John Wentworth (Illinois)
| John Wentworth | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district |
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In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 |
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| Preceded by | Isaac N. Arnold |
| Succeeded by | Norman B. Judd |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd district |
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In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 |
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| Preceded by | Willis Allen |
| Succeeded by | James H. Woodworth |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 4th district |
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In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1851 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Richard S. Molony |
| 19th Mayor of Chicago | |
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In office 1857–1858 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Dyer |
| Succeeded by | John Charles Haines |
| 21st Mayor of Chicago | |
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In office 1860–1861 |
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| Preceded by | John Charles Haines |
| Succeeded by | Julian Sidney Rumsey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
March 5, 1815 Sandwich, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 1888 (aged 73) Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party |
Democratic (1843–1855) Republican (1857) |
| Spouse(s) | Roxanna Marie Loomis |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois |
John Wentworth (nicknamed "Long John") (March 5, 1815 – October 16, 1888) was the editor of the Chicago Democrat, publisher of an extensive Wentworth family genealogy, a two-term mayor of Chicago, and a six-term member of the United States House of Representatives, both before and after his service as mayor.
After growing up in New Hampshire, he joined the migration west and moved to the developing city of Chicago in 1836, where he made his adult life. Wentworth was affiliated with the Democratic Party until 1855; then he changed to the Republican Party. After retiring from politics, he wrote a three-volume genealogy of the Wentworth family in the United States.
John Wentworth was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire. He was educated at the New Hampton Literary Institute and at the academy of Dudley Leavitt. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1836.
Later that year, Wentworth joined a migration west and moved to Chicago, arriving in the city on October 25, 1836. He became managing editor of Chicago's first newspaper, the Chicago Democrat, eventually becoming its owner and publisher.
He started a law practice and entered politics. He was a business partner of Illinois financier Jacob Bunn, and the two men were two of the incorporators of the Chicago Secure Depository Company.
In 1844 he married Roxanna Marie Loomis.
In later years, his nephew Moses J. Wentworth handled his business affairs, and would eventually manage his estate as well.
After becoming active with the Democrats, Wentworth was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for a total of six terms, five of them as a Democrat: (March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1851 and March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855).
He returned to Chicago and affiliated with the Republican Party. Wentworth was elected as mayor of Chicago for two terms, 1857–1858 and 1860–1861. Wentworth instituted the use of chain gangs of prisoners in the city as laborers.
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