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John H. Murphy
Balthnore. Md.
Williatn H. Davis
Washin.gton, D. C.
•
William H. Davis
MR. DAVIS is principal of the Mott Night Business High
School of Washington, and official stenographer of the Negro
National Business League. He was born in Louisville, Ky.,
February 18, 1872, his parents being former slaves. Was
educated in the public schools of Louisville,
graduating from the Colored
High School in 1888 as salutatorian.
He applied for a position as janitor
of a business college with the understanding
that the applicant would
receive free tuition in exchange for
services rendered. The manager said
that prejudice on the part of the white
students would forbid the instruction
of colored students under any circumstances.
The young man was denied
a chance of getting a business education
at that school. The manager
said to the young man that it would be impossible for him
to get a position even if he learned shorthand, typewriting,
and bookkeeping. He advised him, as well as every young
colored man, to learn "something that is practical, something
you can utilize." Surmounting the difficulties, Mr.
Davis acquired knowledge and skill as a stenographer, typewriter,
and bookkeeper, as he puts it, "practically teaching
myself in the university of experience."
He was for more than twenty years continuously employed as
stenographer by some of the most prominent lawyers of the
Kentucky bar, and bankers of Louisville. He was for two
years private secretary of Mayor Todd of Louisville. He
was the first :Negro court stenographer to do court work in the
state of Kentucky. He establi hed a commercial department
in connection with the Louisville colored school system.
Howard University Medical Department gave him the degree
of Doctor of Pharmacy in 1902.
The printed verbatim reports of the National Negro Business
League reflect his ability as a " shorthand reporter."
There is a volume 6f truth in the motto which Mr. Davis
keeps before his students: "Fit yourself well for a position in
life and a position will open unto you."
MR. MURPHY, editor and publi her of the Afro-American,
was born in Baltimore of free parents, December 25, 184l.
He was sent to sehool at an early age and during the first year
he ma tered the old-fashioned spelling book known as John
omly' Spelling Book.
He remained in this school for three
years, each year becoming more and
more familiar with Mr. Comly's Spelling
Book. He says: "The fact of the
matter wa that the teacher knew nothing
el e to teach. At that time this
was thought to be sufficient education
for a Tegro boy. He would be able to
read the names on the signs and tell
the numbers on the doors, and he
could get a good job as porter in a
store because of his ' education.' "
John B. Murphy When the Civil War opened, he left
the farm where he had spent everal years and enlisted in the
Thirtieth Regiment, United States Colored Troops, and was
made sergeant. He early became interested in church and
Sunday-school work. In 1875 he was superintendent of St.
John' African Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school in Baltimore
and traveled extensively over the state, holding Sunday-school
institutes and conventions.
He became interested in printing. Hi first new paper venture
was called The Sunday-School Helper. Later he estabIi
hed a paper which he called The Afro-American, whieh is
now one of the be t-known publications of its kind in the country,
and is said to be the only colored paper in the country that
has on its staff an A sociated Pre s correspondent.
The Afro-American ompany doe a book and commercial
printing business of about $7,000 a year. It is one of the
largest and best plants owned by an individual colored printer.
'When asked how much he is worth, he generally replies that he
has inve ted most of his money in " brains."
He has served hi church everal time. He is on the Committee
of Revi ion of Di eipline, a committee on which a layman
is rarely placed. He has been active in many things that have
had to do with the affairs of hi people in city and state.
418
•
