Introduction
Charles H. Elfreth
CHARLES H. ELFRETH, not to be confused with Charles Elfreth (1849–1922) who worked briefly as a Camden Firefighter and later was with the Pennsylvania Railroad, worked for forty-three years in City Government in Camden.
A dedicated public servant, Charles H. Elfreth suffered a stroke while preparing for a meeting at City Hall on March 25, 1940. He last made his home at 1283 Kenwood Avenue with sister Mrs. Ella Smith and a niece Miss Ella F. Smith. His wife had died a few years before his passing.
Cake Walk a Success.
Camden Daily Courier —
The grand cake walk given at Newton Hall last night under the management of “Bill” Miller, assistant janitor of the City Hall, was a red hot affair. The walk, which was judged by Hugh Boyle, David Rankin, C. H. Elfreth and Alfred Haydon, was captured by William Ford and Miss Johnson. Special mention is due Ed. Laws, of the Post. He was a “warm baby” and came very near landing the prize.
News of a Day in the City of Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden is to have another daily newspaper. The stockholders met yesterday and elected these officers: President, George M. Beringer; vice president, William E. Anthony; secretary, Newton B. T. Roney; treasurer, John Danenhower. It will be called the Daily News, and while it is to be a business proposition, it will be established mainly for the advocacy of the Colby-Record movement in New Jersey. It will be opposed to present local political conditions.
Albert Reese, 27 years old, of 834 Jersey avenue, Gloucester City, fell eighty feet from a scaffold at the New York Ship Yard last night. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital apparently fatally injured. An examination revealed the fact that he had escaped with slight bruises.
James McDonald, who was struck by a train at Fish House Monday, died at the Cooper Hospital, Camden, yesterday, without regaining consciousness. His address is unknown and the body was removed to the Morgue awaiting a claimant.
According to the report of Health Physician Leavitt, of the Camden Board of Health, the health of the city is exceedingly good. In all there were but thirty-nine contagious diseases reported for the past month. There was but one case of typhoid fever. This disease has almost entirely disappeared from Camden, there having been less than a score of cases the past year.
A number of Camden’s officials enjoyed a planked shad dinner at Chew’s Landing last night. In the party were City Comptroller Samuel Hufty, City Engineer Levi Farnham, Assistant Tax Receivers Charles Elfreth, J. F. Newton and Frank Heisler, Assistant Engineer William Osler, License Clerk John McCabe, Building Inspector William Steinmetz, Plumbing Inspector Harry Francis and Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Robert Floyd, a colored stevedore, of Mt. Ephraim avenue, Camden, is building a thirty-five-foot boat in his back yard with the object of using it to seek a treasure island in the West Indies. Although his home is nearly two miles from the river, Floyd declares he will have no difficulty in launching the rather unwieldy craft. A sailor on board a vessel which Floyd was unloading told him the tale of hidden gold and as a result the Camden man decided to seek out the spot on his own hook.
There was an exciting incident in Recorder Stackhouse’s court, in Camden, yesterday, when a young woman yelled a denial in a high voice as a witness was testifying in the case of Herbert M. Denny against Chauncey Bell and Frederick Bock, the latter two being charged with assault and battery. Silence was restored by the court officers and the case was concluded by the defendants being held in $200 bail each.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nace in the Circuit Court, in Camden, yesterday were given a verdict for $25 against the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Company. The plaintiffs sued for $2500, they claiming a conductor of the company roughly handled the woman on March 16 of last year when she was put off a train. In the case of Charles Smith against the Public Service Corporation a verdict was given for the plaintiff in the sum of $600.
William H. Cox, 18 years old, of 903 Haddon avenue, had his right foot crushed at the Camden Iron Works yesterday. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
William Walsh, 17 years old, of 524 Borton street, who had been missing several days, returned yesterday. He had gone to Atlantic City to see the sights.
The Germantown Wood Working Company was incorporated yesterday with a capital of $10,000.
Ida Jackson, a negress, was convicted of dealing in lottery policy before Judge Joline yesterday. William Derry, also a negro, was convicted on a similar charge.
John Cowan, 53 years old, of 1024 Sycamore street, died suddenly yesterday from hemorrhages of the stomach. He was a life-long resident of Camden.
At great personal risk, Dr. Ernest Ramsdell, of 425 Linden street, Camden, last night saved Arthur Grant, 11 years old, of 501 State street, from being crushed beneath a team of horses. Arthur, who was riding a bicycle, attempted to get out of the way of a dog. In doing so he wheeled directly into the horses. The latter reared and were about to fall on the boy when Dr. Ramsdell rushed over to him and dragged him from beneath the horses.
Elfreth Sprains Ankle
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Thrown to the ground when his dog vigorously tugged on the chain with which he was leading the animal, Assistant Tax Receiver Charles Elfreth sustained a sprained ankle.
John Carroll Honored by Fifth Ward Club
Camden Courier-Post —
John H. Carroll, Fifth Ward Republican county committeeman, was honored last night by fellow-members of the Fifth Ward Republican Club at its meeting at the organization’s headquarters, 271 Kaighn avenue.
The club tendered a reception to the veteran political leader in token of his recovery and return from Cooper Hospital after a long period of illness.
Leo B. Rea, vice president of the club, served as toastmaster. Speeches were made by Mayor Winfield S. Price, Commissioners Clay W. Reesman and David S. Rhone, Bernard Bertman, police judge; Theodore Kausel, general manager of county institutions at Lakeland and Freeholders George Cotter, Thirteenth Ward, and Leonard Brehm, Fifth Ward.
The reception was in the charge of the club’s house committee, including William Kensler, R. Gimillo, and Charles H. Elfreth. Harley C. Shinn. is president of the club; Rea. ice president; Kirby Garwood, treasurer; George W. Nichols, secretary, and Elfreth, financial secretary.
Charles Elfreth, Tax Cashier, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Oldest City Employe From Point of Service Succumbs to Apoplexy
Charles H. Elfreth, cashier in the city tax office and the oldest employe of the City of Camden in point of service, died at his home, 1283 Kenwood avenue, yesterday. He was 74.
Coroner Franklin P. Jackson, 3rd, issued a certificate giving cerebral apoplexy as the cause of death.
Mr. Elfreth, who was associated with the city for 43 years, was at his window in the City Hall tax office on Saturday, carrying on the duties which he had performed for many years. He was striken while preparing to go to the City Hall. Dr. David S. Rhone, city commissioner, was called but by the time he arrived Mr. Elfreth was dead.
Mr. Elfreth, a life-long Republican, was a charter member of the old Fifth Ward Republican Club, and maintained his association with that organization through the years. He had been financial secretary of the club for many years. He was a member of Camden Lodge of Moose and treasurer of the Bellmawr Yearly Beneficial Society.
He began his duties with the City of Camden in 1897 as a clerk in the assessor’s office. From 1905 to 1923 he served as deputy receiver of taxes, an elective post under the old councilmanic form of government. When city commission type of government succeeded councilmanic in 1923, Mr. Elfreth was named cashier by the first non-partisan city commission. He had held that post since that time.
Mr. Elfreth’s hobby was hunting, and each year he took his vacation in November so that he could enjoy the sport.
Mr. Elfreth’s wife, Mrs. H. Lillian Elfreth, died about four years ago. He is survived by a son, C. Edgar Elfreth, of Oaklyn, who for a number of years was associated with the old Security Trust Company and now is teller in the Oaklyn National Bank; a sister, Mrs. Ella F. Smith and a niece, Miss Ella F. Smith, both of whom live at the Kenwood avenue address, and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p. m. in the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.