From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Bradshaw, Dizney Wayman

(born: March 11, 1888 - died: November 9, 1955) Dizney Bradshaw was a World War I veteran who was one of the early African American employees at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper. He was born in Mt. Sterling, KY, the son of Merriman H. and Priscilla M. Branum Bradshaw. The family left Kentucky for St. Louis when he was a small child. In 1917 he was married and working as an elevator operator for a furniture company when he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Bradshaw served in France, where he learned to speak the language. He was honorably discharged in 1919 at the rank of master sergeant. He was employed as a French interpreter by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper on March 11, 1920. His duties also included that of receptionist, African American sports journalist, and news reporter. He was employed at the newspaper for 20 years, retiring in 1947. Bradshaw was also a sketch artist for his own pleasure and active in the local YMCA and American Legion.

Dizney Wayman Bradshaw died in 1955. He is buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Leman, Mo. He was the husband of Lillian Iola Greer Bradshaw.

Sources: "D. W. Bradshaw dies, Post-Dispatch man," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/10/1955, p. 32; Wayman Bradshaw's World War I draft registration card (Ancestry); and U.S. Veterans Administration Master Index (Ancestry). See D. Wayman Bradshaw at Find A Grave.