Walter P. Ellis

WALTER PLATT ELLIS was born in Camden around 1865. His grandfather was Samuel Ellis, the first City Clerk of Camden, who also published the first newspaper to appear in Camden. His father, Charles H. Ellis Sr. was a successful grocer, who had come to Camden around 1862 and established a grocery store at South 5th and Berkeley Street. The family lived at 510 Berkeley Street in the 1870s through the 1890s. Besides Walter Ellis, the family also included siblings Charles Jr., Frank, Laura, Emma, and Wilbur Ellis. Both charles ellis jr. and Wilbur Ellis became prominent in different aspects of Camden’s civic affairs. Charles Ellis Jr. serving for 17 years as the mayor of Camden and for a decade or so as the city’s Postmaster, and Wilbur Ellis for many years as tax assessor for the City of Camden.

Walter Ellis worked in the family business and lived at 510 Berkley Street through 1890, when he began his 40 year-long career with the United States Postal Service. Among his co-workers during the 1890s were Benjamin Grum and Jesse Johntra. He was quite active in church affairs as a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, which stood for well over 100 years on the southwest corner of South 6th Street and Stevens Street, and was instrumental in training several men who became ministers.

Walter Ellis wed Ida Hunt around 1890. The family moved about during this decade, with residences at 513 Mickle Street from 1892 to 1895 and 548 Trenton Avenue from 1896 through 1898 being recorded in City Directories. The 1899 City Directory, and 1900 Census lists Walter and Ida Ellis, along with children Walter H., Bessie and Percy, at 413 Beckett Street. The 1906 and 1914 City Directories and 1920 Census shows Walter P. Ellis at 436 Clinton Street. By 1924 Walter Ellis lived with his wife Ida at 313 North 4th Street. He passed away on November 29, 1929, survived by his wife, son Percy and daughter Grace and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.

At Walter Ellis’ request several of the men he trained took part in his funeral, including the Reverends Cedrick Hickman, Howard Amer, Elwood Hoey, Stacy Meyers, Frank Landolt, Steven Collins, and C. Luther. The Rev. William Grum and his wife sang, while Rev. Carlton Van Hook and Rev. Thomas Brock assisted Reverend Hickman, former pastor of the Eighth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, who conducted the services. Walter Ellis also requested six fellow postal workers to serve as pallbearers, all but one had lived to do so at his funeral.

I desire that Rev. Cedrick Hickman and the pastor of the First M. E. Church have charge of the funeral services. That the young men whom I have trained for the ministry be the pallbearers at my funeral; Howard Amer, Cedrick Hickman, Elwood Hoey, Stacey Myers, Frank Landolt, Steve Collins and C. Luther. Rev. and Mrs. William Grum to sing. Postoffice pallbearers—Clerk F. Ricorda, Robert Payne, Ephraim Helmse, carriers, Albert Scott, Harry Reier and George W. Johnson.

Harry Reier has died since the request was made, his death occurring the early part of the year.

Most of the young men named by Ellis are Methodist ministers, with charges in various parts of South Jersey.

Mr. Cedric, who is now stationed in North Jersey, was a former pastor of Eighth Street M. E. Church. He will be assisted at the funeral services, which will be held at 2 p. m. Wednesday at 408 Cooper street, by Rev. Carlton R. Van Hook, pastor of First M. E. Church, and Rev. Thomas S. Brock, now of Atlantic City, a former pastor of First Church. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.

Ellis, whose home was at 313 North Fourth street, is survived by his widow, Ida H., his son, a daughter, Grace, Merchantville; two brothers, Postmaster Charles H. Ellis and Wilbur B. Ellis, city tax assessor, and a sister, Mrs. Laura Du Bois, Germantown, and three grandchildren.