Ebenezer Johnson

Ebenezer Johnson
Portrait of Ebenezer Johnson
1st Mayor of Buffalo
In office May 1832 – March 1833, 1834–1835
Preceded by	none, Major Andre Andrews
Succeeded by	Major Andre Andrews, Hiram Pratt
Personal details
Born	November 7, 1786 New England
Died	September 23, 1849 (aged 62) Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	married twice: Sally M. Johnson, Lucy E. Lord Johnson
Children	six children
[1]

Ebenezer Johnson (1786–1849) was an American businessman and politician. He served as the first mayor of Buffalo, New York from May 1832 – March 1833 and 1834–1835.

Early life

Ebenezer Johnson was born in New England on November 7, 1786. He studied medicine in Cherry Valley, New York with Dr. Joseph White, a well-known physician of the time.

Career

He came to Buffalo in 1810 where he began a medical practice and eventually opened a drug store.

During the War of 1812 he was appointed "surgeon's mate," or assistant surgeon. From 1823 on, Johnson had many business dealings including banking and bought property throughout the city.^[2]

On May 28, 1832 the first election in Buffalo took place and under the first city charter, the Common Council had the power to elect the mayor. Dr. Ebenezer Johnson was elected the first mayor of Buffalo with a salary of $250 per year and his political affiliation was Democrat-Republican. During his term he established the first hospital, the McHose House, for the care of cholera patients. Johnson served as mayor from May 1832 to March 1833. He declined a second term. He did accept his re-election in 1834, serving a second and final term ending in 1835.^[2]

Dr. Johnson owned a parcel of land on Delaware Street, from Chippewa to Tupper, now known as "Johnson Park" and located in the West Village Historic District. His land was approximately 25 acres (100,000 m²) total. It was surrounded by a high fence and he allowed wild animals to live freely within its limits. His home was known as "Johnson Cottage," or just "the Cottage," and was a well-known place for socializing. The property included fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, flower beds, and elm trees.^[2]

After his second term, he moved to Tellico Plains, Tennessee, where he owned an iron ore mine with his brother, Elisha Johnson, who was a former mayor of Rochester, New York.

Personal life

On January 25, 1811, he married Sally M. Johnson at Cherry Valley. She died in June 1834, and on December 7, 1835, he married Lucy E. Lord.

Death

Johnson died at Tellico Plains on September 23, 1849.^[2]

References

1. Rizzo, Michael (2005). Through The Mayors' Eyes. Lulu. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-4116-3757-3.
2. "Dr. Ebenezer Johnson". Through The Mayor's Eyes, The Only Complete History of the Mayor's of Buffalo, New York, Compiled by Michael Rizzo. The Buffalonian is produced by The Peoples History Union. 2009-05-27.