From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Immigration from the West Indies to Kentucky, USA [1900]
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*Due in part to the economic and political instability in Cuba after the Spanish-American War, 1898, there was an increase in the migration from Cuba to the United States. There were 44,211 Cubans admitted to the U.S. between 1901 and 1910. Less than 2,000 Puerto Ricans were admitted to the U.S. SOURCE: "Cuban communities in the United States: migration waves, settlement patterns and socioeconomic diversity," Pouvoirs dans la Caraïbe, Revue du CRPLC, 11/1999 (online).
* Of the 50,249 foreign-born persons in Kentucky in 1900, there were 72 enumerated as Negroes. SOURCES: Campbell Gibson and Kay Jung. Historical census statistics on the foreign-born population of the United States, 1850 to 2000. Working Paper No.81. Bureau of the Census. Population Division. (online); Negro Population in the United States 1790-1915, published by the Bureau of the Census, 1968; 1910 U.S. Census. Part II. Migratory Displacement and Segregation, pp.59-143 (online).
* The first decade of the 1900s was the precursor to the U.S. Great Black Migration. From 1910-1970 approximately 6 million African Americans would leave the U.S. South for the North, West, and Mid-West. SOURCE: The Great Black Migration: a Historical Encyclopedia of the American Mosaic by Steven A. Reich.
* March 2, 1907. The Expatriation Act became law. A woman with a U.S. citizenship could be stripped of that citizenship if she married a man who was a non-citizen. The wife would assume the citizenship of her husband. At the termination of the marriage the woman could retain her U.S. citizenship. September 22, 1922, the Expatriation Act was repealed by the Married Women's Independent Nationality Act. SOURCE: Hacker, Meg. "When saying 'I Do' meant giving up your citizenship." Prologue Magazine, Spring 2014, v.46, no.1, Genealogy Notes. (Online at National Archives.)
* Cuban and Puerto Rican children continued to be brought to the United States by various means and methods. The names of those brought to Kentucky are included below and noted with the word (CHILD) written in bold letters. See sources below.
* In 1900, it was estimated that 13 persons enumerated in the U.S. Census as born in the West Indies and living in Kentucky, along with 15 born in Cuba and 6 born in Puerto Rico. Some of their names are given below.
NAMES:
(CHILD) Joseph Alvarez aka Joe Cuba Moore (1885-1972), enumerated as white and born in Mantanzas, Cuba. Joseph Alvarez was one of the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898. He arrived in Savannah, GA, in 1899 aboard the SS Kilpatrick. He was the adopted son of Marian Hawes Moore and Jacob Robert Moore who served with the 3rd KY Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish-American War, 1898-1899. The Moore family lived in Butler County, KY. In 1900, Joseph Alvarez was enumerated as Joe Moore, a farm laborer. He was the husband of Effie Webster Moore. Joseph Alvarez aka "Joseph C. Moore" died in Hopkins County, KY, and is buried in Webster Cemetery in Morgantown, (Butler County), KY.
(CHILD) Arturo Aragonnesses (b.1892), On November 25, 1908, an article in the Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper notified the public that Manuel Aragonnesses had written a letter to Jacob H. Haager, Louisville Chief of Police, stating that his son, 16-year-old Arturo Aragonnesses, had fled from Gethsemane College in Havana, Cuba, and was headed to Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). Arturo Aragonnesses had been in Louisville for a couple of months. He had arrived in New Orleans, LA, aboard the ship Excelsior on September 7, 1908, then made his way to Louisville. The day after the newspaper article was published, Auturo was located at the home of Frank O'Sullivan. He had been working at O'Sullivan's place. Arturo Aragonnesses was returned home to Cuba.
Steven Balliste (b.1860), enumerated as black and born in Jamaica. He was a physician in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). He came to the United States in 1892 and had applied for citizenship.
Robert Charles O'Hara Benjamin (1855-1900), enumerated as a black man who lived in Lexington, KY (Fayette County). He was born in St. Kitts. R. C. O. Benjamin came to the United States in 1864 and became a citizen on October 18, 1876. He was the husband of Lula M. Benjamin. The couple had two children. He was a journalist, author, lawyer (the first African American lawyer in Los Angeles, CA), educator, civil rights activist, public speaker, and a poet. He had also been a postal worker in New York City. R. C. O. Benjamin was murdered in Lexington and is buried in African Cemetery #2 in Lexington, KY.
James R. Cunningham (1853-1943), see in 1860 above.
(CHILD) John Blanco (b.1886), enumerated as white and born in Puerto Rico. He was a servant in the home of Bonaventure Cicek and Leo Greulich, both Catholic priests in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). He came to the United States in 1898. John Blanco was among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
(CHILD) Manual Carreno (b.1887), see in 1890 above.
Jane Gilmore Condor (1841-1920), see in 1850 above.
C. C. Curtis (b.1865), enumerated as black and born in Cuba. He was the husband of Virginia Curtis. C. C. Curtis was a day laborer. The couple lived in Henderson, KY (Henderson County).
Alfred Augustus Darrell (1848-1915), enumerated as white and born in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. He was the husband of Rosa Darrell. The family of four lived in Montgomery County, KY.
Catalina Pryor Dickey (1888-1949), see in 1890 above.
(CHILD) Garcia Domingo (b.1882), enumerated as white and born in Puerto Rico. He was a salesman of goods and was a boarder with the Frank family in Paris, KY (Bourbon County). He came to the United States in 1898 and was among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898. .
(CHILD) Gabriel Fernandes (b.1886), (CHILD) John Fernandes (b.1891), and Jose Fernandes (b.1874), the brothers were enumerated as black and born in Cuba. They arrived in the United States in 1900. It was reported in the newspaper that the two boys and an older brother were brought to Lexington, KY (Fayette County), by their father to be Americanized, and to learn about the horse racing industry and the North American Turf Association. They were all placed under the tutelage of physician Dr. Melvin Rhorer. The three Fernandes males arrived in Kentucky about the same time as Cuban children were being placed with families in Kentucky following the Spanish-American War, 1898.
Samuel L. M. Francis (1864-1915), enumerated as black and born in the British West Indies. He was the husband of Maggie Francis, they were schoolteachers in Versailles, KY (Woodford County), in 1900. There were seven persons in the couple's household, including three children. The family moved to Chicago, IL, where Samuel L. M. Francis was a Baptist minister. He died in Chicago and is buried in Elmwood, IL.
George "T. A." Gilberto (1836-1911), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. Also known as Don Gilberto. He was the husband of Margaret J. Gilberto. The couple lived in Paducah, KY (McCracken County). Dr. Gilberto came to the U.S. in 1850. He was an optician. In 1900, he was the proprietor of a saloon. Dr. Gilberto died and is buried in Paducah, KY.
Claire Marian Harding (b.1885), enumerated as black and born in Les Cayes, Haiti. She was a schoolteacher in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). She lived with her uncle and aunt, Felix and Sallie Fowler. She came to the United States in 1891 to live in the hometown (Louisville) of her father, William H. Harding.
Charles John Helm, II (1855-1903), see in 1860 above.
(CHILD) James Leon (b.1887), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. He was a farm laborer. James Leon lived with the Dole family in Butler County, KY. James Leon was among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
Thomas E. Lesley (1844-1919), see in 1870 above.
(CHILD) Andrea "Andrew" Lopez (b.1886), see in 1890 above.
(CHILD) Jaquin Machado (b.1890), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. He was the adopted son of Jamie and Sydney L. Boles who was a farmer. The family lived in Glasgow, KY (Barren County). In the census, Jaquin Machado is named Machads Joaquin in 1900 and as Monday Boles in 1910. He was the brother of Ralph Mochow. Both were among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
Otto Troels Marstrand (1880-1960) and William O. Marstrand (1874-1903), the brothers were enumerated as white and born in St. Thomas. Otto was the husband of Evelyn Marstrand. He was a volunteer with the 1st Kentucky Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War, 1898. Otto was a railroad clerk in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). He died and is buried in San Diego, CA. William was a bookkeeper in Louisville, KY, in 1900. He and his brother Otto had been in the United States 16 years. William O. Marstrand is buried in Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas.
(CHILD) Pedro Maurer (b.1888), enumerated as white and born in Puerto Rico. He was the adopted son of George J. Romele in Louisville, KY. Romele was a professor of music. Pedro Maurer came to the U.S. in 1899. He was among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
(CHILD) Ralph Mochow (1888-1971), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. He was brought to the United States in 1898. Ralph Mochow was the adopted son of Paul and Mildred Henderson. The family lived in Barren County, KY. Paul Henderson was a farmer and Ralph Mochow is listed as a farm laborer. Ralph Mochow later moved to Louisville, KY (Jefferson County), where he lived with his wife Mary and their two children. He was employed as a locomotive engineer with the L & N Railroad. Ralph Mochow died and is buried in Glasgow, KY (Barren County). He was the brother of Joaquin Machado. They were among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
(CHILD) Amalia Mojena (b.1888), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. She lived with the Boyd family in Newport, KY (Campbell County). She was one of the children from Cuba placed with a U.S. family around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898. She arrived in the U.S. in 1900. Ben Boyd was the head of the family. He did carriage wood work.
George Moxley (b.1830), enumerated as black and born in Haiti. He was a cook for the Crumbaugh family in Paducah, KY (McCracken County). He was the husband of Catherine Moxley. George Moxley was a teen when he came to the United States in 1844. Slavery had ended in Haiti in 1804.
(CHILD) Enathereal Perrah (Enathiel Perry) (b.1886), see in 1890 above.
Joseph Quentino (b.1870), enumerated as black and born in Cuba. He was a musician in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). He came to the U.S. in 1899.
(CHILD) Benito Rivera (b.1888), enumerated as white and born in Puerto Rico. He was the adopted son of William W. Rowlett in LaGrange, KY (Oldham County). William W. Rowlett was a newspaper editor. He was the founder of the Oldham County Era. Benito Rivera came to the United States in 1898. He was one of the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
(CHILD) Henry Charles South (1882-1973), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. He came to the U.S. in 1900 and was the adopted son of John and Susan South. The family of four lived in Franklin County, KY. Henry C. South would become a farmer in the western part of the U.S. He was the husband of Anna South in 1910. The couple and their daughter lived in South Dakota. In 1920, Henry was married to Celia South. In 1930, he was married to Nancy South and there were four children. In 1940, the family lived in Oregon. Henry C. South died and is buried in Portland, Oregon. He was one of the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
Esther T. Steele (b.1876), enumerated as white and born in the West Indies. Her parents were from Ireland. Esther immigrated to the United States in 1884. She was employed as a domestic. She lived with her mother in Louisville, KY. Esther's daughter was born in 1901, Sue Fannie Wehrle.
(CHILD) Montalvo Trinidad (b.1884), enumerated as black and born in Puerto Rico. He was employed as a waiter at the Fountain Ferry Park Hotel in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). He had arrived in the United States in 1898. Montalvo Trinidad was among the children brought to the United States around the time of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
Frederick J. Vernon (b.1843), enumerated as white and born in Cuba. He was a lecturer and lived with the Garrett family in Muhlenberg County, KY.
Sidney Summers Williams (b.1875), enumerated as black and born in the West Indies. Sidney came to the U. S. in 1888. She was the wife of George Summers, the couple married in 1891. They lived with George's mother, Ellen Summers, in Louisville, KY (Jefferson County). Sidney was enumerated as a laundress and her mother-in-law was a washer woman. Her husband, George, was a Baptist preacher. In 1920, Sidney Summers was married to Julius Williams and Ellen Summers lived with the couple in Louisville. Julius Williams was a tinner and worked in construction. Sidney Williams continued to be employed as a laundress. In 1930, her race was listed as Filipino in the census.
(CHILD) Andra Ydeno aka Andrew Deno Knight (1891-1953), see in 1890 above.
*Mrs. Rosa G. Adams, was a U.S. missionary in Cuba. She was from Fulton County, KY. In May of 1904, Mrs. Adams attempted to bring children from the Mariel Orphanage in Cuba to Hickman, KY (Fulton County). Her plans were abandoned and the children remained in Cuba when the U.S. Immigration Office refused to give Mrs. Adams permission to bring the children into the United States. Mrs. Adams was the daughter of Mrs. R. R. Powell [Mary A. Powell].
*Louis Joy, lived in Havana, Cuba. In July of 1909, he came to Fulton County, KY, to visit his children who had been placed for a few years at the home of Mrs. R. R. Powell [Mary A. Powell]. According to the newspaper, Mrs. Powell had gone to Cuba and brought the children back to Fulton County. (CHILD)
SOURCES: 1900 U.S. Census: State or Territory of Birth. Table 25, p.689 (online); 1900 U.S. Census: Country of Birth. Statistics of Population. Table 33. Foreign Born Population, pp.733 & 735 (online); 1900 U.S. Census schedules; "A Cuban gentleman has left his three boys ...," The Adair County News, 04/11/1900, p.3; "Home from Cuba," The Hickman Courier, 05/27/1904, p.5; see Mrs. Rosa G. Adams in "Local and personal," The Hickman Courier, 06/03/1904, p.5; "List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival," New Orleans, La., September 7, 1908; "Chief Haager asked to look for runaway boy." The Courier-Journal, 11/25/1908, p.8; "Must go back to Gethsemane," The Courier-Journal, 11/26/1908, p.6; see Louis Joy in "I've been thinking," The Hickman Courier, 07/01/1909, p.9; "Don Gilberto dies in Paducah, aged 78," The Courier-Journal, 07/31/1911, p.5.
SOURCES: "Cuban files petition for citizenship," Messenger-Inquirer, 10/03/1926, front page; "Death Notices: Ralph Mochow," Daily News (Bowling Green, KY), 03/02/1971, p.6; Ancestry.com; "Population and Area" a U.S. Census publication (online); Jorge Duany. "Cuban communities in the United States: migration waves, settlement patterns and socioeconomic diversity," Pouvoirs dans la Caraïbe, Revue du CRPLC, 11/1999 (online); The Great Black Migration: a Historical Encyclopedia of the American Mosaic by Steven A. Reich; "Migration to a new land," a Library of Congress webpage (online); 1940 Census of Population. Volume 2. Part 3. Kentucky. Characteristics of the Population. Table 4. Race, by Nativity and Sex, for the State: 1850 to 1940. p.174 (online); see Joseph Alvarez, Petition for Naturalization, No.46, August 16, 1940 (Ancestry).
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