Tom Dennison (political boss)

Tom Dennison
Tom Dennison circa 1930
Boss of the Omaha, Nebraska political machine
In office
1900–1934
Personal details
Born(1858-10-26)October 26, 1858
Delhi, Iowa, United States
DiedFebruary 14, 1934(1934-02-14) (aged 75)
Chula Vista, California, US
Political partyDemocratic Party
SpouseAda Provost Dennison--September 11, 1893-1922 (her death) Neva Jo Truman Dennison--October 1930-1933 (divorced)
ChildrenFrances Genevieve Ragan (Dennison), 2 infant sons - John and Thomas (deceased in infancy)
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Tom Dennison, known as Pickhandle or Old Grey Wolf, (October 26, 1858 – February 14, 1934) was an American political boss and racketeer in Omaha, Nebraska. A politically savvy, culturally astute gambler, Dennison was in charge of the city's wide crime rings, including prostitution, gambling and bootlegging in the 1920s.[1] Dennison is credited with electing "Cowboy" James Dahlman mayor of Omaha eight times, and when losing an election, inciting the Omaha Race Riot of 1919 in retribution against the candidate who won.[2]

  1. ^ Beerman, B.J. (2004) Where the hell is Omaha? Archived 2007-06-07 at the Wayback Machine AmericanMafia.Com Retrieved 6/18/07.
  2. ^ (nd) "Dennison's Political Machine" Archived 15 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine. NebraskaStudies.org. Retrieved 6/21/07.