Walter W. Browning
WALTER W. BROWNING was born on December 1, 1866 to Jacob and Rebecca Browning. His early years were spent in Camden, where his father was a ferry boat pilot. The 1880 Census shows the family living at 403 Bridge Avenue, a few doors away from Camden Fire Department member Benjamin L. Kellum. By 1882 the family was living at 571 Carman Street. They were still at that address into the mid 1890s. Walter W. Browning worked as a painter in these years, until appointed to the Fire Department in 1890.
Walter W. Browning joined the Camden Fire Department on June 1, 1890 as a charter member of Engine Company 4. Engine Company 4 was organized on June 1, 1890 at 320 Vine Street in North Camden, with a two-hitch, second class Button steam engine and a one-hitch Button hose carriage. The charter members were as follows; Company Foreman, Amadee Middleton; engineer, Francis Turner; stoker C. Barney Harvey; driver, edward hartman; and hosemen Walter W. Browning and Charles Berry.
Walter Browning lived at 571 Carman Street with his parents into 1893. City Directories shows him living at 593 Bridge Avenue in 1894 and 1895, at 18 Haddon Avenue in 1896, at 215 Broadway in 1897 and at 334 Vine Street in 1898.
The 1899 City Directory shows that Walter W. Browning had returned to Carman Street. His address in that year’s Directory was 588 Carman Street. By the time the Census was taken in 1900 he had moved to 592 Carman Street.
Walter W. Browning lived with his wife Laura and son Howard at 592 Carman Street from 1900 until his retirement from the Fire Department on a pension in 1929. When he retired, Walter Browning had risen to the rank of battalion chief within the Fire Department.
After he retired, Walter Browning moved to Tuckahoe NJ. He and his wife would spend the winters in St. Petersburg FL. Walter Browning passed away on January 16, 1938. He was survived by his son, sister Mrs. Mary Zander, nephew Harry Zander, also a Camden fireman. He was also survived by his brother, John Browning, who had retired as the Superintendent of Streets for the city of Camden.
Camden Election Boards
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN ELECTION BOARDS.
The Names Which Will Be Submitted to Council on Thursday.
The Election Committee of Camden City Council met last night and decided to recommend the following election boards to City Council at its meeting Thursday night. Where there is only one inspector named, it is the Republican inspector and the Democrats have failed to name their man. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth wards are not given, because they were not handed to the committee:
First Ward—Polling house, northeast corner Second and Market streets. Judge, Ephraim Hires; inspectors, Samuel Vannetta, Charles Swope; clerk, Harry M. Anderson. Second precinct—Judge, James Dunn; inspectors, John A. Snowhill, John J. Barry, Jr.; clerk, O. J. Stackhouse. Third precinct—Polling house, Front and Pearl streets. Judge, Edwin F. Jones; inspectors, John Oilsar, John R. Kent; clerk, Josiah A. Freeman. Fourth precinct—Polling house, Point and York streets. Judge, North Davis; inspectors, Harry Steer, Thomas Eagan; clerk, Thomas Jaggard.
Second Ward—Northeast corner of Fourth and Market streets. Judge, John Gray; inspectors, W. S. Lee, George A. Genther; clerk, William H. Swindell. Second precinct—Judge, Emory Carter; inspectors, Harry Taylor, John Corson; clerk, Frank Heisler. Third precinct—Polling house, 517 North Sixth street. Judge, W. H. Day; inspectors, Harry Walker, Charles Punneo; clerk, W. P. Osler. Fourth precinct—Polling house, 329 North Ninth street. Judge, W. W. Patterson; inspectors, James Knight, Patrick Callahan; clerk, Moro P. Landis.
Sixth Ward—First precinct—Polling house, S. E. corner Fifth and Pine streets. Judge, George Kruck; inspector, Frank Frost; clerk, David C. Yannotte. Second precinct—Polling house, S. E. corner Fourth and Walnut streets. Judge, Isaac V. Robinson; inspector, Charles H. Ellis, Jr.; clerk, William D. Brown. Third precinct—Polling house, N. E. corner Broadway and Liberty. Judge, Joseph Ayres; inspector, James Johnson; clerk, James M. Bentley. Fourth precinct—Polling house, S. W. corner Seventh and Mount Vernon. Judge, John Marshall; inspector, Matthew Cavenaugh; clerk, Reuben Gaskill.
Seventh Ward—Polling house, N. E. corner of Ninth and Pine streets. Judge, Abner K. Lewksburry; inspector, William H. Jones; clerk, Wm. H. Gilbert. Second precinct—Polling house, 715 Walnut street. Judge, William H. Whalen; inspector, William W. Robinson; clerk, Ralph Ashley. Third precinct—Polling house, N. E. corner of Eighth and Walnut streets. Judge, William K. Price; inspector, William Morris, Jr.; clerk, Wm. O. Sawyer.
Eighth Ward—Polling house, Fourth and Ferry avenue. Judge, William Smith; inspector, Gabriel Johnson; clerk, John Collins.
Ninth Ward—First precinct—Polling house, 14 Haddon Avenue. Judge, William Harry Smith; inspectors, Charles Swaney; clerk, Walter W. Browning. Second precinct—Polling house, 909 South Sixth street. Judge, J. K. Sutton; inspector, Harry Williams; clerk, Curt Covater. Third precinct—Polling house, 719 Berkeley street. Judge, Everitt Ackley; inspector, Nelzer Hornor; clerk, Harry Sutton.
Charles Berry’s Funeral.
Camden Daily Courier —
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.
Camden City Fire Department Pension Fund Incorporated
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Articles incorporating the Camden City Fire Department Pension Fund were filed in the county clerk’s office yesterday. The trustees named are Henry C. Grosscup, George P. Cox, Walter Browning, John A. Stockton and Samuel S. Elfreth. The latter is chief of the Camden Fire Department.
Camden Justly Proud of Splendid Fire Department
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HEADQUARTERS OF CAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
Change From Volunteer to Paid “Laddies” Will Be Appropriately Celebrated Next Wednesday
It is probably unknown to the average citizen that Camden had a paid Fire Department some years before Philadelphia. It is just forty years since the gallant volunteer fire-fighters went out of service. To be exact, it was September 2, 1869, that Camden City Council provided to pay its firemen, and on December 10 of the same year they went into service. This event is to be fittingly celebrated next Wednesday in a demonstration in which the business men of the city, as well as the municipal departments, will participate.
It was not until March 15, 1810, that Camden boasted of even a volunteer fire company, and it was on that date that the Perseverance Fire Company was organized. In 1834 there were two such organizations which had been increased to six by 1851. For the most part these distinct aggregations of fire-fighters did not get along very well together and controversies were frequent.
SAMUEL S. ELFRETH
Chief of the Camden Fire Department
Companies Reorganized
City Council felt itself called upon to reorganize these companies in 1866 by ordinance, and some semblance of system was inaugurated by electing James Ayers marshal, followed by Wesley P. Murray. But while the companies did gallant service, it was thought best to have a department under the control of the city and that the firemen should receive some compensation for their services.
It was in consequence of this that Council on September 2, 1869, adopted the ordinance providing for the appointment of five fire commissioners, marshal and two assistants. The commissioners included Messrs. Harbert, Kirkbride, Perks, Bingham and Daubman. William Abels was appointed the first marshal, with William W. Mines as assistant in the First district at Fourth and Pine streets, and William H. Sherman, assistant in the Second district at Fifth and Arch streets.
Bender Made Chief
Abels was succeeded in 1871 by Robert Bender, who gave place to Henry Serault. In 1876 Bender was again placed in charge but was soon displaced by Claudius W. Bradshaw, afterwards Mayor of the city. Then Samuel S. Elfreth, the present chief, was placed in charge. He remained until 1881, when Daniel Carter was made chief. Three years later Elfreth was once more in charge. In 1887 Bender was given the office which he retained until 1890, when Chief Elfreth succeeded him and has since remained in that position.
As presently constituted, the department includes Chief Elfreth, First Assistant Samuel S. Buzine, Second Assistant George P. Cox and Third Assistant Walter Browning, beside captains, lieutenants, engineers and others to the total of one hundred efficient men who have repeatedly proved their value in saving valuable proptrty [sic].
Department Well Equippd [sic]
As to the aparatus [sic], there are six fire engines, six combination hose and chemical wagons, two hose carriages, one aerial hook and ladder, one chemical engine, beside other necessary vehicles, some of which are held in reserve.
There are thirty-nine horses distributed in the nine houses. The headquarters are located at Fifth and Arch streets, which is thoroughly modern in all of its equipments.
Under Chief Elfreth, who has been in the service nearly forty years, the department has been brought to such a high standard of efficiency that the Underwriters’ Association recently paid special attention to it by decreasing insurance rates fifteen per cent. Councils’ Fire Commissioners, of which Councilman Harry R. Read is chairman, has also done much to make the department the success it is at present.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden News Notes
These officers have been elected by the Camden Fire Department Pension Fund: President, Charles Worthington; secretary, Walter Browning; treasurer, Samuel Elfreth.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
No. 7, Headquarters and No. 1 Truck Make Merry at Respective Homes.
CHIEF ELFRETH MAKES ADDRESS
Engine Company No. 7 is the baby company of the fire department, that is, in years of service, but in up-to-date completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year’s Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year’s blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman’s horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
Chief Kelly presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with grapophone selections, including ‘Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon same [sic] back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows:
City Electrician John W. Kelly, Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Buzine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
AT HEADQUARTERS.
Under the auspices of the Wishbone Club, firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, held their annual dinner on Tuesday evening. Cheer and good-fellowship was the by word and the fire laddies and their friends made the evening one long to be remembered.
A short addrss [sic] was given by Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Stockton. John Dold offered prayer before the guests partook of the tasty dishes ase [sic] prepared by Arthur Wingate and William Laud. The table presented an attractive appearance and the laddies and guests greatly enjoyed the fine spread. The menu follows:
Roast Sweet Potatoes,
Peas,
Cranberry Sauce, Mince Pie,
Coffee,
Cigars, Aqua De Lair,
Olives, Beets, Celery,
Roast Turkey,
Oyster Filling, Giblet Sauce
Mashed White Potatoes.
Those participating were as follows: S. S. Elfreth, John S. Stockton, Captain George B. Wade, Lieutenant Jos. Ernest, John A. Dold, Josiah Sage, Daniel Smith, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Johnson, Harry Hankins, William Laird, William Elberson, John Lennox, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Harry Selby, Harry Khrier, Charles Menke, Edward S. Gahan, D. P. McConnell.
With a fine feed, a grand graphophone concert, songs and speches [sic] of a happy and humorous order, “the Jolly Nine” saw the old year out and the New Year in, at the house of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, on Fifth street above Arch street. Accoutred in their uniforms of blue, ready at a second’s tap of the gong to jump on the truck, the brave laddies and friends formed a happy picture of congeniality. The menu was most appetizing. Beginning with oysters on the shell and winding up with a delicious dish designated “Creme-a-la-Truck,” the guests were kept busy munching their molars, as the sedate and genial waiters, togged out in linen of spotless white. William Howell Tatem [?] and ‘Chief’ Harry Anderson did the elegant. Stewart Bakely, a slick Cooper river boat house cook from away back, was the popular chef of the feast, and that grand old fire hero, Captain “Joe” Maxwell, the Commander-in-Chief of festivities, who saw to it that no one got left as the plates passed around.
The floral and holiday decorations of the banquet hall were munificent and in happy accord with the gracious and good-natured gathering.
Firemen Escort Steer’s Remains
Camden Post-Telegram —
Chief Stockton Heads Big Delegation at Funeral of Lamented Colleague.
QUARTER CENTURY IN CITY’S SERVICE
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, 810 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 [sic] 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 [sic] Steer.
Camden Fire Chief Retires
Philadelphia Inquirer —
After thirty-three years of service in the department, John A. Stockton yesterday retired as Camden’s Fire Chief, being succeeded by Peter B. Carter, whose place as Deputy Chief is taken by William Patterson. Battalion Chiefs Cox and Browning will be aides to Chief Carter at headquarters and Battalion Chief Nicholas assumed charge of the South Camden district, with headquarters at No. 3 Engine Company.
New Firemen Assigned for Two Platoons
Camden Post-Telegram —
Double Shift System Becomes Effective at 8 O’clock on Saturday Morning
ONE TEN HOURS; OTHER 14 HOURS
Saturday morning at 8 o’clock the two-platoon system of the Fire Department becomes effective. At that hour the first shift will go on duty and remain until 8 p. m., when the second squad goes on, remaining until 8 a. m. That will be the procedure in the department henceforth, the schedule being so arranged that every third day there will be a 24-hour shift to let the other off. Every man will have 24 hours off every sixth day.
The arrangements were completed last night at a meeting of Council’s Fire Committee, when assignments were made of the fifty-six recent appointees to the department. With Chief Carter at headquarters will be stationed in resective [sic] shifts Deputy Chiefs Nicholas and Patterson. Battalion Chiefs Wade and Browninw [sic] will be stationed with their shifts at No. 3 engine house.
At last night’s meeting Congressman F. F. Patterson, Jr., Mayor Charles H. Ellis, President of Council David Jester and Chairman of the Fire Committee Joseph Forsyth made addresses in which they all spoke appreciatively of the fire-fighting force and offered their congratulations to the men in getting what they had sought after many years of effort. Chief Carter was particularly praised for the efficient manner in which he has developed the department. The chief also spoke, thanking the representatives of the city in behalf of the men for the boon given them in the two-platoon system, which means the fire fighters will be able to spend more time with their families.
Everything has been worked out to the least detail and it is anticipated the new system will work without any difficulties.
The assignment of the new men to the various companies follow:
Engine Company No. 1—Alfred E. Green, Charles Errickson, Charles Cook, Leroy Hatchett.
Engine Company No. 2—Howard Lamdon, Edgar Ellander, John K. Voll, Harold E. Loring, Chester J. Andreas, Harry G. Layton.
Engine Company No. 3—Charles Haines, August Haverkamp, Louis Quinton, Chas. S. Clements, Frank Kuda.
Engine Company No. 4—Frank A. Obermann, Walter P. Gray, Albert Ruber, Fred Schucker, Harry Kleinfelder.
Engine Company No. 5—Richard A. Ferris, Frank Fennrio.
Engine Company No. 6—William H. Reed, Manuel J. Kane, Edward Perairia, Thomas Shanahan, Rocco di Varino.
Engine Company No. 7—August Scholl, Lawrence H. Matthews, Nicholas Romain.
Engine Company No. 8—Adam Mead, Frank Sapp, William J. Taylor, William Wood, Samuel Oshushek, Edward C. Crane.
Engine Company No. 9—Keenard Naylor, Daniel McSurdy, John Mohofeld.
Engine Company No. 10—William Swarts, Hugh Rementer, Harry Greenan, Rocco Abbott.
Hose and Chemical Company No. 2—Lawrence Newton, Edward Hauser, William Getner.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1—Tom Cunningham, Leonard Magee.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 2—John Gaylor, Walter G. White.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 3—David Ellis, George A. Addison, John Mulligan, David Humphreys, Albert Dukes.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 4—George A. Quimby.
Chief’s driver—Tenny G. Hutchinson.
Ex-Battalion Chief Dies in Florida Home
Camden Courier-Post —
Walter Browning, 71, retired battalion chief, died Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla. He had been ill two weeks. With his wife, Laura, he had lived in St. Petersburg during the Winter and they passed their Summers at Tuckahoe. Until his retirement he lived at 592 Carman street many years.
Born December 1, 1866, he entered the fire department June 1, 1890, and retired on pension in 1929.
He was a member of several Masonic organizations. He is survived by his widow and a son, Howard Browning, of Atlantic City; a brother John, retired Camden superintendent of streets; a sister, Mrs. Mary Zander, and nephew, Harry J. Zander, attached to Engine Co. No. 10, Ninth street and Morgan boulevard.
Funeral services and burial will be in St. Petersburg.