African American Shoe Makers in Kentucky [not Lexington]

The following is a list of shoe makers from the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, except where noted. These are shoe makers who were born in Kentucky or lived in Kentucky. The list does not include those who lived in Lexington, KY, or those who lived outside Kentucky. There is a separate entry for Lexington shoe makers before 1900, African American Shoe Shiners and Shoe Repairers in Lexington, KY, 1930-1947, and for Kentucky shoe makers who lived in other states.

ALLEN COUNTY

• Berry Walker (b.1838 in KY) was a shoe maker. He was the husband of Kittie Walker (b.1840 in KY), and the family of eleven lived in Scottsville.

BALLARD COUNTY

• Arche Booker (b.1841 in VA) was a shoe maker who lived in Blandville.

BARREN COUNTY

• James Wade (b.1837 in KY), a shoe maker, was the husband of Lucinda Wade (b.1840 in KY). The couple and their four children lived on Front Street in Glasgow Junction.

BATH COUNTY

• Sims McElhany (b.1805 in KY) was a shoe maker, and he and his wife Fanny were also servants for the Crooks Family. They all lived in Tanyard.
• John Sanford (b.1840 in KY) was a shoemaker in Owingsville. He was the husband of Jane (b.1845 in KY) and the couple had 6 children.

BOURBON COUNTY

• James Hyers (b.1840 in KY) was a shoemaker in Ruddles Mills. He was the husband of Margaret (b.1842 in KY) and Margaret had a son who lived with them.
• John Jones (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Millersburg. He was the husband of Clara Jones (b.1830 in KY), and supported a family of eight.
• Jack Logan (b.1831 in KY) was a shoemaker in Bourbon County where he lived with his wife Martha (b.1830 in KY) and their son.
• Alford Moorehead (b.1830 in KY) was a shoemaker in Claysville. He was the husband of Mary (b.1838 in KY) and the couple had two sons. Alford's mother also lived with the family.
• George Watson (b.1832 in KY) was a shoemaker in Claysville. He was a widower and lived with his daughter.

BOYLE COUNTY

• John Baughman (b.1849 in KY) is listed in the census as a shoe maker who is crippled. He was the husband of Lizzie Baughman (b.1857 in KY), and supported a family of five. The family lived in Danville.
• Samuel W. Brumfield (b.1827 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Danville with his family of six. He was the husband of Sarah A. Brumfield (b.1834 in KY).
• Anthoney Burnside (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker in Danville. He and his wife Bettie (b.1840 in KY) lived with their 20 year old adopted daughter.
• Alex Burton (b.1832 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Danville. He was the husband of Mattie E. Burton (b.1852 in KY), and supported a family of four. The family lived on Lebanon Pike.
• William Caldwell (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker who was a widower supporting a family of five.
• R. Cowan (b.1820 in KY) is listed in the census as a shoe cobbler who lived in Danville. He was the husband of Harriet Cowan (b.1823 in KY). The family of six lived on Lexington Avenue.
• Anderson Gutherie (b.1820 in KY), a shoe maker, lived on Fourth Street in Danville with his wife Eliza (b.1824 in KY). 
• Henry Mack (b.1833 in KY), a shoe maker, was the husband of Mary Mack (b.1831 in KY), and supported a family of five.
• Timothy Masterson (b.1832 in KY) was a shoe maker who supported a family of seven. He was the husband of Lucinda Masterson (b.1844 in KY).

CALDWELL COUNTY

• Carter Barnes (b.1833 in KY) a shoe maker in Princeton, KY, he lived with his wife Davina (b.1840 in KY). 
• Anthony Slaughter (b.1830 in KY) a shoe maker in Princeton, supported seven other family members, including his wife Mariah (b.1835 in KY).

CHRISTIAN COUNTY

• Jessie Hart (b.1855 in TN) is listed in the census as a shoe cobbler who lived in Garretsburg.

CLARK COUNTY

• John Armstrong (b.1836 in KY) was a shoemaker in Winchester. He was the husband of Lucy (b.1850 in KY) and the couple had 5 children.
• Robert Banks (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker. He was the husband of Anna M. Banks (b.1825 in KY). The family of five lived in Winchester.
• Richard Brett (b.1848 in KY) was a shoemaker in Winchester. He was he husband of Charlotte (b.1845) and the couple had three children.
• Henry Combs (b.1837 in KY) was a shoemaker in Winchester. He was the husband of Mary and the couple had two sons.
• William Jackson (b.1857 in KY) was a shoemaker in Winchester. He was the husband of Carrie Duerson and they had daughter. They all lived with Carrie’s parents, Austin and Sarah Duerson.
• James Robinson (b.1858 in KY), a shoe maker, was the son of Peter and Minerva Robinson. The family of seven lived in Winchester.
• Jordon Stogdon (b.1837 in KY) was a shoe maker. He was the husband of Lottie (b.1847 in KY), and the family of eight lived in Blue Ball.

CLAY COUNTY

• William Potter (b.1832 in KY) was a shoemaker in Manchester. He was the husband of Harriet (b.1837 in KY) and the couple had 9 children.

FLOYD COUNTY

• James Weaver (b.1873 in KY) was the owner of a shoe shop in Wheelwright, KY. He repaired shoes. He was the husband of Lucinda Weaver (b.1899 in VA). The couple lived on Otter Creek Road. [source: 1930 U.S. Federal Census].

FRANKLIN COUNTY

• Baker Clark (b.1828 in KY) was a shoe maker in Frankfort. He was the husband of Betty Clark (b.1832 in KY), and the family of three lived on Wilkerson Street.
• James Franklin (b.1862) in KY) was a shoe maker incarcerated in the Frankfort Penitentiary.
• Henry Rodman (b.1851 in KY), a shoe maker, was the husband of Mary E. Rodman (b.1858 in KY). The family of six lived on Clinton Street and shared their home with four boarders.
• Benjamin Spencer (b.1854 in KY) was a shoe maker in Frankfort. He was the son of Frank and Caroline Spencer, and the family of seven lived on Clinton Street.
• John Stanley (b.1840 in CT) was a shoe maker incarcerated in the Frankfort Penitentiary.
• Henry Thompson (b.1848 in KY) was a shoe maker incarcerated in the Frankfort Penitentiary.
• Chandler Wood (b.1851 in KY) was a shoe maker incarcerated in the Frankfort Penitentiary.

GARRARD COUNTY

• Dennis Brown (b.1800 in MD) was a shoe maker who lived in Lancaster. He was the husband of Neoma Brown (b.1802 in KY), and they had a son.
• Dave Falkner (b.1835 in KY) was a shoe maker and lived with his wife Eda (b.1837 in KY) and their six children in Brandy Springs.
• Jettie E. Knox ( -1898), a shoe maker, Knox was killed by Lancaster Postmaster J. I. Hamilton over a loan dispute. Knox had come from North Carolina about a year before his death [source: "About 10:30 o'clock Wednesday,..." in the column "Lancaster, Garrard County" on p.1 of Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, 09/11/1896]. Jettie Knox was the husband of Ella B. Cook, a school teacher in Stanford, KY [source: 1900 U.S. Federal Census]. The couple married in Danville, KY, July 28, 1896 [source: Kentucky Marriages Index].
• Henry Mason (b.1825 in KY), a shoe maker, was the husband of Harriet Mason (b.1844 in KY), and the family of seven lived in Lancaster.

GRANT COUNTY

• Hary Powers (b.1744 in VA) was listed in the census as a 106 year old widower who was shoe maker.

GREEN COUNTY

• George Edwards (b.1843 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Greensburg. He was the husband of Esther Edwards (b.1852 in KY), and supported a family of seven.
• Dick Thornton (b.1837 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Greensburg. He was the husband of Fannie L. Thornton (b.1850 in KY) and the couple had five children.

HARDIN COUNTY

• William Crow (b.1815) was a shoemaker in Glendale where he lived with his wife Mariah (b.1817 in KY).

HARRISON COUNTY

• Leander Agers (b.1799 in MD) was an earlier shoe maker and property owner listed in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census. He was head of a family of eight, husband of Susan Agers (b.1803 in KY), with four sons who were also shoe makers: Wiley, Leander Jr., Peter, and Daniel Agers.
• John Ayres (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker in Cynthiana. He was the husband of Caroline (b.1830) and two nephews lived with the couple.
• Willis Ayres (b.1835 in KY) was a shoemaker in Cynthiana.
• John M. Ayers (b.1804 in KY) was a shoemaker in Buena Vista. He was the husband of Patsy Ayers, and there were four in the family.
• Jim Jackson (b.1845 in KY) was a shoemaker in Cynthiana. He was the husband of Caroline (b.1848 in KY). The couple lived on Bridge Street.
• Jim Jackson (b.1845 in KY) was a shoe maker in Cynthiana. He was the husband of Malinda (b.1855). The couple lived on Pleasant Street.
• Miner Woods (b.1853 in VA) was a shoemaker in Cynthiana. He was the husband of Fannie (b.1857 in KY).

HENDERSON COUNTY

• Leander Ward (b.1856 in KY) was a shoe maker in Henderson. He was the husband of Frances Ward (b.1856 in KY) and the family of four lived on Elm Street.
• Green Willingham (b.1821 in KY) was a shoe maker. He was the husband of Edy Willingham (b.1810 in KY) and the couple lived in Hebbardsville.

HENRY COUNTY

• James Adams (b.1813 in KY) was a shoemaker in Eminence where he lived with his wife Cynthia (b.1815 in KY) and their 5 children.

 HICKMAN COUNTY

• William Jackson (b.1849 in TN) was a shoe and boot maker who lived in Columbus. 

HOPKINS COUNTY

• Miles Nourse (b.1832 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Madisonville with his wife Rachel (b.1840 in KY), their son, and a boarder.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

• James Alcorn (b.1838 in KY) was a boot and shoe maker who lived in Louisville. He was a boarder with the Williamson Family on West Walnut Street, South Side.
• Jerry Ballinger (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Louisville. He was the husband of Mary Ballinger (b.1832 in KY), and the family of four lived on Brook Street.
• John Berry (b.1840 in KY) was a shoemaker who lived in Louisville. He was a widower.
• George Bright (b.1844 in KY) was shoe maker who lived in Louisville on Floyd Street.
• Charles Cole (b.1817 in KY) was a shoemaker in Cross Roads.
• David Coleman (b.1798 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Ami Coleman and 3 others lived in their home.
• Alfred Cumes (b.1817 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville where he lived with his wife Maria and their 6 children.
• William T. Davis (b.1834 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Ester Davis and the couple lived on the east side of 19th Street with a boarder.
• William Griffin (b.1829 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisiville. He was the husband of Francis and the couple had 4 children.
• James Gutherie (b.1826 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville where he lived with his wife Mary.
• Willis Jackson (b.1839 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Melissa (b.1829 in IN) and he couple had a son.
• R. J. Johnson (b.1854 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Louisville. He was the husband of Nannie Johnson (b.1860 in KY), and the family of four lived on Market Street.
• William Johnson (b.1844 in KY) was a shoe maker in Louisville who lived with Bettie Johnson.
• Samuel Lahslay (b.1831 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville. He was a widower.
• Dennis Lyons (b.1819 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville.
• Sam Mattingly (b.1827 in KY) a shoe maker, was a widower who lived in Louisville on Magazine Street.
• Absolam May (b.1835 in AL) a shoemaker in Louisville.
• J. F. Oglesby (b.1848 in KY) a shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Lotta (b.1850 in KY) and the couple had 3 children.
• John Radford (b.1823 in KY) shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Caroline (b.1825 in KY).
• Francis Smith (b.1835 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Louisville with his wife Susan Smith (b.1847 in KY). The couple shared their home with two boarders on Ninth Street, West Side.
• Washington Vanduke (b.1805 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Louisville. He was a widower and lived on Oldham Street.
• William A. Warley (b.1833 in SC) was a shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Belle (b.1852 in LA).
• James Washington (b.1858 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville.
• Henry Wilson (b.1831 in KY) was a shoemaker in Louisville. He was the husband of Lucinda (b.1840 in KY) and the couple had 6 children.

 JESSAMINE COUNTY

• Martin Jackson (b.1856 in KY) a shoemaker in Nicholasville. He was the husband of Nancy (b.1860 in KY) and the couple had a daughter.
• Galvin Pugh (b.1840 in KY), a shoe maker, was the husband of Syntha Pugh (b.1856 in KY). The family of five lived in Nicholasville.
• John Wheeler (b.1820 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Nicholasville. He was the husband of Luisa Wheeler (b.1840 in KY).
• John Scott (b.1845 in KY) was a shoe maker in Plaquemine. He was the husband of Rose Ann (b.1845 in KY) and the father of Squire.

KENTON COUNTY

• Edward Mason (b.1821 in KY) was a shoemaker in Covington. He was the husband of Maggie (b.1838 in KY).
• Alonzo Taylor (b.1864 in KY) was a shoemaker in Covington. He was one of the six children of David and Esther Taylor.

LINCOLN COUNTY

• Clark Hansford (b.1820 in KY) was a shoe maker in Stanford who lived with four other family members and a boarder on Church Street.

LOGAN COUNTY

• Henry Cole (b.1840 in KY) was a shoe maker in Gordonsville. He was married to Ellen (b.1839 in VA).
• Austin James (b.1825 in KY) was a shoe maker in Clay. He was married to Ellen (b.1847 in KY) and they were the parents of for children.
• John Wilson (b.1828 in KY) was a shoe maker in Clay. He was married to Alice (b.1852 in KY).

LYON COUNTY

• Stewart Scott (b.1813 in KY) was a shoe maker married to Atesnue(sp)(b.1831 in KY) and the couple lived in Eddyville.

MADISON COUNTY

• Owen Walker (b.1860 in KY) was a shoemaker in Richmond. He was the husband of Betsy (b.1840) and the couple had a son.

MARION COUNTY

• James Booker (b.1840 in KY) was a shoemaker in Lebanon, he lived alone on R. R. Street.
• Simon Irvine (b.1834 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Lebanon. He was the husband of Emma Irvine (b.1843 in KY), and the family of five lived on Chandler Street.
• David Lee (b.1831 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Loretto. He was the husband Harriet A. Lee (b.1831 in KY).
• William Porter (b.1830 in KY) was a shoe maker in Raywick. He was a widower who lived with his six sons.
• Phillip Spalding (b.1843 in KY) was a shoemaker in Lebanon. He was a widower with 3 children.
• Josiah Yokum (b.1820 in KY) was a boot and shoe maker who lived in Lebanon. He was widower who lived with his two young sons on Republican Street.

MASON COUNTY

• Harvey Scott (b.1830 in KY) was a shoemaker in Washington. He was the husband of Margaret (b.1841 in KY) and the couple had 4 children.
• Christopher Williams (b.1830 in KY) was a shoemaker in Maysville. He was the husband of Annie (b.1840 in KY).
• John Williams (b.1840 in KY) was a shoemaker in Maysville. He was the husband of Maria (b.1845 in KY) and the couple had 4 children.

MCCRACKEN COUNTY

• Saunders Alexander (b.1843 in KY) was a shoe maker in Paducah. His wife was Elizabeth (b.1843 in KY) and the couple had a son. The family lived on Jackson Street.
• Arthur Carter (b.1844 in GA) was a shoemaker in Paducah. He was the husband of Fannie Carter (b.1853 in KY) and the couple had a daughter.  His brother-in-law was Robert Taylor.
• Ben Huston (b.1854 in KY) was a shoemaker in Paducah.
• Robert Taylor (b.1952 in KY) was a shoemaker in Paducah. He lived with his sister Fannie Taylor Carter and her husband, shoemaker Arthur Carter.
• Phillip Williams (b.1845 in TN) was a cobbler in Paducah. He was the husband of Mary (b.1845 in KY) and the couple had two children.

 MONROE COUNTY

• Jerry Kirkpatrick (b.1822 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Tompkinsville. He was the husband of Jane Kirkpatrick (b.1850 in KY), and supported a family of five.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

• Anderson Taul (b.1853 in KY) was a shoe maker in Mt. Sterling. He was a boarder with the Everett Family.
• Ben Tipton (b.1845 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Mt. Sterling.
• James Willis (b.1840 in VA) was a shoe maker who lived in Mt. Sterling. He was a boarder with the Everett Family.

MUHLENBERG COUNTY

• Samuel Elliott (b.1846 in KY) was a shoe maker Greenville. He was the husband of Fannie (b.1847 in KY) and the couple had three children.

NELSON COUNTY

• Hans Brown (b.1825 in KY) was a shoe maker who supported a family of eight. He was the husband of Adaline Brown (b.1827 in KY).

 NICHOLAS COUNTY

• Horace Baker (b.1839 in KY) was a shoe maker. He was the husband of Sarah Baker (b.1840 in KY), and the family of four lived in Henryville.
• Henry H. Brooks (b.1815 in KY) was a cobbler in Carlisle. He was the husband of Jane (b.1837 in KY). Two of the couple's children and Jane's mother lived with them.
• John Jones (b.1855 in KY) was a shoemaker in Carlisle. He was a prisoner in the county jail.
• Henry Lawson (b.1820 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Carlisle. He was the husband of Manda Lawson (b.1820 in VA).

OLDHAM COUNTY

• Warren Nettles (b.1827 in KY) was a shoemaker in LaGrange. He was the husband of Ama (b.1857 in KY) and the couple had 6 children.

PULASKI COUNTY

• Henry Owens (b.1824 in KY), a shoe maker, was the husband of Silva Owens (b.1839 in KY), the family of five lived in Somerset.

 SCOTT COUNTY

• Philmore Bailey (b.1806 in KY) was a shoemaker in Boston. He lived with 3 other family members.
• Reason Baker (b.1826 in VA) was a shoe maker. He was the husband of Lidia Baker (b.1829 in MD) and supported a family of eight.
• Cupid Bradford (b. - d.1871) was a shoe maker who was killed in Stamping Ground, KY [source: Involvement of Blacks in Scott County Commerce by A. B. Bevins, p.3].
• Henry Scott was a boot and shoe maker in Scott County in 1870 [source: Involvement of Blacks in Scott County Commerce by A. B. Bevins, p.3 {second pagination}].
• Garrett Smith (b.1820 in KY) was a shoe maker in Boston. He was the husband of Sarah (b.1826 in KY) and the couple’s daughter and grandson lived with them.

SIMPSON COUNTY

• Alfred Foster (b.1840 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Franklin. He was a boarder with the Creekmore Family.

 SPENCER COUNTY

• Edmond Slone (b.1821 in KY) was a shoemaker in Taylorsville. He was the husband of Mary (b.1828 in KY) and the couple had 8 children.

TODD COUNTY

• Thomas Johnson (b.1825 in VA) was a shoe maker who lived in Allensville. He was the husband of Sallie Johnson (b.1833 in KY), and supported a family of four.
• John Kudy (b.1840 in MD) was a shoe maker in Elkton.
• John Waters (b.1850 in KY) was a shoemaker in Allensville. He was the husband of Done (b.1853 in KY).

WARREN COUNTY

• Thornton Cole (b.1823 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Hadley with his sister and brother-in-law and their four children.
• Charles Burrell (b.1839 in VA) was a shoe maker who lived alone in Bowling Green.
• Isam Lynn (b.1850 in KY) was a shoemaker in Bowling Green. He was the husband of Mary (b.1854 in KY) and the couple had three children.
• Henry Ray (b.1836 in KY) was a shoemaker in Bowling Green. He was the husband of Mary (b.1840 in KY) and the couple had 8 children.

WAYNE COUNTY

• Patrick Kindrick (b.1833 in KY) was a shoe maker who lived in Mill Springs. He was the husband of Marthey Kindrick (b.1840 in KY), and supported a family of five.
• William Sandusky (b.1842 in KY) was a shoe and boot maker who lived in Monticello. He was divorced and supported a family of four, they lived on West Street.

 WOODFORD COUNTY

• Harry Hurley (b.1810 in KY) was a shoe maker in Midway. He was the husband of Harriet (b.1808 in KY). The couple lived on the farm of Francis B. Harper.