Curtis Hooks Brogden

Republican Representative of North Carolina's 2nd district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1816 (85 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1901

Death

Served as the 42nd governor of North Carolina from 1874 to 1877 during the Reconstruction era.
Initially elected as the 2nd lieutenant governor of North Carolina on the Republican ticket in 1872.
Had a long political career starting in 1838, including serving in the North Carolina House of Commons, as a state senator, state comptroller, and U.S. Congressman.
Born into a Quaker family of English descent and was a self-taught individual.
Served in the North Carolina state militia, rising to the rank of major general, and supported the Confederate cause during the Civil War without holding a field command.
Initially a Jacksonian Democrat, he switched to the Republican Party after the Civil War, supporting negro suffrage and aligning with Radical Republicans on Reconstruction policies.
As governor, focused on railroad construction, higher education, and attempted to work with the Democrats who controlled the state legislature.
Advocated for the establishment of a college for blacks, a goal realized after his tenure with the founding of what became North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
After his political career, returned to farming and became one of the largest landowners in Wayne County.
Died a lifelong bachelor in 1901 and is buried in Willowdale Cemetery in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
His legacy includes Brogden Middle School in Wayne County being named after him and a historical marker marking the site of his home.