Walter J. Singleton facts for kids

Walter J. Singleton was an important journalist and a government worker. He lived and worked in Omaha, Nebraska and Washington, D.C.. He helped lead a newspaper called the Omaha Progress. Walter was also part of the Afro-American League. This group was an early version of the NAACP, which works for civil rights. In Washington D.C., he worked for the government in the Department of War. He was also very active in many social and intellectual groups.

Walter J. Singleton's Life Story

Walter J. Singleton was born in Virginia around 1860. This was close to Washington, D.C.. He married Minnie B. Green. Her parents were Johnson Green and Mary Jane Bradshaw. In the 1880s, Walter moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He moved there with his brother, Millard F. Singleton. Walter J. Singleton passed away on July 1, 1933.

Walter's Career and Work

Working in Omaha, Nebraska

While in Nebraska, Walter was active in state politics. He worked closely with M. O. Rickets. Rickets was the first Black lawmaker in Nebraska. In 1890, Walter helped start a branch of the Afro-American League in Omaha. He became an officer in this important group. He also worked as an editor for a Black newspaper. This paper was called Omaha Progress. It was started by Ferdinand L. Barnett.

Moving to Washington D.C.

In December 1898, Walter got a job in Washington D.C. He was hired by the United States Department of the Treasury. This happened thanks to George de Rue Meiklejohn. Meiklejohn was a former congressman from Nebraska. He was also the Secretary of War at the time. Walter first worked as a messenger. Later, he became a clerk in the War Department. He also worked as a clerk in the Bureau of Insular Affairs. This bureau was part of the War Department.

In 1908, Walter became president of the Young Men's Protective League. This group was in Washington D.C. He faced some challenges during his first year. But he was re-elected as president in 1909.

In the 1910s, Walter was a busy member of the Mu-So-Lit club. This club was for musical, social, and literary professionals in D.C. In 1917, he was the president of this group. Lafayette M. Hershaw was the first vice president. R. W. Thompson was the second vice president. Walter was also involved with the Black branch of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants. He served on their board of directors in 1919.

Also in 1919, Walter Singleton worked with others. These people included Henry Lassiter, L. M. Hershaw, Archibald Grimké, and Robert H. Terrell. They pushed for a new law. This law aimed to stop "Jim Crow" rules on trains. Congressman Martin B. Madden introduced this law. It was called H.R. No. 376. This change to the Esch–Cummins Act did not pass.

When Walter passed away in 1933, he was president of the Banneker Relief Association. This group helped people who were struggling. It gave financial support to poor members. It also helped with burial costs. Walter had been an officer of this group since the early 1900s.