John M. Coghlan

John Maxwell Coghlan (December 8, 1835 – March 26, 1879) was a California Republican politician who represented California's 3rd congressional district in the 42nd United States Congress from 1871 to 1873.

Early life Coghlan was born in Louisville, Kentucky and moved with his parents to Illinois in 1847, and again in 1850 to California during the California Gold Rush, where they settled in Suisun City.

Coghlan studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced in Suisun City. He married Eva Coombs, the daughter of state assemblyman Nathan Coombs.

Political career

He was a member of the California State Assembly from 1865 to 1867, representing Napa and Lake counties.

Congress He was elected as a Republican to the 42nd Congress (1871–1873), but lost his bid for reelection in 1872 to Democrat John K. Luttrell.

Later career and death He was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California from 1876 to 1878, and was appointed Chief Justice of the Territorial Utah Supreme Court, and confirmed by the United States Senate, but declined to serve. He practiced law in Oakland, California until his death in 1879. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Electoral results