"Oliver Jackson Toussaint" [1862-1948]

Was an example of 19th Century western African American entrepreneurship.Oliver created a restaurant,a farm and a laundry service.His most ambitious venture was the establishment of Dearfield,Colorado,an agricultural colony for African Americans about 70 miles northeast of Denver.Born in Ohio,one year before President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation,Oliver was one of six children of Hezekiah and Caroline Jackson.At 14 he began working in the catering and restaurant business in Ohio.In 1887 when he was 25 years old he and his wife Minerva moved to Denver Colorado.Disillusioned at the lack of economic and security of black Denverities after decades in the city and inspired by Booker T. Washington's 1901 autobiography,by Up From Slavery,Oliver Jackson increasing came to believe that the destiny of Denver African Americans lay with a return to farming.In 1906,He and Minerva laid plans for the establishments of an agricultural colony for African Americans on the High Plains.Unable to get much cooperation for the U.S. Land Office or much support from major African American organizations,the Jackson's after four years,found an area that they believe would support a colony of 200 families.Oliver also campaigned among prominent Colorado public figures for support and endorsement of his scheme.During the 1908 gubernatorial campaign,Oliver surprised many of his Republican friend by supporting Democratic candidate,John Franklin Shafroth who subsequently won the election.Oliver support earned him an appointment as a messenger for the Governor's office.In 1910 he persuaded Governor Shafroth to help him file a claim on the land that would become Dearfield Colorado.For over a decade Dearfield attracted settlers from Denver,Minneapolis,Kansas City and other Urban areas.At one time there were 70 families,well over 700 people living in in the colony.Unfortunately,after World War1,the demand of their crops decreased,focusing many of the families to sell or abandon their farms.Oliver and Minerva Jackson stayed.Unable to find someone to take over the colony and unwilling to abandon the dream of a place where Afrian Americans could generate their own wealth,they would spend the rest of their lives in Dearfield.Minerva passed away in 1942Six years later Oliver died in Denver.