Edward F. "Foxy Ed" Cullerton[1][3][4] (1841–1920) was a politician who was a longtime alderman of the Chicago City Council, and also served as a member of the Illinois Senate.
Edward Cullerton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chicago Alderman[1][2] | |
| In office 1901 – February 1, 1920 | |
| Constituency | 11th Ward |
| In office 1898–1900 | |
| Constituency | 9th Ward |
| In office 1888–1892 | |
| Constituency | 6th ward |
| In office 1876–1888 | |
| Constituency | 6th Ward |
| In office 1871–1876 | |
| Constituency | 7th Ward |
| Member of the Illinois Senate | |
| In office 1873–???? | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1840 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | February 1, 1920 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Chicago, Illinois |
Early life and career
editCullerton was born in Chicago in 1842.[5] Cullerton's family were some of the original settlers of Chicago.[4][6]
Cullerton was educated in public schools.[5] He dropped out of elementary school to work as a canalboat driver.[7]
Cullerton was a successful saloon (hotel) keeper.[3][4][5][8]
Political career
editIn 1871, Cullerton was elected an alderman of the Chicago Common Council for the 7th ward.[1][3][5][7] He had been elected by a large majority.[5] He continued to serve until 1876.[2] Cullerton also simultaneously served as an Illinois State Senator, having been elected to that position in 1872, and assuming it in 1873.[8][5][9] In the Illinois Senate he distinguished himself by standing as an opponent to the West Side Park Commissioners' taxation scheme, and also became well-versed in parliamentary procedure.[5]
In 1876, Cullerton was elected an alderman of what, that year, was renamed the Chicago City Council for the 6th ward.[1] In 1888, he was redistricted to the 9th ward, where he served until 1892.[1] During part of this tenure, he was Chairman of the Finance Committee.[5]
In 1898, Cullerton was again elected alderman for the 9th ward. He served until 1900.[1]
In 1901, Cullerton was elected alderman for the 11th ward. He served until his death in 1920.[1][7] At the time of his death, having served as an alderman for a cumulative 48 years, he was the longest-serving alderman in the history of the Chicago City Council, a record he would continue to hold for many years.[10][11] Cullerton died in his home on February 1, 1920, at the age of 78.[7]
Cullerton had a reputation for being shrewd and for being quiet, giving birth to his nickname "Foxy Ed".[7] He was despised by proponents of clean government, but well-liked by voters in his own ward.[7]
Legacy
editCullerton Street in Chicago, previously known as 20th Street, was named for him shortly after his death.[7][9] His residence, at the time of his death, had been on this street.[7]
Family political dynasty
editCullerton began what has become a Cullerton family political dynasty.[7][8]
For a cumulative period of 112 years, at least one member of the Cullerton family sat on the Chicago City Council.[4] A series of Cullerton's descendants would hold the aldermanship of the 38th ward, including William J. Cullerton, Thomas W. Cullerton, and Timothy Cullerton. Also, family in-law Thomas R. Allen held this seat.[3][12]
P.J. "Parky" Cullerton was an ally of Richard J. Daley and served as Cook County assessor.[10][13][11] He also served as the 38th ward Democratic committeeman.[14]
Patti Jo "P.J." Cullerton, served as the 38th ward Democratic committeewoman for over 20 years.[3][8]
John Cullerton (his great-grandnephew) served as president of the Illinois Senate, and Tom Cullerton served as an Illinois state senator as well.[3][6][8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "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 Ahern, M. L. (1886). Political History of Chicago: (covering the Period from 1837 to 1887) Local Politics from the City's Birth; Chicago's Mayors, Aldermen and Other Officials; County and Federal Officers; the Fire and Police Departments; the Haymarket Horror; Miscellaneous. Donohue & Henneberry, printers and binders. pp. 116–120.
- ^ a b c d e f "Timothy Cullerton Retirement Ends Family's 38th Ward Dominance". NBC Chicago. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d Sudo, Chuck (17 July 2014). "Cullertons To Release 111-Year Grip On City Council Seat". The Chicagoist. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ahern, M. L. (1886). Political History of Chicago: (covering the Period from 1837 to 1887) Local Politics from the City's Birth; Chicago's Mayors, Aldermen and Other Officials; County and Federal Officers; the Fire and Police Departments; the Haymarket Horror; Miscellaneous. Donohue & Henneberry, printers and binders. pp. 123–124. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ a b Herguth, Robert; Sfondeles, Tina (2 August 2019). "State Sen. Thomas Cullerton charged with receiving money from Teamsters while doing little to no work". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Schmidt, John R. (28 January 2014). On This Day in Chicago History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781625847317. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Cherone, Heather (28 April 2015). "As Cullerton Era in Chicago Politics Ends, Alderman Hopes Legacy Lives On". DNAinfo Chicago. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Pearson, Rick (3 January 2020). "Illinois Senate President John Cullerton talks about Blagojevich, bipartisanship and changes brought by social media as his time in Springfield comes to an end". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune.
- ^ a b Gradel, Thomas J.; Simpson, Dick (15 February 2015). Corrupt Illinois : patronage, cronyism, and criminality. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0252097034.
- ^ a b Cohen, Richard E. (2000). Rostenkowski: The Pursuit of Power and the End of the Old Politics. Ivan R. Dee. p. 235. ISBN 978-1-4617-0229-0. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Better Know an Alderman: Timothy Cullerton". NBC Chicago. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
- ^ O'Donnell, Maureen (2013-01-14). "William J. Cullerton, Chicago's top flying ace of World War II, dies at 89". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ "P.J. CULLERTON". Newspapers.com. Chicago Eagle. 20 Mar 1934. Retrieved 13 August 2021.