DEATH CLAIMS JAMES H. PILES NOTED NEGRO, 79
Esteemed Citizen Was Member of Bar and Legislature
JAMES H. PILES.
Photo Was Taken When Mr. Piles Was 30 Years Old.
James H. Piles, aged 79 years, Springfield’s foremost colored citizen, died Monday morning at 8:30 o’clock at the home of George Lewis, 215 East Euclid avenue. Mr. Piles had been in failing health for a number of years.
He will be remembered by many of the older residents of Springfield for the prominent part he took at one time in Republican politics of this and other cities. He was a polished orator and was one of the speakers at the inauguration of the late Governor Asa S. Bushnell. He was one of the best platform lecturers of Springfield and was much in demand as a speaker, being well informed on all topics of the day.
WAS BORN FREE.
Mr. Piles was born in Virginia, a free man. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Piles moved here before the civil war. His father conducted a barber shop in East Main street and accumulated a fortune.
James Piles graduated from Oberlin college. He studied law with Judge Good and Samuel Bowman, and was admitted to the bar, being one of the first colored men to receive that honor in this state. He located in Mississippi and was elected state representative for two terms. Afterwards he was given a position in the pension department in Washington. For about 15 years he was in the government service.
Mr. Piles had the honor of being entertained by many of the notables across the seas and made several trips abroad. He was considered one of the best educated negroes in this country. His name was known from one end of the United States to the other.
HEALTH FAILED.
Of late years Mr. Piles has been forced to give up activities of any kind owing to his failing health. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He leaves no near relatives.
When informed of his death Monday, General J. Warren Keifer, who knew him well, said:
“I regret to hear it. He was a very smart and intelligent man.”
His brothers, Joseph and Robert and sister, Lucy are all dead. He is survived by a niece, a daughter of Joseph Piles, who died in Washington about a year ago.
James Piles told James Chapman, an intimate friend, that he was going to leave his entire estate to Oberlin college.