Joseph Bromley
JOSEPH BROMLEY was quite active in Camden politics in the 1880s and 1890s as a Republican from Camden’s Sixth Ward. He does not appear to have ever worked full-time in government, however. One of three brothers who were appointed to the Camden Fire Department, he does not appear to have served for very long. His brother Daniel Bromley was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with Engine Company 1 on April 5, 1882 and Bromley served for two years. Brother Wilson Bromley was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1884 and served until his death from injuries suffered in the line of duty in 1896. Joseph Bromley was appointed to the Fire Department in November of 1886, but does not appear to have served for any great length of time.
Joseph Bromley was born in New Jersey in March of 1851 to Joseph L. Bromley and his wife Anna Eliza. Joseph L. Bromley supported his family working as a boilermaker. The family was living in Camden’s South Ward by 1860. When the Census was taken there were four children at home, Joseph, Wilson, Daniel, and Emma. The Bromleys were still in the South Ward in April of 1870, sadly, Emma had died, but another daughter, Elizabeth, had been born around 1862.
The 1878–1879 Camden City Directory shows Joseph Bromley living with his parents and brother Daniel at 639 Spruce Street in South Camden. Brother Wilson had moved out and was living at 248 Pine Street. The 1879–1880 Directory shows Daniel Bromley living at 638 Division Street. Joseph Bromley is also listed, the directory, however, does not mention if it is the father or the son.
The 1880 Census shows Joseph Bromley working as a laborer and living with his parents and sister Elizabeth at 638 Division Street. Joseph Bromley never married and stayed with his parents through the 1900 Census. From City Directories one gathers that he generally worked as a laborer, and from newspaper articles of the day one finds that he received some part-time work distributing tax bills and as an extra man with the Fire Department. He did, however work as a laborer for Camden’s Water Department from 1888 through 1890.
City Directories through 1884 show the Bromleys at 638 Division Street. The 1883–1884 Directory shows brother Daniel Bromley at 636 Division Street and his parents at 638 Division Street. The 1884–1885 Directory shows Joseph Bromley and his parents and brother Daniel at 571 Division Street. By the next year Daniel Bromley was living at 569 Division Street, next door to his parents at 571 Division Street.
The 1887–1888 Directory shows Joseph Bromley and his parents at 827 South 6th Street. Joseph Bromley was still residing with his parents at 827 South 6th Street when the Census was taken in 1900. It appears that Daniel Bromley’s marriage had ended around 1896, and he was living with Joseph and their parents at the South 6th Street address in the intervening years. Not long after the census was taken the Bromley brothers moved to 1503 South 10th Street, the home of their sister Elizabeth and her husband Alvin Wilke. On September 1, 1904 Daniel Bromley died at home. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Joseph Bromley and the Wilkes moved to 1124 South 9th Street prior to the compilation of the 1906 City Directory. They were still there as late as 1912. By 1914 they had relocated to 1134 Princess Avenue in Camden’s Parkside neighborhood.
Joseph Bromley appears in the 1918–1919 Camden City Directory at 702 Spruce Street, working as a watchman. He does not appear in the 1920 Census and appears to have passed away.
Finance Committee Appointments
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Finance Committee of City Council last night appointed the following tax-bill distributors: Jonathan D. Watson, Joseph Sweeten, W. T. Y. Young, Asa Kirby, A. T. Githens, Joseph Bromley, W. H. Jones and Peter Custis. The bond of W. W. Morris, Superintendent of the Water Department, amounting to $5000, was approved. The Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $23,887 61.
Camden and Vicinity
Philadelphia Inquirer —
History of a Day in Our Sister City in Jersey.
In the Criminal Court yesterday before Judge Wescott George Stow was convicted of stealing a clock valued at $40 from Mrs. T. P. Stevens. The case of the State vs. Edward Mann, charged with embezzling money of the Singer Machine Company, while one of their agents, was next taken up.
Joseph Bromley, of the Sixth ward, has been appointed fireman at the City Hall by the Property Committee of City Council.
The inventory of the personal estate of the late Samuel W. Reeves, of Haddonfield, N. J., foots up $52,701.02. Among the items mentioned in the report to the Surrogate’s office yesterday were 840 shares Pennsylvania Railroad stock, 244 shares Philadelphia and Reading, 65 shares Camden and Atlantic, 60 shares Lehigh Valley, $6500 in Reading Railroad bonds, and 45 shares in the Haddonfield Turnpike Company.
The Trinity Baptist Church, of Camden, has decided by a unanimous vote to call Rev. Mr. Barber, of Newark, N. J., into the pastorate of the church. The committee of the church, consisting of Rev. T. Wilkins and George Taylor, left Camden last evening for Newark to notify Mr. Barber of the sentiment of the church.
Frank Kroce, a young farmer at Marlton, notified the authorities at the City Hall yesterday that his father had disappeared from his home. The missing man wore a pair of overalls and a knit jacket, had no money, but had a note for $150 in his pocket.
Squire Davis yesterday committed Charles Jordan to the county jail in default of bail on the charge of larceny. Jordan is charged with stealing at $14, from his employer, William Small.
Isaac Doughton and ex-member of the Board of Education William J. Browning, are both mentioned for Mr. Strailing’s vacant seat in City Council. The election will take place tomorrow night at the meeting of City Council.
It is said that the trustees of the Homeopathic Hospital are about to purchase the lot at Second and Cooper streets from the estate of the late John Rogers, for the purpose of erecting a hospital thereon. The property is said to be valued at $20,000.
The Board of Trustees will meet to-day, when the old struggle for the stewardship of the Almshouse will be taken up. Ex-Steward Haines, who was ousted by the Supreme Court, is said to have the inside track for securing the election.
A number of prominent Camden Republicans—Camden county members—E. T. Deprence, Frank Burdell, C. O. D. Joline, Morris W. Hall, Harry C. Dole, W. C. Dayton, W. J. Browning, Chris. Chew, Charles Hollinshead and Hon. E. A. Armstrong, have a movement on foot to organize a Young Republican Club, similar to the one in Philadelphia of that name. A meeting was finally yesterday held at which officers were elected. Addresses were made by Joseph Bromley and others.
United States Commissioner Cassidy yesterday committed Bernard Kohn, a cigarmaker, doing business at No. 906 Mount Vernon street, to jail in default of $1500 bail. He was charged with violating the revenue law in removing cigars without being stamped, and also selling them without being stamped.
Chips from Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Little Notes of News from Across the Matrimonial Ferry.
Mayor Pratt on Saturday imposed a fine and costs amounting to $53 upon Charles Woodward for selling liquor without a license at No. 2 South Second street, Camden. He removed to the place from Philadelphia only a few days since, having kept a sporting house on Ninth street near Vine. No defense was made to it. Woodward pleading guilty to the charge, which was made by J. V. Middleton, who had an unlicensed taking establishment next door to the saloon.
Burglars secured $50 worth of goods from the residence of William Jennings, in the Seventh ward, on Friday night. Another house near by was entered but nothing was secured.
Judge Alfred Reed reserved a decision in regard to the stewardship of the County Almshouse, after hearing argument in regard to it on Saturday.
Patrick Joy, of Gloucester City, had his shoulder broken on Saturday by being crushed between a wagon and a wall.
George Harris, of No. 543 Roberts street, fell down stairs on Saturday and broke his neck, causing instant death. He was sixty-three years old.
The Flyaway Yacht Club, of Haddonfield, left Cooper’s Point, Camden, on Saturday, for a two weeks’ cruise in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay.
Yesterday’s review and harbor cruise of the Quaker City Yacht Club, which was on the programme for Saturday, was a very informal affair, a number of the boats straggling out from their moorings at their own sweet will.
Numerous incoming trains from Atlantic City and Cape May last evening brought large numbers of visitors who were wet down on Saturday morning and were unable to return sooner. They report that men, women and children slept in bath houses and anywhere that they could get a chance, and were glad to have a roof of any kind over them.
William J. Titus, of No. 224 Arch street, engineer of the ferryboat Baltic, was severely injured fatally yesterday by jumping from a moving train at Woodbury.
It was reported to the police yesterday that a carriage and a black horse were stolen from John D. Glover, of Mount Ephraim, the night previous.
The Sixth Ward Republican Club of Camden had a flag pole raising at Sixth and Pine streets on Saturday evening. Addresses were made by Joseph Bromley and others.
Extra Tax Force Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Tax bill directors and extra clerks for the Receiver of Taxes office were appointed by the Finance Committee of Camden City Council last evening as follows: Clerks, Samuel Bennett, Charles Hollinshed, W. M. Sawyer, W. Harvey, Harry Drake, Jno. A. Collins, William Miles and William Stratton. Bill distributors, W. Whitely, James Smith, Armor Shannon, Charles Ellis, Sr., James R. Farraday, Joseph Bromley, John Price, C. W. Summers, Joseph Whittaker, A. E. Taylor, George Carpenter Conner. The City Treasurer reported a balance on hand of $109,254.22.
Sewellites Coming to Trenton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN, N. J., Jan. 12—Should the weather prove favorable Camden county will pay deserved honor to General William J. Sewell on Monday night at Trenton, after the caucus has decided upon him as the next United States Senator from New Jersey to succeed John R. McPherson. Camden is proud to have the mantle of high position placed upon the shoulders of one of her sons and will recognize it in a fitting manner by sending an organization that will reflect great credit upon the city and upon the gentleman whose name they bear. Eight special cars will leave Federal street depot Monday afternoon loaded down with members of the Sewell Association. They will be accompanied by Winkler’s celebrated Seventh Regiment and the City Bands. Upon both sides of each car long streamers bearing the name of the “W. J. Sewell Association, Camden, N. J.,” will be placed.
It is confidently expected to take at least 400 men, and this number may be increased before the start is made from the City Hall. Following are the members of the Executive Committee: W. J. Browning, George S. West, Harry C. Sharp, Walter Phillips, C. J. Mines, Jr., T. P. Varney, Charles Sayrs, J. O. Smith and Jesse Carey.
The special train will leave Camden at 3:20 P. M., and will return the same night, probably, leaving Trenton about 11:30, after the session is over.
The handsome banner presented to the association will be carried by Chief Standard-bearer Joseph Bromley, while William White, of the Fifth ward, will carry the handsome silk flag.