Coleman Lindsey
Encyclopedia
Isaac Coleman Lindsey, known as Coleman Lindsey (October 2, 1892—November 15, 1968), was a Democratic
member of the Louisiana State Senate
, a district judge, and from 1939 to 1940, the lieutenant governor
under Governor Earl Kemp Long.
Lindsey was born to Rufus B. Lindsey, a native of Webster Parish
(then part of Claiborne Parish
), and the former Lydia Hamilton in Dry Creek in Calcasieu Parish
(now Allen Parish
) near Lake Charles
in southwestern Louisiana. He grew up on a farm and was reared by his maternal grandparents, the Reverend Isaac Hamilton and the former Lydia Eliza Simmons. He lived for a time in DeRidder in Beauregard Parish
and attended the "Ten Mile School" and Oakdale High School in Oakdale
in Allen Parish. Lindsey taught school for a time and was assistant state treasurer under Howell Morgan. He was also a former clerk of the Allen Parish Police Jury (the parish governing body akin to county commission
in other states).
In 1921, Lindsey received his LL.D. from Louisiana State University
at Baton Rouge. That same year he represented Allen Parish in the Louisiana Constitutional Convention. At this time, Lindsey was already married for seven years to the former Cora Herring (April 8, 1894—December 1973), a native of Rosebud
in Falls County
near Temple
, Texas, and he was then the father of two sons, Rufus Jason Lindsey (born 1916) and Douglas Hamilton Lindsey (1919–2006). Rufus Lindsey became a playwright in London, England, and a friend of numerous Hollywood stars.
In 1922, Lindsey and his family moved to Minden
, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana, to join District Attorney
R.H. Lee in the practice of law. Within two years of relocation, he was elected to the state senate from the district encompassing Bossier and Webster parishes. He was aligned with the Long
faction
in the legislature. Lindsey served from 1924 to 1928 and was succeeded by Bossier Parish banker V.V. Whittington
. Lindsey returned to the Senate from 1932 to 1940. In the Senate, he was the chairman of the Committee on Health, Quarantine, Drainage and Charitable Institutions and vice chairman of the Committee on Banking. He served on the committees on Corporations, Parochial and Municipal Affairs; Elections, Qualifications and Registrations; the Judiciary, Railroads, Insurance and Industries. He was also a member of committee of five in charge of the 1924 inaugural ceremonies for Governor Henry L. Fuqua
.
On April 8, 1930, Lindsey ran for mayor
of Minden but lost to the incumbent, Henry L. Bridges
. In that contest, Bridges polled 519 votes to 402 ballots for Lindsey.
As president pro tempore of the Senate, Coleman became lieutenant governor in the summer of 1939, when Earl Long, who had been elected as lieutenant governor in 1936, succeeded to the governorship on the resignation of the scandal-plagued Richard W. Leche
of New Orleans
during a time known as the "Louisiana Hayride", not to be confused with the former Country music
program of the same name in Shreveport
Coleman did not run for lieutenant governor in 1940, but Long sought a full term, only to be unseated by intraparty rival, Sam Houston Jones of Lake Charles. Long ultimately defeated Jones in 1948 and won a second full term as well in 1956. Coleman resumed the practice of law in Minden but later returned permanently to Baton Rouge. He and Cora had three other sons, Lewis Hughes Lindsey (1922–2000), James Hall Lindsey (born 1925), and David Lindsey (born 1928). David Lindsey graduated second in his 1945 class at Minden High School
.
In 1950, Lindsey, a member of the East Baton Rouge Bar Association
, became a judge for the Nineteenth Judicial District, Division D, a position that he held for the remainder of his life. He served as presiding judge from 1960 to 1968. Lindsey was active in the Baptist
Church, Knights Templar
, and the Masonic lodge
and its related component, the Shriners
. Lindsey wrote at least three scholarly works, including The Courts of Louisiana.
Lindsey is entombed at Resthaven Mausoleum
in Baton Rouge.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Louisiana State Senate
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
, a district judge, and from 1939 to 1940, the lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
The Office of Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana is the second highest state office in Louisiana. The current Lieutenant Governor is Jay Dardenne, a Republican...
under Governor Earl Kemp Long.
Lindsey was born to Rufus B. Lindsey, a native of Webster Parish
Webster Parish, Louisiana
Webster Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The seat of the parish is Minden. In 2010, its population was 41,207....
(then part of Claiborne Parish
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Claiborne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Homer and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.-History:The parish is named for the first Louisiana governor, William C. C. Claiborne....
), and the former Lydia Hamilton in Dry Creek in Calcasieu Parish
Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
Calcasieu Parish[p] is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Lake Charles. As of 2010, the parish population was 192,768...
(now Allen Parish
Allen Parish, Louisiana
Allen Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Oberlin. As of the 2000 census, the population was 25,440. Allen Parish is in southwestern Louisiana, southwest of Alexandria....
) near Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
in southwestern Louisiana. He grew up on a farm and was reared by his maternal grandparents, the Reverend Isaac Hamilton and the former Lydia Eliza Simmons. He lived for a time in DeRidder in Beauregard Parish
Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
Beauregard Parish [p] is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Beauregard Parish was formed on 1 January 1913. The parish seat is DeRidder. As of 2000, the population was 32,986. Beauregard Parish is part of the DeRidder Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Fort Polk...
and attended the "Ten Mile School" and Oakdale High School in Oakdale
Oakdale, Louisiana
Oakdale is a small city in Allen Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,137 at the 2000 census.Oakdale was founded as "Dunnsville" by William T. Dunn...
in Allen Parish. Lindsey taught school for a time and was assistant state treasurer under Howell Morgan. He was also a former clerk of the Allen Parish Police Jury (the parish governing body akin to county commission
County commission
A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...
in other states).
In 1921, Lindsey received his LL.D. from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
at Baton Rouge. That same year he represented Allen Parish in the Louisiana Constitutional Convention. At this time, Lindsey was already married for seven years to the former Cora Herring (April 8, 1894—December 1973), a native of Rosebud
Rosebud, Texas
Rosebud is a city in Falls County, Texas. The population was 1,493 at the 2000 census. As of July, 2007, the population was 1,348, an -8.4% change since 2000. Rosebud is the birthplace of NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson.-Geography:...
in Falls County
Falls County, Texas
Falls County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,576. In 2003, the population of the county was estimated to be 17,926. It is named for the waterfalls on the Brazos River, which can be found at the Falls On The Brazos Park, a campsite located only a few...
near Temple
Temple, Texas
Temple is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. Located near the county seat of Belton, Temple lies in the region referred to as Central Texas. Located off Interstate 35, Temple is 65 miles north of Austin and 34 miles south of Waco. In the 2010 Census, Temple's population was 66,102, an...
, Texas, and he was then the father of two sons, Rufus Jason Lindsey (born 1916) and Douglas Hamilton Lindsey (1919–2006). Rufus Lindsey became a playwright in London, England, and a friend of numerous Hollywood stars.
In 1922, Lindsey and his family moved to Minden
Minden, Louisiana
Minden is a city in the American state of Louisiana. It serves as the parish seat of Webster Parish and is located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport, the seat of Caddo Parish. The population, which has been stable since 1960, was 13,027 at the 2000 census...
, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana, to join District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
R.H. Lee in the practice of law. Within two years of relocation, he was elected to the state senate from the district encompassing Bossier and Webster parishes. He was aligned with the Long
Huey Long
Huey Pierce Long, Jr. , nicknamed The Kingfish, served as the 40th Governor of Louisiana from 1928–1932 and as a U.S. Senator from 1932 to 1935. A Democrat, he was noted for his radical populist policies. Though a backer of Franklin D...
faction
Political faction
A political faction is a grouping of individuals, such as a political party, a trade union, or other group with a political purpose. A faction or political party may include fragmented sub-factions, “parties within a party," which may be referred to as power blocs, or voting blocs. The individuals...
in the legislature. Lindsey served from 1924 to 1928 and was succeeded by Bossier Parish banker V.V. Whittington
V.V. Whittington
Volney Voss Whittington, known as V.V. Whittington or Voss Whittington , was a banker from Bossier Parish in northwestern Louisiana who served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1928 to 1932.Whittington was born in Ivan in Bossier Parish but resided most of his life in the...
. Lindsey returned to the Senate from 1932 to 1940. In the Senate, he was the chairman of the Committee on Health, Quarantine, Drainage and Charitable Institutions and vice chairman of the Committee on Banking. He served on the committees on Corporations, Parochial and Municipal Affairs; Elections, Qualifications and Registrations; the Judiciary, Railroads, Insurance and Industries. He was also a member of committee of five in charge of the 1924 inaugural ceremonies for Governor Henry L. Fuqua
Henry L. Fuqua
Henry Luse Fuqua was a Baton Rouge businessman Fuqua defeated both Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and Lieutenant Governor Hewitt Leonidas Bouanchaud in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 1924 to succeed the term-limited John M. Parker...
.
On April 8, 1930, Lindsey ran for mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Minden but lost to the incumbent, Henry L. Bridges
Henry L. Bridges
Henry L. Bridges, Sr. , was a businessman who served from 1928 to 1932 and again from 1934 to 1936 as the mayor of the small city of Minden, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana....
. In that contest, Bridges polled 519 votes to 402 ballots for Lindsey.
As president pro tempore of the Senate, Coleman became lieutenant governor in the summer of 1939, when Earl Long, who had been elected as lieutenant governor in 1936, succeeded to the governorship on the resignation of the scandal-plagued Richard W. Leche
Richard W. Leche
Richard Webster Leche was the 44th Governor of Louisiana from 1936 until 1939. Leche was the first governor of Louisiana sentenced to prison.- Early life :...
of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
during a time known as the "Louisiana Hayride", not to be confused with the former Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
program of the same name in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
Coleman did not run for lieutenant governor in 1940, but Long sought a full term, only to be unseated by intraparty rival, Sam Houston Jones of Lake Charles. Long ultimately defeated Jones in 1948 and won a second full term as well in 1956. Coleman resumed the practice of law in Minden but later returned permanently to Baton Rouge. He and Cora had three other sons, Lewis Hughes Lindsey (1922–2000), James Hall Lindsey (born 1925), and David Lindsey (born 1928). David Lindsey graduated second in his 1945 class at Minden High School
Minden High School (Minden, Louisiana)
Minden High School is the public secondary educational institution in Minden, a small city of 13,000 and the seat of Webster Parish located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport in northwestern Louisiana...
.
In 1950, Lindsey, a member of the East Baton Rouge Bar Association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
, became a judge for the Nineteenth Judicial District, Division D, a position that he held for the remainder of his life. He served as presiding judge from 1960 to 1968. Lindsey was active in the Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church, Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
, and the Masonic lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
and its related component, the Shriners
Shriners
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States...
. Lindsey wrote at least three scholarly works, including The Courts of Louisiana.
Lindsey is entombed at Resthaven Mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
in Baton Rouge.