The History of the Temple Men of Amite, Louisiana

Jim Temple, Sr. 

The Temple family has been in Amite, La., since the 1800s. The history starts with Jim Temple, Sr.,  Jim fought in the Civil War according to the oral history that has been passed down to his descendants and their offsprings. Jim Temple first wife was Margaret Amacker and to their union eight children were born, five daughters and three sons. His sons Charlie, Jim, Jr., John all stayed in Tangipahoa Parish. After Margaret passed away, Jim married Othell Butler and to their union four children were born: Walter, Hollis, Robert and Bernard.

His son Charlie was born abt 1875 in Tangipahoa Parish. Charlie passed away on December 13 1965 at the age of 89. In his early age he united with the Church of God in Christ in Amite, Louisiana but stayed away after becoming ill. He was led to Gordon Chapel Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Alexander Richardson.

Charlie Temple
1875-1965

He was joined in Holy Wedlock with Eliza Marshall, to this union five children were born: Margie Jones, Stanley Temple, Augustine Atkins, Elouise White and Ellis Temple. After Eliza died he joined in Holy Wedlock with Aline Vining. To their union six children were born: Caretha Cutrer, Doretha Smith, Mary Noil, Maude Fox, Jacob Temple and Willie K. Temple. At the time of his death he had ten children, thirty-one grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Charlie purchased fifty-four acres of land for his family. He built a home and started a farm to take care and provide for his wife and children. The land has been in the family over 80 years.  Edwin was 2 years old when his grandfather Charlie passed away.

The log cabin home that Jim Temple, Sr., built is still standing tall and strong. The floors were beautiful hardwood and the wood burning fireplace warm the house.  Jim was a very wise businessman for his era. Jim and his offsprings are buried in the Temple Cemetery in Amite, La. off highway 1046. The Temple men have alway took pride in maintaining the family cemetery. Two of Stanley Temple's sons Alvin and Bobby Temple use to drive up from New Orleans, LA., to cut the grass. After Alvin passed away his brother Bobby, and nephew Shelby continue to cut and maintain the cemetery.

Stanley Temple, Sr.
Abt 1906-1966

Edwin Temple is the grandson of Charlie Temple who also help cut and maintain the family cemetery.  Edwin believes in taking care of the cemetery because his grandparents and other relatives were dear to him.

The Temple men are great providers for their family and many of them are very crafty and skilled men. From carpenters, to mechanics, artist, truck drivers, military men, husbands and fathers.

Stanley met and married Cora Wheeler Temple. To their union nine children were born; Shirley, Betty, Stanley, Bernard, Bernell, Butrand, Stine, Bobby, and Alvin Temple. Stanley and Cora raised their family in New Orleans, Louisiana. One day my son Bernard Temple will appreciate this family history of his male lineage. The Temple family is one of the many pioneering African American families of Tangipahoa Parish. Many of the Jim's offsprings still live in the Amite, La area.

                                                   http://tangipahoaafrican-americannews.com

                                                       https://vimeo.com/nurturingourroots

Exploring the Rich History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes

Antoinette Harrell conducting genealogy research
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

The insight that I have gained about Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes are unique and educational. This is where history come alive, exploring new townships and places. Collecting new photographs and the stories behind the pictures. Most importantly meeting new people and learning about their family history. Some people are happy to find someone that has an interest in local history and genealogy.  They are happy to show their family heirlooms such as; quilts, photographs, documents, and antiques that had been passed down through generations through family members.  I am delighted to see that someone in the family values the legacy that was passed down to them by their ancestors or family members. 

It would be great to see more lectures, films and seminars on the people, events and history of Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes at our local library.   Sometimes when I am riding on the back roads of the two parishes, I can’t help but give thanks to God for the beauty of these two parishes.

‘The smell of fresh air, the cattle grazing in the green pastures and the curviest roads that lead’s you to homes with fishing ponds and friendly people sitting on the porch.” Blackberries growing along side the road with other natural herbs. The colorful range of wild flowers of yellow, purple, red and white covers the side of the roads.

Richardson Gin,  Receipt of Clifford Wheat

Last week I saw a beautiful fox run across the road and a herd of deer waiting to cross the road.  Listening to the birds singing in the morning is like listen to a symphony that could be heard by the entire community. 

I feel like I am taking an exciting field trip each time I go out to explore the history of these two parishes.  What better way to learn about the history, events, and people,  than from the perspective of the people who made the history and events?  It is people like Edwin Temple, the genealogist for the Temple Family, Ann Hurst the genealogist for the Vining and William family of St. Helena Parish, that understand the importance of keeping our history alive. A very special thanks to my cousin Joyce for sharing these records.

Preserving and Maintaining Our Cemeteries in St. Helena & Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana

Rocky Hill Cemetery

It's has been over ten years ago since my son Bernard, my friend Ilona Lyttle and I recorded nine African American cemeteries in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. When I was a small child—my mother would take me and my brothers to Big Zion cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana were my maternal grandparents and other family members are buried. She white wash the graves and talk to us about maintaining the family cemeteries and graves of our ancestors. “ You should always keep the grass cut and graves white washed, “ said my mother. She always found a way to share the story about the headstones my grandfather Jasper made for his parents and siblings. She said she watched her father make them. My grandfather’s pride led him to make headstones for his deceased family members. Looking at the inscriptions on the headstones that he made over fifty-years ago is an historical part of my families’ genealogical research. 

I often wondered why are so many African-American cemeteries are being abandoned, neglected or without headstones!  In the early church history—some of the deacons of the church would maintain the church cemetery.  Taking care of the cemetery were part of the churches agenda. Insufficient funds or lack of a policy to maintain and manage the cemetery could be some of reasons that many African American cemeteries are abandoned and neglected. 

It should be our primary goal and objective to educated the community, church members and young people about the importance of maintaining the cemetery. These cemeteries hold special memories of our deceased family members. When cemeteries are neglected or just allowed to deteriorate, we all should be embarrassed. We stand a chance of losing important historical genealogical information that can be vital to our family history research. Not to mention dishonoring our deceased loved ones who have passed away.

Headstone made by Walter C. Black, Sr.

Several years ago, I purchased two headstones for my grandparents, because the thought of having them in a grave without headstones greatly disturbed me. I found that several others of my deceased family members didn’t have headstones. So I did what my maternal grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., did— I asked my colleague Walter C. Black, Sr., to make them.

These cemeteries contain the remains of WWII Veterans, church and community leaders, newly freed slaves, family members, and in some cases United States Colored Troops.  Last summer I met a woman named Myrtle Johnson who organized a non-profit organization to help preserve some of the cemeteries in St. Helena Parish. She took me too a slave cemeteries in St. Helena, Louisiana.  There are so many cemeteries and graves that are hidden in the woods, “ Johnson said. We need to notify the family members and community about the neglected cemeteries, Johnson said. “ These cemeteries are a big part of our history and they are our deceased love one.  Please volunteer your time to help maintain the family or church cemetery.

Myrtis Johnson unearthing slave cemeteries in St. Helena Parish

My Ancestors from St. Helena, La to Niger, West Africa

Antoinette Harrell in Ingall, West Africa

 Sitting at home and gazing out of the window, I found myself reflecting on my ancestral trip to Niger, West Africa. I asked myself today, what is so special about this moment that reminded me of Niger, West Africa? A country that is landlocked in Western Africa, and named after the Niger River. The Sahara desert covers eighty percent of the land area.  Niger is surrounded by Mali, Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Niger was colonized by the French and gained it independence from France in 1960.

 After spending several years conducting genealogy research in Tangipahoa and St. Helena, I ran into a brick wall and I couldn’t go any further, that's when I turned to African Ancestry for their help.  I was hoping that their records would lead me to some knowledge of where my maternal female ancestors came from. “The chances of me finding the records were slim to none.”  I took the African Ancestry DNA test on July 4^th in Kentwood while visiting with friends. I waited patiently for my test results to come back. Three weeks later—I received my test results and found that my maternal lineage matched with the Tuareg people in Niger.

Moussa Albaka and Antoinette Harrell

The Tuaregs are nomadic people who were the first inhabitants of the Sahara region.   The Tuareg, Fulani and Hausa people established themselves in the region that is now called Niger.  In the hot summer of 2004, I set out on my maternal ancestral expedition. I wanted to explore Niger to learn about the people, history and culture— in the two short weeks I was there. 

The first day I arrived in Niamey, the family of Moussa Albaka, greeted me with opened arms and lots of hugs.  I did not feel like a stranger in a land that maternally connected to.   Moussa and the governor of Niger, appointed a translator to help me communicated with the people. French is the official language of Niger. The following day, the governor made arrangements for me to come to his office for a history lesson about Niger, the people and culture. 

The Niger River

The Governor and Moussa arranged for me to travel to nine regions in Niger. Ingall and Agadez were two of the main regions I visited. The region where the annual Cure Salee festival of Tuareg and Wodaabe celebrate the end of the rainy season every September.  This festival attracts thousands of nomads, officials, and tourists every year. 

One of the main attractions in Ingall are the paleontological digs and the remains of Petrified Forest dating back 135 million years. Jobaria tiguidensis was a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in the current day Niger during the middle Jurassic period. The native people of Ingall greeted me with; songs of welcome home long lost daughter, the sound of Tuareg music, food, dance and conversation.  The people of Ingall and Agadez are beautiful people.  The Governor arranged for the Wodaabe men to give me a concert. The very men I saw on National Geographic mesmerized me.  This was one of the fascinating travel experiences I’ve had.

Harrell Genealogical Research in Pike County, Mississippi

Derius Harrell conducting genealogy research

It's  has been well over ten years since my distant cousin Derius Harrell and I conducted genealogical research in Amite and Pike County, Mississippi. Derius contacted me after reading something I posted online about the Harrell's in Mississippi and Louisiana. We arranged to meet and discuss our Harrell genealogical research and compare our notes.

His Harrell lineage connected him to Amite County, Mississippi and Pike County. Both of our families came down to Mississippi and Louisiana with Levi "Fat Old Levi" Harrell from Darlington, South Carolina in 1803. I remember the first day I met Derius, I couldn't stop starring at him because he resembled my first cousin Rodney Harrell. After telling him how much the two of them resembled each other, he then told me that he knew Rodney. He met Rodney while living in Houston, Tx. Not only did I find that they resembled each other, but they smile a like and have just a beautiful way about themselves.

Derius and his father Melvin are the one's in their family who research and preserve the family history for their family. I was astonished to see a young man like him wanting to know about his family history. Sometimes you may not find as many men who want to know about their roots. When you do find one who wants to know, you want too teach them as much as you possibly can.

Slave Inventory of Samuel Harrell, Amite County, Ms

Well we set out to find what we could in the county clerk's office of public records. Derius located marriage records, succession and probate records and land deeds. This was his first trip to the county clerk of courts looking for records about his family.  He was so excited about his finding.  One of the statement he made was so profound about the importance of genealogy for young black men. If young men knew their family history it would help to restore pride, dignity and self-worth in these young men.

Using the county map, he tried and trace the migration of his family. Looking at land boundaries, and where they lived and worked. Did they live along the river? After slavery did they own any land? If so, how much did they own? Is the land still in the family? If not, what happened to the land? These are questions that we ask if we found that our ancestors or family owned land.

Two summer ago I was invited by Derius's father to attend their Dillon family reunion in Amite County, Mississippi. I got a chance to meet some of his elderly relatives who were in their 90s. I wish I had more time just to sit and talk with them. It was good to see family talking, sharing photographs and family history with each other. The younger generation were listening to the elders speak before they found their way to the dance floor.

Grandchildren of Purdell Dillon
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Some of the elders were the grandchildren of Prudell Dillon a woman of Indian descent. Prudell Dillon was born July 14, 1868 and died October 18, 1938. She was the mother of Walter Beasley, Robert Dillon, Wren Jones, Eli Lucas, Trudie McGhee, Emma Swinginton and Price Wilkinson

The descendants of Prudell recalls the days of growing up in their grandmother's house. They talked about how hard she worked in her garden and how she canned food and made their clothing. What a way to celebrate family!

The Legacy and History of Edgar Harrell, Sr.

Edgar Harrell, Sr.

Edgar Harrell, Sr., was born to Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell on April 17, 1896 and passed away on Saturday, February 14, 1959. He was the beloved husband of Minnie Nolan Harrell; father of Juanita Harrell Stewart and Clarence Edgar Harrell, Jr.

Survived by his  brother  Shelton S. Harrell of New Orleans, La., Jasper Harrell, Palmer Harrell, Mrs. Ella Kieth of Amite, Louisiana, Bertha Harrell of Chicago, Il., and Henry Harrell of Raccine, Wisconsin: grandfather of Gwendolyn an Michael Stewart. Father-in-law of Doretha S. Harrell and Isaac Stewart.

Also survived by a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends, A native of Amite, La and resident of New Orleans, for the past 40 years. He was a member of Petty's Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. He was a member of Cyrus Chapter No. 4.O.E.S. of Martha Grand Chapter of the Supreme Council of Louisiana. A.A.S.R.F.M., and the Debonnaires Club.

My mother said that my uncle Edgar would get dressed up on the weekend and come visit his mother Emma Mead Harrell with a trunk full of fruit from the fruit and vegetables market in New Orleans, LA.

Edgar Harrell's Louisiana Driver's License

He served in World War I and received and honorable discharge. His line of work was construction, he built his home and helped his brother Shelton build a home for his family in uptown New Orleans, LA. The home that my maternal great uncle Shelton built is still in their family today.

My mother said that uncle Edgar was a very quiet and kind man. He supported and provided for his family and never failed to visit his mother in Amite, LA.

The Legacy and History of Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was born to Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell in Amite, Louisiana. He attended O.W. Dillion High School, Kentwood and was a graduate of Westside High School, Kentwood, and Capitol Area Vocational School.

A friend to many and a humanitarian who gave so unselfishly to his family, his church and the community, who served as a spiritual advisor to those living with HIV/AIDS, who fed the hungry and provided clothes and shelter to the homeless, he died peacefully at 4:00 a.m., Tuesday, Oct, 23, 2001, at his residence in Slaughter, LA.,  at the age of 65 years old.

His service station was a haven for anyone in need. He was the retired owner and operator of Plank Road Automotive, he was also a U.S. Army veteran. Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was the pastor of Gordon Harrell Church of God in Christ, and a member of Richardson Chapel Church of God in Christ for 21 years. He is buried in Port Hudson National Cemetery.

He met and married his high school sweetheart Mildred Abbott Harrell, they were married for 40 years.; a son, Roosevelt Harrell Jr., and his wife, Wyomma; a daughter, Rolanda Gayle Harrell Jackson.  His siblings are the late Jasper Harrell, Jr., the late Catherine Harrell, the late Frank Harrell, the late Herbert Harrell, the late Leon Clarence Harrell, the late Raymond Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell Cook, Deloris Harrell Washington, and Henry Harrell.

It gives me great pleasure to write about my maternal uncle Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., a man who was very quiet and a man who spoke with great wisdom. There are so many qualities I can write about when it comes to my uncle. He kept a beautiful and loving smile on his face whenever he greeted you. Whatever you shared with him in confidence stayed with him. You could count on the fact that he wouldn't betray your confidence. Uncle Roosevelt also talked with me about saving and investing, the importance of buying your own home and must importantly serving the All Mighty Creator.

He is truly missed and I often think about him and try to apply some of the lessons my uncle shared with me. Uncle Roosevelt was a man that stood for righteousness, he was a kind of man that didn't bragged about material things. He didn't put others down to uplift himself. He truly left an example for us to follow and to live by. He never fell to tell you that he loved you and not to mention giving you a big hug. Miss you uncle Roosevelt!

Black Cowboys of Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

It wasn't until this past summer,  I learned something about the Black Cowboys Associations in Tangipahoa & St. Helena. This summer I had the pleasure of joining one of the trail rides in Clinton, Louisiana. Many of the men and women have been riding horses since they were toddlers. It often reminds me of the documentary " Forgotten Cowboys."

Little is known about the history of black cowboys in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. Before the trans-Atlantic slave trade, many former slaves were cattle herders. Before being sold into slavery in America and other European Nations, African men were men who owned cattle, camels, goats, sheep, and horses.  They weren't called cowboys in Africa, they were called herders. Herders can be found in every country in Africa. I had the opportunity to visit Niger, West Africa, where I saw the cattle herdsmen.

After I interviewed several men and women who attend the trail ride that weekend, learned that riding horses is in their blood.  Some of them had their wives, children, and grandchildren riding with them.  Caring for and taking care of horses is what they do. Listen to music from the blues to zydeco and the smell of barbecue that leaves your mouth watering. Calf roping is also known as die down roping is a rodeo event. The while the cowboy rides his horse try and catch the calf while throwing a rope from a lariat around its neck. He dismounts from the horse, runs to the calf, and restrain it by tying three legs together in as short a time as possible. The origin derives from the duties of actual workings cowboys, which sometimes required catching and restraining calves for branding or medical treatment.

The riders were young and old they started to saddle up the horses, over a hundred people were on horses and the others followed on a flatbed, wagon and buggies listened to music, dancing and having a cold beer. Riding club wore their shirts proudly and hand out promotional flyers to promote their upcoming trail ride. Fancy hats and fancy boots were the order of the day.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

This past summer I went to a cow-roping in St. Helena Parish at the arena owned by Richard  Johnson. The black cowboys pulled up with their horses and rope to lasso calves and cows. It was my first time ever attending a cattle roping event. Some of the cowboys came from far as Arkansas to rope cows. The history is not taught in schools, or at least I wasn't taught the history of the black cowboy.

Most of the black men and women who ride grew up on a farm. According to the 2011 NBC News report on black cowboys, it's estimated that up to 25 percent of the cowboys in the  West were black. And some of them are famous. I searched the internet high and low and couldn't find anything about the black cowboys in Tangipahoa & St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. I met over one hundred men and many women who rode and rope calves. My brothers used to play cowboys and Indians as little boys. Growing up they watched Roy Rogers and Bonanza. The only role a black man played in those movies where-- saddling, caring for and shoeing the horses as slaves are hired to help. Not only did black cowboys not make the movie screen but they never made the history books either.

African-Americans were cowboys, ranchers, gold miners, stagecoach drivers, hunters, trappers, lawmen, as well as explorers.  African-Americans played a major and vital role in the way the West was won. The largest black rodeo is the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, named after a Louisiana-born black cowboy, son of a former slave, who around the turn of the century invented steer-wresting, better

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.known as bull-dogging.

Although I haven't traced my root back to any cowboys or cow-girls yet, I know the history is very important. My eyes and knowledge were open to learning more about the untold story of the black cowboys. There is so much of our history that needs to be researched, documented and recorded.

Links to more information about "Black Cowboys"

http://johnferguson.prosite.com/4751/422023/gallery/the-forgotten-cowboys

http://blacktrailriders.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ranchhouse/pop_blackcowboy.html

http://nycfederationofblackcowboys.com/

The Legacy of Dr. Willard Vernon

Reverend Doctor Willard Vernon was born in Roseland, LA., Reverend James R. Vernon and Pearlie Briggs Vernon on August 5, 1918.  Dr. Vernon died on October 5, 1994. He attended elementary and high school in Tangipahoa Parish. Dr. Vernon attended Southern University, graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture Education and worked toward a Master's Degree at Louisiana State University and University of Southern Louisiana. He was a World War II Veteran.

He received his Master Degree of Theology at Inter Baptist Theology Center in Houston, Texas. Doctor of Divinity, Inter Baptist Theological Center of Houston, Texas. 

He served as President of the 3rd District Bogue Chitto Baptist Missionary Association. He also served as President of the Louisiana Home and Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention. 

He worked as a teacher in the public school system for 24 years and President of the Parish Teacher's Association. Dr. Vernon was the pastor of the Little Bethel Baptist Church in Amite, LA., New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Clifton, LA., and Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Mt. Hermon, LA. He worked and coordinated the building of the Good Samaritans Nursing Home in Franklinton, LA. He was married to Alma Harrison Vernon. He was the father of one daughter, Glyniss Vernon Gordon and the grandfather of two grandsons. Vernon and Christopher Gordon. 

Dr.Willard Vernon standing in the middle

Steptoe's Lounge "The Juke Joint in Arcola, Louisiana"

From Left to right rear Murphy Steptoe, Sr., not identified, not identified, Willie McCoy, not identified.  Second row: from left to right Mae Wilkerson, unidentified, unidentified, Ella Mae Henry, Eloise Jones.  These business men and women and their friends attended a business trip in New Orleans, LA.

One of the most prominent business men in this picture was Murphy Steptoe, Sr. Murphy was born to Ms. Willie Steptoe February 22, 1906.  Ms. Willie worked as a maid in a private home to support her boys, Murphy, Otis, and her youngest Sam.  Murphy attended schools for a while and at 14 began working at a local cotton gin factory to help support the family. He met Clara Tate in 1924, they dated and had a son M. J. Steptoe in 1925.   

Murphy worked for several years at the Cotton Gin factory, He later met and married Helen Perry and they had one son, Wesley Steptoe.  He and his wife lived with his mother for a while, and Murphy decided that he wanted something better for his family.  He and his brother Sam moved to Los Angeles, CA.  Murphy and Sam got jobs as welders.  While working as a welder, he got injured and could not work for a while. His injuries rendered him a nice sum of money.  He and his wife and son returned to Louisiana in the 1950s.  He purchased a large parcel of land in Arcola, La.  He built a night club called Steptoe’s Lounge. 

    

This was no ordinary night club, because it was a place where people of color could go and see live, popular blues artist. His clientele included teachers, doctors, lawyers, business owners and common everyday people.  It was “high class”, and the dress code was semi-formal or to us “Church clothes” without the hats. He also sold barbecue, which had a reputation of its own.  He prepared the best barbecue ribs and chicken in Louisiana. On Sunday the club was closed, but Murphy still had a heart to give the people good, quality entertainment.  He sponsored baseball games in a field where he had created a diamond for the game.  He gave people of color a place to go for good, Sunday Family Outings.  Many African American young men demonstrated their baseball talents and abilities on the Steptoe Diamond. Some were good enough for the “Negro Leagues.”

Bobby Blue Bland

The club was open on Friday and Saturday nights.  He would book top notch entertainers such as: Candi Statton, Clarence Carter, Percy Sledge, Tyrone Davis, Bobby “Blue” Bland, B. B. King, Joe Simon, Joe Tex, and Wilson Pickett to name a few.  He was negotiating a booking with the “King of Soul”, James Brown.

    

In July of 1971, Murphy was burning some debris using gasoline and he was badly burned. He was hospitalized, but never recovered from his injuries.  He passed away a few days after the incident. His grandson, Melvin Steptoe carry on his legacy by keeping his tradition of barbecuing.  I don’t do it commercially, but I do large scale barbecues for hire in the community.Steptoe’s Lounge will be remembered as well as Murphy the man who had a vision for “his people”.

Story and article submitted by Gloria Steptoe.

The History and Legacy of Fred Vernon, Sr.

Fred Vernon, Sr.

Fred was the sixth child born to Isaac (Ike) Vernon and Isabell Crook in 1891. He passed away in 1963.  His siblings were: Alonzo, Ruth, Wesley, Ivy and Martha Ann.  He was raised in Tangipahoa Parish, LA in an area known as Vernon Town.

Fred’s grandfather was Robert Vernon, better known in slavery times as “Free Bob.”  Robert Vernon was born a slave, but purchased his freedom and became a slave owner.  He then became a successful land owner, acquiring approximately 2300 acres of land.  

He gave each of his children 100 acres upon their marriage to establish their own home.  The area was known as Vernon Town.  In addition, as a well respected leader and religious worker in his community, he donated 4 acres of land to centralize the church that was originally a log cabin on Big Creek.  The church, organized in 1869, was named Mount Canaan. Fred met and married Alice Irving of Roseland, LA around the year 1917.  This union produced five children:  Norman, Felton, Fred Jr, Dorothy and Osborn.  He purchased land in Roseland where he became a well respected farmer.

   

Farming was his primary source of income for his family.  He planted almost everything imaginable: cotton, vegetables, strawberries, melons, corn, potatoes, string beans, peanuts, etc.  His land was beautifully cultivated with crops as far as you could see.  Most profitable of his crops were his cotton, strawberries and melons.  He hired people to pick the cotton and strawberries, providing employment for the local community--and his sons used to sell the melons from a pickup trunk throughout the town.  His farm also included raising farm animals: cows, pigs, horses, chickens and turkeys.  He sold beef and pork from his smokehouse, and he sold chickens and turkeys.  His wife, Alice, was chiefly responsible for raising the chickens and collecting eggs for sale.

I remember life being so rich on this farm as my mother (Dorothy) and my dad was given land to live on the farm property as a wedding gift.  The land was filled with animals, fresh milk, eggs, vegetables, meat, homemade butter, and fruit trees were all around us (figs, pomegranates, plums, blackberries, etc.).  He also had a pecan tree in his backyard.  Oh my God, we never lacked nutrition on that farm. It was just a beautiful time in my life. 

But farming was very hard work.  It took everyone to play a role to keep it live and cultivated.  And unfortunately when grandpa’s children became adults and left home to start their own lives, he and grandma had reach the age that they could no longer maintain a farm of that magnitude alone.  So they retired the business in the late 1950s.

Grandpa’s life would never be the same after retiring the farm.  There just wasn’t enough to keep him occupied.  However, he did enjoy telling stories about old times and how much the world had changed; how he wondered what the world was coming to.  He didn’t like his vision of the future and said he was glad he wouldn’t be around to see it.  He made me laugh when he told these stories.

Fred’s faith of choice was Jehovah Witness in his senior years, and his political choice was Republican.  Oh how I wish I could have discussion with him about that issue now.

After the lost of his beloved Alice on January 3, 1963, he seemed lost and grieved hard.  He started to plan his life without her and made travel plans, something he had never had time to do during his life as a farmer.  He talked of going to Chicago to visit his son, Felton.  You could see the excitement in his eyes as he made these plans.  On that very day, March 22,1963, just three months following Alice’s death, Grandpa Fred succumbed to an asthma attack.

Article written and submitted by Jacqueline James Pendleton-Dukes, the first born grand-daugher.

Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana: Griots and Oral Historians in the Family

Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana: Griots and Oral Historians in the Family: Isabel Harrell age 7 M y mother Isabel Harrell Cook is the griot and oral historian of our family. She never hesitates to seize the op...

Griots and Oral Historians in the Family

Isabel Harrell age 7

My mother Isabel Harrell Cook is the griot and oral historian of our family. She never hesitates to seize the opportunity and to share family stories with me about the Harrell, Richardson, Gordon, Vining and Jackson Family. I soon realized just how important oral history is to family history. My mother is the 5th child of ten children born too Jasper and Josephine Richardson Harrell. My mother grew up in Amite, Louisiana. She and her siblings assumed responsibilities early in life. They worked in the field picking beans, pulling corn, picking cotton, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables that her father Jasper Harrell, Sr., planted.

She didn't like to work in the field so she decided to take on the responsibility of cooking for her siblings and parents at an early age. She spoke of a happy childhood although they were not rich or wealthy people--but they had everything that they needed.  Her mother never worked outside of the home, she was a housewife who took care of the home and children.

I enjoy hearing my mother talk about the good "old days" one of the stories that she often talk about are the time when her paternal uncle Alec house burned down and he couldn't talk because he had a stroke. He was trying to tell everyone that his money was inside the house. My mother and her brother knew what he was talking about because he would give them a nickel to buy candy and they would help him count his money every week.

My mother attended West Side High School in Amite, La., she graduated in the class of 1958.  She and her first cousin Samuel Richardson were in the same class.  At that time all schools in the South were segregated. After graduation she went on to Southern University in Baton Rouge for one semester, she said college wasn't for her and my grandparents made the decision for her to come home.

By that time her oldest sister Catherine has gotten married and moved to Violet, Louisiana and my mother decided that she would move with her sister and find her a job in Violet or New Orleans, Louisiana. You know come to think of it, I really don't know much about what happen at this point.


 I will always honor the legacy of our family history that my mother passed on to me. Now, I will passed the legacy of oral history down to my children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Every family has a griot or family historian to keep the family oral history. Not only did my mother keep the oral history, she also kept photographs, family funeral programs and other documents that is important to our family history.

Isabel Harrell Cook
Family Griot and Oral Historian

Every one's family has unforgettable memories that we all would like too hold on to and share.  Powerful family stories are the fabric of our family history. My mother enjoys sharing those unforgettable family stories with anyone who will listen. Some of us will just listen, others will pass what was told to them by the family griot or oral historian to others in the family and quite often they will share it with a friend.

When we share our oral family history, we can learn so much about ourselves and how the past influence our lives today. We stand in the present looking at the future and passing down our oral history for generations to come.

One thing I would like to point about the oral history my mother passed down to me. She knew names, dates, events and places. I can't stress how helpful this information was to me when I started looking to outside sources. My mother is a repository of oral tradition. Thanks mom for maintaining the tradition of our family oral history. You have passed down our history to generations.

My Grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr.

Jasper Harrell, Sr.

It gives me great pleasure to blog about my maternal grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., My mother often talks about my grandfather and I just sit and listen to her. Sometimes she repeats the same stories over and over again and then there are times when she will allow something new to come through. One of her favorite stories she often share is the time she baked herself a birthday cake and my grandfather cut her birthday cake before her.

My grandfather was born in 1911 in a small town call Amite, Louisiana. He was the youngest child born to Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell. According to the United States census he and my grandmother Josephine Richardson Harrell were neighbors. I guest this is when the courtship started between the two.

My mother described him as being a very tall and handsome man. He loved to farm and was a carpenter by trade. She said that he really enjoyed farming, he would plant all kinds of beans, squash, corn, cotton, other vegetables. He was a good provider for his wife, children and grandchildren. My grandfather grew up in the A.M.E. Church, his mother attend Big Zion A.M.E. Church in Roseland, Louisiana. I guess it was after he married my grandmother that he converted over to the Church of God In Christ. To me that was a bit strange, because most of the time the women converted to their husband religion. They married in July of 1931 and to their union ten children were born; Jasper, Jr., Catherine, Roosevelt, Sr., Frank, Sr., Isabell, Henry, Leon Clarence, Herbert, Raymond, Sr., and Deloris.

Two other stories that my mother shared with me that really got my attention, the first one was how he would take his old pickup truck and go around the community and pickup African American  people and give  them a ride to the voting polls. Voting was important to my grandfather Jasper. Another story she shared is how he made the headstones for all his deceased brothers and sisters. He also made headstones for his parents graves.

He died in 1962, I was only two years old so I really have no memories of my grandfather, only the oral history that had been passed down to me by my mother and others. It gives me great pleasure to keep his memories and legacy alive. My grandfather is buried in Big Zion Cemetery with his wife, parents and siblings.

Tangipahoa Parish Colored Training School

Professor Oliver Wendell Dillon

Professor Oliver Wendell Dillon was born October 15, 1882, and died May 18, 1954, in Magnolia, Mississippi, he received his B.S. Degree in Science from Alcorn A. & M. College, in Alcorn, Mississippi and completed his post-graduate work from Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia.

The Tangipahoa Parish Training School, founded in 1911 was the first colored training school in the entire South. The most complete account of the establishment of the school is found in Edward E. Redcay, County Training Schools and Public Education for Negroes in the South, (Washington D. C., September 1910, by Professor A.M. Strange).

The school was the first color training school in the south and one of the first rural public schools providing secondary education for Negroes in the nation. The Tangipahoa Parish Training School concept was extended fully in 1918,  Mr. Oliver Wendell Dillon, during the first year of the founding of his administration. School donations were made through the Julius Rosenwald Fund, The Slater Fund, the state, and parish, and by the supporter of the school, communities both black and white.

O.W. Dillion Colored Training School in Kentwood, LA 

Professor Dillon's contribution in the area of education was a regional impact. The school provided educational instructions for Negro children in grades one through eleven with stress on Vocational and Industrial education at the secondary level. It would also provide teachers training so that its graduates could staff the rural black schools in the parish. The colored training schools were the real beginning of secondary public education for blacks in the rural south.

After seeing his dream of a lifetime shattered, Mr. O. W. Dillon, principal of the Tangipahoa Parish Training School, retired on May 17, 1952, at 69 years old. Although his hope of establishing a normal college in Kentwood to train Black teachers had been dead for many years, he left behind 35 years of sincere service to his people and a better understanding between the white and black races.

When Mr. Dillon first came to Kentwood in 1917 to take charge of the one-room, one-teacher, two months a year school, the town was a booming sawmill center and the largest community in the parish. In 1917, Mr. Dillon received $1,000 from the Brooks Scanlon Lumber Co. and the Natalbany Lumber Co. in order to hire three other teachers and extend the school term to a full nine months for 200 students.

He continued his money-raising efforts to match $5,000 promised by the State Supervisor of Negro Education, which he accomplished within two days through diligence and the assistance of a Mr. Wayne and Mr. H.A. Addison. This endeavor resulted in a new building to replace one that had burned and the girls and boys dormitories that had also been destroyed by fire. Mr. Dillon was undaunted by these setbacks. His next appeal was too rich Northerners, and he was rewarded with enough funds to rebuild both buildings. His ingenuity proved valuable in replacing these building when he appealed to the local board to buy a one-man machine and pay for the millwork to make cement blocks.

After securing the machine, he implored the Negro people in the area to supply labor. They made 40,0000 cement blocks, one at a time, and erected a building for educating the children of this and surrounding areas. He was also instrumental in getting 30 boys from the National Youth Organization in New Orleans, to come to Kentwood and enroll in school. During their stay, enough blocks were made to build a teacher's home for faculty members. Frustration, highs and lows, 35 years of hard work and commuting  15 miles one way each day, resulting in improving the lives of thousands of your people. Mr. Dillion returned to his father's farm in Magnolia, Miss., after his retirement, along with wife, Verdie Dillion, where they lived until their deaths.

Source: Tangipahoa Parish Training School/Dillion Memorial High School Reunion 1995