John Henry Newman was born in Cape Vincent on January 6, 1885, one of two sons of Robert J. and Emma J. Mosier Newman. He was educated in local schools.
Mr. Newman was a railroad man with a career that spanned nearly 47 years—most of it as station master at the Watertown terminal.
Mr. Newman had a lengthy career in public service. He was first elected to City Council by an overwhelming majority in November of 1931. He was re-elected to the Council position twice, serving three consecutive terms for a total of twelve years. He lost his re-election bid in 1943 by a small margin. He was off the Council for two years and, when he tried again, he was re-elected to a fourth term on Council in 1945 and a fifth term in 1949. He served only two years of that term, resigning to run for Mayor. He was elected Mayor in November of 1951 and served one term.
His political career was marked by frequent occasions when, both in and out of office, he was a central figure of spirited, and sometimes bitterly contested disputes. He was one of the Woodruff leaders in the prolonged fight for a new high school, a project which eventually became a reality.
He actively opposed the inner-loop feature and certain other aspects of the state arterial highway plan. During his service on the Council, Mr. Newman acquired a reputation as a promoter of public events. He was chairman of the President's ball series and headed practically all of the civic parades held in the city.
He married Florence Cramer and they had one son, Harold A. Newman.
Mr. Newman died in Ogdensburg on September 13, 1967 at the age of 81. He is buried in North Watertown Cemetery.
