Name-dropper: Ralph S. Demarest

[BLeafe]

I was only going to post this on the Bergen County Historical Society site, but two paragraphs mention things Mr. Demarest did with regard to Hackensack:


His legislative history displayed various interests. For example, old records show that throughout his legislative career Demarest supported the development of all forms of transportation in New Jersey. He backed measures to give Bergen County the authority to build a bridge over the Hackensack River and to develop a turnpike from Hackensack to Hoboken.

Demarest was a consistent supporter of anti-usury laws, and he backed the enlargement of the Town of Lodi. In 1860, he successfully proposed a measure to outlaw target-shooting in parts of Fort Lee and Hackensack – unless the shooter obtained permission of a justice of the peace.


If you're interested in reading the whole story (rather interesting), go here:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/the-name-dropper-1.1100940?page=all

[Homer Jones]

And that of course leads us to the question of whether former mayor Gene Demarest was related to Ralph and whether the Demarest place Walkway which used to be a one way street was named after Ralph or Gene.
Go to it Mr. Historian / Editor.

[just watching]

There are a great many Demarest's who have been prominent residents of the City of Hackensack from the mid-1600's onwards. It's a prominent name in the history of Hackensack and Bergen County.  And at least one served as Mayor of Hackensack, I believe around 1960.  Demarest Place is named for one of them, but probably not Ralph or Gene.