Introduction
JOHN ANTHONY STRAUSS was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1891. He appears to have come to Camden in the mid-1910s. When he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 John A. Strauss was living at 1150 Louis Street in Camden. He then worked as a railroad conductor. He was still at that address when the 1924 City Directory was compiled, working as a pipe coverer.
John A. Strauss was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on May 29, 1924. He reported for duty on June 1, 1924 and was assigned to Ladder Company 1, quartered on North 5th Street between Arch and Market Streets, adjacent to Fire headquarters. John A. Strauss served as a member of Ladder Company 1 until his passing on October 11, 1954.
The 1927 City Directory shows John Strauss still at 1150 Louis Street. He married shortly after the Directory was compiled. The 1929 City Directory and the April 1930 Census show that he and wife Edna owned a home at 1263 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside. He was still at that address when he passed away. He was replaced on the Fire Department by William Hopkins.
World War I Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD — Form 1, No. 42
1. Name in full: John A. Strauss, Age 26 2. Home address: 1150 Louis, Camden 3. Date of birth: Feb 17, 1891 4. Are you (1) a natural-born citizen, (2) a naturalized citizen, (3) an alien, (4) or have you declared your intention (specify which)? [natural-born] 5. Where were you born? Phil., Pa. 6. [Not applicable] 7. What is your present trade, occupation, or office? Motorman Conductor 8. By whom employed? P.S. 29, Camden, N.J. 9. Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you for support (specify which)? None 10. Married or single (which)? Single; Race (specify which)? White 11. What military service have you had? Rank: No; Branch: No; Years: —; Nation or State: — 12. Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? None
I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true.
Signed: John A. Strauss
Firemen Back
Camden Post-Telegram —
Vacations are now over for Chris Moll and Joseph Daly, of No. 2 Engine Company, and George Hollins and Howard Harrington, of No. 1 Truck Company.
Moll, who has been up in Maine, where he spent his time hunting, has brought back a fine collection of deer skins.
Captain William Cassion, Howard Lorange, John Strauss and Harry Burrough leave today for their long looked for vacation, which they will spend at various points of interest.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Post-Telegram —
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
MR. YOUNGER IN CHARGE
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sends his proteges through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger, using the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr also suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that he had nineteen men would be candidates for his team, while Walter A. Mertz, of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager for the firemen’s team, had twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, in what first three events run jointly for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in one division and the firemen in the other. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edwin Callahan, Walter Larson, Augustus Pflederer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirtz, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason, and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt to set fast marks include, Fred Schucker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Layton, Edgar Ellender, August Haverkamp, Frank Kuda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Foehle, Tom Shanahan, Harrison Pike, William Wood, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Swartz, Nelson Till, William Mountney, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Menzies, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, Clifford Lane, Nelson Andrews, and Harry Leigh.
From the present outlook the “Cops” team stands as coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front when the bluecoats fail to equal the Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of-team of eight men will also be selected by the firemen’s leader. Mertz will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Motorcycle Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this added attraction, so long as minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services to help finance, having lately performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than any sport lovers have ever seen in the ring, said manager Jake Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and expert riding stunts. Those on his teams, there being four on each, are well known in riding circles, some of the best hill-climbers and solo players being included in the personnel of the Blue Devils teams.
Blue Devils No. 1—Joseph Bernart, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisendanz, Edward Paul.
Blue Devils No. 2—Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Albertson.
Taps Sound for Jack Airedale, Canine Mascot of Fire Laddies
Camden Courier-Post —
By BOB COLLINS
Camden firemen and policemen paid their final respects to stout-hearted Jack Airedale yesterday.
The beloved mascot of Headquarters Fire Company, Fifth and Arch streets, whose life was crushed out under the wheels of truck No. 2, his own wagon, Monday, was accorded a hero’s funeral. His body was interred in the cemetery at the rear of St. Paul’s and the First Baptist churches, close by his fire station home, and taps were sounded at 5 p. m., just as the sun was setting in the west.
People from every station of life visited the fire station to pay homage to the doughty fire-fighter, who was killed answering his last call. Senator Albert S. Woodruff, City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, Miss Florence Hughes, chairman of the Camden County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Fire Chief John S. Lennox and Deputy Chief William Hearn were among the estimated throng of 3500 who passed his bier.
Letters and telegrams of sympathy poured into the headquarters company throughout the day. There were more than 10 offers of dogs to serve as mascots and take Jack’s place. These were kindly but firmly rejected by members of the headquarters company. “There will only be one Jack,” they said. “We appreciate all these offers, but we don’t want another mascot right now.”
The funeral rites for the dog were impressive.
Active bearers included Raymond Stark, John K. Taylor and Everett Joslin, members of the Camden police department; William Spencer and John Strouss, of fire truck No. 1; John McKay, Lester Anderson and Chester Andrews, of truck No. 2.
The honorary members were Captain Van Phefferts, Russell Anderson, Harry Haines and Charles Edwards, of truck No. 1; Nelson Andrews, Christopher Moll, Arthur Batten, George Boone and Rox Abbott, of truck No. 2.
At the appointed hour a dummy alarm was sounded. Jack Airedale was carried to his favorite place on fire truck No. 2. The vehicle moved slowly along Fifth street to Federal, then to Fourth and back to Arch street. When it passed the fire station the bells in the tower tolled.
At the cemetery Jack was placed alongside his predecessors, Alva and Gimp, dogs, and Skibby and Old Black Bill, cats, who were at one time mascots at the fire station.
World War II Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD — (Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897)
SERIAL NUMBER: U 1822
1. Name (Print): John Anthony Strauss 2. Place of Residence (Print): 1263 Kenwood Ave, Camden, Camden, N.J. 3. Mailing Address: Same 4. Telephone: [blank] 5. Age in Years: 51; Date of Birth: Feb 17, 1891 6. Place of Birth: Phila., Pa. 7. Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Edna Strauss, 1263 Kenwood Ave, Camden, N.J. 8. Employer’s Name and Address: City of Camden, Camden, N.J. 9. Place of Employment or Business: 5th and Arch Sts., Camden, Camden, N.J.
I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE VERIFIED ABOVE ANSWERS AND THAT THEY ARE TRUE.
D.S.S. Form 1 (Revised 4-1-42)
Signed: John A. Strauss
Fire Department Card
NAME: JOHN A. STRAUSS CO. [1] GROUP NO. 3
TITLE: Fireman TEL. NO.: EMS-4715 ADDRESS: 1263 Kenwood Ave WHERE: 1150 [Louis St.] BADGE NO.: 143 BLOOD TYPE: B Positive BORN AT: Philadelphia, Pa. DATE: February 17, 1891 APPOINTED: May 29, 1924 REPORTED FOR DUTY: June 1, 1924
CHECK POSITIONS THIS MEMBER IS CAPABLE OF FILLING: ACTING CAPTAIN (✓) DRIVER ( ) PUMP OPERATOR ( ) TILLERMAN (✓)
ASSIGNMENTS: Assigned to #1 Truck Co. June, 1st. 1924 Died-Oct-11-1954