Introduction
URQUHART A. WARD served as a member of Camden's city government on at least two occasions. A plumber by trade, an occupation that the worked at when not in civic employ, posts that he held included Superintendent of Disposal Plants in the early 1930s and Plumbing Inspector in the early 1960s. Known to his friends and family as “Urkie,” He was active in Republican politics in Camden's 13th Ward, which included Parkside.
Urquhart Ward was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 29, 1893 to John Alexander Ward and his wife Catherine. He was the third of four children, coming after Elizabeth and robert c. and before Joseph Ward. Sadly, Elizabeth died quite young. John A. Ward brought his family to Camden in the early 1910s.
The 1920 Census shows the Ward family at 1264 Mechanic Street. Urquhart Ward was working as a plumber, and his father as a plumbers helper. Robert Ward, after serving in the United States Navy during World War I, had recently been appointed to the Camden Police Department. Joseph Ward, an Army veteran, was working as a steamfitter, was appointed to the police department in the mid-1920s. Sadly, Joseph Ward died in May of 1930 in a boating incident. Robert Ward served with the Police department into the 1930s. He died in June of 1940.
During the early 1940s Urquhart Ward married a widow, Mrs. Frances Brehm. Her husband, C. Leonard Brehm was drowned in a boating accident on the Delaware River in 1936. He had also been active in Camden politics and had served as a Republican freeholder from the Fifth Ward from 1930 to 1933, and operated his family's business, a bar at the foot of Kaighn Avenue prior to his death.
Urquhart Ward and his wife Frances were listed in the Camden City Directory or 1947 as living at 1513 Princess Avenue in Camden's Parkside Section, Mrs. Ward's son, C. Leonard Brehm Jr., resided with the Ward family for a time in the late 1940s.
In 1951 Urquhart Ward he served as pallbearer at the funeral of long-time city aide Lewis Lee.
Urquhart and Frances Ward moved from Princess Avenue to South 27th St in East Camden sometime in the 60's. They lived there until about 1972 or 1973 when they retired to Florida. “Urkie” Ward passed away at the age of 80 on October 15, 1973. Frances Ward remained in Florida until her death in 1983. She is buried at Harleigh Cemetery between her two husbands, C. Leonard Brehm and Urquhart Ward.
Photos
Urquhart A. Ward, 1931
Urquhart A. Ward, 1933-02-01
1926 Camden City Directory Advertisement
1926 Camden City Directory Advertisement
13th Ward G.O.P. Club Pays Tribute to Rhone
Camden Courier-Post —
A meeting which was described today as “a gathering in honor of David S. Rhone, director of public safety,” was held last night at the Thirteenth Ward Republican Club, Haddon Avenue and Mechanic Street.
The speakers included David Baird Jr., Mayor Winfield S. Price, Commissioner Clay W. Reesman, Sheriff Walter T. Gross, Urquhart Ward, ward committeeman, Theodore Kausel and Commissioner Rhone.
A large photograph of Commissioner Rhone was presented to the club by friends of the Commissioner, and has been placed in the clubroom. A photograph of Ward was also given the club.
Arrangements were by made by the club for its annual ball to be held February 21. Plans were also discussed for the remodeling of the club's headquarters.
Dances Are Dedicated to City Commissioners
Camden Courier-Post —
Dances dedicated to the city commissioners and to the Republican clubs of the various wards will feature the annual ball of the Thirteenth Ward Republican Club February 21 at New Hall, Tenth Street and Kaighn Avenue.
Programs for the ball have been arranged and printed under the direction of Urquhart Ward, county committeeman of the ward, and the officers of the club, including Thomas Walton, president; Henry Knauer, vice president; Robert Armstrong, treasurer; James D. Clancey, financial secretary; and Charles Davis, recording secretary.
The programs contain photographs of the city commissioners and officials of the police department.
Ward to Supervise City Sewer System
Camden Courier-Post —
Dr. David Rhone - William D. Sayrs - Clarence M. Scull - Urquhart Ward - Kaighn Avenue - North 32nd Street - Farragut Avenue - Collings Road - Tuckahoe Road
City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood
Camden Courier-Post —
Body of Joseph S. [sic] Ward Found Near Upset Canoe
OFFICIALS START PROBE IN DEATH MYSTERY
Tragedy Comes as Climax to Outing by Social Club
JOSEPH G. WARD
An intensive investigation into the mysterious drowning of Joseph G. Ward, a Camden motorcycle policeman, was opened today by Police Chief William Ritter, of Gloucester township, following the recovery of Ward’s body in Blackwood lake.
Ward drowned when a canoe he occupied overturned. He was 34, attached to the Second Police District, and lived at 1572 Louis street. The body was found by searchers led by Chief Ritter and Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, of the Camden police, after an all-night search.
Ward’s father, Joseph Ward, Sr., who has been seriously ill, collapsed when informed of his son’s death. He operates a cafe on Mt. Ephraim avenue near Decatur street. The drowning victim’s mother also is reported to be ill. The tragedy has aggravated her condition.
The drowning is a tragic aftermath of an outing yesterday of the Moonlight Social Club, which rented a clubhouse at Blackwood two months ago. With Ward on the outing were Clifford Del Rossi, a driver of the Second District police patrol; Theodore “Dorie” Guthrie, Second District detective, and other members of the Camden police department whose names have not been learned.
Chief Ritter reported today having only meager clues as to the circumstances of the drowning. Ward is believed to have been in the canoe alone. Coroner Melvin Cain is expected to conduct an autopsy today or tomorrow.
Chief Ritter said there is no suspicion of foul play, as Ward’s body was unmarked. It was recovered at [?]:30 a. m. by William [sic] McGrath, a city detective, who had been diving for it with George Hess, near the clubhouse of the Moonlight Social Club.
The overturned canoe was found last night in the lake by girls who also have a clubhouse at Blackwood. Police Chief Ritter, with Peter English and Walter Wilkie, all of Blackwood, began grappling immediately for the body.
Ward is believed by Chief Ritter to have drowned when the canoe upset. Whether he had a companion or companions in the boat is not known, but Ritter reported today that he found four hats in the rear of Ward’s automobile parked near the lake.
Auto Window Broken
In addition to finding the four hats, Ritter also discovered that the left rear window had been broken. How the glass was smashed, Ritter would not venture to say, pending completion of his investigation.
The upset canoe was found opposite the summer home of Sheriff E. Frank Pine which borders the lake on the Camden county side. North of Pine’s place is the social club’s headquarters. The girls’ club is on the Gloucester county side.
Ward was a brother of Urquhart Ward, superintendent of Camden sewage disposal plants and Thirteenth Ward Republican county committeeman, and Robert Ward, a Third District detective. He was appointed to the force in 1925. He was married but had been separated from his wife.
Ward, it was learned today, left Camden yesterday at 4:30 p. m. with Del Rossi and Guthrie. They were expected back at midnight.
Ward had stopped for Del Rossi at the latter’s home, 417 Winslow street, and the two then went to Guthrie’s home on Ferry avenue near Eighth street.
Reaching Blackwood, Ward parked his car near the lake and after exchanging greetings with members of the social club, informed Del Rossi that he was going out into the lake in a canoe.
Del Rossi said today that he did not go into the canoe with Ward, having informed him that he wanted to get some sleep. Del Rossi said he waited a half hour for Ward to return from canoeing, but Ward failed to appear and Del Rossi reported for work at midnight, when he learned his companion on the trip was missing.
Exonerated In Scandal
The drowning victim was one of the central figures in a police scandal in 1927. Suspended from the force February 23 of that year on charges of extortion, he was exonerated by the State Civil Service Commission after a hearing and returned to duty in the Second District the following July 2.
Ward had been accused with Policeman John Smith and a pensioned former officer, Maurice Mensch, of an attempt to “shake down” Michael Matthews, a storekeeper, 60, of 801 Florence street. He denied the charges against him, including an accusation that he had spoken disrespectfully about the then Mayor King with a remark that “King is no good.”
Matthews had told former Police Chief James E. Tatem that Ward and Smith had entered the store and introduced Mensch as “the biggest prohibition guy in the country and a great friend of President Coolidge.” They had agreed to “forget” charges of violating the dry law, which otherwise would be made, if Matthews would pass them $100, the storekeeper had charged.
Several witnesses for Ward attacked the story related by Matthews, and Ward himself insisted at the hearings that he had not said anything to Matthews about raid or money. His testimony was corroborated by Smith and others.
Since his reinstatement after being cleared of the charges, Ward proved to be a very efficient officer, according to Captain Arthur Colsey, stationed at headquarters. Other police officials also spoke well of the policeman.
13th Ward G.O.P. Club to Hold Ball Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Members of the Thirteenth Ward Regular Republican Club will conduct their final annual ball tonight at Parish Hall, Tenth and Liberty streets. Arrangements for dancing and other forms of entertainment have been completed by a general committee headed by Urquhart Ward. Dancing and music will be on the first floor of the hall.
More than 350 tickets have been sold for the event, and many local notables have been invited. Samuel Label is president of the club.