Chapter 8 - Miscellaneous Matters | Camden County, NJGenWeb

The Post-Office - Market-Houses - The Read Family - Insurance Companies - The Gaslight Company - The Street Railway - The Telephone - Building and Building Associations - Drug Interests - Old Military Organizations - Cemeteries - The Tornado of 1878 - The Cyclone of 1880 - Hotels.

POST OFFICE. - A post-office was established in Camden in 1803, and was called the Coopers Ferry Post-Office, and changed, in 1829, to the Camden Post-Office. It was first located at the foot of Cooper Street, where the Coopers had established a ferry; hence the name. The first post-master was Benjamin B. Cooper, a cousin of Richard M. Cooper. He removed to Delaware township, whore he planted extensive orchards and built a distillery. His successor, as postmaster, was Charles Cooper, appointed in 1806. Richard M. Cooper, after president of the State Bank of Camden, was appointed postmaster at the Coopers Ferry Post-Office in 1810, and held the office until 1829, when the name of the office was changed to Camden. Richard M. Cooper owned a store at the ferry, which for many years was in charge of Nathan Davis, who was the acting postmaster, - not a very responsible position, if his statement be correct, that "a segar-box was ample to hold the mall of a day."

Isaac Toy was appointed in 1829, under President Jackson, and held the office for nine years. The office was in the bar-room of the hotel. Toy then kept the ferry-house at the foot of Federal Street.

Isaac Bullock became postmaster in 1838, and, as he boarded at the hotel, the office remained there until 1840, when James Elwell was appointed and kept the office in the Railroad Hotel, which he conducted, at the foot of Bridge Avenue. He was succeeded, in 1849, by Charles Bontemps, who, owning the building southeast corner of Second and Arch Streets, fitted it up in good style for the purpose, thus giving the people a post-office, for the first time, separate from other business pursuits. Bontemps resigned in 1852, before the expiration of his term, and Jonathan Burr, a Democrat, was appointed by a Whig administration, and it came about in this way: When the Democrats elected Franklin Pierce, in 1852, Bontemps knew he had no chance of a reappointment, and proposed to Mr. Burr that if the latter would pay him fifty dollars for the fixtures, he would resign and use his influence to secure Burr’s appointment to the place. The proposition was accepted, and Mr. Burr was made postmaster, but held the position four months only, for, soon after Mr. Pierce was inaugurated, John Hanna was appointed and Mr. Burr had the fixtures on his hands. Mr. Hanna’s sons - Samuel and William Hanna - managed the office, which was removed to the old frame building adjoining Parson’s Hotel on the north, and long used by Denny & Bender as a paint-shop. Hanna held the office eight years, and until 1861, when Samuel Andrews was appointed by President Lincoln. He removed the office to No. 214 Federal Street, one of the two-story bricks built by Isaac Cole in 1834. Andrews, dying in 1863, was succeeded by Captain Richard H. Lee, who leased the Roberts building at the southeast corner of Third and Federal Streets, where he fitted up an office much in advance of any that had preceded it, afterwards removing to the northwest corner of Third and Arch Streets, where it remained until July 1, 1875, when he moved into the building now in use, built for the purpose by the late John S. Read. Captain Lee was removed by President Johnson in October, 1868, and Colonel Timothy C. Moore appointed. The Senate, however, refused to confirm Colonel Moore, and, in March, 1867, Captain Lee resumed the duties of the office, holding the position until 1879, when Henry B. Wilson was appointed. He served one term of four years and was succeeded, in 1883, by William T. Bailey, who, in 1885, was followed by Charles Janney, the present incumbent.

The following list of names, with the dates of appointment of postmasters since the time of the establishment of the office, was furnished by the Post, Office Department at Washington:

Isaiah Toy, appointed June 22, 1829; Isaac Bullock, appointed May 24, 1838; James Elwell, appointed July 2, 1840; Charles Bontemps, appointed April 21, 1849; Jonathan Burr, appointed December 17, 1852; John Hanna, appointed April 6, 1853; Samuel Andrews, appointed April 5, 1861; Richard H. Lee, appointed May 18, 1867; Timothy C. Moore, appointed October 12, 1866; Richard H. Lee, appointed May 18, 1867; Henry B. Wilson, appointed February 22, 1879; William T. Bailey, appointed March 2, 1883; Charles Janney, appointed April 28, 1885.

Of the above, there are now living Jonathan Burr, for thirty years secretary of the Camden Fire Insurance Company, from which he voluntarily resigned a few years since; Richard H. Lee, until recently in the Philadelphia Custom House; Timothy C. Moore, residing in Milwaukee; Henry B. Wilson, coal dealer at Kaighns Point; William T. Bailey, in the real estate business in Camden; and Charles Janney, present incumbent.

William Ables, appointed in 1879, was the first assistant postmaster. He resigned in 1882 to accept the position of post-office inspector, and Jesse K. Mines was appointed in his place and served until 1885, when Frank L. Vinton, present incumbent, was appointed.

The first clerk, called for by the business of the office, was Richardson Smith, in 1861, who, in 1864, resigned to accept the position of mail agent, and was succeeded by John Evans, Charles Watson and, in 1867, by Robert B. McCowan, who was retained until 1885, when William Hauble was appointed.

The first regular letter-carrying was in 1852, when Samuel Jenkins delivered letters, receiving two cents as recompense. To increase his gains, he placed tin boxes at convenient locations for the reception of letters to be passed through the post-office. He was not the first carrier, however. As early as 1840, when James Elwell kept the office at the foot of Bridge Avenue, so far from where people lived, Lawyer Jeffers, to save labor and insure rapid receipt of mall matter, engaged Alfred, son of the postmaster, to bring him his letters as soon as they arrived, and others following his example, the lad made a snug sum for pocket-money.

In 1863 the free delivery system was established and abolished the year following, and again established in 1873. The number of carriers employed in successive years have been as fellows: 1851, one; 1861, two; 1863, three; 1873, six; 1880, eight; 1883, nine; 1884, eleven; 1886, thirteen. Their salary in 1863 was six hundred dollars per year, and in 1886 eight hundred dollars per year. In 1863 there were two deliveries and two collections daily; in 1886, in some portions of the city, four, and, in all but remote points, three deliveries and three collections daily.

For the year ending July 1, 1886, the carriers delivered 2,218,243 and collected 907,955 pieces of mail matter. The sale of stamps at the office aggregates in value $28,430; the registered letters received numbered 6377; sent, 4482.

1852.	Samuel Jenkins.
	Peter Bleyler.
1861.	Jehu E. Smith.
	Robert Patton.
1863.	Benjamin M. Braker.
1864.	Charles Parker.
1867.	Howard Lee.
1873.	Arthur Stanley.
	William G. Dorman.
	John C. Clopper.
	William S. Darr.
1874.	Thomas M.K. Lee.
1875.	Charles S. Wilkinson.
1876.	George L. Simpson.
1880.	Howard M. Kemble.
	Jesse K. Mines.
1881.	William S. Pettit.
	J. Kelly Brown.
	Albert F. Mattocks.
1882.	Herman Rosade.
1883.	Charles Fowler.
	J. Oscar Nichuals.
	L.F. De La Croix.
	William C. Johnson.

Those serving the longest terms were Jehu E. Smith, 22 years; Charles Parker, 21 years; John C. Clopper, 13 years; and Wm. G. Dorman, 12 years.
* The date of the establishment of the office cannot be definitely ascertained; therefore, the date of the commencement of the account with the United States Post-Office is given.

MARKET HOUSES.- There was never a curbstone market in Camden, - a market where the producer could back his wagon against the curbstone and sell direct to the consumer. The first conception of a market-place was, probably, when Jacob Cooper laid out the town of Camden, in 1773, and dedicated extra space for public use at the intersection of Third and Market Streets. James Kaighn dying in 1811, seized of the land lying between Kaighn Avenue and Line Street, his brother, Joseph Kaighn, owning the land south of Kaighn Avenue, having charge of the matter, in laying out Kaighnton, widened Kaighn Avenue, then called Market Street, to a width of one hundred and thirty feet between Second and Third Street that there might be room for market-sheds in the centre. His idea was not realized, and, in 1874, the City Council passed an ordinance making the street of a uniform width of sixty-six feet between the curbs.

In the recorded proceedings of a town-meeting held in the City Hall, March 13, 1837, appears this minute: "On motion of Richard Fetters it was ordered that Council construct a market at the intersection of Third and Market, containing eight stalls, to be paid for out of the present funds of the City." From the treasurer’s statement, made at that meeting, the fund on hand, after deducting $42.48, due the Camden Bank, was $159.20, and this was the amount intended to be expended for the purpose. The next item found in the records, relating to the market, is in the proceedings of City Council, September 30, 1837, when "Richard Fetters, Robert W. Ogden and John W. Mickle were appointed a committee to build a market-house on Third Street south of Market Street, to be roofed with shingles."

Three months later the enterprise seems to have been accomplished, and Camden’s first market-house was ready for use December 28, 1837. At a meeting of Council, held at the house of William S. Paul, these bills were ordered paid:

These amount to $245.12, and as nothing further appears concerning the matter, the presumption is that this was the total cost. This was Camden’s first and only market-house until 1856, when, March 28th, City Council passed an ordinance providing for the erection of a market-house on Third Street, between Arch and Federal Streets. This was done the same year, at a cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars, and the structure was used for this purpose until 1876, when it was removed. In the mean time several schemes for building market-houses were projected. In 1855 Richard Fetters, John Troth, Richard W. Howell, Samuel Andrews, Maurice Browning, William J. Hatch and Abraham S. Ackley procured a charter for the Camden Market Company, but failed to complete the organization, and in 1856 the Washington Market Company was incorporated, with John S. Read. Ralph Lee, James M. Cassady, Isaac W. Mickle, Lewis Seal, Matthew Miller, John Ross, John K. Cowperthwaite, Henry Fredericks, Joseph T. Rowand and William P. Tatem as the company. The design was to build a market-house on the west side of Third Street, between Arch and Federal, the structure to be about one hundred feet square, but the erection of the market-sheds on Third Street, by the city, caused the company to abandon the project. In 1874 John S. Read, Jonathan Burr,William F. Tatem, Randal E. Morgan and Edmund E. Read were incorporated as the Farmers’ Market Company, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, but the enterprise foiled to mature.

The next attempt in this line, however, was more successful. Thos. A. Wilson, Rudolphus Bingham, Abraham Rapp, James W. Wroth and Charles Stockham, as the Farmers’ and Butchers’ Market Company, in 1877, constructed a large building of brick, one hundred and fifty by one hundred and seventy feet, on Bridge Avenue and West Street, extending to Mickle Street. It was intended for a wholesale and retail market, but did not prosper, for the reason that, with Philadelphia so near, the wholesale trade could not he gained, and the location was unsuited for retailing. It was used as a market-house for two years, when it was fitted up for theatrical purposes, with a capacity for seating a thousand persons, and was subsequently secured by the Sixth Regiment National Guards and fitted up as an armory.

In 1878 John S. Read and Wm. S. Scull built the Federal Street Market, on Federal Street above Fourth, on the site of the old City Hall, constructed in 1828. This is now the only building in the city used exclusively as a market-house. It is well adapted to the purpose and the market is well patronized.

DAVID READ, the ancestor of the Read family of Camden, was a son of Joseph Read, who died at his home in Greenwich, Gloucester County, N.J., Nov. 12, 1755, and his remains were interred in the Presbyterian burying-ground in that town. He was born at Greenwich, and while yet a young man, at the outbreak of the Revolution enlisted in the army under General Washington and remained in the military service during the entire period of that war, participating in the campaigns of New Jersey, the battle of Brandywine, and during the last year of that struggle for independence was transferred with his regiment to the Army of the South, under General Lincoln, in order to impede the progress of the invading British, who had transferred the seat of war to the Southern States. At the close of the war, when David Read and his comrades were discharged and paid off in Continental money, three of them, of whom he was one, went to the wharf at Charleston, S.C., in order to secure passage on a sailing-vessel for Philadelphia. Their money being comparatively worthless on account of its depreciation in value, the captain of the vessel would take them only on consideration that they would pay the amount of passage money by working, which they accordingly agreed to do. Upon sailing around Cape Hatteras, well-known as a dangerous place to mariners, the vessel was foundered and every soul on board was drowned except David Read and his two soldier companions, who clung to a broken spar and after being forty-eight hours in that perilous position were eventually drifted to the shore and landed on the coast amid the darkness of night. They were nearly exhausted for the want of food and drink. Seeing a light a distance from them along the shore, they began to wend their way thither in hopes of meeting some one who would assist them in their distress. The feet of one of the comrades trod upon a bottle which, upon examination, was thought to be Jamaica rum. The two companions drank of it to excess, against the protest of David Read, who feared dangerous results, on account of their being so long deprived of food. The draught proved fatal to them, and the war-scarred veterans for fifteen minutes struggled for their lives and then died near the stormy shores of Cape Hatteras. David Read continued onward, and the place toward which they were going proved to be a light-house. Upon arriving at it he was tenderly cared for by the occupants, and given food to revive his enfeebled condition. He then, in company with others, returned and buried the remains of his unfortunate comrades at the place where they had taken the fatal draught. David Read soon thereafter returned to Charleston, where money was given him by some patriotic persons, and he set sail for Philadelphia. Upon arriving here he returned to Greenwich, where he married Rachel Peck, and the records of the Presbyterian Church of Greenwich show that of the children of this union, David, James and Joel were baptized there. Toward the latter pert of the last century he moved with his family to Camden when it was but a small village, and engaged in the pork business and sausage-making for the city trade. His place of business was on Plum Street (now Arch), below Third, where he continued his occupation and died in 1842, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, five months and sixteen days being probably the last representative in Camden County of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War. He ever delighted to narrate to his children and grandchildren the perilous scenes and incidents in which he was a participant during that historic period. His remains were interred in the Newton burying-ground.

Joel Read, his third son, was born in 1786. He was baptized at Greenwich, July 8, 1787, and at the opening of the second war with Great Britain, in 1812, imbued with the patriotism of his father, and following his precedent, he joined a military company known as the Jersey Blues and during that war was stationed with his regiment at Billingsport, along the Delaware River in Gloucester, opposite Fort Muffin. In 1812 he married Mary Jones, a member of a prominent family of the Society of Friends, and a descendant of the Thackaras, who were influential people in the early annals of New Jersey. By this union were born six children,- Charlotte, Joseph J., Rachel, William Thackara, John S. and Edmund E. Joel Read was a brush-maker by trade. He followed his occupation for a few years in Camden and then moved to Philadelphia, where he continued in it with success. Later in life he returned to Camden and lived on Plum Street, but after the death of his wife be lived in Penn Street with his daughter Charlotte.

JOSEPH J. READ, the eldest son of Joel and Mary Read, was born in Camden, on Arch Street west of Second Street, March 24, 1815, and when eight years old moved with his parents to the district of Southwark, and immediately thereafter was employed at Jasper Harding’s printing-office in Philadelphia, at one dollar a week, continuing there two years. He was next hired at one and a half dollars per week with Thomas Watson to work in a biscuit and cracker bakery. The foreman treated him harshly and, unknown to his mother, he left his position with one week’s wages, and with characteristic ingenuity invested it in buttons, tape, needles and pins, and before noon of that day had disposed of all his goods at a profit of fifty cents. With the two dollars of capital now at command he invested again in the afternoon and cleared in all one dollar and twenty-five cents the first day of his mercantile career. At the end of a week he cleared ten dollars. By the middle of the succeeding week his capital was increased to twenty dollars and with it he purchased gilt buttons and in one day disposed of them at a gain of fifty per cent., his amount of cash being then increased to thirty dollars. Two weeks having now expired since he left his employer in the bakery, his mother, who was a woman of noble bearing and excellent moral traits, asked for his wages. To her astonishment, he pulled out his thirty dollars in gold and silver and handed it to her. She, fearing he would get into bad company, took the money and secured for him a place on a farm in Burlington County, N.J. He again was under an employer who did not treat him well, and at the expiration of two years, of his own accord, he returned to his home in Philadelphia, and at his own expressed wish was secured a position to go to sea at a salary of six dollars per month. One month’s wages was paid in advance, half of which was given to his mother and with the other three dollars he purchased manufactured tobacco and took it on board the vessel, which was bound for Cuba. He there traded his tobacco for a barrel of molasses, which failed to be placed on the manifest, and when the vessel returned to Philadelphia it of necessity went with the general cargo, and the ingenious young trader lost all of his available assets except the two months’ wages which were given to his mother. His desire then to learn the trade of a cooper was gratified, and he was bound as an apprentice for the term of six years with a man who proved to be a hard master. On one occasion, when under the influence of liquor, he beat young Read so badly that he afterwards gave him fifty cents to go up to Independence Hall to see a new bell placed on it. This present was granted in order to induce the boy not to tell his mother of the ill-treatment. Joseph Read accepted the fifty cents, boarded a sloop, upon which he worked his passage to Bordentown, walked from thence to New Brunswick, where he secured a passage on a sailing-vessel and arrived in New York with his fifty cents, but did not know any one in that city. He soon secured employment at the cooper’s trade with a firm that discontinued business after he was with them two years and he finished his trade with another party in the same city. At the age of twenty-one years, he returned to Philadelphia for one year and then went back to New York, where he became foreman of a large cooper-shop, serving for one year, when he went to Brooklyn and for three years was manager of a large oil manufactory. While there, in 1837, he joined the First Baptist Church of that city, under the pastorate of Rev. Ilsley. In 1840 he returned to Philadelphia, and with a cash account of two hundred dollars and one thousand dollars of borrowed money, embarked in the coopering business on Penn Street, and the first year cleared five hundred dollars, but the next year lost all he had, including the borrowed money. He then lived over this cooper-shop for nine years. By business sagacity and characteristic energy he secured credit and soon made up the amount of the losses, returned the borrowed money, erected a fine dwelling-house in 1851, costing ten thousand dollars, on Pine Street, lived in it ten years, until 1861, when he moved to Camden. In the mean time, while living in Philadelphia, he purchased and owned all the property from Penn Street to Delaware Avenue and other property adjoining his cooper-shop on the north side.

In 186l Mr. Read moved his family to Camden, his native place, continuing his business in Philadelphia until 1864, when be retired. Meeting with some losses the next year, in order to retrieve them, he re-embarked in his former business at the same place in Philadelphia, and continued thus successfully engaged until 1867. He then permanently retired from the coopering business, which he had successfully carried on for a period of thirty-one years. He has since been engaged as a broker and general real estate agent and now owns a large amount of real estate in Philadelphia, Camden and Atlantic City. He is an excellent judge of values and a careful and judicious business man.

Since 1837 Mr. Read has been a member of the Baptist Church and is now connected with the First Baptist Church of Camden. He is a member of Integrity Lodge, A.Y.M., No. 187, of Philadelphia, since 1846, and a member of Veteran Lodge of the same city.

Mr. Read was married, in 1840, to Cecelia, daughter of John B. Rue, a Frenchman, born in the town of Nancy. Mrs. Read, who died in 1878, was a woman of noble Christian virtues, an earnest worker in the church and greatly devoted to the interests of charity, a good wife and a good mother. By this marriage were born seven children, - Mary. married Joseph L. Bush, of Newport, Rhode Island, where they now live; John R. Read, Esq., a lawyer of Philadelphia; Cecelia, married to Abraham C. Tallman, now deceased; Annie, married to William B. Knowles, of Philadelphia, now deceased; Katie, married to Edwin B. Powell, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Emily, who died at the age of two years; and Joseph F.P. Read, now a real estate broker of Camden.

Mr. Read was married a second time, in 1881, to Elizabeth M. (Etris) Schellenger, of Camden, widow of the late Captain Henry Schellenger.

JOHN S. READ, the third son and fifth child of Joel and Mary Read, was born March 11, 1822, in the old district of Southwark, Philadelphia. At the age of fourteen years he became an apprentice of Charles F. Mansfield, in his wall-paper store, at 275 South Second Street, Philadelphia, and remained in that position until the age of twenty-one years, during which time he was industrious, energetic and economical, traits which characterized him through life. Soon after attaining his majority he began business for himself on Second Street, Philadelphia, between South and Lombard, where he continued in the wall-paper business several years, and then removed his store to the northeast corner of Second and Lombard Streets. He remained there until 1845. About this time Camden received a new impetus to its growth, and Mr. Read removed to Camden, having previously associated with him in business his brother, Edmund B. Read, as the firm of Read & Brother, who for a time continued their store in Philadelphia, and erected buildings on Arch Street, Camden, though they conducted business mainly at 3d and Federal. Here they also conducted an extensive and prosperous business until his death, and which is still continued by his brother Edmund.

John S. Read was called upon to fill a large number of positions of trust and responsibility. For twenty-five years he served as director and treasurer of the Camden Fire Insurance Association; was one of the directors of the First National Bank of Camden; was one of the projectors of the Camden Building and Loan Association, the first in the city, and was subsequently treasurer of several other building associations; at the time of his death he was one of the commissioners of the Morris Plains Insane Asylum of New Jersey, and a State director of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, appointed by the Legislature. In 1870 he was elected a member of the City Council, and took an active part in the deliberations of that body; was re-elected in 1873 and made president of City Council. While a member of Council he was greatly instrumental in securing the purchase of the water-works by the city authorities, and also obtained the passage of an ordinance for the system of culverts now in use in Camden; served for several years as a member of the Board of Education, and was chosen its president. With his brother, Edmund E., he built Read’s Hall, at the corner of Third and Federal Streets; with William S. Scull he built the Market House, on Federal Street; and with Jonathan Burr, built the row of stores and dwellings on Federal street, above Fifth. He also erected and owned the Camden post-office building.

In politics Mr. Read was originally an Old-Line Whig, in the days of that party, and afterwards became an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, taking an active interest in the administration of public affairs. He was a member of Camden Lodge, No. 15, A.F. and A.M., and Royal Arch Chapter, No. 91, of Philadelphia.

With the hope of recruiting his failing health, he went to Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and died there August 6, 1882, at the age of sixty years. His remains were interred in the Colestown Cemetery, in this county. He was highly honored and respected for his many virtues and recognized as a man of fine executive and administrative abilities.

Mr. Read was twice married. By his first marriage, with Margaret Mason, who died early in life, he had two children: Elizabeth M. Read, married to John Campbell, of Camden (they have two children, John and Mamie); William T. Read, married to Lucretia McCormick, and have one child, William.

By his second marriage, with Harriet Peak, of Camden, he had one child, Edmund E. Read, Jr., a member of the Camden County bar, who, on December 27, 1882, was married to Margaret Mulford. They have one child, John S. Read.

EDMUND E. READ was born in Southwark, now the consolidated part of Philadelphia, April 19, 1824. He first attended a public school, for many years taught by Mr. Watson, on Catharine Street, Philadelphia, in a building which is still standing. He was next sent to a school taught by Mr. Crozer, on Third Street, below Catharine. At the age of fourteen years he became a clerk in a grocery store on the corner of Second and Christian Streets; but, after remaining there six months, was given a position on the United States Coast Survey, under Engineer Warner, and was nine months located in the State of Connecticut. Returning home, he attended a school under the instruction of James Crowell, in Philadelphia, six months, and began to learn the cooper trade in the same city, which he finished under his elder brother, Joseph J., with whom he remained five years. At the expiration of this time he went to the island of Cuba and was placed in charge of the cooperage establishment on a large sugar plantation, and there, during four years’ assiduous labor and strict economy, laid the foundation for his future prosperous business career. Upon returning home, at the time of the sickness of his brother, John S. Read, he was induced to take charge of his paper-store, and soon thereafter became associated with him in business, under the firm-name of Read & Brother, on the corner of Second and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia.

In 1855 Edmund E. Read removed to Camden, retaining his interest in the Philadelphia store, and, together with his brother, opened a store on Arch Street, Camden, and later they built the large store building, on the corner of Third and Federal Streets known as Read’s Hall, and also the large store-building on the corner of Third and Arch Streets, occupied then and to this date by Dr. De La Cour as a drug-store. In the Federal Street store Mr. Read has done a large and prosperous business, and since his residence in Camden, has been identified with nearly every interest which has added to the material growth and prosperity of the city. His brother, with whom he was so long and successfully associated in business, died in 1882, and the firm is now Read & Smith.

The business success and executive ability of Mr. Read is shown from the number of responsible positions to which he has been chosen by various corporations and associations. He is now a director of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, of the Marlton and Medford Railroad, of the First National Bank of Camden, of the Camden Fire Insurance Association and treasurer of the same, of the Sea View Hotel Company of Atlantic City, and of the Coopers Point and Philadelphia Ferry Co. He has served as a member of the City Council, a member of the County Board of Freeholders and State Prison director. Since the organization of building and loan associations in Camden he has been a director in a number of them, and, up to the present time, he is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 15, Free and accepted Masons, Sylome Chapter, No. 19, and Cyrene Commandery of Camden. He has been an active worker in the church, was a member of the building committee, and, for many years, a trustee, of the First Baptist Church of Camden, and later a trustee in the Trinity Baptist Church, of which he and his family are now members.

Mr. Read was married, in August, 1844, to Anna Peak, daughter of Thomas and Abigail Peak, of Camden. They have four children, - Harriet P. Read, John S. Read, Jr. (who died an infant), Sallie L. Read (who is married to Harry L. Jones, of Camden, and they have one child, Mary Read Jones), and Anna P. Read, the youngest daughter.

THE CAMDEN INSURANCE COMPANY was chartered by the Legislature March 16, 1832. The capital stock was fixed at fifty thousand dollars, with the privilege of increasing it to one hundred thousand dollars. The shares were twenty-five dollars each. The persons named in the charter who became the first directors of the company were Joseph W. Cooper, Robert W. Ogden, Richard Fetters, Thomas Lee, Jr., Nathan Davis, Morris Croxall, Isaiah Toy, John K. Cowperthwaite, Joseph Kaighn, Ebenezer Toole, Jeremiah H. Sloan, John W. Mickle and Isaac Smith. This company continued to exist for several years with varied success. The management of it eventually passed into new hands, and on March 2, 1849, Abraham Browning, Thomas H. Dudley and Isaiah Toy were, by an act of the Legislature, created trustees to settle the affairs of the company.

THE CAMDEN FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION was incorporated by an act of the State Legislature approved March 12, 1841, as the "Camden Mutual Insurance Association." The incorporators, who also, under the same act, were constituted the first directors of the company, were Gideon V. Stivers, Isaac Cole, Richard Fetters, Ebenezer Toole, Nathan Davis, Charles S. Garrett, Joab Scull, John Knisell, Edward Daugherty, Thomas Peak, Charles Bontemps, Richard Thomas and John K. Cowperthwaite. This company began business under the most favorable auspices, and ever since its origin, has prospered even beyond the expectation of its originators. Its plan of promptly paying losses gave it a prestige and popularity which it has since continually maintained. The directors of this company in 1868 were William P. Tatem, Jonathan Burr, Samuel H. Morton, Christopher J. Mines, Ralph Lee, John S. Read, Henry B. Wilson, Charles Wilson, Josiah D. Rogers, James H. Stevens, Clayton Truax, Jesse E. Huston and Thomas A. Wilson.

The association did business on the mutual plan until July 1, 1870, and afterwards on the stock plan. The amount of premiums received since organization is $227,470; losses paid, $35,599; the amount of insurance in force now is $3,050,538; and the amount of losses paid during the past year, $1910.34. Business is done principally in West and South Jersey.

Presidents.
Isaac Cole, 1841 to 1849.	Richard Fetters, 1849 to 1853.
Edward Dougherty, 1853 to 1859.	William P. Tatem, 1859 to 1871.
Henry B. Wilson, 1871 to date.
Vice-President.
Jonathan Burr, 1885 to date (created in 1885)
Secretaries.
J.K. Cowperthwaite, 1841 to 1853,	Jonathan Burr, 1853 to 1855.
Rud. W. Birdsell, 1885 to date.
Treasurers.
Nathan Davis, 1841 to 1853.	John S. Read, 1853 to 1861.
Charles Pine, 1861 to 1862.	John S. Read, 1862 to 1882.
Edmund E. Read, 1882 to date.
Surveyors.
Gideon V. Stivers, 1841 to 1853.	Josiah D. Rogers, 1853 to 1861.
Samuel H. Morton, 1861 to 1870.	Charles Wilson, 1870 to 1872.
Chris. J. Mines, 1872 to date.
DIRECTORS.- Following is an alphabetical list of those who have served as directors:
Thomas B. Atkinson.	Isaac S. Mulford.
Adam Angel.	Samuel H. Morton.
Charles Bontemps.	William B. Mulford.
William W. Bozorth.	Christopher J. Mines.
Joseph C. Burroughs.	Jehu Osler.
Jonathan Burr.	Thomas Peak.
Riley Barrett.	Walter Patton.
Benjamin M. Braker.	Charles Pine.
John Burr.	Caleb Roberts.
Frank J. Burr.	John Ross.
Rudolph W. Birdsell.	John S. Read.
Isaac Cole.	Josiah D. Rogers.
John K. Cowperthwaite.	Edmund E. Read.
Richard C. Cake.	Edmund E. Read, Jr.
Daniel S. Carter.	Robert W. Smith.
Jacob S. Collings.	John Sands.
Benjamin S. Carter.	Jacob W. Sharp.
John Carter.	Jesse Smith.
Samuel S.S. Cowperthwaite.	Daniel S. Shriner.
John Campbell, Jr.	Joab Scull.
Nathan Davis.	William S. Scull.
Edward Daughtery.	James H. Stevens.
Richard Fetters.	William P. Tatem.
Henry Fredericks.	Richard Thomas.
Charles S. Garrett.	Samuel Thompson.
Philip J. Grey.	Clayton Truax.
George W. Gilbert.	William Wannan.
Benjamin A. Hamell.	Richard J. Ward.
Jesse E. Huston.	Henry B. Wilson.
John Knisell.	Charles Wilson.
Ralph Lee.	Thomas A. Wilson.

President.
Henry B. Wilson.
Secretary.
Jonathan Burr.
Assistant Secretary.
Rudolph W. Birdsell.
Treasurer.
Edmund E. Read.
Surveyor.
Christopher J. Mines.
Directors.
William P. Tatem.	Frank J. Burr.
Henry B. Wilson.	Josiah D. Rogers.
Christopher J. Mines.	William S. Scull.
Edmund E. Read.	Charles Wilson.
Edmund E. Read, Jr.	George W. Gilbert.
John Burr.	Jonathan Burr.
William W. Bozorth.

CAMDEN GAS-LIGHT COMPANY. - The works owned by this company, as originally laid out and built, were small, little or no provision being made for expansion of business. The manufacturing, purification and storage facilities have been entirely changed by the erection of a new retort-house, new purifying and scrubber-house, station meter-house, larger holders for storage, etc. Thirty-seven miles of pipes for distribution have been laid, and, in a word, renewing and enlarging have been carried on until but a vestige of the old works remains.

The present works, when completed, will have a capacity of two hundred million cubic feet annually.

The city is now paying less than one dollar per thousand feet for lighting the streets, the consumers having a graduated scale of prices from $1.50 to $1.70 per thousand cubic feet, with an average power of seventeen candles.

Following are the names of the officers and directors of the company from 1868 to 1886:

PRESIDENTS.
1868-71. *Joseph W. Cooper.	1874-81. *Jesse W. Starr.
1871-74. *Wm. D. Cooper.	1881. Benjamin F. Archer.
DIRECTORS.
1868-72. Joseph W. Cooper, Jesse W. Starr, *Wm. D. Cooper, Wm. Stiles and Wistar Morris.
1872-74. Wm. D. Cooper, Jesse W. Starr, Wm. Stiles, BenJ. F. Archer and *Charles Wheeler.
1874 -75. Wm. D. Cooper, Jesse W. Starr, Benj. F. Archer and *Charles Wheeler.
1875-81. Jesse W. Starr, Charles Wheeler, Benj. F. Archer, Jesse Smith and Samuel C. Cooper.
1881-83. Benj. F. Archer, Charles Wheeler, Jesse Smith, Samuel C. Cooper and *Simeon T. Ringel.
1883-84. Benj. F. Archer, Charles Wheeler, Samuel C. Cooper, Simeon T. Ringel and Charles Watson.
1884-85. Benj. F. Archer, Samuel C. Cooper, *Simeon T. Ringel, Charles Watson and Wm. Helme.
1885-86. Benj. F. Archer, Samuel C. Cooper, Charles Watson, Wm. Helme and Richard Fetters Smith.
*Deceased.
SECRETARIES AND TREASURERS.
1868 -74. Wm. Stiles	1874. Charles Watson.
SUPERINTENDENTS.
1868-70. O.W. Goodwin, W.H. McFadden and J.H. Beitler.
1879. Wm. G. Hufty.
CASHIER.
1879. George F. Archer.

THE STREET RAILWAY. - Until 1850, when the population of Camden exceeded nine thousand, public conveyances, to carry persons from one point to another at a fixed rate, were almost unknown, and there was little occasion for them.

There were three centres of population, each near a ferry, to and from which nearly all travel was directed. The settlement of Coopers Hill, however, midway between the middle and lower ferries, caused a demand for some method of conveying passengers from the ferries, and hacks were ready, on the arrival of the boats, to take to their homes such as chose to avail themselves of the opportunity. The customary fare was twelve and a half cents, but beyond certain arbitrary bounds the charge was twenty-five cents. James Elwell put on a line of light omni buses, drawn by two horses. It was not until 1871, when the population of the city had reached thirty thousand, that the Camden Horse Railroad Company laid tracks and began to run cars. A charter was received in 1866, the incorporators being John Hood, A.B. Frazee, John R. Graham, John S. Read, Jesse Smith, Albert W. Markley, Isaac W. Nicholson, James M. Scovel, William S. Scull, William Brice, Abraham W. Nash, Henry Fredericks and Charles Townsend. The company organized by electing John B. Graham president, and John Hood secretary and treasurer. The other directors were A.B. Frazee, John S. Read and Charles Townsend. The capital stock of fifty thousand dollars was subscribed, but confidence in the success of the enterprise was wanting, and many of the subscribers withdrew their stock. John Hood persevered. In 1871 Colonel Thomas McKeen entered the company and was made treasurer. He at once infused new life into the enterprise and subscribed liberally of his means. The first tracks were laid from the Federal Street Ferry to Fourth Street and Kaighn Avenue, via Federal Street and Fifth, and the first cars were run November 23, 1871.

In 1872 the Market Street and North Second Street lines were constructed, connecting with the West Jersey Ferry. The following year the South Second Street line, connecting the Federal Street Ferry with the Eighth Ward, at Broadway and Emerald was built. In 1877 the company built another line from the Federal Street Ferry, via Federal, Second and Stevens, Broadway and Clinton and Sixth to Walnut, and extended their track to the Kaighns Point Ferry, giving a total of nine miles of track.

In 1872 John B. Graham withdrew, and Thomas A. Wilson, entering the board, was made president, Thomas McKeen acted as treasurer until his death, in 1883, when John Hood became treasurer and Wilbur F. Rose secretary. Mr. Hood has been superintendent since the time of organization. The company owns twenty-six cars, eighty-five horses, and gives employment to fifty-six persons, whose annual pay-roll amounts to $23,000. The cost of the road and its equipments was $126,273; the receipts for the past year were $52,296; and expenditures, $47,712.

The officers for 1886 are President, Thomas A. Wilson; Secretary, Wilbur F. Rose; Treasurer and Superintendent, John Hood; Auditors, Calvin S. Crowell, W.F. Rose; Clerk, Thomas A. Wilson, Jr. Foreman, Charles Fisher.

CITIZENS COACH COMPANY. - On July 29, 1876, William S. Scull, Henry B. Wilson, George E. Wilson, Horace Hammell, Ebenezer Westcott and Robert S. Kaighn filed articles of incorporation with the county clerk as the Citizens’ Coach Company, and established a line of coaches, running from the Federal Street Ferry to the Kaighns Point Ferry, by way of Federal Street, Broadway and Kaighn Avenue. Other lines were established from Market Street Ferry to various points in the First and Second Wards, and along Stevens and Fourth Streets to Kaighn Avenue. These have been withdrawn, and the first-mentioned line only is running.

THE TELEPHONE was introduced into Camden, in August, 1879, by Watson Depuy, president, J.J. Burleigh, secretary, treasurer and manager, and Heber C. Robinson, superintendent of the South Jersey Telegraph Company, the first exchange telephone being placed for George R. Danenhower, Broadway and Kaighn Avenue, August 15th of that year, and private lines were placed between the City Hall and Simeon Ringel’s pharmacy, Second and Market; Martin Goldsmith’s pharmacy, Second and Pine; and fire engine house No. 2, at Fifth and Arch Streets. The First National and National State Banks, Camden Safe Deposit Company, Joseph Campbell’s canning-factory on Second Street and others followed. The office was with the Western Union Telegraph Company, on Third Street north of Federal. Citizens and business men, however, were slow in appreciating the great advantages of the telephone, and when the company had been merged into the Delaware and Atlantic Telegraph and Telephone Company, in 1882, and the management placed in the hands of Charles A. Janke, in May, 1883, the patrons numbered but fifty-four. By energy the business was extended rapidly and success was assured. The exchange was removed to the building on the northeast corner of Second and Market Streets, where room was found for the increasing wants of the enterprise. Connection is now had with all prominent points within a radius of forty miles, and arrangements are being made to make the radius one hundred miles. The exchange subscribers number two hundred and fifty, with eighteen private wires and fifteen public stations. One hundred and fifty miles of wire intersect the city in all directions, and are being extended as demanded, and, by them, instant means of communication are provided for physicians, public officials and business men, while the Fire Department has often found the telephone an invaluable adjunct to the fire-alarm system. The Western Electric is the system in use. For the year 1886 the officers and the Camden attaches of the company are: President, James Merrihew; Treasurer, George S. Iredell; Superintendent, William T. Westbrook; Secretary and Manager, Charles A. Janke; Inspectors, A.B. Depuy and Charles E. Opdycke; Lineman, Warren Morgan; and four lady operators, whose calls number twelve hundred daily. The exchange is open day and night.

BUILDING AND BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS. - The remarkable growth of Camden is exhibited in statistics given at the outstart of its history in this volume and it seems proper, before closing the last of the series of chapters devoted to the city, to give some facts concerning the manner in which the fast-increasing population has been housed, and the men who have been foremost in performing the work. It is to be regretted that full and accurate statistics of the building operations of the last twenty or thirty years are not attainable, but in their absence some indication of the constantly accelerating growth of the city and increase in the number of homes may be procured from the record of building permits. The first appears to have been issued on August 6, 1859, and during the ensuing year, or up to August 22, 1860, the number granted was sixty-nine. From this time on, for one decade, the number issued in each year (from August to August) was as follows:

1869 to May 24, 1871 (estimated)	235
1871 (May 24th to December 31st)	186
1872	325
1873	339
1874	362
1875	406
1876	352
1877	368
1878	276
1879	319
1880	325
Total for ten years	3258

The total number of building permits issued during twenty-seven years has been six thousand five hundred and seventy-six, and the number for the decade which will close with the year 1890 bids fair to equal or exceed that for the preceding one. These figures, however, give an inadequate idea - but little more than a suggestion - of the remarkable activity of the city builders. Building permits are issued for the making of additions and alterations in many instances, and then again, one permit may grant authority for the construction of a dozen or a score of houses, and, in fact, there is one instance in which as many as twenty-seven dwellings were built under one license. The number of permits issued for the year ending November 6, 1886, was about five hundred, but a careful estimate made by a well-informed builder places the number of houses erected during that period at seven hundred and fifty, and it is probable that these figures exhibit about the same ratio which has prevailed between the number of permits and the number of buildings actually erected during the past fifteen or sixteen years.

Nearly all of the building operations which have transformed Camden from a village into a city have been carried on by what may be called wholesale systems or legitimately speculative enterprise. Builders erect whole blocks and in some instances several blocks of dwellings, and either sell outright to investors, who rent the houses separately, sell directly to those who intend making themselves homes, or rent to the same class. Not one house in a hundred is built at present by the man who contemplates becoming its occupant, and, indeed, unless one wishes an elaborate, permanent house, and is comparatively indifferent to expense, there is little incentive for individual enterprise, for the builders carrying on large operations, with their facilities for procuring stone, brick and lumber at wholesale prices, can erect houses at far lees cost than the man who builds only one.

A large proportion of the houses erected in the past few years have been bought or are rented by men doing business in the down-town and riverfront portions of Philadelphia, who have found that they can live here more comfortably and economically than in the other city. Many of them buy on easy terms, and others rent at much lower rates than they could procure similar houses for in Philadelphia. The ordinary two-story Camden house is rented for about fifteen dollars per month, a good three-story house can be had for from twenty to thirty dollars and a house of the better class for from thirty to sixty dollars per month. Notwithstanding the rapidity with which houses have arisen in the past ten or fifteen years, there has been no glut in the market, all being taken as fast as they are completed.

Building in Camden has been greatly stimulated by the policy of the managers of the estate of Richard M. Abigail and Esther Cooper. They have advanced money to various builders for the purpose of making improvements on their property, and within the past ten years as many as seven or eight hundred houses have been erected by their aid. These are, for the most part, dwellings of the medium size, and they are mostly located in the Second and Fourth Wards, between the Delaware and Sixth Street, and bounded north and south by Pearl and Penn Streets. Nearly all have been sold. About eighty are now in process of construction, the money employed being loaned by the estate.

Among the builders of Camden are several who have erected five or six hundred houses each. The heaviest operators are undoubtedly Cohn & Roberts, Wilson Ernst and George Holl. Fine examples of the work of the firm first named are to be seen on Front and Point Streets, between Cooper and Linden. Mr. E.N. Cohn commenced building in 1866, erecting in that year twelve houses on Pearl Street. He then continued putting up blocks and separate structures, operating alone and in connection with Charles B., Richard and Asa R.

Cox, and building not less than one hundred and fifty houses. He also erected the Pfiel & Galtz building, which was burned. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Joseph E. Roberts, who, individually, had built about two hundred houses, and as a firm they have since constructed at least four hundred and fifty dwellings, to which line of building they devote themselves exclusively.

George Holl, who has been engaged in building for eighteen years, has erected from four to five hundred houses, principally in the central part of the city. They are nearly all of what may be denominated the medium class, in size and pretensions. His brother, Lewis T. Roll, has built many houses in the lower part of town.

Wilson Ernst has been actively engaged since 1876, and about four hundred buildings, chiefly dwelling, attest his enterprise.

Cox Brothers, individually and together, have built from five to six hundred houses, the greater proportion being small ones.

Reuben S. Cross has been in Camden forty-two years and engaged in building for thirty-eight years, during which period he has erected many dwellings, one church, a school-house and several factories and mills.

Randal E. Morgan, ex-sheriff, during the past fourteen years, has built over two hundred structures, including dwellings, stores, etc., about one-half of them in connection with other parties and one-half as his individual enterprise.

M.E. Harden has built over six hundred dwellings of different kinds and sizes, from the largest to the smallest, about fifty stores and offices, three sash and door mills, the Keystone Chemical Company’s building, three churches, - the First Presbyterian, Third Baptist and Roman Catholic, at Broadway and Ferry Streets, - also the Stevens, Wickes, Mulford and Richard Fetters school buildings and the colored school building in the Eighth Ward.

J.F. Dorman has built many houses, operating individually, and about thirty with J.M. Davis, under the firm-name of Dorman & Davis. Mr. Davis, individually, during a period of six years, has put up about one hundred buildings, six of which were large stores, thirteen factories, one ferry-house (at Kaighns Point) and two churches, while most of the remainder were commodious and handsome dwellings.

Among other extensive builders and contractors are Robert Kaighn (who has operated principally in the Eighth Ward), William Mead (of whom a sketch is given), John Schause, Scudder & Budd, Joseph Butcher, John C. Rogers, Thomas Howell, William Keen, C.C. Williams, W.B. Mulford, William Severns, John Stone, Reuben B. Cole, J.M. Bozarth, K.P. Torbert, James A. Coulter, Josiah P. Beckett, William T. Fortiner, William V. Hoover, Isaac C. Hielman, James Maguire, David Lummis, S.H. Morton, E. Lippincott, Samuel Maines, T.M. Moore, A.J. Richards, D.C. Reyburn, W.B. Smith, W.H. Taylor, C.C. Williams, Aaron Ward, Thomas Jones and George E. Blensinger.

WILLIAM T. MEAD in a descendant of Jeremiah Mead and his wife, Johannes Dungan, who emigrated from England early in the seventeenth century, and settled at Horseneck, or Greenwich, Connecticut. Their son Jeremiah, who lived in Ridgefield, was married three times, his first wife being Martha, daughter of Samuel and Norah St. John, of Pimpewaug, and their marriage took place February 17, 1779. His second wife was Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Mary Smith, by whom he had two children, - Rachel and Patty; and after the death of this wife, he was married, October 6, 1784, to Betty W. Whitney, by whom he had nine children, - Lewis, Hepsey, Jeremiah, Matthew, Seth, Samuel, Betty, Harvey and Whitney. Most of the family remained in Connecticut, but Harvey, who was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, April 11, 1790, moved when a young man to New York, where, on September 11, 1821, he was married to Rebecca Spenser, by whom he had six children, - Samuel Spenser, Seth Whitney, Harvey, Amanda, Ann Elizabeth and Rebecca. His wife died on February 28, 1834.

On March 2, 1886, Harvey was married, a second time, to Julia Ann Hoffman, whose maiden-name was Glaasby; she was born in Camden. By her he had six children, - William T., Harvey, Henry, Catherine M., Charles A. and Julia Ann. Mrs. Mead died December 4, 1853, and Mr. Mead, June 20, 1864.

William T. Mead was born in Bucks County, Pa., near Bristol, October 2, 1887, and came to Philadelphia with his father in 1840, thence to Camden in 1845. At the early age of ten years he was placed for one season on a farm; afterwards he learned brick-making with Peter Stetser, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to Thomas A. Wilson, to learn the trade of a carpenter and builder, and completed it under him. On 21st of March, 1859, he was married to Maria Norman, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Haywoed Stetser, by whom he had seven children, - Joseph Stetser, William C., Alexander H. (deceased), Frank K, Carrie E., George L. and M. Edna. At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, Fourth New Jersey Veteran Volunteer Infantry, August 15, 1861. He served in General Kearny’s brigade, and participated in a number of engagements, but was taken prisoner, June 27, 1862, at the battle of Gaines’ Mills, Va. He then endured the hardships of prison life at Libby and Belle Isle until exchanged, in August, 1862, when he was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia, and discharged therefrom, December 19, 1862, as "unfit for service on account of disability."

In April, 1874, Mr. Mead began his successful career as builder in the city of Camden, where he has erected many private dwellings, schoolhouses and churches.

In religion, Mr. Mead is a Methodist; in politics, a Democrat. He has been a member of the City Council for six years, and also a member of the Board of Health, and no one has shown more zeal in the faithful discharge of his duties. He is a member of the Order of American Mechanics, Knights of Pythias, of Masonic fraternity, and a comrade of Post No. 5. Grand Army of the Republic.

In the occupation of builder he has constructed many buildings which have added largely to the improvement and attractive appearance of the city of Camden.

These associations of Camden have been important factors in promoting the growth of the city, and have assisted many worthy citizens to the ownership of homes or given them financial aid in transacting their business. The moneys handled by them count into the millions of dollars. Being thus matters of public interest, a list of the principal institutions of this kind in Camden is here presented.

Artisan, organized December 10, 1873 meets the second Wednesday evening in every month at Wildey Hall. It has three hundred and twenty-six stockholders -one thousand shares, par value two hundred dollars; price per share, one dollar. Henry F. Geiter, president; W.B. Mulford, treasurer; George E. Frye, secretary. This is the second association by this name in Camden, one having successfully wound up its affairs about thirty years ago, having been a single series association, of which John I. Davis was secretary at the time of its winding up, which was done satisfactorily to all concerned.

The Camden Building and Loan Association was organized July 25, 1867. Five hundred and forty stockholders have two thousand seven hundred shares; price per share, one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. Meets the fourth Monday in each month at Wildey Hall. Mark B. Wills, president; Henry F. Geiter, secretary; F.P. Mulford, treasurer.

The City, organized May 2, 1874, has two hundred and five members. It meets the third Saturday in each month at Read’s Hall. Price per share, one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. James M. Cassady, president; vice-president, Edmund E. Read, Jr.; Volney G. Bennett, treasurer; E.K. Fortiner, secretary.

Dudley Homestead and Building Association was incorporated in March, 1886 - Jehu Evans, secretary, No. 311 Market Street; Charles Bosch, president; George Leathwhite, vice-president; Harry D. Longacre, treasurer. This association is conducted upon a new scheme. Shares are sold and the lots drawn and houses built by the association for its members. No collateral security is required for building purposes. The total number of shares is two hundred and twenty, one-half of which have been sold.

The Mechanics’ and Workingman’s, organized February 25,1871, meets the fourth Saturday in every month at Read’s Hall. Price per share, one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. Joseph Butcher, president; John Burr, treasurer; C.J. Mines, vice-president; Charles H. Felton, secretary. Six hundred members hold two thousand one hundred shares.

The Mutual, organized April 13, 1872, meets the last Wednesday in each month at No. 207 Market Street. The price per share is one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. Rudolph W. Birdsell, president; Walter M. Patton, treasurer; J. Willard Morgan, secretary.

The Newton Township, organized March 1, 1869, meets the first Monday in each month at Flat Iron Hotel. Herman A. Helmbold, president; H.B. Wilson, treasurer; J. Willard Morgan, secretary.

The North Camden, organized November 10, 1879, meets at Mann’s Hall, No. 505 North Second Street, on the second Monday in each month. Price per share, one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. James R. Carson, president; D. Somers Risley, secretary; William T. Bailey, treasurer; E.A. Armstrong, solicitor.

The People’s organised March 2, 1871, meets on first Wednesday in each month at Wildey Hall. The price per share is one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. Jonathan Duffield, president; Charles H. Felton, secretary; E.K. Fortiner, treasurer; Enos Dismant, vice-president. Six hundred members hold two thousand shares.

The South Ward Building and Loan Association, organized in May, 1857, meets the second Monday in each month at Wildey Hall. The price per share, one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. H.M. Sharp, president; Samuel C. Newton, secretary; Thomas Meryweather, treasurer.

The Homestead, organized December 20, 1883, meets the third Monday in each month at No. 46 North Third Street. Price per share, one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. J.J. Burleigh, president; Charles H. Felton, secretary; L.T. Derousse treasurer; E.A. Armstrong, solicitor.

The Tradesmen’s Building and Loan Association meets first Saturday in each month at Central Hall. Benjamin C. Reeve, president; Joseph C. Nicholls, secretary; Augustus Reeve, treasurer; Martin V. Bergen, solicitor.

The Economy, organized January 23,1882, meets the fourth Monday in each month at Mann’s Hall. The price per share is one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. James R. Carson, president; D. Somers Risley, secretary; William T. Bailey, treasurer; E.A. Armstrong, solicitor.

The Excelsior Building and Loan Association, organized in July, 1870, meets last Friday in each month at Central Hall. Par value, two hundred dollars. The price per share is fifty cents, monthly. D. Somers Risley, president; Edmund May, secretary; Charles Cox, treasurer; T.J. Middleton, solicitor. The number of members is two hundred and fifty.

The Fidelity Building and Loan Association was organized February 16,1883. Monthly payments are made of fifty cents per share; par value, two hundred dollars per share. E.O. Hoeflich, president; Penrose W. Hirst, vice-president; William O. Haney, secretary; T.J. Middleton, solicitor.

The Franklin, organized September 10, 1873, meets the first Saturday in every month at Read’s Hall. The price per share is one dollar; par value, two hundred dollars. James M. Cassaday, president; E.K. Fortiner, secretary; V.G. Bennett, treasurer. Number of members, four hundred and twenty-five.

The German Centennial Building and Saving Fund Association, organized, April 15, 1876, meets at Heilman’s Hall on the second Thursday of every month. George Pfeiffer is president; J.B. Weyll, secretary; and John Heilman, treasurer. The number of members is four hundred and twenty-five.

The Liberty Park Mutual Homestead, No. 2, organized April 20, 1885, has one hundred and sixty-three members. Its officers are Godfrey Keebler, president; H. Fisler, vice-president; A. Schlesinger, secretary; A. Ebener, treasurer; William S. Casselman, solicitor; E.A. Armstrong trustee.

THE DRUG BUSINESS IN CAMDEN*. - Many years ago, when Camden was a village, the only place to purchase medicine was at the office of Dr. Samuel Harris, who commenced practice about the year 1811. Like many doctor’s offices in country villages, his was enlarged to the dimensions of a small store, enabling him to deal out the many remedies called for by families. He first resided in the old-fashioned three-story brick building No. 122 Cooper Street, below Second. He moved thence into the two-story rough-cast house northeast corner of Second and Cooper Streets. Adjoining the rear of the house, and fronting on Second Street, was a one-story frame house, occupied as his office, and so continued until the day of his death, November 27, 1843.
* By W.A. Test.

Freedom S. Shinn, M.D., northwest corner of Second and Plum Streets, from 1812 or 1813 to 1821.

John Rowan Sickler, M.D., Federal Street, near the ferry, March 25, 1832, to April 14, 1834.

Joseph Kane, M.D., and David Smith, M.D., northwest corner of Third and Plum Streets, May, 1834. Dr. Smith left the firm early in 1835, and in March, of the same year, it was bought by James Roberts; M.D., and Joseph C. De Lacour. Six months afterwards Dr. Roberts left the firm, and Mr. De Lacour moved, October 17,1869, to the southwest corner, opposite.

A.M. & Eleazer Cohen, No. 216 Federal Street, above Second, March, 1839, to December, 1843.

George Hollingshead, No. 207 Federal Street, above Second, spring of 1845; moved fall of same year to northeast corner of Third and Plum Streets. Discontinued fall of 1846.

Ellis B. Hall, northeast corner Third and Plum Streets, spring of 1846; March, 1849, bought by Joseph B. Strafford, M.D.; afterwards bought by his sons, M. H. & James B., who moved, in spring of 1851, to 818 South Third Street, thence in spring of 1852 to southwest corner of Third and Spruce, thence, in June, 1856, to Gloucester.

James C. Morgan, No. 212 Market Street, above Second, April 8, 1848; moved to southwest corner of Second and Market Streets, April, 1849; bought by Simon T. Ringel, August, 1861; succeeded by Daniel J. Patton, July, 1881, and by the latter’s clerk, Charles E. Slough, June, 1884.

John B. Cresson, northwest corner Second and Bridge Avenue, April 13, 1848; bought by Richard W. Test, October 16th, same year, who moved to Federal Street, below Second, No. 130, February 1, 1853; thence to northwest corner of Second and Federal 8th., Oct. 23, 1867; died June 28, 1873; succeeded by his son, Alfred W. Test.

----- Maier, M.D., John Loper, agent, southeast corner Fifth and Walnut Street; November, 1850, the latter shortly afterwards becoming owner; bought by Sylvester Birdsell, M.D., November, 1851; moved to southwest corner of Fourth and Walnut Street; December, 1857; sold to his son, Rudolph W., November 26, 1868; resold to the doctor, June 25, 1869; bought by Maximillian West, April 9, 1871, who sold to Sam. W. Cochran, May 20, 1875; bought by Chas. W. Green, M.D., Oct. 3,1879, and sold to J.F. Stock, Aug, 1881.

Thomas S. Rowand, M.D., May, 1852, northwest corner of Fifth and Federal Streets; bought by Henry S. Hund, November 27, 1858; moved to southeast corner, opposite, November, 1860; sold to Albert P. Brown, August 4, 1862.

Joseph C. De Lacour, branch store, George House, manager, southwest corner of Fourth and Pine Streets, January, 1854, the latter becoming owner July 1,1856; died December 9, 1858; his clerk, Wm. Dickson, becoming owner October 1, 1859; bought by Maximillian West May 15, 1861; followed by Alexander Mecray, M.D., January, 1868; Clarence Schellinger; February 26, 1874; Conrad G. Hoell, M.D., May 1,1882; WIlliam W. Kaighn, September, 1885.

Joseph Busy, northeast corner Fourth and Chew Streets, summer of 1856; closed until June 8,1857, when it was bought by Augustus G. Laurent, who moved November 26,1859, to Chestnut Street, above Fourth, and soon quit the business.

Edmund Franciscus, southwest corner Third and Mickle Streets, from November, 1857, to February, 1858.

Thomas O. Goldsmith, M.D., corner West and Hamilton Streets, in spring of 1861; In May, 1865, hhs son Martin, to whom it belonged, moved it to the southwest corner of Second and Vine Streets.

Henry S. Hund, No. 316 Federal Street, September, 1863; sold to F. Scoffin, M.D., December, 1864; followed by James A. Armstrong, M.D., March 24, 1865; Lyndon M. Pratt, M.D., October 17, 1868, who moved to 334 Federal Street January 4, 1869, and discontinued October, 1883.

Joseph Riley, northeast corner Fourth and Mount Vernon Streets, October 16, 1865; died September 7, 1866; 29th of same month bought by Robert S. Taylor, M.D., and James N. Ridge, M.D. In July, 1869, Dr. Ridge left the firm and Dr. Taylor sold to his son, William G., January 1, 1873, who moved to 903 South Fourth Street; November 27, 1875, removed to Glassboro’; returned to Camden and reopened 11th of following December, at No. 905 South Fourth Street, next door to old location; died April 8, 1877; his father moved stock and fixtures to southeast corner Broadway and Line Streets, June 12, 1877; thence to southeast corner Sixth and Walnut Streets, March, 1881.

J.G. Lindgren, M.D., Henry S. Hund, agent, southwest corner Third and Line Streets, October 20, 1865; bought by Thomas B. Subers, May 17, 1866, who sold to E.C. Yarnell & Co., early in September, 1868; on the 23d of the same month bought by William F. Roche, followed by Dilwyn P. Pancoast, M.D., August 10, 1869, who moved to the southeast corner of Fifth and Roydon Streets, November 10, 1869; thence to northwest corner Fifth and Clinton, March 30, 1872.

Samuel and Frederick G. Thomas, northeast corner Fifth and Pine Streets, June 25, 1886, the latter becoming owner July 1, 1869.

Thomas K. Anrache, M.D., northeast corner Fourth and Liberty Streets, May 6, 1868; moved t9 east side of Broadway, above Flat Iron Tavern, March 25, 1869; died June 24, 1873.

John A. Mahon, M.D., southeast corner Fillmore and Vanhook Streets, April 1, 1867.; thence to southeast corner of Kaighns Point Avenue and Broadway, October, 1867; moved to No. 1134 Broadway, April 8, 1869, followed by Charles A. Baker, M.D., January, 1870; J. Riegel Haney, M.D., June 28, 1871, who moved to 445 Kaighns Point Avenue, May 8, 1873; thence to No. 451, three doors above, March 27, 1878.

James A. Armstrong M.D., No. 309 Market Street, December 7, 1868; sold to Uriah F. Richards, September 15, 1883.

Gustave A. Cullen and James It. Ridge, M.D., 313 West Street, below Stevens, October, 1869. The latter left the firm February 1, 1871; bought by Thomas F. Cullen, M.D., July 17, 1871, Thomas G. Rowand, M.D., being superintendent, becoming proprietor May 1, 1874, and moved to southeast corner Fifth and Benson Streets August 19, 1878.

Winfield S. Plank, No. 340 Kaighns Point Avenue, February 7, 1870, followed by Randal W. Morgan, M.D., October 11, 1872, who moved to corner of Newton and Kaighn Point Avenues, August 1879; sold to William W. Miller, August 1, 1883; bought by H. Dubois, February 11, 1885.

S.M. Henry, M.D., No. 305 Federal Street, June 4, 1870; sold out by sheriff the following 17th of September.

F. Frank Smith, northeast corner Third and Linden Streets, September 27, 1871; closed July 17, 1872; sold at public sale 13th of August following.

Emmor H. Lee, northeast corner Third and Linden Streets, September 1,1872; moved to southwest corner Fourth and Linden Streets, February 4, 1875; bought by mortgages, at public sale, December 16, 1877, and carried on by William C. Goodrich & Co., who sold to Stanley C. Muschamp, March 1, 1881.

Herman W. Miller, southwest corner Eighth and Mount Vernon Streets, February 10, 1873.

Mrs. Sarah A. Ridge and her son, Marshall M., being manager, No. 304 Mickle Street, December 22, 1873; bought by Dowling Benjamin, M.D., July 1, 1879, who resold to Mrs. Ridge.

William H. Ireland, M.D., his brother, H. Franklin, being manager, northeast corner Second and York Streets, April, 1874; sold to George D. Borton, October 20th, same year.

Samuel G. Bagge, southeast corner Broadway and Walnut Street, July 3, 1874; died May 28, 1880, and succeeded by his son, Edward G. Bagge.

Randal W. Morgan, M.D., branch store on Kaighn Avenue, below Second, No. 132, August 8, 1874; moved to No. 127, nearly opposite, August, 1876; bought by Warren S. Thompson, February 28, 1877, who moved to No. 211 Kaighn Avenue, January 12, 1882.

Henry H. Davis, M.D., No. 805 Kaighn Avenue, August 23, 1874; moved to northwest corner Third and Kaighn Avenue, September 23, 1875.

William A. Fries, M.D., No. 1134 Broadway, April 28, 1875; discontinued the following December.

Henry S. Hund & Son, Oscar B., at Schweinhagen’s Hall, Newton Avenue, below Broadway, August 12, 1875; discontinued February 25, 1876.

Winfield S. Plank, southeast corner Third and Washington Streets, November 10, 1875, followed by John F. West, March 17, 1877, and William A. Davis, M.D., January 11, 1877, and moved to northwest corner, opposite, March 18, 1880.

Jerome A. Eldridge, northwest corner Third and Birch Streets, March 17, 1876, followed by Thomas A. Hazzard, June 17th, same year, and Samuel C. Burland, M.D., October 14th following, and on October 5, 1877, it was discontinued.

Dillwyn P. Pancoast, M.D., branch store southwest corner Sixth and Roydon Streets, June 2, 1876; bought by John S. Whitwell, May 1, 1878; died May 1, 1882, and business carried on by his widow.

Winfield S. Plank, No. 421 Kaighn Avenue, July 18, 1876; moved to southwest corner Fifth and Cherry Streets, September 30th, same year, and returned to first location October 9th; moved again to northeast corner Broadway and Clinton Streets, February 19, 1877; sold to H. Allen Reed, M.D., 19th of June following, who moved stock and fixtures to the West, March 5,1878.

Richard F. Ireland, southeast corner Third and Chestnut Streets, February 10, 1877; moved to No. 224 Main Street, on 15th June following, thence to southwest corner Third and Vine Streets, April 5, 1878; sold to James A.A. Armstrong, M.D., June 12, 1879, who, resold to H.F. Ireland, June 19, 1880; bought by John F. Casner April 18, 1881; succeeded by J. Griffith Howard and Frederick Tifft, February 20, 1882, the latter retiring from the firm April 1, 1885, Mr. Howard afterward selling to Renfrew G. Landis, April 4, 1886.

Winfield S. Plank, No. 601 Walnut Street, June 2, 1877; moved October 27th following to northwest corner Sixth and Walnut Sts., sold to Henry B. Crane, April 18, 1878, who moved stock and fixtures to Elizabeth, N.J.

Maximillian West, M.D., No. 218 South Fifth Street, October 3, 1877; moved to Philadelphia August 12, 1878.

Samuel W. Caldwell, northeast corner Broadway and Clinton Street, Nay 1,1878; moved to Philadelphia, May 19, 1879.

Henry O. Cox, M.D., corner Central Avenue and Kossuth Street, May 23, 1879; died October 1, 1884; sold by the widow, October 16th following, to Elmer S. Westcott, M.D., followed by Henry B. Cox, March 19, 1885, and Charles W. Allbright, April 1, 1886.

Alonzo D. Nichols, northeast corner Third and Pine Streets, June 26, 1879; died August 8, 1882; bought by William J. Stoner, August 30th following; succeeded by J.K. Griffenberg, March 1, 1883, Dowling Benjamin, M.D., August, 1883, who moved to southeast corner Third and Becket Streets, November 17, 1884.

William H. Braddock, southeast corner Third and Elm Streets, April, 1880; moved to southeast corner Third and Birch Streets, January 20,1886.

William Shafer, M.D., northwest corner Fourth and Hamilton Streets, October 2, 1880.

George W. Henry, M.D., northwest corner Eighth and Walnut Streets, November 27, 1880.

N. Davis, southwest corner Broadway and Spruce Street, November 16,1882; moved to northwest corner, opposite, in 1885.

Henry C. Archibald, M.D., corner Broadway and Washington Street, August, 1883; sold to James H.F. Milton, M.D., June 13, 1884, who moved from Camden, February 9, 1885.

Edwin H. Smiley, M.D., southeast corner Third and Washington Streets, March, 1884.

Alexander G. Bennett, corner Haddon Avenue and Federal Street, November, 1884; bought by Levi B. Hirst, September 29, 1885.

Philip W. Beale, M.D., southeast corner Ninth and Federal Streets, December 8, 1884.

James B. Wood, northeast corner Third and Pine Streets, January 10, 1884; moved to 1126 Broadway, March 17, 1886.

J. Howard Griffith opened a branch store northwest corner Front and Penn Streets, September 5, 1885, taking charge in person after selling the store at Third and Vine Streets, April 5, 1886.

RICHARD W. TEST, the son of Joseph D. and Ann D. Test, was born in Greenwich, Cumberland County, N.J., on the 2d of January, 1812. During early life he engaged in labor on the farm, and at a later date, preferring a business career, became familiar, by a thorough preparatory course, with that of a druggist. He established himself in Philadelphia, and in May, 1848, removing to Camden, purchased the drug-store of Dr. John E. Presson, in October of the same year. From this store, which was located on the corner of Second Street and Bridge Avenue, he removed, in February, 1853, to Federal Street, below Second Street, and in October, 1867, took possession of the northwest corner of Second and Federal Streets, which stand his son, Alfred W., his successor, now occupies. Mr. Test was one of the earliest druggists in Camden, and enjoyed an enviable reputation as a business man. Aside from various building associations, in which he was both director and stockholder, he rarely engaged in enterprises apart from the management of his store. A Whig, and later a Republican, in politics, he was not a politician, and never sought or held office. His religious associations were with the Society of Friends. Mr. Test was twice married - first, to Mary W. Lippincott, and second to her sister, Elizabeth, daughters of Isaac and Sarah Lippincott. Of his thirteen children, six survive. Mr. Test died June 28, 1873.

WINFIELD S. PLANK, who was prominently identified with the drug business of Camden and otherwise connected with the history of the city, was born in 1848 in Chester County, Pa.; was educated in the schools of his neighborhood and the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated. In the year 1869 he married Ella, daughter of James and Margaret Duff; of Philadelphia, and removed to Camden. In February, 1870, he opened a drug store at No. 340 Kaighn Avenue and between that time and 1878 he established several different drug stores in the city, selling them when advantageous offers were made for the locations and business. He also purchased a piece of land at the southwest corner of Broadway and Ferry Avenue upon which he erected the store and dwelling-house now occupied by Dr. Donges, dividing the remaining portion into building lots, upon which permanent improvements have since been made. Having attained considerable local prominence, owing to the deep interest evinced in the material improvement of South Camden, Mr. Plank, in 1875, was elected upon the Republican ticket to represent the Eighth Ward in the City Council. After a residence of nearly ten years in the city of Camden, during which time he contributed greatly to the city’s growth, he removed to Philadelphia in 1879 and opened a drug store at the corner of Jasper and Huntington Streets, where he died August 23, 1880, leaving a wife and one child, Chester, surviving him.

OLD MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS. - One of the earliest military organizations of this vicinity was the Camden Blues. John Porter was captain of the company; Benjamin Shreve was first lieutenant. Captain John Porter was a popular man and was constable for many years. He lived in the old brick house on the north side of Arch Street above Second. He died in 1825, and Wm. Newton became captain of the "Blues," and was succeeded by Captain Samuel Fisher. Under Porter the company mustered a full hundred men, but after his death its numbers decreased, and about 1838 it disbanded. The uniform was blue jacket and pants, hats with white plumes tipped with red.

The Woodbury Blues, at one time commanded by the late Judge Philip J. Grey, wore a similar uniform, the plume, however, being red tipped with white. Richard W. Howell, Esq., was also captain of this company.

The Union Blues, called, the "Squankum" Blues, had their headquarters at Blackwood.

For seventeen years Camden was without any military company, when, November 28, 1855, the Camden Light Artillery was organized with a muster-roll of forty men. The following was the roster of officers: Captain Isaac W. Mickle; First Lieutenant, James W.H. Stickney; Second Lieutenant, Jesse E. Huston; Third Lieutenant, Joseph J. Bender; First Sergeant, Ephraim C. Ware; Second Sergeant, Richard H. Lee; Third Sergeant, John H. Cunningham; Fourth Sergeant, Samuel H. Carles; Quartermaster, James M. Cassady; First Corporal, Philip M. Armington; Second Corporal, William W. Sheed; Third Corporal, Remington Ackley; Fourth Corporal, James B. Shields.

The secretary was Wm. J. Miller and the treasurer Martin E. Harmstead. The armory was in the Starr building, on Bridge Avenue below Second Street. The Light Artillery was a "crack" company, their uniform being very showy, with "shakos" that gave them a formidable appearance. Captain Mickle had seen service in Mexico. Ephraim C. Ware succeeded in command of the company; when the Civil War broke out thirty out of the thirty-six entered the service under their old commander.

The Washington Grays were organized in 1857 through the efforts of Richard H. Lee, Samuel H. Carles, John R. Cunningham (of the artillery), John Y. Hoagland, Andrew Fenton and others. Their headquarters were in the Starr building. Theodore W. Baker was their first captain, followed by Wm. B. Hatch and E. Price Hunt, the latter commanding when the news from Fort Sumter and the call for troops reached them. Of the muster-roll of fifty, forty-six responded, and in two days Captain Hunt, with Lieutenants R.H. Lee, Theodore W. Zimmerman and Charles N. Pelouze, with over a hundred men, encamped at Trenton as Company F, Fourth Regiment.

The Stockton Cadets, Captain Edmund G. Jackson, and the Camden Zouaves, Captain John B. Cunningham, were both organized within a few months of the beginning of the war, but they were not behind the older companies in responding to their country’s call, and in less than a week these four companies were mustered in the Fourth Regiment - the Cadets as Company A, and the Zouaves as Company G.

At the expiration of the three months’ service all entered the Sixth Regiment for three years and their deeds fill pages of the records of the war.

THE CAMDEN CEMETERY was founded in 1836 by the "township of Camden," and governed by trustees elected annually at its town-meetings. When originally laid out it contained only three acres adjoining Newton (Friends,) Cemetery, between and near the junction of Mount Ephraim and Haddon Avenues. It was enlarged in 1864 and again in 1868, and a much greater addition made in 1876. The receiving vault is large and the chapel presents a neat and comfortable appearance. The two fronts have beautiful and substantial fences and gateways and the trees and shrubbery, as well as the avenues, show the great care and attention bestowed upon them. A portion of the ground is laid out into family burial-lots, and the remainder is for city purposes - that is, the burial of strangers and the poor. The city ground for the poor is separate and free of charges. There have been nine thousand four hundred and seventy-seven interments made in this cemetery.

The board of trustees for the year 1886 -87 are as follows: William C. Husted, president; Harris Graffen, treasurer; F.W. Armstrong, secretary; Executive Committee, James H. Armington, Christian Wentz, James Ayres; Auditors, R.W. Kerswell, John Blowe, J.P. Varney; Members, James H. Armington, Christian Wentz, James Ayres, Wllliam C. Husted, F.W. Armstrong, Harris Graffen, R.W. Kerswell, J.P. Varney, John Blowe; Superintendent of Cemetery, Nathan A. Carter.

EVERGREEN CEMETERY is situated on a gently-sloping knoll bordering on Mount Ephraim Avenue, and near Ferry Avenue, and on the main road from Camden to Haddonfield, and is beautifully laid out, with broad avenues, ornamental shrubbery and inclosed on all sides in a substantial manner. The vaults are ample and a beautiful Gothic chapel is located in the centre of the grounds and by the main drive. On the northeast, the grounds adjoin the Camden Cemetery and on the north extend to Spruce Street.

The company was incorporated on February 20, 1848, with Benjamin A. Hammell, William J. Hatch, Richard W. Howell, Joseph J. Hatch and Benjamin Browning as corporators. The charter limited them to the purchase of eighty-five acres of ground on the Mount Ephraim road, in Newton township, and thirty-two acres were purchased from the estate of Isaac Cooper. W.J. Hatch was the first president and held the position until his death, in 1856. He was succeeded by Charles Sloan and he by Cooper Browning, who died in 1875, when Thomas A. Wilson was elected president. Benjamin Browning was elected as secretary, a position he held until his death, in 1861. He was succeeded by Mrs. Catherine Hatch, who resigned in 1881; since that time William Stiles has been the secretary. B.A. Hammell was the first treasurer and continued as such until his death, in 1873. Mrs. Hatch was then made treasurer.

Thomas W. Shinn was sexton superintendent for twenty-one years. At his death, in 1876, Joseph Jennings, the present superintendent, was appointed to the position. The office of the company is at No. 414 Market Street.

THE HARLEIGH CEMETERY ASSOCIATION was formed April 28, 1885, and soon afterwards purchased of John B. Wood and Lydia C., his wife, the land on Haddon Avenue near the city line, on which its cemetery is laid out.

The name Harleigh was chosen because that was the name of the country-seat on the Schuylkill (now Laurel Hill Cemetery) of Isaac Cooper, who formerly owned this and most of the land on the east side of Haddon Avenue from Pine Street to the city line, and from whom it descended to Mrs. Wood and others. Harleigh is laid out on what is called the landscape lawn plan, - an entirely different one from that of any cemetery in or around either Camden or Philadelphia, - the newest part of West Laurel Hill more closely resembling it than any other. The idea is a series of lawns always kept in order by the association, with interlacing, drives and carefully grouped trees and shrubbery, giving it the appearance of a well-kept private park, rather than that of an old-fashioned burying-ground. For this purpose no fences or lot inclosures are allowed and no head or foot-stones over eight inches in height, although monuments are permitted. The present officers of the association are Howard M. Cooper, president; Benjamin C. Reeve, vice-president; Watson Depuy, treasurer; Harris Graffen, secretary; John B. Wood, manager; Ralph Moore, superintendent.

A TORNADO. - October 23, 1878, a tornado visited Camden and did much damage to property. It began to blow from the southeast about two o’clock in the morning and increased in violence until three o’clock, when it reached the climax, and it was during this hour that the principal damage was done. It affected all portions of the city alike, and from Newton Creek to Coopers Creek at daylight the streets were found to be blockaded with displaced roofs, debris from demolished walls and shattered and uprooted trees. Nearly two hundred houses were unroofed and many unfinished buildings were leveled.

The Second Baptist Church, the Union Methodist Episcopal Church and the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church were unroofed and a large stack at the Nickle works, on Coopers Creek, was blown down, crushing a house in its fall. Although the height was reached at three o’clock, the tornado swept with great force for several hours, and about six o’clock blew a train from the track of the Camden, Gloucester and Mount Ephraim Railroad as it was crossing the meadow below Atlantic Avenue, and injured Wm. Dorell, the superintendent, Conductor Wm. H. Fults and Charles Hallam, a passenger. Thos. A. Wilson, president of the Horse Railroad Company, was injured by a falling chimney, and a number of others received injuries, but not a life was lost. The peculiar action of the wind is shown by giving one out of many instances: The Union Methodist Episcopal Church, extending back to Newton Avenue, was unroofed, as were houses on Broadway, while a row of tall, frail frame houses between them did not lose a shingle.

There was not much rain, but the strong wind blew the water into Delaware Bay and up the river, causing the tides to rise to an unprecedented height. The water reached Locust Street on Kaighn Avenue and Front Street on Market, surrounding the West Jersey Hotel, so that boats were used to reach it, and the ferryboats ceased running because the people could not get to the slips. The river-bank below Kaighns Point was overflowed, flooding the meadow and so washing the Ferry road, Broadway and the West Jersey Railroad as to render them impassable, and passengers by the railroad were transferred at Gloucester City and brought hither in boats.

THE CYCLONE OF 1885. - On the afternoon of August 3, 1885, a cyclone struck the city, uprooting trees, damaging or demolishing over six hundred houses, involving a loss of nearly a million dollars, wounding a number of persons and causing the death of four. It had been raining heavily, the storm coming from the eastward, and, crossing the river, met a storm coming from the west, and the struggle of the two for mastery caused the unusual atmospheric disturbance. The opposing forces first came in contact in the southern section of Philadelphia, known as the "Neck," and uniting continued in a zigzag direction to the New Jersey side, and north through the eastern and northern portions of Camden, across the river to Richmond, its northern limits. It was not a tornado nor a whirlwind. Trees were not twisted off nor were they prostrated in one direction. On opposite sides of the street, tree-tops in some places were towards each other, in other cases were away from each other, while the wall of one house was pressed in, and the next one forced out, as if two mighty wrestling Titans were struggling for the mastery, with their feet scuffling on the ground, sometimes pressing stones into the earth, and then scattering them in all directions; so these two storm-clouds, coming from opposite directions and contending for the right-of-way, rose and fell and swayed to and fro, crushing or pushing aside what ever occupied the location of the conflict. The east-born storm had passed over, but the west-born storm was the stronger of the two, and forcing its antagonist back, made the fight in this city.

The total length of the battlefield did not exceed six miles, while its breadth ranged from one hundred to eight hundred feet. Beyond this scope all was peaceful. While the storm was playing havoc on Federal, at Second and Third, a car-load of passengers at Fifth and Federal did not know of the storm until told. Its duration was brief; almost momentary. The southern ends of the storms came in contact at 3.25 P.M., and the points of contact ran rapidly all along the line. Careful observers said the northern point of collision was reached in from one to two minutes. Like two heavy planks in contact at one end allowed to come together by the force of gravity, forcing out the air and other material between them, so the two storms came together in the "Neck," closed up rapidly along their length, squeezing the air from between their uneven edges, in all directions, and with uneven force and zigzag course.

The cyclone began in the "Neck," where there was nothing to harm, and moving east nearly, crossed the river to Gloucester City, in its way striking the after-part of the ferry-boat "Peerless," on her way from Gloucester Point to Philadelphia, carrying away the pilot-house and a team of horses, otherwise doing no damage. The course then led northwest to the Pennsylvania Salt-Works, which were partially demolished. Turning east of north, towards Camden, it recrossed the river, striking the Salem steamboat "Major Reybold," sweeping away her upper works, and with them several persons, including the pilot, named Townsend, who was the only one lost, although the upper part of the boat was a total wreck.

Crossing the river, it reached Kaighns Point, and, passing over the large machine and boiler shops of Dialogue’s ship-yard, fell upon the work-shop, a hundred feet away, and crushed it to the ground, leaving the debris where it fell. Rising, and moving north, the cyclone did no harm to ferry-house, mills and many dwellings, but passed on to the premises of the American Dredging Company, a half-mile away, except to drop a foot upon a large spar-shed, above Kaighn Avenue, and push it over, burying, without hurting, several men.

Reaching the dredging works composed of several buildings, it fell upon the machine-shop, which it leveled. Among those in the building, who, seeing the cyclone coming, ran out, were George Daisy, Harry Stevens and Benjamin Smith. The two former were found at a distance, the first dead, the second with a leg crushed off by a piece of timber. The last-named threw himself upon the ground, and rolled and tossed for some distance, but escaped with bruises.

John H. Dialogue, of the Delaware River Iron Ship-Building Works, at Kaighns Point, thus described the phenomena:
"I was in my office at 8.25 P.M., when my son called my attention to the barometer, which suddenly fell from 30 2/16 to 29. This portended mischief, and, looking towards the southwest, I saw and heard the storm passing over, the Pennsylvania Salt Works, tossing the buildings like chaff. Then it struck the steamer ‘Major Reybold,’ which was nearly abreast of my place, and portions of her upper works were whirled four hundred feet in the air. A loud roaring preceded the storm, which resembled a dense mass of rolling black smoke, traveling within ten feet of the water. It crossed the river, crushed one of my buildings, and, passing north, struck the machine-shop of the dredging company, crushing it and passing on. A singular phenomenon was noticed, not alone by me, but by all my men: a large ball of fire, fully ten feet in diameter, accompanied the storm-cloud. It moved with great rapidity, and exploded two hundred and fifty yards north of me, with a report so terrific as to shake the foundation of the building in which I stood. The sky to the east was unusually bright, with a rainbow appearance, and was one of the most remarkable sights I ever witnessed. The storm moved north, not straight, but in a zigzag course, not horizontal, but undulating, up and down, now sweeping the ground, and then passing over houses and tree-tops."

HOTELS. - The West Jersey Hotel was built by the West Jersey Ferry Company in 1849, and was leased to Israel English until 1866. James Bodine then became the proprietor and remained such for three years, or until 1869, and since that time it has been conducted by Mr. Kirbride, George Campbell, George Cake, James Titus and Captain John Mount. In 1883, it was leased to Stephen Parsons, the present proprietor. When built it was close by the bank of the river, the ferry slips being upon the opposite side of Delaware Avenue. At the slips nearest Market Street the steamboats "Billy Penn" (as then called) and "Southwark" made connections with Philadelphia by way of Callowhill Street wharf and at the adjoining slips the "Mariner" and "Merchant" steamers made regular trips, from Market Street, to Philadelphia. The main slip has been extended from the hotel into the river five hundred feet, and the wharves nine hundred feet.

STEPHEN PARSONS is descended from English ancestors, his grandfather, Stephen Parsons, a native of England, being the first member of the family to emigrate to America. The children of the latter are Stephen, William, Joseph, Thomas, Rebecca (Mrs. Reeves Metcalf) and Ellen (Mrs. James Anderson). Thomas, of this number, was born in 1797, in Reading, Pa., and spent his life principally in Burlington, Atlantic and Cumberland Counties, N.J., where he was for many years a manufacturer of iron. In politics he was first an Old-Line Whig, later a Republican, and filled the offices of lay judge of Atlantic County and justice of the peace. Mr. Parsons married a Miss Champion, of Gloucester (now Atlantic) County, N.J., whose children are Harriet (Mrs. Elmer Smith), Joseph and one who died in infancy. All are now deceased. He married, a second time, Hannah Taylor, of Burlington County, N.J., to whom were born children, -Stephen, Martha (Mrs. Jeremiah Zane), Elizabeth Ann (Mrs. Richard Vannaman), Ellen (Mrs. Godfrey Hancock), Mary (Mrs. Daniel Erdman), John T. (who was lost on the steamer "New Jersey," plying between Philadelphia and Camden), Thomas (deceased), Rebecca (Mrs. Eli Braddock), Arabella, James A., Sarah (Mrs. Benjamin T. Bright) and Henry C. (deceased). Stephen Parsons, the eldest of the children, was born on the 24th of June, 1821, in Burlington County, N.J., and removed in infancy to Cumberland County, where his early youth was chiefly spent. Later, becoming a resident of Gloucester County, he received his education at private schools, frequently being obliged to walk a long distance for that purpose. Mr. Parsons for many years assisted his father in lumbering and farming, but, desiring a wider and more independent field than was thus opened to him, he, in 1844, removed to Camden and embarked in the business of hotel-keeping with Richard C. Cake. Here he remained ten years, ultimately becoming sole proprietor of the house known as Parsons’ Hotel. This hotel was built in 1764, and was devoted to the uses of a public-house until 1882, when it was demolished. Mr. Parsons then sought another field, and became the popular landlord of the Fulton House, at Atlantic City. In 1884 he leased the West Jersey Hotel, Camden, which is at present under his successful management.

Mr. Parsons was, in 1848, married to Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel Steelman, of Atlantic County, who died in August, 1849. He was a second time married, October 81, 1863, to Mrs. Emma A. Rice, daughter of Sylvester Senseman, of Philadelphia. The larger part of Mr. Parsons’ life has been devoted to the duties of a landlord, though other interests have also engaged his attention. A Republican in politics, he has never participated in the strife for office, nor been the recipient of political honors. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and connected with Senatus Lodge, No. 76, of that order.

The South Ferry Hotel, located at the southeast corner of Kaighn Avenue and Front Street, has been known to the citizens of Camden as a hotel, and its gardens as a place of resort, for more than a century. Originally it was a farm-house, built by one of the Kaighn family; the exact date when it was converted into a hotel is unknown, but the names of the landlords are familiar to the old residents, and include Adon Wills, Ebenezer Toole, Captain George Bender, Hewlings Haines, Aaron Hillman, William Bryant, John Kinsell, Daniel W. Beckley, Abraham Smith, Sothron Norcross, ex-Sheriff Leeds, Daniel Wells, William Sands, Theodore Grug and the present proprietor, John Korn.

When first opened as a hotel it was close by the river-bank, and the ferry-boats, when started, had their slip just across the street. The hotel is now nearly two squares away from the Kaighns Point Ferry, the intervening ground having been filled in and built up to within a short distance of the ferry slip, it, however, still retains its name of South Ferry Hotel. A century ago it was a famous place of resort in the summer days for citizens of Philadelphia.

The Avenue Hotel, northeast corner of Fifth Street and Bridge Avenue, was opened in 1883 by the present proprietor, August C. Miller, who made additions and alterations to the original premises, making the entire area for hotel purposes thirty-six by eighty-five feet. The hotel has an excellent location on the line of the West Jersey Railroad and near the city buildings.

The Ferry Hotel, at the foot of Kaighn Avenue and near the Ferry House, was built in 1864 by Dorman & Stout, the contractors for the owner John E. Reese. Hugh Miller was the first proprietor and kept it until 1868, when it was leased to John Bamford, who has since conducted it.

The City Hotel, No. 112 Market Street, was built in 1864 for a large clothing house by a Mr. Holmes. In 1866 it was leased to the present proprietor, Lewis Herbst, who remodeled it and built a two-story brick addition at the rear, making the front twenty-five feet by one hundred feet deep.

GEORGE CAMPBELL was the son of John Campbell, a member of the Society of Friends and a native of Camden County, where he was born on the 12th of May, 1799, and died July 11, 1882. Mr. Campbell resided during his life-time in the county of his birth, where he was chiefly engaged in labor pertaining to the career of an agriculturist. He married Mary, daughter of George Horn, of the same county, who was born October 31, 1803, and died August 24, 1883. Their children are Mary Jane, Anna, George, John, Jr., and Charles, who died in youth. George, of this number, was born on his father’s farm on the 29th of December, 1838, and received his early education at the district school near his home, after which he pursued his studies in Camden. Leaving the farm at the age of eighteen, he removed to Camden and engaged in the coal business. A few years after he formed a copartnership with his brother John, and embarked in the livery business, to which was subsequently added extensive contracts for street-paving. Continuing thus employed until 1876, he in that year sold his interest to his brother, and later became landlord of the West Jersey Hotel, in Camden, which he managed successfully for three years. Mr. Campbell, in 1883, repurchased the livery business, and continued its management until his death. He was, on the 6th of July, 1865, married to Louisa, daughter of Samuel H. Warwick, of Camden. Their children are two sons, - Harry W., in his twenty-first year, and George Percy, aged fifteen. Mr. Campbell was in politics an active Republican, and, while a zealous worker for the success of his party, invariably declined all proffers of office. Endowed with keen perceptions and a mature judgment, his business ventures were usually successful, while his kindly nature and genial bearing won for him many friends. Mr. Campbell was an earnest supporter of the Union cause during the late war, and raised a company which only the most importunate entreaties on the part of his parents prevented his leading to the field. His means and influence were ever at the service of the government. The death of George Campbell occurred on the 5th of September, 1886.

JOHN CAMPBELL, JR., was born October 26, 1840, on his father’s farm in Newton township, which he now owns. He attended school near by his home until his parents removed to Camden, when he became a pupil in the school kept by a Mr. Wells, at Fourth and Market Streets. Afterward he had charge of his father’s farms for two years, and later was associated with his brother George in the coal business, and with his brother in the livery business, Market and Delaware Avenue. His brother becoming the proprietor of the West Jersey Hotel, Mr. Campbell continued the livery business alone, and also took contracts for paving streets. He was in the paving business about eight years. He sold his livery to his brother George, and since that time has been in the real estate business. He is a Republican politically, and has been a member of the Council since 1881, serving at this time his second term. He is chairman of the Committee of Highways and chairman of the Building Commission. He was married, October 16, 1870, to Elizabeth Mason Reade, daughter of John S. and Margaret Mason Reade, of Camden. He has two children, - John Reade and Mary Anna.

SOURCE: Page(s) 538-558, History of Camden County, New Jersey, by George R. Prowell, L.J. Richards & Co. 1886
Published 2010 by the Camden County Genealogy Project

"For iron pipe for posts	$72.00
Porterage	1.56
Captain Mickle’s bill for lumber.	159.97 1/2
James Gahan’s bill, work on market.	13.33 1/2
Achilles Betts’ bill, work on market.	2.25

1860-61	33
1861-62	75
1862-63	123
1863-64	113
1864-65	148
1865-66	91
1866-67	85
1867-68	229
1868-69 (October)	283
Total for ten years	1180

1881	483
1882	189
1883	263
1884	377
1885	372
1886 (to November 5th)	454
Total for six years	2138

Chapter VIII Miscellaneous Matters

Chapter VIII
Miscellaneous Matters