Introduction
Clarence Thomas Madden was born June 5, 1883 to Thomas and Winifred Madden. The 1900 Census shows the Madden family living at 11 South 3rd Street, between Federal Street and Taylor Avenue. His father owned a bar at that address. Besides Clarence there was an older sister, Anna, and a younger brother, Walter Madden. Another sibling had died prior to the census being enumerated. The family moved a few houses away, to 21 South 3rd Street shortly after the Census was taken. The 1906 City Directory shows Clarence Madden working as a clerk, and living at 21 South 3rd Street. He was still at that address when the 1914 City Directory was compiled.
Clarence Madden was first appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 1, 1910, and served with Engine Company Number 2, stationed at 5th and Arch Street. Camden’s Fire Department was still using horse-drawn equipment when he began his service.
When he registered for the draft September of 1918 Clarence Madden was living at 421 South 3rd Street. He and his wife Agnes and his widowed mother Winifred were living there in January of 1920 when the Census was taken. By 1924 he had moved to 2760 Mickle Street in East Camden, not far from the fire station at 27th and Federal Street.
In 1922 Clarence Madden was raised to Lieutenant, and on April 3, 1928 was promoted to senior captain of Engine Company 6. Clarence Madden was named battalion chief on November 21, 1944 and deputy chief of the Camden Fire Department on December 16, 1949. His last assignment prior to retiring was as the fire commander for the Second Fire District, based at North 27th Street & Federal Street. Chief Madden lived at 2760 Mickle Street into the early 1950s.
Deputy Chief Madden applied for his pension in July of 1950, a mandatory retirement at 65 law having been passed covering police and firemen. His last day on the fire department was August 31, 1950, when he retired along with Firemen John Prucella, Spencer Smith Sr., and Frank L’Esperance.
By 1959 he had moved to 635 Eldridge Avenue in Oaklyn NJ. Clarence Madden passed away in May of 1963. He was survived by his son Clarence T. Madden Jr.
Fire Department Headquarters
Headquarters, Camden Fire Department
5th and Arch Streets – circa 1908
Headquarters, Camden Fire Department
5th and Arch Streets – 1918
Camden Fire Department headquarters where Clarence Madden began his service in 1910
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Increase Provides for Installation of New Company, No. 7.
OTHERS ADVANCED TO MEET CHANGES
City Council’s Fire Committee last night made provision for the installation of Engine Company No. 7 by the appointment of ten new members of the department. Some of the new appointees will be assigned to the new company, which will be located at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, and the rest of the complement will be made up of experienced fire fighters. The company goes into service July 1. The men appointed last night are:
First Ward—H. L. Curry, Jr.
Second Ward—Robert Bricee [sic].
Third Ward—Clarence Madden.
Fourth Ward—William Cason.
Fifth Ward—William Laird.
Sixth Ward—George Boone.
Seventh Ward—Edward Simpson.
Eighth Ward—John McTaggart.
Ninth Ward—Roy Smith.
Tenth Ward—J. Ora Burris.
The committee also made provision for the superior officers of the company by advancing present members of the department. William Buzine was made engineer, Thomas Nichols was elected captain, Joseph Maxwell was chosen lieutenant, Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers and Newton Ash was promoted to extra engineer. Henry Knowles was made houseman for the new company.
The men advanced last night will not necessarily be assigned to No. 7, and the matter of placing them will be disposed of at a later meeting.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Elks memorial service at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Camden Lodge 293 Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Registration Card
Fire Department Photo
1926
Camden Fire Department, 1926
Funeral of James McDade
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With seventy-five of his fellow firemen acting as escort the funeral of James McDade, veteran engineer of No. 6 Engine Company, who died suddenly Tuesday night, took place yesterday from his home at Front and Linden streets. As the cortege passed the engine house where McDade had been stationed for ten years the members on duty stood at attention with hats doffed. There were floral tokens from all parts of the city, for McDade was one of the most popular members of the department. The services were in charge of Rev. James Lord, pastor of the Tabernacle M. E. Church. The pall-bearers were Lieutenant Clarence Madden, David Bakely, Abraham Kerns, William Thompson, Elmer Burkett, of McDade’s company, and Samuel Hardin, of No. 4 Engine Company. Interment was made at Fernwood Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Lennox Deputy Chief; Eight Others Elevated as Captains Here
A new deputy chief, a battalion chief and eight new senior and junior captains will assume their posts today in the fire department. The men were promoted yesterday afternoon, along with the announcement of eleven new appointments of firemen, who will go into service April 15.
The new deputy chief, John H. Lennox, now is second in command when his platoon is on duty. He was acting deputy since the naming of Thomas Nicholas as chief two years ago.
The new battalion chief is Rollo Jones. Jones succeeds George B. Wade, who retired January 1.
Junior captains advanced to senior captains, with salaries increased to $2,400, are William H. Harring, Truck Company No. 1, Clarence Madden, Engine Company No. 6, and George Hunt, Engine Company No. 7. The new junior captains advanced from the ranks, with new salaries of $2,280 a year, are David Ellis, driver for Chief Nicholas for nine years, George Saunders, hoseman of Engine Company No. 9; Eli Hunt, driver of Engine Company No. 3, and William Van Pfefferle, hoseman, Engine Company No. 1.
All the promotions were from the civil service eligible list. The captains will be assigned tomorrow.
The new firemen, also civil service eligibles, will start with salaries of $1,500. Each year of service brings an increase, until five years in the department pays $2040 annually. The new men are Thomas F. Gibbons, Byron M. Davis, John S. Anderson, William H. Toy, Leo J. Tompkins, Horace T. Molan, Lawrence Bolton, George W. Garner, Felix E. Bendzyn, Harry H. Hess and Charles Jones.
Chief Lennox is one of the most popular firefighters in the organization. “Chappie” is the nickname by which he has been known for years. He was appointed a fireman January 1, 1908. He was promoted to a captainship October 1, 1915, and was assigned to Engine Company No. 8.
His promotion to deputy chief gives the department two men in that standing, one in command of each platoon on duty. His new salary will be $2,8[8]0 a year. He will be stationed at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets. He lives at 633 Clinton street. William W. Patterson is the other deputy chief.
Battalion Chief Jones will receive $2,520 a year. He has been in command of Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. He will be sent to command Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
He was a former senior captain of Engine Company No. 4. For a number of years he was an instructor in fire school methods of life saving. He lives at 536 York street.
22 Firemen Assigned to New Stations
Camden Courier-Post —
12 Rookies and 10 Promoted Men Go to Posts
Twelve new firemen and ten men promoted several weeks ago were assigned to their new stations yesterday by Chief Thomas J. Nicholas. With these appointments, the department complement of 200 men is completed.
John H. Lennox, newly named deputy chief, will make his headquarters at the Fifth and Arch streets station. Rollo Jones, promoted from senior captain to battalion chief, succeeding George Wade, recently retired on pension, will move to Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Three men were promoted from junior to senior captaincies. They are: William Heron [sic], who moved to Company No. 2; George Hunt, Company No. 8, and Clarence T. Madden, Company No. 5.
Taken from the ranks, the following will be stationed as junior captains: David R. Ellis, Company No. 7; Clarence Newton, Company No. 5; William Van Pfefferle, Truck Company No. 2; Eli Hunt, Company No. 9, and George Saunders, Company No. 6.
The new firefighters and their stations are: Lawrence Bolton [sic], Company No. 9; John S. Anderson, Company No. 4; Byron M. Davis, Company No. 1; George W. Garner, Company No. 4; Lawrence Milton, Company No. 5; Thomas Gibbons, Company No. 4; Leo J. Tompkins, Company No. 2; Felix Bendzyn, Company No. 7; Horace T. Molan, Company No. 7; William E. Toy, Company No. 9; Harry H. Hess, Company No. 11, and Edward Callahan, Truck Company No. 4.
Fire Department Memorial Service
Camden Courier-Post —
Memorial service for firefighter C.B. Coles. Clarence Madden, John Mulligan, George Garner, John H. Lennox, Engine Company 4, Engine Company 5
East Camden Firehouse
At the intersection of 27th and Federal Streets, sits the Firehouse, along with a Police Station, and Public Library that were built between 1903 and 1906. The firehouse is still in use in 2003.
4 Cops, 4 Firemen, Widow of One Win City Pensions
Camden Courier-Post —
Johnson, Garrity, Crawford, Stahl Retire Aug. 31
Four police officers and four firemen applied for pensions under the mandatory 65-year-old retirement law today.
The applications, all approved by the police-firemen pension board, are in line with Commissioner Aaron’s order in December, 1948, advising chiefs of the respective services that state law requires retirement of all personnel who have reached 65.
Police officers to be pensioned are Detective Capt. Samuel E. Johnson, 71, Capt. John T. Garrity, 65, Detective Frank Crawford, 69, and Patrolman Harry Stahl, 68.
Fire department members include Deputy Chief Clarence Madden, 67, and Firemen John Prucella, 75; Spencer Smith Sr., 68, and Frank L’Esperance, 66.
The eight men will retire Aug. 31, with each receiving one-half of the average annual salary of the last three years.
Also approved today was an application for a widow’s pension by Mrs. Carrie Bean, 1103 North Twenty-sixth street. Her husband, Patrolman Howard Bean, died June 8, eight days after being pensioned. She will receive $1000 annually.
Captain Johnson, of 211 Elm street, is considered the dean of the police department, having served 40 years.
Johnson, who will receive $2019 annually, was appointed in April, 1910, and was made a detective 10 years later. He was elevated to sergeant in November, 1928, and to lieutenant in 1930. One year after he was cited in 1942 by former Public Safety Director Mary Kobus, Johnson was raised to captain. He served as acting police chief from December, 1947, to December, 1949.
Captain Garrity will receive $1601 annually. He served as commander in each of the three city districts. Garrity was appointed in January, 1920; made sergeant July, 1930; lieutenant in 1940, and captain on June 30, 1944. He lives at 2515 Morgan boulevard.
Following a “pep” meeting with city detectives Thursday, Aaron announced he had transferred Captain Garrity to his office for “special assignments.” Sgt. William Schultz was named acting captain to head the third police district to replace Garrity.
Crawford, of 578 Chestnut street, will draw $1501. He was named to the force in 1912 and resigned eight years later. In 1931 he was reinstated and received a promotion to detective status in 1942. He was cited by former Chief John Golden.
Stahl Appointed in 1917
Stahl lives at 1513 Baird avenue. After his appointment in 1917, he saw service in most departments of the bureau. He will receive an annual pension of $1401.
Chief Madden, 2760 Mickle street, is serving as fire commander for the second fire district at Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. He was appointed July 1, 1910 and assigned to Engine Co. 5, Fifth and Arch streets.
In 1922 he was raised to lieutenant, and six years later became senior captain. Madden was named battalion chief Nov. 21, 1944 and deputy chief on Dec. 16, 1949.
Madden will receive about $2000, with the others drawing approximately $1358 annually.
Prucella, 919 Penn street, was sworn in on Nov. 1, 1911 and joined Engine Co. 5. Since 1933 he has been serving at No. 6 Engine Co., Front and Linden streets.
Smith was appointed May 1, 1914 and assigned to No. 1 Engine Co., Fourth and Pine streets. He has been attached to No. 10 Engine Co., Ninth street and Morgan boulevard, since 1920.
Frank L’Esperance, 604 Clinton street, is also a member of No. 10 Engine Co., where he has been attached since 1938. He was appointed June 6, 1918 and served with No. 5 and No. 3 engine companies.
World War II Draft Card
World War II Draft Registration Card
Fire Department Service Card
Camden Fire Department service record card
Engine Company 9 & Ladder Company 3
circa 1946
Engine Company 9 & Ladder Company 3 – circa 1946. John Mulligan passed away on July 28, 1947. E9: Tim Shanahan, Howard “Waxie” Harrington, Howard Gick, unknown, Newton Ash
L3: Johnny Mulligan, Dave Humphries, Clarence Madden, Harry Allebach, unknown, Henry Zook
Firefighters Fete ‘Shorty’ Prucella After 39 Years in Service of City
Camden Courier-Post —
A GOLD WATCH in recognition of his many years of service with the Camden fire department was presented Tuesday to John B. “Shorty” Prucella, 75, retiring member of Engine Co. 6, by his “buddies” of the station. Prucella, who will retire July 15 after 39 years, is given the watch by Hoseman Ernest Tartaglia. Standing, left to right, second row, are Capt. William H. Deitz, P. Farrow, E. Callahan, H. Pike, H. Needham and Capt. Harold Megee; back row, Capt. Thomas Winstanley, of No. 2 Engine Co.; M. Fattore, T. McParland and William Reed.
John B. “Shorty” Prucella on July 15 is going to stop fighting fires, rescuing cats up poles and trees, returning lost children to anxious parents and marching in parades.
On that date Prucella, oldest member of No. 6 Engine Co., will go on pension after 39 years service.
Shorty, as the other eight members an [sic] two captains of his company call him, is 75. He is one of the two remaining veteran fire fighters in the city who formerly drove horse-drawn apparatus.
The other horse driver is Battalion Chief Clarence Madden.
Prucella joined the city electrical bureau in April, 1910, and after 19 months service, transferred in November 1911 to the fire department. It was at Engine Co. No. 5, formerly at Twelfth and Federal streets, where he drove a horse-drawn fire truck.
Receives Watch as Gift
Later, Prucella served at No. 4 Engine Co., formerly at Fourth and Vine streets. He has been stationed at No. 6 company, Front and Linden streets, for the last 17 years.
Shorty’s comrades, in a surprise ceremony Tuesday, presented him with a gold watch. Attending the affair were Captains William H. Deitz and Harold Megee, of the same company; Firemen P. Farrow, E. Callahan, H. Pike, H. Needham, M. Fattore, T. McFarland, William Reed and Ernest Tartaglia, and Battalion Chiefs Edgar Ellender and Howard Gick.
Prucella lives at 919 Penn street with his wife, Hattie; a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Raymond. He has two grandchildren.
Will Take It Easy
The veteran smoke-eater announced his future plans call for “taking it easy” and reminiscing about old times.
“The ‘fire department’ is gone now,” Prucella commented. “What people called the fire department went out with the horses. Horses gave something to fire fighting, and when they left there just wasn’t any ‘fire department.’
“Of course, considering that out [sic] engines get out of the fire house in 20 seconds today, is enough to show that horses could never compare with anything we have today. But the horse drawn wagons got out of the firehouse in two minutes, and Heaven help the man who got in their way.
“It hurt when the old plugs were taken away. The keenest horse we owned was turned over to the street cleaning department.”
Biggest fire in Prucella’s experience was the Hollingshed fire in 1940, but he doesn’t like to think about it because 14 persons lost their lives.
Prucella is a member of the International Firefighters Association, Police and Fire Club, Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association and the Camden Lodge of Moose.
Camden Protected During Big Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
3 Firemen Off Duty Commandeer Truck and Wait for Any Emergency
With all available fire-fighting apparatus at the Kaighn’s Point conflagration, three members of the city fire department who were off duty nevertheless provided Camden with its only protection against other fires by breaking into an abandoned firehouse and manning a fire truck.
Captain Clarence Madden and Firemen John Mulligan and George Garner, attached to the fire house at Twenty-seventh and Federal streets, heard the third alarm and knowing that all the city’s companies were summoned to the fire, decided to go on duty to be ready for any other emergency.
They hurried to the fire house. The No. 5 truck has been out of commission for some time and they were unable to move it.
Jumping into Madden’s own car, they went to the Fourth and Vine streets house which has been discontinued. A truck was inside.
But they found all doors locked. Forcing a rear window they entered and broke the padlock on the front door and drove the truck to headquarters at Fifth and Arch streets, where they reported and remained on call until the return of the other companies.
They were commended by Chief John H. Lennox for their resourcefulness.