A very common occupation for African Americans was that of janitors.(on left)

Edward Martin, Keokuk Medical College’s janitor for many years, circa 1900 ~Courtesy of the Lee County Historical Society

A common employer of African American men in the mid part of the 20th century were coal yards. There were three major yards in Keokuk: Cameron, Cronin and Sinton. Coal would be unloaded from freight trains and delivered in trucks to homes, hospitals and businesses. The work was hard, wages weren’t equal and there were no benefits.

Emory Johnson at Cameron Coal Yard, circa 1930’s ~Courtesy Lee County Historical Society