Introduction
George C. Wade
GEORGE CLAY WADE was born in Philadelphia in 1882 to George B. Wade, who had married Mary Ann Burns in March of 1879 in Philadelphia. The Wades came to Camden in 1885, George B. Wade then was working as a sheet metal worker. George B. Wade was appointed a city fireman on March 16, 1892. George B. Wade was made Captain of engine company 2 at 5th and Arch Street in 1899. At that time he was living with his wife and children at 1323 Broadway. The family had moved to 503 Spruce Street by 1910. During the mid 1910s his son, George Clay Wade, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. George B. Wade was made battalion chief in 1924, and also served as the city fire marshal before his January 1, 1928 retirement.
George C. Wade was single and working as a steamfitter when the 1914 City Directory was compiled. He was then living with his parents. Shortly after the Directory’s compilation George C. Wade married Adelaide M. “Addie” Powell. A son, George Byron Wade III was born in Camden, New Jersey on January 8, 1915. By the summer of 1918 George C. Wade had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. When he registered for the draft in September of 1918, George Wade and family were living at 1441 Broadway. By January of 1920 they had moved to 924 South 5th Street where they stayed with Adelaide’s parents. His neighbors included Mayor Charles H. Ellis, stationary store owner Charles Devaull, and City Clerk William D. Brown, who all lived in the 900 block of South 5th Street. Father George B. Wade lived around the corner at 503 Cherry Street in South Camden. The 1924 City Directory has George C. Wade and family at 1436 Broadway, and the 1929 edition shows them at 461 Mechanic Street, where they stayed as late as 1931. During the early 1930s George C. Wade and his family moved to 513 Chestnut Street.
George C. Wade retired from the Fire Department on April 1, 1935. His father, George B. Wade died on August 29, 1935 and was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken NJ. His mother joined him in 1952.
The Wades were at 1244 Browning Street in the early 1940s, and not long after George C. Wade registered for the draft in the spring of 1942, moved to 3007 Congress Road in Fairview. The Wades were at this address when George B. Wade III was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on September 23, 1942. George C. Wade had been working at the Camden Forge Company’s plant in South Camden. He later worked as a guard for the Wickes Construction Company. George C. Wade passed away on July 29, 1960 and was buried at New Camden Cemetery, next to his wife, who had passed in 1957.
Son George B. Wade III had worked as a clerk at one of the many A&P grocery stores in Camden for seven years, spent four months in the United States Navy in 1941, then worked for a year with his father at the Camden Forge Company before being appointed to the Fire Department. He reported for duty with Engine Company 1 on October 1st, and stayed there until January 15, 1951 when he was transferred to Engine Company 9, where he remained for exactly six months. On June 16, 1951 George B. Wade III began a term of service at Engine Company 3 at 1815 Broadway. On May 6, 1963 he was sent to Fire Communications. His last assignment began on November 8, 1965 when he was assigned to the Fire Marshall’s office. He retired on pension on July 1, 1975 after 32 years and 2 months service, only to pass away on July 3, 1975. Fire Department records indicate that he was still residing on Congress Road at the time of his passing.
George C. Wade
George C. Wade
Changes Among Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Firemen at No. 3 Engine House were tendered a supper last night by Firemen George Wade, Jr., and Elmer Burkett, who have been assigned to duties at No. 7 and No. 1 houses. Frank Gondolf, who was recently appointed, took up his duties this morning, and Robert Whitley is stoker at the Broadway House.
George C. Wade – Elmer Burkett – Engine Company 1 – Engine Company 3 – Engine Company 7 – Frank Gondolf – Robert Whitley
Many Transfers of City Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Recent changes in the fire department announced have provided for the transfer of twenty men and the appointment of fourteen during the week to various fire houses in the city.
Sixteen of the men were transferred and given appointments to the two new companies formed to protect Fairview and Yorkship Village. The transfers and appointments went into effect Wednesday.
The following men received transfers and appointments to Engine Company 10, one of the new companies: Horace Cairns, captain; William Miller, lieutenant; Harry Selby, engineer; Charles Gaul, stoker; Spencer Smith, H. Walker, Rocco Fanelli and H. J. Zanders, hosemen.
Truck Company 4, the other new company, at Ninth and Morgan streets, received the following men: Mordecai Clark, captain; James McDermott, lieutenant; James Durkin, driver; Frank Burt, George C. Wade, Samuel Patton, William Reynolds and Harry Hallowell.
H. F. Ferrington and H. Bomgartel, new men, were appointed to Hook and Ladder Company 1, to fill the vacancies left by James McDermott and George C. Wade.
Go to Company No. 1
The following men received appointments to Engine Company 1: Walter Carter, George Henry Johnson, Lewis D. Stevens, Rosco Tribbett and Benjamin Walters. W. Scott Franklin was transferred from Company 9 to Engine Company 1 as lieutenant. George Cattell was transferred from Company 1 to Company 5 as stoker. Joseph Daley, of Company 5, was transferred to Engine Company 2 to fill the vacancy left by Harry Selby, who was transferred to Company 10.
Anthony Valentine and David Smith were transferred to Company 3, in place of William Miller and Charles Gaul, who were transferred to Company 10.
J. Lumbago was transferred to Company 7, in place of David Smith. George Pursglove and John Hunt were transferred to Company 8. Robert Gicks was transferred from Hose and Chemical Company 2 to Company 9, in place of William Reynolds, who was transferred to Company 10.
Nelson Till was appointed to the place left vacant by Robert Gicks, of Hose and Chemical Company 2. Herman Kreher was made lieutenant of Hose and Chemical Company 2.
No. 10 Engine Company Stag Party
Camden Post-Telegram —
Captain Clark, Lieutenant Miller, Chas. Gaul, Howard Walker, Harry Hallowell, Hugh Rementa, Thomas Clark, James Durkin, Al Haley, Adolph Gaul and George Wade, all of No. 10 Engine Company, were among those present at a stag party held last night on the farm of Norris Black at Harrisonville. A chicken dinner and a watermelon party were the features. An orchestra furnished music.
Mortica Clark – William Miller – Charles Gall – Howard Walker – Harry Hallowell – Hugh Rementer – Thomas Clark – James Durkin – Al Haley – Adolph Gall – George C. Wade – Engine Company 10
In Memoriam: Adele Wade
Camden Courier-Post —
WADE—In sad and loving memory of our wife and mother Adele Wade, who passed away January 31st, 1957. Loving memories never die, As years roll on, And days pass by, In my heart a memory is kept, Of one I love, And will never forget. Sadly missed by husband George C. Wade, son George, daughter-in-law Margaret and grandchildren.
George C. Wade
Camden Courier-Post —
GEORGE C. WADE — George C. Wade, 77, of 3007 Congress Road, died Friday. Born in Philadelphia, he lived in Camden 75 years and retired 26 years ago from Fire Company 3. He was an Army veteran of the Spanish-American War, a member of the Police and Firemen’s Club; Local 5, FMBA, and the John A. Mather’s Spanish-American Post of Pennsauken. Surviving are a son, George B., of Camden; three brothers, Robert of Kearney, Earl of Pennsauken and Raymond of Arlington, N.J.; three sisters, Mrs. Elsie Shaw, of Cape May, Mrs. Elizabeth Dicus of Woodlynne, and Mrs. Marie Thomas, of Ft. Wayne Ind., and two grandchildren. Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Frank J. Leonard Funeral Home, 1451 Broadway, where friends may call Tuesday night. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery.
Engine Company 3 – Congress Road – John A. Mather War Camp No. 39, United Spanish War Veterans