The state journal., 1884-12-27
PEN SKETCHES.
some Of the Men about Town
Whothey are and What they Do

There are in this city a number of
prominent colored men who by their
force of character, intelligent manner
and gentlemsnly bearing have gained
much respect and some little noto.
riety. There are other characters
from there peculiarties which also
merit some notice. 1t is pretty evi-
dent that while there are several news
papers in this city, which receive con,
siderable patronage from the coored
people, that they are not published
for the purpose of taking the same
interest in and cognizance of colored
men they do of white men.
Among the best koown colored
men of this city is Prof. VIM. Howard
Day; man Of broad brain and g
thorough scholar, being unquestion
ably one of the ablest colcred men in
the state. The Prof is widely known,
having spent nearly all of his life in
public affairs. lie has travelled ex-
tensively both in America and
Europe. He has been resident of
Harrisburg for several years, and
during that time has been more or
less engaged in the politics of the
state. Within the last year or two,
however, the Prof. has been devoling
his time to church affairs, and is now
engaged in writing kind of centen-
NAL hand book on the history OF the
A. ME Zion church. His we'll known
ability and extensive knowledge
makes him competent to give the
public something interesting. Prof.
Day has held several positions of
political honor and also published at
one time a paper devoted to the in
terest of his race. He suffered with
the same experience that many others
have felt upon engaging in such
work. He has labored necessarily
for the republican party until 1879.
Seeing the ingratitude of the party
to colored men he supporte1 Andrew
Dill, democratic candidate for COVER
nor. For this he was abused and
ostracised by his own people and
marked by the republican party for
doing what now seems to be the ul,
innate channel into which the color
ed vote is drifting. The Prof. served
tSa tbS6aart terms ma IL Il IS ts aub sfgthy % s e
forts that colored children attend the
high school OF this city, and separate
schools are only things of the past.
He is a pleasant person to converse
with, being affable, courteous and
instructive.
MAJOR }. w. SIMPSON.
Another well known colored man
of this city is Major J. W. Simpson,
present alderman of the Eighth ward
Major Simpson was born in Philadel-
phia, and is about so years Of age
He is a shoe maker by trade and
applied himself to his vocation until
elected alderman. He came from
Philadelphia some ten or twelve
years ago to accept a position under
Auditor General Allen. At the ex-
piration of his term of office he set
tied 10 this city with his family and
has since been prominently connected
with politics, being elected to the
assessorship of the Eighth ward three
terms. He has, in fact, been leader
since his first appearance in the city
He is large, portly man, possessed
of much intelligence, and in keeping
with men of rotund figure, exceed
ingly humorous. He holds his pres
ent Office for a term of five years
having been elected last spring. He
is straightforward, honest, and por-
trays much force of character
c. NJ. BROWN.
Mr.. &. NJ. Brown, gentleman
highly respected and a man of
marked ability, has been a resident
of this city for number of years.
Mr.. Brown was associated with Prof
Day as publisher of the National
Proqress. He was a member of the
committee which drafted the new
constitution of this state, being ssso-
ciated with such men as Charles
Buckalew and Robert Mackey. Mr..
Brown has been the possessor OF con-
siderable real estate, but like thou
sands of others lost nearly all of his
uealtb in the manic of IT. lie has