Camden People - Dan McConnell

DAN McCONNELL was a reporter and columnist in Camden from prior to World War I through at least the 1950s, writing for the Camden Courier-Post from its 1920s inception, when the paper published two editions, the Evening Courier and the Morning Post. His column was known as Dan McConnell's Scrapbook.

Daniel P. "Dan" McConnell was born in Philadelphia PA on April 17, 1893, the oldest child of Daniel D. and Teresa C. McConnell. The elder McConnell, who does not appear in the 1893-1894 Camden City Directory, brought his family to Camden, and by

the time the 1897 Camden City Directory was published, the McConnells were living at 211 Milton Street in the Poet's Row section of North Camden. He worked a variety of jobs, the 1897 directory lists him as a printer, the 1898 directory as a "bag cutter".

The 1901 Camden City Directory shows that Daniel D. McConnell had moved his family to 125 Main Street, also in North Camden, where he operated a restaurant specializing in oysters, which were plentiful in Delaware Bay in those times.

It is highly possible that Daniel D. McConnell is one and the same as the top-rated South Jersey boxer of that name, who was managed and promoted by Camden businessman Oscar Adams Eastlack. Dan McConnell the boxer is known to have had at least 25 professional fights in Philadelphia, Camden, Baltimore, and elsewhere in the 1890s and early 1900s. Local Newspaper reports from 1909 mention a Dan McConnell as being a formerly top rated South Jersey lightweight boxer who was training for a comeback. Daniel D. McConnell would have been in his mid to late 30s, which makes this a possibility.

Daniel P. McConnell, the subject of this sketch, left school during the fourth grade. He found work two doors away, in Tom Homan's cobbler's shop, where he was encouraged read extensively, and more or less educated himself through his own efforts. Homan was also a gifted musician who played tuba with the Lu Lu Temple Band, appearing in many parades over the years. Young Dan McConnell soon asked Mr. Homan to teach him to play the cornet.

In January of 1938, Tom Homan was interviewed by Courier-Post columnist Gordon Mackay, who wrote:

He [Homan] confessed one musical crime to me, which he said he wouldn't mind seeing in print if the victim didn't object. as the latter concurred in the idea, let it be stated that Tom committed the major felony of trying to teach Dan McConnell of the Courier-Post staff to play the cornet

"Dan was a nice young fellow," said Tom. "He worked for me when he was only about 10. He wanted to play the cornet, so I taught him. There was a woman upstairs who complained about Dan's music. Dan finally had to sneak away and practice in one of the freight cars that stood on the railroad siding here."

"I guess when you tell Dan how rotten he was as a cornetist, he'll probably tell you about the time I built a boat to sail on the Delaware- everybody owned a boat to sail on the river in those days. When I built her out in the yard she was so big I couldn't get her out. I had to use a derrick."

"But you tell Dan that as a cornetist he was a good shoe salesman and let it go at that.".

As a youth Dan McConnell became a charter member of the Aquinas Club, a social club that many young Catholic men from North Camden belonged to in the years prior to World War I. The club was active until about 1915.

Daniel P. McConnell first appear in Camden City Directories in 1911, residing at 125 Main Street, with his parents, and working as a newspaper reporter. His early years in journalism were with the Camden Post-Telegram. Interested in sports he served as an officer of the Camden City Basket Ball League during the 1912-1913 season. The president of the league at that time was Camden political activist Jack Weinberg.

Daniel D. McConnell appears in Camden City Directories at 125 Main Street as late as 1913, but not in the 1914 Directory. It's safe to assume that he passed away in 1913, leaving his son Dan McConnell to fend for his widowed mother and siblings. Remaining in North Camden, the family lived at 215 Grant Street until 1915, when they moved to 428 Bailey Street. Both Dan McConnell and his brother Henry F. "Harry" McConnell gave this address when they registered for the draft in June of 1917 and September of 1918, respectively. Dan was writing for the Camden Post-Telegram while Henry was working as projectionist at the movie theater located at 203 Vine Street, next to Daly's Cafe. Owner, John "Pop" Daly would later acquire the theater. In 1919 the McConnell family moved once again, to 432 Penn Street. D

The January 1920 census shows Dan McConnell living in a rented house at 432 Penn Street in Camden, listing his occupation for the Census as a reporter for the Camden Post-Telegram, a daily newspaper. He also had worked in these years as a press agent for the Keith vaudeville circuit. The family included at the time his widowed mother Teresa, his sister Bertha, and his brother Henry Francis "Harry" McConnell. Dan McConnell married Alice Irene Deegan of the Chelsea section of Atlantic City shortly thereafter. Mae McConnell had married a man named Lodge and moved to Philadelphia. Bertha McConnell would also move to Philadelphia, as the bride of Frank W. Wolken.

Dan McConnell's years of hard work paid off. In 1921 he bought a home in the relatively new Parkside section of Camden, at 1125 Kenwood Avenue. His mother and brother lived with him briefly, as they are listed in the 1922 City Directories as living on Kenwood Avenue, but they had returned to North Camden by the time the 1923 Directory was being compiled. By the mid-1920s he had served on the news desk and as sports editor. A staunch Republican, after the 1927 elections in Camden he was given the position of the Deputy Commissioner (or Assistant Director, the title changed at some point) of Parks and Playgrounds, where he served under Clay W. Reesman. Also during the 1920s he briefly worked in Newark, but retuned to Camden, having never given up his residence on Kenwood Avenue.

Dan McConnell also spent some time as a radio announcer in the mid-1920s and early 1930s, broadcasting, among other things, boxing matches on WCAM. He left the air to concentrate on other pursuits in 1929. When the Camden City Directory for 1931 was compiled, Dan McConnell was still a part of Camden's city government, his job title now being that of Assistant Director of Publicity. He returned to radio, hosting a 15 minute program on Camden's WCAM, which at that time broadcasted at 1290 kHz, at 8:30 PM weeknights in the spring of 1932.

During these years Dan and Alice McConnell were blessed with two children, Elizabeth "Betty" Ann, born in Camden at Cooper Hospital on October 10, 1925, and Daniel J. McConnell around 1929 or so. The McConnell's remained in Camden's Parkside section through at least 1931. His brother Henry and his mother still lived in Camden as late as 1931. They moved to Philadelphia. On March 31, 1942 Henry McConnell died at the age of 42, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ. Mrs. Teresa McConnell passed away in December of 1950, at the age of 83.

By 1936 Dan and Alice McConnell had moved to 404 Grove Street in Haddonfield NJ. Dan McConnell was a featured reporter and columnist with the Camden Courier-Post in these years. His weekly column, "Dan McConnell's Scrapbook", was running weekly in 1938 and 1939. In June of 1939 Dan McConnell attended a reunion of his old Aquinas Club friends at Tom Kenney's restaurant at 531 Market Street, opposite City Hall.

Alice McConnell's nephew, Private George C. Sherman, who had been serving with the Army in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked in December 1941, was lost during the war. Son Daniel J. McConnell graduated from Fordham University in 1947 and received a Masters Degree in 1951 from the University of Pennsylvania. He married Jeanette Confer in 1952. After serving in Korea as an Army officer, he would go on to teach at the college level, at Glassboro State College in New Jersey, and later at Alliance College in Pennsylvania.

Dan McConnell passed away on September 6, 1956, at the age of 63, after a long struggle with cancer of the mouth. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in what was then Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ two days later. Dan McConnell was survived by his wife, children, and a grand-daughter, Bonnie, born to Betty Ann McConnell Hague, who was living in Teaneck NJ at the time. He was also survived by his sister, Mrs. Bertha Wolken, of Philadelphia. Wife Alice and son Daniel J. McConnell were living at the home at 404 Grove Street. They remained at that address through at least 1959, according to the New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory.

The 1970 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory for Camden County lists a Daniel P. McConnell at the Cherry Hill Apartments, on Route 38 opposite the Cherry Hill Mall; and a D.J. McConnell in Haddon Heights. It is unclear at the time of this writing what the relationship of these listings are, if any, to the Daniel P. McConnell family. Daughter Betty Ann passed away, far too young, on September 11, 1975. Alice McConnell died on December 25, 1976 in Cape May NJ. Two grandchildren survive him, Betty Ann's children, Bonnie and Stephen Hague. Mrs. Bertha McConnell Wolken passed in January of 1977.

Although Daniel McConnell had made his residence in Haddonfield, he was very much a product of Camden, his work was in Camden, as was his civic and fraternal activities. He was a member of a social club called the Camden Chiselers, that included many Camden political, legal, and business personalities of his generation. He also was an active member of the Lions Club of Camden. Dan McConnell was an interesting writer, with an extensive knowledge of events and people in Camden in the first few decades of the 20th century.

Below are presented a few of his columns and articles, and a the transcription of a letter that his daughter Elizabeth "Betty" Ann wrote about him in 1965.

Dan McConnell's Courier-Post Columns and Articles
January 5, 1938	H. Bart McHugh, Camden Mummers, The Dooley Family vaudeville act from Camden, Radio announcer "Dream Daddy" Harry Erhart
January 11, 1938	Check Forgers, Judge Frank Neutze, Mayor Charles H. Ellis, Phillies manager Charlie Dooin, Frank S. Albright, Firmin Michel, Mrs. Margaret Palese
January 11, 1938	Dr. W. Carlton Harris, Stanley Ciechanowski, Stanley Jaskolski, Walter Budniak, Polish American Citizens Club
January 12, 1938	Camden PTA Dress Contest, Mrs. Margaret Palese
January 22, 1938	Ban on Card Parties, Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd, Police Chief Arthur Colsey, Mrs. Margaret Palese
January 24, 1938	Oscar A. Eastlack, V. Claude Palmer, Samuel M. Shay, William W. Logan, J.R. Tucker, Newton Roney, Rev. R.E. Bristell, John Cromie, T.L. Bear, Harry Taylor, Bert Poland
January 29, 1938	The First Car in Camden, Oscar A. Eastlack, George Holl, George Kruck, Abe Fuhrman, George Horneff, Dr. Isaac M. Hugg, Dr. Harry Jarrett
February 1, 1938	Oscar A. Eastlack, Sig Schoenagle, Dr. Oscar N. Hinski, Henry Kobus, Joseph Kobus, Sam Herman, Frank J. Hartmann Jr.
February 8, 1938	Bill Wilson, Dan & Gertie Grimes,
February 15, 1938	Catholic Lyceum, John S. "Rye Beach" Smith, Dr. Oscar N. Hinski, Frank J. Hartmann Jr., Oscar A. Eastlack, Gustave Schwoeri Sr., Meyers Baker, John Curtis, Martin O'Brien
February 22, 1938	Melbourne F. Middleton Jr., Benjamin R. Denny, Fithian Simmons, General William Joyce Sewell, Charles M. Abrahamson, Walt Whitman, Charles Leo McKeone
June 2, 1939	Dr. H. Genet Taylor, Henry Magin, Dr. David S. Rhone, E. George Aaron, Walt Whitman, William Joyce Sewell, Clay Reesman, Dr. Alexander Macalister, Gordon Mackay, Dr. Othniel Hart Taylor
June 7, 1939	The Camden Courthouse of 1904, the Temple Theater, Ralph W.E. Donges, Charles W. Austermuhl, David Baird Sr., David Baird Jr., Robert Schroeder Sr., William H. Pratt, Chief Jimmy Long, Bob Turner's Oyster House
June 30, 1939	Bill Logan
October 2, 1939	Henry W. Aitken, James O'Neill, Vaudeville, Tommy Gramigna
October 6, 1939	Delaware Shad, Faye Templeton, Bill Logan, wrestling at Convention Hall, Thomas Daley, E. George Aaron, Dr. Ethan Lang, James E. Hewitt, David Rankins, Ed Jeffries, Ed Myers, Rev. Stacy Myers,
October 10, 1939	Conrad Hoer, Harry Leonard, Emma Hyland, North Camden, Temple Theatre,
October 13, 1939	Temple Theatre, Chester De Vonde, Francis X. Bushman, E. George Aaron, Ferries, Camden Republican Club, Cooper Street, David Baird Sr., Siddons Brothers.
October 17, 1939	Neil Deighan, John W. Wescott, Frank Sheridan, Byron Cobb, Ray Dooley, Mike Jubanyik, Ethan P. Wescott,
October 20, 1939	E. George Aaron, Early Automobiles, Boxers
October 24, 1939	Firmin Michel, Tom Kenney, Neil Deighan
October 27, 1939	Dr. Carroll H. Francis, Chester De Vonde, Francis X. Bushman,
October 31, 1939	Hurley store, Harry Moran, Berkley Street, Temple Theatre
November 3, 1939	Hurley store, Harry Moran, Temple Theatre, Eggie Lennox, Ralph Bakley, Dave "Kidder" Bourquin, Camden Wheelmen, William "Kid" Gleason, Towers Theater, Wolcott J. Patterson
November 7, 1939	Irving Buckle, Lou Schaub, Herbert Anderson, Howard Truax, William B. Wells, Joe Wells, Nate Pettit, Martin Schreiber, Baseball, Trolleys, Arch street
November 10, 1939	Lewis A. Lee, Frank J. Hartmann Jr., Victor Talking Machine Company, Elks, Cooper Street, Frank J. Sheridan
November 21, 1939	Admiral Henry B. Wilson, Samuel Laning, Richard W. Howell, Cooper Street
November 24, 1939	Towers Theatre, Don Traveline, Clay Reesman, Frank Sheridan, Kaighn Avenue, Broadway, Walt Whitman House, Vaudeville, Ed Sackett, 3rd and Market Streets
November 28, 1939	Thomas Daley, Levi Farnham, Clay Reesman, Berkley Street, Point Street, Erie Street, Benjamin Cooper, David Baird Sr., Petty's Island, Howard M. Cooper, Mathis Yacht Co.,
September 9, 1948	Ann Pennington, Gloria Swanson

Betty Ann writes about her father, Dan McConnell - August 1965

POP

My father was a small man....bent...limping....thin....so thin....with eyes and hair that bespoke a Spanish unknown in an Irish background. he spoke seldom but when he did you listened because he was a story teller... ... a deeply locked mind stored away little things and when they broke through they ran out in language, vocabulary, and written word that claimed education. My father never finished fourth grade, yet his life limited in years and scope edged on greatness. He spoke over early radio as a sports announcer, whistling between bouts to entertain the fans... I remember being brought downstairs to listen to Daddy over the radio. He wrote as a true newspaperman notes on an napkin, matchbook, envelope, etcetera. He never had a decent pencil or paper on him, but up from grimy pockets, with tobacco and bits of paper, came the slips of paper... tiny pencil and he scribbled. That scribbling produced stories and columns read by thousands. These words were never rewritten or corrected by anyone. His vocabulary was very strong, precise; his spelling outstanding, his writing style picturesque, romantic, ala Jim Bshop.

His wants, dreams, and desires were locked away for lack of money, education, and a demanding family from the time he was a boy, the working child. The shoemaker he worked for encouraged him to read, thus Charles Dickens was his real education. He always did his best in an untidy, quiet, loving way. At home a retiring, reading ,an... thin hands never still, he rolled bits of paper, pulled his left ear, typed two-finger columns, cooked a good meal, hunched by a radio a if it might try to run away. He moved quietly; limping in and out to check traffic, his tomato plants, always looking, observing; never doing--- he could only write, read, and speak when he wanted to.

He loved much, animals- cats and dogs would sit beside him in deep comfort then sleep, covered by good sweater or blankets on clean beds he put them on. He adored movies, entertainers, and vaudeville, all of "show biz". What a joy to see a movie or listen to a program with him. He always remembered when... he had known the greats, having been a press agent for the Keith Circuit during vaudeville days. We didn't have TV, we had Pop to fill in for us.

My memories are of Saturday afternoons and movies with Pop. How he hurried, plunging ahead on crooked legs into the darkened theater, and settling down as if to stay forever. Maybe we saw some terrible movies together, I don't know... they were always classics to me.

I remember for years there would be a knock on my bedroom door late in the evening and Pop would slip in a small bag of penny candy, each piece different. Even when I was out on my own, that bag of candy would appear as did an extra dollar on Sunday before he went to work.

Everyone knew him, walking on a city street with him, every other person would say "Hello Dan". He'd hurry on as if to catch a train, a quick hello thrown out to the unseen, There were always passes to circuses, National Conventions, movies, racetracks... he never used them.

He hated holidays- he worked them, nights usually... Fast drivers, we had no car.... Clothes- he looked like rocks were carried in all his pockets.... Drunks- he was a heavy drinker himself....Guests- he's miss his paper or radio programs... Visiting same reason- he'd disappear quite well.

He loved me. I know he did. I could tell- his hands on my head, his tears when I cried, he never criticized me. He slapped me once... just once... I had slapped him first. He brought me home my out of town newspapers and movies books. He's cook me the best steaks. I was his only wanted companion, ever. There was a silent bond between us...it made us happy to be in the same room together.... quiet but together.

This small giant had many faults and I know them too, but they were man made.... not God given, as he was. He was a man with a great brain and talent chained to a small life. With education and encouragement he could have "made it" but he never did....

He died of cancer of the mouth, uncomplaining, alone silent as always....

For my children I wish many things among them that each will have a little of my Pop in them.... read, write, and speak as he did.... He didn't make it... maybe you will... for him and me.

I dream of greatness for you of writing ability, of speaking quality, love of books, to see things others miss, love of show business, animals, but most of all to be able to share what you have with others..... in your own way -

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann
August 1965 BAH

Camden Courier-Post - February 1, 1938

Dan McConnell's Scrapbook

WHEN a tube goes haywire in the present day radio receiver it means a little inconvenience and a small amount of cash.

Back in the days when the engineers turned out its first one-tube set, radio really got its start.

Ours was a sad experience two days after the prized tube set with earphones was hooked onto a crude antenna. The single tube slipped and splintered into pieces. That was a personal radio tragedy. A new tube cost exactly $6. For a couple of dollars more today you can buy a midget receiver—and they talk about a recession.

KDKA was one of the pioneer broadcasting stations. It pounded through those one-tubers with a bang. Getting our first DX we hopped to the telephone and called Dr. Oscar N. Hinski, also a pioneer radio bug, to tell we got KDKA. And NOT repeating what "Doc” said.

It's been a long step forward from the days of the crystal sets with their "cat's whiskers" and programs on the mighty organ in the Wanamaker store with Joe Nassau in his resonant voice chirping: "This is Station W-O-O."

Great orchestras now entertain us, but Charley Kerr and his pioneer radio crew gave us many enjoyable moment with our first one-tube set.

Frank J. Hartmann, our own city commissioner, is touchy about the subject of radio. As a junior engineer he was present at the first KDKA broadcast on Nov. 2, 1920, in Pittsburgh.

ON BROADWAY

"Blossoms on Broadway.” There were blossoms on Camden's Broadway not so many years ago. Each Spring and Slimmer the trees bloomed forth in early buds and there was always a poignant aroma such as only Nature could produce.

Homes of the older families of this then pastoral-like town were ornamented with window flowerboxes. Geraniums and other perennial and seasonal plants burst out in multicolored blooms right on old Broadway.

Yea, there were blossoms on Broadway way back there when folks didn't have to dodge speeding car— nor push their way through sidewalks crowded with shoppers. It was so serene when there were blossoms on our own Broadway.

SHOW BUSINESS

An advertisement reading “Bijou—Miss St. Louis” of 1937 is tinged with a life drama of past years.

The old Bijou theatre In Philadelphia, it seems, is today a playhouse where once great exponents of Thespia come back to lament of success that is no more, and to receive a stipend that in their more opulent days would have been spurned as cigarette money.

We knew lovely Charlotte Nash, the once famed "Miss St. Louis" of one of the earlier Atlantic City beauty pageants. Her late husband was a scion of one of Philadelphia’s first theatrical producing families- the Nixon-Nirdlingers, once owners of the Towers theatre.

The Bijou— the house that spawned stage stars and now a haven for one-time greats, whose dreams and hopes have been shattered.

That’s show business.

WORDS AND MUSIC

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is... packing them in at New York's Radio City Music Hall . . . Scalpers have most of the tickets . . . Looks like Walt Disney drew a fortune for himself Aesop's Fables . . . The first animated cartoon pictures... were the spice of the old Keith vaudeville programs. Why not a radio "Hit Parade" series?… Of old time tunes… such as "Dardanella" or maybe "On the 5:15" or perhaps "Mary, You're a Little Bit Old-fashioned" and other songs we whistled back around 1915.

Leah Ray, the songbird of Sonja Henie's latest film opus "Happy Landing'" got her real start when she first sang with Phil Harris and his orchestra . . . . in 1934. A radio highlight is the Hal Grayson orchestra arrangement of "Scrapin' the Toast"… A band that is Hollywood bound. Bands may come and go . . . but just one more night at Harry Roselle’s dancing academy… Dancing to the tunes played by Harry Reyno's Orchestra.

SIG SCHOENAGLE

Still in the same business after more than 40-years. One of the merchant princes of Camden.

Remembering when Sig convinced this then young reporter that an $8 derby hat was perfect. The first time, wearing the Iron chapeau, when one of the boys in the old Aquinas Club addressed us as “Chief." Putting the derby on our tormentor's head and pulling it all the way down over his nose.

Those tall choker collars and flowing black artists bow ties he peddled back around 1912. Sam Herman made those nifty suits with pegleg trousers, you bought your shoes from the Kobus boys and Sig Schoenagle provided the duds for the dudes back in the early 1900's.

Styles have changed but Sid is the same grand fellow who failed miserably in making a fashion plate out of this spindle-legged newshound.

SO WHAT?

As this writer anticipated, our yarn about an old and revered friend, Oscar A. Eastlack, and his vintage Brush car, kicked up a lot of arguments and discussions.

However, until some Camden citizens presents authentic and undisputed proof to the contrary that's our story and we're sticking to it.

That same story brings up another much-mooted question. The question is whether readers of columns such as this desire reminiscences of the good old days or the more ultramodern prattle and chatter about present day persons and events.

In the short time this pillar has been tolerated by the managing editor and possibly read by some folks not once has our mail box contained a letter from a local reader, who penned or typed a complimentary note about something we wrote a la modernistic.

On the other hand many folks have taken the time to give to this scrivener a few kind words of appreciation. Missives of this kind are appreciated with heartfelt gratitude.

A gracious note from Mrs. Mary Dooley, mother of Rae Dooley and other members of the stage famous Dooleys. This grand old lady is living in Atlantic City.

A reader who flatteringly compared the Scrap Book with the literari of the very odd McIntyre signs herself as Minnie L. Keen.

In our days of broadcasting sports events letters came from many parts of the country, from Canada, and one from a little town near London, England.

The majority of that radio mail came from women listeners. The same rule applies to the Scrap Book mail box.

Camden Courier-Post - February 2, 1938

TURNBULL OUT OF P.U.C POST
SECOND TIME IN YEAR’S SERVICE
Coalition Freeholder Told Inspector Job Will End on February 15
REFUSES TO PUT BLAME FOR OUSTER ON BAIRD

By DAN McCONNELL

Freeholder James L. Turnbull, Republican member of the coalition group in the Camden County Board of Freeholders, for the second time in a year has lost a position with the State Board of Public Utility Commissioners. Turnbull, who represents the borough of Collingswood, admitted yesterday his job of assisting in a survey of South Jersey railroad crossings will terminate February 15. The letter so advising him was written by Emmett T. Drew, secretary of the commission, and was sent to Turnbull's home in Collingswood.

Commissioner Mary W. Kobus was angered when she heard' Turnbull was dismissed and said she was going to take the matter up with Governor Moore.

"I'm going to get right on the job with Governor Moore

JAMES L. TURNBULL

tomorrow," she said last night, "and I'm going to have some things to tell him. I'm going to fight for Jim Turnbull all the way up."

"That's right,'" asserted Freeholder Raymond G. Price, of the Eleventh Ward, one of the coalition members. "You can tell them, too, that it's funny that Turnbull was the only one of the employees who was fired, the others didn't get a notice, for Turnbull told me that himself.

"You better tell them, too, that they need us a whole lot more than we need them." .

Which remark Price refused to amplify.

After Turnbull spurned a personal plea and the entreaties of others politically affiliated with former U. S. Senator David Baird, Jr., not to join the Kobus-Brunner coalition coup which wrested I control of the Board of Freeholders from the Baird organization, it was freely predicted Baird "would get Turnbull's job."

However, Turnbull denied Baird influenced his removal from the state job.

"I know that everybody is saying that Dave Baird knifed me because I refused to go along," Turnbull said. "I don't believe Dave Baird had anything to do with my losing the job. Furthermore, Baird on New Year's Day in the Court House told me I would not lose the job.

. "On New Year's Day Baird came to me and asked me if I intended to join the coalition group. I told him I had pledged my vote for a coalition movement because I thought by doing so I would be doing my duty by the citizens of Camden County.

"I said to Baird that I knew by doing this I would lose my job with the utility commission. He told me that he wouldn't stoop so low as to try to take my job or anyone's job because of political differences. Baird told me that and I want to emphatically say that I believed him then and I still do."

Turnbull said he was employed with four Atlantic county men, recommended by Harry A. Bacharach, president of the utility commission, to make a survey of South Jersey railroad crossings.

Asked Leave of Absence

Further he said he asked Earl Caldwell; field supervisor for the utility commission for a two weeks' leave of absence, beginning February 15.

"I heard nothing from my re quest," added Turnbull. "The letter written by Mr. Drew gave me quite an extended leave of absence. How ever, I believe that it is possible I may be re-employed. Certainly there doesn't appear to be any political significance or bias in the letter."

The letter to Turnbull reads:

"I am directed by the board to inform you that owing to the fact that the particular work for which you were engaged is finished and no other work of a temporary nature is available, your services will be no longer required beginning February 15, 1938.

"The board regrets the necessity of this action, as the experience gained with our commission has made you of value to us.

Later Job Hinted

"Your name, however, will be kept upon our list, and if an opportunity arises to afford you once more temporary employment, in the event you have not secured permanent employment, public or private, your name will be given preference automatically.

"In view of this may we suggest that you look over the examinations being held by the Civil Service Commission with a view to taking those for which you feel yourself qualified.

"The board may then be in a position to offer you permanent employment in some line in which you are especially qualified."

E.T. DREW
Secretary

Turnbull said Baird had nothing to do with his berth with the utility commission, but that former Governor Harold Hoffman recommended his appointment to Bacharach.

Earlier last year the Collingswood freeholder held a job as a highway inspector for about two months and finally was dropped.

'No Political Job Certain'

"I know how I lost that first utility commission job," Turnbull said, "The Courier-Post newspapers raised the devil in its news columns about so many inspectors being appointed.

"I am not blaming Dave Baird for this and as a matter of fact the whole thing came like a bombshell. Not hearing anything since the first of the year, and remembering Baird's promise, I thought I was sitting pretty securely.

"They can blame Baird for a lot of things but this time I don't believe he is to blame. No political job is certain in these days."

As a member of the Board of Freeholders, and for his action in joining the coalition forces, Turnbull was given the job as chairman of the road committee. He receives $600 in addition to his freeholder's salary of $750. Use of an automobile also goes with the road Committee chairmanship.

Camden Courier-Post - February 2, 1938

2 'Veteran' Officials to Serve Again on Oaklyn Health Board

EMIL C. HESSERT SR.

EDWIN T. DOLIN

Emil C. Hessert, Sr., president, and Edwin T. Dolin, secretary-
registrar of the Oaklyn Board of Health who have taken over their positions following re-election.

Hessert, a resident of the borough, for 40 years, has served many years in municipal positions in Oaklyn.

Dolin, one time famous basketball player, is beginning his third term. He formerly played center for the old Camden basketball team in the Eastern League.

Hessert to Start 16th Year of Service and Third Term as President;
Dolin, Secretary, Was Once Professional Basketball Star

By DAN McCONNELL

Few men in Camden county have given longer or more unselfish service as a municipal official than Emil C. Hessert, Sr., who is beginning his sixteenth year as a member of the Oaklyn Board of Health and his third term as president.

One of the incorporaters of the borough, Hessert served 12 years as a member and clerk of the Board of Education and was several times a member of borough council and a former president of the governing body. He has lived in Oaklyn 40 years, and is the father of five children.

While not a veteran so far as a municipal official is concerned, Edwin T. Dolin, board secretary and registrar of vital statistics, is a veteran athlete and at one time was considered to be one of the greatest professional basketball players in the East.

Dolin, who starred for several years as center of the old Camden basketball team in the Eastern League, is serving his third term as an official of the board of health.

Camden and South Jersey basketball fans will recall when Dolin, with the late "Jackie" Adams and Jimmy Brown, came to Camden in 1912 from Charleroi, in the Central League, to play for the old Alpha Camden quintet. For several years the team played in P.R.R. Y.M.C.A. Hall, Third and Mickle Streets. Later the games were staged in the 114th Infantry Armory, on Haddon Avenue.

The Camden team was one of the greatest in the country for several years and twice won the Eastern League pennant. Old time fans ranked Dolin as the best pivot position player in the circuit and compared him to the acknowledged peer of all-time centers, Willie Keenan, of De Neri fame.

Dolin later played with Brooklyn and Kingston in the New York Metropolitan League. He finished his playing days in the former South Jersey League. A series of injuries, including an injured knee and fractured ribs, caused him to retire.

Dolin is married and has lived in Oaklyn 15 years. His wife was formerly a member of the Camden County Republican Committee. Dolin has not been active politically.

Dan McConnell & Family through the Years Click on Images to Enlarge


Above: The Wedding Day of Dan McConnell & Alice Deegan Below Left & Right: Dan Under and Alice on the Boardwalk, Atlantic City NJ - 1920s Below Center: Dan & Betty Ann McConnell - Camden NJ - Spring of 1925

Below: In the Backyard of 1125 Kenwood Avenue - Camden NJ - Late 1920s - Early 1930s Daniel P, Betty Ann, and Daniel J. McConnell

Below: Dan McConnell - Early 1930s

Below Left: The McConnell Family at 404 Grove Street, Haddonfield NJ - 1949 Below Right: Dan & Betty Ann McConnell outside 404 Grove Street, Haddonfield NJ - 1930s

Below Left: 404 Grove Street, Haddonfield NJ - 1949 Below Right: Lieutenant Daniel J. McConnell, United States Army


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	125 Main Street June 6, 2004
	125 & 127 Main Street June 6, 2004

World War I Draft Registration Cards for Daniel & Harry McConnell

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Dan McConnell in the Camden Courier-Post

Dan McConnell - about 1920	Dan & Betty Ann McConnell Spring of 1926

*Camden Courier-Post April 25, 1928**
Baseball Played In Truck Costs $100, Ruins Diamond

Nicholas Caruso South 4th Street - Broadway - Everett Street

Camden Courier-Post - January 5, 1938

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Camden Courier-Post - January 11, 1938

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Camden Courier-Post - January 12, 1938

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Camden Courier-Post - January 22, 1938



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Camden Courier-Post - January 24, 1938

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Camden's First Auto 'Sped' at 20-Miles-an-Hour; Men Grabbed Horses Reins in Fear of 'Red Devil'
	Camden Courier-Post January 29, 1938 Click on Image to Enlarge