Ralph
F.
Bingemann Sr.

RALPH FREDERICK BINGEMANN SR. was born on September 3, 1896 in Stockton Township, which became a part of Camden in 1899. He was the fourth of seven children born to Mary and George J. Bingemann, born after Karl (Charles), Ernest, and Frederick. The family was living at 2513 Federal Street in East Camden when the Census was taken in 1900, where George Bingemann conducted a bakery. The younger three children, George, Laura, and Arthur, were born during the 1900s. The family and the bakery business was still at 2513 Federal Street when the Census was taken in 1910. Interestingly, then living at 2511 was the Kotlikoff family, who would be in the retail business on that block until 1982, and at 2509 Federal, the Liberman family, son Lewis Liberman would become a well known lawyer and judge in Camden after World War I.

When the Census was taken in 1920 the Bingemann family was still at 2513 Federal Street. Ralph Bingemann, however, was not living with his family when the Census was taken. He had moved out and was boarding at 2202 River Road. By the time the 1924 Camden City directory had been compiled, Ralph Bingemann had married. He and his wife Emma lived at 2731 Cleveland Avenue in Cramer Hill. Between the years 1924 and 1929 Ralph Bingemann operated a business called the East End Express out of the Cleveland Avenue address. Meanwhile, the three older Bingemann brothers became involved in a bus company with Joseph Gick, of Cramer Hill. Joseph Gick had been a Camden fire fighter, as was his brother Howard Gick. and father Robert Gick. Ralph Bingemann had lived a few doors away from Joseph Gick when the 1920 s was taken. 

Ralph Bingemann's business appears to have went under by 1929. Meanwhile daughter Laura, and a son, Ralph Jr., had arrived. April of 1930 found Ralph Bingemann Sr. working as a salesman for a laundry. 

Apparently his brother's business connections to the Gick family helped, as on Ralph F. Bingemann Sr. was appointed to the Camden Fire Department of December 22, 1930. He reported for duty on January 1, 1931 with Engine Company 9 at North 27th and Federal Streets in East Camden.. On June 15, 1933 he was transferred to Ladder Company 1, base at Fire Headquarters, North 5th Street and Arch Street. Ralph Bingemann Jr. was promoted to Captain on April 5, 1940 and assigned to Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue.

On October 12, 1942 Captain Bingemann was sent to Pennsylvania State University. This may have had something to do with the war effort. He returned to Camden On December 18, 1942 and was assigned to Ladder Company 3 in East Camden. On April 3, 1943 he was once again returned to Fire Headquarters, this time to Engine Company 2. Anther assignment came on on December 16, 1949, when Captain Bingemann was sent to Engine Company 11 on North 27th in Cramer Hill. This posting lasted only 6 days, for on December 22, 1949 he was once again transferred, to  Engine Company 8 at 619 Kaighn Avenue, where he finished his career. Captain Bingemann retired from the Camden Fire Department on June 1, 1956. He was replaced on the fire department by Theodore Primas, which in time would rise to Chief of Department.

Ralph Bingemann Sr. made his home in Cramer Hill at 2731 Cleveland Avenue as late as 1980. He passed away in March of of 1981. 

Camden Courier-Post - June 30, 1939

$100,00 FIRE SWEEPS STORE OF ANTRIM CO.
Several Firemen Hurt; Oil Plant and Homes Are Menaced

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