Sumner “Mack” Webber (1834–January 5, 1901) was the 17th Mayor of Oakland. He succeeded Henry Durant (who died in office) as mayor on February 1, 1875, and on March 1, 1875 was then elected, to serve until March 1876.

Webber, originally from Bucyrus, Ohio, is described as a “pioneer,” as he came to California in 1860 interested in mining and gold.

Prior to public life, in 1868 Webber owned a drugstore at 11th and Broadway.1

Mack Webber was an early advocate for Oakland finding an adequate water supply, by building an aqueduct from the Sierras to Oakland.

Later in life he was involved in buying and selling mining interests. Webber had a stroke on January 5, 1901 and died on January 8, 1901 from paralysis related to the stroke.2

He is buried in Lot 5, Plot 20/1, of Mountain View Cemetery.

Positions Held:

  • Before becoming mayor, Webber, a Republican3, served on the City Council in 1872, 1873 and 1874. He was President of the Council in 1873 and 1874.
  • He served as the Assistant Appraiser at the San Francisco Customs House, as well as the deputy Collector of the Port (of San Francisco?).
  • Webber was on the both the Board of Commissioners for the Police Department and the Board of Equalization in 1872 or 1873.4

Links and References

  1. "Ex-Mayor Webber a Victim of Paralysis." San Francisco Chronicle, Jan 6, 1901.
  2. "Ex-Mayor Webber Dies." New York Times, Jan 8, 1901.
  3. "'Straights' Choose Their Delegates: Primary Republicans Hold a Convention." New York Times, April 21, 1896.
  4. Langley, Henry G. A directory of the city of Oakland and the town of Alameda for the year ending 1874. Oakland: HG Langley, 1874. (available for free online)
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