New-York tribune., 1920-11-18
Ex-Cov. Fort
Of New jersey,
Long Ill, Dies
Noted Republican Leader
and Jurist Had Fought
For Health Since Suffer
( ing Paralytic Stroke
Sketch of His Career
Many Reforms in Laws of
His Native State Atfribu.
ted to His Legal Genius

Jonn rankin Fort, who succeeded
President Wilson as Governor of New
Jersey when the latter was inaugu-
rated in 1912, died late yesterday after
noon in his home in South Orange, n.
j. He was stricken with paralytic
stroke in April, 1919, while delivering
an address at Carlisle, Pa.
Mr.. Fort spent the summer at his
home in Spring Lake. N. j., but was
brought to South Orange in September
without having shown any improvement
in his condition. He was sixty-eight
years old.
Mr.. Fort was born in Pemberton, n
j., in 1852. the son of Andrew H. and
Honna A. Fort, and was a nephew OF
George F. Fort, who was Governor of
the state at that time. He was educated
at Mount Holly Institute and at Pen
n'ngton Seminary, and after having
been graduated from the latter insti-
M. PaXson, who later was Chief Justice
OF the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
He pursued his studies in various
other law offices and in 1872 was grad
uated from the Albany Law School
SeIVeQ In state Assembly
Mr.. Fort served as journal clerk in
the Assembly at Trenton in 1873 and
1874, and in the latter year commenced
the practice Of his profession in
Newark. Four years later Governor
court judge of Newark for a term Of
five years. He was then twenty-six
years old. In 1883 he was reappointed
by Governor Ludlow, but resigned in
order to resume the practice Of his
profession
After his retirement from the bench
Mr.. Fort became active in politics and
took leading part in Republican
party campaigns in New Jersey. In
1895 he served as delegate to the
Republican National Convention.
In the fall of the same year Mr.. Fort
became presiding justice of the Court
of Common Pleas in New Jersey and
remained in that post for term of five
Justice of the Supreme Court of New
Jersey, where he distinguished him. self
by his activities in abolishing the ring
Of racetrack gamblers.
In the fall Of 1907 Mr.. Fort resigned
his position on the bench in order TO
accept the Republican nomination for
he Governorship of the state Upon
his election he began what was one
CT the most progressive policies in the
history Of New Jersey
Author of Many Reforms
He established the civil service sys-
TEN In New Jersey on the basis of the
most advanced law that ever had been
enacted. He appointed a commission
ior the physical revaluation of rail
road properties, and effected many
other reforms and improvements in
the state government. He also urged
the measures Of election reform, jury
reform, bank tax. control of corpora
| tions, etc
Another of Mr.. Forts notable
achievements was his success in abol-
%shing the grating and gambling in
Atlantic City. The leaders, who defied
the courts, announced that they made
their own laws. Governor Fort sent
the Attorney General of the state to
the scene, and promised to use state
troops if the occasion warranted. The
threat carried out its purpose, and
When Mr. Fort retired from the
Governorship. he resumed his profess
sion. In 1912 he was an enthusiastic
supporter of Theodore Roosevelt in
his candidacy for third term. On
August 10, 1914, he was appointed by
President Wilson as chairman of a
commission of three men to proceed
to San Domingo in an endeavor to
straightea out the affairs of that coun-
try. IN 1915 he was sent as a special
envoy to Hayti for the same purpose.
-FOUR years ago Mr.. Fort was ap-
pointed member of the Federal Trade
Commission, which he relinquishcd in
1919.
Married Miss Stainsby
He married in 1876 Miss Charlotte
r. Stainsny. of Newark. daughter of
ex- Senator William Stainsby. In ad
oition to lis wife, he is survived by
two sonE, Franklin W. Fort. an at
tffGney osGne Of Newark, WHO has held judicial
The Daily Press of Plainfeld, n j.
and daughter, Miss Margaretta Fort
Mr.. Fort received the honorary de-
gree OF LII. D. from Dickinson Seton
Hsll' Rutgers, Middlebury and Lafay-
cite colleges, and from New York and
Union Universities.