KELLY, JOHN (1821-86). An American poli tician. lie was born in New York City, had a eommon-school education, was apprenticed to a mason. and at. the age of twenty-four started in business for himself. He soon became interested in politics, for which he had a decided aptitude; entered Tammany Hall; became a member of the Tammany General Committee in 1819; and in 1851 was elected alderman from the Fourteenth Ward. Tie then served in Congress from 1855 to 1S5S, attracting attention by his vigorous op position to the Native American or Know-Noth ing movement. and from 1859 to 1861, and again from 1865 to 1868, served as Sheriff of New York County. in which capacity he accumulated a considerable fortune by taking full though legiti mate advantage of the financial opportunities which this race then offered. lie spent the years 1969-71 in Europe. and on his return took an active part with Tilden and O'Conor in the fight against William Si. Tweed (q.v.). lie was called upon at the some time to effect the general re organization of Tammany hall, and this he did to the satisfaction of most of the better element of the New York Democracy. Thenceforth until
1884 he was regarded as the autoerat and die tator of the Tammany organization. though there was considerable discord on several occasions, notably in 1876. He was appointed Comptroller by Mayor 'Wickham, but was subsequently re moved by Mayor Cooper. In 1879 he quarreled with Governor Robinson, the regular Democratic nominee for the Governorship of the State. and by running for that rave himself on an inde pendent ticket. smeeessfully divided the Demo erotic vote and brought about the electibn of Alonzo B. Cornell, the Republican candidate. Kelly took an active interest in national as well as in State and city polities, and in 1584 made a stubborn but unsuccessful effort to prevent the nomination of Grover Cleveland for the l'resi deney. Though he was often accused of resorting to questionable methods to secure his ends. be was seldom charged with personal dishonesty, and was widely known by the sobriquet 'Honest John Kelly.'