James Elberson
James Elberson was born in Pennsylvania in October of 1851. The family name also comes up as Elverson and in at least one source Elbertson.
James Elberson married around 1886. His wife Lydia gave birth to a son, Raymond Louis Elberson on January 7, 1892.
James Elberson first appears in Camden City Directories in 1887, working as a bartender and living at 118 Elm Street in North Camden. He next appears in the 1891 edition, working as a carver and living at 619 North 2nd Street, where he stayed through 1896. During this time he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
James Elberson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1893, and assigned to Engine Co No 4 at 320 Vine Street in North Camden. In 1894 Engine Co No 4 consisted of Foreman Amedee S. Middleton, Engineer Francis Turner, Driver Walter Browning, Stoker Robert Steer, and Hosemen Howard Currie, William Patterson, and James Elberson. He was appointed to the Police Department in April of 1894 but returned to the Fire Department at the end of May of that year.
The 1897 Directory shows the family at 731 Elm Street, and 1899 has them at 417 Vine Street. The 1900 Census shows the family living in what was then Camden’s Tenth Ward, at 627 North 6th Street. The 1904 Directory shows 624 Vine Street, 1905’s edition has them at 628 North 4th Street, 1906 at 418 Vine Street, and 1908 at 540 Pearl Street. The 1909 City Directory and the 1910 Census shows the Elberson family had moved around the corner to 518 Vine Street. 1911 and 1912 Directories have the Elbersons at 514 Vine Street, while the 1913 edition shows them back around the corner at 613 North 6th Street. The following year the family was at 620 North 4th Street. By the time the 1915 City Directory was being compiled, the Elbersons had moved to Cramer Hill, taking up residence at 1016 North 24th Street.
James Elberson was an active member of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association, a precursor of today’s firefighter’s unions. He served as treasurer of the Association from 1903 through at least 1906.
In March of 1906 James Elberson was injured in the fire that took the lives of three Camden firefighters, George Shields, William Hillman, and William Jobes. He returned to duty and was later promoted to Lieutenant, a position similar to today’s Captain.
Heart trouble caused James Elberson to retire from the Camden Fire Department at the rank of Lieutenant on June 1, 1915. He passed away in November of 1915. His wife and son remained at 1016 North 24th Street through 1917. Mrs. Elberson is not listed in the 1918 Directory. Raymond Elberson remained in Cramer Hill into the early 1920s before moving to Gloucester City and later out into Gloucester County. He died in 1962.
The Mayor Names
Camden Post —
Four Members off the Board of Public Instruction.
THREE WERE REAPPOINTED.
His Honor also Announces Another Batch of New Policemen and Asks for the Resignation of the Democratic Hold-overs.
Mayor Westcott this morning made the following appointments of members of the Board of Public Instruction: George D. Borton, D, First ward; Samuel Iszard, R, Second ward; Chas. H. Ellis, Jr., R, Sixth ward, and James Hanson, Jr., D, Seventh ward. Messrs. Borton, Iezard [sic] and Ellis are reappointments. Mr. Hanson succeeds Charles Hewston of the Seventh ward, whose term expires to-day. The new member is an oilcloth printer with a highly honorable record, his appointment giving great satisfaction all around.
The Mayor also announced the following new appointments on the police force:
First ward—James Elberson, Chas. Wilbur, Samuel H. Sheer.
Third ward—John Sinclair, E. D. Steen.
Fifth ward—Albert Shaw, Charles Fitzsimmons.
Sixth ward—Abraham Jackson.
Seventh ward—Alfred Sayres, Edward Hyde.
Eighth ward—Thomas Buchanan, Jacob A. Hicks, the latter colored.
No appointments were announced in the Second and Ninth wards.
Policeman Tommy Reed, of the Second ward, sent in his resignation last night. Peall, of the Second, and Thomas, of the Third, are expected to follow suit to-day.
In fact, the Mayor has asked for the resignations of all the holdovers of the Police Commission, with the exception of House Sergeant John Beard, of the Second ward, who, besides being a good officer, knows how to mind his p’s and q’s.
The Mayor thinks he will have to dismiss Mullane and Painter, as they give no sign of submitting gracefully.
Harry Miller, of the Third ward, will be allowed to remain until May 1st on account of the recent loss of his child.
It is said that Charley Sink will not get there in the Ninth. Billy Fish is said to have the inside track.
Wm. Ripley, of the Seventh ward, made a good and faithful policeman, and was fired like the rest, but it is said will not go back right away.
Sam Sheer was a “cop” under ex-Mayor Ayres and ought to know the ropes.
Harry Richmond, of the Fourth ward, will not resign. He says he will make them prefer charges. Well, Bob Miller was fired because he only had one eye.
My! but what a lot of men there are in this town who would like to wear helmets!
The Mayor’s Appointments
Camden Daily Telegram —
He Announced Several This Noon.
COMMISSIONERS OF INSTRUCTION.
The Old Members Re-named With the Exception of the Member From the Seventh Ward—Police Appointments and Resignations.
Mayor Westcott this noon made the following appointments as Commissioners of Public instruction:
Messrs. George D. Borton, of the First ward; Samuel Iszard, of the Second ward; Charles H. Ellis, Jr., of the Sixth ward, and James Hanson, to succeed Charles Hewston, of the Seventh ward.
The officers of the Commission hold over another year.
The following appointments were made on the police force:
First Ward—James Elberson, Charles Wilbur, Samuel H. Sheer.
Second Ward—No appointments.
Third Ward—John Sinclair, E. D. Stein.
Fourth Ward—No appointments.
Fifth Ward—Albert Shaw, Charles Fitzsimmons.
Sixth Ward—Abraham Jackson.
Seventh Ward—Alfred Sayres, Edward Hyde.
Eighth Ward—Thomas Buchanan, Jacob A. Hicks (colored).
Ninth Ward—No appointments.
Mayor Westcott has requested the resignation of all the members of the police force who served under the Police Commission, to take effect May 1. They are Policemen Peall, Horner, Painter, Mullane, Miller and Reed.
POLITICAL POINTERS.
Who will be the postmaster?
Who will be the next prosecutor?
Many of the ward workers are suffering from election colds.
The name of Harry Moffitt was left out of the columns of honorable mention with the other hustlers of election day.
Senator Rogers and Messrs. Stafford and Watson, of the House are fully coming up to the expectations of their constituents.
If the Mayor could arrange it to hold his hearings a trifle earlier it would be a great source of satisfaction to the Camden afternoon papers.
There is still great anxiety on the part of the public as to the outcome of the present session of the legislature. Thus far their public acts have been highly commendable.
The abolishment of the Police Justice act restores to office the City Recorder, Benjamin M. Braker, who would be qualified to act in place of the Mayor should the Chief Executive be taken sick.
Jos. Potter, the new member of Council from the First ward is a man of wide business experience and will prove much advantage to the many large financial interests that will come under his care.
Owing to the satisfactory working of the present school commission in the two second-class counties up the State, the legislature made no change in the mode of placing the members as was anticipated.
Jos. B. Fox, of the Fourth ward, is what might be termed an old reliable, having had a long and varied experience in public affairs. He is always conservative in the expenditure of city money. He is always safe to trust.
Charles Sayrs, of the Seventh ward, who had a short experience in the present Council, but enough to make him feel at home among public affairs, is neck and ears in work between his real estate business and Councilmanic duties.
The colored people of the lower section of the city are anxious to see Squire Drake, the ex-Republican and ex-member of the School Board, come out of the Court House, where he holds a position under the Thompson Freeholders.
“Father” Figner is a proud sire. He was a member and president of Council in his days, and now sees his son treading in his footsteps. Mr. Figner, Jr., having been sent to Council from the Sixth ward on Tuesday by a large majority.
A special election will not be necessary for the new Board of Freeholders, as the City Council and Township Committees will appoint Freeholders who will serve until the Spring of 1895. The appointments will be made about the middle of May.
Arthur Bedell is spoken of as a candidate for the presidency of the new City Council. He is a stalwart and is never afraid to define his position on all public questions. He is one of those men who makes strong, warm friends and also creates an opposition of like force.
William D. Brown, the Secretary of the Board of Education, and Fred A. Rex, Treasurer, are quite pleased over the report of the committee on accounts and Expert O’Shaughnessy, they having examined the books of Messrs. Rex and Brown and found them correctly kept.
The library of the Camden public schools is one to be highly appreciated and much is due to the care with Miss Blowe the librarian has attended to her duties. She will hold over another year and should be allowed to retain the office as long as she merits it, and she surely does now.
J. R. Carson, the retiring member of Council from the First ward, is highly spoken of by his associates on committees and by Clerk Varney for the mature judgment displayed in the management of city affairs. It is with a general expression of regret that the city is to lose his service.
The reform in the Board of Freeholders can’t come too soon. If the public is to judge of the care of property given by the Democrats in the county, by the “hog combine” in this city, an inventory of the public property when turned over will make interesting reading. Ex-officials guarantee to save enough in the Board, if returned to their offices, to pay the expense of a special election, if one was necessary.
W. J. Bradley has been asked if he was a candidate for president of the new City Council. His reply was that he had not sought it in the first place, and would not seek it now, but whether he became president or remained merely a member on the floor, he would endeavor to discharge his duties in the interests of the city. He is commended by all who came in contact with him during the past year as one who had a new Camden at heart.
Fire Commissioners.
Camden Daily Telegram —
Appointments Made as Provided for by Ordinance.
At a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of City Council on Tuesday night James Baird was awarded the contract for supplying the department with two horses at $400.
The Commissioners made the following appointments, in conformity with a recent ordinance: First ward, Joseph Logue; Second ward, William Patterson; Third ward, George Cox; Fourth ward, David Andrews; Fifth ward, Joseph Dold; Sixth ward, William Jobes; Seventh ward, William O. Sawyer; Eighth ward, Albert James; Ninth ward, Samuel Curriden.
Four of the above appointments are to be assigned to the new chemical engine, and one man is to be assigned to each of the five companies. By this arrangement the extra men are dispensed with. James Elberson, of the First ward, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Charles Kay, who was appointed to the police force to succeed Elberson.
First Ward Republicans
Camden Post —
Election of Officers, Ball, and New Year’s Presentation.
The First Ward Republican Club elected the following officers last night: President, Harry T. Walker; vice presidents, John H. Tway, James Elbertson, Wm. C. Ford, J. W. Kinsey, John Leeds; treasurer, Albert E. Keyser; recording secretary, D. P. Williams; assistant sec., J. J. Lindrod; corresponding secretary, H. H. Bissby; Financial Secretary, Wm. Hand; Assistant, John Tway; Board of Trustees, Jacob Gnang, Charles Tway, David Simpson, George Tash, Wm. Mattix, J. Lindroy, Jacob Leon, John Offer, Robert Brice.
The club will hold their regular meeting of next week on Thursday evening instead of Monday (New Year’s Eve), on which their first annual masquerade ball takes place. On New Year’s Day the club will present to the best dressed New Year’s club passing their club rooms, Keyser’s Hall, Point and Yerk [sic] streets, a handsome silver pitcher, which is now on exhibition in the window of Roberts’ hat store, at Third and Federal streets. The contest will take place from 10 a. m. until 5 p. m.
New Jersey Firemen’s Convention Arrangements
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Arrangements have been completed for the holding of the annual convention of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association in Camden next Monday. The local committee having the arrangements in charge are Robert Colkitt, William Sawyer, James Elverson, Lewis Buzine, Albert Haydon, David Anderson and John Renner.
State Firemen’s M. B. A. Elected Officers
Jersey City Evening Journal —
Atlantic City, Oct. 7.—The twelfth annual meeting of the State Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association was concluded by the election of the following officers: President, Michael Ryan, Paterson; vice-president, Thos. McGinty, Trenton; secretary, Robert B. Bender, Newark; treasurer, James Elverson [sic], Camden.
These committees were appointed: Legislative—Thomas O’Neill, Jersey City; James McMullin, Paterson; William Hickey, Newark; Wm. Hertrin, Camden; Cornelius Boyle, Trenton; Frederick Breen, Plainfield; D. D. Scanlon, Atlantic City; J. E. Rogers, Elizabeth; John Stary, East Orange. Standing—Daniel Smith, Jersey City; John Burns, Paterson; H. Schwelckeradt, Newark; William Sawyer, Camden; Thomas McGinn, Trenton; William Townley, Plainfield; George Barbour, Atlantic City; Frederick Kirk, Elizabeth; Walter Hooley, East Orange.
The next meeting of the association will be held in Jersey City in 1904.
Paid Fire Departments in State Convention
Trenton Evening Times —
Five hundred firemen will attend the ninth annual convention of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association at Trenton on Monday, October 30. The members of the organization are connected with the paid fire departments in cities throughout the State and the fact that they spend their entire time in fire fighting makes them a strong and representative body.
The officers of the State association are as follows: President, Michael J. Ryan of Paterson; vice-president, Thomas McGinty of Trenton; secretary, Robert D. Bender of Newark, and treasurer, James Elberson of Camden.
Firemen Ask More Time from Duties, Claiming It Is Due
Trenton Evening Times —
State Benevolent Association Begins Crusade at Today’s Convention.
They May Levy Tax to Pay Ass’n’s Expenses
Michael J. Ryan of Paterson opened the ninth annual convention of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association at 11 o’clock this morning in Turner Hall. There were present at the convention thirty-three delegates, being three from each of the cities of Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Hoboken, Camden, Trenton, Plainfield, Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Orange and Montclair, the cities of the state having paid fire departments.
The matter under discussion this morning was whether or not there should be a per capita tax for the maintenance of the Benevolent Fund and for general expenses. At the present time the benevolent fund is maintained by assessments and while there is a faction of the association clamoring for the per capita tax as the only sure method of maintaining the Benevolent Fund, there is a large following of the present plan of assessments. No action has been taken this morning.
Officers of the association will be elected this afternoon. President Ryan will succeed himself. Secretary Robert D. Bender of Newark will also be re-elected. There will be a change in the office of vice president, now filled by Thomas McGinty of this city and Treasurer James Elberson of Camden, but nothing has been rumored on which to base a prophecy as to the firemen to be honored by election to those offices.
The New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association has its membership among the rank and file of the paid departments in the state. None of the superior officers are entitled to membership.
Firemen Impose Tax for State Ass'n
Trenton Evening Times —
Also Elect Officers and Have Banquet With Public Men as Guests.
The New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association yesterday adopted a resolution fixing a tax of 10 cents a year on each member for the purpose of maintaining the benevolent fund of the association.
These officers were re-elected: President, Michael J. Ryan, Paterson; vice president, Thomas McGinty, Trenton; secretary, Robert D. Bender, Newark; treasurer, James Elberson, Camden. It was decided to hold the next convention at Atlantic City in October, 1906.
For Relief of Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
State Association Holds Annual Meeting at Trenton
TRENTON, N. J., Oct. 30.—The annual meeting of the New Jersey Firemen’s Benevolent Association was held here today, the business session being followed by a banquet. The following officers were elected: President, Michael J. Ryan, Paterson; vice president, J. McGinity, Trenton; secretary, Robert D. Bender, Newark; treasurer, James Elberson, Camden. Members of Common Council and other city officials were guests at to-night’s banquet. An address was made by Rev. Charles H. Elder.
The principal matter discussed this morning was whether there should be a per capita tax for the maintenance of the benevolent fund. The fund is maintained by assessments at present. No definite action was taken on the matter.
Three Firemen Met Death in Camden Blaze
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Trapped in Fire at the Old Sixth Regiment Armory They Perished in Flames
NINE OTHER PERSONS RECEIVED INJURIES
Three firemen were killed and nine persons injured at a fire last night which destroyed the old armory building at Bridge avenue, West and Mickle streets, Camden, causing a loss estimated at $50,000.
The dead firemen are: GEORGE SHIELDS, 525 Kaighn avenue, member of the Kaighn avenue chemical company. WILLIAM HILLMAN, 229 Beckett street, of the Kaighn avenue chemical company. WILLIAM JOBES, 57[?] Line street, member of Engine Company No. 2.
The Injured
The injured, all of whom will recover, are: Josiah Sage, 917 South Eighth street, Kaighn avenue company, cut head and face; Seth Monnell, 744 Mt. Vernon street, Kaighn avenue company, scalp wounds; George Quinn, 516 Line street, Kaighn avenue company, cut face; Martin Carrigan, 516 Clinton street, Engine Company No. 1, lacerated face and hands; J. W. Simpson, 551 Cedar street, Engine Company No. 2, lacerations of scalp and face; James Elberson, 628 North Fourth street, Engine Company No. 4, contused wounds of the legs; William Elberson, 231 Taylor avenue, Engine Company No. 2, injured about the back; Charles Worthington, 1017 Penn street, Engine Company No. 3, internally injured; Harry Dease, a citizen, cut about the face.
The six o’clock whistles were blowing when smoke was seen issuing from the northeast corner of the building. A moment later two boys ran out of a door, one of whom notified Policeman Isaac Toy that the structure was on fire. The officers immediately turned in an alarm. In rapid succession other alarms were given, until the entire department was on the scene.
One of the first companies to arrive was the Kaighn avenue truck. As the men drove up to the scene great tongues of flame were fast eating their way through the yellow pine timbers of which the interior was constructed. The main doors at the entrance on Mickle street were burst open and the firemen entered amid a perfect shower of sparks and falling debris. In this party were the three ill-fated firemen, Dease, and Firemen Harry Haines, Joseph Ernest, George Quinn, Seth Mounell and Joseph Gail.
After great difficulty the men worked their way into the blazing building about twenty feet. Dense volumes of smoke almost suffocated them and several dropped to the floor.
Dash for the Doors
While the firemen were waiting for the water a false ceiling thirty feet above them and composed of floor boards began cracking and bending. A shout of warning was given by Dease, and he and his companions made a dash for the doors. It was impossible to see a foot before them, and all blindly groped their way to the open doors but Jobes, Shields and Hillman. That they did not come out of the building was not known for several minutes later. Then reports were circulated that they had been taken to nearby houses, but these were found to be false. Their companions then tried to work their way back to their assistance, but by this time the interior was a seething furnace.
Subsequently, when the blaze had been somewhat subdued, firemen and policemen instituted a search for the missing men. Where the latter had been there was a great pile of blackened timbers and twisted iron. After vigorous efforts this was removed.
Finding the Bodies
First there came to light Shield’s helmet, and a few feet distant his body and those of Hillman and Jobes, scorched and blackened almost beyond recognition, were found. It was then learned how they had met their deaths. Instead of going toward the open doorway they had evidently become bewildered and, turning, ran into a toilet room to which there was no outlet. There they were quickly cut off from their comrades and, becoming unconscious from the smoke, all three dropped to the floor, where death overtook them.
The bodies were carried out and taken to the Morgue.
In the meantime every portion of the structure became a mass of flames. Fed by the pine, great tongues of fire sprang into the air, across Mickle and West streets, where the dwellings were badly scorched. The families residing in these in several instances became panic-stricken and began removing their household effects. Men, women and children ran excitedly about. It is owing to the excellent work of the firemen that these structures were not destroyed.
Spectacular Blaze
Chief Elfieth quickly concluded there was no hope of saving the armory and he directed a dozen lines of hose toward the dwellings, many of which became so hot that the streams of water fairly sizzled.
The fire was a spectacular one, lighting up the heavens for miles around. Thousands of persons crowded the thoroughfares leading to the blaze, but excellent order was preserved under the direction of Acting Chief of Police Schregler, who quickly had the streets roped off and guarded by the officers.
There was considerable danger at first from falling electric wires, which spluttered among the firemen and ofttimes amidst the onlookers. These wires also fell across the Pennsylvania Railroad Company’s tracks on Bridge avenue and suburban trains were stalled for over an hour. At one time the flames approached so near the passenger coaches that they had to be taken back into the yard.
Stubborn Blaze
For three hours the firemen fought the flames before they got them under control and it was not until an early hour this morning that they left the smouldering ruins.
The building was occupied by several concerns, including the Camden Bowling Alleys Company; whose loss amounted to $6000; F. G. Hitchener, wall paper; loss $1000; Sperry & Hutchinson, household articles, loss $2000; William Morgenweck, lumber, loss $500, and M. W. Taylor, theatrical scenery, loss $500.
The houses badly scorched and their occupants follow; 102 West street, John Sharwood; 104, vacant; 106, John Ackerman; Lewis Certain; 110, Richard Carpenter; 112, and 114. Daniel Mehlin; 120, Mrs. Ida Paul; 122, Mrs. Farley; 124, John Campbell; 126, Harry Chase. 416 Mickle street, John Widden; 418, Nelson Hart; 420, H.-W. Wilson; 422, Jules Bosch; 424, Gardner Corson; 426, Mrs. Borquin.
The stable immediately adjoining on the west side of the armory, and belonging to C. M. Alcott, was flooded with water. At this place there were forty horses, all of which were rescued.
Formerly a Market
The destroyed building was erected in 1873, by a number of well-known Camden men, as the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Market. From the first it was not a success, and subsequently became known as the Camden Opera House. After a more or less successful season the promoters of this scheme closed the doors. In 1886 the building was purchased by the State as an armory for the old Sixth Regiment, N. G. N. J. For ten years Camden’s citizen soldiers drilled and gave balls and receptions in the building. When the regiment moved to the new armory on Haddon avenue the old structure was cut up into several rooms and had been used by many different concerns. Recently it was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to make way for the elevated railroad. All the tenants had been ordered to vacate.
The origin of the fire is unknown. Incendiarism is hinted at and Mayor Ellis declared he will detail the detectives on the case to-day to make a rigid investigation.
Speaking of the matter, he said it is very peculiar that most of Camden’s fires occur about the time the firemen are at their meals. This has been the case in most every blaze if [sic] any importance in the city. The Mayor also highly commended the excellent work of the men in preventing a spread of the flames.
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.
Mr. 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, 810 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 [sic] 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 [sic] Steer.
James Elberson
Philadelphia Inquirer —
As a result of heart disease, James Elberson, a former lieutenant in the Camden Fire Department, died suddenly at his home at 1016 North Twenty-fourth street, Camden, Friday night. He was in the act of retiring when he became ill. Elberson became a member of No 4 Engine Company in 1893. He was retired on a pension June 1 of this year.
Elberson Funeral Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
ELBERSON —Nov. 19, 1915 JAMES, husband of Lydia Elberson, aged 65 years. Relatives and friends of family, also Welcome Circle, No. 8, B. of A.; members of Camden Fire Dept., are invited to attend funeral services, on Tuesday, at 2 P. M., at his late residence, 1016 N. 24th st., Camden, N. J. Interment private, Arlington Cemetery. Remains may be viewed on Monday, after 7 P. M.
ELBERSON—Nov. 19, 1915 JAMES, husband of Lydia Elberson, aged 65 years. Relatives and friends of family, also Welcome Circle, No. 8, B. of A.; members of Camden Fire Dept., are invited to attend funeral services, on Tuesday, at 2 P. M., at his late residence, 1016 N. 24th st., Camden, N. J. Interment private, Arlington Cemetery. Remains may be viewed on Monday, after 7 P. M.