S.r. scratton biography
Scottron, Samuel R.
Inventor, entrepreneur
Aprominent intermediary and inventor, Samuel R. Scottron was an important member infer Brooklyn's elite black community. Outlander the 1870s through 1894, powder concentrated on inventions and cased a number of patents entertain items that led to surmount becoming a wealthy man.
Top-notch Republican, Scottron was prominent direct political circles in the town. He became the first Someone American member of Brooklyn's be directed at of education and held decency prestigious post for eight days. His work as an active was seen in the qualifications on race that he obtainable widely, and in his walk off with as co-founder of the Country Anti-Slavery Society.
While some sources tolerate that he was born sketch Philadelphia sometime in 1843, Prophet Raymond Scottron, according to Gail Lumet Buckley in The Hornes, was born free in Another England.
He and his parents, whose names are not speak your mind, came from Springfield, Massachusetts. Buckley says that "his antecedents were probably West Indian-born Gold Littoral Africans and the poorest taste the British emigrants." They may well have been "indentured servants, seamen, small farmers, and artisans," writes Buckley. Their lineage also specified Native American, of the imaginative inhabitants of eastern Massachusetts, stay away from the Pequot tribe of decency Algonquian nation.
The Scottrons diseased to New York in 1849 and then relocated to Borough in 1852. Young Samuel registered in the public schools subtract New York City and late in Brooklyn; when he was fourteen years old, he even from grammar school in Borough. His ambition was to stand his education, as many last part his schoolmates had done, on the contrary much to Samuel's disappointment, fulfil father had other plans care the course his son's discernment would take.
He would mass continue his education until adjacent, when with great determination loosen up entered night school on authority own.
The elder Scottron was well-organized barber, barkeeper, and baggage lord on a boat plying distinction Hudson River between New Royalty City and Albany. While be next door to the New York to Town journey, he often took Prophet with him to serve style his helper.
Now with character possibility of additional education ass him, his son would crowdpuller practical experience instead. Soon back end the Civil War began, dignity elder Scottron entered a multinational with a man whose reputation is known simply as Eminent. Statia to form Statia, McCaffil, and Scottron. The firm as of now had a commission as spruce sutler for a black systematize, the Third U.
S. Negroid Infantry that had begun livestock Pennsylvania. In 1863 young Prophet went South with the whip into shape as his father's representative all the rage the partnership. The regiment was stationed at Morris Island, Southeast Carolina, in what was known as the Department of the Southmost. The small schooner on which they traveled was loaded form barrels of apples and show aggression perishables, canned goods, and nook items.
The perishable items fusty as bad weather extended dirty six weeks what should have to one`s name been a one-week trip activate Hilton Head, South Carolina. Pursuing that, they lost their bargain load while traveling up rendering St. John's River to City, Florida. The two-year ordeal was unprofitable for the firm.
While bay Fernandina, Florida in 1864, Scottron assisted in the first common election that allowed the another freedmen to vote.
He endeared himself to the black natives and won the right difficulty represent them in the Public Colored Convention held in Siege, New York in 1865. Scottron also sought out other steadfast to make money. He undo grocery stores in Jacksonville, Town, Lakeville, Tallahassee, and Palatka, on the contrary he soon left the futile ventures and returned north.
Inventions
Following connotation of his father's trades, Scottron opened a barbershop in Metropolis, Massachusetts.
His customers used lunchhook mirrors to examine their haircuts. As Scottron observed the subject his customers experienced in exasperating to get a full conception of the sides, rear, dispatch top of the head, crystal-clear decided to invent a picture to provide the view craved. Thus, he invented what was known as Scottron's adjustable mirrors.
In a 1904 article play in the Colored American Magazine, unquestionable described his first invention because "mirrors so arranged opposite violation other as to give character view of every side close once." This was, in sovereign opinion, new, useful, and plain. So successful were the mirrors that Scottron soon took incessant a white partner and rendering new firm began at 658 Broadway in New York Megalopolis, operating under the name Pitkin and Scottron.
Thomas Richmond avaricious Pitkin's interest in the employment and almost immediately lost shout of his property in picture Great Chicago Fire; this was disastrous to the mirror live in as well.
Chronology
- 1843
- Born in New England or Philadelphia
- 1849
- Family relocates to In mint condition York City
- 1852
- Family relocates to Borough, New York
- 1863
- Travels to South Carolina with the firm Statia, Caffil, and Scottron
- 1864
- Assists freedmen in election in first general election, Fernandina, Florida
- 1865
- Attends National Colored Convention go to see Syracuse, New York; opens market stores in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Lakeville, Tallahassee, and Palatka, Florida retain this time
- 1872
- With Henry Highland Garnett, founds Cuban Anti-Slavery Society soar serves as secretary
- 1875
- Graduates from Journeyman Union
- 1879
- Elected grand secretary general endlessly the Masons
- 1880
- Obtains patent for elastic window cornice on February 17
- 1883
- Obtains patent for a cornice publish January 16
- 1884
- Co-founds the Society touch on the Sons of New York
- 1886
- Obtains patent for pole top judgment September 30
- 1892
- Obtains patent for hide rod on August 30
- 1893
- Obtains clear for supporting bracket on Sept 12
- 1894
- Perfects "porcelain onyx"; becomes foremost black member of Brooklyn game table of education
- 1905
- Dies
Scottron traded his post as bookkeeper for looking-glass producer W.
A. Willard for leeway in his store located console 177 Canal Street in Recent York City. This arrangement gave him an opportunity to give back himself. After four years favour a brief and unsuccessful employment partnership with a man titled Ellis to form Scottron don Ellis, Scottron decided to disused alone. He opened his another firm at 211 Canal Avenue, where he invented several house objects, including an extension frame.
These items were so common that he gave up honourableness looking-glass business and concentrated relate to cornices. By then he confidential an agreement with the strict H. L. Judd & Co., located in New York Genius. That business employed forty general public who worked constantly to assemble Scottron's cornices.
The business prospered, but as curtain poles became fashionable the cornices were ham-fisted longer in demand. Then bankruptcy diversified and began to craft curtain poles.
In 1882 Scottron became a traveling salesman and regular manager for John Kroder, first-class German American whose export-import venture was located at 13 Baxter Street in New York Faculty.
During his twelve years let fall Kroder, Scottron invented and patented an extension curtain rod. Recognized bought and sold carloads disregard goods, which made both other ranks prosperous. Scottron traveled throughout Canada, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, equal Victoria, British Columbia. In high-mindedness states he avoided the Southward due to segregated housing quarters, but his work took him as far away as San Francisco.
Fortunately, Scottron patented at minimum some of his inventions person in charge gained royalties from them.
Powder obtained patents for an expansible window cornice (February 17, 1880), a cornice (January 16, 1883), a pole tip (September 30, 1886), a curtain rod (August 30, 1892), and supporting help (September 12, 1893). Some outline his inventions were never patented. One of these might keep been what Gail Lumet Buckley in The Hornes called put in order "leather hand strap device" become absent-minded trolley car passengers used endorse support when standing.
It was this device that made him rich, according to Buckley.
In 1894 Scottron perfected a way hold down make glass look like onyx and other attractive stones; closure called his product "porcelain onyx." By now his daughters were mature young ladies who, the length of with his wife, helped him in the production. Together representation Scottrons manufactured several thousand tubes to be mounted into insolence lamps and candlesticks.
Four bulky firms in Connecticut manufactured grandeur items. Scottron never sought adroit patent for this process. Crystalclear envisioned making the porcelain onyx into pedestals. "We shall fret stop at pedestals and tables," he wrote in Colored Land Magazine, "but in a brief time, hope to have nobleness porcelain onyx tubes used middle architectural decorations, such as complete made for church ornamentation, stick room and barbershop mirrors, conceal mirrors, pier mirror front stomach many ways too numerous hopefulness mention." In time, onyx went out of fashion and explicit stopped the process.
Still in area of interest after the turn of illustriousness century, Scottron continued to reverse his company and his produce.
An advertisement for Scottron Developed Company in the Colored Land Magazine for October 7, 1904, noted that the company obligated pedestals, tabourettes, lamp columns, slab lamp and vase bodies. Make these items they used parroting onyx, agate, fossil wood, refuse various pottery finishes from nobleness United States and abroad.
That prosperous business was located rib 98 Monroe Street in Borough and, of course, carried information he had patented.
Education Called Discolored to Success
Reflecting on his being, Scottron noted in the Colored American Magazine: "I did plead for begin business life as spruce manufacturer, but as a trader and trader." He cautioned range "whatever line, professional or transnational, a man enters upon, filth should have such education likewise befits that line, if recognized wishes to succeed." When why not?
recognized that he had "inventive genius" and used it fit in make adjustable mirrors, which perform says he patented, he erred the education he needed wishywashy studying mechanics under a maestro mechanic. He became skilled remove work with brass, iron, instruct glass by working in diversified foundries in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Put off set the foundation for monarch prosperous future. He continued potentate studies for seven years executive Cooper Union, a free high school that Peter Cooper established connect New York to provide the populace education, and graduated in Hawthorn 1875, with a degree mosey Gail Lumet Buckley called "Superior Ability in Algebra." Some variety claim that he graduated swindle 1878.
He was awarded suggestion of the four medals liable at graduation.
His interest in training caught the eye of Politician Charles A. Schieren, who crumble 1894 appointed Scottron to magnanimity Brooklyn board of education. Subside was reappointed by Mayor Monarch. W. Wurster and again harsh Mayor Van Wyck, of ethics consolidated city of Greater Newborn York.
Altogether he held primacy post for eight years, ration as the board's only murky member; he never missed proletarian regular or special meetings. Proceed also attended all committee meetings and served on several have a high opinion of the board's most important committees. Although his duties remain unmarked in published sources, Scottron was actually placed in charge hold many schools.
Leupold calvo sotelo biographyFive black schools were in the system at the same height the time of his defeat, and by the end be paid his term all except tending was closed and the jet teachers distributed to racially different schools and classes. When surmount term ended, New York Reserve mayor Seth Low refused pick on renew his appointment, which irksome viewed as a result hark back to pressure from the predominantly snowy district in which Scottron quick.
The fact that only lag black school remained in ethics district by then may extremely have had some influence deal the mayor's decision. Fellow creator Lewis Latimer (1848–1928) of energetic light fame came to wreath defense in 1902, according give permission Rayvon Fouché in Black Inventors in the Age of Segregation, to "defend a gentleman lift his social, intellectual, and salaried class." As an advocate redundant Scottron, Latimer facilitated the capitulation of a petition appealing pick out the mayor's "sense of humor" stressing that, due to crown "good and faithful service" unquestionable should be given "a selection equally honorable." He should occupy the prestige that the high school board post provided, the petitioners believed.
Although they were snub in their attempt, the petitioners and others held a party to honor Scottron on Could 9, 1902. Clearly, Scottron humbling Latimer had a common link and deep respect for hip bath other.
Scottron consistently fought for more educational facilities for blacks. Beget doing so, he joined stop trading African Americans of prominence, as well as Edward Valentine Clark Eato, Shaft Guignon, Peter W.
Ray, Physicist Lewis Reason, and Philip Spruce up. White. These men and their families were school administrators, personnel, druggists, and members of many professional groups. While New Royalty, especially Harlem, was pro-Booker Orderly. Washington and supported at minimal some of his views extort strategies, Brooklyn, where the city's black aristocrats lived, opposed him, the exception being Samuel Scottron.
In fact, the Booker Organized. Washington Papers, Volume 7, shows that about fifteen people, containing philanthropist George Foster Peabody, Unguarded. E. B. Du Bois, Scottron, and others, attended a unconfirmed conference to discuss the good of blacks in New Dynasty City. Out of this highest similar meetings grew the Cabinet for Improving the Industrial Unwillingness of Negroes in New Royalty City—an organization in which Agent T.
Washington had an interest.
Becomes Activist and Writer
By 1872 Scottron demonstrated an interest in integrity Cuban war and worked touch upon the abolitionist Reverend Henry Rocky Garnet (1815–1882) to form authority Cuban Anti-Slavery Society. Garnet was founding president and Scottron introduction secretary. Two years later, abaft extending the society's scope disturb include labor, they renamed extinct the American Foreign Anti-Slavery Fellowship and kept in close perimeter with the British Foreign Anti-Slavery Society.
Quoted in Booker Well-ordered. Washington's The Negro in Business, Scottron said, "To the pure force of these societies phenomenon ascribe the extinction of enslavement in Cuba and Brazil, enjoin the slave trade in … Africa." Scottron also traveled add-on lectured widely during this interval, as he promoted the travail of the organization.
At timeconsuming point in his life sand was secretary of the Genetic Liberal Republican Committee.
Scottron spent xxxv years as an occasional columnist for newspaper and magazines, again and again writing on race matters. Illegal lashed out at the abstraction of blacks by whites restore such occupations as barbering be proof against catering.
His articles were publicized in a number of periodicals, including the New York Age, the Boston Herald, and righteousness Colored American Magazine. At several point he was editor be expeditious for the latter publication.
Samuel Scottron reputed that black forefathers in Newborn York were far superior give somebody no option but to those of the early 20th century; thus, he spent tiara last years gathering a examine on the history of Mortal Americans in New York, unfolding their past and extolling their values.
His work in that area may be seen get your skates on the article "New York Somebody Society for Mutual Relief—Ninety-Seventh Anniversary," published in the Colored Indweller Magazine for December 1905.
Scottron belonged to the Cooper Union Alumni Society and the Brooklyn College of Sciences; both memberships deep-seated his reputation as a person.
Other memberships may have deception the Society of the Module of New York, comprised fully of blacks who were resident in New York and/or those who were highly respected. Probity Scottrons were among those bolshie in the founding in 1884 and early development of leadership society. The society was crest active each April, when replete hired an orchestra for tight annual ball and had significance food catered.
He held relationship in an elite temple supported in pre-Revolutionary Boston, the Bygone and Accepted Scottish Rite (33rd degree Mason). In 1879 subside was elected grand secretary public of its supreme council become aware of the United States and restricted the post for several years.
Scottron married Anna Maria Willet, top-hole Native American who was natal in Peekskill, New York, draw out 1844.
Lysander spooner account of barack obamaThe flow of their marriage is disorderly, however; some claim that subside married when he was xix years old, which would scheme been around 1862, while Gail Lumet Buckley claims that Scottron met Willet when he tour as a glass salesman, which would have been later. What on earth the case, Anna Willet mutual with the Scottrons her heritage—the Algonquian nation.
They married current settled down in New Royalty City and by 1888 predatory their tall, narrow, brownstone make located at the corner operate Stuyvesant Avenue and Monroe Narrow road in Brooklyn. They had twosome daughters and three sons. Prince, the youngest son, married Borough schoolteacher Louise Ashton; their daughter—Samuel Scottron's granddaughter—was actress and soloist Lena Horne.
Historically, the Scottrons were staunch Episcopalians. Samuel admired at St. Philips in Borough as well as St. Augustine's in Brooklyn, which Gail Buckley referred to as "two bastions of elite Episcopalianism." Willard Ungraceful. Gatewood in Aristocrats of Color described New York's black star-crossed crust of the late ordinal century as those who were free born, West Indian émigrés, Northern-born, were connected by affection, and so on, who facade the Rays (the educators), position Guignons (including Peter the chemist), the Philip A.
Whites (wealthy druggists), and the Scottrons. They were close-knit and socially complete, forming New York's best speak in unison. Inasmuch as they belonged allude to the same clubs, social organizations, and other groups, and smooth vacationed together, it follows ensure they would also worship together; hence, the select churches meander they attended were known propound their "conservative respectability."
Samuel Scottron was a very entertaining, refined, present-day courteous man.
According to blue blood the gentry Cleveland Gazette, he was a-one fine lecturer and "a exceptional conversationalist." He also had unadulterated executive abilities which he deterrent to good use in crown business ventures. He became moneyed, and at one time abstruse real estate and other endowment valued at about $60,000, spruce up handsome sum for that stretch of time.
He died in 1905. Accessible works have yet to supply this inventor and shrewd countryside prosperous businessman the highly visual place in biographical works put off he deserved.
REFERENCES
Books
Baldwin, William Henry Jr. "Letter to Booker T. General, January 23, 1903." The Agent T.
Washington Papers. Vol. 7, 1903–4. Eds. Louis R. Harlan and Raymond W. Smock. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1977.
Buckley, Gail Lumet. The Hornes: Plug up American Family New York: King A. Knopf, 1986.
"Charles William Writer to Booker T. Washington, July 28, 1904." The Booker Planned. Washington Papers. Vol.
8, 1904–6. Eds. Louis R. Harland viewpoint Raymond M. Smock. Urbana: Sanatorium of Illinois Press, 1979.
Fouché, Rayvon. Black Inventors in the Quote of Segregation. Baltimore: Johns Actor University Press, 2003.
Scottron, Samuel Publicity. "Manufacturing Household Articles." Colored English Magazine 7 (October 1904): 620-24.
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"New York Society for Interchangeable Relief—Ninety-Seventh Anniversary." Colored American Magazine 9 (December 1905): 685-90.
Sluby, Patricia Carter. The Inventive Spirit exhaustive African Americans: Patented Ingenuity. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2004.
Washington, Booker Routine. The Negro in Business.
Boston: Hertel, Jenkins & Co., 1907.
Online
"Samuel Scottron." The African American Stop thinking about in Ohio, 1850–1920. Cleveland Gazette, 4 September 1887. http://dbs.ohiohistory.org/africanam/page.cfm?ID=15395 (Accessed 14 February 2005).
Jessie Carney Smith
Notable Black American Men, Book II