[NFB-Seniors] Blind History Lady - Latest Story - Branches on a Family Tree

Tue Aug 13 12:58:20 UTC 2019

branches on a family tree 

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 Happy Summer:

This has been a most busy spring and summer for The Blind History Lady. I
have been pleased to speak at several meetings of the blind here in the
Greater Denver Area. I have also addressed groups from South Dakota to New
York and Maryland. I thank all of you for your interest. Even when I cannot
be there in person, telephone presentations where we can discuss our blind
ancestors has been just great!

Today I want to introduce to you another blind ancestor who pursued many
occupations and inspired many others.

Many times, we hear from a newly blinded person that they never heard of
another blind person before or had a blind family member. Sometimes, we just
have not looked through the thick leaves to other branches of our family
tree. This family did. 

Jesse Austin Adams was born near Coffeeville, Mississippi on December 10,
1876. He was the son of James Adams and Catherine Beulah Gore, a cousin to
the historic yet-to-be, famous blind U. S. Senator Thomas Prior Gore of
Oklahoma. 

At the age of ten months he lost his sight as the result of an attack of
spinal meningitis. The family were very sad yet treated him and expected
their son to be a normal boy. Until he was twelve, he attended the local
public school with his brother and sister.

At the age of 12 his family sent Jesse to the School for the Blind in
Jackson, Mississippi about 130 miles away. Jesse became proficient in
braille. He learned the trades of the blind at that school such as music and
broom making. After the school for the blind he attended a local High School
and graduated from there.

He established a broom business after graduation near his family home in
Coffeeville, which he was forced to abandon after two years due to ill
health. He worked temporarily as a salesman for a piano firm. With the funds
he earned Jesse took a law course. Eventually he read law with a friend but
was unable to continue through lack of funds. Next he gave private music
lessons beginning in 1905 in McCarley, Carroll County MS. 

Jesse grew to be a tall, slender man with brown hair and blue eyes. In 1908
Jesse married Miss Ableecy Ray of Bellefontaine, a schoolteacher. They had
two daughters. Daughter Jessie was born in 1919 and Katie was born in 1927.
The two managed a large general farm in Montgomery County for more than
twelve years. 

Farming could support the family, but Jesse wanted more. He served as
Postmaster at Sweatman, Montgomery County where their farm was located. He
was active in his church.  Jesse had a hobby of raising thoroughbred
collies. Although he loved dogs, he did not use a dot as a travel aid. 

In 1912, he began teaching public school four miles north of McCarley. An
interesting feature of his teaching career is the fact that he was forced to
teach without payment during the first term, in order to convince the
authorities that his blindness was no handicap. After he proved himself, he
taught school for several years.

His cousin Thomas Prior Gore of Oklahoma had won the U. S. Senate seat in
1907. This may have been an inspiration for young Jesse to get involved in
politics himself. Jesse used his connection to the famous blind senator in
his biographies while in public office. The name Thomas Gore was no stranger
to the Mississippi house of Representatives. While the father, Thomas Gore
served as a state representative, his blind son, Thomas Gore served as a
page. 

In November of 1919, he was elected to the state legislature of Mississippi,
as the Democratic representative from Montgomery county.  He won his
election over four opponents. He was elected again to the house in 1924. In
1928, he ran for the Senate seat for his district and won. After he was
elected to the House of Representatives, his father-in-law, now a widow,
came to live with them and helped on the farm. 

Early on in his first term of his legislative career, he was appointed as a
trustee of the Mississippi Blind Institution. He served on that board until
his death. By 1935, he served as Executive Secretary of that institution. 

He also served as a role model for Jesse J. Brough, a partially blind man
who won a seat in the Mississippi State House in November of 1923. But to be
clear, Jesse was not the first blind man to serve in the state house. In
1884, James Clemens was elected to the house. Mr. Clemens was the editor of
the Mississippi Sun and justice of the Peace in his home community but died
in 1909. It is not clear if Jesse knew of the history of Mr. Clemens and
able to use him as a role model. 

Jesse passed away in 1940. Little is left of his story to tell. If not for
one or two news articles, he may have been lost in the fallen leaves of
time.

To schedule a presentation, contact me at theblindhistorylady at gmail.com
<mailto:theblindhistorylady at gmail.com>  or call 303-745-0473.

You can read more of my Books at
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