John “Papa Skeets” Brown

John “Papa Skeets” Brown

John “Papa Skeets” Brown, born 1895, died 1973, and buried in the Lebanon National Cemetery, served in World War I and saw some of its most famous battles. He told the stories to youngsters on South Second Street and at the end of his lectures, was known to say, “I'm just talking about what I'm talking about.” He meant simply that, “I have lived and experienced what I have stated, and I know it to be factual." This photo was taken when he was in the service, likely around 1918. Brown was one of 199 African Americans recruited during WWI from Boyle Co. for whom we have documentation.

circa 1918