Introduction
JOSEPH OSCAR TILL SR. was born in Pennsylvania around 1847 to William and Catherine Till. The family appears in the 1860 Census in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. William Till then supported his family, which included daughters Anna, Eliza, and Catherine, by working as a shipwright.
Though still in his teens, Joseph Till went off to fight for the Union during the Civil War. He apparently had made his way to Kent County, Maryland where he enlisted as a Private in Company E of the 2nd Eastern Shore Maryland Infantry Regiment on January 14, 1862 for a term of three years.
The 2nd Eastern Shore Maryland Infantry Regiment was composed of eight companies. A, B, C, D and E were recruited in Kent County; F in the city of Baltimore; and G and H in Harford County. Its organization was commenced on October 2, 1861, and on December 28 it was completed and the regiment was mustered in for three years. From that time until the summer of 1863 it was on duty along the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, in the city of Baltimore and on the lower Potomac. When Lee began his invasion of Pennsylvania the regiment, as part of Lockwood’s brigade, was ordered to reinforce the Army of the Potomac. After the battle of Gettysburg it was assigned to duty on the upper Potomac in Maryland and West Virginia, and was a part of General Hunter’s army in the expedition against Lynchburg. It remained in the department of West Virginia until January 23, 1865, when it was consolidated with the 1st Eastern Shore infantry, and then into the 11th Maryland Infantry Regiment. While in active service it marched 1,041 miles, was transported by rail 967 miles, and by water 915 miles. It was in the engagements at Falling Waters, Piedmont, Snicker’s Ford, Winchester, Berryville and numerous minor skirmishes incident to the Shenandoah Valley and Lynchburg campaigns. Nine men were killed in battle and 63 died of wounds or disease. During his time in the Army, Joseph Till was promoted to Corporal. His three years’ enlistment having expired, he mustered out of Company I, 11th Maryland Infantry Regiment on January 26, 1865.
Joseph Till married in the early 1870s, and by 1880 there were two sons, William and Joseph Oscar Till Jr., who was better known simply as “Oscar Till.” Joseph Till and his family were living at 872 Moyer Street in Philadelphia when the 1880 Census was enumerated. He was then working as a huckster. The 1881 Philadelphia City Directory shows him at the same address, running a cigar store. Four more sons were born to the Tills during the 1880s, Morris, Albert, Clarence, and finally on January 12, 1889 Nelson W. Till. Joseph Till was also active during his Philadelphia years as a volunteer fireman.
The Till family moved to New Jersey in the 1890s, and had located in the town of Stockton in the early 1890s. By 1896 the family was living at 912 Lois Avenue in the town of Stockton, in what is now the Cramer Hill section of Camden. The Tills would occupy this home through at least 1947.
Joseph Till involved himself in local affairs and soon had been appointed constable in Stockton. When Stockton was united with the City of Camden in 1899, Joseph Till secured an appointment to the Camden Fire Department. Politics being a full-contact sport in those times, Joseph Till got into a fight with two other men on Saturday night, November 1, 1903. The following day he suffered a fall, and was taken to Cooper Hospital where he died on November 13. An inquest was held and his death was ruled accidental, from injuries sustained in the fall. Joseph Till was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken, New Jersey on November 17, 1903. He was survived by his wife and sons. Kate Till joined her husband on July 11, 1941.
Having worked for a time as a bridgetender at the Federal Street drawbridge over the Cooper River, on December 3, 1904 J. Oscar Till Jr. was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. By April of 1910 he had left the Fire Department and had taken a position with the Camden Police Department. Youngest son Nelson W. Till was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in the early 1920s and served into the early 1940s.
Stockton’s Republican Nominations
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Stockton township (Camden county) Republicans have nominated the following ticket for the election next month: Town Clerk, David Austermuhl; Township Committee, C. E. Schmid (for three-year term), D. B. Ristine (one-year term); Constables, John C. Zane, John F. Renner and Joseph Till; Overseer of Poor, Samuel Tlick; Commissioners of Appeal, T. R. Lake, F. A. Buren, Benjamin Beidemann; Surveyors of Highways, A. E. Taylor, W. R. Johnson.
Peril of Ice Yachting
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Four Men Sailed Into the River and Were Nearly Drowned.
Martin Ambrose, Harry Ackner and Thomas Rival, of Philadelphia, and Constable Joseph Till, of Stockton, had a thrilling experience while yachting on the ice in Pea Shore cove, just above Camden, Sunday night. The yacht was traveling before a terrific gale of wind when the ice suddenly gave way, and the entire party went dashing into the water.
Till and Rival succeeded in drawing themselves up in a safe spot on the ice, but the other two were left fighting desperately for their lives in the icy water.
Till and Rival finally with much difficulty succeeded in getting their companions on the ice. They were nearly unconscious when taken from the water, and were carried to a nearby club house. It required an hour’s hard work to fully restore them.
The yacht was damaged.
Want to Be Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
There’ll Be Trouble in Finding Places for All Hands
To-morrow night’s session of the Fire Commissioners of Camden promises to be a lively one. Two firemen for the Second ward and four each for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards will be appointed. In the Second ward the candidates are John Vanhart, W. Scott Franklin and Edgar Bolton. Vanhart has been agreed upon by both factions. Franklin has the support of Freeholder Whyte and a large following, while Bolton is recommended by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton’s appointment was expected at the last meeting of the Commissioners. Afterwards it was found that typewritten resolutions purporting to be signed by the same committee of the Second ward club which indorsed Bolton was sent to the Commissioners prior to the meeting urging the appointment of Franklin. The resolutions had the seal of the club attached. This caused the appointment to hang fire. It is now claimed by Bolton’s friends that the club did not indorse Franklin, as he is not a member. It is alleged that the signatures purporting to be those of the committee were not authorized.
In the Eleventh ward Councilmen Longacre and Arnold have not yet settled their differences. Councilman Longacre insists on the appointment of Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark. Councilman Arnold claims the right to name Frank Powell and Lewis H. Sasse notwithstanding the fact that at a conference he agreed upon the names presented by Councilman Longacre. In the Twelfth ward Councilman Leas, the City and Ward Committeeman, and the Union Republican Club favor the naming of Samuel Collins, William Madison, John F. Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
Firemen Selected
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch’s Candidates Were Pushed to the Front
Increase in Camden Fire Department Agreed Upon After Sharp Contest
The trouble over the selection of new firemen from the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth wards of Camden was settled at an executive session of the Fire Commissioners last evening. John W. Vanhart and Edgar Bolton, backed by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill, were selected from the Second ward, and Councilman Longacre in the Eleventh ward and Councilman Leas in the Twelfth landed their candidates.
Prior to the meeting a delegation of Second ward Republicans marched to fire headquarters wearing badges inscribed, “For firemen, Second ward, John W. Vanhart and W. Scott Franklin.” The latter was a candidate against Bolton, who also had a number of friends present. There was no opposition to the appointment of Vanhart.
As the delegation crowded in on the second floor of the fire house there was a cracking noise that sounded as if the floor was giving away. This caused a rush, but the alarm soon subsided.
The Commissioners were in secret session for nearly a half hour before they finally settled the contest over the Second ward appointments. Mayor Hatch, Councilman McGill and Freeholder Whyte were each called before the Commissioners. The latter favored the appointment of Franklin. After the Second ward appointments were settled it did not take long to decide upon the new firemen from the Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Councilman Arnold, who has been opposing Councilman Longacre’s candidates in the Eleventh ward, was not present, neither was Councilman Lee, who was opposing the men backed by Councilman Leas in the Twelfth ward.
The men selected for firemen from these two wards are as follows: Eleventh ward, Robert Gich, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark; Twelfth ward, Samuel Collins, William Madison, John Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
The following were promoted to foremen: George F. Cox, foreman Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; George Wade, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; Samuel Peoples, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Charles Robinson, Chemical Engine Company No. 1; Edward Weston, Hose Company No. 1, East Side; Albert C. Jones, Hose Company No. 2, East Side.
The appointments, together with those made last Thursday evening, will be confirmed by City Council to-morrow night.
Stolen Trolley Wire Recovered
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Occupant of Boat House Where it Was Found Is Under Arrest
The Camden police yesterday recovered $325 worth of copper wire cut from the State street line of the Camden and Suburban trolley system in Camden several nights ago. The wire was found concealed in William Till’s boat house, on Cooper’s Creek, not far from the scene of the robbery. Till, who is a son of former Constable Joseph Till, was arrested, and held for a hearing. He declined to make any statement.
The police have learned that the wire was taken to the boat house by four men in a covered wagon. Other arrests are likely to be made soon.
More stolen goods were recovered by the police yesterday, when a number of tools were found in a boat house along the Delaware at Centreville. The tools were stolen from the Camden Manufacturing Company, at the foot of Jefferson street. Charles Stevenson, who had a key to the boat house, was taken into custody by Detective Hart.
East Side Fireman Badly Hurt
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fireman Joseph Till, of the East Side Camden fire house, was badly injured by a fall at Twenty-sixth and River avenue, Pavonia, early yesterday morning. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital, where he was found to be suffering from concussion of the brain. The injured man was unconscious all day yesterday and was in a serious condition last night. William Genther was arrested on a charge of being Till’s assailant.
Firemen’s Alleged Assailants Held
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Counsel for Frank Mitchell and William Guenther, who are in prison awaiting the result of the injuries of Fireman Joseph Till, who was badly hurt in a fracas Saturday night, yesterday applied before Judge Joline, in Camden, to have the men released on habeas corpus proceedings. Judge Joline refused the motion.
Fireman Till May Die
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Alleged Assailants Sent to Jail Without Bail
The authorities at the Cooper Hospital notified the Camden police yesterday that Joseph Till, the fireman who was badly injured Saturday night during a fracas resulting from an election argument, had taken a turn for the worse and his condition is critical.
Prosecutor Lloyd instructed Chief Foster to make complaint against William Guenther and Charles Mitchelson, who were arrested Sunday. Both men were committed to prison without bail to await the result of Till’s injuries.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
** During the past month 1318 persons were treated at the Cooper Hospital, 84 of whom were admitted to the wards.
** Judge Joline to-day will hear argument on application for a writ of habeas corpus filed by counsel for William Guenther and Charles Mitchelson, who are being held to await the result of the injuries sustained by Fireman Joseph Till.
** Frank Van Fossen will represent local potters at the convention of the American Federation of Labor, which will be held at Boston Monday next.
Fireman Till Dying?
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Hospital Physicians Say His Condition Is Extremely Critical
The condition of Fireman Joseph Till, who, during a fracas two weeks ago, fell and struck his head, resulting in concussion of the brain, was last night reported at the Cooper Hospital, Camden, as being critical. It was said he might not survive the night.
William Guenther, accused of being Till’s assailant, is out on bail, together with Charles Mitchelson, who is held as a witness.
Fireman Till Succumbs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Man Died From Injuries Received in a Fracas
Joseph Till, a well-known Camden fireman, who lived on the East Side and who was badly hurt about the head during a fracas two weeks ago, died from his injuries in the Cooper Hospital, Camden, last night.
William Guenther, accused of being Till’s assailant, was released from jail on $2500 bail, but his bondsmen last night notified Prosecutor Lloyd that they would surrender him. Charles Mitchelson is also held under bail as a witness.
Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
TILL—On November 13, 1903, JOSEPH, son of late William and Catharine Till. Relatives and friends of family, also members of Camden Fire Department, Philadelphia Firemen’s Relief Association and Eleventh Ward Republican Club, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral services. Tuesday afternoon, November 17, 1 o’clock, at his late residence, 912 Lois ave., Camden, East Side, N. J. Interment at Arlington Cemetery. Remains can be seen Monday evening after 7 o’clock.
Till Inquest Wednesday
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Well-Known East Side Fireman Died From a Fractured Skull
The inquest into the death of Fireman Joseph Till, aged 59 years, of the East Side, Camden, who died in Cooper Hospital Friday night from injuries received following a political argument at Twenty-sixth and River avenue two weeks ago, will be held in the Court House, Camden, on Wednesday morning.
The autopsy, held yesterday by County Physician Jones and Coroner Lippincott, assisted by Drs. Tarbox and Tinney, of the Cooper Hospital, revealed a fracture of the skull.
William Guenthoer, charged with being Till’s assailant, and who was recently released on $2500 bail, and Charles Mitcheson, realeased on $800 bail as a witness, have not been rearrested, Prosecutor Lloyd having decided the bail to be sufficient.
The funeral of Till, who was a member of the Volunteer Firemen’s Association, of Philadelphia, who served as a constable for a number of years and who was one of the best-known men on the East Side, will take place from his late residence on Tuesday.
Fireman Till’s Death Was Accidental
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Coroner Lippincott, in Camden, yesterday held an inquest in the death of Fireman Joseph Till, who died at the Cooper Hospital Friday night, as the result of injuries said to have been received in a fight. The jury gave a verdict that Till died from injuries received through an accidental fall.
Frank Powell Made a Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Fire Committee of Camden City Council last night appointed Frank Powell, of the Eleventh ward, a fireman to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Joseph Till.
Photos
Gravestone of Joseph Till, Arlington Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey