Introduction
WALLACE McGEORGE DuBOIS was born on November 25, 1881 to Dr. William G. Dubois and Elizabeth Leedom Dubois, of Monmouth Street in Gloucester City NJ. The DuBois family moved to Camden when he was 5 years old, residing at 521 Broadway.
As a teenager, he was a star football player for the Catholic Lyceum team, which played at the old Camden Baseball Park at 12th and Federal Streets. In his time Wallace DuBois, known as “Buck” was generally acknowledged as the greatest rusher and scoring threat in the area. He also played on the Woodlynne Country Club team.
After graduating from Renouard College in New York City in 1901 he went into the funeral business, working for an undertaker in Philadelphia. In 1903 he went into business for himself in Camden, first on Cooper Street, by 1906 at 320 Market Street, and by 1910 through at least January of 1920 at 508 Broadway. By 1925 he had acquired the building at 418 Chambers Avenue, where he lived with wife Ada and son William and conducted his business. William DuBois went into business with his father in 1947 and the name of the firm was changed to Wallace M. DuBois and Son.
Wallace M. DuBois was a founding member of Ionic Lodge No. 94, F. & A.M., and was active with the Shriners, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Wallace M. DuBois passed away on December 18, 1951. He was buried in Cedar Green Cemetery in Clayton NJ. The DuBois funeral home remained in Camden through at least 1959, when operations were located there and in Audubon NJ. The firm had left Camden by 1970. His grandson, Wallace P. DuBois, remains in the funeral business in 2010 in Audubon.
The Catholic Lyceum
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Wallace M. DuBois, Funeral Director, Is Dead at 70
Camden Courier-Post —
Wallace McGeorge DuBois, 70, a funeral director in Camden since 1904, died Tuesday at 5 a. m. in his home, 418 Chambers avenue. Born in Gloucester City Nov. 25, 1881, he was the son of Dr. William G. DuBois and Mrs. Elizabeth Leedom DuBois, and had been a resident of Camden since he was five years of age.
He was a graduate of Renouard college, New York City, class of 1901. He started in the undertaking business with a Philadelphia funeral director, then began his own business in Camden, first on Cooper street, later on the east side of Broadway, near Berkley street, and in the present location at the northeast corner of Chambers avenue and Washington street for the last 25 years. Mr. DuBois held state license No. 27 as a funeral director and embalmer.
More than 50 years ago Mr. DuBois was a star amateur football player on the old Catholic Lyceum team, which played at the old Camden baseball park at Twelfth and Federal streets. Mr. DuBois, who was known as “Buck” DuBois, was credited with being the greatest ground gainer and first in points scored. He played left end. He also had played on the old Woodlynne Country club team.
The captain of the old Lyceum team was Francis McLaughlin, who played right halfback. Manager Marple was in charge of the team. Other players with DuBois on the team were Oves, left tackle; Smallwood, left guard; Draper, center; Rourke, right guard; Fitzpatrick, right tackle; England, right end; Keegan, quarterback; DuVall, left halfback, and Basks, fullback.
Mr. DuBois’ father, Dr. DuBois, who practiced in Camden, owned a farm on the White Horse pike. The Silver Lake inn now stands on a part of it.
Mr. Wallace DuBois was a member of Ionic Lodge 94, FAM, for 31 years; Excelsior Consistory; Crescent Temple, Trenton; the Camden Shrine club, Thomas Jefferson Council 138, JOUAM; Wyoming Tribe 55, IORM, the West Jersey Funeral Directors Association and the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Ada Lynn DuBois; a son, William W. DuBois, who went into business with his father in 1938 and became a partner in 1947 when the name was changed to Wallace M. DuBois & Son; a brother, Ernest F. DuBois, and a grandson, Wallace Paul DuBois, all of Camden. William W. DuBois is a vice president-elect of the West Jersey Funeral Directors Association.
Services will be held Friday at 1 p. m. in the DuBois funeral home, Chambers avenue and Washington street. The Rev. Dr. Charles I. FitzGeorge, a former superintendent of the Camden district of the Methodist Church, a friend of Mr. DuBois’ for many years, and the Rev. Warren Layton, pastor of the Broadway Methodist Church, will officiate.
Burial will be private in Cedar Green cemetery, Clayton. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday night.
Services Held for Wallace M. Du Bois
Camden Courier-Post —
Services were held today for Wallace M. DuBois, 70, widely known Camden funeral director, in the DuBois funeral home, Chambers avenue and Washington street.
The Rev. Dr. Charles I. Fitz-George, a former superintendent of the Camden district of the Methodist Church, and the Rev. Warren Layton, pastor of Broadway Methodist Church, officiated. Burial was in Cedar Green cemetery, Clayton.
More than 500 persons paid their respects Thursday night. There were many floral tributes.
Mr. DuBois, a funeral director in Camden since 1904, died Tuesday in his home, 418 Chambers avenue.
Surviving are his widow, Ade Lynn; a son, William W., who went into business with his father in 1938, and became a partner in 1947 when the name was changed to Wallace M. DuBois & Son; a brother, Ernest F., and a grandson, Wallace P. DuBois, all of Camden.