James P. Maher | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | Otto G. Foelker |
| Succeeded by | Michael J. Hogan |
| Constituency | 3rd district (1911–13) 5th district (1913–19) 7th district (1919–21) |
| Mayor ofKeansburg, New Jersey | |
| In office January 1, 1926 – March 15, 1927 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas J. Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Clarence H. Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Paul Maher (1865-11-03)November 3, 1865 Brooklyn,New York,USA |
| Died | July 31, 1946(1946-07-31) (aged 80) Keansburg, New Jersey |
| Resting place | St. Joseph's Cemetery, Keyport, New Jersey USA |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Jane Moran (m. 1890-1937, her death) |
| Profession | Hatter Union treasurer Real estate broker |
James Paul Maher (November 3, 1865 – July 31, 1946) was an American labor union official, businessman, and politician. ADemocrat, he is most notable for his service as aU.S. Representative fromNew York, a position he held for five terms from 1911 to 1921.
Maher was born inBrooklyn,New York, one of several children born to Irish immigrants John and Maria Maher.[1] He attended the parochial schools of Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn's St. Patrick's Academy.[2] Apprenticed as a hatter, he moved toDanbury, Connecticut in 1887 and was employed as ahat sizer and in other positions on the factory floor.[2]
He was active in his local union and theAmerican Federation of Labor.[2] Maher became treasurer of theUnited Hatters of North America in 1897, a post he held until his election to Congress.[1][2] As a labor union leader, he gained a reputation for successful mediation and adjudication of worker-management disputes.[2] Maher returned to Brooklyn in 1902[2] and was active with several charitable and fraternal organizations, including the Civic Association of New York,Society of the Holy Name,Knights of Columbus, andBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks.[1]
Maher was an unsuccessful candidate for election to theSixty-first Congress in 1908.[3] He was elected as aDemocrat to theSixty-second and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1921).[3] He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Labor (Sixty-third throughSixty-fifth Congresses).[3] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1920 to theSixty-seventh Congress.[3]
After leaving Congress, Maher entered the real estate business in Brooklyn.[3] He later moved toKeansburg, New Jersey, where he continued in real estate.[3] In 1925, Keansburg employed a borough manager to oversee the local government's day to day operations, and reduced the size of its town council from five members to three.[4] Maher ran successfully for a seat on the council, and was the top vote getter among the candidates.[5] Upon taking office in January 1926, Maher was chosen to serve as mayor.[6] He served until March 1927, when voter dissatisfaction with a significant increase in the municipal budget and the taxes to fund it led to his recall.[7] In 1937, Maher was an unsuccessful candidate for the town council.[8]
Maher died in Keansburg on July 31, 1946.[3] He was buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery,Keyport, New Jersey.[3]
In 1890, Maher married Mary Jane (Moran) Maher (1867-1937).[1] They were the parents of a son, Charles Maher, who lived in Keansburg.[1]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 3rd congressional district 1911–1913 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 5th congressional district 1913–1919 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 7th congressional district 1919–1921 | Succeeded by |
