Madam Seay of Seay Millinery "The Queen of Milliners" Chicago

Author

The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association
January 06, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

This is a photo of Harlem Matron Madam Seay of Seay Millinery. She was Mrs. Frank Seay, aka Maude Mae Seay aka Maude S. Dixon aka Mrs. Maude Dixon Myers, a prosperous Chicago business woman and a Harlem socialite and patron of the arts and classical music. Dorothy Height stated " That she was the first Negro woman to disitnguish herself in business," circa (1908). Here is a link to a recent New York Amsterdam News article: https://amsterdamnews.com/.../papers-of-howard.../. Also check out Coming of Age During Harlem's Vogue | Facebook.

She was one of five children born to Jeremiah "Jerry" and Martha Rubey. Her siblings included Frank Rubey (Ruby), Clara L. Clark, Clarence Rubey, and Rosa Dean Rubey. Madam Seay aka Mrs. Maude Dixon Myers, made history in places like Macon, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois and Harlem, New York for the most part. Below, I have shared several  news clippings highlighting the death of her beloved father who was one of the most respected colored men in Macon. He was a property owner in Macon, Missouri, after his death he left a sizable estate to his children. Jeremiah Rubey was enslaved by Porter Rubey aka Thomas Porter Rubey of the prominent white Rubey family of Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia according to genealogy charts. As a volunteer he joined the Union army in St. Louis, serving with distinction (U.S.C.T.). His name appears on a Civil War Monument (location unknown).

Madam Seay of Seay Millinery aka Mrs. Maude Dixon Myers

I am researching the life and times of the following women of Harlem: Frankye A. Dixon, a Juilliard trained pianist, teacher, NYU, Columbia University graduate and Howard University Professor of Music, born in Chicago (1915-1996) and raised in Harlem.  Her mother Madam Seay a former teacher and owner of Seay Millinery (Chicago), born in Macon, Missouri (1884-1957) migrating to early Chicago where she established a highly successful millinery business, later moving to Harlem, New York.  She was aka Mrs. Seaye, Mrs. Maude M. Dixon, (widow (1917) of famed Clef Club Orchestra conductor, musician and composer Will H. Dixon of Chicago and also (widow (1938) of Capt. Alonzo Myers of Philadelphia.  My research also includes Frankye's aunt Maude's sister, Mrs. Rose Knox Ellis aka Rose Ellis (deceased 1967), all of early 20th century Chicago, later settling in Harlem before, during and after the Harlem Renaissance. 

Maude and her sister Rose were founding members along with socialite and society editor Geraldyn Dismond aka Gerri Major, of the Chicago Club of New York, I am sure you know her name well.  In my research I've found that their names have appeared on many social guest lists along with A'lelia Walker, your great-grandmother.  Maude Dixon Myers and Rose Ellis were Harlem Matron's and members of New York's Harlem Society.  Mrs. Rose Knox Ellis name appeared on the dinner party guest list hosted by A'lelia at Villa Lewaro.  These ladies also hosted many high profile social's, musicales, recitals and civic gatherings.  Aspects of their lives were editorialized in the "Society Pages" of many leading African American Newspapers.   A celebrated pianist, Frankye Dixon, was a music critic and editorial writer for the New York Amsterdam Newspaper.  She has an extensive resume and established an impressive music career/legacy.

Miss Frankye A. Dixon and her mother Mrs. Dixon Myers: 312 Manhattan Ave, Harlem

Their circle of friends and associates reads like a "Who's Who of Chicago and New York's Black Society", Harry T. Burleigh, Caska Bonds, Harold Jackman, Bessye Bearden, Alberta Hunter, Mrs. Lottie (Bert) Williams, Carrie Payne, Mrs. Stella Castro, Mrs. Earl B. Dickerson, Mrs. Harry M. Winslow, Mrs. Beatrice Lee Cooper and of course Gerri to name a few.  It seems certain that they knew Madam Walker and A'lelia.  Frankye and Maude were friends with many including Hazel, Harrison, Camille Nickerson, Lillian Evanti, Renata Taboldi, Aurora Greely, Etta Moten and her daughter Etta B., and Frankye was accompanist to opera soprano R. Louis Burge.

As a college student in New York young Dorothy Irene Height, who was a life-long sister/friend of Frankye, living with the Dixon Family in Harlem: 16 Morningside Ave, 312 Manhattan Ave and 1871 Seventh Ave, where Frankye established her living and private music studio.  In Dorothy's Oral history recording (Club Hoping With W.C. Handy) at Columbia University Archives and her memoir "Open Wide The Freedom Gates" Dorothy tells a fascinating story of the Dixon family and her time living with them.    

The building located at 172 W. 130th Street, known as the Myers building was owned until 1978 by the Myers/Dixon/Barnes family which is next to the Utopia Children's House, a charity close to A'lelia. 

Lawrence H. Levens - Custodian and Guardian of the Barnes/Dixon/Myers Historical Harlem Papers, Archives and Musical Manuscripts Collection

Reply

or to participate.