Edwin Gustav Preis

Background

Preis was born in Waterproof in southern Tensas Parish.

Career

There he engaged in business and served seven terms as mayor. After numerous election cycles without opposition, Preis was unseated in the fall of 2000 by Alex Davis, an African American who received 366 votes (568 percent) to Preis" 184 (286 percent), and 94 votes (146 percent) for a third candidate, F. A. "Coonie" McVay. A Mississippi River delta town, Newellton acquired a large majority of black voters after the passage of the Voting Rights Acting of 1965.

From 1976 to 1977, Preis was the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association.

He was known for trips to Washington, District of Columbia, from which he often secured such projects as water or sewer systems for his community. In the 1990s, he represented Louisiana at a meeting in the White House with United States. President Bill Clinton.

During the 1960s, when Newellton was the runner-up at state in its division, Preis served as an announcer at the games. Preis died of a short illness at the age of 95.

After services at the Newellton Union Church, he was interred at Legion Memorial Cemetery north of Newellton.

He had twelve grandchildren.

Achievements

• Preis was a founder of Little League in Tensas Parish and a devotee, particularly of the sports programs, of the since defunct Newellton High School.