Essie Wooten (1936 - 2010) Wooten Was an Inspirational Woman Born Into Poverty

Essie Wooten (1936 - 2010) Wooten was an inspirational woman born into poverty. Wooten was forced to drop out of high school to take on a $4.00 per week job. Fortunately, at age 24, she returned to school, receiving her diploma from Washington High School. A fter World War II, Wooten John Hall School (John Hall d. 1854, School c.1904) began to build clients as a seamstress, building a very John Hall was an abolitionist from Kendal, Ohio, who established a successful business. She created drapes for The Massillon Club, fund through his will in 1854 to educate African American MaryMassillon Bowman YMCA and YWCA, as well as prominent private children. Though the terms of the will were vague, administrator for (1858 -establishments. 1940) the estate, Arvine C. Wales, carried out his wishes. Many prominent Essie Wooten entered the political arena in Massillon in 1961 Massillonians contributed to the fund through the decades that Mary Bowman was the granddaughter of in an effort to prevent the Route 21 replacement project. The followed. slaves whose father owned a smokehouse in planned route would cause the displacement of a number of Massillon. She and her sister Rachel were the poor families, many of them minorities. She ran for city council The Hall School in Massillon was founded using that fund in Massillon first two African American students to in an effort to prevent the displacement. Before the turn of the in 1904. This was a vocational school to teach African American graduate from Washington High School. twentieth century, Massillon women led the statewide effort to children manual labor. The school offered classes in millinery, Education would become the primary gain women the right to run for municipal office; however, it dressmaking, English, and mathematics to young women. Students contribution Bowman would make to society. was 1958 before a Massillon woman was elected to city from Stark County were not charged tuition, and boarders paid $35 She attended college and spent much of her life council. As the first woman elected, Essie Wooten focused her per year. attempting to establish additional African campaign on housing for minority groups in Ward 4. Wooten American colleges before returning to was also one of the founders of the Massillon Urban League and Unfortunately, the school suffered a fire, believed to be arson, before Massillon in 1913. Much of her property was destroyed in the Great served as a board member and several terms as league the end of the first year. After the school closed, the funds were used Flood and she returned to the South to continue her quest to establish president. She was listed in the 1961 Who’s Who in America. to award scholarships to African American college students until churches and schools for the African American community. Miss 1953, when the last $5,000 was used to establish a scholarship at Bowman’s legacy consists of the steps she made to improve the lives of Washington High School. women and members of the African American community. Betsey Mix Cowles

Homer Floyd (1810 - 1876) b. 1936 One of the original female graduates of Born in Wetumpka, Oberlin College Institute Cowles Alabama, in 1936, Homer moved to Massillon in 1847 to take a Floyd came to Massillon, job at the Union School. She was Ohio, with his Mother noted for working for education during his elementary reform, abolitionist causes, women’s school years. Floyd’s rights and emancipation. Cowles football interest began in promoted the concept of equality 1952 while in high school. between men, women and African Americans. She encouraged her lone During his senior football African American student to continue attending despite public objection; season in 1954, Floyd was she eventually lost that battle. Cowles spent her life in education and named an All-Ohio running working toward equal rights for all. back, one of his many football accomplishments. Mary Bowman Floyd’s natural ability toward football provided him with a (1858 - 1940) scholarship to Kansas University, where he graduated with a B.A. Mary Bowman was the granddaughter of of Science. From here, Floyd turned his interests toward the Civil slaves whose father owned a smokehouse in Rights Movement. From 1966-1970 Homer Floyd worked as the Massillon. She and her sister Rachel were the Executive Director of Kansas Commission on Civil Rights. Floyd first two African American students to was honored by a placement in The Canton Negro Old-timers graduate from Washington High School. Hall of Fame in 1992. Following this he was recognized in 2009 Education would become the primary by Pittsburgh’s “Talk” Magazine as Person of the Year. In 1970, contribution Bowman would make to society. Floyd took the position as She attended college and spent much of her life Executive Director of Pennsylvania Human Relations attempting to establish additional African Commission, where he stayed for 41 years until his retirement in American colleges before returning to 2011. Massillon in 1913. Much of her property was destroyed in the Great Flood and she returned to the South to continue her quest to establish churches and schools for the African American community. Miss Bowman’s legacy consists of the steps she made to improve the lives of women and members of the African American community. Conductors on the  Isaac Bowman Marion Motley (1920 - 1999) Underground Railroad Marion Motley was born on June 5, Charles Coffin  1920 and raised in Canton, Ohio. Like According to Dr. William many influential African-Americans, Siebert’s 1898 book Mysteries  Matthew and Samuel Macy Motley did not let racism stand in his of Ohio’s Underground Railroad,  Isaac Robinson way of achieving his dreams. He is research, and newspaper credited with helping to break the articles, those who lived in Irvine and Richard Williams  racial boundaries within the All- Massillon and Kendal and American Football Conference (AAFC) assisted in ferrying runaway  Charles Grant (black and the National Football League slaves were: conductor) (NFL).  William Moffit  Thomas and Charity Rotch, Throughout his life football was his passion. He played in high Spring Hill Farm  Robert Folger school for Canton McKinley High School, a rival team of the  George Harsh  Levi and Catherine Coffin Massillon Tigers, coached by the legendary Paul Brown. Motley (who later moved to Indiana enlisted in the Navy in 1944, and played football for the Great James Austin  and is credited with naming Lakes Blue Jackets, a military football team, coached by Paul it the Underground Railroad James Bayliss Brown.  in 1831). After World War II, Motley returned to Canton to work, where he Secret Spring Hill later wrote Paul Brown, then the Head Coach for the new team in staircase, 2016 the AAFC, the Cleveland Browns, for a chance to try out. At first When Spring Hill’s Brown declined but later accepted. Motley and teammate Bill main home was com- Willis were both signed with the Cleveland Browns in August of pleted in 1821, several 1946. places were designat- ed for hiding fugitives. During his professional football career, Motley proved time and A secret staircase pro- time again how important the game was to him. He was later vided escape from the traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955. Marion Motley retired basement kitchen to the servants’ quarters on the second floor, from football in 1955. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall with no door or window on the first floor. Once there, they hid in of Fame in 1968. His dedication and determination to play the a small cupboard or the attic crawlspace, seen below. Household game helped him become one of the first African-Americans to staff moved a heavy barrel in front of the doors to protect them. play football in the AAFC and the NFL. Marion Motley died on June (Photograph by Mandy Altimus Pond) 27, 1999 from prostate cancer. Bill Willis (1921 - 2007) Spring Hill Farm, 1900 A notorious slave catcher, Bill Willis was a defensive known only as DeCamp, lineman for the Cleveland helped slaves to escape, only Browns. Not only was he a to track them and return legend in the game of Football, them to their masters for a he broke barriers along with reward. He tracked a fugitive his teammate, Marion Motley, slave woman and her children and his head coach, Paul to Spring Hill farm, and Brown. These three incredible demanded their surrender. men diminished the racial Thomas Rotch told him to leave, but DeCamp reminded him the barriers that stood in the way Fugitive Slave Act. The farmhands surrounded DeCamp with of African-Americans playing weapons, such as pitchforks, and he was forced to leave the football for many years. grounds. (Photograph by George McCall, Collection of the Massillon Museum, gift of the Karl Spuhler Estate, 91.7.1948) William Karnet Willis was born October 5, 1921. His family lived in Columbus, Ohio and football became a part of his life. He played Remains of Spring Hill Farm springhouse, 1970 defensive for Columbus East High School and continued on in The springhouse provided college at Ohio State University. When he graduated college, he hiding place for fugitive thought playing football professionally was an impossible dream. slaves until the main home But Paul Brown, head coach for the newly formed Cleveland was built. Fugitive slaves hid Browns, encouraged him to try out for the new team. in the upper story of the springhouse until a trusted Professional Football history was made when the All-American conductor was found. Any Football Conference (AAFC) officially signed Willis and his more than a few days would teammate Marion Motley to the Cleveland Browns in August of bring attention, putting the 1946. Willis played eight seasons with Cleveland, helping the team home owner and fugitives in to the championships in 1950. Bill Willis retired in 1953. His legacy danger. When it was safe, however will live on, his seasons with the Browns’ helped break fugitives traveled to the next station in northern Ohio near Stow, racial boundaries. In his later career, Bill worked with the youth of Hudson, or Painsville. There are no known photographs of the Ohio. In 1977 Willis was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. building. (Photograph by Jim Brand, Collection of the Massillon Willis died on November 27, 2007 at the age of 86. Museum) Johnny Bob Dixon (1899-1985) Johnny Bob Dixon was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and moved with his mother to Georgia and Pennsylvania before settling in Massillon, Ohio. He worked as a machinist for the Peerless Drawn Steel Company. He played on the weekends in Negro league baseball. James Bayliss Home, c. 1900 Bayliss built this home on Main Street in Massillon in 1835. According to an interview, his family welcomed fugitives, using an In the 1920s, 30s, and expansive wooded backyard for cover. They came up the canal and 40s, Dixon played for towpath and took that waterway to Canada by way of Cleveland. many semi-professional and professional teams in Cleveland, The house was moved to Water Street in the early 1900s. The house Detroit, and St. Louis. HeRobert was a rightFolger,-handed c. 1880 pitcher and outfielder, still stands today, though missing many of its additions. and played as “Juan Dixonez” on the Cuban Stars team for eight The son of Mayhew and Mary Joy Folger, (Photograph by George McCall, collection of the Massillon Museum, seasons. This traveling team played in Canada, Cuba, and the United Robert Folger was named a Massillon gift of Dan Douglass, 92.99.83) States. Major League Baseball’s color barrier wasn’t broken until Underground Railroad supporter in Dr. 1947, and Negro leagues around the country gave African James (1808-), and Eliza Fox Bayliss (1814-1891) William Siebert’s 1898 book Mysteries of Americans and Latin Americans the chance to play baseball. These Ohio’s Underground Railroad. Presumably he teams were popular until the 1960s when professional teams began took over the protection of fugitive slaves to accept African Americans more regularly. from his father. Mayhew Folger opened the

Commercial Inn hotel on the northwest Dixon also played for acorner short timeof Main on theand Massillon Erie Streets Maroons just a few professional football team.months before he died suddenly in 1828. Robert became the hotel’s proprietor and enlisted Jim Clemmons, a black man, as manager. (Collection of the Massillon Museum, BC 2363.2) Unidentified African American boy, Duke Cunningham c. 1845 Reproduction of a This daguerreotype photograph depicts an newspaper photograph unidentified young man, possibly a former in the Evening slave who found a new home in the villages of Independent, 1958 Kendal or Massillon, Ohio, which provided opportunities for all people. Fugitive slaves Charles Dewitt “Duke” found employment in houses, in hotels, and on Cunningham, a lifelong farms. (Photograph attributed to Abel Fletcher, local resident, was Collection of the Massillon Museum, gift of Albert Hise, BC 1624) Massillon’s first disc George Harsh, c. 1870 jockey (DJ). In 1902, According to Harold Boerner’s map of historic Cunningham purchased locations, the home of George Harsh on Fourth one the first Edison Street Northeast was a station on the Phonographs in Massillon Underground Railroad. Harsh gave a for about $40. By 1903 he substantial $10,000 bequest to help establish had about 200 cylinder the Massillon Public Library in 1899. records in his collection, which he bought for approximately $.75 (Collection of the Massillon Museum, gift of per record. Mrs. Myrtle Kisner, BC 2371.1) Duke played his records at dances and parties around the area, Robert Folger, c. 1880 such as Genoa School and Kepler’s Landing at Turkeyfoot Lake. He The son of Mayhew and Mary Joy Folger, also played guitar and drums for various bands and orchestras Robert Folger was named a Massillon throughout Ohio. Duke had the privilege to play in the bands and Underground Railroad supporter in Dr. orchestras during William McKinley’s Presidential campaign in William Siebert’s 1898 book Mysteries of 1896 and at the President’s funeral in 1901. He directed his own Ohio’s Underground Railroad. Presumably he orchestra called the “Duquane Orchestra,” which lasted for about took over the protection of fugitive slaves ten years before it disbanded in 1940. from his father. Mayhew Folger opened the Duke had been playing music for more than fifty years before he Commercial Inn hotel on the northwest began working at a shoeshine business at the Union Bus Terminal, corner of Main and Erie Streets just a few where he played music while he worked. He died in January of months before he died suddenly in 1828. 1963 at the age of 84. Robert became the hotel’s proprietor and enlisted Jim Clemmons, a black man, as manager. (Collection of the Massillon Museum, BC 2363.2) Anson Pease Family, c. 1860 Wright Walker Lawyer Anson Pease, born in 1819, (c. 1845 - 1921) married Eliza Per Lee, and served as Wright Walker was born into slavery in deputy sheriff. Anson Pease was the Georgia. During the Civil War, Walker nephew of Samuel Pease, the first joined Union General Sherman as he mayor of Massillon. Previous to marched through the South, and Walker building their Roanoke home, they became a freedman. After moving to lived in a double house on Oak Street New York for a short time, Walker Southeast, shared with the Edwin relocated to Massillon with the Jarvis Jarvis family. Left to right, Mary, family. Walker was always generous in Eliza, Abraham Per Lee, Anson, and his contributions to local churches and Edmond Noxon Pease. charities. He was well-known about (Photograph attributed to Martha town for his large top hat, which he even wore while mowing the grass. Fletcher, MM, 76.39.1) Upon his death, he left a few bequests to local churches and made a

$30,000 to the Tuskegee Institute, a college for African American students founded by Booker T. Washington.

Robert Pinn (1843 - 1911)

In September of 1863, Robert Pinn was one of eighteen men to join the 5th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops, the first Black unit in Ohio. Following the death of the unit’s leader, Pinn led the troops into battle despite suffering three bullet wounds. He Pease Family’s Roanoke Home, c. 1870 was one of only four African American Ohioans to receive the Congressional Medal The Anson Pease family moved into their Roanoke home in 1852. of Honor. After the war, Pinn attended Oberlin College and returned to Their servant was Sidney Powell, a runaway slave. She named the Massillon to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He house Roanoke because of its resemblance to the home from which continued his service as a U.S. Pension agent and in 1973, the National she escaped in Roanoke, Virginia. Powell discovered her master Guard Armory in Stow, Ohio was named in his honor, the first to be was on her trail and the Pease family sent her to Canada to safety named for an African American. and freedom. (MM, gift of the Karl Spuhler Estate, 91.7.1873)