The Fire Department
Shortly after the Borough was incorporated the need for fire protection was reconized, and the Butler Volunteer Fire Department was formed. On April 25, 1902, at John Shippee’s residence the Pequannock Engine and Hose Company No. 1 was organized. The officers were: Allen Looker- president, Wm L. Fredericks- Vice President, Augustine S. Guenter- clerk, Dr. S.K. Owen- Treasurer and Horace Miller- Steward.
At the next meeting on April 30TH 1902 it was decided to divide the functions of the fire department, and to give them separate names. Hence there they were create: The Kinney Hose Company No. 1: The Kiel Hook and Ladder Company: The Pequannock Engine Company.
On January 28TH 1908, Bartholdi Hose Company No. 2 , upon application, was duly admitted to the Fire Department by the Mayor and Council. It had been organized November 29th 1907 with Charles Snyder- Foreman,; John Wechbach- assistant foreman, Frank J. Fritz – 2nd assistant foreman, and Herbert Huyler as stewart. The reverend father Clement was chosen Treasurer and Honorably Foreman.
In 1907, the Charles A. Decker Fire Company was formed with a fire house in Mr. Deckers’s building at 116 Kiel Avenue. Mr. Decker supplied the truck which he made from an old wagon. The company was dissolved when motor trucks were assigned to the other companies.
Prior to 1927, all the firefighting equipment was hand operated, but in this year the Kinney Hose Company was equipped with a mechanical pumper at a cost of $13,000. This was followed on July 23rd 1929, with a motorized hook and ladder cart for the Kiel Company at a cost of $9,750.00. On September 11th 1930, the motorizing was completed by supplying hose trucks to the other two companies.
At the present time, John X. Harman is Chief of the entire department, with Matthew A. Spring, Charles M. Getty, and Herbert H. Hunt as Assistant Chiefs. There are twenty-five firemen in each company.
Five men, Samuel K. Owen, Allen Looker, Joseph Bergen, Louis A. Guenter and the Present Chief John X. Harman have served as Chief of the Fire Department.
THE WOODEN FIREMAN
The Wooden Fireman, which was stood on the Borough Hall balcony since April 2nd 1902, vies with the Rubber Companies in making Butler famous. It is a favorite subject for the jibes at the Borough by newspaper scribes. It also received considerable jocular mention in Main Street Sketches, broadcast some years ago by station WOR then at Newark.
The Wooden Fireman for over forty years’ was perched on top of the Firemen’s Insurance Company Building at Broad and Market Streets in Newark. It was erected on the building in 1868 and was removed May 7th 1909 by the Salvage Corps. of Newark. Many fire companies tried to obtain this statue but through the influence of John Williams, who will be remembered for his many years of service to Butler as a fireman, it was presented to Kinney Hose Company No. 1.
The story goes on that John Williams and John Spellman went by horse and wagon to Newark and hauled the fireman safely back to Butler, in spite of the robbery attempts by Bloomfield firemen. The fireman had lost a leg in the tearing down of the Newark building and this was replaced by August Mayer. Inadvertently, the fireman who had lost his left leg was supplied with a right leg. Today he stands perched in the window of the Carey Avenue firehouse, with two right legs. In this case two rights made one wrong.
The Wooden Fireman for over forty years’ was perched on top of the Firemen’s Insurance Company Building at Broad and Market Streets in Newark. It was erected on the building in 1868 and was removed May 7th 1909 by the Salvage Corps. of Newark. Many fire companies tried to obtain this statue but through the influence of John Williams, who will be remembered for his many years of service to Butler as a fireman, it was presented to Kinney Hose Company No. 1.
The story goes on that John Williams and John Spellman went by horse and wagon to Newark and hauled the fireman safely back to Butler, in spite of the robbery attempts by Bloomfield firemen. The fireman had lost a leg in the tearing down of the Newark building and this was replaced by August Mayer. Inadvertently, the fireman who had lost his left leg was supplied with a right leg. Today he stands perched in the window of the Carey Avenue firehouse, with two right legs. In this case two rights made one wrong.
WOMEN JOIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Throughout history, Fire Departments around the world have been predominately male populated. As time has gone on, women began to join the service, first through the Lady's Auxiliary, and more recently by becoming members of their local Fire Departments. Butler is not exception. In 1990, the Kiel Hook & Ladder Company brought on their first female member, Colleen Kober-Pascale. Colleen opened the door for other females to enter the Department, and since then there have been several other female members.
Butler Fire is always looking for new members and urges anyone to contact us for information on joining.
Butler Fire is always looking for new members and urges anyone to contact us for information on joining.
EXEMPT FIREMEN
On July7th 1936 a meeting was held at which the Exempt Firemen’s Association was formed. It was decided that it be affiliated with and become a part of the State Association. The officers elected were: Ed. L. Bennett, President; J.F. Boursmuth, secretary; F.J. Guenter, Treasurer.
John J. Roach, Richard Cotter, Jack Wichert, Clarence Haggerty and Louis A. Guenter , Trustees.
The purposes of the organization are to aid and assist exempt firemen, especially if indigent and, where necessary, the firemen’s widows and orphans.
The present officers are: President, Charles M. Bishop; Vice President, Max J, Husselrath; Secretary, Gordon T. Decker; Treasurer, Louis E. Trigler; Financial Secretary, George B. Mynett.
John J. Roach, Richard Cotter, Jack Wichert, Clarence Haggerty and Louis A. Guenter , Trustees.
The purposes of the organization are to aid and assist exempt firemen, especially if indigent and, where necessary, the firemen’s widows and orphans.
The present officers are: President, Charles M. Bishop; Vice President, Max J, Husselrath; Secretary, Gordon T. Decker; Treasurer, Louis E. Trigler; Financial Secretary, George B. Mynett.
LADIES’ AUXILIARIES
Kinney Hose
The organization meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Kinney Hose No. 2 was held on June 16th 1932. Details of the organization we completed and the following officers were elected September 15th 1932:
President- Mae. N. Harman
Vice President- Anna K. Dean
Recording Secretary- Catherine E.Kelly
Financial Secretary – Miss Gladys Nixon
Treasurer – Alice B. Aldrich
The Auxiliary meets regulary in the Borough Hall. In addition to its social activities, it renders valuable aid and support to the firemen.
Present Officers:
President - Margaret S. Krapohi
Vice President – Annabelle M. Meier
Treasurer – Alice B. Aldrich
Financial Secretary – Katherine R. Kimble
Recording Secretary - Miss Mary Cullen
Bartholdi
The Bartholdi Ladies’ Auxiliary was organized in November 1934. The first officers were: Minnie P. Jansen, President; Margaret F. Tintle, Vice President; Rose S. Allerman, Treasurer; Alice V. Jennings, Secretary; and Eliza G. Struble, Financial Secretary. The purposes of the auxiliary are largely social. They also aid the Bartholdi firemen in their various outside activities, socials, carnivals and the like. The auxiliary contributes to major community projects.
The present officers are:
President – Agnes N. Osterhoudt
Treasurer – Johanna W. Redner
Secretary – Virginia M. Brennan
Financial Secretary – Adelaide W. McCormick
Information used from:
The Butler Book: Butler, NJ
In Story and Pictures 1901-2001
Web history by FF T Smith
The organization meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Kinney Hose No. 2 was held on June 16th 1932. Details of the organization we completed and the following officers were elected September 15th 1932:
President- Mae. N. Harman
Vice President- Anna K. Dean
Recording Secretary- Catherine E.Kelly
Financial Secretary – Miss Gladys Nixon
Treasurer – Alice B. Aldrich
The Auxiliary meets regulary in the Borough Hall. In addition to its social activities, it renders valuable aid and support to the firemen.
Present Officers:
President - Margaret S. Krapohi
Vice President – Annabelle M. Meier
Treasurer – Alice B. Aldrich
Financial Secretary – Katherine R. Kimble
Recording Secretary - Miss Mary Cullen
Bartholdi
The Bartholdi Ladies’ Auxiliary was organized in November 1934. The first officers were: Minnie P. Jansen, President; Margaret F. Tintle, Vice President; Rose S. Allerman, Treasurer; Alice V. Jennings, Secretary; and Eliza G. Struble, Financial Secretary. The purposes of the auxiliary are largely social. They also aid the Bartholdi firemen in their various outside activities, socials, carnivals and the like. The auxiliary contributes to major community projects.
The present officers are:
President – Agnes N. Osterhoudt
Treasurer – Johanna W. Redner
Secretary – Virginia M. Brennan
Financial Secretary – Adelaide W. McCormick
Information used from:
The Butler Book: Butler, NJ
In Story and Pictures 1901-2001
Web history by FF T Smith
|
|
