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Title
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T. B. Watkins
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Description
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File containing photos and information on Theron Watkins (1877-1950), or T. B. Watkins, a community activist, co-founder of the Watkins Brothers Funeral Home at 1729 Lydia Avenue, and step-father of local black political leader Bruce Watkins. Native of Indiana coming to Kansas City in 1909 as a funeral home founder later involved in the 1940 city clean-up campaign and becoming "the first black to sit on Kansas City's draft board" and a co-founder of the Gateway Athletic Club. Also the posthumous namesake of the T. B. Watkins Housing Complex at 12th and Woodland Avenues in 1952, with residence at 2506 Benton Boulevard.
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Object Type
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Vertical File
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Title
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Watkins Brothers Memorial Chapel Celebrates Its 100 Year Anniversary - From 1909 to 2009
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Description
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Watkins Brothers is "one of the oldest continuous operating African American-owned business [sic] in Missosuri." Article tells the story of the business, first located at 1729 Lydia, then at 18th Street and Benton Boulevard, and finally at 4000 Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard. Information about the Watkins family is also included.
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Date
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2009-05-29
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Object Type
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Newspaper Article
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Title
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African Americans in Politics
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Description
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Passage in book describes early attempts to get African American candidates on the ballot. Theron B. Watkins' unsuccessful campaign for city alderman and L. Amasa Knox's campaign for the state legislature are described.
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Date
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2006
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Object Type
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Book Section
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Title
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Theron Watkins
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Description
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Book excerpt about Theron Watkins (1877-1950), or T.B. Watkins, a prominent African American of Kansas City and father of local politician Bruce Watkins. Watkins was born near Indianapolis and came to Kansas City in 1909 as an undertaker and soon co-founder of Watkins Brothers Funeral Home at 1729 Lydia Avenue, which became "one of the most successful black businesses in Kansas City". He became a leader and activist in the community starting in the 1910s and candidate for city alderman in 1921 and the Missouri legislature in 1944.
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Date
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2006
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Object Type
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Book Section
