33 Facts About Michael Hahn

George Michael Decker Hahn, was an attorney, politician, publisher and planter in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Michael Hahn served twice in Congress during two widely separated periods, elected first as a Unionist to the US House of Representatives in 1862, as a Republican to the US Senate in 1865, and later as a Republican to the US House of Representatives in 1884.

Michael Hahn was elected as the 19th Governor of Louisiana, serving from 1864 to 1865 during the American Civil War, when the state was occupied by Union troops.

Michael Hahn was the first German-born governor in the United States, and is claimed as the first ethnic Jewish governor.

In 1865, Hahn was elected to the US Senate, but Radical Republicans refused to allow him or other senators-elect from former Confederate states to be seated.

Michael Hahn was active as a publisher and editor, owning and operating three newspapers in succession that supported the Republican Party, its program, and its candidates in the state.

Michael Hahn spent much of his wealth in supporting these papers.

Michael Hahn continued to be politically active, being elected to Congress from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district in 1884 with a strong majority.

Michael Hahn served about a year before his death in office.

Michael Hahn was born in 1830 as the last child in his family, in Klingenmunster, Palatinate, then part of the Kingdom of Bavaria, now of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

In 1851, Michael Hahn graduated from the University of Louisiana with a law degree.

Michael Hahn worked in Roselius's office after getting his degree.

Michael Hahn joined the Democratic party faction led by Pierre Soule.

In 1860, Michael Hahn opposed secession, delivering a pro-Union speech in Lafayette Square.

Michael Hahn avoided taking an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.

Michael Hahn was one of two Louisiana Representatives seated in the 37th Congress, which adjourned on March 4,1863, during the Civil War.

Michael Hahn purchased a pro-slavery newspaper, the New Orleans True Delta, and used it to promote moderate Unionism supporting Banks' plan, including emancipation of slaves.

Michael Hahn was elected as the first German-born governor of an American state.

Michael Hahn is claimed as the first ethnic Jewish governor in the United States; by then he was worshipping as an Episcopalian.

On March 4,1864, Michael Hahn was inaugurated as governor of Union-held Louisiana in an elaborate ceremony paid for by General Banks.

Michael Hahn approved the state's ratification of the 15th Amendment.

Michael Hahn's administration made serious attempts to ensure enfranchisement of black Louisianans, laid the foundation for a public school system for blacks, and began an aborted Reconstruction in Louisiana.

Governor Hahn played a leading role in the state constitutional convention of 1864, but he was opposed by Major General Stephen A Hurlbut, who replaced Banks as commander of the Department of the Gulf.

Michael Hahn resigned as governor in March 1865, and was elected by the state legislature to the US Senate in 1865.

Senator-elect Michael Hahn returned to New Orleans and allied with radical Republicans calling for a convention to revise Louisiana's Constitution of 1864 to include black suffrage.

Michael Hahn was shot and severely wounded on July 30,1866, in the New Orleans Riot.

In 1867, Michael Hahn became editor and manager of the New Orleans Republican newspaper, his platform for opposing President Andrew Johnson's lenient Reconstruction program.

In 1872, Michael Hahn retired to a plantation in St Charles Parish.

From 1872 to 1878 Michael Hahn served in the Louisiana State Legislature.

Michael Hahn was elected as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives amid the Wheeler Compromise.

At that point, Michael Hahn was appointed Judge of the 26th state judicial district, which included Saint John the Baptist, Saint Charles, and Jefferson parishes.

Michael Hahn's funeral was conducted by an Episcopal priest, and he was buried in New Orleans's Metairie Cemetery.

Michael Hahn had spent much of his previous wealth in trying to maintain the Republican-oriented newspapers he published.