U.S. Congressman. Raised as an enslaved child domestic worker, after the Civil War, he benefited from country’s commitment to provide educational opportunities to all children. He graduated with honors from Shaw University, in 1882 and with a master’s degree from the same institution in 1887. He founded a home for African American orphans and was hired as the Principal of the North Carolina State Normal School for African Americans, serving (1883-84). Entering politics, he was elected to the office of Registrar of Deeds at Vance County, North Carolina, serving (1884-88). In 1889, he was elected as was one of five African Americans a Republican to the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Congresses, serving until 1893. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he was president of the Negro Association of North Carolina and was superintendent of the North Carolina Colored Orphanage, from 1907, until his death at 77.
U.S. Congressman. Raised as an enslaved child domestic worker, after the Civil War, he benefited from country’s commitment to provide educational opportunities to all children. He graduated with honors from Shaw University, in 1882 and with a master’s degree from the same institution in 1887. He founded a home for African American orphans and was hired as the Principal of the North Carolina State Normal School for African Americans, serving (1883-84). Entering politics, he was elected to the office of Registrar of Deeds at Vance County, North Carolina, serving (1884-88). In 1889, he was elected as was one of five African Americans a Republican to the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Congresses, serving until 1893. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he was president of the Negro Association of North Carolina and was superintendent of the North Carolina Colored Orphanage, from 1907, until his death at 77.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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