Introduction
George W. Attison was born in Toms River, New Jersey on December 23, 1891 to Joseph J. and Lydia Attison. The 1906 City Directory shows the family at 333 Berkley Street in South Camden. Joseph Attison was then working as a railroad brakeman. By 1910 George Attison had also gone to work with the railroad. He later worked as a brakeman at the Victor Talking Machine Company. George Attison and his family were still living at 333 Berkley Street in January of 1920. He was by then working as a brakeman at one of Camden’s shipyards.
In 1920 George W. Attison married a widow, Mrs. Caroline Deitz. By 1924 George W. Attison had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He lived at 314 Royden Street with his wife Carrie, and her son, William H. Deitz. The family was still at that address in 1927. By 1929 George W. Attison and his family had moved to 511 Royden Street.
On May 6, 1937 step-son William H. Deitz was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
During the 1930s George Attison and his family moved to 4120 Westfield Avenue in East Camden. George Attison was still a member of the Camden Fire Department in the spring of 1942. He retired from the Fire Department in 1947.
George W. Attison is listed in the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory at 1226 Broadway in Camden. He moved to Atlantic City by October of 1959.
Last a resident of Atlantic City, George W. Attison passed away on March 20, 1969.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Card – George W. Attison
New Firemen Assigned for Two Platoons
Camden Post-Telegram —
NEW FIREMEN ASSIGNED FOR TWO PLATOONS
Double Shift System Becomes Effective at 8 O’clock on Saturday Morning
One Ten Hours; Other 14 Hours
Saturday morning at 8 o’clock the two-platoon system of the Fire Department becomes effective. At that hour the first shift will go on duty and remain until 6 p. m., when the second squad goes on, remaining until 8 a. m. That will be the procedure in the department henceforth, the schedule being so arranged that every third day there will be a 24-hour shift to let the other off. Every man will have 24 hours off every sixth day.
The arrangements were completed last night at a meeting of Council’s Fire Committee, when assignments were made of the fifty-six recent appointees to the department. With Chief Carter at headquarters will be stationed in reserve shifts Deputy Chiefs Nicholas and Patterson. Battalion Chiefs Wade and Browning will be stationed with their shifts at No. 3 engine house.
At last night’s meeting Congressman F. F. Patterson, Jr., Mayor Charles H. Ellis, President of Council David Jester and Chairman of the Fire Committee Joseph Forsyth made addresses in which they all spoke appreciatively of the fire-fighting force and offered their congratulations to the men in getting what they had sought after many years of effort. Chief Carter was particularly praised for the efficient manner in which he has developed the department. The chief also spoke, thanking the representatives of the city in behalf of the men for the boon given them in the two-platoon system, which means the fire fighters will be able to spend more time with their families.
Everything has been worked out to the least detail and it is anticipated the new system will work without any difficulties.
The assignment of the new men to the various companies follow:
Engine Company No. 1—Alfred E. Green, Charles Errickson, Charles Cook, Leroy Hatchett.
Engine Company No. 2—Howard Lamdon, Edgar Ellander, John K. Voll, Harold E. Lorang, Chester J. Andreas, Harry G. Layton.
Engine Company No. 3—Charles Haines, August Haverkamp, Louis Quinton, Chas. S. Clements, Frank Kuda.
Engine Company No. 4—Frank A. Obermann, Walter P. Gray, Albert Ruber, Fred Schucker, Harry Kleinfelder.
Engine Company No. 5—Richard A. Ferris, Frank Fennrio.
Engine Company No. 6—William H. Reed, Manuel J. Kane, Edward Perairia, Thomas Shanahan, Rocco di Varino.
Engine Company No. 7—August Scholl, Lawrence H. Matthews, Nicholas Romain.
Engine Company No. 8—Adam Mead, Frank Sapp, William J. Taylor, William Wood, Samuel Oshushek, Edward C. Crane.
Engine Company No. 9—Keenard Naylor, Daniel McSurdy, John Mohofeld.
Engine Company No. 10—William Swarts, Hugh Rementer, Harry Greenan, Rocco Abbott.
Hose and Chemical Company No. 2—Lawrence Newton, Edward Hauser, William Getner.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1—Tom Cunningham, Leonard Magee.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 2—John Gaylor, Walter G. White.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 3—David Ellis, George A. Addison, John Mulligan, David Humphreys, Albert Dukes.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 4—George A. Quimby.
Chief’s driver—Tenny G. Hutchinson.
3 Firemen Hurt in $75,000 Fire at Leather Plant
Camden Daily Courier —
3 FIREMEN HURT IN $75,000 FIRE AT LEATHER PLANT
Flames of Unknown Origin Wreck Upper Story of Keystone Factory
SMOKE BLOCKS BATTLE
Firm Loses Stock of Hides Valued at $50,000, One Fireman in Hospital
Three firemen were overcome with smoke when flames gutted the upper stories of the drying building of the Keystone Leather Company, Seventeenth and Carman streets, last night. The loss is estimated today at $75,000. The origin is unknown.
Captain J. J. Vickers, of the East Camden Company, was overcome by smoke, and revived by City Physician Lippincott. Fireman George Addison, of the same company, was dragged from the building by other firemen, and revived by the physician.
Nelson Andrews, fireman, of Engine Company No. 9, was in a serious condition when taken from the building. He was prostrated by smoke, and was rushed to Cooper Hospital, where he was reported as much improved today.
Smoke Blocks Traffic
Smoke was so dense that vehicular traffic on Federal street, two squares away, was blocked for nearly an hour.
The flames had gained a great deal of headway when discovered by a watchman. When the firemen arrived on the scene, they faced a hard task because of great volumes of smoke pouring from the building, in which was stored a large stock of hides.
It was one of the most stubborn fires the department has faced in years. The firemen were unable to locate the flames at first because of the smoke. Chief Carter sent in two more alarms after arriving on the scene.
After thirty minutes of battle the flames suddenly shot skyward, illuminating the heavens for miles. They leaped to the fourth floor, and through the roof. In a short time the roof collapsed, sending a great shower of sparks in all directions.
It was three hours before the first fire companies were able to leave the scene.
It was estimated today that the damage to the building will reach $25,000. The company lost about $50,000 in stock. A large stock of hides on the first two floors were ruined by tons of water.
The building is one of the first built by the company, and directly adjoins the main concrete plant at Seventeenth and Mickle streets.
Lieutenant W. Scott Franklin, of Engine Company, No. 1, fell from a one-story roof of an adjoining building while pulling up hose but fortunately escaped injury.
Funeral Service Held for Mrs. M’Taggart
Camden Courier-Post —
High requiem mass was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church Saturday for Mrs. Ruth McTaggart, 46, of 915 Broadway, who died Tuesday in West Jersey Hospital. Burial was in Calvary cemetery.
Mrs. McTaggart was the wife of Patrolman John McTaggart. She passed away while friends of her husband were staging their annual frolic in his honor at Eagles hall.
Hundreds of persons viewed the body last night at the funeral home of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway. Patrolmen William Hughes and Otto J. Topercer formed a guard of honor last night, while a police escort accompanied the funeral procession. Pallbearers were Sergeant John Garrity, Patrolmen Edward Leonard, George Weber and Clarence Boyer; George Addison, a fireman, and F. Earl Fearon.
World War II Draft Card
World War II Draft Card – George W. Attison
Ex-Fireman G. W. Attison, At Seashore
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for George W. Attison, 77, a retired Camden fireman, will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Edward P. Leonard Jr. Funeral Home, 35 Street [sic] and River Avenue, Camden, where friends may call tonight. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Toms River.
A resident of 28 S. Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City, Mr. Attison was a Camden fireman before retiring 22 years ago. He was also a member of the Firemen’s Benevolent Association.
Mr. Attison, who died on Thursday, is survived by his wife Caroline; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.