Lucian H. Palmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucian H. Palmer
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 6th district |
|
| In office January 1, 1907 – January 1, 1909 |
|
| Preceded by | Thomas F. Ramsey |
| Succeeded by | Thomas F. Ramsey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 12, 1855 Huntsville, Alabama, US |
| Died | February 17, 1923 (aged 67) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US |
| Resting place | Arlington Park Cemetery, Greenfield, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Central Tennessee College |
| Occupation | politician, businessman |
Lucian H. Palmer (born March 12, 1855 – died February 17, 1923) was an important American politician and businessman. He made history as the first African American person elected to the Wisconsin Legislature. As a Republican, he served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1907 to 1909. He represented Milwaukee County's 6th assembly district, which included downtown Milwaukee. Sometimes, his first name is spelled Lucien in old records.
Contents
About Lucian Palmer
Lucian Palmer was born in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1855, just before the American Civil War began. When he was seven years old, he sadly lost both of his parents. A few years later, he moved with his older sister to Nashville, Tennessee. There, he went to public schools. He worked hard to pay for his college education at Central Tennessee College, graduating in 1876.
Early Career and Business
After college, Lucian started his career. He worked at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Chicago. Later, he became the manager of Lakeside Resort in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. From 1883, he ran his own catering business. This business lasted until the Panic of 1893, a time when the economy was very difficult.
After that, he became a steward at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. A steward is like a manager who oversees food and service. He left this job to become a superintendent and steward for the Wisconsin building at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. After the fair, he returned to Milwaukee and worked as a steward at the Pasadena Flats.
Making History in Politics
In 1906, Lucian Palmer decided to run for the Wisconsin State Assembly. He ran as a Progressive Republican. He won a surprising victory against the person who held the seat before him, a Democrat named Thomas F. Ramsey. Newspapers at the time were amazed by this "peculiar incident" of the "first colored man to go to the state legislature." It was also noted that Lucian Palmer represented the wealthiest district in the state.
His Time in the Assembly
During his one term in the Assembly, Lucian Palmer worked on two important committees. These were the public health committee and the federal relations committee. On the federal relations committee, he fought for a special resolution about the Brownsville affair. This was an event where African American soldiers from the 25th Infantry Regiment were accused of causing trouble near Brownsville, Texas.
After an early investigation, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered 167 African American soldiers to be dishonorably discharged from the army. Lucian Palmer wanted a more complete investigation of what happened. Because of efforts like his, a more thorough investigation did happen later. This allowed some of the soldiers to rejoin the army.
After Politics
Lucian Palmer tried to be nominated again in 1908, but the Republican Party chose someone else. That person then lost the election to Thomas F. Ramsey, who got his seat back.
Outside of politics, Lucian Palmer was very involved in his community. He was a trustee at St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church in Milwaukee. He was also a member of the Freemasons, a fraternal organization.
Lucian Palmer passed away at his home in Milwaukee on February 17, 1923. The Wisconsin Assembly honored him with a special resolution on February 27, 1923.
