Louis A. Wiltz
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Louis Alfred Wiltz (October 22, 1843 – October 16, 1881) served as governor of Louisiana U.S.A. from 1880 – 1881. Prior to serving as governor, he was mayor of New Orleans, lieutenant governor, and a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Wiltz was born in New Orleans to J.B. Theopile Wiltz and the former Louise Irene Villanueva. He attended public school until the age of fifteen, when he began work with Plauche and Company. After the company failed, Wiltz became the clerk for the Second District Court of Louisiana. With the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War, Wiltz joined the Confederate States Army as a private but quickly rose to the rank of captain. In 1863, Wiltz married Miss Bienvinue of St. Martinville, the seat of St. Martin Parish. They had four daughters and one son.
In 1868, Wiltz was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and the New Orleans School Board. In 1872, he was elected mayor but could not take office until 1875 because of the refusal of the Republican mayor to vacate the office. In addition to serving two years as mayor, Wiltz was once again elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and served as lieutenant governor.
With the implementation of the new Louisiana state constitution of 1879, the gubernatorial term of Francis T. Nicholls was cut short by one year. An election was held in 1879, and Louis Wiltz easily defeated his Republican opponent. Wiltz’s term as governor was one strife with corruption. The corrupt Louisiana lottery continued to have influence over the state legislature. The state treasurer, Edward A. Burke, embezzled state funds while the public schools were neglected, and black disenfranchisement continued.
Wiltz died of tuberculosis while in office on October 16, 1881 in New Orleans. Lieutenant Governor Samuel D. McEnery, a fellow Democrat succeeded Wiltz.
[edit] External links
- Biography from the Louisiana Secretary of State
- Kendall's History of New Orleans, Chapter 22: Wiltz
- New Orleans Public Library page
| Preceded by Benjamin F. Flanders (R) |
Mayor of New Orleans | Succeeded by Charles J. Leeds(D) |
| Preceded by Francis Tillou Nicholls (D) |
Governor of Louisiana | Succeeded by Samuel D. McEnery (D) |
| Governors of Louisiana |  |
|---|---|
| Claiborne • Villeré • Robertson • Thibodaux • H. Johnson • Derbigny • Beauvais • Dupre • Roman • White • Roman • Mouton • I. Johnson • Walker • Hebert • Wickliffe • Moore • Warmouth • Pinchback • J. McEnery • Kellogg • Nicholls • Wiltz • S. McEnery • Nicholls • Foster • Heard • Blanchard • Sanders • Hall • Pleasant • Parker • Fuqua • Simpson • H. Long • King • O. Allen • Noe • Leche • E. Long • Jones • Davis • E. Long • Kennon • E. Long • Davis • McKeithen • Edwards • Treen • Edwards • Roemer • Edwards • Foster Jr. • Blanco |
