Richard Howell Gleaves facts for kids
Richard Howell Gleaves was an important American politician. He was born on July 4, 1819, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gleaves became the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. This was a very high position for an African American during his time. He served from 1872 to 1876.
Quick facts for kids
Richard Howell Gleaves
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| 55th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina | |
| In office December 7, 1872 – December 14, 1876 |
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| Governor | |
| Preceded by | Alonzo J. Ransier |
| Succeeded by | William Dunlap Simpson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1819 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 1907 (aged 88) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Republican |
Contents
Richard Gleaves's Life
Richard Howell Gleaves was born free in Philadelphia. His father was from Haiti and his mother was English. He received his education in Philadelphia and also in New Orleans. New Orleans had a large community of free black people.
Early Career and Freemasonry
After his education, Gleaves worked as a steward. He worked on steamboats along the Mississippi River. Later, he moved to Ohio and Pennsylvania. While in the North, Gleaves was very active in the Prince Hall Freemasonry. This group mostly had African-American members. He helped create Prince Hall lodges in many northern states.
Moving to South Carolina
In 1866, after the American Civil War, Gleaves moved to Beaufort, South Carolina. There, he started a business with Robert Smalls. Smalls was a former slave who became a ship captain during the war. Gleaves bought land in Beaufort. This land included a building for a black fraternal group. Today, it is known as the Sons of Beaufort Lodge.
Political Beginnings
Like his business partner Robert Smalls, Gleaves became involved in politics. He helped start the Union League and the South Carolina Republican Party. He was the leader of the Republican Party's meeting in 1867. From 1870 to 1872, he held several elected jobs. These included trial justice, probate judge, and commissioner of elections.
Lieutenant Governor
In 1872, Gleaves was elected as the 55th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. He was re-elected in 1874. In that election, he won against Martin Delany. Delany was another African American running as an Independent Republican.
In 1876, Gleaves was a delegate at the 1876 Republican National Convention. This meeting chose Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes as the party's candidate. The general election in South Carolina had many problems. Republican leaders, including Gleaves, lost their positions.
This time marked the end of the Reconstruction Era. Federal troops left South Carolina after the 1876 election. This meant that one political party mostly controlled the South again. Gleaves was the last Republican Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina for a long time. The next one was Bob Peeler, elected in 1994.
Later Years
After leaving office, Gleaves moved out of South Carolina. He later returned when President James A. Garfield appointed him to a special customs inspector job. This job lasted until 1882. Towards the end of his life, he worked as a waiter in Washington, D.C..
Gleaves was also a very important Freemason. He was the sixth National Grand Master of the Prince Hall National Grand Lodge of North America.
