Truck Company No. 7

In the heart of the residential section of Roseville are located the
headquarters of Truck Company No. 7, one of the best in the department. Although
organized only a short time, the members of the company have done efficient
service and have demonstrated that they are well up in the game of saving life.
Captain Isaac Van Houten has seen service in the department for the past
thirty-eight years and organized his present company a little over a year ago.
He was formerly connected with Engine Company No. 16. While a member of the
latter company Captain Van Houten had many narrow escapes and received an injury
to his knee at the Lister fire which laid him up for a short time.
Lieutenant Alvin A. Bennett has proved himself an able assistant, and has been a
member of the department for the past sixteen years. He has been a member of No.
7 since May 1, and was formerly connected with Truck Company No. 5. Like his
superior, Captain Van Houten, Lieutenant Bennett has had many narrow escapes
from serious injury.
Tillerman John A. O’Connor has been a member of No. 7 Truck Company since its
organization, and was formerly a member of Truck Company No. 4. Last summer
Tillerman O’Connor demonstrated that fighting fires was not the only thing he
could do, when single handed he rescued two half-drowned boys from the Erie
Canal.
The members of the company take great pride in their pet dog, “Booze.” “Booze”
is a watch dog and guards the house when the members are answering an alarm. He
can be seen running and jumping around the house on any week day, but, true to
his name, he keeps shady on Sunday. “Jim,” “Joe” and “Cap” are the horses.
The members of the company are: Captain Isaac Van Houten, Lieutenant Alvin A.
Bennett, Tillerman John A. O’Connor, Driver William Gould, Robert Durie, Joseph
Spiro, Frederick Tack, William H. Murphy, Charles Bauer, Charles H. Deagan,
Charles L. Main and Raymond J. Robinson.