Introduction
JUDSON K. FISH was born in New Jersey in April of 1851 to Amanda and Ezra Fish. The family was living in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey when the census was taken in 1860.
The 1870 Census shows the family had moved to Camden’s Middle Ward, and that Ezra Fish was working as a Camden policeman. The family at that time consisted of Ezra and Amanda Fish, older brother George and younger sisters Louisa and Sarah.
A brick mason by trade, Judson Fish was married in 1872 to Mary A. Mathis. By the late 1870s he had relocated to Camden’s Eighth Ward. The 1878–1879 Camden City Directory shows him living on Viola Street, and the 1879–1880 edition gives an address of 1910 Fillmore Street, where he resided through 1892. The 1880 census shows that there were three children then at home, Lizzie, Ella, and Clarence. Three more children were born, James Garfield Fish in 1881, Raymond Fish in 1883, and Lillian Fish in 1888.
In the spring of 1884 Judson Fish was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company, taking the place of John W. Elliott. Judson Fish served until July 1, 1885 when the Fire Department was reorganized and eighteen of the extra men were laid off.
The 1893–1894 Camden City Directory shows that Judson and Mary Fish had moved to 1715 South 4th Street.
In 1894 Judson K. Fish’s daughter Ella married William James. He soon went to work for Camden’s Water Department, where he was employed for well over 30 years. William James’ brother, Albert E. James, secured an appointment to the Fire Department that year as well.
Judson K. Fish and family were still at 1715 South 4th Street when the Census was taken in 1900. Three children who had been born after 1880 were living at home, James, Raymond, and Lillie. By 1906 the family had moved to 1711 South 4th Street, where they stayed through 1910. The 1914 Camden City Directory shows Judson Fish at 1729 Ferry Avenue. By the latter half of 1918 he had moved to 1709 South 4th Street, where he was still living when the census was taken in January of 1920. Judson Fish was still in the bricklaying business when the Census was taken. The 1921 Directory has him and wife Mary at 1255 Sheridan Street. They had moved to 819 Tulip Street by the time the 1922 Directory was compiled. They are listed there in 1923 as well. Judson and Mary Fish are not listed in the 1924 Camden City Directory.
Judson K. Fish died in August of 1929. His wife Mary Fish was living with their daughter Lillian and her husband and sons at 213 State Street in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey. Mrs. Fish died March 24, 1938 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Son Ray Fish was very well known as a semi-pro baseball player in the 1900s and 1910s, playing for the Camden A.C. and the Emerson A.A. teams. He also coached the Emerson A.A. basketball team in the 1920s.
Fire Committee Appointments
Camden Courier —
The fire committee reported the following appointments which were approved by the full vote of the Republican members, the Democrats not voting: Extra engineer, William Morris, 5th ward; Engineer for No. 1 Engine, Rudolph S. Tenner, 5th ward; Engineer for No. 2 Engine, William S. Davis, 2d ward; driver of steamer No. 1, William Deno, 6th ward; driver of steamer No. 2, Barney Harvey, 1st ward; driver of No. 1 hose cart, William W. Laird, 8th ward; driver of No. 3 hose cart, William McKinley, 3d ward; driver of truck, Benjamin L. Kellum, 4th ward; tillerman, Jacob Kellum, [foreman of No. 1 Engine, Samuel Buzine; fireman of No. 2 Engine, James M. Lane, 11th ward.] Extra men: First ward—Charles H. Allen, Joseph C. Prickett, William Lyons, Frank Curry. Second ward—Amadee Middleton, Isaac Lovett, Peter Gray, John Gray. Third ward—James Carey, Charles Thornton, Henry C. Grosscup. Fourth ward—John W. Toy, Charles Todd, W. H. Doughten, Isaac Shreeve. Fifth ward—William Bromly, James Roach, Frank Webster, Howard Sharp. Sixth ward—Charles Turner, W. B. Jobes, Isaac Middleton. Seventh ward—William H. Whaland, John C. Edwards, Charles Robinson. Eighth ward—Amos Caverson, Frank Stillwell, John Collins, Judson Fish.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Winfield Reilly was arrested yesterday for assault and battery on Carrie Jackson.
Mayor Pratt yesterday fined Josiah Jones $30 and costs for selling liquor to minors.
Judge Hugg was reported very low last night and is not expected to live over twenty-four hours.
Joseph Fernandez was arrested yesterday by Officer Shreeves for assault and battery on his wife Nellie.
Herbert Redding, a laborer in Starr’s Iron Works, was arrested yesterday for stealing a $5 note from Apeline Sharp, a little girl.
The South End Gun Club yesterday filed articles of incorporation with the County Clerk. The incorporators are William Beideman, William Lightcap and Mason Fish.
The Camden county Board of Freeholders, at a special meeting yesterday, gave the contract for building an addition to the County Insane Asylum, at Blackwood, to John Corbitt for $11,700.
Justice Schmitz yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of William Darnell, ex-secretary of the United States Funeral Directing Company, on a charge of embezzlement, preferred by Percy V. Knaess, of Philadelphia. It is charged that Lawyer Darnell failed to account for a bill of $11 and a bill of $50 which he collected.
Judson K. Fish
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. for Judson K. Fish, one of the most widely known residents of South Camden, father of Ray Fish, former semi-professional baseball player.
Fish, who was 79, lived for years in the Eighth ward. He is survived by his wife, Mary, a daughter, Mrs. Frank Mulford, of Merchantville, and two sons.
Services will be held at the Leonard funeral parlors, 1451 Broadway, with interment in Evergreen Cemetery.