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John Kean

1852 – 1914

New Jersey politician, United States Senator

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About John Kean

Lived 1852 – 1914 (aged 61). John Kean was an American politician and lawyer.

John Kean (December 4, 1852 – November 4, 1914)

Early life and education Kean was born on December 4, 1852, at Liberty Hall at present-day Kean University, then called "Ursino", near Elizabeth, New Jersey. Kean was the son of Lucinetta "Lucy" (née Halsted) and Col. John Kean. He was related to several prominent American politicians including his great-grandfather John Kean, and great-uncle Hamilton Fish. His younger brother was Hamilton Fish Kean. His maternal grandfather was Caleb O. Halsted, president of the Bank of the Manhattan Company.

He studied in private schools and attended Yale College. He graduated from Columbia Law School in New York City in 1875. He was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1877, but did not engage in extensive practice. resigning the following year to run as the Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey. He lost the 1892 gubernatorial race to Democrat George Theodore Werts. He was a member of the committee to revise the judiciary system of New Jersey. Kean, who was one of nine children, did not marry, in fact, only two of his siblings, brother Hamilton Fish Kean, who married Katharine Taylor Winthrop, and sister Christine Griffin Kean, who married Emlen Roosevelt, married.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Yale College, Columbia Law School
Positions held
United States representative, United States senator
Also known as
John Kean Jr.

Family & relationships

Parent
John Kean (South Carolina politician)

People in John Kean's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Kean's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Kean?

New Jersey politician, United States Senator (1852-1914)

When was John Kean born?

John Kean was born on 4 December 1852 in Elizabeth.

When did John Kean die?

John Kean died on 4 November 1914 in Elizabeth.

What was John Kean's occupation?

John Kean was a politician and lawyer.

What nationality was John Kean?

John Kean was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Kean

· Wikidata: Q1700685

· DBpedia: John Kean (New Jersey politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Kean. https://biography.guide/john-kean/

MLA: "John Kean." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-kean/.

Chicago: "John Kean." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-kean/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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