Joseph Connaughton (c. 1833 or 1838 â September 2, 1875) was a state legislator in Louisiana. He was elected to two terms. He only served part of his second term in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He was African American.
He was born in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, where he became a carpenter. He represented his native parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1872 until 1875 when he lost his seat due to the Wheeler Compromise.
He was part of the 1873 Louisiana Colored Men's Convention in New Orleans. He served on the Committee on Canals and Drainage.
Connaughton died on September 2, 1875, at the age of 37 according to one source, or "about 42 years" according to another, while walking at the corner of Canal Street and Royal Street in New Orleans. He was described as "suddenly throwing up his hands and dropping upon the pavement in a speechless condition". One obituary stated:
A coroner later ruled that Connaughton's death was caused by "congestion of the brain".