Daniel Edmund Finn Sr. (July 11, 1845 – March 23, 1910) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.
Life He was born on July 11, 1845,Evening Journal Almanac (1895; p. 57) in Limerick, Ireland. The family emigrated to the United States when Daniel was still a child, and settled in New York City. He attended the public schools there. During the American Civil War he served with the New York Volunteers.New York Red Book (1897; p. 207) After the war he entered politics as a Democrat. In January 1880, he was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff of New York County, New York.
Finn was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 1st D.) in 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1888. In the Legislature he fought successfully against the construction of piers in the shore area of Battery Park, and henceforth was nicknamed "Battery Dan". In May 1888, he was admitted to the bar"Is Finn a Lawyer?" in The New York Times on May 22, 1888 at the General Term in Poughkeepsie."Mr. Finn Reappears" in The New York Times on August 20, 1888
He was again a member of the State Assembly in 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898 and 1899; and was Minority Leader in 1897. In November 1899, he was elected to the New York City Municipal Court (1st D.)."Justice-Elect a Defendant" in The New York Times on December 19, 1899
He was a justice of the Municipal Court from January 1900 to May 1, 1905, when he was appointed as a City Magistrate."Mayor Appoints New City Magistrates" in The New York Times on May 2, 1905
He died on March 23, 1910, at his home at 539 Broome Street in Manhattan; and was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Queens."'Battery Dan' Finn, Magistrate, is Dead" in The New York Times on March 24, 1910
Legacy His son Daniel E. Finn Jr. (1880–1949) was County Clerk of New York County, New York and Sheriff of New York County, New York.
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