| Office: | Chicago Alderman[1] [2] |
| Term Start1: | 1901 |
| Term End1: | February 1, 1920 |
| Constituency1: | 11th Ward |
| Term Start2: | 1898 |
| Term End2: | 1900 |
| Constituency2: | 9th Ward |
| Term Start3: | 1888 |
| Term End3: | 1892 |
| Constituency3: | 6th ward |
| Term Start4: | 1876 |
| Term End4: | 1888 |
| Constituency4: | 6th Ward |
| Term Start5: | 1871 |
| Term End5: | 1876 |
| Constituency5: | 7th Ward |
| Office6: | Member of the Illinois Senate |
| Term Start6: | 1873 |
| Term End6: | ???? |
| Birth Date: | 1840 |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Residence: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Death Date: | February 1, 1920 |
| Death Place: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Party: | Democratic |
Edward F. "Foxy Ed" Cullerton[1] [3] [4] (1841–1920) was a politician who was a longtime alderman of the Chicago City Council, and also served as a member of the Illinois Senate.
Cullerton was born in Chicago in 1842.[5] Cullerton's family were some of the original settlers of Chicago.[4] [6]
Cullerton was educated in public schools.[5] He dropped out of elementary school to work as a canalboat driver.[7]
Cullerton was a successful saloon (hotel) keeper.[3] [4] [5] [8]
In 1871, Cullerton was elected an alderman of the Chicago Common Council for the 7th ward.[1] [3] [5] [7] He had been elected by a large majority.[5] He continued to serve until 1876.[2] Cullerton also simultaneously served as an Illinois State Senator, having been elected to that position in 1872, and assuming it in 1873.[8] [5] [9] In the Illinois Senate he distinguished himself by standing as an opponent to the West Side Park Commissioners' taxation scheme, and also became well-versed in parliamentary procedure.[5]
In 1876, Cullerton was elected an alderman of what, that year, was renamed the Chicago City Council for the 6th ward.[1] In 1888, he was redistricted to the 9th ward, where he served until 1892.[1] During part of this tenure, he was Chairman of the Finance Committee.[5]
In 1898, Cullerton was again elected alderman for the 9th ward. He served until 1900.[1]
In 1901, Cullerton was elected alderman for the 11th ward. He served until his death in 1920.[1] [7] At the time of his death, having served as an alderman for a cumulative 48 years, he was the longest-serving alderman in the history of the Chicago City Council, a record he would continue to hold for many years.[10] [11] Cullerton died in his home on February 1, 1920, at the age of 78.[7]
Cullerton had a reputation for being shrewd and for being quiet, giving birth to his nickname "Foxy Ed".[7] He was despised by proponents of clean government, but well-liked by voters in his own ward.[7]
Cullerton Street in Chicago, previously known as 20th Street, was named for him shortly after his death.[7] [9] His residence, at the time of his death, had been on this street.[7]
Cullerton began what has become a Cullerton family political dynasty.[7] [8]
For a cumulative period of 112 years, at least one member of the Cullerton family sat on the Chicago City Council.[4] A series of Cullerton's descendants would hold the aldermanship of the 38th ward, including William J. Cullerton, Thomas W. Cullerton, and Timothy Cullerton. Also, family in-law Thomas R. Allen held this seat.[3] [12]
P.J. "Parky" Cullerton was an ally of Richard J. Daley and served as Cook County assessor.[10] [13] [11] He also served as the 38th ward Democratic committeeman.[14]
Patti Jo "P.J." Cullerton, served as the 38th ward Democratic committeewoman for over 20 years.[3] [8]
John Cullerton (his great-grandnephew) served as president of the Illinois Senate, and Tom Cullerton served as an Illinois state senator as well.[3] [6] [8] [9]