Charles, Florence, William C., and Oscar Nesbit called Altoona home. Charles (1847 to 1912) was the son of William Nesbit, who is recognized as Blair County’s leading underground railroad conductor.
Charles was a barber like his father. His business was located on 1006th Bridge Street, Altoona PA, which is located in the 5th ward of Altoona. This street no longer exists.
His wife, Florence Chaplin (1859 to 1909), was the daughter of John G. and Hannah Chaplin of Huntingdon, Huntingdon County PA. John (1828 to 1907) was a barber and a renowned artist. He is mentioned in painting a portrait of Prince Bismarck of Germany. He also painted European landscapes.
Charles, Florence, and their children who died in infancy are buried in Eastern Light Cemetery, located on 1st Avenue and 10th Street\ in Altoona.
The youngest child in the photo is John Oscar Nesbit (1891 to 1931). He left Altoona after 1910, moved to Ohio and married there. He eventually moved to Seattle, Washington prior to his death.
The oldest son, William C. Nesbit (1887 to 1917), prior to enlisting with the US Army in August of 1914, lived with his family in Altoona at 1006 Bridge Street prior to 1903 and after 1902, he lived at 1129 18th Avenue until he left Altoona. In 1902, he was employed as an apprentice barber with his father, employed as a stock operator in 1906 and as a porter for the Rothert company in 1910. In the US Army, he rose to the rank of Sargent with the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, Company I. This was one of the regiments called the “Buffalo Soldiers”. When the US joined the fighting in WWI, this regiment, among many other Black regiments was moved from New Mexico to the outskirts of Houston, Texas to guard the construction of Camp Logan. Due to the prejudices of numerous townspeople, 2 Black soldiers were assaulted and arrested by police officers. This action, along with the racial epithets, Jim Crow laws and rumors that one Black soldier was shot by the Houston police or white citizenry led to the Black regiments seeking revenge against white Houstonians. 16 White people and 4 Black soldiers died in the melee. 110 Black soldiers were convicted of mutiny, assault, and murder. On August 23, 1917. Sgt. Nesbit and 18 soldiers were executed by hanging. The soldiers were buried in unmarked graves by the Salado Creek, their surnames written on a piece of paper which was placed in empty soda bottles buried with each man. In May of 1937, the 19 executed soldiers’ remains were disinterred and reburied at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The descendants of these soldiers petitioned to have their convictions overturned and were joined by the South Texas College of Law in reviewing the military court transcripts of their trials and on November 13, 2023. the Army Secretary Christine Wormuth approved the recommendation of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to set aside the convictions.
Thanks to the descendants of John Oscar Nesbit for permission to use the photos of Charles H. Nesbit, William C. Nesbit, and their family and for informing me that a small measure of justice has been achieved.
