Gilpin, St. James, 1850-1934

St. James Gilpin was born in Richmond, Va., Dec. 30, 1850 of free parents. He learned the trade of shoe-making from his father and opened a shoe-shop for himself in 1873. Gilpin conducted one of the largest shoe establishments owned by a Black man. Despite existing prejudice, he secured a place on the main thoroughfare of Richmond. He married Miss Cordelia A. Reese in 1875; together they had nine children.