William J. Plant

Plant was born in 1847 in Ireland. He immigrated to New York in 1848, when he was only one.[1] He and his parents Humphrey and Margaret moved to Brooklyn shortly after immigrating.[2]

After serving in the Navy for a few years, he worked as a shipping clerk for Stafford Ink Company for twenty years.[3]

In 1886 Plant unsuccessfully ran as Brooklyn Supervisor under the United Labor Party. In 1888, he was elected Master Workman of Advance Assembly 1562 of the Knights of Labor.[4]

Plant was elected in 1891 to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, representing the Kings County 2nd District. He served in the Assembly in 1892,[5] 1893,[6] and 1894.[7]

After he left the Assembly, Plant began work as a contractor. Among his contracts was supplying horses and wagons for the Brooklyn Post Office.[3] He was a member of several societies, including the Royal Arcanum,[8] the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.[9]

His wife was Louisa, who died in 1895.[10] Their children were William, Edward, Humphrey, Mary, Loretta, Margaret, Catherine, and Elizabeth.[8]

Plant died from heart failure on April 7, 1905 in his home on 105 Adams Street.[3] He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.[8]

• Political Graveyard
• William J. Plant at Find a Grave