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David A. Strother (August 18, 1843 – March 12, 1905) is historically significant for being the first African American man in the US state of Illinois to cast a vote following the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1870. His brother, Charlie Strother, was the second African American to vote in the state. Born in Missouri to a free mother, Strother was later a riverboat worker and served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After settling in El Paso, Illinois, in 1864, he became an influential member of the local African American community. His legacy is honored at the Project XV Museum in El Paso, which showcases the history of voting rights for African Americans and other marginalized groups.

Early life and background

Strother was born on August 18, 1843, in Missouri. His mother purchased her freedom from slavery, and they later moved to Peoria, Illinois. Strother worked on riverboats and participated in the Union Army during the American Civil War, where he served as a cook in Ulysses S. Grant's campaign at the Battle of Vicksburg. He was persuaded to settle in El Paso, Illinois, in 1864, where he eventually became a prominent community leader.

Contributions to voting rights

Strother is historically recognized as the first African American to vote in Illinois after the ratification of the 15th Amendment. His act of voting is part of the broader story of African American suffrage during the Reconstruction Era. His brother, Charlie Strother, cast his vote shortly after David. Additionally, the town of El Paso, Illinois, claims a notable historical place in the movement for African American voting rights, with the Strother brothers marking an important milestone in its history. As reported by Pantagraph, El Paso proudly claims these early African American voters as part of its local history.

Legacy

Strother's legacy as a civil rights pioneer is commemorated at the Project XV Museum in El Paso, Illinois. The museum, established in 2019, highlights Strother's role in the struggle for voting rights and provides a space to educate the public on the history of voting in the United States. It features Strother's restored barber shop, interactive exhibits, and artifacts related to voting rights.

Recognition

In 2020, Illinois legislators recognized Strother's contributions to voting rights with a resolution that enshrined his place in the state's political history. His legacy is an important part of both local and national history, and continues to inspire efforts to expand civil rights and voting access for marginalized groups. Strother's legacy is also honored through various commemorative sources, including genealogy websites.

References

1. Staff (April 11, 2024). "El Paso's Project XV Museum Shares Voting Rights Stories". WGlt. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
2. WCBU News Team (February 23, 2021). "WCBU: Woodford County Man First to Fulfill Promise of 15th Amendment". WCBU Peoria Public Radio. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
3. Allen Drake. "El Paso History: The Legacy of David A. Strother". Allen Drake. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
4. Allen Drake. "The History of El Paso: David A. Strother". Allen Drake. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
5. Pantagraph Staff (November 4, 2020). "Pantagraph: El Paso Claims First Black Voters". Pantagraph. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
6. "Project XV Museum: David Strother". Project XV Museum. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
7. "Illinois House Resolution 0134". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
8. Genealogy Trails. "Genealogy Trails: David A. Strother Obituary". Genealogy Trails. Retrieved January 2, 2025.

External links

• Project XV Museum

This article needs additional or more specific categories. Please help out by adding categories to it so that it can be listed with similar articles. (January 2025)

• 1843 births
• 1905 deaths
• Activists against anti-Black racism
• People from El Paso, Illinois
• People from Missouri