Nicholas Van Vranken Franchot (August 21, 1855 – May 6, 1943) was an American businessman and politician from

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

Life

He was born on August 21, 1855, in

Morris Morris may refer to: Places Australia *St Morris, South Australia, place in South Australia Canada * Morris Township, Ontario, now part of the municipality of Morris-Turnberry * Rural Municipality of Morris, Manitoba ** Morris, Manitob ...

Otsego County, New York Otsego County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,524. The county seat is Cooperstown. The name ''Otsego'' is from a Mohawk or Oneida word meaning "place of the rock." History In 178 ...

, the son of Congressman

Richard Franchot Richard Hansen Franchot (June 2, 1816 – November 23, 1875) was a U.S. Representative from New York and then an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was also an executive of two railroad companies, Albany and Susqu ...

(1816–1875) and Ann (Van Vranken) Franchot (1822–1881). He graduated from

Union College Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, and second in the state of New York, after Columbia Co ...

in 1875. In 1876, he removed to Olean,

Cattaraugus County, New York Cattaraugus County (locally known as Catt County) is a county in Western New York, with one side bordering Pennsylvania. As of the United States 2020 census, the population was 77,042. The county seat is Little Valley. The county was created ...

, and engaged in the oil business. On November 5, 1879, he married Annie Conyne Wood (1859–1928), and they had five children. He was a delegate to the

1892 Events January–March * January 1 – Ellis Island begins accommodating immigrants to the United States. * February 1 - The historic Enterprise Bar and Grill was established in Rico, Colorado. * February 27 – Rudolf Diesel applies for ...

and

1904 Republican National Convention The 1904 Republican National Convention was held in the Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on June 21 to June 23, 1904. The popular President Theodore Roosevelt had easily ensured himself of the nomination; a threat had come fro ...

; and mayor of Olean from 1894 to 1898. On January 4, 1905, he was appointed by Governor

Frank W. Higgins Frank Wayland Higgins (August 18, 1856February 12, 1907) was an American politician who served as the 35th Governor of New York. Early life Higgins was born in Rushford, New York on August 18, 1856. He was the son of Orrin Thrall Higgins (1826 ...

New York State Superintendent of Public Works The office of Superintendent of Public Works was created by an 1876 amendment to the New York State Constitution. It abolished the canal commissioners and established that the Department of Public Works execute all laws relating to canal maintenanc ...

, and remained in office until January 14, 1907. He died on May 6, 1943, at his home in

Olean, New York Olean ( ) is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern ...

; and was buried at the Hillington Cemetery in

. Franchot Park in Olean is named after him, and is on land deeded by him to the city. State Senator Stanislaus P. Franchot (1851–1908) was his brother; and Assemblyman Nicholas V. V. Franchot II (1884–1938) was his nephew.

References

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Franchot, Nicholas Van Vranken 1855 births 1943 deaths People from Olean, New York New York State Superintendents of Public Works New York (state) Republicans People from Morris, New York Union College (New York) alumni Mayors of places in New York (state)