Introduction
William Henry Rushworth was born on October 5, 1872 in Pennsylvania to Samuel and Margaret Rushworth. The family was living in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County PA when the 1880 Census was taken. Samuel Rushworth kept a hotel there. The 1880 Census shows the family included older siblings Ella, John, and Michael, as well as younger children Mary Jane, Matilda “Tilly,” and George.
The 1890 Camden City Directory shows Margaret Rushworth, the widow of Samuel, living on Westfield Avenue near Arlington Street in Stockton. William Rushworth is also listed there, working as a barber. He was active in the fraternal order known as the Knights of the Golden Eagle in the 1890s.
William Rushworth married Laura Nelson on April 17, 1895 at the First Baptist Church in Stockton. A son, Samuel Rushworth was born in October of 1896. He died in May of the following year. The Rushworths were then living at 416 Evans Street in South Camden. Another son, Clarence was born in July of 1898.
The 1900 Census lists William Rushworth and family at 627 West Street, the home of his widowed mother-in-law Rebecca Nelson and her sons, Charles, William, and Elwood Nelson. William Rushworth’s mother and brothers Richard and George Rushworth were listed at 2936 Westfield Avenue.
The 1906 City Directory shows William H. Rushworth working as a barber and living at 2936 Westfield Avenue. Margaret Rushworth, widow of Samuel, lived next door at 2934 Westfield Avenue. The 1910 Census states that William Rushworth was working in the “store room of oil railroad.” He then lived at a home he owned at 2934 Westfield Avenue. Shortly after the 1910 Census was taken, William Rushworth was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
The 1918–1919 City Directory shows William H. Rushworth and his wife Laura residing at 2948 Cramer Street.
The 1927 Camden City Directory and Fire Department records from 1931 show William H. Rushworth living at 2943 Westfield Avenue in East Camden. William H. Rushworth was still serving with the Fire Department in April of 1930. He retired shortly afterwards.
William H. Rushworth had passed away on January 15, 1946. His widow, Laura, was still living at 2943 Westfield Avenue when the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled.
Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
At a meeting of Cross and Crown Castle, No. 125, Knights of the Golden Eagle, the following officers were elected: Noble chief, William Rushworth; vice chief, F. H. Trachsel; high priest, Clarence Vrachsel, venerable hermit, Thomas Bullock; sir herald, Frank Reese; trustee and representative to grand lodge, Thomas Bullock.
Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
William Rushworth was united in marriage to Miss Laura Nelson by Rev. J. M. Ashton, pastor of the First Baptist Church, on Wednesday night. Both are well-known in society circles in Stockton.
The Stockton Wheelmen will take a run to Riverside to-day.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ware will tender a reception to their numerous friends on Tuesday evening next.
The St. Lydia Guild, of St. Wilfred’s Church, will hold a social at the residence of Frank Jones, on the 25th inst.
The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Fairview Church will give a pie social in the church on Saturday evening next.
The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Calvary M. P. Church are preparing an autograph quilt, which is expected will net about $100, for the benefit of the church.
The Dudley A. A. elected the following officers Thursday night: President, Harry Smith; vice-president, William Richardson; secretary, Clarence Stackhouse; treasurer, A. F. Reed; captain, William Richardson.
Rushworth
Philadelphia Inquirer —
RUSHWORTH.—On May 1, 1897, Samuel, son of William and Laura Rushworth, aged 6 months and 25 days. Relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services, on Tuesday morning, May 4, at 10 o’clock, at the residence of his parents, 416 Evans street, Camden, N. J. Interment at Bethel Cemetery.
Smash-Up Occurs on Way to Camden Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Victim of Triple Accident Sent to Hospital—One Fireman Breaks Wrist, Heat Overcomes Another
Enroute to a fire which destroyed the big stone barn at Dudley Grange, Deputy Chief Carter’s red auto and the First District motor ambulance figured in a triple collision at Fifteenth and Federal streets, which sent one man to Cooper Hospital. In an effort to avoid striking a wagon driven by Harry Green, aged thirty-one years, of 1840 South Eighth street, the ambulance crashed into the chief’s machine and hurled the latter car against Green’s wagon. Green was thrown from the seat, and at Cooper Hospital was found to have sustained contusions of the head and shoulder and lacerations of the hand. The occupants of the two autos escaped injury but both machines were put out of commission.
The firemen confined the flames to the barn, which was part of the beautiful homestead of Attorney Edward Dudley, who recently figured in a national divorce proceedings. Fireman William B. McCauley had his right wrist broken by a falling timber and Fireman William Rushworth was overcome by the heat. The loss was about $5000.
2941 & 2943 Westfield Avenue
Named: 2941 & 2943 Westfield Avenue, 1927, 1947 William H. Rushworth & Family, and William & Laura Rushworth, Clarence Rushworth.