John M. Gray
JOHN M. GRAY was born in Pennsylvania in 1820. He was living in Philadelphia as late as the 1860 Census. When the Census was taken in June of 1870, the Gray family was living in Camden's North Ward. He was living with his wife Sarah and his children Sarah, 27, Peter, 23, and John S. Gray. The family lived on the same block as Albert Doughty, John Anderson, and Isaac Anderson who all would later serve in the Camden Fire Department.
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. Although he was 52 at the time, and that his son John would be appointed to the department a few years later, Fire Department records concerning his occupation and the occupation listed in the 1870 Census indicate that it was John M. Gray, the father, who was appointed to the Fire Department in 1872.
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.
In March of 1878 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.
John M. Gray's sons John Gray and Peter S. Gray both went on to serve with the Camden Fire Department. They came into the department separately in 1874 and served for many years, thereafter.
Over the River
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden City Council
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.
On motion, Council agreed to meet on Monday afternoon next at two o’clock.
Joseph A. Porter was then called and took the oath of office faithfully to discharge the duties of treasurer of the city. Adjourned.
Not Expected to Live
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
Funeral of Janitor Gray
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
Camden City Council
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
Election of a Janitor
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.