George Frost was the son of Andrew and Christiana Frost, both of whom were born in what is now Germany. The family name was originally Fraust, and his parents and siblings continued using that name into the 1870s.
Shortly after the birth of George's older brother Henry in 1839, the family immigrated to the United States, first settling in Pennsylvania. There, they welcomed another son, Charles, around 1843. The family grew further with the births of Frederick in 1848 and Lewis in 1852 before moving to New Jersey, where George Frost was born in May 1853. By the time of the 1860 Census, the Frost family was living in Camden's South Ward, and two more sons, Franklin and Edward, were born in the following years. Their father, Andrew Frost, worked as a tailor, while the older sons contributed to the household income — Henry Frost as a blacksmith, William as a cigar salesman, and Charles as an apprentice in a coach works.
By 1870, George Frost was still living with his parents and younger brothers Lewis, Frank, and Edward. He and Lewis were working as iron molders.
His older brother Henry Frost joined the Camden Fire Department on October 9, 1872, replacing J. Kelly Brown as an extra man with Engine Company 2. However, Henry was dismissed from service on July 15, 1873, along with two other firefighters, ending his time with the department.
George Frost followed in his brother's footsteps, joining the Camden Fire Department on April 8, 1877, as an extra man with Engine Company 2, replacing Robert Todd. At the time, he was working as a laborer and living at 509 Division Street. He was reappointed in April 1879 and soon moved to 517 Division Street.
The 1880 Census recorded George living at 517 Division Street with his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Schmitt Frost, and their two young sons, Lewis, 2, and Frank, 1. By 1881, the family returned to 509 Division Street and later moved to 1026 Broadway, where they remained at least through 1885. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1884. Because George worked as an extra man with the Fire Department, he also had another occupation, listing himself as an oilcloth printer. He served with the department until April 1882, when he was not reappointed, and spent most of his career working in the oilcloth industry for the Farr & Bailey Manufacturing Company.
By 1900, the Census listed the Frost family at 1020 Broadway, with George working as a color mixer at an oilcloth factory. He was still at this address when the 1906 Camden City Directory was published but soon after moved to Westmont, New Jersey.
George Frost died suddenly on June 15, 1909, and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery. His older brother Charles had also passed away unexpectedly in 1904.
Throughout his life, George was involved in fraternal organizations, including Ottawa Tribe No. 15 of the Improved Order of Red Men and Washington Circle No. 2, Brotherhood of the Union. He and his family were members of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church on Spruce Street in Camden.
Several members of George Frost's family also served in public roles:
- His brother Henry Frost was a Camden firefighter in the early 1870s.
- His brother-in-law William Turner served with the Camden Fire Department in the early 1880s.
- His son Frank Frost was a Camden police officer in the 1910s.
- His son Lewis Frost was a well-known member of the Century Wheelmen athletic club at the turn of the century.
- His nephew George W. Frost, son of Frederick Frost, had a long career with the Camden Police Department, retiring as Chief of Police in the late 1940s.
- His older brother Charles A. Frost was a successful businessman and a co-founder of Jenning's Sixth Regiment Band.
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George Frost
George Frost was the son of Andrew and Christiana Frost, both of whom were born in what is now Germany. The family name was originally Fraust, and his parents and siblings continued using that name into the 1870s. Shortly after the birth of George's older brother Henry in 1839, the family immigrated to the United…
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