Introduction
Walter P. Hubbs Sr.
WALTER PAGE HUBBS SR. was born in New Jersey in October of 1871 to Allen Hubbs and the former Lucy G. Page. His father was a farmer. The family is listed in the 1870 Census as living in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, and it is likely that he was born there. The family included an older brother, Charles Hubbs, and a younger brother, Royden Keith “Roy” Hubbs. By the time the Census was taken in 1880 the family had moved to Stockton Township, which consisted of what is now Camden, north of the Cooper River. Stockton reorganized from a township to a town in the 1890s and subsequently was unified with Camden in 1899. Allen Hubbs was politically active in Stockton and in Camden County politics, serving for several years as a county freeholder and also as the tax collector for Stockton. He moved to Palmyra in the mid-1890s, dying on December 26, 1896 from injuries suffered when he was struck by a train two days earlier.
Walter Page Hubbs became engaged to Laura Jenkins, the daughter of Samuel Jenkins, who lived in Stockton in what was then referred to as Wrightsville, more or less in the vicinity of 25th and Federal Streets. The engagement was announced in January of 1895. Walter and Laura Hubbs wed in October of that year. Their plans to live in Palmyra changed at the end of 1896 with the death of Allen Hubbs. The 1898 Camden City Directory shows Walter Hubbs as 1539 Federal Street, working as a salesman at a feed store. The Hubbs’ were still at that address in 1900, Walter Hubbs still at the feed store when the census was taken.
Allen Hubbs had been an active member of the Democrat party, and when the Democrats won the city government election in 1902, Walter Hubbs was appointed to the police department. The 1903 City Directory shows that he had moved to 201 North 27th Street. The Hubbs family would maintain a presence at this address into the early 1980s.
When the Republicans came back to power in 1905, Walter Hubbs’ career as a police officer came to an end. He found work at the nearby Pavonia railroad yards as a railroad car repairer, and worked there into the 1930s. By 1940 he had retired. Laura Hubbs died on September 22, 1940 and was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken. Walter Hubbs Sr. passed away at some point after April of 1953.
Walter and Laura Hubbs had a large family. The children were, in order of birth, Allen, Lucy, Harold, Beulah, Myrtle, Walter P. Jr., Evelyn, and Joseph Hubbs. Sadly, young Lucy died in 1904 at the age of eight from spinal meningitis.
Laura Jenkins Hubbs’ nephew, Private Jacob Kessler Jenkins, was killed in action while serving with the United States Army during World War II, when, on November 26, 1943 the troop transport HMTS Rohna was sunk by an air-to-sea guided missile off the coast of North Africa. It was the first such attack of its kind, and was kept secret for almost 50 years.
Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Announcement is made of the coming marriage of Miss Laura Jenkins and Walter Hubbs, which will take place on April 10.
Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A party of young folks went to Palmyra Wednesday night, where they visited the home of ex-Collector Allan Hubbs. Among those present were: Samuel Mills and Miss Lillie Manning, Harry Armington and Ida Meade, John Cullingsford and Mary Richards, William Fieldhouse and Mary Kirk, Albert Flick and Estella Abbott, George Morrow and Viola Reese, Edwin Freeman and Anna Jenkins, Lewis Paul and lady, Walter Hubbs and Laura Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs Allan Hubbs, Mrs. Charles Chamberlain, Thomas Hubbs, Charles Hubbs, Roy Hubbs.
Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Two weddings were solemnized on Wednesday evening. Robert S. Johnson was married to Miss Belle Spear, at the home of the bride’s parents on Twenty-sixth street, by Rev. George W. Ridout, of Wesley M. E. Church. and Walter Hubbs, son of ex-Tax Collector Hubbs, was united in marriage to Miss Clara May Jenkins, by Rev. Joshua Tuskingham, of Calvary M. P. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will reside in the town and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hubbs will make their home in Palmyra.
Allen Hubbs Fatally Injured
Trenton Evening Times —
Allen Hubbs, a farmer living at Palmyra, was struck and fatally injured while walking on the railroad track a few yards above the Pennsylvania Railroad station at Riverton last evening, by the train which leaves Philadelphia at 5:30. Hubbs was returning from Philadelphia, and, having fallen asleep on the train, was carried by the Palmyra station. Alighting from the train he proceeded to walk up the track instead of toward home. He was carrying a lot of celery and a bucket of mincemeat home for his Christmas dinner.
Allen Hubbs Struck by a Train
New York Herald Tribune —
Camden, Dec. 24 (Special).—Allen Hubbs, formerly a member of the Board of Freeholders, and for several years collector for Stockton Township, was struck by a train, and, it is thought, fatally injured, while walking on the railroad track near the Pennsylvania Railroad station, at Riverton, last evening. Mr. Hubbs was returning from Philadelphia, and, falling asleep in the train, was carried by the Palmyra station. Leaving the train, he proceeded to walk up the track instead of toward his home.
Hubbs
Philadelphia Inquirer — December 27–29, 1896
HUBBS.—Suddenly, on the 26th inst., Allen Hubbs, beloved husband of Lucy G. Hubbs, nee Page, aged 52 years, 3 months, 18 days. The relatives and friends of the family, also Amity Lodge, No. 166, I. O. O. F.; William B. Hatch Post, No. 37, G. A. R., and the members of Company G., Twenty-third Regiment, N. J., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Wednesday afternoon, December 30, 1896, at 1 o’clock, from his residence, foot of Delaware avenue, Palmyra, N. J. Interment at Asbury, N. J. Carriages in waiting at the 12 o’clock train.
The Stockton Wheelmen’s Pool Tournament
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THE STOCKTON WHEELMEN’S pool tournament begins to-night. The evening games for the week have been arranged as follows: Tuesday, November 2, Charles Johnson and F. Stannard; Wednesday, November 3, Walter Hubbs and E. Allen; Thursday, November 4, Harry Kahler and J. Taylor; Friday, November 5, E. Overd and W. Shivers; Saturday, November 6, John Cullingford and Adolph Bothe.
The Stockton Wheelmen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THE STOCKTON WHEELMEN pool tournament has resulted as follows: Walter Hubbs, first prize; Harry Kahler, second prize, and John Mathis, third prize. There were three ties for fourth place, John Cullingford, G. H. May and Frank Stone. There is also a tie between Thomas Richards and Captain Matlack for the seventh. A prize drawing will be held at the club, Twenty-eighth street above High, on June 14. Next Sunday’s club run is to Waterford.
Carved by Razor in Fight
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A fight between negroes in the East Side, Camden, yesterday afternoon, resulted in Henry Idlett being badly cut about the arms and body. Officer Hubbs heard cries of murder and found Idlett suffering from several bad wounds.
New Toll Gate Leads to Call for Police
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Another toll gate has been placed on Westfield avenue, at Thirty-fourth street, East Side, Camden, in order to catch farmers who have been in the habit of driving around the old Thirty-sixth street gate in order to escape paying toll. Being unaware of the new gate last night, many teamsters drove around the old Thirty-sixth street gate as usual, and when they reached the new gate became angry at being trapped, and threatened the gatekeeper until he was compelled to call on the police for protection. Policeman Hubbs was stationed at the gate for the night in order to avoid any trouble.
Jumping Rope Caused Child’s Death
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Lucy G. Hubbs, an eight-year-old daughter of Policeman Walter Hubbs, of East Camden, died suddenly at her home, Twenty-seventh and Cramer streets, of spinal meningitis, caused by jumping rope. The child was in an apparent health condition. She returned from school as usual and suddenly expired. An investigation showed that jumping rope caused her death.
Policeman’s Son Injured
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Attempting to jump from the rear end of a wagon in East Camden yesterday, Allan Hubbs, 8 years old, son of Policeman Walter Hubbs, stumbled and fell to the ground. His collar bone was broken and he was otherwise badly injured.
Policeman Hubbs on the Rack
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Policeman Walter Hubbs, of the Third district, Camden, was given a hearing before the Police Committee of City Council last night, charged with neglect of duty, not properly patrolling his beat and sleeping while on duty. Hubbs denied the charges. Decision was reserved. The accused officer is one of the remaining five Democratic policemen appointed by Mayor Nowrey.
Walter Hubbs Loses His Position
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Walter Hubbs, the last of Camden’s five Democratic policemen, will now lose his position on the force. The Police Committee of Council recommended last night that he be dropped from the force, as a result of a hearing given him on July 30, at which time he was charged with neglect of duty.
Voters’ League Puts Up a City Ticket
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The city convention of the Legal Voters’ League was held last night at the Camden City Hall, when the following candidates were named:
Excise Commissioners—George Auttemus, R., Second ward; Frank Deveraux, D., Tenth ward; John R Wolf, R., Sixth ward; Wilfred M. Kaighn, R., Ninth ward; A. J. Vansant, R., Eighth ward; Councilman-at-large—Frank W. Tressev, D., First ward. City Council—John Vanderslice, R., First ward; Dr. W. I. Kelchner, R., Second ward; Robert Garrison, D., Third ward; George H. Watt, R., Fourth ward; Fifth ward, no nomination; John E. Smith, D., Sixth ward; Ludwig Winters, D., Seventh ward; Martin J. Ewe, D., Eighth ward; William S. Wilkins, R., Ninth ward; Levi Sharp, D., Tenth ward; Dr. W. H. Kensinger, D., Eleventh ward; Walter S. Hubbs, D., Twelfth ward. Board of Freeholders—George Martin, R., First ward; Thomas S. Armstrong, D., Second ward; Heulings Mulvey, D., Third ward; Josiah Kirkbride, R., Fourth ward; Fifth ward, no nomination; Lewis Schimer, D., Sixth ward; George H. Jones, D., Seventh ward; Thomas Pooley, D., Eighth ward; John J. Welsh, D., Ninth ward; Alfred R. Taylor, R., Tenth ward; Bernard Funter, D., Eleventh ward; John Carver, D., Twelfth ward. Board of Education—Penrose W. Hirst, R., Second ward; Charles H. Mills, R., Eighth ward; James S. Pratt, D., Tenth ward.
Thomas B. Hall presided over the convention. William H. Jennings was secretary. Addresses were made by Frank H. Burdsall, Dr. Dowling Benjamin and Clarence B. Groff. Former Mayor Nowrey was not present.
Hubbs Injured at Pavonia Car Shops
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While at work at the Pavonia car shops yesterday, Walter Hubbs, a former policeman, had his thumb nearly severed by a boring machine. John Meyers, of 1032 North Twenty-second street, had an arm badly squeezed between a car axle and a lathe that he was operating.
Hubbs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HUBBS.—On March 9, 1909, LUCY G. HUBBS, widow of Allen Hubbs, aged 68 years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services, on Saturday, March 13, at 1 P. M., at the residence of her son, Walter P. Hubbs, 201 N. 27th st. Camden, N. J. Interment at Asbury Cemetery, near Westfield, N. J.
Photos
Walter P. Hubbs with his daughter Myrtle Hubbs Cook (Gugg) with great-grandchildren Steve and Jim Carty and Toni Lynn Lavargna (the baby in her arms), Miami Florida, circa 1953