Nathan Barnert

Nathan Barnert
Barnert pictured as mayor of Paterson, circa 1880s
Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey
In office 1883–1886
Preceded by	David S. Gillmor
Succeeded by	Charles D. Beckwith
In office 1889–1890
Preceded by	Charles D. Beckwith
Succeeded by	Thomas Beveridge
Personal details
Born	September 20, 1838(1838-09-20) Poznań, Poland
Died	December 23, 1927(1927-12-23) (aged 89) Paterson, New Jersey
Spouse(s)	Miriam Barnert
Profession	Politician

Nathan Barnert (September 20, 1838 – December 23, 1927) was an American businessman and poltician. He was elected the Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey on April 9, 1883.^[1][2] He was one of the original founders of the Miriam Barnert Hebrew Free School and the Barnert Memorial Hospital and the Barnert Memorial Temple.^[2]

Biography

He was born on September 20, 1838 in Poznań and emigrated in 1849.^[3] He was elected the Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey on April 9, 1883.^[2]

He founded now-closed Barnert Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey in 1908.^[1][3] That same year he filed suit to have the Barnert Memorial Temple returned to his control.^[4] He created the Daughters Of Miriam Home For The Aged And Orphans in 1921.^[2][1]

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

Legacy

His statue stands outside of the Carrere & Hastings designed Paterson City Hall, along Garret Hobart and Andrew McBride.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "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. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10B16FD35551B728DDDAD0A94DA415B878EF1D3. Retrieved 2011-09-29. "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 d} "Famous New Jersey Mason Nathan Barnert". mastermason.com. http://www.mastermason.com/acacia/Famous/bios/B/nathan_barnert.htm. Retrieved 3 August 2011. "A successful manufacturer Nathan Barnert was elected Mayor of Paterson [on] April 9, 1883, and served with distinction. Barnert a noted philanthropist and humanitarian was one of the original founders of the Miriam Barnert Hebrew Free School the Barnert Memorial Hospital and the Barnert Memorial Temple. The Daughters Of Miriam Home For The Aged And Orphans was founded in 1921 in a building at 469 River Street, Paterson, New Jersey. In 1921, Nathan Barnert, a prominent Jewish citizen and Mayor of Paterson, purchased the property know as Ashley Homestead on River Street and started this organization, which was name after his late wife Miriam. They moved to 155 Hazel Street, Clifton, New Jersey in 1927. The orphanage was phased out around in 1948. It sill operates its Home for the Aged at the Clifton Address." 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Nathan Barnert". A History of Paterson. http://www.patersonhistory.com/people/nbarnert.html. Retrieved 3 August 2011. "Nathan Barnert was born in Posen, Kingdom of Prussia, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement Sept. 20, 1838. His education was begun in his native city, and in 1849, a lad of eleven years, he came to the United States. He worked first in his father's tailoring shop on Forsythe street, near Grand, New York ... This term of office was an almost continual conflict between Mr. Barnert and the exponents of privilege and graft, and his sturdy companionship of the people's cause brought an insistent demand that he run for the office of mayor. He finally acquiesced in the wishes of his friends, and in the following spring became a candidate. Opposed to him was David T. Gilmore, and in a keen election, hard and fairly fought, Mr. Barnert was elected by a safe plurality. ..." 
4. ^ "Ex-Mayor Barnett Says Jew Congregation Have Violated Deed of Gift". New York Times. January 13, 1908. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F12FB3C5A15738DDDAA0994D9405B888CF1D3. Retrieved 2011-09-29. "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."