John Fletcher Darby
American politician (1803–1882)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Fletcher Darby (December 10, 1803 – May 11, 1882) was an American politician. A Whig, he was the Mayor of St. Louis and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri.
John Fletcher Darby | |
|---|---|
| |
| 4th Mayor of St. Louis | |
| In office April 14, 1835 – October 31, 1837 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Johnston |
| Succeeded by | William Carr Lane |
| In office April 14, 1840 – April 13, 1841 | |
| Preceded by | William Carr Lane |
| Succeeded by | John D. Daggett |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | James B. Bowlin |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Hart Benton |
| Member of the Missouri Senate | |
| In office 1838 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 10, 1803 |
| Died | May 11, 1882 (aged 78) |
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery |
| Party | Whig |
Biography
Darby was born on December 10, 1803, in Person County, North Carolina,[1] the son of planter John Darby.[2] He was educated at local public schools, and in 1818, moved to Missouri with his parents, where he was a farmer, likely in Warren County.[3] He studied Latin from a young age. Both his parents died in early 1823.[4] In 1825, he moved to Frankfort, Kentucky to read law under John J. Crittenden,[5] being admitted to the bar, and in 1827, began practicing law in St. Louis.[1][6] He owned slaves.[7]
Darby was a Whig. In 1834, he was elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.[8] He served as Mayor of St. Louis from April 14, 1835, until his resignation on October 31, 1837; he served again, from April 14, 1840, to April 13, 1841. As mayor, he had the city's first two public parks established,[9] and pushed for railroads to be built through the city and deprivatized the waterworks.[8] In 1838 and 1839, he was a member of the Missouri Senate, representing the 19th district,[7] and during his tenure had the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway chartered.[2] He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1853, representing Missouri's 1st district.[1] While in Congress, he primarily worked with railroad legislation.[8]
After serving in Congress, Darby became a banker in St. Louis.[1] He was a founder of the St. Louis Law Library Association.[8] In 1836, he married Mary M. Wilkinson.[7] He died on May 11, 1882, aged 78, in Pendleton,[10] and was buried at Calvary Cemetery.[1]