Introduction
THOMAS F. GIBBONS was born in New Jersey on September 25, 1900 to Joseph Gibbons and his wife, the former Mary Catherine Sheeran in Camden, New Jersey. He appears in the 1920 Census at 721 Elm Street in North Camden, where he lived with his mother and step-father Samuel Phillips. Thomas F. Gibbons was then working as an apprentice in one of Camden’s shipyards. The family was still at 721 Elm Street when the 1924 City Directory was compiled.
Thomas Gibbons married Estella maried Gosling on August 13, 1924. A daughter, Mary Catherine, was born on September 3, 1925. The 1927 City Directory shows him still living at 721 Elm Street, working as a brakeman.
Thomas F. Gibbons was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April 4, 1928 and began work on April 16, 1928. The 1929 City Directory gives his address as 605 Birch Street. The 1930 Census shows him living with his wife Estella and infant daughter Mary Catherine at 424 Vine Street. He was still at that address as late as 1931.
On July 1, 1933 Thomas Gibbons was transferred to Ladder Company 2 at 619 Kaighn Avenue. On April 12, 1933 Thomas F. Gibbons broke his ankle while fighting a fire at 412 Kaighn Avenue. He attempted to return to work in December of 1934, but was excused from duty due to his injuries after one week. Thomas F. Gibbons was still on the books at Ladder Company 2 at the end of 1934, but apparently never did return to active service with a company of the Camden Fire Department. He was assigned to “theater duty.” He was granted a line of duty disability pension on April 16, 1938, effective May 15, 1938.
Thomas Gibbons’ brother-in-law, Isaac Z. Gosling, died whil serving with the United States Army in England on September 3, 1942.
By 1939 Thomas Gibbons and family had left Camden, and had moved to 521 Groff Lane, Ventneor, New Jersey. They were still in Atlantic City as late as 1957. He was then working as a janitor at the Guarantee Bank and Trust in Atlantic City. Last a resident of Absecon, New Jersey, he died in July of 1984.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Lennox Deputy Chief; Eight Others Elevated as Captains Here
A new deputy chief, a battalion chief and eight new senior and junior captains will assume their posts today in the fire department. The men were promoted yesterday afternoon, along with the announcement of eleven new appointments of firemen, who will go into service April 15.
The new deputy chief, John H. Lennox, now is second in command when his platoon is on duty. He was acting deputy since the naming of Thomas Nicholas as chief two years ago.
The new battalion chief is Rollo Jones. Jones succeeded George B. Wade, who retired January 1.
Junior captains advanced to senior captains, with salaries increased to $2,400, are William H. Harring, Truck Company No. 1, Clarence Madden, Engine Company No. 6 and George Hunt, Engine Company No 7. The new junior captains advanced from the ranks, with new salaries of $2,299 a year, are David Ellis, driver for Chief Nicholas for nine years, George Saunders, hoseman of Engine Company No. 9; Eli Hunt, driver of Engine Company No. 3, and William Van Pfefferle, hoseman, Engine Company No. 1.
All the promotions were from the civil service eligible list. The captains will be assigned tomorrow.
The new firemen, also civil service eligibles, will start with salaries of $1,500. Each year of service brings an increase, until five years in the department pays $2,040 annually. The new men are Thomas F. Gibbons, Byron M. Davis, John S. Anderson, William H. Toy, Leo J. Tompkins, Horace T. Molan, Lawrence Bolton, George W. Garner, Felix E. Bendzyn, Harry H. Hess and Charles Jones.
Chief Lennox is one of the most popular firefighters in the organization. “Chappie” is the nickname by which he has been known for years. He was appointed a fireman January 1, 1908. He was promoted to a captainship October 1, 1915, and was assigned to Engine Company No. 8.
His promotion to deputy chief gives the department two men in that standing, one in command of each platoon on duty. His new salary will be $2,800 a year. He will be stationed at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets. He lives at 633 Clinton street. William W. Patterson is the other deputy chief.
Battalion Chief Jones will receive $2,520 a year. He has been in command of Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. He will be sent to command Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue. He was a former senior captain of Engine Company No. 4. For a number of years he was an instructor in fire school methods of life saving. He lives at 536 York street.
22 Firemen Assigned to New Stations
Camden Courier-Post —
12 Rookies and 10 Promoted Men Go to Posts
Twelve new firemen and ten men promoted several weeks ago were assigned to their new stations yesterday by Chief Thomas J. Nicholas. With these appointments, the department complement of 200 men is completed.
John H. Lennox, newly named deputy chief, will make his headquarters at the Fifth and Arch streets station. Rollo Jones, promoted from senior captain to battalion chief, succeeding George Wade, recently retired on pension, will move to Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Three men were promoted from junior to senior captaincies. They are: William Heron, who moved to Company No. 2; George Hunt, Company No. 8, and Clarence T. Madden [sic] Company No. 5.
Taken from the ranks, the following will be stationed as junior captains: David R. Ellis, Company No. 7; Clarence Newton, Company No. 5; William Van Pfefferle, Truck Company No. 2; Eli Hunt, Company No. 9, and George Saunders, Company No. 6.
The new firefighters and their stations are: Lawrence Bolton, Company No. 9; John S. Anderson, Company No. 4; Byron M. Davis, Company No. 1; George W. Garner, Company No. 4; Lawrence Milton, Company No. 5; Thomas Gibbons, Company No. 4; Leo J. Tompkins, Company No. 2; Felix Bendzyn, Company No. 7; Horace T. Molan, Company No. 7; William E. Toy, Company No. 9; Harry H. Hess, Company No. 11, and Edward Callahan, Truck Company No. 4.