Governor George Theodore Werts

George T. Werts was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey on March 24, 1846. His education was attained at Bordentown High School, and at the State Model School in Trenton. He went on to study law, and then established his legal career in Morristown. Werts first entered politics as the recorder of Morristown, a position he held from 1883 to 1885. He also served as the mayor of Morristown from 1886 to 1892; was a member of the New Jersey State Senate from 1887 to 1892; and served on the New Jersey Supreme Court bench from 1892 to 1893. Werts next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote on November 8, 1892. During his tenure, election laws were revised; a fixed interest rate was sanctioned for overdue taxes; a racetrack gambling controversy was dealt with; and a corruption scandal involving Democratic legislators was uncovered. After completing his term, Werts retired from political life. He continued to stay active in his legal career. Governor George T. Werts passed away on January 17, 1910, and was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Morristown, New Jersey.