Gov. Andre Bienvenue Roman, 9th Gov. Louisiana

Andre Roman became governor by appointment after Jacques Dupre resigned before completing the term left open by Pierre Derbigny's death in office and Arnaud Beauvais's resignation. That succession crisis was solved by a special election in which Roman had no opposition.

Roman was the first Governor of Louisiana to use his membership in a national political party - in his case, the Whigs - to determine executive actions. He appointed fellow Whigs to state positions and he supported a protective tariff which was appreciated by south Louisiana sugar planters. The Pontchartrain Railroad and the New Basin Canal from Lake Pontchartrain into the heart of New Orleans eased transportation problems.

During Roman's first term, Louisiana experienced years of economic growth as the number of banks doubled and capital increased. His second term followed the Panic of 1837 which had been caused by an overexpansion of banks. Farmers, planters and merchants lost their enterprises, deposits dwindled and a depression settled into the state, relieved only by new banking laws passed at the end of Roman's term.

Roman opposed secession in the Secession Convention of 1861 and was ruined financially by the Civil War. He died in 1866 while walking on Dumaine Street in New Orleans.

He is buried in the St. James Catholic Cemetery in St. James, La.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_B._Roman

André Bienvenue Roman (March 5, 1795–January 26, 1866) was Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the ninth U.S. Governor of Louisiana.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21310371

Governor of Louisiana. A sugar planter in St. James Parish, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1818 and served until 1826. He served as a judge in St. James Parish from 1826 until 1828, when he returned to the Louisiana House of Representatives. In 1830, he was elected as a National Republican to the Governorship of Louisiana. During his administration, the state was confronted with floods and epidemics. A state penitentiary was built in Baton Rouge, a Board of Public Works was created, and a State Agricultural Society was created. He left office in January of 1835, but was re-elected Governor in 1838. During his second term, imprisonment for debt was abolished and the state was requested to pay off its bonds. He left office on February 2, 1843. In 1842 and 1845, he served in the State Constitutional Convention and was a delegate to the State Secession Convention in 1861. (bio by: Thomas Fisher)

Photo added by Mr. Ed

Picture of Added by Thomas Fisher Picture of Added by Thomas Fisher Andre Bienvenue Roman BIRTH 5 Mar 1795 St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, USA DEATH 28 Jan 1866 (aged 70) New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, USA BURIAL Saint James Catholic Church Cemetery Saint James, St. James Parish, Louisiana, USA MEMORIAL ID 21310371 · View Source

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 3 FLOWERS 16 Governor of Louisiana. A sugar planter in St. James Parish, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1818 and served until 1826. He served as a judge in St. James Parish from 1826 until 1828, when he returned to the Louisiana House of Representatives. In 1830, he was elected as a National Republican to the Governorship of Louisiana. During his administration, the state was confronted with floods and epidemics. A state penitentiary was built in Baton Rouge, a Board of Public Works was created, and a State Agricultural Society was created. He left office in January of 1835, but was re-elected Governor in 1838. During his second term, imprisonment for debt was abolished and the state was requested to pay off its bonds. He left office on February 2, 1843. In 1842 and 1845, he served in the State Constitutional Convention and was a delegate to the State Secession Convention in 1861.