Introduction
HOWARD LEWIS CURRIE was born in Camden, New Jersey on July 21, 1880 to Howard H. Currie and his wife Rose, of 434 Arch Street, Camden. His father was working as a bartender when he was born. Howard H. Currie became involved with the Camden Fire Department by 1886 as a “Call Man,” although City Directories from 1887 through 1890 also state that Howard H. Currie worked as a lithographer in Philadelphia. During these years the family lived at 326 Taylor Avenue. Howard H. Currie eventually went to work full time for the Camden Fire Department.
Howard L. Currie married around 1901. His wife Sarah (also known as Sadie), bore a son, John H. Currie around 1904. Howard and Sarah Currie lived with his parents through at least 1906.
When the 1906 Camden City Directory was published, Howard L. Currie was working as a conductor for either the streetcar line or the railroad. His father, Howard H. Currie, was at that time on the Fire Department. The family was living at 109 North 4th Street. The 1910 Census shows that Howard L. Currie had moved with his wife and son to 214 Point Street. He was then working as a switchman for the railroad.
By mid-1912 Howard L. Currie had joined the Camden Fire department. He was still living at 214 Point Street with his wife, Sadie. His father was still with the Fire Department as well, however, by 1914 Howard H. Currie had retired from the department. He was still living at 109 North 4th Street.
By September of 1918 Howard L. 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 at some point in time between September 12, 1918 and January 1, 1920. The 1920 Census shows that Howard L. Currie was living with his son John and by this time widowed mother at 220 North 3rd Street.
Shortly after the Census was taken Howard Currie remarried. The City Directory for 1924 lists him at 933 North 4th Street with his wife, the former Millie Ericson. His son John remained behind to take care of his grandmother. The Curries had moved to 1135 Beideman Avenue in Cramer Hill by 1929. By April of 1930 they had again moved, to 1059 North 31st Street, also in Cramer Hill.
Howard L. Currie had retired from the Fire Department by the summer of 1942. He was still living with his wife Millie at 1059 North 31st Street in Camden's Cramer Hill neighborhood. He was still residing at that address, and supplementing his income working as a watchman, when the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled. It is unclear as to when Howard L. Currie passed away. He was still listed in New Jersey Bell Telephone directories at the North 31st Street address as late as the fall of 1980. His wife, Millie Currie, died in September of 1981.
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Increase Provides for Installation of New Company, No. 7. / OTHERS ADVANCED TO MEET CHANGES
City Council's Fire Committee last night made provision for the installation of Engine Company No. 7 by the appointment of ten new members of the department. Some of the new appointees will be assigned to the new company, which will be located at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, and the rest of the complement will be made up of experienced fire fighters. The company goes into service July 1. The men appointed last night are:
First Ward—H. L. Curry, Jr.
Second Ward—Robert Bricee.
Third Ward—Clarence Madden.
Fourth Ward—William Cason.
Fifth Ward—William Laird.
Sixth Ward—George Boone.
Seventh Ward—Edward Simpson.
Eighth Ward—John McTaggart.
Ninth Ward—Roy Smith.
Tenth Ward—J. Ora Burris.
The committee also made provision for the superior officers of the company by advancing present members of the department. William Buzine was made engineer, Thomas Nichols was elected captain, Joseph Maxwell was chosen lieutenant, Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers and Newton Ash was promoted to extra engineer. Henry Knowles was made houseman for the new company.
The men advanced last night will not necessarily be assigned to No. 7, and the matter of placing them will be disposed of at a later meeting.
Lobster Feed at Club House
Camden Daily Courier —
Lobsters raw, lobsters fried, lobsters that had never died and all the fixin's just like mamma used to cook were served with decided eclat to members of the Vine street fire house under the auspices of Mister Robert Brice, yesterday afternoon.
The manner in which the brave and fearless fire laddies of the uptown house punished those crimson crustaceous was a shame to relate. After the feed came the social part of the afternoon.
Fr. Elberson opened the festivities with a few well chosen words. Dan Grimes, the silver voiced tenor, better known as Carouso's only rival, sang in a most stirring manner a song entitled “McAllister's Coal Yard.” All present joined in the chorus of this touching ballad. It is said that this beautiful little bullet was dedicated to the Camden Daily Courier. Joe Logue then recited “Casey at the Bat,” and several other touching selections in true Irish style. Howard Currie and Joe Daly were waiters and tossed the hash about in a most extraordinary manner.
Firemen Enjoy Oyster Supper
Camden Post-Telegram —
Boys at No. 4 Engine Co. Have Sumptuous Feast of Juicy Bivalves.
OTHER NEWS FROM UP PYNE POYNT WAY
Juicy bivalves prepared in all styles by Messrs Bob Brice and Joe Daly were last night enjoyed by the boys at No. 4 Engine Company, on Vine street near Fourth. James Walton was toastmaster.
After-dinner talks were given by Matt Tenniswood, James Neeley and Captain William W. Patterson.
The participants were: Captain W. W. Patterson, Lieutenant James Elberson, Robert Steer, Bob Brice, Ephraim Hires, Joseph Logue, Howard Curry, Joseph Daly, Freeholder James E. Walton, Matt Tenniswood, James Neeley and Adrian Bateman.
Firemen Escort Steer’s Remains
Camden Post-Telegram —
Chief Stockton Heads Big Delegation at Funeral of Lamented Colleague.
QUARTER CENTURY IN CITY’S SERVICE
With an honorary escort of sixty firemen and Fire Chiefs John A. Stockton, Peter B. Carter and Walter Browning attending his funeral, Fireman Robert B. Steer, for twenty-five years a member of the local fire department, and who died on Wednesday, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in Arlington Cemetery.
Services were conducted at the Steer residence, 310 Howard street, by Rev. J. L. Surtees, pastor of State Street M. E. Church, and Rev. Isaac W. Bagley, chaplain of the department.
The pall-bearers were members of No. 4 Engine Company. They follow: Captain William W. Patterson, Robert Brice, Ephraim Hires, James Elberson, Daniel Grimes, Charles Watkins, Jr., Joseph Daly and David Logue.
The escort of firemen marched beside the hearse as far as No. 5 Engine Company. Chief John A. Stockton led the delegation. The flower designs completely enshrouded the bier. They came from people in all walks of life, who also came to pay their last respects to the lamented fire fighter.
Mr. Steer served as a fireman for almost twenty-five years, and he was one of the most popular men in the department. He was known to hundreds of people and his death has caused wide and genuine sorrow in North Camden.
He is survived by his wife, one son, Robert Steer, Jr., and a daughter, Miss Carrier Steer.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association has elected these officers: President, Daniel Leach; vice presidents, William Walton and Howard Curry, Jr.; financial secretary, Horace Cairns; recording secretary, John Plum; treasurer, Harry Gerke; trustees, Andrew Miller; State Representative, William Walton.
These officers have been elected by the Associated Charities: President, William L. Cooper; vice presidents, Charles K. Haddon, Mrs. Sarah M. Lacy; secretary, Miss Abbie Davall; treasurer, Elias Davis.
Theodore Sipe, 5 years old, of 405 Market street, is in Cooper Hospital under observation, it being thought he swallowed a marble.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Registration Card — Howard Lewis Currie, September 12, 1918. The registrar who filled in this card was C. Leonard Brehm, local politician and bar-owner.
Firemen Organize
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Department Perfects Branch of I. F. F. of A.
Camden firemen have organized a branch of the International Fire Fighters of America, with the following officers: President, Howard Currie; vice president, William Judge; recording secretary, William Walton; financial secretary, William Rose; treasurer, John Plum; sergeant-at-arms, Charles Gladney; trustees, Roy Saunders, James Howell and Earl Vansant.
One of the objects of the organization is the securing of adequate remuneration for duty, and the union is considering the advisability of joining the American Federation of Labor.
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen's Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter's was passed, but an improviso was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
It was explained that the city commission's resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years’ service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.
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.
Slippery Pavement Blamed for Freak Highway Collision
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.
World War II Draft Card
Serial Number: U-2522 Name: Howard Lewis Currie Place of Residence: 1039 N. 31st St., Camden, N.J. Mailing Address: Same Telephone: Camden 3745 Age in Years: 61 Date of Birth: July 21, 1880 Place of Birth: Camden, N.J. Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Millie Currie, Same Employer’s Name and Address: Pension Fireman
Signed: Howard Lewis Currie