New York City Mayor. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio and New Orleans, Louisiana and worked as a tailor before settling in northern New Jersey in 1832. He was active in several New York City, New York businesses, most notably a clothing factory and the successful banking firm George Opdyke and Company. Opdyke was an anti-slavery activist, and among the works he published were "A Treatise on Political Economy," in which he argued against slavery on economic grounds, rather than moral. In 1848 he was a Delegate to the Free Soil Party convention as well as an unsuccessful candidate for Congress. In the 1850s Opdyke moved to New York City and served in the New York State Assembly. In 1860 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, initially supporting Salmon P. Chase, and later playing an important role in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. After a previously unsuccessful campaign, in 1861 Opdyke won election as Mayor of New York City, the first Republican to hold the office, and served until 1864. In July 1863 riots among citizens opposed to drafting soldiers for the Civil War consumed the city. Mayor Opdyke backed the Lincoln Administration and refused to negotiate with the lawbreakers, calling in police and requesting the assistance of federal troops. After leaving office Opdyke was a member of many civic organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, and was also a noted philanthropist.
New York City Mayor. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio and New Orleans, Louisiana and worked as a tailor before settling in northern New Jersey in 1832. He was active in several New York City, New York businesses, most notably a clothing factory and the successful banking firm George Opdyke and Company. Opdyke was an anti-slavery activist, and among the works he published were "A Treatise on Political Economy," in which he argued against slavery on economic grounds, rather than moral. In 1848 he was a Delegate to the Free Soil Party convention as well as an unsuccessful candidate for Congress. In the 1850s Opdyke moved to New York City and served in the New York State Assembly. In 1860 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, initially supporting Salmon P. Chase, and later playing an important role in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. After a previously unsuccessful campaign, in 1861 Opdyke won election as Mayor of New York City, the first Republican to hold the office, and served until 1864. In July 1863 riots among citizens opposed to drafting soldiers for the Civil War consumed the city. Mayor Opdyke backed the Lincoln Administration and refused to negotiate with the lawbreakers, calling in police and requesting the assistance of federal troops. After leaving office Opdyke was a member of many civic organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, and was also a noted philanthropist.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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