Edward Swann
Encyclopedia
Edward Swann was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
in 1886, was admitted to the bar
the same year and commenced practice in New York City
. He entered politics as a member of Tammany Hall
.
Swann was elected as a Democrat
to the 57th United States Congress
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Amos J. Cummings
and served from December 1, 1902, to March 3, 1903. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in New York City. In November 1904, Swann ran again for Congress, this time in the 13th District
, but was defeated by Republican Herbert Parsons
.
In November 1907, Swann was elected a judge of the Court of General Sessions, and took office on January 1, 1908. He was New York County District Attorney
from 1916 to 1921, elected in a special election in November 1915 defeating the incumbent Charles A. Perkins
, and re-elected in November 1917 to a full term. Swann was accused several times by reform organizations of misconduct and malfeasance in office, urging his removal. Since the precedent of 1900, when Asa Bird Gardiner
was removed by Gov. Theodore Roosevelt
, this had become a constant move in New York City politics, but neither Republican Charles S. Whitman
nor Democrat Al Smith
saw reason enough to act.
In November 1920, Swann ran for the New York Supreme Court
(1st D.), nominated by the Tammany bosses to get rid of him in the D.A.'s office. After his defeat, Tammany insisted in trying to get him appointed to a vacancy in General Sessions, but Gov. Al Smith
did not yield. However, for most of the year 1921, Swann remained out-of-state, partly in Florida
, partly in Missouri
, and left the office in the hands of his Chief Assistant D.A. Joab H. Banton
.
On May 21, 1921, Swann married in Salisbury
, Chariton County, Missouri
, Margaret W. Geisinger, a great-niece of Commodore David Geisinger
.
Swann was buried at the St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery in Fernandina Beach
, Nassau County, Florida
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
Swann graduated from Columbia Law SchoolColumbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
in 1886, was admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
the same year and commenced practice in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He entered politics as a member of Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
.
Swann was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the 57th United States Congress
57th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:*Democratic: 151*Republican: 200 *Populist: 5*Silver : 1TOTAL members: 357-Leadership:-Senate:* President: Theodore Roosevelt , until September 14, 1901, vacant thereafter....
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Amos J. Cummings
Amos J. Cummings
Amos Jay Cummings was a United States Representative from New York and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.-Biography:...
and served from December 1, 1902, to March 3, 1903. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in New York City. In November 1904, Swann ran again for Congress, this time in the 13th District
New York's 13th congressional district
New York's 13th Congressional District is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives located in New York City. It includes all of Staten Island and the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, and Gravesend in Brooklyn.A swing district, it is represented...
, but was defeated by Republican Herbert Parsons
Herbert Parsons
Herbert Parsons was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in New York City, Parsons attended private schools in New York City, St...
.
In November 1907, Swann was elected a judge of the Court of General Sessions, and took office on January 1, 1908. He was New York County District Attorney
New York County District Attorney
The New York County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for New York County , New York. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws....
from 1916 to 1921, elected in a special election in November 1915 defeating the incumbent Charles A. Perkins
Charles A. Perkins
Charles Albert Perkins was an American lawyer and reformer who was New York County District Attorney in 1915. While with the District Attorney's office, Perkins prosecuted many of the city's gang leaders, labor racketeers and other underworld figures during the early 20th century...
, and re-elected in November 1917 to a full term. Swann was accused several times by reform organizations of misconduct and malfeasance in office, urging his removal. Since the precedent of 1900, when Asa Bird Gardiner
Asa Bird Gardiner
Asa Bird Gardiner was a controversial American soldier, attorney, and prosecutor. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the American Civil War in 1872, it was rescinded when the supporting documentation was not found...
was removed by Gov. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, this had become a constant move in New York City politics, but neither Republican Charles S. Whitman
Charles S. Whitman
Charles Seymour Whitman served as the 41st Governor of New York from January 1915 to December 1918. He was also a delegate to Republican National Convention from New York in 1916.-Biography:...
nor Democrat Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
saw reason enough to act.
In November 1920, Swann ran for the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
(1st D.), nominated by the Tammany bosses to get rid of him in the D.A.'s office. After his defeat, Tammany insisted in trying to get him appointed to a vacancy in General Sessions, but Gov. Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
did not yield. However, for most of the year 1921, Swann remained out-of-state, partly in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, partly in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, and left the office in the hands of his Chief Assistant D.A. Joab H. Banton
Joab H. Banton
Joab Hamilton Banton was New York County District Attorney from 1922 to 1929.-Life:...
.
On May 21, 1921, Swann married in Salisbury
Salisbury, Missouri
Salisbury is a city in Chariton County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,726 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Salisbury is located at ....
, Chariton County, Missouri
Chariton County, Missouri
Chariton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 8,438. Its county seat is Keytesville. The county was organized in 1820 from part of Howard County and was named from the Chariton River.-History:...
, Margaret W. Geisinger, a great-niece of Commodore David Geisinger
David Geisinger
David Geisinger was an officer of the United States Navy, who served during the War of 1812, and was later Commodore of the East India Squadron.-Biography:...
.
Swann was buried at the St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery in Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is a city in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America and on Amelia Island. It is a part of Greater Jacksonville and is among Florida's northernmost cities. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian tribe...
, Nassau County, Florida
Nassau County, Florida
Nassau County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 57,663. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 69,835. Its county seat is Fernandina Beach, Florida....
.
Source
- OLD 10th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONVENTIONS in NYT on October 4, 1902
- FOUR NEW NAMES ON THE CONGRESS TICKET in NYT on October 4, 1904
- TAMMANY WINS in NYT on November 6, 1907
- JUDGE DELEHANTY ACCUSES SWANN OF FRAUD ON COURT in NYT on December 31, 1916
- CITY CLUB RENEWS ATTACKS ON SWANN in NYT on April 5, 1917
- TAMMANY FINISHES SLATE FOR THIS FALL in NYT on August 17, 1917
- TAMMANY PICKS SWANN FOR BENCH in NYT on August 10, 1920
- TAMMANY WANTS SWANN ON BENCH in NYT on December 24, 1920
- EDWARD SWANN WEDS IN MISSOURI in NYT on May 22, 1921
- EDWARD SWANN, 83, EX-JUDGE, IS DEAD in NYT on September 21, 1945 (subscription required)