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On July 5th,1895 P.H.Jacobs and Henry M.
Phillips attended a regular meeting of the Hammonton Volunteer Fire
Company ( now known as Company #1). At this meeting speaking for
themselves and others expressed an interest in joining the company. At
the time they were considered “uptowners”. This was anyone who at that
time lived north of a point about 4th street or Valley avenue.(
These streets were only paths at the time.) “Uptowners” in some
instances, we have been told, were considered of questionable value to
the town. These men were denied membership. Intolerance is one of mans
greatest weaknesses, and in 1896 these two men again presented
themselves before the company at a regular meeting to inform the members
that they now represented a duly organized and incorporated fire
company. It consisted of 15 members besides themselves, recognized by
town council, and expressing a desire to work with the older company in
protection of life and property.
They sought an engine the Hammonton Volunteer Fire Co. had and was due
to be replaced by town council. Their offer was graciously received and
the equipment turned over with the proper festivities. The Independent
Volunteer Fire Company of Hammonton (now known as Company #2) was on its
way to a vital force in the fire service of this community.
Henry M. Phillips who was later to prove to be one of the leading
factors in the Hammonton Fire Department affairs during his lifetime. He
was devoted, consecrated to the work almost as if it was his religion,
admired by some disliked by others, but respected by all.
We would like to name all the members on the original charter: A.E.
Snow, E. Swift, F. Swift, F. Sutton, G.A. Elvins, H. Jacobs, P.H. Jacobs
Hon., H.M. Phillips, J.H. Garton, J.W. Lysinger, A.E. Holman, G.W.
Elvins (Elvins Store), W.P. Keyser, E.W. Cathcart, Henry Liebfried, W.J.
Slack, and W. Hurd Parkhurst.
The men who started Company #2 fueled by the example set by the men of
Company#1, their frustration of not being admitted , pride in
themselves, and an honest desired to serve the community led them
through the insurmountable obstacles they had to overcome in order to
succeed. A strictly rural area, no business places except Elvins Store,
and relatively little financial strength among themselves or their
neighbors whom they wished to serve. Their first firehouse (located on
what is know as the White Horse Pike) was built on ground donated by G.W.
Elvins. The labor in construction of the building “ given” by the
members as well as donations of the material and the like. These members
like those of today were a devoted, persevering, and self-sacrificing.
On January 18th , 1897 a delegation from Company#2 visited with
Company#1 and suggested a joint meeting to nominate a chief for approval
of town council. Company #1 concurred with the suggestion and it was
decided to hold the first Department meeting on the 3rd Monday of
September, 1897 resulting in the first chief of the department J.W.
Marshall. Then in September 1898 at the second joint meeting of the
Department elected for nomination by town council S.E. Brown, Chief and
Henry M. Phillips, Assistant Chief. Over the next several years the
position of Chief changed hands several times between the men of Company
#1. In 1919 the Department elected Henry M. Phillips to Chief this was
the first Company #2 man to serve as Chief of the Department, which he
did for several years.
Through research many of the big fires of the early era received no
particular mention in history books or local papers. Perhaps because no
active firefighter could be an observer. No mention for instance of the
Tilton Fire, the Wooley Fire, the Inhoff Lumber Co. Fire of 1910, the
W.L. Black Building Fire, the Cranes Lumber Fire, the Minot’s Cannery
Fire, and the Marts Livery Fire. Strange as it may be, the fires that
were fatal to human life were never considered in
the light of conflagrations, which is a credit to both companies.
Throughout the one hundred plus years of service both companies have
served equally well. Company #2 was unfortunate in the loss of personnel
as the result of a fire alarm. G.W. Lysinger, A. Ebinger, and Thomas
Elvins gave their lives in the line of duty. Today Company#2 serves out
of a three bay building with a hall attached to it. The building is
called “ Elvins Hall” named after the family who has given to the
Independent Volunteer Fire Company of Hammonton so unselfishly over the
years. It is located on the White Horse Pike at the site of the original
firehouse.
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