Lawrence Edward McGANN, Congress, IL (1852-1928)

McGANN, Lawrence Edward, a Representative from Illinois; born in Galway, Ireland, February 2, 1852; immigrated to the United States in 1855 with his mother, who settled in Milford, Mass.; attended the public schools; moved to Chicago, Ill., with his mother in 1865 and worked at the boot and shoe trade until 1879; employed as a clerk in the service of the city until 1885; appointed superintendent of streets January 1, 1885, and served until his resignation in May 1891; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second and Fifty-third Congresses (March 4, 1891-March 3, 1895); chairman, Committee on Labor (Fifty-third Congress); presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Fifty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1895, until December 27, 1895, when he was succeeded by Hugh R. Belknap, who contested his election; served as president of the Chicago General Railways in 1896 and 1897; commissioner of public works of Chicago 1898-1901; city controller 1901-1907; again commissioner of public works 1911-1915; resided in Oak Park, Ill., until his death in that city on July 22, 1928; interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Chicago, Ill.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present