Camden People - Howard H. Currie

HOWARD H. CURRIE was born in October of 1851 in New Jersey to James and Mary Currie. The family was living in Camden's Middle Ward when the census was taken in 1870. Howard Currie was working as a plasterer's apprentice.

On June 28, 1874 Howard H. Currie married Rebecca Armstrong. This marriage ended quickly in divorce. Howard Currie was living at 449 Henry Street in South Camden when, on July 8, 1875 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company. He served until April 8, 1876 when incoming Chief Claudius W. Bradshaw made wholesale personnel changes within the Camden Fire Department. Howard Currie was recalled to duty on April 8, 1877 as an extra man with Engine Company 2, replacing James Read. He was still living at 449 Henry Street and working as a laborer when reappointed. Howard Currie served in this capacity until April of 1882.

Howard H. Currie had moved to 434 Arch Street by April of 1879. He married that year, and his wife Rosanna bore a son, Howard Lewis Currie, was born in Camden on July 21, 1880. Howard H. Currie and his family were living at 434 Arch Street when the Census was taken in 1880. Howard H. Currie was at that time working as a bartender when not fighting fires. Howard H. Currie was not reappointed to the Fire Department in the spring of 1882. He appears in the 1881-1882 Directory at 532 Columbia Avenue in Camden, and was still there a year later.

Howard H. Currie was again recalled to service in 1884, again as a "Call Man" with Engine Company 2. The Currie family then lived at 527 North Front Street. Howard H. Currie again served for two years, then left the fire department to work as a lithographer in Philadelphia. During the years 1887 through 1893 the family lived at 326 Taylor Avenue. the latter half of 1894 Howard H. Currie had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. The family by then had moved to 25 North 3rd Street, where they stayed into 1899. They had moved across the street to 34 North 3rd Street by the spring of 1900.

Howard Lewis Currie married around 1901. His wife Sarah (also known as Sadie), bore a son, John H. Currie around 1904. The young couple lived with Howard H. and Rossanna Currie through at least 1906. Howard H. Currie was at that time still working full-time with the Fire Department. The family was living at 109 North 4th Street. The 1910 Census shows that Howard Lewis Currie had moved with his wife and son to 214 Point street and was then working as a switchman for the railroad. Howard H. Currie and his wife were still living at 109 North 4th Street.

Howard H. Currie resigned from the Fire Department on August 1, 1911. H was replaced by Charles Gladney. By mid-1912 son Howard Lewis Currie had bee appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He was still living at 214 Point street with his wife, Sadie. When the 1914 Camden City Directory was compiled, Howard H. Currie was still living at 109 North 4th Street. He passed away on October 14, 1918 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

By September of 1918 Howard Lewis Currie's marriage had ended in divorce. He was living with his parents at 220 North 3rd Street, and no mention of a wife is on his draft card.

Howard H. Currie died on October 13, 1918 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. He was 67 years of age when he passed. The 1920 Census shows that Howard Lewis Currie was living with his son John and by this time widowed mother Rose Currie at 220 North 3rd Street. This would be her home until her passing in 1944.