Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith, Camden Fire Department
Daniel Smith portrait, 1942
Daniel Smith was born in Pennsylvania on July 4, 1872 to Daniel Smith and his wife, the former Mary J. Fithian. He was the second of four children, coming after Edward and before Jacob and Flora. The Smiths were living at 423 Mechanic Street when the 1880 Census was taken, the elder Smith then working as a confectioner. Also living with the family was Daniel Smith's widowed grandmother, Jane Fithian.
Daniel Smith married Jane Elizabeth Tomlinson on December 26, 1898 in Camden. Daniel Smith was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1899. The 1900 Census shows him living at 1217 Locust Street in South Camden with his widowed mother, Mrs. Mary Clark, older brother Edward Smith, and wife Jennie. A daughter, Florence, was born just after the Census. The 1906 City Directory has the family at 1240 Locust Street. The 1910 Census shows Daniel Smith, wife Jennie, children Florence, Marian, Edna, Helen, Daniel Jr. and older brother Edward at 1217 South 3rd Street. The Smiths were still there in late 1923.
By the end of 1926 Daniel Smith had been promoted to Captain at the Fire Department and had moved to 224 South 27th Street in East Camden with his wife, children Florence, Edna, and Daniel Jr., and older brother Edward.
In April of 1938 Daniel Smith was interviewed by a reporter from the Camden Courier-Post, where he spoke of his 38 years' service with the Camden Fire Department. He was serving as Captain at Engine Company 9 in East Camden when the 1940 City Directory was compiled. By the end of 1943 he had retired. Daniel Smith was still living at 224 South 27th Street when the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled. He had passed away prior to the publication of the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory. His wife was then still living at that address, and she was still there in the fall of 1959. Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Tomlinson Smith passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1960.
Kaighn Avenue Ferry Fire
Engine Company 3 at the Kaighn Avenue Ferry Fire, January 3, 1915 — Engineer Daniel Smith Sr. and Stoker Robert Whitley
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Engine Company 3, circa 1915 — Far right: Stoker Robert Whitley
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Named: Engine Company 3, Engineer Daniel Smith Sr., and Stoker Robert Whitley.
Retire on Pensions
Ralph Bakley portrait, 1942
Daniel Smith's portrait appeared in the Camden Courier-Post of March 7, 1942, alongside that of Ralph Bakley.
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Locust Street
Locust Street ran south from Beckett Street to Mechanic Street between South 2nd and South 3rd Streets in Camden; its 700 block was known as Oak Street until about 1883 and its 600 block as John Street in the 1870s. Homes and businesses disappeared block by block after World War II, and the last structure, at 1128 Locust, was razed after a fire in 2010.
27th Street
27th Street runs from the Delaware River through Cramer Hill and East Camden to Marlton Avenue. Originally called Fulton Street before the 1899 annexation of Stockton Township, it was one of the main thoroughfares of the neighborhood and home to football star Mike Rozier.
3rd Street
Third Street runs north and south, parallel to the Delaware River, through North and South Camden, featuring notable corner buildings like the Security Trust Building at 301 Market Street and the Mickle Tower Apartment House at 200 Mickle Boulevard.
2 Homes Damaged Slightly by Fires
Fires caused slight damage at the home of Percy DeRoche, 2937 Berkley Street, where Capt. Daniel Smith's Engine Co. 9 responded, and at the home of Etta Adams, 819 Locust Street, where an oil stove ignited a couch.
East Camden Home Destroyed by Fire
A fire of unknown origin destroyed the three-story home of Mrs. Edith Saunders at 744 North 24th Street in February 1939, narrowly injuring fireman Walter Eastlack when the rear roof collapsed.
No. 3 Fire Company Guests at Banquet
Superintendent William L. Miles of the MacAndrews & Forbes Company hosted a banquet for Engine Company No. 3 at their headquarters at Broadway and Emerald Street; Engineer Daniel Smith was among the company.
Auto Fire Engine Skids Into Window
Company No. 3's auto fire engine skidded at Broadway and Kaighn Avenue and crashed into a store window at Broadway and Locust Street; Engineer Daniel Smith and Stoker Arthur Wingate jumped to safety while Driver Michael Brown stuck to his post.
Dan Smith Takes Sam Lodge's Place
Camden fireman Samuel Lodge retired after twenty-seven years; Daniel Smith, Robert Whitley and Joseph Nevins received appointments, and John H. Carroll was awarded the contract to furnish horses to the Fire Department at $315 each.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
New Year's banquets were held by Engine Company No. 7, the firemen at Headquarters, and Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1; Daniel Smith was among the diners at Headquarters.
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
City Council's Fire Committee appointed ten new firemen for the new Engine Company No. 7 at Tenth Street and Kaighn Avenue; Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers.
Fireman Smith Has Arm Operation
Fireman Daniel Smith underwent an operation on his arm, which had been injured in a trolley accident several weeks earlier.
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Camden's Fire Commissioners selected firemen for five new companies; Benjamin Kellum was made assistant chief and Daniel Smith was appointed for the Fifth ward.