Benjamin W. Arnett
Encyclopedia
Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett (1838–1906) was an African American
educator, minister, and elected official. He was born a free man in 1838 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania
, where he taught school from 1859 to 1867. In his youth, Arnett lost a leg
to an infection suffered after an ankle injury while working on a steam boat between 1857-58.
As an African Methodist Episcopal Church
pastor
, Arnett served parishes in Toledo
, Cincinnati, and Columbus
; under his leadership, the landmarked building of St. Paul's Church
in Urbana
was completed. In 1888, he was elected bishop
, a position he held until his death in 1906.
In 1872 Arnett became the first black man to serve as foreman of an otherwise all-white jury, and in 1885 he was elected to the Ohio General Assembly
from a district with an 85 percent white majority, thus becoming the first African - American to represent a predominantly white constituency. In 1886, as Republican representative from Greene County in the Ohio General Assembly, Arnett introduced legislation to repeal the state's "Black Laws” which limited the freedom and rights of American American residents. Arnett was particularly concerned that state law did not ensure that black children had the same educational opportunities as white children. In 1887, statues regarding education were changed; the state was thereafter required to provide equal opportunities to all children regardless of race.. A forceful and compelling speaker, he was influential in Republican
politics, thanks, in part, to his friendship with fellow legislator (and later president), William McKinley
.
Bishop Arnett's influence is felt in the Pentecostal Community in that his great grandson, Right Reverend Benjamin Terwood Douglass, of Cleveland, Ohio is the Seventh Bishop elevated in the Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Bishop Douglass serves as Secretary-General of that Reformation which has its roots in Methodism.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
educator, minister, and elected official. He was born a free man in 1838 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Brownsville is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, officially founded in 1785 located 35 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River...
, where he taught school from 1859 to 1867. In his youth, Arnett lost a leg
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
to an infection suffered after an ankle injury while working on a steam boat between 1857-58.
As an African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African American Methodist denomination based in the United States. It was founded by the Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the...
pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, Arnett served parishes in Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, Cincinnati, and Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
; under his leadership, the landmarked building of St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church (Urbana, Ohio)
St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church is a historic church in Urbana, Ohio, United States. Built in the Greek Revival style in 1876, it is home to a congregation that was founded in the mid-1820s.-Congregational history:...
in Urbana
Urbana, Ohio
Urbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Ohio, United States, west of Columbus. Urbana was laid out in 1805, and for a time in 1812 was the headquarters of the Northwestern army. Urbana was named after the town of Urbanna, Virginia. It is the burial-place of the Indian fighter...
was completed. In 1888, he was elected bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, a position he held until his death in 1906.
In 1872 Arnett became the first black man to serve as foreman of an otherwise all-white jury, and in 1885 he was elected to the Ohio General Assembly
Ohio General Assembly
The Ohio General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. It consists of the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives and the 33-member Ohio Senate...
from a district with an 85 percent white majority, thus becoming the first African - American to represent a predominantly white constituency. In 1886, as Republican representative from Greene County in the Ohio General Assembly, Arnett introduced legislation to repeal the state's "Black Laws” which limited the freedom and rights of American American residents. Arnett was particularly concerned that state law did not ensure that black children had the same educational opportunities as white children. In 1887, statues regarding education were changed; the state was thereafter required to provide equal opportunities to all children regardless of race.. A forceful and compelling speaker, he was influential in Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politics, thanks, in part, to his friendship with fellow legislator (and later president), William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
.
Bishop Arnett's influence is felt in the Pentecostal Community in that his great grandson, Right Reverend Benjamin Terwood Douglass, of Cleveland, Ohio is the Seventh Bishop elevated in the Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Bishop Douglass serves as Secretary-General of that Reformation which has its roots in Methodism.