Enoch thompson

Boss Nucky Johnson

Enoch Lewis "Nucky" Johnson was an Atlantic City political boss and racketeer who unofficially ran the Republican political machine that controlled Atlantic City and Atlantic County from the 1910s - 1930s. Born in 1883 in Smithville, New Jersey, "Nucky" (a nickname derived from his first name) was allegedly involved in promoting bootlegging during Prohibition, illegal gambling activities and prostitution.

Johnson graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1900. In 1905, he was appointed undersheriff (his father was sheriff), and in 1908, he was elected sheriff when his father's term expired. He became secretary of the powerful Atlantic County Republican Executive Committee in 1909. In 1911, local political boss Louis Kuehnle was convicted on corruption charges and imprisoned; Johnson allegedly succeeded him as boss.

Officially, Johnson held various jobs, including Atlantic County Treasurer (1914), County Tax Collector, publisher of a weekly newspaper, bank director, president of a building and loan company, director of a Philadelphia brewery, and salesman f

How Did the Real Life Nucky Thompson from 'Boardwalk Empire' Actually Die?

As we approach the end of Boardwalk Empire, currently in its final season, it’s natural to wonder if the series’ lead character, Nucky Thompson, will survive the finale. Honestly, it’s hard to say. While the series nails the big historical moments in the lives of Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, Salvatore Maranzano, Meyer Lansky, and others (with lots of dramatic liberties), Nucky Thompson isn’t that similar to his real-life inspiration, Enoch Johnson.

There are some similarities: Both Nucky Thompson and Enoch Johnson began as undersheriffs, both ended up with filling many different positions in Atlantic City, and both ended up running the Atlantic City political machine, making a fortune, and living extravagant lifestyles from their rooms in the Ritz Carlton. They were also both famous for their red carnations.

They also both had first wives named Mabel, although the real-life Nucky’s first wife died of consumption (while Mabel in the television show killed herself after

Boardwalk Empire: History vs. Hollywood

They are doing their best to do historically accurate fiction. - author Nelson Johnson



Questioning the Story:


Is Margaret Schroeder based on a real person?


Like Margaret Schroeder (left), Florence Osbeck (right) was Nucky's second wife, but that's where the similarities end.
Margaret Schroeder, who is portrayed by Kelly Macdonald on the Boardwalk EmpireTV show, is primarily a combination of two individuals, Nucky's second wife, showgirl Florence Osbeck (pictured) who was 25 years his junior, and Mary Ill, a housewife and boardinghouse maid who fell upon hard times and requested a meeting with Nucky. Mary's husband, a part-time baker's helper, had gambled their food money away. Nucky gave Mary Ill some money and ensured her that her husband would no longer be allowed in local gambling halls. Like Margaret, Mary was also active in local politics and charitable organizations. It is unclear whether she was Irish and there is no evidence that Nucky had her husband killed like he does to Margaret's on the show. -Boardwalk Empire

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