James E. McVann explained

James E. McVann
Birth Date:24 December 1891
Birth Place:Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S.
Death Place:Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality:American
Occupation:Lawyer
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Northeastern College
Mayor of Peabody, Massachusetts
Term Start:1935
Term End:1939
Predecessor:J. Leo Sullivan
Successor:Joseph B. O'Keefe
Title2:Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 11th Essex district
Term Start2:1921
Term End2:1922
Predecessor2:Henry F. Duggan
Successor2:John A. Jones
Term3:1919
Predecessor3:William H. Mahoney
Successor3:Henry F. Duggan

James Edward McVann (December 24, 1891 – July 31, 1970) was an American attorney and politician who served as mayor of Peabody, Massachusetts and was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Early life

McVann was born on December 24, 1891. He was educated in the Peabody public schools and graduated from Northeastern College. He studied law in the office of Frank E. Farnham and was admitted to the bar in 1916. In 1918 he formed a partnership with Farnham's son, Horace P. Farnham. On January 19, 1919, McVann married Helen G. Regan, a Salem, Massachusetts public school teacher.[1]

Politics

McVann represented the 11th Essex district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the 1919 and 1921–1922 legislatures.[2] He was the runner up to J. Leo Sullivan in the 1930 and 1932 mayoral elections.[3] [4] Sullivan did not run in 1934 and McVann defeated former mayor Robert A. Bakeman and Charles V. Cassidy by a wide margin to become mayor.[5] In 1936, he beat leather worker Joseph B. O'Keefe by 58 votes to win a second term.[6] He did not run for reelection in 1938.[7] From 1950 to 1962, McVann was a member of the Peabody city council.[8]

McVann died on July 31, 1970, at his home in Peabody. He was survived by his wife and three children.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Municipal History of Essex County in Massachusetts . 1922 . Lewis Historical Publishing Company . New York . 224–225 . 5 May 2023.
  2. Book: Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1921-22 . 5 May 2023.
  3. News: Mayor Sullivan Wins Another Peabody Term . The Boston Globe . December 3, 1930.
  4. News: Reelect Mayor at Primaries . The Boston Globe . November 16, 1932.
  5. News: McVann Automatically Becomes Peabody Mayor . The Boston Globe . November 14, 1934.
  6. News: Mayor McVann Wins by 58 Votes in Peabody . The Boston Globe . December 9, 1936.
  7. News: O'Keefe, Murphy Win in Peabody . The Boston Globe . November 16, 1938.
  8. News: Peabody . The Boston Globe . January 3, 1950.
  9. News: Atty. McVann . The Boston Globe . August 2, 1970.