William R. Cason
William R. Cason
WILLIAM ROBERT CASON was born on July 8, 1877 in New Jersey to Charles and Elizabeth Cason. He married Adaline H. Wells on March 13, 1897.
The 1900 Census shows William R. Cason, wife Addie and son Howard living at 619 Henry Street. He was working as a packer at a wholesale drug firm. He remained at this job into the spring of 1910. Sadly, Addie Cason passed away from diptheria on June 29, 1903 and was buried at Colestown Cemetery in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey.
The 1906 Camden City Directory and 1910 Census both show William R. Cason living at 526 Mickle Street along with his son, his parents, brother Charles W. Cason Jr. and his wife Jessie. William R. Cason was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 1, 1910. By 1912 the Casons had moved to 518 Mickle Street. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1915.
By September of 1918 William R. Cason had remarried. He was living with his wife Margaret, stepdaughter Gladys Allen, and in-laws Joseph and Mary Renard at 442 Stevens Street. This arrangement was still in place in January of 1920. The 1924 City Directory shows him residing at 437 Stevens Street. The 1927 City Directory shows him living at 519 Benson Street. He had by that time been promoted to Captain. He retired on February 29, 1928.
William R. Cason is not listed in the 1929 City Directory. He had retired from the Camden Fire Department with the rank of Captain during the late 1920s. When the Census was taken in April of 1930, William R. Cason was a widower. He was living with his sister and brother-in-law Rose and Louis Renard in Gloucester City, New Jersey. By 1931 he had moved to 316 Audubon Avenue in Audubon, New Jersey.
William R. Cason was last a resident of Audubon, New Jersey. He passed away on July 13, 1940 and was buried by his wife at Colestown Cemetery. He was survived by his son, Howard Courtney Cason.
Committee Named Ten New Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
COMMITTEE NAMED TEN NEW FIREMEN
Increase Provides for Installation of New Company, No. 7. / OTHERS ADVANCED TO MEET CHANGES
City Council’s Fire Committee last night made provision for the installation of Engine Company No. 7 by the appointment of ten new members of the department. Some of the new appointees will be assigned to the new company, which will be located at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, and the rest of the complement will be made up of experienced fire fighters. The company goes into service July 1. The men appointed last night are:
First Ward—H. L. Curry, Jr. Second Ward—Robert Bricee. Third Ward—Clarence Madden. Fourth Ward—William Cason. Fifth Ward—William Laird. Sixth Ward—George Boone. Seventh Ward—Edward Simpson. Eighth Ward— John McTaggart. Ninth Ward—Roy Smith. Tenth Ward—J. Ora Burris.
The committee also made provision for the superior officers of the company by advancing present members of the department. William Buzine was made engineer, Thomas Nichols was elected captain, Joseph Maxwell was chosen lieutenant, Daniel Smith and Arthur Wingate were advanced to stokers and Newton Ash was promoted to extra engineer. Henry Knowles was made houseman for the new company.
The men advanced last night will not necessarily be assigned to No. 7, and the matter of placing them will be disposed of at a later meeting.
North Camden News
Camden Post-Telegram —
NORTH CAMDEN NEWS
Real German sour krout served in inimitable style by popular Lieutenant Jim White was enjoyed by the “boys” at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, Saturday night, when the monthly supper was given in the basement of the building. The presence of Chief Worthington and Assistant Chief Stockton, both of whom spoke, made the occasion a merry one. “Jim,” with the assistance of Joe Johnson, dished out the sour krout, mashed potatoes and “doggies,” and the participants made short work of the delicious food. Music was furnished by the house talking machine, skillfully operated by Joe McCauley, who almost foundered after partaking of a surplus amount of Jim’s fine cooking. Those participating were: Chief Charles Worthington, Assistant Chief John A. Stockton, Captain George Wade, Lieutenant James White, Newton Ash, James Burris, William Laird, Joseph Johnson, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Pete McCauley, Joseph Allen, William Elberson, William R. Cason, Harry Hankins, Conn L. Mack.
Fire Headquarters Monthly Supper
Camden Post-Telegram —
Real snapper soup served with all its snap was enjoyed by the laddies at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, Saturday night. The week-end feast as provided by popular contribution among the boys and served by those inimitable chefs, Joe Johnson and Jim White, was a great success and several gallons of the tasteful stuff was dispensed.
Those gracing the festive board were Chief Worthington, Deputy Chief Stockton, Lieutenant James White, Captain George Wade, Joseph Johnson, Peter McCaulley, William Laird, William Wilberson, Harry Hankins, Charles Cook, Newton Ash, James Miller, Joseph Allen, Martin Carrigan, William R. Cason, Conn L. Mack.
Firemen of Long Service Receive Good Promotion
Camden Daily Courier —
FIREMEN OF LONG SERVICE RECEIVE GOOD PROMOTION
Chief Stockton Became a Member of Department 31 Years Ago
CHIEF CARTER ENTERED FORCE AS DRIVER IN 1900
After a continuous service of merit for thirty-one years as a fireman, Fire Chief John A. Stockton last night tendered his resignation to take effect on October 1, and Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was chosen last night by City Council as his successor. The resignation of the veteran fire fighter caused a general move up in the Fire Department.
Captain William Patterson, of Engine Company No. 4, was elected deputy fire chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 3, was chosen battalion chief, a newly created position, bringing the battalion chiefs up to the number of three.
Through the promotions of the two captains Lieutenant Charles Cook and Lieutenant John H. Lennox were advanced to the rank of captain. Lieutenant Cook will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4, and Captain Lennox in command of Engine Company No. 1. Firemen Walter Mertz and William Cassen were promoted lieutenants and two new firemen appointed were John S. Hunt, of the Sixth ward, and George L. Cattell, of 427 Line street, Fourth ward. Robert Whitley was made an engineer.
Chief Stockton entered the service as a fire captain thirty-one years ago and he remained at Engine Company No. 1 until four years ago, when he was made deputy chief. On the death of Fire Chief Charles Worthington a year ago he was made chief of the department.
Chief Carter became a member of the department March 1, 1900, as a driver of Chemical Company No. 1, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue. He was made captain of Truck Company No. 1 at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, in 1907. He was transferred to the captaincy of Engine Company No. 1 on the promotion of Chief Stockton in 1911 and he was promoted deputy chief July 1 last year when Deputy Chief Stockton succeeded late Chief Worthington.
Carter Chief as Stockton Retires
Camden Post-Telegram —
CARTER CHIEF AS STOCKTON RETIRES
Head of the Department Resigns After Continuous Service of 31 Years.
WILLIAM PATTERSON IS ELECTED DEPUTY
In recognition of the long and valiant service to the city as a fighter of flames, Fire Chief John Stockton was yesterday given September on full pay as a vacation prior to his retirement on a pension on October 1. He retires after nearly thirty-one years of continuous service in the department. He succeeded the late Chief Charles Worthington, who was killed at the fire on George street. Chief Stockton rose from the ranks and has always been very popular with the men.
Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter, of the Fifth ward, was selected to fill the vacancy. He has been a member of the department for about fifteen years and is an experienced fire fighter with up-to-date ideas.
Fire Chief Retired
Philadelphia Inquirer —
FIRE CHIEF RETIRED
Head of Department Placed on Pension, Deputy Elected
After thirty-one years of continuous service as a member of Camden’s Fire Department, during which he rose from the bottom to the top, Fire Chief John Stockton was yesterday retired at his request by City Council. Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was elected to fill the vacancy, while William Patterson, who has been captain of No. 4 Engine Company, is made deputy chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of No. 3 Engine Company, is made a battalion chief. Other appointments made were: Captains, William Cook and John Lennox, lieutenants, Walter Mertz and William Casson, engineer, Robert Whitley, machinist, T. G. Middleton, firemen, John Hunt and George Cattell.
Council also appointed Walter W. Johnson chief clerk of the Highway Department to succeed the late B. H. Shivers. Others appointed included Walter W. Lee, assistant, Clarence Baker, second assistant, and Walter Wolverton, third assistant. Albert Denise was made an engineer in the Water Department to succeed the late William Barr.
Base Ball Team Among Firemen
Camden Post-Telegram —
Under the direction of Fireman Frank Gondolf, a base ball team is being organized among the down town firemen to play the uptown firemen. The proceeds of the fiasco will be given the Red Cross. The down towners will be represented by Frank Gondolf, Jack Garity, John McTaggart, Wes McGrath, Harry Chambers, “Bill” Casson, “Chappie” Lennox, George Pursglove and two other “dark horses.”
World War I Draft Card
William R. Cason — World War I Draft Card
Firemen Back
Camden Post-Telegram —
Vacations are now over for Chris Moll and Joseph Daly, of No. 2 Engine Company, and George Hollins and Howard Harrington, of No. 1 Truck Company.
Moll, who has been up in Maine, where he spent his time hunting, has brought back a fine collection of deer skins.
Captain William Cassion, Howard Lorange, John Strauss and Harry Burrough leave today for their long looked for vacation, which they will spend at various points of interest.
Funeral Tomorrow for William R. Cason
Camden Courier-Post —
FUNERAL TOMORROW FOR WILLIAM R. CASON
Funeral services for William R. Cason, retired lieutenant of the Camden Fire Department, who died Saturday after a long illness, will be held at 11 a. m. tomorrow at a funeral establishment at Chambers avenue and Washington streets. Burial will be in Colestown Cemetery.
Mr. Cason was appointed a hoseman July 1, 1910, and was retired February 29, 1928, because of ill health and disability. His last assignment was with headquarters company, Fifth and Arch streets. He is survived by a son, H. Courtney Cason.