Pierre Caliste Landry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierre Caliste Landry
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| Born | April 19, 1841 |
| Died | April 22, 1921 (aged 80) |
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| Title | Mayor of Donaldsonville |
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| Children | 14 |
Pierre Caliste Landry (born April 19, 1841 – died December 22, 1921) was an amazing person. He was born into slavery but became a lawyer, a minister, a mayor, and a state lawmaker in Louisiana. In 1868, he was elected mayor of Donaldsonville. This made him the first African American person ever elected mayor in the United States!
Contents
Pierre Caliste Landry's Life Story
Early Life and Learning
Pierre Caliste Landry was born into slavery in 1841. This happened on a sugar cane farm in Ascension Parish. His mother, Marcelite Prevost, was an enslaved cook. His father, Roseman Landry, was a white worker.
When Pierre was 13, he was sold to the Bringier family. They owned many large farms. Pierre was able to go to school on the farm. He also had ministers teach him. He was raised Catholic and learned from a priest named Fr Arnaud.
Family Life
Pierre Caliste Landry married Amanda Grigsby. They had twelve children together. After Amanda passed away, he married Florence Simpkins. They had two more children. Many of his children grew up to value education and church, just like their parents.
Important Career Steps
After the Civil War ended, Pierre Landry moved his family to Donaldsonville. This town became known for having a large Black community. Many formerly enslaved people moved to towns. They wanted to build their own lives and businesses.
In 1868, during the Reconstruction Era, Landry was elected mayor of Donaldsonville. This was a very important moment. He was the first African American in the United States to be elected mayor.
Landry also started St. Peter's Methodist Episcopal Church. He was very active in his community. He served as a judge, school superintendent, and tax collector. He was also a member of the school board and a postmaster.
He became a leader in the Republican Party. In 1872, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. He helped pass a bill to create New Orleans University. This became an important college for Black students in Louisiana.
In 1874, Landry was elected to the Louisiana State Senate. He served there until 1880. During this time, lawmakers helped create public education for everyone.
In 1878, Landry became a minister at St. Peter's Church. He became more involved in church leadership. He was elected a presiding elder in 1881. Later, in 1891, he reached the highest position in his church district.
Later Years
Pierre Caliste Landry passed away in 1921. He left behind a legacy of leadership and service.
