James Wadsworth (mayor)
James Wadsworth | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Buffalo | |
| In office 1851–1852 | |
| Preceded by | Henry K. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Hiram Barton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 25, 1819 Durham, Connecticut |
| Died | May 18, 1891 (aged 71) Yonkers, New York |
| Political party | Locofocos, Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | married twice; Rosetta F. Robinson, Virginia C. Conklin |
| Children | six children |
| [1] | |
James Wadsworth (1819–1891) was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1851–1852.
Early life
He was born in Durham, Connecticut on August 25, 1819. He graduated from Yale College in 1841, and came to Buffalo the same year. He then moved to New Haven, Connecticut and for two years studied literature and then law.
Career
He returned to Buffalo in 1845, and established the law firm of Wadsworth & Cameron. He became involved in real estate and purchased land from Judge Ebenezer Walden. In 1850, he was chosen Buffalo city attorney.[2] On March 4, 1851, was elected as the Locofoco candidate for mayor. During his term, the New York and Erie Railroad was completed from New York to Dunkirk and the Buffalo Female Academy opened. His term as mayor ended on March 9, 1852.[2]
In 1851, Wadsworth became president of the Buffalo, Brantford and Goodrich Railroad and continued this after his mayoral term ended. He was a Democratic member of the New York State Senate (31st D.) from 1856 to 1858, sitting in the 79th, 80th and 81st New York State Legislatures. He resigned his seat on August 18, 1858.
In 1859, he removed to New York City, and for the next 25 years he was engaged in "various railway, mining, and oil companies." He worked for Wells & Fargo's Overland Express, and practiced law part of the time.[2]
Personal life
He married Rosetta F. Robinson on September 8, 1845; she died in 1866 and on July 9, 1873, he remarried to Virginia C. Conklin of Norfolk, Virginia. Around 1889, he was placed in an institution in Yonkers, New York where died May 18, 1891, and was buried at Durham, Connecticut.[2]
References
- ^ Rizzo, Michael (2005). Through The Mayors' Eyes. Lulu. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-4116-3757-3.
- ^ a b c d "James Wadsworth". Through The Mayor's Eyes, The Only Complete History of the Mayor's of Buffalo, New York, Compiled by Michael Rizzo. The Buffalonian is produced by The Peoples History Union. 2009-05-27.