John F. Kerby
John F. Kerby was born in 1897 to John and Kate S. Kerby. At the time of the 1920 census, he lived with his parents and brothers William and George at 322 Federal Street in Camden. The elder Kerby ran a bicycle shop there, and John F. and William were working there at that time. John F. Kerby later went out on his own, business wise, and started his own bicycle shop, at Broadway and Pine Street, which unfortunately did not prosper, and the business failed. At the time of the 1930 census he was living with his wife Ruth, in a house they owned at 925 North 5th Street in Camden. The family, which included children John, Mary, and Elizabeth, later moved to 549 Bailey Street, where John F. Kerby ran a small bicycle business out of his home.
John F. Kerby was drowned in the Schuylkill River on January 7, 1938, an apparent suicide. He was survived by his wife, children, and his father, who at that time had a bicycle shop of his own at 322 Federal Street. He was also survived by his brothers George and William, who remained in the bicycle business in Camden at 322–324 Federal Street as late as the mid-1960s.
Camden Man Dies in Plunge In Schuylkill
Camden Courier-Post —
Heroic Cop Foiled in Efforts to Prevent Drowning in Phila.
John F. Kerby, 40, of 549 Bailey street, son of John Kerby, bicycle merchant of 322 Federal street, was drowned yesterday in the Schuylkill, despite heroic rescue efforts of a Philadelphia policeman who leaped into the icy water and almost caught up with the swimming Camden man.
Kerby, father of three children, leaped or fell from the Market street trolley bridge and as he rose to the surface waved his arms and shouted inaudible words to spectators who gathered on the bridge.
Jerome Rich, traffic policeman who entered the water, said Kerby apparently deliberately avoided him in his rescue attempts. Other policemen joined Rich in saying the Camden man appeared to thwart their efforts desperately.
Spectators said Kerby sank five times, and Rich said the last time he appeared to duck under the water intentionally as Rich was no more than 15 feet away and shouting encouragement.
Cop Dives in River
Rich was directing traffic at Twenty-ninth and Market streets. Spectators told him a man—clothed in overcoat and suit, but hatless—was in the river. Rich ran through the basement of the Gomery-Schwartz building, stripped off his overcoat, blouse, shoes and gun and dived 12 feet into the river, with Kerby about 100 feet away.
With Kerby sinking periodically and then reappearing on the surface, Rich swam close to him and was cutting the distance rapidly, when Kerby appeared to duck purposely and then failed to reappear.
Rich dived repeatedly for ten minutes but could not find the body and was forced by the cold to leave the water.
Some years ago Kerby was in business with his father, who has operated a bicycle store in Camden for many years. Then the father and son separated and young Kerby opened a bicycle shop at Broadway and Pine street. This proved a failure, according to the dead man’s widow, Ruth.
The son then obtained WPA employment, Mrs. Kerby said, and later opened a small bicycle business at his home.
She said he had been subjected to financial worries. Neighbors said he had been despondent.
Body Recovered
The body was recovered an hour after the drowning, at Chestnut street, taken to the Philadelphia morgue and Mrs. Kerby identified it as that of her husband about 8 p. m.
Spectators informed police they had seen Kerby pacing the bridge for some time before the plunge. Kerby’s three children are John, Mary and Elizabeth. All are in Camden schools, Mrs. Kerby said.
Rich was taken to Philadelphia City Hall after swimming ashore and given treatment for exposure and cold. Then he was sent to Hahnemann Hospital for observation as a precaution against pneumonia.
Patrolmen Johnston and Fine threw a log attached to a rope into the river from shore to aid Kerby, but said he shook his head negatively at them when they urged him to swim toward it, as the rope was too short.
Kerby was described by his widow as an excellent swimmer.
In his pocket was found a WPA registration card bearing the name, “John F. Kershaw.” This led to the identification, since it was a clerical error in spelling and directed police to Kerby’s address.
John F. Kerby
Camden Courier-Post —
The funeral of John F. Kerby, 40, of 549 Bailey street, who was drowned Friday in the Schuylkill, will be held at 2 p. m. today at the home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Kerby, a former bicycle dealer, is survived by his widow, Ruth; three children, John, Mary and Elizabeth, and his father, John, also a bicycle merchant, of 322 Federal street.
Kerby Bikes — Tricycles
New Jersey Bell Telephone Company Yellow Pages — 1959
Named: New Jersey Bell Telephone Company Yellow Pages, 1959. Kerby Bikes, Tricycles. All Parts & Repairs & Welding. Rollfast & Rixe. 322, and 24 Federal Street, Camden, NJ. WO odlawn 3-5547..