John Isaac DeGraff is a name synonymous with civic leadership, political prowess, and necessity for people of all backgrounds to be represented within the booming city of Schenectady, New York. In 1865, the City of Schenectady elected DeGraff as its first mayor—a position he held for five terms. DeGraff attained the job of Mayor when voting rights had just been granted to all male citizens in Schenectady, regardless of race and class. This moment in time was deeply significant in American history with such a landmark achievement being made in the city of Schenectady.
Early Life and Education
John Isaac DeGraff was born on November 12, 1818 in Columbia County, New York. DeGraff completed his studies at Chickering Institute in Schenectady at the age of fourteen. Following his studies, DeGraff worked as a shopkeeper in Schenectady and married Fanny DeGraff in 1844.
Early Career
DeGraff’s career in politics began when he was appointed to the Untied States Postal Service as a postmaster in 1848, when he was merely 30 years old. In that same year, he was a postmaster of the Canal Street Station and was then appointed to a county clerk position for the City of Schenectady in 1853. Throughout his lifetime, DeGraff had held many positions in the government, some of which included register of deeds, trustee of state prisons, and trustee of the poor. In 1853, he was elected to the Schenectady County Board of Supervisors and was elected for a fifth and final term in 1861.
Political Involvement
John Isaac DeGraff was a notably prominent voice championing the Republican Party and its policies in the state of New York. He was also a strong advocate for African-American suffrage, pushing for changes within the state legislature during his tenure as a county supervisor. In 1864, after a battle in the New York State General Assembly, DeGraff was a key player in the passage of African-Americans obtaining voting rights regardless of race.
Election as Mayor
Eventually in 1865, John Isaac DeGraff became the first-ever elected mayor of Schenectady. During his first term as Mayor, he faced immense financial pressure as the city was in debt at the time. He was able to reduce the city’s debt quickly, but faced trouble managing the controversy of implementing a new tax on non-resident property owners.
Political Platform
DeGraff’s platform as mayor centred around advocating for the continuing development of the city of Schenectady as well as improving the welfare of its citizens. DeGraff implemented many changes to the infrastructure of the city, with efforts coming in the form of building better roads, expanding the sanitation department, and founding an orphanage.
He was also a strong advocate of lowering taxes, with a major success for the city coming in the form of reducing the high taxes residents had to pay for their streets and sidewalks. DeGraff was successful in raising the standards of living for many, with the city of Schenectady’s population increasing threefold by 1872, due in part to DeGraff’s initiatives.
Successful Programs and Projects
Under DeGraff’s tenure as mayor of Schenectady, he was responsible for some of the city’s greatest successes as a government leader. Here are some of John Isaac DeGraff’s most successful programs and projects:
• Cancelled the Tompkins Market Tax: DeGraff successfully convinced the legislature to abolish the Tompkins Market Tax, a tax that required individuals working in Schenectady to pay a hefty fee which had caused considerable financial hardship on the city’s inhabitants.
• Constructed Water Works: In 1870, DeGraff purchased the original water works of the city, allowing for water to be supplied to the city in its own pipes.
• Established a Board of Public Safety: With the ever-growing population of the city, health and safety became a major issue. To resolve this, DeGraff collected a board of Public Safety members and put into place strategies to ensure the citizens of Schenectady were safe from potential fires and health risks.
• Created a Fire Department: DeGraff was also able to set up the independent Fire Department—providing the city with modern fire-fighting apparatus for safety and ease of fire containment.
• Assisted in the opening of the Thomson Library: In 1868, DeGraff was part of a fundraising effort to open the Thomson Library, a center of education and culture for the city of Schenectady.
Legacy
John Isaac DeGraff has been credited with many of the city’s successes during his time as mayor. He was a leader whose efforts worked to create a better and more equal society for all citizens of Schenectady, regardless of class or race. It is because of his many accomplishments that DeGraff is remembered and recognized as the first-ever elected mayor of the city of Schenectady and political figure of the era—with his legacy still being felt in the city today.
