Introduction
David W. Belisle was a journalist and author who was active in Camden in the mid-1800s. He was born in Sussex County, New Jersey in 1827 and came to Philadelphia in 1847 and moved across the river to Camden in 1849. Primarily writing for the Philadelphia Public Ledger, he simultaneously undertook other journalistic ventures during a career that lasted until his death in 1886. David W. Belisle wrote a few poems that were set to music and wrote at least two books, both of which are in the public domain and are available at no cost on-line. One, a work of fiction published in 1852, was entitled The American Family Robinsin — or, The Adventures of a Family Lost in the Great Desert of the West. The other book was History of Independence Hall from the Early Period to the Present Time, published in 1859. He also wrote a railroad/tourist guide; A Hand-Book for the Tourist and Traveller, Over the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad to New York: With Descriptions of all the Objects of Interest on the Route in 1853 and The Parterre: A Collection of Flowers Culled by the Wayside in 1849. He also wrote some poems and short pieces that were published in several magazines of the 1840s and 50s.
David Belisle married Orvilla Gleason prior to coming to Camden. There were two children from this marriage, Henry W. Belisle (1847–1870) and Robert S. Belisle. The 1860 Census shows the family living in Camden’s Middle Ward. The Belisles appear to have parted ways prior to 1865. David Belisle is listed in the City Directory at 818 Market Street, while his wife is listed at 32 South 4th Street, running a boarding house. He went to Atlantic City without his family after the Civil War for health reasons and ended up being elected Mayor in 1866, a post in which he served, while still working as a reporter for the Philadelphia Public Ledger. He was reelected in 1867.
By the time the 1869 City Directory was compiled, David W. Belisle had returned to Camden. Directories give different descriptions of where he lived over the next 15 years, as the home he was living in was not assigned a house number until the early 1880s. The 1869 City Directory put him on Newton Avenue, and the 1870 Directory puts him on the Southeast Corner of Newton Avenue and Line Street. The 1870 Census lists him in Newton Township, which was absorbed into Camden in 1871, and under the new charter, comprising the Seventh and Eighth Wards. The 1874 Directory shows him living on Haddon Avenue near the West Jersey Railroad. The 1876 Directory states Newton Avenue, between Line and Pine Streets, while the 1878 Directory has him on the Northeast Corner of Newton Avenue and Pine Street. This was the home of John H. Jones, journalist and publisher of the Camden Democrat, who was elected to office in 1874 and died on October 27, 1876 during his term in office.
The 1880 Census shows David Belisle in the un-numbered house on Newton Avenue between Line and Pine Streets, as do City Directories through 1885, boarding with Mrs. Deborah Jones, the widow of the late Mayor John H. Jones. This building was assigned the address 618 Newton Avenue shortly before the compilation of the 1884 City Directory. He rented a room at 122 Market Street in 1885 from Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Burt. This was his last address.
As to Orvilla Belisle and her sons, they were still living at 32 South 4th Street when the 1870 Census was taken. Sadly, Henry died later that year. She was still at the South 4th Street address as late as 1876. Robert lived with her until at least 1874; he is listed at 424 Taylor Avenue in the 1876 Directory. By 1878 Robert had left Camden as well. Mr. and Mrs. Belisle did not part amicably.
Besides writing for the Philadelphia Public Ledger, David Belisle engaged in journalistic enterprises of his own. His last major venture was a weekly newspaper, the Saturday Evening Express, which he operated out of 434 Federal Street from 1879 into 1885. By March of that year he had sold the newspaper to Alexander Schlesinger. Illness further curtailed Belisle’s activities in November of 1885. He passed away on July 16, 1886. His will, which his wife attempted to challenge, expressly kept his family away from his burial arrangements and his estate. He had remained estranged from his wife and son. Mrs. Belisle died in Philadelphia in 1887, Robert Belisle in 1890.
David, Orvilla, and Robert Belisle are all buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Maps of David Belisle’s Neighborhood
1885 Sanborn Map Overview showing David Belisle’s Neighborhood, 1869–1884
1891 Sanborn Map showing the John H. Jones homestead, which was given the address of 618 Newton Avenue. David Belisle lived here from 1869 to 1884.
The homestead is the yellow building, a 3 story frame structure, with a two story barn at the rear, near Pine Street. The Jones estate also owned the five two story brick homes on Newton Avenue, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 620.
A VETERAN JOURNALIST DEAD
Camden Post —
DAVID W. BELISLE’S EARTHLY CAREER ENDED
Although in Poor Health of Late, His Death Somewhat Unexpected—His Busy Life as a Newspaper Man and a Citizen.
One of the oldest and best known journalists of this part of the state, David W. Belisle, passed quietly away last night at his home on Market street below Second, this city. The deceased had been in poor health for some time past, but his death was rather sudden and unexpected, although weeks ago all hope of his ultimate recovery was abandoned. Mr. Belisle was a veteran in Camden journalism, and was respected by all who knew him for his many excellent qualities. His death will be deeply felt by his fellow-workers on the papers in this city and Philadelphia, and by the Camden Press Club, which he had just joined.
CAREER OF THE DECEASED.
Mr. Belisle has resided in this city since 1849, and has been closely identified with the interests of our city to the present time. His observations of its progress have been closely critical and his knowledge of its changes and advancement coequal with the period of his residence here. He was born in Sussex county, this state, on the 20th of July, 1827, and as he grew up inclined to literary pursuits. He had written several poetical effusions which the editor of the Honesdale, Pa., Democrat, the Old Line Whig organ, and the Wayne county, Pa., Herald, the Democratic paper, printed, and they seemed to be favorably received. These pieces of rural rhyme, attracted the attention of John I. Allen, editor and proprietor of the Herald, who invited young David to a position in his office. This was the long-wished for opportunity—to get into a printing office.
The proprietor of the Herald soon after sold that paper and purchased the Easton Argus and Belisle went with him. Allen soon became involved in trouble from intemperate habits, failed, and Mr. Belisle then went to Belvidere, N. J., and worked on the Apollo until spring, when he returned to Honesdale, to fill an appointment on the Democrat.
From that place in 1847 he came to Philadelphia and worked as a journeyman printer in various offices, among which was the stereotype foundry of L. L. Johnson & Co., King & Baird, and the Messrs. Collings. In 1849 he made Camden his place of residence, and in September of that year became attached as reporter to the Public Ledger, under Messrs. Swain, Abell and Simmons, and has since remained as such. To him belongs the credit of first inaugurating a column in Philadelphia newspapers devoted to Jersey news. The idea was first engrafted upon the Ledger; then upon the Daily Sun (which has long ceased to exist) and it has since been followed up by nearly every daily and weekly paper in the city.
MR. BELISLE’S WORK.
As a reporter, his articles were written in a plain matter of fact style, the news being given without any comments or opinions of his own, the idea being to state facts without any coloring, and to steer clear of all sensationalism. His long connection with printing offices and newspapers has given him that schooling and experience which makes the ready writer. He was the author of a “History of Independence Hall” and other works which have met with an extended sale and brought him into notice. Of a poetical form, he has written a number of popular pieces, which he also set to music and which became widely known.
In 1857, he commenced the publication of the Camden Journal, a daily paper which he conducted for three years very successfully.
In 1864, he went to Atlantic City for the benefit of his health, and in November of that year, he was honored by being elected its Mayor, a position which he held for two years, still retaining his reportorial duties for the Ledger, and contributing for other papers. His life was one of an active character, and during the last fifteen years until stricken last November never lost a day by sickness or other excuses in discharge of his duties.
A JOURNALIST LAID AT REST
Camden Post —
The Funeral of David W. Belisle, of the “Ledger,” Largely Attended.
All that was mortal of the veteran journalist, David W. Belisle, was consigned to last resting place in Evergreen cemetery yesterday afternoon. The funeral services were held at two o’clock at his late residence, 122 Market street, all the arrangements being made by George W. Childs.
Rev. G. B. Wight, D. D., officiated. As peacefully as though he had but fallen asleep, the dead journalist lay in his narrow walnut casket. A floral harp, from the Camden Press Club, stood at the head of the casket and an anchor at its foot. Many of his old friends, in addition to the Camden journalists and a number of the Ledger attaches, were present. The pall-bearers were John H. Brantigam, Henry S. Stiles, John L. Anderson and J. Hampton Moore, of the Ledger; Harry L. Bonsall, of the Post, and Richard J. Mapes, of The Courier.
A JOURNALIST’S WILL
Camden Post —
David Belisle Bequeaths His Property and Nominates His Undertaker.
The will of the late David W. Belisle, against the proving of which a caveat has been filed by Mrs. Belisle, gives all his real and personal property, including certain moneys coming to him from the Camden Volksfest Verein, to Mrs. Mame Burt. It was the expressed wish of deceased that Rev. George B. Wight should conduct the funeral service, or, in default of him, some other minister of the Methodist church and also that Fithian S. Simmons, of 312 Market street, should act as his undertaker. One clause read: “I desire that no members of my family or any of my relatives be consulted or have anything to do with the conducting of my funeral or the disposition of my body.” Gideon H. Burt, who befriended the old man during the last eighteen months of his life, was named executor. Mrs. Burt corrects the statement that Mr. Belisle boarded with her during his entire stay at her home. He merely rented a room.