Clay W. Reesman
Clay Wolf Reesman Jr. was born in Pennsylvania around 1884. He married Alice Gibbs in the early 1900s.
He was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1910. In November of 1911 he is listed as a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Thorofare, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
The Reesman family is not listed in the 1914 Camden City directory. However, by September of 1918 the family had moved to Camden and had bought a home at 44 North 24th Street in East Camden. Clay Reesman was then working as a traveling salesman. The family at that point included two daughters, Alice and Mary, and a son, John Andrew Reesman. The Reesman family had moved to 2772 Mickle Street in East Camden by 1924.
After moving to Camden, Clay Reesman soon involved himself in the civic and political life of the city. He was a charter member and first vice-president of the Camden chapter of the American Business Clubs. Other members included auto dealer DeMotte Eggie, Jack Weinberg, and William Shirley.
A member of the Republican party, he defeated Sergeant Ray Smith, who was backed by Jake Schiller, in the 1926 election for ward committeeman in the Twelfth Ward. Clay W. Reesman was elected May 10, 1927 to the Camden City Commission on an all-Republican slate. He took the oath of office May 17, 1927. The other commissioners were General Winfield S. Price, Mayor; T. Yorke Smith; William D. Sayrs Jr.; and Dr. David S. Rhone. One of his duties as commissioner was to oversee Camden's city-owned radio station, WCAM.
Although he had been elected to the City Commission as a Republican in 1927, Clay W. Reesman was chosen to succeed Otto Braun as City Clerk when control over the hiring of city employees passed from the Republican Party to the Democrats in October of 1936. This change was the result of a New Jersey State Supreme Court decision which finally settled the disputed May 1935 election for Camden's City Commission.
Clay W. Reesman was close to one-time Burlington County Chief of Detectives Ellis Parker Sr., who was sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in the kidnapping of a witness connected to the Lindbergh kidnapping. Clay Reesman and his wife visited Parker only a few days before his death in February of 1940.
Clay and Alice Reesman were still living at 2772 Mickle Street as late as 1947. He was then still serving as Camden's City Clerk, a position he held up to his passing, on January 3, 1949. His long-time assistant Mary MacClennon served as acting City Clerk for over five years, until in August of 1954 John Odorisio was named to the post. Alice Reesman remained at the Mickle Street home until her death in November of 1976.
Tag: clay-w-reesman
John T. Odorisio
John T. Odorisio was born in Camden around 1926 to Joseph and Nettie Odorisio. After his father passed away, he lived with his older brother Rocco and sister Constance at 425 Beckett Street , as recorded in the 1930 Census.
28th Street
28th Street runs from the Delaware River south, across River Road to the Pavonia railroad switching yard, then to Westfield Avenue, Federal Street and Washington Street. It is North 28th Street above Federal and South 28th below.
Thomas Yorke Smith
Thomas. Yorke Smith, more commonly known as T. Yorke Smith, born around 1873 in New Jersey, entered matrimony with Harriet A. Smith at the age of 21.
Raymond F. Smith
Sergeant Raymond F. Smith, born Lucius Raymond Smith on June 6, 1895, led a remarkable life marked by his contributions to the military, professional boxing, civic engagements, and charitable endeavors.
Sycamore Street
One of Camden's 'tree' streets.
David S. Rhone
Dr. David Samuel Rhone was born in Pennsylvania on March 5, 1878.
Mickle Street
One of Camden's major east-west roads.
Centennial Mirror 1828-1928
Centennial Mirror of the City of Camden, NJ Published in the interest of a growing city, nineteen twenty-eight.
Making Health with Parks
By Commissioner Clay W. Reesman , Director of Parks and Public Property CAMDEN has passed the stage where the promotion of park spaces and play grounds is listed as a luxury.
Henry Magin Laid to Rest by War Veteran Buddies
Funeral services for Camden City Commissioner Henry Magin were held in August 1941, with trucks of flowers in the funeral cortege and his war veteran comrades among those paying final honors.
Is Zat So?
Camden Courier-Post - February 9, 1938 By Gordon Mackay May we not at this time proffer a suggestion to Mayor Brunner , Eddie Kelleher and the other party sachems that should be a sure-fire plan to make Camden county safe for Democracy?
Burling Confers with Hartmann on Light Plant Bill
Details of Possible Legislation to Enable City to Get PWA Funds Kept Secret ANDERSON AT PARLEY A conference on Camden's proposed legislative light plant bill was held yesterday by State Senator Albert E. Burling, Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann and his assistant, Walter S. Anderson.
Parley Due Today on Light Plant Bill
Burling to Confer With Hartmann; May Introduce Measure Wednesday Hopeful of Introducing Camden's light plant bill at Wednesday's session of the Legislature, State Senator Albert E. Burling planned to confer today with City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann and the latter's assistant, Walter S. Anderson.
Kobus Made Leader by 12th Ward G.O.P
Club's Move Will Settle City and County Priority, Colsey Asserts Recognition of City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus as the Republican leader of Camden city and county was urged by members of the Twelfth Ward Republican Club .
Hartmann's Plan to Shift Assessor's Office Hit by Mayor
NEW DEALER'S EYES ON $20,000 PAYROLL, VON NIEDA DECLARES Commissioner Accused Playing Politics on Eve of Election OFFICIAL'S REPLY BRIEF Mayor Frederick von Nieda , in a statement issued yesterday afternoon, severely censured Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr. , New Dealer, for his attempt to transfer the assessor's office from the city revenue and finance department to Hartmann's control.
Wible Seeks Post Held by 'Cy' Harris
In the May 1934 Republican primary, John L. Wible ran for Twelfth Ward county committeeman on David Baird Jr.'s "Regular Republican" ticket, seeking to unseat "Cy" Harris, who was running for an eighth term.
Jobless Son Kills Jake Schiller Wo Saves Boys Wife From Gun
SLAYER CRAZED BY SEPARATION, RELATIVES SAY Dazedly Insists He Had No Intention of Shooting Sire ESTRANGED WIFE SEEN IN SUICIDE TRY Slain Man Long Was Prominent Figure in Camden Politics Jacob Schiller , 72, for 45 years a political figure here, is dead, shot by his own son.
City Won't Rule on Sunday Beer Sales Unless People Demand
Reesman to Decide If Commissioners Offer Resolution Beverage Dispensers Will Discuss Question at Next Meeting 19 Licenses Issued "The Camden City Commission will take no action on the Sunday beer sale question unless the people express a strong desire for Sunday beer." This is the declaration made yesterday by Mayor Roy R. Stewart .
Baird, Stokes Lash Richards Ambitions And 'Horse Trading'
Dinner to Reesman and Mrs. Verga Packs Whitman Local Delegates Get High Praise Ex-Governor Denounces Roosevelt Program, Hits Inflation By Ransloe Boone Bitter criticism of the "horse trading" of the Legislature and the gubernatorial aspirations of Senate President Emerson L.Richards, were coupled with appeals for party loyalty and praise for Camden county's leaders at a dinner of the Camden County Republican Committee in Hotel Walt Whitman last night.
Sunday Beer Here Is Up to Reesman As Four Rulers Split
Commissioner Says, However, He Awaits Public Sentiment Moore Signs Act, New Fees Fixed Stewart and Bennett Against, Hanna and Rhone For With four members of the city commission deadlocked on the is sue, Commissioner Clay W. Reesman last night appeared to hold in his hands the final decision as to whether Sunday beer sales will be permitted in Camden.
Dickinson to Get Holloway's Place
Late Custodian's Aide at Courthouse is Freeholders Choice The Board of Freeholders will appoint Thomas Dickinson Jr. as acting custodian of the courthouse and the city hall-courthouse annex at its meeting this afternoon.
City Adopts Cut Budget After Clash
Slash of $720,890 Is Revealed in Totals Passed at Session of Rulers Lease Announced Of Radio Station Commissioners Debate with Von Nieda as He Charges Gross Extravagance By Walt Batezel The Camden City Commission yesterday approved the 1933 city budget after hearing and rejecting economy recommendations of several civic and labor organizations.
Joe Montana Wet to Miss Palladino
Camden Wrestler and Bridge Are Given Dinner Attended by Notables Miss Emma Palladino , one of the fairest daughters of Camden's "Little Italy" yesterday became the bride of Joseph Montana , heavyweight wrestler, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church , Fourth and Division street s. Idol of Italian youth in this city Montana was hailed by hundreds of them outside the church.
Friends Bid Adieu to Father Brennan
More than 200 friends and clergymen attended the June 1932 farewell dinner at St. Joseph's School, East Camden, for Rev. William J. Brennan, newly appointed pastor of St. Cecelia's Church at Iselin.
Lewis H. Stehr, Chief of Police, Dies Suddenly
Head of Camden Force Succumbs to Heart Disease in Cooper Hospital City Flags Ordered At Half-Staff for Month Body to Lie in State Friday Night; Final Rites at 2 P.M. Saturday Funeral rites for Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr , who died suddenly at 11.30 a.m. yesterday in Cooper Hospital , will be conducted at 2 pm on Saturday.
13th Ward G.O.P. Club Pays Tribute to Rhone
Camden Courier-Post - January 18, 1928 A meeting which was described today as "a gathering in honor of David S. Rhone , director of public safety," was held last night at the Thirteenth Ward Republican Club , Haddon Avenue and Mechanic Street .
City League Clubs Begin Second Half
Camden Courier-Post - January 10, 1928 Two Games at Convention Hall Tonight; Two New Clubs Join Circuit Second-half competition in the Reesman basketball league will begin tonight with a twin bill at Convention Hall .
Kausel Is Given $4000 Job Over Hot Protest by Rebel in G.O.P.
Not Fitted for Job and 20 of You Admitted it Declares Van Meter Collingswood Man's Insurgency Punished Vocational School Incident is Recalled as Democrats Join in Battle Joseph H. Van Meter, insurgent Republican freeholder from Collingswood, today declared that David Baird Jr. , Republican leader, had admitted that Theodore Kausel was not the man for the job to which he was appointed by the Board of Freeholders yesterday.