Moses Formwalt

Who was Moses Formwalt?

Moses W. Formwalt was the first mayor of the city of Atlanta then in DeKalb County, Georgia. Atlanta was chartered in December 1847 and the first election of officers took place on January 29, 1848. Formwalt drew a larger share of the 215 votes than Jonathan Norcross and was elected mayor, representing the Free and Rowdy Party. First meeting of the city council followed on February 2 at the Jonas Smith grocery. Things proceeded pretty normally throughout his one year term: roads were cut, wells dug, law and order somewhat maintained and on January 17, 1849 Dr. Benjamin F. Bomar succeeded him as mayor.

Born in Tennessee, Formwalt came to Decatur in 1836 and established a tin shop on Decatur St. in Atlanta in 1846 where one of his most popular products were stills. He became mayor at age 28. Two years after leaving office, he began serving as deputy sheriff of DeKalb County and a short time later was stabbed to death by a prisoner while escorting him from the council chamber. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery and is honored by Formwalt Street just southwest of downtown.