John Wesley Fairley

Born enslaved, John Wesley "Wes" Fairley served with the 74th U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. While guarding Confederate prisoners on Ship Island, he recognized Lorenzo N. Dantzler, a white acquaintance from home, and protected him. After the war, Dantzler built a large sawmill at Moss Point and hired Fairley as a log drive foreman at Black Creek. As a result, Fairley became wealthy and was a leader in the local African American community. He is buried in the Fairley Cemetery.

Mississippi · United States