John T. Gunnell (1836 – June 26, 1902[1]) served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1881 to 1883 during the Third General Assembly. He has the distinction of being the first African American to serve in the Colorado Legislature.[2][3][4] He chaired the committee on federal relations, was a member of committee on elections and apportionment as well as the penitentiary committee[5] He represented Arapahoe County, Colorado, which at that time included Denver[6]
John T. Gunnell | |
|---|---|
| Colorado House of Representatives | |
| In office 1881–? | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1836 |
| Died | June 26, 1902 (aged 65–66) |
| Political party | Republican |
Representative Gunnell was not absent one day of the legislative session. Representative Gunnell sponsored House Bill 57, "A bill for an act tenants-at-will or monthly renters" which was introduced on January 15, 1881. House Bill 57 passed committee but was postponed indefinitely on February 9, 1881.[7]
He is listed in an 1876 Arapahoe County city directory.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "History | Equity & Engagement". Denver Public Schools. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ Armstrong, Ari (June 15, 2020). "Armstrong: Colorado's remarkable early black legislators". Complete Colorado - Page Two.
- ^ "History Café celebrates Black History Month". February 28, 2019.
- ^ "Notes on Joseph H. Stuart « Liberty 'Gator".
- ^ Representatives, Colorado Legislative Assembly House of (February 1, 1881). "House Journal of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Colorado" – via Google Books.
- ^ "Leadville Democrat February 24, 1881 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection". www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org.
- ^ "Colorado House Journal 1881". Univ of Colo Law.
- ^ "Denver 1876 City Directory [F-H], Arapahoe County, Colorado". USGenWeb Archives. April 8, 1999. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "John T. Gunnell dead". The Delta Independent. 4 July 1902. p. 4. Retrieved 14 February 2021.