John R. Conway

John R. Conway was the 30th mayor of New Orleans (June 10, 1868 April 4, 1870).

John R. Conway
30th Mayor of New Orleans
In office
June 10, 1868  April 4, 1870
Preceded byEdward Heath
Succeeded byBenjamin Flanders[1]
Personal details
BornAugust 24, 1825 (1825-08-24)
Alexandria, Virginia
DiedMarch 11, 1896 (1896-03-12) (aged 70)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Political partyDemocrat[2]
Spouse(s)Elize G. Waggeman[2]

Background

John R. Conway was born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1825. In 1862, he moved to New Orleans and began work at a cotton commission house (which buys and sells cotton for a customer), but was soon fired due to the suspension of business in New Orleans by the occupying Union forces. However, in 1865, Conway, along with his brother, Colin, entered business again, now as a wholesale grocer and commission merchant.[2]

Politics

For quite a while, Conway had been greatly interested in politics, and considered active participation as part of his patriotic duty.[3] After the Civil War, when the Orleans Parish Democratic Committee was reformed, Conway was named chairman. Conway worked with the Democratic State Central Committee to return control of the city back to the people, after several years of military control.[3] Also during Conway's time as mayor, the city of New Orleans received a statue of Benjamin Franklin from neoclassical sculptor Hiram Powers.[2]

Personal life

On December 9, 1857 Conway married Elize G. Waggeman. The couple had two daughters.[2] John R. Conway participated in many organizations, including the American Legion of Honor, the Chess, Checkers and Whist Club, the Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce, and was an organizer of the Sons of the Revolution.[2] On March 11, 1896, at age 70, Conway died in his home in New Orleans, and was buried in the Cypress Grove Cemetery.[4]

References

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