William Lincoln Sayers
African American attorney. Born: Richardson County, Nebraska, February 3, 1872. Died: Hill City, Graham County, Kansas, March 19, 1956.
William Lincoln Sayers was one of eight children born to William Payton and Mary Jane (or Jan) (Taylor) Sayers. He was born in Muddy, Richardson County, Nebraska, on February 3, 1872. William Payton died of typhoid in November 1884. Mary Jan and her family moved to the all-African American community of Nicodemus, Kansas, in spring 1887.
William Lincoln, soft-spoken and studious, attended the Stockton Academy teaching institute in 1888, earning a certificate at age 15. He began teaching school at age 16. With his spare time Sayers studied law books. In 1893 he was admitted to the bar and took classes at the University of Kansas. George Washington Jones, the Graham County attorney, was his mentor. Sayers became clerk of the court for Graham County in 1898.
Sayers was elected Graham County attorney in 1900, 1912, and 1914. His younger brother John followed in this position in 1918. Sayers was the second African American to be elected Graham County attorney. Jones was the first, elected in 1896. The Sayers brothers practiced law in Graham County for their entire careers. William, or W.L., argued cases in the county courthouse and in the state supreme court. He was remembered as a successful attorney who was always interested in lending a helping hand to those in need.
Sayers served as local chair of the American Red Cross during World War I and to the end of World War II. He helped widows and dependents of deceased or disabled Graham County servicemen obtain benefits. Sayers was an appeals agent for the local draft board, offering testimony when needed. He was elected to the board of the Kansas State Historical Society in 1936, likely the first African American member. He held that position until 1954.
He married Sarah T. Bates. She died in 1944. After her death, he married Mary Sayers. Three children survived him, Helen, Jane, and Wendell. Sayers died at the age of 84 in Hill City on March 19, 1956.
Entry: Sayers, William L.
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: May 2009
Date Modified: June 2024
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
