Introduction
Ludwig Polniak was born in Camden, New Jersey on April 11, 1919 to Leon and Rose Polniak.
Ludwig Polniak’s parents were both from the region of Poland known as Galicia, his father being born in a town called Lipskos in 1888. After coming to America in June of 1913, he worked at different jobs in Camden, with the intent of eventually owning his own store. When he registered for the draft in June of 1917, Leon Polniak was working at the Young & Metcher bag factory at South 6th and Mechanic Streets. Leon and Rose Polniak and their son Theodore then lived at 1267 Morton Street. By January of 1920 Ludwig Polniak had been born. The family was now living at 1338 Whitman Avenue, the corner of Whitman Avenue and Pershing Street. Leon Polniak was working at a shipyard, while Rose Polniak handled the two young boys AND kept a grocery, according to the 1920 Census record.
The 1924 Camden City Directory shows the family living and operating a grocery at 1048 Louis Street, between Mount Vernon and Chestnut Street. Leon Polniak was finally able to devote his full attention to the family business. The Polniaks remained at this address into the 1930s. By the 1940s they had moved once again, to 1527 Norris Street, where Leon Polniak operated Leon’s Grocery as late as 1947.
Older brother Theodore Polniak enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in February of 1936. Ludwig Polniak had completed two years of high school and was working as a truck driver when he was called to serve in the United States Army in February of 1942. He served with the 8th and 9th Air Force during World War II.
After the war both brothers returned to Camden. Theodore Polniak went to work for the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Line railroad and moved to Pfeiffer Street in East Camden. Ludwig Polniak first returned to his parents home on Norris Street. On December 30, 1950 he became a member of the Camden Fire Department. His wife, the former Blanche Deschin, was the cousin of Edward G. Glaze, who also joined the fire department around this time.
Ludwig Polniak served over 25 years, retiring in 1976. Plagued with heart and lung trouble in his later years, he passed away in Camden on November 12, 2002, survived by his wife, brother, nephews and nieces.
L.L. Polniak Meat Market — 1048 Louis Street
L.L. Polniak Meat Market, 1048 Louis Street. Photo taken late 1910s or early 1930s.
37 Camden Men Pass Tests for City Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Thirty-seven candidates have passed the Civil Service test for fireman in the Camden City fire department. Thirty-two of those who qualified are former service men and three of them, disabled veterans, were placed at the top of the list under the preference given by law.
Joseph T. Hackett, of 158 Branch Village, is listed first, Owen D. Gale, 320 Marlton avenue, second and August L. Johnson, 916½ Chestnut street, third.
The salary on Jan. 1 will begin at $2400 and reach a maximum of $3160 after four years.
Following is the complete list of those who qualified in the test:
Joseph T. Hackett, 158 Branch Village; Owen D. Gale, 320 Marlton avenue; August L. Johnson, 916 Chestnut street; Harry Sterling, 112 Ablett Village; Albert A. Stinger, 1423 Bradley avenue; Jesthroe Hunt, 753 Walnut street; Harold H. Pike, 429 Penn street; Roy R. Moffa, 216 Morse street; Allen F. Hess, 2733 Sherman avenue; Franklin W. Whylings, 602 North Thirty-second street; William L. Gosnell, 3303 Crescent drive; David W. Humphries, 3017 Mickle street; William G. Winstanley, 510 Penn street; Joshua H. Robinson, 1934 Kossuth street; Henry S. Keubler, 936 Broadway; Adolph S. Zubrzycki, 1223 South Tenth street; Ralph H. Palmer, 585 Mickle street; Alexander P. Matis, 903 Haddon avenue; Earl G. Robinson, 1036 Penn street; Anthony J. DiMaggio, 530 South Eighth street; Earl A. Smith Sr., 201 Biedeman avenue; Philip J. MacDonald, 123 North Eleventh street; Robert P. Olesiewicz, 321 Mt. Vernon street; Eugene E. Demers, 2034 High street; Chester J. Gedrich, 1154 Thurman street; John F. Chudzinski, 1043 Thurman street; Samuel D. Siniscalki, 803 Line street; Santo DiMaggio, 319 Beckett street; Ludwig Polniak, 471 Pfeiffer street; George P. Baxter, 817 Howard street; Ralph F. Schaffer, Canterbury apartments; Joseph J. McTaggart, 3135 Waldorf avenue; Louis J. Monahan, Canterbury apartments; John DiMaggio, 319 Beckett street; William N. Stone Jr., 950 Vine street; Casper J. Martelli, 220 Mt. Vernon street; and H. Raymond Dixon, 439 Trenton avenue.
Camden Fire Department Personnel Record
Camden Division of Fire Personnel Record. Ludwig Polniak, Badge No. 54. Date of Appointment: December 30, 1950. Reported for duty: January 1, 1951.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
POLNIAK, LUDWIG
Age 83 of Pennsauken, NJ, died Tuesday, November 12, 2002, in Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, NJ.
Born in Camden, NJ, Mr. Polniak was a retired firefighter with the City of Camden Fire Department. He had 25 years of service retiring in 1976. He was also a WWII Veteran serving with the 8th and 9th Air Force in the European Theater.
He is survived by his wife Blanche M. (nee Deschin), one brother Theodore Polniak of Berlin, two nephews Robert (Diane) Polniak of Barrington and David Polniak of Mannington Twp, NJ, one niece Eileen (William) Jerome of Bellmawr, four great nieces and nephews and five great great nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass Saturday 10:00AM in St. Stephen’s Church, 6300 Browning Road, Pennsauken, NJ. Visitation 9:00–10:00AM in church. Entombment Calvary Chapel Mausoleum. The Family requests in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Camden Firemen's Memorial Dedication
Mrs. Blanche Polniak, wife of Ludwig Polniak, at the dedication of the Camden Firemen’s Memorial at Fire Headquarters, Third and Federal Streets, Camden NJ, September 9, 2006. Camden fire fighter Richie Tate is standing behind her, wearing a blue shirt.