Introduction
William A. Curliss was born in New Jersey in July of 1862 to Elizabeth and Daniel W. Curliss. His father was Camden’s Chief of Police from 1871 to 1874. His father worked at a number of positions at the West Jersey Ferry and West Jersey Railroad after his time as Chief of Police, and also worked at the Central Trust bank in the years prior to his passing in 1895.
The Curliss family lived at 414 South 5th Street in South Camden from the late 1870s through 1898. William Curliss worked as a machinist and as a driver in the 1880s. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as a driver with the Hook and Ladder Company, in 1890 and worked as a fireman throughout the rest of the 1890s. He resigned from the Department in January of 1899, to go into business with John I. Munter selling horses at 515 Columbia Avenue in Camden under the name of Curliss & Munter. He also moved to 327 Stevens Street.
By 1906 William Curliss had moved to 517 Arch Street where he operated a saloon through at least 1920. A life-long bachelor, William Curliss finally married at some point after the 1910 Census and prior to the compilation of the 1914 Camden City Directory.
William Curliss was still residing at 517 Arch Street when the Census was taken in 1920. He passed away on August 15, 1921, leaving a widow, Louisa.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Home Industrial Company filed articles of incorporation yesterday.
Fireman William Curliss has tendered his resignation to the Fire Commissioners, and will engage in business.
Chapman Breisford, of 306 Arch street, a well-known member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Improved Order of Red Men, died yesterday.
In the Camden Orphans’ Court yesterday County Engineer Albertson was appointed trustee for William Wood, in the estate of his father, who died at Haddonfield.
Clarence Sewell, a colored lad, who assisted in stealing $10 from Mrs. Brain, of South Third street last week, was committed to the State Reform School by Judge Armstrong yesterday.
While preparing supper on Thursday evening the clothing of Mrs. Theodore King, of 248 Kaighn avenue, caught fire, and she was painfully burned. Councilman Day, attracted by her screams, succeeded in extinguishing the flames.
The third anniversary of the P. R. R. Department, Y. M. C. A., was celebrated last evening. The speakers were: D. A. Waterman, treasurer Michigan Central Railroad, New York city; Joseph U. Crawford, Engineer Branch Lines, Pennsylvania Railroad, Philadelphia.
The Perfect Thrift Building Association, of Camden, has been organized with the following directors and officers: Director, Samuel Kilpatrick, William H. Jefferys, D. Todd, William J. Paul, W. H. Hayward, W. Brougden, H. Briggs, J. Jesson and W. H. Marshall; secretary, Joseph Vickers; solicitor, T. B. Hall; surveyor, Earl Thomson.