1997 HALL OF FAME WINNER Goodrich Giles (1846 – 1927) Giles was born a slave on a Virginia plantation. After fighting in the Civil War, he came to Piqua. He became the community’s first major African-American businessman. Starting in a tiny barn, he eventually operated several livery stables, three farms, and was an original investor in the Third national Bank and owned numerous rental properties. He was the first African-American to run for city council. Giles was also the driving force behind building the Cyrene A.M.E. Church (Piqua) and the Anderson-Giles Theater (Dayton).