From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Harris, Lawrence, Sr.
(born: December 1879 - died: April 11, 1911)Lawrence Harris, Sr. was recognized as a local up-and-coming Negro dialect poet. His poems were published in the newspapers in Lexington, KY. Harris was also the author of the 1906 publication The Negro Population of Lexington in the Professions, Business, Education and Religion.
Within the Lexington community, Harris was a soloist, music director, and a community leader. He organized and led the music group "Lawrence Harris and his YMCA Singers." He was a church member and the superintendent of Sunday School at Main Street Baptist Church. In 1910, Harris brought together members of the African American churches in Lexington to deliver religious services and singing at the Fayette County jail. The previous year, there had been a program at the corner of Fifth, Smith, and Campbell Streets in Lexington. The program was for the uplift of African Americans. All Christians were welcome to attend the event of songs sung by the 50-member choir that Lawrence Harris organized and directed.
The career of Lawrence Harris included management of the Success Employment Bureau, an employment agency for African Americans in Lexington. He was president of the Lexington Colored YMCA that he helped to established in 1905. He was the business manager of the Kentucky Baptist Herald, a religious newspaper in Lexington. He was a member and helped lead the Literary Society of Main Street Baptist Church, and he was a member and leader of the Lexington Literary Society, an African American organization.
One of the earliest mentions of Lawrence Harris is in the 1895 Lexington newspaper article, "In the Burgoo: one hundred colored waiters sue for wages." Lawrence Harris was among the 100 waiters brought from Lexington, KY, who did not get paid for their services at the GAR barbecue held in Louisville, KY. On behalf of the waiters, H. E. Ross and J. Henning Nelms filed the suit for the wages of $2.25 (per waiter) due for four days' work. [$2.25 in 1895=$88.20 in 2026]
Other newspaper articles about Harris include his winning the mule race held at the 1899 Lexington Colored Fair. Two years later, Harris led in the developmental exercise class at the YMCA meeting that was held at the St. Paul AME Church in Lexington. He was a public speaker and singer. His name can be found in many Lexington newspaper articles with accounts of his performances and readings at churches and public programs.
Lawrence Harris, Sr. died of tuberculosis in 1911 and he is buried in Cove Haven Cemetery in Lexington, KY. He was born in Lexington, KY, the son of Walker and Esther Jackson Harris. He was the husband of Lizzie Harris and the father of Lawrence Harris, Jr.
Sources:
"In the Burgoo." The Daily Leader, 26 September 1895, p.8; Jones, Reinette F. "Three lesser-known African American poets, authors, and a publisher in Kentucky." Kentucky Libraries, (2025), v.89, no.1, pp.31-34. (Online at UKnowledge); Farrington, Joshua D. “Lawrence Harris” in The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia edited by Gerald Smith et al.
“Employment Agency. Success Employment Bureau.” Lexington Leader, 29 June 1905, p.3; “Lawrence Harris.” The Lexington Leader, 18 August 1902, p.2; “Lawrence Harris.” The Lexington Leader, 28 December 1902, p.2; “Lawrence Harris” in “Colored Notes.” Lexington Leader, 11 April 1911, p.11; “Literary Society.” Lexington Leader, 03 September 1902, p.4.
"Mule Race" in "A Big Day: several thousand attend the colored fair." The Daily Leader, 15 September 1899, p.5; see Lawrence Harris in "Colored Circles." Lexington Leader, 07 April 1901, p.11.