Learn More About Robert Gordon’s Rise from Slavery to Economic Success.
Robert Gordon was born into slavery and worked in a Virginia coal yard under an enslaver who allowed the use of coal dust, known as “slack.” By selling this byproduct to industrial buyers, wealth was slowly accumulated. The earnings were eventually used to purchase freedom in 1846. Seeking new opportunities, Cincinnati became home.
Establishing Roots in Cincinnati
On November 1, 1848, a $2,000 real estate investment was secured on the Miami Canal at Eighth and Lock Streets. This location served as both a business site and a place to live. In 1849, marriage to Eliza Jane Cressup, a free-born Ohioan, further strengthened ties to the community. The 1850 census recorded real estate ownership valued at $2,500, placing the household within Cincinnati’s middle class.
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Building a Thriving Coal Enterprise
A coal dealership began operating around 1849, with advertisements appearing in the Catholic Telegraph. The business, located on Sixth Street near Broadway and the Canal, expanded steadily. By 1853, the property being leased was fully purchased. The 1860 census reflected growing financial success, listing real estate valued at $4,000.
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Transition to Real Estate and Legacy
Following the Civil War, the coal business was left behind, and the focus shifted toward real estate investments in Walnut Hills. By 1884, at the time of passing, Robert Gordon had become Ohio’s wealthiest Black resident, leaving behind an estate estimated at $200,000. These investments contributed to the economic development of Cincinnati’s Black community.
Source:
Robert Gordon, businessman | Walnut Hills Historical Society
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Images provided by Cincinnati Preservation.
