James Corea
James Corea was born in Pennsylvania around 1889, the son of Italian immigrants. By 1910 he was married, and with wife Helen and son Harry living at 220 Benson Street in Camden NJ, where he worked as a foreman at a shirt factory. He appears to be related to Joseph Corea, who lived for many years at 208 Benson Street, worked in real estate and served as Justice of the Peace in Camden's Third Ward during the 1920s. James Corea served on the Camden City Council in the early 1920s, before the city charter changed the form of government, disbanding the council and establishing the City Commission.
By 1924 James Corea's station in life had improved. The family was living at 410 South 3rd Street. James Corea was then working as an insurance adjuster, and was involved in local politics as a Republican. By 1932 he had been elected Republican County Committeeman for the Third Ward, a powerful post in the days when the G.O.P. dominated city and county politics. Civil service not being in place at the time, the committeemen had a great deal of influence over hiring for city and county jobs. Son Harry, then 21, had already started in government work, as a bookkeeper at City Hall. James Corea was still living at 410 South 3rd Street as late as the fall of 1936.
By 1947 James Corea had passed away. His widow was still living at the South 3rd Street address as late as 1947. She had moved to 309 Broadway by 1956, and was still living there as late as 1959.
Death of Murry May End Probe
Camden Courier —
Grand Jury Meets This Afternoon—Third Ward Factions Declare a Truce
The death Sunday of George Murry, former city detective, while the Camden county Grand Jury was investigating charges that he had protected vice in the Third and Fifth wards, will probably end the proceedings contemplated against three other policemen, charged with like offenses.
The Grand Jury met this afternoon and much depends upon the attitude that body will take. Prosecutor Charles A. Wolverton, it is understood, will leave it to the discretion of the jurors to determine whether the investigation should go on or be dropped, at least for the present.
Warring Factions Make Peace
Reports emanating from the Third ward today were to the effect that warring Republican factions in the bailiwick had made peace since Murry's death. A political reconciliation has been effected between Joseph Totarella, who opposed the Republican organization last year, and Councilman James Corea.
As a result of the truce, John S. Roberts, present committeeman from the Third ward, and assistant city clerk, will look after the upper end of the ward, while Corea and Totarella will form a coalition to “take care of” the lower section, over which Murry held sway.
Murry's death was unexpected. He was of massive build and enjoyed perfect health. Coroner Holl and three physicians agreed that death was due to apoplexy superinduced by acute indigestion.
Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.
Camden Courier-Post —
Baird and Mrs. Verga Decline Posts During Spirited Committee Session
Joshua C. Haines, Camden county register of deeds, was elected chairman of the Camden County Republican Committee at its reorganization last night in one of the most spirited contests held within the Organization in a decade.
Mrs. Isabella C. Reinert, of Collingswood, nominee for Assembly, was elected vice chairman.
Haines succeeds Walter S. Keown and Mrs. Reinert takes the post held by Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga.
Their election came at 11.30 p. m., after more than three hours of heated argument behind closed doors, and after former U. S. Senator David Baird and Mrs. Verga had declined to accept the offices.
Keown, Hanna Mentioned
Others nominated were Keown and Camden City Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, for chairman, and Mrs. Etta C. Pfrommer, of the Eleventh Ward. Mrs. Pfrommer twice declined.
In previous years reorganization of the county committee had been effected without dispute, and with unanimous action by the members. Last night, however, the discussion waged long and loud.
Though newspapermen were excluded from the meeting, the voices of the debating members coming through the locked doors left no doubt as to the progress of the election.
Other officers were re-elected as follows: Howard B. Dyer, secretary; William D. Sayrs, Jr., treasurer, and Mrs. Lottie B. Stinson, assistant secretary. Mrs. Anna G. Holl, of Collingswood, was elected assistant treasurer to succeed Mrs. Reinert.
Keown opened the meeting and then Baird spoke.
The former Senator presented the recommendation of the Republican executive conference committee that the members elect Haines and Mrs. Reinert in view of the fact that Keown and Mrs. Verga had resisted all requests to continue.
Then Mrs. Margaret Wermuth, of Delaware township, and Carlton M. “Cy” Harris, of the Twelfth Ward, presented a petition signed by virtually all the committee, asking Baird and Mrs. Verga to accept the chairmanship and vice chairmanship.
Baird Declines
Baird then declared that he was unable to take over any additional work.
“I must not be chosen, but must work with and for you, and I ask that you respect my wishes.”
He then proposed that Haines and Mrs. Reinert be chosen unanimously.
Despite his proposal, Mrs. Wermuth moved the election of Baird and Mrs. Verga. The vote was virtually unanimous. Immediately J. C. Remington, Jr., of Haddonfield, moved to adjourn. The chair refused to recognize the motion.
Several members threatened to resign from the committee unless Baird and Mrs. Verga accepted. To this Baird answered:
“I'm still fighting for the party, no matter who quits. If you quit, you're not worthy to be members.” His remarks were greeted with applause.
In announcing her decision not to accept renomination Mrs. Verga said her duties as state vice chairman, taking her into all the 21 counties, made it impossible for her to continue to devote the time to the county committee which it deserved. In explaining these reasons to the vice chairman still has two years to run.
Haines Finally Elected
Then Baird accepted the resignation from the chairmanship and Mrs. Verga from the vice chairmanship.
Keown was nominated for re-election, and Hanna for the chairman position.
Baird was renominated by Remington. Keown reiterated his insistence, issued some months ago, not to stand for re-election. Baird again declined.
Then Keown moved the election of Haines and Mrs. Reinert and the discussion which followed continued for three hours. Finally the vote was taken at 11.30 and Haines and Mrs. Reinert were elected.
Mrs. Reinert, however, declined the office, stating her candidacy for the Assembly precluded her at this time. Then Mrs. Pfrommer was nominated, but she turned it down twice. After much persuasion Mrs. Reinert agreed to accept the office, with the provision that she serve through the summer and that she be permitted to resign later, if she wished.
In congratulating Mrs. Reinert, Congressman Charles A. Wolverton urged the election of Baird and Mrs. Verga.
The committee elected the following solicitors: Carl Kisselman, Edward R. Deibert, L. Scott Cherchesky, William E.A. King, J. Claud Simon, T. Phillips Brown, J. H. Reiners, Jr., Rocco Palese and Morris Praissman.
Members of the Republican County Committee, which organized last night, follow:
Camden City (*Indicates New Member)
First Ward—William H. Heiser and Marie McCready
Second—James Corea and *Susie Marchiano
Third—James E. Tatem and *Mary A. Ivins
Fourth—Martin A. McNulty and Madeline Salvatore
Fifth—Howard B. Dyer and Mary S. Hartung
Seventh—Edward A. Kemble and Mary D. Guthridge
Eighth—*Edmund A. Walsh and Mamie F. Piraine
Ninth—Edward Holloway and Deborah Schuck
Tenth—*Henry I. Haines and Lillian M. Walker
Eleventh—Horace B. Beideman and Etta C. Pfrommer
Twelfth—Carlton M. Harris and Mary E. Hamel
Thirteenth—Henry Knauer and Louella I. Whaland
Fourteenth—Jesse M. Donaghy and Lottie B. Stinson
Robert Brennan – Marie Mackintosh – William H. Heiser – Mary McCready – James Corea – Susie Marchiano – James E. Tatem – Mary A. Ivins – Martin A. McNulty – Madeline Salvatore – Howard B. Dyer – Mary S. Hartung – Edward A. Kemble – Mary D. Guthridge – Edmund A. Walsh – Mamie F. Piraine – Edward Holloway – Deborah Schuck – Henry I. Haines – Lillian M. Walker – Horace B. Beideman – Etta C. Pfrommer – Carlton M. Harris – Mary E. Hamel – Henry Knauer – Louella I. Whaland – Jesse M. Donaghy – Lottie B. Stinson
Motorist Saves Child But Wrecks Porch
Camden Courier-Post —
The front porch of the home of James Corea, 410 South Third Street, was wrecked yesterday when a motorist, swerving to avoid striking a child, ran up onto the pavement and into the porch. Corea is Republican County Committeeman from the Third ward.
The motorist, Thomas Carr, of 7 Oak avenue, Haddonfield, probably saved the life of the child, whose name was not obtained by the police. Carr escaped injury.