Introduction
WILLIAM BOGIA was born in Delaware around 1846 to John F. and Josephine, one of at least ten children born to the couple. The Bogias lived in New Castle, Delaware at the time of the 1850 Census enumeration. The 1860 Census shows the family living in Dagsboro Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware, where the elder Bogia worked as a blacksmith. Beside William there were three other children at home, John, Anna, and Mary. Older brothers John, Alphonso (Alfred), Ferdinand, and Benjamin all served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
William Bogia came to Camden in the 1860s to seek his fortune. When the Census was taken in 1870, he lived in Camden’s South Ward, with his wife Martha and daughter Lillie, 2 years of age. He was working as an iron moulder at the time. The 1878 Camden City Directory shows him living at 336 Division Street. By 1880 the family was living at 213 Pine Street, and included four children, Lillie, Ella, John, and Martha. From 1881 through 1885 City Directories give his address as 915 South 4th Street.
The 1887–1888 Camden city directory shows William Bogia working as a laborer. He was then living at 813 South 2nd Street. He moved late in 1887 or early in 1888 to 255½ Pine Street.
William Bogia joined the Camden Fire Department as a call man in 1886. In 1886 the Camden Steam Fire Engine Company Number 1 was located at 409 Pine Street in a three story 20 by 90 foot brick building (the old Independence Fire Company No. 3 engine house). The company’s apparatus was an Amoskeag second class steamer (maker’s plate 6318) drawn by two horses and one Silsby two wheel hose cart drawn by a single horse. The company was equipped with 1000 feet of good hose, axes, lamps, etc. The company roster included John Stockton, Foreman; G. Rudolph Tenner, Engineer; William Deno, driver; William W. Laird, stoker; Wilson Bromley and jacob f nesson, hosemen. Call men were William Deith, Andrew Miller and William Bogia. Bromley and Bogia would later suffer line of duty deaths.
William Bogia began working full-time with the Fire Department in June of 1890. By 1894 he was living at 257 Pine Street in South Camden, a block’s walk from his assigned station, Engine Company Number 1 at 407–409 Pine Street, where he was a hoseman.
Fire Fighter Bogia took ill after fighting a fire, and died as a direct result of causes sustained from weather conditions or substances inhaled or ingested while fighting this fire. He returned to work on October 1, 1894 but fell ill two weeks later. He was reported seriously ill with recovery doubtful on October 16th. William Bogia died on October 20, 1894, and was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery on Mount Ephraim Avenue in Camden.
Well liked and respected by friends, neighbors, and his brother fire fighters, William Bogia’s funeral was attended by a large number of people. He was survived by his wife Martha and children Lillie, John, Catherine, and Josephine. Widow Martha, John, and Catherine “Kate” Bogia lived at 559 Royden Street by 1904 and were still there as late as April of 1930. Daughter Lillie Bogia married a man named Hitchcock, then in 1899 married Charles Stark. They lived in Atlantic City in 1910.
Camden's Big Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Dye Works of John J. Hayes Completely Destroyed.
Two Firemen Injured and an Engine Badly Damaged—Other News from Across the River.
A fire at Sixth and Mechanic streets, Camden, yesterday afternoon, destroyed the dye works of John J. Hayes. About 5 o’clock workmen were startled by the cry of “Fire 1” from an outsider. The drying room, which was in the main building, was found to be in flames. The workmen rushed through the building to close down the windows to cut off the draught, but soon had to cease, owing to the rapid spread of the flames. The men had hardly got out before the whole building was enveloped in flames. The two adjoining buildings soon caught, and within fifteen minutes the whole establishment was on fire. The entire fire department was out, but only three engines could get into service. No. 3 engine, while attempting to round the corner at Sixth and Mechanic streets, got in a hole, was upset and so badly damaged that it was totally unfit for use. Driver Samuel Lodge leaped from his seat in time to escape being injured.
At 6 o’clock the front of the main building fell in. Foreman Mortimer Wilson, of No. 3; Hoseman William Bogia, of No. 1, and Ladderman Charles Robinson were at this point and had a close call. Foreman Wilson was badly burned about the face and hands and sustained a scalp wound. He was conveyed to the Cooper Hospital. Hoseman Bogia had his leg injured, Robinson escaped uninjured.
The buildings and stock were all destroyed. Mr. Hayes, who operates the dye works, places his loss at $15,000. He is unable to tell how much insurance he has, as all his papers and books were burned up. Daniel Scofield, the owner of the building, puts his loss at $10,000, making a total loss of $25,000.
Charles Berry's Funeral
Camden Post —
The funeral of Charles G. Berry, one of the bravest and most popular firemen in this city, took place at 2 o’clock this afternoon from his late residence at 226 Point street.
The firemen attended the funeral in a body, and the members of the First Ward Republican Club were represented in a large body, while Mayor Westcott, Councilman Robert Smith, George Barrett, and many other prominent men of this city viewed the body.
Rev. A. G. Lawson of the North Baptist Church preached the funeral sermon, after which the body was taken to Philadelphia where it was interred in Glenwood Cemetery. The body lay in a black cloth covered casket and was dressed in his fireman’s uniform with the cap lying on the breast.
A profusion of floral offerings lay around the coffin. Among these were a pillow with the words “Comrades of No. 4,” a fireman’s hat from No. 4 Company, cut flowers from Jesse Conley, a design of white roses from James Dunn and Joseph Love, two of his closest friends, a pillow from his family a handsome design from the Republican League and lilies from Councilman Smith.
The pall bearers were Chief Samuel Elfreth, of the Fire Department; Foreman Amadee Middleton, of No. 4; Engineer Frank Turner and Edward Hartman, Walter Browning, Robert Sheer, William Bogia and Charles Kay, all members of the Fire Department.
All the friends of the deceased accompanied the body to the ferry and there left the pall-bearers and family with his Philadelphia friends, who took the body to the cemetery.
Mr. Charles Berry was born in Philadelphia, in 1854. He graduated from the Friends’ Central School and attended the Chester Military Academy. When he left school he went with John Mundell, the shoe manufacturer of Philadelphia, and became foreman of Mr. Mundell’s extensive works. Ten years ago he came to Camden and was foreman of George Martin’s shoe factory, and from there he went to Deitrich’s place, on Market street, where he held a similar position, which he gave up to enter the fire department. He has been a fireman for three years, and was known as one of the bravest and best men in the department.
Fireman Bogia Is Dead.
Camden Courier —
After Long Illness He Succumbs to the Ravages of Disease To-day.
Fireman William Bogia, after a long and painful illness, died this noon at his home, on Pine street below Third. He was afflicted with stomach trouble that has gradually grown worse.
He became connected with the fire department four years ago last June and was a hoseman in No. 1 company. It is probable that his associates will attend the funeral in a body.
Fireman Bogia's Funeral.
Camden Courier —
The funeral of William T. Bogia, who died on Saturday last, will take place tomorrow from his late residence, 257 Pine street. The members of Engine Company No. 1 and the fire department in general are respectfully invited, also the Thirty-sixth Association and the Fifth Ward Republican Club.
Fireman Bogia Buried.
Camden Courier —
Friends Turn Out in Large Numbers to Witness the Last Sad Rites.
The funeral of William Bogia, of No. 1 Engine Company, who died on Saturday, took place from his late residence, on Pine street, below Third, at two o’clock this afternoon. The services were attended by a large number of friends of the deceased, also by delegations from the Fire Department, the 36 Club and the Fifth Ward Republican Club. Assistant Chief of the Fire Department Samuel Buzine had charge of the funeral arrangements.
The body was laid out in a black shroud and was encased in a black cloth-covered casket, satin lined and silver mounted. On the lid of the casket was a silver plate with his name and the figures 1894. Rev. J. E. Willey, of Wiley M. E. Church, conducted the funeral services.
There were many floral offerings. The members of the Fire Department sent one representing “Triple Gates Ajar,” and another “The Fatal Hour.” One from friends was a broken ladder, while the memento from the 36 Club was a broken column. There was a fire hat also entwined with flowers. Interment was made at Evergreen Cemetery.
Obituary
Philadelphia Inquirer —
BOGIA.—On October 20, 1894, William T. Bogia. The relatives and friends of the family, also Engine Company No. 1 and the Fire Department in general of Camden, N. J., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Tuesday, 23d instant, at 2 o’clock, from his late residence, 257 Pine street, Camden, N. J. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Washington papers please copy.
Peaceful be thy silent slumber,
Peaceful in thy grave so low;
Thou no more will join our number,
Thou no more our sorrows know.
Yet again we hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is fled;
And in Heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tears are shed.
"The funeral of Fireman William Bogia"
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The funeral of Fireman William Bogia was largely attended yesterday by delegations from the Fire Department, the “36” Club and the Fifth Ward Republican Club. There were many handsome floral offerings. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.
Thomas Hambrose, Gus Smith, Edgar Boulton, Gilbert Boulton, Harry Leach, T. B. Chambers and C. Patton, members of the “Spider Gang,” were held in $200 bail each, yesterday, under indictments by the grand jury for assaulting Policemen Bakeley and Anderson.
"Samuel Peoples appointed"
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Fire Commissioners last evening appointed Samuel Peoples, of the Eighth ward, to a position in the fire department, made vacant by the death of William Bogia.