Skip to content

Biography · Politics & Public Life

Josiah T. Walls

1842–1905

United States

Source image for Josiah T. WallsLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

Josiah Thomas Walls (December 30, 1842 – May 15, 1905) was an American farmer, lawyer, and politician who served all or some of three terms in the United States House of Representatives between 1871 and 1876. A member of the Republican Party, he was one of the first African Americans in the United States Congress elected during the Reconstruction Era, and the first black person to be elected to Congress from Florida. He also served four terms in the Florida Senate.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Continue exploring Series 1

Civil Rights & Public Life →

Explore all Series 1 cards →