"The Boss"

Every town in Hudson County has a certain reputation when it comes to politics. There is something about the political world of Hudson County that leaves an impact on residents memories. Throughout the county people can remember every mayor that served during their lifetimes. That said, we often never remember the mayors that came before us. North Bergen residents never talk about the achievements of Charles Pinnell, the towns first mayor. Residents in town will never talk of or realize we once had a mayor by the name of Gustav Schlop, yes this is 100% true, Gustav Shlop. However, one man can be considered North Bergen's first "boss" and almost 100 years after his time in office he is becoming slowly forgotten.

James P. Nolan

History of Hudson County : Genealogies of Prominent Families

Courtesy of archives.org

James Nolan was born June 25th 1874 in Annadale, New Jersey. His parents Philip Nolan and Mary Lyon were both Irish immigrants. They immigrated some twenty years prior to James' birth and settled in Hunterdon County. The Nolan clan would grow during this time, in total they'd have 10 children. In 1881, the Nolan family moved to North Bergen, there James would attended schooling at Schools 4 & 6. After his formal education, Nolan would find work as a messenger boy in 1888. While working he self taught himself the Morse system and would work for the West Shore R.R. and Manhattan R.R. as a switch board operator at Chatham Square. He then work a a cigar salesman and a representative for a rubber manufacturing company before moving into the real estate and insurance fields. 

North Bergen Police Department 1908

James P. Nolan seated in center

Courtesy of Lenny DiBrango

Nolan's character was well known throughout the town. This popularity lead him to throw his hat into the political arena. He was a Democrat true and through. Nolan was well known for having an interest in the welfare of the community and has an active member in the township betterment. Widely popular he was elected as a member of the Township Committee in 1903. Again, he was re-elected in '05, '07 and 1909. He stepped down from the Committee in 1910 to serve as Freeholder, than as Tax Assessor until 1913 and returned to the Committee in 1916. Nolan gained his prominence as Chief of Police during his tenure on the Committee. He made sure the "rounders" patrolled the streets, upheld justice and made sure North Bergen was able to flourish. In addition to his work as Chief of Police, Nolan oversaw the construction and completion of Town Hall during his time as a Committee Member.  It was inasmuch his role as Chief, elected official and renown that made sense for him to run for Mayor in 1917.

Town Hall early 1900s.

Courtesy of Lenny DiBrango

Riding a wave of successes Nolan began his tenure as mayor. His main goal was establishing the first Federal Post Office in North Bergen. Previously, the town would have been serviced by the Jersey City Post Office. Nolan would achieve his goal establishing the first Post Office in the New Durham neighborhood. His incumbency would also prove valuable to the North Bergen Police Department. During this time the "rounders" would be officially sworn in as North Bergen Police, even though Mayor Charles Morris would go on to be credited with the official establishing of the NBPD, Nolan truly laid the foundation for it. Throughout the time Nolan was in office, 1917-1921, North Bergen also saw a spike in its population. Between 1910 and 1920 there was an increase of nearly 5000 residents. It seems fitting that the town was in the hands of a man like Nolan. A man being of civic mind, lawfulness and keeping an eye on the future. Another interesting note is Mayor Nolan would be the mayor to bring daylight savings to North Begren. In March of 1920 he established that the town would acknowledge an ordnance deeming such event law. Nolan's successes would, however, be contained to one term.

Nolan would run for re-election in 1922 and would be crushed by his opponent, future mayor Harry Barber. Barber would be one of the many Republicans elected in the wake of World War I solidified by the election of President Warren G. Harding. That said, Nolan would be remembered for some time as North Bergen's greatest mayor. He oversaw the development of the North Bergen Police Department as Chief of Police. He supervised the construction of Town Hall. He would then be responsible for instituting the first Post Office in North Bergen. That said, on a personal note for myself, I feel one of the greatest facts about Nolan lay in his personal life. Way before Nolan was mayor of North Bergen, he would already be of world renown. At one point in history Jame Nolan, along with his siblings, would make up the heaviest family in the world. Yes, even though he achieved a legacy worth recognition, Nolan at one point would be part of the largest family in the world. The Nolan siblings all averaged roughly 6 foot in height and all weighed over 225 lbs! Nolan was obviously a physically imposing man, his legacy loomed  as large as he was for generation in North Bergen and his efforts at 4233 Kennedy Boulevard should be remembered.