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.

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:

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.