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Scrolling through the CGS Online Resources, I found reference to, “The 1916-1917 Colored Directory.” Our own Jennifer Dix wrote a wonderful blog post about it and I urge you to read it:
While I had issues pulling it up from the CGS site using the links (I’ve reported to the website team in case it wasn’t user error), I was able to find it through the Allen County Public Library site, since Jennifer had noted they also held a digitized copy. I wasn’t sure if I’d find the Mariani family or their hardware store in it (I did not), but I do know that any old book can spark my curiosity and make me want to learn more.
This book was no different. In it, I found this advertisement:
Walter Archibald Butler was born in Baltimore, Maryland to John and Martha (Coleman) Butler. He built a home for his future wife and as soon as it was complete, they married. I don’t see that they had children of their own, but his home later was the home of Oakland’s first black schoolteacher. There is a great interview with her here where she even mentions him:
I found a nice write-up of Mr. Butler here:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015005475077&view=2up&seq=138
And about his wife, Ella:
I looked up his last address in Berkeley and it appears the home was turned into apartments. I could not find any obituary or death notice in my quick searches, but I did find where he gave a speech honoring Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on its 54th anniversary. I’m going to go back to Mr. Butler’s life when I have more time. His achievements and advancements deserve to be better recognized and his lifetime honored.
I thank the CGS website for allowing Walter Archibald Butler to be remembered during this Black History Month.
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FEB
2025