Allison O'Connor, Author at • Page 3 of 4

Independent Historian

Allison Marie O’Connor is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington. She is majoring in History with minors in Japanese and Education, Learning, and Society. After graduating she hopes to participate in the Master in Teaching program at her university and get the certification to become a high school Social Studies/History teacher.

Jefferson Franklin Long (1836-1907)

Jefferson Franklin Long, a Republican who represented Georgia in the 41st Congress, was the first black member to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives, and was the only black representative from Georgia for just over a century. Long was born a slave … Read MoreJefferson Franklin Long (1836-1907)

Charles Edmund Nash (1844-1913)

Republican Charles Edmund Nash served in the 44th Congress as Louisiana’s only black representative. Nash was born in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, on May 23, 1844. Before his time in Congress, Nash attended common schools, was a bricklayer in New Orleans, and had enlisted … Read MoreCharles Edmund Nash (1844-1913)

George Washington Williams (1849-1891)

George Washington Williams was a 19th century American historian most famous for his volumes, History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880; as Negroes, as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens (1882), and A History of the Negro Troops in the War … Read MoreGeorge Washington Williams (1849-1891)

Rev. Mance Jackson (1931-2007)

Open housing was one of the most prominent goals of the Seattle, Washington civil rights movement in the 1960s. Up to the early 1960s African Americans in Seattle were almost completely restricted to housing in the Central District of the city. Housing restrictions were not … Read MoreRev. Mance Jackson (1931-2007)

Katie Beatrice Hall (1938-2012)

Democratic representative Katie Hall was elected to the United States Congress in 1983. Born in Mound Bayou, Bolivar County, Mississippi in 1938, she attended Mississippi Valley State University and Indiana University before teaching in the public schools of Gary Indiana. Hall was elected to the … Read MoreKatie Beatrice Hall (1938-2012)

Negro Musicians’ Union, Local 493, Seattle

Also known as the Negro Musicians’ Union, Local No. 493 was formed in 1913 in Seattle. During this time period, locals across the country, under the banner of the American Musicians Federation (AMF), decided to encourage black musicians to form their own unions rather than … Read MoreNegro Musicians’ Union, Local 493, Seattle

Edythe Turnham Orchestra

Also called Edythe Turnham and her Knights of Syncopation, the Edythe Turnham Orchestra was a prominent fixture in the Seattle music scene during its “Jazz Age” (1920-1933). It was led by the husband and wife team of Edythe and Floyd Turnham and was one of … Read MoreEdythe Turnham Orchestra

John Henry “Doc” Hamilton (1891-1942)

Doc Hamilton, born John Henry Hamilton in 1891, was a famous Seattle prohibition-era club owner. Originally from West Point, Mississippi, he moved to Seattle at the age of 23. Hamilton served in World War I in the famous 92nd infantry division (also known as the … Read MoreJohn Henry “Doc” Hamilton (1891-1942)

Earl Whaley Band

Earl Whaley was an alto-saxophone player and bandleader from the San Francisco Bay Area. He moved to Seattle and led one of the first swing bands on the West Coast, The Red Hot Syncopators, who started performing successfully around Seattle at the Broadway and Finnish … Read MoreEarl Whaley Band

Arthur Wergs Mitchell (1883-1968)

In 1934, Arthur Wergs Mitchell became the first African American Democrat elected to Congress from any state. Mitchell served four terms as a Representative in Congress for the state of Illinois (1935-1943). Mitchell was born near Lafayette Alabama on December 22, 1883 and was educated … Read MoreArthur Wergs Mitchell (1883-1968)