Brick Fundraiser for New Firehouse
(Text taken from 50th anniversary commemorative book)
Organization
There is an ancient word of wisdom, which says, "A people without vision perish." The efficient fire protection the residents of Mendham Township enjoy today is the result of the vision of some of our early town fathers.
Folklore has it that there was a fire in the township and since there was no organized fire company and no available equipment all that could be done was to watch the fire burn itself out. On January 16, 1916, some of the town fathers determined to rectify this condition and they, then and there, formed the Brookside Engine Company #1. On January 28, 1916 a meeting was held on the upper floor of the old Byram Carriage and Paint Shop, which has long ago been torn down. D. B. Connett was appointed acting chairman and Charles L. Lade was appointed secretary to organize a fire company. The meeting proceeded to elect officers and the charter list was opened for those who wished to join.
The following men became charter members:
Frank D. Bockoven Charles L. Lade
Joseph A. Brown Ferdinand Laederach
Albert A. Byram William Little
James Carton Joseph A. Lowery
Dorey B. Connett James H. McGrath
Frank V. Dean Martin J. Murphy
Warren F. Greene Samuel H. Nesbitt
Steve Guerin Edward Schench
James F. Hulbert Arthur A. Sheerin
Elli H. Hulbert James Smith
By vote of the Brookside Fire Company on February 4, 1916 the company was independent of the Mendham Township Committee. It was not until December 28, 1923 that a committee of four members was appointed to ascertain what procedure was necessary to have the Township Committee take over the Fire Department and establish a Relief Association. It was not until August 29, 1924 that the company received the necessary application form for joining the Relief Association and the chief was authorized to appoint the required delegates to the convention.