Louis Bumbrey

Louis Bumbrey was born in New Jersey on May 13, 1894. By 1920 he had married, and with his wife Ruth resided at 717 Silver Street in South Camden. He was at the time operating a cigar store at 725 Kaighn Avenue, most likely with Robert Bumbrey. A son, Louis G. Bumbrey, was born in February of 1927.

A well known baseball team known as the Bumbrey Giants played in the independent amateur leagues that flourished in Camden in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. This team was most likely sponsored in whole or part by Louis or Robert Bumbrey.

By 1930, Louis and Ruth Bumbrey appear to have parted ways. Louis Bumbrey at this time was living at 1125 Marion Street. He was then the proprietor of a shoe shine stand.

In September of 1937, the Camden Police conducted a raid on the cigar store at 725 Kaighn Avenue. Robert Bumbrey was arrested and charged with maintaining an illegal gambling establishment.

Robert Bumbrey, along with Edward Phillips, were involved in the illegal lottery, or “numbers” racket which was the focus of much attention on the part of law enforcement in Camden in the years after the repeal of Prohibition. He was reputed to be a “big shot” in the operation, and received a suspended sentence in January of 1939.

When the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, the cigar shop was listed as Lou’s Smoke Shop. Louis Bumbrey was then living at 906 South 8th Street, apparently the home of a relation, Herbert Bumbrey. Louis Bumbrey was still at that address in January of 1950 when arrested and subsequently jailed in a raid at the 725 Kaighn Avenue address, where he had been conducting a “disorderly house,” i.e., a speakeasy. On June 16 of that year he was hired as a building maintenance worker by the City of Camden. His son, Louis G. Bumbrey, was injured during the demolition of the old County Courthouse when struck by falling debris in 1954.

On November 20, 1956 Louis Bumbrey was granted a divorce decree from Ruth Bumbrey on grounds of desertion. He subsequently remarried. Louis Bumbrey was still living at 906 South 8th Street as late as 1958. He was still employed by the city as late as 1964. On June 11, 1969 he was given a zoning variance to build a one-story barber shop at 712 Ferry Avenue.

The New Jersey Bell Telephone directories list Mrs. Ruth Bumbrey at 717 Silver Street as late as 1977. When he died, his address was 1104 Van Hook Street.

Lifelong Camden residents, Louis Bumbrey passed away on October 16, 1981, Ruth Bumbrey on March 2, 1991, and Louis G. Bumbrey in May of 1997. The Bumbrey family still resided in Camden as late as 2003.