Early Life of Owen Breedlove
Owen Breedlove Sr. was born in Madison Parish, Louisiana, approximately 1828. After escaping slavery, he became a major figure in African American history. His sharecropping and family legacy shaped future generations.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | Circa 1828 |
| Birth Location | Madison Parish, Louisiana, USA |
| Marital Status | Married to Minerva Anderson |
| Marriage Date | December 16, 1869 |
| Occupation | Share Cropper |
| Contribution | Influence in Hair Care Industry through Daughter |
The Family of Owen Breedlove
In 1869, Owen Breedlove married Minerva Anderson and had several children, including Sarah Breedlove, later known as Madam C.J. Walker. Owen and Minerva taught their family resilience and hard work from poor beginnings.
| Family Member | Relationship | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Minerva Breedlove | Wife | Born circa 1828, passed away in 1873 |
| Sarah Breedlove | Daughter | Born December 23, 1867, became Madam C.J. Walker |
| Owen Breedlove Jr. | Son | Born circa 1850, became part of US Black heritage |
Madam C.J. Walker’s Success
One of the earliest African-American self-made millionaires was Sarah Breedlove, aka Madam C.J. Walker. Owen and Minerva’s ideals shaped her hair care innovation. Sarah’s success helped millions of African-American women enter business.
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Hair Care Innovation | Developed successful hair care products for African Americans |
| Business Success | Walker Manufacturing Company, a haircare empire |
| Historical Impact | First female self-made African-American millionaire |
Legacy Beyond Immediate Family
Owen Breedlove’s descendants influenced others. Owen’s granddaughter, A’Lelia Walker, was a Harlem Renaissance figure and art patron. Resilience and contributions to African American culture and business define the Breedlove family.
| Descendant | Relationship | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| A’Lelia Walker | Granddaughter | Patron of the arts, influential in Harlem Renaissance |
| Fairy Mae Bryant | Great-granddaughter | Continued the family’s impact through cultural endeavors |
FAQ
Who was Owen Breedlove?
Madam C.J. Walker’s father was Louisiana sharecropper Owen Breedlove, born around 1828.
What did Owen Breedlove do for society?
Owen Breedlove’s persistence and his daughter Madam C.J. Walker’s hair care breakthrough helped society.
What is Madam C.J. Walker known for?
Her unique hair care products made Madam C.J. Walker America’s first self-made female African-American millionaire.
What was Minerva Breedlove’s family role?
Minerva Breedlove, Owen’s wife and Sarah’s mother, laid the groundwork for her family’s success.
What did the Breedloves do for African American history?
Through Madam C.J. Walker and A’Lelia Walker, the Breedloves influenced African American business, culture, and the arts.
