Introduction
Edgar S. Boulton
Edgar S. Boulton was born in New Jersey around 1872, one of at least four children born to Josiah Boulton and his wife, the former Amanda F. Chew. His parents were living in Lumberton, New Jersey when the 1870 Census was taken. The 1880 Census shows the family living at 518 Vine Street in North Camden. Besides Edgar the family included older brothers Charles and Gilbert, and a younger sister, Ida. Mrs. Boulton’s teenage siblings, Hannah and John, also lived there. The Boultons were at 522 Vine in 1882, Josiah Boulton running a variety store at the time. He subsequently went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Josiah and Amanda Boulton seem to have parted ways in the mid-1880s. Charles Boulton in time moved to South Camden, Gilbert and Edgar remaining with their mother. The 1896 City Directory shows Edgar, Gilbert, and Amanda Boulton at 817 Bridge Avenue. Edgar Boulton then working as a printer.
Edgar Boulton was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 27, 1899. He worked out of Fire Headquarters at North 5th and Arch Streets for several years. On September 3, 1900 he married his wife Anna.
In May of 1905 Edgar Boulton was selected to be the Captain of the then-new Engine Company 5, whose firehouse was being built at 1401 Federal Street, near the Cooper River drawbridge. Engine Company 5 entered service on July 1, 1905.
Edgar Boulton’s captaincy did not last for very long, however. In February of 1906 he was charged with assaulting a brother fire fighter, Charles Worthington. Boulton resigned from the Fire Department a few days later. Edgar Boulton joined the Camden Police Department in 1908 and served for many years, retiring in 1946.
Edgar and Anna Boulton lived at 1028 Princess Avenue from 1934 to 1952. That year they moved in with their son, Edgar S. “Sammy” Boulton. Anna Boulton passed on February 1, 1953. Edgar Boulton’s last years were spent living with his daughter Dorothy and her husband, Camden police officer Russell Young, at 1133 Bergen Avenue in Cramer Hill. Edgar Boulton died in May of 1956.
Edgar Boulton was survived by his son Edgar S. “Sammy” Boulton, daughters Dorothy Boulton Young, Edna Boulton McErlain and Rachel Boulton Messick, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Edgar Boulton’s nephew, Lawrence Boulton, had a long career as a Camden firefighter, serving for over 33 years prior to retiring in the fall of 1961. Edgar Boulton’s sister Laura was married to Joseph Shreeve, who served on the Camden Police Department from 1919 until his death in 1935.
"The funeral of Fireman William Bogia"
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The funeral of Fireman William Bogia was largely attended yesterday by delegations from the Fire Department, the “36” Club and the Fifth Ward Republican Club. There were many handsome floral offerings. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.
Thomas Hambrose, Gus Smith, Edgar Boulton, Gilbert Boulton, Harry Leach, T. B. Chambers and C. Patton, members of the “Spider Gang,” were held in $200 bail each, yesterday, under indictments by the grand jury for assaulting Policemen Bakeley and Anderson.
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.
Want to Be Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
WANT TO BE FIREMEN
There'll Be Trouble in Finding Places for All Hands
To-morrow night's session of the Fire Commissioners of Camden promises to be a lively one. Two firemen for the Second ward and four each for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards will be appointed. In the Second ward the candidates are John Vanhart, W. Scott Franklin and Edgar Bolton. Vanhart has been agreed upon by both factions. Franklin has the support of Freeholder Whyte and a large following, while Bolton is recommended by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton's appointment was expected at the last meeting of the Commissioners. Afterwards it was found that typewritten resolutions purporting to be signed by the same committee of the Second ward club which indorsed Bolton was sent to the Commissioners prior to the meeting urging the appointment of Franklin. The resolutions had the seal of the club attached. This caused the appointment to hang fire. It is now claimed by Bolton's friends that the club did not indorse Franklin, as he is not a member. It is alleged that the signatures purporting to be those of the committee were not authorized.
In the Eleventh ward Councilmen Longacre and Arnold have not yet settled their differences. Councilman Longacre insists on the appointment of Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark. Councilman Arnold claims the right to name Frank Powell and Lewis H. Sasse notwithstanding the fact that at a conference he agreed upon the names presented by Councilman Longacre. In the Twelfth ward Councilman Leas, the City and Ward Committeeman, and the Union Republican Club favor the naming of Samuel Collins, William Madison, John F. Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
Firemen Selected
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch's Candidates Were Pushed to the Front
Increase in Camden Fire Department Agreed Upon After Sharp Contest
The trouble over the selection of new firemen from the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth wards of Camden was settled at an executive session of the Fire Commissioners last evening. John W. Vanhart and Edgar Bolton, backed by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill, were selected from the Second ward, and Councilman Longacre in the Eleventh ward and Councilman Leas in the Twelfth landed their candidates.
Prior to the meeting a delegation of Second ward Republicans marched to fire headquarters wearing badges inscribed, “For firemen, Second ward, John W. Vanhart and W. Scott Franklin.” The latter was a candidate against Bolton, who also had a number of friends present. There was no opposition to the appointment of Vanhart.
As the delegation crowded in on the second floor of the fire house there was a cracking noise that sounded as if the floor was giving away. This caused a rush, but the alarm soon subsided.
The Commissioners were in secret session for nearly a half hour before they finally settled the contest over the Second ward appointments. Mayor Hatch, Councilman McGill and Freeholder Whyte were each called before the Commissioners. The latter favored the appointment of Franklin. After the Second ward appointments were settled it did not take long to decide upon the new firemen from the Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Councilman Arnold, who has been opposing Councilman Longacre's candidates in the Eleventh ward, was not present, neither was Councilman Lee, who was opposing the men backed by Councilman Leas in the Twelfth ward.
The men selected for firemen from these two wards are as follows: Eleventh ward, Robert Gich, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark; Twelfth ward, Samuel Collins, William Madison, John Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
The following were promoted to foremen: George F. Cox, foreman Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; George Wade, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; Samuel Peoples, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Charles Robinson, Chemical Engine Company No. 1; Edward Weston, Hose Company No. 1, East Side; Albert C. Jones, Hose Company No. 2, East Side.
The appointments, together with those made last Thursday evening, will be confirmed by City Council to-morrow night.
Fire in a Camden School Building
Philadelphia Inquirer —
FIRE IN A CAMDEN SCHOOL BUILDING
Firemen and Citizens Fight Blaze, Result of Which Aggravates Over-Crowded Condition of Rooms
The overcrowded condition of Camden’s schools was made worse yesterday by the Kaighn School at Newton Avenue and Sycamore Street, being badly damaged by fire. It will be several weeks at least before the building can again be used for school purposes.
The fire was discovered shortly after 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Smoke was pouring from the windows in thick volumes. When the firemen arrived the interior of the building on the northeast end was ablaze. Scores of citizens assisted the firemen in their work and materially aided in saving the school from total destruction. The flames ate their way through the partitions and such thick smoke arose from the fat pine flooring that the firemen were almost overcome. After a strenuous hour firemen and citizens succeeded in extinguishing the flames.
Janitor John Campbell said the fire originated in the northeastern section of the cellar, where there was an old heater, the top of which was but a few inches from the fat pine flooring. Four of the eleven rooms were burned out. The other section of the building was badly damaged by water and smoke. All the furnishings will have to be replaced. Members of the Board of Education were unable to place the loss, which will amount to several thousand dollars. About 400 children attend the school. The Board of Education will meet tonight, when some provision will be made for them.
Fireman Edgar Boulton was badly cut on the arms by flying glass. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
Foreman of New Engine Company
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Foreman of New Engine Company
Foreman of New Engine Company
Edgar Bolton has been made foreman of the new engine company to be located in the Camden Fire Department's new house at Twelfth and Federal streets.
Brave Fire-Fighter Heads New Company
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Brave Fire-Fighter Heads New Company
BRAVE FIRE-FIGHTER HEADS NEW COMPANY
The new fire house on Federal street above Twelfth, in the heart of the mill, factory, foundry, textile and lumber district of Camden, is rapidly nearing completion and will soon be ready for occupancy.
Edgar Bolton, of the Second ward, at present a member of the company at Fifth and Arch streets, who has been elected foreman of the new company, was chosen by the Foreign Commissioners because of his ability and bravery shown at some of Camden's recent big fires.
One of the institutions of which Camden is proud is its paid fire department, made up of trained fire-fighters, among them Foreman Bolton, who doesn't know the meaning of the word fear.
Engine Company 5
Engine Company 5 — 1905
Engine Company 5 — 1906
Fireman in a Mix-Up
Philadelphia Inquirer —
FIREMAN IN A MIX-UP
Charles Worthington Accuses Edgar Bolton of Assault
Fireman Edgar Bolton, former foreman of Engine Company No. 5, of Camden, was arrested by Captain of Police Albert yesterday, on a charge of atrocious assault and battery preferred by Charles Worthington, a member of the same company. Worthington, while returning to the fire house after supper, was so badly beaten at the hands of a man he says was Bolton, that he was taken to Cooper Hospital, where a number of stitches were found necessary to close the wounds.
The facts were immediately reported to Chief Elfreth and he suspended Bolton. A special meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council has been called for tomorrow night to take action on the charges preferred by Chief Elfreth against Bolton.
New Fireman in Bolton’s Place
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Fire Committee of Camden City Council last night appointed Arthur Wingate, of the Ninth ward, a fireman to take the place of Edgar Bolton, who resigned.
Boulton Receives $100 Reward for Capturing Diamond Thief
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Boulton Receives $100 Reward for Capturing Diamond Thief
For capturing a diamond thief some weeks ago, Policeman Edgar Boulton yesterday received as a reward $100 from the New York office of the Jewelers' Alliance Association of the United States.
Edgar S. Boulton and Mrs. Boulton Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversary
Camden Courier-Post —
Edgar Boulton, 1028 Princess Avenue, is pinning a corsage on Mrs. Boulton, his bride of fifty years ago. On Saturday, the Boultons will be guests of honor at a golden wedding party in the home of one of their sons-in-law, Patrolman Russell O. Young, 1133 Bergen Avenue. The anniversary is Sunday.
Mrs. Anna E. Boulton
Camden Courier-Post —
MRS. ANNA E. BOULTON
Mrs. Anna E. Boulton died Sunday in her home, 949 N. 36th st., after a long illness.
A native of Philadelphia, she had resided on Princess Avenue, Parkside, for 18 years, and for a year in the Cramer Hill area of Camden.
Surviving are her husband, Edgar S.; three daughters, Mrs. Joseph Messick, Bellmawr; Mrs. Russell Young, whose husband is a Camden city detective, and Mrs. John McErlain, Camden; a son, Edgar S. Jr., of the 36th Street address; a sister, Mrs. William Eastwick, Berlin, and five grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p. m. in the funeral home of Gustav Roedel & Son, 804 N. 27th st. The Rev. Donald C. Bakley, pastor of the Fairview Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday night.
Edgar S. Boulton
Camden Courier-Post —
EDGAR S. BOULTON
Services for Edgar S. Boulton, of 1133 Bergen ave., who died Sunday, will be held Thursday at 11 a. m. in the Gustav Roedel & Son Funeral Home, 804 N. 27th st., where friends may call Wednesday night. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Mr. Boulton retired in 1946 from the Camden Police Department. He joined the department in 1908 after three years with the fire department.
Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Young, with whom he lived; Mrs. Rachel Messick, of Mt. Ephraim, and Mrs. Edna McErlain, of Woodbury; a son, Edgar S.; a sister, Mrs. Ida Evans, of Camden; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.