Lucy Dean Wilson
Lucy Dean Wilson
LUCY DEAN WILSON was born in New York around 1875. She trained to be a teacher, and was hired by Horatio Draper to teach at the Camden Manual Training and High School in 1896, while the school was still housed at 125 Market Street. She remained a Camden High teacher for thirty-seven years, retiring in 1933. During this time she taught at the first Camden High building, at Haddon and Newton Avenues, and at the present Camden High School, at Park & Baird Boulevards. During her years at the Camden High Schools, she taught many students who went on to distinguished careers themselves, including Congressman Charles Wolverton, State Supreme Court Justice Albert E. Burling, and State Assemblyman Frank Travaline Jr., and many others. One student in particular, T. Carroll O’Brien, would become a musical educator himself, teaching voice at his own school in Camden and later at Abington High School in Abington PA.
Lucy Dean Wilson lived in Philadelphia until 1928, taking the ferry to Camden and her classroom. She moved to Camden in 1928, and eventually moved to 408 4th Avenue in Haddon Heights NJ. In April of 1944 she was honored with a testimonial dinner, and two scholarships were set up in her name. Lucy Dean Wilson was still living in Haddon Heights NJ as of October 1959.
Philadelphia Inquirer — October 27, 1906
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 27, 1906 — Lucy Dean Wilson, Camden Manual Training & High School — “Captain Letterblair”
The Manual Training and High School Alumni Association will present the comedy, “Captain Letterblair,” on November 18, under the direction of Miss Lucy Dean Wilson.
Philadelphia Inquirer — November 27, 1910
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 27, 1910 — Lucy Dean Wilson, Camden Manual Training & High School — Catholic Lyceum — West Jersey Hospital
There was a large assemblage last night at the Catholic Lyceum, when the members of the Class of ’09 of the Camden High School gave “The Little Minister,” under the direction of Lucy Dean Wilson, a member of the school faculty. It was given for the benefit of the Homeopathic Hospital.
1919 Camden High School Yearbook
1919 Camden High School Yearbook, dedicated to Lucy Dean Wilson
To Miss Lucy Dean Wilson, Teacher of Music and Public Speaking, “THE PURPLE AND THE GOLD” IS RESPECTFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY The Class of Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen
C.H.S. Class to Hear President of Temple
Camden Courier-Post —
Commencement Exercises Thursday Night
Dr. Charles E. Beury, president of Temple University, Philadelphia, will address the graduating class of Camden High School at the mid-year commencement exercises Thursday night. Eighty graduates will receive their diplomas from Edwin L. Seabrook, president of the Camden Board of Education.
Miss Clara S. Burrough, principal, will present each student to the audience; Miss Lucy Dean Wilson, head of the music department, will conduct the orchestra and the choruses, which will sing three selections, “Land of Hope and Glory” by Elgar, “Bedouin Song” by Foote, and “O Lord Most Holy” by Franck. The school orchestra will play selections from the musical comedy, “Yes, Yes, Yvette,” and other numbers such as “Diane,” “Priest’s March from Athalie” by Mendelssohn; “The Red Mill” by Victor Herbert, and Sousa’s “Thunderer March.”
264 Last to Graduate at Camden High School
Camden Courier-Post —
Commencement Next Thursday to Be Institution’s Farewell; Becomes Academic Next September; Veteran Teachers to Retire
Commencement exercises of Camden High School will be held June 22 when diplomas will be presented to 264 students. It will be the thirty-fourth and last annual commencement as Camden High School. In September it will become Camden Academic High School under a reorganization plan that creates also a Camden Commercial High School, at what now is Woodrow Wilson Junior High School.
It will be the last class to be presented by Miss Clara S. Burrough, principal. She retires this month after 33 years as the head of the school and 44 years in the Camden school system.
Five Honor Students
The honor students are Esther E. Hill, Clara E. Marie Krause, Robert Knox Bishop, Caroline Emhof and Evelyn Harriet Ratcliffe. Bishop was selected by a committee of the faculty to represent the boys of the class and will deliver an essay on “Capital Punishment and Modern Civilization.” Miss Krause was selected by the committee to represent the girls. Her essay will be “Music and Moods.”
Judge Harold B. Wells, Bordentown, will be the principal orator. Samuel E. Fulton, president of the board of education, will present the diplomas. The high school orchestra will present its annual program under the leadership of Miss Lucy Dean Wilson. Miss Wilson is also retiring after 37 years’ service.
The Graduates
The graduates are: Richard Adam, Nicholas Angelastro, Harry L. Bantle, Jr., Milton J. Barag, James Allen Barlow, Omar N. Barth, Leon Battaglia, John M. Bauer, Jr., Harold Berlin. Michael A. Billy, Robert Knox Bishop, Alfred Bisti, Henry Blaszczynski, R. Walter Blattenberger, Samuel Joseph Bloodgood, Robert Lea Boertzel, Angelo Borghero, Thaddeus Bozymowski, Joseph Nicholson Bray, Harold Leon Brook, Kenneth Brown, Preston Huntington Brown, Allen Budinger, Joseph V. Caputi, John Carter, Otaldo Chierici, Alfred B. Christiansen, Jr., Samuel Cohen, William Connell, Leon W. Crane, Jr., and Louis W. Cranmer. Alfonso John Davis, John B. Deacon, Morris DiAngelo, Filiberto DiMambro, Louis DiMartine, J. Donald Dollarton, William Dorfman, Frank Dunkelberger, Isadore Dvinsky, Melville Joseph Ellis, Louis Engleman, Gustave Essig, Charles Falkinburg, Paul Felsberg, Joseph Flood, Carlton A. Frew, Elmer Friedberg, Bennie S. Giletto, Horace Goehringer, Donald T. Gondolf, William H. Griffing and John A. Groch. Michael Haday, Walter Hadtke, George Lynch Hallowell, Harry H. Haltzman, Ellwood S. Hare Jr., C. Albertus Hewitt, George Hildrew, Leon Hoffman. Charles Horwitz, Charles E. Howison, Herbert C. Hungridge, Albert C. Hurley Jr., J. Edward Jaques, Joseph Jensen, Robert T. Johnson, Morris Katz and Maurice T. Kirk. Leonard Knecht, George R. Krattenmaker, Stanley Krystek, Joseph Lavitt, William F. Leidenroth, Paul Lightman, Joseph Litowitz, Stephen Lustina, George Edward MacKnight, Edward F. Mazur, Frank Mazza Jr., George S. McClain. Joseph McDermott, James McPhillips, Edward McVaugh, Allen R. Messick, Jr., Henshaw Miles, Lewes W. Miller, Louis E. Miller, Philip Moeszinger, William Russell Moll, John Murrow, Ralph Obus, Chester Orlik, Martin Parrangian and Francis Pomeroy Patterson. Stanley T. Pawlak, Joseph Franklin Peel, James B. Peterson, William Pikus, Henry Pogroszewski, John Albert Quillin, Henry Redlus, Frank L. Helter, Wilson Allen Rickenbach, F. Leland Rose, Norman Rose, Bernard David Rosen, Milton Rose, Harold Raoul Rudnitsky, N. Harry Ruttenberg, William A. Samalonis, William T. Seaman, Jr., Carl Seifling, Alexander Serotkin, Harry R. Sharp, Jr., and Warren R. Smith. Albert Soloff, Leon Sosnow, Carl Southard, Aaron Spiegel, Elijah J. Stevenson, Jr., Herbert Leonard Steelman, William Henry Harrison Swope, Harry Dudley Teat Jr., Preston Thomas Jr., John Tisso, Rico Tiziani, Ralph Troupe, Alfred Vitarelli, Samuel J. Watters, William C. R. Weber, Jr., Charles Wexlin, Charles S. Whiley, Howard P. Whilldin, Charles C. Wright and Leonard M. Zondler.
Mae Baler Anderson, Elizabeth Austermuhl, Edna May Avis, Sara T. Bakley, Rose Bardock, Rose Muriel Barnes, Ethel R. Bene, Mildred Berkowitz, Josephine Biasi, Martha May Bierschenk, Sylvia Evelyn Binder, Elizabeth Ruth Bobo, Frances Bonamassa, W. Evelyn Bond, Ruth Rebecca Brennan, Ann F. Budd, Louise Ellen Bunstein, Ruth Burgess, Dorothy Butcher, Dorothea W. Campbell, Rose Mae Carey, Martha Adele Chapman, Rosolia Cioffi, Bertha Carolyn Clayton, Mildred Adele Cooper, Julia A. Dahl and Helen Elizabeth Donaghy. Jeanette Donien, Mary D’Oria, Sarah Hewett Doughten, Sara Duncan, Mildred Ruth Eggart, Martha Ellender, Caroline Emhof, Marjorie Euster, Anna Mae Joan Fields, Florence B. Fireman, Grace Fletcher, Bernice Fuhrman, Solo Gibbons, Rosalia Halicks, Florence Hallowell, Dorothy E. Hamilton, Olga Margaret Hardecker, Augusta E. Harrison, Beatrice Louise Hart, Grace E. Hemphill, and Anne E. Hesbacker. Esther E. Hill, Lillian Viola Himmelein, Naomi Hofflinger, Frances Letitia Ingram, Mary Adele Jennings, Eleanor Margaret Johns, Mildred Ruth Jordan, Mary Louise King, Margaret M. Klenzing, Clara E. Marie Krause, Mary Martha Kreher, Ruth M. Lafferty, Minerva G. Lagakos, Mary M. Lambersky, Lola Eleanor Linthicum, Judith E. Lord, Dorothy H. Lynn, Elizabeth Maguire, Ida Elisabeth Marland, W. Bertha Mattes, Theresa Mazza, Ruth F. Melnik, Helen Mills. Florence Molotsky, Miriam G. Morris, Eleanor Mae Nichols, Margaret B. Osborne, Dorothy Mae Osmond, Verna G. Otten, Alice E. Patryck, Amella L. Patten, Irene Peard, Beatrice E. Perry, Jennie K. Radziewicz, Evelyn Harriet Ratcliffe, Elizabeth M. Reid, Kathryn Van Dyke Richardson, Emma V. Riedinger, F. Mildred Riegraf, Emma Beatrice Ritchards, Marion M. Roberts, Doris Jean Rosenberg. Sylvia Rosenberg, Jeannette Rozner, Catherine C. Ruggiero. Sadie M. Santanello, Almira M. Schofield, Kathryn V. Seybold, Ruth Lourin Shapiro, Pearl B. Sherman, Virginia N. Simensen, Lillian B. Simons, Pauline Lee Siris and Florence M. Skillon. Angeleen M. Smiechowski, Mildred Elsie Smith, Grace V. Sochacki, Lillian Amelia Starke, Sally Stein, Irene L. Stern, Inez Rae Strubel, Verna E. Styer, Sabina Stypa, S. Frances Sullivan, Doris Gwendolyn Taylor, Betty H. Taylor, Geneva M. Terranova, Margaret E. Treble, Henrietta Varbalow, Cecelia Pearl Vaughan, Madeline Waeckel, Willetta A. Warner, Adele Alberta Wegrzynak, Rose Weinberg, Joyce V. Willis, Dorothy E. Wilson, Helen E. Yusk, Rae Zeit and Ruth Meriam Zilz.
More Religion Needed, Graduates Here Told
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden High Presents Diplomas to Class Of 261
1500 RELATIVES VIEW EXERCISES
Many Prizes Awarded; Judge Wells Makes Address
Win Prizes
The need of more religious education was stressed by Judge Harold B. Wells, of Bordentown, in addressing 264 graduates of Camden High School and more than 1500 relatives and friends who attended commencement exercises yesterday.
Awards of the main scholarships and prizes were announced as follows: Alumni Scholarships—Tuition in University of Pennsylvania, awarded to C. Albertus Hewitt, president of Senior class; $300 toward tuition in any college chosen, awarded to Esther Hill, first honor student. W. F. Rose Public Speaking Contest prizes of $15 each—Awarded to Cecelia Cummings and Jack Sosenko, both of January Class.
“We need more religion and more devotion,” Judge Wells said, “not more money or more education. Don’t boast that you don’t believe in God. The whole world and all the progress it has made is based on a belief in God. Don’t sneer at religion until you know something about it—and then you won’t sneer. Live for today. Don’t worry about yesterday and don’t think of tomorrow. Don’t be a grouch—the divorce courts today are filled with grouches.”
Thomas W. Trembath, vice principal of the high school, brought a momentary hush on the large audience when he announced that Miss Clara S. Burrough, high school principal who is retiring, was not well enough to attend this, her last commencement. Trembath announced at the same time that students were planning to present Miss Burrough with a chair and other gifts. The movement, he said, began among students a week ago and had swept through the school surprisingly swift. All members of the board of education were present. In the absence of Miss Burrough, Samuel E. Fulton, president of the board, presented diplomas. Trembath presented members of the class for graduation honors. The invocation opening the exercises was offered by the Rev. W. W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfred’s Episcopal Church, Camden. Among the officials present were Albert M. Bean, county superintendent of schools; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, city superintendent; Charles S. Albertson, former county superintendent; Dr. William H. Pratt, chief medical inspector; Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the education board, and Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor.
The valedictory and salutatory addresses were dispensed with at the high school last year and supplanted with faculty choices of speakers to represent the boys and girls of the class. Robert Knox Bishop, chosen to represent the boys, delivered an essay entitled “Capital Punishment and Modern Civilization.” Representing the girls, Clara E. Marie Krause delivered an essay on “Music and Moods.” Other honor students are Esther E. Hill, Caroline Emhof and Evelyn Harriet Ratcliffe.
The musical part of the program follows: “Die Schone Galathea,” by Von Suppe; Farandole from “L’ Arlesienne,” by Bizet; Washington Post March by Sousa; Triumphal selections from “Blossomtime,” by Romberg—all by the High School orchestra. There will be one chorus, “Blue Danube Waltz,” by Strauss. As a special tribute to her work for Camden High, Miss Lucy Dean Wilson, in charge of public speaking and dramatics, and formerly musical director, was invited by Fulton to conduct the chorus in its final number. Miss Wilson took the baton from Robert B. Haley, musical director, and directed the singers. Miss Wilson is retiring this year. The commencement was the thirty-fourth and last annual commencement at the High School. In September it will become the Camden Academic High School under a reorganization plan that will make Woodrow Wilson Junior High School the Camden Commercial High School.
Prizes were awarded as follows: Philomathean Society Prize, $10, Ruth Brennan, student in fourth year class doing most meritorious work in English composition. Class of 1916 Prize in Drawing, $5, Ida Marland. Solomon J. and Rosa Goldstein Prizes, $5 each, given by Dr. Hyman I. Goldstein, to Howard Ruffie and Clara Krause, students attaining highest standing in science covering not less than two years of work. B’nai Brith Prizes, one of $15, to Elmer Pont, and $10, to Clara Krause, for high standing in mathematics. Class of 1923 prizes, two of $10 each, to Richard Call and Esther Hill; students showing greatest ability in athletics. Class of 1924 prizes, four of $5 each, to Rose DiMuro, Esther Hill, George M. Minter and Samuel Bloodgood, students of January and June class with highest standing in commercial subjects. Woman’s Club prize in American History, $10, to Charles Bray, highest standing in American History. Department of Literature of Camden Woman’s Club prizes of $10, to Alfred Pikus and Constance Di Giuseppe, for standing in English in junior year. Woman’s Club prize in domestic science, $10, to Evelyn Cowgill, to sophomore with highest standing in domestic science. Mary McClelland Brown prize, $10, established by classes of 1931, to Cecelia Cummings, highest average in French through three year course. The Phi Beta Kappa Association of Philadelphia award, a book, “The Epic of America,” autographed by the author, James Truslow Adams, to Clara Krause, highest average in academic course on completing four years of Latin. Beethoven Club, prize for Musical Activity (new) awarded to Leonard Zondler.
Camden’s Own ‘Miss Chips’
Camden Courier-Post —
Mentor to City’s ‘First Names’ Thrills at Recounting Work
Former Pupils to Join in Fete for Lucy Dean Wilson
Lucy Dean Wilson says that if she had stayed in Camden High School any longer than her 37 years, she would have earned the right to be called “Miss Chips.” And it’s a sure thing that the thousands of pupils she taught during that span of time would heartily corroborate her opinion. Several hundreds of them are going to pay tribute to the veteran teacher—now retired—with a testimonial dinner at the Walt Whitman hotel on April 22. And the chief speakers will be two of her most distinguished pupils—State Supreme Court Justice Albert E. Burling and Congressman Wolverton.
“As I walk along Camden streets and see the dozens and dozens of names of people that I taught, it never fails to give me a thrill,” said the blue-eyed 75-year-old “Miss Chips.” “It seems as though I taught all the doctors and lawyers in town.”
Started Teaching in ’96
Miss Wilson started teaching music and dramatics at the school in September, 1896. It then was located in the old “Post-Telegram” building on Federal street, between Front and Second streets. “How well I remember the little wooden ferry house and the greasy approach to Federal street,” said Miss Wilson, interviewed in her home at 408 Fourth avenue, Haddon Heights. “In those days, the school rooms were heated by big stoves,” she said. “And we could hear the presses rolling when the newspaper went into an edition.”
Horatio Draper was principal then, she said, adding that from the very beginning she taught the music public-speaking and dramatic classes. Logically enough, it was in the latter that Miss Wilson found the greatest drama—usually unintentional, of course.
Recalls Near-Tragedy
It was in 1936 that she experienced a near-tragedy, while rehearsing a Christmas pantomime, which required not only a Santa Claus, enacted by a pupil named Ambrose Evens, but also a number of younger children taking roles as gnomes and fairies. “Late one afternoon, we were practising,” said Miss Wilson. “Suddenly, I heard the voice of some of the little boys calling. But to save my life, I couldn’t see where they were.” At that, young Evens told Miss Wilson he knew where the voices were coming from. It turned out that there was a considerable space between the ceiling and the roof, and Ambrose climbed up there to find out what the boys were doing.
Rafter Hopping
Actually, they were hopping from rafter to rafter, with nothing between them and the floor but a thin layer of plaster and lathe. As Miss Wilson stood holding her breath, she saw the Evens boy fall through, his legs kicking wildly. “Somehow, he had the presence of mind to throw his arms around the rafter,” said the teacher. “And then, by a terrific effort, he managed to pull himself up over the beam.” But for months after that, Miss Wilson sighed, every time she glanced up at the ceiling, she saw those helpless, kicking legs.
A happier incident occurred during the performance of a play called “The Elixir of Life,” which involved a scene showing the transition of a grandmother into an infant. That feat was arranged by having several actresses—starting with the grandmother—enter the stage, take a swig of the “elixir” and then return unmistakably 20 years younger.
My Grandmother
The climax, of course, was the appearance of a baby, enacted by Dorothea Pratt, herself a teacher now. Young Miss Pratt was carried onto the stage by her uncle, the late Thomas Pratt, who held her out to the audience, shouting: “This is my grandmother!”
“I think I was born to be a teacher, and I loved it,” said Miss Wilson. But much as she loved her profession, she says she enjoys her retirement more. “I always liked an extended vacation, and the more extended it was, the better I liked it,” she chuckled. “Retirement is my idea of the way a vacation ought to be extended.”
Miss Wilson was born and reared in Philadelphia, and for many years she daily crossed to Camden on the ferry. In 1928, she took an apartment adjacent to the school, and has been living in New Jersey ever since. “I knew I was a Jerseyite at heart,” she said. “I love New Jersey.” Miss Wilson retired in 1933.
2 Scholarships Honor Miss Wilson At Testimonial by 600 Ex-Pupils
Camden Courier-Post —
Miss Lucy Dean Wilson found out Saturday night just how much her former students think of her. More than 600 of them turned out to pay her honor at a testimonial dinner in the Hotel Walt Whitman and among them were many persons who have achieved eminence not only in Camden but nationally.
They established two scholarships which will bear her name. They presented her with $500 in U. S. savings bonds, and they gave her a radio-phonograph. In addition she received numerous floral tributes, and scores of telegrams from well-wishers. The retired Camden High school teacher was escorted to her seat by a guard of honor comprising former pupils representing Miss Wilson’s years of service, from 1896 to 1933 when she left the school. And as she walked through the banquet room, the entire gathering sang “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”
The principal speakers at the dinner sponsored by the Camden High School Alumni Association were two former students of Miss Wilson. They are Supreme Court Justice Albert A. Burling and Congressman Wolverton, with another ex-student, former Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline Jr., acting as toastmaster. It was after his speech that Wolverton made the announcement of the two scholarships.
The first, provided by Charles M. Taylor, member of the endowment board of the Alumni Association, establishes funds for a scholarship at Cornell university to be awarded to the boy or girl graduate of the school who is adjudged most worthy to receive it. Funds for the first recipient will be available in 1951. The second scholarship is a $10,000 gift provided by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ostermayer, details of which are to be worked out by Miss Wilson herself.
Second Scholarship
In his speech, Wolverton said that the United States is pre-eminent in the world because we have the highest type of national character, and declared that this position can only be maintained as long as we keep our standards of citizenship. It is the teacher, he said, who inoculates principles that build character, ideals and influences the accomplishment of worthwhile things. Making Americanism his keynote, Burling said that Miss Wilson’s life was dedicated to building character, and character is the basis of permanence in our government.
In her address, Miss Wilson paid tribute to Dr. James E. Bryan, former superintendent of city schools, who pronounced the invocation, and to the late Miss Clara S. Burrough, former principal. Following Miss Wilson’s speech, Mrs. Rowland Ricketts presented the teacher with the $500 in bonds, contributed by alumni. The record player was presented by Travaline on behalf of Delta Kappa fraternity, of which John Carson, class of 1925, is president.
Musical Program
Music was provided by three members of the nationally famous Philadelphia Piano Orchestra. In addition, there was a violin solo by Wallace M. Berul, a former music student of Miss Wilson, now a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. There also was “barber shop harmony,” with Mildred A. Burdge as accompanist. The tribute was climaxed by the singing of a medley in Miss Wilson’s honor to the tune of “The Purple and the Gold,” the school’s song. At the end of the affair, Miss Wilson personally greeted all those attending, in the junior ballroom. Miss Dora Y. Rose, was general chairman of the dinner, assisted by a committee of more than 100 persons.