Introduction
Ernest F. Fagan
Ernest Frederick Fagan was born on July 29, 1938 in Camden to Ernest J. Fagan and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Abbott. When the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, the Fagans were living at 27 South 35th Street in East Camden. By 1956 the family had moved down the street to 105 South 35th Street.
Ernest F. Fagan was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 11, 1964. He reported for duty the same day. He was unmarried at the time of his joining the department, and was living with his parents at the South 35th Street address in East Camden.
Ernest F. Fagan passed away on July 15, 1973. He was survived by his parents and two brothers, Dennis and Ronald Fagan. His father and brother Dennis both died in January of 1999, and his mother passed in July of 2000.
The Fagan family still occupied the South 35th Street address as late as 2001.
Smiths Firemen To 3d Generation
Camden Courier-Post —
By JOSEPH R. McCARTHY
A third generation of the Smith family was sworn into the city’s fire department today.
Following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Spencer Haines Smith 3d, 22, of 1523 Collings rd., became a fireman. Young Smith also has a firefighting uncle in the city.
HIS FATHER, Spencer H. Smith Jr. of 2965 Merrimac rd. was appointed to the department on Oct. 14, 1942, and has served 24½ years on the force. He is commissioner of The Consolidated Police and Fireman Pension System and chairman of the Pension Board.
Spencer H. Smith Sr., who died four years ago, became a fireman on May 1, 1914, and retired in 1950, after 36 years and four months of service.
EARL A SMITH, an uncle, of 240 Eutaw ave., was appointed to the fire squad on Sept. 30, 1950. In addition, to complete the family’s service to the city, William Smith, the great-grandfather, was a policeman.
The new appointee was sworn in along with Ernest F. Fagan, 25, of 105 S. 35th st., and Truman F. Maples, 25, of 1024 N. 35th st. The three will attend Fire School at 9th and Morgan sts.
THE MONTH’S schooling will include a week at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where the new firemen will fight actual fires with the Yard’s Fire and Disaster Control Center.
3 Firemen Grads Given Assignments
Camden Courier-Post —
Three firemen were graduated today from the Camden City Fire Training School, 9th and Market sts. Their training began June 11 and included one week at the Philadelphia Fire Training School.
Assigned in ceremonies at fire headquarters, 3rd and Arch sts., were Truman Maples, 26, of 1024 N. 35th st., to Engine Company 11, Ernest A. Fagan, 25, 105 S. 35th st., Engine Company 1, and Spencer Smith 3d, a third-generation fireman, 22, of 1523 Collings rd., to Ladder Company 1.
3 Firemen Grads Given Assignments
Camden Courier-Post —
Three firemen were graduated today from the Camden City Fire Training School, 9th and Market sts. Their training began June 11 and included one week at the Philadelphia Fire Training School.
Assigned in ceremonies at fire headquarters, 3rd and Arch sts., were Truman Maples, 26, of 1024 N. 35th st., to Engine Company 11, Ernest A. Fagan, 25, 105 S. 35th st., Engine Company 1, and Spencer Smith 3d, a third-generation fireman, 22, of 1523 Collings rd., to Ladder Company 1.
Camden Fire Fighters Ernie Fagan and Leon Johnson
This fire at South 6th and Van Hook Streets destroyed the original building of the John W. Mickle Elementary School. The Annex remains in use as of 2008 as the Camden Creative Arts High School. — With Leon Johnson
Camden Fire Department Personnel Record
Ernest F. Fagan — Camden Fire Department Personnel Record