Pittsburgh Mayor. A successful industrialist, he served as Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1918 to 1922. Born and raised on a farm near Fulton, New York, he had only a grammar school education and entered the lumber business in Detroit, Michigan at age 20. He later moved to Pittsburgh, where in 1887 he co-founded with his brother the Babcock Lumber Company. Incorporated in 1897, it eventually comprised five factories in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee. In 1911 Babcock took a seat on Pittsburgh's City Council and was elected Mayor in 1918. During his administration Pittsburgh was struck by the 1918 to 1919 influenza pandemic, tense labor relations with the city's steel workers, and the political upheaval of the Women's Suffrage movement. He was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania in 1920. After leaving office he remained active in local politics and served as Allegheny County Commissioner from 1927 to 1931. Among his charitable enterprises, he purchased and donated 4000 acres of land for the creation of the county's North Park and South Park (both completed in 1931). The Babcock Lumber Company still exists today as a wholesaler-distributor, having phased out timber-cutting and manufacturing before World War II.
Pittsburgh Mayor. A successful industrialist, he served as Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1918 to 1922. Born and raised on a farm near Fulton, New York, he had only a grammar school education and entered the lumber business in Detroit, Michigan at age 20. He later moved to Pittsburgh, where in 1887 he co-founded with his brother the Babcock Lumber Company. Incorporated in 1897, it eventually comprised five factories in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee. In 1911 Babcock took a seat on Pittsburgh's City Council and was elected Mayor in 1918. During his administration Pittsburgh was struck by the 1918 to 1919 influenza pandemic, tense labor relations with the city's steel workers, and the political upheaval of the Women's Suffrage movement. He was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania in 1920. After leaving office he remained active in local politics and served as Allegheny County Commissioner from 1927 to 1931. Among his charitable enterprises, he purchased and donated 4000 acres of land for the creation of the county's North Park and South Park (both completed in 1931). The Babcock Lumber Company still exists today as a wholesaler-distributor, having phased out timber-cutting and manufacturing before World War II.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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