Howard H. Currie
Howard H. Currie was born in October of 1851 in New Jersey to James and Mary Currie. The family was living in Camden’s Middle Ward when the census was taken in 1870. Howard Currie was working as a plasterer’s apprentice.
On June 28, 1874 Howard H. Currie married Rebecca Armstrong. This marriage ended quickly in divorce. Howard Currie was living at 449 Henry Street in South Camden when, on July 8, 1875 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company. He served until April 8, 1876 when incoming Chief Claudius W. Bradshaw made wholesale personnel changes within the Camden Fire Department. Howard Currie was recalled to duty on April 8, 1877 as an extra man with Engine Company 2, replacing James Read. He was still living at 449 Henry Street and working as a laborer when reappointed. Howard Currie served in this capacity until April of 1882.
Howard H. Currie had moved to 434 Arch Street by April of 1879. He married that year, and his wife Rosanna bore a son, Howard Lewis Currie, who was born in Camden on July 21, 1880. Howard H. Currie and his family were living at 434 Arch Street when the Census was taken in 1880. Howard H. Currie was at that time working as a bartender when not fighting fires. Howard H. Currie was not reappointed to the Fire Department in the spring of 1882. He appears in the 1881–1882 Directory at 532 Columbia Avenue in Camden, and was still there a year later.
Howard H. Currie was again recalled to service in 1884, again as a “Call Man” with Engine Company 2. The Currie family then lived at 527 North Front Street. Howard H. Currie again served for two years, then left the fire department to work as a lithographer in Philadelphia. During the years 1887 through 1893 the family lived at 326 Taylor Avenue. In the latter half of 1894 Howard H. Currie had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. The family by then had moved to 25 North 3rd Street, where they stayed into 1899. They had moved across the street to 34 North 3rd Street by the spring of 1900.
Howard Lewis Currie married around 1901. His wife Sarah (also known as Sadie) bore a son, John H. Currie, around 1904. The young couple lived with Howard H. and Rosanna Currie through at least 1906. Howard H. Currie was at that time still working full-time with the Fire Department. The family was living at 109 North 4th Street. The 1910 Census shows that Howard Lewis Currie had moved with his wife and son to 214 Point Street and was then working as a switchman for the railroad. Howard H. Currie and his wife were still living at 109 North 4th Street.
Howard H. Currie resigned from the Fire Department on August 1, 1911. He was replaced by Charles Gladney. By mid-1912 son Howard Lewis Currie had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He was still living at 214 Point Street with his wife, Sadie. When the 1914 Camden City Directory was compiled, Howard H. Currie was still living at 109 North 4th Street. He passed away on October 14, 1918 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
By September of 1918 Howard Lewis Currie’s marriage had ended in divorce. He was living with his parents at 220 North 3rd Street, and no mention of a wife is on his draft card.
Howard H. Currie died on October 13, 1918 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. He was 67 years of age when he passed. The 1920 Census shows that Howard Lewis Currie was living with his son John and by this time widowed mother Rose Currie at 220 North 3rd Street. This would be her home until her passing in 1944.
Extra Firemen Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Extra Firemen Appointed.—The Commissioners of the Camden Paid Fire Department, in addition to the regular, have appointed the following extra men on the force: Amadon Middleton, Charles Benton, George Tracey, John Stephens, Elijah Moorehouse, Francis Miller, Joseph B. Green, Jr., Charles Sawyer, Charles M. Lane, Christian Tenner, John Toy, Jacob App, William Deith, Amos Osler, Archie Clark, H. Sharp, Richard Cooper, James Hunt, Charles H. Reed, Richard Deitz, Benjamin Marshall, P. Brown, John Grav, Isaac O. Randolph, Josiah Davis, Francis Boardman, Charles Elfreth, Alexander Watson, Howard Cuney, Francis Tamer. Nine of the above were members of the Fire Department a few years ago, under the now newly appointed Chief, R. S., Bender.
Fireman Huward Currie Goes on List of Retired
Camden Daily Courier —
After many years of service in the Fire Department, Howard Currie, one of the oldest and best known fireman in the city retires on a pension. His resignation takes effect August 1. Mr. Currie has been in the service since ’74 and during that time has made many friends through his good natured ways and kind deeds.
The passing of Mr. Currie from the service is regretted by every man in the department and their best wishes for a long and prosperous life go with him. Following his retirement he will spend the balance of the summer at his home in Anglesea.
Howard H. Currie, Fireman
Camden Post-Telegram —
One of thme oldest and best known city firemen, Howard H. Currie, aged 68 years, died yesterday at his home, 220 North Third street. Mr. Currie had been sick but a week.
For thirty years he was a member of the Camden Fire Department and he was also a volunteer fireman for many years. He was stationed at No. 1 Truck Company for a number of years as tillerman. He retired on a pension about seven years ago. He is survived by his son, Fireman Howard L. Currie. Funeral Directors B. F. Schroeder & Sons are completing funeral arrangements. Deceased was a member of Ottawa Tribe of Red Men and the Firemen’s Mutual Association.
Mrs. Roseanna Currie
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for Mrs. Roseanna Currie, 83, who died Sunday of a heart attack in her home at 219 North Third street, will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday in the home directed by B. C. Schroeder and Sons, 715 Cooper street. Mrs. Currie was born in Camden and lived here all her life. She was the widow of Howard H. Currie, who died 25 years ago. Surviving are a son, Howard L., of Camden; a grandson, John Currie, of Delaware Gardens, a member of the Delaware River Bridge Police department; a daughter, Estella Currie, of Atlantic City, and three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Dunn, Mrs. Kathryn Genther and Mrs. Louisa Curlis, of Camden.
Currie Family Gravestone, Evergreen Cemetery
Currie family gravestone, Evergreen Cemetery — Howard H. Currie, Rosanna Currie, James Currie, Mary Jane Currie