The morning call., 1890-12-22
FIRE CHIEFS.
Brief Sketches of Leaders Of the
Department.
Brave Men Who Havs Done Much to Protect
III S City From Destruction by flames.
The Dead and the Living.
oh. there was joy for man and boy

When we ran with the old machine.
Memories of the days of the Volunteer
Fire Department are constantly revived by
the veterans when they meet and chat of
the long ago. At the rooms of the veterans
hang the portraits of the Chief Engineers
of the old department.
Fred ID. kohler was the first Chief Engi-
neer. Previous to his arrival here he had
been Assistant Engineer of the New York
Fire Department. He was elected and
served as Chief of this department in 1850.
He was big man, popular aud possessed of
ability. He afterward was City Recorder.
His remains now lie in the Chiefs lot in the
Fireman's plat, Laurel Cemetery. he having
died in the early Sixties
Frank L. r. Whitney succeeded Mr.. Koh-
Ter as Chief in 1851, but resigned after fifteen
days service. He was elected Chief again
In December. 1855. and reelected in 1857.
retiring in December, 1860. Frank Whitney
arrived here early in the fifties on the ship
Hannibal, which came around the Horn
from Boston, in which city he was born, and
learned fire duty, beginning as a torch-boy
in Hero, No. g. On arriving at mans estate
was elected foreman, a position he held un-
till 1919. On arriving here he and few
others organized Howard Engine Company,
No. s, which was composed entirely of Bos-
ton firemen. The company ran a third-class
Zimmerman engine. and it was called the
Lady Howard" When not wearing the
white hat Whitney was foreman OF No. 3.
He was appointed the first Chief of the pres
ent department. in fact, organized it and
served four years, until July, 1870, when he
was relieved by Charles IL. Ackerson. He
was again appointed Chief ID 1873 and served
one year He died October 18th year ago
and was buried with great honors by the
EXempts, Veterans and the present depart
ment, and his remains now lie in the Odd
Fellows Cemetery. He was an able Chief
who had great executive ability. possessed
good Judgment and was always cool and col
lected.
There HOssefross, old friend and Chief,
brave man who never knew fear" so the
the Monumental boys sing. George II. Hos
sefross was the third Chief, succeeding
Whitney in 1871. and was reelected in 1852
He came from Baltimore, and was one of the
organizers of Monumental Engine Company,
No. 6, the first engine of the company being
known as the EXEMPT, the double-decker.
He was "the Father of Big g." and his white
coat was as well known as his hat. He
was an able Chief, and decidedly popular.
He was the principal organizer of the Ex-
empt Fire Comp any. and was its first Presi-
dent He served many years as forema an of
6. He also served two terms as Superinten-
dent of Streets of this city. He was
UullOCl, anu uiSG W
hydraulic power in this city for
moving brick buildings. He took the
contract to move the American Exchange
building back, and was successful. Mr..
H0ssefross died in 1868 of consumption at
the age of 81 years. His remains now lie in
Calvary Cemetry, over which a freman's
monument stands erected by Monumental &
and other fire societies.
Charles p. Duane arrived here from New
YORK in 1850 and became attached to Lady
Washi ngton Engine Company. No. 2, after
ward known as the Maintains. He was
elected Assistant Engineer in 1851 and 1852
and Chief in 1858 and 1854. He was brave
fireman in his day and very daring. Often
lie risked his own life to save those of others.
After retiring from office he became inter-
ested in land speculation. Much of the
property which he possessed is in litigation
to-day. He became partially paralyzed
many years before his death, which oc-
Cured some four years ago. He was very
active Republican and took a great interest
in party politics. His remains now lie in
Mount Calvary Cemetery.
James Z. huffman was elected Chief in
December, 1854. ana served till December,
1855. lie was born in New York and pre-
vious to his arrival here was member of
the fire brigade of that city. He attached
himself on his arrival here to Knickerbocker
Engine Company, no. 8. and pursued his
trade of carpenter. In 1870 he was an as
pirant for the position of Chief Engineer.
but, though having two votes in the board,
he was defeated. Shortly afterward he de-
parted for New York, where he has remained
ever since. At last reports he was in good
health und prosperous.
The next Chief of the Volunteer Depart
ment was David ScanneIl, the present Fire
Chief. He was born in New York, was
member of the Fire Department there be-
fore his advent here, and also was Captain
in the Mexican War. He was Sheriff of
this city in 1856. At the time of his election
as Chief in December, 1860, he was Foreman
of Frederick Engine Company, No. l, then
located on Sacramento street, above Kearny.
He defeated Robert Gushing. Foreman of
Columbian, No. IL, by 100 votes. He was
reelected Chief in 1863 and served till De-
cembcr 8 1866, when the old department
went out of existence. In March, 1871 he
succeeded Ackerson as Chief and served till
April, 1873, when he was succeeded by
Whitney, but he was appointed Chief by the
new Board of Commissioners in December,
1873, but Whitney refused to surrender the
office to him. 4 contest enSued which was
decided i'll ScannelPs favor, and he enter ed
upon the duties of his office Oh March II,
1874, and has been Chief ever since. He is
now 20 years old.
OF the Assistant Engineers OF the Volun-
teer Department d. V. Van Orden, Charles
Simpson, S. S. Gordon. G. Walsh and Con
Mooney are living. The latter served as
First Assistant or Assistant Chief of the
present department for three years from
July, 1870, to April, 1873