John M. Peterson
John Martin Peterson was born in Camden, New Jersey on April 15, 1892 to John and Maggie Peterson. By 1896 his family had moved to 1042 Dayton Avenue in the town of Stockton, which after uniting with Camden in 1899, was renamed North 18th Street. The Petersons remained at this address into the 1920s. The family next door for a number of years were the Behrends; their son Charles Behrend was killed in action while serving with the United States Army during World War I.
When John M. Peterson registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 he was living with his mother at 1042 North 18th Street in Camden’s Cramer Hill section.
John M. Peterson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 18, 1919. He reported for duty at Engine Company 11 on January 1, 1920.
Fire Department records from 1931 show John M. Peterson residing at 1049 North 34th Street.
Having reached the mandatory retirement age and having completed 36 years of distinguished service with Engine Company 11 of the Camden Fire Department, John M. Peterson retired on pension January 1, 1956. He moved out of Camden shortly afterwards.
John Martin Peterson’s last days were spent in the area served by the Merchantville, New Jersey post office, i.e., in Merchantville or Pennsauken. He passed away in March of 1971.
World War I Draft Card
World War I draft registration card for John M. Peterson, June 5, 1917
Funeral Rites Held for Nicholas Romaine
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral services were held yesterday for Nicholas Romaine, 48, of 2420 Mickle street, a member of Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue, who died Thursday of injuries suffered while fighting a fire nearly eight years ago. Services took place at the parlors of Gustav Roedel and Son, 804 North Twenty-seventh street, and burial was in New Camden cemetery. The following members of his company were pallbearers: Herman Dreas, Harry Hess, John Mohrfield, William Mountney, Michael Mungioli and John Peterson.
Romaine, a member of the fire department 13 years, was injured when a brick wall fell on him during a blaze in a junk shop July 27, 1925. Five other firemen were also hurt. He is survived by his widow, Pauline, two sons, Joseph and Nicholas, Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. Gladys Green and Frances Romaine.
Fire Chief Guest at Honor Dinner
Camden Courier-Post —
Fire Capt. Herman Kreher, a veteran of 22 years in the city fire-fighting forces, was tendered a dinner last night by more than 60 comrades upon the occasion of his fiftieth birthday.
His efficient supervision of Engine Company No. 11 was lauded by Acting Chief John Lennox, who presented him with a gold wrist watch in behalf of his fellow firemen. George Wonsetter was toastmaster.
The affair was held in Steffiel’s Hall, directly across from the firehouse at Twenty-seventh and Hayes avenue.
Attending the dinner were Mrs. Kreher, their children, Tillie, Wilhelmina, Herman and Edwin, and Motorcycle Patrolman Harry Kreher, brother of Captain Kreher. Addresses were also made by Deputy Chief William Herring and Battalion Chiefs Walter Mertz, Charles Errickson and Waldo Jones.
The committee included Firemen William Mountey [sic], chairman; Howard Curry, Nelson Till, William Gettner, Michael Mungoli, John Mohrfeld, Herman Dreas, John Peterson and Harry Hess.
2 Camden Veterans Get Honor Medals
Camden Courier-Post —
Two members of the Corp. Mathews-Purnell Post 518, Veterans of Foreign Wars, have received the Order of the Purple Heart, one of them with an oak leaf cluster, a special citation.
The honored men are John M. Peterson, of 1049 North Thirty-fourth street, who received the award with cluster, and Herman Dreas, of 1241 North Twenty-sixth street. Both are city firemen with Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue.
Peterson served with the First Division in France and was a private in Company D, 18th Infantry. He enlisted September 21, 1917, and was discharged September 23, 1919. He served overseas 22 months and was wounded the first time by machine gun fire in the leg July 19, 1918, in the Soissons Drive. He suffered a shrapnel wound in the right lung November 5, 1918, in the Argonne Forest.
Dreas served with Company C, 309th Infantry, 78th Division. He enlisted February 27, 1918, and was discharged January 19, 1919. He left the United States May 18, 1918 and returned Christmas Day, 1918. He was wounded October 19, 1918, by machine gun in the Argonne Forest drive.
World War II Draft Card
World War II draft registration card for John M. Peterson
Fire Department Record
Camden Fire Department record card for John M. Peterson