Introduction
Austin E. Marks
AUSTIN E. MARKS was born on September 28, 1907 to Walter and Dolly Marks in Pennsylvania. By the end of 1911 the family had moved to Camden.
When the 1914 Camden City Directory was compiled, the Marks family resided at 1133 Knight Street, a short street that ran from Boyer’s Court, just north of Kaighn Avenue south to Mechanic Street, west of South 2nd Street. His mother, Dolly, was a widow by January of 1920. The Marks family, which included younger brothers Walter and Lester, then lived at 520 Gordon Terrace, across Broadway from the New York Shipbuilding Company Shipyards. Dolly Marks operated a boarding house there for shipyard workers. The family had moved to 1032 Segal Street by 1924.
By 1930 the Marks family had moved to 324 Birch Street in North Camden. Austin Marks was working as a laborer at the RCA-Victor factory. Brothers Walter and Lester also had gone into the workforce in factory jobs.
Austin E. Marks enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 13, 1932. After completing his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, Private Marks was sent with 9 other men to the Sea School Detachment at the Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Base, Portsmouth, Virginia, where he trained for ship duty. He received a furlough on December 24, 1932 from which he returned on December 31. Upon his return he completed his sea training and was assigned to the Marine detachment aboard the USS Portland, a cruiser stationed at the Boston Navy Yard in February of 1933. The following month he was reassigned to the USS Pensacola, based at San Pedro, California. The USS Pensacola was in New York harbor in April of 1933. On April 1 of that month Austin Marks was promoted to Private First Class and returned to the Marine detachment aboard the USS Portland.
The Portland sailed to the Panama Canal Zone in May of 1933, and on to Bremerton, Washington in June. July and August 1933 found Private First Class Marks back aboard the USS Pensacola in San Pedro. He was returned to the USS Portland in Bremerton in September. The Portland was in San Francisco in October, and at Long Beach, California in November. Private First Class Marks served the next four months aboard USS Pensacola before being returned to the USS Portland once again, the Portland returning to the East Coast via the Canal Zone in April and May of 1934. June of 1934 found him back aboard the USS Pensacola for a run to Charleston, South Carolina. He returned again to the USS Portland which was at Provincetown, Massachusetts in July and at Portsmouth, Virginia in August. September of 1934 found the USS Portland at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then back to New York, for another brief assignment to the USS Pensacola before returning to the Pacific aboard the USS Portland in November. December saw another stint with the Pensacola in New York, before returning to the USS Portland. On January 15, 1935 Austin Marks was promoted to Corporal in the United States Marine Corps.
Corporal Marks served aboard the USS Portland through August of 1935, including an extended time at sea between April and July of 1935. The Portland was at Long Beach in August 1935 and in San Diego the following month. In October Corporal Marks was again returned to the USS Pensacola, and he received a furlough at the end of the month. He returned to the USS Pensacola on the 8th of November, 1935 and remained with the Pensacola through January of 1936. February 1936 saw Corporal Marks back with the USS Portland. He was transferred to a new assignment, the League Island Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1936. After finishing up his affairs on the West Coast, Corporal Marks took a three week furlough beginning March 9, and reported for duty in Philadelphia on the 31st. He served at League Island continuously through the summer of 1936, except for a four day temporary assignment to Lakehurst, New Jersey in connection with the landing of the German airship Hindenburg from May 16 to May 20. He took a nine-day furlough from August 11 to August 20, 1936.
On September 12th of 1936, at the end of his enlistment, Corporal Marks was honorably discharged at the League Island Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His character was noted as “excellent” and he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
Austin E. Marks joined the Camden Fire Department on November 25, 1938.
When the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, Austin Marks and his wife Marguerite were living at 370 North 34th Street in East Camden.
Austin E. Marks was promoted to Captain on April 8, 1948. He was subsequently promoted to District Chief on November 1, 1953.
After 27 years of distinguished service to the City of Camden, Austin E. Marks retired on August 1, 1965. He moved to Florida soon afterwards.
Last a resident of Nokomis, Florida, Chief Marks passed away on December 27, 1993. He was survived by his wife, who remained in Nokomis, and who joined him on February 22, 2005, sons Austin and George Marks, and daughter Marguerite “Peggy” Marks DeBoard.
Police Investigate 3 Fires in 4 Hours in One Section
Camden Courier-Post —
Abandoned Kaighn School building was razed Wednesday afternoon in one of three fires within a quarter-mile area. Photo shows flames and smoke pouring through roof of the building at 5th and Chestnut sts. Police were investigating the theory that the three fires within three hours and 46 minutes were the work of an arsonist.
Named: Kaighn School, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Hollingshead Fire, Gustav Koerner, William Van Pfefferle, Robert Wonsetler, Austin Marks, Henry Zook, Joseph C. Ragone, Walter T. Dilsworth, William Warren, Eugene Alston, Max Dippner, Rev. Michael Argullo, Rev. Richard Gerbino, Washington School, and Brown Foundry Corporation.
District Firemen Fete 2 Veterans On Retirement
Camden Courier-Post —
Two retired veterans, District Chief Engineer Robert A. Wonsetler and Chief’s Aide Irvin F. Bishop, were given a farewell party Saturday night by firemen at the 27th and Federal sts. firehouse.
Wonsetler, who retired after 31 years 11 months of service, and Bishop, with a record of 34 years 4 months, were presented wrist watches at a dinner attended by officers and members of the Camden Bureau of Fire.
Honored guests included Chief Engineer William V. Pfefferle, District Chief Engineer John J. Graham and District Chief Engineer Austin Marks. Many members of the auxiliary were present.
Served as Lobbyist
Wonsetler, who was appointed to the department Feb. 8, 1923, served through the ranks to become district chief engineer. He served as executive delegate and legislative lobbyist of the Camden Branch, Local 5, Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Inc. 10 years.
He was elected president of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association in 1939, being the first Camden fireman elected to that office in 41 years.
Wonsetler was honored with a life membership and a gift by FMBA.
In addition to working at many of Camden’s major fires, Chief Wonsetler, from 1936 to 1952, was the broadcaster of the “Voice of Safety” program sponsored by the Camden Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention. He lives at 3281 Pleasant ave.
Bishop Hurt Several Times
Bishop was appointed to the fire department Aug. 25, 1920, and spent 33 years at No. 2 Truck Company, 619 Kaighns ave.
He was assigned as chief’s aide Sept. 15, 1953.
Bishop was injured several times during his career. He lives at 2771 N. Constitution rd.
Burns Fatal To Child, 4; Kin Critical
Camden Courier-Post —
One boy died and another remains in critical condition in Cooper Hospital today after they were rescued by firemen late Thursday from a flaming second floor apartment at 433 Stevens st.
Dr. Louis C. Riegert, county physician, said an autopsy will be performed today.
Anthony McKenize, 4, died at 7.15 p. m. Friday in Cooper Hospital and his brother Carlos Brown, 6 months, both suffered burns of the hands and face and smoke inhalation.
The children’s mother, Viola Brown, told authorities she and most of the adult residents in the apartments in the building were out at work at the time.
District Chief Austin Marks said a 16-year-old girl, who was baby sitting for the family, was able to save a third child, Patricia, 5, but was unable to go in again because of the heat. The children’s father, Charles, is employed at the Walt Whitman Hotel.
Marks was unable to determine the origin of the fire. He said it was well advanced by the time a one-alarm was sounded. Damage was extensive in the rear apartment, where the children were rescued, Marks said.
2-Alarm Fire Hits Dela. Ave. Warehouse
Camden Courier-Post —
A two-alarm fire Monday damaged one floor of an unoccupied five-story brick warehouse at Delaware ave. and Penn st.
Workers leaving nearby industrial plants watched as firemen confined the blaze to the walls, ceiling and flooring of the third floor.
J. Wolfe Golden, of Philadelphia, was listed as owner of the structure, which formerly housed the Wilson Co., soap manufacturers.
Acting Fire Chief Harry Wagner said the blaze apparently started by sparks from acetylene torches being used by workmen dismantling an old metal conveyor system in the building. The workmen got out unharmed.
Wagner said the flames spread through clusters of soap and grease remaining on a wall near the conveyor. A box alarm was sounded by an unidentified passerby. District Fire Chief Austin Marks sounded the second alarm shortly after he arrived with the first contingent of firemen.
Firemen kept the blaze from spreading to an adjoining two-story warehouse occupied by Michael J. Bobb Inc. That building, facing on Delaware ave., contained stored soap products, firemen said.
Christmas at the Marks Home
Late 1950s
From left: Austin, Peggy, Bruce, George, & Wayne Marks. Bruce & Wayne are nephews.
Yegg Trapped on Safe Job
Camden Courier-Post —
Owner Spots Eerie Light
A South Camden roofing firm owner discovered a man attempting to burn a hole in the office safe and led police to his capture Friday night.
The story started when William Alper, 40, of 6407 Roosevelt ave., Pennsauken, part owner of the I. Alper Co., roofers, of 537 S. 2nd st., returned to the plant unexpectedly about 7:30 p.m.
Alper said he suspected something was wrong when he entered the vestibule of the building and saw flames leaping from the frame of a door in the rear of the building. The office was aglow with an errie [sic] white light, he said, and the figure of a man wearing goggles and wielding a blow torch was bent down in front of the six-foot-high office safe.
Retreats to Street
Alper retreated unseen to the street and telephoned police. Sgt. Andrew McBurney, Ptl. Edward Campbell and Dets. Edward Troutman and Raymond Carson responded. District Fire Chief Austin Marks also arrived with a contingent to fight the fire.
The busy intruder dropped his torch and fled to a warehouse in the rear of the building when he spotted police caps bobbing at the front door. McBurney shouted for the man to surrender and fired three shots in the air as he fled back to the warehouse and dived into a stack of tires.
Recognizes Intruder
When the man climbed out and McBurney snapped a pair of handcuffs on his outstretched wrists, Alper recognized him as a laborer who had worked for the firm two weeks.
Held without bail on charges of breaking and entering and attempted robbery was Clifford Frison, 25, of the 2900 block W. (Continued on Page 3 — Col. 8)
WOULD-BE SAFE CRACKER Clifford Frison, 25, of the 2900 block W. Diamond st., Philadelphia, was booked in police headquarters Friday night after he was surprised by an employer in the offices of the I. Alper, roofers, 537 S. 2nd st. Ptl. Andrew McBurney stands by.
Spring Clean-Up Week Fire Safety Campaign
Camden Courier-Post —
SPRING CLEAN-UP WEEK in Camden began Monday and will continue through Saturday with emphasis given on fire safety by “Sparky,” the dog and “Smokey,” the bear who will travel through the area giving fire prevention talks. From left to right are Col. Bedell, director of public safety; City Fire Marshal Baxter as “Sparky”; Deputy Fire Marshal Gaffney as “Smokey” and District Fire Chief Marks.
North Merchantville Volunteer Fire Company Letter
North Merchantville Volunteer Fire Company Incorporated Merchantville and Jefferson Avenues Pennsauken, New Jersey
Sept. 19 1963
Chief E. McDowell Camden City Fire Dept. Third & Arch Sts. Camden, N. J.
Dear Chief:
The Members of the North Merchantville Vol. Fire Co. of Pennsauken Township, would like the honor and pleasure of having you and another member of your dept., act as judges of our annual Fire Prevention Contest that we conduct annually in the schools of our districts.
The judging will be held on the evening of Oct. 16, 7:00 P. M. (approx. time).
The two films that the contest is based on are entitled “The Torch” and “I’m No Fool With Fire.”
These films are available for us to show to you any time during the week of Oct. 6 to 11 at your convenience if you would care to see them just contact NO 3 1313
Thanking you for your past and present cooperation.
Sincerely Yours The Fire Prevention Comm. Charles Pine, Chairman
North Merchantville Volunteer Fire Company
Incorporated
Merchantville and Jefferson Avenues
Pennsauken, New JerseySept. 19 1963
Chief E. McDowell
Camden City Fire Dept.
Third & Arch Sts.
Camden, N. J.Dear Chief:
The Members of the North Merchantville Vol. Fire Co. of Pennsauken Township, would like the honor and pleasure of having you and another member of your dept., act as judges of our annual Fire Prevention Contest that we conduct annually in the schools of our districts.
The judging will be held on the evening of Oct. 16, 7:00 P. M. (approx. time).
The two films that the contest is based on are entitled “The Torch” and “I’m No Fool With Fire.
These films are available for us to show to you any time during the week of Oct. 6 to 11 at your convenience if you would care to see them just contact NO 3 1313
Thanking you for your past and present cooperation.
Sincerely Yours
The Fire Prevention Comm.
Charles Pine, ChairmanAssigned: Deputy Chief Austin Marks, Fire Marshal — George Baxter
North Merchantville Volunteer Fire Company Thank-You
Austin E. Marks
North Merchantville Volunteer Fire Company
Incorporated
Merchantville and Jefferson Avenues
Pennsauken, New JerseyNovember 10, 1963
Deputy Chief Marks
Fire Headquarters
3rd & Arch Streets
Camden, New JerseyDear Chief Marks,
The Fire Prevention Committee of the North Merchantville Fire Company of the Pennsauken Fire Department would like to thank you for your participation in the Fire Prevention Contest that was completed recently.
The time and effort that you have generously contributed to help make this program a success is greatly appreciated and as any program such as this cannot be successful without the cooperation of many people and groups, we the committee and Fire Company extend our wholehearted thanks for a job “well done.
Sincerely yours,
The Fire Prevention Committee
Charles A. Pine — Chairman
Harlan P. Fleming — Co-Chairman
Camden Fire Department 125th Anniversary Book
Engine Company 8 with deckpipe from hose wagon, operates master stream into top floor of commercial building during Third Alarm at Walmart Clothing, Broadway & Chestnut Streets, South Camden on 1-14-1964.
Units press an all out attack as Chief Officers confer during Third Alarm at Broadway & Chestnut Streets in South Camden on 1-14-1964.
Fighting two enemies at the same time amid fire and ice is a frequent scourge of fire fighters. Members are seen directing exterior streams at Walmart fire, Broadway & Chestnut Streets on 1-14-1964 under punishing conditions.
On the bitter cold night of January 14th, 1964, as members were standing roll call throughout the firehouses of the City, Box 328 tapped in for Broadway and Chestnut Street at 6:02 P.M. Engine Company 1, Engine Company 8, Ladder Company 2 and Chief Theodore Primas of the 3rd Battalion responded. Arriving units found heavy smoke pushing from the first floor of Walmart Tailors, a three-story building with apartments above. Police had already led nine occupants to safety before the arrival of the fire fighters. Engine 8 stretched the first line while Ladder 2 was ordered to force the door. Moments later, the plate glass windows failed and the store front lit up in a ball of fire. Chief Primas transmitted a second alarm and ordered the deployment of master streams. The fire extended to all floors of the building and broke through the roof as bitter cold winds whipped the flames out into the street. Extreme icing upon ladders, apparatus and streets surfaces made for treacherous operations.
Deputy Chief Austin Marks who responded to the second alarm, special called an additional engine company and further ordered the recall of 35 off duty members, directly to the fire for relief purposes. As conditions deteriorated, a third alarm was transmitted to reinforce relief operations. Shortly after the third alarm, Captain Leonard Iannelli of Ladder Company 2 — the first due truck, collapsed on the sidewalk from a heart attack. Brother firemen rushed to his aid and Battalion Chief Primas personally attended to the unconscious officer. In the ambulance while enroute to the hospital, Chief Primas performed mouth to mouth resuscitation all the way. In spite of these efforts, Captain Iannelli was pronounced dead at the hospital.
By this time, the fire had destroyed most of the building as the roof collapsed on to the top floor causing some wall sections to fall into Chestnut Street. Fire fighters concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining Camden Roofing Supply Company. At one point a half-dozen master streams were directed into a narrow alley that separated the roofing supply from the fire building. Units were successful in protecting this exposure and firemen were also credited with saving the huge John’s Bargain Store just a few doors down from the fire. Following a six hour battle, the blaze was controlled shortly before midnight although companies would remain at the scene for over 24 hours. On the following morning, the scene resembled an ice palace as firemen used axes and halligan bars to pry frozen hose embedded in thick street ice.
Like his father, Leonard Iannelli died in the line of duty as a Camden fire fighter. Tragically, Captain Iannelli’s brother, Carmen Iannelli would also give his life while protecting the City of Camden, in 1975.
Blaze Destroys 3 Buildings; Fireman Dies, Two Are Injured
Camden Courier-Post —
9 Left Without Homes
By Fredrick Smigelski and Charles Q. Finley
LEFT HOMELESS by fire which destroyed their home, victims of the blaze in the 1100 block of Broadway look on from a nearby house. Seated (left to right) are Mrs. Carey Morgan, 80, and her daughter, Mrs. Charles Hill, 62. Standing is Charles Hill, 67.
ROARING FLAMES obscure a section of 1101 Broadway as flames destroy the building in a fire that also burned out two adjoining structures. The water lines glaze the street with ice, making footing hazardous for firemen. Equipment had to be moved quickly when it was feared the wall might fall outward. The blaze raged nearly five hours.
A fast moving fire fanned by a bitterly cold wind destroyed three buildings in South Camden last night, left one fireman dead, two others injured, and nine persons homeless.
As dense smoke, chunks of flaming debris and showers of sparks spewed high into the night, the roaring blaze wrecked Walmart Tailors, Inc. at 1101 Broadway and two floors above the store used as an apartment house, the Style Nook Dress Shop at 1103 Broadway, and Jean’s Hosiery Shop at 1105 Broadway.
With only seconds to spare, Police Sergeant John Ferry and Patrolman Alfred Hayes entered the 1101 building and led the occupants, many of them elderly, to safety as flames mushroomed from the basement toward the roof.
Eleven pieces of equipment were still at the scene this morning.
Captain Dies
Fire Captain Leonard Iannelli, 41, of 3055 Stevens Street and attached to Truck Company 2, collapsed at the scene. He was dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital of an apparent heart attack.
Fire District Chief Frank Deal, 39, of 412 North 37th Street, was treated at Cooper Hospital for smoke inhalation. John Yates, 63, of 2400 South 8th Street with Engine Company 2, was treated at West Jersey Hospital for smoke inhalation and a back injury.
Among those made homeless by the fire were Claude W. Darnell and Mrs. Carey Morgan, both 80; William Schaffer, 77; and Charles Hill, 67 and his wife who is 62; Mrs. Frances Matthews, 53; Helen Saltzman and James Early.
Iannelli was standing on Broadway next to Lieutenant Colonel William A. Gwynne of the Volunteers of America, a chaplain, who was serving coffee and food. District Chief Theodore Primas gave mouth to mouth resuscitation on the way to the hospital. Coroner Schaffhauser was notified. He said Iannelli died either from a heart attack or smoke inhalation. The possibility of an autopsy was being discussed this morning.
Police Aid Elderly
Iannelli’s brother, Carmen, is with Engine Company 9 and was on duty at the time but not at the fire. He went to the hospital when told of the tragedy.
Ferry and Hayes were first on the scene after the alarm was sounded at 6:03 by a nearby merchant. They entered through a back door and ran upstairs to the second floor where they kicked in doors, rounded up the confused occupants and got them out safely. They then went to the third floor and found Early and Darnell.
The fore spread rapidly and soon huge balls of flame were pouring from the windows as burning frames fell to the pavement. Chairs, a shower fixture, a mirror on a wall, could be seen briefly through the windows in the mass of flame inside, then they fell into the inferno.
The roof collapsed, then sections of the third floor wall on the Chestnut Street side began falling into the fire.
Firewall Credited
Smoke filled Schrack’s Paint Store at 1107 Broadway and a firewall was credited with helping to save John’s Bargain Store at 1109–1111 Broadway.
Firemen carried a hose to the roof of the Camden Roofing Supply Company on Chestnut Street to the rear of the fire. At one point a half dozen streams of water were being poured into the flames as they burned furiously on one side of a small alley which separated the roofing company from the fire.
Harold Walter, owner of Walmart Tailors, Inc. was trying to get his car out of a snow bank nearby when the fire started. He gave firemen keys to open the gate he had just closed across the front of his store.
Fire Chief Edward MacDowell said the blaze had apparently started in the basement of 1101 Broadway but no cause had been determined immediately.
Fireplugs Froze
Engine Companies 8 and 1 and Truck 2 responded to the first alarm with District Chief Theodore Primas. The second alarm was sounded at 6:10, bringing Engine Companies 3 and 7, and Truck Company 1, Rescue Squad 1, District Chief Deal and Deputy Fire Chief Austin Marks.
At 8:02 Engine Company 2 was summoned and at 8:45 35 off duty firemen were called to relieve firemen exhausted by the cold. The spray from hoselines covered streets and equipment with sheets of ice.
When firemen arrived they found fireplugs frozen and had to use heaters to get the water flowing.
Police held back large crowds which gathered despite the cold and wind. The fire burned out of control for six hours and was not declared under control until midnight. The area was closed to traffic during the fire.
Traffic this morning was detoured off Broadway between Mt. Vernon Street and Kaighn Avenue.
Wind Shifted
Primas said there was a west wind when the fire broke out but that it shifted to the north, during the flames into the buildings to the south.
Iannelli is survived by his wife Olga, two sons, Leonard Jr. and Dennis, and a daughter, Mary, at home; his mother, Mrs. Rose Iannelli, of Camden; and two brothers, Carmen and Frank of Camden.
Iannelli’s late father, Frank, was a fireman 21 years and died of a heart attack after fighting a fire in April of 1942.
Iannelli joined the fire department in March, 1948 and was made captain four years later. He was a veteran of World War II.
Because of the large amount of stock involved, the extent of the damages were not immediately known.
Camden Fire Department First Annual Retirement Dinner
Named: William T. Cahill, Alfred R. Pierce, Edward V. Michalak, Keith Kauffman, Rev. W.A. Gwynne, Edward R. MacDowell, Howard W. Ways, George L. Boone, Isaac Muns, John C. Voll, John T. Clemmens, Harrison B. Pike, Albert A. Weller, Austin E. Marks, Edward Y. Scott, and John W. Yates.
Fire Department Personnel Records
Austin E. Marks — Camden Fire Department personnel records