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Black History Month Fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

H. James Baker was the first black to become involved in Local 1190 of the United Steelworkers of America in the late 1930s and 1940s. He was the first black to chair the Local 1190 grievance committee. In 1956, Baker, along with Byrdie Owens and Patricia Fletcher, integrated the Wheel Restaurant and other local restaurants. Baker also was a strong supporter of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He became a national advocate in 1926.

Black history month fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

LaFayette R. Mercer was the first black member of the Steubenville Police Department. He died in 1911.

Black History Month Fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

* In June 1965 in Mingo Junction, the Spinner family, including Jasper L. and Barbara Jean, along with their children, Crystal, Craig, Charisse and Carleton, challenged the town’s segregated public swimming pool rule that existed at Aracoma Park. This was a period in America’s history where segregation and discrimination did not even spare the town and the public swimming pool. The Spinner family overcame this prejudice and despite opposition from both black and white neighbors, fought and successfully de-segregated the town’s public pool. Jasper L. Spinner died in an accident while at work in Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel on Oct. 7, 1965, but not before realizing his dream of seeing his kids being able to swim in the town’s public pool.

Black history month fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

As the longtime director of the Steubenville Striders, Patricia Herring, Franciscan University of Steubenville Class of 1975, has mentored and coached hundreds of youth who went on to state championships at the high school and college levels in track and field and long-distance running.

Black history month fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

George Moore was involved with Local 1190 of the United Steelworkers of America in the 1930s and 1940s. He assisted H. James Baker in attempting to organize a union at Weirton Steel Corp.

Black history month fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

Dr. Clifford C. Morton became a dentist in Steubenville in 1921. He graduated from Steubenville High School and Howard University. He later moved to Cleveland to practice dentistry.

Black history month fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

The first black detective for the Steubenville Police Department was Ross Mike. He became a patrolman in 1953 and served as a detective from 1955-1979.

Black history month fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

Dr. Eugene C. Poindexter, a podiatrist, was a member and co-founder of the Self-Reliance Credit Union. He also was a charter member and life member of Prince Albert Lodge 232 of Steubenville, where he served as past exalted ruler. He died in 1978.

Black History Month Fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

* Delores L. Miller was the first black teacher hired in Steubenville City Schools in 1955. She became principal of Garfield Elementary School in 1969 and later was director of Head Start for Jefferson County Community Action Council. In 1980, Miller became executive director of Jefferson County Children Services. She retired in April 1987.

Black History Month Fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

During the 1930s, one of Steubenville Big Red’s greatest football players was George “Puck” Burgwin. He contributed to the success of the high school’s athletic program. He was mentioned in Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” column for his accomplishments.

Black History Month Fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

Delores Wiggins of Steubenville, a longtime leader in the African-American community, is president of the Upper Ohio Valley Black Caucus. She also is the director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Choir and president of the Steubenville Civil Service Commission.

Black History Month Fact

In celebration of Black History Month, we are saluting area black leaders throughout February who have made or are making an impact on local communities.

Grace Murray was born in 1885 in Springfield and resided most of her life in Steubenville. She became the first black matron of the Steubenville Police Department and was the first black to serve on the community’s board of health. She helped to organize the Americus Democratic Political Club in Steubenville during the early 1940s. This organization was the first formulated to involve blacks in politics in Jefferson County. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman invited her to his inaugural ball, where she danced with the president.

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