St. Louis Mayors

George Maguire

Term:

1842 - 1843

Party:

Democratic

Born:

1796

Omagh, Ireland

Died:

October 11, 1882

St. Louis, Missouri

Background
Administration
Post-Administration

George Maguire (Mayor 1842-1843)-Background

Mayor (1842-1843). George Maguire was born in Omagh, Ireland in 1796 and was the first foreign born Mayor of St. Louis. At a very early age he came to the United States with his parents and the family settled in Virginia. As a young man he worked as a clerk in the United States Office of Indian Affairs. About 1820 he moved from Virginia to St. Louis. In 1833 he married Miss Mary Amelia Provenchere. Their only child was a daughter, Eulalia. She became the first wife of Charles Willing Francis, the first St. Louis Health Commissioner under the City Charter of 1876.

Mr. Maguire was a real estate owner and subdivider and worked for a while in the City Land Office which had charge of the City Commons. Maguire was a member of the City Council both before and after his term as Mayor. In 1839 and 1840 he was a member of the House of Delegates. Maguire was the first Democrat to be elected Mayor of St. Louis.

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George Maguire (Mayor 1842-1843)-Administration

In 1842 George Maguire became the eighth Mayor of St. Louis.

This was a period of rapid growth in the population of the City. The number increased from 16,000 to 77,000 during the decade from 1840 to 1850. Many of the Ordinances enacted during his administration reflected the problems that arose from this growth in population. In 1843 the City was redistricted from five to six wards. The Comptroller started furnishing a budget semi-annually to the Council, showing the estimated receipts and expenditures required for the current year. From this time the Street Inspectors were expected to report in writing to the Mayor each month on the number and type of violations of City Ordinances.

In other Ordinances, the Harbor Master was directed, at the expense of the owner, to remove leaky and unseaworthy vessels so that the harbor would not be damaged. Breakwaters were authorized on two islands in the Mississippi River to protect the harbor. The Harbor Master's duties were getting too great for one officer. Part of his duties were given to a Lumber Master. This new official inspected and measured all wood and lumber landed at the wharf and put on sale. A grading system of inspection of beef and pork was authorized with one of five grades to be marked on the barrel.

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George Maguire (Mayor 1842-1843)-Post-Administration

George Maguire remained active in politics after serving as Mayor. From 1848 to 1849 he sat on the Board of Alderman.

George Maguire continued to live in St. Louis until his death on October 11, 1882. His residence was at 1900 Hickory Street. Interment was at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

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