Alson Smith Sherman (April 21, 1811 – September 22, 1903) served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1844–1845) as an Independent Democrat.
Alson Sherman | |
---|---|
8th Mayor of Chicago | |
In office April 2, 1844[1] – March 10, 1845[2] | |
Preceded by | Augustus Garrett |
Succeeded by | Augustus Garrett |
Chicago Alderman from the 3rd Ward[3][4] | |
In office 1842–1843 Serving with John C. Haines | |
Preceded by | E.H. Chapin |
Succeeded by | J.L. James |
Personal details | |
Born | Barre, Vermont | April 21, 1811
Died | September 22, 1903 (aged 92) Waukegan, Illinois |
Political party | Independent Democrat |
Spouse | Aurora Abbott |
Children | Alla, Fannie, Kate, Frank, Flora, Walter, Helen, Mary, Nancy, Abijah, Adeline, Marion, Caira, Lucius, |
Residence(s) | Chicago, Illinois |
Signature | |
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]