John Darragh
Encyclopedia
John Darragh was a U.S. politician. He served as the Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1817 to 1825.
and early in life immigrated to Pittsburgh. He began his career as a merchant on Fourth Avenue between Wood Street and Smithfield Street in the city. Darragh eventually parlayed his success as merchant into becoming the president of the Bank of Pittsburgh.
because of health concerns. His tenure as mayor saw the construction of sidewalks and street drainage systems. The start of a city wide water system also took root during his service.
John Darragh also hosted world leaders for the first time in Pittsburgh's history. U.S. President James Monroe
visited Pittsburgh on September 5, 1817 touring military installations around the area including the Allegheny Arsenal
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French statesmen and general Marquis de Lafayette also visited Pittsburgh with John Darragh as host on May 30, 1825.
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Early life
Darragh was born in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and early in life immigrated to Pittsburgh. He began his career as a merchant on Fourth Avenue between Wood Street and Smithfield Street in the city. Darragh eventually parlayed his success as merchant into becoming the president of the Bank of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh politics
John Darragh became mayor of Pittsburgh on January 14, 1817 on the sudden retirement of Ebenezer DennyEbenezer Denny
Ebenezer Denny was a soldier during the American Revolutionary War whose journal is one of the most frequently quoted accounts of the surrender of the British at the siege of Yorktown...
because of health concerns. His tenure as mayor saw the construction of sidewalks and street drainage systems. The start of a city wide water system also took root during his service.
John Darragh also hosted world leaders for the first time in Pittsburgh's history. U.S. President James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
visited Pittsburgh on September 5, 1817 touring military installations around the area including the Allegheny Arsenal
Allegheny Arsenal
The Allegheny Arsenal, established in 1814, was an important supply and manufacturing center for the Union Army during the American Civil War, and the site of the single largest civilian disaster during the war....
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French statesmen and general Marquis de Lafayette also visited Pittsburgh with John Darragh as host on May 30, 1825.
Later life
On Wednesday May 13, 1828, Darragh died after a long fight with consumptionTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
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