William Jones (1918-2009)

William Jones, one of the last Buffalo Soldiers, was also a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Prisoner of War (POW) in Korea and successful entrepreneur.  Jones was born in Tamo, Arkansas to farmers Joseph and Elizabeth Jones on July 15, 1918, the youngest of seven children. Jones grew up in Kansas and attended the … Read MoreWilliam Jones (1918-2009)

William McBryar (1861-1941)

William McBryar was a biracial buffalo soldier whose received the Medal of Honor for his participation in the 1890 Cherry Creek Campaign in Arizona Territory. McBryar was born on February 14, 1861 in Elizabethtown, North Carolina to Rose McBryar, an African American, and a white father whose name is unknown. McBryar attended … Read MoreWilliam McBryar (1861-1941)

George Moses Horton (1797-ca. 1880)

George Moses Horton, the first African American to publish a collection of poetry in the South during the antebellum period, was the author of three collections of poetry: The Hope of Liberty (1829), The Poetical Works of George M. Horton (1845) and Naked Genius(1865). George Moses was born enslaved to William Horton on a plantation in North … Read MoreGeorge Moses Horton (1797-ca. 1880)

George Goldsby (1843-1922)

George Goldsby, a.k.a. George Gooseby, a.k.a. William Scott, was a veteran of the Union Army and a sergeant in the Tenth U.S. Cavalry (“buffalo soldiers”).  His involvement in a shooting incident near Fort Concho, Texas and subsequent disappearance created an aura of frontier mystery surrounding his name.  Goldsby appeared as … Read MoreGeorge Goldsby (1843-1922)

Carrie Burton Overton (1888-1975)

Carrie Burton is best known as the first African American to attend the University of Wyoming.  Her parents—mother Katie Burton and stepfather Tom Price—were both born into slavery, but Katie moved to Wyoming Territory in the 1887 and Tom retired there after being discharged from the 9th … Read MoreCarrie Burton Overton (1888-1975)