Edmund P. Holahan

Perhaps the most interesting individual in the McCue family tree to date is Edmund Patrick Holahan.  Whilst no family history about this Holahan has been passed down, published sources indicate that his adult life and career would place him in positions of influence in the burgeoning gang rule in New York City in the first three decades of the 20th century.

The second child of John Holahan and Mary O'Donnell born in September 1859, in an area then known as Manhattanville, would be known for the first two decades of his life as Patrick.  As the son of an Irish Catholic immigrant laborer, Edmund Patrick probably received an education no better than 8th grade, which was more than his parents ever received.  Little else is known about his early life, indeed, even Edmund's obituary reveals nothing new.

Edmund's earliest recorded occupation of bookkeeper (age 20) would be the path that lead him through a number of New York City offices, beginning with City Marshal in 1892.  The duties of a NYC Marshal mostly involve enforcing civil court decisions and evictions.  Though they are not employed by the city, a marshal is appointed by the Mayor.  Rise to this position for Edmund may have been assisted by his election as president of the Massasoit Club (West 126th St) from 1890 - 1896, a known Tammany Club in Harlem.  By the late 1800s, some of the Tammany Club members have been well established as corrupt officials within the highest court positions to the lowliest rungs of postmaster, most of the corruption having to do with money laundering and political influence.  Mr. Holahan was no exception.  He is noted as aiding in the launch of political careers of William Copeland Dodge and George W. Simpson, known corrupt court officials ousted in the Seabury Inquiry.

Perhaps the most striking part about Edmund P. Holahan was the differing reports about his usefulness.  In his obituary, "Controller Charles W. Berry said of Mr. Holahan: 'He was one of the city's most capable and loyal employees.  His loss will be keenly felt in the department.'"  A more truthful account can be seen in this description:

"Henri W. Shields, a Negro lawyer who was a member both of the Board of Aldermen and the State Assembly and who acted as the lieutenant of Edmund P. Holahan, Democratic leader of the 21st A.D. in Upper Harlem, wrote of the latter job, 'I did most of Mr. Holahan's work.  If a constituent would get in trouble, Mr. Holahan would send me to see the Police Commissioner, the Commissioner of Docks, judges, etc., to plead for leniency.  He sent me to court to fight hundreds of rent cases, for which I was never paid a cent, and I was even sent to Syracuse to represent Mr. Holahan at a Democratic State Committee meeting.'" (Lewis: 64)

These actions are not surprising given Holahan's connections, though that does not make them forgivable.  Edmund's other civil services included deputy controller in charge of pensions for three years starting in 1923, followed by actuary auditor of the division of pensions of the finance department for NYC for four years beginning in 1926.  One can only imagine whether or not he actually did any of the work in these positions!

Edmund P. Holahan passed away at the age of 70 in 1930, leaving behind a wife, Carrie Hewlett, and 3 step children.  There is no evidence of any biological descendants for Edmund.

Sources:
Holahan EP. Obituary. New York Evening Post. 02 May 1930. pp. 7

Lewis ER. 1974. Black Politics in New York City. Twayne Publishers, Inc, New York. pp.64

Murtin F and M Viarengo. 2009. American Education in the Age of Mass Migration 1870-1930. IZA Discussion Paper No. 3964, Bonn, Germany. pp. 11-12

Thompson C and A Raymond. 1940. Gang Rule in New York: The Story of a Lawless Era. The Dial Press, New York. pp. 183-199

US Federal Census 1860 - 1880, 1910 - 1920 All Manhattan