Frank McCoppin

Frank McCoppin (July 4, 1834, County Longford, Ireland – May 26, 1897, San Francisco, California) was the first Irish-born Mayor of San Francisco. He is also the son-in-law of former mayor James Van Ness. McCoppin was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary from 1851 until he emigrated to the United States in 1853. In 1860, he was made supervisor of the Market Street Railway, where he encouraged planting among the railroad tracks, to lessen the ... more

Frank McCoppin (July 4, 1834, County Longford, Ireland – May 26, 1897, San Francisco, California) was the first Irish-born Mayor of San Francisco. He is also the son-in-law of former mayor James Van Ness. McCoppin was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary from 1851 until he emigrated to the United States in 1853. In 1860, he was made supervisor of the Market Street Railway, where he encouraged planting among the railroad tracks, to lessen the problem of drifting sands. Shortly thereafter, he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He then was elected mayor in 1867, serving from December 2, 1867 to December 5, 1869. He and the Board of Supervisors approved the plan for Golden Gate Park January 14, 1868. However, questions regarding his citizenship (word had leaked that he was not a naturalized U.S. citizen when he was supervisor or that he applied for citizenship during his term) led to his defeat in the 1869 election. In 1886, he ran for a seat in the United States... less