From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Robb, Jackson

(born: 1910  -  died: 1977) Jackson Robb was an undertaker, musician, owner of a dance school, and community leader in Frankfort, KY. Jackson was born in Frankfort, the son of Mary E. Jackson Robb and Thomas K. Robb. He was the husband of Kathryn Taylor Robb.

The Robb family was considered wealthy: Jackson owned the family funeral home business that his father started in 1900 on Clinton Street in Frankfort. The family was also associated with politicians, such as Kentucky House Member Mae Street Kidd, who sometimes stayed at their home; and heavyweight boxer Joe Louis. In November 1940, Jackson Robb and Joe Louis and his trainer Jack Blackburn and secretary, Freddie Guinyard, were involved in a car accident on the way to Kentucky State Industrial College [now Kentucky State University] to congratulate the football team on the invitation to play Morris Brown College in a bowl game. A photo of Jackson Robb is included in the Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collection. For more see "Joe Louis escapes death in auto crash with undertaker," Lowell Sun, 11/20/1940, p. 79; Passing for Black, by W. Hall; and Community Memories, by W. L. Fletcher, et. al.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Franklin County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Frankfort, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Item Relations

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Entry: Robb, Thomas K.
NKAA Entry: Blackburn, Charles H. "Jack"
NKAA Source: The Lowell sun (newspaper)
NKAA Source: Passing for Black : the life and careers of Mae Street Kidd
NKAA Source: Community memories: a glimpse of African American life in Frankfort, Kentucky

Related Entries Citing this Entry

none

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Robb, Jackson,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 22, 2024, https://ukscrc001.net/nkaa/items/show/2412.

Last modified: 2020-06-12 18:07:33