Mound Bayou -- Mayors
Location: Mound Bayou, Bolivar, Mississippi, United States
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Mayors of Mound Bayou
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| Former Mayors of Mound Bayou |
Isaiah T. Montgomery (1898-1902)
In the spring of 1887, Isaiah Montgomery and his wife, Martha (Robb) Montgomery (1852-1923), persuaded his cousin, Benjamin Titus Green (1854-1896), to purchase 840 acres of land which Montgomery christened as Mound Bayou. They advertised this new “colony” to Black residents in and around Vicksburg, and in 1888 set out to clear the land with a small group of “settlers.”
Martha Montgomery and Ben Green formed a partnership, and under the firm name of Montgomery and Green established a small mercantile business which served the needs of the community. The firm eventually purchased a saw-mill outfit which furnished the lumber from which most of the early homes were built. The sawmill was a source of revenue, and enabled the firm to erect the town's first cotton gin.
A town site was surveyed in 1889 and Isaiah and Ben began selling town lot to the settles on long terms. The colony continued to grow and in 1898 the citizens petitioned for Mound Bayou to be incorporated as a village. Isaiah T Montgomery was elected as the first mayor and qualified by the Chancery Clerk of the Court of Bolivar County August 16, 1898, with three Aldermen, namely: George W. Lee (Lee-44824)?, John W. Francis, and James Monroe Marr. Between the time of his election and his resignation in 1902, the town continued to prosper.
Aurelius Parker (A.P.) Hood (1902-1903)
The vacancy caused by Mr. Montgomery's resignation was filled by electing Aurelius Parker Hood (1872-1913), who only served to the end of the term. Mr. Hood was the author of the "NEGRO AT MOUND BAYOU."
John W. Cobbs (1903-1906)
The 3rd Mayor was Mr. John W. Cobbs (abt.1859-1906) who served one term and was reelected again, and served until his death, which occurred July 26, 1906.
B. H. Creswell (1906-1919)
On the 14th day of August, 1906 Benjamin Howard Creswell (1860-1934) was appointed Mayor of Mound Bayou to fill the vacancy occasioned by the passing of Mayor John W. Cobbs. The citizens were so pleased with his administration that as the terms of office expired he was re-elected each time until 1919.
Benjamin A Green (1919-1960)
Benjamin Allen Morris Green (1888-1960) was the first child born in the Town of Mound Bayou. His early education was obtained in the Public School and the Mound Bayou Normal Institute and Alcorn College. In 1909 he was graduated from Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., with an A.B. degree. He was a graduate of Harvard Law School in 1914, and admitted to practice law in the. State of Mississippi in January, 1914. In 1918 he volunteered in the World War, and served in France in the Judge Advocate Department. In 1919 he was elected Mayor of the Town of Mound Bayou, and served until November 10, 1960.
Wesley James Liddell (1961-1965)
Wesley James Liddell (1907-1999) was born on November 19, 1907 in Schlater, Leflore County, Mississippi, United States. Son of Henry and Ida Liddell.
For several months before Mayor Green passed, Mr. Liddell served as Mayor Pro-tem and carried out the duties so well that in a special election he was elected to carry out the unexpired term. On June 6, 1961 he was elected Mayor for a four-year term, and reelected to another term in 1965.
Earl S. Lucas (1969-1992)
Mr. Earl S. Lucas, was elected to the post in June of 1969, and was Center Director for the Systematic Training and Redevelopment Program. Under Mayor Lucas’ administration the planning commission was revitalized, a housing authority established, a comprehensive planning program instituted, and several proposals for federal funds completed, some of which were approved by the government. Mayor Lucas served from 1969 to 1992, when a special election was called, overturning his election in 1989.
Nerissa Norman (1992-2001)
Nerissa Virginia (Wilkerson) Norman (1923-2009), a 29-year school teacher, was elected in December 1992 becoming the first woman mayor of Mound Bayou. She served for nine years to 2001.
Under her leadership, the City was able to resolve old debts and deficits totaling nearly $400,000. Street light service was restored, and the City recovered after the 1994 ice storm. Mayor Norman received numerous awards and certificates of recognition during her tenure. She was featured in several magazines and literary publications, most notably, Marin Fletcher's Almost Heaven — Travels Through the Backwoods of America.
Kennedy Johnson (2001-2013)
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| Kennedy Johnson |
Kennedy Johnson, the brother-in-law of Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, was elected in 2001 and served for 12 years until 2013.
Under Mayor Kennedy Johnson’s leadership, during 2002-2003 grants in the amount of $12,500 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Save America’s Treasures and $87,500 from Mississippi African American Heritage Preservation were secured for work on the Isaiah T. Montgomery house to shore walls, floors, and prevent further damage to the house. The city’s board of aldermen collaborated with the Jackson Medical Mall and the Knights and Daughters of Tabor for a USDA grant in 2009. A second funding grant was in progress in 2011.
Mayor Johnson and the city leadership also collaborated with the Social Work Department of the University of Mississippi and provided support for youth leadership development under the direction of the social work faculty and students.
Darryl Johnson (2013-2017)
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| Darryl Johnson |
Rev. Darryl Johnson was elected in 2013 and served until 2017. During his term as mayor, he was active in developing and promoting the Historic Black Towns and Settlement Alliance (HBTSA) and remains active and involved in HBTSA as well as serving as Vice-president of Technology-Transfer for the World Conference of Mayors. He continues to focus on historic preservation efforts and economic development and cultural tourism and has remained actively involved in those efforts after his term as mayor.
Eulah Peterson (2017-2021)
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| Dr. Eulah Peterson |
Dr. Eulah Peterson was elected mayor in 2017 and was the second woman to serve as mayor. She has her doctorate in special education administration and spent thirty years working in education.
When Dr. Peterson assumed the office of mayor, the city was in serious debt. During her tenure, she oversaw the renovation of the heating/cooling system of City Hall and spearheaded significant improvements to the city's maintenance department by through the donation of several pieces of badly needed equipment.
She and the Board of Aldermen retired approximately $700,000 of the city's debt from previous administrations, leaving over her position with the city $340,000 in the black.
Leighton Aldridge (2021-present)
Elected in 2021, Leighton Aldridge is the current Mayor of Mound Bayou.
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