Introduction
Harry Pierce Pelouze
Harry Pierce Pelouze was born June 25, 1881 in Camden, New Jersey to Franklin P. and Laura Pelouze. His early years were spent at 452 Royden Street. Franklin Pelouze, a type finisher by trade, moved his family back in with his father Charles Pelouze’s home at 604 South 5th Street by 1888. Grandfather Charles Pelouze had for many years conducted a grocery business at Broadway & Kaighn Avenue and had served on Camden’s City Council before passing away in 1894.
Harry Pelouze graduated from the Manual Training and High School at Haddon and Newton Avenues in 1899. He trained as an optician, and in 1914, with Walter Campbell founded Pelouze & Campbell, enjoying great success as practicing opticians. Harry Pelouze married Rachel “Rae” Figner, the daughter of one-time Camden city councilman Alfred Figner, on April 25, 1905, at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Broadway. The couple moved to Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Harry and Rae Pelouze were living there when son Harry Pierce Pelouze Jr. was born on March 9, 1910.
At the time of the 1920 Census, Harry Pelouze was living with wife Rachel “Rae” Pelouze and son Harry Jr. in the Sabra Apartments at 205-A Penn Street. He later moved back to Haddon Heights.
Although by then a resident of Haddon Heights, when Camden changed to the commission form of government in 1923 during the administration of Mayor Victor King, Harry P. Pelouze Sr. was appointed Purchasing Agent for the city. He served in that capacity until 1927, when the Republican Party returned to power. Dr. Charles B. Helm succeeded Harry Pelouze as Purchasing Agent.
Later a resident of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Harry Pelouze Sr. passed away in September of 1966.
Harry P. Pelouze is remembered by his grandson, H. Pierce Pelouze III.
Camden County: A History 1624–1924
HARRY PIERCE PELOUZE—Descendant of French and English ancestors, through several generations of New England residence, Mr. Pelouze is a typical American, the upstanding, useful citizen, public-spirited and progressive in thought and deed.
The first of his paternal line in the United States was Captain Pelouze, of the Island of Martinique, West Indies, who married Louise Typhine. They were the parents of Dr. Edmund Pelouze, born in 1765, in Martinique, an officer in the French military service, who sailed to the United States to escape capture by the English forces during one of the many wars between the English and French. In 1793 he settled at New London, Connecticut, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He had prepared for this under Dr. Dhere at the College of St. Vincent. He married, at New London, January 1, 1787, Sarah DeJean, who died October 26, 1839. Their son, Edmund Pelouze, was born November 5, 1797, in New London, and lived in Charlestown, New Hampshire. There he married, February 22, 1819, Matilda Corbin, born in that town, and afterward resided in Boston. His son, Charles Nelson Pelouze, was born August 22, 1824, in Boston, and lived at Camden, New Jersey, where he was a prominent citizen, a member of the city council, and where he died, February 8, 1894. He was among the most patriotic citizens, was a soldier of the Mexican war, and served as captain of New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War. He married, January 1, 1850, Edith Fronefield, a native of Philadelphia, and they were the parents of Franklin Pierce Pelouze, who was born August 7, 1852, in Philadelphia, and now resides in Camden, New Jersey, retired from active business. For many years he was employed by the Johnson Type Foundry. He married, August 11, 1872, Laura Virginia Vernon, a native of Camden, daughter of Robert Hall and Elizabeth Vernon. Another prominent member of the Pelouze family, noted for military achievements, was General Louis H. Pelouze, born 1831, in Philadelphia, graduated at West Point, came out of the Civil War as brigadier general, was trustee of All Souls' Church of Philadelphia, and died June 2, 1878.
Harry Pierce Pelouze was born June 25, 1881, in Camden, and attended the city’s schools, graduating from the high school in 1899. His first employment was with McIntyre, Magee & Brown of Philadelphia, where he continued two years. Having determined to qualify as an optician, he began an apprenticeship with J. C. Ferguson of Philadelphia, with whom he continued to be associated for a period of twelve years. On January 1, 1914, he formed a partnership with Walter T. Campbell, under the style of Pelouze & Campbell, and since that time they have continued as practicing opticians, achieving a gratifying success, with an office on Broadway, Camden.
For five years, Mr. Pelouze has been associated with the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and is chairman of the boy’s work committee of that organization. He is a member of the executive committee of the Non-Partisan League, and is serving in charge of the department of purchase of the city of Camden, by appointment of the city commissioners. He has served as director of the Camden Chamber of Commerce. His residence is at Haddon Heights. His chief recreation is found in fishing, in which he is an adept. Quite naturally, Mr. Pelouze has allied himself with several fraternal and benevolent bodies and clubs. He affiliates with Haddon Heights Lodge, No. 91, Free and Accepted Masons; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Van Hooke Council, Royal and Select Masters; Crusade Commandery, No. 23, Knights Templar, and Crescent Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Haddon Heights Chapter, Mutual Order of Protective Artisans, the Rotary Club, Tavistock Country Club, Camden Club, and National Association of Purchasing Agents. He has been associated with the Rotary Club ten years, and is a past vice-president of that body. He is a vestryman of St. Mary’s Protestant Episcopal Church of Haddon Heights, and has served as secretary of its board of trustees. In every movement to promote the community interests and the public welfare, Mr. Pelouze is ever active. Among the movements which he has aided may be mentioned the Camden Community Hotel drive, in which he was captain of a team; “four-minute speaker,” and captain of teams in Liberty, Victory Loan, Red Cross and Salvation Army drives.
HARRY PIERCE PELOUZE—Descendant of French and English ancestors, through several generations of New England residence, Mr. Pelouze is a typical American, the upstanding, useful citizen, public-spirited and progressive in thought and deed.
The first of his paternal line in the United States was Captain Pelouze, of the Island of Martinique, West Indies, who married Louise Typhine. They were the parents of Dr. Edmund Pelouze, born in 1765, in Martinique, an officer in the French military service, who sailed to the United States to escape capture by the English forces during one of the many wars between the English and French. In 1793 he settled at New London, Connecticut, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He had prepared for this under Dr. Dhere at the College of St. Vincent. He married, at New London, January 1, 1787, Sarah DeJean, who died October 26, 1839. Their son, Edmund Pelouze, was born November 5, 1797, in New London, and lived in Charlestown, New Hampshire. There he married, February 22, 1819, Matilda Corbin, born in that town, and afterward resided in Boston. His son, Charles Nelson Pelouze, was born August 22, 1824, in Boston, and lived at Camden, New Jersey, where he was a prominent citizen, a member of the city council, and where he died, February 8, 1894. He was among the most patriotic citizens, was a soldier of the Mexican war, and served as captain of New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War. He married, January 1, 1850, Edith Fronefield, a native of Philadelphia, and they were the parents of Franklin Pierce Pelouze, who was born August 7, 1852, in Philadelphia, and now resides in Camden, New Jersey, retired from active business. For many years he was employed by the Johnson Type Foundry. He married, August 11, 1872, Laura Virginia Vernon, a native of Camden, daughter of Robert Hall and Elizabeth Vernon. Another prominent member of the Pelouze family, noted for military achievements, was General Louis H. Pelouze, born 1831, in Philadelphia, graduated at West Point, came out of the Civil War as brigadier general, was trustee of All Souls’ Church of Philadelphia, and died June 2, 1878.
Harry Pierce Pelouze was born June 25, 1881, in Camden, and attended the city’s schools, graduating from the high school in 1899. His first employment was with McIntyre, Magee & Brown of Philadelphia, where he continued two years. Having determined to qualify as an optician, he began an apprenticeship with J. C. Ferguson of Philadelphia, with whom he continued to be associated for a period of twelve years. On January 1, 1914, he formed a partnership with Walter T. Campbell, under the style of Pelouze & Campbell, and since that time they have continued as practicing opticians, achieving a gratifying success, with an office on Broadway, Camden.
For five years, Mr. Pelouze has been associated with the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and is chairman of the boy’s work committee of that organization. He is a member of the executive committee of the Non-Partisan League, and is serving in charge of the department of purchase of the city of Camden, by appointment of the city commissioners. He has served as director of the Camden Chamber of Commerce. His residence is at Haddon Heights. His chief recreation is found in fishing, in which he is an adept. Quite naturally, Mr. Pelouze has allied himself with several fraternal and benevolent bodies and clubs. He affiliates with Haddon Heights Lodge, No. 91, Free and Accepted Masons; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Van Hooke Council, Royal and Select Masters; Crusade Commandery, No. 23, Knights Templar, and Crescent Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Haddon Heights Chapter, Mutual Order of Protective Artisans, the Rotary Club, Tavistock Country Club, Camden Club, and National Association of Purchasing Agents. He has been associated with the Rotary Club ten years, and is a past vice-president of that body. He is a vestryman of St. Mary’s Protestant Episcopal Church of Haddon Heights, and has served as secretary of its board of trustees. In every movement to promote the community interests and the public welfare, Mr. Pelouze is ever active. Among the movements which he has aided may be mentioned the Camden Community Hotel drive, in which he was captain of a team; “four-minute speaker,” and captain of teams in Liberty, Victory Loan, Red Cross and Salvation Army drives.
Harry P. Pelouze was married, April 25, 1905, at St. John’s Protestant Episcopal Church, Camden, to Rae Spong Figner, daughter of the late Alfred Breyer Figner, many years a member of the Camden City Council and long chairman of its fire committee, and his wife, Mina (Spong) Figner, now residing in Camden. Mr. and Mrs. Pelouze have a son, Harry Pierce Pelouze, Jr., born March 9, 1910.
Manual Training and High School
Manual Training and High School — Haddon and Newton Avenues, Camden
Harry Pelouze Sr. was an 1899 graduate of the Manual Training and High School at the corner of Haddon and Newton Avenues.
Club of Merchants to Elect Officers
Camden Courier-Post —
Broadway Merchants to Hold Annual Banquet at Hotel Walt Whitman, Jan. 25
An exciting contest is expected in the annual election of officers of the Broadway Business Men’s Association. The elections, preceded by a banquet, will be held Wednesday evening, January 25, at Hotel Walt Whitman.
Three merchants are candidates for the presidency, which will be vacated by Harry Pelouze. There are J.V. Moran, Walter Friant and Morris Futernick. They were nominated at the November meeting of the association.
Another battle is looked for in the naming of a vice-president. M. Fuhrman and J.W. Holmes are the two candidates while Morris Jaffe is the retiring vice president. Edwin C. Norcross, president treasurer, will be unopposed for re-election. Albert S. Dudley will be unopposed when he succeeds David Tattersdill as secretary.
Representatives from every business in every section of the city have been invited to attend the affair, while every one of the 150 members will probably be present. The principle speaker will be former Judge John B. Kates, of the Broadway Merchants Trust Company.
An address on interstate traffic and its relations to the transportation problems of Camden business will be delivered by J.J. Ruster, head of the transportation department of the Camden Chamber of Commerce. Francis B. Wallen and Loyal D. Odhner, president and secretary respectively of the Chamber of Commerce will also be guests of the merchants.
A comparison of the work of other commercial organizations will be made by several well-known visitors. Benjamin Shindler, William Lipsitz and H. Zbieratski, presidents respectively of the East Camden, Kaighn Avenue and Mount Ephraim Business Men’s Associations, will speak.
The new constitution and by-laws of the association will be adopted at the January meeting. Eighteen directors will be elected; six for terms of three years, six for two-year terms and a similar number for one year.
The candidates for director are Harry Pelouze, Joseph Kobus, J.W. Holmes, Albert Israel, James V. Moran, Walter Friant, Dr. I.S. Siris, Joseph Fuhrman, William E. Cross, S. Abeson, M. Futernick, Howard B. Lee, Fred W. Schorpp, Morris Jaffe, W. Mitchell, L. Markowitz, Joseph Corbett, M. Lasala, P. Thatcher, W. Falture, G. Lockerman and David Tattersdill.
City Blasts Hopes for Broadway Lights
Camden Courier-Post —
Reesman Tells Merchants Funds Are Too Low to Make Improvements This Year
Hopes of the Broadway Business Men’s Association to obtain 75 more lights on that thoroughfare have been blasted, Commissioner Clay W. Reesman says no funds are available to make possible the improvement.
Reesman’s reply to the request for additional lights was contained in a letter received yesterday by Harry P. Pelouze, president of the organization. Members of the association have sought the new lighting for more than a year, contending that present facilities are inadequate for the volume of business.
At Reesman’s office today, it was said a smaller budget this year leaves no money available to pay for additional lights. The new standards themselves, it was reported would be erected by the Public Service Company, but the cost of obtaining them would amount to approximately $5,500 a year or from $72 to $75 for each new light.
The request for better lighting on Broadway was made by the businessmen to the previous city commissioners, who assured the merchants that provisions for the additional lights would be made in 1928. No appropriation, however, has been voted. The association will decide on what further steps to take at its next meeting.
Reesman Denies Light Fund Shift
Camden Courier-Post —
Reesman Tells Broadway Merchants City Just Hasn’t Money for New Lamps
Commissioner Clay W. Reesman yesterday denied assertions made by Harry P. Pelouze, president of the Broadway Business Men’s Association, that funds from last year’s lighting appropriation were used to wipe out the deficit of another department.
Pelouze made the charge in an address before the organization at its third annual dinner in Hotel Walt Whitman Wednesday night, when the city administration was condemned for failure to provide additional lighting facilities on Broadway.
In his denial, Commissioner Reesman explained that it is illegal for one department to transfer funds to another. An unused portion of a budget appropriation may be used for another item in the same department, but may not be switched for another departmental purpose, he said.
“The letter I sent to the Broadway Business Men’s Association, stating that insufficient funds was the cause of the city’s failure to provide extra light standards, is the only answer I can give to their demands,” he said.
He added that installation of lights in other sections of the city, where they were needed more than on Broadway, would cost more than had been appropriated for the purpose in the 1928 budget. Therefore, it would be impossible to satisfy the association this year, he declared.
An investigation made by the business men’s organization showed that the 79 extra lights desired could be used for $5,835.90 a year, with the Public Service Corporation installing the standards at no cost to the city, Pelouze said in his speech Wednesday.
“I made a special visit to the department of parks and public property, which handles lighting for the city, and found that it had an excess of $3,625 from last year’s appropriation;” he averted. “We got none of it, but it was used to bolster up another department in which a deficit was shown.”
This the commissioner denied emphatically. “There was no excess and the cost of putting up a few lights in the rear of Baird avenue, and a few in the rear of Langham avenue, and others in East and North Camden, after numerous complaints had been received, will prohibit any further considerations this year,” he concluded.
47 More Men Join League to Aid Baird
Camden Courier-Post —
Forty-seven more prominent professional and business men yesterday joined the Baird-for-Governor Business Men’s League and pledged themselves to work actively in interest of David Baird Jr., for governor, and add special impetus to his campaign.
The league was organized this week at an enthusiastic meeting of 18 outstanding Baird supporters in professional and business life at the Camden Club, 315 Cooper Street. The league membership is open only to business, professional and industrial leaders who are not holding public office and who are not politicians.
The latest enrollments among community leaders pledging themselves to devote themselves to the Baird cause are the following:
F. Morse Archer, president of the First Camden National Bank; Clinton L. Bardo, president of the New York Shipbuilding Company and of the New Jersey Taxpayers’ Association; George C. Baker, of the Baker-Flick Company; Watson Shallcross, president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; Howard J. Dudley, Broadway merchant; Thomas E. French, prominent attorney; J. David Stern, publisher of the Courier-Post newspapers and of the Philadelphia Record; Wellington K. Barto, of the West Jersey Trust Company; Dr. Joseph Roberts, Cooper Hospital; William Clement, of the Clement Coverall Paint Company; Robert Wright, of the Haddonfield National Bank; Arthur J. Podmore, of the Camden Pottery Company; Nathan Leopold, Haddonfield druggist; Dr. J. Edgar Howard, of Haddonfield.
Dr. Alfred N. Elwell, of this city; Edward Preisendanz, Clarence Peters, N. Franks, of Franks & Sweeney; U. G. Peters, Ralph D. Baker, prominent real estate man; Archibald Dingo, George Bachman, Sr., and George Bachman, Jr., Dr. O. W. Saunders, Henry Cooperson, Leon Cooperson, Herman Z. Cutler. Charles Bauman, Harry Rose, George Austermuhl, Walter Gulick, Albert Voeglin, Howard Fearn, John A. Schlorer, Ernest L. Bartelt.
William S. Casselman, George M. Carr, J. Price Myers, Carl R. Evered, former president of the Camden County Real Estate Board; Francis B. Wallen, former president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; William H. Alff, Edmund J. Alff, Harry Pelouze, Walter Campbell, Dr. Thomas R. Bunting, Joseph F. Kobus and Henry E. Kobus.
Enrollments, it was announced, may be made through the following committee of the league:
Ludwig A. Kind, Thomas Gordon Coulter, Charles H. Laird, Walter J. Staats, Frank C. Middleton, Jr., Frank J. Hineline, William T. Read, Charles S. Boyer, W. W. Robinson, George R. Pelouze, Paul A. Kind, Dr. Paul A. Mecray, Jerome Hurley, Harry A. Moran, James V. Moran, William J. Strandwitz, former Judge Lewis Starr and Frank C. Norcross.