Ebenezer Johnson

Who was Ebenezer Johnson?

Ebenezer Johnson was the first mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving May 1832 – March 1833 and 1834–1835. He was born in New England on November 7, 1786, and studied medicine in Cherry Valley, New York with Dr. Joseph White, a well-known physician of the time. He came to Buffalo in 1810 where he began a medical practice and eventually opened a drug store. On January 25, 1811, he married Sally M. Johnson at Cherry Valley. She died in June 1834, and on December 7, 1835, he married Lucy E. Lord. During the War of 1812 he was appointed "surgeon's mate," or assistant surgeon. From 1823 on, Johnson had many business dealings including banking and bought property throughout the city.

On May 28, 1832 the first election in Buffalo took place and under the first city charter, the Common Council had the power to elect the mayor. Dr. Ebenezer Johnson was elected the first mayor of Buffalo with a salary of $250 per year and his political affiliation was Democrat-Republican. During his term he established the first hospital, the McHose House, for the care of cholera patients. Johnson served as mayor from May 1832 to March 1833. He declined a second term. He did accept his re-election in 1834, serving a second and final term ending in 1835.²