Damien Marchessault
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Damien Marchessault (or Marchesseau) (April 1, 1818 – January 20, 1868) was Mayor of Los Angeles, California from May 9, 1859 to May 9, 1860 and then again from January 7, 1861 to May 6, 1865. Marchessault assumed the office one last time interrupting Cristobal Aguilar's first term in office for three months.
Born in St.-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada, Marchessault was described as a carousing onetime New Orleans gambler.
During his term as Water Overseer of Los Angeles, Marchessault and a partner laid wooden water pipes that burst and turned streets into sinkholes.
Struggling with mounting debts, he slipped into an empty Los Angeles City Hall Council chamber on Jan. 20, 1868, and shot himself to death.
[edit] References
- Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials: 1850—1938, Compiled under Direction of Municipal Reference Library City Hall, Los Angeles March 1938 (Reprinted 1966)
Preceded by John G. Nichols |
Mayor of Los Angeles, California 1859—1860 |
Succeeded by Henry Mellus |
Preceded by William Woodworth |
Mayor of Los Angeles, California 1861—1865 |
Succeeded by Joseph Mascarel |
Preceded by Oliver Stearns |
Water Overseer of Los Angeles, California May 12, 1866—May 8, 1867 |
Succeeded by Jesus Cruz |
Preceded by Cristobal Aguilar |
Mayor of Los Angeles, California May 8, 1867—August 8, 1867 |
Succeeded by Cristobal Aguilar |
Preceded by Cristobal Aguilar |
Water Overseer of Los Angeles, California August 8, 1867—January 20, 1868 |
Succeeded by Elijah Bettis |
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