Joseph G. Masten
Encyclopedia
Joseph Griffiths Masten (1809–1871) was Mayor
of the City of Buffalo, New York
, serving in 1843–1844 and 1845–1846. He was born in Red Hook, New York
on June 24, 1809. He graduated from Union College
in 1828, then went on to study law and pass the bar. In 1836 Masten moved to Buffalo and established a law practice. He and his wife, the former Christina Cameron, were the first civilian owners of the Wilcox Mansion
on Delaware Avenue.
He accepted nomination as a Democratic
candidate for Mayor in 1843 and was elected March 7, 1843. During his first term the office of comptroller
was created; Buffalo's Irish immigrants celebrated their first St. Patrick's day; and the ordnance requiring that sidewalks and gutters be kept free from snow and dirt was adopted. In 1845 he sought and won a second mayoral term. On March 10, 1846, Masten's last term as Mayor of Buffalo ended.
From 1856 until his death in 1871, Masten held the position of superior court judge, joining George W. Clinton
and Isaac Verplanck for the larger portion of that time. He also served as a Justice in the 8th Judicial District of the State of New York. He was a founding councilman for the Medical School that became the University at Buffalo. The Masten City Council district is named after him. He died on April 15, 1871, and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, serving in 1843–1844 and 1845–1846. He was born in Red Hook, New York
Red Hook, New York
Red Hook is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was reported to be 11,319 during the 2010 census. The name is supposedly derived from the red foliage on trees on a small strip of land on the Hudson River. The town contains two villages; the village of Red Hook and the...
on June 24, 1809. He graduated from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1828, then went on to study law and pass the bar. In 1836 Masten moved to Buffalo and established a law practice. He and his wife, the former Christina Cameron, were the first civilian owners of the Wilcox Mansion
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site preserves the Ansley Wilcox House, at 641 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, New York. Here, after the assassination of William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office as President of the United States on September 14, 1901...
on Delaware Avenue.
He accepted nomination as a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate for Mayor in 1843 and was elected March 7, 1843. During his first term the office of comptroller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
was created; Buffalo's Irish immigrants celebrated their first St. Patrick's day; and the ordnance requiring that sidewalks and gutters be kept free from snow and dirt was adopted. In 1845 he sought and won a second mayoral term. On March 10, 1846, Masten's last term as Mayor of Buffalo ended.
From 1856 until his death in 1871, Masten held the position of superior court judge, joining George W. Clinton
George William Clinton
George William Clinton was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1842–1843. He was born in New Town, New York, now part of Brooklyn, on April 21, 1807; a grandnephew of George Clinton and son of DeWitt Clinton. He grew up in Albany, New York, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1825. He was...
and Isaac Verplanck for the larger portion of that time. He also served as a Justice in the 8th Judicial District of the State of New York. He was a founding councilman for the Medical School that became the University at Buffalo. The Masten City Council district is named after him. He died on April 15, 1871, and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell...