Camden People - Ferdinand Larkin

FERDINAND F. LARKIN was born in Pennsylvania on July 7, 1881. His family moved to Camden around 1888. By 1920 he and his wife Margaret owned a home at 1715 South 6th Street in Camden's Eighth Ward. He resided at that address for the rest of his life. At the time of the 1920 Census the Larkins had five children, Margaret, Catherine, Ferdinand Jr., Thomas, and John. Ferdinand Larkin was working as an assistant foreman at a shipyard, most likely the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard which was a short walk from his home.

In 1934 Ferdinand Larkin ran for the Democratic nomination for freeholder in the bitterly fought May election, which saw a struggle for control of the Camden County Democrat party organization between the factions of Emma Hyland and Harry Maloney and a group headed by Edward J. Kelleher. He would serve as a Camden County Freeholder for the rest of his life.

A member of the Camden Lodge, Ancient Order of Hibernians, he was given a testimonial dinner on January 16, 1939 with Andrew J. McMahon, John F. "Pop" Daly, and John T. Hanson, at Kenney's Cafe, 531 Market street in Camden.

Ferdinand Larkin passed away at home on September 24, 1939, after a long illness. He was survived by his wife Margaret. His son, Ferdinand Jr. was proposed as a replacement for him as a freeholder, but the post was awarded to Edmund A. Walsh.

Camden Courier-Post - February 26, 1936

ST. PATRICK'S DANCE PLANNED BY A. O. H.

Plans are under way for the annual St. Patrick's Night dance held by Division No. 4 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which will take place on Tuesday evening, March 17, in SS. Peter and Paul Hall, Spruce Street east of Broadway.

The chairman is James Mulligan, assisted by Joseph P. McShane, Joseph Myrtetus, John Callaghan, Vincent deP. Costello, Paul J. Rilatt, Bartholomew A. Sheehan, Martin Kelly, Dr. John P. Brennan, Bryan McKernan, Ferdinand Larkin, Thomas Madden, John J. Kearney, Leo Rea and Joseph H. McCullough.

Camden Courier-Post - February 2, 1938

EIGHTH WARD CLUB SET FOR GROUND HOG PARTY

The Eighth Ward Democratic Club will hold a Ground Hog party and dance tonight in their clubhouse, 512 Ferry Avenue. William McLaughlin is chairman.

Other members of the committee are David Fatlowitz, Toddy Del Rossi, William Miles, Peter Mayer, Benjamin Del Rossi, Fred W. Schorpp, George Hainesworth, Charles Schmidt, Mrs. Rose Percival, Mrs. Martha Wilson, Mrs. Anna Miles, Mrs. Fred Schorpp and Freeholder Ferdinand F. Larkin.

MRS. MILES HONORED BY 8TH WARD WOMEN

A shower was tendered to Mrs. Anna Miles last night by members of the Eighth Ward Democratic Women's club at the home of Mrs. Fred W. Schorpp, 1611 Broadway.

Officers of the club attending were Rose Percival, president; Louise Brough, vice president; Anna Simpson, secretary; Mae Russell, recording secretary and Mrs. Schorpp, treasurer.

Members attending were Mrs. Ferdinand Larkin, Mrs. Martha Wilson, Mrs. Ben Del Rossi, Bessie Simpson, Abbie Sprawl, Helen Feathers, Rose Boleslowski, Leona Zaborowski, Elizabeth Long, Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Bradford, Mrs. Costello, Mrs. Bolke, Mrs. Dorothy Friar, Mrs. J. Garrison, Ella Willis and Ida Robinson.

Camden Courier-Post
February 17, 1938

Camden Courier-Post * January 2, 1940

WALSH BLOCKS COUP
BY BAIRD IN FREEHOLDERS
Prevents Meeting and Halts Plan to Make Wood Director
PROCEEDINGS OFF TILL NEXT MONDAY
By A. CHARLES COROTIS

An attempted coup by David Baird in his drive to rebuild his fallen fences for the primary election next May was frustrated yesterday by one lone freeholder, and the baby member of the board, at that.

Edmund A. Walsh elected from Camden's Eighth Ward to fill the unexpired term of the late Ferdinand J. Larkin, foiled Baird's well laid plans when he refused to attend the annual organization meeting after the Republican League bloc of freeholders had been maneuvered into a position of agreeing to support James W. Wood, Baird satellite, for director..

A spokesman for the League group said the agreement was nullified, however, by yesterday's adjournment.

Walsh's loyalty to City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, long-time political foe of Baird, had the effect of stalemating the 1940 organization, the last under the large board, since the Democrats, upon learning of the G.O.P. decision to support Wood, bolted the meeting room.

"Refused to Sell Out"

Walsh took the stand that to vote for Wood would be to sell out to Baird. Walsh was ready and willing to vote for any other Republican. At no time was he for a Democrat..

The 20 Republican freeholders present could have transacted business and elected Wood if they had gone into session, but Walsh's refusal to be a party to the Baird-Wood scheme left only 19 freeholders willing to meet, and that number is one short of the quorum required by law.

When shortly after 5:00 PM- five hours after the statutory time for reorganization- there was no indication that wither Walsh or the Democrats would return. Wood, J. Alfred Beck, president of the Republican league, and Maurice Bart, floor leader for the Democrats, conferred and agreed to adjourn until next Monday.

Price Furnishes Surprise

Walsh emphasized that he favors Republican organization of the board and agreed to support any Republican for director except Wood. These are the sentiments of Mrs. Kobus. Too, it was the stand of the Republican League until at yesterday's joint conference of the three G.O.P. factions the group headed by Raymond G. Price cast its lot with Wood. This in itself was a major surprise of the day, since Price and Edward J. Quinlan both elected with Kobus support had been considered anti-Baird-ites.