Introduction
Abraham Kern was born in Wilmington, Delaware on May 17, 1881. Of his early life little else is known. He does not appear in the 1895 New Jersey State Census, however by the time the 1898 City Directory was compiled, Abraham Kern had come to Camden, New Jersey. The City Directory for that year shows him working as a laborer and living at 223 Berkley Street. The 1900 Census shows that he was working for and living with William D. Vanneman, a produce dealer at 566 Chestnut Street. Abraham Kern worked as a wagon driver, a trade he would follow through the mid 1910s.
Abraham Kern married around 1902. When the Census was taken in 1910 he was living with his wife Carrie May and sons David A. and Charles J. Kern at 10 York Street in North Camden. He was then working as a driver for Frank Lee Dickinson & Company, a wholesale grocery firm at York and Beach Streets, as was a neighbor at 18 York Street, Charles E. Watkin. Both men would go on to have long careers with the Camden Fire Department.
By 1914 the Kern family had moved to 40 York Street in North Camden. Abraham Kern and Charles E. Watkin were both appointed to the Camden Fire Department not long after the 1914 Camden City Directory was compiled. Abraham Kern was working as a Camden firefighter and still living at 40 York Street when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918.
The 1924 City Directory shows Abraham and Carrie May Kern had moved to 298 Vine Street in North Camden, a few doors away from Engine Company 4, at 320 Vine Street. The 1930 Census shows them and their son Charles were still living at 298 Vine Street. Older son David had married and was living with his wife and children in Collingswood, New Jersey.
Abraham Kern was most likely serving with Engine Company 4 at the time of the census. This company was disbanded on January 1, 1933 for economic reasons, as Camden and the rest of the country were in the throes of the Great Depression. Abraham Kern was reassigned to another company, and continued to serve with the Camden Fire Department as late as the spring of 1942, when he again registered for the draft. Abraham and Carrie May Kern were then still living at 298 Vine Street. By the end of 1946 they had moved to 227 Vine Street, where they would live out their lives. Carrie May Kern died in 1956.
Abraham Kern died at his Vine Street home on February 20, 1961 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
Charm Presented to Deputy Chief
Camden Daily Courier —
CHARM PRESENTED TO DEPUTY CHIEF
William Patterson Honored at Dinner Given to Members to No. 4 Engine Company.
BIG TURKEY FEED ENJOYED BY MANY
As a mark of appreciation for their splendid work while he was captain of No. 4 Engine Company, Deputy Fire Chief William Patterson last evening tendered the company members a fine turkey supper at No. 4 Engine House, Vine street near Fourth.
The caterers were Engineer Daniel Grimes, Firemen Robert Brice and Joseph Daly.
At the beginning of the banquet Capt. Charles Cook sprung a surprise when he presented the chief with a handsome watch charm of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. On the back was an inscription expressing the esteem of the members of the engine company. Chief Patterson expressed his appreciation for the gift and in a short address told the men he would always wear and cherish the gift.
Following the banquet addresses were made by Chief Peter B. Carter, Freeholder James M. Walton and Secretary Harvey Watts. Chief Carter spoke of the fellowship in the department at the present time and Freeholder Walton urged the men to be loyal. Lieutenant Joseph Logue, one of the oldest members of the company, spoke feelingly of his former captain. Then each guest was called upon and all expressed their esteem for Chief Patterson and showed their pleasure in his merited advancement.
Only one member of the company was absent, Ephraim Hires, who is ill at his home. Fireman Rollo Jones proposed a toast to former and departed members of the company and it was drunk in silence.
Gathered about the festive board were Deputy Chief William Patterson, Chief Peter B. Carter, Freeholder James M. Walton, Secretary Harvey Watts, Capt. Charles Cook, Firemen Arthur Wingate, Charles Hankins, Si Sage, Joseph Logue, Robert Brice, Joseph Daly, Abraham Kerns, Martin Carrigan, Rollo Jones, Daniel Grimes, John Miller and Frank Sheridan. Charles Watkins, Jr. The menu follows: Oysters on Half-shell, Biscuits, Roast Turkey, Stewed Tomatoes, Green Peas, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Cold Slaw, Olives, Coffee, After-dinner Mints, Celery, Layer Cake, Dan Grimes' Punch, Cigars.
World War I Draft Card
Abraham Kern World War I draft registration card, front.
Abraham Kern World War I draft registration card, back.
Snapper Dinner Debate
Camden Daily Courier —
A lengthy argument over the question of preparing stewed snapper occupied the attention of the members of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, today. Robert Brice and Abraham Kern insisted that the tail be cut off to bleed the snapper, while Captain Johnny Lutz was just as certain that the head be cut off. The controversy was settled by doing both, and the resultant snapper dinner was thoroughly enjoyed.
Funeral of James McDade
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With seventy-five of his fellow firemen acting as escort the funeral of James McDade, veteran engineer of No. 6 Engine Company, who died suddenly Tuesday night, took place yesterday from his home at Front and Linden streets. As the cortege passed the engine house where McDade had been stationed for ten years the members on duty stood at attention with hats doffed. There were floral tokens from all parts of the city, for McDade was one of the most popular members of the department. The services were in charge of Rev. James Lord, pastor of the Tabernacle M. E. Church. The pall-bearers were Lieutenant Clarence Madden, David Bakely, Abraham Kerns, William Thompson, Elmer Burkett, of McDade's company, and Samuel Hardin, of No. 4 Engine Company. Interment was made at Fernwood Cemetery, Philadelphia.
World War II Draft Card
Abraham Kern World War II draft registration card.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
ABRAHAM KERN
Abraham Kern, 80, of 227 Vine st. died Monday in his home. He retired from the Camden Fire Department in 1941. He was a member of the Centenary Tabernacle Church and the Camden Police and Firemen's Benevolent Association.
Surviving are two sons, David A. of Camden and Charles J. of Haddonfield; a sister, Mrs. Jessie Copland of St. Petersburg, Fla.; four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Gustav Roedel and Son Funeral Home, 804 N. 27th st., where friends may call Wednesday night. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.