Governor George Sebastian Silzer

George S. Silzer was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on April 14, 1870. His early education was attained in the public schools of his native state. He later went on to study law, and then established a successful practice in his hometown of New Brunswick. Silzer first entered politics as a member of the New Brunswick board of aldermen, a position he held from 1892 to 1896. He also served ten years as chairman of the Middlesex County Democratic Committee; and was a member of the New Jersey State Senate from 1907 to 1912. From 1912 to 1914 he served as the Middlesex prosecutor of pleas; and from 1914 to 1922 he served on the bench of the Circuit Court. Silzer next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote on November 7, 1922. During his tenure, a uniform arbitrations bill was sanctioned; women’s labor laws were improved; and a Newark trolley strike was successfully dealt with. After completing his gubernatorial term, Silzer secured an appointment to serve as the chairman of the New York Port Authority, a position he held from 1926 to 1928. He then returned to his legal career, as well as becoming involved in the banking industry. Governor George S. Silzer passed away on October 16, 1940 in Metuchen, New Jersey.