Introduction
JOHN FALLAN was appointed to the Camden Fire Department at some point not long after November 12, 1874 as a replacement for William C. Lee as an extra man with Engine Company 2. He resigned on July 7, 1875. During his time with the Camden Fire Department, John Fallan lived at 525 Arch Street.
Records of the time indicate that “John Fallan” was in fact M. John Fallen. The 1878 Camden City Directory shows a John Fallen, “railroader” at 112 Taylor Avenue. The 1880 Census shows the M. John Fallen family at 112 Taylor Avenue, living with his wife Kate and children Katie and Walter, and brother John Fallen, aged 20. Both men worked as laborers. M. John Fallen was 34 at the time of the Census, of the two, only he would have been old enough to have served as a fire fighter in 1874 and 1875. According to the Census he was born in Ireland in 1846. His wife was also born in Ireland, in 1851 according to the Census. The 1885 Camden City Directory shows a John Fallen, at 112 Taylor Avenue.
John M. Fallen died of a stroke on April 29, 1887. The 1887–1888 City Directory lists Kate Fallen, widow of John, at 112 Taylor Avenue.
Sad Drowning. And Other News from the City Across the Delaware.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
James Milliette, a lad 19 years of age, a brother of ex-Councilman Alexander Milliette, of Camden, while out with a sailing party yesterday afternoon, was drowned near Pea Shore by the capsizing of their boat. He lived at No. 438 Pine street. The body has not yet been recovered.
John Fallen, aged 42, a Pennsylvania night watchman, of Front and Taylor avenue, was found dead near the milk depot at Federal street ferry, Camden, early yesterday morning. It is supposed that he died from a stroke of apoplexy. A Coroner’s view will be held.
The corner-stone of the Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Seventh and Market streets, Camden, was laid yesterday afternoon with appropriate ceremonies. Rev. Clarence K. Binder, the pastor of the church, laid the stone, and addresses were made by Rev. W. F. Schaeffer and Rev. J. L. Seybold, of Philadelphia. The church was organized in 1879 and services have been held in halls since that date. The cost of the new church will be about $14,000, including lot, building and furnishings.
Fire was discovered early on Saturday morning in the residence of Robert Koenig, No. 1131 South Second street, Camden, but was soon extinguished. Mrs. Koenig jumped from a second-story window and was severely injured, and Mr. Koenig had his hands severely burned in removing furniture.
Jeremiah Willis, of South Camden, was committed to the Camden prison on Saturday charged with policy writing, in Yeager’s court.
The Merchantville Driving Park was opened as a racing course on Saturday afternoon and quite a number of prominent turfmen were present. A special race between Sallie C., record, 2 17¼, and Nona Grace, record, 2 23, was won by the former in two straight heats: time, 2 37¼, 2 37¼. A 2 30 class trotting race was won by Jar. Almont; time, 2 42, 2 37½. In the 2.30 pacing class, Mont., of Suffolk Park, won in 2.50, 2 47½ and 2 49½. The special road race was won by Nettle in 2 55½, 2 51.
Charles A. Gibbs, of the shoe manufacturing firm of Gibbs & Wesley, of Glassboro, is reported as missing. On Tuesday he secured $2700 mortgage money on some property owned by him in Vineland. He also drew a large sum from the First National Bank of Camden. The general impression is that Mr. Gibbs has been foully dealt with.
Camden Matters. Notes of Interest in the Little City Across the River.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Coroner Davis yesterday gave a certificate of death from apoplexy in the case of John Fallen, the watchman at the Pennsylvania Railroad, who dropped dead on Sunday.
Jeremiah Willis was held in $200 bail by Mayor Pratt yesterday, charged with writing policy.
Arthur P. Smith, a resident of Hammonton, and employed as a stenographer in the Equitable Life Insurance Company office at Philadelphia, was poisoned on Sunday by eating prepared corn beef, which was purchased at a store in that town. Though still ill Mr. Smith’s condition is not considered serious. Other members of the family who partook of the meat were also attacked with severe pains.
The body of James Millette, the young lad of No. 438 Pine street, who was drowned on Saturday near Tacony, by the upsetting of a canoe, has not yet been recovered.
Squire Darr yesterday held Philip P. Dorsey in $200 bail on the charge of shooting a dog belonging to his brother, Charles N. Dorsey.
This is the day set for the opening of the May term of the Camden County Courts. Judge Parker has notified the county clerk of his inability to attend on account of being detained by the Agnew murder trial at Mount Holly.
The frame house at the corner of Third and Erie avenue, occupied by a widow, was burned to the ground last evening.
Sheriff Pucker, of Gloucester county, yesterday closed up the factory of Gibbs & Wesley, the two shoe manufacturers of that place, who, it is alleged, eloped with two of their employees. Samuel Whitney, the glass manufacturer, has considerable money invested in the firm, and Peter Burdette, the father-in-law of Gibbs, it is said, had $1000 in the business.