Herman Otto Kreher
Herman Otto Kreher, retired Captain of Engine Company 11, Camden Fire Department.
Herman Otto Kreher was born in Germany on October 13, 1883 to Herman F. and Louisa Kreher. His parents brought him to Camden, NJ before he was two years old. His father settled the family in the Pavonia section of Stockton Township, known in modern times as the Cramer Hill neighborhood of Camden, NJ, where he worked as a slate roofer. The 1906 Camden City Directory shows them living at 1220 North 25th Street. This neighborhood was the home of many other German immigrants in this period. The Krehers also owned a delicatessen in the years around 1930.
After marrying Tillie J. Melhourt around 1908, Herman Otto Kreher joined the Camden Fire Department on September 1, 1911.
The 1914 City Directory shows him living at 945 North 25th Street. When he registered for the draft in September of 1918, he lived at 929 North 25th Street in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, NJ, near Charles Irle Sr.’s Saloon. This bar was operated by the Hinkson family by 1926, and in Herman Otto Kreher’s later years was known as Beatty’s Grill and as Juno’s Tavern. The home was a short walk from the firehouse on North 27th Street where Herman Otto Kreher worked. He had been promoted to Junior Captain of Engine Company 11 by October 6, 1936, when he conducted a fire drill for the students at the Harry C. Sharp Public School at 32nd Street and Hayes Avenue and the Washington School at Cambridge Street and River Road.
Herman Otto Kreher retired as the Captain of Engine Company 11 at North 27th Street and River Road on October 1, 1942. He worked as an auxiliary policeman in Camden for a few years after his retirement. By 1947 his son Edward was also working as a Camden fire fighter.
Herman Otto Kreher was still living at 929 North 25th Street when he passed away in February of 1959, survived by his wife Tillie and his four children, Herman J., Wilhelmina “Minnie,” Edward, and Tillie, as well as a sister, Mrs. Anna Collins.
Herman Kreher’s son, Edward Kreher, served for twenty years as a member of the Camden Fire Department.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
No. 7, Headquarters and No. 1 Truck Make Merry at Respective Homes.
CHIEF ELFRETH MAKES ADDRESS
Engine Company No. 7 is the baby company of the fire department, that is, in years of service, but in up-to-date completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year’s Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year’s blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman’s horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
City Electrician John W. Kelly Jr. presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with graphophone selections, including “Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon came back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows:
City Electrician John W. Kelly Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Buzine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
AT HEADQUARTERS.
Under the auspices of the Wishbone Club, firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, held their annual dinner on Tuesday evening. Cheer and good-fellowship was the by word and the fire laddies and their friends made the evening one long to be remembered.
A short address was given by Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Stockton. John Dold offered prayer before the guests partook of the tasty dishes as prepared by Arthur Wingate and William Laud. The table presented an attractive appearance and the laddies and guests greatly enjoyed the fine spread. The menu follows:
Roast Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Cranberry Sauce, Mince Pie, Coffee, Cigars, Aqua De Lair, Olives, Beets, Celery, Roast Turkey, Oyster Filling, Giblet Sauce, Mashed White Potatoes.
Those participating were as follows: S. S. Elfreth, John S. Stockton, Captain George B. Wade, Lieutenant Jos. Ernest, John A. Dold, Josiah Sage, Daniel Smith, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Johnson, Harry Hankins, William Laird, William Elberson, John Lennox, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Harry Selby, Herman O. Kreher, Daniel P. McConnell.
With a fine feed, a grand graphophone concert, songs and speeches of a happy and humorous order, “the Jolly Nine” saw the old year out and the New Year in, at the house of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, on Fifth street above Arch street. Accoutred in their uniforms of blue, ready at a second’s tap of the gong to jump on the truck, the brave laddies and friends formed a happy picture of congeniality. The menu was most appetizing. Beginning with oysters on the shell and winding up with a delicious dish designated “Creme-a-la-Truck,” the guests were kept busy munching their molars, as the sedate and genial waiters, togged out in linen of spotless white. William Howell Tatem and “Chief” Harry Anderson did the elegant. Stewart Bakley, a slick Cooper river boat house cook from away back, was the popular chef of the feast, and that grand old fire hero, Captain “Joe” Maxwell, the Commander-in-Chief of festivities, who saw to it that no one got left as the plates passed around.
The floral and holiday decorations of the banquet hall were munificent and in happy accord with the gracious and good-natured gathering.
14 Firemen Win City Promotions
Camden Daily Courier —
Fortunate Members Of Department Are Being Congratulated By Friends
NEW HOUSE AT FAIRVIEW
Fourteen members of the local fire department were being congratulated today upon their promotions to higher positions in the department.
The promotions were authorized at the meeting of the fire committee of City Council last night and will take effect upon the opening of the new fire house at Yorkship Village.
Lieutenants James White, Horace Cairns, Mordecai Clark and John Vickers have been advanced to the rank of captain. Charles Watkins, Herman Kreher, John Hunt, George Hunt, James McDermott and William Miller will wear lieutenants’ chevrons. Harry Selby has been promoted to the rank of engineer, while Joseph Daley, Roy Smith and Seth Monell were made stokers.
White is to succeed William Madison, who goes on the pension list at No. 5 house, while Watkins will succeed White.
The other eleven men will form the nucleus of the force at the new house in Fairview. The hosemen and laddermen for the house have not as yet been appointed.
Many Transfers of City Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Forces At Various Stations Changed By Most Recent Orders
16 GO TO FAIRVIEW HOUSE
Recent changes in the fire department announced have provided for the transfer of twenty men and the appointment of fourteen during the week to various fire houses in the city.
Sixteen of the men were transferred and given appointments to the two new companies formed to protect Fairview and Yorkship Village. The transfers and appointments went into effect Wednesday.
The following men received transfers and appointments to Engine Company 10, one of the new companies: Horace Cairns, captain; William Miller, lieutenant; Harry Selby, engineer; Charles Gaul, stoker; Spencer Smith, H. Walker, Rocco Fanelli and H. J. Zanders, hosemen.
Truck Company 4, the other new company, at Ninth and Morgan streets, received the following men: Mordecai Clark, captain; James McDermott, lieutenant; James Durkin, driver; Frank Burt, George C. Wade, Samuel Patton, William Reynolds and Harry Hallowell.
H. F. Ferrington and H. Bomgartel, new men, were appointed to Hook and Ladder Company 1, to fill the vacancies left by James McDermott and George C. Wade.
Go to Company No. 1
The following men received appointments to Engine Company 1: Walter Carter, George Henry Johnson, Lewis D. Stevens, Rocco Tribbett and Benjamin Walters. W. Scott Franklin was transferred from Company 9 to Engine Company 1 as lieutenant. George Cattell was transferred from Company 1 to Company 5 as stoker. Joseph Daley, of Company 5, was transferred to Engine Company 2 to fill the vacancy left by Harry Selby, who was transferred to Company 10.
Anthony Valentine and David Smith were transferred to Company 3, in place of William Miller and Charles Gaul, who were transferred to Company 10.
J. Lumbago was transferred to Company 7, in place of David Smith. George Pursglove and John Hunt were transferred to Company 8. Robert Gicks was transferred from Hose and Chemical Company 2 to Company 9, in place of William Reynolds, who was transferred to Company 10.
Nelson Till was appointed to the place left vacant by Robert Gicks, of Hose and Chemical Company 2. Herman Kreher was made lieutenant of Hose and Chemical Company 2.
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.
5 Hurt as Bus Skids Into Fire Engine at River Road and Federal Street
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.
Herman Kreher Dies, Retired City Fireman
Camden Courier-Post —
Herman Otto Kreher, 75, of 929 N. 25th st., retired Camden City fire captain, died Saturday in his home. He was a lifelong resident of Camden. Mr. Kreher joined the fire department on Sept. 1, 1911, and retired Oct. 1, 1942 as captain of Engine Company 11, 27th st. and Hayes ave.
He was a member of Mozart Lodge 121, FAM; Court Pride of Stockton, F of A 15; Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Lodge 5, and the Police and Firemen’s Association.
Surviving are his wife, Tillie; two sons, Herman, of Runnemede, and Edward, of Camden; two daughters, Mrs. Tillie A. Gee and Mrs. Wilhelmina A. Barry, both of Camden; a sister, Mrs. Anna A. Collins, of Camden, and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Gustav Roedel & Son Funeral Home, 804 N. 27th st., where friends may call Tuesday night, when Masonic services will be held at 8 p.m. Burial will be in Bethel Memorial Park, Pennsauken.