Andre Bienvenu Roman

Background

André Bienvenue Roman was born in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States the son of Jacques Etienne and Marie Louise (Patin) Roman and the grandson of Jacques Roman who emigrated to Louisiana from Grenoble, France, before 1741.

Education

He was early taken to St. James Parish, Louisiana, United States where his father established a sugar plantation. He graduated from St. Mary's College at Baltimore, Maryland, United States in 1815 and established himself on a plantation in St. James Parish.

Career

His public life began in 1818 with his election to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he retained his seat, often without opposition, for many years, during four of which he served as speaker. This service was interrupted in 1826 for two years, while he acted as parish judge. This office he resigned, however, to return to the lower house, where he was again discharging the duties of speaker when he was elected governor. His two gubernatorial terms, with the four years' interval required by law, embraced the period from 1831 to 1843, a period of disaster when the state was scourged by epidemics and flood. Under the governor's insistence a board of public works and a fund for internal improvements was created by law. Under this act many of the water courses were cleared of their obstructions and numerous improvements accomplished. The board effected also the incorporation of the New Orleans drainage company. Roman accepted the presidency of that company after his retirement from office and held it long enough to render important service to the city in planning a system of drainage to relieve it of the immense swamp lying behind it. Since Roman headed the list of private subscribers who sponsored the opening of Jefferson College in St. James Parish, and since he obtained its incorporation in 1831, he may justly be regarded as the founder of that institution. The construction of the state penitentiary at Baton Rouge, based on modern ideals of prison management, was due to him, and the incorporation in 1834 of the New Orleans chamber of commerce won his hearty endorsement. His natural solicitude for the planting interests prompted the formation of a state agricultural society, of which he later became the zealous president. An experimental farm was created in St. James Parish, but, as adequate support was not forthcoming, both the farm and society ceased to exist. His suggestions and exertions, continued through both terms, gave the first practical impetus to the establishment of public common schools in the state. Equally important on the negative side was his courageous use and threat of use of the veto power against plunging the state into debt by unsound railroad legislation, an action that brought upon him general and severe condemnation. His historical interest led him to obtain a small appropriation for the copying of manuscripts in the Paris archives on the colonial history of the state. His second term was notable for financial derangements, during which he insisted on Louisiana paying her bonds. In spite of his effort to retire quietly to his plantation after his second term, he was recalled to public life for special services. In 1845 and 1852 he was called to state constitutional conventions; in 1848 he was sent to Europe as agent for two banks to obtain extension of time for payment of interest and renewal of the bonds. A Whig in politics, moderate in his attitude toward the abolition movement, he opposed disunion strenuously; but as a delegate to the state secession convention of 1861 he yielded to the majority. He even accepted appointment from the Confederate provisional government on the commission created to confer with the United States for peaceable separation. Although he was too old to enter military service, he remained faithful to the Confederacy, refusing to protect his property by the oath of allegiance after the occupation of the state by federal troops. At the close of the war, about six weeks before his death, destitute and despondent, he accepted from Governor Wells a petty office, recorder of deeds and mortgages in New Orleans. The qualities of good judgment and unflinching firmness could scarcely be denied him, and he has been conceded to be one of Louisiana's ablest governors.

Politics

A Whig in politics, moderate in his attitude toward the abolition movement, he opposed disunion strenuously; but as a delegate to the state secession convention of 1861 he yielded to the majority.

Views

His natural solicitude for the planting interests prompted the formation of a state agricultural society, of which he later became the zealous president.

Personality

The qualities of good judgment and unflinching firmness could scarcely be denied him, and he has been conceded to be one of Louisiana's ablest governors.

Connections

He was married in 1816 to Aimee Fransoise Parent. They had five children

Wife:

Aimee

He was married in 1816 to Aimee Fransoise Parent.