Mahlon F. Ivins Jr.
May 1902
MAHLON FOWLER IVINS JR. was born in Camden NJ in 1878. The Ivins family lived at 535 Arch Street in Camden at the time of the 1880 census; by 1887 they had moved to 525 Arch. Mahlon F. Ivins Sr. operated M.F. Ivins and Company, a painting business, was involved in banking, served two terms on the Camden City Council, and two terms as a Camden County Freeholder in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
Mahlon Ivins Jr. attended the Bordentown Military Institute and served during the Spanish-American War. In the February 23, 1901 edition of the Trenton (NJ) Times, it was printed that “Mahlon F. Ivins, formerly a student at B.M.I. was calling on friends here today.”
An active member of the Elks in Camden, he took part as a cast member in the lodge’s fourth annual minstrel show on May 1, 1902.
In the early 1900s Mahlon Ivins Jr. wed Florence Stiles. They eventually settled in Merchantville NJ, where they lived at 27 Walnut Street. His next door neighbors were the Mark Lewis family; their son, Major Mark Lewis, a West Point graduate, was killed while on active duty in a plane crash at the outset of the war.
Mahlon F. Ivins Jr. served during World War I, and the 1930 census shows him as a Captain with the New Jersey Quartermaster Department, most likely working at the National Guard Armory in Camden. Mahlon F. Ivins Jr. was also involved in civic affairs, and was a member of the Centennial Anniversary Committee of Camden New Jersey, which planned events for the 1928 celebration of 100 years of Camden’s founding. The committee was composed of Charles S. Boyer, Chairman; T. Yorke Smith, E.G.C. Bleakly, Mahlon F. Ivins Jr., Fred S. Caperoon and Frank S. Albright.
Mahlon F. and Florence Ivins Jr. were still residing in Merchantville as of 1947.
Paul Mathis, the famous Camden-born dancer, was the nephew of Mahlon Ivins Jr.
Elks Held the Stage
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Appeared Last Night in Blackface at the Camden Theatre.
THEIR FOURTH ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
Crowded House Applauded Their Efforts—Those Who Participated and the Songs—Will Repeat the Show To-night at Bridgeton
To a house that was crowded to the doors in spite of the warm weather, Camden Lodge of Elks last night presented their fourth annual minstrel performance at the Camden Theatre and scored their usual success. The first part, consisting of the usual songs and end men’s gags, was the best part of the program and the soloists were greeted with appreciative applause. Every man who participated was an Elk and the performance was staged by Bob Watt, of Philadelphia.
The end men were John S. Smith, Ulie G. Lee, M. F. Ivins, Jr., Tom Mack, Fred. L. Mead, James H. Long. Harry Condit was interlocutor and William J. Hopper handed the baton.
Mercer’s Militia Shoot Saturday
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Rifle Practice on Sea Girt Range Will Include All State Companies
CAMP EDGE, Sea Girt, Sept. 11.—Colonel Robert L. Patterson, who has been representing Governor Edge in the organization of a new State military force to take the place of the National Guardsmen now drafted into the Federal service, yesterday gave out the assignment of dates to companies in various parts of the State for rifle practice at Sea Girt. Mercer militia will practice on Saturday.
Each enlisted man is to have one day’s drill at the camp under the supervision of General Bird W. Spencer, inspector general of rifle practice, who is being assisted by Colonel William Libby, Lieutenant Colonel William T. Read and Colonel Patterson.
The drills began yesterday with five companies from Mount Holly, led by Lieutenant Winfield S. Gale; Camden, Captain Mahlon F. Ivins; Asbury Park, Captain Wilbur H. Pancoast; Lakewood, Captain Chas. Stanley Groce, and Salem, Lieutenant William H. Morris. The remainder of the companies of the State will be drilled here as follows:
Today—Union Hill, Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, Summit.
Thursday—Rutherford, Hackensack, Paterson, Passaic, Elizabeth.
Friday—Newark, Bloomfield, Orange.
Saturday—Clayton, Gloucester County, Westville, Flemington, Hamburg, Phillipsburg, Newton, Fair Haven, Mercer, New Brunswick, Atlantic City.
There are now 3,000 enlisted men in this service, all equipped with supplies, uniforms, guns and ammunition.
Camden Militia Passes 100 Per Cent. Efficient
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Company Develops From Raw Recruits to Trained Soldiers in Few Months
Members of Co. A, 2d Battalion, N. J. State Militia, in Camden, were yesterday much elated over the receipt of a report of Adjutant General Gilkyson that the command had been accredited with 100 per cent efficiency as a result of the recent inspection. Many of the new militiamen have been in training but a few months. Captain Mahlon F. Ivins, Jr. has also been apprised of his retention of his command. It has been through his efforts that the company has been developed from an aggregation of raw recruits to trained militiamen.
Vets in Colorful Memorial Crowd Convention Hall
Camden Courier-Post —
Military and Civic Organizations Parade in Camden and Join Services Addressed by Clergy and Congressman Wolverton
More than 2500 persons attended a joint veterans memorial observance in Convention Hall which followed a parade of veterans and civic organizations yesterday afternoon.
To the martial strains of bands and bugle corps, the participants marched from Fifth and Cooper to Seventh Street; south to Haddon avenue, then to Line Street and the Convention Hall.
The parade was headed by a squad of motorcycle police under Acting Sergeant William Taylor. They were followed by the band, headquarters, howitzer, medical and service companies of the 114th Infantry in command of Capt. Mahlon F. Ivins, Jr.
Then came the massed colors, National Guard, Naval Reserve, Disabled American Veterans, John J. Pershing Camp No.9, United War Veterans, Gen. John A. Mather Post No. 18, Spanish War Veterans with their fife and drum corps and the Clara E. Waller Auxiliary; Posts 518 and 980 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and their bugle corps; Mt. Ephraim Junior Legion, No. 150; and bugle corps; Public Service American Legion Post and bugle corps; Westmont American Legion Post and bugle corps; 50 Pennsylvania Gold Star Mothers led by Mrs. Mary E. Hewson; Elks color guard and the Salvation Army and band.
G. A. R. Vets In Line
Three veterans of the G. A. R., in flag-draped automobiles, participated in the parade. They were John W. Coleman, 76, of 31 North Thirty-fifth street, who served with the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry; William A. Morgan, 93, of Clementon, who was with the 104th Doylestown Infantry, and Leonard L. Roray, 89, of Glassboro, who served with Company H, Third New Jersey Cavalry.
Ceremonies at Convention Hall opened with advance of the colors to the stage and invocation by Rabbi Nachmann Arnoff.
Rev. Charles Bratten Du Bell, former chaplain of the 114th Infantry, delivered a memorial address, taking as his subject the career of General “Stonewall” Jackson.
Congressman Charles A. Wolverton after paying tribute to the G. A. R., Spanish American and World War veterans, promised that Congress would make provisions to support widows and orphans of veterans who need aid before adjournment this Summer.
Criticizes Veteran Cuts
He attacked any plan for balancing the national budget which does so at the expense of the veterans.
“There are two ways to balance the budget,” he said. “One is to take the money from the veterans and federal employees. The other is to require wealth to help.”
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and United Spanish War Veterans memorial services and rituals also featured the program. Rev. Lewis A. Hayes, of Westmont, pronounced the benediction. C. Richard Allen, past county commander of the American Legion, was master of ceremonies.
The committee included Samuel Magill, Jr., chairman; Edward A. Stark, A. F. Klein, Joseph A. Kohler, Joseph Whylings, James J. Burke, Norval McHenry, Charles Buzine, William Amberg, James Milne, William P. Breen, William Miller, William Reinholdt; Edward J. Wintering, William Eisele, William Lloyd, Joseph F. Markley, Frank Ellis, D. J. Connors, Joseph Lounsberry and Charles M. Jefferies.
Camden Courier-Post — February 9, 1938
Mrs. Mahlon Ivins Jr., of Merchantville, is spending a few weeks at the Pancoast Hotel, Miami.
Aluminum Pours (and Clatters) Into Camden’s Collection Center
Camden Courier-Post —
Aluminum Pours (and Clatters) Into Camden’s Collection Center
Drive Going Over with Bang in Other Areas of County; Gloucester Gathers Eight Truckloads of Discarded Kitchen Ware
Camden’s aluminum campaign is going over with a bang, literally and figuratively.
All day long yesterday pots and pans sailed over the wire fence at the central collection dump, Fifth and Arch streets, as busy housewives took time out to aid the nation-wide drive for the vital defense metal.
The nine fire houses, serving as district collection centers, also reported an ear-splitting business, and every community in the county was either in the throes of actual collection or preparing to launch its drive before the Monday deadline.
Nobody could say—in actual pounds—just how much has been collected thus far, but the house-to-house collection in Camden City, led by the Boy Scouts, is set for tomorrow night.
Pamphlets Distributed
Scouts have already blanketed the city with pamphlets explaining the purpose of the drive and pointing out that any article containing aluminum is acceptable.
Willard C. Schriver, named general chairman of the drive by Mayor George E. Brunner, said canvassers were told by scores of housewives that they intended to personally take their discarded wares to collection centers to save collectors the trouble of a call.
Gloucester City will conclude its drive tonight when it canvasses the first ward. Monday it collected four truck loads in the second ward, and an equal number in the third ward last night.
Abraham Brandt, chairman of the Gloucester committee, said women were on their doorsteps waiting for collectors both nights. The metal is being stored at the Armstrong Cork Company at the foot of Mercer street.
Church Aids Collection
The Gloucester American Legion Post No. 135, Townsend C. Young Post, V.F.W., and the junior and senior guilds of St. Mary’s Church are acting as collectors under Henry I. Edwards, defense chairman for Gloucester.
Merchantville will stage its drive Friday, Capt. Mahlon F. Ivins, borough defense chairman, announced last night. A screened-in bin will be constructed around the flagpole of the American Legion Home, Centre and Chestnut streets, and townspeople can deposit their articles there. Anyone unable to reach the center may notify the committee, which will send for the metal.
The Merchantville Legion Auxiliary has divided the borough into zones and residents are being notified of the drive by telephone and personal calls, Mrs. Helen Magee, auxiliary president, said.
Haddon township will begin its drive tomorrow. Edward D. Marker, chairman of the township committee, explained that only used articles of aluminum were needed.
Doorsteps Collection
“There is no need of a housewife depleting her stock of new utensils and then having to buy more,” he said, explaining that the program called for donors to place their discarded wares on the front steps at 7 p. m. tomorrow for collection. The Haddon legion, the V.F.W., the Westmont Fire Company and Boy and Girl Scout troops will aid the collection.
The drive in Audubon will start tomorrow and continue through Saturday, Mayor Andrew F. Ganser, chairman of the local defense council, said. Civic leaders, as well as scout troops, will take part.
Runnemede began its drive yesterday and two truck loads were collected by Boy Scouts and stored in the American Legion Home. A special matinee—admission, a piece of aluminum—will be held today at the Runnemede Theater by Benjamin Canton, manager.
The drive at Woodlynne also is scheduled for tomorrow and a collection bin is being build in front of the borough hall under direction of Elmer J. Mathis, local chairman. The police department and borough employes will start their house to house canvass at 1 p. m.
The Runnemede committee is headed by Freeholder John Tull, defense chairman, and includes Mayor Charles P. Barth; Councilman William Krohn and Thomas Durkin; Henry Gruber, Joseph Shackleton, George Streetz, William Rost, Daniel Gibson, Mrs. Earl Troup, William Beckett, Raymond Beck and John P. Julian.
V. F. W. Members Aid
Louis Naples, county commander of the V. F. W., issued a call to all county units to give full co-operation with the drives in their localities.
“More than 15 members of the V. F. W. took part in the pamphlet campaign in Camden City Monday,” Naples said, “and I urge that every member of the organization be present tomorrow night for the house-to-house collection.”
Naples is co-chairman of campaign committee, named by Mayor Brunner to serve with Schriver.
Drive Going Over with Bang in Other Areas of County; Gloucester Gathers Eight Truckloads of Discarded Kitchen Ware
Camden’s aluminum campaign is going over with a bang, literally and figuratively.
All day long yesterday pots and pans sailed over the wire fence at the central collection dump, Fifth and Arch streets, as busy housewives took time out to aid the nation-wide drive for the vital defense metal.
The nine fire houses, serving as district collection centers, also reported an ear-splitting business, and every community in the county was either in the throes of actual collection or preparing to launch its drive before the Monday deadline.
Nobody could say—in actual pounds—just how much has been collected thus far, but the house-to-house collection in Camden City, led by the Boy Scouts, is set for tomorrow night.
Pamphlets Distributed
Scouts have already blanketed the city with pamphlets explaining the purpose of the drive and pointing out that any article containing aluminum is acceptable.
Willard C. Schriver, named general chairman of the drive by Mayor George E. Brunner, said canvassers were told by scores of housewives that they intended to personally take their discarded wares to collection centers to save collectors the trouble of a call.
Gloucester City will conclude its drive tonight when it canvasses the first ward. Monday it collected four truck loads in the second ward, and an equal number in the third ward last night.
Abraham Brandt, chairman of the Gloucester committee, said women were on their doorsteps waiting for collectors both nights. The metal is being stored at the Armstrong Cork Company at the foot of Mercer street.
Church Aids Collection
The Gloucester American Legion Post No. 135, Townsend C. Young Post, V.F.W., and the junior and senior guilds of St. Mary’s Church are acting as collectors under Henry I. Edwards, defense chairman for Gloucester.
Merchantville will stage its drive Friday, Capt. Mahlon F. Ivins, borough defense chairman, announced last night. A screened-in bin will be constructed around the flagpole of the American Legion Home, Centre and Chestnut streets, and townspeople can deposit their articles there. Anyone unable to reach the center may notify the committee, which will send for the metal.
The Merchantville Legion Auxiliary has divided the borough into zones and residents are being notified of the drive by telephone and personal calls, Mrs. Helen Magee, auxiliary president, said.
Haddon township will begin its drive tomorrow. Edward D. Marker, chairman of the township committee, explained that only used articles of aluminum were needed.
Doorsteps Collection
“There is no need of a housewife depleting her stock of new utensils and then having to buy more,” he said, explaining that the program called for donors to place their discarded wares on the front steps at 7 p. m. tomorrow for collection. The Haddon legion, the V.F.W., the Westmont Fire Company and Boy and Girl Scout troops will aid the collection.
The drive in Audubon will start tomorrow and continue through Saturday, Mayor Andrew F. Ganser, chairman of the local defense council, said. Civic leaders, as well as scout troops, will take part.
Runnemede began its drive yesterday and two truck loads were collected by Boy Scouts and stored in the American Legion Home. A special matinee—admission, a piece of aluminum—will be held today at the Runnemede Theater by Benjamin Canton, manager.
The drive at Woodlynne also is scheduled for tomorrow and a collection bin is being built in front of the borough hall under direction of Elmer J. Mathis, local chairman. The police department and borough employes will start their house to house canvass at 1 p. m.
The Runnemede committee is headed by Freeholder John Tull, defense chairman, and includes Mayor Charles P. Barth; Councilman William Krohn and Thomas Durkin; Henry Gruber, Joseph Shackleton, George Streetz, William Rost, Daniel Gibson, Mrs. Earl Troup, William Beckett, Raymond Beck and John P. Julian.
V. F. W. Members Aid
Louis Naples, county commander of the V. F. W., issued a call to all county units to give full co-operation with the drives in their localities.
“More than 15 members of the V. F. W. took part in the pamphlet campaign in Camden City Monday,” Naples said, “and I urge that every member of the organization be present tomorrow night for the house-to-house collection.”
Naples is co-chairman of campaign committee, named by Mayor Brunner to serve with Schriver.
Defense Program Drafted by Legion in Merchantville
Camden Courier-Post —
Many Agencies, Volunteers Enlisted for Service in Emergency
A defense plan for Merchantville has been drafted under auspices of Frederick W. Grigg Post, No. 68, American Legion.
The plan was disclosed by Capt. Mahlon F. L. Ivins, National Guard officer, of 27 West Walnut avenue. Captain Ivins, a World War veteran, has been appointed defense chairman of Grigg Post.
The defense plan is the work of a committee which includes representatives of local governments, police and fire departments and health authorities as well as members of the Legion post.
“In order to understand the inclusiveness of our defense plan,” said Captain Ivins, “it is necessary to realize that the town is being bombed.”
Provision For Wounded
The captain then went on to explain that provisions are set up for public housing and feeding of the population as well as providing for the wounded and maintaining utility services.
“Another important point,” continued Captain Ivins, “is the necessity of co-ordination between defense efforts of Merchantville and Pennsauken township.” He provided the relation of municipalities and the fact that some of their utilities are jointly owned and operated require a high degree of cooperation.
Ivins said co-ordination had been established through Rendle S. Willgoos, Pennsauken’s director of public safety, and Chief of Police Thomas Thorpe, respectively chairman and vice chairman of Pennsauken’s defense committee.
“Under these conditions,” continued Captain Ivins, “we have established defense efforts in the two municipalities so that radio and telephone calls will make all defense aids in both available almost immediately.”
Captain Ivins cited as an example air-raid observation. A telephone call to either of the Pennsauken men would bring out all members of Post No. 125, American Legion, while he turned out nine members of Grigg Post to cover an air-raid observation post, Ivins said.
Russell G. Lewis, commander of Grigg Post, is co-ordinator of defense under Ivins.
“The job of the co-ordinator,” said Ivins, “is to see that all parts under the plan function smoothly.”
10 Divisions Set Up
The organization is set up in 10 divisions, each headed by a division chairman. The divisions and their respective chairmen follow:
Council, Congressman Frank B. Anderson; police, Chief William H. Linderman; fire, Chief John T. Blasket, Jr. of Niagara Falls N.Y.; Fire Companies, Legion Post No. 125, Charles C. Keeler, legionnaire; national defense, Ivins; Americanization, Charles Sinn, Legionnaire and Merchantville high school teacher; disaster relief, Irvine N. Donahue, Legionnaire and assistant cashier of the Merchantville National Bank & Trust Company; health director, Dr. Ralph K. Bush; transportation, John M. Brown, Legionnaire and former state draft agency; air-raid warning, Ivins.
Many Agencies Would Aid
“Each of the division chairmen would then bring under his division naturally falling under his department,” Ivins said. “They would have at their call, through the co-ordinator, the aid of the Merchantville-Pennsauken Visiting Nurse Association, Merchantville-Pennsauken branch of the American Red Cross and two Girl Scout troops, a dozen other organizations and many volunteers, whose names are being listed.”
“Another important point of the plan is the fact that our complete plan has been filed with State Defense Council. By filing the plan, in the event of a major disaster in the borough the State defense group knows immediately on whom to call,” Ivins explained, “so that within a short time our defense program will be organized and working smoothly.”