John Oakey

John Oakey (September 12, 1829 – March 24, 1898) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life Oakey was born on September 12, 1829, in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a lineal descendant of Cromwell officer John Okey, while his mother was a descendant of Hartford founder Thomas Hooker. He moved to Flatbush with his family when he was eight.

Oakey studied at Erasmus Hall Academy. He entered Yale College in 1845, graduating from there with honors in 1849. After a preliminary study session, he entered the law office of James Humphrey. He was admitted to the bar in 1851. He then spent two years working as managing clerk for Charles T. Cromwell of New York City. In 1854, he began practicing law in New York City with Cromwell in the law firm Cromwell & Oakey, later known as Blanke, Oakey & Cromwell. In 1858, he started practicing with Hiram P. Hunt in the law firm Hunt & Oakey. He was also first elected justice of the peace for Kings County that year. In 1865, he was appointed Commissioner of Excise for Kings County. He was also a school trustee and trustee of Erasmus Hall Academy. and 1867. In 1871, he moved from Flatbush to Brooklyn. In 1872, he briefly worked as a U.S. Assessor. In 1874, he was counsel for the Brooklyn Police Excise departments.

Oakey died at home from gastric apoplexy on March 24, 1898. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.