Biddle University

John Hazely Isler, pharmacist.

Charlotte Observer, 2 February 1960.

——

In the 1900 census of Swift Creek township, Pitt County: Furney Isler, 40, farmer; wife Cynthia, 34; children Francis L., 11, Pearlie M., 8, James W., 7, John H., 2, and Mary A., 1 month; and niece Nancy A. Isler, 25.

On 31 March 1908, in Grifton, Pitt County, Owen L.W. Smith, 56, married Cynthia A. Isler, 43, daughter of Madison and Phyllis King. Smith brought his new wife and her children, including son John Hazely Isler, to live with his family in the Saint John A.M.E. Zion Church parsonage.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: minister Owen W. Smith, 58, wife Lucy [sic] A., 45, son Jessy A. Smith, 27, daughter Carry E. Smith, 10, and step-children John H., 12, and Mary A. Isler, 10.

Isler was listed among Fourth Year High School students in the Biddle University Catalog, 1916-1917. North Carolina Digital Heritage Center.

In 1918, John H. Isler registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1898; lived at 129 Pender Street, Wilson; was a student at Biddle University, Charlotte, N.C.; and his nearest relative was Cynthia Smith, 129 Pender.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 129 Pender Street, Owen L. Smith, 68, wife Cynthia, 55, stepchild Mary E. Isler, roomer John H. Isler, and eight other roomers.

Yorkville (York, S.C.) Enquirer, 31 May 1921.

Though his obituary dates his pharmacy to 1931, ads in the local college newspaper showed Rex Drug Store was operating as early as late 1929.

Charlotte University Student, 1 December 1929.

In the 1930 census of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina: at 310 Alexander Street, Alvira Rudisill, 64, widow; daughters Lillian Rudisill, 32, Joreatha Isler, 28, and Willie M. Rudisill, 26, all teachers; son-in-law John H. Isler, 31; and grandson John H. Isler Jr., 8.

In the 1940 census of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina:at 320 South Alexander Street, widow Elvira Rudisill, 74; daughter Lillian, 40, teacher; son-in-law John H. Isler, pharmacist at Rex Drug Store; grandson John Jr., 18; son-in-law Ruben McKissick, 33, shoemaker at shoe shop; and daughter Willie Mae, 32, teacher.

In 1942, John Hazely Isler registered for the World War II draft in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1898 in Grifton, N.C.; lived at 320 South Alexander, Charlotte; his contact was Joreatha R. Isler; and he worked at Rex Drug Store, 417 East 2nd, Charlotte.

In the 1950 census of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina: Elvira W. Rudisill, 84; daughter Lillian L., 43; son-in-law John H. Isler, 44; daughter Joreatha J., 42; son-in-law Rheuben McKissick, 40; and daughter Willie, 40.

Charlotte Observer, 5 August 1951.

Dr. John Hazely Isler died 31 January 1960 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 27 February 1900 in Grafton, North Carolina, to Ferniet Isler and Cynthia King; was married to Joreatha Rudisill Isler; lived at 1531 Beatties Ford Road; and was a pharmacist at Rex Drug Store.

Biddle University, 1914-15.

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The catalogue for the 1914-15 school year at Biddle University in Charlotte, North Carolina (later Johnson C. Smith University) listed several students and graduates from Wilson, including two of Samuel H. Vick‘s sons.

Freshman Year, School of Arts and Science

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  • Fernie B. Speight

Ferne Burnett Speight’s World War I draft registration card, dated 1918.

Second Year, High School

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  • John H. Isler

John H. Isler’s World War I draft registration card, dated 1918.

Dr. John Hazely Isler died 31 January 1960 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, Isler was born 27 February 1900 in Griffin, N.C., to Ferniet Isler and Cynthia King; resided at 1531 Beatties Ford Road; was a pharmacist at Rex Drug Store; and was married to Joreatha Rudisill

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First Year, High School

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Undergraduate Prizes

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Graduates of the School of Theology

Class of 1909

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Graduates of School of Arts and Science

Class of 1901

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Class of 1903

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Class of 1906

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Catalog digitized by North Carolina Digital History Center, http://www.digitalnc.org.

 

Russell L. Darden.

“Russell Darden — front row, second from left, in his class at Biddle, now Johnson C. Smith.”

“… [O]ne of the first funerals under [Camillus and Arthur Darden‘s] direction was that of their younger brother, Russell, who was in his last year at Howard University Law School. Russell had gone to New York City to look for adventure during the Christmas vacation. While there, he caught pneumonia and died at Harlem Hospital before any of the family could reach him. Russell had been a daring, fun-loving, robust, athletic young man known for his prowess on the football field. [His brother Walter T. Darden remembered] that the last time he saw Russell play football was at Livingston[e] College. The score was Livingston[e] 3, Biddle 3. The ball was snapped and thrown to Russell. He was running hard. The opposition tried for the tackle but missed and tore off the seat of his pants instead. Oblivious to the cheers and laughter of the crowd, Russell kept running and won the game 9-3 with his rear end showing. He had an aggressive spirit and was the pride and joy of his family. His death left an aching gap in the family circle.”

N.J. and C. Darden, Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine (1978).

——

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: wheelwright Charles Dardin, 44; wife Dianna, 40, sewing; and children Annie, 21, sewing; Comilous, 15, tobacco stemmer; Arthor, 12; Artelia, 10; Russell, 5; and Walter, 4.

In the 1908 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Darden, Russell, carpenter, h 110 Pender. [At age 15?]

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith Charlie Darden, 55; wife Dianah, 48; and children Cermillus, 24, bicycle shop owner; Arthur, 22, teacher; Artelia, 18, teacher; Russel, 16; and Walter, 14.

In the 1912 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Darden, Russell, porter, h 110 Pender.

In the 1913 Charlotte, N.C., city directory: Darden, Russell, bds [boards] Seversville.

In 1917, Russell Lenoir Darden registered for the World War I draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 9 June 1893 in Wilson, N.C.; resided at 940 Westminster Street, Washington, D.C.; was a student; was single; and was stout and of medium height.

Russell Darden died 26 January 1918 in Manhattan, New York, New York.

A brief mention in the New York Age suggests that C.L. and Arthur could not, after all, bring themselves to bury their brother and called in Calvin E. Lightner of Raleigh to assist.

New York Age, 9 February 1918.

 

William Hines, making good.

In March 1913, the Indianapolis Recorder, a nationally focused African-American newspaper, ran a front-page feature on William Hines, a “native of [Wilson] and a forceful character for the intellectual, moral, spiritual, social and economic development of young North Carolinians.”

Citing Samuel H. Vick and Biddle University as Hines’ influences, the article detailed his entry into the real estate business after establishing a successful barber shop. In just five years, Hines had accumulated 11 houses and “a number of very desirable lots.”

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Indy Recorder 3 1 1913

Indianapolis Recorder, 1 March 1913.

Hines’ real estate investments eventually made him one of the largest builder-owners of rental property in east Wilson. His barber shop operated for many decades, and his varied civic involvement included work as leader in the World War I Liberty Loan Campaign, charter investor in the Commercial Bank of Wilson, founding member of the Men’s Civic Club, board of trustees of the Negro Library, board of directors of the Reid Street Community Center, and administrator of Mercy Hospital.

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William Hines, a little later in life.

William Hines was born 29 October 1883 in Edgecombe County and died 17 October 1981 in Wilson. He is buried in Rest Haven cemetery.

Photo of Hines courtesy of History of Wilson County, North Carolina (1985).