John Brewer Wight (March 2, 1853 – March 31, 1923) was the eighth president of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, serving from 1898 to 1900.

Early life

John Brewer Wight was born on March 2, 1853, in

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

to Mary Isabella (née Buchanan) and Otis Caleb Wight. He attended Rittenhouse Academy.

Career

Wight was Supervisor of

Gallaudet College Gallaudet University ( ) is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. It was the first school ...

and later entered the real estate and insurance businesses. He was one of the first secretaries of the Washington Board of Trade. He served on the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia for two terms starting in 1897. He served as President for three years. After serving as commissioner, Wight became a director in the Alpha Portland Cement Company and was later made the general manager of the firm's New York office. He retired in 1921.

Personal life

Wight married Anna Kumler. They had one son: Goulding K. Wight. Around 1904, Wight moved to

Montclair, New Jersey Montclair is a Township (New Jersey), township in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Situated on the cliffs of the Watchung Mountains, Montclair is a commercial and cultural hub of North Jersey and a diverse ...

. In June 1922 he was struck by a truck in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

and the injuries from that crash led to his death. He died on March 31, 1923, at his home in Montclair. He was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wight, John Brewer 1853 births 1923 deaths 19th-century mayors of Washington, D.C. Members of the Board of Commissioners for the District of Columbia Politicians from Washington, D.C. Burials at Oak Hill Cemetery (Washington, D.C.) 19th-century Washington, D.C., politicians Gallaudet University faculty 20th-century mayors of Washington, D.C.