Nathan Barnert

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]

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	(1838-09-20)September 20, 1838 Posen, Prussia (modern Poznań, Poland)
Died	December 23, 1927(1927-12-23) (aged 89) Paterson, New Jersey
Spouse	Miriam Barnert
Profession	Politician, silk manufacturer

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.