Nathan Barnert

Nathan Barnert
Barnert pictured as mayor of Paterson, circa 1880s
Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey
In office
1883–1886
Preceded byDavid S. Gillmor
Succeeded byCharles D. Beckwith
In office
1889–1890
Preceded byCharles D. Beckwith
Succeeded byThomas Beveridge
Personal details
Born(1838-09-20)September 20, 1838
Posen, Prussia (modern Poznań, Poland)
DiedDecember 23, 1927(1927-12-23) (aged 89)
Paterson, New Jersey
SpouseMiriam Barnert
ProfessionPolitician, silk manufacturer

Nathan Barnert (September 20, 1838 – December 23, 1927) was an American businessman and politician. He was twice elected as the Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, first on April 9, 1883.[1][2] He was the original founder of the Miriam Barnert Hebrew Free School, the Daughters Of Miriam Home For The Aged And Orphans, the Barnert Memorial Hospital and the Barnert Memorial Temple.[2][3]

Biography

He was born on September 20, 1838, in Posen and emigrated in 1849.[4]

A successful silk manufacturer, Barnert was twice elected Mayor of Paterson, first April 9, 1883,[2] (serving through 1886), and again from 1888 to 1889, and served with distinction. Barnert, a noted philanthropist and humanitarian, was the original founder or benefactor of many Paterson Jewish institutions.

He founded the Daughters Of Miriam Home For The Aged And Orphans in 1921 in a building at 469 River Street in Paterson. In 1921, he purchased the property known as Ashley Homestead on River Street and started this organization, which was named after his late wife Miriam. They moved to 155 Hazel Street, Clifton, New Jersey, in 1927. The orphanage was phased out around 1948. It still operates its Home for the Aged at the Clifton Address.

Barnert founded the now-closed Barnert Hospital in Paterson in 1908.[1][4] In the same year, he filed suit to have the Barnert Memorial Temple returned to his control.[5]

He died of pneumonia on December 23, 1927.[1]

Legacy

Statue of Nathan Barnert in front of Paterson City Hall. Dedicated October 28, 1925.

Barnert is one of three men to be honored with copper statues in front of the Carrere & Hastings designed Paterson City Hall. The others are the former Vice President of the United States and Paterson native Garret Augustus Hobart and the former Paterson mayor, Dr. Andrew McBride.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ex-Mayor Barnert of Paterson. Philanthropic Immigrant Last Year Saw a Statue of Himself Raised by City. Millions Given to Charity. Success Came After Several Setbacks. Mayoralty Captured by an Anti-Graft Campaign". New York Times. December 24, 1927. Retrieved September 29, 2011. He was responsible for the Miriam Barnert free school, built in honor of his wife; the Nathan and Miriam Barnert Hospital, the Daughters of Miriam Barnert ...
  2. ^ a b c "Famous New Jersey Mason Nathan Barnert". mastermason.com. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  3. ^ Cipora O. Schwartz. An American Jewish odyssey: American religious freedoms and the Nathan Barnert Memorial Temple. KTAV Publishing House. The Miriam Barnert Memorial Hebrew Free School was dedicated on September 27, 1904. The school offered instruction in biblical and post-biblical history, ...
  4. ^ a b "Nathan Barnert". A History of Paterson. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  5. ^ "WANTS HIS MEMORIAL BACK; Ex-Mayor Barnett (sic) Says Jew Congregation Have Violated Deed of Gift". New York Times. January 13, 1908. Retrieved September 29, 2011. Ex-Mayor Nathan Barnert has taken steps to have returned to him the deed of gift under which he presented to the Congregation B'nai Jeshurun the $250,000 temple some years ago as a memorial to his wife.


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