Joseph Wightman
| Joseph Milner Wightman | |
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| 17th Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts | |
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In office January 7, 1861 – January 5, 1863 |
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| Preceded by | Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr. |
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City of Boston Chairman Board of Aldermen |
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In office 1858–1859 |
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| Preceded by | Pelham Bonney |
| Succeeded by | Silas Peirce |
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City of Boston Member Board of Aldermen |
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In office April 1856 – 1859 |
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| Preceded by | Levi Benjamin Meriam |
| Representative Massachusetts House |
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In office 1851–1851 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1812 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | January 25, 1885 (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Mount Auburn Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig,Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Berthia Morse |
| Children | Mary Ellen, Joseph Claxton, Henry Morse, Berthia M., Sarah Ernestine, Gertrude E. and Florence Ada |
| Residence | 79 Carver Street, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Profession | Manufacturer of Philosophical Apparatus, Attorney. |
| Signature |  |
Joseph Milner Wightman (October 19, 1812 – January 25, 1885) was an American politician who, from 1861 to 1863, served as the seventeenth Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.
Wightman was born the son of an immigrant tailor at Elliot Street in Boston on October 19, 1812. His father died when he was 10; when he was 14 years old, Wightman became a machinist’s apprentice. Wightman was apprenticed to a firm of mathematical and philosophical instrument makers owned by Mr. John Codman and Mr. Timothy Claxton. After his apprenticeship ended Wightman associated in business with Mr. Codman.
When he was 16, and still serving as an apprentice, Wightman made use of the Mechanic Apprentices' Library borrowing books on Mathematics and other subjects, so that he could study at night after his working hours. Through his use of the library, Wightman acquired a working knowledge of mensuration, chemistry and electrical engineering.
Wightman was able to benefit from these educational pursuits because one of his employers, Timothy Claxton, was an early innovator and supporter in providing educational opportunities for the working class.
Codman and Claxton's partnership lasted for only three years, after which time Timothy Claxton went into business for himself for three and a quarter years, after which he went into business with Wightman.
In the summer of 1835, Mr. Claxton's business was destroyed by a fire. Since Claxton was fully insured, he was able to rebuild, and, at that time, he went into partnership with Wightman, who Claxton described as his "right hand man".
On October 6, 1836, he married Berthia Morse (born 1812, the daughter of Aaron Morse and Sarah Johnson) in Boston, Mass. They had seven children (Mary Ellen, Joseph Claxton, Henry Morse (January 5, 1840 to April 3, 1885), Bethia M., Sarah Ernestine, Gertrude E. and Florence Ada).
In 1837, Claxton returned to his native country of England, Wightman took over the company, and the firm of Claxton and Wightman became the firm of Joseph M. Wightman, Wightman began to supply educational institutions with a large amount of educational scientific instruments.
Wightman was well renowned in his field. In September 1837, Claxton and Wightman won a silver medal from the judges on Philosophical Instruments at Boston's First Mechanics' Fair. Wightman won a silver medal from the judges on Philosophical Instruments at the second fair held in September 1837, and a gold medal at the third fair held in September 1841.
In 1845 Wightman was the chairman of a citizens committee that worked to improve water delivery into the City of Boston, this resulted in the development of the Cochituate Water Works.
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Wikipedia