James F. Pappa was born in Newburg, Ontario, July 29, 1852 the son of Daniel and Sarah Bushel Pappa.
He came to Watertown in 1870 and learned the printer’s trade in the office of the Watertown Daily Times. He was connected to the Times for over 30 years in various positions and served as the City Circulation Agent at the time of his term as Mayor.
Mr. Pappa was elected as a representative of the First Ward in the Common Council in 1895, served four years in that position, declining a unanimous invitation to accept a re-nomination. The delegates from the First Ward were instructed to present his name as their candidate for President of the Council in 1899 and he was nominated and elected to that office. Six months of his term in this office were unexpired when the death of Mayor Wilbur F. Porter, on May 21, 1901, summoned him to new responsibilities as the head of the City government. At the Republican City Convention, he received a unanimous nomination which was followed by an election for a full term as Mayor.
His term was marked by a great deal of progress including the installation and improvement of the sewer system, the paving of many streets in the City, the completion of major construction projects including the Arsenal Street viaduct, Watertown High School and the Water Filtration Plant. It was during his term that the statue of Governor Flower in lower Washington Street was unveiled and the cornerstone was laid for the Flower Memorial Library. He also was instrumental in getting slot machines removed from the City and the creation of a City-wide curfew.
He was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.
Mr. Pappa was married to the former Susan M. Byrne and had three sons, Thomas L. Pappa, Raymond B. Pappa and J. Vincent Pappa, and one daughter, Marion Elizabeth “Bess” Pappa Alton.
He died of pneumonia at his home on Logan Street in Watertown on March 31, 1925 at the age of 72 and his wife passed away two weeks later. He is buried in Brookside Cemetery.
