Introduction
SAMUEL A. KILPATRICK was born in Delaware around 1857. By 1887 he had moved to Camden and established a coal and lime business on Federal Street above 12th. A bachelor in the 1880s and 1890s, he lodged at different times between 1887 and 1890 an 538, 550, and 590 Federal Street. When the census was taken in 1900 he was still single, and living in rented quarters at 433 Penn Street, across the street from pharmacist Dr. George M. Beringer. Samuel Kilpatrick was still engaged in the coal business at that time.
A popular and well known member of Camden’s business community, he was elected Exalted Ruler of Camden Lodge 293, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in 1900. He married shortly after the 1900 Census was taken, and by 1910 was living with wife, the former Clara V. “Carrie” Chalfont, in the former Beringer home, at 434 Penn Street. Carrie Chalfont was the daughter of John Chalfont, founder and owner for over 20 years of the Camden Carpet Cleaning Works.
The Kilpatricks would move to the then new Parkside section of Camden, and by 1920 would own a home at 1413 Wildwood Avenue. Mother-in-law Ella Chalfont and niece Lotte Albertson were living with them in January of 1920, according the Census. He was by then semi-retired, and worked at one of Camden’s shipyards. The Kilpatricks and their mother-in-law were still living at 1413 Wildwood Avenue as late as 1930. Samuel A. Kilpatrick passed away sometime after February of 1933. The Kilpatrick family is not listed in the October 1936 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory.
Photos
Samuel A. Kilpatrick
Electric Trolleys on Market Street
Labor Day 1890
Electric Trolleys on Market Street — Labor Day 1890. Note the advertisement for Samuel A. Kilpatrick’s coal business.
Sleighing in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Horsemen Across the Delaware Crowd White Horse and Mt. Ephraim Pikes
With an excellent snow and a holiday Camden county horsemen enjoyed an ideal sleighing carnival. It was scarce a piece of a street nor a road that scraped a runner and by 3 o’clock nearly every available horse had been pressed into service and the shabby old basket affairs drawn by mules, “skates” of any old beast rigged with the elaborate fittings runners of the well-to-do horse owner wrapped in furs and guided by a liveried coachman. These county turnpikes first became popular with sleighters years ago when the roads were superior to Philadelphia, and had not yet known a paving stone, was, as usual, the attraction of those who could not afford one bred horsesleigh to make. In the morning a few came out and hardened the course, and in the afternoon the Boulevards presented one grand pageant of fleeing hoofs, to which the tinkling bells of the sleighs provided accompaniment.
The White Horse and Mount Ephraim pikes, where there are numerous hotels where bands can be warmed and attacks of grog driven away, were the favorite roads for those who demanded more variety than Cooper Street afforded, and these roads were alive in brilliant motion. On Cooper Street and on the county roads could be seen the following well-known lovers of sleighing and owners of good horse flesh; Joseph Shinn, with a sleigh drawn by a fast bay driven by Baltzimer; Eugene Ingle was behind the high-stepping Prince Arthur; William C. Dayton drove a gray mare, Mrs. Dayton, brushed all competitors with a fast black mare, M. Stockham Woodward, accompanied by his wife and daughter in a sleigh drawn by the crack team, His Excellency with a record of 2:23, and Mr. Brown 2:23¾. In a Bailey sleigh; Ephraim Hires drove Van; Dr. William H. Iszard with old reins. From South Camden came Harry Davis with the favorite Out of Sight. Representing far North Camden were John Mathis, driving Harry, a fast bay; James Baird, with Harry, James, and Frank. One of the late ones to join and many others who joined the tinkling whirl before nightfall were John O. Munter with Harry—makes the best gray at South on John. John Clements with Uncle Sam, Dr. Gunter looking for trouble with his pride, Dan Foss, William H. Clements, W. K. Heston with Harry Gibson, Jack Van Sciver and his bay Smoky, Samuel Kilpatrick with Pleasure Bill, H. W. Davis behind a fast gray team, Edward Roberts, Joseph Burrough with a bay mare, and Dr. A. Haines Lippincott behind Bob.
The country roads were better than horsemen have seen them for years because there was no dirts. Friend passed friend on the road with surprising cordiality and many had driven so far from home. Men from Palmyra were there and along with residents in the vicinity of Merchantville and Main Street, Moorestown, was the course for white drifts and fine beats between horsemen from all directions. Among those were noticed William Fancoast, of Laffercroft, and William Butterworth of Moorestown, with a team of bays; Morgan Butterworth behind a gray mare, Morgan Dates, George T. Elwood, Benjamin Zelly, Mt. Holly, behind Ella Free; Frank Haines, of Rancocas. But probably the most interesting was that of Joseph Burrough, of Merchantville, who drove a tiny old sleigh that was more than one hundred years old. On the front its slab he painted its history and the names of those who sat in it. Another sleigh said to have been built in a similar manner was owned by Joseph Hinchman, of Merchantville.
Camden Elks Moving on City of Baltimore
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Lodge, No. 293, B. P. O. Elks, will turn out in force at the annual gathering in Baltimore, which takes place to–day and continues until Saturday. The local Elks will be officially represented to–day by Samuel Kilpatrick, the alternate, as George D. Borton, the Exalted Ruler, will not be able to get down until to–morrow.
A large number went to Baltimore last night and many more will follow to–day. At least a hundred Camden Elks will be in attendance. The delegation last night was headed by Marshall W. Taylor, John G. Colsey, County Detective John S. Smith, John Irwin, Frank Peterson, Jas. Long, Joseph Kolb, Frank Fithian, Fred J. Newton, Joseph H. Pfeiffer, John McCabe, Martin Frand, Sheriff C. J. Mines, Joseph Burt, Isaac Moffett, ex-Sheriff Henry J. West, Richard Mason, Thomas P. Curley, John Fort, D. Harry Condit and John Beaston.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Named: Henry Purnell, Samuel Kilpatrick, Federal Street, and Kaighn Avenue.
George D. Borton Buried at Harleigh Cemetery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With all the pall bearers past exalted rulers of the local lodge of Elks, George D. Borton, himself a past officer of the lodge, was buried in Harleigh Cemetery yesterday. The services were held at his home, Second and York Streets, Camden, where Rev. George Hemingway, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, spoke. The Elks also held services at the house. The pall bearers included Past Exalted Rulers John Henry Fort, Samuel Kilpatrick, Dr. A. H. Lippincott, Alexander Milliette, Francis Warren and J. Henry Switzer.
Elks Install Stewart as New Ruler Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
With two Assemblymen taking the highest stations, Camden Lodge of Elks will tonight install recently elected officers at the home, Seventh and Cooper Streets. The ceremony will be presided over by Past Exalted Ruler James H. Long.
Roy R. Stewart, thrice elected to the Assembly, will become the lodge’s exalted ruler, while Assemblyman William B. Knight will take the esteemed leading knight’s station, the next in line for the higher office.
Other officers to be installed include: William Hopkins Iszard, a former Assemblyman, esteemed loyal knight; William F. Lehman, esteemed lecturing knight; Albert Austermuhl, secretary; Homer F. Lotier, treasurer; Samuel A. Kilpatrick, tyler; George Fisher, trustee; Rud Preisendanz, representative to grand lodge; William L. Sauerhoff, alternate; Preisendanz, delegate to state association. A social session will follow the installation.
Camden Elks to Honor Past Exalted Rulers
Camden Courier-Post —
Past exalted rulers will be honored tonight by Camden Lodge of Elks with a dinner, ceremonial and entertainment.
The program will be nation-wide. A dinner will be served at 6:00 PM, followed by a business session. Harry G. Robinson, present exalted ruler, will open the ceremonial and turn the lodge over to the past officers.
The past exalted rulers expected are Samuel Kilpatrick, who served in 1900 and 1921; Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, Alexander J. Milliette, J. Harry Switzer, James H. Long, Marian Moriarity, Allen Jarvis, Albert Austermuhl, William L. Sauerhoff, former Mayor Frank S. Van Hart, D. Trueman Stackhouse, Harry Ellis, William G. Ferat, Judge Garfield Pancoast, Rudolph Preisendanz, Jr., Theodore T. Kausel, Edward J. Kelley, Mayor Roy R. Stewart, William H. lszard, William S. Lehman and J. Harry Todd.
Past Elks Rulers Review 33 Years’ History of the Lodge
Camden Courier-Post —
Twelve Former Leaders Take Charge of Dinner and Regular Meeting
SOCIAL SESSION HELD
Thirty-three years’ history of Camden Lodge of Elks, No. 293, was spanned last night in the memories of twelve past exalted rulers of the lodge who gathered at a dinner tendered in their honor at the Elks home, Seventh and Cooper Streets.
The dinner was virtually an epilogue of the lodge’s 38th anniversary, observed last month. Also attending the dinner were officers of the lodge, trustees and members of the house, finance and executive committees.
Following the dinner the twelve past officers conducted the regular weekly meeting of the order. The oldest past exalted ruler present was Samuel Kilpatrick, who served from 1900 to 1901. The others were J. Harry Switzer, 1908 to 1909; James H. Long, 1911 to 1912; Albert Austermuhl, 1915 to 1916; William L. Sauerhoff, 1917 to 1918; William G. Ferat, 1920 to 1926; D. Trueman Stackhouse, 1924 to 1925; former Mayor Frank S. Van Hart, 1925 to 1926; Rud Preisandanz, Jr., 1927 to 1928; William H. Iszard, 1929 to 1930; William F. Lehman, 1930 to 1931, and J. Harry Todd, 1931 to 1932.
Harry G. Robinson, present exalted ruler, presided at the dinner. A social session followed the lodge meeting was led by Peter McGuire as master of ceremonies, and William F. Huff, as chairman of the entertainment committee. Impromptu artists on the entertainment program were Assemblyman Frank Travaline, cornet solo, and J. Harry Todd, vocal solo. Music was furnished by the Ray Fox Orchestra.
Those attending in addition to the twelve guests of honor were Robinson, McGuire, Huff, Travaline, Todd, James A. MacMillan, Carlton W. Rowand, Homer H. Lotier, George E. Aarons, Ernest Edgar Lindner, Ralph Willey, Jr., George B. Shaner, Frederick Magee, Theodore T. Roller, Albert B. Poland, Albert Barr, Fred Mead, Jr., Sidney P. McCord, Paul Sand, William C. Davis, William Doyle, Jr., Harry Hoesch, Jr., Creston Poland and Dr. Lee Epstein, officers and committee members of the lodge.
Camden Elks Hope to Get Convention
Camden Courier-Post —
Advisory Committee Will Present Formal Invitation for State Meet
The twenty-first annual reunion and the convention of the New Jersey State Elks Association will be held in Camden next June if efforts of the advisory board of Camden Lodge of Elks are successful at the state meeting in Newark on June 15, 16 and 17.
Members of the advisory board for the local lodge, who are past exalted rulers of the Camden lodge, will present the invitation to hold the 1934 meeting in Camden, at the twentieth reunion and convention in Newark.
Members of the lodge have adopted a resolution confirming the action of the advisory board and plans were made to set the necessary machinery in motion to bring the 1934 convention to Camden. It was pointed out that Camden Elks have the largest home in the state.
Samuel Kilpatrick, the oldest past exalted ruler of the lodge, is head of the advisory board, and Harry G. Robinson, youngest past exalted ruler, is delegate to the state association, which is composed of past exalted rulers of all Elks lodges in New Jersey.
Although the state association was formed in Camden, there has never been a reunion or convention of the association held here, it was pointed out.
The outstanding feature of each annual convention is the mammoth sessions, with thousands of Elks in line. It is estimated the parade would draw more than 50,000 persons to Camden, if the local lodge’s invitation is accepted.
The Camden lodge is sending the band and patrol to Newark for the parade, which will start at 7 p. m. on June 17. Arrangements are being made to have the largest delegation in the parade represent Camden.
Past exalted rulers who comprise the advisory board, and the year they took office, follow: Samuel Kirkpatrick, 1900; Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, 1901; Alex J. Milliette, 1906; J. Harry Switzer, 1908; James H. Long, 1911; Marion Moriarty, 1913; Allen Jarvis, 1914; Albert Austermuhl, 1915; William L. Sauerhoff, 1917; Theodore T. Kausel, 1918; Garfield Pancoast, 1919; William G. Ferat, 1920; Harry Ellis, 1921; Samuel A. Dobbins, 1923; D. Trueman Stackhouse, 1924; Frank S. Van Hart, 1925; Edward J. Kelly, 1926; Rud Preisendanz, Jr., 1927; Roy R. Stewart, 1928; William H. Iszard, 1929; William Lehman, 1930; J. Harry Todd, 1931, and Harry G. Robinson, 1932.
Deceased past exalted rulers and the year they took office are: John H. Foster, 1895; W. E. B. Miller, 1896; Philip Burch, 1897; D. Harry Condit, 1898; H. L. Hartshorn, 1891; George D. Borton, 1902; Maurice Rogers, 1904; Francis Warren, 1907; E. Wilmer Collins, 1909; Lewis H. Leigh, 1910; Morris Odell, 1912, and W. Wallace Balcom, 1922.