Richard Croker
Encyclopedia
Richard Croker, Sr. was an American politician, a leader of New York City
's Tammany Hall
.
, County Cork
and headed for the land of opportunity. There were significant differences between this family and the typical family leaving Ireland at that time. They were Protestant. They were not land tenants. Eyre Coote Croker owned an estate in Clonakilty
in south west Cork. However, he was not a good manager. Within a short space of time, he was as poor as his tenants.
Richard Croker was educated in the public schools of New York City, where he eventually became a member of Tammany Hall
and active in its politics. He was an alderman
from 1868 to 1870, a coroner
from 1873 to 1876. He moved to Harrison, New York
by 1880, then he was the New York City Fire Commissioner in 1883 and 1887, and city Chamberlain
from 1889 to 1890. After the fall of John Kelly
he became the leader of Tammany Hall, and for some time almost completely controlled that organization. As head of Tammany, Croker received bribe money
from the owners of brothels
, saloons
and illegal gambling
dens. He survived Charles Henry Parkhurst
's attacks on Tammany Hall corruption and became a wealthy man.
Croker's greatest political success was his bringing about the 1897 election of Robert A. Van Wyck as first mayor of the five-borough
"greater" New York, and during van Wyck's administration Croker is popularly supposed to have dominated completely the government of the city. After Croker's failure to carry the city in the presidential election of 1900 and the defeat of his mayoralty candidate, Edward M. Shepard
in 1901, he resigned from his position of leadership in Tammany and was succeeded by Lewis Nixon
. He retired to a country life in England and Ireland.
racehorses
in the United States in partnership with Mike Dwyer
. In January 1895 they sent a stable of horses to England under the care of trainer Hardy Campbell, Jr.
and jockey Willie Simms
. Following a dispute, the partnership was dissoved in May but Croker continued to race in England. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D06E7DD1039E033A2575BC1A9639C94649ED7CF In 1907 his horse Orby
won Britain's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby
. Orby was ridden by American jockey John Reiff whose brother Lester
had won the race in 1901. Croker was also the breeder of Orby's son Grand Parade
who won the Derby in 1919.
In another animal venture, Croker was the first person to pay $5000 for a bulldog
, Champion Rodney Stone.
Ricard Croker married Beulah Benson Edmondson (1884-1957) in 1914 when he was 71 years old.
He died in 1922 in Ireland
leaving a fortune estimated to $3–5 millions to his second wife, disinheriting the children. This resulted in a celebrated lawsuit in which the children unsuccessfully claimed that their father's second marriage was invalid for bigamy, in that their stepmother was at the relevant time married to another man. They were, however, unable to produce any credible evidence that the gentleman existed.
Croker's funeral drew some of Dublin's most eminent citizens, The Times (of London) describing it as follows:
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
.
Biography
He was born at Blackrock, Ireland on November 24, 1843, son of Eyre Coote Croker. He was taken to the United States by his parents when two years old. They boarded the Henry Clay in CobhCobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
and headed for the land of opportunity. There were significant differences between this family and the typical family leaving Ireland at that time. They were Protestant. They were not land tenants. Eyre Coote Croker owned an estate in Clonakilty
Clonakilty
Clonakilty , often referred to by locals simply as Clon, is a small town on the N71 national secondary road in West County Cork, Ireland, approximately 45 minutes away by road to the west of Cork City. The town is on the southern coast of the island, and is surrounded by hilly country devoted...
in south west Cork. However, he was not a good manager. Within a short space of time, he was as poor as his tenants.
Richard Croker was educated in the public schools of New York City, where he eventually became a member of Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
and active in its politics. He was an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
from 1868 to 1870, a coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
from 1873 to 1876. He moved to Harrison, New York
Harrison, New York
Harrison is a village and town in Westchester County, New York, United States, located approximately northeast of Manhattan. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.-Establishment:...
by 1880, then he was the New York City Fire Commissioner in 1883 and 1887, and city Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
from 1889 to 1890. After the fall of John Kelly
John Kelly (U.S. politician)
John Kelly of New York City, known as "Honest John", was a boss of Tammany Hall and a U.S. Representative from New York from 1855 to 1858-Career:...
he became the leader of Tammany Hall, and for some time almost completely controlled that organization. As head of Tammany, Croker received bribe money
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
from the owners of brothels
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, saloons
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
and illegal gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
dens. He survived Charles Henry Parkhurst
Charles Henry Parkhurst
Charles Henry Parkhurst was an American clergyman and social reformer, born in Framingham, Massachusetts. Although scholarly and reserved, he preached two sermons in 1892 in which he attacked the political corruption of New York City government...
's attacks on Tammany Hall corruption and became a wealthy man.
Croker's greatest political success was his bringing about the 1897 election of Robert A. Van Wyck as first mayor of the five-borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
"greater" New York, and during van Wyck's administration Croker is popularly supposed to have dominated completely the government of the city. After Croker's failure to carry the city in the presidential election of 1900 and the defeat of his mayoralty candidate, Edward M. Shepard
Edward M. Shepard
Edward Morse Shepard was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:...
in 1901, he resigned from his position of leadership in Tammany and was succeeded by Lewis Nixon
Lewis Nixon (naval architect)
Lewis Nixon I was a naval architect, shipbuilding executive, public servant, and political activist. He designed the United States' first modern battleships, and supervised the construction of its first modern submarines, all before his 40th birthday. He was briefly the leader of Tammany Hall...
. He retired to a country life in England and Ireland.
Thoroughbred racing
Croker operated a stable of thoroughbredThoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorses
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in the United States in partnership with Mike Dwyer
Michael F. Dwyer
Michael F. Dwyer was an American businessman from Brooklyn, New York and prominent owner of Thoroughbred racehorses and racetracks...
. In January 1895 they sent a stable of horses to England under the care of trainer Hardy Campbell, Jr.
Hardy Campbell, Jr.
Hardy Campbell, Jr. was an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer and Standardbred horse owner. Hardy Campbell, Sr. was involved in horse racing, and Hardy Jr. spent his life around and in the business. He became head stable lad for Dwyer Brothers Stable in Brooklyn, New York, one of the top...
and jockey Willie Simms
Willie Simms
Willie Simms was an American Hall of Fame thoroughbred horse racing jockey....
. Following a dispute, the partnership was dissoved in May but Croker continued to race in England. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D06E7DD1039E033A2575BC1A9639C94649ED7CF In 1907 his horse Orby
Orby (horse)
Orby was an Anglo-Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from 1906 to 1907 he ran seven times and won four races. In 1907 he became the first Irish-trained horse, and the third owned by an American, to win the Epsom Derby...
won Britain's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
. Orby was ridden by American jockey John Reiff whose brother Lester
Lester Reiff
Lester Berchart Reiff was an American jockey who achieved racing acclaim in the United Kingdom in the first decade of the twentieth century...
had won the race in 1901. Croker was also the breeder of Orby's son Grand Parade
Grand Parade (horse)
Grand Parade was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from April 1918 to June 1919, he ran eight times, winning seven races and was never beaten at level weights. He was a leading two-year-old in Ireland in 1918, winning the Anglesey Stakes and the National...
who won the Derby in 1919.
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
, Champion Rodney Stone.
Ricard Croker married Beulah Benson Edmondson (1884-1957) in 1914 when he was 71 years old.
He died in 1922 in Ireland
leaving a fortune estimated to $3–5 millions to his second wife, disinheriting the children. This resulted in a celebrated lawsuit in which the children unsuccessfully claimed that their father's second marriage was invalid for bigamy, in that their stepmother was at the relevant time married to another man. They were, however, unable to produce any credible evidence that the gentleman existed.
Croker's funeral drew some of Dublin's most eminent citizens, The Times (of London) describing it as follows: