John Anderson
JOHN ANDERSON was born in Camden around 1861 to William and Eliza Anderson. The family was living near the iron works along the Cooper River near Pine Street as early as the 1860s, and when new homes were built in the 1000 block of Line Street in the 1880s, William Anderson acquired 1032 Line Street. This would be the family home as late as 1947.
William Anderson generally worked as a factory laborer, but was active in politics, and served as County freeholder from Camden’s Seventh Ward in the 1890s and 1900s. During that time John Anderson served on Camden’s police force. He later returned to work at the nearby iron foundry where his father had previously worked, decades before.
John Anderson married Delia Fowler around 1888. Their first son, Thomas B. Anderson, was born on June 5, 1889, followed by Charles F., Henry, Elizabeth, and Lydia. He lived with his father, who by 1900 was a widower, as late as 1910. John Anderson passed away on October 11, 1919, not long after his father William had died, both having lived their days out at 1032 Line Street.
Thomas B. Anderson was killed in a freight car accident in Philadelphia in March of 1932. Daughter Elizabeth later married Harry Strauss. The couple was living at 1032 Line Street as late as 1947.
Supposed to be Logue's Assailant
Camden Daily Courier —
Policemen Peters and Anderson yesterday arrested John Stratton, living in Ross’ Court, and Henry Mellon, of Point street above Cooper, on suspicion of being the two men who murderously assaulted Joseph Logue, near the city hall, Sunday night. The men were seen in the vicinity of the place where the assault occurred. Logue, who is still at the hospital, partially identified Stratton as the man who robbed him, but could not positively recognize Mellon as his other assailant. The men were committed for a hearing to-night. Logue is improving.
Logue's Assailants Captured
Camden Daily Telegram —
The Police Are Pretty Sure They Have the Right Parties.
Yesterday Officers Peters and Andrews captured the supposed assailants of Joseph Logue, the young man who was stabbed on Sunday night while in company with Miss Brown. The men arrested were Henry Mellon, of Point street above Second, who works in a lithographing establishment, and Joseph Stratton, a lather, living on Ross court. Stratton was taken to Cooper Hospital by Chief Dodd, and was identified by Logue as the man who assaulted him with the knife. Mellon admitted that they were in the vicinity Sunday evening.
Both parties will have a hearing before Mayor Pratt at 7:30 this evening.
A Camden Den Raided
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Plenty of Liquor and a Faro Lay-Out Secured by the Police.
A Murderous Negro Creates a Commotion—Incendiaries at Work—Other News Across the Delaware.
The Camden police made another raid early yesterday morning. About 1 o’clock a detail consisting of Officers Pederick, Lee, Anderson, Horner, Baker and Chief Dodd raided a “speakeasy” and gambling den in a boathouse at the end of North Second street. When the policemen arrived a quiet game of faro was in progress in the second story.
The proprietor, William Parker, Maurice Hinchman, Charles Mead and Mabel Gray were captured and taken to the City Hall. Sixteen boxes of beer, three gallons of whisky and a home-made faro lay-out were also captured. All of the men arrested were released yesterday but Parker, who was held on the charge of keeping a disorderly house and selling liquor without a license.
A funny incident occurred after the raid had been made while the patrol wagon was making its first trip to the City Hall previous to the removal of the liquor and gambling implements. Officer Pederick was left behind to watch the place. The policeman had only been on guard a few moments when a gang of men came in and called for a drink. “I can’t sell you anything,” said Pederick. “Why?” asked one of the thirsty men. “I got no license,” answered the officer. “That’s all right; Billy had no license, but we got the ‘booz’ just the same,” said one of the would-be purchasers. Pederick pulled back the flap of his coat and showed them his star. The thirsty men made a hasty retreat.
Camden Police Baseball Challenge
Camden Post —
Chief Dodd yesterday received a challenge from the Third District police, of Philadelphia, which he promptly accepted and instructed Harry Miller to organize a strong club. Harry has gotten together the following stiff team: Ben Middleton, 1st base; Sam Bakley, left field; Harry Miller, pitcher; Sam Lee, second base; John Painter, centre field; Si Sage, right field; Weaver, shortstop; John Anderson, third base.
The game will come off to-morrow morning on the Camden Club’s grounds opposite the City Hall, at half past ten o’clock. Harry Miller is an old and well known ball player having pitched winning ball for Wilkesbarre, Scranton, Harrisburg and the Philadelphia League Club. Harry, however, was overworked, being known as “iron arm” Miller and straining the muscles of his arm, had to retire temporarily from the ball field. We bet three dollars and sixty-seven cents that our bluecoats will win.
Here's Camden's Finest, With Whiskers, in 1898
Camden Courier-Post —
Reading from left to right, those in the picture are: First row, William A. Schregler, Rox Comley, Jules Bosch, Lieutenant John Foster, Chief Samuel Dodd, Lieutenant H. Frank Pettit, Edward Hartman and Charles Wilbur. Second row, Thomas Brothers, Ralph Bond, John Dall, George Kappell, Silas Sage, Edward S. Hyde, George Selby and E. B. McClong. Third row, Edward Powell, John Sinclair, William Laird, Benjamin Middleton, Alfred L. Sayers, John Anderson, William Butts, John Painter and Frank Matlack. Fourth row, Thomas Hicks, Alfred Haydon, Abe Jackson, Albert Shaw, Edward Steen and Samuel Bakely. Fifth row, Caleb Williams, E. A. Gravenor, Thomas Buchanan, Samuel Cox, George Horner, Godfrey Eisenhardt, Harry Curtis and John Barnett. Sixth row, Casper Hart, Charles Fitzsimmons, A. Lincoln James, Oscar Weaver, Charles Ridgely, William Fish and George Cooper.
Harry Mines, not named above, is in the first row between H. Frank Pettit and Edward Hartman. In the fifth row, at the far right, “John Barnett” was a guess on the part of A. Lincoln James. Another person guessed George Johnson. Both were wrong and it is not known who that policeman is.
Policemen on the Rack
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Policemen Benjamin Middleton, John Anderson, Thomas Brothers and William Butts, colored, were given hearings by the Camden Committee last evening on charges preferred against them by Reformers. Three charges against Policeman Alfred Hayden were withdrawn. Officer Edward Cooper failed to appear. Policeman Richard Golden tendered his resignation.
Police Appointments
Camden Daily Courier —
Five New Men Named to Fill Vacancies Made Last Week.
Mayor Hatch last night appointed the following new policemen:
George Nowrey and James Roach, Sixth ward, to succeed Thomas Brothers and Alfred Haydon.
John Reader, Seventh ward, to succeed John Anderson.
Harry Hope, Third ward, to succeed Alfred Myers.
Hugh Boyle, Ninth ward, to succeed Edward Cooper.
These men went on duty to day.
Added to the "Finest."
Camden Daily Courier —
Mayor Hatch Names Fifteen New Policemen this Afternoon
Six Out of the Lot Have Worn the Blue Before—William Horner Made a Sergeant—A Great Crowd Filled the City Hall Corridors This Morning Ready to Don Uniforms.
The headquarters of the Police Department and the office of Mayor Hatch at the City Hall this morning was the centre of attraction for a score or more of citizens who are quite anxious to don a policeman’s uniform and become one of the Mayor’s finest. No matter if the life of a policeman is not a happy one, so long as there are $17 per week in it. The gathering was brought about by the rumor having gone forth that the Mayor would some time to-day make the appointment and swear in the men appointed. Hence the gathering and the looks of expectancy upon the faces of those that would a copper be. They were doomed to disappointment, however, as Mayor Hatch, after calling two or three into his private office and swearing them in, informed the rest that he would name the full list to-morrow. To a “Courier” reporter the Mayor stated that he had some of the men picked, but would not give out their names until he had them all ready. The appointments are made under an ordinance recently passed instructing the Mayor to increase the police force of the city. It will give an additional policeman to each word.
However, at three o’clock this afternoon Mayor Hatch had finished the work of selecting the new men and announced the list as follows:
First ward—William Lyons.
Second ward—William Thompson. A. Lincoln James.
Third ward—Isaac Toy.
Fourth ward—James Tatem.
Fifth ward—Casper Hart.
Sixth ward—Thomas Brothers.
Seventh ward—John Anderson. George Purnell.
Eighth ward—Alfred F. Snow.
Ninth ward—David Clark.
Tenth ward—Thomas Reed. Howard McPherson.
Eleventh ward—Edward R. Thomas
Twelfth ward—John Zane.
Of these a number of the names are quite familiar because their owners have worn the blue before. These are James, Hart, Brouthers, Anderson, Reed and Zane. The latter, now appointed from the Twelfth ward, was in the old days of Republican rule, in Stockton, the chief of police of that place. For years previously he had been on the county’s constabulary force.
Mayor Hatch also announced the appointment of William Horner to be sergeant of the Third district.
Camden's Police Force Increased
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch, of Camden, yesterday afternoon announced the appointment of fifteen additional policemen, as follows:
First ward, William Lyons; Second ward, William Thompson and A. Lincoln James; Third ward, Isaac Toy; Fourth ward, Jas. Tatem; Fifth ward, Casper Hart; Sixth ward, Thomas Brothers; Seventh ward, George Purnell and John Anderson; Eighth ward, Alfred S. Snow; Ninth ward, David Clark; Tenth ward, Thomas Reed and Howard McPherson; Eleventh ward, Edward R. Thomas; Twelfth ward, John Zane; sergeant in the Third district, William Horner.
Included in the list are the following who have served as policemen before: James, Hart, Brothers, Anderson, Reed and Zane. The appointments are made under a recent ordinance passed by City Council providing for an increase in the police force. The men will go on duty on October 1.
Policeman Dies Suddenly
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In the same house and the same room where he was born fifty-eight years ago, John Anderson, a former member of the Camden police force and son of the late William Anderson, died yesterday at his home, 1032 Line street, after a three days’ illness. During the sixteen years he served as a policeman Anderson made a reputation as a fearless officer and was credited with many important captures. He resigned from the force sixteen years ago. His funeral takes place Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from his late home.