W. H. Rogers

W. H. Rogers was an American politician. He was a state legislator in Georgia and was the only African-American to serve in the 99th Georgia State Assembly. He represented McIntosh County, Georgia from 1902 until 1907.[2][3]

W. H. Rogers
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the McIntosh County district
In office
1902–1907
Succeeded byF. H. McFarlane
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
ProfessionPolitician
[1][2]

Political career

Rogers was elected to represent McIntosh County, Georgia in the 99th Georgia State Assembly and took office in 1902.[2] He was the only African American serving in the 99th Assembly. His racist opponents launched a campaign against him using the slogan "Redeem McIntosh County."[4] He ran for re-election in 1904 and 1906, winning both elections.[5]

He resigned in 1907[6] when a bill to disenfranchise African Americans passed in Georgia’s legislature.[7] It was signed in 1907 by Georgia governor Hoke Smith.[7] Rogers sent his resignation letter directly to Smith.[5][8] In 1908, the Macon Telegraph stated that Rogers would be "perhaps the last [negro] that will have had a seat in the General Assembly of Georgia."[1]

Rogers was the last African American to serve in Georgia’s legislature[9] until 1963 when Leroy Johnson was elected to the Georgia Senate.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Early Law Makers Already on Scene". The Macon Telegraph. 23 June 1908. p. 1. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  2. Legare, John Girardeau (July 1, 2012). The Darien Journal of John Girardeau Legare, Ricegrower. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 9780820343105 – via Google Books.
  3. "Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia at the regular session of the General Assembly at Atlanta, Wednesday, June 26, 1907 - Digital Library of Georgia".
  4. Bacote, Clarence Albert (July 17, 1987). "The Negro in Georgia Politics, 1880-1908". University of Chicago – via Google Books.
  5. Galphin, Bruce (10 May 1965). "The Last Negro State Representative". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 4. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. "Today in 1868, a Convention Was Held, Which Protested the Expulsion of Blacks From Georgia's State Legislature". October 6, 2020.
  7. Grantham, Dewey W. (March 1, 1967). Hoke Smith and the Politics of the New South. LSU Press. ISBN 9780807101186 – via Google Books.
  8. "Negro Legislator Sends Resignation". The Macon News. 11 September 1907. p. 8. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  9. Admin, Super. "Black Legislators during Reconstruction".
  10. Hornsby, Alton Jr. (August 23, 2011). Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781573569767 – via Google Books.
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