Constitution Road
Constitution Road in the Fairview section of Camden is in two sections, North Constitution Road and South Constitution Road.
North Constitution Road runs southeast from 1192 North Congress Road to North Collings Road. South Constitution Road runs two blocks, from 1546 South Collings Road across Minnesota Road to South Alabama Road, where it ends.
Do you have a Constitution Road memory or picture? Let me know by e-mail so it can be included here.
Phil Cohen
Fairview Map
FAIRVIEW’S REALTOR SINCE 1929
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS)
2977 YORKSHIP SQUARE, FAIRVIEW
963-2526
North Constitution Road — 1920
North Constitution Road, 1920.
2700 Block of North Constitution Road
2749 North Constitution Road — 1947
2749 North Constitution Road, 1947.
District Firemen Fete 2 Veterans On Retirement
Camden Courier-Post —
Two retired veterans, District Chief Engineer Robert A. Wonsetler and Chief’s Aide Irvin F. Bishop, were given a farewell party Saturday night by firemen at the 27th and Federal sts. firehouse.
Wonsetler, who retired after 31 years 11 months of service, and Bishop, with a record of 34 years 4 months, were presented wrist watches at a dinner attended by officers and members of the Camden Bureau of Fire.
Honored guests included Chief Engineer William V. Pfefferle, District Chief Engineer John J. Graham and District Chief Engineer Austin Marks. Many members of the auxiliary were present.
Served as Lobbyist
Wonsetler, who was appointed to the department Feb. 8, 1923, served through the ranks to become district chief engineer. He served as executive delegate and legislative lobbyist of the Camden Branch, Local 5, Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Inc. 10 years.
He was elected president of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association in 1939, being the first Camden fireman elected to that office in 41 years.
Wonsetler was honored with a life membership and a gift by FMBA.
In addition to working at many of Camden’s major fires, Chief Wonsetler, from 1936 to 1952, was the broadcaster of the “Voice of Safety” program sponsored by the Camden Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention. He lives at 3281 Pleasant ave.
Bishop Hurt Several Times
Bishop was appointed to the fire department Aug. 25, 1920, and spent 33 years at No. 2 Truck Company, 619 Kaighns ave.
He was assigned as chief’s aide Sept. 15, 1953.
Bishop was injured several times during his career. He lives at 2771 N. Constitution rd.
Rites Friday
Camden Courier-Post —
LESTER R. ANDERSON
The funeral of Lester R. Anderson, 38, city fireman, who was found dead on a cot at fire headquarters Monday, will be held at 8.30 a. m., Friday at the home, 2771 Constitution road. Requiem mass will be held at 9.30 a. m., at St. Joan of Arc Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Anderson was a member of Local No. 5, Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Society.
Marriage Licenses
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley Thomas Young, 32, of 309 Cherry street, and Louella Thomas, 29, of 3613 Sampson street, Philadelphia.
George Cranmer, 23, of 2762 Constitution road, and Pauline Biocco, 22, of 1487 Kenwood avenue.
Roy McCauley, 29, of 3864 North Marshall street, Philadelphia, and Florence Fillman, 24, of 1544 Mt. Ephraim avenue.
Harry J. Williams, 37, of 2800 South Seventh street, and Mary Etta McCully, 44, both of 2800 South Seventh street.
Elmer Bowker, 25, of 3168 Alabama road, and Margaret Osborne, 22, of 3205 Alabama road.
John Adam Tamarelli, 29, of 702 Market street, and Florence E. Heacock, 27, of 1500 North Sixty-first street, Philadelphia.
Weirauch
Camden Courier-Post —
WEIRAUCH
On June 11, 1967, Frederick of 2752 Constitution Rd., Fairview, Camden, N.J., survived by wife Regina (nee Servis), 3 sons Raymond F. of Fairview, Edward J. of Cherry Hill and Richard P. of Philadelphia, Pa., 1 daughter Miss Regina M. of Fairview, 9 grandchildren, 1 sister and 1 brother, age 71 years. Relatives and friends of the family, are invited to attend the funeral services on Thursday at 11 a.m., at Myrtetus Funeral Home, 1530 Collings Rd., Fairview, Camden. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill. Friends may call Wednesday evening.
Hit and Run Death Is Charged to Man
Camden Courier-Post —
Indictment Returned Against Gondolf After 3-Month Probe
A police and private investigation into the “hit-run” death of a Fairview war veteran Christmas eve has resulted in an indictment charging manslaughter being returned against a Camden man.
In the indictment, returned by the grand jury, Harold Gondolf, of 3001 Fenwick road, is charged with being the driver of the automobile which fatally injured George Hall, of 2760 Constitution road.
Separate investigations lasting three months were conducted by the police department and Fairview legionnaires.
Prosecutor Baldwin, announcing the indictment had been returned, said Gondolf is the son of Peter Gondolf, Republican county committeeman from the Fourteenth ward. Evidence against Gondolf had been placed before the grand jury on an “informal complaint,” Baldwin said. Gondolf had not been arrested because of being ill in bed, Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, said last night.
Hall, veteran of the British army, was struck by the automobile on Morgan boulevard between Seventh and Eighth streets. An investigation was started by Sergeant George R. Thompson, head of the accident bureau, but no one was arrested. Thompson had appeared before the grand jury with a number of witnesses.
Thompson was aided in his investigation by members of the Fairview Post No. 71, American Legion, of which Hall was a member. Gondolf appeared at police headquarters several days after the accident and was questioned by Thompson. He was not arrested and a complaint was never made against him, according to Thompson. He repeatedly denied that he was the driver of the car.
“This was a hit-run case,” the prosecutor said, “and the city police started an investigation in an effort to learn who the driver of the death car was. Sergeant Thompson had charge of this investigation.
“The American Legion Post of Fairview became interested in the case and it, too, conducted an investigation, and turned over to my office all the information they obtained. As a result of this, the matter was laid before the grand jury on an informal complaint against Gondolf, and an indictment was found against him on the charge of manslaughter. I have questioned Gondolf, and he has repeatedly denied that he was the driver of the car that figured in the tragedy.
“Gondolf is the son of Peter Gondolf, and lived at 415 Morse street. Since the accident, however, the defendant has moved from this address. He will be placed on trial on the charge of manslaughter at the April term of criminal court.”
Lester R. Anderson — 2771 North Constitution Road
Portrait of Lester R. Anderson
[Portrait photograph of Lester R. Anderson in firefighter uniform]
Firemen Pallbearers for Lester Anderson
Camden Courier-Post —
The funeral of Lester R. Anderson, 38, a member of Engine Company No. 2, Fifth and Arch streets, who died in his sleep at the fire house Monday night, will be held today at 8.30 a. m. from his home, 2771 Constitution road.
A High Mass will be celebrated at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joan of Arc at 9.30 a. m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers, all members of the engine company, will be John Yates, Arthur Batten, William Hopkins, Leo Tompkins, Ralph Bingemann and Henry Baumgartle.
Mr. Anderson, a member of the fire department since 1923, had not been ill. A native of this city, he is survived by his widow, Marie; two children, Marie, 15, and Lester R. Jr., 12; his father, William, Camden; a stepmother, and three brothers and three sisters; John, also a fireman; William, a Republican county committeeman in the Fourteenth ward; Charles, of Pennsauken; Mrs. Louis Letzgus, of Camden; Mrs. Kathryn Venella, of Glendora, and Madeline, Camden.
Disabled Vets Here Ask Food for Bonus Forces
Camden Courier-Post —
August F. Walters Chapter No. 4, Disabled American Veterans of the World War, last night requested contributions of food and clothing for the Bonus Expeditionary Forces at Washington and asked that they be sent to the members of the following chapter committee:
William Amberg, 2788 Constitution road; Thomas Egan, 20 Birch road, Clementon; Daniel Rivkin, 1126 Newton avenue, West Collingswood; Walter Evans, 124 Kendall boulevard, Oaklyn; A. F. Monagahn, 1445 Bradley avenue, and C. T. Conroy, 117 East Holly avenue, Oaklyn. Donations may also be left that the 114th Infantry Armory, Haddon avenue and Mickle street.
2800 Block of North Constitution Road
'Mack' Out on Bail Until Girl Is Able to Testify
Camden Courier-Post —
When the girl whom he is charged with having attacked was unable to leave the hospital and appear against him yesterday, Frank Manfredi, 22, of 301 Chestnut Street, who fought under the ring name of “Frankie Mack,” was released from jail under $1500 bail by Judge Pancoast in police court for a further hearing next Thursday.
Judge Pancoast explained he had consulted Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin, who gave him permission to release the defendant in bail. It is expected the girl, Marie Romaine, 17, of 2842 Constitution road, Fairview will be able to leave West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital before the hearing.
In her complaint to the police, Miss Romaine said she went with Manfredi to “Mack's Cafe,” conducted by him at the Chestnut Street address, and that he attacked her there last Saturday.
Alvin S. Thompson Fire Captain Here, To Retire Monday
Camden Courier-Post —
Fire Captain Alvin S. Thompson, 52, of 2818 Constitution road, will retire from the Camden fire department Monday after more than 26 years service.
A party honoring him will be held at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in the firehouse on Kaighn avenue, near Sixth street. More than 100 friends and well wishers are expected to attend the affair. He will be presented with a $25 savings bond.
Captain Thompson was appointed to the department Feb. 18, 1922 and was assigned to No. 8 Engine Co., Kaighn avenue, near Sixth street, where he served ever since.
On March 8, 1930 he was made a junior captain and 13 years later given full rank.
During his long career Thompson was injured in the line of duty twice.
During a three alarm blaze on Kaighn avenue, he was blown through a doorway by an explosion which rocked an entire block. On another occasion he was injured when the apparatus on which he was riding enroute to a fire collided with another vehicle.
Thompson at various times has acted as battalion chief, chief engineer, first aid instructor and civil defense instructor.
At various times in the last 26 years he has held office in the Camden Firemen's Credit Union, the Firemen's Relief Association, the International Association of Firefighters, the Police and Firemen's club and the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association.
William Green
Camden Courier-Post —
WILLIAM GREEN
William Green died Monday at his home 2892 Constitution rd., Fairview, at the age of 17. He was a senior at Camden Catholic High School where he was manager of the school's track team for the past two years.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence W. Green and a brother, James, of Fairview; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Broderick of Norfolk, Va., and Mrs. Mary Hampton of Haddon Heights.
Friends will meet at the Murray Funeral Home, 408 Cooper st., Thursday at 8 a.m. High requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc R. C. Church, Fairview. Burial will be in New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr. Friends may call Wednesday evening.
2900 Block of North Constitution Road
Babies Born in April Get B. & L. Stock Shares
Camden Courier-Post —
The first payment on one share of stock in the Kearsarge Building and Loan Association has been offered to parents of the following children born in the Fourteenth ward during the month of April:
Norman Turner, 824 Bulson Street; Kathryn Jeanette Mahoney, 709 Morgan Street; Anna Mae Hollowell, 550 Grant Avenue; Janice Fem Crossett, 551 Woodland Avenue; Thomas Joseph Dorsey, Jr., 2929 Constitution Road; June Lonkert, 1515 Collings Road; Donald Embley Corson, 2512 Morgan Boulevard; Eileen Francis Patton, 1212 Yorkship Square; Philip Edward Gruber, Jr., 1232 America Road; Jean Marie Fanslow, 1659 Alabama Road; John Campbell, 539 Lester Terrace; William Richard Hook, 1577 Alabama Road; Carole Marie Davis, 2788 Yorkship Square, and Earl Purnell Lewin, 1228 America Road.
William A. Deery — 2926 North Constitution Road
John L. 'Jack' Sullivan — 2935 North Constitution Road
Private John L. “Jack” Sullivan, WWII, of 2935 North Constitution Road.
Leo J. Tompkins Jr. — 2944 North Constitution Road
Left: 2942 North Constitution Road, 1919. Right: Leo J. Tompkins Jr., Camden Police Department, 2944 North Constitution Road, 1950s–1970s.
2 Nabbed Unloading Beer Behind Cafe
Camden Courier-Post —
Arrested by Federal agents from the Camden headquarters while unloading beer on George Street, in the rear of Thompson's Cafe, 18 Market Street, two men were held last night for hearings today before U. S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong.
The men are Angus Patterson, 44 of 816 South Fourth Street, and Paul Moore, 33, of 2992 Constitution road.
Camden Vet Granted Maximum U.S. Pension
Camden Courier-Post —
Washington March 27. — Alfred Beardsley, 2992 Constitution Road, Camden, N. J., who served in the Spanish-American War and who has been on pension for several years, has been granted the maximum federal limit as a result of favorable action on a petition presented by Congressman Charles A. Wolverton.
Another resident of Camden, Chester Burnett, 710 Spruce Street, a veteran of World War service, has been granted disability allowance, Wolverton, sponsor of Burnett's petition, was advised.
3000 Block of North Constitution Road
Mrs. Forrest Eisenhardt
Camden Courier-Post —
Who was Miss Hilda Marie Jensen, daughter of Mrs. Hilda Jensen, of 3022 Constitution road, before her marriage on January 22. The couple is living at the Constitution Road address.
Related: Forrest L. “Dutch” Eisenhardt
Walter A. Mertz — 3016 North Constitution Road
Van Pfefferle Acting Head Of Fire Dept.
Camden Courier-Post —
Named as Mertz Gets Leave and Prepares To Retire on Jan. 15
Camden has a new acting fire chief today—William Van Pfefferle.
The new department head was appointed by Safety Director E. George Aaron, after he received a letter Wednesday from Acting Chief Walter Mertz, announcing his desire to retire on Jan. 15. Mertz also requested a leave of absence until that date. The leave was granted.
Van Pfefferle, now a battalion chief, will fill the acting chief’s post during the interim, Aaron said.
Both men have been stationed at fire headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
Mertz, who is 72 and lives at 3016 Constitution road, has been a member of the fire department since Oct. 1, 1911. He was promoted to lieutenant on Oct. 1, 1915, then raised to captain on April 1, 1918, became battalion chief on Sept. 14, 1932, and two years later was raised to deputy chief.
On the retirement of the late John Lennox, Mertz assumed the acting chief’s duties Nov. 19, 1945.
Van Pfefferle joined the department Oct. 1, 1917, as an electrician. At that time the fire department had several pieces of electrically driven apparatus with power supplied by storage batteries. At that time fire department personnel had been depleted because of War I service.
Due to his experience with electrically-driven equipment, Van Pfefferle was placed in charge of all apparatus in the city on July 1, 1918. He was promoted to junior captain on Feb. 2, 1927; senior captain, March 30, 1930, and to battalion chief on Sept. 18, 1944.
Van Pfefferle, who is 58, lives at 619 North Fourth street.
The Civil Service Commission has called for an examination for fire chief, with battalion chiefs and captains eligible to take the test.
Notice of Application — The Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
Take notice that Martha Heron Phillips, trading as “The Corner,” has applied to the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control of Camden for a Plenary Retail Consumption License for premises situated at 571 Haddon Ave., Camden, New Jersey.
Objections, if any, should be made immediately in writing to John T. Odorisio, City Clerk of Camden. (Signed) MARTHA HERON PHILLIPS, 3022 N. Constitution Road, Camden, N. J.
Police, Fire Tests Take Heavy Toll
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Bureau
TRENTON — The high rate of failures on police and fire examinations was repeated yesterday in the Civil Service Department’s announcement of the results of tests for fire captain and patrolman in Camden City.
In the captain’s test, 23 passed, 64 failed and two did not show up for the test. In the test for patrolman, 10 passed, 32 failed and 14 failed to show. In the non-residents’ test for Camden patrolman, six passed, eight failed and five did not appear.
In the fire captain’s test, Kenneth M. Clark of 111 North 26th St., Camden, a veteran, qualified with a score of 92.6, highest for the seven veterans who qualified. Joseph R. Gfrorer of 3040 N. Constitution Road, Camden, was highest of applicants with a score of 96.5.
In the residents’ patrolman test, Robert D. Craig of 817 Vine Street was high with 78. In the non resident’s test, Edwin B. Hoffman of 514 Walnut Street, Audubon, a veteran qualified with 72.2 and Flem J. Hopkins Jr. of 113 Estates Ave., Pine Hill, was high with 78.
Others who passed the fire captain’s test were:
George D. Getty of 1111 N. 34 St., 95.4; John DiMaggio of 319 Beckett St., 94; Joseph J. Anderson of 2406 Denfield St., 92.96; Phillip A. Maycott of 2836 Lincoln Ave., 90.5; James McMaster of 402 N. 37th St., 90.2; William D. Hillman of 3071 Constitution Rd., 89.4; Joseph Arensberg of 1041 N. 32nd St., 88.3; Robert E. Briggs of 2861 Congress Road, veteran, 86.3; John S. Brzozowski of 371 N. 34th St., 86.2; Edmund F. Gorczynski of 272 N. 33rd St., veteran, 85.4; Anthony F. Orme of 3317 River Ave., veteran, 82.4; William B. Young of 1126 N. 33rd St., 80.5; William D. Ayers of 2846 Pierce Ave., veteran, 79.1; Joseph Dowhy Sr., of 866 Beideman Ave., veteran, 78.9; James O. Jones of 3214 Mitchell St., 78.3; Joseph Chelhowski of 1324 Sheridan St., veteran, 75.8; James T. Robinson of 504 Trenton Ave., 75.5; Anthony D. Moffa of 23 Leonard Ave., 73.3; Robert E. Davenport of 1026 Reeves Ave., 73; John F. Gaffney Jr., of 78 S. Dudley St., 72.8, and Albert E. Collum Jr., of 2409 Howell St., 72.6.
Patrolman (residents) who passed:
Joseph A. Fox of 2117 Mount Ephraim Ave., 77.1; Charles W. Cahilly 2d of 2015 Westminster Ave., 75.; Edward B. Bush of 3210 Mitchell St., 78.9; John F. Oppmann of 550 N. 30th St., 77.7; Gary E. Miller of 486-A Rand St., 77.4; Donald J. Tymusczuk of 2737 Concord Ave., 75.1; Joseph A. Broccoli of 1467 Pershing St., 74.2; Richard W. Merta of 1641 Pulaski St., 72.9, and Robert G. Gibson of 572 Clinton St., 72.6.
Patrolman (nonresidents) who passed:
Flem J. Hopkins Jr., 78; Elwood L. Ridge, 75.4; Joseph E. Benton, 74.7; David Vautier Jr., 74.1, and Frank R. Pedano, 73.8.
Phillips
Camden Courier-Post —
PHILLIPS
On Oct. 9, 1969, Martha (nee Heron), wife of the late Wendell C. of 3022 Constitution Road, Fairview, Camden. Survived by son Wendell Phillips, U.S. Navy, Camden, daughter Mrs. Dona Gibbons of Runnemede, brother John V. Heron of Westmont and sister Mrs. Nellie Daly of West Collingswood, and four grandchildren. Relatives and friends, also members of South Jersey Tavern Owners Assn., are invited to attend the requiem Mass Monday at 9 a.m., at St. Joan of Arc Church, Collings and Alabama Roads, Fairview, Camden. Interment Harleigh Cemetery. No viewing Sunday evening. Funeral under the direction of Myrtetus Funeral Home, 1530 Collings Road, Fairview, Camden.
South Constitution Road
Scotty Moving & Storage Company — 3075 South Constitution Road
Scotty Moving & Storage Company, 3075 South Constitution Road, 1938.