Honoring Ryan, Codwell in Black History Month

Carolyn Bessellieu, chairman of African American History for the Two Rivers Historical Foundation, is passionate about her research that brings to light the overlooked accomplishments of African Americans from Navasota. Recently her documentation and photographs of five Navasotans, some of whom were born in the 1800s, were shared at the Feb. 18 photo presentation, “Grimes County. A Journey in Time.” See related article on page 1.

Included in that recognition were Professor J.M. Codwell and James Delgridge Ryan who achieved success by the world’s standards with integrity and performing acts of selflessness that paved the way for the betterment of others.

James Delgridge Ryan

Born in Navasota in Grimes County Oct. 25, 1872, (1872–1940). James Delbridge (Professor Jimmie) Ryan, an African American teacher, was born Oct. 25, 1872, in Navasota, Texas, the son of James and Huldah Ryan. He completed his initial education at Prairie View College. That same year at the age of 17 he relocated to Houston and began teaching mathematics for the Houston school system. A decade later he began a long career at (now Booker T. Washington High School) in 4th Ward, first as a math instructor. In 1912 he became the school’s principal. He later earned a master’s from Wiley College and became principal of the new Jack Yates High School in 3rd Ward in 1928.

The racial inequities were obvious to Ryan. He never challenged white peers, administrators, or city officials to reform African American schools, pay equal salaries and eradicate racial disparities, instead, Ryan looked to the community for answers. When the school district refused to hire fine arts instructors and athletic coaches. “Professor Jimmie,” as many beloved students called him, used his own money to fund programs, purchase school supplies, and finance the careers of skillful instructors

By the 1930s, African American schools, largely because of generous benefactor James D. Ryan, enjoyed choirs, music departments, bands and textbooks. Ryan was also instrumental in the formation of the district’s athletic programs for African American high schools. For example, before 1925, Ryan purchased uniforms and equipment for African American High School football teams. He used his personal finances and influence to improve black schools and initiate policy.

The actions of Ryan and other publicly passive educators actually paid off. Many of their students at Booker T. Washington, Jack Yates, and Phyllis Wheatley went on to have fruitful and lucrative careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, accounting, science, music, journalism and business.

Ryan was a Freemason and exalted ruler of the Elks from 1926 to 1934. He was also active in the Nu Phi chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

In 1925 he served on a committee charged with selecting a new principal for Prairie View State Normal and Industrial Institute. Ryan’s school, Jack Yates High, in cooperation with Wiley and Prairie View colleges, hosted the first summer school for African American teachers in 1927.

Ryan Middle School in Houston bears his name. He died July 14, 1940. Navasota produces Greatness.

Professor J.M. Codwell

J.M. Codwell was born in Navasota in 1865 and died in 1914. He was editor of the Western Star Publishing Company, member of the city council and Education Secretary, Assistant Secretary of the National Convention. His newspaper can be found in The Portal of Texas by the name The Western Star.

Born in Navasota, Texas, he came to Houston in 1900. He married Miss Pearl Cooper of Terrell, Texas, in 1902. They had two children, Jennie Marie and John Elihu.

At the time of his death Aug. 4, 1914, Professor Codwell was a member of Antioch Baptist Church and editor of the Western Star and he had been prominently connected with the advance movement of his race for many years. Through his death his race lost one of its foremost thinkers and most active workers.

He was an Education Agent, Secretary of the State Missionary Educational Convention and Secretary of State Sunday School Convention member.

During his residence in Navasota he was a member and deacon of the Baptist Church there and prominently known in educational circles. He served on the alderman board of the town and was a member of the Grimes County Educational Board, a distinction rarely acquired in Texas.

He was known throughout his life as an earnest, honest, consecrated Christian man, and one whose integrity and veracity was beyond question.

He was Assistant of the National Baptist Convention, and as such, as in all his editorial, teaching, lecturing Secretary and administrative work, did valiant service for his people. He received his degree at Tillotson College.