Firefighter Thomas C. Elvins, Sr. Hammonton Fire Department February 7, 1926 Thomas C. Elvins graduated from Amherst College in Amherst, MA in 1895 and became an assistant to his father in the operation of Elvins' General Store. He joined the Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company which was completed in 1898 and was a short distance from the General Store. He married Lilla Peachen Ruby, a Hammonton school teacher. Two of their sons, Edward "Hub" Elvins and Thomas C. Elvins II also became members of the fire company. Thomas Elvins was elected mayor of Hammonton and served three terms. He also was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1902, serving in Trenton until 1907. Thomas Elvins then became Postmaster of Hammonton from 1907 to 1915. While serving the fire company, on January 24, 1926, Elvins jumped on the rear step of an engine that was backing out of the firehouse. He slipped under a wheel, crushing his leg. Despite the best medical care of the times, infection could not be prevented. He died two weeks later on February 7, 1926. Close Window