Introduction
Leo Joseph Tompkins Sr. was born in the state of New York on March 17, 1902.
Leo Tompkins served in the United States Navy during World War I. He was stationed at the Mare Island Navy Yard in San Francisco, California when the Census was taken in January of 1920, having then achieved the rank of Seaman 2nd Class.
Leo Tompkins appears to have come to Camden in the late 1920s. In 2017 Elsie Nichols, the granddaughter of his mother-in-law, told her nephew Richard Nichols the following story of how Leo Tompkins came to Camden.
Leo Sr. is from New York… while serving in World War I he met my great-grandfather, Richard V. Nichols (Elsie’s father), and they became great friends. She told me that Leo was quite alarmed by the amount of diseases in New York at that time and was convinced by my great-grandfather to come to Camden. She didn’t give many more specifics, but she was so excited to tell me that. When Leo got here, he was introduced to Richard’s sister, Cecilia, who became his wife.
Leo Tompkins is not listed in the 1924 or 1927 Camden City Directories. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April 15, 1928 and reported for duty with Engine Company 2 the following day.
Leo Tompkins married Cecilia Nichols around the same time he was appointed to the Fire Department. The 1929 City Directory shows that he was working for the Fire Department and living at 1769 Norris Street. The 1930 Census shows Leo and Cecilia Tompkins, their children Mary and Leo J. Tompkins Jr., mother-in-law Mary and brother-in-law Walter Nichols living at 1769 Norris Street. Fire Department records from 1931 show that Leo Tompkins had moved to 322 Erie Street in North Camden, not far from Engine Company 4, where he had been transferred to in August of 1930. On July 1, 1933 Leo Tompkins was assigned to Ladder Company 1, where he remained until November of 1942.
At some point during the 1930s Leo and Cecilia Tompkins moved to 1282 South Merrimac Road in Camden’s Fairview neighborhood. Leo Tompkins would live out his days at this address.
With America going to war after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, many veterans were recalled to service. Leo J. Tompkins enlisted in the United States Navy on November 24, 1942 at Philadelphia and on December 26 reported for duty as Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class aboard the USS PC-1121. In March of 1943 he was promoted to Chief Boatswain’s Mate.
Fire Department records indicate that he had returned from military service by December of 1944. On December 5 he was assigned to Engine Company 3 at 1813 Broadway.
The 1947 City Directory shows that Leo Tompkins and his family were still living at the South Merrimac Road address. Daughter Mary was working as a clerk at the W.L. Hurley & Co. department store on Broadway.
Leo J. Tompkins was promoted to Captain on June 14, 1951. On June 16 he was assigned to Ladder Company 2 at 619 Kaighn Avenue. He was assigned to the Fire Marshall’s office on February 17, 1956 and served there until April 10, 1961 when he was appointed Drillmaster at the Department’s training facility. On September 1, 1962 he reported for a new task, in Radio Communications with the Electrical Bureau, where he served until retiring on pension January 1, 1964.
A Camden resident to the last, Leo Joseph Tompkins Sr. passed away on July 1, 1976. His wife joined him in July of 1984. His son, Leo J. Tompkins Jr., had a long career as a Camden police officer.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Thomas Nicholas, John H. Lennox, Rollo Jones, William Harring, Clarence Madden, George B. Wade, William W. Patterson, George Hunt, David Ellis, George Saunders, Eli Hunt, William Van Pfefferle, William H. Toy, Leo Tomkins, Horace T. Molan, Laurence Boulton, George W. Garner, Felix E. Bendzyn, Harry H. Hess, Charles Jones, Thomas F. Gibbons, Byron Davis, John S. Anderson, Ladder Company 1, Engine Company 3, Engine Company 6, Engine Company 7, Engine Company 9, 27th Street, Arch Street, Broadway, Clinton Street, Federal Street, Ferry Avenue, and York Street.
22 Firemen Assigned to New Stations
Camden Courier-Post —
12 Rookies and 10 Promoted Men Go to Posts
Twelve new firemen and ten men promoted several weeks ago were assigned to their new stations yesterday by Chief Thomas J. Nicholas. With these appointments, the department complement of 200 men is completed.
John H. Lennox, newly named deputy chief, will make his headquarters at the Fifth and Arch streets station. Rollo Jones, promoted from senior captain to battalion chief, succeeding George Wade, recently retired on pension, will move to Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Three men were promoted from junior to senior captaincies. They are: William Heron, who moved to Company No. 2; George Hunt, Company No. 8, and Clarence T. Madden [sic] Company No. 5.
Taken from the ranks, the following will be stationed as junior captains: David R. Ellis, Company No. 7; Clarence Newton, Company No. 5; William Van Pfefferle, Truck Company No. 2; Eli Hunt, Company No. 9, and George Saunders, Company No. 6.
The new firefighters and their stations are: Lawrence Bolton, Company No. 9; John S. Anderson, Company No. 4; Byron M. Davis, Company No. 1; George W. Garner, Company No. 4; Lawrence Milton, Company No. 5; Thomas Gibbons, Company No. 4; Leo J. Tompkins, Company No. 2; Felix Bendzyn, Company No. 7; Horace T. Molan, Company No. 7; William E. Toy, Company No. 9; Harry H. Hess, Company No. 11, and Edward Callahan, Truck Company No. 4.
Firemen Pallbearers for Lester Anderson
Camden Courier-Post —
Firemen Pallbearers for Lester Anderson
The funeral of Lester R. Anderson, 38, a member of Engine Company No. 2, Fifth and Arch streets, who died in his sleep at the fire house Monday night, will be held today at 8.30 a. m. from his home, 2771 Constitution road.
A High Mass will be celebrated at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joan of Arc at 9.30 a. m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers, all members of the engine company, will be John Yates, Arthur Batten, William Hopkins, Leo Tompkins, Ralph Bingemann and Henry Baumgartle.
Mr. Anderson, a member of the fire department since 1923, had not been ill. A native of this city, he is survived by his widow, Marie; two children, Marie, 15, and Lester R. Jr., 12; his father, William, Camden; a stepmother, and three brothers and three sisters; John, also a fireman; William, a Republican county committeeman in the Fourteenth ward; Charles, of Pennsauken; Mrs. Louis Letzgus, of Camden; Mrs. Kathryn Venella, of Glendora, and Madeline, Camden.
Camden Fire Department Personnel Records
Cellar, Ceiling, Yard Called Unfit: Ailing Couple Rejects House Offers After Own Place Is Condemned
Camden Courier-Post —
THIS IS THE SIGHT WHICH GREETED Commissioner of Public Affairs Garrity and Capt. Leo Tompkins, of the fire marshal’s office as they began an inspection tour of 423 Liberty st. Tuesday. Together Garrity and Tompkins decided the home was both a health and fire hazard and it was ordered posted as condemned.
By Carl R. Glines
An elderly, ailing couple whose home at 423 Liberty st. was condemned “for their own welfare” Tuesday night rejected two other places offered to them in the neighborhood.
Charles Webb, part-time junk dealer, and his wife were offered new quarters in the 300 block of Liberty st. about a block from their home, and in the 500 block of S. 5th st., according to Commissioner of Public Affairs Garrity.
“I have a friend whom I’m going to see first thing Wednesday morning,” Webb is reported to have told the commissioner. “I think he’ll find a place for us,” he added.
Efforts to locate a new home for the couple began after the commissioner took steps to condemn their home “for the welfare of the couple living there.”
Inspection Made
The property was condemned following an inspection by the city health department and the fire marshal’s office, Garrity said. The house was posted Tuesday afternoon.
The property is owned by A. Feldman, of 422 Kaighns ave., called to the scene by Garrity and informed of the steps that were being taken.
Feldman said he “never realized the house was in such bad condition.” Garrity said Feldman later told him “I don’t want the property.”
The condition was uncovered when Garrity went to the home after his office received a complaint about a dirty back yard.
Three weeks ago Garrity launched a back yard clean-up campaign and he has been personally looking into complaints received in his office. It was the third home in as many weeks the commissioner has ordered condemned. The other two, also in South Camden, were vacant.
At the Webb home Garrity found junk littering the small back yard. Odds and ends, from worn-out tires to discarded jars and cans of paint made walking in the rear of the home a hazard.
Cellar Overloaded
The cellar was stacked from floor to ceiling with scraps of wood which Webb stored to burn for heat. The cellar was so overloaded with wood that it overflowed onto the street from a basement window.
Inside the home Garrity found conditions he described as “intolerable.” Electric wires laid exposed from the ceiling, a small trickle of water dripped from a kitchen faucet, and a heavy sickening odor hung over the interior of the row home. Garrity said it has been a long time since fresh paint or wallpaper has been used in this house.
Webb said he paid $25 a month rent. He said Feldman upped it from $17.
An offer by Garrity for assistance in cleaning out the back yard and cellar was rejected by Webb. He showed signs of belligerency when told the house was to be condemned.
“I need this wood to heat my house,” Webb declared. “You are not going to take it after I have worked to get it.” Webb pointed out to Garrity that he is a disabled veteran.
The commissioner replied that he was sorry but “for your safety and the safety of your wife and the rest of the neighborhood this home must be vacated immediately.”
Garrity said he also uncovered two other homes in the 600 block of Liberty st. which have been condemned but are still standing. One, the commissioner said, is being lived in by a squatter.
“The police have been ordered to chase that man out,” Garrity said.
The commissioner said he also would consult today with Assistant City Solicitor Edwin Segal, to find out why the homes still remain standing and what has or has not been done about their removal.
FIRE BUFFS PICK LEVITT AS PRESIDENT
Camden Courier-Post —
Fire Buffs Pick Levitt As President
Robert Levitt Sr. has been elected president of the Delaware Valley Fire Buffs Association at its annual election meeting in Amity Hall, Pennsauken.
Also elected were Harry Morris, vice president; Judson Knott, recording secretary; Jack Robrecht, corresponding secretary; Howard Doerschner, treasurer, and William Reed, sergeant at arms.
The Philadelphia Fire Department Officers Association was a guest of the local group at the meeting. Deputy Chief Howard O’Drian, on behalf of the Philadelphia firemen, accepted a certificate of merit awarded them by the fire buffs.
Other guests at the meeting included Edward R. MacDowell, chief engineer; Capt. Leo Tompkins, drillmaster, and Nicholas George, assistant drillmaster, all of the Camden City fire department.
Representing the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association were Chief Walter E. Klaus, Camden County fire marshal; Chief John McKinney of Brooklawn, president; Chief Russell Hunt of Haddonfield; Chief William Phillips of Mount Ephraim; Chief Wilmer Porter of Haddon Heights, and Deputy Chief George Rossner, and past-Chief Walter Burgin, both of Delaware Gardens Fire Company of Pennsauken.
Representatives of the West Oak Lane Fire Buffs Association of Philadelphia also attended the meeting.
9 Firemen Graduate In City Test
Camden Courier-Post —
Graduation exercises for nine of the city’s newest firemen were held Tuesday in headquarters at 3rd and Arch Streets under direction of Public Safety Director Bedell and Fire Chief Edward R. MacDowell.
The graduates and their assignments are Joseph Anderson, Canterbury Apartments, No. 1 Ladder; Prescott Johnson, 1238 Kenwood Avenue, No. 8 Engine; Philip Maycott, 1023 North 32nd Street, No. 9 Engine; George Getty, Canterbury Apartments, No. 2 Engine; Ronald Bowers, 617 Clinton Street, No. 2 Ladder; William Young, 3167 Westfield Avenue, No. 2 Engine Company; Wayne Kraft, 1052 N. 35th Street, No. 3 Ladder; Raymond Eldridge, 7 North Dudley Street, No. 7 Engine; and Donald Goehringer, 30 North 24th Street, No. 7 Engine Company.
They will receive a starting salary of $4,800. Chief MacDowell said this brings the department to 170 hosemen and to 224 total personnel in the department.
All nine were graduated after receiving three weeks of training at the fire school under the direction of Captain Leo J. Tompkins.
Their training also included two days at the Navy Fire School at the Philadelphia Naval Base.
Camden Fire Department Personnel Records
