J. Frank Colbert

J. Frank Colbert
Mayor of Minden, Louisiana
In office July 3, 1944 – July 1, 1946
Preceded by	John Calhoun Brown, mayor pro-tem
Succeeded by	John T. David
Member of Webster Parish Police Jury
In office 1912–1920
Preceded by	J. D. Taylor
Succeeded by	At large: J. H. Nelson M. D. Wren H. J. Heflin
In office 1936–1940
Preceded by	Walton Fort
Succeeded by	W. Matt Lowe
Louisiana State Representative from Webster Parish
In office 1920–1925
Preceded by	James Peter Kent
Succeeded by	J. S. Bacon
Personal details
Born	(1882-05-28)May 28, 1882 Webster Parish, Louisiana
Died	May 20, 1949(1949-05-20) (aged 66) Minden, Louisiana
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Never married
Occupation	Politician; newspaperman; businessman

Faded Colbert family tombstone at Minden Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana

Jefferson Franklin Colbert, known as J. Frank Colbert (May 28, 1882 – May 20, 1949), was a Democratic politician and Georgist based in Webster Parish, Louisiana. He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1920 to 1925.[1] he had previously and later again served on the Webster Parish Police Jury. During the Great Depression, he became involved in the Georgist movement and published an article about its single tax proposal.

Colbert also served from 1944 to 1946 as the mayor of the small city of Minden, the seat of government of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana. He later worked in real estate.

Background

Colbert was born in Webster Parish in 1882 to John A. Colbert and his third wife, the former Sarah Eliza Taylor.[2]

Political career

[3][4][5]

Henry Georg movement

[6][7]

Mayoral service

Colbert won the primary for the mayor's office by 26 votes, 731 votes (50.9 percent) to 705 (49.1 percent).[8] Given Democratic dominance of the state, and disenfranchisement of most African Americans, who had supported Republicans, Colbert won the general election and served for two years. He did not seek a second two-year term as mayor in 1946.[9]

Death

References

1. "Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2016: Webster Parish" (PDF). house.louisiana.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
2. Respect for the Past; Confidence in the Future: Webster Parish Centennial, 1871-1971, Webster Parish Police Jury, pp. 14-16
3. "Connell Fort Dies Saturday Night at His Residence Here: Was Great Civic Worker and Builder of This City," Webster Signal-Tribune, March 5, 1937, pp. 1, 6
4. Minden Herald, January 15, 1944
5. "Kennon Will Meet Judge Drew in Runoff; Overton Brooks Leads Race", Minden Herald, September 13, 1940, p. 1
6. "Biographical History of the Georgist Movement". Cooperativeindividualism.org/georgists. Archived from the original on July 15, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
7. "J. Frank Colbert, "Taxation and Prosperity"". Cooperativeindividualism.org. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
8. "Official Returns Given for Minden Primary Election", Minden Herald, April 14, 1944, p. 1
9. The Minden Herald, February 22, 1946, p. 1

Political offices
Preceded by James Peter Kent	State Representative for Webster Parish Jefferson Franklin Colbert 1920—1925	Succeeded by J. S. Bacon
Preceded by John Calhoun Brown, mayor pro-tem	Mayor of Minden, Louisiana Jefferson Franklin Colbert 1944—1946	Succeeded by John T. David
Preceded by J. D. Taylor	Member of the Webster Parish Police Jury Jefferson Franklin Colbert. 1912—1920	Succeeded by At-large in Ward 4: M. D. Wren James Harvey "J. H." Nelson H. J. Heflin
Preceded by Walton Fort	Member of the Webster Parish Police Jury Jefferson Franklin Colbert. 1936—1940	Succeeded by W. Matt Lowe