Monroe Baker (born 1821 or 1823) was an American politician who served as mayor of St. Martinville, Louisiana, one of the earliest if not the first African-American mayor in the United States.
Monroe Baker
Mayor of St. Martinville, Louisiana
In office October 1867 (1867-10) – February 1868 (1868-02)
In October 1867, GovernorBenjamin Flanders appointed him mayor of St. Martinville after the death of Mayor Pierre Gary.[3][4] In response, an editorial printed in an Alexandria newspaper called Baker a slur and said it was unnatural for a black person to be mayor over white residents.[5] Baker served until February 1868 when A.L. Tertron succeeded him as mayor.[6]
In 1875, Baker ran in the election for the four seats for trustees of St. Martinsville; he came in fifth place.[7]
In the 1870 census, Baker was listed as a "livery stable keeper", and by 1891, he was listed as "an enterprising citizen and successful planter".[1]
In 1845, he married Mary L. Barrier, and they had 12 children.[1] Sources indicate that he had a second wife named Clotide with whom he had five children, and it is surmised that he had twelve children between his two wives.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeGrissom, Ken (July 12, 2006). "Baker First Black Mayor". Teche News – via Newspapers.com.
^"Monroe Baker, Mayor of St. Martinsville, he was a Free colored before emancipation". The Weekly Iberville South. November 9, 1867.
^"Military Items". The Daily Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana). October 28, 1867. p. 2.
^"A Colored Mayor". The Weekly Iberville South (Plaquemine, Louisiana). November 9, 1867. p. 2.
^General Mower". The Loisiana Democrat (Alexandria, Louisiana). November 27, 1867. p. 2.
^"Military Items". The Times-Picayune. February 21, 1868. p. 1.
^"Official: Compiled Returns of an Election Held in the town of St. Martinsville". New Orleans Republican. April 15, 1875. p. 3.
April 14, 2024
monroe, baker, born, 1821, 1823, american, politician, served, mayor, martinville, louisiana, earliest, first, african, american, mayor, united, states, mayor, martinville, louisianain, office, october, 1867, 1867, february, 1868, 1868, preceded, bypierre, gar. Monroe Baker born 1821 or 1823 was an American politician who served as mayor of St Martinville Louisiana one of the earliest if not the first African American mayor in the United States Monroe BakerMayor of St Martinville LouisianaIn office October 1867 1867 10 February 1868 1868 02 Preceded byPierre GarySucceeded byA L TertronPersonal detailsBorn1821 or 1823Spouse s Mary L Barrier Clotide BakerChildren12Biography editBaker was born in either 1821 per the 1870 U S Census or 1823 per the 1850 U S Census in St Mary Parish Louisiana and moved to St Martinville Louisiana 1 He is listed as a free black 2 of mixed race descent and farmer was listed as his occupation 1 In October 1867 Governor Benjamin Flanders appointed him mayor of St Martinville after the death of Mayor Pierre Gary 3 4 In response an editorial printed in an Alexandria newspaper called Baker a slur and said it was unnatural for a black person to be mayor over white residents 5 Baker served until February 1868 when A L Tertron succeeded him as mayor 6 In 1875 Baker ran in the election for the four seats for trustees of St Martinsville he came in fifth place 7 In the 1870 census Baker was listed as a livery stable keeper and by 1891 he was listed as an enterprising citizen and successful planter 1 In 1845 he married Mary L Barrier and they had 12 children 1 Sources indicate that he had a second wife named Clotide with whom he had five children and it is surmised that he had twelve children between his two wives 1 References edit a b c d e Grissom Ken July 12 2006 Baker First Black Mayor Teche News via Newspapers com Monroe Baker Mayor of St Martinsville he was a Free colored before emancipation The Weekly Iberville South November 9 1867 Military Items The Daily Times Picayune New Orleans Louisiana October 28 1867 p 2 A Colored Mayor The Weekly Iberville South Plaquemine Louisiana November 9 1867 p 2 General Mower The Loisiana Democrat Alexandria Louisiana November 27 1867 p 2 Military Items The Times Picayune February 21 1868 p 1 Official Compiled Returns of an Election Held in the town of St Martinsville New Orleans Republican April 15 1875 p 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Monroe Baker amp oldid 1202002939, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
