New-York tribune., 1879-01-21
OBiIUARI.
MArTUEM |. LHENNAN.

Matthew I. Brennan, the cX-Nherltf, died at
quarter before ii O'Clock yesterday molnh- lie had
been sufrgius from a cOmbnaton OF cO;np.anto FOR
,Ume mr bui IL only for few daYs that lis con-
don was considered critical Tne last phase o. disease
wa, congestion Ot The brain. HIS physicin was Dr. =
i. RaDorg.
Matthew T. Brennan was horn in this city November
g. I-2O. in nousc ~ Ciif,t. the Harper buiidns
Ills education Was g.tncO IN the public schools
IN tne Fourth NarG. WRen boy he met
with an accident that LIncd Inn for li,,
Dut did not prevent him from becoming al
athlete Although ne retained perccpuhie limp, hc
was icc % ioot and Ac grew to manhood he became
possessed Of extraordinary oIeuGs six eet in height
and wo pyorortioned he took tie lead m all cats of
strength practi,eI b. the young men in the Fourth
ward. He io.ncl the Volunteer Fire Department and
became the tor, ~ Engine ComplnI No IL Run
y ng 10 fires was Tor time the ruling passion ul hl, ne"
ana mis- prominence n the department soon gained Tor
huI - good position on the police force. Mayor kiu2S
land appointed han captain OF the force IA l93l.
ana placed him III command OF the sixth ward
al time when the Five Po.t' Was tue most dangerous
ua of the city Captain Brennan broke up tho gangs
a. tic\,s and a-.is,n, that infested TINS place at TIA
time. and I'll. ctuajy reformed the negAh0IdOod. He
was >uccs-otu, also tracing several large loht-,
ara was permitted t. receive rewards from Bal Black
ana ether ytauhy HVus whose properly he recovered
from the thieves.
Mr Brennan was elected Police Justice in 1Sji over
three other candidates. AMI reelected without any
opposition il 1871. III 1862 he was elected Controller
Of lhc city, and served fout years. during when tine hc
settled the war bOuntc. Not claims and rcci fundsaud
pad for uianv c improvements such "a laying water
mains and grading portions OF Central Park. Although
this WAS period If great expense to the city the rate
of taxaop AT the coscof h, OF Office Controller
Wa. only per 0ne hld valuation of property
Brcnlan Icluocd. although pressed D. Oihef Guy
officials, to issue any OF the scrip cOmmony called
,mnplaster-," and m 'de some political enemies by his
ObSinacy il adhcnu2 10 thls decision. "hth ulS I
nomination for l.c "ihce Oi CoulIoer was discuss d,
chHr-c4 WuIe pIticrr' against nm winch were uis
missed aficrNArd by Governor Fcnton.
The legislature elected him Commissioner Of Police in
1855, and when the department reorgaTized Mr..
brennan was kept in ms position by he Mayor or the
CIV WIN @ still serving as Police Commissioner he was
elected sheriff i'll November, 1870 Ie served lhrc'tyaS
wncn ne opposed was boben up 1nd Il" was eied upon
Gcprt from "ne Of his deputies when rs
term Of office nearly en- ed caused SEtill
irri'uuu much trouble. lew days after De
rnaird 10 be- -her.n he was arrested and placed =
IMd Ow street Jtl, where he renamed tor nonh lie
WIS nrId respons Bile the negligence o bis drpuics
trsIrd also and he found himself IN sragLtche
circumstances. He suffered ir,m an attack
followed by Alarming symptoms u apopi Ky. ils
and he rcganed his health M measure MANY suiis y
wc;e brought against hlm Irowng out OF
ms deputies, while hi, suits against the { ~ l#gsed
in the courrs. 70 satisfy judgments against him h was
Obliged 10 sell property at oss and even To mortgage
hi. re- d,ncr Al l-St. ana the Buuic
ward is financial troubles bci'eyrd to have causcd
ms illness lie dod poor
Mr. Brennan was known as a man OF candor and cour-
a,e He va. positive and prompt IN speech and action
His g,ucruu, acts many, bat they were done wth
i-truiat.uu.
IN. surviving fomily consists Of his vie, who was
formerly Mss MARGARET Maiouy. and slN children.
Mamie H. il married to Jud>on ia vs, of
tids CIV Mi~s Kate still remains unmarried.
ana the tsIul daughter married john +. Cullgn.
VIII, ID with Mrs-r,. Nandorpo0l, Gir"n lum'nG Inc
,tuers Ale Emily f., eirl Of tOuitrrn, N't br~ aud
Jn,-ph, s.ren iespCcuvey about twenty y-tdrce ana
tvrutg one. Mr.. brennan was cNcrroin-f devoted !"
L,, family, aHd spite Of anN complications
a, a uoliticmn, devoted the great r part OF
h', time To domestic duties. His cnldr were
nj % extremely fond MIN. Eacn summer 81 his pros
nerous yclrs he Saratog ana IN, devotion I"
,s family and ryOtIOn oil t.e different members %
n 10 h were frequently remarked by the gIest5 Of tie
Grand Union Hotel.