Introduction
Dr. Francis J. Bicker Sr.
DR. FRANCIS J. BICKER SR. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1859 to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frederick Bicker. After being educated at the Zion Academy and the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy, he graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1890.
Francis J. Bicker Sr. came to Camden from Philadelphia in the 1880s. In 1887 he was living and working as a drug clerk for Dr. John W. Donges at 1801 Broadway. After graduating from medical school he set up a general practice with offices at 1701 Fillmore Street, the corner of Fillmore and Van Hook Streets, near the John W. Mickle Elementary School. Married to Theresa Trainor Tuttle, he had three children, Carl Frederick, Dorothy Katherine, and Francis Joseph Bicker Jr.
Dr. Bicker passed away on May 24, 1915, and his wife followed him on January 5, 1916. They are buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden. Sadly, Carl Frederick Bicker died while serving with the United States Marine Corps during World War I. Son Francis Joseph Bicker Jr. (1901–1968), a lifelong resident of Camden, worked as a plumber, and in 1916 formed a partnership with Isreal Ross, working out of a building the 600 block of Van Hook Street.
Dr. Francis J. Bicker was a member of the Camden County Medical Society, the Camden City Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He also was a member of Camden Lodge Number 293, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He joined the Elks in April of 1906 with the endorsement of John S. Smith and the approval of membership committee members Dr. H.H. Davis, J. Willard Morgan, and George B. Bond.
Family Photos
Named: Dr. Francis J. Bicker & Francis J. Bicker Jr., Carl F. Bicker, and Dorothy Bicker.
One Week More of Campaigning
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Republican Ticket Will Sweep Camden County With a Big Majority
Democrats, Hopeless of Success, Are Having a Factional Fight on the Side
With the end of this week the campaign in Camden county will practically end. During the week the Republican spellbinders will visit the Ninth and Twelfth wards, Camden, and Waterford and Winslow townships. Everything points to an overwhelming Republican majority.
While the Democrats have been taking but little interest in the campaign, the nomination of an independent Democratic ticket by the county Democracy will result in bringing out many Democrats to vote who otherwise would remain at home. Gottlieb Mick, chairman of the Executive Committee of the County Democracy, yesterday announced the appointment of the following Campaign Committee:
Dr. Donges, Captain Christopher S. Magrath, Isaac Ferris, Jr., Charles Davall, John Hood, George D. Borton, James F. Davis, Joseph Devinney, George Holl, Joseph Nowrey, William E. Anthony, David T Campbell, John Pugh, John K. Esler, Harry Stetser, Cornelius Shepperkotter, Dr. F. J. Bickers, Jonas S. Miller, Allyn Brewer, Joseph Peacock, David A. Shreeve, Charles D. Heath, Frederick Krueger, F. S. Niepling, Aaron Bryant, Jacob C. Lippincott, Thomas Wentz, Sr.
The committee will endeavor to get out a larger vote for the County Democracy ticket than the “regular” faction of the party will poll. The regulars have William J. Thompson as their leader, with County Detective John S. Smith as his chief lieutenant, and they expect to down the “silk stockings.”
A change was made in the County Democracy ticket yesterday, caused by the withdrawal of George Williams, of the Twelfth ward, as a candidate for the Assembly. The vacancy was filled by selecting Charles C. Old, of Pensauken township, who filed his acceptance with the County Clerk. Mr. Old is a shoe merchant in business in Philadelphia.
Jacob C Daubman, who recently filed a certificate of nomination as an “Independent Republican” candidate for Sheriff yesterday, announced his withdrawal. He had made a strong play for the County Democracy endorsement, but failed to land it, and this left him no ground to stand on.
Political Straws
Major William H. Tice, of the First ward, who has been in City Council, would like to occupy his old seat again, and will be a candidate for the Republican nomination in the First ward next spring.
The Republican County Executive Committee yesterday arranged for the appointment of two challengers in each election district.
The Democratic County Executive Committee of the “regulars” organized yesterday afternoon by the election of Clarence T. Atkinson as chairman; James Burke, secretary, and Thomas Bodell. Committees were appointed to carry on campaign work.
There is no more popular candidate on the Republican ticket than Editor F. F. Patterson, Jr., who is receiving many voluntary pledges of support from Democrats.
Arthur M. Sitley Stricken in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While Dr. Francis J. Bickers, of 1701 Fillmore street, Camden, was driving in Broadway near Vanhook street yesterday he saw an elderly man reel, fall and strike his head a severe blow on the curbstone. The doctor alighted and went to the man’s assistance. Realizing that it was a stroke of apoplexy, and that the man’s condition was dangerous, the doctor had him carried to a near-by house for treatment.
Here he was recognized as Arthur M. Sitley, of 506 Broadway, Camden, and the founder of Sitley & Son’s grain elevator, in Camden, at Sixth and Chelten avenue. He was subsequently removed to his home. His condition is critical.
Camden Lodge No. 293, B. P. O. E.
CAMDEN, N. J., April 13, 1906
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER:
You are requested to attend the regular Stated Meeting, April 18, 1906, at 8 o’clock, at which time the following named applicants for membership will be balloted for:
Elks Lodge No. 293 Membership Ballot
Camden Lodge No. 293, B.P.O.E. — membership ballot, April 18, 1906
Applicants
| Name ↕ | Age ↕ | Occupation ↕ | Address ↕ | Endorsed By ↕ | Committee ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas H. Edwards | 37 | Shoe Man'f'g | 423 Benson St. | Bro. John H. Switzer | Bro. John Harris / Bro. W. Penn Corson / Bro. Asa L. Roberts |
| Francis J. Bicker M.D. | 46 | Physician | Fillmore & VanHook Sts. | Bro. John S. Smith | Bro. H.H. Davis / Bro. J. Willard Morgan / Bro. George B. Bond |
| Charles W. Bossle | 31 | Hatter | 706 Linden Street | Bro. Joseph Bossle Sr. | Bro. J.R. McCabe / Bro. H.B. Francis / Bro. B.H. Shivers |
| John Morgan Jr. | 27 | Real Estate Agent | Merchantville, N.J. | Bro. John W. Barr | Bro. William F. Rex / Bro. D. Harry Condit / Bro. Frank E. Gardiner |
| Howard Callingham | 23 | Bookkeeper | Orston, N.J. | Bro. Joseph Bossle Sr. | Bro. Tomas J. Moore / Bro. Samuel B. Crall / Bro. James H. Eyster |
| G. Frank Travis | 34 | Tailor | 320 Spruce Street | Bro. John W. Barr | Bro. John H. Switzer / Bro. William G. Maguire / Bro. Charles W. Brecker |
| Theodore Stiles Jr. | 42 | Meat and Provision Dealer | 27 N. Third Street | Bro. C.W. Brecker | Bro. Wm. Shillingsburg / Bro. James T. Bailey / Bro. P.S.D. Johnston |
| C.F. Taylor | 35 | General Storekeeper | Collingswood, N.J. | Bro. Thomas J. Moore | Bro. Samuel B. Crall / Bro. James H. Eyster / Bro. H.I. Cooper |
| Frank Reiss | — | Cotton Duck Salesman | Collingswood, N.J. | Bro. S.H. Wilkinson | Bro. Thomas J. Moore / Bro. Samuel B. Crall / Bro. James H. Eyster |
| Edward M. Wright | 35 | Produce Com. Merchant | Merchantville, N.J. | Bro. John Stewart | Bro. Al. L. Smith / Bro. M.W. Taylor / Bro. H.H. Voorhees |
Attest: J. FRED. NEWTON, Secretary — Alex. J. Milliette, Exalted Ruler.
Mrs. Alice Vanatta Injured
Camden Post-Telegram —
While cleaning house Wednesday Mrs. Alice Vanatta, of Fillmore street near Jefferson avenue, accidentally tilted a table on which she was standing while cleaning a curtain and in falling fractured three ribs and suffered a badly contused arm.
She was unconscious when picked up and Dr. J. F. Bicker was summoned and dressed the injuries. This morning she was reported as doing well, it being stated that she will be about in a few days.
Judge Made This Grand Jury Sit Up
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Tells of What May Be Expected of Violations of Corrupt Practices Act
Of special significance was the charge made yesterday by Supreme Court Justice Garrison to the grand jury summoned in Camden for the September term of court. It was a dilation upon the new corrupt practices act, and in view of the somewhat turbulent state of politics, both with respect to the Republican and Democratic camps, the declarations made by the court were taken as warnings of what may transpire in the event of violations.
Quite as much interest centred about the personnel of the grand inquisitorial body as with respect to Judge Garrison’s charge. This is the last grand jury Sheriff Hatch will draw, as his successor will be in state by the time the December term of court convenes. The fact that Dr. Frank O. Stem, of Berlin, is the foreman, and that he acted in the same capacity during the probe into the State Mutual Building and Loan Association, is looked upon as significant. Beside Dr. Stem the other members sworn in yesterday, include the following:
John B Adams, First ward; William A. Butcher, Sixth ward; Dr. Francis J. Bicker, Eighth ward; Samuel Brick, Delaware township; George Blatherwick, Winslow township; Edward Bakely, Gloucester township; John W. Croft, Ninth ward; Alfred Clement, Haddonfield; William B. Carson, Centre township; Dr. Frank B. Cook, Clementon township; John Hill, Tenth ward; Hugh M. Hatch, Pensauken township; Rev. Dr. Edmund B. Kulp, Fourth ward; George P. Kroecker, Fifth ward; Joseph P. Lucas, Voorhees township; Harlan S. Miner, Gloucester City; James G. Pidgeon, Collingswood; Morton J. Pennock, Twelfth ward; George W. Swope, Second ward; William Stein, Jr., Third ward; George Schleinkopfer, Waterford township; William H. Whaland, Seventh ward.
In the course of his charge Judge Garrison said it was the first grand jury that had been convened since the passage of a new and very far-reaching law considering indictments under it may arise at any time. He said he referred to the Corrupt Practices Act. He placed special emphasis on the section which makes it mandatory for every public Prosecutor to immediately bring to the attention of the grand jury any infringements of this law under the penalty of forfeiting his office.
After digressing upon those “higher up,” Judge Garrison had this to say about the “little fellows”:
It is all very well to say that a man does not have to obey orders. That may be theoretically true, but like so many other things that leave all practical consideration out of sight, it is, to all intents, false. These men who serve upon our police force, upon our fire department and all the various other departments—and there are hosts of them on the payroll of the city and county—these men have families, wives and children. They have incurred debts, they have creditors, and it is very impracticable to say to a man knowing that he will lose his position, his income, ‘You didn’t have to obey orders.’
Judge Garrison said the effect of all this, although these men individually possess every element of courage and honor, is to break down and render less manly such public servants so that it is not possible to get all the service that they should give.
In short, Judge Garrison averred, it has come about that the system has been a government of the most unfit controlled by the most corrupt, and it is at this that the act is aimed.
Dr. Frank J. Bicker Dies
Philadelphia Inquirer —
After an illness of several weeks, Dr. Frank J. Bicker, one of the best known physicians in the extreme southern section of Camden, died yesterday at his home at Fillmore and Vanhook streets. He is survived by a widow, two sons and a daughter. He had been practicing for about twenty years.
Camden Estates Passed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Accounts of estates were passed upon by Judge Boyle in Camden yesterday as follows. Mary J. Lee, deceased, Thomas B. Lee, executor, balance for distribution, $356.34; James McGowan, deceased, Catharine McGowan, administratrix, balance for distribution, $3236.50; Carl T. Bicker, minor, Central Trust Company, guardian, balance for distribution, $513.87; Francis B. Bicker, Jr., minor, Central Trust Company, guardian, $663.77; Dorothy C. Bicker, minor, Central Trust Company, guardian, balance for distribution, $151.