List of mayors of Jackson, Mississippi facts for kids

The Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi is the leader of the city government in Jackson, Mississippi. This important job involves making decisions that help the city run smoothly and improve the lives of its citizens. The role began in 1834, and back then, the person in charge was called the "President of Selectmen." Later, the title changed to "Mayor."

A big moment for Jackson happened in 1997 when Harvey Johnson Jr. was elected. He became the city's first African American mayor. Since then, all the mayors of Jackson have also been African American.

What Does a Mayor Do?

A mayor is like the chief executive officer of a city. They work with the city council to create laws and manage city services. These services include things like keeping streets clean, ensuring public safety with police and fire departments, and managing parks. The mayor also represents the city to the rest of the world.

Early Leaders: Presidents of Selectmen

Before the title changed to Mayor, the city's leader was known as the President of Selectmen. This was the first way Jackson organized its leadership.

Mayors of Jackson

The title of the city's leader officially changed to "Mayor" in 1839. Many different people have held this important position over the years, helping to shape Jackson into the city it is today. Some mayors served multiple terms, showing they were re-elected by the people of Jackson.

Image	Mayor	Years	Notes
	John P. Oldham	1839
	H.R. McDonald	1840
	John P. Oldham (2nd term)	1840–1841
	James H. Boyd	1842–1843
	John P. Oldham (3rd term)	1844–1849
	James H. Boyd	1850
	J.P. Jones	1851
	William H. Taylor	1852–1853
	Richard Fletcher	1854
	William H. Taylor	1855–1857
	James H. Boyd (2nd term)	1858
	W.A. Purdom	1859
	Richard C. Kerr	1860–1861
	Charles Henry Manship	1862–1863
	D.N. Barrows	1864–1867
	Maj. Thomas H. Norton	1868	Appointed as mayor by Union officers
	Bvt. Lt. Col. James Biddle	1868	Appointed as mayor by Union officers
	Col. James P. Sessions	1868–1869
	Rhesa Hatcher	1869
	Bvt. Lt. Col. Joseph G. Crane	1869	Appointed as mayor by Union officers
	Captain F.A. Field	1869	Appointed as mayor by Union officers
	A. Way Kelly	1869
	E. W. Cabaniss	1869–1870
	Oliver Clifton	1870–1871
	Rhesa Hatcher (2nd term)	1871–1872
	Marion Smith	1872–1874
	John McGill	1874–1888
	William Henry	1888–1893
	L.F. Chiles	1893–1895
	Oliver Clifton (2nd term)	1895–1897
	Ramsey Wharton	1897–1899
	H.M. Taylor	1899
	W.W. Morrison	1899	Mayor Pro Tem (temporary mayor)
	John W. Todd	1899–1901
	William Hemingway	1901–1905
	Oliver Clifton (3rd term)	1905	Died before starting his term
	Ramsey Wharton (2nd term)	1905–1909
	A.C. Crowder	1909–1913
	S.J. Taylor	1913–1917
	Walter A. Scott	1917–1945
	Leland L. Speed	1945–1949
	Allen C. Thompson	1949–1969
	Russell C. Davis	1969–1977
	Dale Danks	1977–1989
	J. Kane Ditto	1989–1997
	Harvey Johnson, Jr.	1997–2005	Jackson's first African American Mayor
	Frank Melton	2005–2009	Died while in office
	Leslie B. McLemore	2009	Served as a temporary mayor
	Harvey Johnson Jr. (2nd term)	2009–2013
	Chokwe Lumumba	2013–2014	Died while in office
	Charles Tillman	2014
	Tony Yarber	2014–2017
	Chokwe Antar Lumumba	2017–present

See also

• Timeline of Jackson, Mississippi