Thomy Lafon facts for kids
Thomy Lafon (born December 28, 1810 – died December 23, 1893) was an important person from New Orleans. He was a teacher, a successful businessman, and a philanthropist. This means he loved to help others by giving money to good causes. He was known as a Creole of color.
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Thomy Lafon's Early Life
Thomy Lafon was born free on December 28, 1810. His family was mixed-race and spoke French. His mother was Modeste Foucher. His father was Pierre Larande.
How Thomy Lafon Became Successful
Thomy Lafon started his career by selling cakes to workers. He then opened a small store. For a while, he worked as a school teacher. He was very good at managing money. He became successful by lending money and investing in land and buildings.
Helping Others and Fighting for Fairness
Thomy Lafon strongly disagreed with slavery. He believed that all people should be free. He also supported the idea of racial integration in schools. This meant he wanted children of all backgrounds to learn together.
He is famous for giving large amounts of money to many charities. He helped groups like the Institute Catholique. He also supported the Louisiana Association for the Benefit of Colored Orphans. He gave money to charities that helped both Black and White people.
Lafon's Generous Gifts
In his will, Thomy Lafon left money to several local charities. He supported the Charity Hospital. He also helped the Lafon Old Folks Home. He gave money to Straight University. Another group he supported was the Sisters of the Holy Family. This was an order of African-American nuns in New Orleans.
Lafon also helped the Tribune newspaper. This was the first newspaper owned by Black people in the Southern United States. It started after the American Civil War.
The Thomy Lafon School
There was a school named after Thomy Lafon. People called it "the best Negro schoolhouse in Louisiana." Sadly, the school was burned down. This happened during the New Orleans Race Riot of 1900.
Thomy Lafon's Final Years
Thomy Lafon never got married. He passed away on December 22, 1893. He was buried at the Saint Louis Cemetery No. 3 in New Orleans.
