Robert Steer
ROBERT STEER was born in New Jersey in September of 1858 to Martin and Eliza Steer. He was a lifelong resident of North Camden. The family was living in Camden’s North Ward as early as the spring of 1860. The census of 1870 shows Martin and Eliza Steer and their four sons, Alexander, Robert, Harry, and Samuel. Another brother, Howard, was born after the Census was taken.
The 1878–1879 Camden City Directory shows Robert Steer and his parents living at 916 Howard Street, where they remained through 1881. Robert Steer was living at 56 North Street by the summer of 1882, and stayed at that address into 1885. The 1887–1888 and 1888–1889 City Directories show Robert Steer living at 803 North 2nd Street.
Robert Steer married Carrie Paine in 1889. On July 1, 1890 Robert Steer was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He was then living at 57 York Street, where he remained through 1897. He first served as a hoseman with Engine Company 2. When fire fighter Charles Berry of Engine Company 4 at 330 Vine Street passed away in 1893, Robert Steer was transferred to that unit.
In 1894 Engine Company 4’s personnel were as follows: Foreman Amedee S. Middleton, Engineer Francis Turner; Driver Walter Browning; Stoker Robert Steer; Hosemen, Howard Currie, William Patterson, James Elberson.
The 1899 City Directory and the 1900 Census show Robert Steer living at 806 Howard Street with his wife, son William H., daughter Carrie, brother Howard, mother-in-law Rebecca and sister-in-law Della. By 1906 the family had moved to 816 Howard Street, where they remained into 1910. By the time the 1914 Camden City Directory was compiled, Robert Steer had moved to 810 Howard Street.
Robert Steer passed away on January 20, 1915.
Charles Berry's Funeral
Camden Daily Courier —
Charles Berry’s Funeral.
The funeral of Charles G. Berry, one of the bravest and most popular firemen in this city, took place at 2 o’clock this afternoon from his late residence at 226 Point street.
The firemen attended the funeral in a body, and the members of the First Ward Republican Club were represented in a large body, while Mayor Westcott, Councilman Robert Smith, George Barrett, and many other prominent men of this city viewed the body.
Rev. A. G. Lawson of the North Baptist Church preached the funeral sermon, after which the body was taken to Philadelphia where it was interred in Glenwood Cemetery. The body lay in a black cloth covered casket and was dressed in his fireman’s uniform with the cap lying on the breast.
A profusion of floral offerings lay around the coffin. Among these were a pillow with the words “Comrades of No. 4,” a fireman’s hat from No. 4 Company, cut flowers from Jesse Conley, a design of white roses from James Dunn and Joseph Love, two of his closest friends, a pillow from his family a handsome design from the Republican League and lilies from Councilman Smith.
The pall bearers were Chief Samuel Elfreth, of the Fire Department; Foreman Amadee Middleton, of No. 4; Engineer Frank Turner and Edward Hartman, Walter Browning, Robert Sheer, William Bogia and Charles Kay, all members of the Fire Department.
All the friends of the deceased accompanied the body to the ferry and there left the pall-bearers and family with his Philadelphia friends, who took the body to the cemetery.
Mr. Charles Berry was born in Philadelphia, in 1854. He graduated from the Friends’ Central School and attended the Chester Military Academy. When he left school he went with John Mundell, the shoe manufacturer of Philadelphia, and became foreman of Mr. Mundell’s extensive works. Ten years ago he came to Camden and was foreman of George Martin’s shoe factory, and from there he went to Deitrich’s place, on Market street, where he held a similar position, which he gave up to enter the fire department. He has been a fireman for three years, and was known as one of the bravest and best men in the department.
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Philadelphia Inquirer —
Rachel Masner, of 317 Cedar street, would have been burned to death by her clothing catching fire from the range yesterday if Fireman Robert Steer had not jumped the fence and bundled her in blankets. She was seriously burned.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fireman Robert Steer, of No. 4 Fire House, had one of his arms broken while exercising a horse.
Camden Storage Fire
Engineer Bob Steer tends Engine 4 while supplying water — May 6, 1904
Engine Company 4
About 1910
Engine 4 with a full head of steam — About 1910
Firemen Enjoy Oyster Supper
Camden Post-Telegram —
Juicy bivalves prepared in all styles by Messrs Bob Brice and Joe Daly were last night enjoyed by the boys at No. 4 Engine Company, on Vine street near Fourth. James Walton was toastmaster.
After-dinner talks were given by Matt Tenniswood, James Neeley and Captain William W. Patterson.
The participants were: Captain W. W. Patterson, Lieutenant James Elberson, Robert Steer, Bob Brice, Ephraim Hires, Joseph Logue, Howard Curry, Joseph Daly, Freeholder James E. Walton, Matt Tenniswood, James Neeley and Adrian Bateman.
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Philadelphia Inquirer —
STEER—Jan. 20, 1915. ROBERT B. STEER, husband of Carrie S. Steer (nee Payne), aged 56 years. Relatives and friends, also Camden City Fire Dept. and Ottawa Tribe, No. 15, Imp. O. R. M., are invited to attend funeral services, on Sunday at 2 P. M. at his late residence, 810 Howard st., Camden, N. J. Interment Arlington Cemetery. Remains may be viewed Saturday evening.
STEER—Jan. 20, 1915. ROBERT B. STEER, husband of Carrie S. Steer (nee Payne), aged 56 years. Relatives and friends, also Camden City Fire Dept. and Ottawa Tribe, No. 15, Imp. O. R. M., are invited to attend funeral services, on Sunday at 2 P. M. at his late residence, 810 Howard st., Camden, N. J. Interment Arlington Cemetery. Remains may be viewed Saturday evening.
Firemen Escort Steer's Remains
Camden Post-Telegram —
With an honorary escort of sixty firemen and Fire Chiefs John A. Stockton, Peter B. Carter and Walter Browning attending his funeral, Fireman Robert B. Steer, for twenty-five years a member of the local fire department, and who died on Wednesday, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in Arlington Cemetery.
Services were conducted at the Steer residence, 310 Howard street, by Rev. J. L. Surtees, pastor of State Street M. E. Church, and Rev. Isaac W. Bagley, chaplain of the department.
The pall-bearers were members of No. 4 Engine Company. They follow: Captain William W. Patterson, Robert Brice, Ephraim Hires, James Elberson, Daniel Grimes, Charles Watkins, Jr., Joseph Daly and David Logue.
The escort of firemen marched beside the hearse as far as No. 5 Engine Company. Chief John A. Stockton led the delegation. The flower designs completely enshrouded the bier. They came from people in all walks of life, who also came to pay their last respects to the lamented fire fighter.
Mr. Steer served as a fireman for almost twenty-five years, and he was one of the most popular men in the department. He was known to hundreds of people and his death has caused wide and genuine sorrow in North Camden.
He is survived by his wife, one son, Robert Steer, Jr., and a daughter, Miss Carrier Steer.
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Camden Evening Courier —
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Robert Brice, of the First ward, was elected to succeed the late Fireman Robert Steer, of Engine Company No. 4.
Robert Brice, of the First ward, was elected to succeed the late Fireman Robert Steer, of Engine Company No. 4.