Stradford, Julius Caesar "J. C."

An enslaved man from Versailles, KY, Stradford was taught to read by his owner's daughter. He forged a travel permission slip, signing his owner's name, and escaped to Stratford, Ontario. While there he earned enough money to return to Kentucky and purchase his freedom. He is the father of John the Baptist Stradford, better known as J. B. Stradford, the wealthiest African American in Tulsa, OK. J.B. was accused of inciting the 1921 race riot in Tulsa.

For more see Riot and Remembrance, The Tulsa Race War and Its Legacy, by J. S. Hirsch.