Edmund W. Wakelee

Edmund Waring Wakelee
Born	Template:Birth date Kingston, New York, U.S.
Died	April 26, 1945(1945-04-26) (aged 75)
Occupation(s)	Attorney, politician, utility executive
Years active	1891–1945
Known for	New Jersey General Assembly and State Senate; president of Public Service Corporation of New Jersey; president of Palisades Interstate Park Commission

Edmund Waring Wakelee (November 21, 1869 – April 26, 1945) was a distinguished American attorney, politician, and executive in the utility sector based in New Jersey. His political career included terms in both the New Jersey General Assembly and the State Senate.

Life

Born in Kingston, New York to Nicholas Wakelee and Eliza Christian Ingersoll, Wakelee completed his education at New York University in 1891. He pursued legal studies under Bernard & Fiero and gained admission to the New York bar that same year. After a period working at the New York Custom House, he relocated to Demarest, New Jersey, where he was admitted to practice law in New Jersey in 1896. He established the law firm Wakelee, Thornall & Wright, which operated offices in New York City as well as in Englewood and Hackensack.

In 1898, Wakelee secured election as a Republican representative for Bergen County in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he advanced to Assembly Majority Leader by 1900. That same year, he was elected to the New Jersey Senate to fill a vacant seat, becoming its youngest member at the time. He maintained continuous service until 1910, during which he held leadership positions including Senate Majority Leader and Senate President. While serving as Senate President, he assumed gubernatorial duties during Governor Franklin Murphy’s absences. Between 1912 and 1915, Wakelee chaired the New Jersey Republican State Committee, and he participated as a delegate at the 1940 Republican National Convention.

Throughout his legislative tenure, Wakelee was instrumental in drafting key legislation and was a strong advocate for conserving the Palisades, contributing significantly to the creation of the Palisades Interstate Park. He promoted infrastructure development such as crossings over the Hudson River and facilitated Bergen County’s inaugural state road project. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in forming transportation enterprises like the New Jersey and Hudson River Railway and Ferry Company, serving as their general counsel. His entrepreneurial activities extended to founding or directing various firms including Palisades Trust and Guarantee Company, Rockland Electric Company of Bergen County, Registrar and Transfer Company of New Jersey and New York, Sedgewick Machine Works, Closter National Bank, and North Jersey Title Insurance Company.

In 1914, Wakelee departed from his law firm to concentrate on utility law. Having represented the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey since its inception in 1903, he joined its legal department by 1911. He advanced to associate general solicitor in 1914 and held vice-president and director roles from 1917 until 1939. That year marked his appointment as president of the corporation, where he managed intricate legal affairs alongside overseeing public relations for this leading utility provider. Upon the establishment of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in 1937—resulting from a merger of New York's and New Jersey's commissions—Wakelee assumed the vice-presidency and was elevated to president in 1939.

Wakelee engaged actively with numerous professional and civic organizations such as Delta Upsilon, Phi Delta Phi, Freemasons, Elks, American Bar Association, Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, American Transit Association, several Chambers of Commerce (including serving as chairman of Bergen County’s board), and held the vice-presidency of the National Association of Motor Bus Operators among others. He also took on leadership roles within local firemen’s associations and contributed to various commissions.

He passed away at his residence on April 26, 1945. His funeral drew notable political leaders including Governor Walter E. Edge along with executives from Public Service Corporation and associated companies. Edmund Waring Wakelee was interred at Brookside Cemetery.

External links

• The Political Graveyard