Introduction
GEORGE B. JOHNSON was born on August 14, 1862. He served as a Camden policeman for over 20 years. He was appointed to the department in 1899 by Mayor Cooper B. Hatch, and retired on pension in 1920.
George B. Johnson spent his career patrolling the comparatively quiet North and South Rosedale neighborhoods of Camden. In his twenty-plus years of service with the Camden Police Department, he never made a single arrest, but was highly respected and had been promoted to sergeant in 1914.
George B. Johnson was married to Frances Parker Johnson, who died in 1911. The marriage produced two children, daughter Ethel Johnson in 1891 and son Parker N. Johnson in 1892.
George B. Johnson made his home at 220 North 37th Street from 1900 until at least 1940. George B. Johnson passed away after an illness of two years on September 18, 1942.
Here’s Camden’s Finest, With Whiskers, in 1898
Camden Courier-Post —
Reading from left to right, those in the picture are: First row, William A. Schregler, Rox Comley, Jules Bosch, Lieutenant John Foster, Chief Samuel Dodd, Lieutenant H. Frank Pettit, Edward Hartman and Charles Wilbur. Second row, Thomas Brothers, Ralph Bond, John Dall, George Kappell, Silas Sage, Edward S. Hyde, George Selby and E. B. McClong. Third row, Edward Powell, John Sinclair, William Laird, Benjamin Middleton, Alfred L. Sayers, John Anderson, William Butts, John Painter and Frank Matlack. Fourth row, Thomas Hicks, Alfred Haydon, Abe Jackson, Albert Shaw, Edward Steen and Samuel Bakely. Fifth row, Caleb Williams, E. A. Gravenor, Thomas Buchanan, Samuel Cox, George Horner, Godfrey Eisenhardt, Harry Curtis and John Barnett. Sixth row, Casper Hart, Charles Fitzsimmons, A. Lincoln James, Oscar Weaver, Charles Ridgely, William Fish and George Cooper.
Harry Mines, not named above, is in the first row between H. Frank Pettit and Edward Hartman. In the fifth row, at the far right, “John Barnett” was a guess on the part of A. Lincoln James. Another person guessed George Johnson. Both were wrong and it is not known who that policeman is.
Police Kill Mad Dogs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The heat of yesterday caused two dogs to go mad in East Camden, one on Thirtieth street, and the other on Twenty-second street, near River road. One of the animals was killed by Policeman Johnson, and the other by Policeman Thomas.
Heroic Chum Near Dies As Boy Drowns
Camden Post-Telegram —
Young Son of Police Sergeant Loses His Life in the River as He Steps Into Hole.
BODY FOUND AFTER ALL-NIGHT SEARCH
Russell Horner, aged 14 years, son of Sergeant of Police William Horner, of 808 North Thirty-sixth street, was drowned in the Delaware off the old Red Mill, Pea Shore, yesterday afternoon. The body was recovered this morning by Anson Nicholson, a grocer, of Thirty-sixth and Trinity streets. Coroner Fithian gave a certificate in accordance with the facts.
Russell, a bright and active boy, able to swim only a few strokes, went bathing yesterday afternoon near the old mill with a boy named MacBurney and another companion. Some years ago a channel was dug to the wharf so that a small steamboat could make a landing there. While the boys were paddling about in the water Russell stepped into a hole on the edge of the channel and was soon beyond his depth. He sank from sight and as he rose he appealed for help. Young MacBurney, who can swim went to his assistance, and Russell caught him by the throat, both going to the bottom where MacBurney managed to free himself.
MacBurney managed to reach shore in a greatly exhausted condition and gave the alarm. A number of persons dived for the body, but without success. In the meantime the police were notified and Captain Albert and Policemen Abbott, Palmer and Johnson went to the scene.
The officers and a number of friends of Sergeant Horner grappled all through the night and early morning at one time six boat crews being at work. Believing that the constant stirring up of the water would send the body shoreward on the early morning tide Mr. Nicholson grappled accordingly and he found it in very shallow water.
During this morning hundreds of friends of Sergeant Horner lined the shore and watched the men at work. Sergeant Horner is suffering terribly, while Mrs. Horner is on the verge of collapse.
The funeral arrangements have not been completed.
East Side Woman Hurt on Trolley
Camden Post-Telegram —
Mrs. Charles Conner Trips Over Suit Case Standing in Aisle of Car.
DAY’S HAPPENINGS ‘CROSS THE CREEK
Mrs. Charles Conner, of 2407 Howell street, a well-known and respected resident of this section, was painfully injured last evening about 6.30 o’clock while alighting from a trolley car at Twenty-fourth and Federal streets. Mrs. Connor tripped over a suit case standing in the aisle, and was thrown heavily to the ground. She was picked up by Policemen Pedigree and Johnston and taken into the restaurant of Mr. Nicholas Donahoe, at 2407 Federal street, where she was revived. She was then later taken to her home and a physician summoned, who pronounced that she was not injured seriously, but was badly bruised and shaken up. It was lucky that no bones were broken.
Death of Mrs. Frances M. Johnson
Camden Post-Telegram —
Mrs. Frances M. Johnson, the estimable wife of Policeman George Johnson, died yesterday after a long illness. Mrs. Johnson was widely known in this section and many sincerely mourn her death. The funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from her late home, 220 North Thirty-seventh street. The remains may be viewed on Monday evening. Mrs. Johnson was a sufferer for a long time with kidney trouble. She was a member of the Frances Willard Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the members of which will attend the funeral in a body. Interment will be made at Harleigh Cemetery under the direction of Undertaker John Crawford.
Policemen Retire on Pension Fund
Camden Daily Courier —
George Johnson Has Unique Record Of Not Having An Arrest In 20 Years
PENSION SERGEANT REED
Thomas S. Reed, police sergeant at headquarters, went on the pension list today after 21 years’ continuous service. Policeman George Johnson, of the Third District, will be pensioned on May 15. Johnson had the record of never having made an arrest in 20 years.
It was announced at headquarters today that some general changes will be made as a result of the retirement of the two bluecoats. Traffic Policeman Edmund Pike has been promoted to sergeant by Mayor Ellis and placed at headquarters to succeed Sergeant Reed. Mounted Policeman Walter Walsh has been promoted sergeant.
Reed Appointed Twice.
Sergeant Reed was first appointed on the force by Mayor Pratt on January 6, 1896. He resigned and was a special officer for the Camden, Gloucester and Woodbury Railway. Later he was in the revenue service. He was appointed again on the force by Mayor Hatch in 1899. On January 8, 1914, he was promoted street sergeant by Mayor Ellis. Two years later he was placed at police headquarters.
Johnson Without an Arrest.
Patrolman Johnson has always had a beat in the North and South Rosedale sections, where he was held in the highest esteem. He was always on the job, residents of that section say. The fact he never made an arrest failed to mar his record. He was appointed on the force by Mayor Hatch.
In announcing his plans for the future Johnson said today he will make his home in the future with his brother Samuel, a contractor, at Rio Grande Bridge.
Ex-Policeman Has Close Call
Camden Daily Courier —
George Johnson, former policeman, who retired on a pension early in June, had a narrow escape from drowning at Rio Grande Bridge, near Wildwood. Johnson went to the sea-shore to spend the summer season with his brother, after his retirement from the force. He has spent his time in fishing. He plunged from a wharf into 20 feet of water. He was unable to swim, but had presence of mind enough to grab a boat, to which he clung until help reached him.
George B. Johnson, Ex-Patrolman, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
George B. Johnson, 80, who retired as patrolman in the Camden Police Department in 1920, died Saturday after an illness of two years.
Mr. Johnson was a member of the department for 21 years, and was appointed under Mayor Charles H. Ellis in 1899. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Camden Police Beneficial Association, Amity Lodge, IOOF, and Camden Lodge No. 111, LOOM.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Leo Carpenter, 213 North Thirty-ninth street. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery. Arrangements are in charge of the Sudler-Eichel funeral home, Twenty-seventh and Carman streets.
A son, N. Parker Johnson, of Newark; a brother, Mathias, of Doylestown, Pa., and three sisters, Mrs. Kate Riley and Mrs. Laura Hurff, both of Woodstown, and Mrs. Carrie Ward, of Elmer, also survive.