Thomas P. Mahammitt facts for kids

Thomas P. Mahammitt (born August 1862 – died March 28, 1950) was an important leader in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a journalist, a caterer, and worked for civil rights. He also helped lead community groups.

Mahammitt owned and edited The Enterprise. This was Omaha's main newspaper for Black people around 1900. He was also a big part of the Masons and the Boy Scouts. In 1934, people called him "Omaha's most distinguished Negro citizen."

Life Story of Thomas Mahammitt

Thomas P. Mahammitt was born in August 1862 in Frederick, Maryland. When he was young, he worked as a waiter. In the 1880s, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska. There, he continued his work as a caterer.

In 1896, Mahammitt and Oscar R. Ricketts opened a business together. It was called "Mahammitt & Ricketts, Billiard Hall and Pool Room, Bath Room and Tonsorial Parlor." This business was located at 1120 Capitol Avenue in Omaha.

Mahammitt married Ella Lillian Davis Browne in Kansas City on June 9, 1891. They held a party in Omaha at the home of Millard F. Singleton. They were separated when she passed away in 1903. Later, he married Sarah Helen Bradley Toliver on May 25, 1904. She died in 1956. Thomas Mahammitt passed away on March 28, 1950. His funeral was held at St. Philip's Episcopal Church. He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Thomas Mahammitt's Work in Omaha

This is the cover of The Enterprise newspaper from April 4, 1896.

In 1893, George F. Franklin started a newspaper called The Enterprise. Later, Thomas P. Mahammitt took over its publishing. For Easter in 1896, Mahammitt's Enterprise put out a special edition. Many people praised this special paper.

His wife, Ella, helped run the newspaper. Mrs. Al. Robinson worked as the typographer. The Enterprise was Omaha's top Black newspaper in the 1890s and early 1900s. It became very successful. Because of its success, the paper grew bigger in 1901.

Mahammitt was also part of important newspaper groups. He was on the executive committee of the Western Negro Press Association. He also joined the National Afro-American Press Association in 1905.

Mahammitt's Role in Omaha Politics

Mahammitt was also active in community matters. In 1896, he was on the board of the Colored Men's Working Republican Club. In 1897, he was the treasurer for a local board. This board helped with the Negro Department of the Tennessee Centennial.

He had good connections with Omaha's political leaders. In 1900, he became Omaha's Inspector of Weights and Measures. Mahammitt was known for doing his job very well. He made sure his office paid for itself using inspection fees.

In the early 1900s, Mahammitt and his wife faced some challenges. Other Black newspapers did not agree with their views. These papers included Chicago's The Broad Ax and Topeka's Plaindealer. Much of this disagreement came from Mahammitt's relationship with Omaha's Mayor Moores. The mayor had given him the job as inspector.

In 1908, Mahammitt visited President Theodore Roosevelt. He went with Nick Chiles and J. W. Jackson. After this visit, Mahammitt supported William Howard Taft. Taft was the secretary of war at the time. This support caused more arguments between his newspaper and others.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Mahammitt and The Enterprise often spoke up for civil rights. They worked to empower Black people. In 1906, Mahammitt fought against a city council candidate. This candidate wanted to stop Black people from buying certain properties in Omaha. In 1907, Mahammitt used The Enterprise to ask people to boycott businesses. These were businesses that refused to serve Black customers.

Thomas Mahammitt and the Masons

Thomas Mahammitt was very involved in Masonic activities. In the 1890s, he was a member of the Damascus Temple of Mystic Shriners. Later, he joined the Imperial Grand Council. This was a larger group of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In 1903, he was a Senior Grand Warden for the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Thomas Mahammitt and the Boy Scouts

Mahammitt became a leader for Omaha Boy Scout Troop 79 in 1920. In 1934, he received the "Silver Beaver Award." He was the first Black person in the U.S. to get this award. He first served for three years on the troop committee. Then, he became a Scoutmaster. He worked at Long School. He retired as a Scoutmaster in 1948, when he was 80 years old.

Later Activities and Recognition

In 1922, Mahammitt was on the executive committee of the Omaha Colored Commercial Club. He worked with many other community leaders.

In 1934, people voted Mahammitt "Omaha's most distinguished Negro citizen." This was for all his work in the community. In 1949, the Omaha Urban League honored him. They recognized his efforts in helping different races work together.