Nathan Barnert Explained
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. 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.[1] [2]
Biography
He was born on September 20, 1838, in Posen and emigrated in 1849.[3]
A successful silk manufacturer, Barnert was twice elected Mayor of Paterson, first April 9, 1883,[1] (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. In the same year, he filed suit to have the Barnert Memorial Temple returned to his control.[4]
He died of pneumonia on December 23, 1927.[5]
Legacy
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.
Notes and References
- Web site: Famous New Jersey Mason Nathan Barnert. A successful silk manufacturer Nathan Barnert was elected Mayor of Paterson [on] April 9, 1883, and served with distinction. Barnert a noted philanthropist and humanitarian was the original founder of the Miriam Barnert Hebrew Free School the Barnert Memorial Hospital and the Barnert Memorial Temple. In addition, he founded the Daughters Of Miriam Home For The Aged And Orphans 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 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 in 1948. It still operates its Home for the Aged at the Clifton Address. . mastermason.com. 3 August 2011.
- 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, ...
- Web site: Nathan Barnert . A History of Paterson. 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. .... 3 August 2011.
- News: WANTS HIS MEMORIAL BACK; Ex-Mayor Barnett (sic) Says Jew Congregation Have Violated Deed of Gift . 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. . . January 13, 1908 . September 29, 2011 .
- News: 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 . 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 ... . . December 24, 1927 . September 29, 2011 .
