Changes

| term_start=1952​

| term_start=1952​

| term_end=July 25, 1959​

| term_end=July 25, 1959​

| preceded=[[Lizzie P. Thompson]]​

| preceded=Lizzie P. Thompson]

| succeeded=[[Mary Smith Gleason]]​

| succeeded=Mary Smith Gleason​

| birth_date=September 9, 1899​

| birth_date=September 9, 1899​

| death_date=July 25, 1959 (aged 59)​

| death_date=July 25, 1959 (aged 59)​

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​

'''Ernest Dewey Gleason''', known as '''E. D. Gleason''' (September 9, 1899 &ndash; July 25, 1959),<ref name=mcr>Minden Cemetery records, Minden, Louisiana</ref><ref>There is a possibility that, despite the gravestone label, Gleason was born on September 9, 1900; he was not listed in the [[1900 U.S. Census]] with his family, which would have been the case had he been born in 1899; his [[World War I]] draft card reveals he was born in 1900.</ref> was a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state representative from the Evergreen Community north of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in  northwestern [[Louisiana]]. Gleason served from 1952 until his death at the end of his second term. He was briefly succeeded in office by his widow, Mary Smith Gleason (1899-1967), who was appointed for the remaining eight months by then [[Governor]] [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]].​

'''Ernest Dewey Gleason''', known as '''E. D. Gleason''' (September 9, 1899 &ndash; July 25, 1959),<ref name=mcr>Minden Cemetery records, Minden, Louisiana</ref><ref>There is a possibility that, despite the gravestone label, Gleason was born on September 9, 1900; he was not listed in the [[1900 U.S. Census]] with his family, which would have been the case had he been born in 1899; his [[World War I]] draft card reveals he was born in 1900.</ref> was a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state representative from the Evergreen Community north of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in  northwestern [[Louisiana]]. Gleason served from 1952 until his death at the end of his second term. He was briefly succeeded in office by his widow, Mary Smith Gleason (1899-1967), who was appointed for the remaining eight months by then [[Governor]] [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]].​

 

==Background==​

==Background==

Gleason was born in [[rural]] Shongaloo in central Webster Parish to William Thomas Gleason (1868-1947), a planter and banker,<ref>"W. T. Gleason, Planter, Banker, Succumbs Sunday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 18, 1947.</ref> and the former Ida Camille Lunsford (1867-1909), who is interred at Cotton Valley Cemetery in nearby [[Cotton Valley, Louisiana|Cotton Valley]].<ref name=idagleason>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gleason&GSfn=Ida&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1168&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=127872950&df=all&|title=Ida Camille Lunsford Gleason|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref> His mother died when Gleason was about ten years of age. His father remarried. Gleason's stepmother was the former Annie Craton (1877-1952), the aunt of the 38-year Webster Parish tax assessor, Richard B. Garrison (1916-1991),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Garrison&GSfn=Richard&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1168&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=139251091&df=all&|title=Retired Tax Assessor dies: Richard B. Garrison|publisher=''[[Minden Press-Herald]]'' on findagrave.com|date=August 28, 1991|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref> She was the sister of William Banks Craton (1904-1989), and the Minden banker James Aubrey Craton (1908-1999).<ref name=mcr/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=124461457|title=Prominent Minden Woman Dies After Long Illness|publisher=''Minden Press'' on findagrave.com|date=February 22, 1952|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref>​

Gleason was born in [[rural]] Shongaloo in central Webster Parish to William Thomas Gleason (1868-1947), a planter and banker,<ref>"W. T. Gleason, Planter, Banker, Succumbs Sunday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 18, 1947.</ref> and the former Ida Camille Lunsford (1867-1909), who is interred at Cotton Valley Cemetery in nearby [[Cotton Valley, Louisiana|Cotton Valley]].<ref name=idagleason>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gleason&GSfn=Ida&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1168&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=127872950&df=all&|title=Ida Camille Lunsford Gleason|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref> His mother died when Gleason was about ten years of age. His father remarried. Gleason's stepmother was the former Annie Craton (1877-1952), the aunt of the 38-year Webster Parish tax assessor, Richard B. Garrison (1916-1991),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Garrison&GSfn=Richard&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1168&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=139251091&df=all&|title=Retired Tax Assessor dies: Richard B. Garrison|publisher=''[[Minden Press-Herald]]'' on findagrave.com|date=August 28, 1991|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref> She was the sister of William Banks Craton (1904-1989), and the Minden banker James Aubrey Craton (1908-1999).<ref name=mcr/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=124461457|title=Prominent Minden Woman Dies After Long Illness|publisher=''Minden Press'' on findagrave.com|date=February 22, 1952|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref>​

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Gleason ran unsuccessfully in 1944 for the Webster Parish Police Jury, having been defeated by a 20-vote margin by the incumbent John Lewis "J. L." Munn (1891-1964), a minister who served from 1936 to 1952.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 15, 1944, p. 1.</ref> After the police jury candidacy, the Gleasons lost one of their three sons, Thomas D. Gleason (1924-1944), to hostile action in the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]].<ref name=mcr/>​

Gleason ran unsuccessfully in 1944 for the Webster Parish Police Jury, having been defeated by a 20-vote margin by the incumbent John Lewis "J. L." Munn (1891-1964), a minister who served from 1936 to 1952.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 15, 1944, p. 1.</ref> After the police jury candidacy, the Gleasons lost one of their three sons, Thomas D. Gleason (1924-1944), to hostile action in the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]].<ref name=mcr/>​

 

==Political career==​

==Political career==​

In 1947, Gleason joined Minden accountant Larkin L. Greer (1902–1991) and attorney [[Floyd D. Culbertson, Jr.]], who had been the mayor of Minden from 1940 to 1942, as co-chairmen of the Webster Parish "Kennon Club" to support [[Robert F. Kennon]] for [[governor]]. Earlier Kennon had been the mayor of Minden for two years and for a time held the record as the youngest mayor in the nation. Kennon, however, was eliminated in the Democratic primary. Former Governor Earl Long defeated another former governor, [[Sam Houston Jones]], to return to office in 1948.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' November 7, 1947, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1947, Gleason joined Minden accountant Larkin L. Greer (1902–1991) and attorney [[Floyd D. Culbertson, Jr.]], who had been the mayor of Minden from 1940 to 1942, as co-chairmen of the Webster Parish "Kennon Club" to support [[Robert F. Kennon]] for [[governor]]. Earlier Kennon had been the mayor of Minden for two years and for a time held the record as the youngest mayor in the nation. Kennon, however, was eliminated in the Democratic primary. Former Governor Earl Long defeated another former governor, [[Sam Houston Jones]], to return to office in 1948.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' November 7, 1947, p. 1.</ref>​

 

Gleason was elected to succeed interim Representative [[Lizzie P. Thompson]] of Doyline, who also had been appointed by Governor Earl Long when her husband, Representative [[C.W. Thompson]], died in office in 1951. In his successful legislative race, Gleason ran newspaper advertising on the theme "Better Highways".<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 23, 1951, p. 9.</ref> As a lawmaker, Gleason worked alongside the Bossier-Webster state senators,  John Jones Doles, Sr. (1895-1970), a banker from Plain Dealing and [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], a [[business]]man from [[Bossier City]] and Minden. As a state representative, Gleason worked for an extra judgeship for the 26th Judicial District, the establishment of the National Guard armory on Constable Street in Minden (since relocated), expansion of the Cotton Valley oil field, and several highway projects.<ref name=edg>"E.D. Gleason Final Rites Held at Evergreen Today," ''Minden Herald,'' July 27, 1959, p. 1.</ref>​

Gleason was elected to succeed interim Representative [[zzie P. Thompson]]f Doyline, who also had been appointed by Governor Earl Long when her husband, Representative [[C.W. Thompson]], died in office in 1951. In his successful legislative race, Gleason ran newspaper advertising on the theme "Better Highways".<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 23, 1951, p. 9.</ref> As a lawmaker, Gleason worked alongside the Bossier-Webster state senators,  John Jones Doles, Sr. (1895-1970), a banker from Plain Dealing and [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], a [[business]]man from [[Bossier City]] and Minden. As a state representative, Gleason worked for an extra judgeship for the 26th Judicial District, the establishment of the National Guard armory on Constable Street in Minden (since relocated), expansion of the Cotton Valley oil field, and several highway projects.<ref name=edg>"E.D. Gleason Final Rites Held at Evergreen Today," ''Minden Herald,'' July 27, 1959, p. 1.</ref>​

 

In 1956, Gleason won another legislative term by defeating in a runoff election Dr. Paul Murdoch Campbell (1913-1987), who resigned from the Minden City Council to make the race. Gleason polled 4,236 votes to Campbell's 3,998.<ref>"Second Primary Official Returns Promulgated," ''Minden Herald,'' March 1, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the earlier primary contest, two other candidates, B. C. Eeds of Cullen, south of Springhill, and the Minden barber Homer D. Acklen (1907–1981), were eliminated from the competition.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the campaign, Gleason voiced support for [[right-to-work]] legislation, which he said would strengthen [[organized labor]] by requiring the highest standards to recruit workers into union ranks.<ref>''Minden Herald'' (advertisement), January 26, 1956, p. 11.</ref>​

In 1956, Gleason won another legislative term by defeating in a runoff election Dr. Paul Murdoch Campbell (1913-1987), who resigned from the Minden City Council to make the race. Gleason polled 4,236 votes to Campbell's 3,998.<ref>"Second Primary Official Returns Promulgated," ''Minden Herald,'' March 1, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the earlier primary contest, two other candidates, B. C. Eeds of Cullen, south of Springhill, and the Minden barber Homer D. Acklen (1907–1981), were eliminated from the competition.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the campaign, Gleason voiced support for [[right-to-work]] legislation, which he said would strengthen [[organized labor]] by requiring the highest standards to recruit workers into union ranks.<ref>''Minden Herald'' (advertisement), January 26, 1956, p. 11.</ref>​

 

Gleason introduced a bill for a new one-cent state [[sales tax]] earmarked for teacher salaries. Governor Earl Long voiced opposition to the tax, but Gleason said that he believed Long would reverse himself if sufficient public support for the tax increase developed among the electorate.<ref>"Gleason Proposes 1-cent Sales Tax Bill," ''Minden Press,'' May 5, 1958, p. 1.</ref> He also supported [[segregation]], as did most Louisiana lawmakers at the time of the [[civil rights]] movement.<ref name=edg/> Gleason also supported a bill to make [[liability insurance]] compulsory.<ref>''Minden Press,'' February 24, 1958, p. 1.</ref> Gleason supported [[right-to-work]] legislation, his view having been that workers should not be forced into [[organized labor|union]] membership.<ref>Advertisement, ''Minden Herald'' and ''Webster Review'', January 26, 1956</ref> He also favored old-age pensions and expanded farm-to-market roads.<ref>''Minden Herald and Webster Review,'' December 8, 1955, p. 9.</ref>​

Gleason introduced a bill for a new one-cent state [[sales tax]] earmarked for teacher salaries. Governor Earl Long voiced opposition to the tax, but Gleason said that he believed Long would reverse himself if sufficient public support for the tax increase developed among the electorate.<ref>"Gleason Proposes 1-cent Sales Tax Bill," ''Minden Press,'' May 5, 1958, p. 1.</ref> He also supported [[segregation]], as did most Louisiana lawmakers at the time of the [[civil rights]] movement.<ref name=edg/> Gleason also supported a bill to make [[liability insurance]] compulsory.<ref>''Minden Press,'' February 24, 1958, p. 1.</ref> Gleason supported [[right-to-work]] legislation, his view having been that workers should not be forced into [[organized labor|union]] membership.<ref>Advertisement, ''Minden Herald'' and ''Webster Review'', January 26, 1956</ref> He also favored old-age pensions and expanded farm-to-market roads.<ref>''Minden Herald and Webster Review,'' December 8, 1955, p. 9.</ref>​

 

==The race to succeed Gleason==​

==Choosing Gleason's successor==

 

Gleason filed for a third term in 1959<ref>"Gleason Announces His Intentions for Re-Election," ''Minden Herald,'' April 20, 1959, p. 1.</ref> but died of a [[heart attack]] in the Minden Sanitarium three months later. Services were held at the Evergreen [[Southern Baptist|Baptist]] Church. He is interred at Minden Cemetery. In addition to his wife, he was survived by two other sons, William Ernest "Cotton" Gleason, Sr. (1919-1980), an educator who taught at [[Minden (Louisiana) High School|Minden High School]], relocated to Plaquemine in Iberville Parish and later returned to Evergreen, where he is interred at Evergreen Cemetery,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gleason&GSfn=William&GSmn=E&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=66212140&df=all&|title=William Ernest Gleason, Sr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref> and Charles E. Gleason of [[Shreveport]]; a brother, Raleigh Rogerson Gleason (1903-1964), a bank vice-president from Minden, and a sister, Gladys G. McGritinsey of Shreveport.<ref name=edg /> Another brother, William Charles Gleason (1890-1957), lived in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref name=idagleason/>​

Gleason filed for a third term in 1959<ref>"Gleason Announces His Intentions for Re-Election," ''Minden Herald,'' April 20, 1959, p. 1.</ref> but died of a [[heart attack]] in the Minden Sanitarium three months later. Services were held at the Evergreen [[Southern Baptist|Baptist]] Church. He is interred at Minden Cemetery. In addition to his wife, he was survived by two other sons, William Ernest "Cotton" Gleason, Sr. (1919-1980), an educator who taught at [[Minden (Louisiana) High School|Minden High School]], relocated to Plaquemine in Iberville Parish and later returned to Evergreen, where he is interred at Evergreen Cemetery,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gleason&GSfn=William&GSmn=E&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=66212140&df=all&|title=William Ernest Gleason, Sr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}</ref> and Charles E. Gleason of [[Shreveport]]; a brother, Raleigh Rogerson Gleason (1903-1964), a bank vice-president from Minden, and a sister, Gladys G. McGritinsey of Shreveport.<ref name=edg /> Another brother, William Charles Gleason (1890-1957), lived in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref name=idagleason/>​

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