Burr Plato was born into slavery in 1833 in Logan County, part of what is now West Virginia.
He escaped from slavery in 1856, along with seven other runaway slaves, and they arrived a month
later in Fort Erie, a free man. Plato stayed close to Niagara Falls and worked as a porter and farm
hand.He spent his spare time learning how to read and write. He saved up enough
money to buy a house on Stanley St. where he raised a family of 10 children!
Plato was an active member of the community in Niagara, working very successfuly
and he was member of the British Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls. He also got
involved in local politics In 1886 he became one of the first blacks in Canada to
be elected to a municipal office. Plato retired in 1901 and died four years
later in 1905 when he was 72.
Burr Plato was born into slavery in 1833 in Logan County, part of what is now West Virginia.
He escaped from slavery in 1856, along with seven other runaway slaves, and they arrived a month
later in Fort Erie, a free man. Plato stayed close to Niagara Falls and worked as a porter and farm
hand.He spent his spare time learning how to read and write. He saved up enough
money to buy a house on Stanley St. where he raised a family of 10 children!
Plato was an active member of the community in Niagara, working very successfuly
and he was member of the British Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls. He also got
involved in local politics In 1886 he became one of the first blacks in Canada to
be elected to a municipal office. Plato retired in 1901 and died four years
later in 1905 when he was 72.