Introduction
JAMES H. McCANN was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with Engine Company 2 on April 5, 1882. He replaced Charles Todd. James McCann served with the Fire Department for two years and was replaced when Henry Grosscup was reappointed. James McCann worked as a blacksmith prior to his appointment to the Fire Department and followed that trade after he left. Later in life he worked as a machinist.
James McCann was born in New Jersey in June of 1859 to John and Julia McCann, both Irish-born. A brother, John Jr. was born in 1861.
James McCann first appears in Camden’s City Directories in the 1879–1880 edition, living with his mother, Julia Quirk and brother John at 130 Taylor Avenue. City Directories indicate that he remained at this address through 1882, then moved next door to 128 Taylor Avenue where he remained into 1888. He had begun working for the Pennsylvania Railroad during the 1880s.
The 1890–1891 directory shows James McCann at 438 South 2nd Street. By the time the 1894–1895 Directory was compiled he had moved to 229 Taylor Avenue and was working as a machinist. Directories from 1895 through 1897 indicate that James McCann had moved to 12 South 2nd Street. Still working for the Pennsylvania Railroad, James McCann had moved to 431 Emerald Street in 1898. He moved again in 1899, to 533 South 2nd Street.
The 1900 Census shows James McCann and his wife, the former Isabella McKibbon, and children Annie, 19; Isabella, 17; Ellen, 15; and James, 9 at 533 South 2nd Street. Father-in-law Thomas McKibbon also resided there as well. James and Isabella McCann and young James were living in the 500 block of Kaighn Avenue when the 1905 New Jersey Census was enumerated.
James McCann’s brother, John “Cap” McCann, was a notorious character in Camden, and was in and out of jail on a number of occasions. The two brothers fought in May of 1903, and John died shortly afterwards. It was determined that he died of a stroke, and James McCann was not prosecuted.
James McCann does not appear in the 1906 City Directory or the 1910 Census. He appears to have either passed away or left the area. Thomas McKibbon, however was still living in Camden in 1910.
Camden’s New Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden’s New Firemen.
The fire commissioners of Camden have made the following appointments, and the men will go on duty next Saturday: Engine No. 1—Foreman, George Tenner; extra men, James McCracken, Daniel Broomley, James S. Kelley, Michael McCaffery, James H. Brown, Thomas McKenna, James Shinn, Smith Moore, William Irelan Engine No 2—Foreman, William Bassett; extra men, John Hill, James Reed, Robert Miller, William Marsh, George Moffett, John J. Logan, Isaac M. Shreve, Samuel Welsh, Lewis Ferrell, Logan Bates, Isaac Collings, Harry Miles, John Elliott, William Turner, Charles Holl, John J. Hibbs, John Seybold, Wm. Suders, Edward Swope, James McCann.
“Cap” Jno. M’Cann Died of Apoplexy
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John, alias Cap, McCann, aged 45 years, who was admitted to the Cooper Hospital, Camden, Wednesday, presumably with a fractured skull, died at that institution yesterday without regaining consciousness.
County Physician Jones held an autopsy on the body last night, finding that death was due to apoplexy. There was no fracture of the skull.
Laboring under the impression that McCann had met with his death as the result of a scuffle, his brother, James, was arrested by the police yesterday. He will probably be released.
McCann Out of Jail
Philadelphia Inquirer —
James McCann, who was committed to the Camden county jail last week on a charge of assault and battery on his brother, John, who died shortly after his admission to the Cooper Hospital, was yesterday held in bail for court. Bail was accepted by Judge Joline, who heard testimony on the return of the writ of habeas corpus. Prosecutor Lloyd said he saw no evidence to indicate that the death of John was caused by an assault made by James, but thought he should be held for the grand jury on a charge of assault.