Roswell B. Mason
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Roswell B. Mason (September 19, 1805Template:Spaced ndashJanuary 1, 1892) served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1869–1871) for the Citizens Party.
Early life
Mason was born on September 19, 1805, in New Hartford, New York to Arnold Mason and Mercy Coman.<ref>Encyclopaedia of Biography of Illinois, Volume 1, 1892, page 197</ref> His mother was a lineal descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. His father Arnold, born in Swansea, Massachusetts, was an engineer instrumental in the construction of the Erie Canal, the Morris Canal, and the High Bridge in New York City.<ref>Journal of the Western Society of Engineers, Vols. 43-45, page 4</ref>
He married Harriet Lavinia Hopkins on September 6, 1831, and they had eight children.<ref name=Dead>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Earliest>Template:Cite book</ref>
Professional life
Mason began his career as an engineer working with his father at the age of 17 on a canal construction project in Albany, New York related to the Erie Canal. He subsequently attended an engineering school in Utica, New York. Mason was the first Chief Engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad.<ref>Illinois Central Magazine, Volumes 43–44, 1954, p. 23</ref>
Mason and his family moved in Chicago in 1865, when he was one of several engineers who worked to reverse the flow of the Chicago River to improve health conditions and the cleanliness of Lake Michigan.<ref name=Dead/>
Mason held a high position with the Illinois Central Railroad until he decided to run to be Mayor of Chicago.<ref name=Reminiscences>Template:Cite book</ref>
Mayoralty
Mason was elected Chicago mayor on a reform ticket in 1869.<ref name=Reminiscences/>
Mason was sworn in as mayor on December 6, 1869.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During his administration, the 1871 Great Chicago Fire occurred. Mason responded by directing General Philip Sheridan to place the city under martial law. To date he is the last non Republican or Democratic Mayor of Chicago.
Mason's tenure as mayor ended on December 4, 1871, when he was succeeded by Joseph Medill.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Later life and death
Mason's wife Harriet died on March 29, 1891.<ref name=Dead/>
He died at his home in Chicago on January 1, 1892, and was buried at Rosehill Cemetery.<ref name=Dead/>
Legacy
He is the namesake of Mason, Illinois.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
An elementary school in west Chicago is named after him.