Michael Joseph Conroy | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| 2nd Mayor ofAnchorage, Alaska | |
| In office April 11, 1923 – October 8, 1924 | |
| Preceded by | Leopold David |
| Succeeded by | Charles W. Bush |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1874 Ballyconneely,Republic of Ireland |
| Died | September 5, 1946 (aged 71) Anchorage, Alaska |
| Nationality | Irish-American |
| Spouse | Nellie Rushton Muscott |
Michael Joseph Conroy (September 20, 1874 – September 5, 1946) was the secondMayor ofAnchorage, Alaska, serving from 1923 to 1924.
Conroy was born in the village ofBallyconneely,County Galway,Ireland, on September 20, 1874. His family emigrated to the United States in 1880, settling inManchester, New Hampshire. He worked for theBoston and Maine Railroad until 1904. In 1905, he moved toSeward, Alaska to work on theAlaska Central Railroad. He lived for a time inCordova,Knik andValdez, where in 1913 he was admitted to theAlaska Bar Association. He served as United States Commissioner in the Seward-Kenai precinct until 1916. During this time he met and married Nellie Rushton Muscott, anurse fromSimpson, Kansas who was working in Seward for Dr.Joseph H. Romig. In June 1916, the couple moved to Anchorage where Joe found work as a tax assessor for the not-yet incorporated city.
Conroy was elected mayor in 1923, and reelected in 1924. During Conroy's first term in office,PresidentWarren Harding visitedAlaska, becoming the first U.S. President to visit the territory. Harding, along withSecretary of CommerceHerbert Hoover and others, arrived in Anchorage on the train from Seward on July 13, 1923 at 9:30 in the evening. Conroy welcomed them in a ceremony on Fourth Avenue, presenting Harding with aSydney Laurence oil painting ofMount McKinley.[1]
Conroy resigned on October 2, 1924, with City Council memberCharles Bush appointed to complete the rest of his term.[2]
Conroy died on September 5, 1946. He is buried inAnchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.
| Preceded by | Mayor of Anchorage 1923 – 1924 | Succeeded by |
| Town/City of Anchorage(1920–75) |  | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipality of Anchorage(since 1975) | |||||
| Formerboroughs |
| ||||