Bernard J. "Barney" Tracy

BERNARD JOSEPH "BARNEY" TRACY was born in Pennsylvania around 1881 to Thomas and Mary Tracy. The Tracys came to Stockton Township during the first half of the 1890s, settling at 2006 Federal Street where Thomas Tracy ran a saloon. By the summer of 1900 Barney Tracy had gone to work at a leather factory, a trade he would follow almost exclusively into the 1930s. 

Barney Tracy joined the Improved Order of Red Men in Camden around 1902, and became involved in politics shortly afterward. The family was living at 58 Boyd Street when the Census was taken in 1910. Sons Thomas and Harry had already arrived; a daughter, Roberta, would soon follow. The 1914 City Directory shows the family at 105 Marlton Avenue, and also reveals that Barney Tracy had taken a shot at running a retail variety store. This venture did not pan out and he was working at the Keystone Leather Company factory by the summer of 1918. 

Barney Tracy was a life-long Democrat. During World War I he worked registering men in the Twelfth ward for the draft. He was living at 2001 Federal Street in September of 1918 when he himself registered, local businessman Charles A. Reynolds handling the formalities of that transaction. Barney Tracy was then working for the Keystone Leather Company at 1600 Mickle Street.

In the early 1920s he was a supporter of Victor King, and was instrumental in having Camden's form of government changed to commission in 1923. By the 1930s he had risen to the post of County Committeeman from the Twelfth Ward, which comprised East Camden. So popular and effective in getting services delivered to his area that Barney Tracy was known as "The Mayor of East Camden". He served three terms on Camden County's Board of Elections.   

By 1930 Barney Tracy was living at 2003 Federal Street in East Camden with his wife Freda and children Thomas, Harry, and Roberta. He was then working as a foreman at one of Camden's leather factories. Around 1936 he was appointed to run the United States Marshal's office in Camden, and served in that capacity through at least 1938. In the late 1930s and early 1940s his next door neighbor at 2001 Federal was Samuel J. "Buddy" Leyman, who operated a sandwich shop from the address. Samuel Leyman would be drafted and killed in action while serving with the United States Army in Europe in December of 1944. Thomas and Harry Tracy, also known as "Barney" were well known in Camden as athletes. Both played professional basketball in the Eastern League in the 1920s and in semipro leagues in the 1930s, and Harry "Barney" Tracy played with the the traveling House of David baseball club, sporting a long red beard.

By the time the 1947 Camden City Directory was published Barney Tracy was approaching the age of retirement. Still living at 2003 Federal Street, he was then working as a custodian at the William McKinley School which stood at the corner of 35th and Mickle Street in East Camden. Son Harry Tracy was still living at home, and was serving as an officer in Camden's Police Department. He appears to have moved to 130 North 24th Street sometime thereafter, and is listed in the 1959 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory at that address.

Camden Courier-Post - June 9, 1932

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church - East Camden
Bernard J. Tracy - John Carroll - Frank Doherty
John Nettleton - Joseph Smith
Rev. William J. Brennan - Rev. Charles McCorriston

Republicans Seek Mrs. Hyland's Job On Election Board
Will Drop Mrs. Stinson To Win Place for Mrs. Caperoon
AIM AT CAPTURING POST OF SECRETARY
Plan Revolves About Law's Jig-saw Puzzle on Member's Ages

By MERCURY

A change in the Republican membership of the Camden County Board of Elections will take place when that body reorganizes March 1, with the G. O. P. looking towards ousting Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Democrat, as secretary of the board and commissioner of elections.

According to a well-founded rumor afloat last night, a meeting of the Republican Conference Committee held yesterday afternoon decided to drop Mrs. Lottie B. Stinson, Republican, and chairman of the board, in favor of Mrs. Pauline Caperoon, office manager of county Republican headquarters at Broadway and Stevens street.

By this move the Republicans hope to regain the secretaryship, lost when Mrs. Stinson succeeded Edwin G. Scovel as a member of the election board six years ago. At that time Scovel was secretary and Mrs. Hyland was chairman. 1

At that 1927 reorganization meeting following Mrs. Stinson's appointment, the Democrats pulled a fast one on their rivals by nominating Mrs. Stinson for the post of chairman. The law provides that the secretary must be of opposite political faith from the chairman. and as the secretaryship carries with it the post of commissioner of elections, it is the coveted plum. 

The Republicans promptly nominated Mrs. Hyland for re-election as chairman and a vote was taken. Each nominee received two votes, the Republicans voting for the Democrat and the Democrats for Mrs. Stinson. 

With the result a tie, the Republicans claimed that Mrs. Hyland should remain as chairman, but the Democratic members produced the law which instructed that in case of a tie vote for chairman, the post should go to the oldest, in the matter of age, of the two nominated. So, Mrs. Stinson was declared chairman and Mrs. Hyland selected as secretary. If the Republicans had nominated Bernard B. Tracy, the second Democratic member at the time, the two Democratic ballots undoubtedly would have been cast for Mrs. Hyland creating another tie and Mrs. Hyland would have been awarded the secretaryship on the same grounds Mrs. Stinson was made chairman. 

The post of secretary of the election board pays an annual salary of $2250. Minus the 30 percent cut, the secretary will receive $1575. All other members of the board, are paid $1500 annually, less the 30 percent which brings their pay down to $1050.

Both Mrs. Hyland and Mrs. Stinson's terms are up this year. The other members of the board are William E. A. King, Republican, and Charles J. Clark, Democrat.

Mrs. Hyland, who is Democratic State Committeewoman of Camden County, will undoubtedly be reappointed to the board. Appointment is made by the governor upon recommendation of the members of the state committee from the county involved.

It Is not known who the Republicans have selected as their choice for the secretaryship, but it is believed Mrs. Caperoon will get the coveted post. As partial repayment for losing her  place on the election board, Mrs. Stinson, who is Republican County committeewoman from the Fourteenth Ward, w!l1 probably be given Mrs. Caperoon's place at Republican headquarters.

Mrs. Caperoon resides at 346 Carteret street, in the Ninth ward. She is the wife of Frederick W. Caperoon, musical director of WCAM.

Camden Courier-Post - June 20, 1933

DEMOCRATS ARRANGE FOR 'MALONEY DAY'
July 9 Set for Reception and Picnic to New Revenue Collector

Camden Courier-Post - February 19, 1936

COURT AIDE TO SPEAK AT EAST CAMDEN CLUB

Frank J. Suttill, deputy clerk of the Camden City District Court, will address the Twelfth Ward Democratic Club tonight at its clubhouse, Federal Street near Twenty-seventh Street.

Suttill will deliver a "Resume of the Roosevelt Administration's Achievements." He also will discuss whether the Constitution should be amended and the power of the U. S. Supreme Court be curtailed. 

In accordance with the new practice of the club, Bernard J. Tracy, county committeeman, arranges with some outstanding member of the Democratic Party to address the members each month.

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Camden Courier-Post - February 1, 1938

CAMDEN YOUTH HELD IN ARMY PISTOL THEFT

U. S. Marshall Bernard J. Tracy last night arrested Martin J. Corbert, 23, of 122 Pearl Street, Camden, in connection with the theft of a .45 caliber automatic pistol from the 157th Field Artillery Armory on Wright Avenue at Ninth street. He was lodged in Camden city jail for a hearing before U. S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong this morning. 

As the result of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe. Carl Weber, 21, of 815 Birch Street, was arrested two weeks ago, charged with larceny of government property and was held in Federal custody. According to Camden police, Weber implicated Corbert.

Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6
11th Annual Banquet - April 20, 1959