Introduction
Lewis M. Ferrell was born in New Jersey in September of 1855 to James and Annie Ferrell. He appears in the 1870 Census living in Camden and working as an apprentice carpenter. He married his wife Rena around 1876. There were eight children, but sadly only two were still living in 1900.
Lewis Ferrell appears in the 1878–1879 Camden City Directory as a carpenter living at 325 Mickle Street. By April of 1882, when he was appointed to the Fire Department, he was living at 428 Lawrence Street.
Lewis Ferrell was appointed to the Department to serve as an extra man with Engine Company 2, taking the place of John Holland. Lewis Ferrell was replaced in turn in 1884 by Howard H. Currie.
The 1883–1885 Camden City Directory shows Lewis Ferrell still living at 428 Lawrence Street. By the time the 1885 edition was compiled, he had moved to 518 Felton Street. He had moved to 704 Clinton Street prior to the compilation of the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory. Another move took him to 530 North 9th Street in time for the compilation of the 1890–1891 Directory. He stayed at this address until 1894 when he moved to 1016 Lawrence Street. The 1896 Directory shows a move to 331 Point Street. After a year he moved to 142 North 11th Street. The 1900 Census shows Lewis and Rena Ferrell at 540 South 7th Street with two daughters still at home. The 1906 City Directory indicates a move to 906 Lawrence Street.
Lewis Ferrell passed away on August 7, 1907 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. His widow was working as a cook in Camden when the 1910 Census was taken.
Camden’s New Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The fire commissioners of Camden have made the following appointments, and the men will go on duty next Saturday: Engine No. 1—Foreman, George Tenner; extra men, James McCracken, Daniel Broomley, James S. Kelley, Michael McCaffery, James H. Brown, Thomas McKenna, James Shinn, Smith Moore, William Irelan. Engine No. 2—Foreman, William Bassett; extra men, John Hill, James Reed, Robert Miller, William Marsh, George Moffett, John J. Logan, Isaac M. Shreve, Samuel Welsh, Lewis Ferrell, Logan Bates, Isaac Collings, Harry Miles, John Elliott, William Turner, Charles Holl, John J. Hibbs, John Seybold, Wm. Suders, Edward Swope, James McCann.
(news brief — Henry Wagner and firemen arrested for interfering with officer)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Saturday afternoon William Wagner became involved in a fracas with Adolph Poell in front of the saloon of George Pfenler, Sr., on Fourth street. Officer Charles Keen, who hastened across the street to quell the trouble, finding Wagner the aggressor, and in an intoxicated condition, took hold of him with the intention of making an arrest. Henry Wagner, brother of the pugilist and assistant engineer of the fire department, with Harry Miles, interfered and demanded the officer to release his prisoner. Instead of doing so he grabbed Miles, intending to arrest him also for his interference. While on his way to the city hall he was again stopped by William Laird, Charles Sawyer and Reuben Turner, all firemen, who endeavored to release the prisoners. This they were unable to do, and the plucky officer lodged the two Wagners and Miles at the city hall. Henry Wagner and Harry Miles furnished bail for their appearance this morning, when they will answer the charge of assault and battery and interfering with the officers. The three firemen will have a hearing at the same time on a similar charge.
Saturday afternoon William Wagner became involved in a fracas with Adolph Foell in front of the saloon of George Pfeiffer, Sr., on Fourth street. Officer Charles Keen, who hastened across the street to quell the trouble, finding Wagner the aggressor, and in an intoxicated condition, took hold of him with the intention of making an arrest. Henry Wagner, brother of the pugilist and assistant engineer of the fire department, with Harry Miles, interfered and demanded the officer to release his prisoner. Instead of doing so he grabbed Miles, intending to arrest him also for his interference. While on his way to the city hall he was again stopped by William Laird, Charles Sawyer and Reuben Turner, all firemen, who endeavored to release the prisoners. This they where unable to do, and the plucky officer lodged the two Wagners and Miles at the city hall. Henry Wagner and Harry Miles furnished bail for their appearance this morning, when they will answer the charge of assault and battery and interfering with the officers. The three firemen will have a hearing at the same time on a similar charge.
Carpenter Hurt by a Fall
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Louis Ferrell, a carpenter, of 142 North Eleventh street, Camden, fell a distance of twenty feet while at work at the new Sixth Regiment Armory yesterday. He was treated for a broken heel at the Cooper Hospital.
Child Fell From Trestle
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mary Farrell, 10 years old, of 906 Lawrence street, was playing on a trestle at Haddon and Bridge avenues, Camden, last night, when she fell to the ground, a dozen feet. At the Cooper Hospital it was found she had fractured her left wrist and had received a number of severe lacerations.