John Alexander Kennedy
Encyclopedia
John Alexander Kennedy (August 9, 1803 – June 20, 1873) was the superintendent of police for New York City
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and worked with his brother. In 1849 he was appointed a commissioner of emigration, and in 1854 he was elected a member of the common council.
He was appointed superintendent of Castle Garden, and worked to protect emigrants against swindlers. In 1860 he became superintendent of the New York City Police. During the New York Draft Riots
, aged 59, he was severely beaten by a mob, while protecting the office of the provost-marshal at 46th Street and 3rd Avenue, on the morning of 14 July 1863.
When he returned to duty he was appointed provost-marshal of New York City, as well as superintendent of police, and continued to serve in this double capacity during the American Civil War
. He made many enemies through his efforts to enforce the metropolitan excise law. He resigned on 11 April 1870, he then served as president of a street-railroad company for about two years, and then held the office of collector of assessments until his death in New York City
on June 20, 1873, aged 69, ten years after the riots.
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...
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Biography
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 9, 1803. His father was a native of Ireland who became a teacher in Baltimore. John moved to New York CityNew 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...
and worked with his brother. In 1849 he was appointed a commissioner of emigration, and in 1854 he was elected a member of the common council.
He was appointed superintendent of Castle Garden, and worked to protect emigrants against swindlers. In 1860 he became superintendent of the New York City Police. During the New York Draft Riots
New York Draft Riots
The New York City draft riots were violent disturbances in New York City that were the culmination of discontent with new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War. The riots were the largest civil insurrection in American history apart from the Civil War itself...
, aged 59, he was severely beaten by a mob, while protecting the office of the provost-marshal at 46th Street and 3rd Avenue, on the morning of 14 July 1863.
When he returned to duty he was appointed provost-marshal of New York City, as well as superintendent of police, and continued to serve in this double capacity during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He made many enemies through his efforts to enforce the metropolitan excise law. He resigned on 11 April 1870, he then served as president of a street-railroad company for about two years, and then held the office of collector of assessments until his death 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...
on June 20, 1873, aged 69, ten years after the riots.