Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-02-23
Friendship Fire Co. Banquet.
l0urned.

Friendship Fire Co. Banquet.
The Second Annual Banquet by this
fire cowniny was given in honor of J NJ.
Henderson, who has served So years as an
active member of the Company at Newton
Hotel last Thursday evening.
The Menu follows:
Oysters on half shell, Allen; oyster pattie,
Iadd; broiled French chops, Redfield French
peas, Sbivers; Friendship punch, Sparks;
chicken salad, Cattell; stewed terrapip, Fish;
baked potatoes, Wilmer; Newton Hotel
biscuits, Cloud; ice cream, cakes, coffee
Roqueford cheese, Burrows; cigars, Hender-
SON
After hearty repast the members were
called on and each contributed to the feast
reason.
Chief Shiyers read a history of John NJ.
Henderson's life work in the City, compi-
menting him on his successful career.
President B. W. Cloud made short ad-
dress of his association with Mr.. Hender-
son in Friendship Fire Co. iollying him on
a few of his mistakes in the excitement of
the fire.
Mr.. Hutchinson. the baby member made
all interesting speech.
Councilman NJ. F. Cattell made very
interesting address during which he read
from the minutes kept by the late J. NJ
Saunders Amusing notes made by Mr.
Saunders 30 years ago In closing his ad-
dress Mr.. Cattell wondered who would
make jest probably in the same Hotel, on
our conduct of Friendship Fire Co. 80
years in the future.
Mr.. Henderson made short addresses.
| doubt if Mr. Henderson ever in his life
was happier, or more kindly appreciated
the courtesy extended to him by his
fellow firemen
a MEMBER
John NJ. Henderson was born at Gibbs-
town, Gloucester county, New Jersey,
on the 9th day OF November 1912. My
mother died when was is months old
and my father died when was years
old. Worked about there until was IS
years old, then went to Blackwood to
live with my uncle to learn the wheel
wright trade.
Before my time as apprentice was out,
| | left the shop and joined the army,
being one of the rs, 900 volunteers who
first responded to Abraham Lincoln's
call to arms We were conveyed by
steamers through the canal from Trenton
to Annapolis, then by steam cars to
Washington. We were the first large
body to arrive, and the people turned
out in force to greet us, about eleven
O'Clock at night, presenting us with
cigars and tobacco. | served my time,
then went back to my uncle's and fin
ished my apprenticeship. Worked in
Philadelphia awhile, afterward went to
Washington and joined the construction
corps. When smallpox broke out /
came back to Philadelphia. Applied at
NAPLES & Wheden, shipbuilders to OBJ
tain work They engaged me at once.
Then came to Woodbury. to deposit my
money, which had saved by being very
economical. as | considered John FL.
Bradway, cashier of the First National
Bank, good custodian Of my funds.
While | was in the bank, William c.
Montgomery, wheelwright, asked me
where | was working. | told him where
/ / had just obtained place. He thought
I l might do better in Woodbury.. so 1
said if NAPLES & Wheden would release
me | would accept job in his shop.
Obtaining release from that firm began
work in Woodbury. about april 7th,
1864. My first year in Woodbury. was
anything rather than success Mont
gomery failed to pay his debts When
summer came [ went to work at Clayton
for John NJ. Moore, putting up steam
mills. Jacob B. Glover, who ran the
blacksmith shopin Woodbury., came and
told me had better try to buy Mont-
gomery out; so came here and purchased
his business October 1st, 1864. This was
a disastrous step, as paid him entirely
too much money. and had him hanging
around the shop until February Of the
next year.
There were no boarding houses in
Woodbury. at that time. and the hotel