Skillman, Charles
(born: 1844 - died: 1888)Charles Skillman was the first African American to be buried in the Lexington (KY) Cemetery. Born in Kentucky, Skillman was a shoe and boot maker. He is listed in Prather's Lexington City Directory 1875 and 1876. His first wife was Emma Skillman (b. 1850 in KY); the couple is listed in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census. His second wife was Caroline Skillman (b. 1850 in KY) [source: Civil War Pension Index].
Charles Skillman was a Civil War veteran; he enlisted June 24, 1864 in Lexington and served in Company C, U.S. Colored Troops, 114 Infantry Regiment. He was a member of the Charles Somner Post, No. 68, G. A. R. Charles Skillman died in April of 1888, and his funeral was attended by about 100 members of the Charles Somner Post and about 1,000 attendees in all. He was the first African American buried in the government quarter of the Lexington Cemetery.
For more see "G. A. R. Internment," Lexington Morning Transcript, 4/19/1888, p. 4.