Edwin D. McGuinness
Edwin Daniel McGuinness | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 19th Mayor of Providence | |
| In office January 6, 1896 – January 3, 1898 | |
| Preceded by | Frank F. Olney |
| Succeeded by | William C. Baker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1856 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | April 21, 1901 (aged 44) Providence, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen T. Noonan |
| Residence | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Alma mater | Brown University, Boston University School of Law |
| Profession | lawyer |
| Signature |  |
Edwin Daniel McGuinness (17 May 1856 – 21 April 1901) was Providence's first Irish Catholic mayor.
Personal life[]
Edwin Daniel McGuinness was born in Providence, Rhode Island on May 17, 1856, son of Bernard McGuinness and Mary Higgins, both Irish immigrants.[1] He attended public schools, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1877.[1][2] He went on to receive his law degree in 1879 from Boston University Law School.[2] He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in that same year and joined with John Doran (later a justice with the Rhode Island superior court) to form the firm of McGuinness & Doran.[1][2]
McGuinness married Ellen T. Noonan of Providence on November 22, 1881.[1] She was the daughter of Timothy and Ellen Noonan. They had one daughter.[1]
Political life[]
McGuinness was elected city alderman of Providence (1889 – 1893). He ran for mayor in 1893 and was defeated by Frank F. Olney; he ran again in 1895 and won.[1] In the 1896 campaign, McGuinness carried every single election district in the city.[1] Although he ran on the Democratic ticket, he was known for running a non-partisan administration.[2]
A major issue during McGuinness's terms as mayor was a conflict with the . They had contracted to build rainsheds on their new station in Providence, but failed to fulfill this obligation. McGuinness refused to let the station open until the rainsheds were built.[1] It was said to be a bitter fight between the mayor and the railroad.[1]
Regrettably the political responsibility took a toll on his health and he suffered a nervous breakdown during his second term as Mayor.[citation needed] McGuinness took ill in 1898, and even a trip south could not restore his health.[1]
He died at his home in Providence on April 21, 1901 at the age of 45.[1] He was buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.[3]
In 2007 he was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.[4]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Cutter, William Richard (1914). "Volume 3". New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial. Lewis historical publishing Company. pp. 1210–1212. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
Edwin D. McGuinness providence mayor.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Death of Former Mayor M'Guinness". The Providence Daily Journal. 22 April 1901. p. 3.
- ^ Edwin D. McGuinness at Find a Grave
- ^ [1] Mayor Edwin D. McGuinness ~ Inducted
External links[]
- American people of Irish descent
- Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island
- 1856 births
- 1901 deaths
- Burials in Rhode Island
- Brown University alumni
- Rhode Island Democrats
- Rhode Island lawyers
- Boston University School of Law alumni
- American Roman Catholics