Wharton was born in Philadelphia, January 12, 1757, the son of Joseph Wharton, a successful merchant. At an early age he left his studies, and was apprenticed to a hatter. He entered the counting-house of his brother Samuel, a Philadelphia merchant, but he spent much of his time in outdoor sports, and until 1818 was president of the famous fox-hunting club of Gloucester, New Jersey that was organized in 1766. In 1790 he became a member of the Schuylkill Fishing Company, a social club, of which he was president 1812–1828.
Wharton was a member of the Philadelphia city council from 1792 till 1795. In 1796 he was made alderman of that city, and in the same year quelled a riot among sailors who had organized themselves into a body and demanded higher wages. After reading the riot act, he requested they disperse, and, being received with shouts of defiance, Wharton ordered each of his men "to take his man," and the sailors were captured and imprisoned. He quelled the Walnut Street Prison riot in 1798 and also took part in suppressing others.
He was elected mayor of Philadelphia sixteen times between 1798 and 1824. After serving two one-year terms, 1798–1800, he declined nomination in 1800. He served three more terms, 1806–1808 and 1810–1811, then on being re-elected in 1811, he declined to serve. Subsequently, he served nine more terms, 1814–1819 and 1820–1824. His 14 elections to the office make him the longest-serving and most-elected mayor in Philadelphia's history.[1]
Military serviceedit
Wharton became a member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry in 1798 and served as its captain from 1803 to 1811. In 1810, the six troops of cavalry in the city were organized into a regiment, of which Wharton was elected colonel. Later, he was elected brigadier-general of the state militia. He was vice-president of the Washington Benevolent Society, of which he was an original member.
Wharton married Salome Chancellor. He died in Philadelphia, March 7, 1834. He was buried at Friends Western Burial Ground at 16th and Race Street in Philadelphia.
Referencesedit
^. 2021-02-22. Archived from the original on 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
robert, wharton, philadelphia, robert, wharton, january, 1757, march, 1834, longest, serving, mayor, philadelphia, robert, whartonportrait, john, neagleborn12, january, 1757, died7, march, 1834, aged, occupationpolitician, position, heldmayor, philadelphia, wh. Robert Wharton January 12 1757 March 7 1834 was the longest serving mayor of Philadelphia Robert Whartonportrait by John NeagleBorn12 January 1757 Died7 March 1834 aged 77 OccupationPolitician Position heldMayor of Philadelphia Wharton was born in Philadelphia January 12 1757 the son of Joseph Wharton a successful merchant At an early age he left his studies and was apprenticed to a hatter He entered the counting house of his brother Samuel a Philadelphia merchant but he spent much of his time in outdoor sports and until 1818 was president of the famous fox hunting club of Gloucester New Jersey that was organized in 1766 In 1790 he became a member of the Schuylkill Fishing Company a social club of which he was president 1812 1828 Contents 1 Political career 2 Military service 3 References 4 External linksPolitical career editWharton was a member of the Philadelphia city council from 1792 till 1795 In 1796 he was made alderman of that city and in the same year quelled a riot among sailors who had organized themselves into a body and demanded higher wages After reading the riot act he requested they disperse and being received with shouts of defiance Wharton ordered each of his men to take his man and the sailors were captured and imprisoned He quelled the Walnut Street Prison riot in 1798 and also took part in suppressing others He was elected mayor of Philadelphia sixteen times between 1798 and 1824 After serving two one year terms 1798 1800 he declined nomination in 1800 He served three more terms 1806 1808 and 1810 1811 then on being re elected in 1811 he declined to serve Subsequently he served nine more terms 1814 1819 and 1820 1824 His 14 elections to the office make him the longest serving and most elected mayor in Philadelphia s history 1 Military service editWharton became a member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry in 1798 and served as its captain from 1803 to 1811 In 1810 the six troops of cavalry in the city were organized into a regiment of which Wharton was elected colonel Later he was elected brigadier general of the state militia He was vice president of the Washington Benevolent Society of which he was an original member Wharton married Salome Chancellor He died in Philadelphia March 7 1834 He was buried at Friends Western Burial Ground at 16th and Race Street in Philadelphia References edit Mayors of Philadelphia 2021 02 22 Archived from the original on 2021 02 22 Retrieved 2023 10 24 External links editBiographical sketch under Thomas Wharton Political offices Preceded byHilary Baker Mayor of Philadelphia1798 1800 2 terms Succeeded byJohn Inskeep Preceded byJohn Inskeep Mayor of Philadelphia1806 1808 2 terms Succeeded byJohn Barker Preceded byJohn Barker Mayor of Philadelphia1810 1811 Succeeded byMichael Keppele Preceded byJohn Geyer Mayor of Philadelphia1814 1819 5 terms Succeeded byJames Nelson Barker Preceded byJames Nelson Barker Mayor of Philadelphia1820 1824 4 terms Succeeded byJoseph Watson Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Wharton Philadelphia amp oldid 1214804279, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
