Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Kearney, Denis

KEARNEY, DENIS, an American agitator; born in Oakmont, County Cork, Ireland, in 1847; followed the sea in 1858-1872; became foreman of a gang of stevedores in San Francisco in 1872, soon after starting in the draying business for himself; took an interest in politics. In 1877, owing to interference with his business, he began to excite the workingmen of San Francisco against capital, Chinese labor, etc., mass meetings being held in a suburb called the “Sandlots.” The movement instigated by him finally succeeded in packing a convention and organizing a new constitution in its own interest for the State of California. In the summer of 1878 he visited and spoke throughout the East, attended by a private secretary, but failed to make much impression. He died April 24, 1907.