George F. Fort
Encyclopedia
George Franklin Fort was a physician, politician, judge, and a Democrat
who served as the 16th Governor of New Jersey from 1851 to 1854.
. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
in 1828, began to practice medicine, and in 1830, in Imlaystown, New Jersey
, married Anna Marie Bodine, they had four children.
Fort's public career began when he was elected to the 1844 New Jersey Constitutional Convention as a Democrat from Monmouth County
. At the convention, Fort supported universal suffrage
, open eligibility for office, and popular election of all state and county officials. Later that year, he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly
, and, upon finishing a term, was elected to the New Jersey Senate
, serving from 1846 through 1848. In 1850, he captured his party's nomination for Governor, and defeated the Whig candidate, John Runk
(who had previously been a Congressman in the Twenty-ninth United States Congress). At that time, the Whigs were somewhat splintered, as some were adamantly opposed to the Fugitive Slave Law, while others were more aligned to the Democratic position that supporting the law was necessary in order to support the Union. Whigs also attacked Fort, with some justification, as being aligned too closely with the powerful railroad interests in the state. Nevertheless, the Whigs were not united, and Fort won the election fairly soundly.
During his gubernatorial term, major reform legislation passed, including the ten-hour work day, and child protection. At the end of his term, his Democratic successor, Rodman M. Price
, appointed him as a judge. From 1863 to 1868 he served on the Court of Errors and Appeals. After that term, he resumed the practice of medicine. He lived close to the railroad office in New Egypt. He died on April 22, 1872 in New Egypt, New Jersey
. He was buried in the United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pemberton
.
was a Republican
Governor of New Jersey
, who served from 1908 to 1911.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
who served as the 16th Governor of New Jersey from 1851 to 1854.
Biography
He was born near Pemberton, New JerseyPemberton, New Jersey
Pemberton, formerly New Mills, is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 1,210....
. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
The Perelman School of Medicine , formerly the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, was founded in 1765, making it the oldest American medical school. As part of the University of Pennsylvania, it is located in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is widely...
in 1828, began to practice medicine, and in 1830, in Imlaystown, New Jersey
Imlaystown, New Jersey
Imlaystown is a small historic community and unincorporated area located within Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. It is located in zip code 08526. The village is easily accessible from Exit 11 off Interstate 195.-History:...
, married Anna Marie Bodine, they had four children.
Fort's public career began when he was elected to the 1844 New Jersey Constitutional Convention as a Democrat from Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
. At the convention, Fort supported universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
, open eligibility for office, and popular election of all state and county officials. Later that year, he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
, and, upon finishing a term, was elected to the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
, serving from 1846 through 1848. In 1850, he captured his party's nomination for Governor, and defeated the Whig candidate, John Runk
John Runk
John Runk was an American Whig Party politician, who represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1845-1847....
(who had previously been a Congressman in the Twenty-ninth United States Congress). At that time, the Whigs were somewhat splintered, as some were adamantly opposed to the Fugitive Slave Law, while others were more aligned to the Democratic position that supporting the law was necessary in order to support the Union. Whigs also attacked Fort, with some justification, as being aligned too closely with the powerful railroad interests in the state. Nevertheless, the Whigs were not united, and Fort won the election fairly soundly.
During his gubernatorial term, major reform legislation passed, including the ten-hour work day, and child protection. At the end of his term, his Democratic successor, Rodman M. Price
Rodman M. Price
Rodman McCamley Price was an American Democratic Party politician, who represented in the United States House of Representatives from 1851–1853, and served as the 17th Governor of New Jersey, from 1854 to 1857.-Biography:...
, appointed him as a judge. From 1863 to 1868 he served on the Court of Errors and Appeals. After that term, he resumed the practice of medicine. He lived close to the railroad office in New Egypt. He died on April 22, 1872 in New Egypt, New Jersey
New Egypt, New Jersey
New Egypt is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Plumsted Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 2,519.-Geography:New Egypt is located at ....
. He was buried in the United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pemberton
Pemberton, New Jersey
Pemberton, formerly New Mills, is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 1,210....
.
Legacy
His nephew, John Franklin FortJohn Franklin Fort
John Franklin Fort was an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 33rd Governor of New Jersey, from 1908–1911. His uncle, George Franklin Fort, was a Democratic Governor of New Jersey from 1851–1854....
was a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
, who served from 1908 to 1911.
Publications
- Early History of Antiquities of Freemasonry (1875)
- A Historical Treatise on Early Builders' Marks'
External links
- Biography of George F. Fort, New Jersey State LibraryNew Jersey State LibraryThe New Jersey State Library, based in Trenton, New Jersey, was established in 1796 to serve the information needs of New Jersey's Governor, Legislature and courts. The State Library is also responsible to assist in the provision of library and information services to all New Jersey...
- New Jersey Governor George Franklin Fort, National Governors AssociationNational Governors AssociationThe National Governors Association , founded in 1908 as the National Governors' Conference, is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts and private contributions. NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories The National Governors Association...