Introduction
CHARLES H. STURGIS was born in New Jersey in August of 1859 to John and Mary Sturgis. The 1870 Census shows the family, which included younger brothers John and George, living in Newton Township, near the Gloucester City post office. This area was annexed to Camden the following year, becoming Camden’s Eighth Ward.
He married Caroline Horneff on April 3, 1877. There were five children born to the family, William Paul Sturgis, Charles H. Sturgis Jr., Harry Jacob Sturgis, Clarence Wilbert Sturgis, Edna May Sturgis. The 1910 Census also indicates a sixth child, Thekla Sturgis, was born in 1897.
In November of 1899 Charles Sturgis was considered for an appointment to the Camden Fire Department, but the job did not come his way. He was added to the Department in April of 1905.
The 1900 Census shows Charles and Caroline Sturgis at 709 Ferry Avenue with children Charles H. Jr., Harry, Clarence, and Edna at home. Charles H. Sturgis Sr. was then working as a huckster.
The 1910 Census shows son Clarence and his wife living at 650 Ferry Avenue, son Harry, his wife and child at 652 Ferry Avenue, and at 662 Ferry Avenue lived Charles H. Sturgis Sr., wife Caroline, and daughters Edna and Thekla. The 1910 Census also indicates that Charles Sturgis was working as an oilcloth printer at the time. He may have temporarily left the Fire Department, as it is known that he was a member both prior to and after the 1910 Census was enumerated.
Charles Sturgis left the Camden Fire Department at some point after December of 1914. By 1920 he had moved to Verga in Gloucester County. He died of cancer in late December of 1924 and was buried next to his son Harry at New Camden Cemetery on January 2, 1925.
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN COUNCILMEN FROM EAST SIDE SPLIT ON SELECTING APPOINTEES
There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward — Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief — Other Promotions
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.
In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Vanhart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.
In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.
In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.
Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.
Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.
The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navins, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson.
The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn hose house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.
SIXTEEN APPOINTED TO FIRE DEPARTMENT
Camden Evening Courier —
Men Selected from Every Ward Throughout the City.
EIGHT TO GO TO THE NEW HOUSE
On account of the illness of its chairman, Dr. Frank Neall Robinson, the fire committee of City Council last night met at Dr. Robinson's residence, 518 Linden street. The principal object of the meeting was to recommend names for additional appointments in the Fire Department.
Among the sixteen fortunate ones were Rollo Jones and Charles Cook, of the First ward; James White and Harry Anderson, Second ward; Ephraim Davis, Tenth ward; Samuel Sheer and E. Finley, Third ward; Martin Carrigan, Fourth ward; Joseph Daly, Fifth ward; Joseph Ernest, Sixth ward; William Buzine, Seventh ward; William Munson, Charles Sturgis, Eighth ward; William Whitzell, Ninth ward; Joseph Till, Jr., East Camden.
William Miller, Eighth ward; John H. Vickers and F. Morse, Twelfth ward.
EIGHTEEN NEW FIREMEN NAMED
Camden Post-Telegram —
Sixteen of the Men Will Not Go on Duty Until July Next.
TWO OTHERS TO FILL VACANCIES
City Council's Fire Committee last night named 18 new firemen. Sixteen of these men will not go on duty until July 1, next, at which time the new fire house will be ready for service, while the other two, who were named to fill vacancies, will begin duty the first of next year.
It must not be inferred that the sixteen new men will all be assigned to the new company. Experienced men from the several houses, with one or two of the new ones, will make up Company No. 5, while the rest of the raw recruits will be apportioned among the several houses.
Rollo Jones, of the First ward, and William Miller, of the Eighth ward, are the men to go on duty January 1. They fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of John Ware and Samuel Peoples.
The others selected are: First ward—Charles Cook. Second ward—James White, Harry Anderson. Third ward—Samuel Sheer, Edward Finley. Fourth ward—Martin Carrigan. Fifth ward—Joseph Daly. Sixth ward—Joseph Ernest. Seventh ward—Seth Monnell, William Buzine. Eighth ward—Charles Sturgis. Ninth ward—S. T. Whitezell. Tenth ward—Ephraim T. Davis. Eleventh ward—J. Oscar Till. Twelfth ward—J. H. Vickers, Frederick Morse.
All the appointees must pass a physical examination which will be made by Dr. W. H. Iszard.
William Hertline, connected with headquarters, has been suspended pending a trial on a charge made by Chief Elfreth. The case will be heard on Monday night.
MORE FIREMEN FOR CAMDEN
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Made Necessary by the Erection of a New Engine House
The Fire Committee of Camden City Council have appointed the following firemen: Charles Cook, James White, Harry Anderson, Samuel Sheer, Edward Finley, Martin Carrigan, Joseph Daly, Joseph Ernest, Seth Morrell, William Buzine, Charles Sturgis, Samuel T. Whitezell, Ephraim T. Davis, J. Oscar Till, J. H. Vickers, Frederick Morse, Rollo Jones and William Miller. Jones and Miller will go on duty at once, and the others on January 1, by which time it is expected the new fire house at Twelfth and Federal streets, will be completed.
The new men will be distributed among the older companies. The new company will be made up of experienced men from the other companies.
NEW FIREMEN ADDED TO CAMDEN'S FORCE
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Spreading of the City's Department Necessitates the Appointment of More Firemen
Camden City Council's Fire Committee last night appointed additional firemen, the increased force being necessary by reason of the spreading of the department. The following are the new firemen: Charles Cook, First ward; James White and Harry Anderson, Second ward; Edward Finley, Third Ward; Martin Corrigan, Fourth ward; James Willis, Fifth ward; Harry Green, Sixth ward; Seth Monnell and Edward Buzine, Seventh ward; Charles Sturgis and William Miller, Eighth ward; Samuel Witzel, Ninth ward; Ephraim Davis, Tenth ward; J. O. Till, Eleventh ward; J. H. Vickers and Fred Morse, Twelfth ward.
Fireman Bitten by Department Horse
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Fireman Catches Three-Pound Eel
Bridgeton Evening News —
Springer—Sturgis
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Man Dies in Fight Over Baseball
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Named: Henry Sturgis, Charles Sturgis, John Painter, William Schregler, Samuel Farr, Edward Farr, Dr. Orris W. Saunders, Ferry Avenue, Broadway, Atlantic Avenue, South 7th Street, and Engine Company 3.
Camden's Court Docket Is Brief
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN'S COURT DOCKET IS BRIEF
Smallest Number of Cases In Years for Session Opening Tuesday
In the various courts which will open for the September term in Camden on Tuesday, the respective lists of cases are shown to be exceptionally brief. This not only includes the Supreme Court, where there were but seventy issues scheduled, but also the Circuit Court, Common Pleas and the Criminal Courts. As a result most of the civil business will have been completed in a few weeks' sitting by the judges.
As to the new grand jury which will be summoned and sworn in before Supreme Court Justice Garrison, there will be presented by Prosecutor Boyle the smallest number of cases in a number of years. Where it has been customary to have at least four or five hundred such issues, there are a little over two hundred and most of them are of such comparatively trifling import that they will not reach court for trial. This is due largely to the holding of special sessions throughout the summer, which has had a tendency to keep the calendar clean.
Slain Man’s Father Held on Charge of Assault
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Named: Elbridge B. McClong, Charles Sturgis, Ferry Avenue, O. Glen Stackhouse, Samuel Farr, and Edward Farr.
Inmates Rescued as Nursery Burns
Camden Post-Telegram —
INMATES RESCUED AS NURSERY BURNS
Firemen Save Dozen Sick Children Who Were in Quarantine Ward.
CARRIED TO SAFETY DOWN THE LADDERS