Thomas N. McCarter
Encyclopedia
Thomas Nesbitt McCarter was an American
lawyer who served as the Attorney General of New Jersey from 1902 until 1903, resigning to organize the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey
.
McCarter was born in Newark, New Jersey
in 1867 to Thomas Nesbitt and Mary Louisa (Haggerty) McCarter. After attending the Newark Academy
and Pingry School
, he entered Princeton University
, graduating in 1888. He later provided the funds for the building of a theatre at Princeton, named the McCarter Theatre
in his honor.
McCarter studied law at Columbia Law School
and at his father's law firm, McCarter & Keen, in Newark, New Jersey
. McCarter and his brother Robert, along with their brother-in-law Edwin B. Williamson, reformed in 1891 as McCarter, Williamson & McCarter (later known as McCarter & English
). In 1896 he was appointed judge of the First District Court in Newark, resigning in 1899. That year he was elected to the New Jersey Senate
, where he would serve as majority leader.
Also in 1899 he began his own practice, forming the firm of McCarter & Adams with Edwin G. Adams. He ended his partnership with Adams in 1902 to serve as general counsel for the Fidelity Trust Company of Newark. Later in 1902 he was nominated by Governor Franklin Murphy
as Attorney General of New Jersey and was immediately confirmed.
McCarter served only one year of his five-year term before resigning in 1903 to organize the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey
, which would become one the nation's largest public utilities. Governor Murphy appointed his brother, Robert H. McCarter
, to succeed him as Attorney General.
McCarter became the first president of the Public Service Corporation and served in that position for 36 years, resigning in 1945 on his 78th birthday. Under his guidance the corporation expanded its control from trolley lines to the management of the state's gas, electric and transportation facilities. In 1948 it was renamed the Public Service Electric and Gas Company
.
McCarter died in 1955 at his home in Rumson
at the age of 88.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer who served as the Attorney General of New Jersey from 1902 until 1903, resigning to organize the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey
Public Service Railway
The Public Service Railway, owned by the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, operated most of the streetcar lines in New Jersey by the early 20th century. Public Service lines stretched from northeast New Jersey to Trenton, and then south to Camden and its suburbs...
.
McCarter was born 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...
in 1867 to Thomas Nesbitt and Mary Louisa (Haggerty) McCarter. After attending the Newark Academy
Newark Academy
Newark Academy is a coeducational private day school located in Livingston, New Jersey. With both lower and upper schools, this institution comprises grades six through twelve...
and Pingry School
Pingry School
The Pingry School is a coeducational, independent, college preparatory country day school in New Jersey, with a Lower School campus in the Short Hills neighborhood of Millburn, and a Middle and Upper School campus in Martinsville. The school was founded in 1861 by Dr. John F. Pingry.Pingry's...
, he entered Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, graduating in 1888. He later provided the funds for the building of a theatre at Princeton, named the McCarter Theatre
McCarter Theatre
McCarter Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional company on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. It is one of the most active cultural centers in the nation, offering over 200 performances of theater, dance, music and special events each year...
in his honor.
McCarter studied law at Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
and at his father's law firm, McCarter & Keen, 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...
. McCarter and his brother Robert, along with their brother-in-law Edwin B. Williamson, reformed in 1891 as McCarter, Williamson & McCarter (later known as McCarter & English
McCarter & English
Founded over 160 years ago, McCarter & English LLP is among the oldest and largest law firms in the United States and is the oldest and largest law firm based in the State of New Jersey.-Overview:...
). In 1896 he was appointed judge of the First District Court in Newark, resigning in 1899. That year he was elected to the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
, where he would serve as majority leader.
Also in 1899 he began his own practice, forming the firm of McCarter & Adams with Edwin G. Adams. He ended his partnership with Adams in 1902 to serve as general counsel for the Fidelity Trust Company of Newark. Later in 1902 he was nominated by Governor Franklin Murphy
Franklin Murphy (governor)
Franklin Murphy was an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 31st Governor of New Jersey, from 1902-1905. He was the founder of the Murphy Varnish Company in Newark, New Jersey.-Civil War Service:...
as Attorney General of New Jersey and was immediately confirmed.
McCarter served only one year of his five-year term before resigning in 1903 to organize the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey
Public Service Railway
The Public Service Railway, owned by the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, operated most of the streetcar lines in New Jersey by the early 20th century. Public Service lines stretched from northeast New Jersey to Trenton, and then south to Camden and its suburbs...
, which would become one the nation's largest public utilities. Governor Murphy appointed his brother, Robert H. McCarter
Robert H. McCarter
Robert Harris McCarter was an American lawyer who served as the Attorney General of New Jersey from 1903 until 1908, succeeding his brother Thomas N. McCarter....
, to succeed him as Attorney General.
McCarter became the first president of the Public Service Corporation and served in that position for 36 years, resigning in 1945 on his 78th birthday. Under his guidance the corporation expanded its control from trolley lines to the management of the state's gas, electric and transportation facilities. In 1948 it was renamed the Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Public Service Enterprise Group , commonly known as PSEG, and originally known as the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey and then as the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, is a regulated, publicly owned gas and electric utility company in the state of New Jersey, United States. It is...
.
McCarter died in 1955 at his home in Rumson
Rumson, New Jersey
Rumson is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,122.Rumson was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1907, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, based on the results of a...
at the age of 88.