William Wood
WILLIAM WOOD was born on July 1, 1887 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It appears that he came to Camden late 1899 or early 1900. The 1900 Census shows him living in Camden at 701 South 3rd Street, the corner of South 3rd and Line Streets, with his widowed step-mother, Virginia Wood, step-brother Joseph Wood, niece Laura Wood, and cousin Mary Donald. His step-mother ran a candy store at that location.
The 1910 Census shows William Wood living at 653 South 3rd Street with Virginia Wood and Joseph Wood. Both he and Joseph were working as machinists for an elevator company. He married around this time. William Wood is listed in the 1910–1911 Directory at 653 South 3rd Street. William Wood is not listed in the 1914 City Directory. Virginia and Joseph Wood were then living at 921 South 4th Street.
When William Wood registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 he was working as a foreman at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyards on Broadway at Morgan Street. He was then living at 556 Division Street with his wife, Ethel R., and children William, Millicent, and Laura. He was still working at the shipyard when the Census was taken in January of 1920. William and Ethel Wood were still living at 556 Division Street in late 1923.
By 1924 William Wood had been appointed to the Camden Fire Department. Another son, Joseph Wood, was born around 1925. The Wood family is listed in the 1927 and 1929 City Directories at 1246 Dayton Street. The 1930 Census shows the Wood family at 1291 Sayrs Avenue, next door to fellow Camden Fire Department member John McTaggart, who lived at 1295 Sayrs Avenue.
By 1940 William Wood had been promoted to Captain and had been placed in command of Ladder Company 2 at 619 Kaighn Avenue. He was then living at 1250 Sayrs Avenue, and was still at that address when he registered for the draft in the spring of 1942. Fire Department records also show an address at 1009 Collings Road.
By the end of 1942 William Wood had moved to Mount Ephraim, New Jersey and left the Fire Department. He was granted a pension on October 1, 1943. He lived in Mount Ephraim into the early 1970s.
William Wood passed away in July of 1977. His wife joined him in 1982.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Post-Telegram —
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
MR. YOUNGER IN CHARGE
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sends his protégés through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile, both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team while Walter A. Mertz, of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager for the firemen, declared he had twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, but first they will have an opportunity for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in division and the firemen in another. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edyard Callahan, Walter Larson, Gus Pfliderer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirts, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt qualification for field day include Fred Schacker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Huda, Arthur Laird, Herman Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Poeble, Tom Shanley, Harrison Pike, William Hood, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Mertz, Nelson Hubbs, James Mogan, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Mensales, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, William Hare, Joseph Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook, “Cops” appear strongest, coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats. The leader will be Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of-team of eight men will also be selected by the firemen’s leader. Merts will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Athletic Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this arrangement, as no extra minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services without charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Long Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his riders have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in the east, declares Nelson Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and exhibition stunt.
Blue Devils No. 1 — Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisman and Edward Moll.
Blue Devils No. 2 — Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
World War I Draft Card
William Wood’s World War I draft registration card, June 5, 1917.
World War II Draft Card
William Wood’s World War II draft registration card, 1942.