John Franklin Fort (March 20, 1852 – November 17, 1920) was an American
Republican Party politician, who served as the 33rd
governor of New Jersey
The governor of New Jersey is the head of government of New Jersey. The office of governor is an elected position with a four-year term. There is a two consecutive term term limit, with no limitation on non-consecutive terms. The official res ...
, from 1908 to 1911. His uncle,
George Franklin Fort, was a
Democratic Governor of New Jersey from 1851 to 1854.
Biography
Fort was born in
Pemberton, New Jersey
Pemberton is a borough in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States Census, the borough’s population was 1,371, reflecting a decrease of 38 (-2.7%) from the 1,409 enumerated at the 2010 United States Ce ...
on March 20, 1852. He attended the
Pennington Seminary, and earned an
LL.B.
Bachelor of Laws ( la, Legum Baccalaureus; LL.B.) is an undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom and most common law jurisdictions. Bachelor of Laws is also the name of the law degree awarded by universities in the People's Republic of Chi ...
degree at
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is a private law school in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 and is the oldest independent law school in the nation. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and has an affiliation agreement with University at A ...
in 1872.
An attorney, Fort was appointed by Governor
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was an American soldier, Civil War Union general, civil engineer, railroad executive, and politician who served as the 24th governor of New Jersey. A graduate of West Point, McCl ...
, a
Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
, to the First District Court of Newark, a position he held through subsequent Democratic administrations until he stepped down in 1886. Fort was a delegate to the
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention (RNC) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1856 by the United States Republican Party. They are administered by the Republican National Committee. The goal of the Repu ...
in
1884
Events
January–March
* January 4 – The Fabian Society is founded in London.
* January 5 – Gilbert and Sullivan's ''Princess Ida'' premières at the Savoy Theatre, London.
* January 18 – Dr. William Price atte ...
and
1896
Events
January–March
* January 2 – The Jameson Raid comes to an end, as Jameson surrenders to the Boers.
* January 4 – Utah is admitted as the 45th U.S. state.
* January 5 – An Austrian newspaper reports that Wil ...
. In 1900, Governor
Foster M. Voorhees appointed him to the
New Jersey Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of New Jersey is the highest court in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, the Supreme Court of New Jersey is the final judicial authority on all cases in the state court system, including cases challenging the ...
, where he remained until 1907. Fort was a delegate to the
1912 Republican National Convention.
In 1909 Fort was elected an honorary member of the New Jersey
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a fraternal, hereditary society founded in 1783 to commemorate the American Revolutionary War that saw the creation of the United States. Membership is largely restricted to descendants of military officers wh ...
.
In March 1917, President (and former New Jersey Governor)
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856February 3, 1924) was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A member of the Democratic Party, Wilson served as the president of ...
appointed Fort to the
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government whose principal mission is the enforcement of civil (non-criminal) antitrust law and the promotion of consumer protection. The FTC shares jurisdiction ov ...
, a position he held until November 1919 when he resigned due to illness. He died in his
South Orange
South Orange, officially the Township of South Orange Village, is a suburban township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village's population was 16,198, reflecting a decline of 766 (4.5%) fro ...
home on November 17, 1920, aged 68, and was buried at
Bloomfield Cemetery
Bloomfield Cemetery, designated a New Jersey Historic Site, is located at 383 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield in Essex County, New Jersey.
Bloomfield Cemetery is one of New Jersey’s most significant rural cemeteries, and the only such landscap ...
in
Bloomfield.
See also
*
List of governors of New Jersey
References
External links
Biography of John Franklin Fort (PDF) New Jersey State Library
The 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 Judiciary. The State Library is also responsible to assist in the provision of library and ...
New Jersey John Franklin Fort National Governors Association
The National Governors Association (NGA) is an American political organization founded in 1908. The association's members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. Members come to the association from across the politica ...
Dead Governors of New Jersey bio for John Franklin Fort
1852 births
1920 deaths
Republican Party governors of New Jersey
Albany Law School alumni
New Jersey lawyers
New Jersey state court judges
Justices of the Supreme Court of New Jersey
People from Pemberton, New Jersey
People from South Orange, New Jersey
Burials in New Jersey
The Pennington School alumni
Federal Trade Commission personnel
Woodrow Wilson administration personnel
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