J. WILLIAM SIMPSON, who was also known as John William Simpson, was born in Pennsylvania in May of 1855, according to the 1900 Census. His parents were Thomas and Emma Simpson. His father worked as a watchcase maker. J. William Simpson was the oldest of at least six children. Coming before Thomas, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Horace. He married around 1879, and his wife Louisa bore a son, Horace Thomas Simpson, in December of 1880. The family moved to Camden at some point thereafter. The 1894 City Directory shows J. William Simpson at 621 North 6th Street in North Camden. He was working as a shipping clerk. By the time the next year's directory was being compiled he had moved to 551 Cedar Street. J. William Simpson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1899. From April 19, 1902 to April 30, 1903 he served with Ladder Company 1. The 1900 Census shows the Simpsons still living at 551 Cedar Street in North Camden. They stayed at that address into 1906. The 1907 Coty Directory shows that he had moved around the corner to 604 North 6th Street. This would be his address for the rest of his days. The 1910 Census shows J. William Simpson living at 604 North 6th Street in North Camden with his wife Louisa, son Horace, daughter-in-law Ethel, and his widowed mother, Emma Simpson. William Simpson was on duty on March 18, 1906 when three of his brother firefighters were killed at at the old Sixth Regiment Armory. This incident troubled him through the years. On July 21, 1915 while on duty at Engine Company 4 on Vine Street in North Camden, William Simpson attempted to take his own life. He was prevented in this effort, however he passed away on December 9, 1917. |
Philadelphia
Inquirer November 24, 1899 Cooper
B. Hatch - George
W. Whyte |
|
![]() |
|
Right Click on Images to Download PDF of Article |
Philadelphia
Inquirer - March 19, 1906
George
Shields - William
Hillman - William
Jobes West
Street - Mickle
Street - Beckett
Street Engine
Company 1 -
Engine
Company 2 6th Regiment, New Jersey National
Guard "Joseph Gail" was actually Joseph Daley |
|
...continued... |
|
...continued... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
...continued... |
|
![]() |
|
Frank
G. Hitchener - William
Morgenweck - Sperry & Hutchinson - Camden Bowling Alleys Gardner Corson was appointed to the Fire Department in November of 1907. |
Philadelphia Inquirer - April 25, 1913 |
|
James
McDade - J.
William Simpson - Market
Street |
Philadelphia Inquirer - July 21, 1915 | |
![]() |
![]() |
Joseph Logue - William Simpson - Engine Company 4 - North 6th Street |
Philadelphia Inquirer - December 11, 1917 |
![]() |
Louisa Simpson - North 6th Street |