Still Family Genealogy & History

William Grant Still, known as the "Dean of Afro-American Composers," was a pioneering American composer with nearly two hundred works, including five symphonies and nine operas. Still was the first African-American to conduct a major American symphony orchestra and have an opera produced by the New York City Opera. His Afro-American Symphony was the most widely performed American symphony until 1950, establishing him as a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. His career was marked by collaborations with prominent cultural figures and a commitment to expanding the reach of classical music.

Born on May 11, 1895, in Woodville, Mississippi, William Grant Still Jr. was the son of teachers Carrie Lena Fambro Still Shepperson and William Grant Still Sr. His father passed away when Still was only three months old, prompting his mother to move to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she remarried Charles B. Shepperson. Shepperson played a significant role in nurturing Still’s musical interests, introducing him to operettas and classical music recordings. Still's maternal grandmother, Anne Fambro, enriched his musical upbringing by singing African-American spirituals to him.

William Still (1819–1902) was a prominent African-American abolitionist and civil rights activist in Philadelphia, renowned for his pivotal role as a conductor of the Underground Railroad. He aided at least 649 slaves in their escape to freedom and chaired the Vigilance Committee of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Notably, Still was also a successful businessman and historian, documenting the stories of escaped slaves in his influential work, "The Underground Railroad Records" (1872). His multifaceted career and dedication to civil rights and historical preservation make him a significant figure in American history.

William Still was born in Shamong Township, New Jersey, to former slaves Charity and Levin Still. Charity escaped slavery twice from Maryland, eventually reuniting with Levin in New Jersey, where they had 18 children. William was the youngest, born free due to New Jersey laws despite his mother's fugitive status. His family included notable siblings like James Still, the "Black Doctor of the Pines," and Peter Still, who escaped slavery and was later reunited with William after 42 years. This family history underscores a legacy of resilience and achievement against the backdrop of slavery and racial discrimination.

Clyfford Still (1904–1980) was a pioneering American painter and a key figure in the first generation of Abstract Expressionists. Known for his bold, non-objective Color Field paintings, Still's innovative use of thick impasto and jagged flashes of color distinguished his work from peers like Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman. His career highlights include influential teaching positions at the California School of Fine Arts and exhibitions at prestigious galleries such as Peggy Guggenheim's The Art of This Century Gallery. Still's contributions laid the groundwork for the Abstract Expressionist movement, influencing the art world significantly during the mid-20th century.

Clyfford Still was born in Grandin, North Dakota, and spent his early years in Spokane, Washington, and Bow Island, Alberta, Canada. He married Lillian August Battan around 1930, with whom he had two daughters before their separation and subsequent divorce in 1954. In 1957, he married Patricia Alice Garske, a former student, and relocated to Maryland, where he remained until his death.

Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) was a pioneering figure in the medical field, known for founding osteopathic medicine and the American School of Osteopathy, now A.T. Still University, in Kirksville, Missouri. As a physician, surgeon, author, and inventor, Still contributed significantly to medical practices, actively challenging the conventional methods of his time. He also played a key role as a Kansas territorial and state legislator, championing the Free State cause. Additionally, he co-founded Baker University in Kansas, contributing land and aiding in its establishment.

Andrew Taylor Still was the son of a Methodist minister and physician, which significantly influenced his early decision to pursue a career in medicine, following in his father's footsteps.