Harden Woodham Stuckey (1 of 2) Viola Muse Transcription Zariah Grant Encoding and edition Khoranhalai J Washington

This document was produced as part of the Viola Muse Digital Edition (violamuse.unfdhi.org), based at the University of North Florida.

 USA Florida Jacksonville Jacksonville Historical Society Viola Muse Collection (1959-18) Folder 2, item 11 Biographical sketch of teacher of crafts (bracelets, rings, baskets, belts, etc.), also novelty leather belt making.

Handwritten, 2 pages, some faded or erased writing and damage around the edges resulting in lost material at bottom of first page

Document transcribed and encoded following the criteria of the Viola Muse Digital Edition (violamuse.unfdhi.org), based at the University of North Florida.

7

Viola B. Muse

Harden Woodham Stuckey, a blind teacher now living in Jacksonville, Fla.Florida, came here from StSaint Augustine, Fla.Florida, in 1931. Teaches, making of bracelets, rings, baskets, belts, and other trinkets from beedsbeads strung on wire. Also teaches novelty leather belt making, different in many respects from plain or cut work leather belts. His design is very unusual, re-quiring many pieces of leather cut into regular -shaped designs &and woven together without use of thread or any other material, except at each end where a buckel &and tip are used. The tip is fastened with a snap. No other metal is used.

Harden Stuckey was blind from four years of age, the son of poor parents, and one of eleven children. Was born in Bishop-ville, S. C. South Carolina, where ^two sympathetic white men, Mr. R.E. Dennis and Ex. Gov.Governor T.G. McCloud (7) of South CarolineCarolina, latterlater deceased, sent him to school for the blind at Cedar Springs, S.CSouth Carolina. After finishing his academic work, he entered Benedict College at Columbia, S. C.South Carolina, to study Ttheology. Graduated and became the principal of a public school people, at Lucknow, S.CSouth Carolina. In 1921, came to Florida in interest of work for the blind;. wasWas called to pastor church in Groveland, FlaFlorida, in 1924;. servedServed through 1926. Went to StSaint Augustine, Fla.Florida, and worked in shop for the blind, and at same time spent three days of each week at Florida Normal Institute teaching boys broom making. In 1921, was elected Statestate Missionarymissionary to East Florida and Bethany Association;. servedServed through 1931. Was employed in 1932 as vocational Iinstructor for the blind by Rehabilitation Dept.Department State of Florida;. servedServed 18 months. Employed by C.W.ACivil Works Administration as Superintendent of the Colored DeptDepartment of wWork for the bBlind. From C.W.ACivil Works Administration, he worked under FERAFederal Emergency Relief Administration in same capacity until project ended. Was employed by Board of Public Instructions of Duval CoCounty,For Instructions in place of Instruction, see Board of Public Instructions. where he worked until Feb.Feburary, 1936. Is now employed as Instructorinstructor for the Blind and Sightedsighted people, in Vocationalvocational Educationeducation under W.P.A.Works Progress Administration and has classes in chair caning, basket making, and the BrailBraille Systemsystem of reading. (7) His classes are held daily at the Clara White Mission30.332473 -81.664122, 611 W.West Ashley St.Street. He lives at 928 ½ E.East Union StStreet30.331170 -81.643374. in Jacksonville Fla.