Louis A. Wiltz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 29th Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office January 14, 1880 – October 16, 1881 | |
| Lieutenant | Samuel D. McEnery |
| Preceded by | Francis T. Nicholls |
| Succeeded by | Samuel D. McEnery |
| 15th Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office April 24, 1877 – January 14, 1880 | |
| Governor | Francis T. Nicholls |
| Preceded by | Caesar Antoine |
| Succeeded by | Samuel D. McEnery |
| 25thMayor of New Orleans | |
| In office November 30, 1872 – November 30, 1874 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Flanders |
| Succeeded by | Charles J. Leeds |
| Member of theLouisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1868 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1843-01-21)January 21, 1843 |
| Died | October 16, 1881(1881-10-16) (aged 38) New Orleans, Louisiana, US |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | MicaelBienvenu |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |  Chalmette Regiment[1] |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Louis Alfred Wiltz (January 21, 1843 – October 16, 1881) was anAmerican politician from thestate ofLouisiana. He served as 29thgovernor of Louisiana from 1880 to 1881 and before that time was themayor of New Orleans,lieutenant governor of Louisiana, and a member of theLouisiana House of Representatives.
Wiltz was born on January 21, 1843[2] inNew Orleans to J.B. Theophile Wiltz and the former Louise Irene Villanueva. His paternal family were among the first German settlers in Louisiana and his mother came from a nobleSpanish family, her father coming to Louisiana with theSpanish Army.[3] He attended public school until the age of 15, when he began work with Plauche and Company. After the company failed, Wiltz became the clerk for the Second District Court of Louisiana. With the outbreak of theAmerican Civil War, Wiltz joined theConfederate States Army as aprivate but quickly rose to the rank ofcaptain. In 1863, Wiltz married Micael Bienvenu ofSt. Martinville, the seat ofSt. Martin Parish. They had four daughters and one son.
In 1868, Wiltz was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and the New Orleans School Board. In 1872, he was elected mayor but could not take office until January 1873 because of the refusal of theRepublican mayor to vacate the office. In addition to serving two years as mayor, Wiltz was once again elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and served as lieutenant governor. He was succeeded byE. D. Estilette.[4]
With the implementation of the new Louisiana state constitution of 1879, the gubernatorial term ofFrancis T. Nicholls was cut short by one year. An election was held in 1879, and Louis Wiltz easily defeated his Republican opponent. Wiltz's term as governor was one rife with corruption. The corruptLouisiana Lottery continued to have influence over the state legislature. The state treasurer,Edward A. Burke,embezzled state funds while the public schools were neglected, and black disenfranchisement continued.
Wiltz died oftuberculosis while in office on October 16, 1881, in New Orleans. Lieutenant GovernorSamuel D. McEnery, a fellowDemocrat, succeeded Wiltz.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Louisiana 1879 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Mayor of New Orleans November 30, 1872 – November 30, 1874 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives (disputed) 1875 Served alongside:Michael Hahn | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana 1877–1880 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Louisiana 1880–1881 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
