J. Franklin Dyer

Jonah Franklin Dyer (April 15, 1826 – February 1, 1879) was an American physician and politician who was a Union Army surgeon during the American Civil War and mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1878.

Early life Dyer was born on April 15, 1826 in Eastport, Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin Medical School in 1849 and practiced in Boston for two years before moving to Gloucester's Annisquam neighborhood.

Dyer’s wartime letters to his wife were later published as The Journal of a Civil War Surgeon.

Politics Dyer served for many years on Gloucester’s school committee, board of health, and as town physician. He represented the community in the 1869 Massachusetts legislature. When the city form of government was adopted in 1873, Dyer was elected to represent Ward 6 on the board of aldermen. He was the Republican nominee for mayor in 1877 and defeated Democrat Samuel A. Stacy 1075 votes to 1006. He did not seek reelection and was succeeded by William Williams.

Dyer died on February 1, 1879 "after over a year's illness of consumption".