John T. Clemmens
John T. Clemmens
JOHN T. CLEMMENS was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1908 to John and Lillian Clemmens. The 1920 Census found the Clemmens family, which included sisters May, Winifred, Ruth, and Dorothy, living in Laurel Springs, New Jersey. The elder Clemmens worked as a shipyard inspector.
John T. Clemmens wed at an early age. When the Census was taken in April of 1930 he was living with his wife Bertha and son John in Audubon, New Jersey. He was then working as a bread salesman.
John T. Clemmens was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on September 10, 1941. He reported for duty at Engine Company 10 on September 16; however, on September 22 he was reassigned to Engine Company 9 in East Camden. On October 1, 1944 he was transferred to Ladder Company 3, which operated then as today out of the firehouse at Federal and North 27th Street. On September 22, 1946 he was again transferred, this time to Engine Company 11 in Cramer Hill, where he spent the rest of his career.
The 1947 Camden City Directory shows John and Bertha Clemmens living at 360 South 27th Street in East Camden. By 1956 they had moved to 933 North 36th Street in Cramer Hill.
John T. Clemmens retired on pension on February 1, 1965. As he is not listed in the 1970 and 1977 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directories, it would appear that he moved away from Camden after his retirement.
Last a resident of Voorhees Township, New Jersey, he passed away on June 18, 1985, survived by his wife and son. Bertha Clemmens joined her husband in 1996.
Camden Fire Department Personnel Record
NAME: Clemmens, John T. — ENG CO. 11 — GROUP NO. 1
TITLE: Fireman ADDRESS: 933 N. 36th St BADGE NO. 125
BORN AT: Philadelphia, Penna. DATE: May 21, 1908
BLOOD TYPE: A Positive
APPOINTED: September 10, 1941 REPORTED FOR DUTY: September 16, 1941
ASSIGNMENTS: 9/16/41 - #10 Engine Co. 9/22/41 - #9 Engine Co. 10/1/44 - #3 Truck Co. 9/22/46 - #11 Engine Co.
Pension 2/1/65 Deceased 6/18/85
First Annual Retirement Dinner
City of Camden Fire Department
TUESDAY MAY 3, 1966
6:30 P. M.
SCHILLIG’S BLACK HORSE FARMS
MT. EPHRAIM
Sponsored by
CAMDEN FIRE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Program
Toastmaster
CHARLES B. GINDELE
Captain Philadelphia Fire Department
Guest Speakers
HON. WILLIAM T. CAHILL
U. S. Congressman
HON. ALFRED R. PIERCE
Mayor, City of Camden
KEITH KAUFFMAN
Director of Public Safety
EDWARD V. MICHALAK
Chief, Division of Fire
Chaplain
REV. W. A. GWYNNE
Volunteers of America
In Memoriam
E. R. MacDOWELL
Chief of Department
HOWARD W. WAYS
#8 Engine Company
There is no death! The stars go down
To rise upon some other shore,
And bright in Heaven’s jeweled crown,
They shine forevermore.
And ever near us, though unseen,
The dear, immortal spirits tread—
For all the boundless universe
Is Life—there are no dead!
Thanks!
This program made possible through the generous donations of:
AMERICAN LA FRANCE CO.
ARTHUR C. CASKEY
189 Lawnside Ave., Collingswood, N. J. 858-0085
LOUIS PORTER CO.
NAT ALEXANDER CO.
Firemen’s Prayer
By JAMES J. METCALFE
When I am called to duty, God . . . Wherever flames may rage . . . Give me the strength to save some life . . . Whatever be its age . . . Help me embrace a little child . . . Before it is too late . . . Or save an older person from . . . The horror of that fate . . . Enable me to be alert . . . And hear the weakest shout . . . And quickly and efficiently . . . To put the fire out . . . I want to fill my calling and . . . To give the best in me . . . To guard my every neighbor and . . . Protect his property . . . And if according to Your will . . . I have to lose my life . . . Please bless with Your protecting hand . . . My children and my wife.
GEORGE L. BOONE, Captain
Entered Department December 22, 1930
Promoted to Captain April 8, 1948
Retired December 1, 1965
35 Years of Service
ISAAC MUNS
Entered Department April 12, 1956
Retired October 1, 1965
9 Years Service
JOHN C. VOLL
Entered Department January 15, 1925
Retired December 1, 1965
40 Years Service
JOHN T. CLEMMENS
Entered Department September 10, 1941
Retired January 1, 1965
25 Years Service
HARRISON B. PIKE
Entered Department May 29, 1924
Retired August 1, 1965
41 Years Service
ALBERT A. WELLER, Captain
Entered Department November 21, 1938
Promoted to Captain June 16, 1951
Retired May 1, 1965
27 Years Service
AUSTIN E. MARKS, District Chief
Entered Department November 25, 1938
Promoted to Captain April 8, 1948
Promoted to District Chief November 1, 1953
Retired August 1, 1965
27 Years Service
EDWARD Y. SCOTT
Entered Department November 17, 1938
Retired February 1, 1965
27 Years Service
JOHN W. YATES
Entered Department February 1, 1930
Retired May 1, 1965
35 Years Service