Edward Simpson
Named: Edward Simpson, Engine Company 7, and circa 1911.
Edward Simpson was born on May 8, 1874 to William and Anne Jane Simpson, both of whom had emigrated to the United States from Ireland. William Simpson worked as a foreman at the Browning & Brother dye works in Camden. The 1880 Census shows Edward to be the third of the six living Simpson children then at home, coming after Henry and Nancy, with John, Lizzie, and Walter coming later. At the time of the Census the Simpsons lived at 1016 South 8th Street in Camden’s Seventh Ward. Next door at 1020 South 8th Street lived John Blowe, a Civil War veteran who was very active in political circles in Camden for many years. The Simpsons stayed at 1016 South 8th Street through 1882. They are listed at 917 South 9th Street from 1883 to 1887.
Edward Simpson married Sarah Humphrey at age 19. In 1894 his wife, Sarah “Sadie” Simpson, bore a son, also named Edward. The family lived at 833 South 8th Street in 1894 and 1895, and are listed in the City Directories in 1896 and 1897 at 1120 Carpenter Street. Another son, Walter was born on January 10, 1896. In 1898 Edward Simpson is listed at 1045 Pine Street.
The 1900 Census shows the family living at 1045 Pine Street. The 1903 through 1908 City Directories show Edward Simpson and family at 1103 Pine Street. The 1909 edition shows a move to 1041 Pine Street.
Sadly, young Edward Simpson died prior to the enumeration of the 1910 Census. Two more sons had been born, William and Howard Simpson. The census of 1910 was taken in April of that year. The Simpsons were living at 1041 Pine Street, and Edward Simpson was employed as a boilermaker at a forge.
With a new engine company being set up on Kaighn Avenue, the Camden Fire Department recruited several new firefighters. Edward Simpson was among that group. On July 1, 1910 Edward Simpson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department and assigned to Engine Company 7 at 1115 Kaighn Avenue.
The Simpsons were still living at 1041 Pine Street when the 1911 City Directory was compiled. The family appears at 914 Mt. Ephraim Avenue in the 1912, 1913, and 1914 editions. Edward Simpson is listed as a member of the Camden Fire Department in all three of these directories.
By the end of 1914 Edward Simpson had left the Camden Fire Department. He and his family moved to 839 Spruce Street. They are listed at that address in City Directories from 1915 through 1929.
Edward Simpson was working at Camden Forge when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. He was still with that firm in April of 1930.
The 1920 Census shows Edward and Sarah Simpson at 839 Spruce Street with sons William, 20 and Howard, 15. Also residing at 839 Spruce Street was son Walter, 23, his wife Alma and their six month-old daughter, Sarah. According to the Census, Edward Simpson was by this time a foreman.
The 1930 Census lists Edward and Sarah Simpson at 1074 Morton Street. Son William and grandchildren Sarah and William also resided at that address. His death was reported in the Camden Courier-Post as taking place on October 14, 1950, which also states that he was survived by his wife and sons William and Walter. Sarah Humphrey Simpson joined her husband in 1959. The Simpson family was still residing at 1074 Morton Street into the 1960s.
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Increase Provides for Installation of New Company, No. 7
Others Advanced to Meet Changes
City Council’s Fire Committee last night made provision for the installation of Engine Company No. 7 by the appointment of ten new members of the department. Some of the new appointees will be assigned to the new company, which will be located at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, and the rest of the complement will be made up of experienced fire fighters. The company goes into service July 1. The men appointed last night are:
First Ward—H. L. Curry, Jr.
Second Ward—Robert Bricee.
Third Ward—Clarence Madden.
Fourth Ward—William Cason.
Fifth Ward—William Laird.
Sixth Ward—George Boone.
Seventh Ward—Edward Simpson.
Eighth Ward—John McTaggart.
Ninth Ward—Roy Smith.
Tenth Ward—J. Ora Burris.
The committee also made provision for the superior officers of the company by advancing present members of the department. William Buzine was made engineer, Thomas Nichols was elected captain, Joseph Maxwell was chosen lieutenant, Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers and Newton Ash was promoted to extra engineer. Henry Knowles was made houseman for the new company.
The men advanced last night will not necessarily be assigned to No. 7, and the matter of placing them will be disposed of at a later meeting.
Deno Is Captain of New Company
Camden Post-Telegram —
At last night’s meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council the following appointments were made for the new fire house at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, to take effect July 1: Captain, William Deno; lieutenant, John H. Lutz; engineer, William K. Buzine; stoker, James Navin; drivers, Richard Master, Joseph Sparks; hosemen, Boone, Edward Simpson, Smith.
Thomas Nicholas, of the Eighth Ward, was made captain of Broadway fire company, and John H. McTaggart, of the Eighth Ward, one of the recent appointees, was sent to the fire house on Kaighn avenue near Sixth street.
Engine Company 7, circa 1911
Engine Company 7 was organized on July 1, 1910 at 1115 Kaighn Avenue, South Camden. Pictured with the company’s 1910 American LaFrance combination hose and chemical wagon are George C. Boone, driver; and William Buzine, engineer. Driver Edward Simpson is atop the 1902 Metropolitan 2nd class steamer with stoker James Navin standing at the front of the engine. Circa 1911.
Big Loss Attends Fire in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
All Companies of City Fought Spectacular Blaze at the Philadelphia Steel and Wire Plant
Ignited by a spark from a gasoline engine, the plant of the Philadelphia Steel and Wire Company, Delaware avenue and Pearl streets, Camden, was destroyed by fire last night. The loss amounted to approximately $170,000.
It was not only a spectacular blaze which attracted thousands, breaking out as it did about half-past five o’clock, when persons were returning from work, but it also threatened to be even more disastrous. On the south side was located the lumber yard of former State Assessor David Baird, while to the north was that of Munger & Bennett, and at times both were in danger. A general alarm was turned in, resulting in all the fire companies of the city responding.
Two hundred employes of the concern were just about quitting work, and many made an ineffectual effort to stay the flames. Several were badly blistered, especially when the blaze reached a room where paint was stored. The flames soared a hundred feet in the air, and only the fact that the wind was blowing direct from the east, thus sending the blaze toward the river, saved the surrounding property.
When Engine Company No. 7 responded, Edward Simpkins, of 914 Mt. Ephraim avenue, was thrown from the apparatus when the driver veered into a pole at Sixth and Market streets to escape striking an automobile. Simpkins was badly injured. He was taken home.
The building destroyed was of corrugated iron and reached from Delaware avenue to the river, being about 100 by 240 feet. The heavy loss was said to be due to the valuable machinery, which cost $125,000. The building was valued at $45,000. The loss is covered by insurance. There were about half a million dollars’ worth of orders on hand, and the plant had been in operation day and night. It will be rebuilt.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
Showing completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year’s Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year’s blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman’s horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
Chief Kelly presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with graphophone selections, including ‘Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?’ He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon came back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows: City Electrician John W. Kelly, Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Busine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
At Headquarters
Under the auspices of the Wishbone Club, firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, held their annual dinner on Tuesday evening. Cheer and good-fellowship was the by word and the fire laddies and their friends made the evening one long to be remembered.
A short address was given by Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Stockton. John Dold offered prayer before the guests partook of the tasty dishes as prepared by Arthur Wingate and William Laud. The table presented an attractive appearance and the laddies and guests greatly enjoyed the fine spread.
Those participating were as follows: S. S. Elfreth, John S. Stockton, Captain George B. Wade, Lieutenant Jos. Ernest, John A. Dold, Josiah Sage, Daniel Smith, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Johnson, Harry Hankins, William Laird, William Elberson, John Lennox, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Harry Selby, Herman O. Kreher, Charles Menke, Edward S. Gahan, D. P. McConnell.
At Hook & Ladder No. 1
With a fine feed, a grand graphophone concert, songs and speeches of a happy and humorous order, “the Jolly Nine” saw the old year out and the New Year in, at the house of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, on Fifth street above Arch street. Accoutred in their uniforms of blue, ready at a second’s tap of the gong to jump on the truck, the brave laddies and friends formed a happy picture of congeniality.
Those who partook of the feast were: William Howell Tatem, Harry C. Anderson, Stewart Bakely, Captain Joseph Maxwell, and friends.
World War I Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD SERIAL NUMBER: 1590
Name: Edward Simpson PERMANENT HOME ADDRESS: 839 Spruce, Camden, Camden, New Jersey Age in Years: 44 / Date of Birth: May 8, 1874 RACE: White U.S. CITIZEN: Native Born PRESENT OCCUPATION: Handy Man EMPLOYER’S NAME: Camden Ironing Co. (or Camden Engineering Co.) PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Camden, N.J. NEAREST RELATIVE: Sadie Simpson, 839 Spruce St., Camden, N.J. Signature: Edward Simpson
REGISTRAR’S REPORT HEIGHT: Medium BUILD: Slender COLOR OF EYES: Grey COLOR OF HAIR: Black Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified? No. Date of Registration: SEP 12 1918 LOCAL BOARD No. 3, CITY OF CAMDEN, N.J.