Introduction
GEORGE LEWIS CATTELL was born on September 28, 1881 in Gloucester City, New Jersey to Robert L. Cattell and his wife, the former Mary Ann Lewis. He was one of eight children, known brothers William and Edward preceding him. The known younger children were Robert E.T., Emma, and Lillian. Robert E.T. and Edward had died prior to the 1900 Census. The family lived on King Street in Gloucester City when the Census was taken in 1880. They first appear in Camden’s City Directories in 1884, living at 702 Spruce Street. Robert Cattell then worked at the Camden Iron forge, and most of his working life was centered around that trade.
The 1887 City Directory lists the family at 709 Clinton Street, and the following year has them at 723 Royden Street. 1891 and 1892 list the Cattells at 642 South 4th Street. They were at 322 Mount Vernon Street in 1892 and 1893, then moved to 295 Kaighn Avenue for 1894 and 1895. 1896 and 1897 Directories show them at 273 Kaighn Avenue.
The family is listed from 1897 to 1901 at 927 South 3rd Street in South Camden. Robert Cattell and family were at 650 Line Street in 1902 and 1903, and at 841 Newton Avenue in 1905 and 1906.
George L. Cattell married his wife Emma in late 1906 or early 1907. The 1907 City Directory shows him at 1116 Marion Street, 1908’s address is 824 South 8th Street, and the 1909 Directory has him at 629 Carman Street.
The 1910 Census shows that George Cattell had been married to his wife Emma for three years, that there was a seven month-old son, George Jr., and that his parents, Robert L. and Mary Cattell lived with him at 703 Clinton Street. George Cattell was then working as a pressman at a machine works. The family remained at this address into 1911.
The 1912 and 1914 Camden City Directories show George Cattell living at 427 Line Street, still working as a pressman.
George L. Cattell’s uncle, Benjamin F. Cattell, served as a member of the Camden Police Department in the 1900s and 1910s, and it may well have been through his influence that George Cattell secured his appointment to the Fire Department.
George Catell was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 30, 1915, and was still serving as late as 1929.
A daughter, Laura, was born in mid-1918. George L. Cattell registered for the draft in September 1918. The family was still living at 427 Line Street when the Census was taken in January of 1920. Shortly after the Census was taken the Cattells had moved to 514 Clinton Street. The April 1930 Census shows that George L. Cattell and family were still at that address. George L. Cattell was still working for the Camden Fire Department when the Census was enumerated. Living next door to the Cattells at Clinton Street was the family of William Bovell; his son William Bovell Jr. was taken prisoner by the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942 and died while a Prisoner of War. Brother firefighter George W. Attison lived around the corner at 511 Royden Street. Attison’s step-son, William H. Deitz, also became a Camden firefighter, rising to the rank of Captain before dying in the line of duty in 1961. Another neighbor, Mary McClyment, who lived around the corner at 525 William Street, was notorious for a time in Camden during the 1930s. The Cattell family was still at 514 Clinton Street when the 1931 City Directory was compiled.
George Cattell passed away on May 11, 1931. He was buried at New Camden Cemetery.
Emma Cattell and her children were still at 514 Clinton Street as late as 1940. The 1943 Directory lists Emma at 514 Clinton Street. George L. Cattell Jr. was in an apartment at 224 Friends Avenue, and it appears that his mother may also have been living there as well. The Cattells are not listed in Camden in the 1947 Directory. George L. Cattell Jr., last a resident of Clementon, passed in July of 2002.
Two Boys Missing
Philadelphia Inquirer —
William Cole, 13 years, of 339 Kaighn avenue, and George Cattell, 15 years, of 292 Kaighn avenue, are missing.
Firemen of Long Service Receive Good Promotion
Camden Daily Courier —
Chief Stockton Became a Member of Department 31 Years Ago
CHIEF CARTER ENTERED FORCE AS DRIVER IN 1900
JOHN A. STOCKTON, Retiring Chief of Fire Department.
After a continuous service of merit for thirty-one years as a fireman, Fire Chief John A. Stockton last night tendered his resignation to take effect on October 1, and Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was chosen last night by City Council as his successor. The resignation of the veteran fire fighter caused a general move up in the Fire Department.
Captain William Patterson, of Engine Company No. 4, was elected deputy fire chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 3, was chosen battalion chief, a newly created position, bringing the battalion chiefs up to the number of three.
Through the promotions of the two captains Lieutenant Charles Cook and Lieutenant John H. Lennox were advanced to the rank of captain. Lieutenant Cook will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4, and Captain Lennox in command of Engine Company No. 3. Firemen Walter Mertz and William Cassen were promoted lieutenants and two new firemen appointed were John S. Hunt, of the Sixth ward, and George L. Cattell, of 427 Line street, Fourth ward. Hunt was a chauffeur for the Child’s Grocery Company and will make a competent driver. Robert Whitley was made an engineer.
PETER B. CARTER, Deputy Chief who has been Promoted Chief.
WILLIAM PATTERSON, Captain Advanced as Deputy Chief.
THOMAS NICHOLS, Created a Battalion Chief.
Chief Stockton entered the service as a fire captain thirty-one years ago and he remained at Engine Company No. 1 until four years ago, when he was made deputy chief. On the death of Fire Chief Charles Worthington a year ago he was made chief of the department. During that time he has rendered capable and efficient service and had the good will of the entire fire fighting force.
Chief Carter became a member of the department March 1, 1900, as a driver of Chemical Company No. 1, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue. He was made captain of Truck Company No. 1 at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, in 1907. He was transferred to the captaincy of Engine Company No. 1 on the promotion of Chief Stockton in 1911 and he was promoted deputy chief July 1 last year when Deputy Chief Stockton succeeded late Chief Worthington. In the new chief the department has a capable leader.
Captain Patterson is a fireman of twenty years standing. During all that time he has been connected with Engine Company No. 4 at Fourth and Vine streets. He entered the service as a hoseman and ten years ago he was advanced to the rank of captain on the death of Captain Samuel Peoples.
Fifteen years of service are accredited to Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 1. He entered the service as a hoseman in 1900 at the Centerville fire house. When Captain William Deno was transferred to Engine Company No. 7, at the opening of that new house five years ago, Nichols was advanced to the rank of captain. He receives the rank of Battalion chief under the new order of things and will likely have charge of the Centerville companies.
Lieutenant Charles Cook entered the department in 1905 as a driver and was driver for Chief Samuel S. Elfreth and Chief Worthington. He was made lieutenant of Engine Company No. 1 a year ago and will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4 as captain.
Lieutenant Lennox has been in the service for ten years, entering as a hoseman with Engine Company No. 2 at headquarters. He was promoted lieutenant of Engine Company No. 3 five years ago and will likely be in charge as captain at the same engine house. “Chappie,” as the firemen all call him, is one of the most popular men in the department.
Fire Chief Retired
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Head of Department Placed on Pension, Deputy Elected
After thirty-one years of continuous service as a member of Camden’s Fire Department, during which he rose from the bottom to the top, Fire Chief John Stockton was yesterday retired at his request by City Council. Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was elected to fill the vacancy, while William Patterson, who has been captain of No. 4 Engine Company, is made deputy chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of No. 3 Engine Company, is made a battalion chief. Other appointments made were: Captains, William [sic] Cook and John Lennox, lieutenants, Walter Mertz and William Casson, engineer, Robert Whitley, machinist, T. G. Middleton, firemen, John Hunt and George Cattell.
Council also appointed Walter W. Johnson chief clerk of the Highway Department to succeed the late B. H. Shivers. Others appointed included Walter W. Lee, assistant, Clarence Baker, second assistant, and Walter Wolverton, third assistant. Albert Denise was made an engineer in the Water Department to succeed the late William Barr.
Carter Chief as Stockton Retires
Camden Post-Telegram —
Head of the Department Resigns After Continuous Service of 31 Years.
WILLIAM PATTERSON IS ELECTED DEPUTY
PETER CARTER, New Fire Chief,
In recognition of the long and valiant service to the city as a fighter of flames, Fire Chief John Stockton was yesterday given September on full pay as a vacation prior to his retirement on a pension on October 1. He retires after nearly thirty-one years of continuous service in the department. He succeeded the late Chief Charles Worthington, who was killed at the fire on George street. Chief Stockton rose from the ranks and has always been very popular with the men.
Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter, of the Fifth ward, was selected to fill the vacancy. He has been a member of the department for about fifteen years and is an experienced fire fighter with up-to-date ideas that will bear fruition with the thorough motorization of the department.
Captain William Patterson, of No. 4 Engine Company and who hails from the Second ward, was made Deputy Chief, and Captain Thomas Nicholas, of No. 3 Engine Company and an Eighth warder, was made a battalion chief.
Other appointments made in the department included the following: Captains, William Cook, Fourth ward, and John Lennox, Ninth ward; lientenants [sic], William Cason, Fourth ward, and Walter Mertz, Fifth ward; engineer, Robert Whitley, Sixth ward; machinist, T. G. Middleton, second ward. John Hunt and George Cattell were appointed firemen.
Council also filled vacancies occasioned by the death of Chief Clerk Bowman H. Shivers, of the Highway Department. Walter W. Johnson, of the Seventh ward, who has been first assistant, was made chief clerk, and Walter W. Lee, of the Ninth ward, first assistant; Clarence Baker, Ninth ward, second, and Walter Wolverton, Tenth ward, third assistant.
Albert Denise, of the Fifth ward, was appointed an engineer in the Water Department to fill the vacancy occasioned by the recent death of William Barr.
Firemen on Vacation
Camden Post-Telegram —
Firemen “Lew” Shaw, of No. 8 Engine Company, and George Cattell, of No. 1 Engine Company, left to-day for Anglesea, where they will spend their two weeks’ vacations.
World War I Draft Card
George L. Cattell — World War I Draft Registration Card
Many Transfers of City Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Forces At Various Stations Changed By Most Recent Orders
16 GO TO FAIRVIEW HOUSE
Recent changes in the fire department announced have provided for the transfer of twenty men and the appointment of fourteen during the week to various fire houses in the city.
Sixteen of the men were transferred and given appointments to the two new companies formed to protect Fairview and Yorkship Village. The transfers and appointments went into effect Wednesday.
The following men received transfers and appointments to Engine Company 10, one of the new companies: Horace Cairns, captain; William Miller, lieutenant; Harry Selby, engineer; Charles Gaul, stoker; Spencer Smith, H. Walker, Rocco Fanelli and H. J. Zanders, hosemen.
Truck Company 4, the other new company, at Ninth and Morgan streets, received the following men: Mordecai Clark, captain; James McDermott, lieutenant; James Durkin, driver; Frank Burt, George C. Wade, Samuel Patton, William Reynolds and Harry Hallowell.
H. F. Ferrington and H. Bomgartel, new men, were appointed to Hook and Ladder Company 1, to fill the vacancies left by James McDermott and George C. Wade.
Go to Company No. 1
The following men received appointments to Engine Company 1: Walter Carter, George Henry Johnson, Lewis D. Stevens, Rosco Tribbett and Benjamin Walters. W. Scott Franklin was transferred from Company 9 to Engine Company 1 as lieutenant. George Cattell was transferred from Company 1 to Company 5 as stoker. Joseph Daley, of Company 5, was transferred to Engine Company 2 to fill the vacancy left by Harry Selby, who was transferred to Company 10.
Anthony Valentine and David Smith were transferred to Company 3, in place of William Miller and Charles Gaul, who were transferred to Company 10.
J. Lumbago was transferred to Company 7, in place of David Smith. George Pursglove and John Hunt were transferred to Company 8. Robert Gicks was transferred from Hose and Chemical Company 2 to Company 9, in place of William Reynolds, who was transferred to Company 10.
Nelson Till was appointed to the place left vacant by Robert Gicks, of Hose and Chemical Company 2. Herman Kreher was made lieutenant of Hose and Chemical Company 2.