Charles Godfrey Gunther

Charles Godfrey Gunther

C. 1860

Charles Godfrey Gunther (April 7 or February 7, 1822 - January 22, 1885^[1]) was a Democratic Mayor of New York from 1864 until 1866.

Early life

Gunther was born in New York into a family of recent immigrants from Germany. His father, Christian G. Gunther, was a wealthy fur merchant, and Gunther would eventually join the family business.

Gunther was also a volunteer firefighter for many years.

Political career

Gunther was active in Tammany Hall politics since his teenage years.

In 1861 he ran for Mayor, but lost to Republican George Opdyke in an election fraught with Civil War complications. In 1863 Gunther ran again and was elected, serving his two year term from 1864 until 1866.

Later life

After leaving politics, Gunther became a railroad executive, working in that capacity until his death in 1885.

He was buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery.

See also

• German American

References

1. ^ Obituary: Ex-Mayor C. Godfrey Gunther, The New York Times, January 24, 1885, at 5

Sources

• The Mayor Elect, Harper's Weekly, December 19, 1863, at 813.
• http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/gunther/gunther01.html

Political offices
Preceded by George Opdyke	Mayor of New York City 1864–1866	Succeeded by John T. Hoffman

Persondata
Name	Gunther, Charles
Alternative names
Short description	Mayor of New York City
Date of birth	February 7, 1822
Place of birth	New York, New York
Date of death	January 22, 1885
Place of death