James Preston Poindexter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Preston Poindexter
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Poindexter in 1887
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| Born | October 26, 1819 Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | February 7, 1907 (aged 87) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
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| Occupation | Minister |
| Political party | Free Soil Party Republican |
| Religion | Baptist |
James Preston Poindexter (born October 26, 1819 – died February 7, 1907) was an important leader from Columbus, Ohio. He was an abolitionist, which means he worked to end slavery. He also fought for civil rights and was a Baptist minister.
Poindexter was born in Richmond, Virginia. He moved to Ohio when he was young. In Ohio, he joined groups that worked against slavery. These groups also helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. As a preacher, he spoke out against slavery. He also spoke up for the rights of African Americans.
After the American Civil War (1861–1865), he became active in politics in Columbus. He served on the City Council and the city Board of Education. He also helped lead the state Forestry Bureau. He was a trustee for the Institute for the Blind and Wilberforce University. When he died, he was known as a long-time champion for African American rights.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
James Preston Poindexter was born on October 26, 1819. His parents were Evelina and Joseph Poindexter. His mother was of Black and Cherokee heritage. His father, Joseph, was a white journalist.
James's mother passed away when he was four years old. As a child, he went to school. When he was ten, he started learning to be a barber. He worked in a fancy barber shop. This allowed him to meet many important leaders in Richmond.
He later moved to Ohio and settled in Columbus at age twelve. In Ohio, he continued his schooling privately. He also kept working as a barber. This job helped him make many useful connections. In the 1840s, he got married. In 1887, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. This was after he gave a special sermon at the State University in Louisville, Kentucky.
Early Career and Activism
Poindexter was baptized at the Second Baptist Church in Columbus in 1840. He became an ordained minister in 1849. He served as the pastor of the Second Baptist Church from 1862 to 1893. He was also elected president of the Pastor's Union.
He often preached against slavery. This was important because many preachers at the time did not speak out. They sometimes even claimed the Bible supported slavery. Around 1857, he became president of the "Sons of Protection" society. This was a secret African-American civil rights group. It was connected to the Underground Railroad. He led this group for 30 years.
Other African-American abolitionists in Columbus included David Jenkins and John Booker. White abolitionists like Joseph Sullivant also helped. In December 1848, Poindexter helped bring Frederick Douglass to Columbus. Douglass spoke at a Free Soil Party Convention.
Later Career and Public Service
After the Civil War, Poindexter strongly supported education for Black children. He was a delegate to the 1872 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. He also attended many state conventions. In 1873, he was the first Black man in Ohio to be nominated for the House of Representatives. He was nominated by the Republican Party. However, he lost the election in Franklin County, which was mostly Democratic.
Starting in 1880, he served two terms on the Columbus city council. This was for four years. He was also the council's vice-president. He was appointed to the Board of Education. Later, he was elected to that position, serving from 1884 to 1893.
Ohio Governor Charles Foster appointed him as a trustee for the Institute for the Blind. He served a four-year term there. Governor George Hoadly also appointed him as a trustee for Athens University (now Ohio University). However, the state senate did not approve this in 1885.
In 1887, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Ohio State Forestry Bureau. He served a six-year term and was reappointed twice. In September 1888, he was president of the Columbus Centennial Freedom Jubilee. In 1898, Governor Asa Bushnell appointed him as a trustee for Wilberforce University.
He was also the first Black foreman of an Ohio grand jury. Poindexter often wrote for newspapers and journals. He worked closely with Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. He also worked with Ohio governor William Dennison Jr..
Death and Lasting Impact
In 1898, Poindexter stepped down as pastor of the Second Baptist Church. However, he continued to preach. He passed away in Columbus on February 7, 1907, from pneumonia. He was survived by two grandchildren.
The first public housing project built in Columbus was named Poindexter Village. This was done to honor his important work and legacy.
