Zachariah Halsey a native of Ponchatoula, LA

Photo Courtesy Cedric Dangerfield
Zachariah Halsey and his wife Mary with their
two daughters. Celica sitting in her
father lap and Theresa in her mother lap 

Zachariah Halsey was born in January of 1821 in North Carolina. He married Mary Byrd in 1880 in Tangipahoa Parish. Zack died in June of 1915. His 3rd great grandson Cedric Dangerfield contacted me to inform me that his 3rd great-grandfather was a member  of Tasker Zion AME church in Ponchatoula. He also recalled attending the funeral service of family members there. 

In Cedric's home, this photograph hangs on the wall. Every time Cedric looked at the photograph, it reminded him of the love and joy his 3rd great-parents shared, and it served as a beautiful tribute to their memory.   The photograph not only captured a moment in time but also preserved Cedric's family history. It served as a tangible connection to his roots, allowing him to feel a sense of belonging and understanding of his ancestors' experiences. It was an absolute pleasure for him to share this photograph with me and the readers, as well as the oral history he received from other family members.

Eddie Ponds, Publisher of The Drum Newspaper Visited the Gravesite of Rev. Arthur Tasker

Eddie Ponds 
At the Gravesite of Rev. Arthur Tasker
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Eddie Ponds and I often hold conversations about Rev. Arthur Tasker, the first and only black mayor to ever hold the seat as mayor in the City of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Rev. Arthur Tasker also started Tasker's A.M.E. Church. According to the 1870 United States Federal Census, he was born around 1835 in Virginia. He married his wife Sarah Smith Tasker in 1887 in Tangipahoa Parish,

The children listed in the 1870 census were: David Tasker, Clinton Tasker,  Mary Tasker, and Harriet Tasker. In the 1880 United Census the children listed were: Wm. C. Tasker, Levina Tasker, Amma Tasker, Lois Tasker, and Augretia Tasker.

For years Eddie Ponds and I have been talking about the need to place a historic marker in Ponchatoula for Rev. Arthur Tasker. We both know how important these historic marker are.  There isn't on historic marker from Ponchatoula to Kentwood, Louisiana.

About Professor David Clinton Reeves Principal of Ponchatoula Colored School

David Clinton Reeves
Photo Credit
Gwen Carter

Professor David Clinton Reeves was a principal and educator at Ponchatoula Colored School.  He was born around 1897 to  Jeff Davis Reeves and Julia Reeves in Pike County,  Mississippi.  He died at the age 62 on April 3, 1958 in New Orleans, Louisiana. According the  1940 United States Federal Census he was living on South Street in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He was an educator and completed  four years of college. He was married to Ada Reeves.

According to his U.S. World War I Draft Card, 1917-1918, he was living on Crossett Street in Ashley County, Arkansas.  Professor Reeves had several siblings: Lela Reeves, Arthur Reeves, and Eva Reeves. His father Jeff was born around 1861 in Pike County, Mississippi. Jeff died in 1938 and is buried in China Grove Cemetery in Tylertown, Walthall County, Mississippi. 

Jeff Davis Reeves was the son of Sami (Samuel R. Reeves) and Polly Reeves. Sami was born in 1836 in Louisiana. 

Ponchatolua Colored School Class of 1946 Remembers the Past (Reprint The Drum Newspaper)

May 11, 2002 was the 55th class reunion for Ponchatoula Colored School (Rosenwald Elementary School & Perrin Jr. High School) class of 1947. In a reunion, the Ponchatoula Colored School students discussed the events of the past and the experiences they had there. 

The school was established in the 1900. The school was housed in Tasker Chapel AME. New Zion Baptist was used as a school. A organization called the Brotherhood Hall.also held school in their hall according to The Drum Newspaper  publisher. Eddie Ponds,  Some people held schools in their homes 

As time passed, the need for a larger facility to educate black students was necessary. Several black community leader knock on the doors to collect money to purchased land for J. R. Abel. After acquiring the land the Rothbum and William Lumber Company and Rosenwald donated materials, and labor to build the new school. The building was completer in 192l. The black children continued their education in the new four-room Rosenwald. 

Ponchatoula Colored School was located on the same site as Perrin Early Learning Center. Black and white students were not allowed to meet after school during that time of segregation, unless there was a fight happening. 

Our school has always been patriotic under Professor Reeves. Every time he rang the bell, each class marched to class in line. Upon entering the classroom, we prayed, sang "My Country Tis of Thee" as told by Mrs. Ella Ash Badon, and recited the 23 Psalms. 

Several students picked up chips and started a fire. In one classroom, there were 56 children. As cold as it was, we gathered around the old wood heater to warm up the room. "During that time, the community was involved in raising the children," said Mrs. Badon. 

They were sisters, Mrs. Ella Ash Badon and Mrs. Ruby Ash. Both of them were teachers. The love that teachers have for their students is evident from Mrs. Ruby Ashe's perspective. My students wouldn't leave my class when I taught first grade, said Mrs. Ruby Ashe. When it was time for the first graders to be promoted to 2nd grade, they would cry on their way to their new class room she said.

Professor David Charles Reeves
Photo Credit: Gwen Carter

From the janitor to the principal, everyone cared about the children. Preston Kenny's dedication to children was admired. He made benches from apple boxes for the cafeteria and classrooms by hand. Quite a jolly man he was. He worked as a barber after school. 

Professor Reeves was a peacekeeper. He negotiated a plan with the white principal Tangiphaoa Parish School Board asking that the white students be dismissed before the black students. This was to avoid afterschool fights between the black and white students.  Professor Reeves started his principalship in 1928.

Former students noted that black students started school in July and were dismissed in March to pick strawberries. Those were hard times, and some people talked about walking a long way to school. The black student had hand me down books from the white schools during the hard times in the 1940s. However, that didn't stop black students from studying hardand succeeding. 

As Norma Watkins Stallworth recalls, "I remember marching to class, keeping time, and collecting wood to start a fire if it was cold." Reeves often walked the community collecting money for the March of Dimes she also noted. Professor Reeves was highly regarded by Ethel Cooper Porter. When he rang the bells for classes, he had a mysterious way of grabbing everyone's attention. The bell seemed to talk to you because you understood what it meant. Reeves was fair in all his dealings with people. He was an outstanding educator.

"There were many hard times. I picked up many buckets of coal to keep the room warm," Mildred Elliot Richardson said. In one room, Professor Reeves taught two classes. Rattan was his favorite switch to keep us in line, especially the boys. In home economics class, I learned how to sew and made all the clothes for my children. Reeves demanded and accepted on the best his students had to offer. He went to the homes and asked the parents to send their children to school to get an education. Under Professor Reeves' leadership and administration, the school continued to grow. A junior high school was established in 1951 at Perrin. Professor Reeves dedicated his life to improving his students' academic, vocational, and civic education. In order to accomplish this, he increased the number of subjects, teachers, and facilities.

During his tenure we went from four-room elementary school with five teachers to an eighteen-room elementary school and Junior High School with seventeen teachers. A well-equipped woodworking shop offered students pportunity to study woodworking, and a home economics department provided them with the opportunity to study homemaking. In the auditorium and gymnasium, students could hold assemblies and participate in athletics. 

During the 1940s, every young man worked and did not miss a day of school or sleep in class since he needed the education and money to buy clothes. A student named Joe Brumfield worked at Carruth Drug Store.  The black students had to make the transition from Ponchatoula to Hammond to finish high school. Mrs. Dorothy Andrews, a teacher, used to write on the chalkboard with her left hand and erase with her right hand as soon as she finished writing. Two of Ponchatoula most admired, and loved teachers Mrs. Ruby Ash Loves and her sister Mrs. Ella Ash Badon. 

Fifty-four years ago, in 1947, we proudly accepted out grade diplomas from Professor Reeves. Long before the Army's slogan "be all that you can be" or the United Negro College Fund slogan " a mind can be a terrible thing to waste" Professor Reeves reminded us daily that we could be anything we wanted to be, and he did not allow us to waste our minds. We appreciate him being a model educator for his teachers and students. They gave us the best they had to offer. He demonstrated that teaching is a twenty-four hour creative profession, which provide students with the desire to learn and motivate them to be their best. 

"Professor Reeves taught us to be proud and not just to be good, but stride to be better. Reeves realized long before it was a popular saying," it take a community to raise a child." He worked hard to get the. parents and community to become involved in the education of the students.

The class reunion attendees honored him and their former teachers by remembering and recognizing the solid foundation they bestowed upon them. 

Written and Published by Eddie Ponds, Editor and Publisher of The Drum Newspaper

Reprinted by Nurturing Our Roots

The Hands That Keep On Giving

 

The Hands of Mrs. Ella Baton
Photo Credit: Jo'elle K. LaCoste

Several years ago, I was introduced to Ms. Badon by Dr. Kingsley Blaine Garrison, one of her former students. We spent several months and many long hours discussing local history. I learned so much from Ms. Badon, and she was generous in sharing what could remember. Despite being in her nineties, she maintained a sharp and sound mind. I hope that if I lived to see her age, my mind would be half as sharp has hers. I love this picture of our hands holding the book that our minds gave birth too. Throughout the process of writing and publishing this book, she played a major role in the success of the book. So many social, educational, and humanitarian activities were carried out by her hands. 

Negro mother and baby in bed in the house furnished them while working in the strawberry fields near Independence, Louisiana

 

About this Item

Title

Negro mother and baby in bed in the house furnished them while working in the strawberry fields near Independence, Louisiana

Contributor Names

Lee, Russell, 1903-1986, photographer

Created / Published

1939 Apr.

Subject Headings

-  United States--Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish--Independence

-  Strawberry pickers--Louisiana

Headings

Safety film negatives.

Genre

Safety film negatives

Notes

-  Title and other information from caption card.

-  Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944.

-  More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsaowi

-  Temp. note: usf34batch3

-  Film copy on SIS roll 22, frame 1589.

Medium

1 negative : safety ; 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches or smaller.

Call Number/Physical Location

LC-USF34- 032742-D [P&P] LOT 1700 (corresponding photographic print)

Source Collection

Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

fsa 8b21377 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b21377

Library of Congress Control Number

2017782758

Reproduction Number

LC-USF34-032742-D (b&w film neg.)

Rights Advisory

No known restrictions. For information, see U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black & White Photographs https://www.loc.gov/rr/print/res/071_fsab.html

Online Format

image

LCCN Permalink

https://lccn.loc.gov/2017782758

Additional Metadata Formats

MARCXML Record

Aline Turner Was A Woman of Means

Aline Turner's Bank Book
Photo Courtesy: Lillian Bates

Aline was a woman of some means. She had a bank account with Drexel State Bank of Chicago in 1917.  In 1920, Aline was living in Chicago and she worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant. She was listed as a Mulatto. Aline was born circa 1880. The United States Federal Census in 1920 said that she didn't attend school, but she knew how to read and write. 

When we study our own family history it can tell us so much about our ancestors and ourselves. Certainly, it can tell a lot about the lives our ancestors lived.  Aline also had a bank account at Whitney Bank in 1955 and she managed to save a great percentage of her earnings.  Aline purchased several lots in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. 

Her mother Jane Williams lived in Ponchatoula as well. Jane's mother Mary Miller was born in Virginia and her father was born in South Carolina. Jane was married to Barnard Williams.  According to the 1920  Jane was born abt 1843 in Louisiana. Jane worked as a laundress for a private family in Ponchatoula.  2019 will mark the sesquicentennial of Tangipahoa Parish. Tangipahoa Parish was founded in 1869. For the hundredth anniversary in 1969,  we were in the middle of the Civil Right movement and for the most part, African Americans in Tangipahoa Parish didn't participate in the celebration. For this commemoration, I want to highlight the history of African Americans in this parish. 

Aline William Turner

The history of African Americans has been undocumented and many people including African American people do not know some of the accomplishments and struggles that African Americans faced in this parish. Often times people do not like to talk about things from the past, especially African American people. Some say things were so bad that they just wanted to put  it out of their minds. This is why we have to look inside our own homes for documents, records, photographs, and other information that could be vital to our own family history. 

I want to know more about Aline and how she became a woman of means in a time when women didn't have rights to do many things on their own.  "How did she her mother Mary Miller come to Louisiana? Was she sold down south? Did she come with the slaveholders family? Was she a free woman of color?" There are so many unanswered questions about Aline. The people who could possibly answer these questions are now dead.

At this point, the only thing the family can do is preserve what they have in their processions. And hopefully, genealogy websites like Ancestry and Family Search can provide them with some information.  They may find the names of her children, where they lived, her husband name, occupation, and what year they were born. Sometimes we just have to settle for that information if we can't find anything else. Due to slavery, finding information can be limited in most cases. 

One thing for sure, the women in the family was very industrious. They were women who worked hard to have some financial independence. Aline daughters were just like her, I have come to learn a lot about her daughter Nellie.  Every household sure talk about their family history and share it with others. 

Several weeks ago Aline's great-great-granddaughter Lillian Bates met me in New Orleans to show me her collection. She wanted to leave the collection with me and I couldn't allow her to do that. I didn't want to take responsibility for this priceless collection and for the most part I didn't have the time to scan everything. I knew that it would take me a couple weeks due to my busy schedule. Well, the collection came back to me a second time, this time I didn't say no and I accepted it and made it a priority to scan it and mail it back to Lillian. 

After carefully reading every single documents and piece of paper, I learned so much about the history of Lillian's family and found that her ancestors were trying to tell me something. They wanted me to share their story with everyone, especially their offsprings through my blog. They wanted to tell us that through the most challenging times, they were strong and resilient people. They were determined people, they helped build schools, they stood up doing the Civil Rights Movement and most importantly, they left a blueprint, if only we would follow.

African Methodist Episcopal Churches Made A Donation to CORE

Nellie Turner Berry Collection

This newspaper article was found in the Nellie Berry collection. Nellie was an influential African American woman in Ponchatoula and New Orleans, Louisiana. Nellie was a member of Union Bethel AME Church on Thalia Street in New Orleans, Louisiana after she left Ponchatoula and made New Orleans, La., her home.

According to her granddaughter Lillian Bates, Nellie attended church in Ponchatoula as well. Unfortunately, Lillian can't recall the name of the church in Ponchatoula. All the newspaper clippings and other records in Nellie collection hold the key to some very important church and political history for African American progress during the Civil Rights Movement. 

These influential Religious leaders donated a check in the amount of $635.00 dollars to James McCain, field director for  The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The article doesn't give us the date the donation was made.  The article states that's that the check was presented at St. James AME Church.

Nellie Turner Berry
Photo Courtesy: Lillian Bates

Nellie saved another newspaper article about Mahalia Jackson performing at a concert and benefit dinner to raise money for Union Bethel AME Church when fell victim to a fire. Rev. Lutrelle was in high hopes that the concert and benefit dinner would pay off the four thousand dollars mortgage they taken out for renovations after the fire. Mahalia was joined by her longtime friend Elliot Von Joseph Veal an instructor of music at Woodson Junior High School.  He brought with him a chorus of singers from numerous of New Orleans churches.

Reverend Lutrelle Grice Long opened the doors of Union Bethel to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Many  Civil Rights activities too place at Union Bethel under his leadership.  A fire destroyed the building in  1962.  According to Union Bethel A.M.E. Church website, it is said that Dr. King spoke before out to the congregation in 1961 and called for " a new emancipation." He urged the President of the United States to issue an executive order to make segregation unconstitutional by way of the 14th amendment. In 2004 during the 75th birthday commemoration, President George W. Bush spoke before the congregation about Dr. King's legacy.

I'm honored to know that a native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana was a member of a powerful church that played a major role in the Civil Right Movement in the Deep South. I'm anxious to know what else can be found in her collection that can shed some light on her role in the Civil Rights movement.

The 1,500 seating capacity of the Union Bethel auditorium was particularly important during the Civil Rights Movement.  There notable mass meetings were held at Union Bethel. Several Pastors of the Historic St. Peter A.M.E. Church is present in this photograph as well; Rev. T. Gaines, and Reven, F. B. Hitchens. 

After the Civil Rights rally at the Municipal Auditorium was banned by court order, members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) held a prayer meeting in Congo Square outside the auditorium Dec. 15, 1961. They then proceeded to Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, St. Liberty at Thalia. The Rev. Avery Alexander, in in the dark overcoat and gray suit, let the procession. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the assembly. (Photo by Terry Friedman, The Time-Picayune archives) Terry Friedman.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/ea7eacec-b1a5-4dca-a5f4-3bfd129d15b4

Lillian Bates and Nellie Berry Collection

New Orleans, Time-Picayune Newspaper, June 11, 1966

Uncle Martin Was A Undertaker

Martin Berry
Photo Courtesy of: Lillian Bates

Martin Berry was born in circa 1870. According to the 1930 United States Federal Census. He was born in Mississippi. In 1930 he was living in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He owned his own home and the home valued at three thousand and five hundred dollars. He was married to Almeda Berry. Martin and his wife had a grandson by the name of Willie living in the household with them. Martin and his brothers were carpenters.

In the 1910 United States Census, he and wife were the parents of Thomas, Clarence, Alfred Berry.  A little girl named Bertha Brown was living in the house. Martin was able to read and write.

On the back of the photograph, it is written that he was a professional undertaker. (Uncle Martin, a mortician), Edward John Berry's brother.

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Donating His Rich Collection to the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison
Photo Credit:  Dr. Antoinette Harrell

For the past several months I have had the honorable pleasure to interview Dr. Garrison about his family history.  During the interview, I learned that he is an archivist. Dr. Garrison was a former teacher in the Tangipahoa Parish School System. 

I asked him if he had any pictures I could look at? After I looked at his rich African- American images, at that point, I realized that I needed to talk with him about preserving his collection.  "I know that my daughter will probably throw a lot of it away when I pass, " he said.  "I think about that quite often!" said Dr. Garrison. I had to tell him that he didn't have to wait and that he can do something now.  He is the kind of person that listens to sound advice and guidance. I took this opportunity to educate him on the process. Losing his collection would be losing a big part of African-American history of the Louisiana Florida Parishes.

That was one of the decisions I had to make about my collection. "What would happen to my collection when I passed away?" It was time for me to make a decision about the collection. Most of the collection consists of images, documents, and other research materials of African-American people in the Louisiana Florida Parishes.  I decided that the Center for Southeast Louisiana  Studies was the best place for the collection. 

Dr. Samuel Hyde looking at the collection
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

I explained to Dr. Garrison the importance of making that decision while he could. After our discussion, we talked about him visiting the center with me. Having him to look at the process of preserving his collection would help him to make that decision. Dr. Garrison made that decision today.

Dr. Samuel Hyde, Director of the Center Southeast Louisiana Studies,  said that the Louisiana  Florida Parishes is lacking the history of African-American people. 

We're proud to announce that the Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Collection is coming to the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. The collection will consist of images from the Ponchatoula Color School, Baptismal, and images of people in the community. Whenever I'm talking with him,  I feel like I'm sitting with a talking library,  I learn so much.  I must mention that he is putting me in contact with others who had rich collections in the Ponchatoula, Louisiana. 

Mary Carter Was a Trail blazer in Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Mary Carter

Mary Carter served as temporary District 4 alderwoman since Nov. 1984.  She was appointed by the Board of Aldermen to serve in place of her late husband, G.T. Carter when he died in November.  Mrs. Carter was Ponchatoula resident since 1951. Her main goals were to improve city streets and drainage, cooperate with the council, advocate good, sound business principles and help city residents.

Mrs. Carter was a retired economic teacher,. She worked at Perrin Junior High School from 1951 to 1969 and then she taught at Ponchatoula High School until 1974. Mrs. Carter is a graduate of Hammond High School and Southern University in Baton Rouge. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational home economics in 1951 and later worked toward a master's degree in home economics at the same university.

She was the mother of four children: Attorney Gideon T. Carter III, Hammond; Gwendolyn Renee Carter, R.N., New Orleans; Genor and Gemetri Carter, students in Baton Rouge. I was delighted to sit and talk with Gwendolyn about her parents.  Gwen and her family reminded me of the King family. Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King and his four children fought for equality and justice for the oppressed and so did the Carter family of Ponchatoula, Louisiana 

I sit across the table from her listening her talk about what her parent went through and the racism they faced tried to stand up for justice and seeking a quality of education for African-American children. She recalled some of the meetings that took place in her home. She remembered her father  Gideon Carter talking to A.Z. Young and other prominent African American men and women. 

I can't wait to meet and talk with Gwen again. The rich history of her family sure be recorded and documented,  

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Recapping His Elementary School Years at Ponchatoula Colored School

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison

Every time I visit with Dr. Kingsley B.  Garrison to gather more information for the Tangipahoa Parish African American Oral History Collections, each time I learn something new and enjoy looking at his photograph collections. This time he pulled his old school report cards out dating back to 1946 when he was a student at Ponchatoula Colored School and Greenville High School in Hammond, Louisiana. To my surprise, the report cards were the same ones I received when I attended West Side Elementary School as a child.

I wish I had one of my old report cards from school. I must say at that time we didn't understand the importance of holding on to some of the school reports, photos and other documents that would take us down memory lane and share with our very own kids.

Dr. Garrison received excellent grades in math. He said math was his favorite subject and English was his least favorite. I was even more surprised he got a "C" in conduct. I had to ask him how is that he got a "C" in conduct. Oh! I was quite a talker he said.  I took a few pictures of him sitting there looking at all his report cards and going back down memory lane. I took photographs of his report cards. 

Dr. Garrison and I have been talking about preserving his awesome collection. Often, our family members may not know what to do with the collection.  Some family members may think it's junk and dispose of it. Collections like Dr. Garrison can help genealogist and historian gain a better understanding of local history.

If a researcher was researching the genealogical history of Dr. Garrison by analyzing his report cards they will learn that he went to a Public School in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. For the school year of 1956-1957, he was in the 11th grade. His teacher was named Mr. Youngblood. and the Principal was named J.W. Davis.

Analyzing the 1946-1947 school year. We learned that Dr. Garrison was attending Ponchatoula Colored School. The Principal for that year was D.C.Reeves.  He was classified as a primary student.

It good to have young students today look at the historical records and compare their report cards to the ones long before their time. What subjects did the school offer to the students? Did they get the same grade marks that students receive today? Students today get a computer printout report cards, and they couldn't imagine having a handwritten report card. Most of the records from the colored schools have been destroyed. It's people like Dr. Garrison that held onto a piece of the past and history of the colored schools before integration, otherwise, all would be lost. I'm looking forward to helping him preserve his collection and I hope that others will follow his example. I heard other people tell me that their items were thrown the trash with a relative or their children help them to clean out their home.

Also when a loved one died, the very first thing that some children will do is throw away their deceased loved one papers and photographs. In many cases, they have thrown away antiques, handmade quilts, and other family heirlooms. It's important to educate our youths and family members about preserving their family heirlooms.

Phil Garrison A Native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Phil Garrison

Phil Garrison was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana to the union of Paul and Eave Garrison, and migrated to Ponchatoula. He was born on September 14, 1889. He passed away on December 4, 1957,  in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Garrison was 68 years old when he died He was employed as a machinist at  Louisiana Cypress Sawmill company in Ponchatoula.

Phil met and married Josie "Madie" Cain Garrison. There were several children born to their union. Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison and Lovie D. Garrison is the two I can recall him talking about. There were others.  

During an interview with his son Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison, he informed me that his father was involved in civic duties in the community. His father belonged to the Masonic Lodge. He pointed out that his father was a man of integrity and didn't like to tell lies. He would tell you the truth no matter what.  

One thing that came to mind as he talked about his father, "how good of a listener his father was!" Dr. Garrison proudly displayed a photograph of his father in his WWI uniform. Because his father had some levels of education, he wanted all of his children to get an education.

Ponchatoula, Louisiana African American Educators

Photo Courtesy: Ella Mae Ashe Badon
Right to Left: Gideon Carter, Riley Wilson, Mary Lee Carter, Curtis Warner, Anna Starwood, Genois Reeve, Otis Watson,  Ella Badon, Lillen James, Laura Knighten, Edna Bean and Wilona Terrence.
Sitting from Left to Right
Joan Seals, Estelle Cable, Viola Carter, Florida Smith, Elizabeth McCray, Ethleen Fleet, Ruby Ashe Lowe and  Lovie D. Garrison

From Slave Shackles to Becoming the First African American Mayor of the City of Ponchatoula in 1873

Rev. Arthur Tasker

Rev. Arthur Tasker was elected and served two terms as Mayor of the City of Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  He married a woman named Sarah. He was elected to serve his first term as mayor in September of 1873. Rev. Arthur Tasker was a very prominent man during the Reconstruction period in Ponchatoula. He was born circa 1829-1835 in Virginia or Maryland. During slavery, he was a slave of Widow McCarroll. As a slave, McCarroll hired   Tasker out to work for different people. 

He began to teach the Gospel to the freedmen in and around Ponchatoula. On October 12, 1867, he established a church. 1867 proved to be the year that the African Methodist Episcopal Church was established through out the parish of  Tangipahoa, several miles away,  Greater St. James church was established by a former slave named Charles Daggs in the same year. Charles Daggs was imported on a ship called the Tribune in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1835.  He stated on his pension application that he was owned by the Governor of Louisiana Henry Johnson. Charles Daggs served in the Navy during the Civil War.

The church was also used as the school. The church was the first school for many African Americans in rural town across the states. The African Methodist Episcopal churches believed in the power of education. They wanted their children and grandchildren to get an education and not go through what they went through as slaves. 

Rev. Tasker's son Clinton Tasker decided to walk in his father footstep. He was elected to the Town Council in the City of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Clinton married a woman named Martha, they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and started their own family. Clinton and his wife named their son in namesake after his grandfather.  On July 14, 1874, in Hammond, Louisiana a large number of Republicans of Tangipahoa Parish assembled at the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The meeting was called to order by Rev. Charles Daggs and prayer were offered by Rev. Arthur Tasker. On a motion, Rev. Arthur Tasker was called to the chair, and Charles H. Jackson. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Jackson, Mr. Burton, Rev. Arthur Tasker and Rev. Charles Daggs. They all explained the object of the meeting. The meeting addressed that a J.B. Wands was violating their rights and trying to take entire control of their political affairs. The Republican groups had not granted him the permission to do so. 

I'm learning so much about the history of prominent African-American men in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Recalling the stories I heard about my grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., oral history told to me by my family members. During election time, my grandfather would take it old pick up truck and take African Americans in Amite to the voting polls.

Robert "Free Bob" Vernon, a former slave donated land for Mt.Cannan School and church in Arcola, LA., He purchased large tracts of land. He gave each one of his children a hundred acres of land when they got married.

Oliver W. Dillon a principal of Tangipahoa Parish Color Training School, the oldest training school in the nation for African American students. There are so many African-American men and women who had contributed so much to our parish that hasn't been documented. 

The meeting then proceeded to organize a Parish Executive Committee, when the following

President-Rev. Arthur Tasker

Vice Presidents-Parker Loving,  Albert Potter, Charles Daggs, Louis Baham

Members:
Charles Foster
Wesley Erabbam
Anthony Broomfield
Robert Veron
Solomon Wheat
Aaron Penn
James B. Cason
Levi Lloyd
Fred Butler
Charles H. Jackson
R.M. Lanier
M.H. Singleton


Sources: 136th Church Anniversary of the Tasker African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
               Arthur Tasker: Ponchatoula's First African American Mayor by Jim Perrin
               Mrs. Ella Mae Badon
               Melody Ricketts
               Hammond Newspaper
               Amite Genealogy Library

The Little 25 Women Club of Ponchatoula and Hammond, Louisiana

Little 25 Women Club
Right to Left: Mrs. Ella Ashe Badon
Standing Left to Rights: Mrs. Ruby Ashe Lowe, Mrs. Laura Knighten

Source: Mrs. Ella Mae Badon

Altruist Civic Organization An African American Organization in Tangipahoa Parish

Mrs. Ella Mae Badon: Sitting on the left
Laura Knighten sitting on the right end.

On July 12, 1956, a group of women met and formed the Ladies' Mystic Club, with the idea of encouraging, through community support, "Finer Womanhood," and education. It adopted the name it now bears, the Altruist Civic Organization." The Charter members were: Mmes, Christine Greenup, President; Ella Mae Badon, Vice President, Esterlee W. Spain, Recording Secretary; Lizzie Mae Seals, Financial Secretary; and Venola Simmons, Treasurer.

The original Club members were comprised of Mmes, Bessie Johnson, Mildred Davis, Elena Martin, Dorothy Reeves, Ruby Lowe, Willie Mae Williams and Helen Parker. Later Mary D. Carter, Lillie Muse, Elizabeth McCray, Ceola Clark, Ola M. Porter, Gladys Denhan and Ms. Ora L. Jackson joined the group.

The idea of sponsoring a Debutante Cotillion was presented by Mmes, Mildred Davis, and Elena Martin. All agreed, and on March 8, 1958, the first Debutante Cotillion was held at the Greenville Park Gymnasium. At this Cotillion, twelve charming young ladies were presented to society. Over a period of 35 years, with the cooperation and support of all concerned, they presented over 500 outstanding, talented and beautiful young ladies not only in our parish but in neighboring parishes and states. Many are making remarkable contributions throughout America.

They have given many academic scholarships that have helped hundreds of debutantes further their education, and find themselves a respectable place in our society. They received outstanding support from the parents, debutantes, escorts, sponsors, friends, relatives and business firms. They help the civic organization accomplish their goals. It took many hands, hearts, and minds, working together t in love to get the job done. Thus the Altruist Civic Organization is like a little acorn which grew into a mighty oak in our little city.

Not only did they present debutantes with scholarships. They gave donations to charity organizations and help those in distress.  God had wonderfully blessed them throughout 1989. They gave four scholarships this year, Queen Altruist 1989, Miss Siltanise McCraney received a $2,040.00 scholarship; First maid, Wauthisha Wells received a $1,730.00 scholarship; Second Maid Yolanda M. Davis won a scholarship for $1,086.00; and Third Maid, Miss Wondearia Foster got a $500.00 scholarship. 

Mrs. Lizzie Mae Seals recieved the Award of Appreciation for 35-year consecutive years of dedicated services. Mrs. Ethel Douglas White of New Orleans received a plaque for having presented three daughters throughout the years.

Oueen Altruist 1990, Miss Alkena Rene' Alford received a $2, 468.00 scholarship. It is their desire that the Altruist Civic Organization will live on: and make an even greater contribution to a changing and challenging society. 

Sources: Altruist Civic Organization " Through the Years"

Ponchatoula Color School Teacher Recalls the Days of Segregation & Integration

Mrs. Badon and her class: Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Badon

Ella Mae Ashe Badon was born to the union of Joseph Ashe and Elizabeth Robertson Ashe.  She is one of three children and the mother of two sons. One of her son's passed away. She attended Tangipahoa Parish Color Training School in Kentwood, Louisiana. "I finish school at 16 years old, I made two grade at one time," said Mrs. Ella. When she started teaching at the Ponchatoula Color School. She taught second grade and coach the boy basketball team at Ponchatoula Color School in the old wooden building. Mrs. Badon is a lifelong resident of Ponchatoula and is well respected throughout the community in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. One of her former students Dr. Kingley Garrison informed me of Mrs. Badon during one of our interviews.  She taught Mr. Garrion in second grade. 

Her sister Ruby Ashe Lowe also was an educator at Ponchatoula Color School. Mrs.  Ruby died at age of 90 years old in Hammond, LA. Some of the collections I looked at belonged to Mrs. Ruby Lowe. Mrs. Ruby was the first one in her family to attend college, her mother Elizabeth worked hard to help her two daughters get an education. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing her about her life, her accomplishments, and integration. She was eager to share what she could recall about the way life was back in the day according to her. I sat there listening and audio recording her. She was very detailed about the information she was sharing. Mrs. Badon, starting reminiscing and thinking about people she hadn't talked about in many years. So many memories started flowing about the community, the schools, civic organization clubs, and the black churches. 

Mrs. Ella Mae Ashe Badon

She pulled out her class reunion book of O.W. Dillon where she graduated in 1943. She told me I came to her at the right time because she had just put the booklet in the trash. Mrs. Badon didn't think that anyone wanted the books, records, and handwritten notes.  I was gleaming with joy when she said that she would allow me to assist her with preserving her collection for the studies of African Amercian history in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. 

I talked with her son Musheer Badr Abudl-Jabbaar about the importance of persevering her rich collection that is vital to the history of Tangiphaoa Parish, Louisiana. Especially the City of  Ponchatoula. 

She attended Leland College a college for blacks,  the college was established in 1870 first in New Orleans and then moved to  Baton Rouge. but earned her degree at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

On July 12, 1956, a group of women met and formed the Ladies' Mystic Club, with the idea of encouraging, through community support, "Finer Womanhood," and educational attainments. In the year of 1958, a new name was given the organization. It adopted the name it now bears, the "Altruist Civic Organization." The Charter members were: Mmes, Christine Greenup, President; Ella Badon, Vice President; Esterlee W. Spain, Recording Secretary; Lizzie Mae Seals, Financial Secretary; and Venola Simmons, Treasurer.

Mrs. Ella Mae Badon is one of the many prominent African-American women in the City of  Ponchatoula. She helped to shape and mentor many students both black and white to become all that they could become.  One of her photo albums of full of pictures of her former students, both black and white. A lady of class, respect and wisdom she is.