The Mayors of Pittsburgh
1840 to 1860

1840 to 1860 | 1860 to 1901 | 1901 to 1946

1840 to 1860

William W. Irwin (1840-1841) – Whig

William Irwin had a favorite mode of transportation when he was a boy – a pony.  He acquired the nickname “pony Irwin” because he rode his pony wherever he went.   When Irwin was elected mayor of Pittsburgh in 1840, he focused on expanding the Pittsburgh’s infrastructure as well as city government.  The region was growing rapidly and Irwin wanted the city to be able to keep up with it. 

From the mayor’s office, Irwin was able to run successfully as a Whig for the 27th U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 22nd congressional district from Pennsylvania.  When his term expired in Congress, he was appointed as U.S. Ambassador (Chargé d'affaires) to Denmark.  Like many of the mayors of Pittsburgh, William Irwin started his life in Pittsburgh and he died in Pittsburgh in 1856.   (William Irwin is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)    

James Thomson (1841-1842)

James Thomson arrived in Pittsburgh as a young man of 22 years. He started off by making and repairing watches in a jewelry store he operated on Market Street.  From there he moved into the engine building business, which he returned to after his term as mayor.   (James Thomson is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Alexander Hay (1842-1845)

As a young man, Alexander Hay learned the trade of cabinetry which served him well in his later years when he and his sons were the owners of a fine furniture business.  During Mayor Hay’s term in office the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh was formed.  After leaving office, he served his country as a commander in the Mexican War and as a captain in the Civil War where he participated in the Battle of Yorktown.   (Alexander Hay is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

William J. Howard (1845-1846)

William J. Howard worked as a merchant before becoming the mayor of Pittsburgh in 1845.  His business was destroyed, along with about one third of the city, in the Great Fire of April 10, 1845.  His administration was focused on helping Pittsburghers recover from the destruction of the fire.  Howard was focused on helping others and proved it by his actions. He served as president of the board of “Guardians of the Poor,” a forerunner of the Salvation Army, for a long time.  (William Howard is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Dr. William Kerr (1846-1847)

Pittsburgh did well under the leadership of Dr. William Kerr.  It was during this time that Mercy Hospital was established and The Pennsylvania Railroad was founded.  His presence is felt in the West End of Pittsburgh to this day as there is a street named Kerr Street in the Elliott neighborhood. Prior to being mayor of Pittsburgh, Dr. Kerr opened a medical office on Liberty Avenue and he owned an Apothecary.   (William Kerr is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Gabriel Adams (1847-1849)

It was during Gabriel Adams’ term as mayor that the Joseph Horne Company was founded.  After leaving office, he served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

John Herron (1849-1850)

John Herron was from one of the founding families of Pittsburgh.  He served the country as a captain in the Mexican War during the siege of Vera Cruz.

 

 

Joseph Barker (1850-1851) – Anti-Catholic Party

One mayor of Pittsburgh is known mostly for his anti-Catholic and nativist views. Joseph Barker (1850-1851) served as the mayor of Pittsburgh for only one year.  Not much is known about him but it is reported that he was an illiterate street preacher who had a strong dislike of Catholics. After one of his anti-Catholic tirades on the street corner in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland in 1849, Mayor John Herron, who was mayor the term before Barker, had Joseph Barker arrested for using lewd and indecent language, obstructing traffic and disturbing the peace.  Barker was fined and sentenced to twelve months in jail.  While he was in jail, Barker’s nativist supporters started a write-in campaign and it succeeded in him winning the election as mayor of Pittsburgh in 1850, a position he held until 1851.  That was the only public office held by Joseph Barker despite his many attempts at re-election.  Eleven years after leaving office, he met a tragic death when he was decapitated by a train in Manchester.   (Joseph Barker is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

John B. Guthrie (1851-1853)

John Guthrie was sent along with the Duquesne Grays to fight in the Mexican War.  Sometime after his return he was appointed as the Collector of Customs for the very busy port of Pittsburgh.  He went on to become mayor of Pittsburgh in 1851.   (John Guthrie is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Robert M. Riddle (1853-1854)

The city of Pittsburgh suffered through the worst cholera epidemic during Mayor Riddle’s term in office.  Robert Riddle was instrumental in establishing the Republican Party. Prior to serving as mayor, Riddle was the editor of the Commercial Journal and he served as the Pittsburgh Postmaster in 1841.   (Robert Riddle is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Ferdinand E. Volz (1854-1856)

Before and after his term as mayor, Ferdinand Volz served as water assessor, just like his father did before him.  He was appointed as U.S. Collector of Revenue for Western PA by President Johnson and was also elected as Treasurer of the Allegheny Valley Railroad.   (Ferdinand Volz is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

William Bingham (1856-1857)

Before his term as Mayor of Pittsburgh, William Bingham was involved in the freight delivery business along with other members of his family in the Bingham Brothers Company.

Henry A. Weaver (1857-1860) – Republican

Henry Weaver was a dedicated Republican. It was during his term that the term of office for mayor was extended to two years.  Prior to serving as Pittsburgh’s mayor, Weaver was a manager of the Madison Coal Company.  Henry Weaver was appointed by President Lincoln to the position of Collector of Internal Revenue for Western PA.   (Henry Weaver is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

1860 to 1899

George Wilson (1860-1862)

Mayor George Wilson had the honor of introducing President-elect Abraham Lincoln from the balcony of the Monongahela House on a rainy Valentine’s Day in 1861.  He had many positions during his career, including tobacco plant worker, attorney, Director of the Public School System, City Councilman, and Mayor.  (George Wilson is buried in Homewood Cemetery.)

Benair C. Sawyer (1862-1864)

The Civil War was raging during Mayor Benair Sawyer’s term. Pittsburgh not only supplied vast amounts of materials for the war effort but it also supplied many young men to fight.  In 1862 tragedy hit; the Allegheny Arsenal exploded and took with it the lives of 78 people, many of whom were young women.  It was during the Financial Crisis of 1873 that Sawyer lost most of his assets. Afterward, Sawyer moved to Colorado and then to California where he made a fortune in mining.

James Lowry, Jr. (1864-1866)

James Lowry, Jr. was both a coal merchant and the owner of a foundry.  During his tenure as mayor, the city was booming in all of its industries.  Sometime after leaving office, he continued to serve the city in the capacity of Coroner of Allegheny County.   (James Lowry, Jr. is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

William McCarthy (1866-1868 and 1875-1878)

William McCarthy had another name by which he was known – “Roaring Bill.”  He was a volunteer fireman and was a Pittsburgh Dispatch pressman.  It was during his first term that Bloomfield became a part of the city of Pittsburgh.  It was also during this time that the inclines were built to carry both materials and people up and down from Mount Washington.  Up until that time, the police used to assure the citizens that “All is Well” on the hour.  This practice was stopped during Mayor McCarthy’s term.
He served as mayor again from 1875 to 1878.   It was during William McCarthy’s second term in office that the deadly railroad riots of 1877 occurred when striking railroad workers clashed with Philadelphia Militiamen.  The railroad terminal at 28th Street burned to the ground.  (William McCarthy is buried in an unmarked grave in Uniondale Cemetery.)

James Blackmore (1868-1869 and 1872-1875)

James Blackmore was involved in the lumber and coal business.  It was during Pittsburgh Mayor Blackmore’s first term that George Westinghouse started to make the air brake in the Strip District.  His second term as mayor was 1872-1875.

During James Blackmore’s second term as mayor, the city’s southern boundaries were extended and a new City Hall was built on Smithfield Street.  He died less than a week after finishing his second term as mayor.   (James Blackmore is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Jared M. Brush (1869-1872)

The administration of Jared Brush established the first full-time Fire Department and completed extensive street construction projects.  Brushton is named after Pittsburgh’s Mayor Brush.   (Jared Brush is buried in an unmarked grave in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Robert Liddell (1878-1881)

It was during Robert Liddell’s term as mayor that the Holy Ghost Fathers founded a college in 1878 that would eventually be known as Duquesne University.  The city streets were electrified in 1879 and Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone was used in Pittsburgh on a limited basis.  Before becoming the mayor, Robert Liddell was a beer maker.  After he left office, he was employed as a liquor dealer.   (Robert Liddell is buried in Uniondale Cemetery.) 

Robert W. Lyon (1881-1884)

As a young man, Robert W. Lyon was a blacksmith who fought with the 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War where he was wounded twice.  After the war he went into the oil business.  The Smithfield Street Bridge was completed during Mayor Lyon’s tenure, and following the assassination of President James Garfield, the Garfield Section became part of the city in 1881.   (Robert Lyon is buried in Calvary Cemetery.)

Andrew Fulton (1884-1887)

Andrew Fulton was a tall, strong, well-liked young man whom most Pittsburghers called “Andy.” The Fulton family and was in the foundry business.

Western Penitentiary was completed during Mayor Fulton’s tenure. After his term ended, he moved to Colorado to raise horses for a number of years but returned to Pittsburgh and remained active in city and county politics for the remainder of his life.   (Andrew Fulton is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

William McCallin (1887-1890)

William McCallin became mayor of Pittsburgh in 1887.  One of the public works projects completed during his time as mayor was Schenley Park.   (William McCallin is buried in Homewood Cemetery.)

Henry I. Gourley (1890-1893)

Henry I. Gourley was a hard worker and he became a well-respected school teacher.  When Gourley was mayor of Pittsburgh, his administration was renowned for being honest with the residents of the city.  His reputation for hard work and honesty served him well while he was in the mayor’s office.   (Henry Gourley is buried in Homewood Cemetery.)

Bernard J. McKenna (1893-1896)

Bernard McKenna fought in the Civil War while on a gunboat and he eventually became a paid city fireman.  While McKenna served as mayor, the construction of the Highland Park Zoo and the Carnegie Library was completed.  (Bernard McKenna is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery.)

Henry P. Ford (1896-1899)

Henry Ford was an accountant by trade and he was associated with many Pittsburgh industries before becoming the mayor of Pittsburgh.  It was during his tenure that water filtration was started in Pittsburgh, the Department of Bridges was created, and it was also the time when the Pittsburgh Police Department started a Bicycle Patrol Division.   (Henry Ford is buried in Homewood Cemetery.)

William J. Diehl (1899-1901) – Republican

Prior to becoming mayor of Pittsburgh, William Diehl worked as a bookkeeper, served as Deputy Sheriff for four years, worked in the city’s Treasurer’s Office and also was involved in the oil and natural gas industry. While he was mayor his administration saw the opening of the Duquesne Club, the founding of the United States Steel Corporation and the opening of Bigelow Boulevard although it was known then as Grant Boulevard.  He was also a thirty-third degree Mason.   (William Diehl is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

1901 to 1946

Adam M. Brown (1901) – Republican

Adam Brown was the first President of the Allegheny County Bar Association and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas.  Prior to these achievements Adam Brown was a California 49er during the gold rush.  He was also the commander of a small military unit which earned him the title of “Major.”  Brown was a delegate to the Republican National Convention which nominated President Lincoln in 1864 and Grant and Colfax in 1868.  He did not actively seek public office and often turned down chances to run for various positions.  He was appointed as the “Recorder” of Pittsburgh by the governor of Pennsylvania; though it was really the office of Mayor that he filled.  He only served for 7 months before dying while in office.   (Adam Brown is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Joseph O. Brown (1901-1903)

Joseph Brown served as the Prothonotary of Allegheny County and as the Director of Public Safety before becoming “Recorder.”  The Frick Building opened during his time in office.  His administration battled vice throughout the city – sometimes they were successful and other times not.  It was also during this tenure that the Biddle Brothers made their escape from the Pittsburgh Jail.  If you don’t recall the story, the Biddle Brothers were in jail for killing a grocer and a police officer.  They escaped from the jail with the help of the jail warden’s wife, Kate Soffel, who fell in love with Ed Biddle.  The brothers were eventually found and were gravely wounded right in the snow next to the horse and sleigh they stole.

Joseph Brown died while in office and his death certificate says that the cause was “Heart failure – superinduced by long, continued mental strain and worry.”

William B. Hayes (1903-1906)

It was during William Hayes’ time in office that the title of “Recorder” reverted back to “Mayor.”  It was also during his tenure that the Pirates lost the first World Series in 1903.  The Nickelodeon was debuted in 1905, giving birth to the motion picture industry.  Pittsburgh’s old City Hall burned to the ground during Mayor Hayes’ term in office.

George W. Guthrie (1906-1909)

George Guthrie considered himself a reform candidate and was voted into office by both Democrats and Independents, ending the era of Republican control dating back to the Civil War. He focused on reforming both the political system and the tax system.  It was during George Guthrie’s term as mayor in 1907 that the City of Allegheny was made a part of the City of Pittsburgh.  This was not wanted by the residents of Allegheny and it was a painful process for all.  Pittsburgh experienced a terrible flood on March 15, 1907.  George Guthrie died in Tokyo while serving as the United States Ambassador to Japan in 1917.   (George Guthrie is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

William A. Magee (1909-1914 and 1922-1926 ) – Republican

Magee is a name familiar to many Pittsburghers because most residents are familiar with Magee Hospital and Magee Street, both of which were named after William Magee’s family.  William Magee, a liberal Republican, served two terms as mayor of Pittsburgh. During his first term the Public Safety Department started to use motorized conveyances.  It was also the era when Forbes Field opened.  In 1911, Mayor Magee and the City Council endorsed a new tax system that would tax land at twice the rate of improvements, and sought to abolish the old property tax system.  This was done to punish those that hoard land and keep it out of use.  This land tax survived the only serious challenge presented a few years later. 

During William Magee’s second term as mayor from 1922 to 1926, Prohibition was the law of the land.

Joseph G. Armstrong (1914-1918)

When you drive through the Armstrong Tunnels you can think of Mayor Joseph G. Armstrong for they were named after him.  His nickname was “Joe the Builder” because that seemed to be his focus while in office – building things.  The most extensive construction project his administration undertook was the construction of the City-County Building.  When he died in 1931, his body laid in state in the County Courthouse.   (Joseph Armstrong is buried in Southside Cemetery.) 

Edward V. Babcock (1918-1922) – Republican

During his term as mayor of Pittsburgh, Edward Babcock built parks and playgrounds as well as implemented many other public improvement projects such as widening existing thoroughfares.  He also was the first mayor to appointment women as heads of city departments.  It was also during this time of the birth of the age of radio took place.  Mayor Babcock dealt with a deadly flu epidemic, the start of women’s suffrage, and a notorious steel strike.  Later when Babcock was elected as a Commissioner of Allegheny County, the county airport was built, Babcock Boulevard and other major arteries were built and three new bridges were completed (Sixth Street Bridge, Seventh Street Bridge and the Ninth Street Bridge).  Babcock rightfully earned the title of “Father of the County Parks” by purchasing land for both North and South Park.  He gave 4000 acres of land to Allegheny County at cost.   (Edward Babcock is buried in Homewood Cemetery.) 

Charles H. Kline (1926-1933) – Republican

Prior to becoming the mayor of Pittsburgh, Charles Kline was a State Representative and a State Senator.  During Kline’s tenure as mayor, the country was experiencing the Great Depression.  Despite the country’s difficulties, Mayor Kline managed to open Frick Park and see through the completion of several office buildings (i.e. Gulf Building, Grant Building, Koppers Building, and the Federal Courthouse) that are still very much in use today.   He died just four months after resigning in 1933.  He was convicted by a jury on 49 counts of corruption but they were later overturned by a judge.   (Charles Kline is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.) 

John S. Herron (1933-1934) – Republican

Prior to being elected Mayor of Pittsburgh, John S. Herron served on City Council for 20 years.  It was during his tenure that the Sunday Blue Laws were voted out and professional football began in Pittsburgh.  (John Herron is buried in Homewood Cemetery.)

William N. McNair (1934-1936) – Democrat

Mayor William McNair was a bit eccentric who had a reputation for personal honesty.  His election ended 28 years of Republican rule in Pittsburgh.  He not only battled City Council over many issues but he alienated almost all of his fellow Democrats including President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  McNair wanted to be seen and meet with all the citizens who came to see him so he set up his office in the rotunda of the City-County Building.  This arrangement didn’t last long as McNair found himself getting mobbed.  It was during his administration that the great flood of 1936 occurred.  Mayor McNair didn’t mind being in the spotlight and he often played the violin on local theater stages and would appear on national radio programs with Rudy Vallee and Major Bowes.  McNair resigned abruptly from office on October 6, 1936, after which he never held another public office.

McNair died of a heart attack at the age of 67 in 1948 while at a political rally.    (William McNair is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.)

Cornelius Decatur Scully (1936-1946) – Democrat

It was during WWII that Pittsburgh earned the name “The Smoky City” as it was an industrial giant during the war.  Mayor Cornelius Scully instituted smoke control measures and he upgraded the Health Department. It was Scully’s administration that implemented the use of parking meters.  Public Parks were created for all to enjoy.  He also promoted the Home Rule Charter to give the city more control over itself and lessen influence from the state.        

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