JOHN ANTHONY STRAUSS was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1891. He appears to have come to Camden in the mid-1910s. When he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 John A. Strauss was living at 1150 Louis Street in Camden. He then worked as a railroad conductor. He was still at that address when the 1924 City Directory was compiled, working as a pipe coverer.  

John A. Strauss was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on May 29, 1924. He reported for duty on June 1, 1924 and was assigned to Ladder Company 1, quartered on North 5th Street between Arch and Market Streets, adjacent to Fire headquarters. John A. Strauss served as a member of Ladder Company 1 until his passing on October 11, 1954.

The 1927 City Directory John Strauss still at 1150 Louis Street. He married shortly after the Directory was compiled. The 1929 City Directory and the April 1930 Census show that he and wife Edna owned a home at 1263 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside. He was still at that address when he passed away. He was replaced on the Fire Department by William Hopkins.