Edmond Noel
Encyclopedia
Edmond Favor Noel was an American politician who was the governor of Mississippi
from 1908 to 1912.
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.
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.
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
from 1908 to 1912.
Biography
Noel was born in Holmes County, MississippiHolmes County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:*Hillside National Wildlife Refuge *Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge *Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge*Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:...
near the city of Lexington
Lexington, Mississippi
Lexington is a city in Holmes County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,025 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Holmes County.-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives
Mississippi House of Representatives
The Mississippi House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi Legislature, the lawmaking body of the U.S. state of Mississippi....
and as a district attorney before he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate
Mississippi State Senate
The Mississippi Senate is the upper house of the Mississippi Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The Senate is composed of 52 Senators representing an equal amount of constituent districts, with 54,704 people per district...
in 1895. He later served in the U.S. Army in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
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
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 44,779 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Forrest County...
. Noel's term also saw the passage of a child labor
Child labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labour. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries...
law and a statewide prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
law.
After his term expired, Noel remained active in state politics. In 1918, he was unsuccessful in his run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, losing to Pat Harrison
Pat Harrison
Byron Patton "Pat" Harrison was a Mississippi politician who served as a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives from 1911 to 1919 and in the United States Senate from 1919 until his death....
in a race which also involved Senator James K. Vardaman
James K. Vardaman
James Kimble Vardaman was an American politician from the state of Mississippi, serving as Governor of Mississippi from 1904 to 1908 and in the U.S. Senate from 1913 to 1919. Vardaman, known as "The Great White Chief", advocated white supremacy...
.
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.