Lewis F. Holl
Lewis Frederick Holl and his brother, George M. Holl, built many houses and commercial buildings in Camden in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Lewis Holl was born in Pennsylvania in November of 1842. He married Wilhelmina Tenner. At the time of the 1870 Census Lewis Holl was working as a cake baker. He was a member of the Camden Fire Department for a time. Eventually he went into construction and real estate, as did his brother. Lewis Holl also served as a member of Camden’s City Council in the early 1880s.
On April 8, 1876 Lewis Holl was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with Engine Company 1. He resigned on November 21, 1876 and was replaced by Asa Borton.
The 1878–1879 City Directory shows Lewis Holl at 305 Chestnut Street. The following year’s directory has him at 317 Chestnut Street, where he stayed through 1885. He served as a member of Camden’s City Council, representing the Fifth Ward in 1881 and 1882.
In 1886, George Reeser Prowell wrote of George Holl, in his book History of Camden County, New Jersey:
Among the builders of Camden are several who have erected five or six hundred houses each. The heaviest operators are undoubtedly Cohn & Roberts, Wilson Ernst, and George M. Holl.
George M. Holl, who has been engaged in building for eighteen years, has erected from four to five hundred houses, principally in the central part of the city. They are nearly all of what may be denominated the medium class, in size and pretensions. His brother, Lewis F. Holl, has built many houses in the lower part of town.
The 1887–1888 directory for Camden shows Lewis Holl living with his wife Willimina and daughter Emma L. Holl at 328 Mount Vernon Street. Emma Holl also worked as a teacher. In April of 1887 a son was born, Arthur Henry Holl. George M. Holl lived at the corner of Broadway and Benson Street, and the directory for 1888–1889 has him at 310 Broadway. Lewis Holl & family stayed at 328 Mount Vernon Street into 1892.
Around 1890 the Holl brothers erected twelve three-story business properties on the east side of Broadway between Mickle Street and Stevens Street. This block became known as the Holl Block.
The 1893–1894 City Directory shows the Lewis Holl family at 539 Berkley Street. Lewis Holl remained at that address until his passing on December 16, 1919. His brother, George M. Holl, had died on April 16, 1912. The brothers were buried in adjoining plots at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden, eventually joined by Lewis Holl’s daughter Emma. The properties on Broadway remained in the family for a time, but eventually found their way into Orphans Court, and were sold at auction in 1941.
Lewis Holl died on December 16, 1919. He was survived by his son, Arthur Holl, and his wife Wilhelmina.
Lewis Holl’s brother-in-laws, G. Rudolph Tenner, George Adam Tenner, and Christian Tenner all served as members of the Camden Fire Department. George Adam Tenner and Christian Tenner also served as policemen in Camden.
In 1942 the Holl Block was demolished, and ten one-story stores were built which remain in use as of April of 2003.
Photos
The Holl Block — Broadway North of Stevens Street, East Side, Camden NJ
Final Resting Place of Lewis F. & Emma L. Holl, and his sister Willimina Holl
The Holl Block — 200 to 222 Broadway between Mickle and Stevens Street
Doings in Realty
Camden Daily Courier —
Transfers Recorded in the Register of Deeds’ Office Yesterday.
Camden, 228 Benson st.—William V. Hoover to Josiah A. Freeman, $1,000.
Cramer Hill, southwest side Nicholson avenue, 220 feet south side River road—Alfred Cramer to John W. Horton, $270.
Camden, southwest side Main st., 60 feet south side Fourth st.—Same to Leonard Messner, $225.
West Berlin, lots Nos. 11, 12 and 13, sec. 7—Sarah Bates to Harry C. McCall, $80.
West Berlin, lots Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, sec. 2—Harry Minck to Antonio Tambarrino, $260.
Camden, No. 447 Haddon ave.—L. F. Holl to Jacob Stone, $4,000.
Camden, north side Marlton turnpike road—Salinda Fisler to Samuel W. Parry, $400.
Camden, No. 809 South Fifth st.—James Fletcher to Anthony J. Oberst, $2,000.
Camden, east side 35th st., 410 feet north Clinton ave.—William A. Potts to James Griffee, $320.
Camden, north side of Stewart st., 54 feet north State st.—Alfred Cramer to George Pfeiffer, Jr., $1,500.
Camden, north side Cedar st., 70 feet als., to Frederick H. Cornelius, $1,500.
Camden, same—Frederick H. Cornelius to Abraham B. Rulon, $1,500.
Camden, same—Abraham B. Rulon to Frederick H. Cornelius, $1.
Gloucester township, lot No. 2, sec. H—The Laurel Springs Land Company to Harry Major, $400.
Winslow township, 20 acres land—David Baird, Sheriff, to Marie E. Schneider, $655.
Camden, northeast corner Broadway and Ferry ave.—Wilhelmina Countiss to F. Joseph Rouh, $7,250.
Camden Democrats on the Watch
Philadelphia Inquirer —
They Hope to Make a Hit at the Spring Election Two Weeks Hence
Camden Democrats will make an active campaign during the next two weeks in the hope of carrying some of their Councilmanic candidates through at the municipal election on March 13. A campaign committee of five will be in charge of affairs, both factions in the party being represented in the committee, which is composed of County Detective John S. Smith, chairman of the City Committee; former State Senator George Pfeiffer, Jr., chairman of the County Committee; State Committeeman Harry B. Paul, former Judge Howard Carrow and City Recorder Joseph E. Nowrey.
The Democrats could not secure control of City Council if they elected their candidates in every ward, but if they carry three or four wards it would do much to strengthen the party for next fall’s contest. The fight will be made in wards where dissension exists in the Republican ranks.
The saloonkeepers of Camden are still smarting under the turndown they received in their efforts to have the license fee cut down from $500 to $300 and the subsequent indictment of many of their number for Sunday liquor selling. The liquor dealers are now organized as they have never been before. The Camden Liquor Dealers’ Association is a close corporation and keeps its secrets well. It has leaked out that they propose to cut the Republican candidates, as they blame the Republican leaders for most of their troubles. The association has been raising a “pot” to aid the election of the Democratic candidates for City Council. The saloonkeepers are very reticent about discussing this subject, as they depend upon the Republican Excise Commissioners for their licenses.
The Democrats held their primary election last evening and named the following candidates for City Council: First ward, John H. Irwin; Second ward, former State Senator and County Chairman George Pfeiffer; Third ward, James Noone; Fourth ward, Lewis Holl; Fifth ward, George Horneff; Sixth ward, Ben Meloney; Seventh ward, William Hollman; Eighth ward, William Jennings; Ninth ward, Frank H. Powell; Tenth ward, Abel Lewis; Eleventh ward, William Petzell; Twelfth ward, Thomas H. Cook.
Real Estate Transfers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden, 1449 Princess—Lewis F. Holl to Jeannette Bryant, $3300.
Camden, S W side Kenwood, 200 ft W Pembroke—Edward C. Haddon to Thomas J. Croxton, et ux. $7000
Camden, lots 26 and 28, sec G, plan Lawnton—Richard Chamberlain to Emil Schulke, $700.
Death Notice — Lewis F. Holl
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HOLL.—Dec. 16, LEWIS F., husband of Wilmina Holl (nee Tenner), aged 77. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services at his late residence, 539 Berkley st., cor. of Broadway, Camden, N. J., Fri., 2 P. M. Int. Evergreen Cem. Friends may call Thurs., after 7 P. M.
Holl Block Going, New Stores to Rise
Camden Courier-Post —
Broadway Landmark of 50 Years Will Retain Name of Its Founders
The old Holl Block, landmark in Camden for more than half a century, soon will be no more. The 12 three-story stores comprising it are being torn down.
In their place on the east side of Broadway between Mickle and Stevens streets will rise 10 one-story modern stores.
The only thing that will remain will be the name—the Holl Block—and some party walls of the old structures. The 10 new stores, which will have Vermont white marble fronts and be modern in every detail, will be erected at a cost of $100,000.
The stores will be completed by May 15 or June 1, it was announced by J. William Markeim, of Markeim-Chalmers-Ludington, Inc., rental agents.
Work Being Speeded
Markeim said work on the new stores is being rushed so that completion will be as soon as possible, to the end that the new stores may be occupied and thereby furnish additional facilities and merchandise for the shoppers who have used this old shopping center.
The new stores will occupy a frontage of 220 feet by a depth of 93 feet, Markeim said. There will be eight stores with a frontage of 17 feet eight inches, and a depth of 93 feet six inches, and two corner stores of 36 feet width and 93 feet depth. There will be a 13-foot private driveway in the rear which will facilitate the moving of merchandise into the stores.
The plan, Markeim said, is to floodlight the stores at night and there will be a large clock in the center of the block.
Built 50 Years Ago
The stores replace 12 old three-story structures erected more than half a century ago by George Holl, a well known Camden builder, and his brother, Lewis. The brothers owned much property in the city years ago. George Holl died April 16, 1912, and his will provided that none of the real estate could be sold until 10 years after his death.
In March of last year Judge Clifford A. Baldwin, sitting in Orphans’ Court, conducted an auction sale of the property when several persons bid for the old property. The property was knocked down to Markeim for $68,100. Markeim represented the Ludmar Corporation, of which Nicholas S. Ludington is president and he is treasurer.
Built Back From Line
When Holl erected the original properties, he built them 20 feet back from the city property line. It was set forth that the 20 feet was for “light and air restriction.”
The same type of restriction applied to Mickle street for 15 feet and Stevens street for 10 feet from the property line “for the benefit of the property owners around the end of the lot.”
To lift the restriction on Broadway and use the 20 feet for the new stores in addition to the original depth of the lot, it was necessary to get court approval. The case was taken to Chancellor Luther A. Campbell, who agreed to the lifting of the restriction. The Ludmar Corporation did not ask that the restriction be lifted on Mickle and Stevens streets, Markeim said, although with that 25 feet thrown in an additional store could be erected.
With the cost of the property at $68,100, the court costs incident to the vacating of the 20-foot restriction, and the cost of erection of stores at $100,000, Markeim said that the completed job will cost the Ludmar Corporation $175,000. Thalheimer & Weitz, Philadelphia, are the architects for the stores and the Toll Barkan Company, Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia, is the builder.
The Holl Block, April 2003
Above: Looking South from Mickle Boulevard — Below: Looking North from Stevens Street