The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-05-13
JAMES n'GRATH DEAD.
City Officials Express Their
Sorrow for Water
Assessors Demise.

i City officials and the public generally
We're shocked late Saturday evening by
| the announcement of the death of Water
/ Assessor James McGrath, who succunbed
| to pneumonia contracted week ago Lass
/ Tuesday. He died at his home, No. {
Howard place, at five o'clock Saturday
| afternoon surrounded by his physicians
| and family.
| Unfeigned sorrow prevails throughou.
| the City Hall, where the flag that floats
| over the building is at half mast. for Mfr,
| McGrath was one of the most popular OF
the city officials and was revered by
| them and all the attaches of the various
municipal departments.
1.-THE city loves an honest efficient and
conscientious OFFICIAL. was the unani-
nous expression of opinion from the
Mayor down.
| wife and three children, two boys and
| a girl, the last the oldest of the three
eleven syears-survive Mr. McGrath
He was appointed to succeed as Watee
Assessor the late ex-Lay Judge Kenny.
| who received the appointment at the
| hands of the Street and Water Board OF
which Col. Boltwood was President, un-
der Mayor Hooss administration. Mr..
Kenny died within a month after he was
appointed Assessor. Mr.. McGrath was
appointed to the position by resolution of
the Board on February IA, 1898. He had
previously served as Assistant Assessor
He was born in Kingston, Canada, fifty
seven years ago He moved to New York
when boy. Prior to his moving to Jer-
sey City about seventeen years ago he
was foreman of a white lead manufacture
ing concern in Brooklyn. He was oblig-
ed to leave this business on account Of
his health. He entered the real estate
and insurance business and for years
conducted an office in Montgomery street
opposite the site of the present City Hall,
He collected monies for number of large
estates and real estate owners. One Of
them was located in California
Mr.. McGrath was one of the most
prominent Masons in the city. He was
Past Master of Concord Lodge of New
York before he affiliated with Hiram
Lodge of this city, of which he was a
Past Master. He was Commander of
Ivanhoe Commandery, knights of Tenn
plars, and a member of Ormean Consist
ory, F. & A. M. He was also Acting
Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33d
cepted Scottish Rites Masonry of the
United States of America, its territories
and dependencies; and was Deputy-at-
Large of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of
Members, 95th degree. Besides these
Masoni honors he lectured for the SUI
preme body in almost every State in the
Union.
For a number of years Mr.. McGrath
was a staunch member of the Scotch
Presbyterian Church, and when thar
church disbanded he Joined the West
minister Presbyterian Church. Masonic
and church services will be held at his
home tomorrow evening. The full ar
rangements for the funeral have not yet
been completed.
Assistant Water Assessor Frank j. Nc
Carren is acting in the the Water Asses
sor's place While the Street and Water
Commissioners refuse to talk as yet upon
the subject as to who will succeed Mr.
McGrath. it is generally believed that the
Commissioners have already agreed upon
Mr.. McCarren. Mr. McCarren was ap-
pointed as Assistant Water Assessor in
June, 1897.
In speaking of Mr. McGrath's death,
4iAds VI AAcOo Se1io.-- dlil truly sorry. MI.
MeGrath was a fine citizen and a good
efficient and honest offiffcial'
Street and Water Commissioner Heintze
said:-'"The city has lost a good official
Mr.. McGrath was honest and capable and
was a splendid man. I hardly know how
to express my sorrow. I am sorry over
his death, and I am sorry that it will
be necessary to appoint a successor
Commissioner Haucl said:-"It's too
bad. Mr.. McGrath was a good official.
He was always conscientious in the per-
formance of his duties. have always
found him such"
Superintendent Snyder of the Public
Schools said:-"I was not intimately ac-
quainted with Mr.. McGrath in an official
sense, but have always looked upon
him as a faithful official and a man of
high character. I am sorry to hear Of his
death.'
! EdelStein, for whom Mr.. McGrath, in the
capacity of real estate agent, collected
large sums of rent money, had this to
say:-"I always found hi mstrictly honest
in all business transactions I knew him
we'll He was a model citizen, a kind and
devoted husband and father
Mr.. McGrath is a prominent member of
the Third Ward Democratic Club and the
Robert Davis Association. He is mern-
ber of Paulus Hook Council, K. of c. He
was graduated from Seton Hall College.