John F. Malony
John F. Malony | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1857 Shieldsville Township, Rice County, Minnesota Territory |
| Died | 1919 |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, entrepreneur, jurist, public official |
| Years active | 1882–1919 |
| Known for | Inaugural acting mayor of Juneau (1900); fourth mayor of Juneau (1905–1906); president of Alaska Electric Light & Power (1905–1919) |
John F. Malony (1857 – June 1919) was an American attorney, entrepreneur, jurist, and public official who became the inaugural acting mayor of Juneau in 1900 and later served as its fourth mayor from 1905 to 1906. Originating from the Minnesota Territory and born to Protestant Irish immigrant parents, Malony initially pursued a career in law and politics within the Montana Territory. After surviving a gunshot wound, he moved to Alaska, where he gained prominence. He is also known for his role as appellant in the U.S. Supreme Court case John F. Malony v. Ohlin H. Adsit.
Malony played a pivotal role in founding Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P), a significant utility company in Juneau established in 1893, and held the position of president from 1905 until his passing. Additionally, he acted as legal counsel for the Treadwell Gold Mine enterprise, thereby strengthening his presence within Alaska’s mining and energy industries.
Early life and education
John F. Malony was born in 1857 in what is now Shieldsville Township, Rice County, Minnesota, to parents Francis and Mary (née Donohue) Malony. His family had emigrated from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada prior to 1841. He pursued education at the Shattuck School followed by studies at St. John's College. Following his formal education, Malony apprenticed in law under former Attorney General Gordon E. Cole.
Montana Territory
Malony’s legal profession commenced in the Montana Territory where he was appointed probate judge in September 1882 and subsequently elected to the Montana Territorial Legislature that November. Representing Dawson County, he participated in the 13th General Assembly and contributed to the 1884 Montana Constitutional Convention. After sustaining a gunshot injury to his left arm, he decided to relocate to Alaska.
Alaska
Prior to 1895, Malony moved to Alaska accompanied by his son Joseph. In December 1899, he married Cora Cleveland, who owned a hat shop in Juneau. By 1900, Malony had become a co-owner of the Porcupine Trading Company, leveraging opportunities presented by the 1898 Porcupine Gold Rush alongside partners Jack Dalton and Ed Hanley. He was a member of Juneau's inaugural City Council in 1900 and subsequently elected mayor, thereby broadening his impact across Alaska’s commercial and political arenas.
Death
Reports from the Alaska Daily Empire indicated that Malony was gravely ill at his residence in Palo Alto, California, in January 1919. He passed away later that year in June.