Thomas pendergast biography

Thomas J Pendergast was a powerful political boss in the Democratic Party in Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri. His political organization, which became known as the &#;Pendergast machine,&#; reached its peak during the Progressive Era and the Great Depression.

Early Life

Thomas Joseph Pendergast was born on July 22, , in St.

Joseph, Missouri. His parents were Irish immigrants, and he was one of nine children. After attending school, Pendergast held a series of odd jobs. He moved to Kansas City in to work for his brother James, who owned a hotel and saloon.

Thomas pendergast biography wikipedia

Tom Pendergast initially worked as a bartender and later became the bookkeeper.

The saloon was located in an industrial, working-class area known as West Bottoms, which was bordered by the Missouri River and the Kansas state line.

In , James was elected alderman of Kansas City’s First Ward. He later helped his brother Tom secure a position as a deputy constable in the First Ward city court. After tw