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John J. Flemm

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John J. Flemm
Member of the Highlands Borough Council
In office
January 1, 1950 – January 1, 1951
Preceded byRichard Parker
Succeeded byMatthew F. Horan
Personal details
Born
John James Flemm

(1896-07-31)July 31, 1896
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 13, 1974(1974-03-13) (aged 77)
Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting placeSt. Michael's Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Paulyne Colbert (divorced)
Edith Dooley
Children2
EducationNew York Institute of Technology
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • politician
  • philanthropist
  • sailor
Known forFounding and leading the Flemm Lead Company
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1913–1918
Battles/wars

John James "Jack" Flemm (July 31, 1896 – March 13, 1974) was an American industrialist, politician, and Navy veteran who founded the Flemm Lead Company. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in local government in New Jersey and was a county party boss during the 1950s.

Born and raised in New York City, Flemm attended the New York Institute of Technology before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1913. After fighting the German Empire in the First World War, he returned to New York and began his career in the lead industry during the Roaring Twenties. In 1927, he established the Flemm Lead Company in Queens and expanded operations into Michigan and Puerto Rico, eventually becoming one of the largest lead manufacturers in the United States.

After becoming a multi-millionaire, Flemm served as a member of the Highlands, New Jersey Borough Council from 1950 to 1951 and was chair of the Monmouth County Democratic Party Executive Committee. During his political career, he espoused views generally associated with progressivism and socialism, supporting reformist policies to create public works jobs and expand access to affordable housing. After leaving politics, he returned to his company and became an active philanthropist, establishing the John J. Flemm Foundation before his death.

Early life and military service

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Flemm was born on July 31, 1896, in New York City, to Albert J. Flemm Jr. and Anna Carrie Flemm.[1][2] He attended the New York Institute of Technology before enlisting in the Navy.[3]

Flemm serving in the U.S. Navy, c. 1915

From 1913 to 1918, Flemm served in the United States Navy and fought the Central Powers in the War at Sea during World War I.[3]

Business career

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In 1927, Flemm established the Flemm Lead Company in Long Island City and served as its president until his death.[3][4] During the Great Depression, he aquired the Detroit Lead Pipe Works Company, which owned factories and mines in Southern Michigan and Puerto Rico.[4][5] Flemm was a member of the Lead Industries Association and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.[6][7]

In 1943, the Red Cross awarded Flemm the American Red Cross Award for contributions to the 1943 American Red Cross War Fund.[8] In 1948, Flemm designed and funded the construction of the Highlands Pier.[9] It was built by the New York Corps of Army Engineers and extends a total of 132 feet (40 m) into the Shrewsbury River, 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) south of Route 36 in Highlands.[10] In 1949, Flemm purchased $29,000 in bonds, unanimously approved by the borough council, to cover repairs to the Highlands public water system.[11]

In 1952, Flemm invested in the Florida real estate industry, acquiring multiple properties in the Tampa Bay area.[12][13]

John J. Flemm Foundation

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In February 1974, Flemm founded the John J. Flemm Foundation, a grant-making non-profit organization based in Parsippany, New Jersey.[14][15] The foundation has been a significant donor to the Museum of Modern Art and the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.[16][17]

Political career

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After declaring his candidacy for the Highlands Borough Council, Flemm won the Democratic primary election in April 1949.[18] In November 1949, Flemm was elected to the borough council for a one-year unexpired term, in a gain for Democrats, becoming the only Democrat elected to the council that year.[19] He was sworn into office on January 1, 1950, succeeding Republican Richard Parker.[20][21] He was appointed to serve on the Police Committee (as chair), the Water and Sewer Committee and the Finance and Public Buildings Committee.[20]

During his tenure, Flemm proposed the construction of a low-rent housing project near Huddy Park, built by borough employees.[22] He also drafted and led the effort to pass new zoning laws, increasing regulation on the size of new homes built and dividing the borough into four districts: two residential, one business, and one business/industrial.[23]

In 1950, Flemm was considered as a potential candidate for sheriff or freeholder of Monmouth County, but was persuaded to run for re-election by the local Democratic Party.[24]

After winning the primary, Flemm was defeated for re-election in November 1950 by Republican Matthew F. Horan.[25][26]

In March 1950, Flemm was appointed to the Highlands Public Housing Authority for a four-year term.[27][28] In December 1951, he resigned from the board citing "business requirements".[29]

In April 1950, Flemm was elected chair of the Monmouth County Democratic Party Committee, defeating incumbent chair James N. Kinlan. In accepting the position, Flemm named Michael S. Mendes as co-leader, due to "business obligations".[30][31] He was the leader of the local political machine that controlled Middletown Township and Monmouth County until the late 1950s.

Personal life and death

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Flemm was married to Paulyne Colbert. They had two children: a daughter, Ruth, and a son, John Jr., who married Marion Gretsch, granddaughter of Friedrich Gretsch.[32] Flemm and Paulyne divorced and he went on to marry Edith Dooley.[3] Edith served as president of the local Ladies Democratic Social Club.[33] Flemm was commonly known as "Jack"[34][35] and later "John Sr." after the birth of his namesake.[36] John Jr. served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was wounded fighting in the Pacific theatre.[37] Flemm is the adoptive great-grandfather of businessman John J. Flemm IV.[32][38][39]

On March 13, 1974, Flemm died in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, at the age of 77. He was buried at St. Michael's Cemetery in East Elmhurst, Queens.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Death Notices". Brooklyn Times-Union. November 25, 1922. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  2. ^ "Wills Children $5". Brooklyn Daily Times. December 22, 1922. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Highlands Voters To Choose Mayor, Two Councilmen". The Daily Register. November 2, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Highlands Man Explains Drop In Pig Lead". The Daily Record. October 5, 1949. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  5. ^ "Rest Home Variance Out; Project Stalled". The Daily Register. June 19, 1958. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lead Pipe" (PDF). nist.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  7. ^ "Queens Chamber Gains 22 More Members In Drive". Brooklyn Eagle. September 27, 1928. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  8. ^ "Red Cross Cites 16 Queens Firms". Brooklyn Eagle. April 28, 1943. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  9. ^ "Wants To Build Pier". The Daily Register. July 15, 1948. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  10. ^ "Highlands Man Plans to Build New Pier". The Atlantic Highlands Journal. July 8, 1948. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Highlands Council Moves to License Welcher Zoo". The Atlantic Highlands Journal. June 16, 1949. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  12. ^ "Tampans, New Yorkers Lead Out-Of-Town Buyers At Beach". The Tampa Tribune. November 30, 1952. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  13. ^ "Pinellas Conveyancing Journal". Tampa Bay Times. November 30, 1952. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  14. ^ "John J Flemm Foundation Inc". ProPublica. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  15. ^ "JOHN J. FLEMM FOUNDATION, INC". nycompanyregistry.com. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  16. ^ "Back Matter". NoMA. 25. JSTOR: 27–28. 1997. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  17. ^ "2013 Annual Report" (PDF). amcny.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "Candidates in Tuesday's Primary Elections in Monmouth County". Asbury Park Press. April 17, 1949. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  19. ^ "Four Elected to Highlands Council". The Daily Register. November 17, 1949. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "G.O.P. Seats 3, Democrats One At Highlands". The Daily Register. January 5, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  21. ^ "Highlands Councilmen, from 1900". highlandsnj.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  22. ^ "Low-Rent Housing Project Is Proposed For One of Three Sites at Highlands". Asbury Park Press. October 25, 1950. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  23. ^ "Zoning Adopted At Highlands". Asbury Park Press. June 14, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  24. ^ "Solution Is Suggested To Patronage Problems". The Daily Record. January 28, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  25. ^ "Democratic Battle Looms in Highlands Primary Election". The Atlantic Highlands Journal. March 16, 1960. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  26. ^ "Men Who Swept Democrats from Office at Highlands". The Daily Register. November 16, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  27. ^ "Highlands". The Daily Record. March 15, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  28. ^ "Gruber Backed By Council". The Daily Register. March 16, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  29. ^ "Schenk Replaces Flemm On Housing Authority". The Atlantic Highlands Journal. December 21, 1951. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  30. ^ "Flemm Chosen New Democrat County Leader". The Daily Record. April 19, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  31. ^ "Politics Here n' There". The Daily Record. May 6, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Flemm". New York Daily News. March 16, 1974. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  33. ^ "Demo Group Plans Event". The Daily Record. June 9, 1951. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  34. ^ "Shore Democrats Ask for Members, Campaign Funds". The Daily Register. May 5, 1949. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  35. ^ "Highlands". The Atlantic Highlands Journal. March 16, 1950. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  36. ^ "150 Attend Annual First Timers Dinner". The Atlantic Highlands Journal. May 1, 1953. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  37. ^ "Society: Gretsch-Flemm". Brooklyn Eagle. September 25, 1945. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  38. ^ "Society". Brooklyn Eagle. December 19, 1948. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  39. ^ "Trinity Prep Fund Grandparent Donors" (PDF). trinityprep.org. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  40. ^ "Deaths". The New York Times. March 16, 1974. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
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