Harry Jarrett Zander

HARRY JARRETT ZANDER, also known as H. Jarrett Zander or simply Jarrett Zander, was born in Camden, New Jersey on May 3, 1890 to John Zander and his wife, the former Mary Browning. His father was a Camden policeman who in time reached the rank of Captain. He had first been appointed to the department in the 1880s, served continuously except for a time when he and other Republican police officers were separated from the department by a Democrat city government. Both of his parents had been previously married. Harry Jarrett Zander was named after Camden physician Dr. Harry Jarrett, a prominent Camden physician who was the first resident at Cooper Hospital. An only child, Harry Jarrett Zander generally went by his middle name. Fire Department record from 1931 refer to him simply as Jarrett Zander.

The family had been living at 571 Carman Street for several years before Harry Jarrett Zander's birth. The 1900 Census shows the Zander family was still residing at 571 Carman Street, just a few doors from Broadway. His maternal uncle, John Browning, lived there as well, along with his wife May and daughter Jane.

On March 9, 1910 Harry Jarrett Zander married Maude Anna Mary Hollenbaugh of Newport, Pennsylvania. A son, John T. Zander, was born on September 7, 1910. The ceremony was performed at the Carman Street address.

The 1910 Census shows Harry Jarrett Zander and his wife, the former Maud Anna Mary Hollenbaugh, living with his parents at 571 Carman Street. Harry Jarrett Zander was then working in a grocery store, while father John Zander worked as a Camden policeman. Maud Zander gave birth to a son, John T. Zander, in 1910. Harry and Maud Zander lived at the Carman Street address for a time, before moving next door.

Harry Jarrett Zander, who had been working as a grocery clerk, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on February 1, 1914. He was assigned as a driver and hoseman to Hose and Chemical Company Number 1, at North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden. This unit was later reorganized as Engine Company 9. On October 29, 1915 he was designated as Battalion Chief Browning’s driver.

When he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, Harry Jarrett Zander and family were living at 573 Carman Street. In October of 1919 he became the driver for Battalion Chief George Wade. The previous month, on September 22, Harry Jarrett Zander and other Camden Fire Department members served as police auxiliaries at the New York Shipyard during the transit strike.

On December 19, 1919, while responding to a 2-alarm fire at South 3rd and Spruce Street, Harry Jarrett Zander and Chief Wade’s vehicle skidded into a curb, breaking an axle. Chief Peter B. Carter subsequently reassigned Harry Jarrett Zander to Ladder Company 3, North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden.

When the Census was taken on January 12, 1920, Harry Jarrett Zander and his family were still living at 573 Carman Street, next door to his parents, who were still living at 571 Carman Street.

In September of 1920 Harry Jarrett Zander was again transferred, to the newly organized Engine Company 10 on Morgan Boulevard in Fairview, where he would serve for the rest of his career with the Camden Fire Department.

The April 1930 census shows Harry Jarrett Zander, his wife, son, and widowed mother living at 723 New Street. Sadly, Mrs. Maude Zander, who was 12 years older than her husband, passed away on March 9, 1936. Harry Zander and his son John, who later worked as an engineer for radio station WCAM, continued to reside at 723 New Street after her death, and were still at that address as late as the fall of 1959.

During his time with the Camden Fire Department, Harry Jarrett Zander kept a diary, listing all the fires he was called out on, and some details regarding these fires and his career. The Fire Diary of Harry Jarrett Zander can be downloaded here, in PDF form.

Concerning his last days with the Camden Fire Department, Harry Jarrett Zander wrote the following:

Tues. January 20, 1941, 6:30 AM I fell unconscious in the Fire Station, #10 Eng. and was taken to the W.J. [West Jersey] Homeopathic Hospital. Sent home from the Hospital March 12 after a major operation. Dr. Wright.

Thursday January 1, 1942 Retired on pension, received a present from the members of #10 Engine Company of a jacket and a C.F.D. signed ring for the men of the Fire Dept., served 28 years in the Bureau of Fire.

Harry Jarrett Zander moved to Audubon, New Jersey in the 1960s. He went through a prostate operation in November of 1961. Harry Jarrett Zander was still living with his son when he passed away on November 28, 1970. Both father and son were active in Masonic circles in their later years. John T. Zander joined his parents in March of 1985. John T. Zander was also a talented organist, and gave recitals at various Shriners functions.

Tuesday, January 20th, 1941. I fell unconscious in the Fire Station #10, Engine Co. and were sent to the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, in the Police Patrol. After a Major Operation was sent home on March 12th, 1941, was off sick until, Thursday January 1st, 1942, when I retired on pension 1,080.00 I received as a present a jacket from the members of #10 EngnCo. and a ring with Camden Fire Dept. Insignia on it from the members of the Fire Dept. served 28 years in Bureau Fire.