Antoine Dubuclet

Antoine Dubuclet (1810 – December 18, 1887) 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.

Early life and career

Dubuclet was born in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. 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 which held over 70 slaves.^[1][1][2]

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.^[1][3] 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.^[1]

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'état, known as the Battle of Liberty Place that occurred in September 1874.^[4] Dubuclet did not seek reelection in 1878.^[1]

Death & Legacy

Dubuclet died on December 18, 1887 in Iberville Parish. His remains were transported and interred in the family tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 located in New Orleans.^[1] In 1990 Dubuclet was inducted into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame.^[5]

References

1. "Aspects of the family and public life of Antoine Dubuclet: Louisiana's black state treasurer, 1868-1878," The Journal of Negro History, Spring, 1981.
2. Walker, Juliet E.K (1999). Encyclopedia of African American business history. Greenwood Press. p. 491.
3. Sternberg, Mary Ann (November 2001). Along the river road: Past and present on Louisiana's historic byway. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. p. 254. ISBN 0-8071-2730-2.
4. "The Louisiana outrages: Nature of the calm in New Orleans," The New York Times, September 17, 1874.
5. "30 honored in new Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame," The Advocate, February 23, 1990.