Henry Demas facts for kids
Henry Demas (1848–1900) was an important African American leader in Louisiana. He was born into slavery but later became a constable, a state lawmaker, and a champion for civil rights. He also helped start Southern University during a time called the Reconstruction era.
Early Life and Freedom
Henry Demas was born on April 16, 1848, in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Both of his parents were enslaved. During the American Civil War, Henry Demas joined the Union Army in August 1864. He served in the 80th Regiment, a unit made up of African American soldiers. He became a Corporal, which is a military rank.
While serving in the army, Demas had the chance to get an education, which he took advantage of. After the war ended, he gained his freedom in March 1867.
A Leader in Reconstruction
After gaining his freedom, Henry Demas continued his education. In 1868, he was elected as a constable, a type of law enforcement officer. By 1870, he became an elected politician. He served two terms in the state's House of Representatives. After that, he became a state senator and served until 1892. He was one of the longest-serving African American politicians of his time, working as a lawmaker for about 20 years.
Demas cared about many important issues. He worked to stop slavery in other places like Cuba. He also wanted to protect wildlife and help local communities. He supported laws that would help schools and control government spending. He also worked to prevent large companies from having too much power. He was chosen five times to represent Louisiana at national meetings.
In 1874, the governor of Louisiana, William Pitt Kellogg, made Demas a captain in the state militia. Demas also served as a treasurer for his parish (like a county) and was on the parish school board. He owned a sugarcane farm in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana.
Later, in 1897, President William McKinley appointed Demas to a government position in New Orleans.
Personal Life
In October 1871, Henry Demas got married. He and his wife had four children. He passed away in New Orleans on April 19, 1900, at the age of 52. He was buried at the St. John the Baptist Church in Edgard, Louisiana. People remembered him as a very important figure during the Reconstruction era and a well-known African American politician in Louisiana.
