Camden People - Russell J. Anderson

RUSSELL J. ANDERSON was born in Camden, New Jersey on October 21, 1897 to Lizzie and George W. Anderson. His father was a Camden police officer. By the time the census was taken in 1900 his wife Lizzie had bore eight children, four of whom were living at the time, Harry, Nellie, Herbert, and Russell Anderson, another son, Albert, was born around 1902. George W. Anderson was already serving as a member of the Camden Police Department, having joined the force sometime after 1890. The Anderson family was then living at 711 Carman Street, in what was then Camden's 9th Ward. The Andersons had moved to 605 Carman Street by 1906, and remained at that address through the summer of 1910.

By 1914 the Andersons had moved to 582 Clinton Street, where they would remain through 1920. This home had been the residence in the 1880s and 1890s of Camden educators Professor Horatio Draper and his daughter Agnes Draper. George W. Anderson had been promoted to Sergeant by 1916, and was still on the Camden police force in January of 1920. Russell Anderson was still single and living with his parents and brother Albert at 582 Clinton Street when the Census was taken on January 12. Russell Anderson married Estelle B. Cummings shortly afterwards.

In 1921 George W. Anderson took ill. He was operated on in Philadelphia, surviving only due to the availability of blood donated by his brother officers. He took ill again in January of 1922. George W. Anderson and Lizzie Anderson do not appear in the 1924 City Directory or the 1930 Census. It is likely that they had passed on by then. Son Herbert Anderson joined the Camden Police Department in the early 1920s and rose to the rank of lieutenant before passing away in November of 1939.

The 1924 and 1927 City Directories show Russell J. and Estelle B. Anderson at 2302 Federal Street. The couple may have separated briefly, as the 1920 Directory shows Russell Anderson at 576 Mickle Street and his wife at 14 North 24th Street in East Camden. By April of 1930 whatever situation that may have existed had been resolved. The 1930 Census shows Russell Anderson, his wife Estelle and their three year-old daughter Virginia living at 14 North 24th Street, which was the home of Estelle's mother, Margaret Cummings. Estelle Anderson in the late 1920s and early 1930s owned and operated a beauty parlor at that location, the Estella Beauty Shop.

After working for many years as a ticket clerk for the Pennsylvania railroad, Russell J. Anderson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 22, 1930. He reported for duty on January 1, 1931 at Ladder Company 1 at Fire Headquarters, North 5th and Arch Streets, where he served until October 31, 1950, when he was assigned to the Electrical Bureau.

The 1947 Camden City Directory shows Russell J. and Estelle Anderson living in an apartment at 421 Penn Street. They later moved to 314 Elm Street in North Camden.

Russell J. Anderson served with the Camden Fire Department for over 27 years, from December of 1930 until his death in June of 1958. He was replaced on the Fire Department by Edward Morgenweck.

Camden Courier-Post - February 9, 1933

COPS AND FIREMEN WILL ELECT TODAY
Herbert Bott Is Unopposed for Presidency of Camden Association

The Camden Police and Firemen's Association will hold election of officers today at its headquarters, 1175 Whitman Avenue, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Herbert Bott is unopposed for re-election as president. William Thorn is unopposed to replace Richard Middleton for financial secretary and Walter Vecander is unopposed for the new post of assistant financial secretary. All these are police officers.

The police trustees will be named from the following nine candidates: William Marter, George Ward, William Britner, Joseph Shreeve, William Schriber, Joseph Mardino, Joseph Dunnett, Leon Feltz and Russell Young. Two police sergeant-at-arms will be chosen from among Stanley Wirtz, Harry Cattell, Joseph Schultz and George Clayton.

Three candidates are seeking the post of vice president, which goes to a fireman. They are William Spencer, Charles Edwards and Albert Dukes. Warren Rich, a fireman, is slated to succeed himself as recording secretary and Winfield Leviseur is unopposed for the new post of assistant recording secretary, which goes to a fireman.

Four fireman trustees will be chosen from ten candidates. They are Charles Cook, Henry Bungartler, Walter Eastlack, Arthur Batten, William Gerner, William Toy, Lawrence Newton, James Young, Russell Anderson and William Taylor. Three firemen are seeking two posts as sergeants-at-arms. They are William Judge, John Mulligan and Furhman Price.

Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1933

BOTT CHOSEN HEAD OF POLICEMEN, FIREMEN
Spencer Wins 3-Corner Fight for Vice-President of Association

Lauded by the members for his splendid work in behalf of the club, Herbert Bott, a patrolman attached to the Third Police District, last night was re-elected president of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association.

The praise was heaped upon the patrolman following announcement that he had received 107 of 110 votes cast in yesterday's balloting. He was unopposed for reelection.

In a three-cornered fight, William I. Spencer, a fireman, was elected vice president of the association. He received 73 votes. His opponents were Charles Edwards, given 12 votes, and Albert Dukes, 18 votes. Both are firemen.

Others unopposed for office were: William Thorn, financial secretary; Walter Vecander, assistant financial secretary; Warren Rich, recording secretary, and Winfield Leviseur, assistant recording secretary. The last two are firemen while the first two are policemen.

Lieutenant George Ward, Patrolman William Marter, and Firemen William Taylor, William Getner, James Young and Lawrence Newton were elected to the board of trustees.

Sergeants-at-arms named were Stanley Wirtz and George Clayton, police, and William Judge and John Mulligan, firemen. All had opposition.

After the ballots had been counted William H. Iszard, former assemblyman, appeared on behalf of the Elks Crippled Kiddies Committee, and asked police to support the wrestling show to be staged by that group February 13..

Camden Fire Department Personnel Record

Click on Image to Enlarge