Benjamin Franklin Flanders
1867-1868

Born: January 26, 1816 in New Hampshire
Political Affiliation: Republican
Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian
Education: New Hampton Academy (New Hampshire); Dartmouth College
Career Prior to Term: Congressman; Treasury Agent
How He Became Governor: Appointed Militay Governor by Major Gen. Philip Sheridan
Career after Term: Mayor of New Orleans
Died: March 13, 1896 in Youngstown, Louisiana

Benjamin Franklin Flanders, held important pro-Union posts before being appointed Governor by the New Orleans military district commander, General Philip Sheridan.

During the war, as special agent of the Treasury Department of the Southern Region, Flanders earned commissions from the sale of confiscated cotton. After the war he led the movement to organize the Republican Party in Louisiana. As the first Republican Governor, Flanders supported black suffrage.

But Flanders' short term in office featured much conflict among Republicans about control of the party and political patronage.

The Governor resigned when Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, the new military district commander, removed Radical Republicans appointed by Flanders from state offices.

Two years later, Governor Henry Clay Warmoth appointed Flanders Mayor of New Orleans. He was later elected to that position.

Flanders died on his plantation in Lafayette Parish in 1896.

Back