John F. Murtaugh
Encyclopedia
John Francis Murtaugh was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
in 1899, where he was a member of the Quill and Dagger
society. He married Nellie O'Day (d. 1915), and they had four children.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
from the 41st District from 1911 to 1914. In 1914, he was chosen Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
for the session of 1914 after President pro tempore of the State Senate Robert F. Wagner
had become Acting Lieutenant Governor in October 1913 upon the impeachment of Governor William Sulzer
. This was the only time before 2009 that the offices of Majority Leader and President pro tem of the State Senate were not held by the same person.
In 1918, he was commissioned a major
in the U.S. Army.
He died at The Ansonia Hotel after taking poison by mistake. He was served "Roach salt" (NaHF2, an insecticide
) instead of Rochelle salt (a purgative), and died about three hours after ingestion. He was buried in Elmira.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
He was the son of Michael Murtaugh. He graduated from Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1899, where he was a member of the Quill and Dagger
Quill and Dagger
Quill and Dagger is a senior honor society at Cornell University. It is often recognized as one of the most prominent collegiate societies of its type, along with Skull and Bones of Yale University...
society. He married Nellie O'Day (d. 1915), and they had four children.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from the 41st District from 1911 to 1914. In 1914, he was chosen Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
The Majority Leader of the New York State Senate is elected by the majority of the members of the New York State Senate. The position usually coincides with the title of Temporary President of the State Senate, who presides over the session of the State Senate if the Lieutenant Governor of New York...
for the session of 1914 after President pro tempore of the State Senate Robert F. Wagner
Robert F. Wagner
Robert Ferdinand Wagner I was an American politician. He was a Democratic U.S. Senator from New York from 1927 to 1949.-Origin and early life:...
had become Acting Lieutenant Governor in October 1913 upon the impeachment of Governor William Sulzer
William Sulzer
William Sulzer was an American lawyer and politician, nicknamed Plain Bill Sulzer. He was the 39th Governor of New York and a long-serving congressman from the same state. He was the first and so far only New York Governor to be impeached...
. This was the only time before 2009 that the offices of Majority Leader and President pro tem of the State Senate were not held by the same person.
In 1918, he was commissioned a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the U.S. Army.
He died at The Ansonia Hotel after taking poison by mistake. He was served "Roach salt" (NaHF2, an insecticide
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
) instead of Rochelle salt (a purgative), and died about three hours after ingestion. He was buried in Elmira.