With the depression, deepening during Mayor Buttler’s tenure, the local government had much more to do to protect its residents. The national government changed its approach to addressing the crisis between Buttler’s two terms. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New deal meant  the Federal government was more willing to find ways to assist State and local governments address the growing needs starting with getting the unemployed back to work. Irving Buttler’s entry will be divided into three posts. This first post will discuss Buttler’s first term with a subsequent post for the second. A third post will address a social topic  that began before, and ended after Buttler’s term..

Irving Ditmars Buttler (1895-1938) was born in New Brunswick, NJ. He attended New Brunswick Public Schools, Blair Academy and University of Michigan. In 1917 Buttler enlisted in the Engineers Medical Department of the U.S. Army. He served 21 months overseas. On his return Buttler attended and graduated from Rutgers College in 1920 serving on the varsity track and basketball teams. Buttler was a councilman and mayor of Highland Park. He also served as tax assessor, a post he held at the time of his death. Buttler served as director of the local YMCA in 1926. He was a Mason. Buttler was post commander of the American Legion. Among his jobs was work as a draftsman of architectural woodwork and as secretary of the Buttler Real Estate Company. He lived at 123 North Third Avenue. In April 1938 he was diagnosed with a blood disease and died at age 42 in the Peck Hospital in Brooklyn. Buttler was a member of First Reformed Church in New Brunswick. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Buttler (2086 votes) defeated Dr. Robert D. Walker (Democrat, 1384 votes. Republicans Russell B. Howell and Walter K. Wood won over Democrats Harry G. Bach and William A. Cleary. Russell E. Long was appointed to Buttler’s council seat. In the Fall 1932 election Incumbent Russell G. Smalley and Russell E. Long, both Republicans, defeated Democrats Louis E. Appleby and Jacob S. Ratnor.

In his opening address, Buttler recognized the “economic stress” but stated that the stress had existed since the incorporation of Highland Park. It had taken on debt to build up the borough. The mayor urged economy with emphasis on essential services. Desirable improvements like cleaning up the Raritan River would need postponing until a funding source was found. Appropriations for streets and roads would be used for unemployment relief. Buttler wanted plans made for a park; the only cost would be labor and that would provide unemployment relief. The mayor noted that the library need expanding and a new site and requested private funding to help with that. Unpaid taxes were causing hardship for the borough and must be paid; the mayor urged that where the borough has sold properties that it foreclose when the time to redeem has passed.

The council lowered the tax rate in January 1932.

Unemployed men were put to work pruning the borough’s 2800 trees. The work was rotational with men working eight hour days. The wood was cut up and distributed as firewood to needy families. Residents were billed for work adding to available funds.

As county, State and Federal funding was provided, the programs were expanded to include New Brunswick. Some of the men were put to work dismantling old canal boats and cutting up the wood for firewood. In addition to the work, poor families received money for food.

Mayor Buttler theory on the cause of the depression was that there was no less money in 1932 than there was in 1928. If there was less money in the banks and less in circulation, the money must be hoarded away. If the money got back into the banks, the situation would be improved.

A mad dog attacked five and six year old children in the playground at the Franklin School playground on an early May evening.  The occurrence of the disease in the borough was one of series since the middle of Spring. A veterinarian, Dr. E.L. Belloff, said laws on muzzling was not effective and urged universal inoculation of dogs. If necessary, this should be compelled. The borough attorney Horace E. Barwis maintained that compulsory inoculation was without “legal foundation”. The veterinarian provided inoculations at cost but the borough waited for State legislation for compulsory protection. The Mayor ordered all dogs to be muzzled again in November because of outbreaks in surrounding communities.

A highway connecting Cleveland Avenue in Highland Park through Central Avenue in Stelton to Metuchen was proposed. It was felt this would aid in industrial development. The residents of Stelton vigorously opposed the plan.

In July all borough employees received a five percent pay cut; the school board was asked to make a similar cut. It was reported that poor aid in Highland Park was costing $1500 a month; the State was paying approximately $860 of this.

There were complaints of fires in the town dump. The nearest hydrant was 1800 feet away and the fire department worried that if they used all their hose they would not have hose to put out any other fires.

Those who have played the board game “Monopoly” may have wondered about the term “Community Chest”. Rather than having individual charitable groups, some of dubious nature, collect money, the fund raising campaigns were combined in to Community Chests. In November 1932, New Brunswick and Highland Park combined their Community Chests in order to raise funds for the unemployed in the two cities. Several hundred representatives were organized into the following divisions: Special Gifts, Manufacturers, Merchants, Industrial, Commercial, Banks, Municipal and Schools including Rutgers, the School of Agriculture and the Seminary. Also, The American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Children’s Industrial Home, The Community Chest, Humane Society, Jewish Social Service Committee, Neighborhood House, Salvation Army, Visiting Nurses Association, Y.M.C.A., Y.M.H.A., T.W.C.A, Hebrew ladies Benevolent & Free Loan Society, Hebrew Ladies Aid Society and Emergency Relief Committee. In addition there were groups to manage and publicize the coordinated efforts.

In his 1933 address, Buttler stressed economy but noted it would be difficult to economize further. The 5% cut to employees was said to be voluntary and the money went directly to the unemployed relief fund. The next week the Council heard complaints; one complaint was from Highland Park residents; all food was distributed through a single commissary located in New Brunswick.

The February 1933 council meeting was heated as the new budget was introduced. Debt service was stated as being 45% of borough expenditures. All aspects of borough spending were examined and debated. Any cuts in salaries or services would be minimal compared to the cost of the debt.

In an interview in March 1933, Mayor Buttler praised the people of Highland Park for facing the difficulties with a sense of humor. “Humor has come to the rescue of their finances”. Buttler stressed the need for everyone to work together.

An act authorizing the sale of beer in the business and industrial areas of the city was approved by the Council in April 1932. Those seeking licenses would be investigated by the police. All beer had to be consumed at home or in clubs.

In May there was a argument before council between store owners and peddlers who sold their goods door to door. The issue was whether to raise fees on the peddlers. In this case the peddlers won because the merchants had recommend the rate the year before.

In November 1933 the mayor reported that Highland Park was $421,000 in debt. Because many did not pay their taxes on time the borough was being forced to borrow even more. In 1932 taxes collected were at their lowest point since 1905; this was equaled in 1933.

To be continued in next post….

Richard T. Parker (1872-1945) born in Newark, NJ and educated in the Newark School System where he excelled in sports. Following in the footsteps of his uncle who was a designer at Brooks Brothers, the young Parker became interested in the Men’s Clothing Business. First working in Newark, he moved to New Brunswick and worked with Terrence P. Lyons in the Tailoring Business. Parker later set up his own business at 47 Patterson Street. In Highland Park where he lived, he served ten years on the school board, was elected president, and was a councilman for another ten. Parker was Police Commissioner, a member of the fire department, and mayor for one term. He was a Mason and a member of the Lodge of Elks in New Brunswick. He lived at 39 Adelaide Avenue. Parker was a member of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in New Brunswick. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Parker won his race against Charles B. Ten Broeck (D) 1674-1350 in November 1929. Republicans Irving B. Buttler and William C. Smalley were elected as councilmen defeating Democrats Woodburn T. Covert and Edwin Hardy. In the fall of 1930 Republicans Alexander Merchant, Jr. and Chester K. Brown won their races on a promise to reduce taxes. (Taxes had been reduced two points in 1930). Harry G. Bach and Dr. F.M. Clarke were the Democratic candidates.

As the country sank into the great depression in the early 1930s, the government of Highland Park held down spending and did its best to cut taxes.

It was announced in January 1930 that traffic lights for Raritan Avenue on every corner from River Road to Sixth Avenue would be ready by February. Former Mayor Eden would be given the privilege of formally turning them on. The lights would be timed for 75 seconds on the highway and 25 seconds on the cross streets. If a car arrived at the proper time and was doing 25 miles an hour it would be able to drive through without stopping. The lights were turned on February 17. They remained in operation until 11 o’clock at night; they were turned on again the next morning. The raising of the speed limit to 25 miles and hour was an increase over the 15 mph limit before the lights.

In February 1930, the American Legion began raising money to build a “Cathedral of the Air” at Lakehurst, NJ. Mass fund raising events were held in the borough and New Brunswick. The Norman-style chapel was designed by Beaux-Arts Architect Paul Phillippe Cret. A citizens group was created led by Mayor Parker. The sanctuary windows are stained glass depicting the history of flight including a magic carpet.

It was reported in March 1930 that the traffic lights led to speeding on side streets parallel to Raritan Avenue, leaving the Avenue at Adelaide Avenue. It was reported that the police were strictly enforcing laws and would keep a chart of accidents to determine dangerous intersections.

Another matter were the boys who collected money to “watch” cars while people were at events in the borough; the cars of those not paying were scratched, punctured or otherwise damaged. A resolution was passed to halt the practice.

At the May 1930 council meeting three tax assessors were appointed in order to give a equal assessments. Mill Road from Fourth Avenue at Wayne to Fifth Avenue was vacated. There were no buildings on the road. Fire Chief Charles Malmros reported that oil and grease from the Sun Oil Co. on Raritan Avenue was running into a gully behind the station and causing fires.

“The Story of Highland Park” was shown at the Park Theatre in July 1930. It showed the “history” from 1492 to the present (1930) ending with a “thrilling fire scene that showed the Highland Park firefighters rushing to the scene and rescuing the heroine”.

The new Highland Park Conservative Temple on North Third Avenue near Montgomery Street, planned and constructed between 1926 and 1930 was dedicated with three major events Thursday September 11 to Sunday September 15. On Thursday night the mayor extended greetings and clergy from Highland Park churches attended. The new rabbi, I.S.Ravetch, delivered a sermon “Voice of God”. At Saturday services  Rabbi M.A. Hirshberg from Temple Anshe Emeth spoke on “Dwelling in Their Mist”. Seyam Sefar, the presentation of the newly inscribed Torah, took place on Sunday afternoon. Cantor Meyer Ratnor of New Brunswick sang at the presentation. The temple was a one floor Colonial designed by architect Harry Bach and cost $18,000.

In May 1931 the Janeway and Carpender Wallpaper Manufacturer was put into receivership, a victim of the depression and new rules on the burning of soft coal.

Traffic lights came up at a council meeting in December 1931. There were no traffic lights on Raritan Avenue on the north side opposite First and Cedar Avenues and on the south side opposite River Road. In addition there was no traffic light on Woodbridge Avenue at Irving School to allow students to cross safely. These had all been refused by the State when the first lights were approved. A letter was sent to the Wise Safety Committee asking them to reconsider. In another matter it was urged that some of the houses be numbered in the race track area to eliminate confusion.

Edwin Winfield Eden (1887-1953) was another mayor of Highland Park born in New Brunswick. Eden worked at the Interwoven Stocking Co. in New Brunswick as an accountant and statistician for 35 years until 1952. In addition to his term as mayor, Eden was a Councilman, a member of the Board of Education, and an honorary life member of the fire department. He also was a Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite. In 1947 he was named a director of the First National Bank of Highland Park and also was a director of the Raritan Valley Building and Loan Association. One of Eden’s last acts was to serve as treasurer for a Girl Scout campaign to raise money for a campsite. He was a member of the Reformed Church of Highland Park. He lived at 244 Benner Street. Eden is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Edwin Eden got 1644 votes in what was considered a light turnout but a landslide for the Republicans. George McDonald and Chester K. Brown won their Council races. Brown succeeded Lyman G. Schermerhorn. In the 1928 election, Bert H. Stowell, Walter J. Metts and Alexander Merchant, all Republican, won Council seats.

Mayor Eden was a man who carried his religion into his public life. During his tenure he organized or assisted in activities such as father-son events urging churches to support them to instill high ideals. The mayor represented the Reformed Church of Highland Park in organizing a “Union” Thanksgiving service for all the Protestant churches.

The mayor was deeply concerned about public safety specifically about the “recklessness” on Raritan Avenue and the pollution in the Raritan River. At this time all the north-south traffic through Central Jersey went through Highland Park. There was one traffic light at River Road and very few overhead lights.. There were numerous accidents involving speeding vehicles or distracted drivers. There were not enough local police to handle the infractions. A police motorcycle sidecar (with policemen in it) had been sideswiped by a passing truck. Over 95,000 people had been killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 1927. The governor declared September 1928 “Safety Month” and the mayor issued his own proclamation; all automobiles would be inspected for free which included “an examination of brakes, horns, steering mechanism, mirrors, lights, windshield wipers, license tags and operator licenses”.

Various bypass routes had been planned for years such as using Suttons Lane-Cedar Lane-River Road to move traffic out of the center of town. A route planned out but never built called for building a new bridge across the Raritan River connecting to a Sciver Street in New Brunswick (now Tabernacle Way); traffic would have used Remsen Avenue was the main thorough west-east corridor in the hub city. The new bridge connected to the Borough at Valley Ravine, traffic was to use a now abandoned Dudley Street that would have continued on a Mansfield Avenue. The route crossed Woodbridge Avenue at Karsey Street and then used Ahmerst Street to connect to Route 27. near Sixth Avenue. A remaining piece of Dudley Street is Valley Place.

All of this was superseded by a new highway that would go through New Brunswick and skirt the southern border of Highland Park. Route 25 then, it would become route 1. The new bridge across the Raritan was being built at this time. James W. Johnson, president of Johnson & Johnson, had donated an acre of land for a World War I monument on the New Brunswick side and the bridge would be named Memorial Bridge.

Another safety concern was pollution in the Raritan River. The mayor formed a committe in 1929 consisting of Robert Wood Johnson, Jr., Ben Erickson, Robert Hayden, J.L. Matthew and the mayor to study the matter. The borough began to plan for a new sewage treatment plant near what is now Donaldson Park.

Mayor Eden’s first address was reported to be one of the longest on record. In addition to the public safety issues, the mayor noted a need for a fire apparatus ladder equipment designed to reach the taller buildings. There should be some small compensation for fire fighters as well as accident insurance..

In August 1928 there was a fire on the second floor of the Singer Building at 300 Raritan Avenue due to a careless tenant. The mayor’s son who was in charge of the lights in the building saw the fire and ran across the street to call the fire department. The fireman came quickly and soon extinguished the blaze. It was felt that if the fire had spread to the third floor, the fire department would not have had the equipment to put it out.

The new fire truck that could handle larger fires arrived in December 1928 and was tested at the Johnson & Johnson dock. The underwriters, firemen and borough officials were all pleased with the performance of the new fire apparatus.

In his address to the council on the first meeting of 1929, the mayor repeated the public safety issues from his 1928 message. He also encouraged “far-sighted” citizens to lay aside land for public parks and playgrounds. He recommended the purchase of a new police car. Eden also called for the installation of a telephone system for the police. He proposed the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the borough in 1930 including an anniversary booklet.

Mayor Eden was invited to give the first speech at a Purim Rally and concert held at the Sixth Avenue Theater on March 26, 1929. Rabbi Horowitz of the Highland Park Conservative Temple, 15 North Fourth Avenue, organized the event which included speeches, singing and prayer.

A 1929 resolution dealt with several streets with duplicate names. Park Place was renamed to Archer Street in memory of first mayor; Park Street renamed to Parker Place in honor of Police Commissioner Richard T. Parker; Park Avenue would remain. Cherry Street to be Volkert Street in honor of second mayor; Robinson Street to Eden Street. The First to Third Streets would become Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Avenues to conform to those in the Viehmann Tract; Fourth to Amherst, and Fifth to Columbia.

One of Eden’s last acts as mayor was the appointment of the first Shade Tree Commission consisting of three members at the December 3, 1929 Council Meeting. they would be given full authority for the care and preservation of the “natural beauty of the borough”. At the same meeting a group of five citizens was appointed to devise plans for a railroad station in Highland Park

Benjamin William Erickson  (1882-1945) was born in nearby Stelton. He attended Stelton and Highland Park Schools and graduated from New Brunswick High School. Erickson lived at 27 North Seventh Avenue. He fought in World War I and came home from France as a Sgt M.D. on a Hospital Ship in 1919. Erickson worked at the Consolidated Fruit Jar Company beginning as an office boy and working his way up to president in 1929. His volunteer work included service as treasurer of the Reformed Church, superintendent of the Sunday School, director of the Y.M.C.A., president and member of the New Brunswick Chapter of the Red Cross, president and member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army, director of Middlesex Hospital, active in Boy Scouts, New Brunswick & New Jersey Council of Churches.

Erickson was a member of New Brunswick Rotary Club and a member of the Highland Park Board of Education. After his death the Benjamin W. Erickson Unit of the Salvation Army was created in his honor with an annual dinner. Erickson was president of the Uniform Savings and Loan Association of New Brunswick. He was a Borough councilman for five years before becoming mayor. He is buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Middlebush.

Benjamin Erickson ran unopposed in the 1925 election. Robert P. Hayden and Edwin W. Eden were re-elected to the Council. In 1926 Republicans Richard T. Parker and Robert A. Lufburrow beat Democrats George J. White and Charles E. Tappan for Council.

In his first address, Mayor Erickson urged that the borough start paving work early in the Spring. He suggested better lights on Raritan Avenue, the creation of a Police Department and a Water Department and attention to the bus situation. Seven policemen were appointed at the meeting: George B. Smith, George C. Bedford, J.F. Woerner, Sofos Sorenson, Louis Blauth, Alfred Smalley and Fred Schledig. Thirty Three men were appointed marshals for one year including the policemen, councilmen, mayor and borough officials.

Addressing the problem of dogs running around in the borough streets, the mayor issued a proclamation at the April meeting of Council authorizing the destruction of dogs running around without muzzles. The borough engineer was authorized to work on surveys and preliminary work for a water main running beneath the Raritan River. A resolution was passed for a number of new street lights on Raritan Avenue installed by Public Service. A Sun Oil Company drive-in gas station was approved for the corner of Second and Raritan Avenues on the old Drake property subject to review of the Fire Chief and Building Inspector. Ex-mayor George Leonard appeared and urged the completion of paving of North Fifth Avenue and Mill Road before the opening of the new Junior High School. Note: that section of Mill Road eventually became the easterly part of Montgomery Street.

A regular police department was established in July 1926. The ordinance stated that there would be one chief and six patrolmen (the same men named above). In August the new force raided the Forest Park Dance Hall on Woodbridge Avenue that was alleged to be a bootlegging site but found no evidence.

A movie house, Block’s Park Theater, opened at Sixth and Woodbridge Avenues in November 1927. Senator Morgan Larson dedicated the theater and three mayors, Erickson, McCrelis and Eden gave speeches. It wasn’t long before the movie theater ran up against the State Vice and Immorality Act (blue laws) for operating on Sundays.

Dr. George Leonard  (1879-1967) was born in North Carolina. He graduated from University of North Carolina and received his medical degree from the George Washington University Medical School. Leonard worked for the U.S. Public Health Service and later for 34 years as a bacteriologist at E.R. Squibb & Sons retiring in 1948. He was an elder at the Reformed Church, member of the Highland Park Lodge F&AM and the Kiwanis Club of New Brunswick. He lived on North 5th Avenue. The former mayor died in New Haven, Connecticut, the home of his daughter. His body was brought back for the funeral service at the Highland Park Reformed Church. He is buried at the Old Tennent Cemetery in Tennent, Monmouth County.

George Leonard scored one of the biggest surprises of election day 1923 by defeating Prof. A.M. Hulbert (R) 1121-1117. Republicans R.T. Parjer and F. Joiner were elected to Council leaving the council 5-0 Republican. Leon A. Campbell was appointed to fill the one year left in Leonard’s term. In November 1924 Republicans George A. MacDonald and Lyman G. Schermerhorn were elected to Council making the Council all Republican..

In his first address, Mayor Leonard expressed the desire to move past politics and work together. Two main concerns outlined in his address were the establishment of a “satisfactory” police force and a trunk sewer line along the eastern boundary serving the Viehmann Tract and the eastern portion of Livingston Manor. At the same meeting the Republicans rejected five candidates for positions submitted by Leonard leaving the positions in the hands of the Republicans. Leonard submitted no more candidates for positions leaving it to the council instead leaving it to the council to nominate people then would approve.

Leonard expressed satisfaction with the reorganization in his second address in January 1925 but disappointment about the sewer. Everything was in place but there were difficulties is securing the right of way across private property. A study was being made of the water situation and the need for mains. Leonard stressed the need for more sewers and more systematic upkeep of the roads.

At the April council meeting progress on the police reorganization was discussed. There were not funds to hire another officer and a chief. Colonel Schwartzopf, commander of the State constabulary had agreed to send State policemen occasionally to help with traffic jams. A snow ordinance was passed requiring snow removal within five hours after a storm.

The condition of Raritan Avenue leading from the bridge was an ongoing concern. There was some disagreement between the State and borough as to who was responsible. Lighting needed to be upgraded between the bridge and Cedar Avenue.

In June 1924 it was announced that George B. Smith would be named Lieutenant and lead the police force. He was responsible to the police committee of the council. An additional policeman was added with the intention to add another in the next few weeks.

A bond issue of $325,000 for a high school was approved by the voters in November. Voters would be given three questions: 1) on the high school; 2) on the bond issue; and 3) on the issuance of $1000 denominations. It passed 48-1 with voters showing little interest. Alexander Merchant had shown sketches and drawings at the October Board of Education meeting.

In July 1925 the mayor was called upon to break a deadlock for the first time over $15,000 funding for the construction of a new police station and court, and for additions to the fire house. The issue was whether to include money for the fire house adding $3000 to the costs. The discussion lasted for more than an hour and the architect Alexander Merchant was called in to see if some of the cost could be “shaved” for the police station. The one savings offered was that the driveway to the police station be replaced by a sidewalk.

In November 1925 a temporary police headquarters was set up in the Draftsman Room of the Masonic Building.

By April 1926, the new police headquarters was open next to the firehouse and the first court session was held on April 27. The  building consisted of three rooms and corridors. The largest room in the front was for court sessions. In the adjacent vestibule was a desk for the on duty policeman. The second room was soundproof and the office of the lieutenant. In the rear was the cell room with two large cells.

Cornelius McCrellis (1883-1964) like most of the previous mayors was born in New Brunswick. He attended Rutgers Preparatory School and Rutgers College for two years. McCrelis moved to Highland Park and lived on Park Place. He was a general sales manager for Outdoor Advertising Co of New York City for 52 years. McCrelis served as a Director of the Raritan Valley Savings Loan Association. He was active in the fire department and at the time of his death was the oldest surviving chief. McCrelis was an active Mason and a member of Christ Episcopal Church. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Cornelius McCrelis defeated Anthony J. Gebhardt (D) and Amos Wheatley (I) 1112-835-108 in the 1921 election. Harry M. Drake (R), Robert Hayden (R) and George Leonard (D) were the new councilmen. In 1922 Republicans Robert P. Hayden was re-elected and Edwin W. Eden succeeded Amos Wheatley on Council.

Mayor McCrellis advocated for a lockup with two cells to be added to the rear of the police station. This was not achieved.

The Highland Park Lodge No.240 was created on April 20, 1922 in Trenton. It met in New Brunswick while a suitable located was prepared in Highland Park. The new Temple building, designed by Alexander Merchant, was complete by May 1923 when the library was moved into the second floor of the building. The entire building was complete by September 1. There was a large auditorium on the second floor in the rear of the building that became a focal point of events. Wrestling events drew fans to Highland Park.

In January 1922, the Daily Home News established a library at 9 North Second Avenue. The Daily Home News provided furniture and books. The mayor urged a referendum to provide support for the library. At least 3000 books were donated by the time the referendum passed. One of the vocal advocates and a donor of books was Father Quinn of St. Paul’s R.C. Church. The small space on North Second was reportedly packed during the four afternoons and three evenings it was open for two hours each. The library moved to Masonic Hall in 1923 where it remained until 1946 when it moved into a space next to the Temple Building.

Mayor McCrellis formed a committee to draft a zoning ordinance in April 1922. The committee included Harry Weida, Richard parker, Dr. G.F. Leonard. Robert W. Johnson, George Francis Eden, A.J. Gebhardt. Julius C. Hirsh, W.J. Francke and Dr. Harvey Iradell. William J. Francke, Secretary of the Zoning Commission reported that the work was done at the January 1923 Council Meeting. The main changes were to rezone areas along the Raritan River as well as the area to the north of the railroad from industrial to residential.

Also at the January 1923 meeting, the chief engineer reported that Adelaide, Cedar, Johnson Street, Montgomery Street and South Sixth Avenues had been paved by the Utility Construction Co.

In April 1923 residents were offered a 6% discount on the second half of the year’s taxes if they paid for the whole year when the first half was due in June.

On August 6, 1923, the Mayor and Council moved into new quarters in Masonic Hall. The Borough rented the offices and meeting room for $780 a year.

In September 1923 the School Board began looking for a site for a new school.

Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. (1893-1968) also was born in New Brunswick. He attended Rutgers Preparatory School. His father, Robert Wood Johnson I, died when he was 16; Johnson became vice president of Johnson & Johnson in 1918. He was elected mayor of Highland Park at the age of 26 in 1920 and served one term before returning to the family business. R.W. Johnson, Jr. was president of J&J from 1932-1938 and Chairman of the Board beginning in 1938. During the 1930s he was a quartermaster in the Army reserve. He was activated in 1942, promoted to Brigadier General and eventually appointed by the president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to take charge of smaller war plants. Johnson’s service was controversial with the larger manufacturers; he resigned the post stating poor health in 1943. Johnson returned as chairman of the Board of Johnson & Johnson; the company grew into a world wide health care company under his leadership. Johnson encouraged community service with the employees of the company. He died in 1968 and is buried in the family mausoleum in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

In  November 1919 Robert Wood Johnson defeated Dr. Herbery Nafey (D) 644-311. Republicans Henry F. Miller and Amos Wheatley were elected to Council. In 1920 Republicans Harry Weida, R.T. Parker and B.W. Erickson were elected as councilmen.

The 1920 election was the first in which the women of Highland Park could vote; the 19th amendment had been ratified in August 1920. In preparation, two sessions of a “non-partisan school of instruction” were held for women on Sunday, September 26. Women were urged to bring along their sample ballots. The women also were urged to vote early so that men returning from work in the evening would be able to vote. It was reported that voter registration increased from 1200 to 3000 in Highland park in 1920.

In his January 1 message. Mayor Johnson stated that the paving of the streets would get first consideration during the next 12 months. The borough had arranged for its own concrete mixing and spreading apparatus. The Borough Engineer, J.T. Hopkins, would be given all possible assistance. First, Second and Third Avenues were to be completed first with Benner and Magnolia Streets added if weather conditions permitted. The mayor hoped that sidewalks, curbs and street grading would continue so they did not impede the street paving. Note: residents  of the streets paved each were assessed a fee to help facilitate the work.

In March 1920 Johnson moved the Council Chamber to the rooms over Messeroll’s Garage at 10 North Second Avenue in order to make more room in the firehouse for new fire fighting apparatus..

The 1920 census showed Highland Park’s population to be 4866.  This was an increase of 67% in five years and 300% in 10 years.

In 1921 the successful paving work, done by the borough in the previous year, led to the establishment of a paving company called Hopkins Construction Co. R.W. Johnson, his brother, J.S. Johnson, and Russell Watson were financial backers of the company. J.S. Hopkins was the manager.

The Doughboy statue was erected and dedicated during the Johnson administration. In 1922 Johnson donated $300 to make up the difference between the cost and the amount raised for the statue.

Although he declined to run for mayor for a second term, Johnson served the borough after his term as a councilman and advisory committee member.

Russell Ellsworth Watson (1885-1970) was born in New Brunswick. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1906 and a New York law school in 1907. Watson was a probation officer from 1908-1911 and became assistant county prosecutor in 1911. After his term as mayor Watson served as the borough attorney. He was a special attorney general prosecuting cases of pollution of the Raritan River. Watson was part of the defense team for Mrs. Frances Hall and her brothers in the infamous Halls-Mills murder trial in 1926 that resulted in an acquittal. In 1946 he worked on legal matters that led to Rutgers becoming the state university. From 1932 to 1962 he was New Jersey Counsel to the Port Authority of New York. Watson was personal counselor to Governor Alfred E. Driscoll from 1947 to 1949.

Watson’s law offices were at 46 Bayard Street in New Brunswick and he lived at 76 Adelaide Avenue in Highland Park. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Watson defeated the incumbent George White 342-328 in 1915. Frank Deinzer (D) and A.H. Wykoff (I) were elected to the Council. Republicans C.B. McCrellis and  Frederick Wendt were elected to the Council in 1916.

in November 1917 Watson defeated John B. Runyon (D) 465-307. Benjamin Erickson (R) and Henry Weida (R) were the new councilmen. The Council became all Republican in the fall of 1918 when Henry F. Miller, Cornelius B. McCrellis and Robert W. Johnson defeated Democrats Frank G. Deinzer, A.J. Gebhardt, and Edwin McGinnis.

In his first report to the Council, Mayor Watson summarized the issues as the unresolved water contract and water pressure (need a second water main under the Raritan), a tax map for the Borough, sewage plant, and a Borough engineer.

The sewage plant issue was still unresolved on May 1917 when the State again ordered Highland park “to cease polluting the waters of this State”.

Russell Watson was mayor during World War I. Young people from Highland Park were going off to war. Dramatic events were happening in neighboring localities such as the Morgan Munition Plant Explosion in October 1918. In Highland Park, the mayor and Council carried on the business of the borough. On September 11, 1917, the borough accepted a bid of almost $52,000 to construct storm sewers. In May 1918 the voters defeated a local prohibition referendum by 508-200.

After the war attention could again focus on the local issues. In his 1919 message Mayor Watson summarized the Borough’s needs as follows: “The Borough needs modern fire fighting apparatus, a larger and better paid police department, more and better street lights, a sewer for the relief of unsanitary conditions existing in the Viehmann tract and paved streets”. He went on to lay out the financial issues and the reasons taxes had been increased over the past few years. “The problem is purely a financial one”.

George Janeway White (ca.1850-1943) was a native of New Brunswick. The newborn boy was named after the physician who was present at his birth, George Janeway. George White was a carpenter for the John Waldson Company retiring in 1928. He was a member of Union Lodge No. 19 and the Goodwell Council. George White also served on the Board of Education. White lived at 103 S. Third Avenue and later on Cleveland Street. White was a life long member of the Livingston Baptist Church. He is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

George White (129) defeated Republican Augustus Van Mater (97) and Progressive George F. Eden (57). Edward F. Waldron (D) and Albert N. Dunham (R) were elected to the Council. The result was a 3-3 Democrat/Republican party split on the Council.

One of the ongoing negotiations during White’s tenure was the water contract discussions with New Brunswick. The current pact was going to expire in 1918. The new contract would extend the agreement to 1924. Highland Park was having issues with water pressure and “impure” water at the school. New Brunswick wanted a bond guarantee in case Highland Park decided to switch to the Middlesex Water Company before the contract was done. The Middlesex Water Co. offered greater pressure for the same price. To reassure New Brunswick, Mayor White said that it would cost $120,000 to lay pipes from Plainfield and that he believed that Highland Park would eventually become the 8th and 9th wards of New Brunswick. A 40′ standpipe was proposed as a way of addressing the water pressure issue.

Sidewalks continued to be an issue with some residents refusing to pay the costs for them and complaining about damages to their landscaping.

Hamilton and Irving Schools were built during this time both designed by Alexander Merchant.

A contract was concluded for a LaFrance fire engine in 1915 with delivery expected in 1918. The Nott Fire Engine Company had gone out of business in 1915.

George White worked for the John Waldron Co. as a carpenter. Councilman Edward Waldron (1867-1942) was the son of John Waldon and was vice-president of the company when he died. The 1910 census lists Waldron as a proprietor. The company was one of the largest industrial plants in Highland Park. An acerbic letter to the editor of the Home News on October 26, 1914 signed “Voter” refers to Councilman Waldron as “boss Tony” and “czar of the manor”. The latter appellation might refer to the fact that Watson Whittlesley, the developer of Livingston Manor, had died in 1914. The Waldron family purchased “Livingston”, the grandest house in the Manor. The letter writer goers on to say that Mayor White “is not adverse to taking suggestions” from Waldron. The anonymous letter writer notes that Democrats have “furrowed brows” because they are going to lose the upcoming election; the author was correct in that prediction although the election was close. It is not clear how much White’s ties to Edward Waldron may have factored into the election.

Lorenz Volkert (1844-1919) emigrated to the United States as a boy from Dettman Aeub Tanberbeschofshim, Baden, Germany. He operated a tailoring business at 104 Church Street in New Brunswick. He moved his family to Highland Park in the mid 1880s.
Volkert is given credit for convincing Middlesex County to build the first school in Highland Park in 1885. Volkert retired from the business in 1907 before becoming mayor; the business was taken over by a son. He served three terms as mayor until his health began to deteriorate. Volkert also served as a councilman and as a Middlesex County Freeholder. He was a member of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, the Aurora Singing Society and the Ancient Order of Workmen. The Aurora Singing Society was founded in 1881 and sang in the Auroa Grove adjacent to the race track. Lorenz Volkert is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Lorenz Volkert defeated Charles Nafey, a Democrat 121-111 in the 1907 election. Clarence W. Harra and Haward I. Stevenson, both Republicans were elected to the Council joining Eden, Daire and Nagey (Democrats) and Charles Malmros (Republican).

In 1909 Lorenz Volkert defeated George F. Eden (D) 216-115 for a second term. Republicans Alexander Merchant and Augustus R. Van Marter were elected to Council.

For his third term election in 1911, Volkert defeated Democratic candidate A.P. Daire by 300-135. William Redfield (D) and Edwin Baier (R) were elected as councilmen.

One of the unresolved issues during Mayor Volkert’s three terms in office was the purchase of a fire engine. Originally a LaFrance engine was chosen by the Council but was vetoed by the mayor in favor of a Nott engine. The Nott was cheaper and more powerful. Councilman Russell Watson also argued for the Nott. With the mayor and council unable to agree, no engine was purchased during this time.

The State ordered that the Borough build a sewage disposal plant. A site near the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge was first considered and plans were drawn up by an outside firm. The Council considered this too expensive. A second site on “Donaldson Farm” on the rise over what is now Donaldson Park was considered. The same outside firm considered the pipe to the river to be problematical and costly. That is where the matter stood at the beginning of 1913 when the Borough asked the State for an extension until 1918.

An official numbering of houses took place during the Volkert administration. Sidewalks remained an issue. Residents were given more time to complete them and the sidewalks were limited to areas where people needed them.

In 1912 Mayor Volkert appointed the first policeman, George Bedford, a resident of Highland Park.

The problem of feral dogs, chickens, and domestic animals running around was an issue as well as boys going around shooting guns.

During Volkert’s tenure Lincoln Highway was begun leading to improvements on Raritan Avenue and Albany Street Bridge. Car dealers and gas stations began to appear on the route.

The map above was published in the Home News on February 12, 1910. It shows four grids at competing angles. Houses on the Livingston tract were mostly constructed in the years 1907-1914. A former mayor of New Brunswick, George Viehmann developed the 125 acre farm between Fifth and Eleventh Avenues north of Raritan Avenue. Part of this “Viehmann Tract” on the north side of Mill Brook is now in Edison Township. The area marked Home Reality Company in what is now the triangle was the former “East New Brunswick” that was once home to horse racing. As many as 2000 people would come to view the races. The area was advertised as being 200 feet above sea level.