Church.įrances apparently also had a mind for business and the Topeka Plaindealer, May 1901, noted she was James’ “ peer as a financier and manager in church work. At a benefit in 1902, James “made a fine Uncle Rufus or ‘Ole Man’.” A short time later, the paper reports that James’ performance of I’ve a Longing in My Heart for You “brought the house down.” He also served as Sabbath Superintendent for the A.M.E. Almond Chapter 27 where she served as Worthy Matron in 1920-21.***īoth James and Frances were heavily involved in their church. one of the leads in society and church circles” with her “winning way and sweet disposition.” She also was involved in several local women’s group including N.U.G, which seemed to function much like the all white Ladies Reading Circle, Unic Octon Club, and the Colored O.E.S. At their December 1900 meeting, papers were read and then a discussion was held on the topic, “That the Negro has a better right to this country than the Indian.”įrances was described as “ his cultured wife. The group of men met to discuss various issues of concern or interest to them. Locally, he was active in the local Fred Douglas literary society, serving as president in 1900. James was a writer for the Topeka Plaindealer, a newspaper run for and by the Black communities in Kansas and printed in Topeka. he is held in the highest estem by the businessmen of his town.” “One of the Leads in Society”īoth James and Frances were active members in the Black community, locally and at the state level. He was elected treasurer and later, secretary for the organization.īoth the Evening Kansan Republican and the Topeka Plaindealer agreed James “conducted the leading tonsorial parlors of the city. The organization had a membership of twenty, seventeen of whom were white. Gross was a charter member of the Kansas State Barber’s association No. Always looking for ways to impove his services, in the spring of 1901, Gross annouced that he had “added an adjustable chair for children to his barber shop.” At the state level he had the respect of both Black and white barbers.
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