Tax Assessors (1872-1957)

In 1872, three Assessors were elected to terms of 1-year, 2-years, and 3-years, beginning in April. As those terms expired, subsequent terms were then 3-years. The 3-year positions continued until 1898. 

In 1899, the Assessor positions were revised, and elected to 2-year terms. From 1911 to 1957, Assessor positions were for 2 or 4 years. In 1919, elections were moved from April to November, and officials took office the following January. 

In 1958, Tax Assessor became a position appointed by the Town Board. Today, the Department of Assessment is responsible for placing an assessment on each parcel of land in the town for the purpose of equalization of the tax base. 

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A brief look at the first Tax Assessors. Charles Bishop, of Babylon, made his living as a dentist, but was also a musician; he served a total of 17 years as a Tax Assessor. Jackson Mott, a farmer who lived near East Farmingdale, served 5 years. Richard J. Cornelius, of Amityville, had served as a Tax Assessor for the Town of Huntington, however, he died just three months into his term for the Town of Babylon. 

Four Tax Assessors later served in other elected positions. Thomas Powell and Joseph P. Warta served terms as Town Supervisor, Charles F. Pfeifle was a Justice of the Peace, and Thomas F. Newton served as Receiver of Taxes.


Tax AssessorsTerm of Office

1(a).

Charles Bishop

April 2, 1872 -- April 6, 1887** 

1(b).

Richard J. Cornelius

April 2, 1872 -- July 16, 1872

1(c).

Jackson Mott

April 2, 1872 -- April 5, 1877 

4.

Terry Ketcham

April 1, 1873 -- April 4, 1876** 

5.

Thomas Powell

April 4, 1876 -- April 4, 1882** 

6.

Philip Strack

April 3, 1877 -- April 6, 1880 

7.

Christian F. Wild

April 6, 1880 -- April 5, 1889 

---

Terry Ketcham*

April 4, 1882 -- April 7, 1885 

---

Thomas Powell*

April 7, 1885 -- April 8, 1888 

8.

William C. Vail

April 6, 1887 -- March 1888‡ 

---

Charles Bishop*

April 3, 1888§ -- April 2, 1890 

9.

Jesse Purdy

April 3, 1888 -- April 8, 1891 

10.

Frederick Mohr

April 5, 1889 -- April 5, 1895 

11.

William A. Ketcham

April 2, 1890 -- April 6, 1893 

12.

William Denton

April 8, 1891 -- April 1, 1900** 

13.

John B. Scudder

April 6, 1893 -- April 3, 1901 

14.

William Hirsch

April 5, 1895 -- April 4, 1899 

15.

Charles Hartt

April 4, 1899 -- April 5, 1905 

16.

Tredwell B. Kellum

April 4, 1899 -- April 5, 1905** 

17.

Frederick O. Schneider

April 3, 1901 -- April 3, 1907 

18.

George S. Mott

April 5, 1905 -- April 3, 1907 

---

William Denton*

April 5, 1905 -- April 7, 1909 

---

Tredwell B. Kellum*

April 3, 1907 -- April 7, 1909 

19.

William F. Becht

April 3, 1907 -- April 6, 1915 

20.

Carll Jackson

April 7, 1909 -- December 31, 1919 

21.

Francis M. Denton

April 7, 1909 -- April 7, 1911 

22.

Christian Molle

April 7, 1911 -- December 31, 1931 

23.

Joseph P. Warta

April 6, 1915 -- December 31, 1921 

24.

Henry Van Weelden

January 1, 1920 -- December 31, 1925 

25.

Charles P. Behrens

January 1, 1922 -- December 31, 1927 

26.

Edward E. Henry

January 1, 1926 -- December 31, 1937 

27.

Chester A. Lunt

January 1, 1928 -- December 31, 1941** 

28.

Adam C. Molle

January 1, 1932 -- December 31, 1935 

29.

Stephen L. Ketcham

January 1, 1936 -- December 31, 1947 

30.

Charles F. Pfeifle

January 1, 1938 -- December 31, 1943 

31.

Thomas F. Newton

January 1, 1942 -- December 31, 1947 

---

Chester A. Lunt*

January 1, 1946 -- December 31, 1951 

32.

Arthur R. Burns

January 1, 1948 -- December 31, 1949** 

33.

Alex Jaeger

January 1, 1954 -- December 31, 1955 

---

Arthur R. Burns**

January 1, 1954 -- December 31, 1957≠ 

34.

Vincent J. Forcillo

January 1, 1956 -- December 31, 1957≠ 

* Previously elected to a non-consecutive term.  ** Re-elected to a non-consecutive term. § Special election to fill vacancy.  ^ Died in office.  ‡ Resigned.   ≠ Position eliminated.