Alexandre Mouton 1843-1846

Born: November 19, 1804 in Attakapas District (Lafayette Parish), Louisiana
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Education: Geogetown College, Washington, DC
Career Prior to Term: State Legislator; Speaker of the House of Representatives; U.S. Senator
How He Became Governor: Elected in 1843
Career after Term: Planter; Chairman of the Louisiana Secession Convention; Defeated in election to the Confederate Senate; President-Southwestern Railroad Convention.
Died: February 12, 1885 in Vermilionville (now Lafayette)

Alexander Mouton, elected as the first Democratic Governor of Louisiana, led the Constitutional Convention of 1845. The new Constitution directed the legislature to begin a public education system and eliminated property qualifications to vote or hold office. Mouton reduced state expenditures and sold off state property to avoid raising taxes.

Later, in 1861, Mouton chaired the Louisiana Secession Convention and led the overwhelming vote to pass the Ordinance of Secession. During the war, Union troops seized his plantation to use as their headquarters; they burned the sugar mill and released his slaves.

He died in 1885 in Vermilionville, present-day Lafayette, a city founded by his ancestor, Jean Mouton.  

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