Introduction
Dr. William I. Kelchner was born in Reading PA on December 27, 1869. He was a prominent physician in Camden NJ around the turn of the century. He came to Camden in 1888, and began practicing medicine in 1894. In June of that year he married Edith R. Campbell, a daughter of Joseph S. Campbell, of the Campbell Preserving Company, better known in these times as Campbell’s Soup. Their daughter, Miriam Kelchner, married William P. Partenheimer Jr., who was associated with the Camden YMCA for many years. It appears that the Kelcners also had a son William I. Kelchner Jr., born in 1897 after the publication of the sketch below.
An ear, nose, and throat specialist, Dr. Kelchner was a member of many professional and fraternal organizations, including the Trimble Lodge, No. 117 Free and Accepted Masons, the Odd fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Camden.
Dr. Kelchner had passed away by April of 1930, when his wife appears on the census as living at the home of daughter Miriam Partenheimer. His grandson, Private David M. Kelchner, was killed in action while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in Germany in February of 1945.
Biographical Review
1897
Biographical Review, 1897
Voters' League Puts Up a City Ticket
Philadelphia Inquirer —
VOTERS' LEAGUE PUTS UP A CITY TICKET
Candidates for Council, Excise Board and Board of Education Named in a Mixed Convention
The city convention of the Legal Voters' League was held last night at the Camden City Hall, when the following candidates were named:
Excise Commissioners—George Aultemus, R., Second ward; Frank Deveraux, D., Tenth ward; John R Wolf, R., Sixth ward; Wilfred M. Kaighn, R., Ninth ward; A. J. Vansant, R., Eighth ward; Councilman-at-large—Frank W. Tressey, D., First ward. City Council—John Vanderslice, R., First ward; Dr. W. I. Kelchner, R., Second ward; Robert Garrison, D., Third ward; George H. Watt, R., Fourth ward; Fifth ward, no nomination; John E. Smith, D., Sixth ward; Ludwig Winters, D., Seventh ward; Martin J. Ewe, D., Eighth ward; William S. Wilkins, R., Ninth ward; Levi Sharp, D., Tenth ward; Dr. W. H. Kensinger, D., Eleventh ward; Walter S. Hubbs, D., Twelfth ward. Board of Freeholders—George Martin, R., First ward; Thomas S. Armstrong, D., Second ward; Heulings Mulvey, D., Third ward; Josiah Kirkbride, R., Fourth ward; Fifth ward, no nomination; Lewis Schimer, D., Sixth ward; George H. Jones, D., Seventh ward; Thomas Pooley, D., Eighth ward; John J. Welsh, D., Ninth ward; Alfred R. Taylor, R., Tenth ward; Bernard Funfer, D., Eleventh ward; John Carver, D., Twelfth ward. Board of Education—Penrose W. Hirst, R., Second ward; Charles H. Mills, R., Eighth ward; James S. Pratt, D., Tenth ward.
Thomas B. Hall presided over the convention. William H. Jennings was secretary. Addresses were made by Frank H. Burdsall, Dr. Dowling Benjamin and Clarence B. Groff.
Former Mayor Nowrey was not present.