Reuben Kolb

Reuben Francis Kolb (1839–1918) was an Alabama politician. Kolb ran unsuccessfully for governor of Alabama thrice, in 1890, 1892 and 1894, first as a Democrat and then as a Populist. He also served as the state's commissioner of agriculture twice, in 1887 and between 1910 and 1914.

Early life Kolb was born on April 15, 1839, in Eufaula, Barbour County. He fought in the American Civil War, commanding a Confederate artillery unit.

His uncle was the Alabama governor John Gill Shorter.

Career Kolb was active in the Farmer's Alliance. While a Democrat, Kolb generally opposed the policies of the Redeemers (conservative Southern Democrats), and styled himself as a Jeffersonian Democrat. Unlike the Redeemers, who sought to disenfranchise black voters, Kolb usually supported their political rights, at least initially. However, Kolb ended up supporting the Alabama Constitution of 1901 which took away the vote from blacks, as well as many poor whites.

He has been characterized politically as "a faithful and partisan Democrat who preached the gospel of white supremacy and modern agriculture to his struggling neighbors...." Kolb lost the election 115,732 (47.5%) running as an Independent Democrat (with some Republican and Populist support) to Jones 126,955 (52.2%). Two years later as a Populist nominee, he tried to create a coalition of black voters (Republicans) and disenchanted white Populists, but lost to W.C. Oates (Dem) 83,292 (42.9%) to 110,875 (57.1%).

Death Kolb died on March 23, 1918. He was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama.