Harry
McKee
Leigh

HARRY MCKEE LEIGH was born in Trenton, New Jersey on January 30, 1892 to Damon and Catherine Leigh. He was one of at least 5 children. When the Census was taken in 1900, the family, which had moved to 326 South 2nd Street in South Camden, included older brothers Edward, Benjamin and Charles, and a younger sister, Clara Leigh. Damon Leigh supported his family working as a brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad.

When the Census was taken in 1910, Harry Leigh, then 18, was living in Audubon, New Jersey at the home of produce merchant Aaron Hurff, on Berlin Avenue. Harry Leigh worked for Hurff as a gardener and all around hired man. Around this time he joined the New Jersey National Guard.

Harry McKee Leigh registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 in Camden. By this time he had served with with the New Jersey National Guard for seven years, and had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. He had already been called to active duty, and was staying at the Third Regiment Armory, where he worked in the stables. Harry Leigh had married by this time, and had been working as a driver for the Victor Talking Machine Company. By January of 1920 Harry M. Leigh had been discharged from the Army and had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He was living with his wife, the former Catherine Wagner, and her parents, John and Catherine Wagner, at 525 Grant Street in North Camden. Harry Leigh and his family were living at 825 Pearl Street by 1924. The family had moved to 856 Lois Avenue in Cramer Hill by 1927 and to 850 Lois Avenue by 1929. The Harry and Catherine Leigh and Mrs. Leigh's parents were still at that address in April of 1930. Fire Department records from 1931 indicate that he had moved across the street to 855 Lois Avenue. Sadly, Catherine Leigh died on May 29, 1934 at the age of 40. She was buried at Arlington Cemetery on Cove Road in Pennsauken.

Harry M. Leigh was serving with Engine Company 9 in East Camden in 1936. When he registered for the draft in the spring of 1942, Harry M. Leigh was living at 29 North 26th Street in East Camden. He had remarried and had retired from the Fire Department by this time. By the time the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, Harry and Myrtle Leigh had left the city, and were residing at 224 Maple Terrace in Merchantville. He is not listed in the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directories or any thereafter, nor is Myrtle Leigh.

World War I Draft Card

HOW FLAMES GUTTED BIG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING

Camden Courier-Post
October 13, 1936

Albert Dukes Sr.
Harry McKee Leigh
Mrs. Elizabeth Savitz
Engine Company 9
West Jersey Hospital
River Avenue
North 26th Street
Westfield Avenue

World War II Draft Card