Joseph Smith Harmer (born 31st Oct 1882) was the fourth child of John Harmer Jnr., which makes him our John Harmer’s grandson.
Early life
The middle name ‘Smith’ must have been a reference to a family name on his mother’s side, as it has no relevance to his Harmer line. Joseph grew up with his parents John and Susie and his four siblings at Basking Ridge, Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.
In the 1900 U.S. Census Joseph (17) was boarding with William Barnman (a blacksmith) and his family at Basking Ridge, and was working as a ‘hack driver’.
Marriage
Around 1903 Joseph married Susan Scalley (b. Jun 1882). Susan was born in N.J. to Irish parents [1905 N.J. Federal Census].
In July 1905 when the N.J. Federal Census was taken the young couple were renting a flat at 134 Wickcliffe, 6th and 8th District ot the 7th ward of, Newark. Joseph was working as a ‘Trolley Cond.’ – any guesses as to what this mean’t are very welcomed! Baby Dorothy was just 7 months old. Another two children came along; Eugene in 1906 and John in 1911.
In July 1915 when the N.J. Federal Census was taken Joseph (31) and Susan (32) were were living at 135 Myrtle Avenue, Passaic with Dorothy (10), Eugene (8) and John (4). Joseph was working as a janitor.
Towards the end of WWI on September 12th 1918 Joseph completed a Draft Registration Card. He was aged 35 at the time, and gave his address as 424 LaFayette Avenue, Passaic. This was right next door to his brother Leon’s house. For some reason Joseph put down his 14 year old daughter Dorothy as next of kin, rather than his wife Susan, although the latter was very much alive at this time. His place of work was the New York Telephone Company, 133 Prospect Street, Passaic, where he was employed as a janitor – implying that he had been in same role since 1915. The registrar described him as tall and slender, with blue eyes and dark brown hair.
Joseph, Susan and their three children were at the same address in the 1920 U.S. Census, Joseph’s employment was the same, and Joseph’s brother Leon and his family were still living next door.
In April 1942 Joseph completed a Draft Registration Card, indicating that he was willing and able to fight during WWII. He gave his address as 17 Halleck Street, Newark, Essex, N.J., and ‘John Harmer’ of 24 Brenner Street, Newark, N.J. as the person who would always know his address (basically as his next of kin). By this time Joseph was 59, but was legally obliged to enlist. He also gave his employer’s name as the ‘N. J. Bell Tel. Co.’ of 540 Broad Street, Newark, Essex. This time the registrar described him as 5′ 9″ tall, bespectacled, weighing approx. 184 pounds, of light complexion and having grey eyes and grey hair.
Death
Joseph died on the 25th November 1952 when he was 72. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Basking Ridge, Somerset County, N.J.
