John H. McCooey
John Henry McCooey (June 18, 1864 – January 21, 1934) was an American politician who was a political boss in the Democratic Party political machine of Brooklyn. McCooey served as chair of the Kings County Democratic Party from 1910 until his death in 1934.
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McCooey was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 1864. He was the oldest of six children.[1] He developed the Madison Club, which became the strongest political organization in Kings County. At an early age, McCooey became friends with John Francis Hylan, a future Mayor of New York City.[1]
McCooey married Catherine I. Sesnon on January 17, 1899.[2] McCooey served as secretary and president of the New York City Civil Service Commission from 1899 through 1903. He succeeded Hugh McLaughlin as Brooklyn boss in 1904.[1] He was named to the Executive Committee of the county in 1909.[3]
McCooey joined with Tammany Hall in 1925.[4] In 1932, McCooey was chosen by the New York delegation to succeed Norman E. Mack as a member of the Democratic National Committee.[5] McCooey and Tammany Hall leader John F. Curry joined to support Al Smith's candidacy for President of the United States over Franklin D. Roosevelt; after Roosevelt's triumph over Smith in the 1932 Democratic National Convention, the two backed Roosevelt.[6] McCooey continued to serve on the Executive Committee until his death in 1934.[7]
McCooey was brother-in-law of James J. Byrne, a member of the New York State Assembly and Brooklyn Borough President. His son, John H. McCooey, Jr., served as Justice of the New York Supreme Court.[8]
References
- LaCerra, Charles (1997). Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Tammany Hall of New York. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America. p. 34. ISBN 9780761808084. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- "McCooey – Sesnon" (PDF). The New York Times. January 18, 1899. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- LaCerra, p. 35
- "John H. McCooey Joins Tammany Society; 200 Braves Initiate the Brooklyn Leader". The New York Times. June 2, 1925. Retrieved June 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- "M'Cooey Picked to Succeed Mack; Brooklyn Boss is Slated by Curry and Tammany Aides for National Committeeman. Two-Thirds Rule Upheld: Group Rejects Changes Asked by Roosevelt Men – Caucus Will Decide Chairmanship Stand". The New York Times. June 24, 1932. p. 12. Retrieved June 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- "Curry and McCooey to Support Ticket; Roosevelt Held 'Luckiest Man' in Nation". The New York Times. July 3, 1932. p. 10. Retrieved June 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- LaCerra, p. 36
- Index to Politicians: Mcconnico to Mccormally. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on 19 October 2011.