This content is excerpted from South Jersey – A History: 1624-1924.
CHARLES SHIMER BOYER was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1869, son of Benjamin Franklin and Alabama (Shimer) Boyer. On the paternal side, his great-grandfather, John Boyer, arrived in Philadelphia from the Palatinate in 1739, while on the maternal side he can claim American ancestry dating back to 1739. His ancestors all settled in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
Coming to Camden, New Jersey, as a mere child of three, Charles S. Boyer spent the balance of his active life in New Jersey. His early studies were pursued at the Cooper School, Camden, and the Friends’ Central School, Philadelphia, and his education continued at the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1890.
In his early business career he was identified with the chemical industry and was the author of a number of articles on chemical subjects which appeared in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia; the American Chemical Journal, the Textile Colorist and the Dyers’ Trade Journal.
In 1894 he became identified with the worsted yarn business established by his father in 1872, and is today president of the company, which is one of the oldest in its line.
For a number of years Mr. Boyer took a very active part in the civic affairs of his home city and served as president of the Camden Board of Trade for several terms, during which time this organization took a leading part in settling three events of prime importance to the community. Through its efforts the pierhead line along the river front was materially advanced, the sale of the municipally-owned water plant to private interests was prevented and the idea of building a municipal electric lighting plant abandoned.
In later years his activities, aside from his business interests, have been largely connected with the history of Camden County and West Jersey. In this field, following the late Howard M. Cooper, Esq., he has become a recognized authority on local history and is frequently consulted on historical matters. His series of brochures, “Annals of Camden,” of which he has privately published four numbers, are looked upon as standard sources of local history. He is also the author of a book on the “Waterways of New Jersey,” in which the history and legal aspect of the State’s ownership of lands under tide waters is fully set forth. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, the Gloucester County (New Jersey) Historical Society, and the Friends’ Historical Society of Philadelphia. As president of the Camden County Historical Society, he has, during the three years of his presidency, by the use of business methods, rejuvenated the society so that today it is heralded as one of the most active in the State.
Fraternally Mr. Boyer is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in clubdom a member of the University Club of Philadelphia, the Manufacturers’ Club of Philadelphia, the Piqua Club of Piqua, Ohio; the Camden Club, Camden, New Jersey; the Riverton Country Club, of Riverton, New Jersey; and the Seaside Park Yacht Club, of Seaside Park, New Jersey. He is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution.
Charles Shimer Boyer married, April 27, 1904, Anne W. De Rousse, daughter of Louis T. and Anna (Fitzgerald) De Rousse, and they reside in Camden, New Jersey..
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