Introduction
Albert C. Jones was born in New Jersey in December of 1859. He married his wife Emma in 1880. He first appears in Camden’s City Directories in the 1883–1884 edition as a driver, living at 824 Walnut Street. He stayed at this address through 1885. The 1887–1888 and 1888–1889 Directories show Albert C. Jones living at 617 Line Street, and in the milk business.
By July of 1890 Albert C. Jones had moved to 605 Roberts Street. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 1, 1890 as Stoker with Engine Company 2, which was then quartered at Fire Headquarters at the northwest corner of North 5th and Arch Streets. In 1894 the personnel were as follows: Foreman Harry C. Grosscup; Engineer, William Morris; Driver, John P. Long; Stoker Albert Jones; hosemen George Wade, William Hertline, and David Andrews.
On March 1, 1900 Albert Jones was promoted to Foreman, the equivalent to today’s rank of Captain, and assigned to Hose and Chemical Company 2, which later was renamed Engine Company 11. His new assignment had him working at the new firehouse at North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden.
Albert Jones remained a member of the Camden Fire Department through at least 1910. He stayed at 605 Roberts Street through 1892. The 1893–1894 City Directory shows that he had moved to 541 Roberts Street. He appears at 540 South 6th Street in the 1896 edition and at 542 South 6th Street in Directories from 1897 through 1899.
When the census was taken in 1900, Albert C. Jones and family were residing at 604 Clinton Street. Albert and Emma Jones had three children, but only one was living, daughter Lizzie. Lizzie married Conrad Kauffman in 1907. Albert and Emma Jones, their daughter and son-in-law were living at 604 Clinton Street when the 1910 Census was enumerated.
By October 1 of 1912, Albert C. Jones was working as the Captain of Engine Company 5 at 1401 Federal Street. He was still serving in that capacity in January of 1914. He last worked on January 12, then resigned the following day, after sixteen years of service.
After Albert C. Jones left the Camden Fire Department he moved with his wife Emma to Tuckerton, New Jersey. They both were living there in January of 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Jones moved to Clementon, New Jersey where he passed away on February 19, 1924.
Camden Fire Department
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Camden Councilmen From East Side Split on Selecting Appointees
There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward — Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief — Other Promotions
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.
In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Vanhart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.
In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.
In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.
Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.
Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.
The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navin, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson. The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn Hook & Ladder Company house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.
Camden Fire Department
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Firemen Selected
Mayor Hatch’s Candidates Were Pushed to the Front
Increase in Camden Fire Department Agreed Upon After Sharp Contest
The trouble over the selection of new firemen from the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth wards of Camden was settled at an executive session of the Fire Commissioners last evening. John W. Vanhart and Edgar Bolton, backed by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill, were selected from the Second ward, and Councilman Longacre in the Eleventh ward and Councilman Leas in the Twelfth landed their candidates.
Prior to the meeting a delegation of Second ward Republicans marched to fire headquarters wearing badges inscribed, “For firemen, Second ward, John W. Vanhart and W. Scott Franklin.” The latter was a candidate against Bolton, who also had a number of friends present. There was no opposition to the appointment of Vanhart.
As the delegation crowded in on the second floor of the fire house there was a cracking noise that sounded as if the floor was giving away. This caused a rush, but the alarm soon subsided.
The Commissioners were in secret session for nearly a half hour before they finally settled the contest over the Second ward appointments. Mayor Hatch, Councilman McGill and Freeholder Whyte were each called before the Commissioners. The latter favored the appointment of Franklin. After the Second ward appointments were settled it did not take long to decide upon the new firemen from the Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Councilman Arnold, who has been opposing Councilman Longacre’s candidates in the Eleventh ward, was not present, neither was Councilman Lee, who was opposing the men backed by Councilman Leas in the Twelfth ward.
The men selected for firemen from these two wards are as follows: Eleventh ward, Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark; Twelfth ward, Samuel Collins, William Madison, John Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
The following were promoted to foremen: George F. Cox, foreman Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; George Wade, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; Samuel Peoples, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Charles Robinson, Chemical Engine Company No. 1; Edward Weston, Hose Company No. 1, East Side; Albert C. Jones, Hose Company No. 2, East Side. The appointments, together with those made last Thursday evening, will be confirmed by City Council to-morrow night.
Fire Department Promotions
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden’s Gallant Fire Fighters
Men Who Risk Their Lives in Battle with Flames
Camden, since the recent increase in the Fire Department, has one of the best equipped and most efficient corps of fire fighters of any city of its size in the country. The officials are all veterans in the service and they take pride in the department and in the city’s small annual fire loss.
Benjamin L. Kellum, second assistant chief engineer in charge of the East Side district, entered the service in Camden in the spring of 1874. He was driver of the hook and ladder truck for several years and was made foreman of the company in 1890. He was promoted to be assistant chief engineer in February last.
Foreman Amedee S. Middleton entered the department April 1, 1877. He was a call man for four years and two months and was then made a regular, filling the position of stoker. In 1884 he was promoted to ladderman and from that to tillerman. He was made foreman of Engine Company No. 4 June 2, 1890, and was made foreman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 3 when the East Side firemen went on duty on March 1 last.
Albert C. Jones entered the service as stoker of Engine Company No. 2 in 1890. He served in that capacity until his promotion on March 1 last to be foreman of Hose Company No. 2.
Captain Jones Resigns
Camden Daily Courier —
Veteran Fireman Quits Department
Ill Health Compels Captain Jones to Resign From Engine Company 5
Capt. Robinson Successor
The resignation of a veteran fireman with a record as white as snow, was received at last night’s meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council. He is Captain Albert Jones, of Engine Company No. 5, who has been in the department for sixteen years.
Captain Jones retires on account of ill health and will shortly be placed on the pension list.
Popular Captain Charlie Robinson, of No. 2 Truck, on Kaighn avenue, was transferred to East Camden, and Captain Frank Chambers appointed in his place.
The committee also decided to recommend that the rank of fire officials be designated by monograms on the coat collars of their uniforms, ranging from golden horns for the chief, ladders to the foremen and so on down the line.
It was also decided to recommend favorably to City Council the appointment of former Fireman Harvey Watts, of the Electrical Bureau, as secretary to Chief Engineer of the Fire Department Charles Worthington.
Harvey won out over School Janitor Dave Simpson, of the Tenth ward, by a close vote, the ballot standing 5 to 4.
Obituary
Camden Daily Courier —
Former City Fireman Dies at Clementon
Clementon, Feb. 20.—Albert C. Jones, 64 years old, a former Camden fireman, died at his home here last night. He had been ill for only a short time. He is survived by his wife, Emma C.
Jones moved here from Camden several years ago, when he retired from the fire force. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p. m., in the chapel of Arlington Cemetery, Camden. Members of the Camden fire department, as well as members of the Ionic Lodge No. 94, F. and A. M.; Ottawa Tribe of Red Men, and Lydia [illegible] Temple of the Junior American Mechanics are invited to attend the services.