Edward F. "Foxy Ed" Cullerton (1841–1920) was a politician who was a longtime alderman of the

Chicago City Council The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 alderpersons elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms. The council is gaveled into session regularly, usually mont ...

, and also served as a member of the

Illinois Senate The Illinois Senate is the Upper house, upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state, State of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adop ...

Early life and career

Cullerton was born in Chicago in 1842. Cullerton's family were some of the original settlers of Chicago. Cullerton was educated in public schools. He dropped out of elementary school to work as a canalboat driver. Cullerton was a successful saloon (hotel) keeper.

Political career

Cullerton was a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

. In 1871, Cullerton was elected an alderman of the Chicago Common Council for the 7th ward. He had been elected by a large majority. He continued to serve until 1876. Cullerton also simultaneously served as an Illinois State Senator, having been elected to that position in 1872, and assuming it in 1873. In the Illinois Senate he distinguished himself by standing as an opponent to the West Side Park Commissioners' taxation scheme, and also became well-versed in parliamentary procedure. In 1876, Cullerton was elected an alderman of what, that year, was renamed the Chicago City Council for the 6th ward. In 1888, he was redistricted to the 9th ward, where he served until 1892. During part of this tenure, he was Chairman of the Finance Committee. In 1898, Cullerton was again elected alderman for the 9th ward. He served until 1900. In 1901, Cullerton was elected alderman for the 11th ward. He served until his death in 1920. At the time of his death, having served as an alderman for a cumulative 48 years, he was the longest-serving alderman in the history of the Chicago City Council, a record he would continue to hold for many years. Cullerton died in his home on February 1, 1920, at the age of 78. Cullerton had a reputation for being shrewd and for being quiet, giving birth to his nickname "Foxy Ed". He was despised by proponents of clean government, but well-liked by voters in his own ward.

Legacy

Cullerton Street in Chicago, previously known as 20th Street, was named for him shortly after his death. His residence, at the time of his death, had been on this street.

Family political dynasty

Cullerton began what has become a Cullerton family political dynasty. For a cumulative period of 112 years, at least one member of the Cullerton family sat on the Chicago City Council. A series of Cullerton's descendants would hold the aldermanship of the 38th ward, including

William J. Cullerton William J. "Bill" Cullerton Sr. (June 2, 1923 – January 12, 2013) was an American World War II flying ace, entrepreneur, radio show host, and outdoorsman. Cullerton destroyed twenty-one Axis planes during the war, including sixteen destroyed in ...

, Thomas W. Cullerton, and

Timothy Cullerton Timothy M. Cullerton is a former Chicago City Council member who represented the 38th Ward on Chicago's Northwest Side. He was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2011. Background Cullerton's grandfather, William Cullerton, father, Thomas W. ...

. Also, family in-law

Thomas R. Allen Thomas R. Allen (born 1952) is a judge within the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County. He was sworn in on December 6, 2010. Prior to his judgeship, he was Alderman of the 38th Ward of Chicago, serving since 1993. Early life Allen graduated ...

held this seat. P.J. "Parky" Cullerton was an ally of

Richard J. Daley Richard Joseph Daley (May 15, 1902 – December 20, 1976) was an American politician who served as the Mayor of Chicago from 1955 and the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party Central Committee from 1953 until his death. He has been cal ...

and served as

Cook County Assessor The Cook County Assessor is the assessor and county government officer of Cook County, Illinois. Office description Before the creation of the position of Cook County Assessor in 1932, the Cook County Board of Assessors completed assessments i ...

. He also served as the 38th ward Democratic committeeman. Patti Jo "P.J." Cullerton, served as the 38th ward Democratic committeewoman for over 20 years.

John Cullerton John J. Cullerton (born October 28, 1948) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 6th district from his appointment in 1991 to 2020. He served as President of the Illinois Senate from ...

(his great-grandnephew) served as

president of the Illinois Senate The President of the Illinois Senate is the presiding officer of the Illinois Senate, the upper house of the Illinois General Assembly. The post dates from the General Assembly's 32nd session, in 1881. From 1881 to 1973, the lieutenant governor wa ...

, and Tom Cullerton served as an Illinois state senator as well.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cullerton, Edward Chicago City Council members Democratic Party Illinois state senators 1841 births 1920 deaths