WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON CLARK was one of the original members of the Camden Fire Department, entering service on September 2, 1869 as the driver of Engine Company 1. Prior to entering the fire department he had worked driving a team of horses as an expressman. He was living at 811 Kaighn Street (later re-named Dauphin Street) when he joined the department in the fall of 1869.

Named after the late president, who had died the previous spring, William H.H. Clark was born on November 19, 1841 to Samuel Clark and his wife, the former Ann Bennis. He was the seventh of eleven children born to the Clarks. William H.H. Clark had come to Camden by the time the 1860 Census was being enumerated. He was working as an express driver and boarding with Isaac Whitecar and family in Camden's South Ward.

When war broke out between the North and South, William H.H. Clark answered his nation's call. He enlisted as a private in the 4th New Jersey Infantry Militia Regiment (Also known as the Twentieth New Jersey Infantry) on April 27,1861, and was subsequently assigned to Company G. He served alongside his brother, Corporal James M. Lane. The Fourth Regiment Militia was commanded by Colonel Matthew Miller, Jr.; his officers were Lieutenant Colonel Simpson R. Stroud and Major Robert C. Johnson. This regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at Trenton, April 27, 1861, to serve for three months, and left the state for Washington, D. C., on May 3, with 37 commissioned officers and 743 non-commissioned officers and privates, a total of 777. On the evening of May 5 it reached the capital, and on the 9th it was ordered to go into camp at Meridian hill, where, within a few days the entire brigade was encamped, and where, on the 12th, it was honored by a visit from the president, who warmly complimented the appearance of the troops. On the evening of May 23 it joined the 2nd and 3d regiments and about midnight took up the line of march in silence for the bridge that spanned the Potomac. This bridge was crossed at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 24th, the 2nd was posted at Roach's spring, and the 3d and 4th about half a mile beyond on the Alexandria road. On July 16, a guard was detailed from the 4th for a section of the Orange & Alexandria railroad, which it was important to hold; one company from the regiment guarded the Long bridge; still another was on duty at Arlington mills; and the remainder of the regiment, together with the 2nd, was ordered to proceed to Alexandria. On July 24, the term of service having expired, the 4th returned to New Jersey and was mustered out at Trenton, July 31, 1861. The total strength of the regiment was 783, and it lost by discharge 6, by promotion 2, by death 2 and by desertion 7, mustered out, 766. Barton Lane was among those mustered out on July 31, 1861 at Trenton. 

Several men who served with the Fourth New Jersey became members of the Camden Fire Department after it was founded in 1869, including Benjamin Cavanaugh, J. Kelly Brown, Henry F. Surault, Edward Mead, William Cox, James M. Lane, William Gleason, Theodore A. Zimmerman, Charles G. Zimmerman, William C. Lee, George B. Anderson, Jesse Chew, William W. Mines, Cornelius M. Brown, John J. Brown, Benjamin Connelly, and G. Rudolph Tenner. Several other Fourth Infantry veterans played significant roles in Camden in the ensuing years.

William H.H. Clark returned to Camden, but not for long. He married his wife, Sarah, around 1862. On August 31, 1864 William H.H. Clark enlisted in the United States Navy. He served until July 6, 1865, then returned to his wife in Camden, where he apparently became active as a volunteer fireman.

On September 2, 1869 City Council enacted a municipal ordinance creating a paid fire department. It provided for the annual appointment of five Fire Commissioners, one Chief Marshal (Chief of Department) and two Assistant Marshals. The City was also divided into two fire districts. The boundary line ran east and west, starting at Bridge Avenue and following the tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad to the city limits. District 1 was south of this line and District 2 was north. The commissioners also appointed the firemen who were scheduled to work six 24 hour tours per week. William Abels, from the Weccacoe Hose Company No. 2 was appointed Chief Marshal with William J. Mines, from the Independence Fire Company No. 3 as Assistant Marshal for the 1st District, and William H. Shearman as the Assistant Marshal for the 2nd District. Abels had served with the volunteer fire departments of Philadelphia, Mobile, Alabama and Camden for sixteen years prior to his appointment as Chief of the paid force.

On November 10, 1869 City Council purchased the Independence Firehouse, the three-story brick building at 409 Pine Street, for $4500. The building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1 and the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November 25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share these quarters with Engine Company 2 and the Hook & Ladder Company and the facility would also serve as department headquarters for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the Camden County Historical Society collection. 

Two Amoskeag second class, double pump, straight frame steam engines were purchased at a cost of $4250 each. Two Silsby two wheel hose carts, each of which carried 1000 feet of hose, were another $550 each and the hook & ladder, built by Schanz and Brother of Philadelphia was $900. Each engine company received a steam engine and hose cart. Amoskeag serial #318 went to Engine Company 1, and serial #319 to Engine Company 2. The Fire Commission also secured the services of the Weccacoe and Independence steamers in case of fire prior to delivery of the new apparatus. Alfred McCully of Camden made the harnesses for the horses. Camden's Twoes & Jones made the overcoats for the new firemen and a Mr. Morley, also of Camden, supplied the caps and belts which were manufactured by the Migeod Company of Philadelphia. The new members were also issued badges.

This is the earliest known photo of fire headquarters on the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch Streets. Originally built in 1869, the building shows signs of wear some twenty years later. Note the weathervane shaped like a fireman's speaking trumpet atop the tower. Also, the fire alarm bell is pictured to the left of the telegraph pole above the rooftop. The bell was removed from the building once the fire alarm telegraph system was expanded and in good working order.

This maker's plate once was attached to a harness made by A. McCully & Sons, 22 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey. This firm provided the first harnesses for the paid fire department in 1869.

Badges worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the initial letter of their respective positions and their district number. The tillerman and his driver used the number "3" to accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District were assigned badges 1-10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11-20 and the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21-30.

Although the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until December 9th.

The new members of the paid force were:            

When the Census was taken in 1870 William H.H. Clark was living in Camden's South Ward with his wife Sarah and two children, Eliza (or Lydia), 3, and Joseph, 1. He was working full-time for the Fire Department. William H.H. Clark appears to have left the Fire Department when Chief William Abels was replaced in 1871. 

As stated above, he was living at 811 Kaighn Street in 1869. The 1878 City Directory gives an address for William H.H. Clark of 825 Kaighn Street, which was renamed Dauphin Street a few years later. By 1879 he had relocated to 431 Spruce Street. The 1880 Census shows William H.H. Clark living at 406 Cherry Street. There were three children at this time, Lydia, 14; Virginia "Jeannie" 4; and Annie, 1. The Clarks moved 937 South 5th Street prior to the compilation of the 1882-1883 Directory. By the end of 1885 they had moved to 411 Division Street. William H.H. Clark was working as a teamster in Philadelphia. The 1887-1888 and 1888-1889 Directory gives an address of 820 South 4th Street. The 1890 Veterans Census and 1900 Federal Census shows the Clarks had moved one last time, to 814 South 4th Street. The Census states that Sarah Clark had given birth to seven children, three of whom were still living. Only Jeannie Clark was living with her parents. On March 17, 1901 William H.H. Clark passed away. 

William H.H. Clark was a member of the Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5 of the Grand Army of the Republic.