Introduction
Samuel C. Curriden was the son of William J. Curriden. He was born in New Jersey around 1868. He was one of at least six children, the others being William, Ida Jane, Harry, Josephine, and Edward Curriden.
In 1882 Samuel Curriden and his brother Harry operated a sign business out of 764 Federal Street. Samuel Curriden then lived nearby at 752 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In 1888, according to that year’s City Directory, he was working as a driver for Samuel A. Kilpatrick, with a home address of 27 South 8th Street. He is listed in the 1890–1891 Camden City Directory as a letter carrier, living at the same address.
Samuel Curriden is listed at 845 Bridge Avenue in the 1891–1892 and 1894–1895 City directories. In May of 1894 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, along with Joseph Logue, William Patterson, George Cox, David Andrews, John A. Dold, William Jobes, William O. Sawyer, and Albert James. Samuel Curriden did not remain with the fire department for long, however. He was let go on March 28, 1895. He was living at 734 Carman Street by the fall of 1895.
Interestingly enough, a few years after leaving the postal service, Samuel Curriden and several other Camden letter carriers received settlements from the government to compensate them for overtime work while mailmen. The other Camden mailmen included Daniel W. Leach and David S. Paul, among others. The story was reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer on December 14, 1896.
Samuel Curriden moved to Atlantic City later in the 1890s and remained for a number of years before returning to the Camden area. The 1910 Census shows him at 723 Carman Street, working as a construction foreman. He later moved to Collingswood.
During World War I Samuel Curriden was active in the civic affairs of Camden relating to the war effort. At war’s end, he served as the Chairman of the Decorations Committee, which directed the erection of all Victory Arches and decorations for receptions to the returning troops, Admiral Henry B. Wilson Jr., and the Peace Jubilee. The rest of the committee consisted of the following men: Andrew B. F. Smith, William S. Abbott, W. H. Turnbull, Charles S. Boyer, John W. Kelly Jr., Walter L. Campbell, and Charles M. Curry.
In 1924 Samuel Curriden patented a device for use in transporting sections of pipe. Samuel C. Curriden passed away in 1926.
Youngest brother Edward Curriden was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in the early 1900s and served into the mid-1920s, retiring at the rank of Captain.
Portrait
Samuel C. Curriden
Ninth Ward Republican Club
Philadelphia Inquirer —
At the annual election of the Ninth Ward Republican Club last night the following officers were elected: President, Councilman Charles Sharp; first vice president, Samuel Curriden; second vice president, James Scanlan; financial secretary and treasurer, U. G. Lee; recording secretary, W. J. Curriden; captain, Samuel Lee.
Additional Firemen in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Camden Fire Commissioners held a meeting last night at which nine new firemen were appointed as follows: First ward, Joseph Logue; Second ward, William Patterson; Third ward, George Cox; Fourth ward, David Andrews; Fifth ward, John A. Dold; Sixth ward, William Jobes; Seventh ward, William O. Sawyer; Eighth ward, Albert James; Ninth ward, Samuel Curriden.
Fire Commissioners
Camden Daily Telegram —
Appointments Made as Provided for by Ordinance.
At a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of City Council on Tuesday night James Baird was awarded the contract for supplying the department with two horses at $400.
The Commissioners made the following appointments, in conformity with a recent ordinance: First ward, Joseph Logue; Second ward, William Patterson; Third ward, George Cox; Fourth ward, David Andrews; Fifth ward, Joseph Dold; Sixth ward, William Jobes; Seventh ward, William O. Sawyer; Eighth ward, Albert James; Ninth ward, Samuel Curriden.
Four of the above appointments are to be assigned to the new chemical engine, and one man is to be assigned to each of the five companies. By this arrangement the extra men are dispensed with. James Elberson, of the First ward, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Charles Kay, who was appointed to the police force to succeed Elberson.
Fire Commissioners
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Fire Commissioners have discharged Samuel Curriden, of Engine Company No. 2, and appointed William Hertline to fill the vacancy.
Christmas Cash for the Carriers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CHRISTMAS CASH FOR THE CARRIERS
The Court of Claims Plays Santa Claus for the Men in Gray.
AWARDS OF JUDGMENTS
Lucky Postal Employes Who Will Get Snug Sums for Working Overtime for Uncle Sam.
Special to The Inquirer. THE INQUIRER BUREAU. 1410–12 G Street N. W. WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.—The United States Court of Claims has rendered judgments in favor of a large number of letter carriers who sued the government for pay due them for overtime work. The names of the carriers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, together with the amounts awarded them, are as follows:
NEW JERSEY.
CAMDEN.—Henry F. Bagge, $77.70; Carrie L. Bauers, administratrix estate John Bauers, deceased, $151.41; Henry S. Powell, $200.18; Daniel Cahill, $205.34; Thomas Callen, administrator estate Joseph S. Callen, deceased, $425.26; Daniel H. Creighton, $76.48; Samuel C. Curriden, $134.10; Harry E. Gamble, $305.81; John C. Goldthorp, $80.62; William P. Gragan, $225.20; Thomas J. Hambrose, $33.30; Jeremiah Hamilton, $354.39; Alfred J. Harvey, $96.83; Ephraim Hillman, $306.93; Wilhelmina Kennedy, administratrix estate John C. Kennedy, deceased, $200.63; Daniel W. Leach, $248.27; Harry P. Lott, $277.51; David S. Paul, $243.60; Katie M. Schregler, administratrix estate Lawrence Schregler, deceased, $244.17; August Schultz, $166.18; Edwin D. Steen, $168.65; William W. Stone, $260.50; William L. Stratton, $120.73; Patrick Whalan, $40.31; James Henry Brown, $219.06.
Mrs. H. E. Curriden Dies at Home of Son
Mrs. Hannah E. Curriden, 73, a lifelong resident of Camden county, died Saturday at the home of her son, Harold B. Curriden, 171 Fern avenue, Collingswood, after an illness of four months.
Mrs. Curriden had lived in Collingswood since 1906. She was the widow of Samuel C. Curriden, who died in 1926. Mrs. Curriden was a member of the First M. E. Church, Collingswood.
Harold Curriden, a widely-known basket-ball player in the days of the old City League, is associated with the Curriden Oil Corp., Camden.
Mrs. Curriden also is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Ida Staudinger of Camden, and Mrs. Florence LaMarr of Philadelphia, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at 800 Haddon avenue, Collingswood. Burial will be in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro.