T.J. Mahan, one of the former owners of “Old Mingo Bottom,” was elected mayor in the first election held in the city.  He was born in Brooke county, Virginia  (that part now being Holliday Cove, Hancock county, West Virginia), in 1846.  Mahan served two and a half terms, and later was elected city sergeant.   He was educated in the common schools and at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio. He was extensively engaged in the real estate business. Mahan won the election by 2 votes.   Follansbee’s first mayoral election was based on 138 voters.  The Citizens won a complete victory over the Socialist by small majorities. At the time, women were still not allowed to vote.

• Steubenville Herald Star, “First Election,” July 14, 1906, p. 1.
• Steubenville Herald Star, “Follansbee,” Monday, January 13, 1919, p. 5.