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.

First Mayor and Council.

Top Row (l.to r.): Alvin Randolph, Commissioner of Appeals; Otto Lindner, Councilman; Anthony J. Gebhardt, Tax Collector; James B. Archer, Mayor; William D. Donomore, Assessor; and John Whitehed, councilman. Bottom Row (l.to r.): Frank A. Metzrath – Borough Clerk, Councilman Charles Tamm, J.S. Turner, Commissioner of Appeals, Wiiliam Redfield. Commissioner of Appeals, Councilman George Eden and Constable James Jenkins.

James B. Archer (1861-1912) was born in Elizabeth, NJ. He moved to New Brunswick and worked in shoe manufacturing. Eventually he opened a store on Peace Street for 18 years until his death. He lived on South Adelaide Avenue. After serving as mayor he was president of the Downtown Lighting Association and president of the Highland Park Building and Loan Association. Archer is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in New Brunswick.

James Archer defeated Condit S. Atkinson of the Citizens Party 132-75 in a special election on May 25, 1905. All the Democratic Councilmen defeated Citizen party candidates. John W. Russert, Edward W. Page, George F. Eden, Charles Tamm, O.F. Lindner, and John E. Whitehead were elected as councilman in the Democratic ticket. Charles Nafey (D) and Charles Malmros (R) joined the Council in the 1906 election.

When Highland Park split off from Raritan Township one of the tasks was to determine financial obligations to the township. Three councilman, George Eden, Charles Tamm, and John Whitehead were appointed by the mayor to represent the Borough. The biggest encumbrance for the new Borough was sewer debt ($15, 965.18 ) that had been taken on by the Township.

Roads were a major concern during Archer’s tenure. The Council supported a petition from residents to the Freeholders to macademize River Road. The Council petitioned the Public Service Corporation (Trolleys) to keep Raritan Avenue in order. The installation of gas and other pipes had placed road in bad condition. Mayor Archer urged the Council to macademize other Borough streets as well because the surface held up better than grading the dirt streets annually.

The Albany Street drawbridge often was raised when people were trying to get to work at 7 am in the morning and 1 pm in the afternoon. The Pennsylvania Railroad was urged to keep it closed for a short period morning and afternoon when Highland Park residents were walking to work in New Brunswick. The Fire Department was in need of a Tower for drying hoses. Sidewalks, garbage, the Raritan River garbage dump and desecration of the Sabbath Day were other concerns.

During Mayor Archer’s tenure, a new, larger school was constructed on the site of the old school at Second Avenue and Benner Street.