Julian Sidney Rumsey

Julian Rumsey
22nd Mayor of Chicago
In office May 6, 1861 – May 5, 1862
Preceded by	John Wentworth
Succeeded by	Francis C. Sherman
Personal details
Born	(1823-04-03)April 3, 1823 Batavia, New York
Died	April 20, 1886(1886-04-20) (aged 63) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Political party	Republican
Residence(s)	Chicago, Illinois

Julian Sidney Rumsey (April 3, 1823 in Batavia, New York – April 20, 1886 in Chicago, Illinois) served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1861–1862) for the Republican Party.

Early life

Rumsey was born on April 3, 1823 in Batavia, New York.

Early career

Rumsey arrived in Chicago on July 28, 1835, to work at Newberry & Dole, a shipping company owned by his uncles. For many years he worked as a clerk at the firm. When Mr. Newberry retired from the firm, Rumsey and his brother George became [[Partner (business rank)|partners] at the firm, which became Dole, Newberry & Co. Prior to the Rumseys becoming partners, the company had been focused solely and transporting freight. However, soon after they became partners the company began to focus on purchasing grain, operating out of a small warehouse on the North Side of the city. In September 1939, the firm sent the first-ever shipment of grain made in Chicago (2,900 bushels cosigned to Black Rock, New York). In 1852 Dole retired, and the firm, which for a time thereafter became known as Rumsey Brothers. The firm thereafter focused exclusively on the grain commission business. Later, Henry Towner joined as a partner and the firm was renamed Rumsey Brothers & Co, a name it would hold for decades thereafter. Rumsey remained in the grain business for the rest of his life.

Rumsey was a charter member of the Chicago Board of Trade, and remained a continuous member from its founding until his death. At the time of Rumsey's death, the only living charter member who had similarly maintained uninterrupted membership was Marcus E. Stearns. In 1859, he was elected president of the board of trade. As president, he implemented bold changes, which included obtaining a new charter for the board as well as putting in place a modernized system of grain inspection and grading. The latter achievement earned him the title of the "Father of Grain Inspection." His efforts to implement strict inspection standards helped to give Chicago a strong reputation among American grain markets.

Rumsey always took an interest in national and state politics, but was never a major force in politics or a regular office-seeker.

Mayoralty

In 1861, Rumsey was elected mayor of Chicago, defeating Democratic nominee Thomas Barbour Bryan. Running for mayor during a period that preceded the Civil War, he did much to arouse the enthusiasm of his fellow citizens in favor of the preservation of the Union, and at the mass meeting in Metropolitan Hall a few days after the firing on Fort Sumter, he delivered a stirring address.

Rumsey was sworn in as mayor on May 6, 1861.

Rumsey required all Chicagoans to take an oath of loyalty.

Rumsey's mayoralty ended on May 5, 1862, when he was succeeded in office by Democrat Francis Cornwall Sherman, who had won election in that year's election.

Post-mayoralty

Rumsey was a member of the first war finance committee, and of the Republican state committee the same year. At the time of the the Panic of 1873 he was president of the Corn Exchange National Bank.

After the Great Chicago Fire, Rumsey served as Cook County treasurer.

In 1869, he founded the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Death

Rumsey died on April 20, 1886 of "progressive paresis" that occurred after a short period of illness. He is buried in Graceland Cemetery.

Memorials

Rumsey Avenue, which runs NE/SW between the intersections of 87th St. & Pulaski and 85th St. & Hamlin, on Chicago's far Southwest Side, is named for him.

References

• Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1900). "Rumsey, Julian Sidney" . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.

External links

• Inaugural Address