McGilvra, John J. (John Jay), 1827-1903

John J. McGilvra, a lawyer, businessman, politician, and Seattle pioneer, began his law career in Chicago, where he became friends with Abraham Lincoln. In 1861, Lincoln appointed him U.S. attorney for Washington Territory, at which time he relocated with his family to the Pacific Northwest. The McGilvras were the first settlers in what is now the Madison Park area of Seattle.

From the description of John J. McGilvra family photograph collection, circa 1880s-1920s [graphic]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 53373766

John Jay McGilvra was born in New York in 1827 and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1853. In 1861, he was appointed U.S. attorney for Washington Territory, a post he held until 1865. After serving a single term as a Republican in the territorial legislature, McGilvra became involved in what ultimately proved a failed railroad venture, the Seattle & Walla Walla Railroad. During this time he became a vocal critic of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. McGilvra was one of the first attorneys in Seattle and served for a short time as city attorney. He also speculated in real estate, purchasing land that later became Seattle's Madison Park neighborhood. An advocate of municipal improvement in Seattle, McGilvra remained active in civic affairs even after his retirement in 1893. He backed the Lake Washington Ship Canal and promoted the plan to bring Cedar River water to Seattle. Oliver McGilvra followed his father into the legal profession, and daughter Caroline married his former law partner, Thomas Burke. John McGilvra died in 1903.

From the description of John J. McGilvra papers, 1861-1926. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 57561666

From the description of John Jay McGilvra scrapbooks. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 264761586

John Jay McGilvra was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1827 and moved with his family to Illinois in 1844. After teaching school for several years, he began reading law, was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1853, and entered private practice in Chicago. In 1861, McGilvra was appointed U.S. attorney for Washington Territory, a post he held until 1865, when he returned to private pratice and politics. McGilvra was elected to the territorial legislature in 1866 as a Republican. The most notable accomplishment of his single term was the passage of enabling legislation for a wagon road over Snoqualmie Pass, the first trans-Cascade connection between eastern and western Washington. Following the Northern Pacific Railway's announcement in 1873 that Tacoma would be its West Coast terminus, he joined with other prominent Seattleites in organizing the Seattle & Walla Walla Railroad Company. Even after the failure of his railroad venture, McGilvra lobbied and litigated against the Northern Pacific and remained one of its most vocal critics.

McGilvra, one of the first attorneys in Seattle, spent most of his career in private practice but served a short time as city attorney. In addition to practicing law (he would eventually earn the title of "Judge" as a tribute to his longevity), McGilvra speculated in real estate. He and his wife, Elizabeth, purchased a large tract of land bordering Lake Washington, becoming the first white settlers in what is now the Madison Park neighborhood in Seattle. He built what became Madison Street to link his property with downtown Seattle and organized the Madison Street Cable Railway Company. McGilvra was also an advocate of municipal improvement and civic reform in Seattle, remaining active in civic affairs even after his retirement in 1893. He was a primary backer of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and promoted the concept of bringing Cedar River water to Seattle. He and other community leaders established a Municipal League in 1894, although it was soon disbanded. Oliver McGilvra, known to his family as Max, followed his father into the legal profession. McGilvra's elder daughter, Caroline, married his former law partner, Thomas Burke. John McGilvra died in 1903.

From the guide to the John J. McGilvra Papers, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

Lawyer, businessman, politician, and Seattle pioneer John J. McGilvra was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1827. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1853 and practiced law in Chicago. His law office was located in the same building as Abraham Lincoln's and the two were good friends. In 1861, Lincoln appointed him U.S. Attorney for Washington Territory, at which time he relocated with his family to the city of Seattle. McGilvra served as U.S. Attorney until 1866, when he returned to private practice. He was responsible for legislation to create a wagon road over Snoqualmie Pass, the first trans-Cascade connection between eastern and western Washington.

McGilvra and his wife (Elizabeth M. McGilvra) and children (Oliver and Caroline) were the first settlers in what is now the Madison Park area of Seattle, and their effect on the development of the area is still evident. In 1864-1865, he cut a straight-line road from his 400 acres of land to downtown Seattle. Today this is Madison Street, the only direct route from Lake Washington to Elliott Bay. He operated a daily stagecoach that ran the length of Madison Street, and soon the area became a favorite haunt of Seattle residents who came to rent canoes, listen to music played on twin bandstands, and walk along the promenade. In 1880, McGilvra set aside 24 acres of his property for a public park and leased additional acreage for the building of cottages.

McGilvra's son Oliver was a successful Seattle lawyer. Daughter Caroline McGilvra, a philanthropist and avid collector of Native American artifacts, was married to Seattle pioneer Judge Thomas Burke, for whom the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is named. John J. McGilvra died in 1903.

From the guide to the McGilvra Family Photograph Collection, ca. 1880s-1920s, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)