Solomon Sibley (October 7, 1769 – April 4, 1846) was an American politician and jurist in the Michigan Territory who became the first mayor of Detroit.

Early life: 1769–1815

Sibley was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, the son of Ruth and Reuben Sibley. After completing preparatory studies, he graduated from the College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (now Brown University) at Providence in 1794. He studied law, was admitted to the Bar in 1795 and began a practice in Marietta, Ohio, which was then part of the Northwest Territory.

Sibley was instrumental in passing the legislation in 1802 by which Detroit was incorporated as a town. Sibley was elected first as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and then under the first city charter of 1806 as the first mayor of Detroit. During the war, Sibley commanded a company of riflemen in defense of Detroit, though the British attack was successful and William Hull surrendered the fort. After the war, Sibley served as Auditor of Public Accounts for the Michigan Territory from 1814 to 1817.

Congressional delegate: 1815–1823

Sibley was appointed as the first United States Attorney for the Michigan Territory by U.S. President James Madison, serving from 1815 to 1823.

Sibley died in Detroit and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery there.

References

  • History of Detroit
  • Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Solomon Sibley: Michigan's First United States Attorney, 1815–1823 by Ross Parker
  • Political Graveyard
  • Elmwood Cemetery Biography