It was the earnest wish of the Afro-Americans that they should be given
representation upon the National Committee of the World’s Fair; in
this they were sadly disappointed. A fair representation, however, was
accorded them upon the State Boards.
The first appointment was made by Governor Robert E. Pattison, of
Pennsylvania.
To Robert Purvis, of Philadelphia, was accorded the honor of being made
a Commissioner for the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Purvis is well past
the threescore years and ten usually allotted to mortals of to-day. The
death of the poet Whittier leaves him the only surviving member of the
body of sixty persons that signed the Declaration of Sentiments of the
National Committee, which met in Philadelphia fifty-nine years ago to
found the American Anti-Slavery Society. The life-work of Robert Purvis
has been the amelioration of the condition of the weaker race, to which
he is allied by perhaps one-eighth a strain of blood.
Left in comfortable circumstances by a wealthy father, with a brilliant
education and large native talent, he has devoted his life to fighting
the battles of Afro-Americans. Mr. Purvis has a face that even with
advanced years is yet strikingly strong and beautiful; tall and
commanding in stature, with most courtly manners, his presence adds
grace and distinction to any body of which he is a member. His home
life is like that of a refined and cultured member of the Society of
Friends; his present wife indeed being one of that sect.
An intelligent family of children surround him in his old age, all
being the offspring of his first wife, formerly a Miss Forten, of
Philadelphia. One son, Dr. Charles Purvis, was for a number of years
Surgeon-in-Chief of the Freedmen’s Hospital, at Washington, D. C.
Mr. Purvis’ home is full of books, pictures and curios relative to
the history of the race. The University of Pennsylvania has dedicated
an alcove to Anti-Slavery literature in its new library building, the
alcove being named the Purvis Alcove. Mr. Purvis and Dr. Furness have
given to the library many valuable works, among them a complete edition
of Wm. Lloyd Garrison’s Liberator. Within these later years this
venerable philanthropist has largely confined his labors to securing
opportunities for intelligent members of the race in higher grades of
work.
The most valued possession of this great survivor of the Anti-Slavery
days, is a painting of Cinque, the hero of the L’Amistead, painted
by the artist, Jocelyn. Cinque, being an African captive thrust into
slavery, captured the vessel and put the crew in irons, carried the
vessel to England, and thus, through international law, secured his
freedom. The Pennsylvania Historical Society, and the New Haven
Historical Society, have both expressed a desire to become possessors
of this valuable historical painting.
* * * * *
“A Woman’s Auxilliary Committee to represent the work of women through
the State of Pennsylvania, was formed to work with the State Board.
One of the first ladies appointed on this board, was Miss Florence A.
Lewis, of Philadelphia. It can truly be said that Miss Lewis represents
in her personality the symmetrical development and complete womanhood
that it is possible for the Afro-American woman to attain under
favoring circumstances.
“Born and raised in Philadelphia, she is one of that younger group
of women who have made the most of the opportunities of a wide-awake
northern city. Miss Lewis was graduated from the Institution for
Colored Youth, and passed successfully the State examination for
certificate to teach in the public schools. She taught in one of the
Grammar schools for a number of years, at the same time doing literary
work for several papers. In course of time Miss Lewis found that
she could profitably devote all her time to literature, and for the
last five years she has been connected with the Philadelphia _Press_
in the weekly edition, of which she conducts a department, besides
contributing special work to the other editions. Miss Lewis is also
connected with the magazine _Golden Days_, and writes over various
signatures for newspapers and magazines in several cities. She is also
one of the Advisory Board of the Citizens’ National League, of which
Judge Tourgee is the founder and President.
“Bright, witty and interesting, Miss Lewis has a charm and refinement
of manner that make her a worthy addition to Pennsylvania’s ‘Group of
Noble Dames.’”
* * * * *
“The position on the Board of Woman Managers of the State of New York
for the Columbian Exposition was entirely unsought by Miss Imogene
Howard. Her experience has been a very pleasant one thus far. Her
special position on the board is as one of five of the ‘Committee on
Education.’
“Joan Imogene Howard was born in the city of Boston, Mass. Her father,
Edward F. Howard, is an old and well-known citizen of that city, and
her mother, Joan L. Howard, now deceased, was a native of New York. She
has one sister, Miss Adeline T. Howard, the principal of the Wormley
School, Washington, D. C., and one brother, E. C. Howard, M. D., a
prominent physician in the city of Philadelphia.
“Having a mother cultured, refined and intellectual, her earliest
training was received from one well qualified to guide and direct an
unfolding mind. At the age of fourteen, having completed the course
prescribed in the Wells’ Grammar School, Blossom street, Boston, she
graduated with her class, and was one of the ten honor pupils who
received silver medals.
“Her parents encouraged her desire to pursue a higher course of
instruction, and consequently after a successful entrance examination,
she became a student at the ‘Girls’ High and Normal School.’ She was
the first colored young lady to enter and, after a three years’ course,
to graduate from this, which was, at that time, the highest institution
of learning in her native city.
“A situation as an assistant teacher in Colored Grammar School No.
4--now Grammar School No. 81--was immediately offered. Here she has
labored ever since endeavoring to harmoniously develop the pupils of
both sexes who have been committed to her care.
“Many of her pupils have become men and women of worth, and hold
positions of honor and trust.
“For several years an evening school, which was largely attended, and
of which she was principal, was carried on in the same building.
“As time advances more is required of all individuals in all branches
of labor. Teaching is no exception, and in recognition of this she
took a course in ‘Methods of Instruction’ at the Saturday sessions of
the Normal College, of N. Y. She holds a diploma from this institution
[1877], and thus has the privilege of signing ‘Master of Arts’ to her
name. This year [1892] still another step has been taken, for, after
a three years’ course at the University of the City of New York, she
has completed the junior course in Educational History, Psychology,
Educational Classics and Methodology. As a result of this she has had
conferred upon her the degree of Master of Pedagogy.”
* * * * *
“Nothing but pleasant surprises await the people of America in getting
acquainted with the ever increasing number of bright Afro-American men
and women whose varied accomplishments and achievements furnish some of
the most interesting episodes in newspaper literature.
“Some months ago wide publicity was given to the brilliant sallies
of wit and eloquence of a young Afro-American woman of Chicago in
appealing to the Board of Control of the World’s Columbian Exposition
in behalf of the American Negro. The grave and matter-of-fact members
of the Commission were at first inclined to treat lightly any
proposition to recognize the Afro-American’s claim to representation in
the World’s Fair management. They soon found, however, that puzzling
cross-questions and evasions awakened in this young woman such
resources of repartee, readiness of knowledge and nimbleness of logic
that they were amazed into admiration and with eager unanimity embraced
her arguments in a resolution of approval, and strongly recommended her
appointment to some representative position. The name of this bright
lady is Mrs. Fannie Barrier Williams, and a closer knowledge of herself
and history reveals the interesting fact that there is something more
to her than ability to speak brilliantly. She was born in Brockport,
N. Y., where her parents, Mrs. and the late A. J. Barrier, have been
highly esteemed residents for nearly fifty years. Mrs. Williams is
_petite_ in size, and her face is one of rare sweetness of expression.
In the pure idyllic surroundings of her home, in the quiet and refined
village of Brockport, she had the very best school advantages.
“She was graduated from the college department of the State Normal
School very young and began at once to teach school. For about ten
years she was a successful teacher in the public schools of Washington,
D. C., and resigned only when she became the wife of her present
husband, Mr. S. Laing Williams, a well educated and ambitious young
lawyer of the Chicago bar. Mrs. Williams early evidenced a decided
talent for drawing and painting. While teaching in Washington she
diligently exhausted every opportunity to develop her artistic
instincts. She became a student in the studios of several Washington
artists and further studied to some extent in the New England
Conservatory and private studios of Boston. Her cleverest work has
been that of portraits. At the New Orleans Exposition some years ago
her pieces on exhibition were the theme of many favorable criticisms
by visiting artists. In conversation Mrs. Williams is delightfully
vivacious and pungent, and displays an easy familiarity with the best
things in our language.
“With no cares of children she lives an active life. She is secretary
of the Art Department of the Woman’s Branch of the Congress Auxiliaries
of the World’s Columbian Exposition. This Committee has the active and
honorary membership of the most distinguished women artists of the
world, and Mrs. Williams enjoys the esteem of all who know her in this
highly important branch of the World’s Fair.
“She is also an active member of the ‘Illinois Woman’s Alliance,’
in which she serves as chairman of the Committee on ‘State Schools
for Dependent Children.’ She is likewise actively interested in the
splendid work of the Provident Hospital and Training School, perhaps
the most unique organization for self-helpfulness ever undertaken by
the colored people of the country.
“Mrs. Williams’ home life is unusually charming and happy. The choice
of pictures and an ample library give an air of refinement and
culture to her pretty home. She and her husband are active members of
All Souls’ Unitarian Church, of Chicago, and the Prudence Crandall
Study Club. Mrs. Williams manifests an intelligent interest in all
things that pertain to the well-being of the Afro-Americans and never
hesitates to speak or write when her services are solicited. Her wide
and favorable acquaintance with nearly all the leading Afro-American
men and women of the country, and her peculiar faculty to reach
and interest influential men and women of the dominant race in
presenting the peculiar needs of her people, together with her active
intelligence, are destined to make Mrs. Williams a woman of conspicuous
usefulness.”
* * * * *
Next to that of Mr. Robert Purvis, the most important appointment
made in connection with the race at the World’s Fair is that of Hon.
Hale G. Parker, Commissioner at Large. Mr. Parker is a citizen of St.
Louis, Mo., but a native of Ripley, Ohio; he is a son of John Percival
Parker, proprietor and manager of the Phœnix Foundry and Machine Works,
the largest on the Ohio river between Cincinnati and Portsmouth. Mr.
Hale is a graduate of Oberlin College, class of ’73. He entered upon
the field of educational work after graduation, but a few years later
determined upon the profession of law as his life-work. Graduating from
the St. Louis Law School in ’82, he was a few months later admitted to
the bar. In connection with the duties of his professional life, he
has had charge of the introduction of the J. P. Parker patents in the
South and West. Mr. Parker has proven one of the most energetic workers
on the World’s Fair Commission. He sat for the first time with the
National Commission in September and voted for the $5,000,000 loan.
Mr. J. E. Johnson, of Baltimore, held for several months a position as
assistant upon the Government Board. Mrs. A. W. Curtis, of Chicago,
held for a short time the position of “Secretary of Colored Interests
of the World’s Fair.”
The last appointment was that of Mrs. S. L. Williams, New Orleans, to
the Educational Committee of the State Board for the World’s Fair. Mrs.
Williams is the originator, president, secretary, and treasurer of an
orphan asylum for girls. The institution was opened August 24, 1892,
with the enrolment of 69 orphans. The organization in its one year of
existence has gathered a membership of 700, and received for support
$1,755. Two entertainments are given yearly for its maintenance.
The life of this noble woman is being given to the uplifting of the
girlhood of the race that needs, perhaps, more than any other in all
this fair land, the guidance and fostering care of such a noble,
Christian motherhood.
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