Henry R. Elliott
HENRY RANKIN “HARRY” ELLIOTT was born in Scotland in November of 1865, and was brought to America with his older brother John as an infant by his parents, Henry Elliott and his wife, the former Isabella Rankin. The family was living in Camden’s North Ward at the time of the 1870 Census. The Elliott family was living at 813 Chestnut Street in Camden when the Census was taken in 1880. Besides John and Henry, the family included younger siblings Benjamin, Isabella, Margaret, and Jane. Henry Elliott had by this time gone to work in a woolen mill. He later worked as an oilcloth printer.
Henry Elliott was married around 1886. A son, Harry C. Elliott, was born around 1887. The 1887–1888 and 1888–1889 City Directories show him living at 279 Division Street. By the summer of 1889 he had moved to 1021 South 8th Street. The 1890–1891 Directory also has him at 1021 South 8th Street. His marriage did not last, possibly due to Henry Elliott’s drinking. He was accused of assaulting his sister-in-law, but apparently nothing came of this charge.
The Elliott family was still living at 813 Chestnut Street as late as 1899. The 1896 City Directory shows that Henry Elliott was then living across the street at 820 Chestnut Street, working as an oilcloth printer. By 1897 he had moved with his sister Isabella and her husband Alfred Dudley to 1317 Broadway.
Henry Elliott appears to have been a member of the New Jersey National Guard, and served during the Spanish-American War.
Henry Elliott was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1899. He did not remain with the department for very long, however. He was still with the Fire Department when the census was taken in 1900. He was then boarding at 1317 Broadway, the home of Alfred and Isabella Elliott Dudley. By 1906 Henry Elliott had left the Fire Department. He was still living at 1317 Broadway, but by then had gone back to work as an oilcloth printer.
The 1910 Census shows Henry Elliott living with his son and daughter-in-law Lillian at 812 Cherry Street. Henry Elliott was then in the real estate business. He was also a grandfather to 8-month old Harry R. Elliott. The 1914 and 1919 Camden City Directories show Henry Elliott living at 634 Berkley Street, working as a carpenter. He was still at that address in January of 1920, then working as a boilermaker in one of Camden’s many shipyards. He was still working in shipyards as late as April of 1930. By 1924 Henry Elliott had moved to 314 Royden Street. He does not appear in the 1927 Camden City Directory but is listed in the 1929 edition and in Fire Department records from 1931 at 434 Chambers Avenue.
Henry Elliott’s last days were spent at the Soldiers’ Home in Vineland, New Jersey. He died on February 12, 1938 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
A Young Girl’s Charge
Philadelphia Inquirer —
She Accuses Her Brother-in-law of a Murderous Attempted Assault.
Henry Elliott, who lives in the dwelling portion of the house at Eighth and Mount Vernon streets, Camden, is accused of an attempted felonious assault on ‘pretty twelve-year-old Mary Frazier,’ his sister-in-law. On Friday evening Mary, who is employed as a domestic at Sixth and Berkley streets, visited her sister, Mrs. Frazier. About eleven o’clock they retired, occupying separate rooms. About twelve o’clock Elliott came home, it is alleged, greatly the worse from the effects of liquor.
He had not been in bed long before he complained of being thirsty, and requested his wife to go down stairs and procure him a drink of water. Mrs. Frazier acceded to his request, but had hardly drawn the water when she heard screams coming from the room occupied by her sister. She hastened to the rescue, and she alleges that she discovered her husband standing by the child’s bedside with a loaded pistol in his hand, threatening to kill her.
Mrs. Frazier immediately seized the revolver which her husband held at her sister’s head and a struggle ensued, in which Mrs. Frazier came out victor, with the weapon in her possession. She and her sister then fled to the street. Elliott has been arrested and held in bail.
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.
Henry R. Elliott Dies, Spanish War Veteran
Camden Courier-Post —
Henry R. Elliott, Jr., 72, veteran of the Spanish-American War, died Saturday at the Soldiers’ Home, Vineland, after two years illness.
Mr. Elliott served in Company L, Third Regiment, New Jersey National Guard, under Capt. Winfield S. Price, now major general commanding the 44th Division. He had been at home five years.
Mr. Elliott is survived by one son Henry R., Jr., two grandchildren, one great grandchild, and three sisters, Mrs. Albert L. Dudley and Mrs. William Delamater, Camden, and Mrs. Charles H. Sullivan, Haddonfield.
Mr. Elliott was a member of General John A. Mather Post, No. 39, United Spanish War Veterans, which will conduct military rites at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at 1401 Princess avenue. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Henry R. Elliott Death Notice
Camden Courier-Post —
ELLIOTT—On February 12, 1938, at Soldiers’ Home, Vineland, N. J., Henry R. Elliott, Jr., age 72 years. Relatives and friends, also General John A. Mather Camp No. 39, United Spanish War Veterans are invited to attend the funeral services Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Holl Funeral Home, 1401 Princess Ave… Camden, N. J. Interment at Harleigh Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday evening.