James Carroll Napier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Carroll Napier
James Carroll Napier, c. 1910
Born	(1845-06-09)9 June 1845 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	21 April 1940(1940-04-21) (aged 94) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Nettie De Ella Langston (1860–1938)
Children	Carrie Langston Napier (adopted; 1894–1918)
Parent(s)	William Carroll Napier Jane Elizabeth Watkins
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James Carroll Napier (born June 9, 1845 – died April 21, 1940) was an important American leader. He was a businessman, a lawyer, and a politician from Nashville, Tennessee. He also worked hard for civil rights, which means equal rights for all people.

From 1911 to 1913, he served as the Register of the Treasury. This meant his signature appeared on American money. He is one of only five African Americans to have their signatures on U.S. currency.

President William Howard Taft chose Napier and three other African-American politicians for high government jobs. They were sometimes called Taft's "Black Cabinet." Napier helped create important groups in Nashville. These groups supported African-American businesses and residents, especially focusing on education.

Early Life and Education

James Carroll Napier was born into slavery on June 9, 1845. His parents, William Carroll Napier and Jane Elizabeth Watkins, were enslaved in Davidson County, Tennessee. His father was of mixed race. His white master, Dr. Elias Napier, was his father's father. James's family was freed from slavery in 1848.

Schooling and College Years

Young James first went to a private school in Nashville. This school was for free Black children. But in 1856, white people forced the school to close.

Napier's family then moved to Ohio, which was a free state. In 1859, James enrolled at Wilberforce College. This was a historically black college, meaning it was founded mainly for African-American students. It was started by two church groups.

Later, he transferred to Oberlin College. Oberlin was special because it was one of the first colleges in America to accept women and Black students. He left Oberlin in 1867.

While working in Washington, D.C., Napier continued his studies. He earned his law degree from Howard University in 1872. There, he met John Mercer Langston, who was the first dean of Howard University's law school. He also met Langston's wife, Caroline, and their daughter, Nettie.

A Career of Service and Leadership

After leaving Oberlin College, Napier returned to Tennessee. He was appointed to a role with the Freedmen's Bureau for a year. This bureau helped formerly enslaved people. Next, he moved to Washington, D.C.. He became a State Department Clerk. He was the first African American to hold this important government job.

Building a Law Practice and Family

After getting his law degree, Napier moved back to Nashville. He started his own law practice. He and Nettie Langston married in Washington, D.C. Nettie then moved to Nashville to be with him. They adopted a daughter named Carrie. Nettie became very active in women's groups. She worked to support education for African-American children.

Making a Difference in Nashville

Napier became a very important person in Nashville's African-American community. He was elected to the Nashville City Council. He also joined the Tennessee Republican Executive Committee. Napier was the first African American to be president of the city council.

He worked hard to hire African-American teachers for the Black public schools. At that time, schools were separated by race. He also helped create the Black Fire-engine Company. This company served Black residents. Because of his work in Nashville, he became a well-known African-American leader. He was also connected to Booker T. Washington, a famous educator.

Supporting Black Businesses and Rights

In 1905, Napier started a local chapter of the National Negro Business League in Nashville. This group helped Black businesses. He was the president of this local chapter. In 1904, he also helped start the One Cent Savings Bank. This bank is still operating today as the Citizens' Savings Bank and Trust Company.

In 1905, Napier helped organize a protest. It was called the 1905 Negro streetcar strike. African Americans were protesting the separated streetcar service. They made up most of the streetcar customers. They refused to ride the streetcars for one year.

Napier also led the Nashville Negro Board of Trade. This group is now called the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce. He served on the boards of Fisk University and Howard University. Both are historically black colleges. He also helped get approval to start Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College. This school is now Tennessee State University. Later, he was the first Black person to serve on the Nashville Housing Authority board.

In 1910, he helped create a chapter of Sigma Pi Phi in Memphis. This was a group for college-educated African-American men. They focused on "quality not numbers" for their members.

Working in the U.S. Government

In 1911, President William Howard Taft appointed Napier as Register of the Treasury. He was one of four African-American men chosen by Taft for high positions. They were known as the "Black Cabinet."

Napier served until 1913. He resigned to protest a new rule by President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson ordered racial segregation in federal workplaces. This meant separate work areas, restrooms, and lunchrooms for Black and white employees. This rule affected the Treasury Department, Post Office, and Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Also, in 1914, the Civil Service Commission started asking for photos with job applications. This was a way to avoid hiring African Americans.

After leaving Washington, D.C., Napier returned to Nashville. He continued his law practice and his many community activities.

Later Years and Legacy

After five months of illness, James Carroll Napier passed away in Nashville. He died on April 21, 1940.

Honors and Recognition

Fisk University gave Napier an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 1970, a historical marker was placed in Nashville. It honors Napier's many achievements. The J. C. Napier Homes, a housing project, is also named after him.