William E. Melody

William Edward Melody (January 13, 1850 – May 15, 1916) was an American politician from New York.

Life

Melody was born on the West Side of Manhattan, New York City on January 13, 1850. His parents were Matthew Melody and Sabina O'Connor, Irish immigrants. When he was six months old, he moved with his parents to Tivoli, New York. Six years later, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. After six months there, the family moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where Melody lived ever since.{{Cite news|date=17 June 1906|title=The Fourth District and its Leader, William E. Melody|volume=XXXIV|page=15|work=The Brooklyn Citizen|issue=167|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/543720691/}}

After finished school, Melody became a successful real estate dealer. In 1892, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, representing the Kings County 10th District. He served in the Assembly in 1893{{Cite book|last=Murlin|first=Edgar L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1cwGAQAAIAAJ|title=The New York Red Book|publisher=James B. Lyon|year=1893|location=Albany|pages=149|language=en}} and 1894.{{Cite book|last=Murlin|first=Edgar L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8x80AQAAMAAJ|title=The New York Red Book|publisher=James B. Lyon|year=1894|location=Albany|pages=147–148|language=en}} In 1900, he was appointed commissioner of jurors for Kings County.{{Cite news|date=10 July 1900|title=Melody Succeeds Furey|volume=60|page=1|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|issue=189|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50352218/}} In 1902, he was elected Sheriff of Kings County, and served as sheriff in 1903.{{Cite news|date=2 January 1903|title=Sheriff Melody Assumes Office|page=12|work=The Daily Standard Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/543396897/}} In 1906, he was appointed deputy collector of arrears.{{Cite news|date=4 January 1906|title=Metz Slate Known; McCarren Men Get Pick of the Offices|volume=XXXIX|page=1|work=The Brooklyn Citizen|issue=3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/543719370/}} In 1908, he was appointed commissioner of public works.{{Cite news|date=9 May 1908|title=Melody Has Better Job Than Metz Took Away|volume=69|page=18|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|issue=129|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/53878735/}}

Melody married Henrietta Hinck in 1896. They had a daughter, Dorothy. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.{{Cite news|date=17 May 1916|title=Deaths|volume=76|page=16|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|issue=137|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/55315616/}}

Melody died in Bushwick Hospital on May 15, 1916, from intestinal trouble.{{Cite news|date=15 May 1916|title=William Melody Dies in Hospital|page=1|work=The Brooklyn Daily Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/556179783/}} He was buried in the Lutheran All Faiths Cemetery; although Melody was a Roman Catholic, his wife was a Lutheran.{{Cite news|date=16 May 1916|title=W. E. Melody's Funeral|volume=76|page=1|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|issue=136|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/55315575/}}