John Graham Sr.
JOHN GRAHAM SR. was one of the original members of Camden’s paid fire department, entering service with Engine Company 2 on December 7, 1869. He was removed from service on April 25, 1870. A veteran of the Civil War who had been a volunteer firefighter in Philadelphia prior to coming to Camden, he moved to Gloucester City in the 1870s.
John Graham Sr. was working as a moulder—that is, he worked pouring molten iron into moulds at an iron works—when he received his appointment to the Fire Department. He was then living at 619 Market Street.
On September 2, 1869 City Council enacted a municipal ordinance creating a paid fire department. It provided for the annual appointment of five Fire Commissioners, one Chief Marshal (Chief of Department) and two Assistant Marshals. The City was also divided into two fire districts. The boundary line ran east and west, starting at Bridge Avenue and following the tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad to the city limits. District 1 was south of this line and District 2 was north. The commissioners also appointed the firemen who were scheduled to work six 24 hour tours per week. William Abels, from the Weccacoe Hose Company No. 2 was appointed Chief Marshal with William J. Mines, from the Independence Fire Company No. 3 as Assistant Marshal for the 1st District, and William H. Shearman as the Assistant Marshal for the 2nd District. Abels had served with the volunteer fire departments of Philadelphia, Mobile, Alabama and Camden for sixteen years prior to his appointment as Chief of the paid force.
On November 10, 1869 City Council purchased the Independence Firehouse, the three-story brick building at 409 Pine Street, for $4500. The building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1 and the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November 25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share these quarters with Engine Company 2 and the Hook & Ladder Company and the facility would also serve as department headquarters for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the Camden County Historical Society collection.
Photos
Engine Company 2 with 1869 Silsby Hose Cart. Photo circa 1890. Note badges upon derby hats worn by Fire Fighters.
The earliest known photo of fire headquarters on the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch Streets. Originally built in 1869.
A. McCully & Sons Maker’s Plate
A. McCULLY
& SONS
MAKERS
22
MARKET ST.
CAMDEN, N.J.
Paid Department Roster
Badges worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the initial letter of their respective positions and their district number. The tillerman and his driver used the number “3” to accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District were assigned badges 1–10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11–20 and the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21–30.
Although the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until December 9th.
The new members of Engine Company 2 were:
Engine Company 2 Roster
Camden Fire Department Engine Company 2, 1869
Officers
| Name ↕ | Position ↕ | Badge ↕ |
|---|---|---|
| William J. Ross | Engineer | |
| George Liebecke | Driver | |
| William T.G. Young Sr. | Stoker |
Extra Men
| Name ↕ | Position ↕ | Badge ↕ |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Middleton | Extra Man | 11 |
| Samuel Patton | Extra Man | 12 |
| Elwood Cline | Extra Man | 13 |
| George W. Bates | Extra Man | 14 |
| Robert Pine | Extra Man | 15 |
| Theodore Zimmerman | Extra Man | 16 |
| Benjamin H. Connelly | Extra Man | 17 |
| Richard Houghtaling | Extra Man | 18 |
| Abraham Bradshaw | Extra Man | 19 |
| Richard Githens | Extra Man | |
| John Graham | Extra Man | 20 |
John Graham Sr. was removed from service with the Camden Department on April 25, 1870. He returned to Engine Company 1 on December 17, 1872 and was dismissed on October 7, 1874. He later moved to Gloucester City, New Jersey. John Graham Sr. passed away on June 20, 1904.
John Graham Sr. appears to be of no relation to John James Graham and Clair H. “Red” Graham, both of whom were born and served with the Camden Fire Department many years after John Graham Sr.’s death.
First-Style Breast Badge
CAMDEN
F D
1
N.J.
CAMDEN AND VICINITY.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
VACANCIES FILLED.—Within the past few days the Commissioners of the Camden Paid Fire Department have made the following changes:—James Sutton dismissed from Engine No. 1, and Charles Hart appointed to fill the vacancy; John Graham dismissed from Engine No. 2, and Joseph Nece appointed in his place; Robert Pine resigned from same engine, and Harry McKeen appointed in his place. The Paid Department is now in competent condition, with all the necessary equipments to give it efficiency, and the Commissioners are resolved to make it an acceptable department to the city.
TO BE RESUMED.—The Camden Woolen Mills, which were built about the commencement of the war, have been idle for several years, but it is said that their affairs will soon be arranged in such a way that they will resume operations. When in operation they employed some two hundred workmen.
THE SHAD SEASON.—The shad fishing season is now close at hand, and the parties in Camden who usually follow the business are making preparations to commence it in a few days on quite an extensive scale. They seem to think that indications are favorable for a pretty good run.
TEMPERANCE MATTERS.—Now that the business of the M. E. Conference is over, Rev. G. R. Snyder, the champion advocate of the cause of temperance in Camden, will renew his labors in that field with an earnestness and zeal which cannot fail to accomplish great good.
FRUITS OF INTEMPERANCE.—Yesterday Mayor Cox, of Camden, held four young men to answer at court the charge of riotous assault and battery. Another was committed for a further hearing. Others are implicated in the row and will be arrested.
New Jersey Matters.
Philadelphia Public Ledger —
Fire Commissioners.—The Board of Fire Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Thomas A. Wilson, President, in the chair. Chief Fire Marshal Surrault reported that he had made the following distribution of the new fire extinguishers ordered by Council: One at Paul Anderson’s, Broadway and Kalehn’s [sic] avenue; one at the office of James S. Henry, Eighth and Walnut streets; one at the store of Wm. Ross, on Central avenue, and one at the Flat Iron. The resignation of Joseph Swing, as stoker of Engine No. 2, was accepted, and Thomas McLaughlin was elected in his place. Applications were received from Wm. H. Doughten, Wm. Bassett, Charles Lawyer, Christopher Turner and E. H. Mead, asking to be appointed extra men. Applications received and filed. John Graham was appointed to fill the position of Thomas McLaughlin, made vacant by the latter’s appointment as stoker to Engine No. 2. Mr. F. W. Tarr notified the Board that the City Council had agreed to increase the salaries of engineers $5 per month; of tillermen, drivers and stokers, $7 50 per month. Adjourned.
Obituary Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
GRAHAM.—On June 20, 1904, JOHN GRAHAM Sr. aged 61 years. Relatives and friends, also Post 36, G.A.R.; survivors of Good Intent Hook and Ladder Company, of Philadelphia; Gloucester Fire Department, Gloucester Exempt Firemen’s Association, survivors of the Adelphi Association, Veteran Firemen’s Association of Philadelphia; Gloucester Republican Club, Gloucester Yacht Club, are invited to attend the funeral, on Thursday, at 8 A.M., from his late residence, 220 Cumberland st., Gloucester, N.J. High mass at St. Mary’s Church at 9 A.M. Interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery.