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He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 9, 1803. His father was a native of Ireland who became a teacher in Baltimore. John moved to New York City and worked with his brother. In 1849 he was appointed a state commissioner of emigration, and in 1854 he was elected a member of the common council.
He was appointed superintendent of Castle Garden, and worked to protect emigrants against swindlers, as well as to administer the day to day activities at the immigrant depot. In 1860, he became superintendent of the New York City Police. During the New York Draft Riots, aged 59, he was severely beaten by a mob, while protecting the office of the provost-marshal at 46th Street and 3rd Avenue, on the morning of 14 July 1863. Physicians counted over 70 knife wounds. He never fully recovered.[3]
When he returned to duty he was appointed provost-marshal of New York City, as well as superintendent of police, and continued to serve in this double capacity during the American Civil War. He made many enemies through his efforts to enforce the metropolitan excise law. He resigned on 11 April 1870, he then served as president of a street-railroad company for about two years, and then held the office of collector of assessments until his death in New York City on June 20, 1873, aged 69.
