Thomas J. Ogden


Thomas John Ogden was born on November 6, 1929, in Camden, New Jersey, to parents Albert S. and Elsie Ogden. His family had a long history in Camden, dating back to the late 1850s. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison Ogden, established the Ogden Carriage Works at 339 Pine Street in 1894, initially in the milk business before venturing into wagon building. Benjamin Franklin Ogden, his grandfather, continued the family tradition and transitioned the business into auto body repair, later known as B.F. Ogden & Company. The business operated at the Pine Street location, which expanded to 337-345 Pine Street by 1928, before moving to Ferry Avenue in the 1930s, where it continued as Ogden Auto Body into the 1970s.

Albert S. Ogden married Elsie Hamel in the early 1920s, and they resided with her parents at 3101 Waldorf Avenue in East Camden from 1924 to 1926. The 1927-1928 City Directory indicates their residence at 3117 Waldorf Avenue, which appears to have been a new home at the time. Their sons, Albert S. Jr. (born in August 1927) and Thomas J. (born in November 1929), were raised in this household. Albert S. Ogden Sr. worked as a toll collector on the Delaware River Bridge, now known as the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, to support his family.

Thomas J. Ogden joined the United States Navy on May 8, 1950, and received an honorable discharge on March 4, 1954. Upon returning to Camden, he pursued a career as a self-employed house painter. Later, he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department and commenced duty in December 1956. At the time of his appointment, he was single and residing at 864 Lois Avenue in Cramer Hill. Thomas J. Ogden retired from the fire department on December 1, 1981.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Thomas Ogden, his wife Mary, and their children Kathleen, Thomas Jr., and Samuel lived at 308 Morse Street in East Camden. After the removal of residency requirements for city employees in Camden, the family relocated to Blackwood, New Jersey. In 2002, Thomas and Mary Ogden moved to Florida.

Thomas J. Ogden passed away on February 19, 2015, leaving behind his wife, children, and a lasting legacy.


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  • Thomas J. Ogden

    Thomas J. Ogden

    Thomas John Ogden was born on November 6, 1929, in Camden, New Jersey, to parents Albert S. and Elsie Ogden. His family had a long history in Camden, dating back to the late 1850s. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison Ogden, established the Ogden Carriage Works at 339 Pine Street in 1894, initially in the milk business…

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