PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After more than 200 years, one Philadelphia African-American history maker is being honored with a dedication marker in Germantown.
"To not know your history, and then to find out your great-great-grandfather had a part with Germantown," said Gina Brown.
"It means so much that he was giving back, but not in a way that everyone would know about. No one knew."
Brown shared pride to be a part of John S. Trower's legacy in Philadelphia as one of the first Black philanthropists of the 19th century. She called him a quiet man, but an avid investor in the African-American community.
Trower helped establish Black businesses, from banking to houses of worship.
Now, three generations of Trower's descendants came together to celebrate his 172nd birthday with a historic dedication marker at the corner of 57th and Germantown Avenue.
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"He built the industrial school for Blacks," said James Lyon, Trower's great-grandson. "He started savings and loans for Blacks. He financed churches."
Lyon added that the dedication is long overdue, but his great-great-great-grandson Miles was just happy to learn about his own family history.
"I want to know my history," Miles said, "not just my states and my friends, (but) mine."
Trower was among the wealthiest African-Americans in Pennsylvania and possibly the United States at the time of his death.
