Alson Sherman
American politician (1811–1903)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alson Smith Sherman (April 21, 1811 – September 22, 1903) served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1844–1845) as an Independent Democrat.
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Alson Sherman | |
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| 8th Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office April 2, 1844[1] – March 10, 1845[2] | |
| Preceded by | Augustus Garrett |
| Succeeded by | Augustus Garrett |
| Chicago Alderman[3][4] | |
| In office 1849–1851 | |
| Preceded by | E.H. Chapin |
| Succeeded by | J.L. James |
| Constituency | 5th ward |
| In office 1842–1843 Serving with Hamilton Barnes | |
| Preceded by | Ira Miltimore/ William S. Stow |
| Succeeded by | Azel Peck/ Charles Taylor |
| Constituency | 3rd ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 21, 1811 |
| Died | September 22, 1903 (aged 92) |
| Party | Independent Democrat |
| Spouse | Aurora Abbott |
| Children | Alla, Fannie, Kate, Frank, Flora, Walter, Helen, Mary, Nancy, Abijah, Adeline, Marion, Caira, Lucius, |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Biography
Sherman was born to Nathanial Sherman and Deborah (Webster) on April 21, 1811, in Barre, Vermont.[5]
Sherman established the first sawmill in Chicago and served as the city's first iceman.[6]
In the three years before he was elected mayor, Sherman served as chief of Chicago's fire department.[6]
In 1844, Sherman ran for mayor of Chicago after an initial election was invalidated based on charges of "illegal proceedings and fraud."[7] He ran as an Independent Democratic nominee against incumbent Democrat Augustus Garrett and Liberty Party nominee Henry Smith, winning the office with just over 50% of the vote.[8]
As mayor, he oversaw the city's purchase of its first piece of fire-fighting equipment and appointed Denis Swenie as fire chief.
In 1849 he won a special election to replace E.H. Chapin, who had resigned from the Chicago City Council, as an alderman for the city's third ward. He won a full term in 1850.[3][4]
In 1850, he became one of the original trustees of Northwestern University.[9]
He moved to Waukegan, Illinois, in 1856.[6] In the 1870s, when a canal being dug in Lemont, Illinois, revealed Athens marble, Sherman was instrumental in developing the marble quarry there.[9] He died in Waukegan on September 22, 1903, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery.[6][10]