Introduction
JAMES ORRINGTON BURRIS was born in Ohio on February 25, 1876. His name has been recorded as J. Orrington Burris, James Ora Burris and J. Ora Burris, and he was known popularly in Camden as Orrie Burris.
J. Orrington Burris married a young dressmaker, Josephine Alice Preston in 1899. The young couple was living in Philadelphia when the Census was taken in 1900, and moved to Camden a few years later. J. Orrington Burris then worked as a driver. The young couple soon moved to Camden, where Josephine’s parents, Edward and Mary Preston, were living at 739 Elm Street. J. Orrington Burris first shows up in City Directories in 1902 at 120 Pearl Street, working as an engineer. The 1904 City Directory has him following the same trade and living at 520 Grant Street in North Camden. A daughter, Dorothy Mae Burris, was born in 1905, and a second daughter, Margaret, followed in 1909.
J. Orrington Burris and his family were living at 520 Grant Street in North Camden when he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 14, 1910. He began his service on July 1, 1910. The Burris family was troubled for a time with health concerns regarding daughter Dorothy. He was serving with Engine Company 4 in 1913, then brought over to Engine Company 2 the following year. The Burris family moved to 638 York Street not long after the 1915 City Directory was compiled.
J. Orrington Burris was still with the Fire Department on February of 1918 but left not long afterwards to take a defense related job in Trenton, New Jersey. He was living in the Trenton area when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918, and when the Census was taken in 1920.
J. Orrington Burris passed away in 1927 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. Sadly, daughter Dorothy Mae died in 1932, leaving a husband and a son, Irving C. Errickson. Josephine Burris died in 1961, both are buried with J. Orrington Burris in Evergreen Cemetery. Margaret Burris married Henry Zimmerman and appears to have lived in Atlantic County, New Jersey from the 1920s until her death in March of 1996.
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Increase Provides for Installation of New Company, No. 7. / OTHERS ADVANCED TO MEET CHANGES
City Council’s Fire Committee last night made provision for the installation of Engine Company No. 7 by the appointment of ten new members of the department. Some of the new appointees will be assigned to the new company, which will be located at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, and the rest of the complement will be made up of experienced fire fighters. The company goes into service July 1. The men appointed last night are:
First Ward—H. L. Curry, Jr.
Second Ward—Robert Bricee.
Third Ward—Clarence Madden.
Fourth Ward—William Cason.
Fifth Ward—William Laird.
Sixth Ward—George Boone.
Seventh Ward—Edward Simpson.
Eighth Ward—John McTaggart.
Ninth Ward—Roy Smith.
Tenth Ward—J. Ora Burris.
The committee also made provision for the superior officers of the company by advancing present members of the department. William Buzine was made engineer, Thomas Nichols was elected captain, Joseph Maxwell was chosen lieutenant, Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers and Newton Ash was promoted to extra engineer. Henry Knowles was made houseman for the new company.
The men advanced last night will not necessarily be assigned to No. 7, and the matter of placing them will be disposed of at a later meeting.
Recovering from Illness
Camden Daily Courier —
RECOVERING FROM ILLNESS—Little Dorothy Burris, the charming 5-year-old daughter of Fireman and Mrs. J. O. Burris, of 520 Grant street, is recovering very nicely from an attack of measles and tonsillitis. The little lady has many friends in the neighborhood who wish her a speedy recovery.
Orrie Burroughs Ill
Camden Daily Courier —
ORRIE BURROUGHS ILL—Friends of Fireman Orrie Burroughs, of 620 Grant street will be sorry to learn that he is confined to his home as the result of illness, which necessitates the treatment of a physician. It is sincerely hoped that the popular laddie will son [sic] obe himself again.
North Camden News
Camden Post-Telegram —
Real German sour krout served in inimitable style by popular Lieutenant Jim White was enjoyed by the “boys” at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, Saturday night, when the monthly supper was given in the basement of the building. The presence of Chief Worthington and Assistant Chief Stockton, both of whom spoke, made the occasion a merry one. “Jim,” with the assistance of Joe Johnson, dished out the sour krout, mashed potatoes and “doggies,” and the participants made short work of the delicious food. Music was furnished by the house talking machine, skillfully operated by Joe McCauley, who almost foundered after partaking of a surplus amount of Jim’s fine cooking. Those participating were: Chief Charles Worthington, Assistant Chief John A. Stockton, Captain George Wade, Lieutenant James White, Newton Ash, James Burris, William Laird, Joseph Johnson, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Pete McCauley, Joseph Allen, William Elberson, William R. Cason, Harry Hankins, Conn L. Mack.
Camden Post-Telegram — March 23, 1914
(social item, no headline)
Firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, enjoyed another of those week-end suppers Saturday night when Lieutenant Jim White prepared a large quantity of delicious chicken noodle soup with all the fixin's. The linen-covered table was filled with all kinds of good things and the wants of the hungry fire-fighters and their friends were cared for by popular Jim and his affable assistant, Joe Johnson.
Those who enjoyed the feast were: Chief Worthington, Assistant Chief Stockton, Captain George Wade, William Laird, Joseph Allen, Charles Menicke, Tabor Quinn, Charles Cook, Orrie Burris, Harry Hankins, "Pete" McCaulley, William Elberson, Jim White and Joe Johnson.
Firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, enjoyed another of those week-end suppers Saturday night when Lieutenant Jim White prepared a large quantity of delicious chicken noodle soup with all the fixin’s. The linen-covered table was filled with all kinds of good things and the wants of the hungry fire-fighters and their friends were cared for by popular Jim and his affable assistant, Joe Johnson.
Those who enjoyed the feast were: Chief Worthington, Assistant Chief Stockton, Captain George Wade, William Laird, Joseph Allen, Charles Menicke, Tabor Quinn, Charles Cook, Orrie Burris, Harry Hankins, “Pete” McCaulley, William Elberson, Jim White and Joe Johnson.
Post-Telegram — December 9, 1914
(social item, no headline)
Friends of Fireman Orris Burris, of headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, are sorry to learn that he is confined to his home, 520 Grant street, suffering with a severe attack of la grippe.
Friends of Fireman Orris Burris, of headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, are sorry to learn that he is confined to his home, 520 Grant street, suffering with a severe attack of la grippe.
Post-Telegram — December 30, 1914
(social item, no headline)
Fireman Orris Burris, assistant chauffeur of the three-in-one apparatus, who was for several weeks confined to his home with a serious attack of rheumatism, is again back on duty at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
Fireman Orris Burris, assistant chauffeur of the three-in-one apparatus, who was for several weeks confined to his home with a serious attack of rheumatism, is again back on duty at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
Camden Post-Telegram — February 5, 1918
(social item, no headline)
A pleasing and well-attended function was the musicale given last night at the Ician School by the Misses Dorothy Burris and Miss Margaret Knowlton. A large audience enjoyed the splendid efforts of the children. Miss Burris is the promising young daughter of Fireman Orria Burris, who is connected at Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
A pleasing and well-attended function was the musicale given last night at the Ician School by the Misses Dorothy Burris and Miss Margaret Knowlton. A large audience enjoyed the splendid efforts of the children. Miss Burris is the promising young daughter of Fireman Orria Burris, who is connected at Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
Real Estate Transfers
Camden Post-Telegram —
Camden, 638 York st.—James O. Burris to Wood Manufacturing Company, $2,500.
World War I Draft Card — September 12, 1918
Serial No. 4234. James Ora Burris, 122 Lynnwood, Trenton, Mercer, New Jersey. Age: 42. Date of birth: Feb. 25, 1876. White. Native born citizen. Employer: Delavit Turbin [Trenton, Mercer, NJ]. Nearest relative: Josephine Burris. Registrar: Geo Y. Ford. Registered September 12, 1918, Camden, NJ.
Photos
J. ORRINGTON BURRIS 1878 — 1927
Mrs. Merrill I. Errickson
Trenton Evening Times —
MRS. MERRILL I. ERRICKSON—Mrs. Dorothy Mae Errickson, wife of Merrill I. Errickson and daughter of Josephine A. and the late James A. Burris, died today at Mercer Hospital after a brief illness. She was 27 years old and lived at 235 East Franklin Street. In addition to her husband and mother she is survived by a son, Irving C., and a sister, Mrs. Henry Zimmerman, of Pleasantville. She was a member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church and active in work of that body. The funeral will be held from the Gethsemane Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock, with the Rev. Ellis G. Primm officiating. Friends may view the body in the Poulson & Van Hise Home for Services, 408 Bellevue Avenue, Friday evening. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden.