Benjamin M. Braker, a highly esteemed figure in South Jersey for over five decades, carved out a lasting legacy as both a journalist and a politician until his passing in December 1905. With close ties to George Lippard, the founder of the Brotherhood of the Union, and the renowned poet Walt Whitman, Braker played a significant role in the cultural and political landscape of the region. His residence at 255 Kaighn Avenue in the late 1880s and early 1890s served as a hub for various endeavors, including ventures in real estate.
Born in Bristol, England, in 1826, Braker arrived in America in 1830. During the Civil War, he answered the nation’s call by enlisting as a private in Company E, 20th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, on June 17, 1863. This enlistment was in response to the Confederate advance into Pennsylvania and the subsequent Battle of Gettysburg. Following his service in this regiment, Braker reenlisted as a private in Company A, 1st Militia Infantry Regiment New Jersey, on July 14, 1864, prompted by the Confederate offensive in Maryland. The unit operated for 30 days during this period.
Braker’s impact extended beyond military service, as he emerged as a key figure in New Jersey politics. Instrumental in founding the Republican Party in the state, he held the position of Justice of the Peace in Camden continuously until his demise. Additionally, Braker served as City Recorder four times between 1877 and 1889 and represented the state as an Assemblyman in the 1880s.
Benjamin Braker took his last breath at his residence on 308 Sycamore Street, Camden, on December 14, 1905. He left behind his wife, two daughters, and two sons. The legacy continued through his daughter Laura Braker’s marriage to John Dodd Courter, with both John Dodd Courter and his son Benjamin W. Courter achieving notable and enduring careers as reporters and columnists in Camden.
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