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Introduction
The story of a strong successful volunteer
organization can usually be traced to a
group of enthusiastic and dedicated men. Men
who have at heart a deep cause, and who
strive to build around them the means to
fulfill an ambition. The history of the
Denville Volunteer Fire Department follows
this pattern. The cause was fire protection
direly needed. The means, although dear in
terms of self-sacrifice and energy, was to
develop into one of the foremost volunteer
fire fighting forces in this area of New
Jersey.
Denville in the 1920’s was a village
undergoing rapid change. Like many small
communities of the era it was experiencing
its share of growing pains. With a
population of a little more than 1200 in
1920 the town was without such vital
services as water, gas, or a fire
department. In 1922 Denville had three
Committeemen serving the municipal
government as well as two constables for law
enforcement. But there were neither firemen
nor any type of fire fighting equipment
available. Neighboring communities were
obliged to respond to Denville’s needs in
the area of fire protection. The Mt. Tabor
Fire Department aided Denville residents on
several occasions, as did Rockaway Township.
In the spring and fall during the period
from 1922 to 1926 the Rockaway Fire
Department reported giving fire protection
to the Hub of Morris County on numerous
occasions, at times to the tune of four fire
calls a week.
There was much talk about organizing a fire
protection unit for Denville, but nothing
actually resulted from the rhetoric until
1926. During the latter part of 1925 and
early 1926 the members of the Denville
Athletic Club headed by Robert G. Ellsworth,
discussed the idea of a fire department for
Denville. This group is responsible for
instigating the first real agitation for a
fire fighting force. From among the fifty or
so members of the Athletic Club came the
nucleus of another future organization. They
would form the first constituency in
Denville favorable to the progress of
Denville’s self-reliance for fire
protection.
At a meeting of the Athletic Club on June 6,
1926 at the home of Robert Ellsworth
discussion was again brought up on the idea
for a fire department. This time firm action
was taken which resulted in the formation of
a committee instructed to investigate the
general problems of organizing a fire
department. Serving on the first committee
were; Benjamin Kinsey, formerly a Captain on
the Hoboken Fire Department, William E.
Keeffe Sr. Horace Cook Sr., Robert G.
Ellsworth and Robert Ewald. The first four
of the committee were later to become
Chiefs. These men were to investigate the
terms under which a fire department could be
formed, look into and research the type of
fire fighting apparatus most suitable for
use in Denville, and, most importantly, the
costs involved in the undertaking.
The first regular meeting of the Denville
Fire Department was held on the above date
at the old school house with 22 members
present. The following officers were
nominated by John Worzel and seconded by
John Allen and elected,
Chief Benjamin Kinsey carried
1st. Asst. chief Horace Cook Sr. carried
2nd. Asst. Chief Wm. F. Keeffe Sr. carried
Capt. Peter L. Peer carried
Lieut. S. R. Van Orden Jr. carried
It must be noted at the start of this
history that there were elements among the
town’s citizenry opposed to the improvement
of establishing a fire department. The men
of the Denville Athletic Club underwent some
trying times. There was great sacrifice
involved in their project. Much energy and
endurance would be needed for the
undertaking. Most important of all, lest it
be forgotten, this was a volunteer
organization from its genesis.
The first official meeting of the Department
took place on July 20, 1926 in Denville’s
old school building on Main Street. Prior to
this first session the committee of Kinsey,
Keeffe, Cook, Ellsworth and Ewald had had
some difficulty with Town officials and
others who looked unfavorably to the
establishment of a fire department. The
Township Committee had five members in 1926;
Calvin L. Lawrence, A. Seldon Walker, J.Y.
MacLaud, Joseph P. Hughes and Theodore L.
Bierck. Committeeman Bierck was the only
strong support the Department had on the
governing body. When Chief Kinsey and other
officers of the Department appeared before
the Township Committee for recognition for
the organization the body responded with
less than luke warm enthusiasm. The Township
Committee would grant recognition but could
appropriate no funds nor could they promise
funds or even the cost of running expenses
for at least a year. When passage of the
ordinance establishing official status of
the Department was considered by the
governing body, it was approved with
reluctance. So it is obvious that the
Department was on its own to survive or
perish as an organization. As it turned out
the Department took their case to the people
and won the first of impending battles.
It is significant to indicate the vigor and
efficiency with which the men of the
Department began and carried on their
business. Therefore, the minutes of the
first meeting are duplicated below to
refresh the memory of the occasion and
express the seriousness of the Charter
members of the Denville Fire Department:
Denville N.J. July 20, 1926
On motion of Robert Ellsworth seconded by
Wm. Shoppmann it was voted to purchase 8000
forms to be used to show amount pledged by
subscribers to the Fire Dept. carried.
Motion made by John Allen seconded by Hugh
Sweeney that the Chief appoint a canvassing
committee. Carried.
Motion made by Robert Ellsworth and seconded
by Robert Ronan that the Board of Engineers
be instructed to purchase an American La
France pumping engine. Carried.
Motion made by Robert Ellsworth seconded by
Robert Ronan that Fred Jagger be made
Secretary of the Dept. Carried.
Motion made by Robert Ellsworth seconded by
John Allen that Secretary write the Board of
Education requesting the use of the lower
floor of the old school house as a place in
which to keep the fire apparatus and
equipment. Carried.
Motion made by Robert Ellsworth seconded by
John Worrel that the Sec. also act as
treasurer of the Dept. Carried.
Motion made by Wm F. Keeffe Sr. and seconded
by Robert Ellsworth that the dues be $1.00
per year. Carried.
Motion made by Robert Ellsworth and seconded
by Robert Ewald that the Dept. Meet as a
body at the new schoolhouse Monday eve. At
the special meeting of the Board of
Education and demand the use of the lower
north side room of the old Schoolhouse for
the use of the Fire Dept. Carried.
Motion made by Robert Ronan seconded by SR
VanOrden Jr. that Henry Ewald Sr. be made
Honorary Counsel for the Dept. Carried.
Motion made by John Worzel seconded by Hugh
Sweeney that Horace Cook Sr. be made 1st
driver of the apparatus. Motion made by
Chief Kinsey seconded by Wm F. Keeffe Sr.
that Robert Ewald be second driver. Motion
made by Hugh Sweeney seconded by John Keever
that Robert Van Orden be made 3rd driver.
Carried.
Motion made by Chief Kinsey seconded by 2nd.
Asst. Chief Keeffe that Hugh Sweeney be made
4th driver. Motion made by Robert Ellsworth
seconded by Hugh Sweeney that Peter L. Peer
be made 5th driver. Motion made by Robert
Ellsworth seconded by John Worzel that
Robert Ronan be made 6th driver. Carried.
No other business on hand the meeting was
adjourned until next Tuesday evening July 27
at 8:00 0‘clock in the same place.
Respectfully submitted FM. Jagger Secy.”
History
Continued
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