Albert Edwin Barker

Albert Edwin Barker was born in New Jersey on January 18, 1906 to Abijah and Flora Barker. His father worked as a stationary engineer. Albert Barker appears to have been the youngest of at least five children born to the Barkers. Besides older brothers Charles, Stanley, William, and Harry Barker, there also was an older step-brother from a previous marriage, Ralph Kessler. The family lived at 821 South 9th Street in South Camden when he was born, and were still at that address as late as 1914. By 1920 the Barkers had moved to 733 Carman Street. Their neighbors, at 733 Carman Street, were the Harry Wagner Sr. family.

Albert E. Barker went to school through the 9th grade before entering the workforce. By 1924 his father had passed away. The City Directory for that year shows Flora Barker and her sons Stanley and Albert living at 733 Carman Street. Albert Barker was employed as a wireworker at the Pioneer Wire Works, located at 133–135 Federal Street, Stanley worked as a driver. This arrangement remained in place through at least 1929, his mother remained at that address through at least 1947.

In the late 1920s, neighbor Harry Wagner Jr. joined the Camden Fire Department, eventually rising through the ranks to become Acting Chief of department in the late 1950s.

While working as a wireworker, Albert Barker made the acquaintance of John Glazer, a fellow worker who was also a noted long distance runner in Camden and the surrounding vicinity. Both men were teammates in the mid-1930s on the Camden Y.M.C.A. cross country running team, of which Glazer was captain in 1935 and 1936.

Albert Edwin Barker was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 15, 1942. He reported for duty the following day at Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows Albert Barker had married, but listed no address for him and his wife Hilda. New homes were built in the 300 block of North 34th Street within a few years of the 1947 Directory’s publication. By the fall of 1956 Albert and Hilda Barker were living at 360 North 34th Street. This would remain his address for the rest of his days.

On March 2, 1959 Albert Barker was transferred to Engine Company 9 at North 27th and Federal Street in East Camden. Albert Barker received a special certificate from then Public Safety Director Bedell for the rescue of three children from the second floor of 1141 North 26th Street on November 24, 1962.

Albert Barker retired on pension from the Camden Fire Department on June 15, 1970. He died in November of that year, survived by his wife.