Joseph F. Swing
JOSEPH F. SWING was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 6, 1872 as Stoker with Engine Company 2 as a replacement for Barton Lane, who had been dismissed. He resigned from this position on December 2, 1872. Thomas McLaughlin was reinstated to take over his position.
Joseph F. Swing was born June 26, 1826 in Salem, New Jersey to William and Clarissa Swing. A carpenter by trade, he married Mary Sheets on September 29, 1849 in Salem. The Swings were still in Salem when the 1860 Census was taken. By then there were four children, Ellen, Mary, Celestia, and Joseph. Sarah “Sallie,” Anna, William, Albert, and Frank would follow.
The 1870 Census shows that the Swings had moved to Camden, New Jersey, and were living in the Middle Ward. Fire Department records show that the Swing family was then living at 233 Taylor Avenue. As stated above Joseph Swing served briefly with the Camden Fire Department. Besides working as a carpenter, he was active in local politics as a Democrat in the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s.
The family moved around quite a bit in the late 1870s and 1880s. City Directories give the following addresses for Joseph Swing and family: in 1878, 521 Bridge Avenue and in 1879, 3030 Arch Street. The 1880 Census shows Joseph Swing living at 328 Taylor Avenue, with the five younger children all living at home. Directories for 1882–1883 and 1883–1884 show 416 Taylor Avenue. The 1885 Directory lists 112 West Street, the 1887–1888 edition has 113 South 5th Street, and the 1888–1889 book states that the Swings were at 14 South 2nd Street.
By 1890 Joseph Swing had moved to 509 Taylor Avenue. This would remain his home until May 13, 1900 when it was destroyed in a fire that destroyed almost fifty buildings and left about forty families homeless, including the Swings. Shortly after the fire the 1900 Census was taken. The Census shows Joseph and Mary Swing at 108 West Street. Sons William and Frank lived with them, as did daughter Ellen with her husband and child.
Joseph Swing passed away on August 26, 1903 at the home of his son-in-law, 807 Kimber Street. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey.
Joseph and Mary Swing are not listed in the 1906 City Directory, however William and Frank were both living at 746 Pennsylvania Avenue. The brothers had moved to 215 Channing Terrace by 1910.
New Jersey Matters. — Fire Commissioners.
Philadelphia Public Ledger —
NEW JERSEY MATTERS.—Fire Commissioners.—The Board of Fire Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Thomas A. Wilson, President, in the chair. Chief Fire Marshal Surrait reported that he had made the following distribution of the new fire extinguishers ordered by Council: One at Paul Anderson’s, Broadway and Kalabn’s avenue; one at the office of James S. Henry, Eighth and Walnut streets; one at the store of Wm. Ross, on Central avenue, and one at the Flat Iron. The resignation of Joseph Swing, as stoker of Engine No. 2, was accepted, and Thomas McLaughlin was elected in his place. Applications were received from Wm. H. Doughten, Wm. Bassett, Charles Lawyer, Christopher Turner and E. H. Mead, asking to be appointed extra men. Applications received and filed. John Graham was appointed to fill the position of Thomas McLaughlin, made vacant by the latter’s appointment as stoker to Engine No. 2. Mr. F. W. Tarr notified the Board that the City Council had agreed to increase the salaries of engineers $5 per month; of tillermen, drivers and stokers, $7 50 per month. Adjourned.
Destructive Work of Flames in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Boys Playing With Matches Started a Big Fire
FLAMES’ WILD LEAP
Three Blocks Were Burning, When Aid Was Summoned From Philadelphia
4 ENGINES RESPONDED
Quaker City Fire Fighters Mastered the Foe and Were Heartily Cheered
ESTIMATED LOSS $225,000
Children playing with matches started a conflagration in Camden yesterday that rendered about forty families homeless and destroyed $225,000 worth of property. It was the biggest fire in the history of the city and for a time the fire almost swept through several blocks of buildings in the heart of the city. So rapid was the spread of the flames that the local Fire Department was unable to cope with the flames and called on Philadelphia engine companies across the river and it was not until four engine companies’ force was mastered, the block bounded by Taylor and Hudson street was saved from destruction.
The fire started about 3 o’clock in the rear of the Market House, the south side of Taylor avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets. Arthur Rose, 5 years old, of 425 Taylor avenue, and Thomas Pinkerton, were playing in the rear of the market house. The Delaware and Atlantic Telephone Co. used the rear of the building as a storage house for telephonic, electrical and mechanical appliances, batteries, etc. Just outside the building there were up to 200 wooden cross arms.
The lads had set fire to a string hanging out of a barrel filled with the substance. In a moment they realized a burning liquid was setting fire to the pile of cross arms and other material outside and within against the market house. Flames were leaping from the rear of the market house. When they realized the danger of the fire the boys ran at once to the nearest alarm box and sent in an alarm.
The store of George M. Beringer, northeast corner of Fifth and Arch streets, caught fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished. The building is filled with chemicals and valuable drugs.
The residents along Taylor avenue are of the poorer class and they made desperate efforts to save their possessions. Furniture was carried out and piled promiscuously in a heap on Fifth street. Much of it is so badly damaged that it is useless.
Plenty of Water
There was a scarcity of water when all the engines first started to work on the fire, but this was quickly remedied by Chief of the Water Department F. Walter Toms telephoning to the Pavonia Pumping Station and having the five-million gallon emergency pump put to work sucking water from the Delaware River and adding it to the artesian well supply. When the Philadelphia firemen found they had a pressure of from 100 to 139 pounds from a 10-inch main with five other engines taking a supply from the same source they declared they would like to have an equal force at some of the fires in their city. The flames were gotten under control about 5 45 o’clock and shortly after 7 o’clock, after they had rendered all the service possible, the Philadelphia firemen returned across the river. They were greeted with rousing cheers as they drove back to the ferry. Camden Lodge of Elks, at Broadway and Federal streets, kept open house for the firemen and the restaurants of Edward Foster and S. B. Morris furnished food to the firemen without cost.
THIEVES AT WORK.
Sneak thieves took advantage of the flight of those whose homes were being burned out and began to pillage the houses of valuables under the guise of carrying furniture out to places of safety. Mrs. Robert Wible, of No. 3 South Fifth street, reported to the police that a gold watch and three gold rings were stolen from her house. Several articles of value were carried off from other houses, but the owners could not tell what was missing until they got their goods straighten out from the pile in which they were thrown. Policeman Toy caught a man who is said to have taken a pocketbook out of Charles Foulon’s residence, at 524 Federal street.
He was locked up and gave the name of Harry A. Miller, of 235 Berkley street. When Chief of Police Foster telephoned to Philadelphia for assistance Superintendent Quirk generously offered to send a squad of policemen across the river to help the Camden blue coats protect property. While appreciating the offer Chief Foster thought the Camden policemen would be able to handle the situation.
After the flames were gotten under control Post 5, G. A. R. Hall, at Fifth street and Taylor avenue, and the old armory building, at West and Bridge avenue, were placed at the disposal of the homeless. Kind neighbors provided temporary quarters for the little ones.
During the services in North Baptist Church last evening a collection was taken for the fire sufferers that netted $110.89. John W. Cheney, C. W. Nichols and F. W. Potter were appointed a committee to distribute the money. Additional subscriptions will be received by the New Jersey Trust and Safe Deposit Company, at Third and Market streets, where Mr. Potter is paying teller.
The fire was so hot that the first line of hose run down Taylor street was burned up before a stream of water could be sent through it.
The boys who started the fire were parolled by the police in the custody of their parents. Each lad accused the other of applying the match to the string.
Joseph Swing Dead in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Joseph Swing, aged 77 years, died at the home of his son-in-law, 807 Kimber street, Camden, yesterday, from advanced age. He had been a resident of Camden for most of his life and was at one time prominent in Democratic political circles.