Harry Hess
HARRY H. HESS was born on February 14, 1900 in Pennsylvania to Gottlieb and Sophia Hess of 2724 Pratt Street, Philadelphia. He was the fifth child, coming after sisters Sophia, Minnie, Blanche, and Emma Hess. His father worked as a hostler. Sadly Gottlieb Hess passed away on July 6, 1901. Sophia Hess soon remarried. By 1910 she and her new husband, Christian Buechler, were living at 1043 North 26th Street in the Cramer Hill section of Camden. Oldest sister Sophia had died, but his mother had bore two other children, Carrie and Bernhardt Buechler.
The 1920 Census shows Harry Hess living with his mother Sophie and step-father Christian Buechler at 1043 North 26th Street in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood. Harry Hess was then working as a shipper at one of Camden’s woolen mills, probably the Highland Mill at North 10th and State Streets. Also living there were older sisters Emma Hess and Blanche Hess Gehret.
Harry Hess married Mary Osherchoski shortly after the 1924 City Directory was compiled. He was then still living at 1043 North 26th Street. After he married, he and his wife lived with her widowed mother at 2733 Sherman Avenue in Cramer Hill. A son, Allen F. Hess, was born in April 16, 1926, to Mary and Harry Hess. The family is listed at 2733 Sherman Avenue in the 1927 City Directory. After having worked as a laborer and more recently as a salesman, Harry Hess was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April 4, 1928. He was still serving with the Camden Fire Department when the 1947 City Directory was compiled. The 1930 Census shows Harry Hess and family living next door to fellow Camden Fire Department member William Foehl, who lived with his family at 2731 Sherman Avenue into the mid-1930s. Another Camden firefighter, Charles A. Bates, later lived at 2731 Sherman Avenue.
Son Allen F. Hess enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey on May 9, 1944. As he had qualified for flight duty, he trained as a member of a bomber crew and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Air Medal, indicating that he flew at least five combat missions, most likely as a gunner.
Allen F. Hess returned to Camden after completing his military service. His parents were still living at 2733 Sherman Avenue as late as 1947. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 14, 1950. Allen F. Hess was promoted to captain in May of 1960, and to Battalion Chief on June 11, 1966. After serving the City of Camden for 40 years, Chief Allen F. Hess retired on May 1, 1991.
Harry H. Hess passed away on June 15, 1971. His widow joined him on December 15, 1998.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Lennox Deputy Chief; Eight Others Elevated as Captains Here
A new deputy chief, a battalion chief and eight new senior and junior captains will assume their posts today in the fire department. The men were promoted yesterday afternoon, along with the announcement of eleven new appointments of firemen, who will go into service April 15.
The new deputy chief, John H. Lennox, now is second in command when his platoon is on duty. He was acting deputy since the naming of Thomas Nicholas as chief two years ago.
The new battalion chief is Rollo Jones. Jones succeeded George B. Wade, who retired January 1.
Junior captains advanced to senior captains, with salaries increased to $2,400, are William H. Harring, Truck Company No. 1, Clarence Madden, Engine Company No. 6 and George Hunt, Engine Company No. 7. The new junior captains advanced from the ranks, with new salaries of $2,299 a year, are David Ellis, driver for Chief Nicholas for nine years, George Saunders, hoseman of Engine Company No. 9; Eli Hunt, driver of Engine Company No. 3, and William Van Pfefferle, hoseman, Engine Company No. 1.
All the promotions were from the civil service eligible list. The captains will be assigned tomorrow.
The new firemen, also civil service eligibles, will start with salaries of $1,500. Each year of service brings an increase, until five years in the department pays $2,040 annually. The new men are Thomas F. Gibbons, Byron M. Davis, John S. Anderson, William H. Toy, Leo J. Tompkins, Horace T. Molan, Lawrence Bolton, George W. Garner, Felix E. Bendzyn, Harry H. Hess and Charles Jones.
Chief Lennox is one of the most popular firefighters in the organization. “Chappie” is the nickname by which he has been known for years. He was appointed a fireman January 1, 1908. He was promoted to a captainship October 1, 1915, and was assigned to Engine Company No. 8.
His promotion to deputy chief gives the department two men in that standing, one in command of each platoon on duty. His new salary will be $2,800 a year. He will be stationed at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets. He lives at 633 Clinton street. William W. Patterson is the other deputy chief.
Battalion Chief Jones will receive $2,520 a year. He has been in command of Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. He will be sent to command Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue. He was a former senior captain of Engine Company No. 4. For a number of years he was an instructor in fire school methods of life saving. He lives at 536 York street.
22 Firemen Assigned to New Stations
Camden Courier-Post —
12 Rookies and 10 Promoted Men Go to Posts
Twelve new firemen and ten men promoted several weeks ago were assigned to their new stations yesterday by Chief Thomas J. Nicholas. With these appointments, the department complement of 200 men is completed.
John H. Lennox, newly named deputy chief, will make his headquarters at the Fifth and Arch streets station. Rollo Jones, promoted from senior captain to battalion chief, succeeding George Wade, recently retired on pension, will move to Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Three men were promoted from junior to senior captaincies. They are: William Heron, who moved to Company No. 2; George Hunt, Company No. 8, and Clarence T. Madden [sic] Company No. 5.
Taken from the ranks, the following will be stationed as junior captains: David R. Ellis, Company No. 7; Clarence Newton, Company No. 5; William Van Pfefferle, Truck Company No. 2; Eli Hunt, Company No. 9, and George Saunders, Company No. 6.
The new firefighters and their stations are: Lawrence Bolton, Company No. 9; John S. Anderson, Company No. 4; Byron M. Davis, Company No. 1; George W. Garner, Company No. 4; Lawrence Milton, Company No. 5; Thomas Gibbons, Company No. 4; Leo J. Tompkins, Company No. 2; Felix Bendzyn, Company No. 7; Horace T. Molan, Company No. 7; William E. Toy, Company No. 9; Harry H. Hess, Company No. 11, and Edward Callahan, Truck Company No. 4.
Funeral Rites Held for Nicholas Romaine
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral services were held yesterday for Nicholas Romaine, 48, of 2420 Mickle street, a member of Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue, who died Thursday of injuries suffered while fighting a fire nearly eight years ago. Services took place at the parlors of Gustav Roedel and Son, 804 North Twenty-seventh street, and burial was in New Camden cemetery. The following members of his company were pallbearers: Herman Dreas, Harry Hess, John Mohrfield, William Mountney, Michael Mungioli and John Peterson.
Romaine, a member of the fire department 13 years, was injured when a brick wall fell on him during a blaze in a junk shop July 27, 1925. Five other firemen were also hurt. He is survived by his widow, Pauline, two sons, Joseph and Nicholas, Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. Gladys Green and Frances Romaine.
Fire Chief Guest at Honor Dinner
Camden Courier-Post —
Capt. Kreher, Veteran of 22 Years, Given Send-Off on Eve of Retirement
Fire Capt. Herman Kreher, a veteran of 22 years in the city fire-fighting forces, was tendered a dinner last night by more than 60 comrades upon the occasion of his fiftieth birthday. His efficient supervision of Engine Company No. 11 was lauded by Acting Chief John Lennox, who presented him with a gold wrist watch in behalf of his fellow firemen. George Wonsetter was toastmaster.
The affair was held in Stefiel’s Hall, directly across from the firehouse at Twenty-seventh and Hayes avenue.
Attending the dinner were Mrs. Kreher, their children, Tillie, Wilhelmina, Herman and Edwin, and Motorcycle Patrolman Harry Kreher, brother of Captain Kreher. Addresses were also made by Deputy Chief William Herring and Battalion Chiefs Walter Mertz, Charles Errickson and Waldo Jones.
The committee included Firemen William Mountey [sic], chairman; Howard Curry, Nelson Till, William Gettner, Michael Mungoli, John Mohrfeld, Herman Dreas, John Peterson and Harry Hess.
Fire Truck in Crash; Six Persons Hurt
Trenton Evening Times —
CAMDEN, N. J., Oct. 26 (AP).—Five women and a fireman were injured today in the collision of a fire truck and a Public Service Company bus.
The fireman, Harry Hess, 35, was taken to a hospital, the women receiving hospital treatment for cuts and bruises and then discharged.
Five other firemen were on the truck when the collision occurred. The truck was purchased three months ago for $10,000.
Slippery Pavement Blamed for Freak Highway Collision
Camden Courier-Post —
P.S. Vehicle Was Trying to Pull to One Side to Allow Engine to Pass
INVESTIGATION ORDERED
A city fireman and four bus passengers were injured yesterday in a collision between a fire engine, enroute to a training school, and a bus at River road and Federal street.
The fireman, Harry Hess of 2733 Sherman avenue, attached to Engine Company No. 11, at Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue, suffered cuts of the ear, scalp and wrist and bruises of the chest. He is in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
The riders injured, all of whom were treated at Cooper Hospital, are Miss Alice Messmer, 24, of Bedford avenue, Merchantville, who suffered bruises of the left arm; Miss Lillian Foster, 20, of 3313 Highland avenue, treated for shock; Mrs. Edith McCrea, 48, of 2647 Westfield avenue, bruises of the back, and Mabel Stark, 15, of 26 South Thirty-fourth street, cuts of the cheek and bruises of the face and forehead.
Later, a man who said he was Horace S. Gerrick, 60, of 54 West Chestnut avenue, Merchantville, entered Cooper Hospital and said he had been injured while riding on the bus. He was treated for rib contusions and sent home.
Wet streets were blamed by police for the accident. Federal street, off River road, was slick, they said.
Fire Chief Lennox, who went to the scene, said an investigation would be made in an effort to fix responsibility.
“The collision took place this morning at 10:30 o’clock, at the intersection of Federal street and River road,” he explained.
“The fire engine was making a right turn onto Federal street, off River road. The bus, owned and operated by Public Service Coordinated Transport Company, was traveling west on River road and had come from Merchantville, and was en route to the ferries.
“As far as can be learned so far by talking to witnesses to the accident, the bus pulled over to the left side of the street. As it did, the rear end skidded into the truck.
“As matters appear now, we do not intend to arrest the bus driver, but an investigation will be made to place responsibility for the crash.”
The fire apparatus was headed for the fire training school at Ninth street and Morgan boulevard. It was driven by Herman Dreas, 43, of 1241 North Twenty-sixth street, who said the siren was going as the engine approached Federal street.
Michael Mungioli, 34, of 795 North Thirtieth street, one of the firemen on the truck, said the bus driver, hearing the siren, attempted to swerve his vehicle quickly, and the collision resulted.
Neither machine overturned. A score of passengers in the bus were shaken up. The girl and three women who were more seriously injured were taken to Cooper hospital in automobiles.
The engine, a combination pumper, hose and chemical truck, valued at $10,000, was in charge of Captain Herman Kreher, 51, of 1003 North Twenty-sixth street, commander of Engine Company No. 1. He escaped injury, as also did Mungioli, Dreas, John Morefield, Howard Curry, William Mountney and Harry Curry, 54, of 1035 Beideman avenue, other firemen on the vehicle.
The driver of the bus, K. J. Chard, 27, of 1185 Haddon avenue, also was uninjured.
Neither vehicle was badly damaged, although it was necessary to tow the truck back to its station. No estimate of the damage done either machine has been made.
The bus driver stated he saw the fire apparatus in the middle of the street at a distance of 40 feet. As he approached he applied his brakes but the rear wheels skidded and struck the engine on the right side.
5 Hurt in Fire Crash
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Five persons were injured yesterday when a fire truck and a bus collided at River rd. and Federal sts., Camden.
Police asserted that the truck, en route from Engine Company No. 11, 27th st. and Hayes ave., to the Camden Fire Training School at 9th st. and Morgan blvd., was turning a corner when the bus skidded into it on a wet street.
Ladderman Harry Hess, 32, of 2733 Sherman st., was thrown to the street by the impact and was treated at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital for bruises. Four bus passengers were treated for minor injuries at the Cooper Hospital. They are Miss Mabel Stark, 15, of 29 S. 34th st.; Mrs. Edith McCrea, 48, of 2647 Westfield ave.; Miss Lillian Foster, 20, of 3313 Island ave., and Miss Alice Messner, 24, of Bedford ave., Merchantville. The driver of the bus, according to police, was K. J. Chard, 27, of Haddon ave., Camden, and the fire truck driver was Herman Dreas, 43, of N. 26th st., Camden. Neither was injured.