John Darragh

John Darragh (1772 – May 14, 1828) was a U.S. politician. He served as the Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1817 to 1825.

Early life Darragh was born in Ireland, the son of John Darragh and Margaret Oliver. In 1774, the Darragh family, including young John, his older brother Daniel, and at least one sister, emigrated to Nottingham Township, Pennsylvania, in the Pittsburgh area. Two more brothers, Neal and Archibald, would be born there.

Darragh began his career as a merchant on Fourth Avenue between Wood Street and Smithfield Street in the city. Darragh eventually parlayed his success as merchant into becoming the president of the Bank of Pittsburgh.

He married Margaret "Peggy" Calhoun and together they had six children,

Pittsburgh politics

Darragh served terms as Justice of the Peace and Burgess of the Borough. Darragh died after a long fight with consumption. Originally interred in the churchyard of Pittsburgh's First Presbyterian Church, his remains were reburied in 1861 at Allegheny Cemetery.