Borton Street
By Phil Cohen
Borton Street runs for one block, north from Pearl Street to Elm Street, between Ray Street and North 10th Street. The street first appears in city directories in 1890. The 1969 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory shows nine families living on Borton Street. A reverse directory published in 1980 shows two houses still occupied. The last house standing on Borton Street, the long vacant number 528, fell to fire on June 1st of 2008.
Borton Street was named after the best man at the wedding of developer and builder Charles W. Cox, lawyer Joshua Borton. Charles W. Cox built the homes on Borton Street and also those on Ray Street, which was named for his wife Mrs. “Ray” Cox.
Intersection of Pearl Street & Borton Street
1946 map of Camden — Borton Street runs north from Pearl Street, east of Ray Street
Looking west on Pearl Street from Borton Street — 1993 and 2005
Satellite images of Borton Street — 2006 — beginning and end marked by red box
512 Borton Street
Accused of attacking two small children, Louis Works, 22, of 512 Borton street, was given two years in prison. The sentence carried with it a recommendation for a mental examination. Complaint against him was made by Mrs. Louise F. Walsh, secretary of the S.P.C.C.
Camden Courier-Post, December 4, 1930
Torch Thaws Pipes, Also Sets House Afire
Camden Courier-Post —
When Frank Roccanella, of 521 Borton street, applied a gasoline torch to frozen pipes in the basement of his home yesterday, flames from the torch set fire to wooden joists. Roccanella turned in an alarm and firemen extinguished the blaze before the fire spread.
The pipes in the Roccanella home are thawed all right, but floor boards in their vicinity are ruined.
Camden Courier-Post, December 2, 1936
William Walsh missing
Philadelphia Inquirer —
William Walsh, 17 years old, of 524 Borton street, who had been missing several days, returned yesterday. He had gone to Atlantic City to see the sights.
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 16, 1906
525 Borton Street
JOHN F. WARREN
Services for John F. Warren, 68, will be held Tuesday in the funeral home of Robert J. Blake, Haddon ave. and Division st., where friends may call tonight. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery, New Gretna. Mr. Warren, who lived at 525 Borton st., died Friday. Born in Pottsville, Pa., he resided in Camden eight years and was an engineer at the Commercial Trust Building, Philadelphia. Surviving are his widow, sophie [sic]; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Camden, and Mrs. Anna M. Bossik, Mizpah; two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Karl and Mrs. Nellie Miller, both of Roxborough, Pa., and 16 grandchildren.
Camden Courier-Post, June 23, 1952
Man Charged With Assault
Philadelphia Inquirer —
When Vera Burns and Clara Billet, both young girls, reported to their parents that they had been attacked by a man, their fathers, together with a posse of neighbors, placed under arrest Frank Schoopfer, 32 years old, of 2516 Richmond street. Philadelphia Recorder Stackhouse held him in $500 bail for court.
532 Borton Street
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for any bills unless contracted by myself. John M. Reeves, 532 Borton St., Camden.
Camden Courier-Post, February 22, 1927
533 Borton Street
George Jordan, of 533 Borton street, Camden, was committed to the county jail yesterday by Recorder Stackhouse, for a further hearing, on a charge of brandishing a butcher knife and threatening to kill several neighbors. In a pistol fight with a man named Souders in 1894 Jordan was shot and his father was killed. Jordan hovered between life and death for a long time. He never fully regained his health. Souders was acquitted on the ground of self-defense.
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 29, 1906
William Kunitz Dies From Heart Attack
Camden Courier-Post —
Democratic Worker Stricken While Standing in Kitchen
William Kunitz, an active worker in Second ward Democratic ranks, died suddenly yesterday from a heart attack. He was stricken while standing in the kitchen of his home at 537 Borton street.
Kunitz, who was 52 and a foreman in the city highway department during the Non-Partisan regime, was twice defeated for nomination for freeholder. He was a candidate in the primary elections of 1931 and 1934.
Edward B. Kunitz, a son, said his father ate breakfast yesterday and shortly afterward complained of pains in the chest. He collapsed shortly after 11 a. m.
The family, aided by neighbors, took him to Cooper Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Coroner Arthur H. Holl issued a certificate of death from natural causes.
Kunitz is survived by his widow, Bessie; another son, George; a brother, Charles, of Lindenwold, and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Volz, of Runnemede.
He was a member of the Roosevelt Democrat Club and an associate of Edward J. Kelleher in Democratic ranks. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.
Camden Courier-Post, October 15, 1934
June 1, 2008 — The Last House on Borton Street Lost to Fire
528 Borton Street — the last house on Borton Street — June 1, 2008
Camden, NJ Fire Fighters Save Minnie Mouse From Blazing Dwelling
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on June 1, 2008 Camden New Jersey fire fighters were dispatched to the 500 block of Borton Street in the North Camden section of the City for a reported dwelling fire. As the companies were responding fire radio gave an update that they were receiving numerous calls for a working fire. A large column of smoke was seen in the sky as the first due units turned the corner they reported that they had a two story vacant vandalized dwelling with heavy fire showing, and that they were going into service with a 2½ inch line.
Due to the condition of the building an exterior attack was being made. Within 10 minutes the bulk of the fire was knocked down and an unusual event took place. A fire fighter found an unconscious figure of Minnie Mouse laying in the rear of the dwelling. Fire fighter Javier Matos of Ladder Company 3 knew that something had to be done to save Minnie. To the delight of his brother fire fighters, fire fighter Matos removed his face mask and placed it on Minnie Mouse. Within a few minutes Minnie Mouse was revived and a loud cheer went up applauding fire fighter Matos for his gallant bravery saving the life of one of the country’s National Heroines.
Someone hollered “Where is Mickey Mouse”???
Members of Ladder Co. 1 immediately made a secondary search of the burned out dwelling but were unable to find any signs of Mickey Mouse. The matter was turned over to the Fire Marshal’s office to find out why Minnie Mouse was in this section of the City without Mickey by her side. As one fire fighter put it “A lot of strange things happen in this City” and this was one of them.
Left: First arriving units find a heavily involved dwelling fire. Right: Ladder Company 1 fire fighter Mariano Pinto ascending ladder for ventilation and overhaul.
Ladder Company 1 fire fighter Mariano Pinto ascending ladder for ventilation and overhaul.
Fire fighter Matos of Ladder Company 3 holding a happy Minnie Mouse after reviving her from the blazing dwelling.
Fire fighters were unable to find any signs of Mickey Mouse. An investigation will begin.
528 Borton Street — the last house on Borton Street — June 1, 2008
500 Block of Borton Street
500 Block of Borton Street
Address and occupant records from city directories, 1890–1980.
509 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Lewis B. Todd |
| 1969 | B. I. Parker |
511 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Sadie Markward |
| 1969 | T. A. Cox |
512 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1915 | George Griffith |
| 1929 | Raymond A. Miller |
| 1930 | Louis Works |
| 1947 | Gone |
513 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1918 | Levering Minister |
| 1947 | Mrs. Mary E. Durham |
| 1969 | M. Ross |
514 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Raymond E. Becker |
515 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Anna Williams |
| 1969 | Betsy Williams |
517 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Mary S. Yates |
519 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Americo Passarella |
520 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Vacant |
521 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1936–1947 | Frank F. Rocanella |
| 1969 | R. L. Sherman |
522 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Isabel Long |
523 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Robert W. Gresch |
524 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906 | William Walsh |
| 1947 | Henry J. Williams |
525 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1927–1928 | Harry & Helen Cowley |
| 1947–1952 | John F. Warren & Family |
| 1947–1952 | John F. & Sophie Warren |
| 1947–1952 | Mary Warren Jordan |
| 1947–1952 | Anna Warren Bossik |
526 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | James Nettleton — laborer |
| 1890–1891 | James Nettleton |
| 1947 | Vacant |
527 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900 | Philip Schucker & Family |
| 1900 | Philip & Mary Schucker |
| 1900 | Mary Schucker |
| 1900 | Fred Schucker |
| 1900 | Ernest Schucker |
| 1900 | William Schucker |
| 1947 | Stewart D. MacIntosh |
528 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Richard H. Kirkbride — polisher |
| 1890–1891 | Richard H. Kirkbride |
| 1947 | Benjamin J. Merckel |
| 1969 | Occupied, no telephone |
| 1980 | J. Gresch |
| 2008 | Vacant — destroyed by fire June 1, 2008 |
| 2008 | Vacant |
529 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Edith C. Simpson |
530 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Ellis Hurst |
| 1969 | Occupied, no telephone |
| 1980 | J. Dent |
531 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917–1918 | Norman E. Billet & Family |
| 1947 | Frederick Gresch |
532 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Malvern H. Moore |
| 1927 | John M. Reeves |
| 1947 | Mrs. Marian McCann |
533 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906 | George Jordan |
| 1947 | Ellsworth H. May — hauling |
534 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | James McCabe |
| 1947 | James E. Coughlin |
| 1934 | William Kunitz & Family |
| 1934 | William & Bessie Kunitz |
535 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Francis Coughlin |
| 1969 | C. Cain |
536 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | George W. Jackson — hatter (Barton Street directory) |
| 1947 | Cornell A. Prosser |
| 1969 | B. L. Colangelo |
537 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1931 | William Bessing & Family — William & Bessie Bessing, James Bessing, William Bessing |
| 1931 | William & Bessie Bessing |
| 1931 | James Bessing |
| 1934 | William Kunitz & Family — William & Bessie Kunitz, Edward Kunitz, George Kunitz |
| 1947 | Mrs. E. Dyer |
538 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Mary E. Mount |
| 1969 | H. J. Smith |
540 Borton Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | William Tucker |
| 1969 | Mrs. A. Del Baugh |
News of a Day in the City of Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden is to have another daily newspaper. The stockholders met yesterday and elected these officers: President, George M. Beringer; vice president, William E. Anthony; secretary, Newton B. T. Roney; treasurer, John Danenhower. It will be called the Daily News, and while it is to be a business proposition, it will be established mainly for the advocacy of the Colby-Record movement in New Jersey. It will be opposed to present local political conditions.
Albert Reese, 27 years old, of 834 Jersey avenue, Gloucester City, fell eighty feet from a scaffold at the New York Ship Yard last night. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital apparently fatally injured. An examination revealed the fact that he had escaped with slight bruises.
James McDonald, who was struck by a train at Fish House Monday, died at the Cooper Hospital, Camden, yesterday, without regaining consciousness. His address is unknown and the body was removed to the Morgue awaiting a claimant.
According to the report of Health Physician Leavitt, of the Camden Board of Health, the health of the city is exceedingly good. In all there were but thirty-nine contagious diseases reported for the past month. There was but one case of typhoid fever. This disease has almost entirely disappeared from Camden, there having been less than a score of cases the past year.
A number of Camden’s officials enjoyed a planked shad dinner at Chew’s Landing last night. In the party were City Comptroller Samuel Hufty, City Engineer Levi Farnham, Assistant Tax Receivers Charles Elfreth, J. F. Newton and Frank Heisler, Assistant Engineer William Osler, License Clerk John McCabe, Building Inspector William Steinmetz, Plumbing Inspector Harry Francis and Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Robert Floyd, a colored stevedore, of Mt. Ephraim avenue, Camden, is building a thirty-five-foot boat in his back yard with the object of using it to seek a treasure island in the West Indies. Although his home is nearly two miles from the river, Floyd declares he will have no difficulty in launching the rather unwieldy craft. A sailor on board a vessel which Floyd was unloading told him the tale of hidden gold and as a result the Camden man decided to seek out the spot on his own hook.
There was an exciting incident in Recorder Stackhouse’s court, in Camden, yesterday, when a young woman yelled a denial in a high voice as a witness was testifying in the case of Herbert M. Denny against Chauncey Bell and Frederick Bock, the latter two being charged with assault and battery. Silence was restored by the court officers and the case was concluded by the defendants being held in $200 bail each.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nace in the Circuit Court, in Camden, yesterday were given a verdict for $25 against the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Company. The plaintiffs sued for $2500, they claiming a conductor of the company roughly handled the woman on March 16 of last year when she was put off a train. In the case of Charles Smith against the Public Service Corporation a verdict was given for the plaintiff in the sum of $600.
William H. Cox, 18 years old, of 903 Haddon avenue, had his right foot crushed at the Camden Iron Works yesterday. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
William Walsh, 17 years old, of 524 Borton street, who had been missing several days, returned yesterday. He had gone to Atlantic City to see the sights.
The Germantown Wood Working Company was incorporated yesterday with a capital of $10,000.
Ida Jackson, a negress, was convicted of dealing in lottery policy before Judge Joline yesterday. William Derry, also a negro, was convicted on a similar charge.
John Cowan, 53 years old, of 1024 Sycamore street, died suddenly yesterday from hemorrhages of the stomach. He was a life-long resident of Camden.
At great personal risk, Dr. Ernest Ramsdell, of 425 Linden street, Camden, last night saved Arthur Grant, 11 years old, of 501 State street, from being crushed beneath a team of horses. Arthur, who was riding a bicycle, attempted to get out of the way of a dog. In doing so he wheeled directly into the horses. The latter reared and were about to fall on the boy when Dr. Ramsdell rushed over to him and dragged him from beneath the horses.
Woman Drinks Poison, Spats With Husband
Camden Courier-Post —
Following an argument with her husband, Mrs. Martha Cowley, 25 years old, 525 Borton street, swallowed a drug with suicidal intent. She was taken to Cooper Hospital where the stomach pump was applied and she was later sent home.
The woman told Detective Sapinore [sic] that her husband, Harry, came home intoxicated last night with part of his pay missing. An argument started and she went to her bedroom and drank the poison. Her husband heard her groans and notified the police.
Shipyard Wages Lure to Firemen
Camden Post-Telegram —
Chief Presents Six Resignations at Meeting of Council Commission.
MERTZ IS CAPTAIN IN WHITSELL’S PLACE
Camden’s Fire Department has been hard hit by the call of the shipyards and death. The report of Fire Chief Peter B. Carter presented last night at the meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council showed six resignations, two deaths and one vacancy from the draft.
The resignations follows [sic]: Louis Neuman, No. 3 Truck Company; George H. Pursglove, No. 7 Engine Company; Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert and Harry W. Stone, No. 3 Truck Company, and Lieutenant Joseph Sparks, No. 7 Engine Company.
Deaths reported were Captain Samuel Whitzell, of No. 1 Engine Company, and William Elberson, of Headquarters. William Schucher, of No. 4, was drafted into the Army.
To take the place of Captain Whitzell, Lieutenant Walter Mertz, of the same company, was appointed captain, and Horace Kerns was made lieutenant. The following appointments were made by the Fire Committee: Robert L. Knox, 822 Division street, to fill place of Julius Hunbert [sic]; Allen Palmer, 120 North Eleventh street, for vacancy of Louis Neuman; Clarence Pursglove, 751 Mt. Vernon street, taking place of his brother George; Anthony Paradise, 658 South Second street, filling place of Roy De Haven; Harry B. Maxwell, 422 North Sixth street, for vacancy of Harry W. Stone; Robert Welsh, 512 Borton street, vacancy of William Schucher, and William Vile, 570 Carman street, to fill place of Captain Whitzell.
The American La France Company was awarder [sic] the contract to furnish a new two-in-one motor apparatus for $10,000.
A petition from members of the Firemen’s Pension Fund asked that the rule of ten years’ apprenticeship be abolished in view of the wages paid men employed in other industries. The petition requests that all men in the department be placed on full salary at once. The petition will be presented to City Council.