John Emmett Tanney was born in Sandusky in 1892 to John G. Tanney and the former Caroline Weingates. As a young teen, John worked at the Cedar Point Bathhouse. He is number 1 in the picture below.
John E. Tanney was a graduate of Sandusky High School, and studied law at the Ohio State University. He was admitted to the Bar in 1917, and in that same year he entered into military service.
A biographical sketch of Judge Tanney, which appeared in The Centennial History of Erie County (1925), by Hewson L. Peeke, gives an account of Tanney’s service during World War I:
On the 7th of November, 1917, he enlisted in the Seventeenth Field Artillery of the United States Regular Army, and was at first stationed at Camp Robinson, Wisconsin. On the 14th of December, 1917, he sailed with his command from the port of New York City for the stage of conflict, and he landed in Brest, France, on the last day of that month. That he was at the forefront in connection with the operations of the American Expeditionary Forces needs no further voucher than the statement that he was with his battery in the Verdun sector, in the battling at Chateau Thierry, and the engagements at Soisson, Toul, St. Mihiel and Champagne, besides having been in service with the allied Army of Occupation in Germany after the armistice brought active hostilities to a close. He finally embarked for the home voyage, and on the 20th of August, 1919, he received his honorable discharge. He returned to Sandusky, and here he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, as a member of the law firm of Tanney & Webster.
John E. Tanney served three terms as Erie County Probate Judge. An article in the December 13, 1926 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal gave an account of an interesting experience for a young couple wishing to be married. The couple appeared before Judge Tanney, but one of the young people needed to have the permission of both parents. The mother had given her permission, but the father was traveling on a train. Judge Tanney drove his car to the train depot, got permission to have the train halted, and promptly got the necessary signature so the wedding could take place. The couple went on to Monroe, Michigan, where there the judge waived the five days requirement usually required from the time of the marriage application until the wedding date, and the couple was married.
Judge Tanney was a popular speaker at civic and school organizations, and he often gave patriotic addresses at Memorial Day and Armistice Day celebrations. He was twice married. His first wife, Olive Turpin Tanney, died in 1917. John and Olive had an infant son who died in 1916. His second wife was Kathryn Richter. Miss Richter was a stenographer in the Erie County Probate Court.
Sadly, Judge John E. Tanney died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 45. Funeral services were held at the Charles J. Andres’ Sons Funeral Home and St. Mary’s Church on July 4, 1938. Military services were held at the burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
