After the Civil War , Poindexter was a leading advocate for education of black children . He was a delegate to the 1872 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia and was a delegate to state conventions many times . In 1873 , he was the first black man in Ohio nominated to run for a seat in the House of Representatives . He was nominated by the Republican Party , but was defeated by the overwhelmingly Democratic electorate in Franklin County
1872 Republican National Convention
1872 Republican National Convention
James Preston Poindexter