The start of Tweed's influence in New York began at a young age. As a teenager, he helped form The

Americus Engine Company, no. 6, A.K.A "The Big Six," with the invitation of state assemblyman John J. Riley.  Its emblem was a Bengal tiger (example at right). Tweed made this Tammany's symbol later on. Tweed was very popular with the community leading 75 volunteer firemen in his white fire coat into battle of both fire and opposing fire companies.  In 1850, Alfred Carson, a chief engineer, got Tweed removed because he allegedly led an ax assault on a rival fire company. [1.2]

            With his many supporters from his years with the The Big Six, in 1852 he ran for New York's Seventh Ward alderman and was elected. In 1853, he became a U.S. House Representative for one term. He amassed many city positions: city board of supervisors, chairman of the state finance committee, school commissioner, deputy street commissioner, and commissioner of public works. [1,3]

Tweed used his influence in the 1860s to get money. He started a law office, even though he did not

know much about law, to, as the Encyclopedia of World Biography says, "dispense 'legal services' to such corporations as the Erie Railroad." He owned the companies that printed Tammany documents and that sold the marble to make the Tweed Courthouse. [3]

The Tweed Ring