18 Facts About Dan Kerrigan

Daniel Kerrigan was an American pugilist, sportsman and politician.

Dan Kerrigan was part owner of the Star and Garter, a popular Sixth Avenue saloon, and was a longtime political organizer and "fixer" for Tammany Hall.

Dan Kerrigan was involved in one of the longest bare-knuckle boxing prize fights when he defeated "Australian Kelly" after a near-three and a half hour bout at Island Pond in 1860.

Dan Kerrigan was one of five siblings born to Irish Catholic immigrant in New York City's Sixth Ward in 1843.

Dan Kerrigan's father, Daniel P Kerrigan, was a lawyer and his mother "a woman of superior education".

Dan Kerrigan received a public school education and later attended a local Catholic minor seminary under Rev Father Halpin.

Dan Kerrigan was a choir boy at St Patrick's Church and was strongly encouraged to pursue religious training, and for a time considered entering the priesthood, but eventually became dissatisfied and left the school to work for underworld figures Ben Wood and Zachariah Simmons, both controlling the policy racket and illegal gambling in the city.

Dan Kerrigan acquired a large personal fortune while employed by Wood and Simmons and began living a lavish lifestyle.

Dan Kerrigan started gambling, becoming known as a high roller, and left the service of Wood and Simmons in 1860 to become a professional gambler.

Dan Kerrigan became deeply involved in illegal gambling, having mixed success with running faro banks throughout the city, and traveled the United States for almost 20 years becoming one of the most widely recognized sportsmen in the country.

Dan Kerrigan was a regular at nearly every horse race held at Jerome Park, Saratoga and Monmouth Park.

Dan Kerrigan developed extensive political connections as a longtime political organizer and "fixer" for Tammany Hall and was at one time the chairman of the Tammany Hall General Committee.

In 1878, Dan Kerrigan opened a saloon in the Twenty-Ninth District known as the Strand.

In early-January 1880, Dan Kerrigan contracted a severe cold which quickly turned into pneumonia.

Dan Kerrigan dictated his last wishes during this time and, although he had not written a will, Kerrigan expressed that he wished his fortune to be divided among his family with Rogers as the executor.

Dan Kerrigan said he did not wish an elaborate funeral but to be quietly buried next to his parents in Calvary Cemetery.

Dan Kerrigan died at the Star and Garter on the evening of January 27,1880.

Dan Kerrigan's funeral was held the following day at the Church of the Holy Innocents.