Leonard Richardson Cutter (July 1, 1825 – July 13, 1894) was the Chairman of the Board of Aldermen of Boston, Massachusetts in 1873, and served as the acting mayor of Boston from November 29, 1873, to January 5, 1874, after the resignation of Henry L. Pierce. His mayoralty of 37 days is the second shortest of any of Boston's mayors.[1]
Early life
Leonard Richardson Cutter was born on July 1, 1825, in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. He was a teacher for three years there before leaving for Boston at the age of 20. He initially lived in the West End neighborhood and worked as a grocer. Around a decade later, he became a successful real estate agent and landlord and moved to the Beacon Hill neighborhood.[1]
Political career
Cutter's political career began when he served for several years as a justice of the peace. From 1859 to 1861 he was a city assessor.
On November 29, 1873, MayorHenry L. Pierce resigned to serve in the House of Representatives for Massachusetts' 3rd congressional district. Pursuant to Section 29 of the municipal charter, Cutter became acting mayor, having the full power of the mayor, with the exception of mayoral veto authority.
He held power as both the chairman of the Board of Aldermen for the remainder of the year, as well as mayor, an act that was approved by his colleagues.[1]
He served out the remainder of Pierce's mayoral term.[2] He was succeeded by Samuel B. Cobb on January 5, 1874, after only 37 days of being mayor.
Later career
After stepping down as mayor, Cutter served a fourth year as an alderman. He served until 1883 on Boston's water board, being its chairman for four years. He had eight overlapping years where he served as Boston's water commissioner.[1]
Death
Cutter died in his home in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood on July 13, 1894. He was 69 years old.[1]
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