Bob Lott was born a slave in about 1860 in Alabama and at the time of his death was the only African American registered to vote and living in Summit County. Little is known of his early life but he was living in Breckenridge as early as 1903. He worked as a cook and owned several restaurants in town. “The Owl” was located on Lincoln and was advertised in the papers as staying open late and serving “oysters of every style.”

Lott worked as a carpet layer, window washer and served as the carpenter at the theater located at the GAR Hall. He was also the janitor at the new County Court House.

His relationship to SJ’s is uncertain. He is not recorded in the parish register but his name on the memorial scroll speaks to his popularity and the friendships he formed in town and at the church.

 Bob Lott is mentioned many times in the papers and  must have been one of the real characters in the town of Breckenridge. One newspaper article describes him helping Eli Fletcher, also a SJ member, paint the GAR Hall and laughing at the “ancient jokes” told by Eli and other painters. Lott was called a favorite to win the 25 cent first prize at the “barn boil” eating contest held on July 4th in 1911 and there is a surviving picture of Bob Lott surrounded by friends standing behind the bar of a local saloon.

Bob Lott died of dropsy at his cabin in town on April 13, 1913. He was buried in the pauper section of Valley Brook Cemetery but an impressive stone was provided in his memory “by his many friends”.

Placed by his many Friends

   In memory of Bob Lott

Negro

A loyal citizen and faithful friend

    His skin was black

But white was his heart

 Bob always tried to do

  His part