Introduction
CLARENCE PURSGLOVE was born in Camden, New Jersey on May 23, 1884 to Charles Watson Pursglove and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Hamilton. He was the youngest of eight known Pursglove children, coming after Mary, Elizabeth, William, Charles, Emma, George, and Harry Pursglove. From 1887 through 1890 the Pursglove family lived at 138 Walnut Street in South Camden. The 1900 Census shows the family at 1243 Liberty Street. Clarence Pursglove was then working as a laborer. By 1910 Charles Pursglove had passed. Clarence Pursglove lived with his mother and brothers Charles, William, and Harry at 911 St. John Street.
In the early 1910s Clarence Pursglove married Evelyn Patten, of 757 Mount Vernon Street. The marriage produced one child, a daughter also named Evelyn, around 1912.
George H. Pursglove became a member of the Camden Fire Department in the mid-1910s. He resigned from the department in March of 1918 to take a higher-paying job in one of Camden’s shipyards. Clarence Pursglove was appointed to replace him. George Pursglove later returned to the Fire Department.
When Clarence Pursglove registered for the draft in September of 1918, he was living at 757 Mount Vernon Street with his wife Evelyn and daughter. They were still at that address when the census was taken in April of 1930.
By the end of 1939 Clarence and Evelyn Pursglove had moved to 3080 South Constitution Road in Camden’s Fairview section. He was still working as a Camden firefighter and living at that address when the 1947 City Directory was compiled. Mandatory retirement from the Fire Department was instituted in 1948.
A lifelong Camden resident, Clarence Pursglove died in December of 1970.
Shipyard Wages Lure to Firemen
Camden Post-Telegram —
SHIPYARD WAGES LURE TO FIREMEN
Chief Presents Six Resignations at Meeting of Council Commission.
MERTZ IS CAPTAIN IN WHITSELL'S PLACE
Camden's Fire Department has been hard hit by the call of the shipyards and death. The report of Fire Chief Peter B. Carter presented last night at the meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council showed six resignations, two deaths and one vacancy from the draft.
The resignations follows: Louis Neuman, No. 3 Truck Company; George H. Pursglove, No. 7 Engine Company; Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert and Harry W. Stone, No. 3 Truck Company, and Lieutenant Joseph Sparks, No. 7 Engine Company.
Deaths reported were Captain Samuel Whitzell, of No. 1 Engine Company, and William Elberson, of Headquarters. William Schucher, of No. 4, was drafted into the Army.
To take the place of Captain Whitzell, Lieutenant Walter Mertz, of the same company, was appointed captain, and Horace Kerns was made lieutenant. The following appointments were made by the Fire Committee: Robert L. Knox, 822 Division street, to fill place of Julius Hubert; Allen Palmer, 120 North Eleventh street, for vacancy of Louis Neuman; Clarence Pursglove, 751 Mt. Vernon street, taking place of his brother George; Anthony Paradise, 658 South Second street, filling place of Roy De Haven; Harry B. Maxwell, 422 North Sixth street, for vacancy of Harry W. Stone; Robert Welsh, 512 Borton street, vacancy of William Schucher, and William Vile, 570 Carman street, to fill place of Captain Whitzell.
The American La France Company was awarded the contract to furnish a new two-in-one motor apparatus for $10,000.
A petition from members of the Firemen's Pension Fund asked that the rule of ten years' apprenticeship be abolished in view of the wages paid men employed in other industries. The petition requests that all men in the department be placed on full salary at once. The petition will be presented to City Council.
Six Camden Firemen Quit for Better Jobs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SIX CAMDEN FIREMEN QUIT FOR BETTER JOBS
Higher Wages Lure Members of the Force to the Local Shipyard
High wages paid at shipyards is proving a big lure to the members of the Camden Fire Department, resignations of six laddies being presented to the Fire Committee of City Council yesterday by Chief Carter. The men quitting to become shipbuilders are Louis Neuman, George H. Pursglove, Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert, Harry W. Stone and Joseph Sparks. Their places were filled by the appointment of Robert Knox, Allen Palmer, Clarence Pursglove, Anthony Paradise, Harry B. Maxwell and Robert Welsh. Lieutenant Walter Mertz was made a captain to succeed Samuel Whitzell, deceased, and Horace Kerns was made a lieutenant. A contract was awarded to the American-La France Engine Company for a new motor engine. The price is $10,000.
Man and Wife Saved by Passing Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Watchman Meets Engines Returning From Another Blaze; 4 Sunday Fires
Trapped in ‘their home over a blazing butcher shop on Kaighn avenue, a man and wife were carried down a ladder by firemen who were returning from one of four serious fires which called out every piece of apparatus in Camden yesterday.
Total damage in the four fires was estimated at $23,000.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Registration Card — Clarence Pursglove
World War II Draft Card
World War II Draft Registration Card — Clarence Pursglove