William Suders
WILLIAM SUDERS was born in New Jersey in 1856, the son of Samuel and Letitia Suders. The family was living in Camden’s South Ward when the Census was taken in 1870. At that time the family consisted of Samuel and Letitia Suders, William Suders and his brothers Samuel and Aaron.
Both William and his brother Samuel Suders appear to have been somewhat rambunctious and there were occasional brushes with the law. Samuel seems to have made a habit of it, as evidenced by newsclippings of the day.
William Suders appears in City Directories from 1878–1879 through 1883–1884 living in the 300 block of Spruce Street. The 1878–1879 edition show him at 324 Spruce Street. The 1879–1880 Directory lists him at 314 Spruce.
The 1880 Census shows William Suders living with his wife Dorothy and sons Frank, 2, and William, 6 months, at 326 Spruce Street. William Suders resided at 326 Spruce through 1883. On April 5, 1882 William Suders was appointed to the Camden Fire Department to serve as an extra man with Engine Company 2, replacing George Frost. William Suders served with the Fire Department for one year, then was replaced by Charles Fitzsimmons.
The 1884–1885 and the 1885 City Directories show William Suders at 316 Line Street. He is listed at 324 Spruce Street in the 1887–1888 Directory, then from 1888–1889 through the 1893–1894 editions his address was given as 322 Spruce Street. He reportedly also spent some time on Joint Alley in December of 1889.
William Suders remarried around 1892. His wife Anna blessed him with two daughters, Mary in July of 1893, and Anna in April of 1894.
William Suders moved to 320 Joint Alley in 1894 and remained there through 1898. The 1899 City Directory states that William Suders lived at the foot of Spruce Street.
The 1900 Census shows William Suders residing at 325 Division Street with his wife and daughters, working as an iceman. His address was 348 Joint Alley when the 1906 Directory was compiled. The 1910 Census shows William Suders, then a widower, living at 344 Joint Alley with his mother, brother Samuel, nephew Charles, daughter Anna, and brother-in-law Frank Peterson.
William Suders was killed on December 24, 1911 in a construction accident.
Caught.
Philadelphia Public Ledger —
Caught.—A lad, named Suders, was yesterday committed for a hearing on a charge of being one of a party who assaulted and robbed the boy Hollingshead the day before.
Held for Trial
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HELD FOR TRIAL.—Mayor Ayers yesterday held William Suders to answer a charge preferred by a Mrs. Eddine, residing on Liberty street, charging him with attempting to break the door of her house and of firing a pistol at her.
Camden’s New Firemen.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden’s New Firemen.
The fire commissioners of Camden have made the following appointments, and the men will go on duty next Saturday: Engine No. 1—Foreman, George Tenner; extra men, James McCracken, Daniel Broomley, James S. Kelley,
Michael McCaffery, James H. Brown, Thomas McKenna, James Shinn, Smith Moore, William Irelan Engine No 2—Foreman, William Bassett; extra men, John Hill, James Reed, Robert Miller, William Marsh, George Moffett, John J. Logan, Isaac M. Shreve, Samuel Welsh, Lewis Ferrell, Logan Bates, Isaac Collings, Harry Miles, John Elliott, William Turner, Charles Holl, John J. Hibbs, John Seybold, Wm. Suders, Edward Swope, James McCann.
Philadelphia Inquirer — October 6, 1884
At a late hour on Saturday night, Frank, alias “Curly” Barnes, and William Suders, while intoxicated, became involved in a quarrel at Second and Spruce streets. Barnes separated from his companion, and endeavored to escape. Suders, in a threatening manner, approached Barnes, when the latter drew from his pocket an oyster knife, and plunged it into the side and breast of his adversary. Suders has refused to make a charge against Barnes, stating that he believed he was the aggressive party, and that the wounds were inflicted in self defense.
Politicians in a Fight.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Democrats and Republicans Shed Blood in a Camden Magistrate’s Office.
There was almost a riot in the office of ‘Squire Davis, on Kaighn avenue, yesterday afternoon. A man named Elijah Banes was arrested on the charge of being a repeater, at the instance of Howard Gillmore, a Democrat, who claimed that he voted a Republican ticket in the Fifth ward. Constable Louis Scheimer, of the Sixth ward, the only Democratic constable in the town, made the arrest. A dozen Democrats, among whom were “Whitey” Whitsell, “Curley” Barnes and “Engine” Suders, followed the prisoner to the ‘Squire’s office, and finally made themselves the most conspicuous figures in the case. There being no Republicans in the ‘Squire’s office when the hearing took place, the Democrats began to heap abuse on the prisoner.
While they were engaged in this William Duno and John Brouthers, two Republicans, entered the office and commanded the crowd of Democrats to stand back, at the same time assuring Banes that no one would harm him. A tongue fight followed, but no blows were struck until Policeman Williams, who came in, made an attempt to get into the ‘Squire’s private office, when “Dick” Guthridge, of the Sixth ward, grabbed him by the coat-collar and wanted to know why he was going in there. The plucky officer made no answer, but continued to make for his destination. He was frustrated, however, by Constable Scheimer, who caught him by the coat. Then a free fight was indulged in.
‘Squire Davis, after he had lost a chair, had his stove pipe knocked down and the fine glass door of his private office burst in, succeeded in clearing out the office. This rumpus was followed by another in the ‘Squire’s dining room. ‘Squire Davis’s office is on Kaighn avenue, below Broadway, and owing to the large number of pedestrians that pass a large crowd was attracted, and the greatest excitement prevailed for fully twenty minutes.
Philadelphia Inquirer — December 23, 1889
William Suders, of Joint Alley, will have a hearing this morning before the Mayor. He became intoxicated and assaulted Policeman Woodside, who arrested him.
Bicycle Mishaps
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Wheelman Thrown Under a Team and Seriously Hurt
WOMAN LEARNER KILLED
Lost Control of Her Wheel and Crashed Into a Wagon—Her Skull Was Crushed
Frank Suders, aged 21 years, of 708 South Fourth street, Camden, was seriously injured in a bicycle accident on Haddon avenue opposite the City Hall, yesterday afternoon. He was riding toward Federal street, when another wheelman coming up behind ran into his rear wheel. Suders was thrown off his bicycle and fell directly under a pair of horses driven by former County Clerk Jos. Hollingshead, which was passing in the opposite direction. Before Mr. Hollingshead could stop his team one of the horses’ feet had struck Suders under the chin, inflicting a long gash across his throat. The rear wheels of the carriage passed over him and broke one of his wrists. In the meantime the wheelman who had run into Suders rode off without stopping to see how badly his victim was injured or to even give his name and address. Suders was carried over to Cooper Hospital, about a square distant, where his injuries were dressed and he was placed in a ward.
Ten Dragged Into Stream
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Two Killed and Six Injured When Bridge Swings Loose at Camden, N. J.
Camden, N. J., Dec. 24.—Two men were killed and six others were seriously injured while placing a girder across Cooper creek on the Medford branch of the West Jersey & Seashore railroad today, near Haddenfield, N. J. The men were swinging the girder on the main span of the bridge when they lost control of it and were dragged to the stream, 40 feet below. William Suders, aged 43 years, and William Carey, aged 28 years, were caught beneath the girder and drowned. Eight other workmen were assisted to the shore, but six of them were taken to a hospital suffering from broken legs, arms or severe sprains.