Introduction
JOSEPH A. WARE was born in 1878 to Emma and James Ware Jr. and lived for most of his life in Camden’s old Eighth Ward. In his early years his family lived near South 7th Street and Ferry Avenue. His father worked a number of jobs, but it seems his primary occupation in the 1880s was politics. The 1887 City Directory states that he was working as a chemist. Camden City Directories show the Ware family at 1713 South 6th Street in Camden’s Eighth Ward as early as 1888. Politically active, James Ware Jr. was then working as the Superintendent of Camden Cemetery, which is known today as Old Camden Cemetery. In 1888 he was elected to the Board of Education, and was active politically through at least 1892, when his wife Emma died. James Ware Jr. was appointed to the Camden policeman in 1898, was on the force as an inspector in 1910. James Ware Jr. retired on May of 1914. james ware jr.’s brother, John A. Ware, was a Camden firefighter. He served with Engine Company 3 from 1890 through 1904.
Joseph A. Ware married around 1902. He was still living at 1713 South 6th Street with his wife, also named Harriet, and son James when the 1906 Camden City Directory was compiled. His father was still with the Camden Police Department.
By 1910 Joseph A. Ware and family had moved around the corner to 1709 Fillmore Street. Joseph A. Ware was then working as a timekeeper. His father, James Ware Jr., still had a lot of influence in local politics, and shortly after the 1920 Census was taken Joseph A. Ware was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 15, 1912.
When the City Directory for 1914–1915 was compiled, Joseph A. Ware and his wife Harriet were still living at 1709 Fillmore Street. By this time he was serving as a member of the Camden Fire Department, attached to Engine Company 1.
Less than six weeks after his father filed his retirement papers, tragedy overtook the Ware family on June 6, 1914. During a working fire at Locust and Spruce Streets, Fireman Ware was seriously injured. While cranking the apparatus motor on Engine 3, the crank slipped, striking him in the face. As a result of the injury, Fireman Ware was blind and paralyzed. Complications set in, and Fireman Ware passed away on July 21, 1914.
Survived by his wife and son, Joseph A. Ware was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden. He was also survived by his father, stepmother Harriet F. Ware, siblings and step-siblings.
Census Enumerators Are Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
On recommendation of Senator William J. Bradley, of Camden, the following were yesterday appointed supervisors and enumerators for the taking of the state census in Camden county under the recent act of the Legislature:
Camden—Supervisor, A. A. Holt; enumerators, First ward, Samuel Bennett, W. W. Garrigues; Second ward, Edmund Robinson, John H. Watson; Third ward, Samuel D. Gleason, Howard S. Roberts; Fourth ward, Clarence Loomis, Charles Thompson; Fifth ward, W. W. Harvey, Jr., George Steinford; Sixth ward, Frank Fenner, George Chew; Seventh ward, Harry Peters, Cronislaus Cinkoski; Eighth ward, Joseph Ware, Isaiah Holden; Ninth ward, Harry A. Goodman, William Harris; Tenth ward, Charles Shoemaker, Daniel R. Smith; Eleventh ward, G. W. Marple, William Meyers; Twelfth ward, Frank H. Brown, Horatio Sewell. Gloucester City—Supervisor,
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
As Edward Corbett was leaving the county jail yesterday he was arrested by Constable White on a charge of attacking Joseph Ware, an Eighth ward election officer, last Tuesday. Corbett was taken before Justice Rouh, who held him in $500 bail for court.
Two Persons Injured in Auto Accidents
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fireman Joseph Ware, aged 36 years, of 1709 Filmore street, after responding to an alarm of fire at Locust and Pine streets, prepared to leave with the auto apparatus. He was busy cranking the machine when the handle slipped out of his grasp. The next moment he was knocked unconscious when he was struck in the face. At Cooper Hospital it was found he had a fractured nose and lacerations.
Operation to Restore Fireman's Mentality
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Doctors at Cooper Hospital, Camden, will perform a delicate operation on Fireman Joseph Ware in an effort to restore his mentality, which became affected after he was struck in the face by the crank handle of an auto fire engine.
It was at first thought that only the nasal bones were broken, but when the sufferer’s reason began to weaken the surgeons concluded that a piece of fractured bone is pressing against the brain. Fellow-firemen are on guard at Ware’s bedside.
Fireman Joseph Ware Dies
Philadelphia Inquirer —
As a result of being struck in the face by an automobile crank on June 6, Fireman Joseph Ware, son of Policeman James Ware, died yesterday at his home at 1709 Fillmore street, Camden. He is survived by a wife and a young child. Ware was a member of No. 1 Engine Company and he operated the battalion chief’s auto. After going to a fire at Locust and Pine streets he was cranking the machine when the handle slipped and he was struck in the face. The facial bones were crushed.
Firemen Honor Dead Comrade
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With a guard of honor composed of forty fellow firemen and his body reposing on the combination fire apparatus, the funeral of Fireman Joseph A. Ware, of No. 1 Engine Company, Camden, was held yesterday, interment being in New Camden Cemetery. The services were conducted at the Church of Our Saviour by Rev. Martin Stockett. The pallbearers were Ware’s comrades of the engine company and included Lieutenant Charles Cook, Richard Marter, James Navin, Louis Shaw, Spencer Smith and Alfred Hayden. Ware had his face crushed in on June 6 when the crank of the battalion chief’s auto struck him. He became blind and paralyzed.