Edward J. Glennon Explained

Edward J. Glennon
Birth Date:4 November 1884
Birth Place:Littleton, New Jersey
Death Place:The Bronx, New York City
Restingplace:Rural Cemetery, White Plains, New York
Office:Bronx County District Attorney
Term Start:January 1, 1921
Term End:December 31, 1923
Predecessor:Francis W. Martin
Successor:John E. McGeehan
Nationality:American
Party:Democratic Party
Alma Mater:Fordham University,
New York Law School
Occupation:Lawyer, district attorney, judge
Spouse:Gertrude Glennon
Children:Gertrude Bontecou, Dorothy Haggerty, Janet Glennon, Edith Glennon

Edward J. Glennon (November 4, 1884  - September 6, 1956) was the Bronx County District Attorney from 1920 to 1923, and a justice of the New York State Supreme Court in 1920 and from 1924 to 1954.[1]

Early life

Glennon was born in Littleton, near Morristown, New Jersey. His family moved to the Bronx and he attended St. John's Preparatory School (now Fordham Preparatory School) before attending Fordham University, where he was captain of the football team and from which he graduated in 1905.[1]

Professional career

After graduation from New York Law School, Glennon spent several years in the private practice of law while also participating in Bronx politics. He was friends with Arthur H. Murphy, the inaugural leader of the Bronx County Democratic Party, and obtained an appointment as a deputy district attorney at an annual salary of $3,000 when the Bronx became a county in 1914.[2] When John Hylan was elected Mayor of New York City in 1918, he appointed Glennon as an assistant city chamberlain,[1] and a year later, Public Service Commissioner Lewis Nixon appointed him a deputy public service commissioner.[3] In April 1920, New York Governor Al Smith gave Glennon's career a further boost by appointing him as a judge on the New York State Supreme Court,[4] but Tammany Hall refused to give him a position on the Democratic ticket to run for a full term that November.[5] However, Francis W. Martin, the inaugural Bronx County District Attorney, was running for one of the judgeship positions, and Glennon was acceptable to Tammany as district attorney, so he became Smith's appointment to replace Martin as district attorney,[1] [6] thereby changing places with Martin.

Glennon ran for the district attorney office as a Democrat in the election of November 1921, and won the office in his own right. In 1923 he ran for a judicial position on the New York State Supreme Court, and won a 14-year term.[7] In 1933 Glennon was appointed to the Appellate Division, and he had the nominations of both the Democratic and Republican Party tickets when he ran for re-election in 1937.[1] [8]

Glennon retired in December 1954, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. He died at Union Hospital in the Bronx, near where he had lived at 276 Bedford Park Boulevard.[1] and is buried in Rural Cemetery in White Plains, New York.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: E.J. Glennon Dies; A Retired Jurist – Former Member of Appellate Bench, State Supreme Court, Wrote Petrillo Decision. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. September 7, 1956. 23.
  2. News: Mitchel Names His City Helpers – Henry Bruere City Chamberlain, Adamson Fire Commissioner, as Predicted – Several Men Hold Over – John T. Featherston, Recognized National Expert, to Clean the Streets – Miss Davis Commissioner – Republicans Get Many Places, Progressives Two, Independent Democrats Get the Rest – Bronx County Celebrates – Welcome to 1914 Flashed from the New Courthouse. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. January 1, 1914. 1, 2.
  3. News: Nixon Names A Deputy – Appoints Edward J. Glennon to Public Service Post. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. June 7, 1919. 4.
  4. News: Glennon Nominated For Judge. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. April 22, 1920. 4.
  5. News: Tammany Picks Swann For Bench – Murphy Credited with Astutely Removing Organization Troublemaker – Guy and Erlanger Named – Republicans Join in Designating Justice Ford, After Bar's Refusal to Indorse Him. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. August 10, 1920. 6.
  6. News: Names Talley Judge Of General Sessions – Governor Smith Also Appoints Edward J. Glennon Bronx District Attorney – G.W. Martin County Judge – All the Appointees Allied With Tammany Hall – Talley's Selection Not Expected. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. December 29, 1920. 28.
  7. News: Officials Elected. The New York Times. November 7, 1923. 1. December 10, 2022 .
  8. News: Dewey Lead 108,823 – Ingersoll, Harvey, Lyons, Isaacs and Palma Are Victorious – Justice Levy Wins – Strong Tammany Chiefs Lose Districts – Foley Is Re-Elected – LaGuardia Victor By A Large Margin. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. November 3, 1937. 1, 12.
  9. News: Obituary 5 – No Title. 18 May 2016. The New York Times. September 7, 1956. 23.