Introduction
James J. Monahan was born in Pennsylvania on August 18, 1892. After coming to Camden, he met and married Anna Schmidt, the daughter of Ludwig (Louis) and Barbara Schmidt, who had come to America in the 1890s. The Monahans lived with Anna’s parents at 675 Morgan Street in Camden’s Eighth Ward, not far from the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyards. During World War I James J. Monahan worked at the shipyard, and he was still working there in January of 1920. Meanwhile, his brother-in-law Louis Schmidt had secured a position with the Camden Police Department.
While it is not known if James J. Monahan served with the military during World War I, he was a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and played clarinet in the Marine Band in parades in Philadelphia.
In 1923 James J. Monahan was appointed to Engine Company No. 10 at Ninth and Morgan Streets, not far from his home at 675 Morgan Street. For much of his career he drove a pumper. He served alongside brother firefighters such as Frank L’Esperance, James Schaffer, Maurice O’Brien and Patrick Greenan, among others.
The 1930 Census shows James J. Monahan, wife Anna, and their children; Louis, 11; William 7; and Anna, 4; still living at the 675 Morgan Street address.
Sadly, James J. Monahan died of kidney disease on February 1, 1936 at West Jersey Hospital. He was replaced on the Fire Department by Albert V. Dukes Jr.
Photos
Left: James J. Monahan in Fire Department uniform with a deer he shot while hunting with his father-in-law and brother-in-law.
Center: James J. Monahan in his Marine Reserve uniform in the yard of 675 Morgan Street.
Right: James J. Monahan in Marine Band uniform used in parades in Philadelphia and elsewhere. James J. Monahan played clarinet.
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Camden Post-Telegram —
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club
Latest Dances on Program
Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.
It was after 10 o’clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure “three” and the letter “W.” The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.
The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton’s orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.
The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:
Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.
Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.
Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.
Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harry Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowakey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.
The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence R. Thorn.
Albert Dukes, Jr., Appointed Fireman
Camden Courier-Post —
Appointment of Albert Dukes, Jr., of 3803 Westfield Avenue, as a fire man, was announced yesterday by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus.
Dukes’ father, Albert Sr., has been a Camden fireman for the past 18 years, connected with Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal Streets.
Dukes, Commissioner Kobus said, will replace James Monahan, who died last Saturday in the West Jersey Hospital of kidney disease. Monahan had been a member of Engine Company No. 10, Ninth and Morgan Streets, since 1923.
Camden Fire Department First Annual Retirement Dinner
Named: Retirees honored: George L. Boone, John W. Yates, John C. Voll, John T. Clemmens, Harrison B. Pike, Albert A. Weller, Isaac Muns, Edward Y. Scott..