John T. Rodan

Swinging the Official Ax

Philadelphia Inquirer — May 27, 1898. Camden Reformers Chop Off Heads of Policemen and Others.

Eight policemen were discharged from the force by Camden's City Council last night, and reform supporters named in their stead. The Republican employes of the Water Department must also make way for their reform successors, appointed at the same time.

The policemen discharged were: Lincoln James, Albert Stein, John Sinclair, William Selby, Caleb Williams, Abraham Jackson, Jacob Hicks and Frederick Laird. Their successors are: Isaac Lovett, Albert Keyser, Robert Miller, John Wagner, Isaac Brown, Thomas Moore, William Harrison and Albert Batten.

The appointments by Mayor Hatch of William L. Hurley as a member of the Commissioners of Appeal, and Charles Watson a member of the Board of Health, were confirmed.

Council voted unanimously for the ordinance to issue $85,000 thirty-year bonds to be used in building a high and manual training school.

When the ordinance providing a change in the terms of Water Department employes from two years to one year came up for second reading, Councilman Sayrs vigorously opposed it. His protests were ignored by the passage of the ordinance. An ordinance to appoint Water Department employes was then passed, and the following were named: Martin McNeil, resident engineer; John Wallace, Henry Taliafarro and Joseph Cline, engineers; Horace Huelings, George Riley and Owen Macey, foremen; Lee S. Mills, extra fireman; Albert Primrose, George Davis and Joseph Wagner, coal wheelers; Henry Schafer, engine wiper; Henry Hertline, foreman; Joseph Wilgus, caulker; John T. Rodan and James Melon, tappers, and John K. Esler, Jr., teamster.

In the report of the Finance Committee came the bill of City Clerk Kramer for $480 salary. Objection was made to the payment, and a tie vote decided against the bill.

Another Case in Third Ward Riot

Camden Daily Courier — January 26, 1903. Policeman Keaser and Ex-Policeman "Bob" Miller on Trial for Assault. WAGNER JURY COULD NOT AGREE.

In the Criminal Court this morning George V. Tucker, who was convicted of a charge of assault and battery, was sentenced by Judge Joline to pay a fine of $50 and costs and stand committed until the money is paid.

Henry J. Shuster pleaded guilty to a charge of embezzling $260.16 from King David Lodge, No. 155, of which he was treasurer. Shuster served three months in the County Jail last spring on a similar charge. At that time he said he used the money to care for his wife, who was ill. It appears that he did use part of the money for this purpose, but that he squandered a large sum in poker playing.

Rev. Q. C. Davis, pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist church, testified that since Shuster has been out of jail he has led a correct life, and at the present time has a good position.

Prosecutor Lloyd made an appeal for clemency.

Judge Joline announced that he was not ready to decide the case and it went over.

POLICEMEN ON TRIAL.

The indictment against Policeman Albert Keaser and ex-Policeman Robert Miller, on charges of assault and battery on George Murray, was then called. This is the second case to be tried as the outcome of the election riot at the Third Ward polling during the primary election last July. Considerable time was occupied in securing a jury.

At the afternoon session Assistant Prosecutor Archer outlined the case, in which he said the two defendants "lined with a polling system" and the alleged assault took place at the polling place at Third and Beckett streets, and during the row, Robert Miller, struck George Murray several times with a blackjack, and Keaser, it is alleged, assisted Miller in the assault.

The first witness called was George Murray, the alleged victim, who testified that while standing near the polling place with several other "Bob" Miller, without any provocation, beat him with a blackjack. He said that Policeman Keaser was present and came to Miller's assistance. During the row, Policemen Hartman and Harry Miller came to his aid.

BEATEN WITH A BLACKJACK.

On cross-examination witness said he had no pistol or blackjack, but that three days before the election Miller had struck witness with a blackjack. He further said that he had been told at the Third Ward Republican Club, in the presence of John Rodan, that if a certain man would come along, he would kill him.

William Laws, who testified next, gave further and corroborative testimony as to the blackjacking. He said that Murray did nothing to provoke the assault.

Spencer Moore, also gave corroborating testimony.

Policeman Harry Miller testified to seeing "Bob" Miller beating Murray while Policeman Keaser stood at the side of Beckett street. The witness said that he was not allowed to see Policeman Keaser at the same time explaining.

What are you trying to do, kill this man.

The witness said he was thrown down, and was pushed over by Keaser, and Miller grappled with him. He heard three or four pistol shots.

The witness identified the blackjack, in the possession of Lawyer Rex, which he used on the night of the primaries.

Edward Roberts, formerly Assembly man Roberts, also gave corroborative testimony.

DEFENSE OPENS.

At the afternoon session of the court the defense opened. Counsel said that the defendants were officers of the law, forced to put the riot into subjection.

Policeman Toy testified that he saw two opponents quarreling, that Robert Miller, was acting as a peacemaker. He saw Murray shoot off a revolver.

Policeman Cunningham was also at the riot and heard Murray say that he would get some one before the night was over. He found the gunshot off a revolver under a tree.

On cross-examination Miller admitted that he struck Murray while attempting to arrest him. He also testified that he had a conversation with Murray; that some person had attempted to stab him. He exhibited his clothing which was cut with a knife.

Policeman Shaw testified that on July 23, visited George Murray's residence and found George Murray in his home, where he was under arrest by Detective Burke, who also found a revolver from the wife of Murray.

Mrs. Widener, who was a witness in the trial yesterday, is not the same piece of evidence in this case.

CHEESEMAN SENTENCED.

At the noon recess Judge Joline imposed sentence on O. U. Cheeseman, the former secretary of Thomas Jefferson Council, No. 155, Jr. O. U. A. M., who was convicted of a charge of false pretenses on Thursday last. Rev. Samuel Ellesworth, Rev. R. A. M. Mason, pastor of the Kaighn Avenue M. E. church, and Rev. Robert Wesley Johnson, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, made appeals to the court for clemency in his case. Judge Joline sentenced Cheeseman to four months in the County Jail and a fine of $50 and costs.

After being out for seven hours without being able to agree on a verdict the jury in the case of Policeman Harry Miller tried yesterday on a charge of stabbing Policeman Harry Miller, at the time of the election riot last, were discharged at 10 o'clock last night.

Camden Candidates Ready for Primaries

Philadelphia Inquirer — September 7, 1911

Virtually all of the municipal candidates, Republicans and Democrats, filed their petitions with City Clerk Brown in Camden yesterday. Although the new law apparently provided that yesterday was the last day on which the petitions could be filed, Clerk Brown placed a different construction on the act and extended the time until next Monday.

Those seeking nomination were not aware of this, and most of them had their petitions ready. The various Councilmanic candidates, with those for Freeholder and Excise Commissioner, follow.

City Council—Republicans, First ward, John A. Mather, George W. Ealer; Second ward, M. F. Middleton, Jr., Willis DeUnger, Arthur Colsey, William F. Kelly; Third ward, R. J. Garrison, William Hall; Fourth ward, James E. Hewitt; Fifth ward, R. S. Carney; Sixth ward, Arthur L. Jones, Edward Ivers; Seventh ward, Lawrence Reader, George J. Schneider; Eighth ward, Grant E. Kirk; Ninth ward, Edward Francis, David Goff, James Massey, Charles C. Read, Joseph Pfeiffer; Tenth ward, Daniel R. Smith, F. Wayland Potter, John A. Rogers; Twelfth ward, A. R. Read, William C. Read, J. W. Wilson, J. O. Grear.

Democrats—Second ward, S. H. Quint; Fourth ward, Harry Richmond; Seventh ward, J. A. Wolikowiak, Andrew Hatz; Ninth ward, Thomas Lattlehales; Tenth ward, E. F. Wilmot, George Evans; Fourth ward, J. R. Kirkbride; Sixth ward, Louis Shimer; Ninth ward, John Hurley; Tenth ward, A. R. Romba, F. A. Kendall; Twelfth ward, Charles F. Tracey, George A. Wilkins.

Excise Commissioners—Republicans, William B. Stephens, J. H. Sweeten, John Baker, M. H. Bains, W. H. Chamberlain, E. J. Alff, Jacob Gnang, G. C. Stratton, Howard Lee, Walter Simpson, H. A. Budney, J. H. Morang.

Democrats—John Miller, William J. McGettigan, George Kleinheinz, Frank Richmond, Jacob Neutz.

Freeholders—Republicans, First ward, James F. Walton, Harry Campbell; Second ward, David A. Henderson; Third ward, John T. Rodan; Fourth ward, William Monroe, A. R. Dease; Fifth ward, David Rankin; Sixth ward, F. W. Gercke; Seventh ward, Walter W. Johnson; Eighth ward, Thomas Leeson; Ninth ward, John Prentice; Tenth ward, J. W. Wilkinson; Eleventh ward, F. W. Geisler, George Simpson; Twelfth ward, J. M. Pennock, Charles Laib.

Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball

Camden Post-Telegram — January 19, 1915

Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club. Latest Dances on Program.

Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.

It was after 10 o'clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure "three" and the letter "W." The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.

The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton's orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.

The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:

Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.

Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.

Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.

Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harry Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowakey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.

The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence R. Thorn.

Three-cornered Fights In Freeholder Contest

Camden Courier-Post — October 26, 1931. Clementon and Delaware Township to Have Bitter Battles. 38 TO BE ELECTED IN COUNTY, NOV. 3. 6 Additional Offices Created by Law; Candidates Listed.

Three-cornered battles in Clementon and Delaware township will mark freeholder contests at the November 3 election. Ballots will be casts for an entire new board of freeholders, with 38 to be elected.

Boroughs to have freeholders representation for the first time as a result of recent legislation are Clementon, Lindenwold, Oaklyn, Woodlynne, Mt. Ephraim and Runnemede.

Rivals in the three-cornered fight in Clementon are Theodore W. Gibbs, Republican Organization nominee; Frank C. Somers, running as a Republican Independent, and Herbert P. McAdams, the Democratic nominee.

The triangular race in Delaware township finds Frank N. Walton, Republican Organization; J. Watson Matlack, Republican Independent, and Augustus A. Cornet, Democrat, as the contestants.

Nine members of the present board of freeholders will not be on the ballot for re-election. All are Republicans. They are Benjamin W. Sykes, Eighth Ward; Joseph Tarpine, First Ward, Gloucester; Philip Stohlbergel, Audubon; Joseph H. Van Meter, Collingswood; William J. Dallas, Haddon Heights; James W. Davis, Clementon; Charles C. Durges, Haddon township; Theodore Schleinkofer, Waterford township, and William A. Robinson, Winslow.

Joseph Bennie, Third Ward, Camden, is the only Democratic member on the present board. He is seeking a re-election and is opposed by Daniel Auletto, Republican nominee.

Candidates listed on the ballots in the various wards and municipalities follow:

Camden Wards

First Ward—Samuel D. Payne, R.; Thomas J. Kittel, D. Second—William H. Heiser, R.; William Kunitz, D. Third—Daniel Auletto, R.; Joseph Bennie, D. Fourth—William L. Roberts, R.; Nicholas A. La Marra, D. Fifth—C. Leonard Brehm, R.; Leon Perozzi. D. Sixth—Harry J. Burrichter, R.; A. W. Lazro, D. Seventh—Mrs. Mary D. Guthridge, R.; Theodore Buczkowski, D. Eighth—Walter Sekula, R.; George S. W. Spaide. Ninth—Francis B. Bodine, R.; S. V. Waddy, D. Tenth—Samuel J. Edwards, R.; Edward J. Fox, Sr., D. Eleventh—Howard Firth, R.; Charles T. Johnston, D. Twelfth—John T. Rodan, R.; Wilbert H. Joslin, D. Thirteenth—William P. Cotter, R.; Frank E. Zimmerman, D. Fourteenth—Charles H. Genther, R.; George E. Brunner, D.

Mailbag: Pleas for Reopening of Vocational School

Camden Courier-Post — June 7, 1933

To the Editor:

Sir—Please publish this letter I sent to Mr. John T. Rodan, freeholder, 61 South Twenty-seventh Street.

Sir — You have heard from many different sources about the matter on which I am writing to you, perhaps from both points of view. It is concerned with the closing of the Camden County Vocational School.

Until the fall of 1932 I was a student at Camden High School. I always had the intention of finishing high school and then attending some technical college. My plans were shattered when I found that I could not afford to attend college. Not then wishing to finish out high school, I did the only thing that was open to me so that I could get training in the line I had chosen. I enrolled in the Camden County Vocational School as an electrical student.

Now, it seems that I am going to be deprived of that opportunity also.

I am not only thinking of myself, but I am thinking of the several hundred other boys who would not go back to other schools if the vocational school closes. Where would they go? They will join the already large army of young unemployed.

They will try to find jobs. When they fail to find work, time will be a burden to them. No doubt many of the weaker of their number will fall by the wayside and be a burden to society.

The younger boys who will go back to the already overcrowded junior schools and high schools will lose the years they put in here, and will not have anything to show for it, when they are not able to finish their respective courses. They can never make up the years they lost in the other schools and therefore, they will be quite old when they graduate from the other schools.

Another angle to look at in closing the vocational school is the building and the teachers. If the schools should close it would mean that approximately 35 teachers, not to mention the office staff and janitors, would be thrown out of work.

Are times so good that even these well-trained men and women can get another job the next day? And the building, no matter how many janitors are here to take care of it, will depreciate in value in some way. It is bound to. When it should open again, after remaining idle for several years, I think it would cost almost as much for repairs as it would take to keep the school open now.

A STUDENT

John T. Rodan, 87, Former Freeholder, Dies

Camden Courier-Post — May 31, 1950

John T. Rodan, 87, former member of the old Camden county freeholder board and active in politics and civic affairs in Camden for many years, died today in Cooper hospital after an illness of three weeks.

Mr. Rodan, who resided at 61 South Twenty-seventh street, lived in the Twelfth ward for 32 years, and he was elected freeholder from that ward and served for 14 years. He also had served in the old Camden city council from the Third ward.

From 1902 to 1906 he was superintendent of the Stockton Water Co., and continued in that capacity with the New Jersey Water Co. when it took over the operations. He retired from that post 18 years ago.

Water Works Employe

Prior to his association with the old Stockton Water Co., he was employed by the old Camden city water works which preceded the present artesian well system for city water. In those days the water for domestic and industrial purposes was obtained from the Delaware river and was filtered in a plant at North Twenty-seventh street and Delaware river.

A stalwart Republican, Mr. Rodan was one of the organizers of the East End Republican League of the Twelfth Ward when the club was located on Federal street, east of Twenty-sixth. He was a former president of that organization which is now situated at 300 North Twenty-seventh street.

Mr. Rodan was president of the East Camden Building & Loan Association for 21 years from its organization in 1925. He was born in Tuckahoe Jan. 11, 1863, and first took up residence in the Third ward many years ago.

Member of Lodges

He was a member of Ionic lodge 94, FAM, Excelsior Consistory, Crescent Temple, the Camden lodge of Elks, the Camden lodge of Moose, Wyoming Tribe 55, IORM, and the South Jersey Superintendents Water Association.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Ethel M. Sooy, of the Twenty-seventh street address; a son, Rodman C., Dallas, Tex.; a grandson, John W. Sooy, Tucson, Ariz., and two great-grandchildren. A brother, Frank, deceased, owned and operated the old Domestic Laundry. A sister, Mrs. Emiline Sickler, of Atlantic City, died May 5. Mr. Rodan was the last survivor of 14 children.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a. m. in the funeral home of Clarence J. Elchel, 60 South Twenty-seventh street, where friends may call Friday night. Burial will be in Harleigh cemetery. Lodge services will be held Friday night.

47 to 61 South 27th Street

47 to 61 South 27th Street, as seen from 2 North 27th Street, where Baird Boulevard and South 27th Street meet at Federal Street. John Rodan lived twelve houses from the corner.