Introduction
JOHN McKAY was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 22, 1891 to Malcolm and Mary McKay. The family, which included brothers Malcolm, Thomas, and Stanley was living at 362 East Indiana Avenue in Philadelphia when the Census was taken in 1900. By 1910 they had moved to 607 Powell Street in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
John McKay married around 1916. When he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, he was living at 828 Grant Street in North Camden with his wife Rachel and son John E. McKay.
The 1918–1919 City Directory and the 1920 Census shows John McKay and family at 843 York Street. He was then working as a tank tester at one of the shipyards located in Camden. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 16, 1923. He served with Engine Company 2 as a hoseman for over twenty years.
The 1924 City Directory lists John McKay at 136 York Street. The McKays had moved to 1129 Dupont Street in Cramer Hill by 1927, and had moved to 1045 Lois Avenue by 1929. When the Census was taken in April of 1930 John McKay and his family were still living at 1045 Lois Avenue. Fire Department records from 1931 show him at 348 Hillside Avenue. The 1940 and 1943 City Directories both show the family living at 486 North 35th Street, in a house owned by brother firefighter Clarence McMullen. John McKay was transferred to Engine Company 11 on October 3, 1943.
By the time the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled John McKay and his family had moved to 557 North 34th Street. His son was still living at home, and was working as a mailman. He later moved to 1091 North Common Road in the Fairview section of Camden.
On Tuesday morning, December 16, 1952, Second District units of East Camden were dispatched to a dwelling fire. Shortly thereafter, another alarm was received for the Grace Baptist Church at 27th and Cramer Streets, just one block from the quarters of Engine 9 and Ladder 3, which was vacated by the previous alarm. First District units from center city and North Camden, normally assigned on the second alarm, were now responding first due to the church. Off duty Fire Dispatcher Rex Hurlock, who resided a few doors down from the church, saw the heavy smoke and was able to rescue an infirm 76 year-old woman from an adjoining building. First arriving units transmitted the second alarm, and Chief William Van Pfefferle shortly thereafter a third alarm. South Camden units from the 3rd District responded on the second alarm, while the original units from East Camden that were becoming available from the dwelling fire responded on the third. The blaze originated in the basement and extended upward through interior walls, venting out the roof. In the early stages of the fire, an inside odor of illuminating gas was detected and companies were withdrawn from the interior as the gas company was summoned to shut off the gas service at the street. At the height of the blaze, huge pieces of razor sharp roof slate rained down, endangering firemen. The fire destroyed most of the building including a six thousand dollar pipe organ. Estimated damage was $75,000. The church had over 600 members. The original church erected in 1890 was destroyed by fire in 1904. A new edifice completed in 1906 was also destroyed by yet another blaze in 1913. Firemen Elmer Johnson and John McKay were injured at the latest incident.
Still on active duty with the Camden Fire Department, John McKay died on February 6, 1953.
Taps Sound for Jack Airedale, Canine Mascot of Fire Laddies
Camden Courier-Post —
By BOB COLLINS
Camden firemen and policemen paid their final respects to stout-hearted Jack Airedale yesterday.
The beloved mascot of Headquarters Fire Company, Fifth and Arch streets, whose life was crushed out under the wheels of truck No. 2, his own wagon, Monday, was accorded a hero’s funeral. His body was interred in the cemetery at the rear of St. Paul’s and the First Baptist churches, close by his fire station home, and taps were sounded at 5 p. m., just as the sun was setting in the west.
People from every station of life visited the fire station to pay homage to the doughty fire-fighter, who was killed answering his last call. Senator Albert S. Woodruff, City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, Miss Florence Hughes, chairman of the Camden County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Fire Chief John S. Lennox and Deputy Chief William Hearn were among the estimated throng of 3500 who passed his bier.
Letters and telegrams of sympathy poured into the headquarters company throughout the day. There were more than 10 offers of dogs to serve as mascots and take Jack’s place. These were kindly but firmly rejected by members of the headquarters company. “There will only be one Jack,” they said. “We appreciate all these offers, but we don’t want another mascot right now.”
The funeral rites for the dog were impressive.
Active bearers included Raymond Stark, John K. Taylor and Everett Joslin, members of the Camden police department; William Spencer and John Strouss, of fire truck No. 1; John McKay, Lester Anderson and Chester Andrews, of truck No. 2.
The honorary members were Captain Van Phefferts, Russell Anderson, Harry Haines and Charles Edwards, of truck No. 1; Nelson Andrews, Christopher Moll, Arthur Batten, George Boone and Rox Abbott, of truck No. 2.
At the appointed hour a dummy alarm was sounded. Jack Airedale was carried to his favorite place on fire truck No. 2. The vehicle moved slowly along Fifth street to Federal, then to Fourth and back to Arch street. When it passed the fire station the bells in the tower tolled.
At the cemetery Jack was placed alongside his predecessors, Alva and Gimp, dogs, and Skibby and Old Black Bill, cats, who were at one time mascots at the fire station.
World War I Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD No. 26
1. Name: John McKay / Age: 25 2. Home address: 828 Grant St, Camden, N.J. 3. Date of birth: Oct 2nd 1891 4. Natural born citizen 5. Born: Phila, PA, U.S.A. 7. Occupation: Machinist 8. Employer: Industrial Mfg Co / Front & Federal Sts, Camden 9. Nearest relative: Wife and one child 10. Married, Caucasian 11. Military service: No 12. Claimed exemption: Yes — Wife & child to Support
Signed: John McKay
World War II Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD — (Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897)
Serial Number: U 1101 1. Name: JOHN McKAY 2. Place of Residence: 486 N. 35th St., Camden, Camden, New Jersey 3. Mailing Address: Same 4. Telephone: None 5. Age in Years: 50 Date of Birth: 10 / 22 / 1891 6. Place of Birth: Phila., Penna. 7. Person who will always know your address: Mrs. Rachel McKay — 486 N. 35th St. Camden N.J. 8. Employer’s Name and Address: City of Camden — Fire Dept.
Signed: John McKay
Camden Division of Fire Personnel Record
NAME: JOHN MC KAY / ENGINE CO. 11 / GROUP NO. 10-2 TITLE: HOSEMAN ADDRESS: 1091 No. Common Rd. BADGE NO. 136 BORN AT: Philadelphia, Penna. / DATE: October 22, 1891 APPOINTED: June 16, 1923 / REPORTED FOR DUTY: June 16, 1923 BLOOD TYPE: O Positive
CHECK POSITIONS THIS MEMBER IS CAPABLE OF FILLING: Acting Captain (checked)
ASSIGNMENTS: Hoseman, Engine Co. 2, June 16, 1923 to Oct. 2, 1943 Hoseman, Engine Co. 11, Oct. 3, 1943 to
Died — Feb. 6-1953