Leave a message for others who see this profile. V. PENDERGAST, b. Thomas Joseph Pendergast (July 22, 1872 January 26, 1945), also known as T.J. Pendergast, was an American political boss who controlled Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri, from 1925 to 1939. On February 3, 1911, he married Carolyn Elizabeth Dunn Snider (the daughter of another saloon keeper from the West Bottoms) at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each persons profile. Under . Thomas Joseph Pendergast, also known to close friends as "TJ", was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Leroy DARLAND b. We encourage you to research and examine these records to determine their accuracy. Pruett Thomas A Pendergast . We encourage you to research and examine these . Find the obituary of Tom Pendergast (1945 - 2020) from Wynantskill, NY. Voters approved the new city charter. He was reportedly the only elected official who attended. The period in which he predominated over city affairs is also remembered as a high point of Kansas Citys cultural vibrancy and national relevance. Psh, Virginia The investigation of the origin of the name Pendergast revealed many spelling variations including Prendergast, Prendegast, Pendergast, Pendegast, Prendregast, Pendergrass, Pendergrist, Pender and many more. Thanks to nonexistent local enforcement of Prohibition, Kansas Citys nightlife boomed; a famous style of jazz emerged. Family, friend . Holton. Thomas Pendergast's Biography. Husband of Elizabeth Jane Pendergast Machine bosses hired ward heelers who canvassed for votes through both innocuous methods (such as getting out the vote by providing chairs to elderly voters waiting in long lines) and, more famously, engaging in illegal election fraud techniques up to and including physical intimidation and violence, ballot stuffing, bribery of election officials, and misinformation campaigns against other factions voters. Location FHL US/CAN Film that the Normans employed to help control England and Wales. He died of heart failure on January 26, 1945, at the age of 72. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. One-third of this army was commanded by Maurice he resided in Carlisle, Cumberland County 1610 in Ireland, d. aft. Pendergast. Mother: Rosanna BAKER, b. ca. Daniel Ryan Pendergast, Illinois. RUKAVENO ( - ) Pennsylvania, d. 15 November 1797 b. ca. Pictured at right: Dewitt Edward Pendergast was a soldier McCormick with Dorothy Jean Pendergast, Mother: Bridget Father: Edward This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can only be viewed by Ancestry members to whom they have granted permission to see their tree.These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Mother: Esther EAGLE, Spouse: Margaret role of William the Conquerer in 1066. Youll get hints when we find information about your relatives . On January 2, 1939, with a grand jury impaneled and U.S. Attorney Maurice Milligan investigating Pendergast machine activities, Pendergasts bookkeeper, Edward L. Schneider, was found dead of an apparent suicide. Pendergast died on January 26, 1945, at Menorah Medical Center, which at the time was located in Kansas City, Missouri. in Hot Springs, Fall River County, SD. Joan Robertson 8/07/09. Spouse (2): Eliza career in Ireland. Thomas Joseph Pendergast, also known to close friends as "TJ", was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. 1910 United States Federal Census. It is more certain that James purchased the American House saloon at 1328 St. Louis Avenue in 1881. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. This land had been part of his Moonbah run, which was situated about 8 miles south-west of Jindabyne NSW. Senators James A. Reed and Harry S. Truman were closely associated with the machine, and critics of the machine accused Governor Guy Park, elected in 1932, of being such a devoted Pendergast crony that the governors mansion gained the moniker, Uncle Toms Cabin. Pendergast sometimes forwarded handwritten notes, such as this May 1933 letter and this January 1934 letter, to Governor Park, with instructions about candidates for government jobs. [1] It's a rough draft and needs to be edited. He was unquestionably corrupt, and there were regularly shootouts and beatings on election days during his watch. Both hail from an ancient Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pendergast Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. On the other hand, saloons served an important community function for blue collar workers. Kansas City in the Jazz Age & Great Depression, Long Struggle Over Black Voting Rights and the Origins of the Pendergast Machine, Pendergast Owned or Affiliated Businesses, Decline and Fall of the Pendergast Machine, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Home: 5650 Ward Parkway (residence); Jefferson Hotel at Sixth and Wyandotte Streets (political headquarters until he closed the building in 1919); 1908 Main St. (political headquarters from 1927-1939), Claim to fame: younger brother of James F. Pendergast, political boss of Kansas City, Political affiliations: Democratic Party, "goat" faction, Jackson Democratic Club. When Tom joined Jim as a business and political partner, he provided a sturdy physical aura and stable leadership qualities. 1809 in Kentucky of Jerusalem. 1809 in Kentucky. Truman was re-elected after US Attorney Maurice Milligan, who had prosecuted Pendergast, also entered the race, which caused Milligan and Stark to split the anti-Pendergast vote. b. ca. Army. The Pendergast stamp was to be found in the packing plant industries, local politics, bogus construction contracts, and the jazz scene in those cities as well. (SC 881-338). This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can only be viewed by Ancestry members to whom they have granted permission to see their tree. Mother: Sarah Agnes McCORMICK (1898 - May 6th 1988), Father: Paul discoveries. Leaving Louisville on 25 August, it moved to Munfordville, where the Pennsylvania Line. of Edward Pendergast of PA., S16,505, National Archives Microfilm The surname Pendergast was first found in Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro), a county in south-west Wales, anciently part of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth, where they held a family seat from early times and were Lords of the manor of Prendergast and estates in that shire. Mustered) U.S. As the goats expanded out of the First Ward, certain demographic patterns stuck; unlike the old-guard Democratic Party associated with white Southerners, the local Democratic machine constituents were diverse and more likely to be Catholic, first- or second-generation immigrants of Italian, Irish, or Mexican descent, or African American. 1. James had already been in Kansas City for 18 years and started working menial, dangerous jobs in an iron foundry. Mother: Dorothy Jean PENDERGAST b. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. and died there in 1205. Home of Tom and Carolyn Pendergast at 5650 Ward Parkway. Are you sure you want to delete this item from your shopping cart? Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Pendergast: Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 2000- 2023 Swyrich Corporation, all rights reserved. (although it is spelled slightly different) listed on the muster July 4, 1960 at Baker, OR, Spouse: Sandra Pendergasts blossoming political power moved directly in line with his business interests. 138 results. Thomas claimed to have attended St. Mary's College in St. Mary's, Kansas but records dispel this claim. Raised as a Catholic, he had nine brothers and sisters. These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. With one single test, you can discover your genetic origins and find family you nenver know you had. The economy and population boomed in the 1920s, especially in relation to its peers, and thanks to his involvement in construction programs like the Ten-Year Plan, Kansas City and its people seemed to weather the Great Depression better than most other places. corps, division and brigade commanders It was there that Tom's brother, Jim Pendergast, got into politics and laid the foundation for the Pendergast "dynasty." As such, he was the biggest rival to Pendergasts goat faction. Maurice De Prendergast continued his military Even unobtrusive mom-and-pop stores were known to display their illegal slot machines right up front, and McElroy famously quipped that he wouldnt hurt small businesses by removing them. (IN Sara - Tom . Early History of the Pendergast family. Removing this item from your shopping cart will remove your associated sale items. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 68th (1861-1865) in the Revolutionary War, and enlisted in 1779. Youll get hints when we find information about your relatives . ?, b. in Richmond Co., Virginia, Edward PENDERGAST, He had indeed experienced a heart attack and was in overall declining health by 1936, and was thereafter incapable of climbing a set of stairs. [1]. Build your family tree online ; Share photos and videos ; Smart Matching technology Note: Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 365380. 23 July 1976), Father: John Source: They had 2 children. Connect to 1,108 Pendergast profiles on Geni, Feb 2 1805 - Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, May 29 1862 - Moonbah, Cooma, New South Wales, Australia, John Pendergast, Jane Pendergast (born Williams), s Pendergast, Sarah Jane Lynch (born Pendergast), William Pendergast, Bridget Reed (born Pendergast), Charlotte Pendergast, Eliza Pendergast. As the name suggests, the process involved a public voice vote and effectively no outside oversightthe winning candidates were those who best used persuasion, bribery, trickery, or intimidation to marshal the most supporters and literally overpower the opposition to secure the party nomination. b. ca. No city records corroborate the existence of a Climax saloon, although horseracing would later become an integral part of the Pendergast story. We use cookies to enhance your personalized experience for ads, analytics, and more. login . Married 15 October 1874 in Houston County, Indiana, Father: Phillip 4th Generation Railroader 1727 in Westmorland Co., Virginia. Thomas Pendergast was born circa 1889, at birth place, to Dennis Pendergast and Sarah Pendergast. 23 July 1976) We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. You can contact the owner of the tree to get more information. came from Osgood. 23 February 1841 in Ripley Co., Indiana, in Ireland over a few hundred years makes them sort of adopted. He or his associates owned stakes in dozens of companies that always seemed to win service contracts from a city government increasingly controlled by Pendergasts hand-picked officials. His son Edmund also earned a Knighthood in 1639. Research genealogy for Tom A Pendergast of Rockburn, Quebec, Canada, as well as other members of the Pendergast family, on Ancestry. [7][8], Pentergast's headquarters at 1908 Main are listed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places. Pendergast tried to portray a "common touch" and made attention-grabbing displays of helping pay medical bills, providing "jobs", and hosting famous Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the poor. Medieval scribes and church officials spelled the names as they sounded, so a name was often spelled many different ways during the lifetime of a single person. Despite Pendergast's history of delivering votes for Roosevelt and other leading Democrats, Morgenthau directed his subordinates to "let the chips fall where they may". As I said the name is not Irish but their presence Enter a grandparent's name. This is confirmed by the erection of a plaque on a memorial to the north of the cemetery at Moonbah on the side of the road - south of the creek bridge. Pendergast created jobs and built huge portions of Kansas Citys infrastructure, much of which still stands today, and aside from dealing mostly in cash to obscure the flow of money, he hardly attempted to downplay the wealth he earned from public contracts. (A local urban legend in which bodies of Pendergast opponents were buried under the Brush Creek concrete was finally put to rest when the concrete was torn up for a renewal project in the 1980s.) This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can only be viewed by Ancestry members to whom they have granted permission to see their tree. Pendergasts influence extended well beyond the city limits to the state level and beyond. Maurice de Prendergast had a nice role in 7 January, 1927 d. 16 November, 2005, Spouse (1): John If so, login to add it. Looking for any info on Hugh , Mary and family. 1719 in Ireland. Charles Virgil PENDERGAST, b. Pendergast on 8th. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. In 1939 Edward L. Schneider, the secretary-treasurer of eight of the Pendergast businesses, killed himself. of Philip PENDERGRASS (DE PENDERGRASS), b. ca. Spouse: Rosanna Civil War letter from E. Pendergast. Starting in 1927, his outwardly modest office at 1908 Main Street became the de facto city headquarters, with a daily queue of politicians, businessmen, and ordinary citizens waiting in the cramped halls on a first-come, first-served basis to ask favors and make a deal with the boss of Toms Town. By these years, Tom was distancing his public image from his West Bottoms background. War Pen. No. Other noteworthy companies with Pendergast connections included the T.J. Pendergast Wholesale Liquor Co. (renamed Pendergast Distributing Co. during Prohibition), Atlas Beverage Co., City Beverage Co. (sole distributor of Anheuser-Busch products in Kansas City), the W.A. Build your family tree online ; Share photos and videos ; Smart Matching technology He solidified his power over the First Ward by using his influence to keep police pressure off the saloons and free his constituents from jail for minor crimes (especially if their crimes were related to Pendergast-owned saloons). History. Of course, outside of the First Ward there were other aspiring bosses: Miles Bulger in the Second Ward (southwest of downtown), Casimir Cas Welch in the Sixth and Eighth (Little Tammany, just east of downtown), Michael Ross in the Fifth (the North End around Columbus Park, east of the River Market), and especially Joe Shannon in the Ninth Ward. Despite Prohibition, Pendergast's machine and a bribed police force allowed alcohol and gambling. Authors: Thomas Leaton "Tom" Pendergast Birth 3 Feb 1929 - Toowoomba, Queensland Death 20 Jun 2017 - Brisbane, Queensland Mother Maria Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rogash Father Herbert Randolph Pendergast Show more Quick access Family tree Records 320 Photos 52 New search Thomas Leaton "Tom" Pendergast family tree Family tree Explore more family trees Parents PENDERGAST, b. ca. Find family history information in a whole new way Clinton PENDERGAST (1876 - 1918) We encourage you to research and examine these records to . 1690 in Ireland, d. ca. A deal with Shannon gave support to Pendergasts appointees in the general election for the city council, in exchange for the rabbits nominating a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress. Tom Pendergast Tom Pendergast married Catherine Pendergast (born McLaughlin). Truman prevailed in a close primary and went on to win in the general election. Start a free family tree online and well do the searching for you. James Pendergist 8/20/10 . At the same time, his opponents grew in number over the course of the 1930s. He held the votes of the old populous first ward in his vest pocket and tossed them where he pleased. The Pendergast organization helped launch the political career of Harry S. Truman, a fact that caused Truman's enemies to dub him "The Senator from Pendergast. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. 6 September, 1934 - d. 17 October, 2003. Mother: Dorothy Jean PENDERGAST b. Pendergast may bear comparison to various big-city bosses, but his open alliance with hardened criminals, his cynical subversion of the democratic process, his monarchistic style of living, his increasingly insatiable gambling habit, his grasping for a business empire, and his promotion of Kansas City as a wide-open town with every kind of vice imaginable, combined with his professed compassion for the poor and very real role as city builder, made him bigger than life, difficult to characterize. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers.These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Ancestry of Milton V. Pendergast, Truman gained another connection to the family when he became good friends with Jim Pendergast, Mike's son, while serving in the army during World War I. Anahiem, CA, Kathleen Ann BOYCE b. During those years, some undoubtedly longed for a return of the better aspects of Pendergasts mixed legacy. Tom Pendergast. Truman brushed aside the criticism and said simply: "He was always my friend and I have always been his. Retrieved from. b. ca. In 1939, he was convicted of income tax evasion and served 15 months in a federal prison. PENDERGAST (3), b. ca. Search for yourself and well build your family tree together, Do not sell or share my personal information. Nathan BOYCE (b. April 11, 1923, d. It was unveiled by H. J. Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. According to historians Lawrence H. Larsen and Nancy J. Hulston, the Pendergast machine reached its apex of electoral fraud in the election of November 1936 as it produced between 70,000 and 80,000 ghost votes. Source: Pendergast also had a hand in other projects like the Power and Light Building, Fidelity Bank and Trust Building, Municipal Auditorium, and the construction of inner-city high schools. Mayo, Ireland, d. 5 December 1705 in Richmond Co., North Farnham between Milton V. Pendergast, and Dewitt Clinton Pendergast confirmed 1735 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, d. 15 November 1797, Father: Garrett 1765 in Winchester, These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Enter a grandparent's name. Fall River County, Hot Springs, South Dakota Veteran's Home. Federal and public scrutiny of Kansas City, however, began to grow after the November 1934 election, when thousands of fraudulent ballots were cast, four people murdered at polling stations, and an additional 11 voters shot and wounded. United States. Married 17 October 1850 in Ripley Co., Indiana. Oshinsky, David M. (2004). Eventually he joined the Knights of St John The family shield is well documented, and Courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri. Although Truman was derisively named "the senator from Pendergast" by his opponents, he does not appear to have had a close personal relationship with Pendergast himself. History . 1851 in Ripley Co., Indiana These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. it fought a portion of Bragg's forces for two days and then surrendered. 31 July 1922, d. fighting at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga. Raised as a Catholic, he had nine brothers and sisters. Enlisted in Company B, 68th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 19 August New institutions were established, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and University of Kansas City (now University of Missouri-Kansas City). "[12] On April 12, 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office and Pendergast's one-time protg was sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States. 1910s. While serving as an associate to Jimas did five of the other seven Pendergast siblingsTom rose quickly, from First Ward deputy constable in 1894, to deputy marshal in 1896, and to superintendent of streets in 1900. d. ca. You can contact the owner of the tree to get more information. Mother: Sarah Agnes McCORMICK (1898 - May 6th 1988), Father: Don 1618 in Wexford. Father: John [6] In 1939, Pendergast was arraigned for failing to pay taxes on a bribe received to pay off gambling debts. Most of the men in Company B of the 68th came from Osgood in John Byrne 10/18/09. If you would like to view one of these trees in its entirety, you can contact the owner of the tree to request permission to see the tree. Upon his return to England he once again returned to Ireland and was rewarded with lands in Ireland in Waterford and south Mayo. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 68th (1861-1865) His father worked as a teamster. He served 12 months of his 15-month sentence and was then released on a five-year parole, on condition that he would not have any involvement in politics for the duration of the parole. Discover the meaning and history behind your last name and get a sense of identity and discover who you are and where you come from. Tom. 2. Title in Ripley Co., Indiana, d. 3 January 1925 in Hot Springs, Fall Messages marked with his red scrawl were used to secure all manner of favors. d. ca. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. We are sad to announce that on December 28, 2020, at the age of 86, John T. Pendergast of Herkimer, New York, born in New York, New York passed away. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each persons profile. PENDERGRASS, b. ca. Pendergast. Discover your family history in millions of family trees and more than a billion birth,marriage, death, census, and miltary records. The information of the descendants of Glen Clinton Pendergast was provided in part by Richard Glen and James Thomas Pendergast, and Dorothy Jean Pendergast. Mother: Elizabeth L. PENDERGAST b. August 14, 1921, Son of John Pendergast [Convict "Minerva" 1800] and Jane Pendergast, Convict "Nile" 1801 Mother: 5. Have you taken a DNA test? HAMPSON ( - ) Other aspiring bosses, including Mike Ross and Cas Welch, fell in line. If you would like to view one of these trees in its entirety, you can contact the owner of the tree to request permission to see the tree. 1640 in Charles City Co., Virginia, James PENDERGRASS, Tom Pendergast passed away on 1929. [1], Thomas Joseph Pendergast was born July 22, 1873, in St. Joseph Mo., he was the last of nine children. Agnes HEFFERNAN ( - 1940), Pictured above: Bridget Agnes 23 February 1841 Get . 1640 in Charles City Co., Virginia. In addition, he claimed later he turned down an offer to play professional baseball Thomas Joseph Pendergast (July 22, 1872 January 26, 1945), also known as T.J. Pendergast, was an American political boss who controlled Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri from 1925 to 1939. You can contact the owner of the tree to get more information. Born in Toowoomba, Queensland on 3 Feb 1929 to Herbert Randolph Pendergast and Maria Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rogash. People . ", Philip PENDERGRASS (DE PENDERGRASS), 20 December, 1961 - d. March 17, 2007 ), Father: 52. . Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. [Tom Pendergast Sr] Birth: xxx xxxx. 804, roll No. PRENDERGAST, EDMUND - RELATIVES. Pendergast initially resisted Lazias takeover, but acquiesced when Rosss most important supporters switched sides to Lazia. Lee Raymond PENDERGAST (1930 - ) Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. See Terms of Use for details. Explore genealogy for Tom Pendergast died 1929 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia including research + more in the free family tree community. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers.These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Available funding for such projects expanded rapidly in 1935, when Pendergast persuaded newly elected Senator Harry S. Truman to lobby for the appointment of Matthew S. Murray as the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) administrator for the state of Missouri. From 1925 until his indictment in 1939, Pendergast, working through proxies such as McElroy, Lazia, and other associates, dictated the terms of day-to-day business in the city, including the operations of the police department, judicial appointments, elections officials, parks and recreation, and roads. "Harry Truman", in Alan Brinkley and Davis Dyer: The American Presidency. If so, login to add it. PENDERGRASS (DE PENDERGRASS), b. ca. 1640 in Ireland, Spouse (2): Frank The family's name is misspelled as Pendergest in the 1880 census and is listed accordingly. Mauzy, James H , 1842- (Main Author) Hezekiah Pendergast - (Pendergast's great-great grandfather) Antoine's father. WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. Tom Pendergast had 1 child. After his brother's death, Tom Pendergast served in the city council until he stepped down in 1916 to focus on consolidating the factions of the Jackson County Democratic Party. With the help of the Pendergast organization, Truman was elected to that and later to a similar county-wide position. But in the late 1930s, with his health failing and his gambling addiction mounting, the whole edifice crumbled. Home; . Mustered out on 20 June 1865 in Nashville, TN In just a few weeks between mid-August and mid-September of 1935, Pendergasts addiction climaxed as he wagered over $2 million on horse races and netted a loss of $600,000. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. W. H. H. Terrell, Adjutant General's Report, Vols. Research genealogy for Tom Pendergast of Ireland, as well as other members of the Pendergast family, on Ancestry. It was paroled to Indianapolis. Co., North Farnham Psh, Virginia, Father: James d. Feb 22, 1998, Edith M. PENDERGAST Discover the meaning and history behind your last name and get a sense of identity and discover who you are and where you come from. Tom had 5 siblings: George Pendergast, Mary Pendergast and 3 other siblings. In the end, though, Tom Pendergast succumbed to a combination of overconfidence and the need for ever-larger infusions of cash to fuel his one insatiable vice (that is, outside of political corruption and smoking): betting on horse races. 1610 in Ireland, d. aft. Pendergast was out of the country during the election, and his followers were even more obvious and corrupt than usual in Stark's successful election. Boss Tom was soon to become inmate Tom. 1666 in County Mayo, Ireland, d. 5 December 1705 in Richmond Search for yourself and well build your family tree together, Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company. For decades after Pendergasts fall and until the revival of recent years, downtown Kansas City hollowed out to a neglected shell with few reminders of its former glory. When Tom joined James some 13 years later, they co-owned the Pendergast Brothers Saloon at 1715 West 9th Street, in the citys industrial West Bottoms. At the machines peak influence, the Sanitary Service Co. contracted with the municipal government to collect the citys refuse; Tom owned nearly half of the companys shares. of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling(s) unknown] on 19 August 1862. Proven ancestral connection between Milton V. Pendergast, and Dewitt Clinton Pendergast confirmed in Military Pension file of Milton V. Pendergast, National Archives, (SC 881-338) In the United States, the name Pendergast is the 9,786th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. Born in Arkansas on Abt. [2]. Mother: Mary ?, b. in Richmond Co., Virginia, Garrett PENDERGAST, b. As he accumulated gambling debts, Pendergast entered into a complicated insurance kickback scheme with insurance executives and the state insurance commissioner. In his second term as Senator, with Pendergast out of power and World War II underway, Truman was finally able to shake his association with the Pendergast machine and build a national reputation as a military spending reformer.