| Martin Kennelly | |
| |
| Historical Figure | |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
| Year of Birth: | 1887 |
| Year of Death: | 1961 |
| Cause of Death: | Heart failure |
| Religion: | Catholicism |
| Occupation: | Businessman |
| Military Branch: | United States Army (World War I) |
| Political Party: | Democratic Party |
| Political Office(s): | Mayor of Chicago |
| Fictional Appearances: | |
| The Hot War POD: November, 1950 | |
| Appearance(s): | Armistice |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Political Office(s): | Mayor of Chicago |
Martin Henry Kennelly (August 11, 1887 – November 29, 1961) was an American politician and businessman. He served as the 47th Mayor of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois from April 15, 1947 until April 20, 1955. Kennelly was a member of the Democratic Party. According to biographer Peter O'Malley, he was chosen as mayor by a scandal-burdened Democratic machine that needed a reformer on top of the ticket. Kennelly was a wealthy businessman and civic leader, active in Irish-Catholic circles. As a long-time opponent of machine politics he accepted the nomination on condition the machine would not pressure him for patronage and that he did not have to play a leadership role in the party. This gave him a non-partisan image that satisfied the reform element. As mayor he avoided partisanship and concentrated on building infrastructure and upgrading the city bureaucracy. He worked to extend civil service; he reorganized inefficient departments. The city took ownership of the mass transit system. He obtained federal aid for slum clearance and public housing projects and for new expressways construction. At his death, Mayor Richard J. Daley, the party leader who defeated Kennelly in a bitter primary battle in 1955, called him, "a great Chicagoan who loved his city" and ordered City hall flags placed at half staff.
Martin Kennelly in The Hot War[]
Mayor Martin Kennelly greeted President Harry Truman when Truman visited Chicago in September, 1952. Truman told Kennelly he was glad to be in a city that was still standing. Kennelly speculated that Chicago, the "Second City", was now the country's first city.[1]
References[]
| Political offices (OTL) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edward J. Kelly |
Mayor of Chicago April 15, 1947–April 20, 1955 |
Succeeded by Richard J. Daley |
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