John Gray
JOHN GRAY was born in Pennsylvania in April of 1851. He was the son of John M. Gray and his wife Sarah. John M. Gray worked as a harness maker. The family was living in Philadelphia when the Census was taken in 1860. By the time the 1870 Census was taken, the family had moved to Camden’s North Ward. John Gray was living with his parents, older sister Sarah, and older brother Peter S. Gray. The family lived next door to Albert Doughty, who would later serve in the Camden Fire Department, as did John M. Gray and both of his sons. John Gray was working as a bricklayer; brother Peter worked in a carriage factory.
John M. Gray was a harness maker by trade. He was living at 30 North 5th Street when he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on February 8, 1872, taking the place of Charles Elfreth, who had been promoted to Driver. John M. Gray served as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company, known in more recent times as Ladder Company 1. John M. Gray resigned from the Fire Department on October 8, 1872.
John Gray was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in June of 1873 to replace Edward Allen, who had resigned from his position as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company. His brother Peter Gray was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April of 1874, when David Sparks resigned from Engine Company 2. About that same time Peter S. Gray moved from 30 North 5th Street to 34 North 5th Street. John Gray continued to live at 30 North 5th. The Gray brothers remained with the Fire Department until the spring of 1876. They were not reappointed that year, but were reinstated in April of 1877. As extra men, they both worked regular jobs in addition to their work as firemen. Peter Gray worked as a machinist, John Gray as a bricklayer.
John Gray married in the mid-1870s. His wife Mary bore him a son, Frank, around 1877.
The 1878–1879 Camden City Directory and 1880 Census shows John Gray having moved to 434 Lawrence Street, where he resided with his wife and son. Peter Gray lived at 819 Carpenter Street.
In March of 1878 the Gray brothers’ father, John M. Gray, was appointed janitor of Camden’s City Hall. When the Census was again taken in 1880 he was still working as the janitor at Camden’s City Hall. He lived on premises with his wife Sarah. Suffering for some time with asthma, he died in mid-September of 1880.
Sadly it also appears that John Gray’s wife Mary and son Frank did not survive the 1880s. John Gray was re-married in the mid-1880s, to Sallie Stewart Cunningham. She brought a son, Howard Cunningham, to the marriage. In June of 1887 John and Sallie Gray were blessed with a daughter, Viola, and in 1895, another daughter, Florena E. Gray, was born.
Both Peter Gray and John Gray returned to their original companies 1877, and served until 1882, when due to a change in politics, both were not reappointed. John Gray was brought back in 1884, and when Samuel Elfreth was again elected Chief of the Camden Fire Department in 1885, Peter Gray was reinstated. By the end of 1888 both Gray brothers were working as laddermen with the Hook and Ladder Company.
The 1883–1884 and 1884–1885 City Directories shows that the Gray brothers were both living at 831 Carpenter Street. The directories show that John was at 36 North 5th Street from 1887 through 1890 and at 38 North 5th Street from 1894 to 1896. He then moved to 418 Henry Street, where he lived out his days. When the Census was taken in 1900, John Gray’s family consisted of himself, wife, their two daughters, stepson Howard Cunningham, his wife Rebecca, and their child Charles Cunningham.
In September of 1889 John Gray was appointed an election judge in the Second Ward.
The Gray brothers worked together at the Hook and Ladder Company until April 19, 1902 when John Gray died from a heart attack.
John Gray was affiliated with the Republican party in Camden. He was a member of Wyoming Tribe No. 55 of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Firemen’s Mutual Beneficial Association of New Jersey, and the Journeymen Bricklayers Protective and Beneficial Association of Philadelphia.
Peter Gray continued with the Camden Fire Department until February 1, 1913. After John Gray had left Carpenter Street he stayed there through at least 1888. By 1890 he had moved to 818 Market Street, where he resided through 1894. By 1895 he had moved to 531 Cedar Street in North Camden, where he stayed as late as 1927. He appears to have passed in the late 1920s, as he is not listed in the 1929 City Directory or the 1930 Census.
Resignation and Appointments
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN AND VICINITY.
John Gray, Jr., Thomas Grapevine, Henry Fray, Bernard Dennis and Elwood Cline have resigned from the Fire Department of Camden, and Daniel Sparks, Charles Elfreth, Joseph Neice, William Osler and Isaac Randolph have been appointed in their places.
Extra Firemen Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Extra Firemen Appointed.—The Commissioners of the Camden Paid Fire Department, in addition to the regular, have appointed the following extra men on the force: Amadon Middleton, Charles Benton, George Tracey, John Stephens, Elijah Moorehouse, Francis Miller, Joseph B. Green, Jr., Charles Sawyer, Charles M. Lane, Christian Tenner, John Toy, Jacob App, William Deith, Amos Osler, Archie Clark, H. Sharp, Richard Cooper, James Hunt, Charles H. Reed, Richard Deitz, Benjamin Marshall, P. Brown, John Gray, Isaac O. Randolph, Josiah Davis, Francis Boardman, Charles Elfreth, Alexander Watson, Howard Cuney, Francis Tamer. Nine of the above were members of the Fire Department a few years ago, under the now newly appointed Chief, R. S., Bender.
Over the River
Philadelphia Inquirer —
OVER THE RIVER.
CAMDEN CITY COUNCIL—The annual meeting of Camden City Council was held last evening for the purpose of organizing for the years 1878–9.
The votes for city and ward officers were read. The result was the same as the figures published yesterday indicated.
The members-elect were then qualified and took their seats as follows: First Ward, William Abels; Second, J. W. Morgan; Third, A. B. Cameron; Fourth, Crawford Miller; Fifth, Mr. Knight; Sixth, John Dialogue; Seventh, Elwood Kemble; Eighth, Mr. Donges.
John T. Bottomly was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year.
F. F. Michellon and Frederick W. Taw were nominated for clerk. Mr. Michellon was elected.
Charles H. Helmbold was elected messenger of Councils.
Mr. Nichols presented a protest from William A. Turner against the admission of John Dialogue, from the Sixth Ward, to a seat in Council, claiming that he, Turner, was legally elected. Referred to a committee of five to investigate and report.
James E. Hayes was elected city solicitor and John H. Shultz for surveyor. John M. Gray, Sr., was chosen as janitor of the City Hall.
R. S. Bender and W. W. Mines were elected citizen commissioners of the Fire Department. Wilbur F. Rose and H. M. Sharp were elected citizen members of the Sinking Fund Committee.
The hour for holding the regular meeting of the Council was fixed at four o’clock in the afternoon.
Joseph A. Porter was then called and took the oath of office faithfully to discharge the duties of treasurer of the city. Adjourned.
Death of John M. Gray
Philadelphia Inquirer — September–
Not Expected to Live.—Yesterday Dr. Mulford stated that he had no hopes of the recovery of John Gray, janitor of the Camden City Hall, who has been lying dangerously sick of asthma for some months past. (September 16, 1880)
Funeral of Janitor Gray.—Yesterday afternoon the funeral of John M. Gray, late janitor of the Camden City Hall, took place from the hall and was largely attended. Members of City Council and officers of the different departments attended in a body. Deceased was interred in the Camden Cemetery. (September 20, 1880)
Camden City Council.—A stated meeting of Camden City Council will be held this evening, at which a janitor of the hall will be elected to fill the place made vacant by the recent death of John Gray. (September 30, 1880)
Election of a Janitor.—This afternoon the Camden City Council will hold its regular meeting, instead of Thursday, that being Thanksgiving day. A janitor for the city hall will be elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. John Gray. (November 24, 1880)
Camden Fire Commissioners
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening elected John Gray an extra fireman from the Second ward, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Amidee Middleton, and Francis S. Turner, of the Third ward, stoker of Engine No. 2, in place of William McKinley, removed. They decided to ask City Council to allow them to advertise for proposals for the erection of the fire tower on Engine House No. 2 which was destroyed by the recent tornado.
Election Judge Appointment
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 24, 1889 — John Gray appointed election judge in the Second Ward.
Obituary Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
GRAY.—On April 19, 1902, John Gray, beloved husband of Sallie Gray, née Stewart, aged 51 years. Funeral on Tuesday afternoon, April 22, at 2 o’clock, from the family residence, 418 Henry street, Camden, N. J. Members of Journeymen Bricklayers’ Protective and Beneficial Association of Philadelphia and vicinity; Wyoming Tribe, No. 55, Imp. O. R. M.; Branch 5, Firemen’s Mutual Beneficial Association of New Jersey, and Camden City Fire Department invited. Interment at Camden New Cemetery.
Fireman Appointed
Post-Telegram —
FIREMAN APPOINTED.
Charles Worthington to Go on Duty June 1.
The Fire Committee of City Council last evening appointed Charles Worthington, of the Second ward, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Gray, who was a ladderman at Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. Worthington will go on duty on June 1.
The committee decided to make the annual inspection of the Department on June 4. They will also meet on June 5, for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of money needed to run the department for the coming fiscal year.