Monthly Archives: November 2015

Jenrose Wilson (African-American history interviews)

Jenrose Wilson was born in Alton and moved to Springfield when she was 12. By age 16, she was married and had had her first child. She lived in St. Louis, Alton and Chicago before returning to Springfield, where she … Continue reading

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Charles Wilson (African-American history interviews)

Charles Wilson was born and raised in Springfield. His grandparents raised him after his mother was killed in a car accident. While living with his grandparents, Charles discovered that his great-grandfather , William Donnegan, was a lynching victim in the … Continue reading

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William Washington (African-American history interviews)

Born in Springfield, William Washington graduated from Lanphier High School and Springfield Junior College.  He started the Springfield’s Voice newspaper in 1972. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Washington discussed the old black-owned business neighborhoods that were … Continue reading

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J.D. Washington (African-American history interviews)

J.D. Washington, a native of  Little Rock, Ark., held various teaching jobs throughout Arkansas before moving to Springfield in 1970. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, he discusses  racism he saw while working in the Springfield public schools for … Continue reading

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Laura Van Buren (African-American history interviews)

Laura Van Buren, born and raised in Springfield, attended Feitshans High School and Brown Business School before going to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Van Buren talks about  discrimination she … Continue reading

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Elijah Singley (African-American history interviews)

In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Elijah Singley, born in Bessemer, Ala., discusses his involvement in the civil rights movement in Virginia and Alabama. Included is his participation in the third Selma to Montgomery March, organized … Continue reading

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Georgia Rountree, Paula Stadeker (African-American history interviews)

Georgia Rountree joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter at Tennessee State University in 1940.  She moved to Springfield, Illinois with her husband in 1946 and was a founding member of the graduate chapter in Springfield.  She remains an active member … Continue reading

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Veronica Robison (African-American history interviews)

Veronica Robison, a Springfield native, has worked for the FBI in Springfield for all of her adult life. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Robison discusses the small businesses she has developed, including “Springfield’s Black Pages,” which … Continue reading

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Jerome Reynolds (African-American history interviews)

Jerome Reynolds, born in Moberly, Missouri, grew up in Springfield.  Reynolds has worked in real estate for most of his professional life. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Reynolds talks extensively about his mother, who was … Continue reading

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Terry Ransom (African-American history interviews)

Terry Ransom, born in Champaign, moved to Springfield with his parents as a child. He has done a great deal of research on the Underground Railroad, including drawing up a map of the various routes that passed through Illinois. In an interview … Continue reading

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