John Skolski

JOHN SKOLSKI was born John Edward Jaskolski on May 24, 1883 in Camden, New Jersey. He had begun using the surname Skolski by 1906 and used the Skolski surname professionally throughout his career with the Camden Police Department, during which time he was mentioned in many newspaper articles. At least two other Camden police officers of that era also changed their names for professional reasons, Clarence Bunker (Julian Clarence Bunkowski) and John Kowal (John Kowalczyk). Both Bunker and John Skolski had sons who followed the same practice, Lawrence Bunker with the Camden Fire Department and Anthony Skolski with the Camden Police.

Married to Pelagia “Polly” Stankowski around 1903, the family was living at 1003 Sycamore Street when the 1906 City Directory was compiled, and had moved to the 1100 block of South 10th Street, between Chestnut and Sycamore Streets by the time the 1910 Census was enumerated. John Skolski was working as a blacksmith, shoeing horses, in these years. He worked as machinist at Camden Forge when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. The family then lived at 785 Mount Vernon Street.

John Skolski was appointed to the Camden Police Department on January 20, 1920. Around 1923 the family moved to 1028 Liberty Street.

John Skolski was promoted to Sergeant on April 16, 1930, and to Lieutenant on March 23, 1943. He retired on pension on May 15, 1944. On September 9, 1949, while vacationing with his son Anthony in Cape May County, John Skolski died of a heart attack.

John and Polly Skolski were the parents of 17 children, 15 of whom survived to adulthood. The two who had passed died early in the marriage, prior to 1910. The surviving children were, in order of birth: Paul, Josephine, Anthony, Frances, Polly, Anna, Katherine, Elizabeth, Maria, John, Edward, Margaret, Florence, Theresa, and Loretta.

On May 16, 1937 John Skolski’s son Anthony Skolski was appointed to the Camden Police Department, where he had a long and distinguished career. By the mid-1960s he had been further promoted to Captain.

POLISH-AMERICAN CLUB REPUBLICAN CLUB ELECTS PRESIDENT

Vincent Raczykowski was elected for the third consecutive time as president of the Camden County Polish-American Republican Club at the annual meeting held in the clubhouse at Tenth and Liberty streets.

Other officers elected were: B. Bubnowski, vice president; Frank Bleja, financial secretary; A. Grzeczkowski, recording secretary; Joseph Kracvyk, treasurer; A. Pepiak, S. Sobieski and J. Szkemo, auditor; and John Skolski, usher.

Mr. Raczykowski was also named as county political leader of the Polish community. B. Derowski Sr., was named Thirteenth Ward leader; B. J. Wilinski, Seventh Ward leader, and S. Wojciechowski, Eighth Ward leader.

It is with heartfelt regret and with deepest sympathy that we offer condolences to you in this hour of bereavement. The sudden action of the Almighty in plucking this noble man from our midst has overwhelmed us with sorrow and regret that words alone cannot express. This, however, being the desire of the Lord, we feel that the benevolent performance of our beloved chief so ably executed upon this humble earth, will be amply rewarded in a celestial sphere not made by man.

“We sincerely trust, we, his brothers and friends, have lessened your grief in this, our expression, of what your faithful husband has meant to us, the members of the P. B. A. as well as yourself.

“Respectfully yours, “CLIFFORD A. FLENNARD, “President.

The resolution declares: “Whereas this local feels that it has sustained a severe loss in the passing of its greatest force for good, and Whereas we deeply deplore his passing, Be it resolved that it is the unanimous opinion of the membership of this organization that the death of Lewis H. Stehr, chief of police of the City of Camden, N. J., has caused great sorrow among us. His good deeds in life might well cause one to write a never-ending stream of eulogies but in this case we wish to call him and always think of him as a friend, a word that is applied to him whole-heartedly and in the fullest sense of the word. It is impossible to express to what extent we shall miss him but we shall always and forever remember Chief Stehr as a friend whose place made vacant by death will be very difficult to fill.

“Be it further resolved that Camden Local, No. 35, P. B. A., also wishes to extend its sympathies to Mrs. Stehr and to offer whatever assistance possible at this time of her bereavement and at any other time this organization may find it in its power to do so.

“Be it also resolved that we also extend our sympathies to his relatives and friends who are no doubt feeling his passing as deeply as we do so.”

Copies of the resolution were sent to Director of Public Safety David S. Rhone, Mrs. Stehr and the press. The resolution was passed at the regular meeting of the local yesterday.

Chief George W. Black, secretary of the International Chief of Police Association, sent his regrets and letter of condolence to Captain Arthur Colsey and asking that a floral design be sent to the funeral at the association’s expense.

Mayor Price issued the following statement: “I was very greatly shocked to learn of the death of Chief Stehr. While I understood he was in a serious physical condition, I did not anticipate his death. Chief Stehr had devoted practically his entire lifetime to the service of the city, having entered the police department in his early youth, and is entitled to the commendation of his fellow citizens for his efforts in the public service.”

Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, when apprised of the police chief’s death, said: “The news of Chief Stehr’s death was a terrible shock. I feel a personal loss, as we were close friends. I knew him since I was a young boy, and our contacts in the past two years were most pleasant.”

Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin declared: “The suddenness of the death of Chief Stehr comes as a shock to those of his friends who were wishing him well in his illness. His passing naturally causes grief to those whose work brought them into close contact with him.”

City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman said: “The passing of Chief Stehr is a great loss to the community. We were all hoping that Chief Stehr was on the road to recovery and only several days ago when I inquired at the hospital, I learned that his condition was greatly improved. His sudden passing is a terrible shock.”

SIX ARE ARRESTED FOLLOWING ‘PARTY’

Young Girls Accuse Married Man of Attacking Them in Bungalow

Three pretty girls, a married man and two youths were arrested last night on charges growing out from an extended whoopee party in a Blackwood Terrace bungalow.

Two of the girls, all of whom are related, are said to be runaways from Philadelphia. One of these and a Camden schoolgirl charge they were attacked by the married man.

The girls gave their names as: Julia Barkowski, 17, of 923 Florence Street, Camden; Mary Holod, 16, and her stepsister, Vera, also 16, both of 1325 Tyson Street, Philadelphia. Both Julia and Mary allege they were criminally assaulted early last week by Samuel Read, 31, who gave his address as 2847 Congress Road, Camden.

Linked as material witnesses in the case are John Barwick, 19, of 543 Fairview Street, and William Murdock, 19, of 548 Gordon Terrace, Camden.

According to the story gathered by Police Sergeant John Skolski and Patrolman John Larson, the three girls were strolling along Broadway on the night of October 12, when they were “picked up” by Barwick and Murdock, in an automobile. The girls related they were taken to a bungalow in Blackwood Terrace where they said they met Read. The two youths then left, they said.

The Barkowski girl and Mary Holod allege they were attacked by Read while Vera Holod told police she averted assault by fighting.

Return of the girls to the Barkowski home yesterday was followed by arrest of all six revelers. Mrs. Bertha Barkowski, mother of the Camden girl, summoned police. Read was lured to the house and placed under arrest and apprehension of the two youths was then made.

Julia was charged with being incorrigible by her mother. Police held Mary and Vera as runaways and as witnesses against Read. The Philadelphia girls are said to have been missing from home several weeks.

All are to be given hearings today before Police Judge Garfield Pancoast.

ILLNESS CAUSES SHIFTS FOR POLICE OFFICIALS

Temporary changes in the police department to offset the absence of Lieutenant George Frost, head of the First District, who is ill, and Lieutenant George Ward, of headquarters, who is away on police business, were announced yesterday by Chief Arthur Colsey.

Sgt. John Potter, of the Third District, is made acting lieutenant and placed in charge of the First. Patrolman Louis Schmidt, of the Third, replaces Potter as acting sergeant.

Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, of the Fourth District, replaces Ward at headquarters, with Sgt. John Skolski acting as lieutenant in charge of the Fourth.

Sgt. Gustav Koerner, of the Second District, who has been working in plain clothes, is to report in uniform.

Patrolman John Kowal, of the Second District, is shifted to the First district, with Patrolman William Schultz going from the First district to the Second district.