Camden People - Walter D. Eastlack

WALTER DAYTON EASTLACK was born on May 30, 1889 in Camden to Annie and John H. Eastlack. The family was living at 621 Royden Street in the latter half of 1888. By the summer of 1890 they had moved to 710 Spruce Street. His uncle, Thomas Eastlack, had been a member of the Camden Fire Department in the 1870s.

When the Census was taken in 1900, Walter Eastlack, his parents and older brother Ralph were living at 431 Pine Street, a few doors away from the Camden Fire Department's Engine Company 1, located at 409 Pine Street. John Eastlack was then working as a moulder. Living next door at 433 Pine Street was Thomas Verlander and his family; he served for a time with the Fire Department, but was then working as a house painter. The Eastlacks remained at 431 Pine Street through 1906.

The 1910 Census shows Walter Eastlack was again living with his parents, now at 703 Spruce Street in South Camden. The census states he was married, but his wife was not living with him at the time. Walter D. Eastlack was hen working in a factory as a spring maker.

By 1918 Walter Eastlack had remarried. His new wife, the former Erma Anna Stortzenback, was 11 years his junior. She was the step-daughter of a Camden Fire Department member, Joseph T. Johnson. The Eastlacks were living in Westmont, New Jersey and working as an engineer at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard. By January of 1920 Walter and Erma Eastlack had moved to 317 Vine Street in North Camden. He was then working as a crane operator at one of Camden's many shipyards. The 1924 City Directory shows them at 535 Birch Street.

Walter D. Eastlack was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on March 3, 1925 and was initially assigned to Engine Company 4. During his 29 year career with the Camden Fire Department, Walter Eastlack served with Engine Company 1, Engine Company 3, Engine Company 4, Engine Company 7, Engine Company 10, Engine Company 11, Ladder Company 1, and Ladder Company 3.

The 1927 City Directory and the April 1930 Census shows Walter and Erma Eastlack living at 1165 Chase Street. His parents were also living at that address when the Census was taken. The Eastlacks were still at 1165 Chase Street as late as 1931. When the 1940 City Directory was compiled, Walter Eastlack was living with his wife Erma at 1251 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside.

Walter D. Eastlack retired from the Camden Fire Department on March 15, 1954, having served the last 13 years of his career with Engine Company 3 at 1815 Broadway in South Camden. Officially, he was still at the Kenwood Avenue address when he retired, however, all evidence in the form of newspaper clippings points to him having moved to Collingswood, New Jersey by January of 1950. Walter Eastlack's last known address is Cedar Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. Walter Eastlack died in January of 1964 survived by his wife, who joined him in May of 1976.

Camden Courier-Post - February 9, 1933

COPS AND FIREMEN WILL ELECT TODAY
Herbert Bott Is Unopposed for Presidency of Camden Association

The Camden Police and Firemen's Association will hold election of officers today at its headquarters, 1175 Whitman Avenue, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Herbert Bott is unopposed for re-election as president. William Thorn is unopposed to replace Richard Middleton for financial secretary and Walter Vecander is unopposed for the new post of assistant financial secretary. All these are police officers.

The police trustees will be named from the following nine candidates: William Marter, George Ward, William Britner, Joseph Shreeve, William Schriber, Joseph Mardino, Joseph Dunnett, Leon Feltz and Russell Young. Two police sergeant-at-arms will be chosen from among Stanley Wirtz, Harry Cattell, Joseph Schultz and George Clayton.

Three candidates are seeking the post of vice president, which goes to a fireman. They are William Spencer, Charles Edwards and Albert Dukes. Warren Rich, a fireman, is slated to succeed himself as recording secretary and Winfield Leviseur is unopposed for the new post of assistant recording secretary, which goes to a fireman.

Four fireman trustees will be chosen from ten candidates. They are Charles Cook, Henry Baumgartel, Walter Eastlack, Arthur Batten, William Getner, William Toy, Lawrence Newton, James Young, Russell Anderson and William Taylor. Three firemen are seeking two posts as sergeants-at-arms. They are William Judge, John Mulligan and Furman Price.

Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1933

BOTT CHOSEN HEAD OF POLICEMEN, FIREMEN
Spencer Wins 3-Corner Fight for Vice-President of Association

Lauded by the members for his splendid work in behalf of the club, Herbert Bott, a patrolman attached to the Third Police District, last night was re-elected president of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association.

The praise was heaped upon the patrolman following announcement that he had received 107 of 110 votes cast in yesterday's balloting. He was unopposed for reelection.

In a three-cornered fight, William P. Spencer, a fireman, was elected vice president of the association. He received 73 votes. His opponents were Charles Edwards, given 12 votes, and Albert Dukes, 18 votes. Both are firemen.

Others unopposed for office were: William Thorn, financial secretary; Walter Vecander, assistant financial secretary; Warren Rich, recording secretary, and Winfield Leviseur, assistant recording secretary. The last two are firemen while the first two are policemen.

Lieutenant George Ward, Patrolman William Marter, and Firemen William Taylor, William Getner, James Young and Lawrence Newton were elected to the board of trustees.

Sergeants-at-arms named were Stanley Wirtz and George Clayton, police, and William Judge and John Mulligan, firemen. All had opposition.

After the ballots had been counted William H. Iszard, former assemblyman, appeared on behalf of the Elks Crippled Kiddies Committee, and asked police to support the wrestling show to be staged by that group February 13..