William S. Davis
WILLIAM S. DAVIS was appointed to the Camden Fire Department to replace George W. Bates as an extra man with Engine Company 2, who resigned December 20, 1870. He had previously worked as an engineer, and was making his home at 112 North 6th Street when appointed to the Fire Department. With a few brief interruptions, William S. Davis served as a member of the Camden Fire Department until 1888. He was appointed Engineer of Engine Company 2 on April 8, 1873 and spent the rest of his time in service fulfilling that position.
William S. Davis was born in Pennsylvania in August of 1847. According to the 1890 Veterans Census, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Powhatan in 1862. Two other members of the crew during that time, Barton Lane and William Marsh, also became Camden Fire Department members in later years.
He married Dollie Amanda Shearman around 1870. His wife was the daughter of William H. Shearman, who was an original member of the Camden Fire Department, serving in the rank of Assistant Chief Fire Marshal for the first fire district.
City Directories and Fire Department records show William Davis living at 525 Federal Street in September of 1872. By April of 1874 he had moved to 425 Federal Street. The Davis family was living at 535 Arch Street in April of 1877. They moved to 28 North 5th Street the following year, remaining at that address as late as 1885. The 1880 Census shows him, his wife Amanda, and children Mary, William, and Mabel. The 1900 Census states that William S. Davis and his wife Amanda had four children of which three were still alive.
The 1888–1889 Directory states that he lived at 428 South 2nd Street, and was working in Philadelphia. By 1890 he had moved to 516 North 9th Street. The 1891–1892 and 1892–1893 Directories give his address as 822 Carpenter Street. He is not listed in the 1893–1894 and 1894–1895 editions. By the time the 1896 Directory was compiled he had moved to 335 North 9th Street, where he stayed through 1898. By 1899 William S. Davis had relocated to 1129 Maple Avenue. William, Amanda, and daughter Mabel Davis were still at 1129 Maple Street when the 1900 Census was conducted. They moved to 1145 Maple Street shortly afterwards. William S. Davis passed away on July 29, 1902. He had been working for the New Jersey Wire Stitching Company prior to his passing. His widow was living at 840 Pearl Street when the 1906 City Directory was compiled, and by 1910 had moved to 430 Washington Street, where daughter Mary Davis Riddle kept a saloon.
A veteran of the United States Navy during the Civil War, William S. Davis was a member of Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5 of the G.A.R.
Camden and Vicinity
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
The necessity for a House of Correction for Camden county has for many years past been so great that the grand jury for the October term of the courts, through their foreman, John S. Read, deemed it advisable to make the subjoined special presentment:—
Whereas, It has been made manifest to the grand inquest of Camden county that there is a defect in our present system of imprisoning persons convicted of petty offenses by causing their maintenance to fall upon the tax-payers without any adequate good being gained in the reformation of such persons; therefore, it is the recommendation of this grand inquest, in view of such reformation, and to lessen the present extraordinary expenses of the county, that a House of Correction be established, into which all persons convicted of such petty offenses shall be detained, under proper heads or departments, and compelled to labor during their term of imprisonment, the proceeds of such labor to be paid into the treasury of the county. We believe that, under proper management, such an institution would be conducive to the future benefit of such persons, as well as to the entire community.
THE COURTS.
In the Camden Quarter Sessions yesterday quite an important civil case came up, which will probably occupy two or three days. It is an action brought by the city of Camden against the bondmen of C. Sloan, who, some five years ago, was collector of taxes for North Ward. The defendants in this suit, Henry Fredericks, Caleb Roberts, and others, became sureties on Mr. Sloan’s bond, and, while the said Sloan was collector, there occurred a deficit in his accounts, making him debtor to the city in a sum reaching nearly $1000. The city holds that these gentlemen are bound to pay the deficit; but the defendants aver that at the time the defalcation was discovered they took the necessary steps to relieve them from any responsibility in the matter. The case elicits considerable interest, and is thought to be a test for others that may be commenced.
TOKEN OF ESTEEM.
Yesterday afternoon Robert S. Bender, the retiring chief marshal of the Camden Paid Fire Department, and William Shearman, assistant marshal, were made the recipients of handsome presents from E. J. Dodamead, J. Kellum, H. Grosscup, William Davis, A. Doughty and George Horner, the regular members. Mr. Bender received a large and elaborately arranged cake, and Mr. Shearman a fine frame, containing photographs of the above gentlemen, as expressions of esteem the men held for them while under their direction.
ROBBERY ON A VESSEL.
Some time during Monday night two colored men on board a vessel lying at Starr’s wharf, near Kaighn’s Point, were robbed, while asleep, of all their clothing, their watches and other articles. Two other men employed on the vessel, and who are now missing, are suspected.
RESIGNED.
Yesterday all the regular members of Engine No. 2, belonging to the Paid Fire Department, of Camden, resigned. Their places will be supplied by appointments from the Board of Fire Commissioners.
SLUNG SHOTS.
The police officers have been instructed to arrest all boys found shooting stones in the streets of Camden with slung shots, in consequence of the numerous windows broken by them. Several persons have also been quite severely hurt by them.
Firemen Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Firemen Appointed — The new Fire Commissioners of Camden have reorganized the Paid Fire Department by appointing the following regular men: Engineer No 1, Rouben Tenner; No. 2, Wm. Davis; foreman of No. 1, Cornelius M., Brown; of No. 2, James S. Lane; stoker of No. 1, — Hunt; of No. 2, W. Gordon; truck driver of No. 1, Edmund Shaw; of No. 2, B. L. Kellum; tillerman, E. J. Dodamead; extra engineer, Henry Grosscup.
Camden Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Republicans Appointed In Place of the Democratic Force.
Last evening the Camden Fire Commissioners appointed the following new employees of the department, they being all the regular men: Extra Engineer for No. 2 Engine — William Morris. Engineer for No 1 Engine — George R. Tenner. Engineer for No. 2 Engine — William S. Davis. Driver for Steamer No. 1 — William Deno. Driver for Steamer No. 2 — Barney Harvey. Driver of hose carriage of No. 1 Engine House — George S Hunt. Driver of hose cart for No. 2 Engine House — William McKinley. Truck Driver — Benjamin L. Kellum. Tillerman — Jacob Kellum. Foreman of No 1 Engine — Samuel Buzine. Foreman of No 2 Engine — James M. Lane. The consideration of the appointment of extra firemen was laid over until the next meeting.
Obituary — William S. Davis
Philadelphia Inquirer —
DAVIS. — On July 29, 1902, William S. Davis, beloved husband of Dollie Amanda Davis, nee Shearman. Funeral services on Friday afternoon, August 1, at 2 o’clock, at the family residence, 1145 Maple street, Camden, N. J. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Remains may be viewed Thursday evening. The employes of New Jersey Wire Stitching Company are invited.
Board of Education Visiting Committees, Grand Army of the Republic, Military Companies and Camden Fire Department
Chew’s Camden City Directory — 1872
Colored, Third District—Messrs. McDowell, Moore, Fewsmith.
Liberty, Fourth District—Messrs. Kennedy, De La Cour, McDowell.
Centreville, Fifth District--Litzenburg, England, Ridge.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF NEW JERSEY.
G. C., Richard H. Lee, Camden.
S. V. C., Samuel J. Hopkins, Morristown.
J. V. C., Ira W. Corey Trenton.
A. A. G., Joseph C. Lee, Camden.
A. Q. G., William M. Palmer, Camden.
A. S. G., G. W. Terriberry, M. D. Paterson,
Chaplain, R. W. Martin, Elizabeth.
Council of Administration, Jas F. Rusling, Trenton; Wm. Ward, Newark; Geo. M. Joy, Toms’ River; Chas. F. Hopkins, Boonton; R. B. Seymour, Jersey City.
Delegates to National Encampment, Wm. Ward, Newark; Jos. C. Nicholls, Camden.
Alternates, Wilson S. Smith, Elizabeth; Samuel Curtis, Manahawkin.
POST NO. 6.
P. C., John H. Austin, M. D.
S. V. C., Wm. T. Mead.
J. V. C., A. E. Lovell.
Surgeon, James A. Armstrong, M. D.
Officer of the Day, Benjamin Carlin.
Officer of the Guard, James V. Gibson.
Quartermaster, Edmund May.
Adjutant, Benjamin H. Connelly.
Chaplain, J. Louden.
Quartermaster Sargeant, Alexander Lynch.
Trustees, Thomas M. K. Lee, Jr., Joseph C Nicholls, Jos. B. Fox.
Delegates, Samuel M. Gaul, Edmund May, Wm. T. Mead.
FIELD OFFICERS, SIXTH REGIMENT NATIONAL GUARDS.
Colonel—James M. Scovel.
Lieut.-Colonel—William Hempsing.
Major—Richard H. Lee.
STAFF OFFICERS.
Acting Adjutant—Edward Furlong.
Quartermaster—William M. Palmer.
Paymaster—Richard Wilkins.
Surgeon—H. Genet Taylor.
Assistant Surgeon—J. B. Mulford.
Chaplain—Rev. W. H. Jeffreys.
MILITARY COMPANIES.
Company B, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Armory, Front and Market; open every evening.
Company C, Sixth Regiment, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Armory, Front and Market street, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Company D, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at West and Clinton street.
Company E, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Weccacoe Engine House; open every evening.
Battery B, National Guards, New Jersey State Militia, meets at Weccacoe Hose House, Benson street above Fifth.
CAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The affairs of this Department are now controlled by a Board of Fire Commissioners, consisting of Thomas A. Wilson, President, John Read, Jehu Osler, Jonathan Kirkbride, Rudolphus Bingham.
Two second class Amoskeag Engines, two 2 wheel hose carts, one 4 wheel hose carriage and one hook and ladder truck constitutes the apparatus of the city.
No. 1 engine and hose cart is located at No. 409 Pine street, first fire district; No. 2, engine, cart and extra carriage and hook and ladder truck, located at Fifth and Plum street, in the second fire district. The apparatus and company in the first district is under the immediate charge of William J. Mines, Assistant Marshal; and those of the second district is under the immediate charge of William Shearman, Assistant Marshal, while the Chief Fire Marshal, Robert S. Bender, has a general supervisory care of the entire Department.
Members of the Department are as follows: engineer of No. 1, Reuben G. Turner; driver, George Libeck; stoker, Thomas McLaughlin. Extra men—No. 1, Benjamin Cavanaugh; No. 2, William Deiths; No. 3, George Hornuff; No. 4, Stephen Thomas; No. 5, Edward H. Mead; No. 6, Charles H. Hart; No. 7, George B. Hart; No. 8, Alexander Peacock; No. 9, Samuel S. Buzine; No. 10 William Cox.
Engineer of No. 2, William Osler; driver, Jacob W. Kellum; stoker, Henry Grosscup. Extra men—No. 11, Isaac Middleton; No. 12, Andrew Rabeau; No. 13 Edward Cline; No. 14, William Davis; No. 15, Joseph Neice; No. 16, J. Kelley Brown; No. 17, William Allcott; No. 18 Jacob App; No. 19, William H. Schwaab; No. 20, William Henry McKeen.
Tillerman of hook and ladder Company, Edward J. Dodamead; driver, ——. Extra men—No. 21 Charles M. Baldwin; No. 22, Edward Shaw; No. 23, Josiah Davis; No. 24, William C. Lee; No. 25, James M. Lane; No. 26, James Cassidy; No. 27, Edward T. James; No. 28, Thomas W. McCowan; No. 29, Charles Elfreth; No. 30, Theodore Verlander