Edward P. McCabe

E P McCabe

Edward P. McCabe (October 10, 1850 – March 12, 1920) was an American lawyer, politician, and businessman who played a significant role in the history of African American settlement in the western United States. He is best known for his efforts to establish an all-Black state in what is now Oklahoma.

Early Life

Edward P. McCabe was born in Troy, New York. He was the son of an Irish father and an African American mother. McCabe received his early education in Troy and later moved to New York City, where he worked as a clerk on Wall Street.

Career

Kansas

In 1878, McCabe moved to Nicodemus, Kansas, a town founded by African American settlers. He quickly became a prominent figure in the community and was elected as the county clerk of Graham County, Kansas in 1881. McCabe's success in Kansas politics was a testament to his leadership and the growing political influence of African Americans in the region.

Oklahoma

In the late 1880s, McCabe moved to the Oklahoma Territory with the vision of creating an all-Black state. He founded the town of Langston, Oklahoma, named after the African American poet John Mercer Langston. McCabe actively promoted the migration of African Americans to Oklahoma, hoping to establish a political and economic stronghold for Black Americans.

Legacy

Edward P. McCabe's efforts to create an all-Black state were ultimately unsuccessful, but his work laid the foundation for the significant African American presence in Oklahoma. The town of Langston remains a testament to his vision and is home to Langston University, one of the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States.

Death

Edward P. McCabe died on March 12, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in the history of African American settlement in the western United States.

See Also

• Nicodemus, Kansas
• Langston, Oklahoma
• Langston University
• John Mercer Langston
• Oklahoma Territory