From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Story, John W. "Jack"
(born: May 11, 1839 - died: August 12, 1927)It has probably been long-forgotten that John W. "Jack" Story was considered the first African American elect to an office in Mason County, KY. The article in the Daily Evening Bulletin newspaper refers to him as Jack Story who was elected as a City Trustee of Mayslick, KY, in April of 1888. Throughout his life, Story is referred to by the first names of John or Jack in the local newspapers. He is most often mentioned in the Maysville newspapers for his attendance as a delegate at the Republican Conventions. He was also present at the 1895 special convention for African American Republicans that was held at the courthouse in Maysville.
Sergeant John W. Story was a veteran of the U.S. Civil War. He served with Company G 109 U.S. Colored Infantry. In 1888, he applied for relief from the Committee on Military Affairs. He received his pension and in 1899 was receiving $6 per month. With the assistance of Judge Hutchins, in July of 1903, John Story received an increase in his pension, up to $8 per month, retroactive to February of 1903.
In 1917, John "Jack" Story was a member of the committee that organized the Patriotic Mass Meeting to honor the African American U.S. Civil War veterans of Maysville and Mason County. The meeting was held at Scott M. E. Church.
John W. Story was a carpenter. In 1921, he was among the members who had raised the funds and built a new school for African American children in Mayslick, KY. The group solicited assistance from the entire community for supplies to complete the inside of the school and to purchase the fixtures.
John W. "Jack" Story died from influenza in Mayslick, KY in 1927, and he is buried in the Mayslick Cemetery. He was born in Fleming County, KY, the son of Henny Gross. He was the husband of Amy Story.
Sources: "Petitions for pensions and relief," Daily Evening Bulletin, 03/06/1888, p.3; "Election at Mayslick," Daily Evening Bulletin, 04/03/1888, p.3; "The Republican Convention," Daily Public Ledger, 09/13/1892, front page; "John Story of Mayslick," Evening Bulletin, 01/14/1899, p.2; "A Roaring farce," Daily Public Ledger, 10/07/1895, front page; "Judge Hutchins ...," Evening Bulletin, 07/14/1903, p.3; "Patriotic Mass Meeting," Public Ledger, 09/13/1917, front page; "Mayslick Colored citizens ask aid in school equipment," The Maysville Public Ledger, 01/20/1921, p.4; John W. Story's Kentucky Death Certificate File #21389, Registered #10 (Ancestry); John W. Story in the U.S. Civil War Pension Index (Ancestry); John Story in U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans (Ancestry); John W. Story at Find A Grave.