Howard C. Walker
Howard Clark Walker, Engine Company 10
HOWARD CLARK WALKER was born on January 4, 1883 in New Jersey. Of his early life, there is not much record. He may have been living in Camden in 1906, as a Howard Walker was living at 411 Pine Street, working as a driver. He may have had ties to Burlington County, as he indicated in 1918 that his closest relative, George Walker, lived there.
When the Census was taken in 1910, Howard Walker was working as a driver for a furniture store in Camden. He was boarding at 710 Berkley Street in Camden’s 9th Ward. He appears in the 1914 Camden City Directory at 619 Clinton Street, a short walk from his previous lodgings, then working as a chauffer, a term then interchangeable with truck driver. When he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918 Howard Walker was working for the J.B. Van Sciver furniture company in Camden as a truck driver. He was then living on New Jersey Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. It is probable that Howard Walker had been employed by Van Sciver’s all through these years.
The 1920 Census shows Howard Walker living at 140 New Jersey Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. He was still single at the time, and boarding with a widow, Louise Brewington, and her 27 year-old daughter, Edna. Howard Walker was then working as a shipping clerk at a furniture store, most likely the Van Sciver store in downtown Camden. During these years he also served as a volunteer fireman with the Fairview Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, a short-lived organization that serviced the newly built homes in the Yorkship Square neighborhood, which had not been incorporated in the City of Camden at that point.
On September 16, 1920 the Camden Fire Department organized Engine Company 10 at the then-new firehouse at 2500 Morgan Boulevard, in the Fairview section of Camden. The unit shared quarters with Ladder Company 4, which was organized on the same date. Howard Walker may have been one of the original Engine 10 members, at this time this is not known. What is known is that he married Mabel Roberts shortly after the 1920 Census. By the time the 1924 Camden City Directory was compiled he and his wife were living at 2750 Constitution Road in Fairview. This would be his home for the rest of his days. The 1930 Census shows the Walkers with three children, Mary V., Howard E., and Arthur A. Walker, and also shows that his in-laws, Abraham and Mary Roberts, lived with them.
Howard C. Walker died on October 20, 1935 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
World War I Draft Card
SERIAL NUMBER: [partially legible] ORDER NUMBER: 4[6/8]75
1. NAME (Print): Howard Clark Walker
2. PERMANENT HOME ADDRESS: 14[0] New Jersey [Ave.], Collingswood, Camden, N.J.
AGE IN YEARS: 35
BORN: Jan 4th, 1883
RACE: White
U.S. CITIZEN: Yes — Native Born
PRESENT OCCUPATION: Chauffeur
EMPLOYER’S NAME: J.B. Van [Sciver] Co.
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Coleman Ave. and Linden St., Camden, N.J.
NEAREST RELATIVE: George Walker
ADDRESS: [2]53 West Nash Ave., Mt. Holly [N.J.]
I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE VERIFIED ABOVE ANSWERS AND THAT THEY ARE TRUE.
HEIGHT: Medium (checked)
BUILD: Medium (checked)
COLOR OF EYES: Blue COLOR OF HAIR: Sandy
29 Has person lost arm, leg, hand, or eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified? No
30 I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or I had read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mark; and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:
Date of Registration: 9-12-1918
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. Walton, Rocco Fanelli and H. 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 Felton, William Reynolds and Harry Hallowell.
Farrington 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 Tribuett and Benjamin Walters. W. Scott Franklin was transferred from Company 5 to Engine Company 1 as lieutenant. George Gall 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 Puroglove and John Hunt were transferred to Company 8. Robert Glcks 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 Glcks, of Hose and Chemical Company 2.
Herman Kreher was made lieutenant of Hose and Chemical Company 2.
Photos
This breast badge reading “Fairview Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2” is all that apparently remains from this unknown fire company. The badge belonged to Fireman Howard Walker who later became a member of Engine Company 10 when that unit was organized in 1920.
A high front aluminum helmet worn by Fireman Howard Walker, Badge 91, Engine Company 10. Circa 1930.
Engine Company 10
Photo from 1924. Horace Cairns, Captain; Howard Walker, chauffeur.
No. 10 Engine Company Stag Party
Camden Post-Telegram —
Captain Clark, Lieutenant Miller, Chas. Gaul, Howard Walker, Harry Hallowell, Hugh Rementa, Thomas Clark, James Derken, Al Haley, Adolph Gaul and George Wade, all of No. 10 Engine Company, were among those present at a stag party held last night on the farm of Norris Black at Harrisonville. A chicken dinner and a watermelon party were the features. An orchestra furnished music.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Courier-Post —
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
MR. YOUNGER IN CHARGE
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sends his proteges through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile, both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team while Walter A. Mertz, of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager for the firemen, declared he had twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, but first they will have an opportunity for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in division and the firemen in another. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edyard Callahan, Walter Larson, Gus Pfliderer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirts, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt qualification for field day include Fred Schacker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Huda, Arthur Laird, Herman Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Poeble, Tom Shanley, Harrison Pike, William Hood, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Mertz, Nelson Hubbs, James Mogan, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Mensales, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, William Hare, Joseph Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook, “Cops” appear strongest, coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats. The leader will be Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of-team of eight men will also be selected by the firemen’s leader. Merts will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Athletic Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this arrangement, as no extra minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services without charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Long Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his riders have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in the east, declares Nelson Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and exhibition stunt.
Blue Devils No. 1 — Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisman and Edward Moll.
Blue Devils No. 2 — Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
1928 American LaFrance
1928 American LaFrance 750 GPM Pumper