Chief Engineer Biographies
Samuel Colt -
1821, December 28th, Samuel Colt, appointed but at the same meeting Mr. Colt's election was reconsidered
1822, January 4th: the wardens voted to serve as chief monthly in alphabetical order
1822, January 4th: the wardens voted to serve as chief monthly in alphabetical order
Timothy B. Crane: Born November 4, 1809 - Died March 15, 1875
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Dates served as Chief -
1821, February 7th
1823, March 22
1824, January 5th
1825, December 9th: John Rutan and Andrew Parsons, assistant engineers.
1826, December 6th
1834, November 4th: resigned March 9th, 1835)
Cornelius H. Post, first assistant; Henry Tan Houten, second assistant.
1837, January 9: Nathaniel Lane was first assistant; Albert I. Hopper, second assistant.
1837, November 8: Nathaniel Lane, first assistant; Cornelius V. W. Post, second assistant.
1838, November 14: Edward McKeon, first assistant; Robert Fields, second assistant.
1839, November 15: John Bentley, first assistant; Giles Van Ness, second assistant.
On March 27th, 1840, Messrs. Bentley and Van Ness resigned and the wardens appointed William Masters first assistant and Jacob Van Houten second assistant.
1840, no date of election.
1842, May 22: John Benson, first assistant; Cornelius Westervelt, second assistant.
1843, Alfred Westervelt, first assistant; Peter B. Westervelt, second assistant
1844, May: 15: Austin McCloud, first assistant; Robert Smith, second assistant
1847, May 17
1821, February 7th
1823, March 22
1824, January 5th
1825, December 9th: John Rutan and Andrew Parsons, assistant engineers.
1826, December 6th
1834, November 4th: resigned March 9th, 1835)
Cornelius H. Post, first assistant; Henry Tan Houten, second assistant.
1837, January 9: Nathaniel Lane was first assistant; Albert I. Hopper, second assistant.
1837, November 8: Nathaniel Lane, first assistant; Cornelius V. W. Post, second assistant.
1838, November 14: Edward McKeon, first assistant; Robert Fields, second assistant.
1839, November 15: John Bentley, first assistant; Giles Van Ness, second assistant.
On March 27th, 1840, Messrs. Bentley and Van Ness resigned and the wardens appointed William Masters first assistant and Jacob Van Houten second assistant.
1840, no date of election.
1842, May 22: John Benson, first assistant; Cornelius Westervelt, second assistant.
1843, Alfred Westervelt, first assistant; Peter B. Westervelt, second assistant
1844, May: 15: Austin McCloud, first assistant; Robert Smith, second assistant
1847, May 17
Death June 17, 1875
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Andrew Parsons
1827, December 10 John Rutan Assistant Engineer
1828, November 14 John G Bates was first Assistant David Reid the second
Mr. Bates declined to serve on December 1st, and Mr. Reid was appointed first first assistant and Cornelius S. Post second assistant.
1828, November 14 John G Bates was first Assistant David Reid the second
Mr. Bates declined to serve on December 1st, and Mr. Reid was appointed first first assistant and Cornelius S. Post second assistant.
John Bates Born November 23, 1775 Died June 4, 1851
1828, November 14th: John G. Bates was appointed first assistant with David Reid as second assistant. Mr. Bates declined to serve and on December 1 Mr. Reid was appointed first assistant and Cornelius S. Post second assistant
1829, November 2: John G. Bates appointed chief with Peter F. Merselis, assistant engineer. Mr. Merselis declining, and on November 9th, John Garrison was appointed first assistant and Charles D. Clinton second assistant.
1830, No record of appointments. John Bates remains chief
1832, November 23: John G. Bates appointed chief with Alexander Paul as first assistant and Albert Hopper as second assistant.
1837, January 9: John G. Bates appointed chief with Nathaniel Lane, first assistant and Albert I. Hopper, second assistant.
1837, November 8: John G. Bates chief with Nathaniel Lane, first assistant; Cornelius V. W. Post, second assistant.
1829, November 2: John G. Bates appointed chief with Peter F. Merselis, assistant engineer. Mr. Merselis declining, and on November 9th, John Garrison was appointed first assistant and Charles D. Clinton second assistant.
1830, No record of appointments. John Bates remains chief
1832, November 23: John G. Bates appointed chief with Alexander Paul as first assistant and Albert Hopper as second assistant.
1837, January 9: John G. Bates appointed chief with Nathaniel Lane, first assistant and Albert I. Hopper, second assistant.
1837, November 8: John G. Bates chief with Nathaniel Lane, first assistant; Cornelius V. W. Post, second assistant.
Josali M. Crismond
1831, November: Josiali M. Crismond appointed chief with Horatio Moses, first assistant John H. Ryerson, second assistant.
John Sloat Died March 5, 1881
1833, November 5: John Sloat appointed chief with Cornelius H. Post as first assistant and Nathaniel Lane as second assistant.
Cornelius Speer
1835, November 18: Cornelius Speer appointed chief with Giles Van Ness, first assistant and Henry Van Houten, second assistant.
Horatio Moses Born September 1, 1795 Died December 9, 1876
1836, December 30: Horatio Moses appointed chief.
William Cundell Born July 20, 1804 Died August 10, 1879
1840, November 11: William Cundell becomes the first chief elected by FD members with
Titus Ward as first assistant and Cornelius H. Post, second assistant.
1841, May 26: William Cundell
Titus Ward as first assistant and Cornelius H. Post, second assistant.
1841, May 26: William Cundell
September 14, 1915 Morning Call
John Ackerson Died January 31, 1899
1845, May 12: John W. Ackerson elected chief
February 2, 1899 Paterson Daily Press
Thomas O. Smith
1848, May 26: Thomas O. Smith elected chief with Michael B. Murphy as first assistant; and Richard B. Chiswell as second assistant.
1849, 1850, 1851, May 26th, 29th, 20th respectively: Thomas O. Smith re-elected chief
with Patrick Curran, first assistant. There being a tie vote no election was had for second assistant.
1852, May 27: Thomas O. Smith re-elected chief with Patrick Curran as First assistant and Griffith King, second assistant.
1849, 1850, 1851, May 26th, 29th, 20th respectively: Thomas O. Smith re-elected chief
with Patrick Curran, first assistant. There being a tie vote no election was had for second assistant.
1852, May 27: Thomas O. Smith re-elected chief with Patrick Curran as First assistant and Griffith King, second assistant.
Patrick Curran Born 1821 Died July 19, 1901
1853, May 10: Patrick Curran elected chief with William Douglass as first assistant and Thomas Farnon as second assistant.
July 19, 1901
Thompson Titus Born 1821 Died 1900
1854, May 17: Thompson Titus elected chief with Thomas Farnon as first assistant.
William Sykes Born ? Died February 10, 1891
1855, May: William Sykes elected chief with John Bowering and James A. King assistants.
1856, May; William Sykes elected chief with John Bowering and James A. King assistants.
1856, May; William Sykes elected chief with John Bowering and James A. King assistants.
February 10, 1891
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Bio of Chief Sykes - Was oldest Paterson Fireman at time of Death
Guardian
John Bowering Born 1826 Died October 27, 1884
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John Bowering in center between two visiting Philadelphia firemen wearing stovepipe hats and capes
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1857, May: John Bowering elected chief with James A. King and Thomas Farnon as
assistants.
1858, May: John Bowering, chief with William Killen and Thomas Farnon as
assistants.
assistants.
1858, May: John Bowering, chief with William Killen and Thomas Farnon as
assistants.
October 28 Paterson Press
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October 28 Paterson Press
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James King Born 1828 Died 1898
1859, May: James A. King elected chief with Jonathan W. Hockett and William Killen, assistants.
1860, May: James A. King, chief with John Gillespie and James McClory, assistants.
1860, May: James A. King, chief with John Gillespie and James McClory, assistants.
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August 26, 1859 Guardian
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James McKiernan Born June 3, 1828 Died December 12, 1882 Civil War Veteran and brother of 1868 Fire Chief John McKiernan
1861, May: James McKiernan elected chief with George J. Bunce and Peter Fields, as assistants.
Peter Fields Born 1833 Died May 1898 Civil War veteran Served at Protection Engine 5
Sword presented to Peter Fields by men of Protection Engine 5
1862, May: Peter Fields elected chief with John McKiernan and John Hinchliffe, assistants.
Died April 13, 1898
Died April 13, 1898
April 14 Paterson Daily Press
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April 15 Paterson Daily Press
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William Killen
1863, May: William Killen elected chief with John Schoonmaker and Jacob Pfitzmeir as assistants.
1864, May: William Killen, chief with Edward Swift and Jacob Pfitzmeir as assistants.
1864, May: William Killen, chief with Edward Swift and Jacob Pfitzmeir as assistants.
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Edward Swift Born 1836 Found dead on April 27, 1903
1865, May: Edward Swift chief with George W. Steed and Lawrence Ryan as assistants. |
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Paterson Evening News
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April 27 Paterson Press
Daniel McClory Born 1831 Died October 2, 1894 Served at Washington Engine 3
1866, May: Daniel McClory elected chief with Andrew Moser and Charles Reed as assistants.
October 2, 1894
October 4 Paterson Press
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October 3 Paterson Press
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Andrew Moser Born November 29, 1817 Died July 17, 1901 Considered the most historical figure in history of Volunteer Department - Served at Passaic Engine Company 1
1867, May; Andrew Moser elected chief with Joseph Bousseleth and Dewitt C. Simonton as assistants.
1867, May; Andrew Moser, chief with Joseph Bousseleth and Dewitt C. Simonton as assistants.
1867, May; Andrew Moser, chief with Joseph Bousseleth and Dewitt C. Simonton as assistants.
Chief Andrew Moser
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Mose's Presentation trumoet
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July 17 Paterson Daily Press
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July `19 Paterson Daily Press
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John McKiernan Born August 13, 1833 Died March 4, 1905 Served at Washington Engine Company 3 Civil War veteran Brother of 1861 Chief James McKiernan
1868, May: John McKiernan elected chief with Patrick Sweeney and George Young as assistants. 
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Patrick Sweeney Born February 1842 Died March 16, 1920 - Served at Jackson Engine Company 4 - Became the first Deputy Chief in the paid Paterson Department - In 1938 his son James made the Supreme Sacrifice at the Quackenbush warehouse fire
1869, Patrick Sweeney elected chief with Edward Gore and William E. Heimlich and James Radcliffe as assistants |
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Edward Gore Was the first Superintendent of Fire Alarm in 1872
1870, May: Edward Gore elected chief with James Doherty, George Burton and James Atchison as assistants.
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James Atchison Born 1839 Died March 14, 1898 Served at Eagle H&L 1 Struck in head during 1872 Dolphin Mill fire by falling iron shutter
1871, May: James Atchison elected chief with Patrick Chapman, William Martin and Thomas Mullen as assistants.
February 27,1872 Dolphin Mill fire - at which Chief Atchison was injured
Paterson Press
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William Martin Born October 5, 1844 Died April 23, 1920
1872, May: William Martin elected chief Edward Fanning, George M. Case and Thomas Mullen, assistants. |
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July 2 1890 - Paterson Daily Press
James I King Born March 1853 Died January 17, 1918
1873, May: James I. King elected chief for two years (first chief elected for a term of two years. Assistants were William Bailey, two years; Joseph Buckley, one year. Bailey and Buckley were, assistant engineers elect who drew lots to see who would have the two- year term. Bailey was the fortunate man. Thereafter the chiefs and assistants were elected for two years. In 1874 Bartholomew Reilly became assistant.
July 19, 1884 Press
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John Regner Born February 3, 1843 - Died October 18, 1893
1875, May: John E. Regner elected chief with Fredrick Wieler as assistant. In 1876, Lambert Romaine became an assistant.
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Morning Call
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October 20 1893 Morning Call
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Morning Call
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October 18 Paterson Press
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October 23 Paterson Press
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David Turnbull Born October 1842 Died November 16, 1917 1877, May: David I. Turnbull elected chief with William Bland, assistant. In 1878, Patrick Morrison becomes an assistant.
1888, May 20: David I. Turnbull becomes First Chief elected by Board of Aldermen. His assistant was John F. Murphy 
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Bartholomew Reilly Born 1849 - Died January 1, 1886 at age 37. Served Jackson Engine 4.
1879, May: Bartholomew Reilly elected chief with Gustave Specht as assistant. In 1880, James Kearney becomes assistant
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Reilly's Helmet Shield
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Chief Reilly dies at age 36 due to feverish illness acquired in South America trip
January 2, 1886
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Guardian
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January 2, 1886 Guardian
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Janaury 2, 1886
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January 4 Morning Call
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January 4 Paterson Press
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Leonard Garrison Born ~ 1846 Died January 1906 Served Vigilant Engine 6
1881, May: Leonard Garrison elected chief with Daniel W. Leonard, assistant. In 1882,
Louis Brandt became an assistant. |
Chief Garrison in center with Formen of Vigilant Engine 6
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Guardian
February 9 Paterson Press
John MacDonald
1883, May: John MacDonald. Chief and in 1884 Samuel S. Pounds became assistant
May 11, 1885 - Paterson Press
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Comments on retirement of Chief MacDonald
May 21, 1885 Paterson Press
January 27 Paterson Press
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James Kearney Born March 9, 1850 Died August 1917
1885, May: James Kearney elected chief with Charles Carroll as assistant. In 1886,
Frank W. King was assistant. 
James Kearney as Assistant Chief in 1882
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John Stagg Born December 16th, 1843 Died June 11, 1926 Civil War veteran Became Chief Engineer in the paid Paterson Fire Department in 1891 and served until 1912.
1887, May: John Stagg elected (appointed) as chief with John Struck as assistant. In 1888, John Crotti became an assistant.
Stagg Volunteer helmet
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Chief Stagg civil war photo
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May 4, 1910: history and interview with still surviving (5) Volunteer Chiefs
