Introduction
Edgar Roy Ellender Sr.
EDGAR ROY ELLENDER SR. was born in Philadelphia on May 26, 1894 to Frank A. and Caroline “Carrie” Ellender. At the time of the 1900 Census the family resided at 1009 Carlton Street in Philadelphia PA. Father Frank and son Frank H. Ellender are listed as “officers” on the census sheet for that year, and considering his father’s later employment it is probable that they were policemen. Also at home were sisters Hettie, Sadie, and Carrie Ellender. Edgar was the youngest child then at home.
The Ellenders were living in West Deptford NJ when the census was taken in 1910, at the home of Edgar’s sister Sadie and her husband, Jesse Darlington.
When the United States became involved in World War I he enlisted in the Navy, his service commencing on April 4, 1917. He left his wife Martha and daughters Martha and Dorothy when he answered his nation’s call. A son, Edgar Jr., was born in December of 1917.
Edgar Ellender Sr. was discharged from the United States Navy on March 11, 1919. His rank was Fireman First Class when he was discharged. He returned to his wife and child after his service was completed.
When the census was taken in January of 1920, the Ellender family was renting a home at 531 Fulton Place. Only five doors away, at 541 Fulton Place, another Camden fire fighter, Robert M. Coffman, resided. 531 Fulton Place would remain the family home through at least April of 1930. Another child, daughter Edith, had joined the family. Edgar Ellender Sr. was then working as an electrician for a trolley car line. Interestingly enough his father, Frank A. Ellender, was Marshall of Westville NJ at the time, despite being 69 years old at the time. Brother Frank H. Ellender and sister Hettie Ellender Rhoades also lived in Westville, young Frank then a guard at a United States Government building. Edgar Ellender was still living at 531 Fulton Place as late as 1931.
Edgar Ellender was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 20, 1920. He reported for duty with Engine Company 2 on January 1, 1921. He remained with Engine Company 2 until April 4, 1940 when he was promoted to junior captain and assigned to Engine Company 6 at Front and Linden Streets. On February 25, 1943 he was promoted to Captain.
The 1940 Camden City Directory shows Edgar Ellender and his family living at 157 North 32nd Street in East Camden. By the time the 1943 edition was compiled Edgar Ellender and his wife were living at 2901 Royden Street, where they remained until his retirement in 1958.
On January 1, 1950 Edgar R. Ellender was promoted to Acting Battalion Chief. He served as the relief chief for the 1st and 3rd Fire Districts until May 19, 1950 when his promotion was made permanent. Chief Ellender was posted to the 2nd Fire District on June 1, 1950. He served in this capacity until his retirement on June 1, 1958, the Battalion Chief title having been changed to District Chief in 1951. When Chief Ellender retired he was replaced as District Chief by Edward V. Michalak, who in turn was elevated to Chief of Department in 1965.
Edgar Roy Ellender Sr. passed away on November 29, 1967. He was buried on December 4, 1967 at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly NJ next to his wife Martha, who had died in November of 1956.
New Firemen Assigned for Two Platoons
Camden Post-Telegram —
Double Shift System Becomes Effective at 8 O’clock on Saturday Morning
ONE TEN HOURS; OTHER 14 HOURS
Saturday morning at 8 o’clock the two-platoon system of the Fire Department becomes effective. At that hour the first shift will go on duty and remain until 8 p. m., when the second squad goes on, remaining until 8 a. m. That will be the procedure in the department henceforth, the schedule being so arranged that every third day there will be a 24-hour shift to let the other off. Every man will have 24 hours off every sixth day.
The arrangements were completed last night at a meeting of Council’s Fire Committee, when assignments were made of the fifty-six recent appointees to the department. With Chief Carter at headquarters will be stationed in resective [sic] shifts Deputy Chiefs Nicholas and Patterson. Battalion Chiefs Wade and Browninw [sic] will be stationed with their shifts at No. 3 engine house.
At last night’s meeting Congressman F. F. Patterson, Jr., Mayor Charles H. Ellis, President of Council David Jester and Chairman of the Fire Committee Joseph Forsyth made addresses in which they all spoke appreciatively of the fire-fighting force and offered their congratulations to the men in getting what they had sought after many years of effort. Chief Carter was particularly praised for the efficient manner in which he has developed the department. The chief also spoke, thanking the representatives of the city in behalf of the men for the boon given them in the two-platoon system, which means the fire fighters will be able to spend more time with their families.
Everything has been worked out to the least detail and it is anticipated the new system will work without any difficulties.
The assignment of the new men to the various companies follow:
Engine Company No. 1—Alfred E. Green, Charles Errickson, Charles Cook, Leroy Hatchett.
Engine Company No. 2—Howard Lamdon, Edgar Ellander, John K. Voll, Harold E. Loring, Chester J. Andreas, Harry G. Layton.
Engine Company No. 3—Charles Haines, August Haverkamp, Louis Quinton, Chas. S. Clements, Frank Kuda.
Engine Company No. 4—Frank A. Obermann, Walter P. Gray, Albert Ruber, Fred Schucker, Harry Kleinfelder.
Engine Company No. 5—Richard A. Ferris, Frank Fennrio.
Engine Company No. 6—William H. Reed, Manuel J. Kane, Edward Perairia, Thomas Shanahan, Rocco di Varino.
Engine Company No. 7—August Scholl, Lawrence H. Matthews, Nicholas Romain.
Engine Company No. 8—Adam Mead, Frank Sapp, William J. Taylor, William Wood, Samuel Oshushek, Edward C. Crane.
Engine Company No. 9—Keenard Naylor, Daniel McSurdy, John Mohofeld.
Engine Company No. 10—William Swarts, Hugh Rementer, Harry Greenan, Rocco Abbott.
Hose and Chemical Company No. 2—Lawrence Newton, Edward Hauser, William Getner.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1—Tom Cunningham, Leonard Magee.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 2—John Gaylor, Walter G. White.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 3—David Ellis, George A. Addison, John Mulligan, David Humphreys, Albert Dukes.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 4—George A. Quimby.
Chief’s driver—Tenny G. Hutchinson.
Smoke Overcomes Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fireman Charles Gladney, driver for Deputy Chief Patterson, was overcome by smoke while fighting a fire at the Wearwell Gasket Company on the second floor of the building at 32 North Third street, Camden. He was carried out by Fireman Edgar Ellender and quickly revived. The fire was quickly extinguished with a loss of $500.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Courier —
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, sent 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 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. Merts [sic], of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager of the ladder-climbers, counted up twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, the first three in each event to qualify for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in one division and the firemen in the other. 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 to qualify on Tuesday include Fred Schucker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Layton, Edgar Ellender, August Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Foehle, Tom Shanahan, Harrison Pike, William Rudd, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Swartz, Nelson Fill, William Mourtvey, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Menzies, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, Clifford Hare, Nelson Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook the “Cops” seem to be coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats, they having beaten Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of- team of eight men will also be selected by the firemens’ leader. Mertz will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Motorcycle Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this performance, as but forty minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services free of charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Egg Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his teams 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 this locality, according to Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and expert riding stunts. Those on his teams, there being four on each, are well known in riding circles, some of the best hill climbers and polo players being included in the personnel of the teams are as follows:
Blue Devils No. 1—Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisandanz, Edward Paul.
Blue Devils No. 2—Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
Jack the Mascot
Above: 1930s “Jack Airedale” with members of Engine 2 and Ladder 1.
The American Fire Service has always held domesticated animals as esteemed mascots and the Camden Fire Department was certainly no exception. Through the years there have been many types of mascots in the Department including monkeys, cats, goats, and of course the most popular mascot, the dog. Dating back to the days of horse drawn fire apparatus and even earlier when carriage dogs formed an integral bond with horses, canines distinguished themselves as animals especially attuned to firehouse life.
Jack was the company mascot of Engine 2 and Ladder 1 at old Fire Headquarters for over five years and he was described as an intelligent Airedale of good humored nature. Jack never missed an opportunity to climb aboard the apparatus and answer alarms with his beloved masters. The sight of Engine Company 2 roaring out Federal Street with Jack perched high atop the apparatus, wind blowing in his face amid the shrill pitch of the buckeye whistle and clanging bells was a unforgettable scene. Occasionally and as with all active canines, Jack would be out of quarters and around the corner or down the street when an alarm was transmitted. At such times he would dash down Fifth Street until he caught up with the rolling apparatus and would skillfully leap upward to his accustomed place on the rig. It was under these circumstances that Jack lost his life.
The Department phone jingled and the Housewatchman turned out both companies for an alarm at 119 N. 9th Street. Jack got a late start on the hike and chased the apparatus out Federal Street where he tangled with an automobile at Broadway. While trying to avoid the car Jack darted into the path of the apparatus and was fatally injured. The men of the Engine and Truck were heart broken. Jack was buried the next day in the rear yard of Fire Headquarters in the place that had been his home since puppyhood. Flowers were planted to adorn the fresh grave while some of the toughest Firemen in the house were visibly grief stricken. One year later on the anniversary of Jack’s death a memorial service was held after Roll Call in the rear yard of Fire Headquarters. The members erected a tombstone and in a quiet service, Fireman John Yates blew taps over Jack’s grave. There were no words spoken. All that needed to be said was inscribed upon the little headstone; “Our Faithful Pal Jack” died in service, November 5, 1934.
Below, November 1934, at grave site outside Fire Headquarters at North 5th and Arch Streets immediately following ceremony for “Jack,” from left: Fireman John Yates, Captain William Van Pfefferle, Fireman William Hopkins, Fireman Lester Anderson, Acting Captain Edgar Ellender, Deputy Chief William Harring.
Changes Announced in Fire Department
Camden Courier-Post —
Truck Disbanded, Engine Company Created; 13 Men Transferred
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus yesterday announced a number of changes in the fire department, including the disbanding of Truck Company No. 4; creation of a new engine company, No. 10, and the transfer of 18 officers and men, 12 of them captains.
Most of the new captains have been serving as acting captains and promotion to full rank will involve no pay increases, inasmuch as the men signed waivers foregoing the raises.
Commissioner Kobus explained most of the changes were made to conform with regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. The board, Mrs. Kobus explained, made a survey of the department and advised appointments of acting captains to full rank.
The commissioner also announced she had appointed Junior Captain Raymond Smith as director of the school for firemen at Engine Company No. 10, Ninth and Morgan streets. Smith, one of the youngest at the recently appointed junior captains, will succeed the late Battalion Chief Rollo Jones.
Senior Captain Leonard Megee was appointed acting battalion chief to succeed Jones. He will continue at the Fifth and Arch streets fire headquarters.
Junior Captain William Spencer, of headquarters company, was named relief captain.
Engine Company No. 10 will use the headquarters of the old truck company, at Ninth and Morgan streets.
To the new company Mrs. Kobus assigned Senior Captain Mortica Clark and Firemen Frank Burt, Frank Esperance and Clifford Lane.
Junior Captain Frank Oberman was transferred from Engine Company No. 10 to Engine Company No. 1, at fire headquarters.
Other assignments are as follows:
Junior Captain Robert Wonsetler, Engine Company No. 11, to Engine Company No. 2.
Fireman Harry Kleinfelder, Engine Company No. 6, to Engine Company No. 2.
Junior Captain Edgar Ellender, Engine Company No. 2, to Engine Company No. 6.
Junior Captain Ralph Bingemann, Truck Company No. 2, to Engine Company No. 7.
Fireman David Humphries, Truck Company No. 3, to Engine Company No. 11.
Junior Captain Nelson Andrews, Engine Company No. 2, to Truck Company No. 1.
Fireman Albert Dukes, Jr., Truck Company No. 1, to Engine Company No. 2.
Junior Captain Winfield Levisuer, Truck Company No. 2, to Truck Company No. 3.
Junior Captain Edward McDowell retains assignment to Engine Company No. 3.
Junior Captain Maurice O’Brien assigned to Engine Company No. 10.
The changes were contained in notice to the Civil Service Commission, are effective as of June 1 and will appear on the June 15 payroll.
Smoke Fills Theatre, Audience Marches Out
Camden Courier-Post —
Smoke from an oil burner seeped through the Roxy theatre, 1121 Broadway, Sunday night and 75 patrons left their seats after being assured there was no danger.
Mrs. Margaret Vigna, the assistant manager, said she saw the smoke shortly before 11 o’clock and summoned firemen. She went to the stage to address the audience and they walked out with “rainchecks” for another show.
Acting Battalion Chief Edgar Ellender said a circulating fan had sucked up the smoke from the oil burner and sent it through the theatre.
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.
Mathews-Purnell Post 518
Camden Courier-Post —
MATHEWS-PURNELL POST 518 met at 2712 Hayes Avenue. Commander Irving L. Stiefel welcomed two members, Robert C. Barr and Charles E. Wilson, both veterans of War II.
Bernard Brown reported that Edward Bossett who underwent three operations in Cooper hospital, was improving at home. Chester Knaub Sr. reported Robert Louis was ill in Cooper hospital. Robert Morgandale reported that the Last Man’s club of War II was progressing and will make a report later.
After the meeting, a buffet luncheon was sponsored by Commander Steifel in honor of the past commanders and officers of the post and the auxiliary. One hundred and twenty-five members and visitors attended. Among the guests were Mabel Dukes, District Chief Edgar R. Ellender of the Camden fire department, and William E. Hilbmann, who was introduced as the public relations officer of Camden county council. Steifel presented Hilbmann with a pot of flowers.
Hilbmann responded with a few remarks and said he could look back to 30 years ago when John C. Stroud and Raymond G. Price stopped at his house and suggested of the formation of a VFW post in Cramer Hill. “The go ahead sign was given and here’s what you see today, one of the finest and best VFW posts in the whole state,” Hilbmann said.
Steifel thanked the hosts for their services. They are past presidents of the 518 auxiliary, Mrs. Elizabeth Knaub, Mrs. Ruth Ibes, Mrs. Esther Rowand, Mrs. Margaret Worrell, Mrs. Edna Weaver, Mrs. Beatrice Frederick and Mrs. Etta Papycik. Also introduced were Past Post Commanders Chester Knaub Sr., Peter Winters Sr., Michael Mungioli, William S. Mountney Sr., Stephen L. Walter and Alvah S. Ward. Other post officers introduced were Orris Smith Sr., vice-commander; Robert Cornog Jr., vice commander; Chester Knaub Sr., quartermaster; Buroughs Messick, adjutant; Stephen L. Walter, chaplain; Joseph Hasher, public relations.
Others present were Chester Knaub Jr., John Morgandale, William Mountney Jr., Frederick Sauers, James Flanigan Sr. and James Flanigan Jr. Auxiliary officers were Mrs. Victoria Nicktern, president; Mary Clifford, Senior vice president; Mrs. Betty Horner, junior vice president; Mrs. Ruth Ibe, secretary; Mrs. Etta Papaycik, chaplain; Mrs. Filomena, conductress, and Mrs. Anna Mathews, Mrs. Edna Flanigan and Mrs. Millie Pettit, guards.
6 Children Saved From Home Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
Six children were led to safety Wednesday night when a fire raged through their South Camden home, virtually destroying four rooms of a two-story frame dwelling.
The fire, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carr, 347 Lansdowne ave., was discovered while the mother was visiting relatives at 338 Lansdowne ave. Alvin Gibbs, of 338 Lansdowne ave., a brother-in-law of Mrs. Carr, saw the side of the Carr house afire, ran in and herded the children to the street.
The children are Doris, 16; Josephine, 13; Joseph Jr., 10; Barbara, 6; Betty, 5 and Antoinette, 4. The three younger girls were in bed and were roused and fled the burning structure.
The fire damaged two second floor bedrooms and the dining room and kitchen on the first floor.
District Chief Edgar Ellender said the fire was caused by a defective chimney.
Save Man, 80, With 2 Others In Home Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
An 80-year-old man and his 55-year-old wife were aided to safety and their 18-month-old grandchild was rescued Thursday when fire wrecked two dwellings at 828 and 830 Bulson st.
They are Norman Smith, his wife, Frances, and the child, Charles Gantt, all occupants of 830 Bulson st., where firemen said the flames started in a stove in the front room on the first floor.
District Chief Edgar Ellender, who fought the fire with Engines 3 and 10 and Truck 2, said the fire apparently started while Smith was using a box of matches in an attempt to start a fire in the stove because of the chilly weather.
Saved by Neighbors
Smith and his wife, surrounded by flames, were led to safety by two neighbors, Rose Harrington, 13, and her sister, Dorothy, 19, of 824 Bulson st.
The baby was carried out of the house by a third Harrington sister, Mary, 20.
While the rescue was being affected [sic], a box alarm was turned in by Miss Jo Lillian Potts, of Chelton Terrace Apartments, Bulson st. near 8th, who saw the flames from her rear door.
Seven Left Homeless
The Smiths, the infant, and the baby’s mother Frances, who was at work at the time of the fire, were left homeless, as were William Baldwin, of 828 Bulson st., and his two sons, William and Charles, who were absent from their home when the fire broke out.
All were given shelter by neighbors.
Heroines and Ruins
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Photo
Heroines and Ruins of fire Thursday which wrecked the dwellings at 828 and 830 Bulson st. Dorothy Harrington, 18 (left), and her sister Mary, 20, led the occupants of the 830 address, Norman Smith, 80, his wife, Frances, and their 18-month grandchild, to safety when they were trapped in the flames. A third sister, Rose, 13, also aided in the rescue.
Engine Company 3, 3rd Battalion
1956
Engine Company 3 and the 3rd Battalion in quarters, Broadway & Ferry Avenue, South Camden. 1956.
Left to right, standing: Chief Edgar Ellender, Fireman George Wade, Fireman Howard Lewis, Captain Edward Michalak; Kneeling: Fireman George Torgun, Fireman Dominick Dalanni, Fireman Henry Keubler.
Service Record
Edgar Roy Ellender Sr. — Camden Fire Department service record