John H. Kinzie

John Harris Kinzie (July 7, 1803 – June 19, 1865) was a prominent figure in Chicago politics during the 19th century. He served as the president of the Board of Trustees of Chicago when it was still a town and thrice unsuccessfully ran for Chicago's mayoralty once it was incorporated as a city. He also served as Cook County sheriff. After the Chicago's incorporation as a city, he served as a member of the Chicago Common Council (city council).

Early life

Kinzie was born in Sandwich, Ontario, the eldest son of John Kinzie, one of Chicago's first permanent settlers. His parents were both of Scots-Irish descent having immigrated to Canada in 1763. Kinzie arrived in Chicago with his parents when he was one year old.

The Kinzie family moved to Detroit, Michigan, following the Battle of Fort Dearborn, living there for several years. However, the family returned to Chicago in 1816.

Life and career

From 1818 until 1823, Kinzie worked for the American Fur Company. He spent some time working for the governor of the Michigan Territory in the 1820s and became an Indian subagent at Fort Winnebago until he returned to Chicago in 1833.

In 1831, Kinzie was appointed by governor as the inaugural Cook County Sheriff.

In 1833, Kinzie signed the 1833 Treaty of Chicago as a witness. It became a controversy how much the Kinzie family financially benefited from the terms treaty, given their connection to George Bryan Porter, who had been one of the treaty's government-appointed negotiators.

On August 11, 1834, Kinzie became the second president of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Chicago.