Charles W M and
Sarah Jane Johnson
Charles W M Johnson, a prominent community leader, was born in May 1844 in Hannibal, Missouri. He came to Newport at the age of four and lived there for 51 years. While not much is known about his early years, he was well spoken, having learned to read and write.
In 1873 he was a Newport representative to the Educational Convention at Louisville and was one of three men who petitioned Newport City Council and the Board of Education on behalf free public education for Newport's African Americans. He also gave the commencement speech at the first graduation class of Southgate Street School June 26, 1893, which is reprinted here.
"Mr. President, Members of the Board and Ladies and Gentlemen: Words cannot express the feeling of gratification with which I come before you this evening. The first Commencement of our school is an occasion to which I have looked forward with much pleasure. It was my privilege to be one of the three who first petitioned our City Council for a Colored free school, and I am sure you will all agree with me that the granting of the petition has brought nothing but good to the community.
Our children have never sought to force their way into other schools and the Board has been saved much of the annoyance experienced in other cities. Our children will stand by their own and the friendly feelings that have existed will continue as strong as ever, but we must ask that you continue to give us colored teachers. They understand the children and we firmly believe that with them the best results are to be obtained.
It seems a fitting time to congratulate the School Board on having such a magnificent hall in which to give these Commencement Exercises and thanks are certainly due the Committee who have fitted it ups so handsomely. The young ladies who will receive their diplomas this evening deserve the highest praise for the manner in which they have completed their course of study and it is the wish of all present that the same zeal and energy which have marked their school lives may carry them on to a successful future."
Published in the Kentucky State Journal June 27, 1893
From 1897 to 1901, Johnson and his wife Sarah
Jane lived at 115 East Southgate Street. At the time of his death, January
6, 1901, he was associate pastor of the Corinthian Baptist Church.