Local News
Port Jervis' Hooks Celebrates 150th Anniversary
By Sharon E. Siegel
Aug 2, 2008, 10:43 PST

Port Jervis Fire Department and the historic companies that comprise it have existed since the mid-1800’s—even before the city it serves was chartered.

The City of Port Jervis was chartered in 1907 and celebrated its 100th Anniversary last year. Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 (Hooks/Truck 7) will celebrate its 150th Anniversary Celebration at the Erie Trackside Manor on August 2, 2008.

A proclamation issued in 1983 by then Port Jervis Mayor E. Arthur Gray on the occasion of the company’s 125th Anniversary praised the commitment, service and courage which continue through today.

“Since the early days of the simple horse-drawn ladder truck until the present sophisticated extension ladder truck, the personnel of Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company, supported by their families, have given continuous exemplary and courageous firematic protection to our city,“ it officially read.

A history compiled by Fred L. Hammond for the 125th Anniversary and retrieved from archives maintained by PJFD Secretary Richard F. Drew asks how to pronounce Mag-hog-o-mock. The company’s name comes from a Native American tribe that once inhabited the Port Jervis region. It is thought to have derived from the word ‘maghagkamik’ (mackhagkameck) which meant pumpkin field, or possibly the name of one of the local rivers, or from ‘machacammac’ which meant great house.

While Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 may not be the oldest PJFD fire company, it maintains its status as the oldest company under continuous operation with the same name.

According to a September 17, 1954 story filed by writer Albert L. Stage in the Union- Gazette, the Fire Department of Port Jervis dates back to 1857. Some of its companies, like Hooks, existed even before that. Hooks unofficially dates back to June of 1855 with Charles W. Douglas as Company Foreman. Officially, it has been in operation since March 25, 1858—the same year its first truck arrived.

Hammond notes conflicting reports of Hooks’ first firetruck having been actually built in Port Jervis in 1858, either by Hiller & Schofield Wagonmakers or by Macomber & Holt Wagonmakers. It’s cost? Two-hundred and twenty-five dollars -- $25.00 more than taxpayers had approved!

The vehicle was initially housed in a barn on Fowler Street and then at the old Erie roundhouse, near the historic turntable which still remains.

An excerpt from Stage’s article pertaining to Maghogomock’s official formation has been reprinted with permission from the Times Herald Record as follows:

“Original members of the Maghogomocks were Charles W. Douglas, Foreman; James Taynton, Assistant Foreman; G. W. Potter, Secretary; W. H. Mason, Treasurer; F. Marvin, Solomon Van Etten, F. Champion, C. A. McNish, H. White, T. J. Grey, A. T. Wood, Enos Dodge, C. W. Davis, B. Scriber, Samuel Wood, F. F. Ribber, J. McNaught, J.D. Carpenter, C. D. Cooper, M. Porrit, S. L. Hoit, O. Farnum, Seth Clark, B. Quick, Thomas Gross, C. M. Lawrence, V. Bell, N. Taft, W. H. Stewart, J. H. Parker and Austin Benson. Others who subsequently joined were J.T. Brown, Jacob Brant, James Creegan, J. St. John, Lewis Oakley, John Strater, P. E. Farnum, Z. G. Coykendall, S. S. Starr, Benjamin Caskey, Henry Holt, Charles St. John, O. P. Gilson, Charles Cunningham, John Reeder, Oscar Johnson and S. O. Dimmick, Jr.”

Hammond pointed out some interesting trivia relating to Hooks’ history.

Some past problems included: On January 7, 1887 apparatus did not reach an alarm on Pennsylvania Ave because of snow; on November 1, 1904 a truck did not respond to an alarm on Ball Street due to no horses; and in November and December of 1804 members were fined 15 cents for not responding to a telephone pole alarm in the 3rd district and a clothes closet fire on New Street. At the time, firemen (there were no firewomen) were fined for not answering alarms without good cause; 15 cents for a working fire and 25 cents for a working fire when ladders were raised.

In 1927, a ladies auxiliary was formed with 36 members and remained in operation until about 1960 when it was disbanded.

In 1932, Maghogomock Fife, Drum & Bugle Corp was formed and performed together for 25 years, during which time they became champions of Orange, Rockland, Dutchess and Putnam Counties in 1936 and Pennsylvania State Champion in 1937. The group last performed in August of 1957 at the Port Jervis Golden Jubilee Parade.

On July 4, 1951, the company dedicated a marble bench at the Gold Star Mothers Memorial in Orange Square to honor the members of the company who lost their lives in World War II.

The company is currently located at 25 Orange Street, where it shares a building with its longtime neighbor Neversink Engine Co. No. 1. The two companies have shared dual bay buildings on Orange Street since 1884, when they first occupied the now historic double-bay firehouse that currently serves as a state-of-the-art Port Jervis Fire Museum and Training Facility.

That building, which re-opened last year, has been dedicated to longtime Hooks member and current PJFD Chief Joseph J. Kowal who for more than a decade led restoration efforts to save it.

Hooks has had three members of its ranks serve as Fire Chief. The first was Chief Engineer Leopold Furth from 1870-1873. Second was Roscoe Case from 1958-1959, and third is current Chief Joseph J. Kowal, Sr., who served first as chief from 1998-1999 and again from 2006 to present.

Current Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 officers are: Joseph J. Kowal, Jr. – Captain, David J. Claisse – 1st Lieutenant, and Victor J. Claisse, Jr. – 2nd Lieutenant.

Members as of July of 2008 are: Dove Bailey, Joseph Card, David Case, Sr., David J. Claisse, Victor J. Claisse, Jr., Victor J. Claisse, Sr., Richard Coffill, Kevin Cunningham, Chris DeVries, Stanley Drapala, Arthur Elston, Sr., Richard Finan, Rocco Giovanniello, Richard Greer, Robert Hicks, Jr., Eugene Hughes, Chad W. Kidney, Christopher W. Kidney, Wayne Kidney, John Kowal, Joseph J. Kowal, Jr., Joseph J. Kowal, Sr., Daniel Lewis, Gary Lopriore, Peter Maillet, Scott J. Morris, Darryl Ozello, Craig Perry, Robert Pierson, Donald Reiff, James Ruark, Steven Turner, Victor Valentin, Ronald Van Auken, Chris Van Houten, Donald Westfall, Frances Westfall, John Westfall, Wayne Wood, Albert Woolsey, Anthony J. Woolsey, Justin Worden, Robert Worden, Jr., Robert Robert, Sr., and William Worden.

As the officers and members of Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 prepare to celebrate 150 years of service to their community, the motto for this historic fire company remains “Always First” for the spirit of fire protection and service it has come to be known for.

“We also have a good time together,” said a smiling Kowal, Jr. “It’s not just about work; we also have a lot of fun.”

His 1st lieutenant agreed.

“It’s hard enough to get people today,” said Claisse. “That’s why we’ve been saving money for a long time to celebrate this day. We want to thank them for all that they do. That’s the image that we have—fun along with the work.”