Walter S. Gurnee

Walter Smith Gurnee (born March 9, 1813 in Haverstraw , Rockland County , New York , † April 18, 1903 in Manhattan , New York City ) was an American politician . Between 1851 and 1853 he was mayor of Chicago .

Career

Nothing is known about Walter Gurnee's youth and schooling. Prior to his time in Chicago, he lived in Michigan . Between 1836 and 1863 he was a citizen of Chicago. There he founded a company in the tanning trade that employed between 30 and 50 workers around 1844 and was one of the largest companies in this branch in the Midwest. He was also a partner in a saddlery that also manufactured and sold leather goods. He also got into the railroad business and became president of the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad . During his time in Chicago, Gurnee made a fortune through his business activities.

Politically, Gurnee was a member of the Democratic Party . In 1851 he was elected mayor of the city of Chicago. He held this office after a re-election between 1851 and 1853. In 1860 he unsuccessfully sought another election to this office. In 1863 he moved to New York, where he died on April 18, 1903 at the age of 90. The city of Gurnee was named after him.

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personal data
SURNAME	Gurnee, Walter S.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Gurnee, Walter Smith (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	March 9, 1813
PLACE OF BIRTH	Harverstraw , New York
DATE OF DEATH	April 18, 1903
Place of death	New York City , New York