John Willis Menard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Menard
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John Willis Menard
April 3, 1838 Kaskaskia, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 9, 1893 (aged 55) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lucy Samuels (December 30, 1859 - 1871) |
| Children | 2 daughters, 1 son |
| Education | Iberia College |
John Willis Menard (born April 3, 1838 – died October 8, 1893) was an important American figure. He worked for the government, wrote poems, published newspapers, and was a politician. Born in Kaskaskia, Illinois, his family were Louisiana Creoles from New Orleans. In 1868, after moving to New Orleans, Menard became the first black man ever elected to the United States House of Representatives. However, his opponent challenged the election, and he was not allowed to take his seat in Congress.
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Early Life and Education
John Willis Menard was born in 1838 in Kaskaskia, a town in southern Illinois. His parents were free people of color, meaning they were not enslaved. They came from New Orleans and were Louisiana Creoles, with a mix of European and African heritage.
John went to school in Sparta, Illinois and later attended Ohio Central College, also known as Iberia College, in Iberia, Ohio. He married Lucy Samuels in 1859, and they had a daughter named Alice. Later, he traveled to Jamaica and the US Virgin Islands, where he married Elizabeth Mary and had two more children.
Working for the Government
During the American Civil War, John Menard worked for the Department of the Interior. This was under President Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, he was sent to British Honduras (now Belize) to check out a plan. The idea was to create a new home there for people who had just been freed from slavery.
After the war ended, Menard decided to make his home in New Orleans.
Making History in Congress
In 1865, Menard moved to New Orleans and started a newspaper called The Free South. It was later renamed The Radical Standard. In 1868, there was a special election to fill a vacant seat in the United States House of Representatives. This is where laws are made for the country.
Menard, running as a Republican, won the election to represent Louisiana's 2nd congressional district. This was a huge moment because he was the first black man ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives!
However, the person who lost the election, Caleb S. Hunt, said the election wasn't fair. Because of this challenge, Menard was not allowed to take his seat right away.
On February 27, 1869, John Menard became the first African American to speak inside the House of Representatives chamber. He spoke to argue why he should be allowed to take his seat. Even after his speech and a debate, neither Menard nor Hunt received enough votes to be seated. This meant the House decided not to continue investigating the election.
Life After Congress
After this, Menard moved to Jacksonville, Florida. In 1874, he was chosen to be a member of the Florida House of Representatives. He lost the next election. At that time, it was very difficult for black voters to cast their ballots due to widespread efforts to stop them.
Even so, Menard was elected as a Duval County justice of the peace in 1874 and again in 1877. A justice of the peace is a local official who handles minor legal cases.
A Man of Many Talents
John Menard was also a talented writer. He wrote a book of poems called Lays in Summer Lands, which was published in 1879. He also worked as an editor for newspapers, including the Florida News and the Southern Leader, from 1882 to 1888.
John Menard passed away in Washington, D.C. in 1893. He was first buried at Graceland Cemetery, and later his remains were moved to Woodlawn Cemetery. His daughter, Alice Menard, married Thomas Van Renssalaer Gibbs.
