Charles Henry Booker

Charles Henry Booker was born in Lamont, Bolivar County, Mississippi on 16 February 1859 to parents Jack and Phyllis (?) Booker. At this time, he would have been born enslaved, as there were no “free coloreds” residing in Bolivar County in 1860. So, for the first six years of his life, Charles experienced a childhood shaped by slavery.

 Charles first appeared in a public record at the age of 11, when his family was enumerated in the 1870 federal census. Listed in the household was Phyllis Booker (head) and Charles’s presumed siblings Haywood (17), Phillis (15), Lizzie (10), and Jack (7).

In his early years, Charles was taught at home and attended public school. When he was 15 years of age, he entered Alcorn Agricultural & Mechanical College, the “oldest public historically black land-grant institution” in the country, founded in 1871. After completing his studies, Charles returned to his home county and took up farming and teaching. He, also, engaged in a successful mercantile business and purchased a farm in Rosedale, Mississippi.

Charles married Mary Ann Barton of Burdette, Mississippi on 1 January 1879. Six children were born to this union including Jack (b. 1882), Carrie Ann (b. 1883), Emma (b. 1885), Haywood C. (b. 1887), Charles H. (b. 1889), and Mary Lee (b. 1903). At about the age of thirty five, Charles was called to the ministry and became the first pastor of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Rosedale, Mississippi. He served as pastor from 1895-1913. Over the course of his tenure, he was credited with having “baptized more than a thousand souls.”And, he maintained an active presence at annual Missionary Baptist Conventions. 

Charles was also active in civic affairs throughout his mid-life years. He held positions as President of the Bolivar County B. Association, President of the Bolivar County Educational Convention, and served as Grand Scribe in the International Order of Twelve of Knights and Daughters of Tabor, an African American fraternal organization founded in 1872. In the latter capacity, Charles was charged with keeping the records of the organization, updating the roll of members, and collecting dues and drawing upon the treasury as necessary.

Just about the time that Charles relinquished his position as pastor of Mt. Hebron M.B. Church, he became Principal of Kosciusko Industrial College, around 1912. He served in this capacity for about seven years. Charles managed to maintain a farm while pursuing careers as pastor and college administrator. 

Around 1913, Charles and Mary Ann moved to Greenville, Mississippi. Charles was about fifty-four years of age. He continued to lead Kosciusko Industrial College until 1919. When the couple was recorded in the 1920 federal census, they were residing at 514 Persimmon Street, a residence that was owned free and clear of a mortgage. At this time, the household included Charles at age 60, Mary at age 57, their youngest daughter, Mary, and a grandson, William. The record is silent for the next several years, suggesting that Charles may have settled into retirement.

Charles filed his last will and testament with the State of Mississippi on 7 October 1926. Not long after, Rev. Charles Henry Booker passed away on 27 May 1927. He followed his wife in death who transitioned just one month earlier on 17 April 1927. These events took place in the midst of the tumultuous Great Flood of 1927. Rev. Charles Henry Booker and Mary Ann Booker are buried in Live Oak Cemetery located in Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi.