Antoine Dubuclet
Encyclopedia
Antoine Dubuclet was the Republican
state treasurer
of Louisiana
from 1868 to 1878. Dubuclet was the first person of African descent to hold the office of Louisiana Treasurer.
. He was the son of Antoine Dubuclet, Sr and Rosale (Belly), both were free blacks; his father was part owner of Cedar Grove, a successful sugar plantation. Upon his father's death Dubuclet took over his father's responsibilities and assisted in managing the plantation.
In the mid 1830s he met and married Claire Pollard, a wealthy free woman of color. This marriage lasted till her death in 1852. His successful management of both his and his wife's properties allowed him to acquire additional properties. By 1860 he was considered the wealthiest free black slave owner in Louisiana. In the early 1860s he met and married Mary Ann Walsh. He had nine children with his first wife and three more with his second wife. The Civil War
devastated the sugar industry in Louisiana and impoverished Dubuclet along with his fellow planters.
, known as the Battle of Liberty Place
that occurred in September 1874. Dubuclet did not seek reelection in 1878.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
state treasurer
State Treasurer
In the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
from 1868 to 1878. Dubuclet was the first person of African descent to hold the office of Louisiana Treasurer.
Early life and career
Dubuclet was born in Iberville Parish, LouisianaIberville Parish, Louisiana
Iberville Parish is a parish located south of Baton Rouge in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Plaquemine. The 2010 population of the parish was 33,387....
. He was the son of Antoine Dubuclet, Sr and Rosale (Belly), both were free blacks; his father was part owner of Cedar Grove, a successful sugar plantation. Upon his father's death Dubuclet took over his father's responsibilities and assisted in managing the plantation.
In the mid 1830s he met and married Claire Pollard, a wealthy free woman of color. This marriage lasted till her death in 1852. His successful management of both his and his wife's properties allowed him to acquire additional properties. By 1860 he was considered the wealthiest free black slave owner in Louisiana. In the early 1860s he met and married Mary Ann Walsh. He had nine children with his first wife and three more with his second wife. The Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
devastated the sugar industry in Louisiana and impoverished Dubuclet along with his fellow planters.
Political career
In 1868, Dubuclet was nominated as the Republican candidate for State Treasurer. Later that year Dubuclet along with the entire Republican ticket won the election. Dubuclet took financial charge of a bankrupt state. Dubuclet along with other members of the state administration were successful in reducing the state's debt. Dubuclet was reelected both in 1870 and 1874. Dubuclet was the only office holder allowed to remain in office during the minor coup d'étatCoup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
, known as the Battle of Liberty Place
Battle of Liberty Place
The Battle of Liberty Place was an attempted insurrection by the Crescent City White League against the legal Reconstruction state government on September 14, 1874 in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it was then based....
that occurred in September 1874. Dubuclet did not seek reelection in 1878.