John W. Streeper
John W. Streeper was born in Pennsylvania on July 31, 1845 to William Streeper and his wife, the former Mary Ann Woolman. The 1850 Census shows that the family moved to New Jersey shortly after his birth, and that by 1850 were living in what was then Newton Township. The 1860 Census shows the Streeper family living in Newton Township, and being served by the Haddonfield post office. Newton Township in those times was quite large, and it is likely that the Streepers were living inside the present boundaries of Camden or nearby. At the time of the Census there were eight children at home between the ages of 20 and eight months, John W. Streeper being the third oldest. William Streeper was a shoemaker by trade. Two doors away from the Streepers lived a widow, Elizabeth Edwards and her sons Henry and John C. Edwards. Both John W. Streeper and John C. Edwards would serve as members of the Camden Fire Department as adults.
John W. Streeper enlisted as a private in Company H of the Fourth New Jersey Infantry Regiment on February 1, 1864. The Fourth New Jersey went into service in 1861 as a three-years’ enlistment regiment and had seen considerable service in 1862. During 1863 the regiment was on provost duty in and about Washington. The regiment was back in the line again in time for the spring campaign of 1864. At the battle of the Wilderness the First, Fourth and Tenth regiments, lying on the left, were several times attacked with great ferocity by the Confederates, but at nightfall still held substantially the ground occupied by them in the morning—a heavy assault by the Confederate General Gordon just at dusk being repulsed with heroic Gallantry. Among the wounded in that engagement was Lieutenant Colonel Van Syckel of the Fourth. At the battle of Spottsylvania the regiment participated in the charge upon the “bloody angle,” winning its share of the glory and sustaining its share of casualties. During the first eleven days of Grant’s campaign against Richmond the regiment lost 26 killed, 126 wounded and 42 missing. The 4th fought at the North Anna river, Hanover Court House, Totopotomoy Creek, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Snicker’s Gap, Strasburg, Winchester and Charlestown. At the battle of the Opequan the Fourth was with the troops that pressed forward, swept up the opposite hill and forced back the Confederate line, obtaining permanent possession of the hill and holding it, though constantly exposed to a fire which inflicted severe loss, the 4th having 2 killed, 18 wounded and 1 missing. At Fisher’s Hill a private of the Fourth named Beach compelled a Confederate lieutenant-colonel to surrender his sword, and there were other instances of daring no less noteworthy. After Lee’s surrender the regiment was assigned to what was known as the provisional corps, Army of the Potomac, until mustered out on July 9, 1865. The total strength of the regiment was 2,036, and it lost during service 29 by resignation, 319 by discharge, 83 by promotion, 81 by transfer, 257 by death, 372 by desertion, 3 by dismissal, 109 not accounted for, mustered out 783.
Private Streeper mustered out of Company H, Fourth New Jersey Infantry at Bristol Pennsylvania on June 28, 1865. Several other Fourth Infantry veterans later served with the Camden Fire Department and others played significant roles in Camden in the ensuing years.
In April of 1866, John W. Streeper’s sister Emma married Alfred Ivins. Both Streeper and Ivins, as well as William Gleason and Barton Lane, who both were married to Ivins’ sisters, would serve with the Camden Fire Department in the 1870s. The 1870 Census indicates that John W. Streeper had married in during the previous decade, and that his wife Hannah had given birth to a daughter, Mary J. Streeper, two months prior to the census being taken on July 8. John W. Streeper was then working as an iron moulder, he also worked as an engineer, i.e., as an operator of steam powered equipment, in the 1870s.
On November 2, 1872 John W. Streeper was appointed as an extra men with the Camden Fire Department as a replacement for Theodore Verlander, who was dismissed on October 25 from service with the Hook & Ladder Company. He served with the Hook & Ladder Company until May of 1874 when he and nine other men were removed from service form the Fire Department. During these years, he and brother firefighter John Vanstavern were next door neighbors, Vanstavern living at 647 John Street and John Streeper at 649. Three other Camden Fire Department members lived on John Street in those years, James M. Lane at 644 John Street, William Gleason at 646 John Street, and Isaac Randolph at 607. John Street was renamed Locust Street several years later.
John Streeper moved to 515 Division Street prior to the compilation of the 1878 Camden City Directory and again prior to 1879’s edition, this time to 225 Senate Street. He was working as an iron moulder in both years. The 1880 Census shows John Streeper and his family at 525 Spruce Street in what was then Camden’s Sixth Ward. John W. Streeper was working as a planer in a sawmill. His daughter Mary J. Streeper had not survived, but the family had been blessed with two sons, William and Edward. In April of 1880 John Streeper’s bond was accepted by Camden’s City Council in order that he begin work as a constable in the Sixth Ward.
John Streeper and his family lived at 525 Spruce Street into 1883, and he continued work as a city constable. Beginning in 1884 John Streeper began work as a member of Camden’s police department. The family resided at 530 Division Street from 1884 through 1887, then moved to 526 Division Street, where they resided through 1894. The 1894 City Directory indicates that John Streeper had left the Camden Police Department. By 1896 he had moved to 332 Clinton Street was living with his sister Emma and her husband, Alfred Ivins. John Streeper is listed in the 1896 Camden City Directory as a watchman, and as a “special officer” in the directories from 1897, 1898, and 1899.
When the 1900 Census was taken on June 11 of that year, John W. Streeper was by then a widower. He was still living with his sister Emma and her husband, Alfred Ivins, at 332 Clinton Street. John W. Streeper was not working when the Census was taken. He passed away on July 27, 1902 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden.
Over the River.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden City Council—An adjourned meeting of Camden City Council was held yesterday afternoon at half past four o’clock for the purpose of acting on and disposing of miscellaneous business, President Abels in the chair. On roll call nineteen members answered to their names.
Deborah Clark presented a petition asking Council to indemnify her for expenses incurred in consequence of having taken care of a woman in destitute and needy circumstances, committed to her charge by Overseer of the Poor Gordon two years ago. The petition for relief came through James M. Cassady, who stated that application had been made to the Board of Freeholders, but that body referred it back to Councils, which was the proper authority to settle her claim. Referred to the Poor Committee, with power to act.
A petition was presented memorializing Council to authorize the erection of a frame building on a lot owned by Messrs. Furbush & Son, by the Providence Steam and Gas Company, in which to test their improved fire extinguishing apparatus. In compliance with the request an ordinance was also introduced, the rules suspended, and it was passed, granting the request of the petitioners.
Mr. Michellon, chairman of the Finance Committee, reported having examined the bonds of George M. Thrasher, receiver of taxes; F. F. Michellon, city clerk, as being satisfactory; also of Elmer Barr, Lewis Hendrickson, H. H. Franks, T. F. Muckleson, P. Gallagher, John W. Steeper [sic], William Fusman and Thos Bunting, constables, as being in conformity with law, and they were accepted.
Over the River.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fishing Nets to be Sold—Before Justices Cassady and Ayers yesterday morning a man named Bernard T. Parsons claimed to be the owner of a boat and fishing net captured on Saturday night by Officers Gallagher, Barr, Franks and Streeper, for violation of the fishing laws. He refused to pay the penalty, and the justices ordered the captured articles to be sold. The men employed by Fish Warden Orr captured another seine in the same vicinity, and last evening it was also ordered to be sold. Beyond the mouth of Cooper’s creek an encounter took place between the river patrolmen who captured the first net and several men whom they found fishing with a gill net, in which Constable Streeper was thrown overboard. While his companions were rescuing him the fishermen made their escape.
Over the River
Philadelphia Inquirer —
On Tuesday night a child, apparently about three weeks old, was left on the doorsteps of the residence of Chief of Police Josiah Matlack, No. 935 South Fifth street, Camden. It was given in charge of Constable Streeper, who conveyed it to the almshouse.
What was thought to be a mysterious disappearance in the case of Sadie Hammell, thirteen years of age, who left the E. A. Stevens Grammar School on Tuesday morning, has since been explained. Her father, Horace Hammell, was sentenced in April last to ten years in the penitentiary. During the time he was in prison his daughter lived with her stepmother, his second wife. Two weeks ago he was pardoned, and went to live with some relatives at Mount Ephraim, not far from Camden. He wished to obtain possession of his child, so her aunt, the sister of his first wife, induced her to come with her to the house where her father is. She is there now with him.
A young lad, aged about twelve years, named Henry Bakeman, whose parents reside at No. 24 York street, Cooper’s Point, fell on the icy pavement, and was seriously injured on his head and one of his arms.
William Sheldon, brother of Mr. Sheldon, reporter of the Camden Post, died at his residence, Sixth and Vine streets, Cooper’s Point, on Tuesday night, from the effects of falling from a scaffold at Lenni, Pa., a few weeks ago. His injuries were such that he was taken to the Pennsylvania Hospital, where his leg was taken off, after which he began to fail until death ensued.
During the past week about twenty-six cases of diphtheria have been reported by Camden physicians to the city clerk, in compliance with the law; but it is believed that a large number of other cases have not been so reported. The inspector of the Board of Health, W. H. Shearman, intimates that he will institute proceedings against physicians who thus neglect making their proper returns.
Yesterday afternoon and evening the Camden District M. E. Convention was held in the Third Street M. E. Church, at which the usual business was disposed of. Rev. Dr. Graw, presiding elder of the district, presided. A missionary address was delivered by Rev. Charles H. Fowler, LL. D. To-day, at half-past nine in the morning, the convention will open with devotional exercises; at ten a paper on class and prayer meetings will be read by Rev. J. S. Gaskill; at a quarter past eleven another paper on the work of Sunday schools will be read by Rev. J. A. Dilks, A. M. In the afternoon the exercises will consist of devotion, continuation of Sunday schools, church finances and the relations of temperance to the church. In the evening Rev. J. E. Adams and others will address the convention at the Fifth Street Church, on missionary subjects.
The various churches which usually are decorated on the Christmas holidays, in Camden, are being trimmed and festooned with evergreens. Arrangements are also being made to give interesting ceremonies during the religious observances.
Policy Shop Raided on Joint Alley
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Yesterday afternoon information was lodged at police headquarters in Camden that a policy shop was being carried on in Joint alley, below Fourth street. The informant was told to furnish sufficient proof, when an arrest would be made. The man at once went to the place and bought six pieces, and when they were taken to police headquarters Chief of Police Matlack, Lieutenant Kelly and Officers Peterson and John Streeper made a raid on the house at about eight o’clock in the evening, when John W. Baynard, colored, the proprietor of the house; George M. Johnson, colored, the policy writer, and Benjamin Stone, white, a player, were arrested, the latter being detained as a witness. There were also taken drawings of August 7, and of several days, a manifold book, used in writing the pieces, and a small amount in cash. The men will have a hearing before the Mayor to-day.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Items of Interest in the City Across the Delaware.
John Harris, a deck hand on the excursion steamer Republic, attempted suicide on Tuesday night by jumping from one of the Federal street ferry boats as it lay in the dock. He was taken in charge by Policeman Streeper.
The resignations of Policemen Abraham Bradshaw and William Jones take effect to-day. Harry Miller and Thomas Walton have been appointed as their successors.
Walton and Miller Appointed Policemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John Harris, a deck hand on the excursion steamer Republic, attempted suicide on Tuesday night by jumping from one of the Federal street ferry boats as it lay in the dock. He was taken in charge by Policeman Streoper.
The resignations of Policemen Abraham Bradshaw and William Jones take effect to-day. Harry Miller and Thomas Walton have been appointed as their successors.
George Hunsingor, residing at No. 34[?] Pine Street, Camden, was yesterday held in $200 ball [sic] for assault and battery on his wife.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Thomas Griffee, a fugitive from justice, was arrested on a bench warrant by Policeman Streeper on Saturday. He is charged with larceny.
His New Wife Found Him Out
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Bride of Two Weeks Discovers That Her Husband Is a Bigamist.
It has just been eleven months ago since Lewis K. Robinson, a real estate agent of Philadelphia, became acquainted with pretty Maggie Morris, of 426 Pine street, who has seen twenty-three blooming summers. To-day Lewis languishes in the city jail on the charge of bigamy. Their acquaintance ripened into friendship and from that to love, and on the second day of the present month they were married by the Rev. Isaac Bagley, of the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Friday Mrs. Robinson No. 2 became aware of the fact that her gay lord had another wife living in Philadelphia. Saturday she confirmed the information and the result was that when Robinson returned to his Camden home that evening he was arrested by Policeman Streeper, of the Sixth ward. Robinson, when seen in his cell by an Inquirer reporter last night, first denied being previously married, but afterward admitted it and said he was expecting a divorce every day.
A Negro on the Warpath
Philadelphia Inquirer —
William Thomas, alias King, is known among all of the tough colored element of the Fifth ward. Late on Saturday he started out to “do up” every person who ventured to come within the vicinity of Third and Spruce streets. His first move was to draw a revolver and tell Mary Blee, an old female companion, that he was going to kill her. Mary succeeded in escaping.
He then went into the saloon of John Jennings and called for a drink. The saloonkeeper refused him, whereupon he picked up glasses and bottles and flung them at his head and finally compelled him to rush into the street for safety. Policeman Streeper was summoned and was about to take the prisoner to the patrol box when he picked up a cobble stone and hit the officer a terrible blow in the back. He was sent to jail by the Mayor yesterday in default of $1,500 bail.
A Camden Den Raided
Philadelphia Inquirer —
PLENTY OF LIQUOR AND A FARO LAY-OUT SECURED BY THE POLICE.
A Murderous Negro Creates a Commotion—Incendiaries at Work—Other News Across the Delaware.
The Camden police made another raid early yesterday morning. About 1 o’clock a detail consisting of Officers Pederick, Lee, Anderson, Horner, Baker and Chief Dodd raided a “speak-easy” and gambling den in a boathouse at the end of North Second street. When the policemen arrived a quiet little game of faro was in progress in the second story.
The proprietor, William Parker, Maurice Hinchman, Charles Mead and Mabel Gray were captured and taken to the City Hall. Sixteen boxes of beer, three gallons of whisky and a home-made faro lay-out were also captured. All of the men arrested were released yesterday but Parker, who was held on the charge of keeping a disorderly house and selling liquor without a license.
A funny incident occurred after the raid had been made. While the patrol was making its first trip to the City Hall previous to the removal of the liquor and gambling implements, Officer Pederick was detailed to watch the place. The policeman had only been in charge a few moments when a gang of men came in and called for a drink. “I can’t sell you anything,” said Pederick. “Why?” asked one of the thirsty men. “I got no license,” answered the officer. “That’s all right; Billy had no license, but we got the ‘booz’ just the same,” said one of the would-be purchasers. Pederick pulled back the flap of his coat and showed them his star. The thirsty men made a hasty retreat.
A Negro on the Warpath
William Thomas, alias King, is known among all of the tough colored element of the Fifth ward. Late on Saturday he started out to “do up” every person who ventured to come within the vicinity of Third and Spruce streets. His first move was to draw a revolver and tell Mary Blee, an old female companion, that he was going to kill her. Mary succeeded in escaping.
He then went into the saloon of John Jennings and called for a drink. The saloonkeeper refused him, whereupon he picked up glasses and bottles and flung them at his head and finally compelled him to rush into the street for safety. Policeman Streeper was summoned and was about to take the prisoner to the patrol box when he picked up a cobble stone and hit the officer a terrible blow in the back. He was sent to jail by the Mayor yesterday in default of $1,500 bail.
Tried to Burn the Building
While Policeman Harvey was patrolling his beat about twenty minutes of 4 o’clock yesterday morning, he noticed a man coming out of the butcher establishment of Samuel K. Hires, on Kaighn avenue above Third street. He paid little attention to the man, as it is usual for men to work there all night. A few minutes later the entire building was discovered enveloped in a mass of flames. The mysterious man, who had only a few minutes previous left, had been an incendiary and had smeared lard over the floors and then set it on fire. The Fire Department saved the building.
Brief ‘Cross River Notes
Eva Butts, alias “Siss,” Mary Dingle, Emma Adams and Anna Brady were arrested by Officer Butts early yesterday morning on the charge of keeping a disorderly house on Mount Ephraim avenue, between Chestnut and Sycamore streets. They are held for a further hearing.
Jacob Welsh, aged 17 years, living in South Camden, got into an altercation with his brother yesterday, when he nearly bit his finger off. He is locked up at the City Hall.
While intoxicated Frank Wilson, a Philadelphian, got into a fight at Haddonfield yesterday morning. During the fracas he was cut in the face and eye with a razor.
Thirty-six arrests were made in Camden during Saturday night and yesterday.
Contractor Aaron Ward yesterday completed the big sewer on Sixth street, when he built the last part under the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks.
Kate Manning, of Stockton township, was committed in default of ball [sic] for a further hearing by Justice Hope yesterday, for assault on Andrew Mullin. Mullin states that the woman had been drinking, and threw a stick of wood at him, and when he remonstrated with her she drew a knife from under her dress, and cut him in the head with it. The woman denied having a knife in her possession, and stated that she only pushed the man for having made an insulting remark to her.
Ex-Policeman John Streeper Dead
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John Streeper, an ex-policeman, constable and game warden, died at his home, Fourth and Clinton streets, Camden, yesterday, from bronchitis.