John MORRISSEY, Congress, NY (1831-1878)

MORRISSEY John , a Representative from New York; born in County Tipperary, Ireland, February 12, 1831; immigrated to the United States in 1833 with his parents, who settled in South Troy, N.Y.; attended the public schools; moved to New York City in 1848 and worked as a molder; moved to California in 1851; returned to New York and became a proprietor of gambling houses in New York and Saratoga; was the champion heavyweight boxer of the world in 1858; purchased the controlling interest in the Saratoga race course in 1863; elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1871); was not a candidate for renomination in 1870; resumed his former business pursuits; elected to the State senate in 1875; reelected in 1877 and served until his death in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., May 1, 1878; interment in St. Peter's Cemetery, Troy, N.Y.

Bibliography

Kofoed, John C. Brandy for Heroes: A Biography of the Honorable John Morrisey, Champion Heavyweight of America and State Senator. New York: Dutton, 1938.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present