Introduction
Jacob “Jake” Schiller (1861–1933)
JACOB “JAKE” SCHILLER was a major political figure in Stockton and East Camden from the 1880s into the mid-1920s. Sadly he was shot to death by his son William on September 18, 1933. His wife Mattie had passed away the previous February.
Jacob Schiller was born in Philadelphia in 1861 to Jacob and Christiana Werner Schiller. His father was a saloonkeeper. After the death of his mother in 1876, the elder Schiller remarried and brought his family to Camden.
“Jake” Schiller’s Father
“Jake” Schiller’s father, Jacob Schiller (1832–1905)
As noted above, Jacob Schiller’s father was also Jacob Schiller, as was his grandfather. Born on May 10, 1832 at Schnaidt in the wine-producing area of Baden-Wuerttemberg, he came to America with his family in 1852, arriving in New York in September of that year aboard the ARTHUR, which had sailed from Liverpool, England. Jacob Schiller settled in Philadelphia and operated a “hotel,” the term then meaning a saloon. Jacob Schiller married Christiana Werner on April 21, 1855 at St. Michael & Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia PA.
The 1870 Census shows the Schiller family living in Philadelphia. Jacob was the middle child, coming after older sisters Christiana, 14, and Louisa, 12, and before younger siblings William, 1 and Rosa, four months of age. Rosa is named Pauline in the 1880 Census; it is unclear which name is correct.
Sadly, Christiana Werner Schiller died on October 22, 1876 in Philadelphia of “visceral neuralgia.” The elder Schiller moved to Camden where he married Phillipina Schilpp, widow of Frederick Schilpp, a “beef butcher” in the South Ward according to the 1870 census. The Schilpp’s owned a home at 324 Pine Street. Frederick Schilpp was one of the founders of Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran Church at 523 Stevens Street, and is buried in Old Camden Cemetery. Jacob Schiller and Phillipina Schilpp were married at Trinity Church in the late 1870s. They were living at 324 Pine Street when the census was taken in 1880. Besides Jacob, they each had at least 2 young children (Peter and Frank Schilpp; William and Pauline Schiller) to raise at the time of their marriage. Jacob and Phillipina seem to have parted company by the end of their lives, each living with one of their children. The elder Schiller died in Camden in 1905 and was buried with his first wife in Philadelphia. They were re-interred together in Frazier PA the following year.
United States Navy
Jacob “Jake” Schiller — USS Constitution, United States Navy, circa 1877
His mother having died, by the summer of 1877 young Jacob Schiller joined the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Constitution in 1877. The Constitution at that time was based at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and utilized as a training ship. Later in 1878 she was used to transport the United States’ exhibits to the Paris Exhibition, the “world’s fair” of that year. It is unknown at this time if Jacob Schiller was a member of that crew. During his time in the Navy, however, he did pick up considerable skill as a boxer, which he was not loath to put to use in his subsequent careers as a bar-owner and politician—politics being in those times a full-contact sport. On December 27, 1877 the Constitution’s log reads “Lieutenant J. W. Carlin, Master F. H. Crosby, 2 schoolmasters and 148 boys sent to New York.” It is probable that “Jake” Schiller was among the “boys” transferred.
After serving out his enlistment Jake Schiller returned to the Camden area and opened a saloon in Stockton, present-day East Camden, on Federal Street near 23rd Street. He soon became involved in local politics, and became a major figure in that section. Originally a Democrat, he joined the Republican party at the behest of David Baird Sr. and was a major force in Republican politics in Camden for over forty years.
Jacob Schiller was also known as one never to turn away from a fight. The Trenton Times reported on October 24, 1887 the following:
John Weidig, a builder, is erecting some properties near the saloon of Jacob Schiller, in Wrightsville, on the outskirts of Camden, and he recently forbade his workmen from patronizing Schiller’s place. The latter yesterday attacked Weidig with an iron tool and injured him about the head. Justice Cassady subsequently held him in $500 bail to answer.
Jacob & Mattie Schiller made their home by 1906 at 44 North 21st Street. By 1933 they had moved to 2420 Carman Street. Sadly, Jake Schiller was shot to death by his son, William, on September 16, 1933.
Besides William there was another son, Jacob Schiller Jr., and a daughter, Mattie, who married Herman F. Niessner, who also was somewhat well-known in Camden political circles in the 1920s and 1930s.
USS Constitution Log, 19 July 1877–19 January 1878
“Grand-dad Schiller and friend” — USS Constitution, circa 1877. Photo courtesy of Leslie Short; log from National Archives.
The Constitution log entry for 14 August 1877 says: “Nickerson and Sheehan AWOL — 2/c Boys Ola M. Hampleman, Jacob Schiller and William A. Prochnow shipped at Philadelphia.” I thought that perhaps one of these young men might have been the one in the photo. In 1870 there was an Ola Hampleman in Indiana and the name “Prochnow” seems very prevalent in Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. I did not find anyone in Philadelphia or Camden.
Also from the Constitution log: 27 Nov 1877: 2/c Boys W. H. Mapes and Jacob Schiller each 2 days confinement for profanity. 21 Dec 1877: 2/c Boy Jacob Schiller confined 1 day for chewing tobacco.
The caption on the back of the photograph says: “Grand-dad Schiller and friend.”
—Leslie Short, January 2008
Warrants for Special Officers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Justice Schmitz, of Camden, last evening issued warrants for the arrest of Samuel Collins and Jacob Schiller, Jr., special officers at Stockton Park. They are charged by John S. Smith and Charles J. Welsh, of Camden, with assault and battery with a blackjack, at the picnic of the Volksfest Verein at Stockton Park yesterday afternoon.
Lawyer Scovel on Trial
New York Times —
He Is Charged With Embracery in the Shaw Murder Case
CAMDEN, N. J., April 6—H. S. Scovel, the lawyer who started to defend Eli Shaw, the young man accused of murdering his mother and grandmother, was put on trial here today charged with embracery arising out of the Shaw case. Information coming to Judge Dixon during the second day of the Shaw trial caused the case to be suspended at that point, and an investigation by the Grand Jury resulted in the indictment of Scovel.
The indictment charged the defendant with offering Jacob Schiller, a panel juror in the Shaw case, the sum of $100 in consideration of the latter giving a verdict favorable to the defendant. But one similar case is cited in the law books, and the penalty fixed by law is $600 fine and two years’ imprisonment.
Edward Enterken, the County Jailer, the State’s first witness, swore that after the Shaw panel was drawn, Scovel came to him in the county jail, and, calling his attention to the list, asked if Schiller was “all right.” Enterken said he thought he was. Scovel then told the witness to tell Schiller there was $100 in it for him if he were “all right.” When the first call of the case resulted in a mistrial, the witness testified that Scovel came to him and asked him never to say anything about the $100.
Juror Schiller was the next witness, but his evidence was indeterminate. Scovel denied the charge in every particular. Eli Shaw, who was brought from his cell to testify, said he knew nothing of attempts to bribe anyone. The case will close tomorrow. An acquittal is looked for.
Stockton News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Stockton News
—While at work in the State street woolen mills, in Camden, yesterday, Robert Selah, of Stockton, had his right hand crushed in the machinery. He will lose four fingers.
—While driving on the river road yesterday, John Seigfried, of Riverside, fell underneath a wagon and had a leg broken and was otherwise badly injured. He was removed to his home.
—One thousand dollars was realized from the fair of the Citizens’ Fire Company, which closed last night. Chief Elfreth, of the Camden Fire Department, won a gold badge in a contest with Chief Welsh, of the Stockton department.
—After debating the license question until 10 o’clock last night, the following licenses were granted by the Town Council of Stockton. First ward, John G. Schramm, George Doerfuss, Frederick Feil, John Hoosey, Moritz Gratz, Charles Voigt, Jacob Walz, Joseph Diehm, C. L. Dietz and Frank Powell; Second ward, Thomas O’Hara, Charles Kleemann, Jacob Schiller, Thomas Tracey, S. H. Long, John J. Trost, Mrs. Brown, Jacob Bendinger, William Denneller, August Muench, Gottlieb Eisener, John Costello; Third ward, Mrs. Rugart, Harry G. Vennell and Charles Mangold. Those refused are Louis Everly and William Cronmiller, both of the First ward. The resignation of Policeman Grantz was accepted, to take effect May 1.
circa 1900 — Outside George Spicks’ Saloon
Circa 1900 — Outside George Spicks’ Saloon
Sensation Sprung in Camden’s Council
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Attempt Made to Have Committee Appointed to Investigate Affairs of Street Commissioner’s Office
Something of a sensation was occasioned at the reorganization of Camden City Council yesterday when Councilman Frederick Finkeldey endeavored to have adopted a resolution providing for the appointment of a committee of five to investigate the affairs of the office of Street Commissioner Louis Mohrman. He offered the resolution when the latter came up for reappointment. In seconding Councilman Finkeldey’s motion Councilman Wilson declared he had data in his possession which showed there were irregularities. The resolution was defeated by a vote of 19 to 2. Mohrman was reappointed.
Aside from this the reorganization was the usual cut and dried affair. All the old officers were reappointed with the exception of City Clerk Harry C. Kramer, who was succeeded by Isaac Bradley, the retiring Councilman from the Seventh ward. William H. Day was made building inspector to fill the vacancy caused by the suicide of William Steinmetz.
In his annual message Mayor Charles H. Ellis urged among other things that provision be made for mounted police in East Camden, the erection of an additional jail building, the installation of the Bertillon system for the identification of criminals, the increase of the present fire service by two additional companies, the necessity of establishing an auxiliary pumping plant.
It was general reorganization day among the civic bodies of Camden yesterday. The Excise Commission re-elected John Baker president, while Jacob Schiller was made inspector. Dr. Marcus K. Mines was elected president of the Board of Health, and at the reorganization of the Board of Education Edmund E. Read was elected president and Harry Sharp vice president.
Probing Camden’s Saloons
Jersey Journal —
Inquisitor Backes Threatened to Jump on a Flippant Inspector
President Fisk Grills City Officials
Camden, Aug. 11.—How the excise inspector fails to inspect, how the police close their eyes when laws are being violated, how the saloons pay political tribute and dives flourish under the eyes of the police, were parts of the revelations produced before Gov. Fort’s excise investigators yesterday. Most of the questions were fired by Peter Backes, member of the State Board, and who was counsel for the Church Union which stood sponsor for the famous Bishops’ bill.
President Fisk also asked some questions and the grilling which some of the city officials got was enough to keep them shaking for a month. Excise Inspector Jacob Schiller was disposed to be flippant and defiant of the probers, but Mr. Backes said: “Answer my questions properly or I will jump all over you in a minute.” Asked what his duties consisted of, Schiller replied: “To see that every saloon in the city has a license.” He seemed to enjoy the laughter that followed this bit of wit.
He was sure the saloons of the city were obeying the law, but when told that others had discovered many rank violations such as Sunday selling, selling to minors and intoxicated people and from back rooms, contrary to the Bishops’ law, the inspector was duly shocked. He had not seen it he said. Mr. Backes advised him to get a pair of glasses, although he claimed that his eyesight was good.
When Captain of Police Boyle was asked by Mr. Backes whether there were any violations of the Bishops’ law in his district, he said that as far as he knew the saloonkeepers were abiding by the law.
Captain of Police Albert told the probers that there was little lawlessness in East Camden; that the saloonkeepers, as far as he knew, respected the law.
County Detective John S. Smith emphatically denied that it was he who made a round of the county “tipping off” the license holders against Sunday sales for awhile. He knew nothing about it, he declared. The Commission will take up the presumably “dry” town of Millville to-day.
Camden’s Bodies Begin New Year
Philadelphia Inquirer —
General Reorganization Today Among City’s Various Municipal Offices
This will be general reorganization day among Camden’s various municipal bodies including City Council, Board of Freeholders, City Assessors, Excise Commission, Board of Health and Board of Education. It is likely there will be but few changes with respect to the officers who will guide the destinies of the respective bodies.
For the second year Councilman James E. Hewitt, of the Fourth ward, will be elected president of City Council. He has occupied this position acceptably as had Director John Prentice, who will be re-elected head of the Freeholders. These are the more important of the departments of the city and county government.
With respect to Council, it has been determined to have the widest publicity given every act. There are to be no caucuses or secret sessions that were formerly something of an objectionable feature. It is the intention of the new Council to invite the citizens to be present at the meetings so they will know just what is going on and thus avert unfounded charges and unwarranted criticism.
There will be six new Councilmen, including William F. Kelly, Second ward; William H. Hall, Third ward; Richard Carney, Fifth ward; Grant E. Kirk, Eighth ward; Thomas Littlehales, Ninth ward, and A. D. Kline, Twelfth ward. The latter two are Democrats and the others Republicans. One of the features of the session will be the seventh annual message of Mayor Ellis, who will suggest many reforms and recommendations in the various city departments.
There are a large number of minor offices to be filled.
Quite a lot of interest is being manifested with respect to the appointment of an excise inspector. Jacob Schiller, the incumbent, has opposition in William B. Stephens, a former member of the Excise Board, and Police Captain Stanley. It is generally believed that Schiller will get the place, however.
Jobless Son Kills Jake Schiller Who Saves Boy’s Wife from Gun
Camden Courier-Post —
Slayer Crazed by Separation, Relatives Say
Dazedly Insists He Had No Intention of Shooting Sire
Estranged Wife Seen in Suicide Try
Slain Man Long Was Prominent Figure in Camden Politics
Jacob Schiller, 72, for 45 years a political figure here, is dead, shot by his own son.
The slayer, William Schiller, 30, a former summer policeman now unemployed, was held over today to the grand jury on a charge of murder. He made no comment whatever during his police court hearing.
A few hours later, young Schiller’s wife, Augusta, whom he had also tried to shoot, was found wandering through the city street in a hysterical condition.
She had written a note which police believed showed intent to commit suicide, and had staggered dazedly through the streets last night. Both in her note and in her incoherent statements to detectives she declared she was to blame for the tragedy. She said her father-in-law had tried to save her and was killed in the attempt.
The slaying occurred Saturday night at the elder Schiller’s home, 2420 Carman Street. It climaxed an estrangement between young Schiller and his wife, with “Jake” Schiller attempting to reconcile the couple. Mrs. William Schiller, who had had her husband arrested several months ago, said she believed he had become mentally deranged, but Police Judge Pancoast was informed that an alienist had examined young Schiller in July and pronounced him sane.
Couple Separated
Young Schiller had been living with his father at the Carman Street address, while Mrs. Schiller had been residing with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John I. Green, 409 North Thirty-seventh Street. The cause of the estrangement had not been revealed by police, but it was stated that young Schiller refused to consent to a reconciliation.
“Jake” Schiller was a Republican worker in the Twelfth ward for years, and was at the time of his death inspector of city street lights.
Were Alone at Home
The father and son were at home at 9:00 p. m. Saturday night and apparently were quarreling when the young Mrs. Schiller, her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. William Miller, and another sister, Mrs. Lottie Bennehler, reached the house. “Don’t come in here,” the older Schiller shouted as they started to enter the front sun parlor. But Miller did enter and said young Schiller was clutching a revolver in his right hand. He declared he closed in on his brother-in-law and tried to wrench the revolver from him. Two shots rang out and the father fell to the floor.
Patrolman Joseph Keefe was standing at Twenty-fifth and Federal Streets when two boys ran up and told him there was a shooting at Twenty-fifth and Carman Street. He ran to the scene and said he reached there in time to see young Schiller shooting up the street at his wife. Keefe said Schiller ran into the house when he saw him. Aided by Miller, Keefe overpowered Schiller and placed an iron claw on his right hand after disarming him.
Jacob Schiller Jr., another son, learning of the shooting, went to his father’s home and took him to Cooper Hospital in a passing automobile. As he was being taken into the hospital he failed to recognize City Detective Robert Ashenfelter and died five minutes later.
Expresses No Regret
Police Sergeant John Potter joined Keefe and Miller and they took young Schiller to police headquarters. Keefe said the son expressed no regret at shooting his father.
At about 5 a.m. today, Policeman Keefe was patrolling his beat when he passed the Schiller home on Carman Street. He noticed the front door was standing open, and he went inside to investigate. The officer saw a note on a smoking stand. Picking it up, he read: