John H. Vickers
John H. Vickers was born in September of 1863 in Pennsylvania to Henry W. and Sophia Vickers. His father was a printer, and John Vickers worked at this trade for several years prior to joining the Camden Fire Department. The Vickers family, which included a brother, Abram Vickers, was living in Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey when the census was taken in 1880. John H. Vickers married Anna M. Jeffries in 1884. They were still living in Atlantic County when son Arthur Templeton Vickers was born in January of 1885.
By the time daughter Mary was born in November of 1890, the Vickers had moved to Camden County, settling at 18 Cleveland Avenue (most likely 2718 Cleveland Avenue after 1899) in what was then the town of Stockton. Stockton was united with Camden in 1899. John H. Vickers first appears in Camden's City Directories in the 1890–1891 edition. He had gone into partnership with Andrew H. Strang and William T. Royda in a building and carpentry business, known as Strang, Vickers, and Royda. The partnership had broken up by the fall of 1890. John H. Vickers continued in that business into 1893. By the spring of 1893 the Vickers family had moved from Cleveland Avenue to 19 North 22nd Street in East Camden.
The 1894–1895 City Directory shows that John Vickers' parents, Henry and Sophia, and brother Abram had come to Stockton. The entire Vickers clan lived at 41 Marlton Avenue, where Henry Vickers had a printing business. By 1896 the Vickers had moved to 16 North 21st Street, and the three adult males, Henry W. Vickers and sons John H. and Abram Vickers had gone to work for the Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper.
When the 1900 Census was enumerated, the Vickers family still resided at 16 North 21st Street in East Camden. John H. Vickers' occupation is listed in the census sheet as "Steryotyper." By this time John H. and Anna Vickers had been blessed with five children, all of whom were living. At home were Arthur, Mary, Irene, Henry A., and Joseph H. Vickers. Another daughter, Ruth, was born in the early 1900s.
John H. Vickers was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 4, 1904. In December of 1908 Edward Weston and brother firefighter John Vickers were badly injured when their apparatus collided with a trolley car at 26th and Federal Streets.
By 1906 John H. Vickers and family were living at 15 North 21st Street. They were still at that address in 1910 when the Census was taken. Sadly, as was all too common in those times, by the time the Census was taken sons Henry and Joseph had died. Arthur Vickers, still unmarried, had studied dentistry and was preparing to go into practice. By the 1914 he had set up an office in the Courthouse Square building in downtown Camden.
In October of 1912 John H. Vickers' tip to the Camden police resulted in the arrest of Harry Duffield, wanted for the robbery and murder of Karl Kellmann at North 27th Street and Sherman Avenue.
The 1914 City Directory shows the Vickers family had moved to 24 North 30th Street. They had moved to 10 North 30th Street by the summer of 1918, and by January of 1920 John H. Vickers and family had moved to 202 North 27th Street. All four children were still living at home at the time.
John H. Vickers was promoted to Captain in 1924, serving with Engine Company 9 at the East Camden fire house at North 27th Street between Westfield Avenue and Federal Street, a short walk from his home. He was still serving with the Camden Fire Department when the 1927 City Directory was compiled. By the time the 1929 edition was being worked on, John H. Vickers had retired. The Census enumerated in April of 1930 shows John H. Vickers and his wife Anna were still living at 202 North 27th Street, with son Arthur, who had never married, and their divorced daughter, Irene Matlack. John H. Vickers died May 28, 1939 at the age of 75. He was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
John H. Vickers had been a member of Grace Baptist Church at North 27th and Cramer Streets in East Camden, a stone's throw from his home at 202 North 27th Street.
More Firemen for Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer — December 4, 1904. Made Necessary by the Erection of a New Engine House.
The Fire Committee of Camden City Council have appointed the following firemen: Charles Cook, James White, Harry Anderson, Samuel Sheer, Edward Finley, Martin Carrigan, Joseph Daly, Joseph Ernest, Seth Morrell, William Buzine, Charles Sturgis, Samuel T. Whitezell, Ephraim T. Davis, J. Oscar Till, J. H. Vickers, Frederick Morse, Rollo Jones and William Miller. Jones and Miller will go on duty at once, and the others on January 1, by which time it is expected the new fire house at Twelfth and Federal streets, will be completed.
The new men will be distributed among the older companies. The new company will be made up of experienced men from the other companies.
New Firemen Added to Camden's Force
Philadelphia Inquirer — April 22, 1905. Spreading of the City's Department Necessitates the Appointment of More Firemen.
Camden City Council's Fire Committee last night appointed additional firemen, the increased force being necessary by reason of the spreading of the department. The following are the new firemen: Charles Cook, First ward; James White and Harry Anderson, Second ward; Edward Finley, Third Ward; Martin Corrigan, Fourth ward; James Willis, Fifth ward; Harry Green, Sixth ward; Seth Monnell and Edward Buzine, Seventh ward; Charles Sturgis and William Miller, Eighth ward; Samuel Witzel, Ninth ward; Ephraim Davis, Tenth ward; J. O. Till, Eleventh ward; J. H. Vickers and Fred Morse, Twelfth ward.
Fire Engine Hit Trolley
Philadelphia Inquirer — December 12, 1908. Foreman and Driver of Chemical Wagon Painfully Injured.
Foreman Edward Weston and Driver John H. Vickers, of the East Camden Fire Company, were near to death yesterday, when the chemical engine on which they were riding crashed into a trolley car at Twenty-sixth and Federal streets. The apparatus was on its way to the residence of Thomas Lore, on East State street, in response to an alarm. An outbound Merchantville car had stopped to await the passing of the engine, but the rear wheels of the engine bound in the rails of the car track when Vickers endeavored to pull to one side, and he was unable to halt his team.
The engine struck the front of the car with terrific force, upsetting the apparatus and hurling both men to the street, where they lay senseless and bleeding. As far as doctors at Homeopathic Hospital have been able to discover, no bones were broken, but each of the victims has many lacerations and appears to be hurt internally. None of the passengers on the car was hurt, and the motorman saved himself by jumping. Both engine and car were badly damaged. Weston is 50 years old and lives at 3510 Federal street. Vickers is 45 and resides at 15 North Twenty-fourth street.
3 Are Hurt as Car Hit Fire Truck
Camden Post-Telegram — June 28, 1909. Members of East Side Hook and Ladder Company Narrowly Escape Death in Collision This A. M. TILLERMAN KELLY IS WORST INJURED.
Three firemen of the East Camden fire house, located at Twenty-seventh street and Westfield avenue, had a marvelous escape from fatal injury about 8.15 o'clock this morning, when a big eight-wheeled trolley car of the New York and Trenton line smashed into hook and ladder truck No. 3 directly in front of the fire house.
Fortunately, however, no fatality resulted, the three victims of the crash escaping with cuts and bruises of the limbs, head and body. The firemen injured are as follows:
EDWARD KELLY, tillerman of truck; badly bruised and lacerated about the head and particularly the hips and back. He also sustained a severe internal shock. His back it is feared is sprained to the core.
FRANK MORSE, assistant driver of truck; bruised and cut on an elbow and side.
SCOTT FRANKLIN, driver of truck; light injuries of an arm.
Kelly and Morse had their injuries attended to by Dr. H. H. Sherk, whose office is in the immediate vicinity. Franklin's wounds did not require medical treatment. Tillerman Kelly was the most seriously injured of the three firemen and after having his wounds dressed at Dr. Sherk's office was taken to his home at 2823 Pleasant avenue in the ambulance.
The hook and ladder truck was struck by the trolley car just as the team was being taken into the fire house at Twenty-seventh street and Westfield avenue after morning practice.
It was one of the long, heavy and ponderous New York and Trenton trolleys that caused the damage. The car, according to witnesses, was coming into the city at a fast clip and smashed into the rear of the truck near the rear, as the driver of the fire apparatus was making desperate efforts to clear the tracks and get safely in the fire house.
The motorman of the car, however, was unable to stop the trolley in time to avert a collision and with a ripping crash the big eight-wheeler smashed into the rear of the fire truck, upsetting the apparatus and horses as if they were parts of a toy machine and sending the three members of the crew hurtling through the air with a violence that appeared to mean mortal injury to one of the unfortunate firemen at least.
He was Tillerman Edward Kelly, who was hurled into the front vestibule of the trolley car with a force that knocked him senseless. Morse and Franklin landed in the street dazed and sore, luckily managing to escape being caught beneath the overturned truck or getting entangled with the flying hoofs of the frantic horses which were prevented from running away in their frenzy by firemen rushing at their heads and holding them fast until their fright had abated.
The three firemen were also quickly cared for by their comrades, and the ambulance phoned for to take them to a hospital, but the injured men declined to go to any institution and were treated at the office of Dr. Sherk.
The hook and ladder truck was considerably damaged by the collision. The side of the apparatus at the point of collision with the trolley car was torn to splinters and one of the two long ladders had a big slice snapped off and ruined. The wrecked truck was sent to the shops for repairs and will be out of commission for a day or two.
The front vestibule of the trolley car was also badly smashed in the collision, the terrific and sudden jar, the roar of the crash and the jangling of broken glass causing an uproar of excitement among the many passengers, a number of whom leaped off the platforms almost before the trolley had recoiled from the shock of the terrific impact.
This is the second accident of a like nature during the past year to East Side firemen. Several months ago Fireman Eddie Weston and J. H. Vickers were thrown from their apparatus when the carriage attempted to turn out of the path of a trolley car near the Public Library. Weston is still unable to do duty having been confined in the Homeopathic Hospital for several months after the accident.
Trolley Hit Ladder Truck
Philadelphia Inquirer — June 29, 1909. Three Camden Firemen Narrowly Escaped Being Killed.
Three Camden firemen narrowly escaped death yesterday when a Camden and Trenton trolley car crashed into the hook and ladder of Truck Company No. 3. Edward Kelly, the tillerman, was badly injured about the head and back, while Frank Morse and Scott Franklin received lacerations. They were treated by Dr. H. H. Sherk.
It was just after morning practice, while the team was being taken back to the fire house, that the accident occurred. The driver attempted to cross Westfield avenue at Twenty-seventh street in front of the car. The motorman applied the brakes, but was unable to avert the collision. The apparatus was badly damaged, but the horses escaped injury.
Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association
Philadelphia Inquirer — January 6, 1910
These officers have been elected by the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association: President, Alfred Vickers; vice-presidents, William Sawyer, Newton Ash; recording secretary, William Miller; financial secretary, William Rose; treasurer, William Elverson; directors, Samuel Lodge, Scott Franklin and Andrew Miller.
Boy's Brutal Murderer Collapses at Hearing
The Camden Post-Telegram of October 14, 1912 reported the arraignment of Fred Coursey, Harry Duffield and Linnans Staley for the killing of Karl Kellmann at Twenty-seventh and Sherman streets — the arrest that followed Fireman J. H. Vickers' call to police headquarters. That article is published separately as Boy's Brutal Murderer Collapses at Hearing.
Henry W. Vickers — Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer — November 5, 1912
VICKERS.—4th inst. HENRY W. VICKERS, husband Sophia H. Vickers, aged 80. Relatives and friends invited to services, Thurs. 2 P.M., residence son, John H. Vickers, 24 N. 30th st., Camden, N.J. Interment Arlington. Remains may be viewed Wed P.M.
14 Firemen Win City Promotions
The Camden Daily Courier of May 21, 1920 reported the promotion of fourteen Camden firemen, John Vickers among the lieutenants advanced to captain. That article is published separately as 14 Firemen Win City Promotions.
3 Firemen Hurt in $75,000 Fire at Leather Plant
Camden Daily Courier — September 9, 1922. Flames of Unknown Origin Wreck Upper Story of Keystone Factory. SMOKE BLOCKS BATTLE. Firm Loses Stock of Hides Valued at $50,000, One Fireman in Hospital.
Three firemen were overcome with smoke when flames gutted the upper stories of the drying building of the Keystone Leather Company, Seventeenth and Carman streets, last night. The loss is estimated today at $75,000. The origin is unknown.
Captain J. J. Vickers, of the East Camden Company, was overcome by smoke, and revived by City Physician Lippincott. Fireman George Addison, of the same company, was dragged from the building by other firemen, and revived by the physician.
Nelson Andrews, fireman, of Engine Company No. 9, was in a serious condition when taken from the building. He was prostrated by smoke, and was rushed to Cooper Hospital, where he was reported as much improved today.
Smoke Blocks Traffic
Smoke was so dense that vehicular traffic on Federal street, two squares away, was blocked for nearly an hour.
The flames had gained a great deal of headway when discovered by a watchman. When the firemen arrived on the scene, they faced a hard task because of great volumes of smoke pouring from the building, in which was stored a large stock of hides.
It was one of the most stubborn fires the department has faced in years. The firemen were unable to locate the flames at first because of the smoke. Chief Carter sent in two more alarms after arriving on the scene.
After thirty minutes of battle the flames suddenly shot skyward, illuminating the heavens for miles. They leaped to the fourth floor, and through the roof. In a short time the roof collapsed, sending a great shower of sparks in all directions.
It was three hours before the first fire companies were able to leave the scene.
It was estimated today that the damage to the building will reach $25,000. The company lost about $50,000 in stock. A large stock of hides on the first two floors were ruined by tons of water.
The building is one of the first built by the company, and directly adjoins the main concrete plant at Seventeenth and Mickle streets.
Lieutenant W. Scott Franklin, of Engine Company, No. 1, fell from a one-story roof of an adjoining building while pulling up hose but fortunately escaped injury.
Hook & Ladder Company 3, Hose & Chemical Company 1 & Engine Company 9 — 1924
Hook & Ladder Company 3: Captain Joseph B. Ayres, FF Dave Humphries, Al Dukes, John Mulligan, Bill Mountney, Bill Hopkins. Hose & Chemical Company 1: Captain Charles H. Robinson, FF William E. "Pud" Jaeckel, George Townsend, Ken Naylor, Howard Gick. Engine Company 9: Captain John H. Vickers, FF Irv Lederman, Newton Ash, Joe Gentlesk, Al Palmer.
Tag: john-h-vickers
William E. Jaeckel
William E. "Pud" Jaeckel (1888–1961) joined the Camden Fire Department in 1920 and served over thirty years with Engine Company 9 at North 27th and Federal Streets in East Camden, retiring on pension in January 1951.
30th Street
Thirtieth Street runs from the Delaware River south, across River Road to the Pavonia railroad switching yard, then to Westfield Avenue and on to Federal Street, and to the intersection of Line Street and Beacon Avenue, just above Waldorf Street. It is North 30th Street above Federal and South 30th below.
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.
14 Firemen Win City Promotions
A Camden Daily Courier report of May 21, 1920 on the promotion of fourteen members of the Camden fire department. Charles Watkins was among those advanced to the rank of lieutenant.
Boy's Brutal Murderer Collapses at Hearing
Fred Coursey and Harry Duffield collapse in Police Court as Detective John Painter recounts the robbery killing of 18-year-old Karl Kellmann at Twenty-seventh and Sherman streets; Linnans Staley is committed as a principal.
New Firemen Added to Camden's Force
With the Camden Fire Department spreading across the city, City Council's Fire Committee appointed additional firemen, naming one or two men from each of the twelve wards.
More Firemen for Camden
The Fire Committee of Camden City Council appointed a slate of new firemen — among them Martin Carrigan — ahead of the completion of the new fire house at Twelfth and Federal streets.
Sixteen Appointed to Fire Department
Meeting at the home of its ailing chairman, Dr. Frank Neall Robinson, the fire committee of Camden City Council recommended sixteen men — Martin Carrigan among them — for appointment to the Fire Department, drawn from wards throughout the city.
Eighteen New Firemen Named
City Council's Fire Committee named eighteen new firemen — Martin Carrigan among them — sixteen of whom would not report for duty until the new fire house was ready the following July.