Gordon Canfield
Encyclopedia
Gordon Canfield was an American
lawyer
and politician
. Canfield, a Republican
, was first a secretary under the United States
Representative for New Jersey's 8th District
, George N. Seger
, but he later succeeded Seger and represented New Jersey
in the United States House of Representatives
for twenty years, lasting from 1941 until 1961. Canfield is most remembered as the "Father of the United States Coast Guard Reserve
", as he spearheaded the effort to pass the legislation that started the reserve in 1941.
public school system, Canfield was drafted, and served as a private
in the Signal Corps
during 1917 and 1918, the last two years of World War I
. After the war, Canfield went to Passaic, New Jersey
and became a reporter. He became a reporter for the next four years, until 1923. After that, he went to study law
at New Jersey Law School
in Newark, New Jersey
and later at The George Washington University Law School
, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws
degree in 1926. The following year he was admitted into the Washington, D.C.
bar association.
's Eight District Representative, George N. Seger, since 1923, and he continued to do so until 1940. Seger died on August 26, 1940, and Canfield ran under the Republican ticket for the November 1940 elections. Canfield, a member of the Freemasons
and the Rotary Club
, was sworn into the 77th United States Congress
on January 3, 1941. One of the first things Canfield did in Congress was introduce legislation for the creation of the United States Coast Guard Reserve
. The legislation passed, and the reserve component for the United States Coast Guard
was formed on February 18, 1941. For his efforts to pass this legislation, Canfield is frequently referred to as "the Father of the Coast Guard Reserve." During the Congressional recess in 1944, Canfield went to help his fellow man in World War II
. As a seaman
, he did North Atlantic tanker duty for the United States Merchant Marine
. On April 22, 1945, Canfield was among the first Congressmen to visit the Holocaust concentration camps at Buchenwald
. In 1948, Canfield had a close race with his future Democratic successor, Charles S. Joelson. Canfield captured 59,191 votes, just 148 more than Joelson, and was proclaimed the winner of the election. Canfield was challenged again by Joelson in 1954, but he defeated Joelson by a 54.8%-45.1% margin.
Canfield was re-elected to represent New Jersey's Eight District
for a total of nine terms, until finally when he was not a candidate for renomination in 1960 to the 87th United States Congress
.
. He served as the Director of the National Housing Conference, a public policy and affordable housing advocacy organization, and also as the Public Relations Director for the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Paterson.
Canfield remained active in civic affairs in his community until his death on June 20, 1972 in Hawthorne, New Jersey
at the age of 74. He was interred and buried at Laurel Grove Memorial Park
in Totowa, New Jersey
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
. Canfield, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, was first a secretary under the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Representative for New Jersey's 8th District
New Jersey's 8th congressional district
New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District is currently represented by Democrat Bill Pascrell.-Counties and municipalities in the district:For the 108th and successive Congresses , the district contains all, or portions of 2 counties and 21 municipalities.Essex County:Passaic County:2010...
, George N. Seger
George N. Seger
George Nicholas Seger was an American politician. Seger, a Republican, represented New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives for eighteen years, lasting from 1923 until his death on August 26, 1940...
, but he later succeeded Seger and represented New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for twenty years, lasting from 1941 until 1961. Canfield is most remembered as the "Father of the United States Coast Guard Reserve
United States Coast Guard Reserve
The United States Coast Guard Reserve is the reserve component of the United States Coast Guard. It is organized, trained, administered, and supplied under the direction of the Commandant of the Coast Guard through the Director of Reserve and Leadership....
", as he spearheaded the effort to pass the legislation that started the reserve in 1941.
Background
After graduating through the Binghamton, New YorkBinghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
public school system, Canfield was drafted, and served as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the Signal Corps
United States Army Signal Corps
The United States Army Signal Corps develops, tests, provides, and manages communications and information systems support for the command and control of combined arms forces. It was established in 1860, the brainchild of United States Army Major Albert J. Myer, and has had an important role from...
during 1917 and 1918, the last two years of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. After the war, Canfield went to Passaic, New Jersey
Passaic, New Jersey
Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
and became a reporter. He became a reporter for the next four years, until 1923. After that, he went to study law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at New Jersey Law School
Rutgers-Newark
Rutgers University in Newark is one of three campuses of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the eighth oldest college in the United States and a member of the Association of American Universities...
in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
and later at The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School, commonly referred to as GW Law, is the law school of The George Washington University. It was founded in 1825 and is the oldest law school in Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the...
, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
degree in 1926. The following year he was admitted into the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
bar association.
Politics
Canfield had been working under New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
's Eight District Representative, George N. Seger, since 1923, and he continued to do so until 1940. Seger died on August 26, 1940, and Canfield ran under the Republican ticket for the November 1940 elections. Canfield, a member of the Freemasons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
and the Rotary Club
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
, was sworn into the 77th United States Congress
77th United States Congress
-Major events:* December 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor* December 8, 1941: Joint Session of Congress met to hear President Roosevelt deliver his "Day of Infamy" speech...
on January 3, 1941. One of the first things Canfield did in Congress was introduce legislation for the creation of the United States Coast Guard Reserve
United States Coast Guard Reserve
The United States Coast Guard Reserve is the reserve component of the United States Coast Guard. It is organized, trained, administered, and supplied under the direction of the Commandant of the Coast Guard through the Director of Reserve and Leadership....
. The legislation passed, and the reserve component for the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
was formed on February 18, 1941. For his efforts to pass this legislation, Canfield is frequently referred to as "the Father of the Coast Guard Reserve." During the Congressional recess in 1944, Canfield went to help his fellow man in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. As a seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
, he did North Atlantic tanker duty for the United States Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
. On April 22, 1945, Canfield was among the first Congressmen to visit the Holocaust concentration camps at Buchenwald
Buchenwald concentration camp
Buchenwald concentration camp was a German Nazi concentration camp established on the Ettersberg near Weimar, Germany, in July 1937, one of the first and the largest of the concentration camps on German soil.Camp prisoners from all over Europe and Russia—Jews, non-Jewish Poles and Slovenes,...
. In 1948, Canfield had a close race with his future Democratic successor, Charles S. Joelson. Canfield captured 59,191 votes, just 148 more than Joelson, and was proclaimed the winner of the election. Canfield was challenged again by Joelson in 1954, but he defeated Joelson by a 54.8%-45.1% margin.
Canfield was re-elected to represent New Jersey's Eight District
New Jersey's 8th congressional district
New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District is currently represented by Democrat Bill Pascrell.-Counties and municipalities in the district:For the 108th and successive Congresses , the district contains all, or portions of 2 counties and 21 municipalities.Essex County:Passaic County:2010...
for a total of nine terms, until finally when he was not a candidate for renomination in 1960 to the 87th United States Congress
87th United States Congress
-House of Representatives :-Senate:* President: Richard Nixon , until January 20, 1961** Lyndon Johnson , from January 20, 1961* President pro tempore: Carl Hayden -House of Representatives:...
.
Later years
After serving in Congress, Canfield retired to his home in Paterson, New JerseyPaterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
. He served as the Director of the National Housing Conference, a public policy and affordable housing advocacy organization, and also as the Public Relations Director for the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Paterson.
Canfield remained active in civic affairs in his community until his death on June 20, 1972 in Hawthorne, New Jersey
Hawthorne, New Jersey
Hawthorne is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 18,218.Hawthorne was originally part of the now-defunct Manchester Township, which was later subdivided to create Hawthorne, Haledon, North Haledon, Prospect Park,...
at the age of 74. He was interred and buried at Laurel Grove Memorial Park
Laurel Grove Memorial Park
Laurel Grove Memorial Park is a cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey, United States.-Notable interments:* Robert G. Bremner , Representative from New Jersey's 7th congressional district from 1913-1914....
in Totowa, New Jersey
Totowa, New Jersey
Totowa is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 9,892.Totowa was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1898, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township and Wayne...
.