Henry Evans Zook was born on March 29, 1888, in Evesham Township, New Jersey, to John Trimble Zook Sr. and Mary B. Evans. He was the youngest of seven siblings: Amos, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Anne, and John T. Zook Jr.
In late 1893 or early 1894, J. Trimble Zook moved his family to Camden, settling at 553 Grant Street in North Camden. He worked in the produce business in Philadelphia and later as a commission merchant before passing away shortly before the 1898 City Directory was compiled.
By the time of the 1900 Census, the Zook family was still living at 553 Grant Street. Henry's brother Joseph had also passed away. The eldest sibling, Amos, worked as a ticket collector on a ferry to support the family, while Elizabeth was employed making neckties.
By 1906, the family had moved to 422 Pearl Street, and Henry had entered the workforce as a clerk. The 1910 Census recorded him as unmarried and working as a railroad brakeman while boarding at 203 North 9th Street. Shortly after, he married Florence Collatz. The 1914 Camden City Directory listed the couple at 824 Pine Street in South Camden, near Florence's brother, John Collatz. Their daughter, Florence, was born in the mid-1910s.
In June 1917, Henry registered for the draft while working as a shipping clerk in Philadelphia. By the fall of 1918, the Zook and Collatz families had moved to 1057 Princess Avenue in Parkside. On March 1, 1919, Henry was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, where he was assigned to Engine Company 7 and spent much of his career.
The 1920 Census showed the Zook and Collatz families still living together at 1057 Princess Avenue. By then, Henry and Florence had two children: Florence, aged 2 years and 9 months, and John T. Zook III, 7 months. The 1924 City Directory listed the Zook family at 959 South 9th Street. By the end of 1926, they had moved to 1258 Morton Street, where they remained through April 1930. By 1931, Fire Department records listed Henry at 1454 Belleview Avenue in Parkside.
During the 1930s, Henry was promoted to Captain while serving with Engine Company 7 at 1115 Kaighn Avenue. By 1940, the family had moved to 1420 Wildwood Avenue in Parkside. His daughter, Florence, worked as a secretary for lawyer Benjamin Asbell, and his son, John, was employed at RCA.
In the spring of 1942, Henry was still a Captain with Engine Company 7 and registered for the draft while living at 1420 Wildwood Avenue. Later that year, he moved to 72 Tanner Street in Haddonfield, where he remained until at least 1947. Fire Department records also listed addresses at 25 North 33rd Street and 1176 Mount Vernon Street, which may have been properties he owned or used to meet residency requirements. He retired as an Acting District Chief on May 1, 1953.
Henry was a charter member of the Box 315 Association, founded on January 1, 1928, to support Camden firefighters. The association provided commemorative badges for those retiring with at least 20 years of service and a small death benefit for active members.
Charter members of the By-Laws Committee included Chester Andrus (Chairman), Harry Wagner, Henry Zook, Harrison Pike, William Spencer, and Nelson Andrews. The association is believed to have remained active until sometime in the 1940s.
Henry Zook was last listed in the 1956 and 1959 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directories at 61 Stiles Avenue in Haddonfield. He was not listed in the 1970 edition, suggesting he had passed away. He died on July 24, 1960, in Haddonfield, New Jersey.
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