PAUL C. BUDD was born in Philadelphia in 1804, and came to Camden twenty years afterward, where he worked for Isaac Vansciver, the carriage-maker, as a coach-painter.  House-painting was also in his line, and he worked at it for many years.  In 1852 he was elected justice of the peace in the North Ward, and re-elected five successive times, and was still serving as such when he died in 1881. He was appointed crier of the county courts in 1859, and held a position until within a short time of his death, a period of nearly twenty-two years.  He was seven times a candidate for mayor, being defeated three times--in 1860 and 1861 by Thomas B. Atkinson, and in 1863 by Timothy Middleton.

The following is the vote cast when he was elected mayor: 

During the administration of Paul C. Budd, the Camden Home for 

Friendless Children opened, in May of 1865. “Brace Road”, which ran from 4th Street and kaighn avenue to Federal Street was renamed as Newton Avenue in 1866, and Camden's first hospital, the Camden City Dispensary was incorporated  in February of 1867.

In 1874 he was elected city recorder for three years.  During his term (1876), John H. Jones, the mayor, died, but before Recorder Budd could take possession, by virtue of his office of recorder, the City Council held a special meeting and elected John Morgan to fill the vacancy.

In the later years of his life, Paul C. Budd lived at 25 North 3rd Street. He died on March 2, 1883, survived by a granddaughter, Pauline Lewis.