Introduction
Charles B. Edwards was born March 21, 1900 in Bridgeton, New Jersey. When the census was taken in April of 1930 Charles B. Edwards was living with his wife Margaret, infant son Charles Jr., and nephew Bert Newton on Mecray Lane in Chester Township (present-day Maple Shade), New Jersey. He was then working as a bus driver.
Charles B. Edwards was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 22, 1930. He reported for duty on January 1, 1931 with Ladder Company 3. He was then living at 125 North 25th Street in East Camden. He was transferred on July 1, 1932 Ladder Company 1. After 5 years service with Ladder Company 1, Charles B. Edwards was, on July 15, 1937 sent to Engine Company 7. Another transfer came on December 19, 1938 when he was assigned to Engine Company 10. After a few weeks Fireman Edwards was again moved, on January 12, 1939 to Ladder Company 2. February 3, 1941 saw another shift, this time to Engine Company 8. Charles B. Edwards’ last assignment began on May 8, 1952 with Engine Company 6.
The 1947 Camden City Directory shows Charles B. Edwards living at 3263 Rutledge Walk. The Camden Fire Department has his last address while serving at 201-A Penn Street.
Charles B. Edwards retired on October 1, 1957 and was replaced on the Fire Department roster by Edward Ulrich. A resident of Haddonfield, New Jersey at the end of his life, Charles B. Edwards died in April of 1968.
Police and Firemen Will Elect Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Herbert Bott Is Unopposed for Presidency of Camden Association
The Camden Police and Firemen’s Association will hold election of officers today at its headquarters, 1175 Whitman Avenue, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Herbert Bott is unopposed for re-election as president. William Thorn is unopposed to replace Richard Middleton for financial secretary and Walter Vecander is unopposed for the new post of assistant financial secretary. All these are police officers.
The police trustees will be named from the following nine candidates: William Marter, George Ward, William Britner, Joseph Shreeve, William Schriber, Joseph Mardino, Joseph Dunnett, Leon Feltz and Russell Young. Two police sergeant-at-arms will be chosen from among Stanley Wirtz, Harry Cattell, Joseph Schultz and George Clayton.
Three candidates are seeking the post of vice president, which goes to a fireman. They are William Spencer, Charles Edwards and albert dukes. Warren Rich, a fireman, is slated to succeed himself as recording secretary and Winfield Leviseur is unopposed for the new post of assistant recording secretary, which goes to a fireman.
Four fireman trustees will be chosen from ten candidates. They are charles cook, Henry Baumgartel, walter eastlack, Arthur Batten, William Getner, William Toy, lawrence newton, James Young, Russell Anderson and William Taylor. Three firemen are seeking two posts as sergeants-at-arms. They are William Judge, John Mulligan and Furman Price.
Bott Chosen Head of Policemen, Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Spencer Wins 3-Corner Fight for Vice-President of Association
Lauded by the members for his splendid work in behalf of the club, Herbert Bott, a patrolman attached to the Third Police District, last night was re-elected president of the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association.
The praise was heaped upon the patrolman following announcement that he had received 107 of 110 votes cast in yesterday’s balloting. He was unopposed for reelection.
In a three-cornered fight, William Spencer, a fireman, was elected vice president of the association. He received 73 votes. His opponents were charles edwards, given 12 votes, and Albert Dukes, 18 votes. Both are firemen.
Others unopposed for office were: William Thorn, financial secretary; walter vecander, assistant financial secretary; Warren Rich, recording secretary, and Winfield Leviseur, assistant recording secretary. The last two are firemen while the first two are policemen.
Lieutenant george ward, Patrolman william marter, and firemen William Taylor, william getner, James Young and Lawrence Newton were elected to the board of trustees.
Sergeants-at-arms named were Stanley Wirtz and george clayton, police, and William Judge and john mulligan, firemen. All had opposition.
After the ballots had been counted William H. Iszard, former assemblyman, appeared on behalf of the Elks Crippled Kiddies Committee, and asked police to support the wrestling show to be staged by that group February 13..
City Firemen Rescue Seven From Blazing Home
Camden Courier-Post —
Taps Sound for Jack Airedale, Canine Mascot of Fire Laddies
By BOB COLLINS
Camden firemen and policemen paid their final respects to stout-hearted Jack Airedale yesterday.
The beloved mascot of Headquarters Fire Company, Fifth and Arch streets, whose life was crushed out under the wheels of truck No. 2, his own wagon, Monday, was accorded a hero’s funeral. His body was interred in the cemetery at the rear of St. Paul’s and the First Baptist churches, close by his fire station home, and taps were sounded at 5 p. m., just as the sun was setting in the west.
People from every station of life visited the fire station to pay homage to the doughty fire-fighter, who was killed answering his last call. Senator Albert S. Woodruff, City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, Miss Florence Hughes, chairman of the Camden County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Fire Chief John S. Lennox and Deputy Chief William Hearn were among the estimated throng of 3500 who passed his bier.
Letters and telegrams of sympathy poured into the headquarters company throughout the day. There were more than 10 offers of dogs to serve as mascots and take Jack’s place. These were kindly but firmly rejected by members of the headquarters company. “There will only be one Jack,” they said. “We appreciate all these offers, but we don’t want another mascot right now.”
The funeral rites for the dog were impressive.
Active bearers included Raymond Stark, John K. Taylor and Everett Joslin, members of the Camden police department; William Spencer and John Strouss, of fire truck No. 1; John McKay, Lester Anderson and Chester Andrews, of truck No. 2.
The honorary members were Captain Van Phefferts, Russell Anderson, Harry Haines and Charles Edwards, of truck No. 1; Nelson Andrews, Christopher Moll, Arthur Batten, George Boone and Rox Abbott, of truck No. 2.
At the appointed hour a dummy alarm was sounded. Jack Airedale was carried to his favorite place on fire truck No. 2. The vehicle moved slowly along Fifth street to Federal, then to Fourth and back to Arch street. When it passed the fire station the bells in the tower tolled.
At the cemetery Jack was placed alongside his predecessors, Alva and Gimp, dogs, and Skibby and Old Black Bill, cats, who were at one time mascots at the fire station.
Personnel Record
Camden Fire Department Personnel Record