John Baptist Lafargue
American educator and editor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Baptist LaFargue (June 1864 – after 1937) was an American educator,[1] school founder, principal, newspaper publisher, and editor in Louisiana.[2]
John B. Lafargue
John Baptist LaFargue | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1864 Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | After 1937 |
| Other names | J. B. Lafargue, John B. Lafargue |
| Occupations | Educator, school founder, principal, newspaper publisher, newspaper editor |
| Spouse | Sarah C. B. Mayo |
Biography
John Baptist LaFargue was born June 1864 in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.[2] He studied at a school established with support from the Peabody Educational Fund.[3]
LaFargue worked for 14 years to establish the first "colored" newspaper in the area at the Marksville Bulletin office in Marksville, Louisiana.[2] He was a former editor of the National Alliance; and the editor and publisher of the Advance Messenger newspaper in Alexandria, Louisiana.[2] He edited The Banner newspaper in Alexandria, Louisiana.[4]
LaFargue founded in 1895 the Peabody Industrial School (now Peabody Magnet High School) in Alexandria;[5][6] and was the school principal for many years.[7][8] He organized the Colored State Teachers Association in Louisiana in 1901, and was elected Conductor of the Parish Teachers’ Institute for over 20 years.[9][8] He was state secretary of the CFA.[10]
He married Sarah C. B. Mayo in 1887.[2] She was the daughter of John Mayo, a former representative of the Louisiana House of Representatives.[2]
Legacy
There is a J. B. Lafargue Special Education Center in Rapides Parish. He will be part of a future PBS documentary by Ken Burns, "Emancipation to Exodus".[8][11]