1895 to 1906, and reading said history at the Philadelphia session, 1906; and he has been elected honorary member Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association.
As a writer, he has written and delivered many orations on the Emancipation of his race, and other subjects which have been looked upon as masterpieces of oratory and literary gems. His
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"Aftermath of the Negro Congress" held at At- lanta, Ga., was commented on by Professor I. Garland Penn to be the best he had seen on the subject, and Professor M. S. Davage, A. M., said it was the best he had heard on that subject. His History of National Medical Association was published far and wide by the Odd Fellows Journal, of Philadelphia, Pa., and many com- mendatory letters were sent the writer. Presi- dent P. A. Johnson, in requesting Dr. Walker to continue the writing and read it at New York, re- ferred to it as a "Scholarly Production."
Though one of the busiest medical men in the state, Dr. Walker has never been too much en- grossed with his own interests to divide his valu- able time with the cause of Christian education. He has taken time from his practice and collected from white friends of Negro education more money for Baton Rouge College than any other man that has gone among them. This alone shows how he stands in his home city. The Bap- tists of the state are justly proud of him, be- cause he has subordinated and consecrated his giant intellect to the cause of Christ; and now (1914) glories in the fact that he is an honored follower of the Lowly Nazarene. He and his ac- complished wife live happily and comfortably in their $4,000 home on Boulevard Avenue, Baton Rouge, La., within two blocks of the Executive Mansion, enjoying the confidence and esteem of both their white and colored friends.
I. J. WASHINGTON, M. D., PHYSICIAN AND TEACHER.
Tensas Parish has never produced a greater physician and teacher than the subject of this sketch. His parents were Mr. Daniel and Mrs.
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Virginia Washington. Dr. Washington was born on a farm in 1865.
On reaching school age he found himself un- able to enter and remain in school. His parents for no fault of their own were without means, but they had blessed him by borning in him the spirit of honest endeavor which enabled him by God's help to fight the scholastic battle singly and alone. After catching up what he could here and there, he entered Coleman College, Gibsland, La., and there under adverse circumstances sur- mounted every difficulty incident to the strug- gling student's school life, and graduated with honors from the Normal Course.
After being happily converted he was baptized into the membership of the Palestine Baptist Church, Gibsland, La., by Bishop P. P. Mellon, B. Th., in 1896. Dr. Washington reached a de- cision as to his life work, after he had taught a considerable time with marked success.
He chose the humane work of healing and com- forting the sick. With the tenacity of the noted physician, James Y. Simpson, who discovered the anaesthetical properties of chloroform, he seized upon the almost invisible opportunity to study for the M. D. degree. I say invisible be- cause in connection with paddling his own canoe he had to support and care for a dependent mother. This he did by the Lord's help and graduated at the head of a class of Medicoes at Flint Medical College, New Orleans, La., 1905.
At Lake Charles, La., Minden, La., and El Dorado, Ark., he has proved himself by his cura- tive power to be among the leading practitioners of his race. His record should inspire the young man who reads these lines with increasing desire
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to become a doctor, because "what man has done man can do."
This son of Hippocrates (the father of medicine) made his way through the school of medicine by working at saw mills, picking cotton, teaching school and railroading during vacations. He is today climbing the medical ladder with wonderful rapidity.
He was married to Miss Hattie Scott, of Ar- cadia, La., by the writer, His wife has proved herself a help-meet indeed. At this writing two children have blessed their union. Dr. Washing- ton's thorough work guarantees for him future success.
PROF. R. E. JACOBS.
Prof. R. E. Jacobs, the oldest son of Solomon and Ellen Jacobs, was born at Converse, La., Sabine Parish, near the Sabine River, May 22, 1877. He spent his early days on his father's farm. He attended the common public school around his home and at Stonewall, La., where he wasgreatly encouraged by his uncle, Jack Butler. His first teacher was his father, S. J. Jacobs. After finishing some of the common public school grades his father encouraged him to go to college.
January 1, 1897, he entered Coleman College, Gibsland, La. He was short of money and his father was not able to help him financially, therefore he made arrangements off of the cam- pus, where he could help himself by working. Mr. W. F. Hawk, who was Prof. Jacob's land- lord when he first entered college, and Prof. O. L. Coleman, the President of the school, showed him many kind favors by helping him through
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school. He graduated in 1902 with much honor. He desired to deliver an oration on commence- ment day, but the President and faculty appoint- ed him class valedictorian because of his high standing in school. He was loved by his teach- ers, admired by his classmates and greatly hon- ored by the students below him. He had several positions offered him when he graduated. Among them was one as field agent for his Alma Mater, and he accepted this position the next day after graduating. He traveled seven months in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas in the interest of the above-named school. At the ex- piration of this time, the President was in need of another teacher and Prof. Jacobs was called on to take the position and he did so.
In the spring of 1903 he was re-elected one of the members of the faculty of Coleman College, but resigned to go to his old home to accept a position his father desired him to take. Nov. 2, 1903, he founded the Sabine Normal and In- dustrial Institute, Converse, La. This position was planned by his father before Prof. Jacobs entered college.
Jan. 28, 1904, he married Miss Mary Lee, a student of Coleman College, Gibsland, La. In 1905 Prof. Jacobs took a special course in the University of Chicago. With the aid of Mrs. Jacobs, a few trustees and friends, Prof. Jacobs has erected seven good buildings on the campus of the Sabine Normal and Industrial Institute. The value of the property in 1914, including land and live stock, was $30,000.
Prof. Jacobs proved himself worthy as a scholar when a public school teacher by making several first grade certificates. He has often been appointed by his county Superintendent as
ELDER AUDER BACK FLOOD.
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member of the examining committee, and also appointed in the city of Shreveport to do the same work. The white people with whom he has dealings respect him as a man of business and he is often called on by the white school authori- ties to address them in the behalf of his race.
Prof. Jacobs succeeded in getting the Slater Fund, the Jeanes Fund and his county school board to make annual appropriations to the Sa- bine School.
Facts About the Sabine Normal and Industrial Institute.
Founded Nov. 2, 1903, by R. E. Jacobs. It has 7 buildings. Supported by the Slater Fund, Jeanes Fund, county school board, school farm and private subscription.
Present Faculty: R. E. Jacobs, President; S. B. Belton, First. Assistant; Miss Flora M. Goode, Second Assistant and Secretary; E. D. Tyler, Third (Assistant, and Business Manager; W. M. Tyler, Fourth Assistant and Field Agent; Mrs. M. L. Jacobs, Domestic Science; Miss Lillie Mae Baddie, Music ; A. J. Jones, Agriculture.
Value of school property, including land and live stock, is $30,000.
PROF. M. L. COLLINS, ONE OF LOUISIANA'S BEST TEACHERS.
This young man, Melvin Lee Collins, son of Mr. Milton and Mrs. Malissa Collins, began life in 1882 at Forbing, La. At an early age his parents trained him to go to church and Sunday- school, so that on reaching the years of accounta- bility his heart was susceptible to the gospel, and when it was preached to him by the late Bishop
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O. C. Jones, it took root and he was happily con- verted. Elder Jones baptized him into the mem- bership of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Forbing, La.
After working many years on his father's farm and attending the Parish schools whenever opportunity presented itself he, through the aid of devoted parents, entered the Thirteenth Dis- trict Normal and Collegiate Institute under the tutorship of the writer and his efficient wife. Mrs. Hicks says he was one of the best students she ever taught, being susceptible, docile and obedient. With help divine, the assistance of his parents and the encouragment of his friends, he stuck to his bush and manfully fought the scholastic battle to a finish, graduating from the Normal Course with honors, May, 1908.
As a teacher he is thorough in what he at- tempts to teach. He is conscientious and pains- taking. Already at the early age of 30 years, through perseverance and push, he has forged his way as teacher through the teachership of schools at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Grand Cane, Dotson Academy and Spring Ridge In- dustrial Institute, to the principalship of the West End Public School, of Shreveport.
He founded and taught "The Collins Practical Night School," at Shreveport. Professor Collins is not only acknowledged for his marked ability to work the school up from within, but when it comes to working it up from without, he is there. When the teaching fraternity and friends of public school education of Shreveport knew not what to do that they might pay for a school lot and win for themselves another public . school building, Professor Collins came to the rescue and set his master mind in action, and when he
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got through thinking a few thoughts, a plan of action had taken shape in his mind. This plan materialized and yielded $334.41. The em- barrassed situation was relieved and better fa- cilities for Negro public school children were secured.
Be it said to his credit that he is among the few young educators of our race who take stock in the church of God and delight to worship and mingle with "the man farthest down." We feel safe in the prediction that this young man will continue to ripen as he grows older into one of the world's greatest scholars.
PROF. THOMAS HENRY KANE, AN HONORED NORTH LOUISIANA EDUCATOR.
One of the most widely known teachers in the state is the subject of this sketch. He was born in slavery, of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Amanda Kane in the state of South Carolina, February 6, 1853.
After the horrors and besetments of American slavery had passed and freedom had been freighted with educational hope for the Negro, young Kane began to apply himself. The first school he attended was Providence, Benton, La., next Peter's School, Shreveport, La., and finally Bishop College, Marshall, Texas. Here he was a hard student, and through that pluck and in- domitable will so characteristic of the professor, he laid the educational foundation on, which he stands today, and on which he has stood and won his hard-fought scholastic battle from the coun- try schools of Greenwood, La., and Kellyville, Texas, up to the principalship of the Antoine or Mt. Zion School, Shreveport. La.
Prof. Kane is active in educational circles,
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both local and national, having conducted State Summer Normals for years in various parts of Louisiana and represented the State at the Na- tional Teachers' Association. He has been iden -. tified with the growth of public schools for years, being among the prime movers who influenced the public school authorities to grant and estab- lish the Peabody Normal in Shreveport for Ne- groes; and through his untiring efforts the new schoool building where he now teaches was erected.
His interest does not stop with the children in the day school, but extends to the Evergreen Bap- tist Church Sunday-School, which he has super- intended for a number of years. He came to this work shortly after he was converted and baptized into the membership of the Antioch Baptist Church in 1877 by Bishop Thomas Christian. He has been continuously engaged in Sunday-school work since uniting with Evergreen. For many
years he presided over the children of the entire District, being President of the Thirteenth Dis- trict Sunday-School Association. While holding this position he became endeared both to the chil- dren of his school and those of the District. He delighted in lecturing the Negro Boy's Improve- ment Association-a movement organized by Bishop Wm. Hicks, A. B., D. D., at Trinity Bap- tist Church. Professor Kane is a great reader, having read the Bible through several times, and reads almost daily some of the best authors of this and other ages, thus keeping abreast of the times and holding his own among the educators of his day.
ELDER GEORGE W. WALKER.
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History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
PROF. GEORGE W. GREEN, TEACHER AND CHURCHMAN.
There is not to be found in Louisiana a teacher more devoted to the church and its work than the man of whom we now write. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1849. Mr. Alexander and Mrs. E. A. Green being his parents. His father lived to the ripe old age of 83, and his mother 94. Both were Virginians. Prof. Green was born a slave but was bought by his own father and thus escaped the sad and bitter experiences of the bondman.
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