Introduction
Philip Knauff was born in New Jersey in September of 1863. He married around 1889, and his wife Lucy gave birth to a daughter, also named Lucy, in August of 1891. Philip Knauff worked as a shoe laster, but at different times operated a number of businesses in South Camden. In 1897 he was licensed for a bar at 1400 Broadway, and in 1898 he ran a grocery at 1320 Broadway.
The 1904 City Directory shows Philip Knauff and his wife Lucy at 1031 Broadway, where they had a restaurant.
In the mid 1900s Philip Knauff was appointed to the Camden Police Department. His marriage, however, broke up, and he lived apart from his wife by 1906.
The 1906 City Directory shows him living at 1018 South 6th Street, and working as a policeman. From 1909 until his death on June 14, 1917 Philip Knauff resided at 902 Broadway.
Camden Cop's First Night on the Force
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Philip Knauf, appointed a policeman by Mayor Ellis, in Camden, yesterday, will not likely forget his appearance as an officer. Incidentally South Camden will also remember the incident. When Knauf went to make his first “pull” at 7 o’clock last night he was escorted to the box by a score of brother officers. Before he reached the box at Broadway and Spruce streets he was presented with a big bouquet by Adam P. Davis. He had only proceeded a square when George Horneff saluted him with a revolver shot and fireworks.
Just about this time Squire Charles Baldwin appeared with a crowd, who thought someone had been murdered. The doughty squire was armed, and the new officer was lost in the rapidly increasing crowd before matters were explained.
First Capture Was a Bird
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Policeman Took a Blue Heron Into Custody
Philip Knauff, a new Camden policeman, made his first capture early yesterday morning, and it was a bird. Knauff was standing at Sixth and Chestnut streets at 2 o’clock, when there was a flapping of wings and a big bird settled on the policeman’s shoulder. Before Knauff could draw his night stick the bird flew toward an electric light, and striking the globe fell on the trolley tracks. Knauff then secured the bird by means of twine. It was a fine specimen of the blue heron.
The policeman now has his first prisoner on exhibition.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
On a charge of obtaining money under false pretenses, Anthony Penrose and Joseph Gorman, of Philadelphia, were arrested by Policeman Knauff in Camden last night and sent to the city jail for a hearing this morning. According to the police, the prisoners have been swindling South Camden people for several weeks by means of selling pictures for next to nothing and charging exorbitant rates for frames on delivery.
(news note)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
(news note)
** Patrol Sergeant Philip Knauff gave a roast pig dinner to a number of friends last night.
Patrol Sergeant Philip Knauff gave a roast pig dinner to a number of friends last night.
Mercer Jury Frees Camden Policeman
Trenton Evening Times —
After a twenty-minute deliberation this morning a jury in Mercer Court acquitted Philip Knauff, the Camden policeman charged with perjury.
Prosecutor Crossley appeared for the state and J. Lefferts Conard and former Prosecutor Scovel of Camden County represented the defendant.
The charge was the result of Knauff giving testimony in the civil suit of Clark Hill of this city against Patrolman Thomas Guthridge of Camden for damages. The case was heard in the Mercer Circuit of the Supreme Court June 10, 1910, and Hill was given a verdict.
Phil Knauff About
Philadelphia Inquirer —
“Our Old Friend Phil” was on the job to-day. Several days ago Copper Philpino Knauff fell off the running board of a trolley car and he was injured. He refused to do anything but recover and to-day he put on his uniform and reported for duty.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Board of Freeholders yesterday adopted a resolution providing for the construction of a new bridge over the Pensauken Creek on the Moorestown road.
Philip Knauff, a policeman, died at Cooper Hospital yesterday from pneumonia. He had been ill but two days. He was 52 years old and is survived by a widow and daughter.
Following a long illness, John J. Callahan, a blacksmith, died yesterday at his home at 902 Penn street. He is survived by a widow and son.
Police Honor Comrade
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Headed by Chief Gravenor, Camden’s police force yesterday paid its last respect to Philip Knauff, a policeman, who died of pneumonia Wednesday. The funeral was held at the home of Knauff’s sister, Mrs. Thomas Budick, of 622 Pine street. The services were in charge of Rev. William P. Valiant, pastor of the Kaighn Avenue M. E. Church and interment was made at Evergreen Cemetery. The pallbearers, all fellow policemen, included Harry Vliet, John Sheeran, Albert Cornog, Clarence Boyer, William Briant and Detective David Hunt.