Samuel J. Foley (district attorney)

Samuel J. Foley (1891 – May 14, 1951) was the Bronx County District Attorney from 1933 to 1949, and a Bronx County Court judge from 1949 until his death.

For his father, the 19th-century New York State assemblyman and senator, see Samuel J. Foley (politician).
Samuel J. Foley
Bronx County District Attorney
In office
March 22, 1933 – December 29, 1949
Preceded byCharles B. McLaughlin
Succeeded byGeorge B. DeLuca
Personal details
Born1891
Manhattan
Died(1951-05-14)May 14, 1951
The Bronx, New York City
Resting placeGate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, New York
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic Party
Spouse(s)Grace McLaughlin Foley
ChildrenSamuel J. Foley Jr., Margaret Florence Foley, Michael Foley
ParentsSamuel J. Foley (politician)
Alma materGeorgetown University Law School
Occupationlawyer, district attorney, judge

Early life

Foley was born on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. His father, also named Samuel J. Foley, was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1891 to 1895 and the New York State Senate from 1896 to 1906. The younger Foley graduated from Manual Training High School in Brooklyn, and later graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1914, where he was also quarterback of the football team and captain of the basketball team. He served in Europe during World War I and was discharged as a captain.[1]

Professional career

In 1924, Foley was named an assistant district attorney in the Bronx by District Attorney Edward J. Glennon, and participated in the extradition of Bruno Hauptmann in the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. When Charles B. McLaughlin, who succeeded Glennon, resigned as Bronx County District Attorney to become a New York State Supreme Court justice in March 1933, New York Governor Herbert H. Lehman appointed Foley as the replacement.[2][3] In his first election to the district attorney office in November 1933, Foley ran on the Democratic and Recovery Party lines,[4] although he had previously been a Democrat. He won the election easily, and was subsequently re-elected three more times. In 1945, he was president of the District Attorneys Association of New York State.[1]

In a deal that was made in 1948 to create a fourth judgeship position on the Bronx County bench the following year, Judge Samuel Joseph, a Republican who was up for re-election for his judge position, obtained the endorsement of both the Republican and Democratic parties in the Bronx, with the understanding that in the following year, the Democratic nominee would also get the Republican nomination. That nominee was Foley. He won the election handily,[5] and took office on December 23, 1949.[6]

Death

Foley died of an unspecified brief stomach ailment in Union Hospital in the Bronx on May 14, 1951, and was survived by his wife Grace née McLaughlin; three children, Samuel J. Jr., Margaret Florence, and Michael; and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Hughes.[1] On the day of his funeral, an estimated 10,000 people lined the streets from his home at 2201 Andrews Avenue to Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church at 1940 University Avenue, where the funeral was held.[7] He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.[8]

References
  1. "Judge S.J. Foley, 60, Of The Bronx Dies – Member of County Court Since 1949 Was Active in Handling of Hauptmann Extradition". New York Times. May 15, 1951. p. 31. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  2. "S.J. Foley Named Bronx Prosecutor – Assistant District Attorney Selected to Fill Post Left by McLaughlin – Pledges War On Rackets – Official Who Helped End Building Troubles in 1929 Promises New Fight on Crime". New York Times. March 22, 1933. p. 15. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  3. "Foley Inducted in Bronx". New York Times. March 23, 1933. p. 17. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  4. "List of Candidates Who Will Be on Ballots in Municipal Election Nov. 7". New York Times. November 5, 1933. p. 2N. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  5. "Vote for Appeals Judge, Borough Presidents, Amendments; Results in the Suburbs". New York Times. November 10, 1949. p. 7. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  6. "Rogers In City Job With Mayor's Help Former Tammany Leader and Ex-Borough President Gets $10,000-a-Year Post". New York Times. December 31, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  7. "10,000 Line Streets For Foley Funeral - City, State and Federal Aides Attend Rites Here for Former Bronx District Attorney". New York Times. May 18, 1951. p. 28. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  8. "Obituary 1 – No Title". New York Times. May 15, 1951. p. 31. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
Political offices
Preceded by
Charles B. McLaughlin		 Bronx County District Attorney
1933–1949		 Succeeded by
George B. DeLuca
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