Harry F. Wolfe
HARRY F. WOLFE was born July 9, 1856 to John and Eliza Wolfe. The family lived at 302 Cherry Street in Camden at the time of the 1880 census. Harry Wolfe was then 24, and working as a salesman. His father and younger brother John were working as wool graders.
By 1887 Harry Wolfe had opened a grocery at South 3rd and Cherry Street. His business thrived, and in 1886 he helped organize the Guarantee Building & Loan Association. At the Association’s first meeting, at 440 Kaighn Avenue, Harry F. Wolfe was elected president. He served continuously in that capacity for 50 years. The first secretary was prominent Camden pharmacist Dr. George M. Beringer, and George C. Baker was one of the original members of the by-laws committee. In 1936, the directors included Dr. Conrad G. Hoell, George Beringer Jr., and Clarence Scull, of the Scull coffee family.
Harry Wolfe married late in life, at the age of 43. He and wife Sadie had at least one son Joseph, who was born around 1907. By 1930 he had moved from Camden to 40 Franklin Avenue in Edgewater Park NJ.
Harry Wolfe also served the community as Camden’s Receiver of Taxes at the turn of the century.
Harry Wolfe was still living in Edgewater Park in August of 1936, when a dinner was given in his honor, recognizing his service.
Hebrew Independent Political Club Endorsements
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Hebrew Independent Political Club has indorsed Isaac H. Weaver for Council, and Harry Wolfe, for Freeholder, in the Fifth Ward.
Mayoralty Talk Over In Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MAYORALTY TALK OVER IN CAMDEN
Election Not Far Off, But Leaders Cannot Agree on a Candidate
UP TOWN VS. DOWN
Committee of One Hundred Confident of Winning This Time—Democrats Divided
Camden’s municipal election, which will be held five weeks hence, promises to be one of the most hotly contested campaigns ever held in that city. The Committee of One Hundred, inspired by steady gains in the past, will make strenuous effort to wrest the control of municipal affairs from the Republicans. The prospects for their success seem brighter than in any previous campaign. A Mayor, Recorder and ten Councilmen are to be elected. The ordinances cutting off the fees of city officials will probably be passed in time to affect the officials elected this spring.
Although the election is not far distant the Republican leaders cannot agree upon a candidate for Mayor.
John Campbell, Jr., a wealthy real estate dealer, was urged to accept the nomination, and petitions were being circulated amongt he [sic] business men in his favor, but he announced yesterday that he would not stand.
City Clerk Varney and Street Supervisor John Blowe want a candidate from the lower section of the city, where the big Republican majorities are returned. Ex-Potmaster [sic] Henry B. Wilson, a coal dealer of Kaighn’s avenue, is the leading down-town candidate. City Counsel J. Willard Morgan is said to favor his candidacy. Harry Wolfe, Director of the Board of Freeholders, is looming up as a down-town candidate. He is backed by City Assessor Chris J. Mines, who aspires to be something more than a ward leader.
Mayor Westcott, who has had two terms, will not be a candidate for renomination. Isaac Doughten, the fearless foreman of the present grand jury, declines to stand as a candidate.
An effort is also being made to bring out R. H. Reeve, of the Second ward, for the Republican nomination for Mayor. He was a candidate for City Treasurer on the Committee of One Hundred ticket two years ago. It is claimed that he can divert some of the reform vote to the Republican ticket.
As the Committee of One Hundred name their candidates in secret conclave, but little is known of their plans. Either Cooper B. Hatch or Lewis H. Mohrman may head their ticket. Hatch came near defeating Mayor Westcott three years ago. Mohrman is the Reform leader in Council. Both are from the Second ward. Ex-Senator Maurice Rogers, of the Fifth ward, would like to head the Reform ticket.
The Democrats are split into two factions, the Regular and the County Democracy, and these are again divided on the question of making a hopeless fight with a straight ticket or indorsing the Committee of One Hundred nominees with the prospect of winning.
There will be a warm contest for the Republican nomination for City Recorder, which is to become a salaried position. The Councilmanic contests are still far from being settled.
Camden Political Chat
The Committee of One Hundred has certiorarled the ordinance creating two new precincts in the Fourth ward. The writ is returnable on February 19. Copies were served on City Clerk Varney and the County Board of Elections yesterday.
The County Board of Elections made several changes yesterday in precinct election boards. Secretary Fitzgerald called attention to precinct boards filling vacancies without notifying the County Board. The matter will be investigated.
Committee of One Hundred challengers started in yesterday to canvass for the spring election.
The Registry Boards will sit on next Tuesday, and again on the 18th instant.
The Sixth Ward Republican Club has indorsed Justice Charles M. Baldwin for the Republican nomination for Recorder.
Friends of Councilman Jesse C. Bond, of the First ward, want him to accept renomination on the Committee of One Hundred ticket.
The First Ward Republican Club has indorsed the candidacy of Joseph Potter for City Council. He also has the support of the Camden Republican Club. He was defeated for re-election as a Councilman last spring.
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.
H. F. Wolfe Honored By B. & L. Officers
Camden Courier-Post —
President 50 Years Guest at Dinner Given by Guarantee Associates
President for 50 years of the Guarantee Building & Loan Association, Harry F. Wolfe was honored by officers of the organization at a dinner given him at his home in Beverly. Wolfe was one of the original organizers of the association more than 50 years ago and was elected president at its first meeting held at 440 Kaign [sic] avenue. He has served continuously.
E. G. C. Bleakly, city solicitor, was toastmaster and praised Wolfe. Bleakly’s law firm has been solicitor for the building and loan group for 43 years. Guest speaker was State Senator Albert E. Burling.
The late Dr. George M. Beringer was the first secretary of the organization and the late George C. Baker, pioneer merchant of Camden, was on the by-laws committee.
Wolfe, who was 80 years old on July 9, was presented with a radio by his associates, while Mrs. Wolfe was given an electric mixer.
Officers included Raymond R. Sooy, of Merchantville, vice president; Vinal A. Johnson, secretary, and the following directors: Dr. C. G. Hoell, Clarence M. Scull, Frank E. Zimmerman, Harry J. Hughes, George M. Beringer, Jr., William S. Wolfe, Jr., Charles B. Coles, William M. Myers, Penrose A. Brown, Arthur W. Lewis, William H. Garwood and Albert Pulley. Meetings of the group are now held at 924 Broadway.
Other guests were Ralph D. Baker, Henry F. Stockwell, John R. Wolfe, Philip Wilson, Joseph Etris, George W. Jefferis and Joseph Wolfe.