James E. Navin
JAMES EDWARD NAVIN was born on January 12, 1874 to John and Sarah Navin. When the census was taken in 1880, he was the oldest of three Navin children, the younger siblings being sister Frances and baby brother William. The family then lived at 445 Morris Street in Camden. Morris Street was renamed Washington Street in 1882. Sadly, William Navin died young.
James E. Navin was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1899. When the 1900 Census was taken, he was still living with his parents at 445 Washington Street. John Navin passed on December 6, 1901. When the 1906 City Directory was compiled, James Navin was living at 812 Haddon Avenue. The 1910 Census states that he had been married and was a widower. When the census was enumerated, James Navin was boarding at 423 Benson Street, the home of a widow, Julia Williams. The 1914 City Directory places him at 428 stevens street.
James Navin took part in the extinguishing of many fires in Camden. One such incident happened when around 5:30 P.M. on April 4, 1912, the Philadelphia Steel and Wire Company at Delaware Avenue and Pearl Street, North Camden, was badly damaged in a serious blaze. Falling electrical wires and several explosions endangered firemen as they struggled to contain the fire. At the height of the blaze, the David Baird Spar Yards and the Munger and Bennett Lumber Mill were threatened by radiant heat and flying embers. These adjacent facilities would have produced a conflagration of unimaginable proportions were it not for the strong defensive position taken by Camden's Bravest that saved millions of board feet of lumber from the wrath of the flames. While responding to the blaze, engine company 7 skidded in the trolley tracks and struck the pavement, tearing off a wheel and toppling the apparatus on its side. The chauffeur, fireman Edwin Simpkins was thrown from his seat and injured. Engineer of steamer, fireman James Navin, while stoking the boiler escaped serious injury by jumping clear of the apparatus just before impact.
James Navin remarried during the 1910s. He was living with his wife, Emma T. Navin, at 527 Mickle Street when he registered for the draft in September of 1918. This would remain his address for the balance of his days. He was still serving with the Camden Fire Department as late as 1931.
James Edward Navin retired on pension in the early 1930s. He passed away on January 15, 1935 after undergoing an operation for a stomach ailment, and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Councilmen From East Side Split on Selecting Appointees
There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward — Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief — Other Promotions
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.
In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Vanhart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.
In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.
In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.
Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.
Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.
The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navins, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson.
The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn hose house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.
Deno Is Captain of New Company
Camden Post-Telegram —
At last night's meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council the following appointments were made for the new fire house at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, to take effect July 1: Captain, William Deno; lieutenant, John H. Lutz; engineer, William K. Buzine; stoker, James Navin; drivers, Richard Master, Joseph Sparks; hosemen, Boone, Simpson, Smith.
Thomas Nicholas, of the Eighth Ward, was made captain of Broadway fire company, and John H. McTaggart, of the Eighth Ward, one of the recent appointees, was sent to the fire house on Kaighn avenue near Sixth street.
Engine Company 7 — Circa 1911
Engine Company 7 was organized on 7-1-1910 at 1115 Kaighns Avenue, South Camden. Pictured with the company's 1910 American LaFrance combination hose and chemical wagon are George C. Boone, driver; and William Buzine, engineer. Driver Edward Simpson is atop the 1902 Metropolitan 2nd class steamer with stoker James Navin standing at the front of the engine. Circa 1911.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
No. 7, Headquarters and No. 1 Truck Make Merry at Respective Homes
Chief Elfreth Makes Address
Engine Company No. 7 is the baby company of the fire department, that is, in years of service, but in up-to-date completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year's Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year's blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman's horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
Chief Kelly presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with grapophone selections, including “Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon came back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows: City Electrician John W. Kelly, Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Busine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
Dan Smith Takes Sam Lodge's Place
Camden Post-Telegram —
After a service of twenty-seven years, Fireman Samuel Lodge, of No. 3 Engine Company, was retired last night by City Council on recommendation of the Fire Committee. The veteran fighter of the flames will go out of service on August 1.
Lodge has had many experiences in fighting the flames in the years he has been in harness, and ever since its organization he has been a member of the Centreville company. “Sam” has always been generally well liked, so that his passing into retirement has the well wishes of his host of friends, who hope he will have many years of pleasure and enjoyment. His letter of resignation also contained thanks to the Fire Committee and officials of the department for their kindnesses of the past.
Daniel Smith was appointed regular engineer to take Lodge's place. This is a popular appointment for “Dan” is very favorably known among the younger element. He has been connected at No. 3 for nearly a decade.
Robert Whitley was made a regular stoker at No. 3, while Joseph Nevins was appointed an engineer to go from house to house to fill in on the “days off” of other engineers.
John H. Carroll was given the contract to furnish horses to the Department at $315 each.
Firemen Honor Dead Comrade
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With a guard of honor composed of forty fellow firemen and his body reposing on the combination fire apparatus, the funeral of Fireman Joseph A. Ware, of No. 1 Engine Company, Camden, was held yesterday, interment being in New Camden Cemetery. The services were conducted at the Church of Our Saviour by Rev. Martin Stockett. The pallbearers were Ware's comrades of the engine company and included Lieutenant Charles Cook, Richard Marter, James Navin, Louis Shaw, Spencer Smith and Alfred Hayden. Ware had his face crushed in on June 6 when the crank of the battalion chief's auto struck him. He became blind and paralyzed.
Heavy Pay Cut Fear Cause of Rush to Retire
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Highest Officer on List; Three Captains Are Included
Protective Forces Lose Their Oldest Veterans
Sixteen Vacant Places Will Be Filled Without New Appointments
Four policemen and 12 city firemen yesterday applied for pensions effective at midnight tonight. In the interests of economy, no successors will be named by the city commission.
Sudden decision of the applicants was inspired by the fact that city employes may be given a 30 percent reduction in pay equal to that of county employes. Police and firemen accepted a 10 percent reduction this year. If given an additional 20 percent their salaries would be on a pre-war basis.
They also face a possibility of further reductions in pensions if existing mandatory legislation is repealed by the Legislature, which fixes salaries of police and firemen according to the class of cities and towns. By applying now they will receive pensions on basic 1931 salaries.
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 members 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.