Talk:Patrick Gleason (politician)

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Patrick Jerome “Battle-Axe” Gleason was born in Ireland. He arrived in America with his brothers, fought in the Civil War, and made a small fortune in California. He got involved in local politics and was elected mayor of Long Island City twice, from 1887-92, and 1896-97. Gleason’s personality was legendary. As mayor, he owned trolley lines under city contract, leased personal property to the school district, and sold water to the city from his wells. When the railroad put a fence to block traffic on the ferry, he personally chopped it down earning the nickname “Battle-Axe.” Gleason’s volatile temper got him arrested, and his relationship with the board of aldermen was tempestuous at best. The newspapers, which loathed him, refused to publish his photograph. Yet Gleason is still remembered fondly by the people of Hunters Point for his was a friend to the common man. PS 1, which was the largest high school on Long Island when built, was his legacy to the community’s children. When he died bankrupt and discredited but a few years out of office, hundreds lined the route to his internment. “Patrick Jerome Gleason was never boring,” wrote the late George Henke of Sunnyside. “Although labeled a brawler, braggart, buffoon and scoundrel, he was not worse than some of his slick opponents. He was an astute politician.”