Jonas C. Heartt

Jonas Coe Heartt (August 12, 1793 Troy, Rensselaer County, New York - April 30, 1874 New York City) was an American businessman and politician.

Life

He was the son of Philip Heartt, and was the first child baptized by the first pastor of the Troy First Presbyterian church, and for this reason he was given the name of the pastor, Jonas Coe. On August 30, 1814, he married Catherine Lamberson.

In 1822, he was elected assistant alderman for the Second Ward. He was also supervisor of this ward for 1833, 1835 and 1836, and in 1838 he was elected Mayor of Troy by the City Council. He was re-elected each following year until 1843, and was the first mayor elected by popular vote, in 1840. During his mayoralty measures were adopted for building the Schenectady and Troy Railroad. It was through the united efforts of Mayor Heartt and Jonathan Edwards that Troy was made the terminus instead of a branch of the Hudson River Railroad. He was instrumental in having a direct line of steamboats from Troy to New York, and for twelve years was a director in the River Steamboat Association. He was a director of the Troy and Boston Railroad from the time of its construction until his death.

In 1852, he was a Whig member of the New York State Assembly and was elected Speaker.

Sources

• Jonas C. Heartt, a short biography from History of Rensselaer Co., New York by Nathaniel Bartlett Sylvester, published in 1880. (retrieved from RootsWeb, 2007-12-26)
• "Hon. Jonas C. Heartt" (PDF). Obituary. New York Times. 1874-05-02. Retrieved 2007-12-26. , giving wrong year of his speakership.
• "Whig Assembly Caucus" (PDF). Latest Intelligence. New York Times. 1852-01-06. Retrieved 2007-12-26.