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ANDRE B. ROMAN was born in Opelousas County, Louisiana on March 5, 1795. His education was attained at St. Mary's College in Baltimore, Maryland, where he graduated from in 1815. Roman entered politics in 1818, serving as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, a position he held until 1826. He also served as speaker of the house from 1822 to 1826, was judge of St. James Parish from 1826 to 1828, and served again in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1828 to 1831. Roman was elected governor in a special election that was held on July 5, 1830. He was reelected to a second term in 1838. During his tenure, a state agricultural society was formed, the Ponchartrain Railroad initiated service, a board of public works was established, several new banks were organized, and a state penitentiary was authorized in Baton Rouge. Also, severe flooding and a yellow fever epidemic were dealt with, the College of Franklin and College of Jefferson were both founded, the office of state engineer was instituted, imprisonment for debt was eliminated, the Bank Act of 1842 was sanctioned, and funding was secured for the replication of parish archives that related to state colonial history. After Roman's term ended on February 2, 1843, he continued to stay active in public service. He served as a delegate to the 1845 and the 1852 State Constitutional Conventions, and was a delegate to the 1861 State Secession Convention. Governor Andre B. Roman died on January 26, 1866, and was buried at the Oak Alley Plantation Cemetery in St. James, Louisiana.

Sources:

Dawson III, Joseph G. The Louisiana Governors: From Iberville to Edwards. Baton Rouge: Lousiana State University Press, 1990.

Encyclopedia Louisiana

The Political Graveyard

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.