Joseph Maxwell
JOSEPH MAXWELL was born in Philadelphia on December 10, 1860, and was living and working in Camden as a teamster as early as 1878. He married around 1883 and was living at 206 Arch Street when wife Katherine bore a son, Warren, in 1884. Another son, Harry Borton Maxwell was born on December 7, 1888. Three more children followed, Elsie, Helen, and Frank.
The family had moved to 325 Cedar Street when the 1887 City Directory was compiled, and remained at that address through 1891. Joseph Maxwell was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in the spring of 1890 as an extra man. At some point after the compilation of the 1891–1892 City Directory and the 1894 City Directory Joseph Maxwell and his family moved to 313 Cedar Street.
On April 2, 1892 Joseph Maxwell was appointed as a hoseman with Engine Company 2, stationed at Fire Headquarters, North 5th and Arch Streets. He came to the attention of Samuel Elfreth, the Chief of the Camden Fire Department. By the time the 1895 Directory was compiled, Joseph Maxwell was working as Chief Elfreth’s driver, and the Maxwell family had moved to 27 North 2nd Street, where they lived through 1899.
When the Town of Stockton merged with Camden in 1899, the volunteer fire companies of Stockton remained active for several months. On June 25, 1899 the Stockton companies rendered assistance to the Camden Fire Department when the Moro Phillips Chemical Company factory at North Twelfth Street at Linden Street was struck by fire, resulting in $60,000 worth of damage and injury to three Camden firefighters, Joseph Maxwell, David Andrews, and William Hertline.
The Maxwell family moved to 205 Stevens Street in late 1899 or early 1900. By 1906 they relocated to 221 Market Street, and moved once again by the summer of 1910, to 620 North 3rd Street where they lived into the 1920s.
Joseph Maxwell was promoted to Captain and transferred from Engine Company 2 to Ladder Company 1 on June 19, 1911, replacing Peter Carter, who had been transferred to Engine Company 1.
About 5:20 A.M. on July 20, 1912, two watchmen discovered a fire at the Graves paper box factory at Twelfth and Linden Streets, North Camden. The fire extended to an adjoining three-story paint factory. Chief Elfreth and his men encountered formidable obstacles as burning oil floated on top of the water along the Cooper River. Fireman Joseph Maxwell of Hook & Ladder Company 1 suffered serious smoke inhalation but refused to abandon his position. Only the north wall of the paint factory remained standing after the flames were darkened. The cause of the fire was determined to be spontaneous combustion in the paper box factory. The resulting fire loss was $50,000.
Sadly, Mrs. Kate Maxwell died in December of 1915.
Something akin to a miracle occurred on the frigid night of January 11, 1916 at the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State Streets, North Camden. At 10 P.M., three alarms were transmitted in rapid succession for a serious fire involving the main auditorium of the church. Heavy fire conditions extended to destroy the roof, the organ loft, the altar, Sunday School classrooms, and the entire pew area throughout the auditorium. When the blaze was finally extinguished, all that remained standing were four granite walls. On the south side of the building along State Street, was a magnificent stained glass window of gigantic proportion depicting Christ breaking bread with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus. The window had inexplicably withstood the flames and heat. The scene from the life of Christ was not blistered, scorched or marred in anyway. It has never been retouched and still stands as a miracle, surviving one of the most disastrous church fires in City history. Chief of Department Peter Carter was injured at this incident when he fell through a passageway between the auditorium and the school building. He was hospitalized for several weeks. Captain Joseph Maxwell and Fireman Steward Bakley of Hook & Ladder Company 1, Fireman John Hunt of Engine Company 3, and Fireman William McCauley of Chemical Company 1 were injured when the church roof collapsed on them. Under heavy smoke conditions and following some difficulty, the members were able to extricate themselves, three of them safely. Captain Maxwell was admitted to the hospital for a brief stay.
Joseph Maxwell passed away in September of 1917, at the age of 56.
Not long after, Joseph Maxwell’s son Harry B. Maxwell was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, along with his son-in-law, William Van Pfefferle, the husband of his daughter Elsie.
Harry B. Maxwell was still with the Fire Department as late as April of 1942. When the 1947 City Directory was compiled, Harry B. Maxwell had left the Fire Department. He and his wife were living at 727 Linden Street. He had moved to 605 Pearl Street by the fall of 1956 and was still living there three years later. A lifelong Camden resident, Harry B. Maxwell died in April of 1967.
Joseph Maxwell’s son-in-law, William Van Pfefferle, rose through the ranks of the Camden Fire Department and served as Chief of Department from 1950 to 1958. Great-grandson Private First Class Warren Walter Pfefferle was killed in a plane crash in Vietnam on August 24, 1965 while serving with the United States Marine Corps.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A black horse was stolen from Julius Taylor’s stable at 1193 Penn street.
Jurors for the April term of court were drawn yesterday by Sheriff Baird.
George M. Berringer, a Camden druggist, has caused the arrest of Samuel B. Gaw, of Philadelphia, in Newark, N.J., on the charge of getting him to advance $25 on a bogus check.
Henry L. Bonsall, editor of the Camden Post, read a very interesting paper last evening at the Court House before the new Camden County Historical Society, of which he is president. The paper was on “Personal Recollections.”
Chief Elfreth, of the Fire Department, and his driver, Joseph Maxwell, came near being run down by a train at Fifth street and Bridge avenue while answering an alarm of fire on Monday night.
Flames Wreck Big Camden Elevator
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fire of mysterious origin destroyed the grain elevator and warehouse of Sitley & Son, Sixth street, Chelton avenue and the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, Camden, early yesterday morning, resulting in damages amounting to $150,000, fully covered by insurance. The elevator was the largest in New Jersey.
It was twenty minutes after two o’clock when James Cahill, the watchman, heard a muffled report coming from the centre of the building. Almost immediately a sheet of flames burst into view and so rapidly did the blaze gain that Cahill, before he could turn in an alarm from the plant, was badly burned. He succeeded in turning in a general alarm, every fire company in the city responding.
A strong northwest wind was blowing at the time and, although this fanned the flames until they leaped hundreds of feet, it had a tendency to shift them from the recently erected plant of the Camden Brewery Company to the southwest of the burning structure.
Firemen’s Work Unavailing
Under the direction of Chief Elfreth the firemen made every effort to save the structure, but the fire had gained such headway that their work was unavailing. Thick volumes of smoke of a pungent odor nearly blinded the men. Firemen Joseph Maxwell, of No. 2 Fire House, was taken to the Cooper Hospital for treatment.
As the flames were reaching the stables containing eight horses a crowd of men, headed by John Hines, broke in the door and succeeded in taking the animals to a place of safety. Two hours after the fire was discovered the entire elevator was a mass of ruins.
Frank B. Sitley, a member of the firm, said he could not account for the fire, as Frank Sagers, the engineer, had gone through the building a few hours before. C. Oscar Brown, head bookkeeper, was in the office until 11 o’clock Saturday night, but there was no indications of fire at that time. Further, Mr. Sitley said there was not a fire in any part of the structure or anything that might have cause for spontaneous combustion. These facts, in connection with the statement of the watchman concerning the muffled report, seem to indicate outside agencies.
Report Like an Explosion
The story of the watchman is borne out by William F. Thompson, of 768 South Second street, the towerman at the junction of the railroads and within twenty feet of the building, who also heard a report like an explosion before the flames burst into view. An investigation will be made as soon as the ruins cool sufficiently.
The burned elevator was five stories in height and was part of a two-story brick structure 460 by 165 feet. There were thirty bins containing grain of all varieties. Each bin had a capacity of 4000 bushels and altogether nearly 100,000 bushels of grain were burned. Beside the grain two carriages, a sleigh and many farming implements were destroyed. There were ten freight cars in the building, three of them being burned. Twenty men were employed.
Mr. Sitley said the elevator will be rebuilt at once.
Fire Chief and Aides Hurled from Buggy
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Hurled from their carriage in responding to an alarm of fire from the shipyard of Peter Hagan, head of Thirty-sixth street, Camden, Fire Chief Samuel Elfreth and his driver, Joseph Maxwell, narrowly escaped fatal injury yesterday. While Chief Elfreth escaped with bruises and a general shaking up, Maxwell had the tendons of his neck strained, and his attending physician stated that he had escaped having his neck broken by a narrow margin.
They were driving rapidly out River road shortly after 11 o’clock, and owing to the darkness failed to see a stump. The wheels struck it with such force that both men were thrown through the air.
It is believed that the fire, which partly consumed four barges, was of incendiary origin. As the boats were located at the end of a long wharf it was necessary to use a line of hose 1900 feet in length. The loss of about $5000 was covered by insurance.
Wish Bone Club in Annual Banquet
Camden Post-Telegram —
The second annual dinner was given on New Year’s eve by the members of the Fire Department at headquarters, known as the Wish Bone Club, after having been called out twice to fires. The evening was spent in music and song, prayer being offered by Engineer Dold. They all sat down to an elaborate dinner prepared by Chef Wingate, assisted by Lieutenant John H. Lutts.
MENU.
Relishes—Celery, olives, pickles, chilli sauce.
Roast—Roast Turkey, oyster filling (a la Wimley), giblet sauce; jellied cranberries, browned sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stewed corn, stewed tomatoes.
Mince pie, Coffee, Vienna rolls, butter, aqua de lair.
— The following were the guests of the evening: Chief Samuel S. Elfreth, Assistant Chief Samuel Buzine, Captains George B. Wade, Peter B. Carter, Lieutenants John H. Lutts, Peter S. Gray, Engineer John A. Dold, Stoker Newton G. Ash, Drivers Joseph Johnson, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Maxwell, Richard Marter, Harry Barroughs, Laddermen and Hosemen William Elberson, John H. Lennox, Harry Selby, Harry Green, William Tatem; Houseman John Gardner.
Invited guests—Charles Minckle, of Public Service Corporation; Harry Lee, Collingwood; Reserve Chas. Hose.
The old year out and the new year in, they retired to well—just retired to their respective bunks.
Shipyard Fire Will Not Retard Work
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While Prints of Warships Were Destroyed Originals Were Secure in Fire-Proof Safes
Work on the warships for the government and the Argentine Republic will not be stopped as a result of the fire which burned the draughting rooms and a part of the main office of the New York Shipbuilding Company in Camden early yesterday morning. President DeCourcey May said that while the prints were destroyed in many instances, the originals had been placed in fire-proof safes.
“It is impossible to figure out the loss,” said President May. “The hull department is practically safe with the exception of some slight damage by water. The original drawings of all ships are in the safes in the company’s vaults and there will be no delay in building any of the ships as we have plans for months ahead.”
It is thought that the fire originated in the kitchen beneath the drawing rooms, but just how does not appear clear. It proved to be an extremely difficult fire to fight owing to the local department being unable to get connection with any water main. They had to depend on the flow from the company’s tank. The firemen were at the scene of the blaze until 6 o’clock yesterday morning, having gone into service at midnight.
When the roof of the draughting room collapsed, Firemen Joseph Maxwell, Frank Chambers and Peter Gray, with Assistant Chief George Cox, narrowly escaped death. They were caught beneath the debris, but succeeded in getting out after being scorched and bruised.
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
City Council’s Fire Committee last night made provision for the installation of Engine Company No. 7 by the appointment of ten new members of the department. Some of the new appointees will be assigned to the new company, which will be located at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, and the rest of the complement will be made up of experienced fire fighters. The company goes into service July 1. The men appointed last night are:
First Ward—H. L. Curry, Jr.
Second Ward—Robert Brice.
Third Ward—Clarence Madden.
Fourth Ward—William Cason.
Fifth Ward—William Laird.
Sixth Ward—George Boone.
Seventh Ward—Edward Simpson.
Eighth Ward—John McTaggart.
Ninth Ward—Roy Smith.
Tenth Ward—J. Ora Burris.
The committee also made provision for the superior officers of the company by advancing present members of the department. William Buzine was made engineer, Thomas Nichols was elected captain, Joseph Maxwell was chosen lieutenant, Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers and Newton Ash was promoted to extra engineer. Henry Knowles was made houseman for the new company.
The men advanced last night will not necessarily be assigned to No. 7, and the matter of placing them will be disposed of at a later meeting.
618–626 North 3rd Street
618, 620, 622, 624 & 626 North 3rd Street — April 2, 1912. The Maxwell family resided at 620 North 3rd Street from around 1910.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
Engine Company No. 7 is the baby company of the fire department, that is, in years of service, but in up-to-date completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year’s Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year’s blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman’s horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
Chief Kelly presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with grapophone selections, including “Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon came back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows:
City Electrician John W. Kelly, Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Busine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
AT HEADQUARTERS.
Under the auspices of the Wishbone Club, firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, held their annual dinner on Tuesday evening. Cheer and good-fellowship was the by word and the fire laddies and their friends made the evening one long to be remembered.
A short address was given by Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Stockton. John Dold offered prayer before the guests partook of the tasty dishes as prepared by Arthur Wingate and William Laud. The table presented an attractive appearance and the laddies and guests greatly enjoyed the fine spread. The menu follows:
Roast Sweet Potatoes,
Peas,
Cranberry Sauce, Mince Pie,
Coffee,
Cigars, Aqua De Lair,
Olives, Beets, Celery,
Roast Turkey,
Oyster Filling, Giblet Sauce
Mashed White Potatoes.
Those participating were as follows: S. S. Elfreth, John S. Stockton, Captain George B. Wade, Lieutenant Jos. Ernest, John A. Dold, Josiah Sage, Daniel Smith, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Johnson, Harry Hankins, William Laird, William Elberson, John Lennox, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Harry Selby, Harry Khrier, Charles Menke, Edward S. Gahan, D. P. McConnell.
With a fine feed, a grand graphophone concert, songs and speeches of a happy and humorous order, “the Jolly Nine” saw the old year out and the New Year in, at the house of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, on Fifth street above Arch street. Accoutred in their uniforms of blue, ready at a second’s tap of the gong to jump on the truck, the brave laddies and friends formed a happy picture of congeniality. The menu was most appetizing. Beginning with oysters on the shell and winding up with a delicious dish designated “Creme-a-la-Truck,” the guests were kept busy munching their molars, as the sedate and genial waiters, togged out in linen of spotless white. William Howell Tatem and “Chief” Harry Anderson did the elegant. Stewart Bakely, a slick Cooper river boat house cook from away back, was the popular chef of the feast, and that grand old fire hero, Captain “Joe” Maxwell, the Commander-in-Chief of festivities, who saw to it that no one got left as the plates passed around.
The floral and holiday decorations of the banquet hall were munificent and in happy accord with the gracious and good-natured gathering.
Hook & Ladder Company No. 1
Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 with new 1914 American LaFrance 75’, 4 cylinder aerial ladder, in front of Fire Headquarters. From Left: tillerman Bill Tatem, firemen Edward Finley, Charles Gladney, Harry Green; Lt. Harry Anderson; Firemen George Hollins, Steward Bakley; Captain Joseph Maxwell; driver Harry S. Burrough.
Katherine M. Maxwell
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MAXWELL—Dec 18, 1915. KATHERINE M., wife of Joseph Maxwell, in her 58th year. Relatives and friends invited to funeral service Thursday 2 P.M., late residence, 620 N. 3d st., Camden, N.J. Interment private New Camden Cemetery. Friends may view the remains Wednesday, from 7 to 9 P.M.
Final Honors for Mrs. Jos. Maxwell
Camden Post-Telegram —
From the residence of her husband, 620 North Third street, the funeral of Mrs. Katherine Maxwell, wife of Fire Captain Joseph Maxwell, who died on Saturday from pneumonia, was held this afternoon. Rev. Rudolph B. Brestell, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, conducted services, and interment was made in New Camden Cemetery. The pallbearers were Harry Green and William Walton, of Engine Company No. 1, of which house Mr. Maxwell was captain, and Rollo Jones and Joseph Daly, of Engine Company No. 4. The floral designs were in abundance and very beautiful. Pretty floral tokens were received from members of the Camden Fire Department and Engine Companies Nos. 1 and 4.
14 Camden Firemen Overcome by Smoke
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Twelve-Hour Fight Follows Discovery of Smoldering Fire in Wall Paper Plant
Fourteen firemen were overcome by smoke, one of them being removed to Cooper Hospital, and about $20,000 in damage was done at a fire at the plant of the Frank G. Hitchner Wall Paper Manufacturing Company, Fifth and Mickle streets, Camden, yesterday. It was not until late yesterday afternoon, …after twelve hours’ fighting, that the flames were subdued, although not at any time was there a burst of flame.
Captain Joseph Maxwell, of No. 1 Truck Company, was taken to the hospital. Fire Chief Peter B. Carter was hurt about the ankle in a slight fall. The other firemen were able to resume their work after being treated by Fire Surgeon Schellinger.
It was some time before 3 o’clock in the morning that John Wilfon, a watchman, saw the smoke issuing from the kiln. In this building thousands of feet of lumber to be converted into molding is dried. It is placed on racks six inches apart, and it was because of this that the firemen could not reach the fire.
Pouring from the plant, the water ran into the cellars of nearby dwellings. Considerable damage was done at the home of Mrs. Sallie Gordon, at 215 South Fifth street, and John Orr, 441 Judson street. Others who suffered were Mrs. Mary Brooks, 217 South Fifth street; John Humphries, 445 Steven street; and L.J. Donavan, 434 Mickle street.
Dyer Appointed to Fire Department
Camden Post-Telegram —
To fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Fireman Frank Flake, of No. 1 Truck Company, Fifth and Arch streets, Leslie Dyer, a well known young Second ward resident, has been appointed as a member of the local department. Young Mr. Dyer has been assigned to genial Captain Joe Maxwell’s truck squad.
Joseph Maxwell
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MAXWELL—Sept. 21 JOSEPH husband of late Katherine Maxwell aged 56. Relatives and friends, Progress Lodge, No. 600, F. and A. M., of Phila.; First Ward Republican Club and members Camden Fire Dep’t., invited to funeral, Tues. 2 P.M., 620 N. 3d st., Camden, N.J. Int. New Camden Cem. Remains may be viewed Mon. eve.