John Cashmore (June 7, 1895 – May 7, 1961) was an American politician from New York City who served as Borough President of Brooklyn from 1940 until his death in 1961.

Career

Business

Cashmore was an aide to the general manager of the New York Edison Company and a furniture manufacturer.

Politics

Cashmore was a member of the New York State Assembly (Kings Co., 5th D.) in 1923. He was a member of the New York State Democratic Committee from 1938 to 1944. Cashmore was elected as Brooklyn Borough president in 1940, succeeding Raymond V. Ingersoll. He held this position until 1961, though he was unsuccessfully challenged in the 1945 election by George A. Arkwright. He was the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator from New York in 1952, but was defeated by the incumbent Republican Irving M. Ives. He was a delegate to the 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960 Democratic National Conventions.

Personal life

Cashmore married Edythe Tenney (1898–1972) in 1926. They had one son, James John Cashmore (1931–1977).

In popular culture

The 1974 Harry Chapin song "Cat's in the Cradle" was based in part on John Cashmore's relationship with his son James, to whom Chapin's wife had been previously married.

Sources