William P. Chambers
WILLIAM PRINGLE CHAMBERS was born in New Jersey on June 6, 1882 to John James Chambers and the former Martha Wood. He was one of at least four children, Lucy, Elizabeth, and Harry M. Chambers. The family had lived at 305 Wilson Street when the 1880 Census was taken. By 1887 they had moved to 420 Evans Street in South Camden, and in 1890 were in a newly-built home at 1123 Baring Street. The Chambers family moved to 1119 Baring Street in 1891, 1109 Baring Street in 1892, and 1103 Baring Street in 1893, where they remained for three years. The 1896 Camden City Directory shows that the Chambers family had moved to 573 Division Street. They were listed at 785 Mount Vernon Street in the 1897 and 1898 editions.
On March 30, 1898 Harry Martyn Chambers married Clara Elizabeth Price, the daughter of Camden Fire Department member Samuel Montgomery Price. John J. Chambers and family moved to 918 Mt. Ephraim Avenue in that year.
On May 10, 1901 William Chambers married Patience Anna Grover. By 1910 she had bore four children, Ethel, Mildred, William Jr. and Davis Chambers. Four more children would follow, Charles, Edward, Mary, and Patience Anna. All save Edward, who died as an infant, would live to majority. The 1910 Census and the 1914 Camden City Directory shows William P. Chambers and his family living at 1066 Line Street. William Chambers worked as a laborer in an iron foundry to support his family. By 1914 he was working as a boilermaker. The family had moved to 1024 Line Street when the 1918–1919 Camden City Directory was being compiled.
Both William Chambers and his brother Harry M. Chambers had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department by the summer of 1918. William Chambers served as a hoseman with Engine Company 2.
The Chambers family was still living at 1024 Line Street when the 1927 Camden City Directory was assembled. By 1929 they had moved to 1006 Line Street. The April 1930 Census shows the family had moved to 806 Haddon Avenue.
William P. Chambers died on February 20, 1931.
Six Hurt by Falling Walls
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Caught Under a Shower of Bricks and Taken to Hospital
Six workmen were hurt by falling walls at Park’s storage warehouse, Haddon avenue, near Pine street, Camden, yesterday. The walls were weakened by the severe storm of the night before, and the contractor ordered the men to pull them down. They were at work on the third story when the walls collapsed, and all were precipitated to the ground floor.
Those injured were Austin Foster, 22 years, 110[?] Pine street; Lee Sears, 39 years, 602 Cherry street; William Chambers, 22 years, 919 South Ninth street; Thomas Sherman, 28 years, 1119 Pine street; George Beach, 1062 Pine street; Thomas Melton, 110[?] Pine street.
Sergeant of Police Hyde, who lives nearby, sent in an emergency call, and the men were sent to Cooper Hospital. After examinations it was found that with the exception of slight cuts and bruises all escaped serious injury. After their wounds were dressed all were sent home.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Card — William P. Chambers
Larger Powers for Fire Chief
Camden Post-Telegram —
Commissioner Staley Contemplates Making Him Chief Marshal
LIEUTENANT HAINES SUCCEEDS CHAMBERS
Announcement was made to-day by Commissioner of Public Safety Staley of the promotion of Lieutenant Harry Haines to the rank of senior captain, to succeed the late Captain William Chambers.
The Commissioner also contemplates designating Fire Chief Peter B. Carter chief fire marshal of the city. Mr. Staley says the promotion will give Chief Carter authority to order the destruction of dilapidated buildings which constitute a fire hazard. He states Camden has a number of old shacks which should be destroyed by the fire authorities.
Captain Haines is the oldest lieutenant in the line of continuous service in the city department. He was appointed a hoseman in 1896. He made an average of 89.37 in the recent aptitude tests conducted by Chief Shaughnessy, of the Philadelphia Civil Service Commission. He was one of thirteen lieutenants who took the examination.
Lieutenant William J. Rose was a close second with an average of 89.27. Scott Franklin was third with an average of 80.
Captain Haines has been attached to Hook and Ladder Company No. 2. His promotion transfers him to command Engine Company No. 3, at Brodway [sic], below Ferry avenue. All of the other lieutenants who took the examination with Captain Haines have been promoted to junior captains.
4 Firemen Hurt Fighting Blaze in Apartments
Camden Courier —
If the fire had occurred in the middle of the night,” said Chief Nicholas, “there would surely have been loss of life. The narrow stairways make that type of house a very difficult one in which to fight a fire.
4 Firemen Hurt Fighting Blaze in Apartments
Camden Courier —
Four Families Forced to Flee Down Fire Escape in Cooper St. Blaze
INVALID WOMAN CARRIED TO SAFETY BY RESCUERS
Flames Scorch Rubber-Coated ‘Smoke-Eaters’ on Narrow Stairs
RUSH-HOUR CROWD GAZES
Four firemen were burned, an aged invalid woman was carried to safety and four families were driven down a fire escape to the street when fire swept an apartment house at 620 Cooper street late yesterday.
The blaze started at 5.30 o’clock from unknown origin in a wardrobe in the hall on the third floor, burst through the roof, ate its way into the second floor, and spread to several apartments on the third floor. Hundreds of spectators gathered in the street to watch, and rush-hour traffic on Cooper street was blocked.
The firemen were scorched on the faces and hands by a blast of flame from the burning wardrobe, as they fought their way up the narrow, enclosed staircase to the third floor with chemical lines and hand-extinguishers, while a water line was being run up a ladder to third floor windows in the front of the building.
Driven Down Stairs
Despite the protection afforded by rubber coats and helmets, the men were driven down the well-like stairs time and again, their faces, hair and eyebrows scorched from the intense heat.
While they were fighting to get at the source of the blaze, five women, six children and two men, living in second and third floor apartments, made their way to a fire escape in the rear of the building and escaped safely to the ground.
In the meantime, smoke was pouring into open windows of the adjoining house at 622 Cooper street, used as a residence by Dr. Thomas B. Lee and as offices by four other physicians. Dr. Lee, a former member of the State Board of Health, sailed from New York this morning for a two months clinical course in Europe. He and Mrs. Lee had left their home before the fire.
Dr. Lee’s aged aunt, Mrs. Thomas Wescott, convalescing from illness, was in a third-floor room as smoke filled the building. She had to be assisted to the street by other members of the household.
Deputy Fire Chief Hurt
The injured firemen are Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Nicholas, his chauffeur, David Ellis, and Hoseman William Chambers and Leonard Magee, of Engine 2, which company, with Truck No. 1, responded to the one alarm sent in by occupants of one of the third floor apartments. All were treated for burns by Dr. David F. Bentley, Jr., at the physician’s offices next door at 622 Cooper street.
The occupants who fled down the fire escape are Mrs. Benjamin Kennedy and her two children, Mrs. Jenny Cramer and four children, Mr. and Mrs. A. Sutton, Miss Elva Lloyd, Miss Agnes Anderson and James Andrews. Many others had not returned from business, and firemen had to chop down the doors to their rooms to make certain the flames were all extinguished. That required three-quarters of an hour. Firemen estimated the damage at well over $1,000.
“If the fire had occurred in the middle of the night,” said Chief Nicholas, “there would surely have been loss of life. The narrow stairways make that type of house a very difficult one in which to fight a fire.”
In Memoriam — William P. Chambers
Camden Courier-Post —
CHAMBERS — In loving memory of a beloved husband and father, William P. Chambers, who departed this life February 21, 1931.
Sweet are the memories that never fade,
Of the one we loved but could not save.
Memories drift to scenes long past,
Time goes on but memories last.
Sadly missed by Wife and Children.
Thief Flees With Loot As Widow Enters Home
Camden Courier-Post —
A thief last night escaped from the rear of a South Camden dwelling with $255 worth of loot as the owner entered the front door after a shopping tour.
Mrs. Patience Chambers, of 1008 Line street told Detective Gus Fortune she heard the intruder run through the kitchen and out the back door as she and her three daughters entered the house. Mrs. Chambers is the widow of Capt. William P. Chambers, of the Camden Fire Department.
Included in the loot were two diamond rings, a wrist watch and a small amount of cash taken from a savings bank. Mrs. Chambers and her daughters, Patience, Mary and Mrs. Mildred Whitehead, each owned part of the stolen jewelry and money. They left their home at 6 p. m. and returned an hour and a half later. Police cars found no trace of the burglar.