HENRY STEPHENS

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HENRY STEPHENS

HENRY STEPHENS (1869-1939) WAS A KEY PROTAGONIST IN THE ILLINOIS MINE WARS OF 1898-1900, AND GREW TO BECOME A COMMUNITY LEADER, HEADING THE SPRINGFIELD COLORED WORKING MEN’S ASSOCIATION, STRUGGLING AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN HIS UNION AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS. A DESCENDANT OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE ON THE GEORGIA PLANTATION OF ALEXANDER STEPHENS (VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA), STEPHENS’ STORY OFFERS A WINDOW INTO THE WORLD OF AN ACTIVIST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MINE WORKER.

STEPHENS’ LIFE CONNECTS THE LIVES OF COAL MINERS TO THE GREAT MIGRATION AND THE STRUGGLE TO BUILD EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE NORTH. HE REPRESENTS THE BLACK MINER AS A PROTAGONIST, NOT A VICTIM OR A FOIL, AND CONTRIBUTES AN IMPORTANT MISSING ELEMENT OF THE STORY OF COAL MINING IN THE STATE. HENRY STEPHENS DIED IN 1939 AND IS BURIED IN SPRINGFIELD’S OAK RIDGE CEMETERY.

SPONSORED BY THE MOTHER JONES HERITAGE PROJECT, WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION, AND THE ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
APRIL 2023