Introduction
GEORGE CLEVELAND SAUNDERS was born in Camden, New Jersey on April 4, 1886 to Henry and Emma Saunders. He was the fifth of six children, coming after siblings Kate, Thomas, Emma, and Gertrude and before younger sister Alice. The family was living in the Town of Stockton at the time of his birth, first in the Wrightsville section. By 1890 they were at “High nr 3rd, C Hill,” Third Avenue later being renamed Wayne Avenue. By 1892 the family had moved to 2719 Grant Avenue in Cramer Hill. Grant Avenue was renamed Concord Avenue after Stockton was annexed to Camden in 1899.
The 1900 and 1910 Censuses and the 1914 City Directory shows George Saunders at 2719 Concord Avenue in Cramer Hill. At the time of the Census his parents, older siblings After working as a messenger in his early teens, George Saunders went to work at an iron foundry as a moulder, where his father and brother worked. most likely the Camden Foundry Company at the foot of Elm Street in North Camden, owned by Nelson Johnson and Benjamin Holt.
George Saunders married Anna Wood, the daughter of James and Elinore Wood, around 1916. The Censuses of 1920 and 1930 record no children, however.
George Saunders was working as a punch press operator at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. He and his wife were then living at 631 Cedar Street in North Camden. George Saunders was appointed to the Camden Fire Department before January of 1920. The census shows George and Anna Saunders still living at 631 Cedar Street.
By the time the 1924 Camden City Directory was compiled, George and Anna Saunders had moved to 608 North 7th Street. This would be his address into the 1960s.
George Saunders was serving as a hoseman with Engine Company 9 when he was promoted to junior captain on April 3, 1928. When he registered for the draft in the spring of 1942 George Saunders was still working for the Camden Fire Department. The 1947 Camden City Directory does not indicate if George Saunders was still working for the Fire Department. If he was, rules regarding mandatory retirement would have come into effect in the spring of 1951.
George Saunders passed away at the age of 99 in September of 1985.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Registration Card — George Cleveland Saunders. Serial No. 629. Address: 631 Cedar St., Camden, NJ. Age 32, born April 4, 1886. Occupation: Punch press operator. Employer: New York Shipbuilding Corporation. Nearest relative: Mrs. Anna Saunders, 631 Cedar St., Camden, NJ. Registered September 12, 1918. Local Board for City of Camden, New Jersey.
Firemen Organize
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Department Perfects Branch of I. F. F. of A.
Camden firemen have organized a branch of the International Fire Fighters of America, with the following officers: President, Howard Currie; vice president, William Judge; recording secretary, William Walton; financial secretary, William Rose; treasurer, John Plum; sergeant-at-arms, Charles Gladney; trustees, Roy Saunders, James Howell and Earl Vansant.
One of the objects of the organization is the securing of adequate remuneration for duty, and the union is considering the advisability of joining the American Federation of Labor.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post —
PROMOTED FIREMEN TAKE POSTS TODAY
Lennox Deputy Chief; Eight Others Elevated as Captains Here
A new deputy chief, a battalion chief and eight new senior and junior captains will assume their posts today in the fire department. The men were promoted yesterday afternoon.
22 Firemen Assigned to New Stations
Camden Courier-Post —
12 Rookies and 10 Promoted Men Go to Posts
Twelve new firemen and ten men promoted several weeks ago were assigned to their new stations yesterday by Chief Thomas J. Nicholas. With these appointments, the department complement of 200 men is completed.
John H. Lennox, newly named deputy chief, will make his headquarters at the Fifth and Arch streets station. Rollo Jones, promoted from senior captain to battalion chief, succeeding George Wade, recently retired on pension, will move to Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Three men were promoted from junior to senior captaincies. They are: William Heron, who moved to Company No. 2; George Hunt, Company No. 8, and Clarence T. Madden [sic] Company No. 5.
Taken from the ranks, the following will be stationed as junior captains: David R. Ellis, Company No. 7; Clarence Newton, Company No. 5; William Van Pfefferle, Truck Company No. 2; Eli Hunt, Company No. 9, and George Saunders, Company No. 6.
The new firefighters and their stations are: Lawrence Bolton, Company No. 9; John S. Anderson, Company No. 4; Byron M. Davis, Company No. 1; George W. Garner, Company No. 4; Lawrence Milton, Company No. 5; Thomas Gibbons, Company No. 4; Leo J. Tompkins, Company No. 2; Felix Bendzyn, Company No. 7; Horace T. Molan, Company No. 7; William E. Toy, Company No. 9; Harry H. Hess, Company No. 11, and Edward Callahan, Truck Company No. 4.
World War II Draft Card
World War II Draft Registration Card — George Cleveland Saunders. Serial No. U-01927. Address: 608 N. 7th St., Camden, NJ. Telephone: Camden 2256-W. Age 56, born April 4, 1886. Place of birth: Camden, NJ. Employer: Captain of Fire Dept., City, Camden, NJ. Nearest relative: Mrs. Anna F. Saunders, 608 N. 7th St., Camden, NJ. Form D.S.S. Form 1 (Revised 4-1-42).