William T. Steinmetz
William T. Steinmetz
WILLIAM T. STEINMETZ was born in Pennsylvania in June of 1867, according to the 1900 Census. He married Rosalie Cole around 1892.
By 1894 William T. and Rosalie Steinmetz had moved to Camden. They shared a house with Rosalie’s sister Mary and her husband, William Stauts and their children, as well as Rosalie’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Cole, at 1015 South 2nd Street in Camden. City Directories for 1894 and 1895 show William T. Steinmetz in business as a carpenter at 721 Noble Street in Philadelphia and at the South 2nd Street address in Camden. After 1895 he no longer kept a business address in Philadelphia.
Shortly before the Census was taken on June 1, 1900 William T. Steinmetz was appointed Building Inspector for the City of Camden.
Sadly, Rosalie Steinmetz died in February of 1906. The loss affected William T. Steinmetz deeply. When he took his own life, on December 29, 1906 it came as no surprise to many of his friends and associates, as he had been in a deep depression since his wife’s passing.
Assessing Damages Made by Reservoir’s Break
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector Steinmetz and Chief of the Water Department Toms, of Camden, accompanied by City Counsel H. M. Snyder, spent yesterday assessing damages entailed to property in the East Side, Camden, by the break in the Pavonia reservoir last week.
Property owners were asked to have itemized accounts of damages entailed to their properties and have the statements ready for presentation to the water committee of City Council at the meeting tomorrow night.
Building Operations in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector William Steinmetz, of Camden, has compiled his report of the work of the department for the last year. Among the permits issued were: Two-story brick dwellings, 214; three-story brick dwellings, 13; two-story frame dwellings, 42; brick manufacturing plants, 21; brick stores, 30.
Building Inspector Steinmetz Hurt
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector William Steinmetz is confined to his home, at 1023 South Second street, Camden, with serious injuries, the result of falling on the ice at Fourth and Chestnut streets. He is bedfast with a wrenched back and sprained ankle.
Rickety Buildings to Come Down
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector William Steinmetz, in Camden, yesterday inaugurated a movement he has contemplated some time in ordering the demolition of old dwellings. Two old structures, at 244 and 246 Spruce street, were torn down. He said yesterday it is his intention to have razed all structures in the city that are a menace to public safety.
Walls of Camden House Collapsed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector Steinmetz was notified yesterday that a portion of the rear wall of the house at 833 Commerce street, Camden, had collapsed. The house, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, colored, was roped off. The occupants had a narrow escape from serious injury.
House of Worship Unsafe
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector Steinmetz, of Camden, yesterday notified Rev. Lucius Mott, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, to close the building at Fourth and Division streets, used by a recently organized Italian church society, until necessary repairs are made. The building was declared unsafe.
Building Inspector Annual Report
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector William Steinmetz in his annual report made public yesterday states that there have been 507 permits granted the past year for the erection of dwellings, a large increase over previous years. Of them 383 were for three story brick dwellings. Inspector Steinmetz looks for a boom this spring. Already arrangements are being made to erect 400 dwellings in the northern section of the city.
Death of Mrs. William Steinmetz
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mrs. Rosalie Steinmetz, wife of Building Inspector William Steinmetz, died at her home; 1015 South Second street, Camden, Saturday night, from an affection of the heart. Mrs. Steinmetz was well known in the southern section of the city.
News of a Day in the City of Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden is to have another daily newspaper. The stockholders met yesterday and elected these officers: President, George M. Beringer; vice president, William E. Anthony; secretary, Newton B. T. Roney; treasurer, John Danenhower. It will be called the Daily News, and while it is to be a business proposition, it will be established mainly for the advocacy of the Colby-Record movement in New Jersey. It will be opposed to present local political conditions.
Albert Reese, 27 years old, of 834 Jersey avenue, Gloucester City, fell eighty feet from a scaffold at the New York Ship Yard last night. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital apparently fatally injured. An examination revealed the fact that he had escaped with slight bruises.
James McDonald, who was struck by a train at Fish House Monday, died at the Cooper Hospital, Camden, yesterday, without regaining consciousness. His address is unknown and the body was removed to the Morgue awaiting a claimant.
According to the report of Health Physician Leavitt, of the Camden Board of Health, the health of the city is exceedingly good. In all there were but thirty-nine contagious diseases reported for the past month. There was but one case of typhoid fever. This disease has almost entirely disappeared from Camden, there having been less than a score of cases the past year.
A number of Camden’s officials enjoyed a planked shad dinner at Chew’s Landing last night. In the party were City Comptroller Samuel Hufty, City Engineer Levi Farnham, Assistant Tax Receivers Charles Elfreth, J. F. Newton and Frank Heisler, Assistant Engineer William Osler, License Clerk John McCabe, Building Inspector William Steinmetz, Plumbing Inspector Harry Francis and Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Robert Floyd, a colored stevedore, of Mt. Ephraim avenue, Camden, is building a thirty-five-foot boat in his back yard with the object of using it to seek a treasure island in the West Indies. Although his home is nearly two miles from the river, Floyd declares he will have no difficulty in launching the rather unwieldy craft. A sailor on board a vessel which Floyd was unloading told him the tale of hidden gold and as a result the Camden man decided to seek out the spot on his own hook.
There was an exciting incident in Recorder Stackhouse’s court, in Camden, yesterday, when a young woman yelled a denial in a high voice as a witness was testifying in the case of Herbert M. Denny against Chauncey Bell and Frederick Bock, the latter two being charged with assault and battery. Silence was restored by the court officers and the case was concluded by the defendants being held in $200 bail each.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nace in the Circuit Court, in Camden, yesterday were given a verdict for $25 against the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Company. The plaintiffs sued for $2500, they claiming a conductor of the company roughly handled the woman on March 16 of last year when she was put off a train. In the case of Charles Smith against the Public Service Corporation a verdict was given for the plaintiff in the sum of $600.
William H. Cox, 18 years old, of 903 Haddon avenue, had his right foot crushed at the Camden Iron Works yesterday. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
William Walsh, 17 years old, of 524 Borton street, who had been missing several days, returned yesterday. He had gone to Atlantic City to see the sights.
The Germantown Wood Working Company was incorporated yesterday with a capital of $10,000.
Ida Jackson, a negress, was convicted of dealing in lottery policy before Judge Joline yesterday. William Derry, also a negro, was convicted on a similar charge.
John Cowan, 53 years old, of 1024 Sycamore street, died suddenly yesterday from hemorrhages of the stomach. He was a life-long resident of Camden.
At great personal risk, Dr. Ernest Ramsdell, of 425 Linden street, Camden, last night saved Arthur Grant, 11 years old, of 501 State street, from being crushed beneath a team of horses. Arthur, who was riding a bicycle, attempted to get out of the way of a dog. In doing so he wheeled directly into the horses. The latter reared and were about to fall on the boy when Dr. Ramsdell rushed over to him and dragged him from beneath the horses.
Three City Hall Officials Ill
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Three City Hall officials are seriously ill at their homes, they being Food Inspector J. O. George, Sealer of Weights and Measures George Kruck and Building Inspector William Steinmetz.
Knife in Camden Official’s Neck
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector William Steinmetz Killed Himself in Club House
Left Trail of Blood and Body Was Found Under Porch by Policemen
Within three hours after he had been chosen for a third term as building inspector at a caucus of members of Camden City Council, William T. Steinmetz stuck the blade of his penknife in his jugular vein at the headquarters of the Fifth Ward Republican Club, 269 Mt. Vernon street, early yesterday morning, and was found dead just before daylight.
The flow of blood must have restored his senses, as indicated by saturated handkerchiefs and a partially filled wash basin in the bath room. Staggering down the steps, indicated by the trail of blood, Steinmetz opened a rear door and went out into the yard, falling with his body partially under the side porch.
NEIGHBORS AROUSED.
As the City Hall clock struck two several neighbors were awakened by cries for help and moans, and one woman insists she heard the man say “Oh, Rosella!” The neighbors went to the front windows, but nothing could be seen except the brilliantly lighted rooms in the club house, and they all went back to bed.
Shortly before 7 o’clock Policeman William Harvey went into the yard to open the rear door so that plumbers could make repairs, and he came across the body of his friend. With Coroner Fithian came several policemen. The Coroner, after an investigation, gave a certificate of death from suicide. The body was taken to his late home at 1015 South Second street.
WIFE DIED IN FEBRUARY.
Last February Mr. Steinmetz’s wife, Rosella, died, and since then he had been subject to fits of despondency that made his relatives and friends apprehensive. He spent the early part of Friday evening at the club house, going from there to the City Hall, where the Councilmanic caucus was in session. He seemed in good health and spirits. About midnight he met Adam T. Davis, a friend, at Broadway and Chestnut street, and after a brief chat he went towards home.
Mr. Steinmetz, who is survived by a sister and three brothers, was a member of Ionic Lodge of Masons, Legion of Honor, Fifth Ward Republican Club, Back End Club and several other organizations.
WILLIAM T. STEINMETZ, Camden’s Building Inspector, who committed suicide at a Republican club house early yesterday morning.
Many Seek Suicide’s Place
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Building Inspector William Steinmetz to Be Buried Thursday
Building Inspector William Steinmetz, who ended his life Saturday by stabbing himself in the neck, will be buried from his home, 1015 South Second street, Camden, on Thursday. Those intimately acquainted with him express little surprise over his act, because he had been despondent for months over the death of his wife.
There is considerable speculation as to who will be appointed by City Council as Building Inspector. Candidates have sprung up all over the city. While the Fifth ward wants the appointment because Steinmetz was from that district, it is said efforts are being made to prevail upon William Day, of the First ward, to accept the place, which pays $1200 a year.
Sensation Sprung in Camden’s Council
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Attempt Made to Have Committee Appointed to Investigate Affairs of Street Commissioner’s Office
Something of a sensation was occasioned at the reorganization of Camden City Council yesterday when Councilman Frederick Finkeldey endeavored to have adopted a resolution providing for the appointment of a committee of five to investigate the affairs of the office of Street Commissioner Louis Mohrman. He offered the resolution when the latter came up for reappointment. In seconding Councilman Finkeldey’s motion Councilman Wilson declared he had data in his possession which showed there were irregularities. The resolution was defeated by a vote of 19 to 2. Mohrman was reappointed.
Aside from this the reorganization was the usual cut and dried affair. All the old officers were reappointed with the exception of City Clerk Harry C. Kramer, who was succeeded by Isaac Bradley, the retiring Councilman from the Seventh ward. William H. Day was made building inspector to fill the vacancy caused by the suicide of William Steinmetz.
In his annual message Mayor Charles H. Ellis urged among other things that provision be made for mounted police in East Camden, the erection of an additional jail building, the installation of the Bertillon system for the identification of criminals, the increase of the present fire service by two additional companies, the necessity of establishing an auxiliary pumping plant.
It was general reorganization day among the civic bodies of Camden yesterday. The Excise Commission re-elected John Baker president, while Jacob Schiller was made inspector. Dr. Marcus K. Mines was elected president of the Board of Health, and at the reorganization of the Board of Education Edmund E. Read was elected president and Harry Sharp vice president.
Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
STEINMETZ.—Suddenly, on December 28, 1906. WILLIAM T., husband of the late Rosanna Steinmetz, aged 38 years. The relatives and friends of the family also the members of Ionic Lodge No 94, F A M; Metamora Tribe, No 71, I O R M; Kenjockety Past Sachems Asso, Chosen Friends’ Castle, No 33, K G F; Allambria Lodge, No 1, S of H; Philadelphia Fifth Ward Republican Club, and officials of the City of Camden, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Thursday, January 3, at 1 o’clock, from his late residence, 1015 South Second street, Camden. Interment at Mt Peace Cemetery. Friends may view the remains on Wednesday evening, after 7 o’clock.
Funeral of William Steinmetz
Philadelphia Inquirer —
City and county officials attended the funeral of Building Inspector William Steinmetz, which took place from his home, 1015 South Second street, Camden, yesterday. Rev. N. C. Lassiter, pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, had charge of the services. Delegations were present from the Fifth Ward Republican Club, Ionic Lodge of Masons, Metamora Tribe of Red Men, Kenjockety Past Sachems Association and Chosen Friends’ Castle of the Shield of Honor. Interment was made in Mount Peace Cemetery.