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John Brennen, acct. 17016

Additional Information on John Brennen:

Carman in ward 22 > liquor dealter > alderman of Yonkers

Son active in law and politics in Yonkers.  Daughter married well-known lawyer.

John died at his home on Riverdale avenue, Yonkers, on April 25, 1903.

Westchester County in History, Manual and Civil List Past and Present, Vol. III, Henry T. Smith. White Plains, NY: Henry T. Smith, Publisher, 1913, p243-246

JOHN BRENNAN.

            John Brennan, former Alderman of Yonkers, etc., was born in Ireland, in September, 1823, and came to this country in 1852; for a time he resided in New York city, and later went to Boston to reside, coming to Yonkers in March, 1868.

        He had not resided long in Yonkers before his ability as a conservative business man was recognized. He gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors not by outward show or by proclaiming his good qualities from the house-tops, or he was a silent man; the minding of his own business well, attracted attention to him.

        When Yonkers became a city, in 1872, Mr. Brennan was elected one of the first Aldermen, from the First Ward, and was one of only two Democratic Aldermen elected in the city, though the Mayor elected was a Democrat.

            Mr. Brennan later held an important position in the Department of Public Works in the city of Yonkers. He was a member of several societies and fraternal organizations. He died at his home on Riverdale avenue, Yonkers, on April 25, 1903. Two children survive him, John F. Brennan, lawyer, and Emma M. Brennan, teacher in public schools; both reside in Yonkers. Another daughter, Mary L., who married Joseph F. Daly, the well known lawyer of Yonkers, died in 1902, husband and wife dying on the same day, within a few minutes of each other. Joseph Russell Daly, a grandson, aged 25 years, died December 4, 1911.

JOHN F. BRENNAN.

            John Francis Brennan, lawyer, Vice-President State Bar Association, former President Westchester County Bar Association, Vice-President of Board of Education, Commissioner, Bar Examiner, etc., was born in the city of New York, on December 3, 1853, a son of John and Margaret (Russell) Brennan. When he was but an infant Mr. Brennan's parents removed to Yonkers, where he has continued to reside. His father was ever active in the early development of Yonkers, and when it became a city he was one of the first elected Alderman, representing the first ward. Like the father, the son was destined to become a useful citizen.

            John, Jr., received his preparatory education in the public schools of Yonkers, and graduated with special honors from Manhattan College.

        As a lad John was ambitious; this fact being recognized, his father, a plain man possessed of uncommon good sense, agreed that the boy be allowed to follow his own inclinations relative to choosing a trade or a profession; accordingly John decided to become a lawyer. He diligently devoted his time to study, to the accumulation of general knowledge, and particularly that pertaining to law. A good student frequently makes a good lawyer, it has been said. In this particular instance the saying has proven true, the good student has made good as a lawyer, as people who know John will agree.

            Mr. Brennan was admitted to practice at the bar in May, 1877, before Justice Barnard, sitting in Poughkeepsie, and almost immediately took a prominent rank in his profession.

            Politically speaking, Mr. Brennan is a Democrat, and he is proud of it. His extensive law practice, occupying his time fully, prevents his active participation in politics, other than as an advisor. As evidence of his readiness to assist his party in times of emergency, instances may be referred to; two are here recalled. In a year when sure defeat looked the party in the face, Mr. Brennan’s name was put upon the Democratic ticket as the candidate for District Attorney. Though defeated his running had the good effect of advertising his good qualities, admitted to surpass the bad, and of proving to him that he is popular with the people, as he ran in advance of his ticket generally. Again, his good nature was imposed upon, when in 1907 he was made to accept the Democratic nomination for Justice of the Supreme Court in the recently created Ninth Judicial District, which, it was generally estimated at the time, would give a normal Republican majority of about 15,000. Though defeated, after running ahead of his ticket, the election justly afforded Mr. Brennan considerable satisfaction, especially as he had the opportunity of learning what his immediate neighbors think of him as a man and as a citizen; in his home city of Yonkers, which gave majorities to other Republican candidates, Mr. Brennan, Democrat, received a majority of several thousand, and the largest majority ever given a candidate for public office in that city.

        In 1892 Mr. Brennan was appointed by the Supreme Court as a Bar Examiner, which responsible position he held several years.

        He was appointed a member of the Board of Education, city of Yonkers, in 1892, and at this time continues to hold this office, finishing his nineteenth year as a Supervisor of Public Instruction. He is Vice President of the Board.

        He served as President of the Westchester County Bar Association in the years 1905 and 1906; two years, the full time any member can serve, according to “ the unwritten law.”

        Is one of the original trustees of the County Law Library, appointed by Governor Hughes.

        He was elected Vice-President of the New York State Bar Association in 1910.

        He has served for some time and is now the President of the Yonkers Public Library.

        He has acted frequently as Commissioner or Referee, in important matters, by appointment of the Supreme Court.

        Is senior member of the law firm of Brennan at Curran of Yonkers.

        Is a member of several organizations, fraternal and social; as many as can be properly attended by a very busy man. For recreation he makes yearly trips to Europe, where he spends about two months during the summer vacation season, between Court terms.

            Mr. Brennan was married on April 24, 1889, to Miss Madge Tiernan, daughter of Hugh Tiernan, of Dobbs Ferry, N. Y. There are no children.