John Fletcher Darby (December 10, 1803 – May 11, 1882) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri and the fourth mayor of St. Louis.
John Fletcher Darby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 4th Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri | |
| In office April 14, 1835 – October 31, 1837 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Johnson |
| Succeeded by | William Carr Lane |
| In office April 14, 1840 – April 13, 1841 | |
| Preceded by | William Carr Lane |
| Succeeded by | John D. Daggett |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | James B. Bowlin |
| Succeeded by | Thomas H. Benton |
| Member of the Missouri Senate | |
| In office 1838 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 10, 1803 Person County, North Carolina |
| Died | May 11, 1882 (aged 78) Pendleton, Missouri |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Mary Darby |
Darby was born in Person County, North Carolina. He moved with his father to Missouri in 1818, where he worked on a farm before moving to Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1825. Thereafter, Darby studied law and was admitted to the bar. He then returned to Missouri to practice in St. Louis. He was the Mayor of St. Louis from 1835 to 1837 and 1840 to 1841, between which he served as a member of the Missouri Senate, in 1838. During his time as mayor, Darby was very active in getting the first Missouri railroad convention held in St. Louis. Eventually, that led to the incorporation of two railroads in the state. Lafayette Park was built, becoming the first city park west of the Mississippi River.
He was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-second United States Congress (March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1853), after which he returned to St. Louis and became a banker. He died near Pendleton, Missouri, on May 11, 1882, and his remains are interred at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis.
References
edit- United States Congress. "John Fletcher Darby (id: D000049)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- "St. Louis Mayors: John Fletcher Darby". St. Louis Public Library. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- Darby, John Fletcher (1880). Personal Recollections. St. Louis: G. I. Jones and Company. OCLC 497877. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- "Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis". Daily Commercial Bulletin & Missouri Literary Register. 1837-11-14.