Jacob A. Cantor

Summary

Jacob Aaron Cantor (December 6, 1854 – July 2, 1921) was an American lawyer and politician from New York who served as a United States representative from 1913 to 1915.

Jacob A. Cantor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 20th district
In office
November 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915
Preceded byFrancis B. Harrison
Succeeded byIsaac Siegel
3rd Borough President of Manhattan
In office
January 1, 1902 – December 31, 1903
Preceded byJames J. Coogan
Succeeded byJohn F. Ahearn
President pro tempore of the New York State Senate
In office
1892–1893
Preceded byJacob Sloat Fassett
Succeeded byCharles T. Saxton
Member of the New York State Senate
In office
January 1, 1888 – December 31, 1898
Preceded byWilliam C. Traphagen
Succeeded byThomas F. Donnelly
Constituency10th district (1888–1893)
14th district (1894–1895)
20th district (1896–1898)
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 23rd district
In office
January 1, 1885 – December 31, 1887
Preceded byDaniel M. Van Cott
Succeeded byNicholas R. O'Connor
Personal details
Born(1854-12-06)December 6, 1854
New York City, US
DiedJuly 2, 1921(1921-07-02) (aged 66)
New York City, US
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Julia Lewenthal, Lydia Greenbaum
Children3
EducationCity College of New York
OccupationLawyer

Early life and education edit

Cantor was born at 19 Second Street in New York, the son of Henry Cantor and Hannah Cantor, both natives of London. He was a reporter for the New York World from 1872 to 1877. At the same time, he studied law at the City College of New York, graduated in 1875.

Family edit

On November 2, 1891, his first wife Julia (Lewenthal) Cantor died. On September 25, 1897, he married Lydia Greenbaum, and they had three children: Margaret, Ruth and John.

Career edit

Cantor was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in New York City.

Early political career edit

He was a delegate to the 1884 Democratic National Convention. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 23rd D.) in 1885, 1886 and 1887. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1888 to 1898, sitting in the 111th through 121st New York State Legislatures (all three 20th D.); and was President pro tempore from 1892 to 1893.

He was Borough President of Manhattan from 1902 to 1903, elected on the fusion ticket headed by Seth Low for Mayor of New York City, nominated by the anti-Tammany Hall Democrats, Republicans and the Citizens Union.

Congress edit

Cantor was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Francis Burton Harrison, and served from November 4, 1913, to March 3, 1915. He unsuccessfully contested the election of Isaac Siegel to the 64th United States Congress.

Later career and death edit

Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in New York City.

He was president of the New York City Department of Taxes and Assessments from 1918 until his death.

Personal life edit

Cantor died at his home at 2345 Broadway, in Manhattan, and was buried at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

See also edit

Sources edit

  • United States Congress. "Jacob A. Cantor (id: C000125)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • [1] Political Graveyard
  • [2] Obit in NYT on July 3, 1921 (stating wrong years of his majority leadership)
  • [3] Obit of his first wife, in NYT on November 3, 1891
New York State Assembly
Preceded by
Daniel M. Van Cott
New York State Assembly
New York County, 23rd District

1885–1887
Succeeded by
Nicholas R. O'Connor
New York State Senate
Preceded by
William C. Traphagen
New York State Senate
10th District

1888–1893
Succeeded by
Preceded by New York State Senate
14th District

1894–1895
Succeeded by
Preceded by New York State Senate
20th District

1896–1898
Succeeded by
Thomas F. Donnelly
Political offices
Preceded by President pro tempore of the State Senate
1892–1893
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Borough President of Manhattan
1902-1903
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 20th congressional district

1913–1915
Succeeded by