1844-1927
Adoniram Judson Mathis
Realtor/Mayor Des Moines, Iowa IA
Andy Osterdahl has information on 13 people named for Adoniram Judson at his blogspot, “The Strangest Names in American Political History.” He has granted permission to republish his work and the image he provided for this entry.
Adoniram Judson Mathis was born on November 26, 1844, in Iowa, the son of William and Elizabeth Duke Mathis, former residents of Kentucky. The family resided on a farm during Adoniram’s youth and later moved to another farm located in Polk County, Iowa. A.J. Mathis is also recorded as marrying in Iowa to Amanda Carr (1841-1907). The couple had two sons, Frank A. (1866-1938) and Whitney H. (1871-1921).
Before his tenure as Mayor A.J. Mathis engaged in real estate transactions and served as judge of the police court in Des Moines. In 1908 was elected Mayor of that city. Mathis’ term in office is notable for the establishment of the “Des Moines Plan” mentioned by experts and political scientists of the time as “the ideal form of city government“. Des Moines was the first city outside of the state of Texas to adopt this “city-commission” form of government. Mayor Mathis himself is quoted in the April 23, 1910 edition of the St. Paul Appeal as stating:
“Of all the accomplishments coming as a direct result of the Des Moines Plan, the greatest is the constant public interest is in the work of the council…. There was previously no public interest save that inspired by property interests and politics. Next in importance is a changed press, which in an improved degree tells what is going on a city hall. The press and the public lean on each other, and the council is thus inspired. The Des Moines Plan is responsible.“
Despite being a prominent figure in the establishment of this landmark form of municipal government Mathis served only one term as Mayor, leaving office in 1910. Little else is known of his life after this point, except notice of his death in 1927 at age 83. He was interred at the Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines.[1]
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[1] https://politicalstrangenames.blogspot.com/2012/05/adoniram-judson