Joseph B. Ayres
JOSEPH B. AYRES was born in February 1862 in New Jersey. By the time the Census was taken in 1870 his mother had passed away. Joseph B. Ayres was living in Bridgeton, New Jersey with his father Enos, older sister Cornelia “Nellie,” and younger siblings Henrietta and Charles. Enos Ayres worked as a carpenter to support his family. By 1878 he had moved to Camden, taking up residence at 428 Chestnut Street, and working as a ship carpenter. The Ayres were still living at 428 Chestnut Street when the 1880 Census was taken.
When the 1882–1883 Camden City Directory was compiled the Ayres family was living at 522 Kaighn Avenue. Joseph B. Ayres was working as an oilcloth printer at the L.D. Farr oilcloth works. He stayed at that address into 1884, when he moved to 348 Sycamore Street. Joseph B. Ayres was still living at 348 Sycamore Street when the 1885 Camden City Directory was compiled. The City Directories indicate that he was working as a clerk during his time living on Sycamore Street.
Joseph B. Ayres married in 1886. He and his wife Mary were living at 512 Kaighn Avenue by the spring of 1887. Joseph B. Ayres had returned to work as an oilcloth printer. On July 1, 1890 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. His first assignment was Driver for Engine Company 1. He was later promoted to Lieutenant of Engine Company 3. By 1914 he had been promoted to Captain of Ladder Company 3 in East Camden. Joseph B. Ayres remained with the Camden Fire Department until his passing in 1925.
The Ayres family stayed at 512 Kaighn Avenue into 1899. By the spring of 1900 the family, which included sons Frank Anthony and Le Roy, had moved to 1042 South 4th Street. They stayed at this address through June of 1917. Joseph Ayres and his family moved to 1145 Langham Avenue in the Parkside section of Camden by the spring of 1918. With America at war, both sons were then serving in the Army. Le Roy Ayres was a lawyer in civilian life. Frank Antrim Ayres had been a salesman at the Munger & Long department store at Broadway and Federal Street before going into the Army. When the Census was taken in 1920, Joseph B. and Mary Ayres had moved to 1136 Princess Avenue with their son Frank. Le Roy Ayres had married and was living at 1145 Langham Avenue. Joseph B. Ayres was still living at 1136 Princess Avenue when the 1924 Camden City Directory was compiled.
Joseph B. Ayres was still serving as Captain of Engine Company 3 when he took ill in March of 1925. Captain Ayres passed away on May 24, 1925 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
Joseph B. Ayres was a member of the New Jersey Lodge of the Odd Fellows, the Camden Aerie of Eagles, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Camden Council of the North American Union.
Sixth Ward Republican Club Officers
Camden Post-Telegram —
The Sixth Ward Republican Club has elected these officers: President, David C. Vannote; vice president, Eugene B. Roberts; recording secretary, William D. Brown; financial secretary, Joseph B. Ayres; treasurer, Miles Sage.
Hook & Ladder Company 3, Hose & Chemical Company 1 & Engine Company 9
1924
Hook & Ladder Company 3: Captain Joseph B. Ayres, FF Dave Humphries, Al Dukes, John Mulligan, Bill Mountney, Bill Hopkins. Hose & Chemical Company 1: Captain Charles H. Robinson, FF William E. “Pud” Jaeckel, George Townsend, Ken Naylor, Howard Gick. Engine Company 9: Captain John H. Vickers, FF Irv Lederman, Newton Ash, Joe Gentlesk, Al Palmer
Captain Ayres Dies After Long Illness
Camden Post-Telegram —
Veterans of Fire Department Had Been in Service 35 Years
Captain Joseph B. Ayres, for 35 years a member of the Camden Fire Department, died yesterday after an illness of nine weeks from a complication of ailments. He was 63 years of age and highly esteemed not only among the fire fighters of this city, but the many fraternities to which he belonged.
He was appointed to the department in 1890, at the age of 28 years and from a hoseman advanced to driver of No. 1 Engine Company, later becoming lieutenant of No. 3 Engine Company and then Captain of No. 3 Truck Company, which he held when he died.
He was a member of New Jersey Lodge of Odd Fellows, Camden Aerie of Eagles, Knights of the Golden Eagle and Camden Council, North American Union.
A wife and two sons survive, Mary A. Ayres, Leroy and F. Antrim Ayres. Funeral services will be held from his late residence, 1136 Princess Avenue, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, attended by Chief Carter and members of the Camden Fire Department and the lodges to which he belonged. Rev. Dr. Hunt will be in charge.
Interment will be made in Harleigh Cemetery directed by Undertakers Joseph H. Murray & Son.