Jane Johnson Endsley facts for kids

Jane Johnson Endsley (1848–1933) was an amazing businesswoman and community leader from Dallas, Texas. She was born into slavery. But she became very successful. Endsley ran one of the biggest coal and log businesses for railroads in Dallas.

Early Life

Endsley was born into slavery in Jefferson, Texas. She worked on a large farm called a plantation. In 1862, she married Moses Calloway. They moved to Rowlett.

From Slavery to Freedom

Jane and Moses started as sharecroppers. This meant they farmed land owned by someone else. They paid rent with a share of their crops. Over time, they worked hard and bought their own farm. They had eleven children together.

A Strong Businesswoman

Moses Calloway passed away in the late 1880s or early 1890s. Jane then took charge of their 100-acre family farm. The farm was in Dallas County. It was worth a lot of money. Jane worked very hard on the farm. She grew cotton and took it to the local cotton gin.

Later, Jane sold her farm. But she kept the rights to the timber (trees) on the land. She then started her own business in Dallas. It was a coal and log business for the railroad yards. Her sons, Joe, Lube, and Emmett, helped her. The business became very successful and earned a lot of money. In 1914, she married H.E. Endsley.

Community Leader

Jane Johnson Endsley was also a kind and helpful person in her community.

Helping Her Neighbors

For many years, Jane's home had the only telephone in her neighborhood. She let her neighbors use it whenever they needed to. This was a big help to everyone around her. She also worked with her daughter, Maggie. They helped people who were hungry and poor. This was especially important during the Great Depression.

Founding Churches and Groups

Jane helped start the Macedonia Baptist Church. This church grew very large. It became the Good Street Baptist Church. It had 5,000 members! In the 1920s, she also started a women's group called the Household of Ruth.

Later Life

Jane Johnson Endsley passed away in 1933. She died at her home on Collins Street in Dallas. She was buried in Rowlett, Texas.