John McKeon

For other people named John McKeon, see John McKeon (disambiguation).
John McKeon, New York Congressman and District Attorney

John McKeon (March 29, 1808, Albany, New York – November 22, 1883, New York City) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life

He was the son of Capt. James McKeon who fought in the War of 1812. He graduated from the law department of Columbia College in 1828, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in New York City.

McKeon was a representative in the New York State Assembly from 1832 to 1834. He was elected as a Jacksonian to the 24th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1835, to March 3, 1837, but was defeated for re-election. He was elected as a Democrat to the 27th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1841, to March 3, 1843, but was again defeated for re-election.

In February 1846, he was appointed New York County District Attorney and, when the office became elective under the State Constitution of 1846, was elected in May 1847 to succeed himself. He remained in office until the end of 1850 when his term expired. In this office, he secured the conviction of Madame Restell.

He was appointed by President Franklin Pierce United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and served from July 10, 1854, to January 7, 1858. While holding this office, he prosecuted a number of important cases. Among them were the attempt to enlist men to serve in the British Army during the Crimean War, and the seizure of the filibustering ship “Northern Light.”

He was again New York County D.A. from 1882 until his death in office. He died at his residence at 44, West 37th Street, and was buried in a family vault under the old St. Patrick's Cathedral on Mott Street in New York City.

Notes

    References

    Attribution

    United States House of Representatives
    Preceded by
    Charles G. Ferris
    Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
    from New York's 3rd congressional district

    1835–1837
    Succeeded by
    Ogden Hoffman
    Preceded by
    Ogden Hoffman
    Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
    from New York's 3rd congressional district

    1841–1843
    Succeeded by
    Jonas P. Phoenix
    Legal offices
    Preceded by
    Matthew C. Paterson
    New York County District Attorney
    1846–1850
    Succeeded by
    N. Bowditch Blunt
    Preceded by
    Charles O'Conor
    United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York
    1854–1858
    Succeeded by
    Theodore Sedgwick
    Preceded by
    Daniel G. Rollins
    New York County District Attorney
    1882–1883
    Succeeded by
    John Vincent
    Acting
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