Thomas Finegan
Thomas Finegan (May 8, 1852 – August 9, 1921) was an American manufacturer and politician from New York.
Life[edit]
Finegan was born on May 8, 1852, in Haverstraw, New York. His parents were machinist James Finegan and Catherine McManus, Irish immigrants from County Monaghan.[1]
When he was 15, Finegan worked in various capacities under brick manufacturers Wood & Keenan. He then worked in boating and railroading in different parts of the country.[2] This was followed by working as a bricklayer on several big public projects across the country, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York State Capitol, and the Chicago Sewage Project.[1]
In 1881, Finegan returned to Haverstraw and opened a retail cigar store. A year later, he purchased a mineral water business. In 1895, he began brewing ale and porter, and in 1900 he started brewing lager beer as well.[3] In 1891, he leased a brickyard and started manufacturing bricks. He was also involved with real estate in Haverstraw and neighboring town of Stony Point. He served as town assessor for Haverstraw.[2]
In 1891, Finegan was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, representing Rockland County. He served in the Assembly in 1892,[2] 1893,[4] and 1903.[5]
Finegan's wife was Julia Kohler. Their children were Mrs. Thomas Gagan, Julia, Regis, James E., and Thomas Jr.[1] He was a member of the Foresters of America.[3]
Finegan died on August 9, 1921. He was buried in St. Peter's Cemetery.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d McCabe, Michael, ed. (13 August 1921). "Death Came Suddenly". The Rockland County Times. Haverstraw, N. Y.: Michael McCabe. pp. 1, 4.
- ^ a b c Lloyd, Will L. (1892). The New York Red Book. Albany: James B. Lyon. p. 124.
- ^ a b Tompkins, Arthur Sidney (1902). "Part II, Biographical". Historical Record to the Close of the Nineteenth Century of Rockland County, New York. Nyack, N. Y.: Van Deusen & Joyce. p. 64.
- ^ Murlin, Edgar L. (1893). The New York Red Book. Albany: James B. Lyon. pp. 127–128.
- ^ Murlin, Edgar L. (1903). The New York Red Book. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 135.
External links[edit]
- 1852 births
- 1921 deaths
- People from Haverstraw, New York
- American people of Irish descent
- 19th-century American politicians
- 20th-century American politicians
- Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly
- American real estate brokers
- American brewers
- Businesspeople from New York (state)
- American manufacturing businesspeople
- American industrialists