Otto E. Braun

OTTO E. BRAUN was born around 1891 to Mr. and Mrs. Francis X. Braun. Francis X. Braun was born in Germany in 1865. He was a tailor, and had lived and worked at 562 Auburn Street in Camden according to the 1889-1889 city directory. In the 1990-1891 directory, Francis X. Braun had his tailor shop at 124 Market Street, and his residence at 647 South 3rd Street. His customers were largely executives from the Victor Talking Machine Company, Esterbrook Pen, Campbell Soup, J.B. Van Sciver, and other area businesses. Besides Otto, their was a brother, William, and two sisters, Beatrice and Justine "Tine" Braun. Frank Braun passed away in 1912.

Otto Braun wed around 1915. At the time of the 1920 census he was living with wife Emma at 317 Pearl Street in North Camden, and working as a timekeeper in a factory.  By April of 1930 he had taken a position as a cashier in the city tax office, and the Braun family had purchased a home at 440 Grant Street in North Camden.

Otto E. Braun was a member of Mozart Lodge No. 121, Free and Accepted Masons. He was elected to a one-year term as the lodge's Master in 1926. His father had served in that position in 1900.

A staunch Republican, Otto Braun served under Mayor Frederick von Nieda as City Clerk for Camden from April 1935 to November of 1936. He succeeded Frank S. Albright, who died in office. Otto Braun then returned to his post in the tax office, where he worked alongside former Camden pro basketball star Eddie Ferat. He was a member of the Pyne Point Athletic Association from the time he moved to North Camden until his death. During that  35 year period he was president of the organization twice. He was succeeded in that post in October of 1936 by William B. Sullender. Otto Braun was also active in other civic and fraternal groups. 

Otto Braun suffered a fatal stroke shortly after giving a speech at Camden's Masonic Temple at 4th and Arch Streets. He passed away on February 17, 1950 ar Cooper Hospital.  

Below:
Otto Braun

circa 1915

CITY TAX DEADLINE MAY DE EXTENDED
Collector's Office Swamped by Payments-Bennett Asks More Help

Because of the unprecedented rush to pay first-half taxes for 1933, Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and finance, may extend the deadline from 9 p. m. to­night to 9 p. m. June 7 without penalty.

The director, who has asked for more help, said it was the greatest tax rush in the history of Camden. The line of taxpayers yesterday extended past the public health offices, almost a full city block. A large volume of receipts also is coming in by mail, he said.

The commissioner said he was unable to issue figures showing total receipts to date, but said about $119,000 was paid in Saturday, half of which was in scrip.

Five cashiers' windows are open.

Three always have been sufficient to accommodate last-minute, payments in previous years.

Bennett said he attributed the unprecedented rush to the fact that bills were late in being sent out, that persons wish to cash in on scrip and because citizens have been impressed by the "educational campaign" conducted by the city, impressing the importance of prompt tax payments.

A. Benjamin Sparks, former receiver of taxes; Otto E. Braun, formerly employed in the tax office, but now with the emergency relief, and men from the controller's and assessor's offices have been pressed into service. Bennett has asked for more from other department heads. . 

PYNE POYNT PLANS ALL-DAY 4TH PARTY
Program to Have 'Something' on Continuously, Day and Night

Plans for the thirty-third anniversary of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association to be observed with an all ­day program at Pyne Poynt Park July 4 were discussed last night at a meeting in the Pyne Poynt Social Club, 929 North Fifth Street.

Among the features tentatively planned are a children's parade at 9.30 a. m., under the supervision of Isaac Kyler; memorial service at 11 a. m., under direction of William B. Sullender; sporting events for men, women and children to start at 1.30 p. m., under direction of Alfred J. Ross, Jr.; outdoor motion pictures starting at 9 p. m., under supervision of Robert J. Nelson and a dance in charge of Samuel G. Dickinson, Jr., starting 11t 10.30 p. m.

Committee chairmen chosen by Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., president, are: Grounds, Foster Willis; program, Otto E. Braun; police, Clifford Flennard; dancing, Samuel G. Dickinson, Jr.; first aid, Dr. Joseph E. Nowrey and William Hughes; transportation, Samuel J. Edwards; public speakers, William B. Sullender; motion pictures, Robert J. Nelson; decorations, Walter A. Reyno; sports, Alfred J. Ross, Jr.; ways and means, Frank J. Hartmann, Jr.; publicity, Walter S. Agin; parade marshal, Isaac Kyler; refreshments, George Washington Ash; light, William Hilton, and music, Frank Kelley.

Children of the Sheltering Arms Home, Home for Friendless Children and the Detention Home will be guests of the association during the day. Samuel J. Edwards will be in charge of their entertainment.

The association will meet again next Thursday night. 

10TH WARD ASSOCIATION FETES BRAUN TONIGHT

The Tenth Ward Republican Association will give an entertainment tonight at Engle’s Hall, Sixth and Elm streets, in honor of Otto E. Braun, recent Republican county committee candidate. A committee includes Samuel G. Dickinson, Jr., Charles Mattson, Joseph Moore, Eugene Thierdon and Thorn Tuttle.

MOZART MASON LODGE PICNICS AT PINE HILL

The Past Masters' Circle of Mozart Lodge of Masons held its annual outing yesterday at Pioneer's Grove, Pine Hill. 

The circle has been in existence 40 years. A banquet was served in the grove. Sports were a feature. Max Reihman, Jr., and Ferdinand Braun were quoits champions. 

The committee: included: Arthur A. I Holler, Otto E. Braun, Herman E. Hensgen and Reihman. Officers are: Charles Engel, president; Henry Hess, vice president; William Indicher, secretary, and William Sangtinette, treasurer. 

In attendance were: Mr. and Mrs. George Bachman, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Korthage, Mr. and, Mrs. William Bartelt, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Bartelt, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Indicher, Mr. and Mrs. Holler, Mr. and Mrs. Reihman, Mr. and Mrs. Otto E. Braun, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Braun, Rose Braun, Mrs. Frank X. Braun, Sarah Whitaker, Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Rugart, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haub, Mr. and Mrs. Hensgen, Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Braun, 
Mr. and Mrs. Sangtinette, Mr. and Mrs. Hess and Mr. and Mrs. Engel, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Michelfelder.