Camden People - Benjamin Braker

BENJAMIN BRAKER was a well known figure in South Jersey for over 50 years, until his passing in December 1905 as a journalist and politician. He was a close personal friend of George Lippard, founder of the Brotherhood of the Union, and of the famed poet, Walt Whitman. In the late 18890s and early 1890s he lived at 255 Kaighn Avenue, and engaged in real estate and other pursuits. Born in Bristol, England in 1826, he came to America in 1830.

During the Civil War, Benjamin Braker answered his nations call. He enlisted as a private in Company E, 20th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment on June 17, 1863 in Philadelphia. This unit was one of several raised in response to the Confederate advance into Pennsylvania, which culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2 through July 4, 1863. The unit mustered out on August 10th.

Benjamin Braker again enlisted as a private on July 14, 1864 in Company A, 1st Militia Infantry Regiment New Jersey in Camden. This unit was called to service as an emergency response to the Confederate offensive in Maryland. In the early part of July, 1864, the cities of Washington, D. C., and Baltimore, Md., were endangered by a threatened invasion of the enemy. A battle had been fought within a few miles of Baltimore and communication with Washington had been interrupted. In view of this emergency the governor of New Jersey issued a proclamation dated at Trenton, July 12, 1864, calling for the organization of the militia for 30-days' service in Pennsylvania, Maryland or the District of Columbia. Under the call this company reported for duty, was accepted, and mustered in at Camden N. J., July 14, 1864, for 30 days. It left the state on July 15 for Baltimore, Md., and on arrival reported to Major General Lew Wallace, commanding the Middle Department. It was stationed at the Relay house, below Baltimore, and was attached to the 1st Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps. Upon expiration of term of service it returned to New Jersey, and was mustered out at Camden, Aug. 15, 1864.

Active politically, Benjamin Braker was one of the founders of the Republican Party in New Jersey. He was elected Justice of the Peace in Camden and served continuously until his death. He was elected City Recorder four times between 1877 and 1889, and also served as a state Assemblyman in the 1880s.

Benjamin Braker passed away at his home, at 308 Sycamore Street, Camden on December 14, 1905, survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.

History of Camden County, New Jersey

BENJAMIN M. BRAKER was born October 24, 1826 in Bristol, England. His father, also named Benjamin Braker, was a minister in the Baptist church and came to America in 1830, settling in Lambertville NJ, subsequently moving to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1848. Benjamin M. Braker obtained his education in the district schools, but even in his youth and since he grew to manhood has been a diligent reader and has thus acquired a vast fund of information.

In 1861 he was engaged upon the Philadelphia Inquirer and Sunday Transcript and has since made journalism his principal avocation. He edited the Gloucester City Reporter from 1882 to 1885.

In 1850 he married Miss Mary M. Wright and settled in Camden, where he since remained, taking an active and influential part in public affairs. An advanced Liberal in politics, he was a delegate to and secretary of the State Free-Soil Convention held at Trenton in 1854. He was one of the promoters of and speakers at the formation of the first Republican Club organized in Camden, April 12, 1854, and in 1856 was one of the principal organizers of that party in West Jersey and is still one of its prominent speakers. In 1862 he was elected justice of the peace and has been re-elected four times since. In 1877 he was elected city recorder and reelected in 1880, 1883, and 1886. In 1884 he was elected to the New Jersey House of Assembly; was a leading member, taking part in debates, was on the committee on education, municipal corporations and chairman of the committee on printing and on labor and industries. In the preparation of the history of the cities of Camden and Gloucester, as embraced in this volume, Mr. Braker rendered valuable assistance..