History of the American Negro: West Virginia Edition

Stepto A. Washington

252 history american negro completion of her first session this brother sickened and died, so the burden of home fell on her. In addition, the younger children needed help in school, so she found herself under the necessity of continuing her teaching. In this way her plans for a complete college education were frustrated. Most of her teaching was in Fayette County. After her marriage in 1901, Mrs. Washington took up club work, and began organizing a club in her home town. Her intelligence and her executive ability soon brought her to a place of leadership among the women of the state. She was converted and joined the M. E. Church at the age of twelve and all her life has been active in the work of the church and the Sunday School. She is now a member of the A. M. of the Sunday School, President of the Missionary Society E. Church, General Secretary of her church, Superintendent, and has raised hundreds of dollars for its support. Among the benevolent orders she is identified with the Daughters of Rebecca and the St. Lukes. She seeks to lead her people along the lines of right thinking and right living and is a striking example of what an ambitious girl may accomplish in the face of difficulties. Mrs. Washington is well known over the state and her voice is frequently heard in public gatherings, but the example of her own success is perhaps the most effective lesson she teaches. Stepto A. Washington The late Stepto Adam Washington of Hill Top, Fayette County, W. Va., was a good citizen and an ornament to his profession. His passing was a real loss to the community and to the race, as his life had been one of loyal unselfish service. Dr. Washington was a native of the Old Dominion, having been born in Franklin County, Va., in 1856, about five years before the war. Later the family moved to Montgomery County and he laid the foundation of his education at the Christiansburg Normal Institute. Dr. Washington was a devout man. His religious experience began stepto adam washington 254 history american negro with his conversion when he was about fifteen years of age, after which he joined the Baptist church. Feeling called to preach the Gospel, he set about preparing himself for that great work, going first to Wayland Seminary at Washington, D. C., and later to the theological department at Howard University. He was licensed and ordained by his home church and became a recognized leader in the religious life of the people. He came to see the medical profession a great field for service and even after he was 40 years of age took the medical course at Howard, won his M.D. degree in 1900, and lived to practice for more than twenty years. Let no one imagine, however, that the way is easy or without difficulties. He made his own way in school and in the best sense of the word was a self-made man. On Nov. 20, 1901, he married Miss Hattie Alexander, an accomplished teacher, a story of whose work appears herewith. Of the six children born to them the following are living: Loris Alexander, who is studying Pharmacy, Elva D., who will make nurse training a profession, Murel A., and Herbert M. Washington. In politics Dr. Washington was a Republican and among the secret orders was affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, and Pythians, in all of which he held office. He was also identified with the State and National Medical Societies. He passed to his reward on January 14, 1921, after a short illness. He left to his family the heritage of a good name and to the community and the race the example of a poor boy struggling up from poverty and obscurity to a place of large usefulness, unselfish service and well deserved success. Robert J. Watson One of the well equipped and promising young men of the Baptist ministry in West Virginia is Rev. Robert J. Watson, pastor of ...