San Francisco Mayor. He was an American politician in the 19th century. Born into a political family, he was the son of Vermont Governor Cornelius P. Van Ness and his first wife Rhoda Savage as well as the nephew of U.S. Representative John Peter Van Ness, and William Peter Van Ness, a federal judge. Van Ness attended Norwich University and graduated from the University of Vermont, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1825 and a Master of Arts in 1831. After studying law, he practiced in Vermont, Georgia, and later California. Moving to San Francisco in 1850, Van Ness was elected the 6th mayor of San Francisco, serving from July 1, 1855 until July 7, 1856. There were questions about irregularities in the election returns. He had two murders during his term that led to a vigilante group overriding his authority and executing two men. He requested California Governor J. Neely Johnson to send State militia forces into the city to stop the executions, but his request was denied. After the state legislature merge the city government into the state government, he left the office of mayor. In 1871, he was elected as a Democrat to the California state senate, a post he held until his death. He married Caroline Frances James Lesley and the couple had a son and a daughter. His Irish-born son-in-law Frank McCoppin became the 11th San Francisco mayor
San Francisco Mayor. He was an American politician in the 19th century. Born into a political family, he was the son of Vermont Governor Cornelius P. Van Ness and his first wife Rhoda Savage as well as the nephew of U.S. Representative John Peter Van Ness, and William Peter Van Ness, a federal judge. Van Ness attended Norwich University and graduated from the University of Vermont, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1825 and a Master of Arts in 1831. After studying law, he practiced in Vermont, Georgia, and later California. Moving to San Francisco in 1850, Van Ness was elected the 6th mayor of San Francisco, serving from July 1, 1855 until July 7, 1856. There were questions about irregularities in the election returns. He had two murders during his term that led to a vigilante group overriding his authority and executing two men. He requested California Governor J. Neely Johnson to send State militia forces into the city to stop the executions, but his request was denied. After the state legislature merge the city government into the state government, he left the office of mayor. In 1871, he was elected as a Democrat to the California state senate, a post he held until his death. He married Caroline Frances James Lesley and the couple had a son and a daughter. His Irish-born son-in-law Frank McCoppin became the 11th San Francisco mayor
Bio by: Linda Davis
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