Watson Depuy
Watson Depuy
WATSON DEPUY was born February 6, 1834 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Eliza Harman in the early 1850s, and began working in the banking business in 1857.
Watson Depuy came to Camden in 1875 to work at the First National Bank. In 1878 he was promoted to head cashier of this bank, a post he held for thirty years. In 1908 he was elected vice-president of the bank.
The 1880 Census shows Watson Depuy and family living at 531 North 6th Street. The 1880 City Directory has the family at 315 Cooper Street. According to the directories for 1884 and 1885, the Depuys resided at 519 Linden Street. By 1887 Watson Depuy and family were making their home at 511 Linden Street. This would be his home until his retirement in 1911.
Watson Depuy passed away in Philadelphia at the home of his daughter, Clara Depuy Huggard, on May 20, 1915. After services at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Camden, he was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
Watson Depuy
The History of Camden County, New Jersey — George Reeser Prowell, 1886
Watson Depuy, the present cashier of the First National Bank, has been engaged in the banking business since 1857. He was born in Philadelphia, February 6, 1834, and is the son of J. Stewart Depuy, for many years a merchant of that city. He attended the public schools of Philadelphia, and completed his education in the Friends’ Central High School. In the year 1857 he was given the position of book-keeper in the Commonwealth Bank, of Philadelphia, and, a few years later, was elected assistant cashier of the same institution, and continued there until 1872, when he was elected and served for three years as cashier of the old State Bank, of Philadelphia, then on the corner of Strawberry and Market Streets, which institution paid off its depositors May 24, 1875 and retired from business. In 1785 [sic] Mr. Depuy came to Camden as general assistant in the First National Bank, and on October 11, 1876, the Board of Directors elected him assistant cashier, and on the 8th of May 1878, he was elected cashier, which position he has since held with great acceptability to the authorities of that institution and its patrons.
Watson Depuy — The History of Camden County, New Jersey (George Reeser Prowell, 1886)
Camden’s Factional Fight
Philadelphia Inquirer —
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WARRING SAVAGELY AMONG THEMSELVES.
The Horse Railway Company Elects Officers—Other Gossip from the City Across the Delaware.
The Democrats of Camden had another fight among themselves last night. It was the same old story, the Pfeiffer and Thompson faction against each other. Last night was the time, according to the rules of the Democratic party of that city, for organizing the City-Committee. Notwithstanding the fact that John Heileman, who owns the hall where the call for the meeting was designated, had given notice through the local papers that he would not allow the meeting to be held at his place, there were a crowd on hand early in the evening. Instead of one meeting being held there were two. Both factions organized a City Committee.
The Thompson people were represented by the following committeemen: Second ward, Harry B. Paul; Fourth ward, Thomas Devine; Fifth ward, James Cleary; Sixth ward, John Foley; Seventh ward, David Corbeth [sic]; Eighth ward, Patrick Whalen; Ninth ward, Patrick J. Farley. The latter people were ready to recognize William H. Getty as the member-elect from the Third ward, but the latter gentlemen refused to take part with their faction. This committee organized by electing Harry B. Paul chairman, James Cleary secretary and Patrick J. Farley treasurer.
The Pfeiffer faction organized by electing John Johnson, of the Fourth ward, chairman; John McElwee, Ninth ward, secretary, and William Guthridge, Sixth ward, treasurer. The Pfeiffer people claim that they are the only committee organized in accordance with the rules. There are four Democratic committees now, both factions each having one city and county committee.
The Camden Republican Club last night elected: F. H. Burdsall, president; Watson Depuy and Postmaster Browning, vice presidents; George G. Felton, treasurer; S. Chew, Charles F. Ware, E. Woodward and Welling Schrack, directors.
At the annual election of the Camden Horse Company yesterday the following directors were elected: F. Wayland Ayres, W. S. Scull, G. Genge Browning, B. C. Reeve and E. Ambler Armstrong; president, W. G. Scull; secretary, Morris H. Hall; treasurer, G. Genge Browning; solicitor, E. A. Armstrong.
The case of A. Elwood Jones against John S. Davis was begun in the Court of Chancery yesterday before Vice Chancellor Green. When Davis purchased the United States Hotel of Atlantic City, about a year ago. Jones acted as agent. The latter now sues for services, and the defendant disputes his claim on the ground that he neglected his work.
A young son of Patrick Daly, a saloon-keeper, of Ninth and Division streets, while playing with some companions last night was accidentally stabbed in the back and now lies in a precarious condition.
Funeral of Editor Chew
Camden Post-Telegram —
Laid to Rest in Evergreen Cemetery.
The funeral of Sinnickson Chew, the veteran editor of the West Jersey Press, who died on Wednesday night, took place this afternoon from his late residence at No. 534 Cooper street.
The remains reposed in a black cloth-covered casket with silver handle. The services were conducted by Rev. W. H. Fishburn and Rev. F. R. Brace, of Blackwood.
The pall-bearers were: Watson Depuy, Charles F. Currie, F. F. Patterson, Sr., Judge C. V. D. Joline, Attorney General Samuel H. Grey, Charles Stockham and Judge Peter Voorhees.
Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.
Funeral of Former Judge Voorhees
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Former Judge Peter V. Voorhees was buried from his home, 315 Cooper street, Camden, yesterday. The services were in charge of Rev. R. E. Brestell, rector of St. Paul’s P. E. Church. The pall-bearers were Dr. H. Genet Taylor, Dr. Paul H. Markley, Richard H. Reeve, Augustus Reeve, Watson Depuy, Howard M. Cooper, Alexander C. Wood and Ephraim Tomlinson. Interment was made at Evergreen.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson Depuy Entertain
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mr. and Mrs. C. Watson Depuy, of Rosedale, entertained a number of friends from Camden and Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Eve in honor of Mrs. Depuy’s birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. C. Watson Depuy, of Rosedale, entertained a number of friends from Camden and Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Eve in honor of Mrs. Depuy’s birthday.
Greater Camden the Slogan at Board of Trade Banquet
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MAYOR CHAS H. ELLIS
JUDGE C V D JOLINE
EX-JUDGE HOWARD CARROW
EDMUND E. READ JR.
Men Prominent in Business Affairs Sound Praises of Growing City at Annual Feast
A greater, more progressive Camden was the watchword at he [sic] annual banquet given by Camden’s Board of Trade last night. And that this means something is evident from the fact that it came from the city’s “Captains of Industry” to the number of two hundred.
It was Camden’s rejuvenated Board of Trade that gave the banquet and the interest taken was manifested by the presence of representatives from every business concern of any prominence in the city.
All Represented
There were bankers besides just ordinary business men, professional men of every character, and all were imbued with the spirit to make of Camden a place that will be known on the map throughout the country. William L. Hurley, president of the board, presided at the banquet.
“Generally speaking, we are satisfied with our city,” said Mayor Charles H. Ellis in responding to the toast, “Camden as it is,” “but, of course, there is room for improvement in many respects, and it rests with you gentlemen, you members of the Board of Trade to largely aid in solving our municipal problems.”
Former Judge Howard Carrow acted as toastmaster and, beside Mayor Ellis, those who responded to toasts were Congressman James H. Davidson, of Wisconsin, who spoke on “Boards of Trades;” Judge of the Court of Common Pleas C. V. D. Joline, “Camden’s Eighty Years;” Lawyer Edmund E. Read, president of the Board of Education, “Camden’s Future.”
One of the features of the occasion was the presentation of a life-size oil painting of President William Leonard Hurley. [sic] to the board, by Lawyer Harry C. Kramer. This came as a complete surprise to President Hurley, but he expressed his thorough appreciation of the honor.
Senator Philander C. Knox, of Pennsylvania, was among the specially invited guests and a warm welcome awaited him, but he was unavoidably detained.. [sic]
Some good points to Camden’s credit were enumerated in the menu cards as follows:
“Camden has within its borders a population of nearly 100,000 and shipbuilding firms that can either supply a launch or the greatest battleship; the largest lace curtain manufacturers in America; a talking machine that speaks every known language; iron works that make enough pipe to girdle the earth; leather manufacturers who tan skins from all parts of the globe; the largest furniture house, whose products reach the Philippines; banks and trust companies whose resources are not affected by panics; artesian water that can be taken without adding anything.”
The committee in charge of the occasion included John T. Dorrance, chairman; Edwin G. C. Bleakly, Harry C. Kramer, David A. Henderson and Samuel W. Sparks.
Among the Guests
Among the participants were Congressman Harry C. Loudenslager, Francis Howell, Walter Wood, Elmer E. Long, George W. Jessup, former Judge Joseph Gaskill, Volney G. Bennett, Wilbur F. Rose, Alexander C. Wood, George A. Frey, Charles A. Reynolds, Vice Chancellor E. B. Leaming, Heulings Lippincott, Charles K. Haddon, Fithian S. Simmons, Joseph B. Van Sciver, David Jester, Frank B. Sitley, Alpheus McCracken, Thomas S. Nekervis, DeCourcy May, Watson Depuy, Lionel C. Simpson, John M. Kelly, G. George Browning, William J. Browning, Isaac Ferris, John C. Danenhower, John R. McFeeley, Elias Davis, Anthony Kobus, Captain John B. Adams.
Aged Banker Is Borne to Grave
Camden Daily Courier —
Services were held in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church this afternoon over the late Watson Depuy, former vice president of the First National Bank, who died Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Huggard, 2511 South Cleveland avenue, Philadelphia. The services were in charge of the rector Rev. R. E. Brestell.
The funeral took place from his daughter’s home in Philadelphia. The arrangements were in charge of Funeral Director Simmons and Taylor. The services at the church took place at 2 o’clock and interment was made at Harleigh Cemetery.
For thirty years Mr. Depuy was cashier of the First National Bank. In 1908 he was elected vice president of the bank and retired to private life in 1911 at the age of 78.
Services were held in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church this afternoon over the late Watson Depuy, former vice president of the First National Bank, who died Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Huggard, 2511 South Cleveland avenue, Philadelphia. The services were in charge of the rector Rev. R. E. Brestell.
The funeral took place from his daughter’s home in Philadelphia. The arrangements were in charge of Funeral Director Simmons and Taylor. The services at the church took place at 2 o’clock and interment was made at Harleigh Cemetery.
For thirty years Mr. Depuy was cashier of the First National Bank. In 1908 he was elected vice president of the bank and retired to private life in 1911 at the age of 78.