Introduction
George H. Pursglove was born in Camden, New Jersey on July 10, 1880 to Charles Watson Pursglove and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Hamilton. He was the sixth of eight known Pursglove children, coming after Mary, Elizabeth, William, Charles, Emma, and before Harry and Clarence Pursglove. From 1887 through 1890 the Pursglove family lived at 138 Walnut Street in South Camden. The 1900 Census shows the family at 1243 Liberty Street. George H. Pursglove was then working as a laborer. George H. Pursglove had married Emma Beatty in 1903 and had moved to 751 Mount Vernon Street by 1910. Their marriage produced two daughters, Myrtle in 1905 and Jeannette “Nettie” Pursglove in 1909. A son, Leroy, came in September of 1912.
In the early 1910s brother Clarence Pursglove married Evelyn Patten, of 757 Mount Vernon Street. The brothers would live at these two homes through at least the end of 1926. George H. Pursglove became a member of the Camden Fire Department in the mid-1910s. He resigned from the department in March of 1918 to take a higher-paying job in one of Camden’s shipyards. Clarence Pursglove was appointed to replace him. By January of 1920 George Pursglove had returned to the Fire Department. Both brothers would work as Camden firemen into at least the end of 1946.
As stated above, George H. Pursglove and his brother Clarence were still living in the same homes on Mount Vernon Street as late as the end of 1926. When the 1929 Camden City Directory was compiled, George Pursglove and family had moved to 103 Eutaw Avenue in East Camden. Fire department records from 1931 show George Pursglove residing at 131 North 25th Street.
George and Emma Pursglove were still living at 125 North 25th Street in East Camden when the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled. Both Pursglove brothers are noted in this directory as working for the Camden Fire Department.
Son Leroy Pursglove was living with his wife Mildred at 2412 Arthur Avenue in Cramer Hill when the 1946 City Directory was compiled. He was then working as a bartender at the U-Need-A Cafe on Federal Street in East Camden. Leroy Pursglove passed away in December of 1960.
Firemen to Play Baseball for Red Cross
Camden Post-Telegram —
Under the direction of Fireman Frank Gondolf, a base ball team is being organized among the down town firemen to play the uptown firemen. The proceeds of the fiasco will be given the Red Cross. The down towners will be represented by Frank Gondolf, Jack Garirty [sic], John McTaggart, Wes McGrath, Harry Chambers, “Bill” Casson, “Chappie” Lennox, George Pursglove and two other “dark horses.”
Shipyards Call Policeman and Three Firemen
Camden Post-Telegram —
The call of the shipyards has again appealed to South Camden public servants, a policeman and three firemen forsaking their positions in the city departments to take up their new duties as shipbuilders.
Appointed last April, Policeman Clarence Wescott, of the Fourth ward, has tendered his resignation to Mayor Ellis. Wescott is going to work at the New York Shipyard.
Frank De Haven, a fireman connected with Engine Company No. 8, has resigned to work at the same yard.
Julius Hubert, appointed seven weeks ago to No. 3 Engine Company, resigned this morning and his place at that house has been filled by the appointment of Anthony Paradise, of 658 South Second street. Hubert also goes to the New York Ship Corporation.
George Pursglove, of No. 7 Engine Company, also resigned this morning. His place has been filled temporarily by the transfer of Harry Chambers, from No. 2 Truck Company. Pursglove will also tackle shipbuilding.
Shipyard Wages Lure to Firemen
Camden Post-Telegram —
Chief Presents Six Resignations at Meeting of Council Commission.
MERTZ IS CAPTAIN IN WHITSELL’S PLACE
Camden’s Fire Department has been hard hit by the call of the shipyards and death. The report of Fire Chief Peter B. Carter presented last night at the meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council showed six resignations, two deaths and one vacancy from the draft.
The resignations follows [sic]: Louis Neuman, No. 3 Truck Company; George H. Pursglove, No. 7 Engine Company; Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert and Harry W. Stone, No. 3 Truck Company, and Lieutenant Joseph Sparks, No. 7 Engine Company.
Deaths reported were Captain Samuel Whitzell, of No. 1 Engine Company, and William Elberson, of Headquarters. William Schucher, of No. 4, was drafted into the Army.
To take the place of Captain Whitzell, Lieutenant Walter Mertz, of the same company, was appointed captain, and Horace Kerns was made lieutenant. The following appointments were made by the Fire Committee: Robert L. Knox, 822 Division street, to fill place of Julius Hunbert [sic]; Allen Palmer, 120 North Eleventh street, for vacancy of Louis Neuman; Clarence Pursglove, 751 Mt. Vernon street, taking place of his brother George; Anthony Paradise, 658 South Second street, filling place of Roy De Haven; Harry B. Maxwell, 422 North Sixth street, for vacancy of Harry W. Stone; Robert Welsh, 512 Borton street, vacancy of William Schucher, and William Vile, 570 Carman street, to fill place of Captain Whitzell.
The American La France Company was awarder [sic] the contract to furnish a new two-in-one motor apparatus for $10,000.
A petition from members of the Firemen’s Pension Fund asked that the rule of ten years’ apprenticeship be abolished in view of the wages paid men employed in other industries. The petition requests that all men in the department be placed on full salary at once. The petition will be presented to City Council.
Six Camden Firemen Quit for Better Jobs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Higher Wages Lure Members of the Force to the Local Shipyard
High wages paid at shipyards is proving a big lure to the members of the Camden Fire Department, resignations of six laddies being presented to the Fire Committee of City Council yesterday by Chief Carter. The men quitting to become shipbuilders are Louis Neuman, George H. Pursglove, Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert, Harry W. Stone and Joseph Sparks. Their places were filled by the appointment of Robert Knox, Allen Palmer, Clarence Pursglove, Anthony Paradise, Harry B. Maxwell and Robert Welsh. Lieutenant Walter Mertz was made a captain to succeed Samuel Whitzell, deceased, and Horace Kerns was made a lieutenant. A contract was awarded to the American-La France Engine Company for a new motor engine. The price is $10,000.
World War I Draft Card
Named: George H. Pursglove, World War I Draft Card, Local Board No. 3, City of Camden, N.J., and Registered September 12, 1918.
Many Transfers of City Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
Forces At Various Stations Changed By Most Recent Orders
16 GO TO FAIRVIEW HOUSE
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.
World War II Draft Card
Named: George H. Pursglove, World War II Draft Card, 125 N. 25th Street, Camden, N.J., and Employer: Camden Fire Department.