James H. Britton

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James H. Britton
St. Louis, Missouri
In office
May 29, 1875 – February 9, 1876
Preceded byArthur Barret
Succeeded byHenry Overstolz
Personal details
Born(1817-07-11)July 11, 1817
Shenandoah County, Virginia, US
DiedJanuary 27, 1900(1900-01-27) (aged 82)
Ardsley, New York, US
Political partyDemocratic

James H. Britton (July 11, 1817 – January 27, 1900) was the 23rd mayor of

St. Louis, Missouri
.

Biography

Britton was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, on July 11, 1817. In 1840, Britton moved to Troy, Missouri, where he opened a general store. He first became involved in Missouri politics when he became Secretary of the Senate of the Missouri Legislature in 1848. Between 1852 and 1856, he served as a representative of Lincoln County in the State Legislature. Afterwards, he took the position of Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives. He would later serve as the Treasurer of Lincoln County and Postmaster of Troy.[1]

Britton moved to St. Louis in 1857 and took a job as a cashier at Southern Bank and, seven years later, became the bank's president. A few years later, Britton was named president of the National Bank of the State of Missouri.[1]

Following mayor

ballot stuffing amongst other things.[2] Several months later, the ballots were recounted and on February 9, 1876, Britton was unseated and Overstolz was declared mayor. Britton had lost by 77 votes out of more than 29,000 votes cast.[1]

During the nine months that Britton served as mayor, many sewer districts were created and building inspections were mandated for new construction.[1]

Britton died January 27, 1900, in Ardsley, New York.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "St. Louis Mayors: James H. Britton". St. Louis Public Library. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  2. ^ "The Mayorality". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1875-11-05. Retrieved 2008-08-25. [dead link]

External links

  • James H. Britton at the St. Louis Public Library: St. Louis Mayors Online Exhibit.
Political offices
Preceded by
Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri

1875–1876
Succeeded by