Introduction
Common Road is actually two parallel streets, both one block long, in the Yorkship Village area of Camden’s Fairview section. The two streets, North Common Road and South Common Road, run east from Sumter Road to Octagon Road. Because both streets only have homes on one side of the street, the postal addresses are simply Common Road.
Fairview Map
FAIRVIEW’S REALTOR SINCE 1929
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS)
2977 YORKSHIP SQUARE, FAIRVIEW
963-2526
Intersection of Sumter Road & North Common Road
Northeast Corner — Fairview Baptist Church (aka Fairview Community Baptist Church), 1924–2013.
Northeast Corner — Urban Promise Ministries, 2014.
After 80 years of ministry, Fairview Community Baptist Church was closing its doors, and the few remaining members wanted UrbanPromise to buy the building.
“We love the ministry of UrbanPromise,” shared one of the committee members. “We’ve been praying to make the right decision. We all feel at peace about UrbanPromise owning the building. We know you’ll do great work.”
Then we received the call. The location was perfect, the building was in great shape (a few necessary repairs, but structurally strong), and the price … well, $25,000 for 3500 square feet of program space and a 3-bedroom manse is hard to refuse. Perfect, in fact.
In our meetings with the church leaders, we learned that Fairview Community Baptist was originally established as a Sunday school for children in the Fairview section of town. For years, the church impacted generations of children through outreach and Sunday school classes.
— Bruce Main, President, UrbanPromise — October 2013
1000 Block of North Common Road — Occupants
City directory records.
1067 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | William B. Smithwaite |
| 1947–1980 | Mrs. Helen M. Lewendowski |
1069 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | Percy P. Partridge |
| 1947 | Curtis Jatzke |
| 1969 | A. Skalkowski |
| 1980 | E. Lisacek |
1075 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Vacant |
| 1924 | John Heath |
| 1947 | Edward D. Muller |
| 1969 | Alphonse E. Vincek |
| 1980 | M. F. McNally |
| 1980 | M.F. NcNally |
1077 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Clarence E. Clowes |
| 1924 | Vacant |
| 1947 | Richard McLaughlin |
| 1969 | No Listing |
| 1980 | Marie V. McLaughlin |
1079 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | G. Clarence Brooks |
| 1947 | Jacob Isen |
| 1969–1980 | E. C. Chipman |
1081 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | August H. Mathieu |
| 1947 | John Vollanovitch |
| 1969–1980 | M. Class |
1083 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | No Listing |
| 1924 | William H. Palmer |
| 1947 | Mrs. Leatha M. Pernier |
| 1969 | Charles McKenna; Mrs. G. C. Richardson |
| 1969 | Charles McKenna |
| 1969 | Mrs. G.C. Richardson |
| 1980 | John J. Richardson |
1085 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | John B. Snyder |
| 1947 | William R. Kline |
| 1980 | E. C. Power |
1087 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | Albert H. Fausel |
| 1947 | Frederick L. Janney |
| 1980 | F. L. Donato |
1089 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | August Aberle |
| 1947 | Charles W. McKenna; John Richardson |
| 1947 | Charles W. McKenna |
| 1947 | John Richardson |
| 1980 | M. Queroli |
1091 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Walter J. Stovan |
| 1924 | No Listing |
| 1947 | Bartholomew Kane |
| 1953 | John McKay & Family |
| 1953 | John & Rachel McKay |
| 1953 | John E. McKay |
| 1969–1980 | Mrs. Helen Mackintosh |
1093 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1969 | Robert E. Burns & Family (electrician); Robert & Mary Burns |
| 1980 | Robert E. Mullan |
1095 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Vacant |
| 1924 | J. Robert Jackson |
| 1947 | John Baker |
| 1969–1980 | Theodore Baker |
Related: John McKay — 1091 Common Road, 1953.
John McKay — 1091 Common Road
Camden Courier-Post —
JOHN McKAY
John McKay, 61, of 1091 N. Common rd., died Friday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after a short illness. A native of Philadelphia, he had lived in Camden since childhood.
He was hoseman with Engine Company 11, 27th st. and Hayes ave., and served in the Camden City Fire Department 30 years. He was a member of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association 5.
Surviving are his widow, Rachel; two brothers, Stanley, Philadelphia, and Malcolm, Camden, and one grandchild. A son, John E., died two years ago.
Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p. m. in the funeral home of Harry Leonard, 2850 Federal st. The Rev. Donald E. Bakely, pastor of the Fairview Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery, Pennsauken. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday night.
Intersection of Octagon Road & North Common Road
North Common Road ends at its intersection with Octagon Road.
Intersection of Sumter Road & South Common Road
South Common Road begins at its intersection with Sumter Road.
1000 Block of South Common Road — Occupants
City directory records.
1066 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | George A. Rothery |
| 1940–1980 | Roy C. Keiper & Family (coal); Roy C. & Eva Keiper |
1068 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1920s–1930s | Marcus Decker & Family |
| 1920s–1930s | Marcus & Agnes Decker |
| 1920s–1930s | Edwin V. Decker |
| 1923–1924 | Samuel L. Harman Jr. |
| 1927–1932 | John C. Decker (Civil War veteran, 13th NJ Infantry) |
| 1940–1980 | Mahlon M. Lenker & Family (radio repair); Mahlon M. & Rebecca Lenker; Gloria, Virginia & Evelyn Lenker |
| 1947 | Elmer Hill & Family; Elmer & Gloria Lenker Hill |
1074 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1940 | Charles H. Lord & Family; Charles & Kathryn Lord; Mary Lord |
| 1947 | John Hoffman |
| 1969 | Mrs. Charles H. Lord |
| 1980 | R. C. Stanfill III |
1076 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | Charles Fay & Family (electrician) |
| 1923–1924 | Charles & Helen Fay |
| 1940 | Mrs. Mary Anderson |
| 1947 | James Wallace |
| 1969–1980 | J. Wesley Hoffman |
1078 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | No Listing |
| 1923 | No Listing |
| 1924 | No Listing |
| 1940 | Mabel Roberts & Family; Geraldine Roberts |
| 1947 | No Listing |
| 1969 | Robert H. Bell |
| 1980 | A. Favieri |
1080 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | John G. Smith |
| 1924 | Albert Thilo |
| 1940 | James Lauerman & Family; James & Meryl Lauerman |
| 1947 | Alfred Briant |
| 1969 | No Listing |
| 1980 | Frank J. Coyle |
1082 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Carl MacWilliams |
| 1924 | Leslie C. Floyd |
| 1940 | Harry B. Smith |
| 1947 | Walter Schuler |
| 1969–1980 | Charles Vile |
1084 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Mrs. Ellen Walton |
| 1924 | Joseph R. Walton |
| 1940 | Alfred Davis & Family; Alfred & Rita Davis; Francis & Dorothy Davis |
| 1947–1980 | Charles Pente |
1086 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | David J. Barry |
| 1940 | Samuel Eastlack Porch & Family; Samuel Eastlack & Irma Porch; Albert Becker (step-son) |
| 1942–1947 | Harry E. Schuehing & Family (salesman); Harry & Mildred Schuehing; Robert Edward Schuehing |
| 1942 | Camden High School |
| 1969–1991 | Paul S. Jayne & Family; Paul & Joyce Jayne; Paula, Andrew & Timothy Jayne |
1088 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | John F. O'Brien |
| 1930 | John William Cullen and Family; John & Virginia Cullen; Jacqueline Cullen |
| 1940–1947 | Mrs. Florence Lantry & Family; Joseph J. Lantry |
| 1969 | J. C. Casella |
| 1980 | D. Casella |
1090 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Frank McKinney |
| 1924 | George E. Sanderlin |
| 1940 | John Kelly & Family; John & Edith Kelly; Elaine & John Kelly |
| 1947 | John Hammon |
| 1969 | F. J. Taggart & Family; F. J. & Edna Taggart |
| 1980 | T. N. Ferris |
1092 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | J. Joseph Telesca |
| 1932–1980 | William Di Pietro & Family (paperhanger); William & Anne Di Pietro; Josephine, Catherine & William Di Pietro |
1094 Common Road
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1924 | Raymond C. Prickitt |
| 1940 | Patrick Donaghy |
| 1947–1980 | John B. Adams & Family (salesman); John B. & Emma Adams R.N. |
Related: John C. Decker — 1068 Common Road, 1927–1932.
Related: Paul S. Jayne — 1086 Common Road, 1969–1991.
Related: John William Cullen — 1088 Common Road, 1930.
John C. Decker — 1068 Common Road
Camden Courier-Post —
DECKER—On June 14, 1932, John, C. Ad., 13th New Jersey Infantry, husband of the late Abagail Decker (nee Sayers), age 91 years.
Relatives and friends of the family, also members of Camden G. A. R. Post, No. 5, are invited to attend the funeral services, on Friday morning at 11 o’clock, from his late residence, 1068 Common Rd., Fairview. Interment private, at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday evening.
Edwin V. Decker, grandson of John C. Decker. Marcus Decker and family lived at 1068 Common Road in the 1920s–1930s.
Paul S. Jayne — 1086 Common Road
Paul S. Jayne and family — 1086 Common Road, 1969–1991. Paul & Joyce Jayne; Paula, Andrew, and Timothy Jayne.
John William Cullen — 1088 Common Road
John William Cullen and family — 1088 Common Road, 1930. John & Virginia Cullen; Jacqueline Cullen.
William Di Pietro — 1092 Common Road
1932 Camden High School Yearbook
WILLIAM DE PIETRO / EXPERT PAPERHANGING / 1092 S. Common Road — 1932 Camden High School yearbook advertisement.
Intersection of Octagon Road & South Common Road
South Common Road ends at its intersection with Octagon Road.
2 Men Indicted for Murder of Store Manager
Camden Morning Post —
Grand Jury Cites Janasz and Makowski for Killing of John Cullen
YOUTHS CONFESSED TO FAIRVIEW HOLDUP
Auto Fatalities and Kidnaping Listed in 94 True Bills Returned
The electric chair loomed closer for Stanley B. Janasz, alias Benny Jones, and John Makowski, alias “Fingers,” yesterday when the retiring September grand jury presented indictments charging murder against them to Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court.
The two true bills were included in a presentment of 94 indictments. The two youths have confessed to holding up John Cullen, 22, of 1088 South Common road, Fairview, manager of the American Store at 1201 Landsdowne avenue, who died from a bullet wound inflicted by Janasz. The holdup occurred November 28. Cullen left a widow and a one-year-old baby.
Automobile fatalities resulted in two indictments charging manslaughter against Randall Buzby and Leon Burak.
Other indictments were:
Kidnaping — Frederick Cheeseman, William Cameron and Rose Wilkins.
Disorderly house — Dorothy Van Meter.
Abandonment of minor child — Sallie Fries.
Unlawful possession of liquor — Charles Palmer, Mathias Paulus, two indictments.
Obtaining money under false pretenses — Julia Eden, two counts; Eugene Beach, Jr., Leo F. Buck and Martha Carmely.
Carrying weapon unlawfully — Charles Webb.
Robbery — Harry Schultz, William Dempsey, James Brody, two counts each.
Breaking, entering and larceny — Douglas Bradley, Thomas Johnson, Elwood Quann, Frank Robinson, Paul Bond, Earl Bundy, Roland Batts, Shelton Bryant, Leonard Peculski, Paul Burkhardt, Raymond Kocinski, Peter Bendorbick.
Breaking, entering and attempted larceny: Dominick Rafko, Peter Warren and Carmen Diciano.
Assault and battery: Preston Cooper, Charles H. Cooper, Samuel Lesky, Joseph Corson.
Atrocious assault and battery: Pasquale Juliano, Jr., 2 counts.
Conspiracy: John Kienzle, Sr. and Sallie Fries.
Perjury: John Moskow.
Driving vehicle without owner’s consent: Albert E. Davies.
Embezzlement: Ernest B. Thompson, Robert Langer.
Forgery: Albert Hahn.
Uttering forged document: John Moskow.
Larceny and receiving stolen goods: John Doyle, Alfred Bradley, Delbert Vaniver, Albert Vogel and Samuel Baker, 2 counts each; Robert Langer, Harry Schultz, William Dempsey, James Briody, Leonard Peculski, Paul Burkhardt, Albert E. Davies.
Receiving stolen goods: Allie Girard, Victor Price, Leonard Angelastro.
Larceny as bailee: Milford F. Muzzy, Charles H. Friars.
Tampering with meter: Victor A. Elmer, two counts.
Statutory offenses: Thomas Deva, Anthony Bertett, Ralph Pitnu, Frank Vilardo, George Whittaker.
Non-support: Frank Boner, Charles Burk, Nicholas Rossodivito, Jacob D. Hitchinson, Isaac Newport, Martin J. Tully, William Davis, Joseph Lionel Beetham, Howard Patterson, Owen J. Kent, Leslie R. Watkins, Charles H. Cooper, Harry Paul O’Drain, Harry Anderson.
Malicious mischief: Raymond Archer.
The grand jury returned resolutions commending the conduct of county institutions at Lakeland, the Detention Home and the prosecutor’s office.
2 Youths Face Court And Deny Store Murder
Camden Courier-Post —
Makowski and Janasz Indicted in Killing of John W. Cullen
PROSECUTOR WILL ASK FOR DEATH PENALTY
Collingswood Burglar is Named By Grand Jury in Its Report
Two Camden youths, nervous and incoherent in speech under the threat of the electric chair, today stood before Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd in criminal court and pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering a store manager to get $5 in receipts.
They are John “Fingers” Makowski and Stanley B. Janasz, also known as Benny Jones.
Both were white-lipped as they listened to the grave charges contained in indictments returned by the retiring September Grand Jury yesterday and read in court today by Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese. At the conclusion of the reading, Palese asked them how they would plead.
Neither made answer, and Justice Lloyd then put the question to them. Their answer, made in a low, indistinct voice, was:
“Not guilty.”
State Aid Asked
Janasz is represented by Joseph A. Varbalow, but Makowski has no lawyer. His mother, a widow who has four other children, then made application to Justice Lloyd for the court to appoint counsel for her son at the state’s expense, as she has not the money with which to procure legal defense for him.
Prosecutor Baldwin will place the youths on trial probably in January, when the death penalty will be asked.
They are accused of murdering John William Cullen, 22, of 1088 South Common road, Fairview, manager of an American Store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue, and father of a 13-month-old girl. The shooting occurred at the store on the night of November 28 and Cullen died two days later in the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
On the day following the shooting the two captives are alleged to have confessed to the robbery and shooting. When arraigned in police court on atrocious assault and battery charges, they pleaded guilty. Jones admitted it was his gun that fired the fatal shot, but he said it was discharged accidentally.
They are probably two of the youngest defendants in a Camden county murder case in which the electric chair has ever been asked by the state. Jones is 18 and resides at 1509 Newport street, while Makowski is 19 and lives at 1476 Mount Ephraim avenue.
Two Miss Death Sentence by Fraction of Inch; ‘Sheiks’ Confess Shooting Store Manager
Camden Morning Post —
A mere fraction of an inch is all that saved the two “sheik” bandits, who robbed and shot a South Camden chain store manager, from death in the electric chair.
And they are still in the shadow of the “chair” as John Cullen, 22, of 1088 Common road battles for his life on a tiny cot in the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
If he dies the prosecutor’s office will undoubtedly ask that the death sentence be imposed for the crime. A state law in New Jersey decrees that all those participating in a robbery or holdup in which an innocent man is killed are equally guilty.
A .32-calibre bullet entered his chest and punctured a lung causing internal hemorrhages, which physicians say may yet cost his life. The bullet passed within a small fraction of an inch of his heart, and missed several arteries that would have caused instant death had they been hit.
The bandits, who at first denied participating in the holdup, are John “Fingers” Makowski, 19, of 1476 Mt. Ephraim avenue and Stanley Jananaz, also known as Benjamin Janasz and Benny Jones, 18, of 1509 Newport street.
Order Safe Opened
They entered the American store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue just as Cullen the manager, and his two clerks were about to close up last Friday. Forcing the clerks into the rear of the store, the bandits ordered Cullen to open the safe.
One of the bandits emptied the cash register of about $5 in change, while the second man kept threatening Cullen with a gun. When he failed to work fast enough the bandit struck him and then attempted to strike him a second time.
Cullen made an attempt to defend himself and the bandit shot him and fled.
The two men were captured more than eight hours after the crime was committed when police took advantage of a “tip” given them by one of the store clerks.
Claims Shot Was Accidental
Although Cullen could not say which of the two had shot him, Janasz, better known as Jones, admitted that he accidentally discharged his revolver and that the bullet struck Cullen as the latter sought to defend himself.
2 Bandits Face Death As Manager of Store Dies of Holdup Wound
Camden Courier-Post —
Shot Fired in Robbery of Grocery is Fatal to John Cullen
BALDWIN TO ASK SUPREME PENALTY
Shooting is Admitted by Pair, But Plea of Accident is Made
Holdup Victim Dies
JOHN CULLEN
The grim spectre of the electric chair today loomed over two Camden youths, one 18 and the other 19, following the death of a chain store manager whom they admittedly shot […]. The victim, John Cullen, […] of 1088 South Common road, […] died at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital […] today […].
[… about ten lines too faded to read in the print; legible fragments: “physicians last night”, “Baldwin”, “Cullen’s death”, “would”, “con[…]”, “John”, “Stanl[…]”, “New[…]”, “[…]rt street” …]
[…] its bullet[…] are equally gu[…] the law, as the slayi[ng occurred] during the act of rob[bery …] the prosecutor said he [would cer]tainly ask that both [go to the] electric chair.
When they were arr[aigned in police] court Saturday mornin[g on] charge[s] of atrocious assault and [bat]tery, both Makowski and Jones [pleaded not] guilty and were held without [b]ail for the grand jury. Prosecutor Baldwin said he would allow that charge to remain until he presents the case to the grand jury next Monday, when he will seek murder indictments. The prosecutor pointed out that the youths are held without bail and that rearraignment on a formal charge of murder is not necessary “unless an attempt is made by an attorney to effect their release on a writ of habeas corpus. In the event of such an attempt, the charge will be changed to murder.”
Cullen made a valiant fight for his life in the hospital. A .32-caliber bullet lodged directly under his heart, penetrating a lung with resultant internal hemorrhages. The bullet missed several arteries by the barest of margins, otherwise Cullen would have died instantly.
An autopsy was conducted late this morning by Dr. Edward B. Rogers, county physician, and it was determined that Cullen had died of internal hemorrhages. The bullet was found and will be used by the state in evidence to establish the means of death.
The victim’s father, William Cullen, of Crisfield, Md., arrived here today to make arrangements for the funeral, which will be in charge of Arthur B. Holl, of Parkside. Services will be held tomorrow evening at the dead man’s home, with Rev. Thomas Martin, pastor of the Fairview Community Church, officiating. Then the body will be taken to Crisfield Wednesday for burial.
In addition to his wife and child, the deceased is survived by his father, mother, Mrs. Olivia Cullen; a sister in Merchantville and a brother living at a Camden hotel.
James Murray, 37, of Florence, gun-toting suspect, pleaded guilty in police court today to a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons and was held without bail for the Grand Jury.
The slain man, who was married and the father of a year-old daughter, was manager of the American Store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue. A clerk and an errand boy were with him in the store as he was about to close for the day, when Makowski and Jones entered.
Bandit Hit Cullen
With drawn revolvers, the bandits forced the young clerk and errand boy to lie down behind a counter in the rear of the store. One of the bandits obtained $5 from the cash register and then ordered Cullen to open the safe so they could get the day’s receipts. Nervous, Cullen obeyed, but when he hesitatingly knelt before the safe, one of the bandits struck him. Again the bandit attempted to hit Cullen, but the manager threw out his arm to defend himself.
A single shot rang out, and the bandits fled. The clerk, John Drexel, 16, of 1242 Landsdowne [sic] avenue, and the errand boy, Gordon Feltz, 13, of 1417 Louis street, summoned aid, and Cullen was taken to the hospital.
Drexel told Detective Sylvester McGrather that he had recognized one of the bandits as John Makowski, against whom he had played football about three weeks ago. McGrath went to the manager of the football team on which Makowski played, obtained his address and was also informed that Makowski’s “buddy” was Jones.
Makowski was arrested at his home about four hours after the holdup. Jones was captured early Saturday morning at his home. Detectives also found an empty .32-calibre revolver on a bureau in Jones’ bedroom, as well as eight cartridges and one discharged shell.
Both suspects admitted being in the store that evening, but denied the crime. They were taken to the hospital, where Cullen identified them. However, the wounded man could not say which had fired the shot. City and county detectives continued the questioning, and the two suspects are finally said to have confessed the holdup.
Jones is declared to have admitted it was his gun which was discharged, but he said the gun accidentally exploded and that he had not intended to shoot Cullen. Makowski admitted throwing his gun from a bus while going across the Camden Bridge after the holdup.
Cullen also identified Jones as one of two bandits who on Nov. 19 confronted him as he was leaving the store and stole business papers from him. He was not certain whether Makowski was in the previous holdup.
Although Makowski did not fire the shot, he is as guilty of the crime of murder as Jones, the prosecutor pointed out. Statutes provide that where a murder is the result of a robbery or holdup, all participants are guilty of the worst crime, as it is an outgrowth of the original crime.
The most celebrated example of how that law is effected was in the case of the four Olney bank bandits, who were arrested for the shooting of a Philadelphia policeman some five years ago. One of the bandits was under arrest and disarmed before the shooting began. Nevertheless, he was charged with murder along with the other three and was electrocuted with them.