1851-52
HISTORY
James Wadsworth
was born in Durham, Connecticut on August 25, 1819, the youngest
of five children. His father, Wedworth, was a local politician.
He attended school in Madison, Connecticut, and later attended
Yale College, graduating in the class of 1841.
Wadsworth came to Buffalo
in 1841 to study law in the office of Potter (E. B.) and Spaulding
(E. G.). He only stayed a short time, then spent the next
two years studying literary and then law in New Haven, Connecticut.
In 1844 he studied law in the office of Benjamin
D. Sillman, in New York City.
In the latter part of 1845 he moved to Buffalo
and established the firm of Wadsworth & Cameron (Hugh).
Wadsworth was cousin of General James Wadsworth
and was agent for the large estate that he owned. During this
time he became involved in real estate and purchased land
from Judge Ebenezer Walden
He built several homes at Main and Chippewa Streets.
Wadsworth was chosen Buffalo
city attorney in 1850 under Mayor Henry K. Smith
's administration. Also that year, he was appointed Chancellor
of the Medical College
for one year.
About this time talk of expanding the boundaries
of Buffalo
was being discussed. The growth of the city was becoming too
much for its present size. But the actual movement toward
enlargement would not take place for a few years.
In January 1851, the proposed revision to the City
Charter
was printed in the local paper for all to read.
The Locofoco
's held their convention on February 22, 1851 and nominated
James Wadsworth
for Mayor, Pearly A. Child for Police Justice, and Albert S.
Merrill for Justice of the Peace.
Mayor Henry K. Smith
presided over the largest Democratic meeting ever held at the
Eagle Street Theater. Wadsworth addressed the assembly "in
an elaborate and able manner." He vindicated the policy
of the current Democratic government and defined his position
should he win the election.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
Buffalo
's population was up to 42,261. Wadsworth's popularity rose
quickly, from city attorney to mayoral candidate in four
years. Local elections were held on March 4, 1851. Wadsworth
was elected by a vote of 2,880 to 2,336 over Whig
candidate Sherman Skinner Jewett. This was the largest majority
Democrat ever
had over a Whig
in local elections, and they were elated.
Many of the Democratic candidates won their elections,
making it a sweep for the Locofoco
's, although their choice for Police Justice lost by just
42 votes.
On Tuesday March 11, 1851, two aldermen were appointed
to wait upon Mayor-elect Wadsworth, until he arrived and
received the oath of office from Smith. Mayor Wadsworth
then swore in the new members of the Council.
"Mayor Wadsworth
's address was modeled on that of Ex-Mayor Smith
's, being lengthy and interspersed with statistics, to demonstrate
that; 'Thus far the city has kept free from all direct pecuniary
interest in stock companies, public or private, and I cannot
but believe that a continuance of the same policy would
prove fortunate to our citizens and be kindly remembered
by posterity.'"
His address: "The pavement of some of our principal
thoroughfares is demanded by the necessities of the people.
I am not satisfied that we have yet reached the maximum
of a pavement, at the same time the most economical most
durable.
"The school tax
is at present very large, and it is due to those who pay it,
that we, its guardian, should jealously watch over its distribution.
This department is now in a flourishing condition and much
may reasonably be hoped from its future usefulness.
"The Police of Buffalo
have during the past year, proved themselves capable and efficient.
I commend to your favorable notice the Fire Department
of the city. In its unity, energy, order, and efficiency it
is strong, and stands deservedly high in popular estimation.
"Unaccustomed
to deliberative assemblies of any kind, I shall look to
you and my fellow-citizens for a fair construction of my
public acts, and as the Chief Executive Magistrate hold
myself responsible only to God and the laws."
Mayor Wadsworth
then announced the standing committees, and named the Buffalo
Daily Courier the official paper.
In late March a letter was printed in the Courier
by Wadsworth regarding his beliefs on slavery. He stated,
"I belong to the school of Jefferson, and in the efforts
of Southern planters and statesmen to retain the slave in
his bonds. I believe with Jefferson himself that the Almighty
has no attribute which can take part with them in such a
contest."
On April 15 of that year, the last rail of the N.Y.
& Erie Railroad
from New York to Dunkirk was laid. April 17, twelve members
of the state Senate resigned, leaving many bills unsigned,
including one authorizing the city to borrow money to build
a new city hall.
On May 18, 1851, Buffalo
's own President Millard Fillmore
arrived with most of his Cabinet, passing through to the opening
of the railroad in Dunkirk. Mayor Wadsworth
met the President when he arrived and they had a municipal reception
later that evening.
The Buffalo
Female Academy opened in September 1851.
On January 12, 1852, a group of citizens and firemen
met to discuss the opening of a new firehouse in the fourth
ward, No. 12.
Mayor Wadsworth
declined a second term.
The last day of Mayor Wadsworth
's term was on March 9, 1852. the Council met, and tendered
its thanks to Mayor Wadsworth
for his duties during his term. Two aldermen were appointed
to wait upon second term Mayor-Elect Hiram Barton
Wadsworth then addressed the Council: "I am
glad that the confusion of public business has not disturbed
our private friendships.
"Together we have sought out the interest of
prosperity of our city, together we have entertained the
guests of the people, together we have administered to the
relief of the suffering poor when smitten by a fiery Providence
and together have we performed the last sad rites of sepulture
to the remains of a good citizen (Alderman Tiffany), an
accomplished and most worthy member of this body whose sudden
mortality
must forcibly admonish us now:
'Like bubbles on the sea of matter
borne,
'We rise, we break and to that sea
return.'
"Gentlemen, our official connection is at an
end."
When Mayor-elect Barton arrived, Wadsworth administered
the oath of office and so ended his term.
PERSONAL LIFE
In 1851 Wadsworth became president of the Buffalo
, Brantford & Goodrich Railroad and continued this after
his mayoral term ended. Wadsworth traveled to Great Britain
three times from 1852 - 54 to study the English railway
system and secure a loan for the Buffalo
, Brantford & Goodrich. He was also the director of
the Schenectady and Catskill Railroad, and connected with
the Central Pacific Railroad.
James Wadsworth
married Rosetta F. Robinson, of Durham, Connecticut on September
8, 1845. They had five children, three of which lived to
adulthood. His first dwelling was at 62 Swan Street. In
1849 he lived at Main and Chippewa Streets.
In 1854 Wadsworth was a trustee for the Buffalo
City Hospitals. He served that position again in 1855. In 1855
the firm of Wadsworth & Cameron added M. H. L. Tyerell.
In 1856 the firm of Wadsworth & Hoyt (Fred J.) was formed.
In 1855 while in Canada, Wadsworth was chosen as
the state Democratic Senate candidate for the 31st district.
The democratic ticket swept the county, with Wadsworth becoming
the first Democrat in that position in over 30 years.
Wadsworth was re-elected for 1858 - 59 during which
time he strongly supported state aid to the railroads. Because
of his successful years in Albany he decided to move to
New York City in 1859.
For the next 25 years he was engaged in "various
railway, mining, and oil companies." He worked for
Wells & Fargo's Overland Express, and practiced law
part of the time.
"During the war he was Chairman of the Union
League in New York, and was actively employed in sustaining
the United States Government."
Wadsworth was a Library Board member in 1865 -1866
and again in 1870.
On September 17, 1866, Mrs. Wadsworth died. On July
9, 1873 Wadsworth married again, to Virginia C. Conklin
of Norfolk, Virginia. They had one daughter.
Wadsworth was candidate of the Young Democracy party
for Congress in 1870, but lost that bid. Apparently with
this loss and his fortune depleting, his health declined.
"For the last two years of his life he was a great
sufferer, his trouble being
aggravated by la grippe and by financial difficulties."
He was placed in an institution in Yonkers, New York where
died May 18, 1891. James Wadsworth
was buried in his hometown of Durham, Connecticut.
