Wilbur Bodine Ellis

WILBUR BODINE ELLIS was the son of prominent Camden grocer Charles H. Ellis and his wife Hannah. His oldest brother Charles H. Ellis Jr., would serve as the Mayor of Camden for 17 years, from 1905 to 1922, and another brother, Walter P. Ellis, worked as superintendent at Camden’s Post Office for many years. The family lived at 510 Berkley Street at the time of the 1880 Census. He became an assessor for the city of Camden in 1905, was made President of the Board of Assessors in 1913, and remained in that capacity until May of 1923, when the commission form of government was adopted in Camden. He then went into the real estate business, but later returned to city government, sitting on the Board of Commissioners of Assessment of Taxation.

When the census was taken in 1920, Wilbur and Gertrude Ellis were living at 1434 Ormond Avenue in Camden’s Parkside section. After serving on Camden’s Board of Commissioners of Assessment of Taxation, he retired on a disability pension around January 1, 1938. He was replaced on the board by S. Raymond Dobbs, on the recommendation of Mayor George Brunner.

Wilbur B. Ellis was still living in Parkside as late as 1936, then residing at 1448 Bradley Avenue.

WILBUR BODINE ELLIS, for many years president of the Board of Assessors of the city of Camden, and now engaged in the real estate and insurance business, is well known in Camden. He is the son of Charles Harris and Hannah A. Ellis, the father, born in Clarksboro, New Jersey, a grocer in Camden over a period of forty years.

Wilbur Bodine Ellis was born in Camden, April 23, 1872, and was educated in Camden, being a graduate from the Stevens School. He first entered his father’s grocery business as clerk, and then, upon his father’s retirement from business, accepted a position with Toone and Hollingshead’s Department Store in the same capacity. In a short time he became salesman in the men’s furnishing department, and was buyer for this department at the time when he left the concern to become collector for the Gately and Hurley Company, of Camden. In 1905 he was made an assessor of the city of Camden, and in 1913 became president of the Board of Assessors, a position which he held continuously until the inception of the commission form of government in May, 1923. He then opened up a real estate and insurance business, joining the Camden Real Estate Board on December 22, 1923, and being a member also of the New Jersey State and National Association of Real Estate Boards. Mr. Ellis’ intimate knowledge of Camden gained through his many years’ experience on the Board of Assessors, is standing him in good stead in this new venture, in which he is very successful.

During the World War Mr. Ellis, at the request of General Sauder, was active in organizing the Third New Jersey Engineers, in which his son, Wilbur Bodine Ellis, Jr., saw overseas service, with the rank of sergeant.

Fraternally, Mr. Ellis is affiliated with Lodge No. 293, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Lincoln Council, Junior Order United American Mechanics.

Mr. Ellis married, at Camden, in November, 1897, Gertrude Erwin Thompson, born in Camden, daughter of John R. and Anna Elizabeth (Laughlin) Thompson. Her father, born at Stoyes Landing, was for many years a shipbuilder, with wharf formerly at the foot of Kaighn Avenue, Camden. Mr. Ellis had two children: 1. Gertrude, deceased, married Ross H. MacGregor, and the mother of two children: Carolyn, born January 9, 1920, and Valois, born December 23, 1923. 2. Wilbur Bodine, Jr., married to Florence Ellis, and the father of one son, Wilbur Bodine, 3rd.

Charged with setting fire to a stack of hay on the farm of George Aldrick, at Audubon, John Page was committed to the county jail yesterday.

William Bachrach, who was arrested on a capias in a damage suit instituted by Wilbur F. Ellis, secured $3000 bail and was released.

Thirteenth Ward Republican Club Plans a Final Whack at Time-honored Superstitions

In utter disregard to the usual superstition of ill luck in connection with the figure thirteen, the Thirteenth Ward Republican Club, recently organized, has planned to celebrate the thirteenth anniversary of the Liberty Park Republican Club, which it succeeded when the new ward was recently created by Camden City Council. The festivities will take place on March 13, 1913, at the club’s headquarters, 1313 and 1315 Haddon avenue, Camden. A committee of thirteen has been appointed to look after affairs as follows: Thomas Cunningham, Lawrence B. Reader, Calvin F. Bucks, Harry Kurz, Hugh Greenan, J. P. Scull, J. P. Daly, James Cunningham, Frank S. Albright, Wilbur Ellis, Henry Budney, Edward Kabinsky and George Williams. It is planned to have thirteen courses with thirteen toasts not to last more than thirteen minutes. Edward Kabinsky will be toastmaster and as it will be the thirteenth anniversary of his wedding the function will be of double interest to him. At the meeting at which all this was arranged thirteen new members were taken into the club.

With scores of persons prominent in all walks of life in attendance the funeral of Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Assemblyman from Camden county, was held yesterday afternoon from his late home at 1100 Kaighn avenue. Over four thousand persons viewed the remains Friday night and yesterday and among those in attendance at the burial were a large number of members of the Legislature, headed by Speaker Charles A. Wolverton. The services at the house were conducted by Rev. J. Hardenbrook Townsend, rector of St. John’s P. E. Church, and interment was made at Harleigh. The pallbearers were Speaker Wolverton, State Treasurer William T. Read, County Clerk F. F. Patterson, State Senator Joshua C. Haines, Assemblyman Ralph N. Keilam, City Assessor Wilbur B. Ellis and John R. Mick.

Assessments proposed against property owners on 25 streets where water pipes have been installed during the last six months, were unopposed when the commissioners of assessment conducted a public hearing at City Hall yesterday afternoon.

The commissioners of assessment include Charles S. Wolverton, Wilbur B. Ellis and James F. Lennon. The report of this group will be approved by the city commission and bills will be sent to the property owners in a few weeks.

Rumored Abolishing of 4th District Not Made at Brief Session

No action was taken on a reported proposal to abolish the Fourth district police station at 1596 Mt. Ephraim avenue, when the City Commission held a brief meeting yesterday.

Reports current for several days that the city intended to take this step as part of a general police shakeup prompted considerable agitation and protest from numerous organizations. Only a handful of spectators was on hand when the commission met promptly at 2.30 p. m. Five minutes later the commission chamber was empty and no mention had been made of the issue.

Reappointment of three city assessors, Wilbur E. Ellis, Thomas C. Wright and Edward F. Peard, was made. Each term is for one year.

An ordinance governing ice business was passed on final reading. It provides for increase from $1 to $10 of the license fee, and gives the city supervision over ice houses. A delegation of nearly 30 ice men who supported the measure arrived at the meeting too late to see the ordinance enacted.

Amendment to the ordinance covering miniature golf courses was passed to lower the license fee from $200 to $50.

Two constables were appointed. They are Albert Chambers, of 539 Mechanic street, in the Sixth ward, and Walter Moore, of 224 Pine street, in the Fifth ward.

Reports of drastic changes in the police department, particularly that of abolition of the Fourth district station, aroused Whitman Park residents and organizations of that vicinity.

The Mt. Ephraim Avenue Business Men’s Association, Laskowski-Watjkowiak Post No. 74, of the American Legion, and the Polish American Citizens’ Club opposed the reported plan to absorb the district headquarters into the Second district station. Members held that removal of the station would create danger to life and property of the Whitman Park residents.

Citizens Complain to City Commission and Give ‘Hot ’Tips’

$500,000 DAMAGE TO HOMES CHARGED

Police Act Quickly on Objection to ‘Buck’ Swimming

The Camden police were criticized yesterday at a meeting of the City Commission for relaxing their vigilance in halting damage by vandals in vacant properties which have caused total losses of $500,000 in the city.

A committee representing the North Camden Civic Association appeared before the City Commission and urged an intensive campaign to halt destruction of unoccupied buildings. Among the committee’s recommendations for the drive were greater activity by the police, co-operation by citizens with the police in reporting vandalism, appointment of special officers to watch the buildings and a general educational campaign in the city schools.

Given Hot Clue

Mayor Roy R. Stewart estimated that $500,000 damage had been done to vacant properties, and agreed to give full support to the drive to halt vandalism.

With characteristic suddenness, Frank J. Hartmann, secretary of the civic association, arose in the meeting and told the mayor that if policemen were sent immediately to Tenth and State Streets they would find young men engaged in tearing down an unoccupied factory.

As another evidence of “police negligence,” he said, young men and boys could be found bathing nude at that moment in Cooper River in that vicinity. Acting immediately, Mayor Stewart instructed Capt. John W. Golden, acting police chief, to send policemen to the neighborhood.

14 Nude Bathers Nabbed

A few minutes later, 14 boys and young men, ranging, in age from 12 to 26, were arrested for bathing without clothes.

All bathers over 14 were held in cash security of $10 and those under 14 were released in custody of their parents on charges of disorderly conduct. They are: Leslie Bayne, 26, of 503 Royden street; Harvey Howell, 16, of 529 Washington Street; John Grady; 19, of 578 Benson Street; Roscoe Davis, 15, of 253 North Eleventh Street; James Evans, 15, of 601 North Second Street; William Dempsey, 12, of 1030 Lawrence Street; Robert Farland, 13, of 1112 Federal Street; Roland Garber, 15, of 537 Birch street; Edgar Grundlock, 15, of 318 North Tenth Street; Frank Garwood; 13; of 717 Bailey Street; Eugene Dodelin, 13, of 309 Cole Street; Ralph Skill, 13, of 512 North Seventh Street; Robert Rudd, 15, of 642 Lynwood Street, and Richard Evans, 14 of 601 North Second Street.

Miss Elsie Stein, a member of the committee, handed the mayor a letter from a woman who complained about young men bathing in Cooper River. The letter was turned over to Acting Chief Golden.

“If the police performed the duties they are paid to perform, this vandalism could be stopped,” Miss Stein said.

Mrs. Stephen Pfeil, another committee member, told the mayor she realized the depleted condition of the police force and offered to aid in the educational campaign by talking against vandalism to children in the schools.

Hartmann urged that politicians and public officeholders refrain from using their influence to obtain leniency for children guilty of damaging vacant houses. William Coghlan said he had complained to the police about the practice but had seen no results.

Weed Cleanup Ordered

Other members, of the committee presenting the protest were Vincent Martinelli and Leon Wojtkowiak, representing the South Camden Civic Association.

The city commission adopted on final reading an ordinance requiring property owners to remove from the front of their properties and sidewalks weeds and debris. A fine may be imposed as penalty for violation of the ordinance.

A resolution was passed protesting an increase in power authorized by the federal government to Station WORC and WEPS, of Worcester, Mass. An increase to 1280 kilocycles and to 500 watts causes interference in broadcasting, from WCAM, the resolution pointed out.

Assessors Reappointed

Wilbur B. Ellis, Edward F. Peard and Thomas C. Wright were reappointed to the city board of assessors as of July 1. George H. Simpson, of 2725 Concord Avenue, was reappointed constable for three years in the Eleventh Ward.

Another resolution was adopted by the commission clarifying to the federal government its position relative to responsibility as to operation of WCAM. It was pointed out in the resolution that the mayor and city clerk had entered a supplemental agreement with the Broadcast Advertising Company, which leases the station from Camden. The government desired to establish that nothing be construed in the agreement which would relieve Camden from responsibility in operation of the station.

Another measure adopted adjourns the city commission until July 13 for a hearing in proposed condemnation proceedings against properties at 332 and 334 Benson street, designated as fire hazards.

Former Hartmann Aide to Begin Duties Today at $2400 Salary

S. Raymond Dobbs, Fourteenth ward Democratic leader and assistant to Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, director of public works, was appointed by Mayor George E. Brunner yesterday as a member of the Camden Board of Commissioners of Assessment of Taxes.

The appointment is effective today, when Dobbs starts on his new job, which will pay him $2400 annually less the prevailing five percent pay reduction. He tendered his resignation to Hartmann but will continue to direct the activities of the Bureau of City Property without compensation.

Dobbs has been associated with the department of public works since November 30, 1935. His appointment to the city tax board was recommended to the Mayor by Hartmann.

The appointment fills a vacancy left when Wilbur H. Ellis was retired on a disability pension.

Other members of the tax board are Maurice Clyman and Harry Langenbein, who were appointed last April.

Commissioner Hartmann expressed regret over Dobbs leaving his department, but stated he is confident his former aide will prove a valuable member of the tax board.

Dobbs is executive secretary of the Camden Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committee and is acting secretary of the New Jersey Conference on Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committees, which organizations have waged a determined fight to obtain enabling legislation to secure Federal funds for low-cost housing and slum clearance.