John Van Hart
John W. Van Hart was born in March 1864 in New Jersey to Charles P. and Hannah “Ann” Van Hart. The family, which included younger sister Anna, lived at 427 Spruce Street when the Census was taken in 1880. Charles Van Hart was then working as a laborer; young John had already begun working as a paperhanger, a trade he would follow until his appointment to the Camden Fire Department in 1899. The elder Van Hart soon went into business as a milk dealer. The family remained at 427 Spruce Street through 1882. The 1883–1884 Directories show the Van Harts at 511 Spruce Street. The family had moved to 580 Mt. Vernon Street by the time the 1884–1885 City Directory was compiled. Charles Van Hart had by then gone into business operating a grocery.
The 1887–1888 and 1888–1889 City Directories list John Van Hart living with his parents at 580 Mt. Vernon Street. John Van Hart married his Ireland-born wife Ella around 1890. The 1893–1894 City Directory shows John Van Hart at 1030 Line Street. The 1894–1895 and 1895–1896 City Directories reveal the Van Hart family at 1019 Penn Street. The 1896 City Directory lists the Van Hart family at 1022 Linden Street. The 1898 Directory shows them at 314 North 10th Street, while the 1899 Directory gives an address of 316 North 10th Street, consistent with the 1900 Census.
John Van Hart was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1899. According to the 1900 Census, John and Ella Van Hart had two children born prior to 1900; sadly, only daughter Mary E. Van Hart was alive at the time of the census. He then made his home at 316 North 10th Street in what was then Camden’s Second Ward. Not long afterward the family moved to 326 North 10th Street.
John Van Hart died on April 23, 1903 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. His widow, Ella, had moved to 1005 Penn Street by 1906.
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Councilmen From East Side Split on Selecting Appointees
There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward — Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief — Other Promotions
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.
In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Van Hart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.
In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.
In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.
Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.
Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.
The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navins, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson.
The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn hose house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.
Want to Be Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
There’ll Be Trouble in Finding Places for All Hands
To-morrow night’s session of the Fire Commissioners of Camden promises to be a lively one. Two firemen for the Second ward and four each for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards will be appointed. In the Second ward the candidates are John Van Hart, W. Scott Franklin and Edgar Bolton. Van Hart has been agreed upon by both factions. Franklin has the support of Freeholder Whyte and a large following, while Bolton is recommended by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton’s appointment was expected at the last meeting of the Commissioners. Afterwards it was found that typewritten resolutions purporting to be signed by the same committee of the Second ward club which indorsed Bolton was sent to the Commissioners prior to the meeting urging the appointment of Franklin. The resolutions had the seal of the club attached. This caused the appointment to hang fire. It is now claimed by Bolton’s friends that the club did not indorse Franklin, as he is not a member. It is alleged that the signatures purporting to be those of the committee were not authorized.
In the Eleventh ward Councilmen Longacre and Arnold have not yet settled their differences. Councilman Longacre insists on the appointment of Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark. Councilman Arnold claims the right to name Frank Powell and Lewis H. Sasse notwithstanding the fact that at a conference he agreed upon the names presented by Councilman Longacre. In the Twelfth ward Councilman Leas, the City and Ward Committeeman, and the Union Republican Club favor the naming of Samuel Collins, William Madison, John F. Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
Firemen Selected
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch’s Candidates Were Pushed to the Front
Increase in Camden Fire Department Agreed Upon After Sharp Contest
The trouble over the selection of new firemen from the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth wards of Camden was settled at an executive session of the Fire Commissioners last evening. John W. Van Hart and Edgar Bolton, backed by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill, were selected from the Second ward, and Councilman Longacre in the Eleventh ward and Councilman Leas in the Twelfth landed their candidates.
Prior to the meeting a delegation of Second ward Republicans marched to fire headquarters wearing badges inscribed, “For firemen, Second ward, John W. Van Hart and W. Scott Franklin.” The latter was a candidate against Bolton, who also had a number of friends present. There was no opposition to the appointment of Van Hart.
As the delegation crowded in on the second floor of the fire house there was a cracking noise that sounded as if the floor was giving away. This caused a rush, but the alarm soon subsided.
The Commissioners were in secret session for nearly a half hour before they finally settled the contest over the Second ward appointments. Mayor Hatch, Councilman McGill and Freeholder Whyte were each called before the Commissioners. The latter favored the appointment of Franklin. After the Second ward appointments were settled it did not take long to decide upon the new firemen from the Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Councilman Arnold, who has been opposing Councilman Longacre’s candidates in the Eleventh ward, was not present, neither was Councilman Lee, who was opposing the men backed by Councilman Leas in the Twelfth ward.
The men selected for firemen from these two wards are as follows: Eleventh ward, Robert Gich, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark; Twelfth ward, Samuel Collins, William Madison, John Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
The following were promoted to foremen: George F. Cox, foreman Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; George Wade, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; Samuel Peoples, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Charles Robinson, Chemical Engine Company No. 1; Edward Weston, Hose Company No. 1, East Side; Albert C. Jones, Hose Company No. 2, East Side.
The appointments, together with those made last Thursday evening, will be confirmed by City Council to-morrow night.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
•• The grand jury yesterday made its third presentment of thirty-one true bills.
•• The senior members of the Central Y. M. C. A. Gymnasium will give a banquet to-night.
•• A spark from a locomotive caused a fire at the home of Edward Cox, Nineteenth and Bulson streets, last night that did $200 damages.
•• Fireman John W. Van Hart was buried from his late home, 326 North Tenth street, Camden, yesterday. A battalion of firemen from the various engine houses attended the obsequies.
•• Walter Scott Miller, the negro lawyer of New Haven, Conn., convicted of forgery, was yesterday sentenced to two years in State Prison by Judge Joline in Camden. Miller is highly educated, being a graduate of Yale University.
Inspection of Camden Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Last night the Fire Committee of Camden City Council elected Harvey G. Watts, of the Second ward, a fireman, to succeed John Van Hart, who died recently. The committee decided to hold the annual inspection of the Fire Department on June 12.