Charles E. Watkin
Charles Edward Watkin Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 19, 1879 to Charles E. and Sally Watkin. He does not appear in the Camden City Directories prior to 1900.
He appears in the 1900 Census living with his wife Millie at 53 Wood Street in North Camden and working as a painter. Three children would be born before the end of the decade: Georgianna, Matilda, and William C. Watkin. The 1906 City Directory (like several print sources) lists him as “Watkins” and shows him working as a riveter, living at 907 North Front Street.
By the 1910 Census the family lived at 18 York Street in North Camden. He worked as a driver for Frank Lee Dickinson & Company, a wholesale grocery firm at York and Beach Streets, as did his neighbor at 10 York Street, Abraham Kern. Both men would have long careers with the Camden Fire Department.
By 1914 the family had moved to 909 Point Street in North Camden. Watkin and Abraham Kern were both appointed to the Camden Fire Department shortly after the 1914 directory was compiled, Watkin's appointment effective January 1, 1915. He was still living at 909 Point Street when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. By 1921 he had been promoted to Lieutenant, serving at Engine Company 5 on Federal Street at 12th Street. On December 23, 1921 he was promoted to Captain, replacing Charles A. Todd at Engine Company 7 upon Todd's retirement at the end of February 1922.
On April 8, 1922, while Captain of Engine Company 7, Watkin was injured attempting to rescue a child from a burning building at 1009 Broadway. He was injured again in March 1924, and a third time in July 1925 when a wall collapsed on him while fighting a fire at 252 Division Street.
The 1924 directory shows him still with Engine Company 7 at 1115 Kaighn Avenue, with the family moved across the street to 908 Point Street; they remained there in the 1927 directory, though a 1925 newspaper report gives 927 North Front Street. By the 1929 edition he had been reassigned to Engine Company 11 on North 27th Street in Cramer Hill and the family lived at 2729 Hayes Avenue; his son William C. Watkin had married and lived at 804 North 30th Street. By April 1930 Watkin, his wife, and daughters had moved to 2711 Hayes Avenue.
He was living on Hayes Avenue and still Captain of Engine Company 11 when he registered for the draft in spring 1942. On May 1, 1942, his son William C. Watkin was appointed to the Camden Fire Department; father and son served together for seven years. On May 1, 1949, at age 69, Charles E. Watkin retired after over 34 years of service.
He is not listed in the New Jersey Bell Telephone Directories of the 1950s. He last resided with his daughter Georgianna Kelly at 262 Ablett Village and died at Cooper Hospital on February 14, 1954. His son William C. Watkin served 29 years and 11 months before retiring on April 1, 1972.
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Tag: charles-e-watkin
Four Firemen Are Trapped in Collapse of Brick Wall
A Camden Evening Courier report of July 27, 1925 on a spectacular fire at the Bantivoglio & Son junk warehouse at 252 Division Street, in which a collapsing brick wall buried four firemen of Engine Company No. 7, including Captain Watkin.
Three Firemen Hurt at Blaze in Camden
A Trenton Evening Times report of March 24, 1924 on a fire at Camden's busiest corner that injured three firemen — Lawrence Mathews, Charles Watkins and George Hunt — when a ladder fell.
Iron Bars Prevent Rescue of Boy Who Dies in Camden Fire
A Philadelphia Inquirer report of April 28, 1922 on a fatal fire at 1009 Broadway, Camden, in which iron bars from the building's former use as a bank prevented the rescue of a sleeping boy. Six firemen, including Captain Charles Watkins of No. 7 Engine Company, were injured.
Fire Department Promotions
A Philadelphia Inquirer news brief of December 24, 1921 reporting that Captain Charles Todd was placed on pension and Lieutenant Charles Watkins of No. 5 Company was advanced to a captaincy.
14 Firemen Win City Promotions
A Camden Daily Courier report of May 21, 1920 on the promotion of fourteen members of the Camden fire department. Charles Watkins was among those advanced to the rank of lieutenant.
Charm Presented to Deputy Chief
A Camden Daily Courier report of November 24, 1915 on a turkey supper given to the members of No. 4 Engine Company in honor of Deputy Fire Chief William Patterson. Charles Watkins Jr. was among those gathered.
Firemen Escort Steer's Remains
A Camden Post-Telegram report of January 25, 1915 on the funeral of Fireman Robert B. Steer, a twenty-five-year member of the Camden fire department. Charles Watkins Jr. served among the pallbearers.
Police Guard Gas Tank
A Philadelphia Inquirer report of August 12, 1904 on the police guard placed over the gas holder being built at Locust and Walnut streets in Camden during a riveters' strike. Charles F. Watkins was named among those assaulted.