Charles Godfrey Gunther

Charles Godfrey Gunther (April 7, 1822 – January 22, 1885) was a Democratic Mayor of New York City from 1864 until 1866.

Charles Godfrey Gunther
c. 1860

Early life

Gunther was born in New York on April 7, 1822,[lower-alpha 1] into a family of recent immigrants from Germany.[2][3] His father, Christian G. Gunther, was a wealthy fur merchant, and Gunther would eventually join the family business.

Gunther was also a volunteer firefighter for many years.[1]

Political career

Gunther was active in Tammany Hall politics since his teenage years.[2]

In 1861 he ran for Mayor, but lost to Republican George Opdyke in an election fraught with Civil War complications. In 1863 Gunther ran again and was elected, serving his two-year term from 1864 until 1866.[2]

Later life

After leaving politics, Gunther became a railroad executive, working in that capacity until his death in New York on January 22, 1885.[2][4]

He was buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery.

See also

Notes
  1. At least once source gives his birthdate as February 7, 1822.[1]

References
  1. "Volunteer Fireman: public service start & a lifelong association". New York Correction History Society. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  2. Hall, Henry, ed. (1895). America's Successful Men of Affairs: An Encyclopedia of Contemporaneous Biography. Vol. I. The New York Tribune Company. p. 283. Retrieved December 3, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  3. "The Mayor Elect", Harper's Weekly, December 19, 1863, at 813.
  4. "Obituary: Ex-Mayor C. Godfrey Gunther". The New York Times. January 24, 1885. p. 5. Retrieved December 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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