James J. Coogan Explained

James Jay Coogan
Birth Date:16 January 1846
Order:2nd
Office:Manhattan Borough President
Term Start:January 5, 1899
Term End:December 31, 1901

James Jay Coogan (January 16, 1846 – October 24, 1915) was the borough president of Manhattan, New York from 1899 to 1901, and a successful merchant and real estate manager.

Biography

Coogan was born on January 16, 1846, in Manhattan, New York City.

Coogan started out as an upholsterer, and opened a furniture store on the Bowery. Through his dealings with furniture laborers, he became known as a friend of the working class, and eventually became friendly with Richard Croker, one of the leaders of Tammany Hall. He was a graduate of New York University School of Law. In 1888, he was nominated by the Urban Labor Party for Mayor of New York City, but came in fourth, and Hugh Grant was elected Mayor.[1] He married Harriet Gertrude Lynch, a daughter of William L. Lynch, who had many real estate holdings in Manhattan, including the land on which the Polo Grounds stood. He managed the properties, and is the source of the Coogan's Bluff and Coogan's Hollow names.[2]

He died of heart disease on October 24, 1915, at the Hotel Netherland in Manhattan, New York.[3] He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York City.

Notes and References

  1. News: Result of the City Vote — Cleveland's Plurality is Fifty-Seven Thousand — Hill Receives Several Thousand More Than That, and Tammany Elects Her Whole Local Ticket — The City Vote. 20 November 2016. New York Times. November 7, 1888. 5.
  2. News: New Borough President — James J. Coogan Elected to Succeed the Late A.W. Peters — His Selection a Surprise — Members of Municipal Assembly Did Not Know for Whom They Were to Vote Until the Last Minute. 20 November 2016. New York Times. January 6, 1899. 12.
  3. News: James J. Coogan Dead. Real Estate Owner Succumbs at the Hotel Netherland . 20 November 2016. New York Times. October 25, 1915. 9.