"Ott"
Laxton

Samuel Arthur “OTT” Laxton

Samuel Arthur Laxton was born on May 23, 1904 in Camden NJ to William Henry and Ida Jane Laxton.   He was the 8th of eleven children, six of whom are listed on the 1910 census. “Ott’s” siblings were William Henry Jr., Gwen, Harry F., John F. and Eric R. The the family lived at 417 Clinton Street at that time. Unfortunately, little else is known of Ott’s childhood in Camden. 

In 1926, Ott married Helen Kocher. The couple resided at 266 Liberty Street with Helen’s mother, Catherine Leipert at that time.  The 1930 census shows the family moved to 578 Mt. Vernon Street, and in 1932 Ott’s son Samuel Arthur Laxton Jr. was born. Ott worked various jobs for the Parks Department of the City of Camden, beginning as a driver, and finally ending his career as a mechanic.  Sometime in the 1950’s he moved his family to 346 Garden Avenue, where he lived until he passed away in 1983. 

Ott was well known in  Camden basketball circles as a fast, clean, talented forward.  He started his basketball career at age 14, playing with the Bethany AA team of the North Camden League. He followed that  with time on the Union AA team, then he joined the  Railroad League, playing first with Supervising Agent, and later taking the 1921-22 Championship with  the Pavonia team. A stint with the Broadway Cycle club followed.

In 1924, Ott joined the Glassboro club of the South Jersey League, playing with Broadway Cycle at the same time.

By this time, Ott had made a name for himself as a fast, flashy “40 minute player”, staying in the game from bell to bell.

The 1925-27 seasons were his most successful.  As captain of the Oaklyn team of the Camden County League, Ott led other Camden greats like Grover “Worm” Wearshing, Eddie Brant and Frank Hambleton to back to back Championships.

By 1930, Ott had been a member of the   Marlton club and had played for the Eastern Camden League as well. 

It’s difficult to list all of the teams he played with in Camden over the years, as often Ott would play for whichever team was paying the $5.00 per game. Playing for two or three teams across several leagues within a year was not unusual for him. 

Ott also spent a fair amount of time playing baseball for the various city leagues in Camden.  From 1927 to 1935 he played outfield or second base for the Haddon AA of the Reesman League, the Hurley Club of the Industrial League, Lucas AA of the Lower Camden County Circuit, and the Popeye Club of the Rhone Twilight League, to name a few. 

Although he never went any further than the city Basketball and Baseball leagues, Samuel Arthur “OTT” Laxton  brought many hours of joy to the citizens of Camden with his talent on the basketball court and the baseball field. His reputation as a fine athlete, and a fair and solid sportsman does Camden proud.

Click on Image to Enlarge

Click on Image to Enlarge

Standing: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown
Seated: Unknown, Unknown, Ott Laxton
On Floor: Unknown

Standing:  Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown
Seated: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown boy, Ott Laxton, Unknown, Unknown

Standing:  Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown
Seated: Ott Laxton, Unknown, Unknown

Camden Courier-Post - 1926

Camden Courier-Post - 1926

Camden Courier-Post - 1926

Camden Courier-Post - January 26, 1928

CAMDEN COPS LOSE TO CENTRAL QUINTET
‘Caveman’ Clayton Sparkles in City League Victory; Wayne Boys Win

 Central Camden beat the Camden Police quintet to make it two straight in the Municipal basketball circuit at Convention Hall last night. By blanking Clarence Phifer, and holding Ott Laxton down to six points the Central outfit spiked the Coppers’ attack. Clayton and Grover Wearshing did the heavy work for the winners. Clayton held Phifer without a field shot and tallied four times from the field. Wearshing bagged a trio of double-deckers.

Gus Koerner was ejected from the game when Referee Keneman ruled him off the floor for abusive language.

The Wayne dribblers battled down South Camden under a 46-20 score in the other combat Jimmy Reed and Devlin were the bright stars for the winners.

Camden Courier-Post - Fall, 1929

Hurley Store - Radio Condenser - Ott Laxton - Ollie Guthrie - Everett Cramer - Vince Conley

Camden Courier-Post - July 1934

City League Champs of the American Division

Here is Manager Bill "Fergie" McGrath's Popeye club, champions of the American Division in the Rhone Twilight League. This group of tossers yesterday annexed the crown by defeating the East End A. A. in a playoff match at the Civic Center diamond, 5 to 2.   Shown in the above photo, front row, left to right, are: Chris Miller, T. Egbert, "Min" Fingers, W. Danley and Ott Laxton. Back row, left to right, are: Manager Bill "Fergie" McGrath, George Nicktern, Jim VanderStratten, Vince Conley, Harold Roth, Charley Lenhart, "Red" McGrath, Joe Tully and W. Crim, club official.       

Camden Courier-Post - 1930s

Camden Courier-Post - 1930s

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Camden Courier-Post - sometime between 1929 and 1935 

Rox Gimello - Jim McGinness - Porky Hoffman - Lou Bobo - Joe Tully - Billy Denof - Ott Laxton

Samuel Arther "Ott" Laxton Sr.
Helen Laxton
Samuel Arthur Laxton Jr.

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Working for the City of Camden
at New Camden Cemetery - April 8, 1941
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Ott Laxton in front on left

Working for the City of Camden
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Camden Courier-Post - May 14, 1949