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    The Jubilee Singers. (1875). Image courtesy of the New York Public Library.

Obituary of Charles C. Poindexter (1913)

The following obituary for Charles C. Poindexter appeared in the June 6, 1913 issue of the Nashville Globe newspaper.

“Prof. Poindexter Dead”

Charles C. Poindexter, who was Professor of the Agriculture Department and Biology at Fisk University, died at Hubbard Hospital shortly after 12 o’clock Tuesday morning. He was operated on by Drs. Stewart and Welker Saturday and made good progress until an unfavorable change came Sunday afternoon, resulting in complications and ending in his death.

Prof. Poindexter was born in West Virginia March 10, 1880; he was a graduate from the Ohio State University in 1903 and did post graduate work for two years at Cornell University.  Upon completion of his work at Cornell, he became director of Agriculture work for both St. Paul School at Lawrenceburg, Virginia and St. Augustine School at Raleigh, North Carolina under the Episcopal Church. From there he was called to Fisk University four years ago  was assistant professor of Agriculture and Biology. In recognition of his efficiency and character, two years ago he was elevated to full professorship.

During his residence at Cornell he married Miss Florence Mercedes of Ithica, New York, March 31, 1905. A son was born to them in the summer of 1909. These two with three sisters and a brother survive him. The funeral was held Thursday morning at 9 O’clock in Fisk Memorial Chapel, and the remains were interred at the Greenwood Cemetery. The following young men of Fisk student body acted as pallbearers: Messrs. Nelson Glover, Raymond Powell, Charles Lewis, Overton Carter, Atwood Wilson and Henry Ferguson.

Dwight Hillis Wilson (1909-1962)

Towards the beginning of the month I helped the Society of American Archivists locate a photograph of Dwight Hillis Wilson Sr. (1909-1962).  Mr. Wilson was an established archivist with the Allied Forces Records Administration in Washington, DC.   Born in Raleigh, NC on October 18, 1909 & educated at Shaw University & Howard College,  Mr. Wilson was the first archivist of Fisk University.

The Society of American Archivists is celebrating their 75th year this year; as part of the festivities, they are creating a series of trading cards of notable members.  Mr. Wilson is among them, however, they did not have a picture – nor did Fisk.  I was intrigued by their call for help and within half an hour of searching, had a phone number for Mr. Wilson’s son, Dwight Wilson Jr.  The next day, I made contact with him and he graciously sent the SAA the following two pictures of his father.

Dwight Wilson Sr. with son Dwight Jr.

Dwight & wife Gheretein

Thank you Mr. Wilson for sharing these pictures of your family.

Marriages – June 28, 1907

As published in the Nashville Globe:

Marriages –

Earnest Garrett & Ellen Litton
Dr. T. Ernest McClain & Fate Lu Stewart
Peter Schute & Ida Jenkins
George Coger & Lula Wells
Albert Scott & Mary Neal
Louis Webb & Carrie Porkins
Elden Blackwell & Lil Bailey
Alonzo Watley & Lula Sanders
Charlie Mintlow & Annie Wilson
William Bradly & Sasie L. Rice
James A. Deziar & Mamie Bonds
James M. Fargie & Lula B. Wilson
Joe Corn & Alias Maggers
Oliver H. Brown & Julia A. White