Henry Wagner

HENRY WAGNER was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on October 23, 1872 as replacement for Alexander Peacock, who had been removed from service as an extra man with Engine Company 1. Prior to entering the fire department he had worked as a carpet weaver. He was living at South 4th and Pine Street when appointed to the Fire Department. He served with Engine Company 1 until May of 1875, when he was not reappointed. He returned to Engine Company 1 on April 5, 1876 and served for one year. He returned for a third time on July 29, 1882 when he was elected Assistant Engineer, a position equivalent to Deputy Chief, serving under Daniel A. Carter. Henry Wagner held this position for two years, when he was replaced by Samuel S. Buzine.

Henry Wagner was born in Camden, New Jersey in July of 1850 to Michael and Margaret Horneff Wagner. Michael Wagner was a carpet weaver, and when not working for the City of Camden as a fire fighter, Henry Wagner followed this trade.

The Wagner family appears in Camden’s South Ward in the 1860 census. The family then consisted of Michael and Margaret Wagner, and five children, Henry being the oldest, followed by Cassie, Jacob, William, and Charles Wagner.

The 1870 Census shows the Wagner family in Camden’s South Ward. Henry Wagner is living at home, as are seven younger siblings, William, Charles, John, Adam, Elizabeth, Maggie and Mary are all living at home. It is unclear at this time as to what became of Cassie Wagner, who may have married off, or Jacob Wagner, who would have been 16 years old and possibly living elsewhere as an apprentice.

As stated above, on October 23, 1872 Henry Wagner was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with Engine Company 1. He joined his uncle, George Horneff, who was an original member of the Company and the Fire Department.

City Directories from the late 1870s and early 1880s show that Henry Wagner was still living with his parents, but was in the process of establishing a carpet weaving business in the 1000 block of Broadway.

The 1880 Census has Henry Wagner living with his parents at 349 Pine Street. Of Henry Wagner’s younger siblings, William, Charles, John, Adam, and Mary are all living at home. It appears that Elizabeth and Maggie had not survived the decade.

The 1882–1883 City Directory shows that Henry Wagner had permanently moved to 1028 Broadway. His family was still living at 349 Pine Street. Sadly, Michael Wagner passed away in 1884. Brother William Wagner took over his father’s business, and in the 1880s opened up a shop at 719 South 4th Street.

Henry Wagner married Ida Baxter in 1884. His wife Ida had given birth to three children by the time the 1900 Census was taken, Charles H. Wagner, Harry J. Wagner, and Eva Wagner. The family was then living at 1028 Broadway. The family was still at that address when the 1910 census was enumerated.

Henry Wagner died on November 5, 1910. He was buried at Harleigh cemetery. By the time of the compilation of the 1914 Camden City Directory, his widow and children had all moved to 506 North 4th Street in North Camden. Ida Baxter Wagner passed away in 1952 at the age of 89.

Henry Wagner is not related to Harry Jacobs Wagner Jr., who was a member of the Camden Fire Department from the late 1920s through April 1964 and at one time served as Acting Chief of the Department. Henry Wagner does not appear to be related to Joseph Wagner, who served as an extra man with Engine Company 1 from July 8, 1878 to September 8, 1878.

Saturday afternoon William Wagner became involved in a fracas with Adolph Foell in front of the saloon of George Pfeiffer, Sr., on Fourth street. Officer Charles Keen, who hastened across the street to quell the trouble, finding Wagner the aggressor, and in an intoxicated condition, took hold of him with the intention of making an arrest. Henry Wagner, brother of the pugilist and assistant engineer of the fire department, with Harry Miles, interfered and demanded the officer to release his prisoner. Instead of doing so he grabbed Miles, intending to arrest him also for his interference. While on his way to the city hall he was again stopped by William Laird, Charles Sawyer and Reuben Turner, all firemen, who endeavored to release the prisoners. This they were unable to do, and the plucky officer lodged the two Wagners and Miles at the city hall. Henry Wagner and Harry Miles furnished bail for their appearance this morning, when they will answer the charge of assault and battery and interfering with the officers. The three firemen will have a hearing at the same time on a similar charge.