Evidences of Progress Among Colored PeopleRichings, G. F.
History
Evidences of Progress Among Colored People
Richings, G. F.
African Americans
Mr. N. T. Gant, of Zanesville, Ohio, is a very interesting man; looks
enough like the late Frederick Douglass to pass for his brother.
Mr. Gant was born a slave in Virginia. He bought his own and wife's
freedom. For his wife he paid fifteen hundred dollars. He moved to
Zanesville before the war, and began life as a truck farmer. He made
money like magic, and owns several farms now, after giving all of his
children good homes. The property now used as "Gant Park" was sold
by him for twenty thousand dollars, with the understanding that no
intoxicating drinks were to be sold on the ground. His residence in
Zanesville was a part of the park. He has one of the best-furnished
homes in the State of Ohio. Among the leading business and moneyed men
of Zanesville, Mr. Gant is considered one of them.
CASPER TITUS.
Norfolk, Va., can boast of a progressive man in the person of Casper
Titus, a thriving florist, in Huntersville, Norfolk, Va.; carries about
3,000 feet of glass; grows plants, flowers, and vegetables; has a good
patronage from white as well as colored; is the leading colored florist
south of Baltimore; began business with ten lilies and eight geraniums,
the few brought to him by his wife. The total number of lilies to-day
is 500, with a spring sale of about 5,000 plants of different varieties.
MR. J. STEPHENSON.
Mr. J. Stephenson, watchmaker and jeweler, does a good business in
Norfolk, Va., and has a splendid stock of goods. He began first by
repairing watches and clocks, until he had built up a trade, and at
the same time saved enough money to put in a small stock of goods. His
trade is by no means confined to colored people. His success simply
shows what can be done when the proper effort is put forth.
MR. W. J. OVERTON.
Mr. Overton, of Clarksville, Tenn., was for years before his death
foreman and manager of the Clarksville ice factory. He began work there
as a fireman. Mr. Overton had the confidence and respect of the best
people in the city. He, by hard work and good management, saved enough
money to purchase splendid property.
J. W. PAGE.
Mr. J. W. Page is also of Clarksville, Tenn., and is regarded by all as
a very prominent man. For years he was one of the city councilmen, and
much of the public improvement in his ward has been done through his
effort. He owns a great deal of property, which is rented. At his home
he operates a grocery business that is well patronized in that portion
of the city. Mr. Page takes an active part in church and Sunday-school
work; in fact, in all things that will in any way lift up his people.
BOTTS & HENSLEY.
Messrs. Botts & Hensley, at Mt. Sterling, Ky., own and operate one of
the leading grocery stores of that city. Both of these men stand high
and own good homes. Their patrons are mostly white.
J. R. HAWKINS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account