Isaac Myers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaac Myers
|
|
|---|---|
Isaac Myers, pioneer of the African-American trade union movement circa 1875.
|
|
| Born | January 13, 1835 |
| Died | January 26, 1891 (aged 56) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Caulker, trade unionist |
| Known for | African American labor organizing |
Isaac Myers (born January 13, 1835 – died January 26, 1891) was an important African American leader. He helped start some of the first worker groups for black Americans. He was also a co-operative organizer and worked as a caulker in Baltimore, Maryland.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Isaac Myers was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 13, 1835. Even though Maryland was a slave state, he was born a free person. This meant he was not enslaved.
Because Maryland did not have public schools for African American children, Isaac went to a private school. Reverend John Fortie ran this school. At age 16, Isaac started working as a caulker. Caulkers sealed the seams of ships to make them waterproof.
In the 1850s, Isaac married Emma V. Morgan. They had three children together. One of their sons was George A. Myers, who became a political activist. Emma died in 1868. Isaac later married Sarah E. Deaver.
In 1860, Isaac stopped caulking for a while. He started a grocery business. In 1864, he even opened a short-lived co-operative grocery store. He returned to his caulking job in 1865.
Starting a Cooperative Shipyard
After the American Civil War, many white workers went on strike. They protested against black workers having jobs. This caused over 1,000 black caulkers to lose their jobs. Isaac Myers had an idea to help.
He suggested that the workers put their money together. They could form their own co-operative shipyard. This new company would be called the Chesapeake Marine Railway and Dry Dock Company. It would give jobs to the black caulkers.
The company opened in February 1866. It was very successful at first. It employed more than 300 black workers. This was a big step for the community.
Leading Labor Movements
In 1868, Isaac Myers and others created the Colored Caulkers Trade Union Society. Isaac was chosen as its president. This group worked to protect the rights of black caulkers.
The National Labor Union noticed their efforts. This was a large, mostly white, worker organization. They invited the Colored Caulkers Trade Union Society to their yearly meeting. This was important because the National Labor Union had been all white before.
However, black workers still faced challenges joining white unions. So, in 1869, the Colored National Labor Union was formed. Isaac Myers became its first president. This union worked to improve conditions for all black workers across the country. Frederick Douglass, another famous leader, took over as president in 1872.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving the Colored National Labor Union, Isaac Myers kept working for fairness. He became more involved in the Republican Party in the 1870s. He worked for the government in different roles.
He was a Customs Service agent. He also worked as a postal service agent. He served under President Ulysses S. Grant's Postmaster General, John Creswell. Isaac Myers was the first known African American postal inspector. He held this job from 1870 to 1879. After that, he went back to Baltimore to run a coal yard.
Isaac Myers also helped start many other groups. He was president of the Maryland Colored State Industrial Fair Association. He led the Colored Business Men's Association of Baltimore. He also helped create the Colored Building and Loan Association. He was involved with the Aged Ministers Home of the A.M.E. Church.
Today, the Frederick Douglass - Isaac Myers Maritime Park in Baltimore is named after him. This park honors his important work and contributions.
