DeWitt Clinton Cregier

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DeWitt Clinton Cregier
DeWitt Cregier.jpg
31st Mayor of Chicago
In office
1889–1891
Preceded by John A. Roche
Succeeded by Hempstead Washburne
Personal details
Born (1829-06-01)June 1, 1829
New York City
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Political party Democrat
Height 5 ft. 7 in.
Spouse(s) Mary Sophia Foggin
Children Ten (2 daughters, 8 sons)
Residence Chicago and St. Charles, Illinois
Website Wikipedia, Chicago Public Library

DeWitt Clinton Cregier (born: June 1, 1829; died: November 9, 1898; buried in Rosehill Cemetery) served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1889–1891) for the Democratic Party. Prior to this he was an engineer with the City of Chicago, and was awarded, in 1875, U.S. Patent 164,149 and in 1876, U.S. Patent 173,768, both for fire hydrants. The latter was a combination drinking fountain, fire hydrant, and watering basin for animals. The Cregier hydrant is widely seen in old photographs of Chicago.

Cregier was also Master Mason, presided as Worshipful Master of Blaney Lodge No. 271, A.F. & A.M. of Illinois for eight years, and served as Grand Master of Illinois in 1870-1871. D.C. Cregier Lodge No. 81 in Wheeling, Illinois, is named after him. He was a fifth great-grandson of Martin Cregier, first Burgomaster of New Amsterdam.[1]

File:20070513 Dewitt Clinton Cregier Plaque.JPG
Plaque on west facade of the Chicago Water Tower, mounted in 1933 in honor of Cregier's services.


Biography entitled: "The New York Orphan Who Built Chicago" subtitled: "The Story of DeWitt Clinton Cregier A 19th-Century American Engineering Genius" published October 2011, author Gloria Cregier Emma, one of Cregier's last surviving two grandchildren. Book available at public libraries and history museums in Chicago and suburban areas, in Springfield, Illinois, and by contact with author in Batavia, Illinois.

References