Richard Vaux | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's3rd district | |
| In office May 20, 1890 – March 3, 1891 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel J. Randall |
| Succeeded by | William McAleer |
| Mayor of Philadelphia | |
| In office 1857–1858 | |
| Preceded by | Robert T. Conrad |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Henry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1816-12-19)December 19, 1816 |
| Died | March 22, 1895(1895-03-22) (aged 78) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Richard Vaux (December 19, 1816 – March 22, 1895) was an American politician who served as aDemocratic member of theU.S. House of Representatives forPennsylvania's 3rd congressional district from 1890 to 1891. He served asmayor of Philadelphia from 1857 to 1858.
Vaux was born on December 19, 1816, inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was the judge and philanthropistRoberts Vaux.[1] He was aQuaker[2] and educated by private tutors at theFriends Select School in Philadelphia and Bolmar's French School inWest Chester, Pennsylvania.[3] He studied law underWilliam M. Meredith[1] and in 1837 was admitted to thebar in Philadelphia. Vaux traveled to London with government dispatches and remained for a year to serve as secretary of legation underAndrew Stevenson,United States Minister toGreat Britain.[3]
Vaux returned to Philadelphia in 1839. He was nominated as a Democratic candidate forPennsylvania State House of Representatives but lost to theWhig candidate. He served on the Board of Governors for theEastern State Penitentiary from 1839 to 1892. In 1840, he started a private law practice in Philadelphia and was a delegate to the Democratic State convention.[3] He worked as member of the Board of Comptrollers for the public schools in Philadelphia and asrecorder of deeds in Philadelphia from 1841 to 1847.[2] In 1845, he published theRecorders' Decisions.[1]
Vaux ran unsuccessfully for mayor as a Democrat in the1842 Philadelphia mayoral election againstJohn Morin Scott, the1848 Philadelphia mayoral election againstJohn Swift, and the1854 Philadelphia mayoral election againstRobert T. Conrad. He partnered with Irish politicians[4] and was elected mayor in the1856 Philadelphia mayoral election. His administration increased the size of the police force, removed the requirement for policemen to be born in the United States, implemented a police and fire telegraph system and established uniforms.[4] He was defeated for reelection in the1858 Philadelphia mayoral election byAlexander Henry.[5]
Vaux also served as a member of the Board of City Trusts from 1859 to 1866, and as president from 1863 to 1865.[3] He was outspoken againstabolitionism and African-Americans. During the American Civil War, his pro-southern proclivities and affinity withBourbon Democrats earned him the nickname, the "Bourbon War Horse".[2]
He was aFreemason and served asGrand Master of theGrand Lodge of Pennsylvania from 1868 to 1869.[6] He served as president of thePhiladelphia Club,[1] was a member of theGirard College board for many years,[2] and was elected as a member of theAmerican Philosophical Society in 1884.[7]
Vaux was elected in 1890 as aDemocrat to the51st Congress to fill the vacancy left by the death ofSamuel J. Randall and served from May 20, 1890, to March 3, 1891. He lost his bid for reelection in 1890.[3]
He died on March 22, 1895, in Philadelphia[3] and was interred inLaurel Hill Cemetery.[8]
Vaux married Mary Morris Waln and together they had four surviving children.[9]
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| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Mayor of Philadelphia 1856–1858 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 3rd congressional district 1890–1891 | Succeeded by |
Mayors ofPhiladelphia (chronologically) | ||
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| Colonial era (1691–1776) |
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| Pre-Act of Consolidation (1789–1854) | ||
| Post-Consolidation (since 1854) | ||
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