Introduction
Joseph H. Murray was born in Camden on February 6, 1855 to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Murray. In the late 1880s and early 1890s he lived at 5 Hudson Street. After working for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the ticket office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Ferry, and the Camden Post-Telegram newspaper, Joseph H. Murray opened up a undertaking business in 1900.
After operating in three other locations, Joseph H. Murray finally opened his funeral home at 408 Cooper Street in Camden. He remained there until his retirement in 1929. His son, Charles T. Murray, carried the business on, as Joseph H. Murray and Son.
A devout man, Joseph Murray was a longtime member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Camden, at South 6th and Stevens Streets. At one time he was the Sunday School superintendent, and he was a director of the church for 50 years.
Joseph Murray died at home on January 13, 1939. When he died he was the oldest member of his church. His son, Charles T. Murray, was then serving as Camden County Coroner.
The Joseph H. Murray Funeral Home
410, 408, & 406 Cooper Street — The Joseph H. Murray Funeral Home. The funeral home used both 410 and 408 Cooper Street for business purposes. The photo was taken in 1978. In the 1990s, these buildings were razed to make way for the Judge Mitchell Cohen Federal Courthouse.
‘Bob’ Turner Dies; Camden Old Timer
Camden Courier-Post —
Restaurateur Passes
Picturesque Restaurant Proprietor a Figure in City’s History
ROBERT TURNER
By BEN COURTER
“Bob” Turner is dead!
A lingering illness last night claimed Camden’s most popular restaurateur, at his home, 210-212 Federal street. He was 58 and had been ill since March 1.
He died in sleep, having been in a coma for one week. At his bedside, were his widow, Mrs. Mary Turner, his daughter, Mrs. Helen Becker; his son-in-law, Patrolman Herman Becker, and a brother, Frank. Two sisters and a grandson, Robert Dean also survive.
Funeral services will be at 11 a. m. Monday at the Joseph H. Murray & Sons home, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be private. Friends will be received there Sunday night.
Robert Turner was just plain “Bob” to a great host of friends and acquaintances who had known him through the years. First his father and then he had operated the oyster “saloon” and restaurant on Federal street. It was “Bob” to many of these friends who had risen to exalted positions in life as it was to those of more humbler station who kept up their patronage with him through the more than half century the restaurant has been something of a landmark where, prior to the advent of Camden bridge, thousands passed daily to and from the ferry.
Bob’s father, Fred Turner, born in England, came to America in 1860. It was in 1886 the father started the small restaurant on Federal street just above Second. At first it was just a small front room of a very little store. Later there was a reception room and place for eating meals. With the Pennsylvania Railroad terminal, roundhouse and other departments of the West Jersey nearby it was natural the railroad men with a liking for good home cooking and especially oysters, should patronize the Turner place. In the early nineties, too, there were the young students of the new high school in the old Post-Telegram building who likewise flocked to the Turner place. Thus it became the most popular restaurant of its kind in North Camden with business constantly growing.
Took Job As Cabby
When “Bob” was a youth he obtained a temporary job as a cabby, driving a horse from the Federal street ferry to wherever the fare might happen to want to go, and sometimes it was a long trip out “in the country,” down Broadway, then Camden’s “Main street” or perhaps to Stockton Park, or even Gloucester where the ponies were then running. But the elder Turner, having close acquaintanceship with the railroaders, obtained for “Bob” a job in the freight office which he held until he concluded he had learned enough to start a career as a commission man. “Bob,” associated with his father, had learned much about oysters and shipments along with other data essential in making the venture into the commission business more or less a success.
Before the Spanish War came in 1898 the elder Turner died and “Bob” concluded to continue the business. It was still a very small venture and remained so until about twenty years ago when the patronage had grown to such an extent the little place on Federal street was entirely too small, especially at mid-day when workers went to lunch and at night after folks had left the theatre and concluded they wanted a snack before going to bed. That little restaurant is well remembered by the Camdenites of a score of years ago. Even then it was noted as a place where many of the town’s active spirits frequently met to discuss all sorts of things over a stew, a fry or whatnot.
In 1913 two of the old dwellings on Federal street were renovated and turned into the “oyster parlor” which has become known to persons throughout South Jersey. “Bob” was fortunate in having as his wife a women [sic] who realized the possibilities of the business, for after all it was Mrs. Turner who, in the early days, personally supervised all the preparations and the turning out of the finished product that brought patronage and success as a business enterprise.
‘Bob’ Widely Known
Aside from his oyster business, “Bob” Turner was one of the best known men about town and had been for a generation at least. He was actively interested in baseball and particularly in the teams which sought to stir sufficient pride hereabouts to support some sort of a league club. He also was one of the backers and supporters of basketball and later was a sponsor for the wrestling matches when few would bother about that line of sport.
When James J. Davis, now U. S. senator from Pennsylvania, came here 20 years or more ago to found Camden Lodge of Moose, “Bob” was associated with Ralph W. E. Donges, now Supreme Court Justice; William H. Ketler, city librarian; William Callingham and other leading lights of the community in getting the organization under way. It was a great night for “Bob” when Camden Lodge was started in the building at Third and Market streets. He had in later years been associated with Justice Donges as a member of the board of directors of Camden Lodge Building & Loan Association. In addition to the Moose, “Bob” also was a charter member of Camden Lodge of Elks, where he was active years ago. He likewise took a deep interest in the Eagles and was identified with other organizations.
When fortune had begun to smile “Bob” and Mrs. Turner took occasional long trips to rest up, once abroad and several times to Florida or California. Usually they spent the closed oyster season at Atlantic City.
Both Bob and his place have been unquestioned institutions about Federal street for many years and certainly without “Bob” walking along with “Hazard,” his English bull dog, and greeting acquaintances with a hearty, “Hello, Frank,” or whoever it might be — well, it will not be just like Federal street at all. Bob with his breezy, cheery, hail-fellow-well-met spirit, sure will be missed by the old-timers at least.
MURRAY REFUSES BID FOR ASSEMBLY
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Camden Coroner Says He Would Rather Have That Job
Charles T. Murray would rather be a coroner than a member of the House of Assembly from Camden county.
He made that decision when approached by both factions in the local G.O.P. fight several weeks ago, when invitations were extended to him to become an Assembly candidate at the primaries May 15.
“I told both factions that while I appreciated their offers I could not spare the time from my business to seek such a post,” Murray said.
“I had no intention of becoming a candidate for coroner again until my friends urged me to be a candidate,” added Murray who is associated with his father in the firm of Joseph H. Murray & Son at 40[3?] Cooper street.
Was Coroner in 1926
The younger Murray was a Camden county coroner from 1926 to 1928.
His designation on the ballot is “Popular Republican.” He selected that title because of the popularity with which he is held by the leaders of both factions in the Republican battle in Camden city and county.
Murray is 40 years of age, and a graduate of Cooper School and Camden High School. Next month he will observe his twenty-fifth year in business with his father. He is married, his wife being the former Emily McBurney. She is president of the Camden Young Women’s Christian Association. They have two children, Kathryn, 13 and Emily, 8. The Murray residence is at 114 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights.
Hobbies of the candidate for coroner are golf and singing. He is a member of the Tavistock Country Club and admits he consistently hits a “93” or a “94” on the home course.
Sings in Radio
He is a baritone and his voice has been heard in many entertainments and also over the radio. For the past three years he has collaborated with Charles L. Bowen in the presentation of the “Optimistic Organist” over WCAM.
One of his most ardent supporters in his fight for the nomination for coroner is Mrs. A Haines Lippincott, widely-known clubwoman and Republican leader.
Murray is also a member of the Ionic Lodge of Masons, No. 94, F. & M., the Camden Lodge of Elks No. 293, the Camden Kiwanis Club, the Penn Athletic Club and the Coporal Raymond C. Thoirs, American Legion Post. He is a past vice-commander of the Thoirs Post.
Mrs. Selina Taylor, 92, Dies; Relatives Sought
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Selina Taylor, 92, was found dead in a bed room yesterday on the, second floor of 406 Vine street, by William Pedrick. Mrs., Taylor had been living with the Pedrick family for the past four years.
Coroner Charles T. Murray issued a certificate of death due to a heart condition. Detective William Marter, investigating Mrs. Taylor’s death, said he is seeking two nieces, reported to be residents of South Camden. Marter said he did not know their names.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. tomorrow at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper street.
Joseph H. Murray, Undertaker, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Founder of Firm Succumbs at Age of 82 After Six-Week Illness
Joseph H. Murray, 82, Camden’s oldest undertaker, died yesterday in his home at 408 Cooper street, of complications. He had been ill for six weeks. Members of his family were at the bedside when he died. He was the father of Coroner Charles T. Murray.
Mr. Murray was the oldest member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He had been a member of the official board of the church for 50 years, and at one time was superintendent of the Sunday school.
Born in Camden on February 6, 1855, Mr. Murray became employed, after graduation from the Camden schools, by the Pennsylvania Railroad and later was in the ticket office at the Pennsylvania ferries.
Always deeply religious, Mr. Murray quit his post at the ferries because he felt that it was not right to work seven days a week. He then became associated with the old Camden Post-Telegram, now the Morning Post.
In 1900 he started in the undertaking business at 105 North Seventh street, later moving to 106 Broadway, then to 629 Market street and finally to the present Cooper street address, where he also made his home.
While Mr. Murray, in years gone by, had been a member of several organizations, he dropped all of those interests and centered on the one thing that was paramount in his life, his church work with the First M. E. He was well-known for his charitable work, although he did his missions of charity without any flare of publicity.
Mr. Murray retired from active business 10 years ago, and the business has since been carried on by his son, Coroner Murray, as Joseph H. Murray & Son. Coroner Murray entered his father’s business in 1912, when he graduated from school.
Mr. Murray’s father, Wesley Murray, was well known in Camden and at one time was captain of the old volunteer fire company, the Weccacoe Hose Company, which for many years had its headquarters on Arch street, east of Fifth street. That building was torn down when the present city hall was built.
In addition to Coroner Murray, Mr. Murray is survived by one other son, Carlton J. Murray, Camden florist; three daughters, Mrs. Sarah Dollar, of Camden; Mrs. Matilda Clark, of Sparrows Point, Md., and Mrs. Georgie Schwatka, of Baltimore, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr. Murray’s wife, Georgie, died 18 years ago.
Funeral services will be held privately by the family tomorrow. Rev. James S. Pemberton, pastor of the First M. E. Church, will preach the sermon. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
First Methodist Episcopal Church
First M. E. Church, CAMDEN, N. J.
[22632?]
SIDNEY P. M’CORD DIES AT READING, PA. AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Camden Courier-Post —
Lodge Rites to Be Held Here Sunday Night for Retired Comptroller
Sidney P. McCord, 75, retired Camden City comptroller, died yesterday in a Reading, Pa., hospital. He had been ill more than a year and lived on his farm at Elverson, Pa., since his retirement last May after serving the city 36 years.
Services will be held Sunday night by Camden Lodge of Elks and Ionic Lodge No. 94, FAM, in the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper street. Another service will be held Monday at Elverson where burial will take place. Mr. McCord was a member of the Last Man’s Club of the local lodge of Elks.
Mr. McCord’s four sons were with him for some days, taking turns at giving him blood transfusions. Merritt, the eldest, gave him some blood shortly before the end.
Born Aug. 14, 1869, Mr. McCord lived most of his life in Camden’s Ninth ward. His most recent home here was at 432 South Sixth street. Known as one of the outstanding [the scan does not show the next word] lic official. He ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate in the first city commission election.
Joined City Staff in 1907
Mr. McCord joined the city’s staff Nov. 25, 1907, as assistant to the late Colonel Hufty, then comptroller. He became comptroller July 1, 1911.
A widower, Mr. McCord is survived by four sons, Heber, Camden detective; Merritt, of Moorestown, with the Camden Trust Co.; Sydney P., Jr., Camden attorney, and Charles W., a teacher, of Mercersburg, Pa.; two daughters, Mrs. William Hartman, of Elverson, Pa., and Mrs. Mary Acton, of Georgia. Seven grandchildren also survive.
City Comptroller Lang, who succeeded Mr. McCord, expressed sorrow over his passing.
“During my seven years as a member of the city sinking fund commission and the five years I have had the honor to be president, I really learned what an able official and fine gentleman Mr. McCord was,” Lang said. “I also learned to appreciate his ability as a municipal comptroller. The people of Camden placed their trust in him. The city has lost a faithful public servant. I like, thousands of others, lost a dear friend.”
No city official, in the memory of many old timers, was held more in respect and esteemed by his own department employes than “Sid” McCord. Advancing years slowed his gait but mentally he continued as the alert and efficient “watchdog of the Camden City treasury.”
Mr. McCord regarded his position as a sacred trust and was justly proud of the fact that during his long regime the city never defaulted in meeting its obligations.
Even after he had waged an unsuccessful campaign for election as a city commissioner in opposition to a non-partisan group of candidates he was not relieved of his position. “Sid” McCord was never a politician and never pretended to be. He was a friend of every employe in both the old and present city halls.
Kept Sinking Fund Job
When he decided to apply for a pension he asked Mayor Brunner, director of revenue of finance, if he could retain his unsalaried job as secretary of the city sinking fund commission. Brunner granted that request.
Mr. McCord was born in Reading, Pa., and with his parents made his home here when he was six years old. When he started out to make his own living he never had any idea he would some day be considered a financial genius. He learned the trade of plasterer and worked at it for several years.
Went to Alaska
Back in 1898 Mr. McCord along with the late Edmund Pike, later to become one of the city’s best-liked policemen, started for Alaska to seek their respective pots of gold. Reaching Dawson City they staked their claims along with hundreds of other gold prospectors. Their total haul of gold netted them only $400. After that experience McCord and Pike started the long trek back to Camden.
It was Mr. McCord who tossed out the archaic municipal accounting system in use when he became comptroller and brought the system up to date, changing it from a cash to a revenue and expense basis showing how the city stands financially on any account and at any time.
Called by Death
SIDNEY P. McCORD
George Thompson
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral services for George Thompson, 40, of 535 Trenton avenue, who died in the Atlantic City Hospital Thursday of accident injuries received July 19, will be held at 1 p. m. tomorrow at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Mr. Thompson suffered a brain concussion when a car he was riding in with five other persons, overturned on Albany boulevard, Atlantic City. He was the only person seriously injured.
Mr. Thompson was the husband of Catherine Burns Thompson. Other survivors are two brothers, James D. and Tarry Thompson, of Camden, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank B. Hanna, wife of Surrogate Hana [sic], and Mrs. Robert Russell, of Trenton.
Harry F. Walton Dies from Wound
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Freeholder’s Death Pronounced Suicide; Ill Health Blamed
Former Freeholder Harry F. Walton, 52, died in Cooper Hospital last night from a self-inflicted bullet wound in the temple.
Walton shot himself at his home, 520 Bailey street, last Wednesday. Coroner Murray issued a certificate of death by suicide.
“He was melancholy over ill health,” Murray said.
Walton was the first president of the Pyne Poynt Social Club and was its treasurer at the time of his death. He was employed as a bookkeeper in the stock room of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation for nearly 25 years. Two weeks ago he suffered a nervous breakdown. He partially recovered and returned to work, relatives said. But he was again stricken.
Walton was alone in his home when he shot himself. He was unconscious when his sister, Irene M. Walton, found him. He never regained consciousness. Miss Walton found the gun beneath a radiator near his hand.
Walton became president of the social club when it was organized in 1911 at 939 North Fifth street. He served two years and became treasurer. He was custodian of the building and spent all of his leisure time there seeing to it that the younger members had a good time and maintained order.
The Pyne Poynt Athletic Association, of which he was financial secretary for years, met in the same building. His father, the late Franklin M. Walton, was one of the organizers of the athletic association 40 years ago.
Walton was elected in 1925 as Tenth ward freeholder and served three years. He was born in Philadelphia and when he was a boy his parents moved here. His mother, Mrs. Mary G. Walton, died six months ago. A brother, William, of 633 Pearl street, and his sister are the only other survivors.
Services will be held at 11 a. m., Wednesday at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Albion R. Lane Dies, Retired Egg Dealer
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for Albion R. Lane, 76, veteran butter and egg dealer of Camden and Collingswood, will be held Saturday at 1 p. m. at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. Mr. Lane died yesterday at the home of a son, Forrest F., 2776 Congress road.
Mr. Lane established his business at Third and Senate streets in 1888 and continued to conduct wholesale and retail service until 15 years ago when he retired and turned the business over to two sons, Forrest and Robert H. The latter continues to conduct the business at his father’s former home, 100 East Wayne terrace, Collingswood.
Mr. Lane was an independent candidate for Camden City Council in 1900. He was the nephew of the late James Lane, former president of council. Mrs. Lane, the former Nevada French, died several years ago.