Historical Man of Color: Spaulding B. Settle Sr.

This man was amazing.  He was a World War 2 Submarine Veteran, one of the first Black Hair Care manufacturers in the United States, a home owner and Entrepreneur.  This man also ran for a Freeholder seat in Jersey City.  Black history month is currently going on and it’s great to become aware of the vast amount of people of color who have contributed so much to this world, and I am learning that I don’t have to look to far to find these amazing people.  All I have to do is open a photo album or pick up the phone and call my elders and get a download of valuable history of the numerous ancestors that left so many legacies, leaving me with the responsibility to ALWAYS walk with my head held high.  Now back to Mr. Settle…I’m so proud to be able to call this man a member of my family.  More than that, he’s my Grandfather!  granpa freeholder

His Creme Press is on Amazon!

After serving in the war, he married a beautiful woman, Gertrude (truly was a knockout), had 10 children and ran a business.  He’s the founder of Kay Vel, a hair product line!  That’s right, My Grandpa, a “black” man in the mid 1940’s, owned and operated a factory, business and a loving family and still managed the time to care for his community.  He gave many people the opportunity to achieve straight and manageable hair without using harsh chemicals (like the creamy crack: relaxer).  His pressing cream smelled great, was smokeless and just made my hair beautiful and so soft and shiny.  I can still feel my mother running it through my hair and feeling the gentle tug of the pressing comb.  My mother was always gentle with my hair, because she loved me and believed that our hair didn’t deserve to be manhandled.  kayvel demo

Well, this is one of the many ancestors that I am forever grateful for and so overjoyed to be able to claim his DNA.  Not much else to say, because there aren’t any sufficient words to just express my admiration, love, respect and gratitude for Grandpa Settle.  Thank you Grandpa for your service and sacrifice.  Thank you for paving the way and keeping the entrepreneurial legacy strong in our blood line.  Thank you for your company and products that helped women of all curl and kink textures have healthy, beautiful hair and to feel as beautiful as they could.  Thank you for being an outstanding Father to my Father and Husband to Grandma–you treated my Grandmother like the Queen she was born to be.  Lastly, thank you for being my Grandfather and making me smile and feel so loved.

My Uncle Kenny decided to rebirth his business, you can check it out here if you’re interested in using great products, supporting a family business, a black owned business, and being a part of American History.  Check back for more amazing people because this is only the beginning!

About Jeanette 137 Articles
This is me being me so that you will be you. I'm a woman who smiles till my cheeks ache, crochets until my fingers twitch, hugs the hell out of my Hubby and children and in between these things I make the time to read, cook, write and attempt to inspire others to do something to improve their overall health.

8 Comments

  1. I love this article Nette! Mr. And Mrs. Settle, your Grandparents were a power couple and beacons for their family, church and community. I am proud to have known them! We used all of their products and I really miss the pressing cream!

    • Thank you Aunt BRENDA! They were such a great couple, I used to love visiting them and just seeing those two lovebirds together. Th pressing creme is on Amazon, but I don’t use it anymore since I changed up my hairstyle.

  2. Hey my name is Bobby Settle. Son of Bob settle (Spaulding Settle’s nephew), so I’m a grandson of Al settle (Spaulding Settle’s brother).
    I’m so happy to have found this article. I’ll make sure to save your site and check out your blog from time-to-time. I live in the Atlanta metro area so if you’re ever going to visit the area you’ll have to look me up. P.S. It does run in the blood. I’ve owned a business for 11 years and in the process of launching another business this year. My sister has owned a business about a decade as well.

    • WHOA! I’m so happy that you came across this article! I will definitely look you and your sister up if I’m ever in that area. This has made my day, what a pleasure. Yes, it runs in the blood, thank you for further proving my statement. Stay in touch 🙂

  3. Hey, my name is Irma Delph (maiden name Settle) and Dennis Settle is my father. It’s so random that I found this article written by my family member! It’s a pleasure to meet you and learn more about our wonderful family tree.

    • Hey Irma! This is one of the reasons I wrote it. We do have a wonderful family tree and so much to be proud of, I just wanted to put it out in the world. I’m so glad that it found you. 🙂

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