Introduction
Andrew Rabeau was born in February of 1832 in New Jersey. He was the son of Andrew and Mary Rabeau. The family was living in Bordentown, New Jersey when the Census was taken in 1850.
Andrew Rabeau married in the mid-1850s. He was living and working in Camden as a railroad car inspector when the Census was taken in 1860. He was then married, his wife Abbie by then had given birth to their first child, Emma.
Andrew Rabeau was appointed to the Camden Fire Department to replace Samuel Patton as an extra man with Engine Company 2, who resigned April 2, 1870. He was working for the Pennsylvania Rail Road as a master car inspector and was making his home at 215 Mickle Street when appointed to the Fire Department.
When the Census was taken in 1870 Andrew Rabeau was married with four children. He was living with his wife, Abbie, and children Emma, Laura, Mary, and William.
After leaving the Fire Department, Andrew Rabeau returned to working for the Pennsylvania Rail Road. He operated a tobacco store at 17 South 2nd Street, the northeast corner of South 2nd Street and Bridge Avenue, in the late 1870s and into the early 1890s, before returning to the railroad.
Andrew Rabeau was a member of Camden’s City Council in 1881 and 1882.
When the 1894 City Directory was compiled Andrew Rabeau was living at 217 Federal Street. The Census taken in 1900 states that Andrew Rabeau was a widower. He and his daughter Laura were living at 217 Federal Street in Camden at that time.
Andrew Rabeau retired from his job with the Pennsylvania Rail Road in March of 1902. He is not listed in the 1906 City Directory, and may have passed away.
A. Rabeau, Cigars
Historical and Industrial Review of Camden, N.J. — 1890
A. Rabeau, Cigars
2nd and Bridge Sts.
This is one of the stores in which lovers of that subtle weed delight to congregate, as they are always sure of a good article. Mr. Rabeau has been the proprietor of the store for the past ten years and has paid careful attention to the tastes of smokers, and carries in stock everything to please the most fastidious.
The store occupied is about 25x35 feet in dimensions and fitted in the most commodious and handsome manner. All of the most popular brands of Key West and Domestic Cigars are always carried on hand. All of the many kinds of Smoking and Chewing Tobaccos are carried, as well as a full line of Smokers Articles, such as Cigar and Cigarette Holders, Pipes, Match Safes, etc. Two capable and genial assistants are employed.
Mr. Rabeau is a native of Bordentown, but has been a prominent and respected resident of the city for the past thirty-eight years. He is identified with the Red Men, Odd Fellows and Pennsylvania Railroad Relief Association of this city.
Camden's Happy Contingent
Philadelphia Inquirer —
I asked a gentleman from the big town across your Delaware river what that city was doing, and this was the answer he wrote: “Camden is one of Atlantic’s suburbs, and her politicians, like those of the Quaker City, find the salt air and the sad sea waves a great assistance in fixing up slates. It is not always these adjuncts are potent. Occasionally a hack and wine are necessary for a big position, while street cars and beer does for the general average.
To-day Camden showed up in great shape. Frank L. Vinton, Howard Pine, Richard Evans, Judges Alfred Huge and Thomas McDowell, Detective James S. Henry, William Sexton, John Smith, Jr., Charles Bosch, W. H. Fredericks, Councilmen James M. Lane, Robert F. Smith, John H. Furey and Arthur Bedell, Andrew Rabeau, Colonel D. B. Murphy, of General Sewell’s staff; F. F. Patterson, Sr., F. F. Patterson, Jr., of the Camden Sunday Review; John H. Fort, of the Camden Telegram; ex-Chief of Fire Department Daniel Carter, U. G. Styron, Wallace Armstrong, Joseph W. Cooper, C. C. Reeve “Lance,” Frank S. Heister and Fred Newton were among the visitors.
Andrew Rabeau Dead
Camden Post-Telegram —
Well-known Citizen Died Suddenly This Morning From Paralysis.
Andrew Rabeau, an old resident of this city, died suddenly this morning at the residence of F. W. Fuller, the jeweler, of 217 Federal street, aged 71 years.
Mr. Rabeau had complained of feeling unwell for several days past. This morning he went out and returned about 7.30 o’clock and told Jeweler Fuller he had a peculiar feeling, a sensation of numbness in his hands. He laid down and in a few moments was observed to be breathing heavily.
Jeweler Fuller started for a physician, but had not gone over a block when Rabeau died. Death, it is said, was due to paralysis.
The deceased for over twenty-five years kept a cigar store at Second street and Bridge avenue. He was a staunch Republican and served as a member of City Council from the Third ward at one time. He had been employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for nearly forty years and was retired about one year ago. At the time of his retirement he was foreman of car inspectors. Before coming to Camden Rabeau had been employed by the railroad company at Bordentown.
Rabeau’s wife died several years ago but a son and daughter survive him.
Andrew Rabeau Expires Suddenly
Camden Daily Courier —
Andrew Rabeau, 73 years of age, of 217 Federal Street, was stricken with apoplexy at Third and Federal streets at 7:30 o’clock this morning, and was taken to his home by Thomas Kirkley, the proprietor of the Sunbeam Cafe, at 223 Federal street. Mr. Rabeau expired shortly after he was taken to his home.
A physician attended the stricken man. Death was superinduced by the extreme heat. Mr. Rabeau was a well known and highly respected citizen and had never known an ill day in all his past life.
Rabeau was for a long time an engineer on the Amboy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He formerly kept a cigar store at the northwest corner of Second and Bridge avenue.
Board of Education Visiting Committees, Grand Army of the Republic, Military Companies and Camden Fire Department
Chew’s Camden City Directory — 1872
Colored, Third District—Messrs. McDowell, Moore, Fewsmith.
Liberty, Fourth District—Messrs. Kennedy, De La Cour, McDowell.
Centreville, Fifth District--Litzenburg, England, Ridge.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF NEW JERSEY.
G. C., Richard H. Lee, Camden.
S. V. C., Samuel J. Hopkins, Morristown.
J. V. C., Ira W. Corey Trenton.
A. A. G., Joseph C. Lee, Camden.
A. Q. G., William M. Palmer, Camden.
A. S. G., G. W. Terriberry, M. D. Paterson,
Chaplain, R. W. Martin, Elizabeth.
Council of Administration, Jas F. Rusling, Trenton; Wm. Ward, Newark; Geo. M. Joy, Toms’ River; Chas. F. Hopkins, Boonton; R. B. Seymour, Jersey City.
Delegates to National Encampment, Wm. Ward, Newark; Jos. C. Nicholls, Camden.
Alternates, Wilson S. Smith, Elizabeth; Samuel Curtis, Manahawkin.
POST NO. 6.
P. C., John H. Austin, M. D.
S. V. C., Wm. T. Mead.
J. V. C., A. E. Lovell.
Surgeon, James A. Armstrong, M. D.
Officer of the Day, Benjamin Carlin.
Officer of the Guard, James V. Gibson.
Quartermaster, Edmund May.
Adjutant, Benjamin H. Connelly.
Chaplain, J. Louden.
Quartermaster Sargeant, Alexander Lynch.
Trustees, Thomas M. K. Lee, Jr., Joseph C Nicholls, Jos. B. Fox.
Delegates, Samuel M. Gaul, Edmund May, Wm. T. Mead.
FIELD OFFICERS, SIXTH REGIMENT NATIONAL GUARDS.
Colonel—James M. Scovel.
Lieut.-Colonel—William Hempsing.
Major—Richard H. Lee.
STAFF OFFICERS.
Acting Adjutant—Edward Furlong.
Quartermaster—William M. Palmer.
Paymaster—Richard Wilkins.
Surgeon—H. Genet Taylor.
Assistant Surgeon—J. B. Mulford.
Chaplain—Rev. W. H. Jeffreys.
MILITARY COMPANIES.
Company B, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Armory, Front and Market; open every evening.
Company C, Sixth Regiment, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Armory, Front and Market street, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Company D, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at West and Clinton street.
Company E, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Weccacoe Engine House; open every evening.
Battery B, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Weccacoe Hose House, Benson street above Fifth.
CAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The affairs of this Department are now controlled by a Board of Fire Commissioners, consisting of Thomas A. Wilson, President, John Read, Jehu Osler, Jonathan Kirkbride, Rudolphus Bingham.
Two second class Amoskeag Engines, two 2 wheel hose carts, one 4 wheel hose carriage and one hook and ladder truck constitutes the apparatus of the city.
No. 1 engine and hose cart is located at No. 409 Pine street, first fire district; No. 2, engine, cart and extra carriage and hook and ladder truck, located at Fifth and Plum street, in the second fire district. The apparatus and company in the first district is under the immediate charge of William J. Mines, Assistant Marshal; and those of the second district is under the immediate charge of William Shearman, Assistant Marshal, while the Chief Fire Marshal, Robert S. Bender, has a general supervisory care of the entire Department.
Members of the Department are as follows: engineer of No. 1, Reuben G. Turner; driver, George Libeck; stoker, Thomas McLaughlin. Extra men—No. 1, Benjamin Cavanaugh; No. 2, William Deiths; No. 3, George Hornuff; No. 4, Stephen Thomas; No. 5, Edward H. Mead; No. 6, Charles H. Hart; No. 7, George B. Hart; No. 8, Alexander Peacock; No. 9, Samuel S. Buzine; No. 10 William Cox.
Engineer of No. 2, William Osler; driver, Jacob W. Kellum; stoker, Henry Grosscup. Extra men—No. 11, Isaac Middleton; No. 12, Andrew Rabeau; No. 13 Edward Cline; No. 14, William Davis; No. 15, Joseph Neice; No. 16, J. Kelley Brown; No. 17, William Allcott; No. 18 Jacob App; No. 19, William H. Schwaab; No. 20, William Henry McKeen.
Tillerman of hook and ladder Company, Edward J. Dodamead; driver, ——. Extra men—No. 21 Charles M. Baldwin; No. 22, Edward Shaw; No. 23, Josiah Davis; No. 24, William C. Lee; No. 25, James M. Lane; No. 26, James Cassidy; No. 27, Edward T. James; No. 28, Thomas W. McCowan; No. 29, Charles Elfreth; No. 30, Theodore Verlander