Introduction
CLARENCE B. PHIFER was born in New Jersey on October 24, 1900 to Charles S. and Sarah Phifer. The family was living at 329 Chestnut Street when the 1900 census was taken. The family moved to Haddon Township not long afterwards and did not come back to Camden until after the outbreak of World War I. The 1920 Census shows him working as a printers apprentice, and living with his parents, older brother Wallace Phifer, older sister Emma Phifer, and nephew Clayton Phifer at 1221 Atlantic Avenue in Camden. His father and brother were working as carpenters in one of Camden’s shipyards. By the time the 1921 City Directory was compiled the family had moved to 1217 Atlantic Avenue.
Clarence Phifer was an excellent baseball player, starring locally in Camden’s busy semi-pro baseball scene and playing for a time professionally in the minor leagues. In 1922 he played for the Newport News Shipbuilders in the Virginia League. He had a tryout in 1923 with the Richmond Colts of the same league but was released on April 11, 1923.
When not playing baseball in the early 1920s, Clarence Phifer worked as a printer. Brother Wallace Phifer was appointed to the Camden Fire Department shortly after the January 1920 Federal Census. Clarence Phifer was appointed to the Camden Police Department around the same time. The first listing in City Directories for Clarence Phifer as a police officer is in the 1924 Directory. It is likely that his appointment came shortly after his return to Camden from Richmond, Virginia.
The 1924 and 1927 City Directories show both brothers in the City of Camden’s employ, and both living at 1217 Atlantic Avenue. Wallace Phifer married Edith Peters in 1922. By 1926 Clarence Phifer had married. The City Directory for that year shows him and wife Anna at 1085 Morton Street. By 1928 they had moved back to 1217 Atlantic Avenue.
The 1943 City Directory shows Clarence Phifer no longer working as a policeman. He was, however, still involved in the criminal justice system. He was then employed as a clerk in the Camden Police Court.
The Phifers moved to 1254 Princess Avenue at some point after 1931 and remained there as late as 1947. Both Clarence Phifer and his brother Wallace Phifer had moved to Haddon Heights, New Jersey by the fall of 1959, where they lived out their days. Clarence Phifer died on April 29, 1967. Wallace Phifer passed away on November 24, 1968, survived by his wife, sons Clifford Phifer and Donald Phifer, and a daughter, Mary Phifer LaTorre.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Post-Telegram —
COPS AND FIREMEN IN FIRST PRACTICE
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
MR. YOUNGER IN CHARGE
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sends his proteges through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school's gridiron. Meanwhile, both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team while Walter A. Mertz, of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager for the firemen, declared he had twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, but first they will have an opportunity for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in division and the firemen in another. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edyard Callahan, Walter Larson, Gus Pfliderer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirts, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt qualification for field day include Fred Schacker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Huda, Arthur Laird, Herman Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Poeble, Tom Shanley, Harrison Pike, William Hood, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Mertz, Nelson Hubbs, James Mogan, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Mensales, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, William Hare, Joseph Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook, “Cops” appear strongest, coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats. The leader will be Stehr's cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of-team of eight men will also be selected by the firemen's leader. Merts will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Athletic Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this arrangement, as no extra minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services without charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Long Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his riders have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in the east, declares Nelson Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and exhibition stunt.
Blue Devils No. 1 — Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisman and Edward Moll.
Blue Devils No. 2 — Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
"Athletic Stars Have Their Inning at Police and Fire Field Day"
Camden Courier-Post —
Athletic Stars Have Their Inning at Police and Fire Field Day
More than 1,200 persons witnessed the second annual track and field carnival of the Camden police and firemen, some of the high spots of which were snapped by a Courier photographer.
The top photo in the above lay-out portrays one of those delightfully comical products of “Diamond Len” Cullen, a battle royal. Menzies, a fireman, is seen winning the 100-yard dash. Menzies is the second from the left. At his left is Clarence Phifer, a policeman, who finished second, while at Menzies' right is George Nicktern, another cop, who took third place.
The inset at the upper left is that of Harold Merrill, the Vineland High flash, who won the 100-yard dash for high schools. The lower inset shows Barney Berlinger, Mercersburg Academy star, who, competing for Meadowbrook, triumphed in the pole vault.
Frances Elias of Oklahoma City, reportedly in the Meadowbrook colors, is the lady on the right. Her work featured the open girls' events.
CAMDEN COPS LOSE TO CENTRAL QUINTET
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Caveman’ Clayton Sparkles in City League Victory; Wayne Boys Win
Central Camden beat the Camden Police quintet to make it two straight in the Municipal basketball circuit at Convention Hall last night. By blanking Clarence Phifer, and holding Ott Laxton down to six points the Central outfit spiked the Coppers’ attack. Clayton and Grover Wearshing did the heavy work for the winners. Clayton held Phifer without a field shot and tallied four times from the field. Wearshing bagged a trio of double-deckers.
Gus Koerner was ejected from the game when Referee Keneman ruled him off the floor for abusive language.
The Wayne dribblers battled down South Camden under a 46-20 score in the other combat Jimmy Reed and Devlin were the bright stars for the winners.
Funeral for Stehr to Be Held Saturday
Camden Evening Courier —
Named: Lewis H. Stehr, Dr. David S. Rhone, Charles V. Dickinson, Arthur Colsey, George A. Ward, John Kowal, Donald Swissler, Clarence Phifer, Archie Reiss, John Skolski, Herbert Anderson, Thomas Cheeseman, Harry Kyler, George Nowrey, Frank Truax, Ralph Bakley, Clay W. Reesman, Clifford A. Baldwin, Winfield S. Price, Camden Local No. 35, P.B.A., Cooper Hospital, B.C. Schroeder, Broadway, and Royden Street.
Pallbearers Named for Stehr Funeral
Camden Evening Courier — Morning Post —
Named: Lewis H. Stehr, Dr. David S. Rhone, Charles V. Dickinson, and Arthur Colsey.
Camden Man Arrested for ‘Crashing’ Party
Camden Courier-Post —
CAMDEN MAN ARRESTED FOR ’CRASHING’ PARTY
Ejected from a party which he tried to “crash” Saturday night, Edward Stone, 21, of 1024 Federal street, was arrested when he struck at the host.
Policeman Clarence Phifer testified in police court today that he was called by the owner of a house at Louis and Lansdowne avenues after Stone started a fight after he was put out of the party.
Stone admitted he caused a disturbance but said he was intoxicated. Judge Pancoast suspended sentence and told Stone to go to parties only when he was invited.
DEL DUCA IS FREED IN MYSTERY SHOTS
Camden Courier-Post — Evening Courier —
Former Cafe Owner Denies Revolver Was Fired 5 Times From Car
Garfield Del Duca, former owner of the Ringside Inn and the Embassy Cafe on Federal Street near Second was released early today after being questioned regarding shots reported to have been fired from his automobile.
Policemen William Feitz and Clarence Phifer said they heard what they believed to be five gunshots as Del Duca’s car passed Broadway and Walnut Street shortly before 1:00 AM. There were two men in the rear seat, they said.
By the time Feitz and Phifer caught up to Del Duca’s machine in their own car, it was parked at Second and Line Streets. Del Duca was sitting in the front seat. No one was in the rear but the officers said the rear doors were open.
Del Duca was taken to headquarters where he denied any knowledge of firing or even hearing shots. There was no gun in his machine and after questioning Del Duca was freed at 2:15 AM by Detective Sergeant Rox Saponare.
Two women, Katherine Blake, 30, and Margaret Huston, 30, both of 524 Spruce Street, who were walking on Broadway at the time of the alleged shots, also said they heard nothing when questioned at headquarters. They were allowed to go after questioning.
Two men reported seen in front of the Lyric Theatre just before Del Duca’s car passed, disappeared before they could be interrogated by the police, Feitz said.
C. B. Phifer, Retired City Policeman
Camden Courier-Post —
C. B. Phifer, Retired City Policeman
Clarence B. Phifer, 66, retired Camden City policeman, died suddenly Saturday in his home at 515 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights. He was a former semi-professional baseball player in the Eastern and Atlantic Coast Leagues and played with some Camden County teams.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; two sons, Army Lt. Col. Clifford, stationed in Munich, Germany, and Donald D. of Haddon Heights; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Ann LaTorre of Haddon Heights; a brother, three sisters, 12 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Services will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Ascension Lutheran Church, Haddon Heights. Friends will meet at 9 a.m. in the John A. Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, where they may call tonight. Burial will be private.