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,e...- THE STORY OF AN HISTORIC GALLIPOLIS OHIO HERO FEB 12, 2011 ~j~'mm! ..• JOHN GEE John Gee was an astute businessman building fine homes, streets, sidewalks, and a racetrack, a man devoted to church and family, a philanthropist generous with time, land and money, and at one time the largest property owner in Gallipolis, Ohio. Oral history has him in Gallipolis in 1818 and his name first appears in tax records in 1822. He owned and lived on land that was physically bordering a slave state but despite all the restraints put upon blacks during the time of slavery, he managed to prosper and thrive. The most extraordinary aspect of John Gee’s life, more than his business acumen, building skills and entrepreneurship, was the fact that he was a known conductor of the Underground Railroad! He was a successful businessman and family man during the day, yet at night he risked everything to assist untold numbers of desperate African Americans escape the bondage and terrors of slavery. Gee died in 1865, one month after the end of the Civil War. It is mind boggling to consider what might have become of him had he been caught – the physical torture and possible death, the loss of his businesses, the risk to his wife (during their time, both of them would have been at risk) and his 10 children – so that he might help strangers make their way to freedom. Would you dare so much? Board of Directors: Paul Simon, President; Tracy Call, Vice President; Chris Petro, Treasurer; Jason Holdren, Secretary; Shirley Doss; Mike Owens, MD; Lora Lynn Snow, Founder Ariel Opera House & OVS Executive Director: Lora Lynn Snow Program: Kate Jacobs-Coldren Staging: Timothy Huffman, Tyler May Ushers: Clarissa Coldren, Katy Glassburn, Conner Snow, Julia Snow John Gee’s Life and Times 1798 John Gee born in Cincinnati of • Built fine brick homes on Pine St., white father and slave mother, given to 2nd and 3rd. Aves. in Gallipolis. Gen. Findlay and taken to Findlay, • Built the brick streets and sidewalks Ohio where he possibly learned to in Gallipolis. handle horses • 1815 Ran away from Findlay Worked for J.P.R. Bureau, himself an abolitionist 1818 Oral history puts him in Gallipolis by this date • Successful businessman against all odds. 1822 First appears in Gallipolis tax records • Well educated and known for his 1822 One of the first trustees of the hard work and skill. Bethel church (across street from • Known conductor on Underground current John Gee A.M.E. church/Black Railroad. History Center) • Fed, clothed and sheltered blacks 1830 Married to Barbara Stowers, they fleeing from slavery. had 6 children, their first son, John • Randolph Gee, became a lawyer, other Largest landowner in Gallipolis, over children are Charley, Morris, Martha, 20 lots. Mary and Barbara • Listed in “Settlers and Builders of 1830 John Gee and his household Gallia County” listed on Gallipolis census as “free • Owned a race track in the vicinity of persons of color” the original Bob Evans restaurant on 1842 Barbara died giving birth to baby Eastern Ave. Barbara • Donated 4 plus acres for “Colored 1850 John Gee was listed on Gallipolis Cemetery” on Pine St. census as “mulatto” • Operated a large farm farther west 1850 Evaline Clark listed in Kentucky out Pine St. census with a teenage daughter • Represented Gallia Co. at the 1850 Unknown Gee married Evaline Clark State Convention of Colored Citizens from KY, they had 4 children Florence, of Ohio and was selected as a Luella, Lydia and Lloyd member of the Business Committee. 1860 Evaline listed on census • No will found at death, but large 1865 Donated land for Bethel Church probated estate (records of estate (later known as John Gee A.M.E. located at Genealogical Society) Church) • Estate sale held Aug. 26, 1865 1865 Died in May shortly after Civil • War ends Surviving houses include: 1884 Evaline died ° Allen Evans house at First Ave. and Pine St. 1916 Lloyd (son of John and Evaline) ° Gee’s obituary stated he was the Waugh-Halley Wood Funeral grandson of William Henry Harrison home, Second Ave. ° 2016 House at 809 demolished to make Pine St. and Third Ave. way for gas station ° Spruce St. and Third Ave. Page 2 Mark on History AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Side A) The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1818 as the Bethel Church. In 1868 its present name, John Gee, was adopted when the church was erected and rededicated at the present site on land donated by Gee. Founders of this church are: John and Barbara Gee, William and Eliza Napper, Leah Stewart, Nancy Bell, John and Lorain Givens, Lovina Lucas, and Marthilda Warren. It is the first colored, religious organization within Gallia County. Throughout its existence, this church has proven to be at the forefront of human compassion. In the 1830's, they supported a school for "colored" kids operated by Elisha Barnes. Among his former students were James Madison Bell, who gained national note for his association with John Brown's Raiders and Harvey Cain, who in 1872 addressed the U.S. House of Representatives on Civil Rights. During the Civil War, it was a refuge for soldiers (Side B ) during the time of Lightborn's Retreat. Also, this edifice housed many refugees coming North looking for freedom as a designated stop of the Underground Railroad. Several prominent figures in Black History participated in the Ohio Conference of the A.M.E. in 1888, hosted at John Gee: Bishop B.W. Arnett, from Greene County, who in 1879, was chaplain of the Ohio House of Representatives and later served in this body from 1885-1887; the Honorable Benjaman Lee, who served as President of Wilberforce University in Xenia, Ohio; the Rev. Phillip Tolliver, the host pastor, is credited for planning the largest Emancipation Proclamation Celebration in the history of Gallia County in 1887; that celebration, hosted at John Gee, is part of the on-going celebration purported to be the longest, continuous observance in the country. This edifice continues to serve the community as the John Gee Black Historical Center, Inc., established on June 2, 1998. PINE STREET COLORED CEMETERY (Side A) This 4-acre plot, established ca. 1860 [date is incorrect, there are headstones dating to the 1820’s] by John Gee, is a burial ground for local colored citizens. John Gee was a religious leader as well as a skilled carpenter who built houses in early Gallipolis. Some Gallipolis colored pioneers were artisans while others came to work in the homes of French settlers. Leah Stewart, the first legally-recorded colored person in Gallia County, arrived in 1803. In this cemetery are the graves of numerous soldiers who served in this country's military forces. At least 57 United States veterans rest upon this sacred site. (Side B) Several local citizens, also buried here, have contributed to this community's development. Included are Willis Battles, a carpenter; Daniel Webster, a restaurateur; Lemuel Holmes, a cooper; George Mason, a shoemaker; Mulligan Connor, a banker; Henry Bell, a plasterer; Mary Washington, a nurse; and Phoebe Smith, founder of the Mutual Aid Society. Robert Mitchell led the way to an early desegregation of the Gallipolis Public Schools. Because of his efforts, Gallia Academy High School became integrated in 1918. Page 3 In Memoriam DOROTHY CASEY Executive Director John Gee Black Historical Center In June 1998, Dorothy Casey was one of only two surviving members of the John Gee A.M.E. Church established in 1818. They decided to close the church and Dorothy, along with Ms. Barbara Scott, led the effort to establish the John Gee Black Historical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio as a cultural and educational center to preserve the contributions and history of black Americans of southeastern Ohio. Dorothy served as a strong and effective leader as the Center's Executive Director until her death in 2016. Mrs. Dorothy Casey A life of strength and purpose. Dorothy was preceded in death by daughter Cynthia; her granddaughter At 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept 11, 2016, Camille Stokes; maternal grandmother Dorothy Mae Casey received her wings Carrie Payne; and siblings Marcia and was Heaven bound, non-stop. Sawyers, Anna Margaret Oiler, James She was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Singer, Joan Layne and Richard Singer. Middleport, to James and Anna Singer, In June 1998, Dorothy, along with Ms. who preceded her in death. Barbara Scott, led the effort to establish She wed Robert Morris Casey, of the John Gee Black Historical Center in Gallipolis, on Feb. 19, 1946. Robert Gallipolis as a cultural and educational preceded her in death in August 2003 center to preserve the contributions and after 57 years of loving marriage. history of black Americans of Dorothy was a devoted and loving southeastern Ohio. Dorothy served as a mother of five children, William strong and effective leader as the (Billy), Hattie Ann, Roberta, Cynthia Center's executive director until her and Morris. death. She leaves to cherish her memory, her Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. children; seven grandchildren; and 13 Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, at Waugh- great-grandchildren; siblings Florence Halley-Wood Funeral Home [a home Moore, Rita Blair, Jane (Allen) Harper, built by John Gee], 810 Second Ave. Helen Owen, Roland (Valerie) Singer, Gallipolis, with pastors Melvin O. Sandra (Bill) Alexander; and a Freeman and Christian Scott multitude of nieces, nephews and other officiating. Burial followed in Pine family members and friends. Street Cemetery. The Story of John Gee an historic Gallipolis, Ohio hero February 12, 2017 The Ohio Valley Woodwind Quintet Wendell Dobbs, flute Lora Lynn Snow, oboe Harry Faulk, clarinet Karen Elliott, bassoon Marsha Palmer, horn Narration by Elaine Armstrong with remarks throughout the program Ol’ Man River ....................