Introduction
Andrew Miller was born in New Jersey in July of 1860 to Charles and Dora Miller. His parents were both born in Germany, and Andrew Miller was known to friends as Fritz.
When the Census was taken in 1880 he was living with his widowed mother Dora and older brother John at 330 Sycamore Street. He married shortly after the Census was taken. By the middle of 1881 the Millers were at 624 Mount Vernon Street. Andrew Miller was then working as an oilcloth printer, working for Richard C. and Benjamin H. Reeve at their factory on the corner of Pine Street and Haddon Avenue. The 1882 Camden City Directory shows Andrew Miller living at 731 Mount Vernon Street. By 1884 the family had relocated to 756 Cherry Street and he was working as a dyer. The 1885 City Directory shows Andrew Miller working as a laborer and living at 937 South 7th Street. The 1900 Census shows that he had married, and that his wife Cassie had bore seven children, all of them still living: Andrew Jr., Anna, John, George, Dora, Harry, Katy.
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1885, and, according to Census records, was still with Department as late as April of 1930. His first assignment was to serve with Engine Company Number 1. His obituary states that he served 27 years as a member of the Camden Fire Department.
In 1886 the Camden Steam Fire Engine Company Number 1 was located at 409 Pine Street in a three story 20 by 90 foot brick building (the old Independence Fire Company No. 3 engine house). The company’s apparatus was an Amoskeag second class steamer (maker’s plate 6318) drawn by two horses and one Silsby two wheel hose cart drawn by a single horse. The company was equipped with 1000 feet of good hose, axes, lamps, etc. The company roster included John Stockton, Foreman; G. Rudolph Tenner, Engineer; William Deno, driver; William W. Laird, stoker; Wilson Bromley and Jacob F. Nessen, hosemen. Call men were William Deith, Andrew Miller, and William Bogia. Bromley and Bogia would later suffer line of duty deaths.
Andrew Miller and his family had moved to 742 Walnut Street by 1887. City Directories show that they stayed at that address until 1892. The 1892–1893 Directory lists Andrew Miller at 728 South 9th Street, and he was still at that address in the 1895–1896 edition. The 1896 City Directory has listings for Andrew Miller at both 704 and 706 Walnut Street. By 1897 Andrew Miller had moved to 707 Walnut Street. They were still at that address when the census was taken in 1900. City Directories from 1906 to 1914 show at 703 Walnut Street. Sadly Andrew Miller Jr. died of tuberculosis in May of 1908.
The 1918 Camden City Directory and the 1920 Census show Andrew Miller at 724 Mount Vernon Street. His neighbor at 714 Mount Vernon Street was brother firefighter Seth Monnell. By 1924 Andrew Miller had moved to 1255 Sheridan Street. The Directory for 1927 says that he had moved to 1123 Liberty Street. The 1929 Directory and 1930 Census state that Andrew Miller was living at 1345 Princess Avenue in Camden’s Parkside district with his wife Catherine, and as indicated above, was still employed by the Camden Fire Department.
While it may seem improbable that Andrew Miller was still with the Fire Department in his seventieth year, it should be noted that mandatory retirements from the Fire and Police Departments did not go into effect until 1950. When they did, Camden had a 75 year-old firefighter, John “Shorty” Prucella, and a policeman who was past seventy, Samuel E. Johnson.
City Directories indicate that Andrew and Catherine Miller were living at 1441 Princess Avenue when the 1940 and 1943 City Directories were compiled. Andrew Miller passed away in 1948 and was buried at New Camden Cemetery. He last resided at 4020 Westfield Avenue in Camden with daughter Alice, her husband Edward McMaster, and their son James McMaster. Andrew Miller’s grandson, James McMaster, served with the Camden Fire Department for 26 years, retiring as Deputy Chief on 1989.
Andrew Miller’s oldest daughter, Annie, married a member of the Camden Fire Department, Harry Haines Sr., who retired as a Captain with Engine Company 3. Harry Haines’s son from a previous marriage, Harry Haines Jr., also served with the Camden Fire Department, mostly with Ladder companies over the course of a 29 year career. Between the four of them, there was a total of 140 years of service.
Portrait
Andrew “Fritz” Miller
Fire at Camden Iron Works
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A slight fire occurred at the Camden Iron Works yesterday. In going to the fire Fritz Miller, of No. 1 Engine Company, was thrown from his seat on the hose cart, and slightly injured.
A counterfeit two-dollar bill is being circulated in Camden. It can be detected by the “t” on the two, which is not crossed. It is considered a good imitation.
Seth Bishop, of Kirkwood, the largest man in Camden county, died on Monday of fatty degeneration of the heart. He weighed 400 pounds.
Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Officers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
These officers have been elected by the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association: President, Alfred Vickers; vice-presidents, William Sawyer, Newton Ash; recording secretary, William Miller; financial secretary, William Rose; treasurer, William Elverson; directors, Samuel Lodge, Scott Franklin and Andrew Miller.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association has elected these officers: President, Daniel Leach; vice presidents, William Walton and Howard Curry, Jr.; financial secretary, Horace Cairns; recording secretary, John Plum; treasurer, Harry Gerke; trustees, Andrew Miller; State Representative, William Walton.
These officers have been elected by the Associated Charities: President, William L. Cooper; vice presidents, Charles K. Haddon, Mrs. Sarah M. Lacy; secretary, Miss Abbie Davall; treasurer, Elias Davis.
Theodore Sipe, 5 years old, of 405 Market street, is in Cooper Hospital under observation, it being thought he swallowed a marble.
Gunning at Indian Mills
Camden Daily Courier —
Following the old trails of the Indians through Indian Mills over the frontier in Burlington county, Lieutenant Scott Franklin and that veteran fireman Fritz Miller of the Pine street engine company, have been gunning. Reports say they have bagged much game, not including a tin rooster weather vane Fritz took for a wild duck bound for Barnegat.
Engine Company 1
Camden Courier-Post —
John K. Voll – Andrew “Fritz” Miller
Talk of the Town — by Doug Warren
FUEL IS ADDED to the mystery of the misplaced firehouse as reader John Voll, driver for Camden’s Fire Chief Bill Pfefferle writes us, “I think you should remember this fire station. It stands at 4th and Pine sts. even today. That was your old neighborhood.”
All this in connection with the publication of a photo on the feature page of a C-P Saturday edition. The picture’s caption identifies the building as Engine No. 1 Firehouse standing at 5th near Arch st.
We must agree with John that the building in the photo is indeed that of the firehouse we knew during our 5th and Pine sts. era. All too frequently we stood at the doorway of the building and watched the horse-drawn, spark-spewing, steam engine roll to a fire. (We still believe that all the new fangled red and chrome motorized apparatus in the world can never replace, for sheer spine-tingling drama, the thundering, clanging, smoke-belching steam engines of yore.)
John identifies one of the firemen in the photo as Fritz Miller.
Unless our memory has become a little jaded over the years we believe that a very pretty and later world famous theatrical personality lived in the house which, in the same photo, stands immediately next to the firehouse—Ann Pennington.
12 Firemen, 4 Policemen Apply for City Pensions
Camden Courier-Post —
HEAVY PAY CUT FEAR CAUSE OF RUSH TO RETIRE
Inspector Humes Highest Officer on List; Three Captains Are Included
PROTECTIVE FORCES LOSE THEIR OLDEST VETERANS
Sixteen Vacant Places Will Be Filled Without New Appointments
Four policemen and 12 city firemen yesterday applied for pensions effective at midnight tonight. In the interests of economy, no successors will be named by the city commission.
Sudden decision of the applicants was inspired by the fact that city employes may be given a 30 percent reduction in pay equal to that of county employes. Police and firemen accepted a 10 percent reduction this year. If given an additional 20 percent their salaries would be on a pre-war basis.
They also face a possibility of further reductions in pensions if existing mandatory legislation is repealed by the Legislature, which fixes salaries of police and firemen according to the class of cities and towns. By applying now they will receive pensions on basic 1931 salaries.
The big surprise was announcement that Inspector Charles T. Humes, in charge of personnel of the police department, had applied for a pension. Inspector Humes receives a salary of $3000 yearly. By applying at this time he is eligible to a pension of one-half that amount. The $1500 yearly would be within a few hundred dollars of what he would receive if he remained on the force and accepted a 30 percent reduction in salary.
Consider Requests Today
Other policemen to ask for pensions are Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn and Detective David Hunt.
Three fire captains applying for pensions are James R. White, Harry Haines and William H. Miller, Jr.
The applications were filed with Mrs. Louise F. Walsh, secretary of the Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund. The pension fund commission will act on the applications today.
Inspector Humes’ retirement comes at the conclusion of a quarter century of service in the police department. He was appointed as a patrolman on Jan. 1, 1908, and six years later, on Jan. 1, 1914, was elevated to a sergeancy. He was promoted to captaincy on July 1, 1918. Then, by act of the city commission, he was made an inspector on June 23, 1927.
Recognized as Authority
While a captain, he was in command of the First District and later of the Third. As an inspector, he was head of the traffic bureau for several years. He was a nationally recognized authority on traffic problems, having been requested for advice by various automobile clubs and traffic commissions. He played a leading role in a traffic convention at Chicago and once was called in by the federal traffic commission at Washington for advice. At the present time, he is in charge of the personnel of the entire city police department.
Inspector Humes is 56 and resides at 4115 Myrtle avenue, Pennsauken. He stated that he has no plans for the immediate future, but will find “something to do” after he has taken complete rest.
“Naturally I feel a little badly about leaving the force,” he commented. “I feel that I have spent the better years of my life in the department. I have always had the ambition to become chief of police. Of course, I am a little disappointed that this ambition has not been realized. But I am glad that I have been able to serve the department and the citizens as faithfully as I have.
“I am proud, too, of my record as a loyal Republican. I have always been loyal to the party and always will be.”
Appointed by Ellis
Inspector Humes was appointed to the department by Postmaster Charles H. Ellis during his term as mayor. Humes will receive a pension of $133.83 a month.
Sergeant Clarence H. Thorn is taking the pension because of disability. He was ill and away from his duties from April until November of this year, after suffering severe injuries while a member of the traffic motorcycle squad. Later he was injured again while working in the mounted squad, of which he was in charge.
He is 46, lives at 23 Cooper avenue, Erlton, and has been a member of the department since April 17, 1917. His pension will be $92.50 monthly.
“Dave” Hunt is one of the most widely known detectives in the department. He has been connected with the automobile division for several years and has helped in the recovery of hundreds of stolen cars.
Detective Hunt and the late Capt. of Detectives William G. Schregler captured Wilson Ahsbridge [sic], jailbreaker and murderer, 15 years ago in the Keystone Hotel, Chester, Pa. Ashbridge escaped from jail here after he and William E. Thompson, forger, killed a keeper and wounded another.
Helped Capture Slayer
Ashbridge and his wife, who was an accessory to the jailbreak, were captured in the dining room of the hotel the following day while they sat at a dinner table. The detectives approached from behind Ashbridge. One pinned his arms around him while the other removed two loaded revolvers and several cartridges from his pockets.
Hunt also figured in the “kidnaping” of Charles Powell, who confessed to the murder of “Honest” John Brunen, circus showman. State Trooper Herman Bading and Hunt watched the apartment house in which Powell and his wife lived at Cooper and Point streets. After learning Powell’s habits, they set a trap, with County Detective Clifford Cain and State Senator Clifford R. Powell joining them.
Powell was seized as he approached his home and whisked away to Mt. Holly in an automobile. Mrs. Powell raised a cry of “kidnaping” but Powell was placed in “cold storage” in the Burlington county jail until he confessed.
He is 51, lives at 331 Walnut street and was appointed to the police force in November, 1909. He will receive $90.65.
York Has Fine Record
Sergeant York, 57, is a veteran of 24 years. He was appointed to the department November 15, 1909, by then Mayor Ellis. During most of these years Sergeant York has been assigned to the First police district.
He was acting-captain of the district for a short period several years ago and has created an excellent record while a member of the department. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant September 29, 1923. He lives at 641 Elm street and will receive a monthly pension of $90.65.
Captain Haines has been connected with Engine Company No. 7 for many years. He is 66 and lives at 1244 Mechanic street. He was appointed to the department in April, 1896, and will be retired on a pension of $100 a month.
Firemen Seek Pension
Besides Captain White and Miller, other firemen who seek the pension include James E. Navin, 67, of 527 Mickle street; George W. Hollins, 64, of 51 North Twenty-fifth street; Richard S. Marter, 60, of 463 Mechanic street; Arthur A. Wingate, 64, of 542 South Seventh street; Joseph T. Earnest, 63, of 612 Pine street; Samuel E. Harring, 64, of 613 North Second street, and Daniel Grimes, 111 North Twenty-fifth street, engineer of Engine Company, No. 5.
The city’s two oldest firemen go on pension. They are Engineer Andrew Miller, Engine Company, No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets, and Stewart Bakley, Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Fifth and Arch streets.
Miller is 73 and has served 48 years in the department. Bakley is 68 and would be 45 years in the department if he had stayed until Jan. 4. Bakley served as a ladderman while Miller put all of his time as a hoseman, stoker and engineer at the Fourth and Pine streets house.
Engineer Miller lives at 1345 Princess avenue and Bakley at 410 Camden avenue.
White, 67, lives at 36 Terrace avenue, while Captain Miller, 62, resides at 2831 North Constitution road.
Captain White has been in charge of Engine Company No. 4, Vine street, near Fourth, for a number of years. He has been a member of the fire department for 27 years, receiving his appointment in June, 1905, and has compiled a splendid record while a member of the bureau. He will receive a pension of $100 monthly.
Others Who Retire
Junior Captain Miller was appointed to the fire department in December, 1904, 28 years ago. He is now connected with Engine Company No. 10 at Ninth street and Morgan avenue. He will receive a monthly pension of $93.10.
Harring was appointed in 1908 and is connected with No. 4 Company at the present time. Hollins, for 25 years a fireman, is stationed with Headquarters Company, Fifth and Arch streets. Both will receive monthly pensions of $83.33.
Marter and Navin are members of No. 8 Engine Company, 617 Kaighn avenue. Navin is an engineer, appointed to the department in December, 1899, who will receive a pension of $90.65 a month. Marter was appointed in March, 1906. He will get $83.33.
Wingate was made a fireman in February, 1906, and at present is an engineer with Engine Company No. 3, 1813 Broadway. He will be given a pension of $90.65.
Bakley and Earnest will receive pensions of $83.30. Bakley, appointed in December, 1887, is attached to headquarters company while Earnest is a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, at Kaighn avenue. He was appointed in January, 1905.
Police and Firemen Pensioned
Camden Courier-Post —
ANDREW MILLER
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member [sic] of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter’s was passed, but an improviso [sic] was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
It was explained that the city commission’s resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years’ service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post — 1948
Grave
Andrew Miller grave at New Camden Cemetery
John D. Miller
Camden Courier-Post —
Andrew “Fritz” Miller