1896

Your Secretary is happy to present a brief I Itch of our distinguished classmate, Herbert ftarden, Mayor "of Newburgh, N.Y.

Herbert was born in Hanover, N. H., September 8 1875, one of seven children. His father was a farmer and a dealer in cattle and woodland. All the children had the privilege of a higher education.

Herbert graduated from Hanover High School in 1891 and entered New Hampshire State College then located in Hanover (moving to Durham the following year). He enrolled at Dartmouth with our Class in the tall of 1892. He took his senior year in the Thayer School. . .

* After graduating he faced the problem of what next. We all had that problem. He was offered a job as a draftsman at $5 a week. This would not pay living costs so he spent the summer of 1896 as a clerk in a hotel at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

In the fall of that year he went to Newburgh and secured a job with Hyer-Sheehan Electacal Motor Company. This firm manufactured motors, built switch-boards, and did electrical contracting. In the fall of 1897 he went to Cornell University and took courses m electrical engineering. This certainly paid off.

in 1899 Herbert bought the Sheehan interest in the then Sheehan Hewitt Electrical Company and the name was changed to Hewitt and Warden. In 1902 he bought the interest of Mr. Hewitt (his brother-in-law) and continued as sole owner of one of the largest electrical contracting companies in the area. Due to the pressure of the job as Mayor and many other responsibilities, he sold his entire interest a few years ago.

As the years went by Herbert was president of the board of education, master of Newburgh Lodge of Masons, treasurer of the Rotary Club, foreman of the Grand Jury, and held many other civic positions.

One Sunday afternoon in 1939 a friend telephoned him and asked him to come to see him. Herbert thought it had to do with electrical work. He found a group of representative citizens gathered. They asked him, "How would you like to be Mayor of Newburgh?" That thought had never entered his head, and at first did not appeal to him. But he accepted. That he has done an outstanding job is evident as he has been mayor for some sixteen years and will continue in the office for at least another year.

It has not been an easy job. When Herbert was elected, Newburgh was run by the politicians, and for the politicians. The city finances were confused and chaotic, employees were appointed for pull rather than efficiency, a sales tax had been voted by the City Council which was taking business to other communities.

In a few years a new Council favorable to the Mayor was elected. The sales tax was repealed and a new city manager was selected, Bob Aex, who had been successively the youngest auditor, treasurer, and comptroller of Rochester, N. Y. He took office on January 2, 1952. Many changes were put into effect and at the end of 1952, the National Municipal League selected Newburgh as the All American City," meaning it had made greater progress during that year than any city in the United States. This was given wide publicity in National Municipal League Magazine, Reader's Digest, Coronet and other publications. Newburgh owes much to Herbert Warden.

As to bis family: In 1900 Herbert married Ella Todd, a school teacher. They were blessed with a daughter, now Mrs. Archie Stewart. She in turn has two daughters, Mary and Ann. Mary is married to an Army Officer now stationed in Albuquerque, N. M. Ann is married to a Naval Officer, at present in Korea.

The first Mrs. Warden died in 1936. In 1944 Herbert married Mrs. Minnie Blanchard.

Civic work, social functions and many engagements make their life very active. Each year Herbert and Mrs. Warden attend the Mayors' Convention, - last year an international affair in Montreal where they met representatives from all over the world.

Four years ago the Wardens purchased a new ranch-type house which they enjoy very much. Had they waited a year they probably would have purchased a residence in a fine large residential development named "Warden Heights." .

Their home is located on a large lot with a good-sized garden space. In his spare time (if any) Herbert may be found working with flowers, strawberries (producing from spring until freezing weather) and other vegetables. He pushes a lawn-mower, which he says keeps him in good physical condition.

Three years ago they purchased a summer home on an island six miles out at sea and thirty miles north of Atlantic City, at a place called Harvey Cedars. They have the Atlantic for their front yard and Barnegat Bay for their back yard, where he does surf and other fishing.

He has not met any '96 men since our last reunion. He writes, "I am thankful to say that due to our very persistent and active class secretary, Tom Ham, I keep informed of all important developments." So your Secretary will take a bow and close this article on a useful and outstanding member of 1896 - Herbert A. Warden.

HERBERT A. WARDEN '96

Secretary and Bequest Chairman 206 Appleton St., Arlington, Mass.

JrForeTtVd.r'Cape Elizabeth, Me.