John Stephens Durham: A Bright Negro

John S. Durham, lower left

Image from: REMINISCENCES of School Life, and Hints on Teaching
By Fanny Jackson-Coppin
Philadelphia, Pa., U. S. A. Copyright L. J. Coppin 1913

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A BRIGHT NEGRO.
From the Philadelphia Times.

John Durham, who has just been appointed United States Consul at St. Domingo by President Harrison, is a colored man of ability and character. Mr. Durham is at present engaged on the editorial staff of the Philadelphia Bulletin. Hi is a native of this city and at an early age showed a natural aptness for his studies. He went through the public schools of this city in order, graduating at the Institute for Colored Youths, located on Bainbridge street.

The following year he began teaching, holding many positions of prominence in the schools of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He was principal of the O.V. Catto School, in the Seventh district. After preparing for college he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he took a five years’ course in science, graduating with the degree of bachelor of science. He also took a post graduate course in civil engineering. While at the University he held the position of editor-in-chief of the University Magazine and filled his position so ably that he attracted the attention of a number of the leading journalist of the city. Mr. Durham also took an active part in the sports of that institution, distinguishing himself particularly in foot-ball. While pursuing his studies at the University he was paying his way by reporting for the daily papers, occupying a regular position on the staff of The Times.

Upon graduating from the University he was employed by the Evening Bulletin, where he has remained for six years. In his application for the Consulship Mr. Durham was backed by Mayor Fitler, who, in his recommendation to the President, urging the appointment on personal grounds. Also C.E. Smith, J,C. Simms, Provost Pepper, of the University; Ex-Senator Blanch K. Bruce, T.V. Cooper and Gibson Peacock, of the Bulletin. The new Consul will leave for the scene of his duties about June 1.

The News (Frederick, Maryland) May 7, 1890

In the Labor Unions and the Negro, John Stephens Durham, formerly United States minister to Haiti, brings to notice the manner in which the trades unions of this country, by excluding colored workmen from their memberships, have gradually succeeded in driving the negro from nearly all skilled occupations, thus paralyzing at the source the efforts of nearly one-tenth of our whole population for growth and self-improvement, and creating a  very serious problem for the nation itself.

The Fitchburg Sentinel (Fitchburg, Massachusetts) Feb 2, 1898

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Read more about John Stephens Durham in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, (Oct 1982) at  the Jstor website.

Booker T. Washington

Image (Project Gutenberg) from the following book:

SPARKLING GEMS OF RACE KNOWLEDGE WORTH READING.
A COMPENDIUM OF VALUABLE INFORMATION AND WISE
SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL INSPIRE NOBLE EFFORT AT
THE HANDS OF EVERY RACE-LOVING
MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.

ILLUSTRATED WITH SUPERB HALF-TONE ENGRAVINGS.
COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY JAMES T. HALEY.
Nashville, Tenn.: J. T. Haley & Company, Publishers. 1897.

Read a letter written to John Stephens Durham from Booker T. Washington. (Google Books Link)

From: The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1904-6, By Booker T. Washington, Louis R. Harlan

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And a letter from John Stephens Durham to Booker T. Washington (Google Books)

From: The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1895-98, By Booker T. Washington, Louis R. Harlan, Raymond Smock

Tags: 1890, 1898, Booker T. Washington, John Stephens Durham