Henry J (yames) Friel Henry J (ames) Friel ( 1823 , Montreal - May 16, 1869 , Ottawa ) - Canadian public figure and journalist. The mayor of Baytown in 1854, and after the city received a new name, Ottawa also served as mayor in 1863 and 1868-1869.
Born in a family of Irish Catholics. In 1827, his family moved to the recently founded village of Bytown , where many jobs appeared in connection with the construction of the Rideau Canal .
In 1846, Friel acquired the local Bytown Packet , made it successful, and sold it in 1849. Over time, the publication became the most popular Ottawa newspaper; It is currently called Ottawa Citizen . In 1858, he founded the new Ottawa Union newspaper, which in 1866 he sold to the owner of the rival Ottawa Times .
In 1847, Mr .. was first elected to the city council of Bytown. The following year he lost the election, but was elected alderman in 1850, 1853 and 1854. In the same 1854, he was first elected mayor of the city.
Friel also worked at Bytown Mechanical Institute . It was a Victorian institution, which, however, tried to educate francophones and women on a par with other students. Due to the high tuition fees, the institute soon closed.
Baytown Municipality was transformed into Ottawa in 1855. Friel was elected Ottawa Alderman in 1855-1858, 1864, 1865 and 1867. In 1863, he was a member of the first Council of Ottawa Police Commissioners.
In 1868, Mayor Friel announced his readiness to pay a reward of $ 2,000 for information leading to the conviction of Thomas killer Darcy McGee .
Died of pneumonia while in the position of mayor.