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DeWitt Clinton Cregier

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 70.34.133.154 (talk) at 16:01, 23 January 2017 (I am Gloria Cregier Emma, granddaughter of DeWitt Clinton Cregier, and author of his biography. I now live in Geneva, Illinois.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

DeWitt Clinton Cregier
31st Mayor of Chicago
In office
1889–1891
Preceded byJohn A. Roche
Succeeded byHempstead Washburne
Personal details
Born(1829-06-01)June 1, 1829
New York City
DiedNovember 9, 1898(1898-11-09) (aged 69)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Political partyDemocrat
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
SpouseMary Sophia Foggin
ChildrenTen (2 daughters, 8 sons)
Residence(s)Chicago and St. Charles, Illinois
WebsiteWikipedia, Chicago Public Library

DeWitt Clinton Cregier (June 1, 1829 - November 9, 1898; buried in Rosehill Cemetery) served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1889–1891) for the Democratic Party. Prior to this he was an engineer with the City of Chicago, and was awarded, in 1875, U.S. patent 164,149 and in 1876, U.S. patent 173,768, both for fire hydrants. The latter was a combination drinking fountain, fire hydrant, and watering basin for animals. The Cregier hydrant is widely seen in old photographs of Chicago.

Cregier was also Master Mason, presided as Worshipful Master of Blaney Lodge No. 271, A.F. & A.M. of Illinois for eight years, and served as Grand Master of Illinois in 1870-1871. D.C. Cregier Lodge No. 81 in Wheeling, Illinois, is named after him. He was a fifth great-grandson of Martin Cregier, first Burgomaster of New Amsterdam.[1]

Plaque on west facade of the Chicago Water Tower, mounted in 1933 in honor of Cregier's services.


Biography entitled: "The New York Orphan Who Built Chicago" subtitled: "The Story of DeWitt Clinton Cregier A 19th-Century American Engineering Genius" published October 2011, author Gloria Cregier Emma, one of Cregier's last surviving two grandchildren. Book available at public libraries and history museums in Chicago and suburban areas, in Springfield, Illinois, and by contact with author in Geneva, Illinois.

References