William Scholl
William Scholl — Camden Fire Department
William Scholl was born in Camden, New Jersey on December 1, 1894 to Emma and Carl Scholl. He was one of 10 children. His parents were born in Germany, and had come to America in 1882. The Scholls were living at 1211 Knight Street in 1887, 1104 South 4th Street by mid-1888, and at the corner of Philip Street and Central Avenue by 1890. When the Census was taken in 1900 the family had moved to 690 Tulip Street. The Scholls would maintain a presence in the 600 block of Tulip Street into the early 1970s.
Carl Scholl was a baker by trade, and he operated a bakery in the neighborhood for many years. The 1900 Census shows that the Scholls had 9 children, three of whom had died, and daughter Emma who had wed was not living at home. The children at home were Alma, Robert, Charles, William and Henry. Another son, Albert, was born shortly after the Census enumeration. The Scholl family was still at 690 Tulip Street at the time of the 1910 Census. William Scholl, then 15, was working at his father’s bakery. By 1914 William Scholl had married, and was living with his wife, Mary, at 687 Fairview Street. He was still working at his father’s bakery. Carl & Emma Scholl now lived at 694 Tulip Street.
On June 5, 1917 William Scholl registered for the draft. There were two children by this time, William and Catherine, and the family was now living at Tracy’s Farm, 7th and Morgan Street. William Scholl had gone to work at nearby New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyards as a caulker and chipper. He was still working at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in January of 1920. The Scholls had returned to Tulip Street, taking up residence at 680 Tulip. His parents and brothers Albert and Charles were still living at 694 Tulip Street. William Scholl would remain at 680 Tulip Street through at least October of 1970.
William Scholl was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in the early 1920s. His father retired from the bakery business in 1924. Tragedy struck in January of 1928 when his mother, Emma Scholl, was struck and killed by a bus at South 7th and Tulip Streets. She was buried at New Camden Cemetery on January 6th.
By January of 1927 William Scholl was serving with Ladder Company 4 at South 10th Street and Morgan Street. When Ladder Company 4’s Junior Captain James H. MacDermott retired on October 1, 1932 William Scholl was promoted to Acting Junior Captain to take his place. At this time the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression, and as Camden was experiencing tremendous fiscal pressure William Scholl’s promotion to Captain was never made permanent. Ladder Company 4 was disbanded on July 5, 1936 as a cost-cutting measure. William Scholl transferred to Engine Company 3 at some point thereafter.
The 1930 Census shows that William Scholl’s father, Carl Scholl, had moved to 907 Morgan Street, the home of his daughter Alice and her husband, John Bisinger, 14th Ward Democratic committeewoman and committeeman, respectively. John Bisinger also was a clerk in Camden District Court. Carl Scholl died in September of 1931 and was laid to rest next to his wife.
On Tuesday, July 30, 1940, a fire broke out at the R.M. Hollingshead plant, an industrial complex of large factory buildings between 9th and 10th Streets on the north side of Market Street in center city. The plant manufactured a variety of highly inflammable products including floor wax, furniture polish, and cigarette lighter fluid. The City had been suffering through a two-week heat wave, with temperatures soaring over the 100 degree mark. Box 61 at 9th and Penn Streets was transmitted at 1:15 P.M. following an explosion in the northeast corner of a five story factory building. Just two minutes later, Box 184 at 11th and Cooper Streets was also pulled for the same incident. A raging fire ensued and the fourth alarm was received at 1:39 P.M.
Tremendous radiant heat generated by the blaze, coupled with a water shortage caused by heavy demand during the heat wave, made effective firefighting especially difficult. Engine companies were forced to draft water from the Cooper River, one-half mile away from the fire. Worse, some 28 explosions rocked the plant as stores of gasoline, naptha, paint and grease were ignited. The fire spread to involve other factory buildings in the Hollingshead complex, and also extended to scores of surrounding dwellings and businesses. Fire and ambulance companies from the surrounding South Jersey towns as well as from the city of Philadelphia were called on for assistance.
The fire burned throughout the night and into the following day. The next morning explosive experts had to be called in to dynamite the ruins allowing firemen to get at the remaining fire and finally bring the inferno under control. The fire again flared on Thursday and it was not until Sunday, five days after the initial blast, that the blaze was finally extinguished. Ten employees of the plant were killed in this fire as well as Fireman William Merrigan of Engine Company 3 who died of a heart attack induced by heat exhaustion. Over 400 persons were left homeless and damage exceeded $1 million dollars. William Scholl, who was also serving with Engine Company 3 as a hoseman, also collapsed at one point from the heat as was treated, as was Audubon Policeman A.F. “Dewey” Parker.
William Scholl’s last address was in Blackwood, New Jersey. He was probably living with his son William Scholl Jr., who had resided in that area for many years. William Scholl died in June of 1974.
1900 Census
1900 Census — Scholl family at 690 Tulip Street
World War I Draft Registration Card
REGISTRATION CARD No. 281
Name in full: William Scholl Age in years: 22 Home address: 7th Morgan St., Tracy’s Farm Date of birth: December 1st, 1895 [sic; 1894 per other records] Citizenship: Native Born Where born: Camden, NJ, USA Trade, occupation, or office: Chipper & caulker By whom employed: Now out of employment, Sick Dependents: Wife 2 Children Married or single: Married Race: Caucasian Military service: None Draft exemption claim: [14] Signature: William Scholl
29-3-9 A REGISTRAR’S REPORT
Height: 5ft 8in, Medium build Color of eyes: Blue Color of hair: Brown Has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot, or both eyes, or is he otherwise disabled: None
Registrar: William E. Davis Sr. Precinct 5, Camden, New Jersey Date of registration: June 5, 1917
1910 Census
1910 Census — Scholl family at 690 Tulip Street
1920 Census
1920 Census — William Scholl at 680 Tulip Street
1930 Census
1930 Census — William Scholl at 680 Tulip Street
Woman Fatally Hurt
Camden Morning Post —
Mrs. Emma Scholl, 67 years old, 694 Tulip street, died as she was being carried into West Jersey Hospital. She was struck by the automobile of Thomas Atkins, 110 East Clinton avenue, Oaklyn, after she had stepped from behind a Public Service bus at Ninth street and Morgan boulevard.
Atkins was arrested by Detective Howard Pike, and later released in $1,000 bail for hearing today in traffic court, on a charge of manslaughter. Atkins said he was driving west on Morgan boulevard and was rounding a wide curve at Ninth street when his machine struck Mrs. Scholl. He said the woman walked from behind a Fairview-bound bus, directly into the path of his automobile. The woman died of a fractured skull and internal injuries. Both arms were broken. Coroner Arthur H. Holl issued a death certificate.
Death Car Driver Held in $1000 Bail
Grand Jury to Probe Manslaughter Charge Against Oaklyn Man
Bail which had been furnished after his arrest last night, was accepted this morning for security as Thomas Atkins, 110 East Clinton avenue, Oaklyn, was held for the grand jury on a technical charge of manslaughter. The hearing in traffic court before Judge Bertman was the aftermath of the fatal accident at Ninth street and Morgan boulevard last night.
Atkins was driver of the automobile which struck Mrs. Emma Scholl, 67 years old, 694 Tulip street. Mrs. Scholl died as she was being carried into West Jersey Hospital a few minutes later.
Walter Keown appeared as counsel for Atkins. Keown said he was satisfied that the grand jury, after investigating the accident, would exonerate the defendant.
Emma Scholl
Camden Morning Post —
The funeral services for Mrs. Emma Scholl, 67 years old, of 649 Tulip street, will be held from the home of her daughter, Mrs. John P. Bisinger, Morgan street, on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Mrs. Scholl died in the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital on Monday from injuries she received when she was struck by an automobile. She leaves her husband, Carl Scholl, and several children. Rev. Thilo Gorr, pastor of German Lutheran Church, will officiate at the funeral services. Interment will be in New Camden Cemetery.
Mrs. Scholl was struck by the automobile as she stepped from behind a Public Service bus at Ninth street and Morgan boulevard. She was taken to the hospital where she was found to be suffering from a fractured skull, internal injuries and two broken arms. She died a short time after being admitted to the institution.
Carl Scholl Dies in His 78th Year
Camden Morning Post —
The funeral of Carl Scholl, 77, a pioneer resident of what is now the Fourteenth Ward, known in former years as “Sweet Potato Hill,” and father of Mrs. Alice Bisinger, Democratic committeewoman from that ward, who died Wednesday will take place at 2 p. m. tomorrow.
Scholl made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Bisinger at 907 Morgan street. Mrs. Bisinger’s husband, John P. Bisinger, is Democratic committeeman from the Fourteenth Ward and clerk of Camden District Court.
Scholl had been a resident of the “Sweet Potato Hill” section for about 40 years, residing there when there were but few houses in that vicinity. For many years he conducted a bakery shop at Seventh and Tulip streets, retiring about seven years ago.
Scholl is survived by five sons, Williams, a fireman attached to Engine Company No. 10; Robert, Charles, Henry and Albert Bisinger, and two daughters, Mrs. Bisinger and Mrs. Emma Monroe. His wife, Emma, was killed by a bus in front of her home about three years ago.
At the Hollingshead Fire
Hoseman William Scholl, of Engine 3, collapsed from the searing heat and was given ice water by Ruth Hamilton, white-clad Cooper Hospital nurse. Heavy rubber coats didn’t make the firemen’s jobs easier.
World War II Draft Registration Card
REGISTRATION CARD (Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897)
Serial Number: 1271 Order Number: U Name: WILLIAM (None) SCHOLL Place of Residence: 680 Tulip St., Camden, N.J. Age in Years: 48 Date of Birth: Dec. 1, 1894 Place of Birth: Camden, N.J. Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mary Scholl, 680 Tulip St., Camden, N.J. Employer’s Name and Address: City of Camden - Fire Dept., Camden, N.J. Signature: William Scholl