Introduction
HARRY B. MIDDLETON was the son of prominent Camden undertaker Frank P. Middleton, who In 1869 Mr. Middleton established himself in Camden as an undertaker and speedily acquired an extended patronage. By 1883 he was located at 319 Market Street, where he remained into the early 1900s. His grandfather, Bowman H. Middleton, had also been an undertaker and had served as Camden County coroner for a number of years.
Frank P. Middleton was, on the 14th of February, 1864, married to Mary, daughter of Anthony and Martha Williams, of Philadelphia. Their children were Lizzie, Laura, Mattie and Harry (twins), and Mary and Frank (twins). Only Mattie and Harry were alive as of November 1886.
Tragedy struck the Middleton family again on September 27, 1895, when Harry Middleton’s uncle, Josiah V. Middleton, who also worked as an undertaker, committed suicide by hanging himself in his coffin shop. Stricken by paralysis two years previously, he was despondent over his illness.
Harry Middleton was still living with his then widowed-father and sister Mattie at 319 Market Street when the Census was taken in 1900. His father passed away shortly afterwards.
Harry B. Middleton had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department at the end of 1899. He served briefly as a Camden firefighter, leaving the department in July of 1901. He then went into the saloon business at 451 South 3rd Street, a location that had previously been operated by Camden policeman Isaac Toy and Toy’s father-in-law, John W. Elliott. Sadly, in April of 1905, like his uncle Josiah, Harry B. Middleton took his own life. His wife, Elizabeth J. Middleton, took over operation of the saloon and remained in business at that location though at least 1914.
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Councilmen From East Side Split on Selecting Appointees
There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward—Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief—Other Promotions
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.
In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Vanhart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.
In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.
In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.
Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.
Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.
The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navins, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson.
The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn hose house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.
Fireman Middleton Suspended.
Camden Daily Courier —
Harry Middleton, driver of No. 2 fire engine, was suspended this morning by Chief Elfreth.
To Buy a Second Hand Engine.
Camden Post-Telegram —
The Fire Committee last night appointed James McDade, of the First ward, a fireman to succeed Harry Middleton, resigned. The committee decided to purchase a second-hand engine for No. 1 house, and to advertise for bids for the purchase of 2,000 feet of cotton hose, and 2,000 tons of Lehigh coal.
Ex-Fireman Tried Suicide
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Harry Middleton Slashed His Throat with a Bread Knife
Ex-fireman Harry B. Middleton, aged 32 years, of 451 South Third street, Camden, slashed his throat with a bread knife last night while temporarily insane as the result of an illness. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital, where it was stated his condition was serious.
Middleton, who now has a saloon, was eating his supper when he arose from the table, walked back to the kitchen, picked up the knife and then went into the bar-room. His wife, alarmed, ran out for help. When she returned Middleton was lying on the floor with blood streaming from a jagged wound in his throat. Before he reached the hospital Middleton was weak from loss of blood.
He has been under the care of a physician for some time, and it had been decided to send him away to recuperate.
Ex-Fireman Harry B. Middleton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
**Ex-Fireman Harry B. Middleton, who attempted suicide Sunday night at his home, 451 South Third street, Camden, by cutting his throat, will recover according to the physicians at the Cooper Hospital, where last night he was reported to be improved.
Died From His Injuries
Camden Post-Telegram —
Harry B. Middleton, Who Slashed His Throat With a Knife, Expired To-day.
Suicide Was a Cigarette Fiend
Harry B. Middleton, the Third ward saloonkeeper, who cut his throat on Sunday night last, died in Cooper Hospital at 5.30 o’clock this morning.
Middleton’s body was removed to his late home, southwest corner of Third and Berkley streets, where funeral services will be held.
Middleton was seized with the desire to end his life while seated at the supper table with his wife. He jumped up from the table, ran into the kitchen, got a butcher knife and going into the bar room drew the weapon across his throat, cutting the wind pipe.
The suicide was an inveterate smoker of cigarettes and his friends are of the belief that this abuse unbalanced his mind. He is known to have smoked 100 cigarettes a day.
Middleton was formerly in the Fire Department, serving from March, 1900, to August, 1901.
Harry B. Middleton
Camden Post-Telegram —
HARRY B. MIDDLETON, the saloonkeeper of Third and Berkley streets, who died in Cooper Hospital April 7 from injuries self inflicted while suffering from temporary insanity caused by the excessive use of cigarettes. Services held at his late residence this afternoon were largely attended. Delegations were present from Ottawa Tribe, No. 15, I. O. R. M.; Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 65; Improved Order Royal Arch, No. 1, and Third Ward Republican Club. There were a number of handsome floral offerings. Interment was private.
Harry Middleton Buried To-Day
Camden Daily Courier —
Funeral of Suicide Took Place this Afternoon.
The funeral of Harry Middleton, former fireman and saloonkeeper, who died in Cooper Hospital on Friday from self-inflicted injuries while temporarily insane, took place this afternoon at his late residence, 451 South Third street, and was very largely attended. Last evening the remains were also viewed by many friends and every one voiced his regret at his sad and untimely end. Members of Camden Aerie, No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles, whose flag at the club-house on Market street above Tenth is draped in his memory; Ottawa Tribe, No. 15, I. O. R. M.; Improved Order of the Royal Arch, No. 1, and the Third Ward Republican Club, attended the obsequies of their deceased brother and remembered him with beautiful floral designs. Interment was in Harleigh.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
** Many persons last night viewed the body of ex-Fireman Harry B. Middleton, at his home, 541 South Third street. Middleton died as the result of cutting his throat.
** Albert Keaser, Jr., son of Policeman Keaser, of Camden, was attacked by an Italian at Third and Berkley streets early yesterday morning, the latter pointing a revolver at the head of the former. Keaser sought his father, who arrested the man. Recorder Stackhouse gave the Italian sixty days in the county jail.
** In trying to quell a miniature riot at Kaighn’s Point, Benjamin Abbott, a watchman, of 279 Sycamore street, Camden, was severely beaten early yesterday morning. Abbott came across half a dozen men beating an unknown man. He went to the latter’s assistance and succeeded in knocking out four of the assailants, when he was knocked down and kicked into insensibility. The sextet escaped.
** A live wire, broken by the storm last night, caused much excitement among pedestrians on Federal street, between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-sixth streets, East Camden. Dangling across the street, the wire caused several electrical displays. People were protected from danger by the police.
Ex-Fireman Harry B. Middleton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Ex-Fireman Harry B. Middleton, who committed suicide by cutting his throat, was buried yesterday from his home, 541 South Third street.
New Faces Behind Camden Bars
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Camden Excise Commission last night granted retail licenses to Louis Ederle, 34 Erie street, and Peter Morgan, 210 Market street. These transfers were granted: Retail, Thomas Tracy, 601 North Front, to Frederick Speck; John Thompson, 1075 South Second, to George Schu; Peter F. Morgan, 800 Fern, to John Graham; Harry B. Middleton, deceased, 551 South Third street, to Elizabeth Middleton, his widow.
Named to Look After Refreshments
Camden Daily Courier —
At a meeting of the Excise Board last night, Peter Morgan was granted a license to dispense wet goods at 210 Market street, and Louis Ederle to do likewise at 34 Erie street. These retail transfers were granted: Thomas Tracy, 601 North Front street, to Frederick Speck; John Thompson, 1075 South Second street, to George Sheer; Peter F. Morgan, 800 Fern street, to John Graham; Harry B. Middleton, deceased, 551 South Third street, to Elizabeth Middleton, his widow.
Eagles Honor Dead Brothers
Camden Post-Telegram —
Impressive Memorial Services Held by Camden Aerie, No. 65, F. O. E.
Large Attendance of the Members
Fully 200 members attended the annual memorial services of Camden Aerie, No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles, at the lodge headquarters, on Market street above Tenth, yesterday afternoon. Very interesting and impressive services were held.
The big lodge room was heavily draped in black by Funeral Director George Blake. Around the neck of the big eagle which adorns the room was a handsome wreath of immortelles. From it glowed twelve incandescent lamps.
As the name of each departed brother was called by the secretary and no answer being made a light was extinguished.
The program was as follows: Hymn, “Rock of Ages,” Herold, Eagle Quartette: Messrs. Harry J. Weiss, Thomas J. Atkinson, Brothers Julius R. Schoof and Anthony Oberst; opening announcement, by the Worthy President William J. Jann; prayer, by the Worthy Chaplain William Petzelt; baritone solo, “The Holy City,” Stephen Adams, Brother Julius R. Schaaf; remarks, by the Past Worthy President James F. Cleary; cornet solo, “A Dream of Paradise,” H. Gray, James F. Cleary; roll-call of our honored dead, by the Worthy Secretary Charles F. Sattler; tenor solo, “The Palms,” J. Faure, Mr. Harry J. Weiss; oration, by Brother Frank S. Deveeaux; part song, “The Lost Chord,” Arthur Sullivan, Eagle Quartette; hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee,” by the entire audience; bendiction, by the Worthy Chaplain.
The services were held in memory of the following deceased members: Alfred Kemble, died June 16th, 1901; William Dennelier, died October 4th, 1902; Conrad Brill, Jr., died June 16th, 1903; Frank Burt, died March 10th, 1904; Dr. P. W. Beale, died June 7th, 1904; Jacob Hess, died August 16th, 1904; Daniel W. Broomley, died September 1, 1904; Frederick Johnson, died December 3d, 1904; William H. Cole, died December 21st, 1904; Harry B. Middleton, died April 7th, 1905; J. S. B. Chandler.
These mottoes of the order were printed on the program above and below the list of honored dead:
Their virtues are treasured; their faults are forgotten.
“Life leaps the grave, the sleeper shall rise. Hope never ends and the soul never dies.
At the annual ball of Trenton Aerie last week a large delegation from Camden Aerie was in attendance and through Worthy President Jann presented to the Trenton lodge a bronze spread eagle about six feet in height.
Eagles at Their Memorial Service
Camden Daily Courier —
The Camden Aerie Mourned Yesterday for the Departed Members.
Twelve Have Passed Away
The memorial service of Camden Aerie, No. 65, F. O. E., was held at the clubhouse on Market street above Tenth, yesterday afternoon and the program of ceremonies was one of the most touching and befitting ever held by the Eagles in this city in honor and memory of their departed brothers. Since its organization twelve Eagles of Camden Aerie have flown to eternity’s silent shore, as follows:
Alfred Kemble, died June 16, 1901.
William Denneler, died October 4, 1902.
Conrad Brill, Jr., died June 16, 1903.
Charles Beale, died October 29, 1903.
Frank Burt, died March 10, 1904.
Dr. P. W. Beale, died June 7, 1904.
Jacob Hess, died August 16, 1904.
Daniel W. Broomley, died September 1, 1904.
Frederick Johnson, Died December 3, 1904.
William H. Cole, died December 21, 1904.
Harry B. Middleton, died April 7, 1905.
J. S. B. Candler.
The beautiful program commemorating the dead was rendered in the presence of an assemblage that overflowed the large auditorium, and was as follows: Hymn, “Rock of Ages,” Herold, Eagle Quartet, Messrs. Harry J. Weiss, Thomas J. Atkinson, Brothers Julius R. Schaaf and Anthony J. Oberst; opening announcement, by the Worthy President, William F. Jann; prayer, by the Worthy Chaplain, William Petzelt; baritone solo, “The Holy City,” Stephen Adams, Brothers Julius R. Schaaf; remarks, by the Past Worthy President, James Cleary; cornet solo, “A Dream of Paradise,” H. Gray, Brother Frank Rouh; roll call of our honored dead, by the Worthy Secretary; tenor solo, “The Palms,” J. Faure, Harry J. Weiss; oration, by Brother Frank S. Deveraux; part song, “The Lost Chord,” Arthur Sullivan, Eagle Quartet; hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee,” by the entire audience; benediction, by the Worthy Chaplain.