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William J. Behan (1840-1928) was an American Confederate veteran and politician. He served as the 41st mayor of New Orleans (November 20, 1882 – April 28, 1884).
William Behan | |
|---|---|
 1893 portrait of Major William J. Behan | |
| Mayor of New Orleans | |
| In office November 20, 1882 – April 28, 1884 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph A. Shakspeare |
| Succeeded by | J. Valsin Guillotte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 25, 1840 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | May 4, 1928 (aged 87) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Republican |
| Alma mater | Western Military Institute |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Washington Artillery |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Early life edit
Behan was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 25, 1840, to his Irish immigrant parents, John Holland Behan and Katherine Behan. He was the eldest of three boys, William J., Frank, and Isaac D. With deep family ties to the city, Behan was destined from a young age to live out his days in the area. William attended the Western Military Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. Behan became Captain of the Mistick Krewe of Comus.[1]
Behan joined the Washington Artillery of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War of 1861–1865. He held, at the time, the notoriety of being the youngest officer under that section of General Robert E. Lee's forces.[citation needed] He became a major in the CSA.
Career edit
After the war, Behan headed the implementation of the Crescent City White League. This paramilitary group consisted of Confederate veterans who sought to keep Republicans from taking office. It was described by many to be the "Military arm of the Democratic Party.
Behan's involvement in the formation of this led to his nomination from the Democratic Party for the Mayor of New Orleans. He won in what is considered a landslide political victory in the 1882 election. He became the first Mayor in the new city charter which was constructed in the post-war process. In 1884, after two years in office, Behan lost his incumbent position in what is considered to be an travesty to the Democratic selection.[according to whom?] The popular vote in the election was thrown out and was deemed inconclusive, and the decision was made by a "Ring" of influential politicians. He was then ousted by fellow Democrat J. Valsin Guillotte. Outraged by this decision, Behan left the party and joined the Republicans. In 1904, Behand ran as the Republican candidate for governor of Louisiana, but was thoroughly defeated by Democrat Newton Blanchard. After the defeat, he stated that he would never strive to be Mayor of New Orleans for the rest of his life.
After leaving politics, Behan found riches as a business merchant and a manufacturer of sugar. He also was a partner in the Zuberbeir and Behan groceries company.
Death edit
Behan died May 4, 1928, on Jackson Avenue at his home in New Orleans.
References edit
[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
- ^ "Lot Information". Nealauction.com. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
- ^ "Administrations of the Mayors of New Orleans: Behan." Administrations of the Mayors of New Orleans: Behan. Louisiana Division, New Orleans Public Library, 19 Nov. 2002. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ^ Current, Richard N. The Confederacy: Selections from the Four-volume Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of the Confederacy. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 1998. Print.
- ^ Hirsch, Arnold R., and Joseph Logsdon. "The People And Culture of New Orleans" New Orleans Online, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013.
- ^ Miller, Mike. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana 2 (1997): 279-80.USGW Archives. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.
- ^ "Mrs. William J. Behan Obituary." Louisiana Research Collection [New Orleans] 1920: n. pag. Print.
- ^ Nystrom, Justin A. New Orleans after the Civil War: Race, Politics, and a New Birth of Freedom. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 2010. Print.
- ^ Solomon, Clara, and Elliott Ashkenazi. The Civil War Diary of Clara Solomon: Growing up in New Orleans, 1861-1862. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1995. Print.
- ^ United States of America. New Orleans. Office of the Mayor. Mayor Records 1862-1920. N.p.:Print.
