Benjamin W. Arnett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin W. Arnett
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Benjamin William Arnett
March 6, 1838 |
| Died | October 7, 1906 (aged 68) Wilberforce University Campus, Wilberforce, Ohio
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| Occupation | Bishop, educator, and politician |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Louise Gordon (m. May 25, 1858) |
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Benjamin William Arnett (March 6, 1838 – October 7, 1906) was an important American leader. He was a teacher, a minister, and later a bishop in his church. He also served as a politician in the Ohio House of Representatives. Arnett worked hard to improve education and rights for African Americans during his lifetime.
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Early Life of Benjamin Arnett
Benjamin Arnett was born on March 6, 1838, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He was born a free black person, meaning he was not enslaved. From 1859 to 1867, he worked as a teacher in his hometown. When he was younger, Arnett had an accident while working on a steamboat. He injured his ankle, which led to an infection. Sadly, he lost a leg because of this injury.
On May 25, 1858, Arnett married Mary Louise Gordon. She was from Geneva and Uniontown, Pennsylvania. They had seven children together: Alonzo T, Benjamin W, Henry T, Annie L, Alphonso Taft, Flossy Gordon, and Daniel Payne.
Benjamin Arnett's Religious Career
Benjamin Arnett was a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). This is a historically African-American Christian denomination. He led churches in cities like Toledo, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Under his guidance, St. Paul's Church in Urbana was finished. This church is now recognized as a historical landmark.
In 1888, Arnett was chosen to be a bishop in the AME Church. He held this important position until he passed away in 1906. He also cared deeply about religious education. He attended big conventions for Sunday Schools in Washington, D.C., in 1872, and in Toronto in 1880. Wilberforce University gave him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in June 1883.
Benjamin Arnett's Civil and Political Work
In the 1860s, Benjamin Arnett was very active in the civil rights movement. This movement worked to gain equal rights for African Americans. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights League. In 1864, he joined the national convention of colored men in Syracuse, New York. He also served as secretary for a convention in Washington, D.C. in 1867. Later, he was a chaplain at a convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1883.
In 1872, Arnett made history. He became the first black man to lead a jury that was otherwise all white. This was a big step forward for equality. In 1885, he was elected to the Ohio General Assembly. This is Ohio's state legislature. He represented a district where most people were white. This made him the first African-American to represent a mostly white area. Another African-American, Jeremiah A. Brown, was also elected that year. They often worked together in the assembly.
In 1886, Arnett, as a Republican representative, worked to change unfair laws. He introduced legislation to get rid of Ohio's "Black Laws." These laws limited the freedom and rights of African-American citizens. Arnett was especially worried that black children did not have the same chances for education as white children. In 1887, the laws about education were changed. After that, the state had to provide equal opportunities for all children, no matter their race. Arnett was a powerful speaker. He was very influential in the Republican Party. This was partly due to his friendship with William McKinley, who later became president.
Death and Legacy
Benjamin Arnett died at Wilberforce University on October 7, 1906.
His influence continues to be felt today. His great-grandson, Bishop Benjamin Terwood Douglass, is a leader in the Pentecostal Churches of Christ. This shows how Arnett's work and spirit have continued through his family.
Images for kids
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Benjamin Arnett's signature.
