Victor King

VICTOR KING was born in Pennsylvania in 1874. He settled in Camden after 1911, where he bought a home at 3197 Federal Street, and went into business. With his wife Sarah, he had six children—daughters Ethel, Grace, and Marietta, and sons Edward, Earl, and Victor S. King. He also during these years acquired the Thomas L. Dudley estate, known as Dudley Grange, which was adjacent to his home. He sold it to the city of Camden in the early 1920s, and it was converted into a library.

Victor King was elected Mayor of Camden in 1922, defeating Frank S. Van Hart by 800 votes. He served until 1927. During his term the Delaware River Bridge was completed, and Sears-Roebuck built their department store on the Admiral Wilson Boulevard at Mt. Ephraim Avenue, an innovative building that would change the face of retailing in South Jersey. Mayor King was instrumental in the design of the building.

Victor King served until 1927, when he was succeeded by Winfield Scott Price. He later went into the real estate business. During the 1930s he managed the Camden district office of the Federal Home Owners’ Loan Corporation.

Victor S. King’s daughter Grace taught in the Camden Public School system at the James A. Garfield School at South 29th and Cramer Streets in the 1920s.

Little Likelihood Seen in Former Mayor Ousting Kelleher

Members of a newly organized “Victor King League” composed of supporters of the former Camden Mayor will journey to Trenton tonight to present King’s candidacy for the position of clerk of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The post is now held by Edward J. Kelleher, Democratic leader of Camden County. Followers of Kelleher to-day predicted that he would be reappointed and that the bid on behalf of King was scheduled for rapid and complete disappointment.

According to those same observers, the report that Kelleher would not be reappointed came from the desire of Governor A. Harry Moore to provide a position for his present secretary, Fred Bloodgood. It has been customary for a number of years for a New Jersey Governor who is soon to retire to “take care” of his secretary in this way. The position of Supreme Court clerk was said at one time to be favored for Bloodgood but Kelleher supporters now say that the Governor’s secretary will be provided for otherwise and Kelleher reappointed.

The “Victor King League” will place a petition before Governor Moore asking for appointment of King. Whether or not this request is granted members of the League declared the organization will remain in existence. J. Elwood Dukes is president of the League; Edward L. Canning, secretary, and James Peterson, treasurer. The majority of members are Democrats but the temporary by-laws adopted by the league designate it as non-partisan.

Trenton, Jan. 24.—Governor A. Harry Moore today had a petition before him, asking that he appoint former Mayor Victor King of Camden to the post of clerk of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The governor has “an open mind” on the appointment according to those who presented the petition. Headed by J. Elwood Dukes, president of the newly organized Victor King League, a delegation of Camden men called on the governor last night and presented the petition.

The post of Supreme Court clerk is now held by Edward J. Kelleher, Democratic leader of Camden County, who is said to be scheduled for reappointment.

Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 960, Veterans of Foreign Wars, to be held on Friday evening February 3 in the Elks auditorium, Seventh and Cooper Streets, are announced today.

The following prominent men and women are listed: Mrs. J.W. Connor, Miss C.M. Day, Mrs. J.H. Forsyth, Mrs. H.J. Goodyear, Miss B. Graham, Mrs. R.E. Green, Mrs. E.F. Haines, Mrs. J. Hood Jr., Mrs. W. Hurley, Mrs. J. Jarrell, Mrs. T. Keefe, Mrs. J.F. Kobus, Mrs. L. Liberman, Mrs. F.L. Lloyd, Mrs. M.A. Logan, Mrs. T.P. McConaghy, Mrs. F.F. Neutze, Mrs. L.K. Marr, Mrs. J.A. Pennington, Mrs. M.E. Ramsey, Mrs. E. Truax, Mrs. S.M. Shay, Mrs. W.J. Staats, Mrs. B.G. Tarburton, Mrs. R.W. Waddell, Mrs. E. Watson, Mrs. E.P. Wescott, Mrs. C.A. Wolverton.

David Baird Jr., William T. Boyle, Isaac Ferris, William Hurley, John Hood Jr., John Jarrell, Victor King, William J. Kraft, Thomas Keefe, Joseph F. Kobus, Hon. Edmund B. Leaming, Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, James H. Long, L.K. Marr, Dr. Thomas P. McConaghy, Hon. Frank F. Neutze, Samuel P. Orlando, Albert E. Simmons, Edwin Watson, Ethan P. Wescott.

Candidacy of Moore to Be Expounded at Meetings in City and Suburbs

The campaign for A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local Democratic candidates, will be carried into six wards of the city and in seven communities of the county tonight.

All meetings and speakers are as follows:

Second Ward Democratic Club, 841 Market Street; Eugene Aumetre, John Crean, Vincent Gallagher, Leon H. Rose and Charles Woods.

Fourth Ward A. Harry Moore Club, 455 Berkley Street; Samuel T. French, Victor King, Thomas Madden, Leon H. Rose, Gene Mariano, Samuel P. Orlando and Rev. Robert H. Jackson.

Sixth Ward Democratic Club, Fourth and Walnut Street; Frank Connor, Albert Melnik and Thomas Madden.

Tenth Ward Democratic Club, Fifth and Vine Streets; Boyd Morrison, Joseph E. Nowrey, Charles Degnan and David L. Visor.

Seventh Ward A. Harry Moore Club, Seventh Street and Kaighn Avenue; Dr. Leroy Baxter, of Jersey City; Isaac Eason, Dr. Clement Branch, Rev. Robert H. Jackson, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving and Frank Suttill.

Eleventh Ward Democratic Club, 927 North Twenty-seventh street; Boyd Morrison, Firmin Michel, Victor King, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving.

Gloucester City Democratic Club, 308 Monmouth street; Boyd Morrison, Gene Mariano, Joseph Varbalow.

Magnolia A. Harry Moore Club, Evesham and Gloucester avenues; Firmin Michel, Edward L. Canning, John Delaney, Marie V. Kelley and Francis Homan.

Lindenwold Colored Voters’ Club, Blackstone Hall, Lindenwold, Eugene Aumetre, William Williams and Oliver Bond.

Somerdale Club, Whelen home, Somerdale road and Oggs Avenue; Marie V. Kelly, David L. Visor and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland.

Somerdale Democratic Club, Leone Hall, Warwick Road and Helena Avenue; Samuel P. Orlando, Aaron Heine, Lawrence Gregorio and E. George Aaron.

East Haddonfield Democrat Club, Crescent and Berlin Road; Edward L. Canning, Albert Melnik and Judge Frank F. Neutze.

East Haddonfield Improvement Association, Batesville, Delaware Township; Ralph Wescott, Judge Frank F. Neutze and Mrs. Florence Melnik.

More than five speakers from North Jersey will appear at as many meetings as possible.

Men and Women From Many Sections Visit Walt Whitman’s Tomb and Old Mickle Street Home on His 114th Anniversary

By FRANK SHERIDAN

“It’s just a little street where old friends meet”

That’s Mickle Street where Walt Whitman, the “Good Gray Poet,” once lived, and old friends came back here from near and far yesterday to mingle under the portals of the house in which he wrote his famous works, on the 114th anniversary of his birth.

Among them was Mrs. Augusta K. Dole, 71, of Metuchen, whose husband has been a sports writer on New York newspapers for 45 years.

“They call it a dingy street and some are ashamed to return and say they lived there,” Mrs. Dole said. And with a gesture of the hand she pointed out the homes of some of neighbors, who became famous.

Among them was Button, famous artist. Another was the grandmother of J. B. Van Sciver.

“I lived at 319 Mickle Street when I was a young lady,” she said. “I was one year old when we moved into the house right across the street from Whitman. I remember when he lived on Stevens Street before he moved to Mickle Street.

Knew Whitman Well

“We lived at the Mickle street address about 15 or 16 or 20 years; I knew Whitman well. He always stopped and exchanged greetings with me. I frequently saw him on the ferryboats crossing the rivers.

“I want to take issue right here with those who have questioned his chastity. He was more like Christ than anyone else. I saw him admiring me as a young woman one day on a ferryboat.”

“Years later I read a description of myself in one of his works. I did not begin to read his work until 30 years ago. He wrote of the true things in life. He wrote of life as it is and as we see it. I am glad to come here today at the invitation of the committee.”

Mrs. Dole sat in the last chair in which the poet rested before his last illness. She was introduced to Dr. Alexander MacAlister, who was his personal physician in his last illness and who is a member of the Walt Whitman foundation.

Then she posed with an etching by Lewis Daniel, New York artist, at the Walt Whitman art gallery, 641 Market Street. It is one of 14 the young artist drew on “The Song of the Open Road.” Two lines taken from the book are sketched under the etching as follows:

“The earth is crude and incomprehensible at first—Nature is rude and incomprehensible at first.”

400 Visit Home

More than 400 guests visited the home of the poet during the day to be welcomed by members of the foundation. Mrs. Charles A. Wolverton, wife of Congressman Wolverton, was chairman of the reception committee.

Many of the guests visited the tomb of the poet in Harleigh Cemetery where the door is ajar at his request “that his spirit may come and go as I choose.” But no flowers were placed there as he requested none.

Born on May 31, 1819, near Huntingdon, Long Island, he had a varied career as a writer, war correspondent and poet. During the Civil War he ministered the wounded of both the North and South at Washington. He spent the last 19 years of his life in Camden, where he died in 1892.

Under the bed in his second story front bedroom today is a huge metal bathtub, which he designed for use in his invalid days. His library, horsehair furniture, his favorite rocking chair and a cane with which he knocked on the floor to call his housekeeper.

Some of his writings, manuscripts and other works are the property of Miss Ann Harned and Madge Barton Feurer. They are now at the New Jerseyanna Exhibition at the State House at Trenton.

New Painting Viewed

A new painting of Walt Whitman has been completed by Byron T. Connor, of 4320 Manor Avenue, Merchantville, and is now on display at the Hotel Walt Whitman. The painting was completed in three weeks, so as to be ready for the birthday ceremonies.

Later it will be moved from the hotel and placed either in the Whitman home or hung in the lobby of the Walt Whitman Theatre.

Miss Harned, daughter of the late Thomas B. Harned, one of Whitman’s literary executors; Joseph Praissman and Mrs. Martha Davis curator of the Whitman home, were members of the anniversary committee headed by Mrs. Wolverton.

With few exceptions, members of the Walt Whitman Foundation attended yesterday’s program, including Dr. Macalister, chairman; Dr. Cornelius Weygandt, vice chairman; Mrs. Juliet Lit Stern, Joseph M. Conover, Mrs. Helen Taft Manning, Mrs. Allen Drew Cook, Mrs. Nicholas Douty, Dr. Herbert Spencer Harned, J. Frederick Harned, Roy Helton, William T. Innes, Eldridge R. Johnson, William H. Ketler, Dr. Rufus M. Jones, former Mayor Victor King, Oscar Wolf, John Frederick Lewis, Jr., Dr. Bliss Perry, Harrison S. Morris, Agnes Repplier, former Mayor Winfield S. Price, Vernon Whitman Rich, Dr. J. Duncan Spaeth, Dr. Felix E. Schelling, Dr. Robert E. Spiller, Mrs. David Abeel Storer, Frederick von Nieda and Ralph W. Wescott.

Among the visitors was former Assemblyman William H. Iszard, who is secretary of the committee, which acquired the home as a national shrine. Iszard sponsored legislation in the Assembly for its upkeep.

Trustees of the Democratic Club of Camden County discussed summer plans last night at Democratic Headquarters, 538 Stevens Street.

Edward J. Borden, a trustee, was congratulated on his election as president of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission. Other members present were Samuel P. Orlando, president; Victor King, Patrick H. Harding, Harry L. Maloney and Sidney Kaplan.

July 9 Set for Reception and Picnic to New Revenue Collector

“Harry L. Maloney Day” will be celebrated by South Jersey Democrats, Sunday, July 9, when the newly-appointed collector of internal revenue will be guest of honor at a picnic at Silver Lake Park. State leaders of the party will attend. Maloney, Democratic state committeeman from Camden County and Mayor of Bellmawr, was named by President Roosevelt to succeed Edward L. Sturgess and is expected to take office by July 1.

Plans for the outing were made last night at a meeting in Democratic headquarters, 538 Stevens Street, at which Albert S. Marvel, Jr., was named chairman of the general committee. Vincent de P. Costello was elected secretary and former Mayor Victor King treasurer.

The committees follow:

Ways and means—Sidney Kaplan, chairman; Judge Samuel M. Shay, Judge Frank F. Neutze, Victor King, Vincent Gallaher, Samuel P. Orlando and Thomas N. Madden.

Entertainment—Joseph A. Varbalow, chairman; Patrick H. Harding, Joseph E. Nowrey, Calogero Salvagio, Thomas Cavanaugh and Joseph A. Gorman.

Refreshments—Ralph W. Wescott, chairman; Raymond Hadley, Walter Bateman, Joseph Ackroyd, James Hainesworth, Joseph Harczynski.

Athletics—Frank Abbott, chairman; John Lyons, Joseph McVey and Daniel T. Hagans.

Music—John P. Bissinger, chairman; Ventorino Francesconi, William Bell, Bernard Tracy and Matthew P. Johnson.

District organization—Michael J. Powell, chairman; Dominick Josephs, Ralph Comilli, Herbert McAdams, William Noonan, Edward Huston, Harry Daly and William Kistner.

Transportation—Mayor Emerson Jackson, of Gloucester, chairman; Lewis C. Parker, George Cohen, John Bennett, Horace L. Brewer and Sabba Verdiglione.

Printing—Charles J. Clark, chairman; Raymond Saltzman, Jack Goldstein, Walter Kelly and William M. Williams.

Publicity—Edward C. Bowe, Herbert Beattie, Patrick Whalen, Alfred R. White and Luke Bates.

Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, state committeewoman, and Miss Marie V. Kelley, vice-chairman of the county committee, will head a women’s reception committee to be chosen later.

The committees will meet again Monday night to complete arrangements.

Shanley Expects to Appoint Manager of Camden Office Today

Trenton, Aug. 11—Managers for three North Jersey district offices of the Federal Home Owners’ Loan Corporation were appointed this afternoon by G. Frank Shanley, New Jersey manager.

They are Charles P. Gillen, former Newark city commissioner, for the third (Newark) district; Richard J. Tarrant, of Jersey City, second (Jersey City) district, and George V. McDonough, West Orange city commissioner, for the fourth (Essex county) district.

McDonough was reported tonight to have declined the appointment.

Shanley said he expected to name the manager for the Camden office tomorrow. The Camden district will comprise eight South Jersey counties. Plans for additional offices in Atlantic City and Hackensack have been abandoned, it was said. Charles I. Lafferty, Atlantic county Democratic chairman was reported considered for the Atlantic City office if one were established there, but it was said he did not want the job.

It is reported that the names of former Mayor Victor King, of Camden, and former Freeholder S. Raymond Dobbs are being considered for the Camden managership. Other reports say a “dark horse” will be chosen.

IT takes no crystal gazer to know that former U. S. Senator W. Warren Barbour hopes to get the Republican senatorial nomination without opposition… So far no opposition has bloomed, but efforts are being made to get Robert Johnson, New Brunswick manufacturer who backed Glee, into the primary battle … Unless the feeling against John Milton subsides, the Democrats will be hard put to find a suitable candidate for the job, unless they figure anybody can beat Barbour…

Put down a little bet that both new members of the county election board will be suburbanites … In fact, from adjoining municipalities … You might also safely say that when the Democrats name the new county solicitor (Vincent Gallaher), the coalition Republicans will name Cooper Brown, of Collingswood, as assistant solicitor… In spite of his visits to Jersey City, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando stands an excellent chance of not being reappointed. His successor, at this time, appears to be E. George Aaron, also a Democrat, but a Brunner Democrat … The Pennsauken Republican Women’s Club will on next Tuesday have a speaker whose topic will be, “How to Be Happy and Contented Though a Republican” … A lot of the boys in these here parts ought to go there and listen… Former Mayor Victor King probably will be a candidate for City Commission in 1939… Likewise for Morris Clyman, member of the Board of Assessors… Matt Van Istendal is being boomed as the new Republican leader of Collingswood as well as candidate for Assembly… So is Ed Marker of Haddon township (for Assembly)… Both are good candidates …

Henry Aitken, No. 1 coal wagon chaser, tried to get Commissioner von Nieda on the bridge commission until Hoffman slipped Baird in… Has the Baird boom gone boom?… That suburban handbill publisher printed that the next time Surrogate Hanna runs for public office it’ll be city commissioner instead of a county post because he is weak in the suburbs… The last time Frank Hanna ran, it was for State committee, and he ran ahead of his running mate in every county municipality.

Feed Bag: Former Judge Joseph Varbalow will soon announce he has purchased the Towers and Broadway Theatres from the Ellis family … Circuit Court Judge V. Claude Palmer will probably file his decision today in the fraud charges made by the Republican League against the election of Freeholders Ciechanowski and Francesconi … Since Judge Palmer told the Democratic attorney, Alex Feinberg, that Feinberg must complete his entire case in a half a day “because, frankly, I don’t see what answer you can make to this testimony,” you can draw your own conclusions about what the decision will be … Incidentally, Judge Palmer will take a plane July 12 for a vacation at Calgary in the Canadian Rockies … The name of Walter Uliase, Seventh ward Democrat, has been withdrawn from powwows on appointments to the county tax board … Senator Al Driscoll was willing to okay Joe Ackroyd, Democrat, as successor on the board to Fred Schorpp, whose term expired a few weeks ago … The Republicans are said to have figured that in that way, they could hold Victor King on the board awhile longer, even though his term expired more than a year ago … Lee Smith, former WPA director, is still a possibility for the tax board job … The Democrats are holding frequent conferences on who the assistant prosecutor shall be … Police Judge Gene R. Mariano, a strong contender, has reportedly been dropped with Ben Dzick, Tony Mitchell, Charlie Rudd and the Kraft boys still in the running … Police court habitues believe that Gene himself announced indirectly that he had been eliminated when he said from the bench, while hearing a case, “Lady, you’ll find that even your best friends sometimes stab you in the back. I found that out myself only 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon” … That was on Thursday … Mayor George Brunner told the dept that our guess was still as good as his, so that leaves Ben Dzick still with the fence position in the race … Mariano may be considered for the $5000 State job as sealer of weights and measures …

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Miscellany: Neil F. Deighan, the saloonman who led the opposition to a legislative bill which proposed that liquor manufacturers and wholesalers be prevented from selling goods to any retailer who owed them money and that all purchases be made with cash or quick payment credit plan (the bill will die in committee), is having his troubles with some wholesalers … Suits have been filed against Deighan and the Old Mill Inn, Inc., by Galsworthy, Inc., for $1713.51 plus interest; Joseph A. Reinfeld, Inc., for $1366.43 plus interest, and Majestic Wines and Spirits, Inc., for $1579.80 plus interest … The suits are in the New Jersey Supreme Court and allegedly represent unpaid balances of liquor bills … Tom Dickinson, courthouse custodian, is wearing a bright red face these days because the missus sent him to the store the other night for some sandwich meat for their guest… Because of a similarity of trade names, Tom returned home with a package … Of razor blades … The new office of Bishop Eustace may be established at the old Rodger homestead at 721 Cooper street … Vice Chancellor Al Woodruff has left for Chile and some deep sea fishing.

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