Camden People - Clair H. Graham

CLAIR HOUSER "RED" GRAHAM was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on April 16, 1910 to John James Graham and his wife, the former Elizabeth Olive Hoffman. The family, which included younger siblings John, Robert and Emily was still living in Wilkes-Barre in January of 1920. y 1924 the family had moved to Camden. They were at 337 Chestnut Street in 1924.

Clair Graham married Elsie Hyatt on December 2, 1934. On October 14, 1942 Clair Graham was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, joining younger brother John Graham, who had been appointed to the department in 1936. Clair Graham reported for duty with Ladder Company No. 2 on October 16, 1942.

The 1940 and 1943 Camden City Directory shows Clair and Elsie Graham residing at 580 Pine Street. By 1947 they had moved across the street to 577 Pine Street, where they stayed into the 1960s. On January 12, 1950 Clair Graham was transferred to

Engine Company No. 10, where he served until his retirement. Clair Graham retired on July 1, 1969. By October of the following year he had left Camden and moved to Laurel Springs, New Jersey. Clair Graham died on November 7, 1987, survived by his wife and two children.

Camden Courier-Post * August 21, 1969

Boy, Girl Saved in City Fire

Two children were revived by artificial resuscitation last night after being rescued from flames which damaged a bedroom of their home.

The boy and girl, two-year-old Kenneth and eight-month-old Tracy, are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bagby of 2108 Van Buren Street, Camden.

They were rescued after fire broke out in a second floor bedroom of the home at 11:19 PM. They were asleep in the room at the time.

Fought Flames

The girl was rescued by James Robinson, acting captain of Engine Company Three. Robinson went through the building until he reached the bedroom.

According to Battalion Chief Thomas McCabe, Robinson fought his way through the flames and heat in the room to reach the child. The girl was not breathing when rescued, McCabe said, but. Robinson performed the artificial resuscitation.

The boy was rescued by Captain Chester Gedrich of Engine Company 10, who climbed a ladder to reach the bedroom. The youth was handed down the ladder and revived by fireman Joseph Lesniewski of Engine Company 10.

Taken to Hospital

The children were taken to West Jersey Hospital Northern Division, Camden, where they were examined and released.

Two other Bagby girls, five-year-old Dawn and six-year-old Kim, were next. door, at 2106 Van Buren Street, with their mother when the fire broke out.

Chief McCabe said he did not know the whereabouts of the father at the time of the fire.

Camden Courier-Post * March 27, 1969

Eight Cited For Service Above Duty

Two Camden Fire Department Engine Companies were awarded unit citations and eight firemen attached to the companies were each given merit citations yesterday for service above and beyond the call of duty.

Camden Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak awarded the citations to representatives of Engine Companies 3 and 10 in ceremonies held in the department's headquarters at Third and Arch Streets.

Chief Michalak said the eight firemen under adverse conditions and without regard to personal safety, boldly rescued two children from a burning second story bedroom last August 20.

According to Michalak, Captain Chester Gedrich, 47, entered the home located at 2108 Van Buren Street, by ladder and rescued 8 month old Tracy Bagby, passing her to Joseph J. Lesniewski, 40, who took her to the street and gave her artificial respiration.

Meanwhile, Michalak said, acting Captain James Robinson, 31, entered the flaming building, went up the stairway and rescued, Tracy's, 7-year-old brother Kenneth.

Assisting in the rescue were firemen Clair H. Graham, 58, Harold Johnson Jr., Ronald Gorski, 30, George Kurtyan, 24, and Robert W. Frett also 24.