John McCunn
{{Short description|American judge (1820–1872)}}
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Image:John McCunn - Brady-Handy.jpg
John H. McCunn (November 2, 1820 – July 6, 1872) was an Irish-born American judge, lawyer, and military officer who played a significant role during the American Civil War. He later became embroiled in political corruption and was impeached and removed from office.
Early Life and Career
McCunn was born in Burnally, Limavady, County Londonderry, Ireland on 2 November 1820 son of William McCunn and Martha [Matty] McKinley.Ballykelly Church of Ireland baptisms, Co Londonderry He belonged to a poor Irish immigrant family who arrived in New York City in the 19th century. He worked as a dockhand before training as a lawyer, and eventually becoming a judge.
Military Service
When the American Civil War began in 1861 he joined the Union Army as a Captain in the 69th New York Infantry Regiment before he recruited the 37th New York Infantry which he commanded as colonel. At war's end he was brevetted Brigadier General.
Judicial and Political Career
McCunn was a member of the infamous Tweed Ring, which he aided by naturalizing new citizens to boost his election rolls. On one day alone, he naturalized over 2,000 new voters. However, when the scandal was uncovered, he was impeached and removed from his judicial office.
References
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- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091748/http://www.harpweek.com/09Cartoon/BrowseByDateCartoon.asp?Month=May&Date=25 “Making An Example of Two Naughty Boys”] at Harpweek May 25, 1872 Frank Bellew
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=nzMoAc-iew0C&dq=%22john+mccunn%22+-wikipedia+tweed&pg=PA269 (page 269) Boss Tweed: The Rise and Fall of the Corrupt Pol Who Conceived the Soul of Modern New York By Kenneth D. Ackerman] Published 2005 Carroll & Graf
{{The Tweed Ring}}
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Category:People of New York (state) in the American Civil War
Category:Irish emigrants to the United States
Category:Irish soldiers in the United States Army
Category:19th-century Irish people
Category:Leaders of Tammany Hall
Category:19th-century American judges
Category:Lawyers from County Londonderry
Category:Military personnel from County Londonderry
Category:Impeached United States judges removed from office by state or territorial governments
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