Robert M. "Bert" Coffman Jr.
ROBERT McKENZIE “BERT” COFFMAN JR. was born on April 24, 1875 in New York to Robert and Amelia Coffman. His parents had lived in Philadelphia in the late 1860s and early 1870s. There were three older siblings at home in 1880 as well, May, Gertrude, and Harry.
The 1878 City Directory reveals that the Coffman family was living at 224 Arch Street. In 1879 his younger brother Richard was born. Another brother, John Coffman, came later. When the 1879 City Directory was compiled, the Coffmans lived at 40 North 5th Street, where they remained through 1894. The 1895 City Directory shows the family at 509 Arch Street. Robert M. Coffman Jr. was at that time working as a stableman at the J.B. Van Sciver & Company furniture factory. The 1896 City Directory shows the family still residing at 509 Arch Street. Robert M. Coffman Sr. had gone into the furniture delivery business, and Robert Jr. was working with his father. By 1897 the Coffman family had moved to 34 North 5th Street.
By 1897 Robert M. Coffman Jr. had married Charlotte “Lottie” Camp. A son, Robert 3rd, was born in 1897, and four other children followed by 1910, Elmer, Elaine, Anna, and Alma. He worked for his father into the early 1900s. By 1906 Robert M. Coffman had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
When the Census was taken in 1910 Robert M. Coffman Jr. was a driver for the Camden Fire Department in Camden NJ. The family lived with his parents and siblings at 34 North 5th Street, across the street from Camden Fire headquarters. The family remained there through 1914, when the City Directory for 1914–1915 was compiled. In the late 1910s he was working with Engine Company 5 at 14th and Federal Streets. By September of 1918, when he registered for the draft, Robert M. Coffman Jr. had moved to 541 Fulton Place in North Camden. The family remained at that address through at least April of 1930. Robert M. Coffman Jr. was still with the fire department at that time. During this period another Camden Fire Fighter, Edgar R. Ellender Sr., lived five doors away, at 531 Fulton Place.
Robert Coffman retired from the Fire Department during the 1930s. By 1940 he had left Camden. Robert M. Coffman Jr. eventually moved to Miami, Florida where he passed away on May 5, 1973.
1910 Census Sheet
1910 Census Sheet
Engine Company No. 5
Engine Company No. 5 at 14th and Federal Streets, with newly converted hose wagon. Originally a horse drawn rig, it was modified to electric power by the Commercial Truck Company of Philadelphia PA. A storage battery powered each wheel. Pictured with apparatus are (l to r): Chief Peter Carter, Fireman Scott Franklin, Chauffeur Bert Coffman, Firemen Edward Kelley, William Buzine, John Prucella, Charles Schultz, Horace Cairns, Daniel Grimes and Chief’s Aide, Fireman Harry Hankins.
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
PENSIONS AWARDED 6 COPS, 17 FIREMEN
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter’s was passed, but an improviso was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
It was explained that the city commission’s resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years’ service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.
5 South Jersey Drivers Deprived of Licenses
Camden Courier-Post —
Trenton, June 28.— Five South Jersey motorists were among 30 drivers in the state whose licenses were revoked by Commissioner William L. Dill today for intoxication.
Those who have been deprived of their permits are Robert M. Coffman, 541 Fulton place, and Marvin H. Guenther, 816 North Thirty-fourth street; both of Camden; William Santhany, Wildwood; Thomas Feeney, Hammonton, and George Lutlow, Egg Harbor City.
Mrs. Lottie Coffman
Camden Courier-Post — May 1–2, 1944
Mrs. Lottie Coffman, 64, widow of Robert Coffman, a member of the Camden fire department for 27 years, died yesterday. She was a resident of Goshen.
She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. P. McNiff, Collingswood, and Mrs. W. Foster and Mrs. J. Watson, Camden, and four sons, Robert, Jr., Paulsboro; Elmer, California, and John and Frank, who are with the Army overseas. Services will be at 2 p. m. at a funeral home at 423 Cooper street.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
COFFMAN — On May 5, 1973, Robert M. Age 98. Of Homestead, Fla. Formerly of Camden, N.J. Husband of the late Lottie (nee Camp). Also survived by 3 daughters, Elaine McNutt, Collingswood, Anna Foster, Homestead, Fla., Alma Watson, Gibbstown, N.J. 3 sons, Robert M. of Gibbstown, John, Merchantville, Frank, Bellmawr. 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral and Interment at the convenience of the family on Wednesday, at the Davies Funeral Chapel, 4522 Westfield Ave., Pennsauken. No viewing Tuesday evening.