Henry W. Genet

Henry Webb Genet (February 27, 1828 Wethersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut – September 6, 1889 New York City) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life

He was the son of John M. Genet, a French immigrant. The family removed to Albany, New York, when Henry was still an infant. He attended school in Albany, Glens Falls Academy, and New York University. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in New York City.

He was a Councilman of New York (7th D.) in 1858; an Alderman (17th D.) from 1859 to 1863; and President of the Board of Aldermen in 1861. He was Clerk of New York County from 1862 to 1864.

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 21st D.) in 1867.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (8th D.) from 1868 to 1871, sitting in the 91st, 92nd, 93rd and 94th New York State Legislatures.

Genet was a member of the Tweed Ring, and was convicted in December 1873 for "having, by false and fraudulent means, obtained the signature of Mayor A. Oakey Hall to a warrant for $4,802 for the payment of iron-work alleged to have been supplied by J. McBride Davidson for the Harlem Courthouse." Sheriff Matthew T. Brennan let Genet escape, and spent 30 days in jail himself. Genet had been elected to the State Assembly of 1874, but could not take office after his conviction. A special election to fill the vacancy was held on January 20, 1874.

Genet fled to Canada and then to Europe. In 1878, Genet returned to New York City, and surrendered himself. In 1881, he was sentenced to eight months in jail, served his time, and paid a fine of $9,604.

He died of cancer at his home at 100 West 124th Street, in New York City, and was buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.

Sources

• The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough, Stephen C. Hutchins and Edgar Albert Werner (1870; pg. 444, 507 and 546)
• Life Sketches of the State Officers, Senators, and Members of the Assembly of the State of New York in 1868 by S. R. Harlow & S. C. Hutchins (pg. 85f)
• Manual of the Corporation of New York by Joseph Shannon (1869; pg. 604 and 651)
• THE RING FRAUDS; CONVICTION OF HENRY W. GENET in NYT on December 20, 1873
• THE ESCAPE OF GENET in NYT on December 23, 1873
• A RING FUGITIVE'S RETURN in NYT on February 5, 1878
• HENRY GENET SENTENCED in NYT on March 13, 1881
• HENRY W. GENET DEAD in NYT on September 7, 1889