George E. Boyer
George E. Boyer
GEORGE E. BOYER was born in Pennsylvania in November of 1849. When the census was taken in 1900 he and his wife Sarah had been married for 28 years. Five of their nine children were alive, four of them at home, Lizzie Boyer Koehler, sadly a widow at the age of 20, George Jr., Mary, and Lillian. Daughter Laura had married Samuel S. Conver, an architect, and had moved to Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
George Boyer came to Camden in 1869. On October 6, 1871 he married. He worked as a house painter, eventually going into business for himself.
The 1878 and 1882 City Directories show him at 713 Mt. Vernon Street. He was working as a painter for M.A. Furbush in 1882.
George Boyer and his family were active members of Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church. This church was organized in 1879 when several meetings of persons interested in having an English-language Lutheran church in Camden were held at the residence of George Shimer, 503 Linden Street. The congregation organized as “Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church,” and held its first service on Sunday evening, November 23, 1879, in Reed’s Hall, at the corner of Third and Federal Streets. Rev. William Schaeffer of Philadelphia, conducted the worship and preached the sermon. He had charge of the mission from that time until the close of the following summer. He was succeeded by Mr. S.L. Sibole, then a student in the Philadelphia Seminary. In June, 1881, this gentleman was ordained and regularly installed as the first pastor of the new congregation. He served the mission until October, 1882, when he resigned to accept a call to St. Luke’s Church, Philadelphia. For four months the pulpit was vacant, when Mr. Clarence K. Binder, of the senior class of the Theological Seminary assumed charge, and was installed pastor June 10, 1883.
Under Rev. Binder’s pastorate the congregation has been steadily advancing. In the mid 1880s a lot was secured at the corner of Seventh Street and Market, and a church, which is still in use in 2009 (although by another denomination) was built in 1887. The congregation held services at a hall located at the southwest corner of Third Street and Market until its building was completed. In 1886 there were about one hundred adult members. A Sunday school was founded that was, through 1886 at least, under the care of the pastor as superintendent, with George Boyer as assistant.
On March 24, 1892 George E. Boyer purchased a home at 708 Market Street. Boyer’s business was located at 1017 Broadway through 1912. By 1914 he had relocated to Newton Avenue, the Broadway property razed to make way for the Lyric Theater.
On December 13, 1912 George Boyer and twenty-eight other prominent Camden businessmen founded the Rotary Club of Camden, New Jersey.
Daughter Lillian Boyer Ellis lived at 708 Market Street until the spring of 1967, when she was forced out of her home to make room for a proposed building to be built by New Jersey Bell Telephone. Unlike many other projects in Camden that destroyed homes and businesses in the name of “progress,” the building was actually completed, and is still in use in 2009.
1906 Camden City Directory Advertisement
1906 Camden City Directory Advertisement — George E. Boyer, 1017 Broadway
Advertising Postcard — Late 1890s – Early 1900s
Advertising postcard, late 1890s – early 1900s. George E. Boyer at far left.
Photos
George E. Boyer and two workers, late 1890s – early 1900s. George E. Boyer at left.
Mrs. Sarah Boyer
March 24, 1892
Receipt from Fisler & Walton, Real Estate and Insurance, 325 Market Street — recording George E. Boyer’s purchase of 708 Market Street for $1,100. Signed by Ionic Lodge No. 94 F. & A.M. member John W. Mickle, March 24, 1892.
Annual Election of Ionic Lodge No. 94
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The annual election of Ionic Lodge, No. 94, F. and A. M., was held at the Masonic Temple Monday evening, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W. M., George E. Boyer; S. W., William George Maguire; J. W., William K. Robinson; Treasurer, Josiah Matlack; Secretary, William J. Maguire; Representative to the Grand Lodge, J. Alpheus Vansant; S. D., Walter Parson; J. D., Horace H. Githens; S. M. C., Ralston Sickler; J. M. C., George M. Price; S. D., Charles O. Olden; J. D., William McCoy; Tyler, C. C. Smith; Chaplain, Joseph Sickler; Marshal, Joseph W. Burns; Organist, Charles H. Snyder; Auditors, William Snyder, William Gibson, William Selser.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Judge D. Ambler Armstrong is suffering from a severe cold.
Former Postmaster Harry B. Paul is able to be about again, after being confined to his home with the grip for a week.
Mr. H. J. Rumrille, private secretary to United States Senator Sewell, has pronounced inventive genius, and although a very busy man he has found time to perfect a number of useful inventions. One of these, and the latest of his ingenious contrivances, is a hair curler that should gain for him the favor of the fair sex. It will replace the awkward tongs most ladies use in fixing their hair, and with which they are forever burning their delicate fingers. Mr. Rumrille’s device is a small brass tube, with a simply-adjusted clamp to hold the hair, and a wooden handle that guards the fingers from the heat.
Mrs. Lizzie B. Koehler, of 708 Market street, Camden, daughter of George E. Boyer, Sr., is on a visit to Lansdale, Pa., where she is the guest of her sister, Mrs. S. S. Conver.
Mrs. Elizabeth Read, of Fifth and Cooper streets, is visiting her son, William Schellenger, at Wyncote, Pa.
William Swindell, of Baltimore, Md., was renewing acquaintanceships in Camden on Thursday.
Miss Sarah Mumford has returned from a visit to friends in Millville.
Florence Ivins, of 648 Locust street, entertained a number of friends on the occasion of her fifteenth birthday anniversary, on Thursday evening.
Rev. Joseph Garrison, the retiring pastor of Asbury M. E. Church, was tendered a farewell reception by his congregation on Thursday evening. He will assume charge of Medford M. E. Church to-day.
Miss Susie Lawrenson, of Mt. Ephraim, is visiting her sister, Mrs. W. A. Springer, of the East Side.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Jackson and two children, of South Fifth street, have gone to Wyoming for a two months’ sojourn.
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Wood, of Grenloch, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Wednesday last.
Dr. Alexander McAlister will again take his family to Chelsea this summer, where he has taken a cottage for the season.
Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Conver, of Lansdale, Pa., have been visiting Mrs. Convers’ mother, Mrs. George E. Boyer, Sr., of 708 Market street.
Miss Caroline W. Becker, daughter of Professor Henry A. Becker, of Pottsville, Pa., has been the guest during the past week of Mrs. F. F. Patterson, Jr., of 327 Cooper street.
Thomas C. Park has taken his family to Atco for the summer for the benefit of their health.
Mrs. Edwin Hall and Miss Alice Hall, of North Second street, gave a tea and a dance Tuesday afternoon to a number of friends.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Miss Mary E. Stevenson and Godfrey Fisher were married Thursday evening by Justice Wright.
Miss Hattie C. Travis, second assistant teacher in the Kaighn School, has resigned, to take effect on June 1.
Cards have been issued for the wedding of Miss Helen Clare Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lee, to James Stevenson Lang on June 5.
Frank Peas, of the East Side, has returned from a trip to Delaware.
Roland Adams and Miss Irene Adams are visiting their uncle, Francis Adams, at Hammonton.
Charles Abrams, of North Twenty-eighth street, gave a social on Thursday evening at his home in celebration of his twenty-seventh birthday anniversary.
Miss Emma Horner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Horner, of Thirty-sixth and Westfield avenue, was married Thursday evening to Mr. Charles Whitton. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. B. Whitton, father of the groom.
The marriage of Miss Leona C. Haines, of South Third street, Camden, to Mr. Geo. H. Eyre, of Spruce street, has been announced.
Mrs. Lizzie B. Koehler, of 708 Market street, Camden, daughter of Mr. George E. Boyer, Sr., is at Lansdale, Pa., as the guest of her sister, Mrs. S. S. Conver.
Miss Boyer Weds Altoona Man
Camden Courier or Camden Post-Telegram —
A Large Throng of Friends at Wedding of North Camden Young Girl
MANY GUESTS FROM OUT OF CITY
A beautiful church wedding occurred at seven o’clock last evening when Miss Mary Erma Boyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Boyer, of 708 Market Street, was married to Harry B. Rose of Altoona, Pa., son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rose, of 612 North Fourth Street, this city. The ceremony was performed in the Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Seventh and Market streets, by the pastor, Rev. Clarence K. Binder.
The wedding was the occasion of a gathering of friends from several nearby cities. Both the church and home of the bride was elaborately decorated in autumn flowers.
The bridesmaids were Miss Madge Van Hart, Miss Jan Rose, a sister of the bridegroom, and Miss Edna Money, of Norristown, Pa. The maid of honor was Miss Nettie Moreland. Charles Rose, a brother of the groom, attended as best man, while Master Russell Conver of Lansdale, Pa. was the ring bearer. The ushers were Raymond Glover, Thurston Jackson and Merrill O’Brien.
The bride was handsomely gowned in a tresaleau of white satin crepe metior trimmed with Irish point lace. She carried a spray of lily of the valley and orchids. In her hair she wore orange blossoms. The maid of honor wore a beautiful empire gown of yellow satin. She carried yellow chrysanthemums. The bridesmaids were attired alike in beautiful pink satin, trimmed with pink chiffon drapery. They carried pink and white chrysanthemums.
The bride was given away in marriage by her father. Following ritual service at the church a reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents where an elaborate banquet was served. Later in the evening Mr. and Mrs. Rose left for Washington, D. C. They will spend their honeymoon touring the South and West. Upon their return they will live in Altoona.
The groom was formerly connected as a draughtsman with the New York Shipbuilding Company but is now head draughtsman for the Cambrid Steel Company, at Altoona.
Continued…
Continued…
Camden Masons' Home
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Sign Contract for Erection of New Temple on Fourth Street
Camden Masons yesterday signed a contract with George Bachman for the erection of their new Masonic Home, which will be located on Fourth street below Market. It will cost in the neighborhood of $100,000 and will be completed by next October. In style of architecture it will be of mixed Ionic and Renaissance and will add much to the city.
The building will be erected by what is known as the Masonic Association of Camden, which has been regularly incorporated. The officers include William P. Weiser, president; Joseph L. Shackleford, secretary; Frank W. Tussey, treasurer; Adam R. Sloan, solicitor; William P. Weiser, Reuben Croxton, William P. Osler, George E. Boyer, William Schmid, George F. Hammond, John W. Johnson, Albert B. Fortiner and J. Blair Cuthbert, building committee.
Wield Trowel at Mason's Home Site
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Members of the Craft From Several States Participate at Corner-Stone Laying in Camden
Masons from all parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware yesterday participated in the festivities incident to the laying of the corner-stone of the $100,000 temple erected by Camden’s various Masonic bodies. In addition, there were forty members of the Grand Lodge in attendance.
Prior to the exercises the guests, including Grand Master Richard C. Woodward, of Burlington, were welcomed by Mayor Ellis at a banquet held at the Ridgway House. This was followed by a street parade in which participated Trimble, Ionic, Camden and Mozart Lodges together with Cyrene Commandery, Knights Templar. The latter was in charge of Eminent Sir Joseph Shackelford.
Worshipful Grand Master Woodward laid the stone while the Masonic bodies massed themselves in a semicircle. The oration was delivered by John Lloyd Thomas, 33d degree, commander-in-chief of the New York Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The music was given by the Excelsior Consistory Quartet.
The new building, which will take the place of the present Masonic Temple, will be of granite and brick. Its actual cost will be close to $70,000, which with the furnishings and other incidentals, will make a total of $100,000. It is being built under the direction of the Masonic Association of New Jersey, of which William P. Weiser, is president; Joseph L. Shackelford, secretary; Frank W. Tussey, treasurer; Adam R. Sloan, solicitor, and Reuben Croxton, William Osler, George Boyer, William Schmid, George F. Hammond, John W. Johnson, Albert Fortiner and J. Blair Cuthbert, building committee.
50th Wedding Anniversary
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Boyer last evening celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their home 708 Market street, Camden. Members of the family and a host of friends, including a delegation of Rotarians, aided the happy couple in the observance of the jubilee. Among the gifts was a purse of gold from the Rotary Club members. Mr. Boyer is a contracting painter and has lived in Camden fifty-two years.
Reception Given in Honor of Their Golden Wedding
Camden —
A reception was tendered Mr. and Mrs. George E. Boyer in honor of their fiftieth wedding anniversary last evening at their home, 708 Market street. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been residents of Camden for fifty-three years. Mr. Boyer was superintendent of the Epiphany Lutheran Sunday School for thirty-three years.
The couple received a number of beautiful gifts, among which was a purse of gold from the Rotarians. From their children Mrs. Boyer received a gold mesh bag and Mr. Boyer a gold watch. Many baskets artistically arranged with flowers were among the gifts.
More than one hundred and fifty persons were present. Among the guests were:
Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Conner, Russell Conver, Lansdale, Pa.; Dr. and Mrs. George E. Boyd, Jr., Troy, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Waltz, Camden; Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Rose, Miss Doris Rose, Junior, Philadelphia; Mrs. Lillian E. Ellis, Camden; Rev. and Mrs. Weber and daugher [sic], Fred Wenderoth, Misses Edna and Ethel Wenderoth, Mr. and Mrs. William Hussong, Mr. and Mrs. George B. Nicholson, Philadelphia; Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Schneck, Mr. Adams, Henry Voight, Ex-Sheriff Haines, George Wonfor, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson and daughter, Leroy Goodwin, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rose, Frank Hitchner; Mrs. Mabel Patton, Miss Smith, Camden; Mr. and Mrs. Reckless, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wolf, Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Carroll and daughter, Miss Mary O’Brien, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Moyer and daughter, Philadelphia; Lydia Boyer, Rosemont, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. John Hillpot, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hillpot, Mr. and Mrs. John Reckless, Raymond Hillpot, Lansdale, Pa.; Mrs. Clara McQuade, Washington, D. C.; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bonsor, Mrs. Richard Evans, Mrs. Elwood Stead, Mrs. Christian Schrack, Miss Laura Schrack, Miss Mary O’Niel, Richard O’Niel, Jr.
708 Market Street
The view from the front step of 708 Market Street. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Boyer Koehler at front gate. The building across the street is 709 Market Street, which at the time was the Friend’s School.
708 Market Street — 1960s
A Lifetime of Memories
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Lillian Boyer Ellis
City House to Be Razed for Bell Building
By BARBARA S. WILLIAMS
Courier·Post Staff
THE HOUSE literally holds a lifetime of memories for Mrs. Lillian Boyer Ellis.
It’s a neat, narrow, three story dwelling that sits back from Market Street and fits snugly between two converted office buildings. The gay yellow paint on its frame and the red trim gives a splash of color to that section of down town.
Mrs. Ellis was three months old when George E. Boyer moved his family of nine to 708 Market Street.
OTHER members of her family gradually left and her parents died, but Mrs. Ellis stayed on. After more than 75 years of living in that house, Mrs. Ellis had to leave.
She moved the other day for the first time in her life — and it was hard; very hard. The nine rooms were filled with antiques and family mementos.
About 20 years ago she had moved her business— which involved hair and scalp care— from the Walt Whitman Hotel to her home. In addition to her furniture, there was all of that equipment to dispose of.
MRS. ELLIS really isn’t unhappy about going out of business. She had been anxious to sell her franchise for some time, and the city’s Urban Renewal Department will give her a small business relocation payment.
But it was her house that mattered. She’s been relocated to Park View Apartments, Collingswood where she has some friends. But, it will be a long time before she becomes adjusted to her small, one bedroom unit.
Mrs. ELLIS has kept as much as she could squeeze into the new apartment, but she had to let so much of her life go. It’s even hard to find room to put out the lovely cut glass and antiques she just couldn’t relinquish.
“It was a big house,” she said. “People always were surprised when they came in and saw how big it really was.”
She looked around at the unpacked boxes and said: “Last night it hit me. I wanted to go home. It’s a terrible feeling.”
Mrs. Ellis has no complaints about the assistance she’s receiving from the city. Actually her attorney has taken care of most of the details.
It’s just that the now vacant house holds all those memories; they are pleasant memories and “I don’t want to let go of them,” she said. “I will just have to adjust, but I’m not keen about it.”
She looked at the bouquet of fresh flowers sent to her new apartment by relatives. “I didn’t know you got flowers when you moved,” she smiled. Mrs. Ellis isn’t used to just sitting and she hopes to get a part-time job to fill up the days.
In not too many days— by the middle of next month— the house at 708 Market Street will be among 10 razed to make way for the proposed $8–10 million New Jersey Bell Telephone building.
Mrs. Ellis won’t be able to avoid going by the site of her former home. Her church, the Epiphany Lutheran where her father was superintendent for 32 years, is just across the street.
“I lived there a lifetime. I don’t want to see it torn down,” she said. “I just won’t look over that way.”