From Slave to State Legislator: John W. E. Thomas, Illinois' First African American Lawmaker

Contents

Contents Acknowledgments ix Chronology: John William Edinburgh Thomas xi Introduction: “A Representative of Its Colored Citizens” 1 1. “Let Us Come Out Like Men”: The Historic Election of 1876 6 2. “An Able, Attentive, and Sensible Representative”: The First Term and a Failed Reelection Bid 25 3. “Justly Entitled to Representation”: The Long Road Back to the Legislature 51 4. “Advising Moderation in All Things”: The 1883 Legislative Session and Colored Convention 74 5. “We Are Here as Citizens”: Reelection, the Civil Rights Bill, and Another Colored Convention 96 6. “By No Means an Unimportant Position”: Election to the Office of South Town Clerk in 1887 125 7. “You Ought Not to Insult the Colored People!”: Final Bids for Office 147 8. “Forget Personal Grievances”: Uniting the Community as Elder Statesman 169 Conclusion: “Leader of the Colored Race Is Dead” 194 Appendix A: Illinois’ Leading African American Politicians, 1870–99 205 Appendix B: Illinois Civil Rights Act of 1885 211 Notes 213 Bibliography 239 Index 247 Gallery following page 124 ...