William H. McKeighan

William Henry McKeighan
52nd Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1915–1916
Preceded by John R. MacDonald
Succeeded by Earl F. Johnson[1]
58th Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1922–1923
Preceded by Edwin W. Atwood
Succeeded by David R. Cuthbertson[1]
61st Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1927–1928
Preceded by Judson L. Transue
Succeeded by Ray A. Brownell[1]
64th / 2nd City Commission Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1931–1933
Preceded by Harvey J. Mallery
Succeeded by Ray A. Brownell[1]
City Commissioner of the City of Flint, Michigan
Personal details
Born July 1, 1886
Cleveland, Ohio
Political party Republican

William Henry McKeighan (July 1, 1886) was a Michigan politician and state political boss based in Flint.[1] Together with Detroit Mayor Ed Barnard and Grand Rapids politician-businessman Frank D. McKay form a Republican political triumvirate with ties to the Purple Gang of Detroit.[2]

Biography

William H. McKeighan was born in 1886 in Cleveland. In Saginaw, he attended high school. He move to Flint in 1908, initially working in a drug store. A year later, he opened his own pharmacy. McKeighan established a "base of operations at Leith Street and Industrial Avenue" where he owned a barber shop and pool hall then organized his political machine.[2]

McKeighan in 1913 was elected as a Flint city alderman at age 27.[2] He was elected several times to the office of Mayor of City of Flint. His first time was in 1915 for a single 1-year term then again in 1922[3] defeating Marvin C. Barney, Citizens Party candidate. On April 3, 1923, he was defeated in the race for Mayor by David R. Cuthbertson.[1] He was elected as Mayor again in 1927. A recall election to remove McKeighan in 1927 failed during which the police arrested recall supporters. In 1928, he faced conspiracy charges.[4]

McKeighan was under investigation for a multitude of crimes and ticked off the rest of the city leaders that they pushed for changes in the city charter to a council-manager form with the council called commission. So, he ran the "Green Slate" of candidates who won in 1931 and 1932 that[2] he was selected Flint Mayor in 1931 by the other City Commissioners. He entered the 1932 primary Governor of Michigan race. In 1940, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Michigan. In 1945 with political ally, Frank D. McKay, McKeighan was charged but given a judge directed verdict of not guilty for charges to conspiracy to violate state liquor laws.[3]

Political offices
Preceded by
John R. MacDonald
Mayor of Flint
1915–1916
Succeeded by
Earl F. Johnson
Preceded by
Edwin W. Atwood
Mayor of Flint
1922–1923
Succeeded by
David R. Cuthbertson
Preceded by
Judson L. Transue
Mayor of Flint
1927–1928
Succeeded by
Ray A. Brownell
Preceded by
Harvey J. Mallery
Mayor of Flint
1931–1933
Succeeded by
Ray A. Brownell

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "List of Flint City Mayors". Political Graveyards.com. Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Crawford, Kim. "Flint mayor commanded attention from - voters, police". Journal of the 20th Century (The Flint Journal). Archived from the original on November 9, 2004. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Index to Politicians: Mckeegan to Mckenty – McKeighan, William H. Entry". Political Graveyards.com. Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  4. Miller, James M. "Crackdowns on ‘reds,’ booze didn’t silence decade’s roar". Flint Journal: Journal of the 20th Century (Booth Newspapers). Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2009.


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