Alexander MOUTON, Congress, LA (1804-1885)

MOUTON, Alexander, a Senator from Louisiana; born in Attakapas district, now Lafayette Parish, La., November 19, 1804; pursued classical studies and graduated from Georgetown College, District of Columbia; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1825 and commenced practice in Lafayette Parish; planter; member, State house of representatives 1827-1832, and served as speaker 1831-1832; presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1828, 1832, and 1836; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1830 to the Twenty-second Congress; member, State house of representatives 1836; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alexander Porter, was reelected to the full term, and served from January 12, 1837, until his resignation on March 1, 1842; chairman, Committee on Agriculture (Twenty-sixth Congress); Governor of Louisiana 1842-1846; actively involved in railroads; president of the State secession convention in 1861; died near Vermillionville (now Lafayette), La., on February 12, 1885; interment in St. John’s Cemetery.

Bibliography

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present