Edmond Noel

Edmond Favor Noel
Gov. Noel in 1909
37th Governor of Mississippi
In office
January 21, 1908  January 16, 1912
Lieutenant Luther Manship
Preceded by James K. Vardaman
Succeeded by Earl L. Brewer
Personal details
Born March 4, 1856
near Lexington, Mississippi
Died July 30, 1927 (aged 71)
Lexington, Mississippi
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Loula Hoskins (1890)
Alice Tye Neilson (1905)
Profession Lawyer
Religion Baptist

Edmond[1] Favor Noel (March 4, 1856 – July 30, 1927) was an American politician who was the governor of Mississippi from 1908 to 1912.

Biography

Noel was born in Holmes County, Mississippi near the city of Lexington. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives and as a district attorney before he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1895. He later served in the U.S. Army in the Spanish–American War.

During his time in the State Senate, Noel authored Mississippi's primary election law and a constitutional amendment providing for an effective judiciary.

Noel was re-elected in 1899 but he was unsuccessful in his bid to become Governor in 1903.

In 1907, he was elected to the office of Governor. His term was marked by numerous progressive reforms, such as in education. These reforms included consolidation of the state's rural school districts, the establishment of agricultural high schools and the founding of a Teacher's college in Hattiesburg. Noel's term also saw the passage of a child labor law and a statewide prohibition law.[2]

After his term expired, Noel remained active in state politics. In 1918, he was unsuccessful in his run for the United States Senate, losing to Pat Harrison in a race which also involved Senator James K. Vardaman.

In 1920, he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate again, where he served until his death in 1927.

Noel is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington, Mississippi.

References

  1. In some sources variant Edmund appears.
  2. "Mississippi Governor Edmond Favor Noel". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
Political offices
Preceded by
James K. Vardaman
Governor of Mississippi
1908–1912
Succeeded by
Earl L. Brewer