John A. Keliher

John Austin Keliher (November 6, 1866 – September 21, 1938) was a U.S. Democratic politician.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts and served from March 4, 1903 to March 3, 1911.Congressman Keliher was the uncle of Brigadier-General John J. Keliher and Rear Admiral Thomas Joseph Keliher.

In 1910 Keliher lost his bid for reelection, first losing in the Democratic primary, and in the general election as an independent candidate, losing both times to William F. Murray.

On April 11, 1917 the incumbent sheriff of Suffolk County, "Honest John" Quinn, died from diabetes. On April 18, 1917 Governor McCall submitted Keliher's name to the Executive Council to fill the vacancy.Keliher's appointment was approved by the Executive Council and he was sworn into office on May 3, 1917.On November 6, 1917 Keliher was elected in his own right and re-elected in every election until 1938.

In 1916 the Massachusetts legislature and electorate approved the calling of a Constitutional Convention.In May 1917 Keliher was elected to serve as a member of the convention, representing Massachusetts' 11th Congressional District.

In September 1938 Keliher ran in the primary for renomination as sheriff of Suffolk County. After the returns showed that he was losing the election, he had a heart attack and died in Boston.