John Kelly (April 20, 1822 – June 1, 1886) of New York City, known as "Honest John", was a boss of Tammany Hall and a U.S. Representative from New York from 1855 to 1858. The title "Honest" was given to him during his years as New York City Sheriff, and was more ironic than truthful.
John KellyPuck magazine caricature of Kelly (on grill), 1881This cartoon describes the aftermath of the fight for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1884.
Kelly was able to amass a vast fortune estimated at $800,000 ($16,800,000 in current dollar terms) by 1867 by both ethical and questionable means. In addition, after having his methods questioned and his title insulted by New York City MayorWilliam Havemeyer, Kelly responded with a lawsuit for libel. On the day of the trial, Havemeyer mysteriously dropped dead of apoplexy.[1] He had a questionable reputation and was the subject of a gubernatorial investigation at the time of his death.[2]
Kelly was born in New York City to Hugh Kelly and Sarah Donnelly Kelly. He received a parochial education but was forced to quit when his father died. He married Ann McIlhargy, to whom a son and two daughters were born. By 1872, his wife and children had died. He then fled the city overseas, a defeated man from the loss of his family.
He returned to New York in response to the Boss Tweed scandal and eventually was remarried to Ann Theresa Mullen, the niece of New York's Cardinal McCloskey. A son and a daughter were born of that marriage.[3]
CareerEdit
Kelly was apprenticed to the mason's trade, and engaged in business for himself at the age of 21. Kelly, in response to anti-Catholic sentiment, was driven to politics and became a champion of Catholic and immigrant causes in the 1840s.[4] Kelly joined the influential Tammany Society and the next year he was elected alderman; until his death, he was active as a Democratic politician. From 1855 to 1858, he served in Congress,[5] the only Catholic in the House of Representatives in that period of Know Nothing ascendency. Kelly was later elected Sheriff of the County of New York and served from 1859 to 1861 and again from 1865 to 1867.[5]
During Kelly's time as sheriff, his wife and children died and he left New York for an extended overseas trip. After nearly three years,[4] he returned in 1871 and aided Charles O'Conor, Samuel J. Tilden, and their associates in the struggle against the Tweed ring, and Kelly cooperated with Tilden in reorganizing the political machine. The Tweed ring scandal destroyed the old Tammany leadership and shattered the democracy. It was a time of corruption and deceitful politics. Kelly was away and was seemingly untouched by the corruption and so was able to assume the leadership of Tammany Hall.[4]
By 1874, Kelly was in control of Tammany Hall, and for the next decade, he was able to determine the course of New York City elections.[5] In 1876, Kelly succeeded Andrew H. Green, appointed by Mayor William Wickham,[1] as Comptroller of New York City. Kelly was very successful as comptroller. Over five years, the municipal debt was reduced by twelve million dollars.[1] During his time in power he was continually at war with Tilden's faction.[5] Kelly refused to support Tilden's candidate for governor, incumbent Lucius Robinson, and ran for governor himself as an independent. The result was the election in 1879 of RepublicanAlonzo Cornell, who won by a plurality. Kelly himself was city comptroller from 1876 to 1879.[4] Upon retirement in 1884, he yielded his political control to one of his lieutenants, Richard Croker.[5]
In popular cultureEdit
Animated children's film An American Tail makes reference to Kelly with the character of "Honest John", voiced by Neil Ross.[6]
^ abcConnable, Alfred, and Edward Silberfarb. Tigers of Tammany: Nine Men Who Ran New York. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1967. Print.
^William Bristol Shaw (1932). "Havemeyer, William Frederick". Dictionary of American Biography. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
^Jerome Mushkat. "Kelly, John". American National Biography Online, February 2000.
^ abcdJerome Mushkat. "Kelly, John; American National Biography Online Feb. 2000.
^ abcdeWeb page titled "Post Civil War Cartoons: 1880s" 2008-03-17 at the Wayback Machine, at the "Authentic History Center" website, accessed June 22, 2008
^Long, Rebecca (November 21, 2019). "'An American Tail' Explores Bleak Immigrant Struggles That Still Resonate in 2019". Vice. Vice Media Group.
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For other people named John Kelly see John Kelly disambiguation John Kelly April 20 1822 June 1 1886 of New York City known as Honest John was a boss of Tammany Hall and a U S Representative from New York from 1855 to 1858 The title Honest was given to him during his years as New York City Sheriff and was more ironic than truthful John KellyPuck magazine caricature of Kelly on grill 1881This cartoon describes the aftermath of the fight for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1884 Kelly was able to amass a vast fortune estimated at 800 000 16 800 000 in current dollar terms by 1867 by both ethical and questionable means In addition after having his methods questioned and his title insulted by New York City Mayor William Havemeyer Kelly responded with a lawsuit for libel On the day of the trial Havemeyer mysteriously dropped dead of apoplexy 1 He had a questionable reputation and was the subject of a gubernatorial investigation at the time of his death 2 Contents 1 Family life 2 Career 3 In popular culture 4 References 5 Sources 6 External linksFamily life EditKelly was born in New York City to Hugh Kelly and Sarah Donnelly Kelly He received a parochial education but was forced to quit when his father died He married Ann McIlhargy to whom a son and two daughters were born By 1872 his wife and children had died He then fled the city overseas a defeated man from the loss of his family He returned to New York in response to the Boss Tweed scandal and eventually was remarried to Ann Theresa Mullen the niece of New York s Cardinal McCloskey A son and a daughter were born of that marriage 3 Career EditKelly was apprenticed to the mason s trade and engaged in business for himself at the age of 21 Kelly in response to anti Catholic sentiment was driven to politics and became a champion of Catholic and immigrant causes in the 1840s 4 Kelly joined the influential Tammany Society and the next year he was elected alderman until his death he was active as a Democratic politician From 1855 to 1858 he served in Congress 5 the only Catholic in the House of Representatives in that period of Know Nothing ascendency Kelly was later elected Sheriff of the County of New York and served from 1859 to 1861 and again from 1865 to 1867 5 During Kelly s time as sheriff his wife and children died and he left New York for an extended overseas trip After nearly three years 4 he returned in 1871 and aided Charles O Conor Samuel J Tilden and their associates in the struggle against the Tweed ring and Kelly cooperated with Tilden in reorganizing the political machine The Tweed ring scandal destroyed the old Tammany leadership and shattered the democracy It was a time of corruption and deceitful politics Kelly was away and was seemingly untouched by the corruption and so was able to assume the leadership of Tammany Hall 4 By 1874 Kelly was in control of Tammany Hall and for the next decade he was able to determine the course of New York City elections 5 In 1876 Kelly succeeded Andrew H Green appointed by Mayor William Wickham 1 as Comptroller of New York City Kelly was very successful as comptroller Over five years the municipal debt was reduced by twelve million dollars 1 During his time in power he was continually at war with Tilden s faction 5 Kelly refused to support Tilden s candidate for governor incumbent Lucius Robinson and ran for governor himself as an independent The result was the election in 1879 of Republican Alonzo Cornell who won by a plurality Kelly himself was city comptroller from 1876 to 1879 4 Upon retirement in 1884 he yielded his political control to one of his lieutenants Richard Croker 5 In popular culture EditAnimated children s film An American Tail makes reference to Kelly with the character of Honest John voiced by Neil Ross 6 The song Boys on the Docks by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys was written in memory of Kelly and his popularity within the Irish American and Catholic immigrant community References Edit a b c Connable Alfred and Edward Silberfarb Tigers of Tammany Nine Men Who Ran New York New York Holt Rinehart and Winston 1967 Print William Bristol Shaw 1932 Havemeyer William Frederick Dictionary of American Biography New York Charles Scribner s Sons Jerome Mushkat Kelly John American National Biography Online February 2000 a b c d Jerome Mushkat Kelly John American National Biography Online Feb 2000 a b c d e Web page titled Post Civil War Cartoons 1880s Archived 2008 03 17 at the Wayback Machine at the Authentic History Center website accessed June 22 2008 Long Rebecca November 21 2019 An American Tail Explores Bleak Immigrant Struggles That Still Resonate in 2019 Vice Vice Media Group Sources EditUnited States Congress John Kelly id K000075 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Jerome Mushkat Kelly John American National Biography Online Feb 2000 Connable Alfred and Edward Silberfarb Tigers of Tammany Nine Men Who Ran New York New York Holt Rinehart and Winston 1967 Print External links Edit nbsp Media related to John Kelly New York politician at Wikimedia Commons Tammany Hall Links Archived 2008 12 11 at the Wayback Machine Authentic History Center description of Kelly s careerU S House of RepresentativesPreceded byMichael Walsh Member of the U S House of Representatives from New York s 4th congressional district1855 1858 Succeeded byThomas J Barr Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Kelly New York politician amp oldid 1128766585, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
