Paul Capdevielle

Not to be confused with Paul Capdeville.

Paul Capdevielle (January 15, 1842^[2] – August 14, 1922) was an American politician who was mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, from May 9, 1900, to December 5, 1904.

Paul Capdevielle
45th Mayor of New Orleans
In office May 7, 1900 – December 5, 1904
Preceded by	Walter C. Flower
Succeeded by	Martin Behrman
Personal details
Born	(1842-01-15)January 15, 1842 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	August 14, 1922(1922-08-14) (aged 80) Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
Resting place	St. Louis Cemetery No. 2[1] New Orleans, Louisiana
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marie Emma Larue
Profession	Military, politician
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861-1865
Rank	Private
Unit	New Orleans Guard Infantry, Boone's Artillery, Legardeur's Artillery
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Biography

Of French descent, he was educated at the Jesuit College of New Orleans, graduating in 1861. He served in the Confederate Army in the American Civil War, in the New Orleans Guard Regiment of Infantry, then in Boone's Louisiana Artillery. He was captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana in July, 1863. Paroled shortly afterward, and subsequently exchanged, he entered Legardeur's artillery battery, and continued in the Confederate service till the close of the war, when he surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, returning to New Orleans on foot.

He read law at the Tulane University Law School, graduating in 1868, and worked as an attorney until 1892. In 1892 he gave up the law to accept the presidency of the Merchants' Insurance Company, an important firm which was eventually liquidated. For thirteen years Capdevielle was its president.

1917 cartoon depicting former mayor Capdeville when he was Auditor of the State of Louisiana

His political history began in 1877, when he was appointed to the State School Board by Governor Nicholls. While he was a member of this body the entire state school system was reorganized and put into effective operation. Subsequently, he was appointed a member of the New Orleans Levee Board. In the election of 1900 he was the nominee of the Regular Democratic Organization; he won with 19,366 votes versus 13,099 for his predecessor Walter C. Flower.

His tenure as mayor was marked by the installation of the modern sewage and drainage system, by the Robert Charles race riots, and a visit by President William McKinley (the first US president to visit the city while in office).

After his mayoral term, Capdevielle served as president of the New Orleans Public Library Board and as State Auditor of Public Accounts. He is buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 2.

Honors

Honors conferred to Mr Capdevielle:^[2]

• Cross of the Legion of Honor 1902.
• Cross of Commander of the Order of Saint Olaff, 1902.
• Cross of Honor, United Daughters of the Confederacy.
• Degree of LL, St Louis University, 1904.