William B. Ogden
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William Butler Ogden | |
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| 1st Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office May 1837 – March 1838 | |
| Preceded by | John H. Kinzie (president of town Board of Trustees) |
| Succeeded by | Buckner Stith Morris |
| Member of the New York State Assembly | |
| In office January 1, 1835 – December 31, 1835 | |
| Constituency | Delaware County, New York |
| Chicago Alderman[1] | |
| In office 1847–1848 Serving with Michael McDonald | |
| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Samuel McKay |
| Constituency | 9th Ward |
| In office 1840–1841 Serving with R.J. Hamilton | |
| Preceded by | John H. Kinzie/ Buckner Stith Morris |
| Succeeded by | George F. Foster/ James J.H. Howe |
| Constituency | 6th Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 15, 1805 New York University Law School |
| Occupation | Real Estate Developer |
William Butler Ogden (June 15, 1805 – August 3, 1877) was an American politician and railroad executive who served as the first Mayor of Chicago.[2] He was referred to as "the Astor of Chicago."[2] He was, at one time, the city's richest citizen.[3]
Early life
Ogden was born on June 15, 1805, in
When still a teenager, his father died and Ogden took over the family real estate business. He assisted Charles Butler, his brother-in-law, with business matters related to opening a new building for New York University, attending the law school for a brief period himself.
Career
Political career
The first political position Ogden held was as Postmaster of Walton, New York, having been appointed by President Andrew Jackson to the position.[5]
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Delaware Co.) in 1835.[6]
During his career in New York politics, Ogden was a
While Ogden's initial concern in Chicago was based in his land interests there, he believed that he could not afford to stay out of the politics of the city, as he believed growing western towns such as Chicago were dependent on government assistance.[5]
Shortly after moving to Chicago in 1836, Ogden joined the committee responsible for drafting the city charter to be submitted to the state legislature.[5]
In 1837, he was elected the first mayor of Chicago, serving a single one-year term.[2][1] From 1840 through 1841, he served on the Chicago Common Council as an alderman from the 6th Ward.[1] From 1847 through 1848, he served as an alderman from the 9th Ward.[1]
Ogden was a booster of Chicago both during and after his tenures in elected office.[5] At the time he came to Chicago, its buildings were largely wood cabins, it lacked sidewalks and decent bridges, it had no paved roads, and it lacked water supply infrastructure.[5] As a politician he advocated for the city to raise tax revenue for new roads, plank sidewalks, and bridges (which he presented designs of his own for).[5] He also used his own wealth to fund improvements to the city's infrastructure.[5]
Railroad career
Ogden was a leading promoter and investor in the Illinois and Michigan Canal, then switched his loyalty to railroads. Throughout his later life, Ogden was heavily involved in the building of several railroads.
"In 1847, Ogden announced a plan to build a railway out of Chicago, but no capital was forthcoming. Eastern investors were wary of Chicago's reputation for irrational
Union Pacific, Ogden extended the reach of Chicago's rail lines to the West coast."[8]
In 1853, the Chicago Land Company, of which Ogden was a trustee, purchased land at a bend in the Chicago River and began to cut a channel, formally known as North Branch Canal, but also referred to as Ogden's Canal.[9] The resulting island is now known as Goose Island.
In 1857, Ogden created the Chicago Dock and Canal Company.[10]
Ogden designed the first swing bridge over the Chicago River[11] and donated the land for Rush Medical Center. Ogden was also a founder of the Chicago Board of Trade.[12]
Later Ogden served on the board of the
This project must be carried through by even-handed wise consideration and a patriotic course of policy which shall inspire capitalists of the country with confidence. Speculation is as fatal to it as secession is to the Union. Whoever speculates will damn this project.[citation needed]
As history now shows, eventually Ogden and many others got their wish.
Later life
On October 8, 1871, Ogden lost most of his prized possessions in the
Personal life
He married Marianna Tuttle Arnot (1825–1904).[4] Marianna was the daughter of Scottish born John Arnot and Harriet (née Tuttle) Arnot.[4] In New York, he named his home in the Highbridge, Bronx (named after the bridge now called Aqueduct Bridge over the Harlem River connecting Manhattan and the Bronx) Villa Boscobel.[2]
Ogden died at his home in the Bronx on Friday, August 3, 1877.
Ogden, who had no children, left behind an estate valued at $10 million
Legacy
Namesakes of William B. Ogden include a stretch of
See also
Footnotes
References
- ^ a b c d "Centennial List of Mayors, City Clerks, City Attorneys, City Treasurers, and Aldermen, elected by the people of the city of Chicago, from the incorporation of the city on March 4, 1837 to March 4, 1937, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the years during which each official held office". Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "A Representative American". The New York Times. August 4, 1877. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ISBN 9780252093951. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ New Haven, CT: Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Press. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7953-3985-1. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ISBN 0-8093-2571-3.
- ^ a b 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "William Butler Ogden". American Experience. PBS. 2003. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
- ISBN 1-893121-02-X.
- ^ a b c d McKinney, Megan (September 1, 2019). "William Ogden Dynasty in Chicago | Classic Chicago Magazine". www.classicchicagomagazine.com. Classic Chicago Magazine. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ISBN 0-8093-2571-3.
- ^ Taylor, Charles Henry. History Of The Board Of Trade Of The City Of Chicago. Chicago: R. O. Law, 1917.
- ^ a b "Funeral of William B. Ogden. Simple and Impressive Services in St. James' Church at Fordham--Bishop Clarkson's Discourse Upon The Dead Millionaire's Life and Its Lessons". The New York Times. August 7, 1877. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ McKinney, Megan (March 13, 2021). "The City's Earliest Enduring Dynasty". www.classicchicagomagazine.com. Classic Chicago Magazine. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ISBN 9780809329175.
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1 Acting officeholder. 2 Election declared null and void. | ||
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