American politician, born in New York City, on the 3rd of April 1823; died there on the 12th of April 1878. He received only a common-school education and entered business in his father’s chair-making shop. Among the New York volunteer firemen he rose rapidly to popularity. He was elected alderman (1852–53), Congressman (1853–55), chairman of the Board of City Supervisors (1856), school commissioner (1856–57), and state senator (1867–71). As commissioner of public works of the city of New York he organized the famous “ring” that robbed the city right and left, especially in the construction of public buildings. A strong reform movement, having Tilden and Charles O’Conor at its head, caused his arrest. He was released on a million-dollar bail and re-elected to the state senate the same year. Finally, November 19, 1873, he was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to twelve years in the penitentiary. This sentence was set aside by the court of appeals, but the civil courts rendered a judgment against him, in behalf of the city, for $6,000,000. He was locked up in Ludlow Street jail in default of a three-million-dollar bond. He escaped and fled to Spain, but was returned by the Spanish government, and finally died in prison.
