John Morrissey

About

Bare-knuckle fighter and gang member who became a State Senator and Congressman after his fighting days.

Before Fame

He tried his hand at gold mining and gambling when he was younger, and while pursuing each, he found himself prizefighting, and got hooked.

Trivia

He was best known for convincing championship fighter Yankee Sullivan to fight him, and then winning when Sullivan got confused by the rules and left the fight prematurely.

Family Life

He was born in Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland, but his family emigrated to Troy, New York, when he was two.

Associated With

Following his fighting he created a casino called The Club House, which was visited by Mark Twain.