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John F. Ahearn (April 18, 1853 – December 19, 1920) was an American politician and publisher. A prominent New York City political figure and a member of the Tammany Hall political machine, he served in the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate, and as Manhattan Borough President.^[1] He was owner of the T. J. Hayes Printing Company which published plays and other works related to the theatre.^[2]

Biography

John Francis Ahearn was born in Manhattan on April 18, 1853.^[1] He was educated in New York City's public schools and pursued a business career, working as a clerk and manager in several different firms.^[3]

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 4th D.) in 1882. Upon leaving the legislature Ahearn was appointed to a clerkship in the New York City Police Court.^[4]

Ahearn was a member of the New York State Senate (6th D.) from 1890 to 1902, sitting in the 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th (all four 6th D.), 117th, 118th (both 8th D.), 119th, 120th, 121st, 122nd, 123rd, 124th and 125th New York State Legislatures (all seven 10th D.).^[5] At first a member of the "County Democracy" (the Anti-Tammany faction of the New York Democrats), later he became an active member of the Tammany Hall organization, and created a political organization loyal to him, the John F. Ahearn Association.^[6]^[7]

In 1903 Ahearn was elected Manhattan Borough President.^[8] Governor Charles Evans Hughes removed Ahearn from office for corruption and neglect in 1907, but Ahearn won the aldermanic election to fill the vacancy.^[9]^[10]

In 1909 the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the aldermanic election that returned Ahearn to office following his removal by Hughes was illegal. With Hughes' action being upheld, Ahearn finally vacated the borough presidency.^[11]

Ahearn died in New York City on December 19, 1920.^[1] He was married to Elizabeth Atwell, the sister of vaudeville agent William Atwell.^[2] The couple had two sons and three daughters together.^[12] Both of their sons were leaders in the Democratic Party in New York. Their son Edward J. Ahearn (1891–1934) was elected to the New York State Assembly as a representative for the fourth district; succeeding his father in that position in 1921.^[13] After Edward's death in 1934, their other son William was also elected to that same position; a post he held at the time of Elizabeth's death in 1937.^[12] Their daughter, Anna Marie Ahearn, was married to New York senator William J. Murray.^[12] Elizabeth's brother William was married to singer and actress Artie Hall.

In 1923, a small triangular-shaped park at the corner of Grand Street and East Broadway (near Ahearn's long-time home at 296 East Broadway) was named Ahearn Park.^[14]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "John F. Ahearn Dies at His Home Here; Among the Last of the Political Leaders of the Old Tammany Regime" (PDF). The New York Times. December 20, 1920. p. 12.
^ ^a ^b "OBITUARY: John F. Ahearn". Variety. 61 (5): 19. December 24, 1920.
^ Edgar L. Murlin, New York Red Book: An Illustrated Legislative Manual, 1895, pages 139 to 140
^ Edgar L. Murlin, New York Red Book: An Illustrated Legislative Manual, 1902, pages 56 to 57
^ J. B. Lyon Company, Proceedings of the Legislature of the State of New York on the Life and Public Services of John Francis Ahearn, 1921, title page
^ New York Times, Five Wards on a Picnic; The John F. Ahearn Association has its Annual Outing, August 1, 1893
^ New York Times, Tammany Society Elections, April 20, 1904
^ New York Times, Plans for Inauguration, January 1, 1904
^ New York Times, Ahearn Pilloried; May be Removed, July 17, 1907
^ New York Times, Ahearn Reelected; Hughes Not to Act, December 20, 1907
^ New York Times, Ahearn Ruled Out, October 30, 1909
^ ^a ^b ^c "MRS. JOHN F. AHEARN; Widow and Mother of Democratic Leaders Here Dies at 81". The New York Times. November 12, 1937. p. 21.
^ "TAMMANY'S YOUNGEST; Edward J. Ahearn Chosen to Succeed His Father as Leader". The New York Times. January 29, 1921. p. 2.
^ [ https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/ahearn-park]

External links

The John F. Ahearn Papers at the New-York Historical Society.

New York State Assembly
Preceded by John Henry McCarthy	New York State Assembly New York County, 4th District 1882	Succeeded by Patrick H. Roche
New York State Senate
Preceded by Thomas F. Grady	New York State Senate 6th District 1890–1893	Succeeded by John McCarty
Preceded by Martin T. McMahon	New York State Senate 8th District 1894–1895	Succeeded by Albert A. Wray
Preceded by Frank A. O'Donnel	New York State Senate 10th District 1896–1902	Succeeded by Daniel J. Riordan
Political offices
Preceded by Jacob A. Cantor	Borough President of Manhattan 1904–1909	Succeeded by John Cloughen Acting