John W. Deering (1833- April 26, 1904) was an American politician from Maine. Peering, a Democrat, served two single year terms as the Mayor of Portland, Maine (1883 and 1885).
Deering was born in Saco, Maine in 1833 and became a sailor. He eventually became a captain involved in commerce in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1867, he settled in Portland and became active in city politics. He was elected as a city alderman as a Republican, but later became a staunch Democrat.
During the first term of U.S. President Grover Cleveland, Deering was appointed Collector of the Port of Portland, a powerful patronage position.
He died at his home at 89 West Street near the Western Promenade in April 1904 and is buried in the Deering family lot at Evergreen Cemetery.
References