John Wills Menard
On this date in 1869, the first Black man was elected to the U.S. Congress
John Willis Menard defeated a white candidate, 5,107 to 2,833, in an election in Louisiana's Second Congressional District to fill an unexpired term in the 40th Congress.
Black Americans In Congress, 1870-1989.
Bruce A. Ragsdale & Joel D. Treese
U.S. Government Printing Office
Raymond W. Smock, historian and director 1990
E185.96.R25
