Thomas Finegan

Thomas Finegan (May 8, 1852 – August 9, 1921) was an American manufacturer and politician from New York.

Life

Finegan was born on May 8, 1852, in Haverstraw, New York.[1] His parents were machinist James Finegan and Catherine McManus, Irish immigrants from County Monaghan.[2] He attended school in this village until he started working at 15.[1] Finegan worked in various capacities under brick manufacturers Wood & Keenan. He then worked in boating and railroading in different parts of the country.[1] This was followed by working as a bricklayer on several big public projects across the country, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York State Capitol, and the Chicago Sewage Project.[2]

In 1881, Finegan returned to Haverstraw and opened a retail cigar store. A year later, he purchased a mineral water business. In 1895, he began brewing ale and porter, and in 1900 he started brewing lager beer as well.[3] In 1891, he leased a brickyard and started manufacturing bricks. He was also involved with real estate in Haverstraw and neighboring town of Stony Point. He served as town assessor for Haverstraw.[1]

In 1891, Finegan was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, representing Rockland County. He served in the Assembly in 1892,[1] 1893,[4] and 1903.[5] He served on the Commerce and Navigation Committee as well as the Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply Committee.[6]

Finegan's wife was Julia Kohler. Their children were Mrs. Thomas Gagan, Julia, Regis, James E., and Thomas Jr.[2] He was a member of the Foresters of America.[3]

Finegan died on August 9, 1921. He was buried in St. Peter's Cemetery.[2]

References

1. Lloyd, Will L. (1892). The New York Red Book. Albany: James B. Lyon. p. 124.
2. McCabe, Michael, ed. (13 August 1921). "Death Came Suddenly". The Rockland County Times. Haverstraw, N. Y.: Michael McCabe. pp. 1, 4.
3. Tompkins, Arthur Sidney (1902). "Part II, Biographical". Historical Record to the Close of the Nineteenth Century of Rockland County, New York. Nyack, N. Y.: Van Deusen & Joyce. p. 64.
4. Murlin, Edgar L. (1893). The New York Red Book. Albany: James B. Lyon. pp. 127–128.
5. Murlin, Edgar L. (1903). The New York Red Book. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 135.
6. Phelps, Henry Pitt (1893). New York State Legislative Souvenir. Chicago: Phelps & Kellogg. p. 34.

External links

• The Political Graveyard
• Thomas Finegan at Find a Grave

New York State Assembly
Preceded by Frank P. Demarest	New York State Assembly Rockland County 1892-1893	Succeeded by Otis H. Cutler
Preceded by George Dickey	New York State Assembly Rockland County 1903	Succeeded by Matthew Hurd