Morris M. Odell
Morris McMeekin Odell was born June 24, 1915 to Floyd Odell and his wife, the former Edna May McMeekin, in Camden, New Jersey. He was named after his grandfather, Morris Odell, who was a prominent figure in Camden civic life, as Assistant City Clerk and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, where he at times led both the city and state organizations, and his maternal grandfather, Thomas McMeekin. His father, Floyd Odell, worked in Camden's shipyards. Morris M. Odell grew up in Camden's Cramer Hill neighborhood. The Odells were living at 3060 River Road when the 1920 Census was taken on January 20th of that year.
When the Census was taken in April of 1930 the Odell family had moved to 939 North 31st Street. Morris Odell would make his home in the 900 block of North 31st Street through at least the fall of 1977. During the 1930s Morris M. Odell had married Thelma Rich. Her father, Warren H. Rich, was a member of the Camden Fire Department. He and wife Thelma made their home at 939 North 31st Street.
Morris M. Odell was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 31, 1941. He reported for duty the next day. After ten days at the Fire Training School he was assigned to Engine Company 2, located at Fire Headquarters, North 5th and Arch Streets. He was assigned to the post of Battalion Chief's Aide on November 11, 1944.
Morris Odell's father, Floyd Odell, passed away sometime after the spring of 1942. Mother Edna Odell resided next door at 937 North 31st Street. Morris and Thelma Odell were still at 939 North 31st Street as late as October of 1959. During the 1960s they moved across the street to 944 North 31st Street.
On December 15, 1949 William Van Pfefferle was selected to replace the retiring Walter Mertz as Chief Engineer of the Camden Fire Department. Chief Pfefferle selected Morris M. Odell to serve as his aide, a post which he held for over ten years. Morris M. Odell returned to Engine Company 2 in February of 1960. On January 25, 1961 Morris M. Odell was assigned to the Camden Fire Department's Maintenance Department, where he replaced Joseph P. Boone.
On August 1, 1961, not long after Morris M. Odell was assigned to the Maintenance Department, his son, Robert M. Odell, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
Almost three years later to the day after his transfer to the Maintenance Department, on January 23, 1964, Morris M. Odell once again was assigned to the post of Chief's Aide, this time for Chief Edwin Michalak.
After retiring from the Camden Fire Department, Morris Odell moved to Gloucester City, New Jersey. He passed away in February of 1980.
Morris M. Odell's son, Robert M. Odell, retired from the Camden Fire Department on February 1, 1993. Between father and son, the Odells had served the City of Camden continuously for over 51 years.
Photos — April 3, 1947
Photos — April 24, 1948
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Funeral on Friday for Fireman Toy
Funeral services for William Earl Toy, veteran Camden fireman who died Sunday of injuries received when the vehicle he was driving and a bus collided Saturday, were held at 2 p. m. Friday at the residence, 607 West street.
Members of the Camden Fire Department acted as pallbearers and attended the viewing and funeral in a body. The pallbearers were Deputy Chief William Herring, Captains Harry Wagner and Frank Oberman, and Hosemen Morris Odell, Ervin Brennan, and Christopher Moll.
Toy, 45 and a member of the department 17 years, was at the wheel of Acting Chief William Van Pfefferle's car when it collided with a west-bound Public Service bus at Sixteenth and Federal streets. Pfefferle escaped with severe cuts and bruises but Toy suffered fractures of the thigh, arm and wrist and internal injuries, the latter proving fatal.
Camden Division of Fire Personnel Record
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Assignments: Hoseman, Engine Co. 2, Aug. 1, 1941 to Nov. 10, 1944. Battalion Chief's Aide, Nov. 11, 1944 to Dec. 14, 1949. Chief Engineer's Aide, Dec. 15, 1949 to Jan. 31, 1960. Hoseman, Engine Co. 2, Feb. 1, 1960 to Jan. 24, 1961. Maintenance Department, Jan. 25, 1961 to Jan. 22, 1964. Chief Engineer's Aide, Jan. 23, 1964 to retirement (circa 1968). Badge No. 91. Blood type A Positive.
Tag: morris-m-odell
31st Street
31st Street spans from the Delaware River through Cramer Hill and East Camden, with no addresses outside Cramer Hill since the early 1920s. It is North 31st Street above Federal and South 31st below.
Odell
Death notice for Morris M. Odell, retired Camden City fireman of twenty-six years, who died February 4, 1980 at age 64.
418 Club Advances in Softball League
A three-way tie for second place in the Camden City Softball League after the 418 Club downed the Letter Carriers 16-9; Camden Fire, with Morris Odell in centerfield for New York Ship, led the league.