George R. Thompson Sr.
GEORGE ROBESON THOMPSON was born in New Jersey around 1871 to a family that has a long history in the city. His father, John Reeve Thompson, was a member of Camden’s first City Council. His son, Marshall Thompson, had a long and distinguished career with the Camden Police Department.
George R. Thompson first appears in Camden’s City Directories in 1890, living with his father at 337 Kaighn Avenue. George R. Thompson was working as a clerk in 1890, but after his marriage, went into the real estate business. where he worked as a clerk in a real estate business,
George R. Thompson married Harriet Isabella Winkler around 1892. There were at least nine children born to the Thompsons. The children were John, Martha, George R. Thompson Jr., a veteran of World War I, Helen, Marshall, Margaret W., Robert, Myrtle, and Mary Thompson.
The Thompsons stayed at 337 Kaighn Avenue through 1899. By the time the 1896 City Directory was compiled, George R. Thompson had been elected Justice of the Peace. From 1896 to 1896 he kept an office at 1139 South 4th Street and in 1898 at 903 South 4th Street. By the spring of 1900 the Thompsons had moved to 1113 South 4th Street where they stayed through 1904. City Directories from 1905 through 1908 show the family at 350 Sycamore Street, and from 1909 through 1912 back at 1113 South 3rd Street. From 1904 through 1910 George R. Thompson served as a Justice of the Peace, Alderman, and engaged in real estate to one degree or another, with an office at 1145 South 4th Street. On February 29, 1912 he made a career change. George R. Thompson was appointed to the Camden Police Department. He served for at least 19 years, and was promoted to Detective in the late 1920s.
George R. Thompson moved his family to 251 Mount Vernon Street in 1913. The 1915 City Directory indicates a move to 239 Mount Vernon Street. City Directories from 1917 through 1919 show the family at 325 Walnut Street. By 1921 the Thompsons had moved again, to 252 Mount Vernon Street, where they remained into 1926.
The 1927 Camden City Directory shows that George Thompson and his family had moved to Cramer Hill, taking up residence at 1223 North 28th Street. By the following year the family had moved to 900 Beideman Avenue, where they remained through the spring of 1930.
On March 1, 1928 George R. Thompson’s son, Marshall Thompson, was appointed to the Camden Police Department along with the following men, Francis Guetherman, August Riehm, William Schriver, Edward Shapiro, John V. Wilkie, Earl Wright, Edward Cahill, Walter Vecander, Stanley Bobiak, Paul Edwards, Leon Feltz, George Getley, Joseph Lack, Thomas Stanton, Otto Toperzer, and Frank Wilmot. At the time of his appointment to the police force, Marshall Thompson and his family were renting a home at 943 North 32nd Street in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood.
Still employed by the Camden Police Department as a detective, George R. Thompson appears in the 1931 City Directory at 918 North 31st Street. George R. Thompson retired from police work during the 1930s. The 1936 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory lists George R. Thompson at 221 North 42nd Street.
By the spring of 1940 George R. and Harriet Thompson had moved to 224 North 36th Street in East Camden.
George R. Thompson passed away on April 14, 1942. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden.
Justice George R. Thompson Injured
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Justice George R. Thompson was in-jured on Sunday by falling from a Broadway trolley car.
Geo. R. Thompson, Alderman, Justice of the Peace
1896 Camden City Directory Ad
GEO. R. THOMPSON,
ALDERMAN,
Justice of the Peace,
Conveyancer. Debts Collected. Pension Papers … Executed. Real Estate. …
1139 South Fourth Street, – CAMDEN, N. J.
In the Whirl of Camden Politics
Philadelphia Inquirer —
May Be Opposition to Ex-Sheriff Barrett’s Mayoralty Candidacy
CHAMBERS HESITATES
Thompsonites Hope to Coax Him Into Taking Their Nomination. Printing Registry Lists
Former Sheriff George Barrett, who is looked upon as the probable nominee of the Camden Republicans for Mayor, is likely to have opposition in the convention. He has stated that he will not accept the nomination unless it is tendered him unanimously. Delegates to the convention will be elected to-morrow night. The Fifth ward delegates will probably favor the nomination of Harry F. Wolfe, Director of the Board of Freeholders, for Mayor. Isaac Toone may be the choice of the Ninth ward delegation, while Lawyer John H. Fort is likely to have a few delegates. To insure Barrett’s acceptance of the nomination it will be necessary to overcome this opposition, but the leaders say this will be easy.
There are plenty of candidates for the City Recordership nomination. Among those who would like to preside in the police court are: Justices Philip Schmitz, O. Glen Stackhouse, Charles Baldwin, George R. Thompson and Frederick B. Kauffman. Recorder Benjamin M. Braker is also seeking renomination.
COAXING CHAMBERS.
The Thompson Democrats are working hard to induce David M. Chambers to reconsider his declination to stand as their candidate for mayor, despite the fact that Mr. Chambers has contributed to the funds of the Committee of One Hundred, has voted the “One Hundred” ticket, and is now a member of the Executive Committee of the reformers’ organization. Mr. Chambers has promised to withhold his formal declination until to-morrow morning. He told an Inquirer reporter last night that he had not receded from his determination to decline the nomination. He said he was getting along in years and had interests that would seriously interfere with his official duties if he was elected, to say nothing of the fact that his health compelled him to spend every summer out of the city.
If Mr. Chambers cannot be coaxed into accepting the nomination the Committee on Vacancies may select former Chief of Police W. H. Davis or Dr. J. W. Donges to head the ticket. Postmaster Harry B. Paul’s name is also mentioned.
The County Democracy has decided to save the expense of having ballots printed and distributed bearing their party caption. As they will indorse the Committee of One Hundred nominations they will use the committee’s tickets.
LISTS TO BE PRINTED.
For the first time in sixteen years the City Clerk will not order the registry lists printed. Lack of funds in the printing appropriation is given as the excuse. The Committee of One Hundred has ordered the lists printed at its own expense. Next Tuesday is the last registry day, and voters must appear in person to be registered.
Sheriff Baird, who went South with City Clerk Varney about two weeks ago, will return in a few days.
George W. Jessup, the Committee of One Hundred Councilmanic nominee in the Second ward, by order of his physician started yesterday on a ten-days’ trip through the South for his health.
Grand Jury Indicted Two Camden Squires
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Justices of the Peace Philip T. Colding and George R. Thompson were indicted by the Camden county grand jury yesterday in its final presentment of true bills on charges of extortion. The allegation against Colding is preferred by a Pole, who says the former charged him $2.50 to make a complaint. Captain F. J. House alleges Justice Thompson charged a similar amount to issue a warrant for a woman on a charge of larceny.
Out of 600 complaints the grand jury found but seventy-five true bills.
Pretty Girl Now Chinaman's Bride
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Wore an Expensive Wedding Outfit and Was Married With Ring Ceremony by a Camden ‘Squire
Charlie Wong, aged 28 years, proprietor of a Chinese laundry at Collingswood, Camden county, and Miss Annie Holloway, aged 22 years, of 935 Race street, Philadelphia, were married at the City Hall, Camden, Friday night, by Justice of the Peace George R. Thompson. The wedding party came to the City Hall in a cab, and expressing a desire to be married. Sergeant Schregler sent for a Justice. The bride, a pretty girl with a wealth of brown hair, hazel eyes, ruddy complexion and pearly teeth, wore a tailor-made skirt, a white satin shirt waist, a picture hat with ostrich plumes, and carried a bouquet of American Beauty roses. On her left hand flashed a handsome diamond ring. The ring used in the ceremony was a heavy band of gold.
The bride did not display the slightest trace of nervousness and after the ceremony was over each fondly embraced the other. The witnesses were May Amberg and Henry Maxwell. The party immediately left to celebrate the wedding in Oriental style in the Chinese colony, Philadelphia. Before leaving, Wong, who speaks English fluently, said he was about to dispose of his Collingswood laundry and engage in the grocery business in Philadelphia.
Woman Sent Negro Into the Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Planted Him Between the Eyes With Her Fist When He Insisted on Entering Her Home
When Mrs. George R. Thompson, of 350 Sycamore street, Camden, answered a ring of the door bell last night she was confronted by a big negro, who asked if Mr. Thompson was in. Mrs. Thompson replied that he was not, and the negro, placing his foot in the doorway, attempted to enter.
“You cannot come in here,” said Mrs. Thompson.
“Oh, yes I can,” replied the fellow, as he seized her by the left wrist.
Mrs. Thompson although a nervous woman, is quite an athlete, and quick as a flash she shot out her right first and planted a blow squarely between the negro’s eyes, sending him sprawling into the sidewalk. Then, of course, she screamed loudly for help, but before assistance came the negro escaped through a nearby alley.
In speaking of the affair Mrs. Thompson, whoes wrist plainly showed the effect of the negro’s grip, said that before ringing the bell the negro tapped on the window shutter and on the door as her husband has been in the habit of doing for years.
The case was reported to police headquarters, and Detective Muffett was assigned to investigate. Mr. Thompson is also gunning for the negro.
'Squire Thompson Under the Knife
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Justice of the Peace George R. Thompson, of Camden, was operated upon for appendicitis at the Cooper Hospital yesterday. His condition was reported last night as being favorable.
Mayor Ellis Appoints New Policemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
** Mayor Ellis yesterday appointed David Kates, Anson Kelly and William Greenwood regular policemen to succeed William Harvey, Ben Middleton and George Horner, veterans who have been placed on the pension list. Squire “Roby” Thompson, hitherto a widely known justice of the peace, was appointed a substitute.
Auto Regulations Not Obeyed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden’s police have given repeated warnings to autoists who fail to heed the law that requires them not to pass a trolley car when it is discharging or taking on passengers. While many have complied there have been others who refuse to countenance this law and in consequence there have been several accidents of late. Yesterday William H. McCormick, of 911 North Second street, was taken into custody by Policeman Thompson for violating this law and he was released under security for a hearing before Recorder Stackhouse today. Thomas P. Kelly, of White Marsh, Pa., was arrested by Motorcycle Policeman Frost for speeding.
3 Policemen Hurt as Car Hits Ambulance
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Collision Occurs as Machine Speeds to Home of Man Who Attempted Suicide
Three Camden policemen were injured, one of them seriously, last night, when the First district auto ambulance was struck by a trolley car while responding to a call from 2310 Carman street, where Bodine Stratton, 59 years old, had shot himself over the heart. All were taken to Cooper Hospital.
Policeman Harry Newton, of Twenty-sixth and Sherman avenue, received a probable fracture of the skull; Policeman George R. Thompson, of 251 Mt. Vernon street, had his face and head badly lacerated, while Policeman Robert Abbott, of 110 North Twenty-third street, was cut and bruised. Stratton was seriously hurt by his self-inflicted wound.
When the call for aid came the ambulance, in charge of Patrolmen J. Oscar Weaver and Thompson, was sent to the Stratton house. It was crossing Westfield avenue at Thirtieth when a trolley car crashed into the rear. The three injured men were thrown against the side of the machine, although it was not wrecked. Weaver and Sergeant Golden took them to the hospital.
Stratton had been despondent, according to his wife, and it was while she was in the yard that she heard the shot, finding her husband lying on the floor with a bullet wound over his heart.
Camden Artilleryman Cited
Philadelphia Inquirer —
For “remarkable courage, zeal and coolness” in sticking by his field piece under heavy fire during the Aisne-Marne offensive Private George R. Thompson, of 325 Walnut street, yesterday received a citation from General McIntyre. Private Thompson is a son of Policeman George R. Thompson and recently returned home with the First Division. He was a member of Battery A and was wounded three times and twice gassed.
East Camden Sergeant
Camden Daily Courier —
East Camden may draw a sergeant from the eligible list. The results of the examination shows Harry Newton and John T. Potter, of the Third district and Robey Thompson of the Second as the three high men. Newton and Potter had excellent averages and it is believed either has a good chance to land the honor. The Third, it is argued, is entitled to a sergeant. None was named to succeed former sergeant Ferdinand Sell who was pensioned several months ago.
Hit and Run Death Is Charged to Man
Camden Courier-Post —
Indictment Returned Against Gondolf After 3-Month Probe
A police and private investigation into the “hit-run” death of a Fairview war veteran Christmas eve has resulted in an indictment charging manslaughter being returned against a Camden man.
In the indictment, returned by the grand jury, Harold Gondolf, of 3001 Fenwick road, is charged with being the driver of the automobile which fatally injured George Hall, of 2760 Constitution road.
Separate investigations lasting three months were conducted by the police department and Fairview legionnaires.
Prosecutor Baldwin, announcing the indictment had been returned, said Gondolf is the son of Peter Gondolf, Republican county committeeman from the Fourteenth ward. Evidence against Gondolf had been placed before the grand jury on an “informal complaint,” Baldwin said. Gondolf had not been arrested because of being ill in bed, Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, said last night.
Hall, veteran of the British army, was struck by the automobile on Morgan boulevard between Seventh and Eighth streets. An investigation was started by Sergeant George R. Thompson, head of the accident bureau, but no one was arrested. Thompson had appeared before the grand jury with a number of witnesses.
Thompson was aided in his investigation by members of the Fairview Post No. 71, American Legion, of which Hall was a member. Gondolf appeared at police headquarters several days after the accident and was questioned by Thompson. He was not arrested and a complaint was never made against him, according to Thompson. He repeatedly denied that he was the driver of the car.
“This was a hit-run case,” the prosecutor said, “and the city police started an investigation in an effort to learn who the driver of the death car was. Sergeant Thompson had charge of this investigation.
“The American Legion Post of Fairview became interested in the case and it, too, conducted an investigation, and turned over to my office all the information they obtained. As a result of this, the matter was laid before the grand jury on an informal complaint against Gondolf, and an indictment was found against him on the charge of manslaughter. I have questioned Gondolf, and he has repeatedly denied that he was the driver of the car that figured in the tragedy.
“Gondolf is the son of Peter Gondolf, and lived at 415 Morse street. Since the accident, however, the defendant has moved from this address. He will be placed on trial on the charge of manslaughter at the April term of criminal court.”