Jonas R. McClintock

Jonas R. McClintock
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 22nd district
In office 1854–1856
8th Mayor of Pittsburgh
In office 1836–1839
Preceded by	Samuel Pettigrew
Succeeded by	William Little
Personal details
Born	January 8, 1808 Pennsylvania
Died	November 25, 1879 (aged 71)
Alma mater	University of Pittsburgh University of Maryland Medical School (M.D.)
Occupation	Physician

Jonas R. McClintock (January 8, 1808 – November 25, 1879), served as Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1836 to 1839.^[1] He was the first Medical Doctor to serve as mayor of Pittsburgh.

Early life

Jonas Roup McClintock was born in Pennsylvania in 1808. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. He attended the University of Maryland Medical School, earning an M.D. in 1830. He rose to local fame heroically treating his fellow Pittsburghers during the cholera epidemics in the early 1830s. In 1832 he organized Pittsburgh's very first board of health, he also was a member of the local vigilance committee and the volunteer fire company.

Pittsburgh politics

At the very youthful age of 28 he became mayor, much on his fame and legend making the city safe from cholera and fire earlier in the decade. He was known affectionately as the "Boy Mayor". His mayoral administration had to deal with hard financial times in the late 1830s. However, he succeeded in major infrastructure improvements in the city including the original "cut" of Grant's Hill, a steep bluff boxing the city in on the east. The "cut" allowed for settlement of an area of the city previously uninhabitable because of the grade of the land.

Later life

Upon leaving the mayor's office, McClintock ran successfully for state Senator in 1853. His stay in Harrisburg was highlighted by his championing of commonwealth legislation promoting free secondary education. When the U.S. Civil War divided the nation, Dr. McClintock help organize a troop company for battle, it numbered over 3,500 men. In 1879 he died from a strangulated hernia. He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.^[1]

See also

• List of Mayors of Pittsburgh

References

1. Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "Index to Politicians: Mcclelland to Mcclory". The Political Graveyard. Lawrence Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2010-10-03. McClintock, Jonas R. (1808-1879) — of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pa. Born January 8, 1808. Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pa., 1836-39. Died November 25, 1879. Interment at Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa.