Introduction
Clarence H. Thorn was born in Burlington, New Jersey on March 31, 1886 to Amos Alva Thorn and his wife, the former Sarah “Dolly” Sanderson. The family moved to Camden during the 1900s. The 1910 Census shows the Thorn family, which included sister Mettis and brother Alva C. Thorn, at 451 Henry Street in South Camden. Both Clarence and his father were employed as sash makers in one of the several lumber mills in Camden. In 1912 he married Anna Kleinheinz, who was related to South Camden political leader George Kleinheinz. Her father, Charles, had a grocery at 910 Spruce Street. Two children came of this marriage, William E. Thorn in 1913 and Anna M. Thorn in 1914. On April 17, 1917 Clarence Thorn was appointed to the Camden police department. The 1920 Census shows the family living at 326 Royden Street. Sadly, Clarence and Anna Thorn divorced during the 1920s.
Clarence Thorn served as a motorcycle and mounted policeman during his tenure with the Camden Police Department. On January 24, 1930 Clarence Thorn was promoted to Sergeant. When the Census was taken in April of 1930 he was living with his parents at 2623 Cramer Street. Unfortunately, injury and illness took its toll, and he was forced to retire on pension at the end of 1932. Clarence Thorn died on March 28, 1934. His ex-wife died a few weeks later, on May 20, 1934.
Third Ward Republican Club Ball
Camden Post-Telegram —
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club
Latest Dances on Program
Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.
It was after 10 o’clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure “three” and the letter “W.” The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.
The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton’s orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.
The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:
Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.
Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.
Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.
Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harry Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowakey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.
The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence R. Thorn.
Motorcycle Police Appointed
Camden Post-Telegram —
New motorcycle police appointments. Raymond H. Stark, Clarence Thorn, Louis Brill, William Boettcher, Joseph Shreeve, John T. Potter
Police Promotions Announced
Camden Evening Courier —
Police department promotions. Ralph Bakley, Charles V. Dickinson, George Frost, Charles T. Humes, Lewis H. Stehr, George Ward, Walter Welch, Charles Laib, Clarence Thorn
Police Department Ceremonies
Camden Evening Courier —
Police ceremony. Dr. David S. Rhone, Charles V. Dickinson, Theodore Guthrie, James Paradise, Clarence Bunker, Howard Smith, Clarence Arthur, Henry Lutz, Clarence Thorn, John Kowal, Lewis H. Stehr
Sergeant Stehr Honored
Camden Morning Post —
Testimonial for Sergeant Lewis H. Stehr. Dr. David S. Rhone, Charles V. Dickinson, Clarence Thorn, Rev. Edward T. Weeks, B.C. Schroeder, Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Cooper Hospital, Broadway, Royden Street, Kaighn Avenue, Haddon Avenue
Police Retirement Testimonial
Camden Courier-Post —
Retirement testimonial for retiring officers. Charles T. Humes, Albert York, David Hunt, Clarence Thorn, James R. White, Harry Haines, William H. Miller Jr., Charles H. Ellis, William G. Schregler, Wilson Ashbridge, Charles Powell, “Honest John” Brunen, James Navin, George W. Hollins, Richard S. Marter, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Earnest, Samuel Harring, Daniel Grimes, Andrew Miller, Steward Bakley
Police Department Changes
Camden Courier-Post —
Police department personnel changes after retirements. Roy R. Stewart, Charles T. Humes, Albert York, Clarence Thorn, David Hunt, Harry Haines Sr., John Lutts, James R. White, William H. Miller Jr., Major W. Greenwood, Adrian Bateman, Elmer Burkett, Robert M. Coffman, Howard L. Currie, James E. Navin, George W. Hollins, Richard S. Marter, Arthur A. Wingate, Joseph F. Ernst, Samuel E. Harring, Andrew “Fritz” Miller, Steward Bakley, William K. Buzine, Daniel Grimes, William H. Bennett
Sergeant Clarence Thorn Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Obituary for Sergeant Clarence Thorn. David S. Rhone, John Golden