Edwin S. Wirtz
Edwin Stanley Wirtz was born in Camden, New Jersey on May 18, 1914 to Stanley R. Wirtz and his wife, the former Emma McDade. Stanley R. Wirtz was at the time an iron molder. He was born in Pennsylvania on June 20, 1892, the son of Phillip and Mary Wirtz. The Wirtz family lived at 143 Dana Street in Philadelphia, PA at the time of the 1900 Census. The elder Wirtz was then working in the leather industry. Besides Stanley, there was a younger brother, Edwin. By 1910 the family had moved to 913 Howard Street in North Camden. Stanley Wirtz was working as a moulder in an iron foundry, while father Phillip and younger brother Edwin were working in the leather industry. Stanley Wirtz married Emma McDade on New Year's Day, January 1, 1912. She was the daughter of James McDade, a member of the Camden Fire Department.
Directories from 1913 to 1916 show them living with Emma's parents at 414 North Front Street. Stanley Wirtz was still working as an iron molder when he registered for the draft in 1917. The family then lived at 511 Cedar Street. He served in the United States Navy during World War I and as late as 1922, then returned to his family and iron molder job in Camden. The family made its home at 908 Point Street in 1920 and again with Emma's parents at 414 North Front Street in 1921 and 1922. Emma's father, James McDade, died while serving with the Camden Fire Department in 1922.
The 1923 and 1924 Directories show the Stanley Wirtz family at 313 Erie Street. Not long after the 1924 Directory was compiled, Stanley Wirtz was appointed to the Camden Police Department. The 1926 Directory shows him working as a policeman and living at 1253 Thurman Street.
By 1930 the Wirtz family was living at 1339 Van Hook Street. Also living there was grandmother Mrs. Emma McDade and grandfather Philip Wirtz, then a watchman at Camden's old City Hall on Haddon Avenue.
Edwin S. Wirtz married Lillian May Dieser shortly after the Census was taken in April of 1930 and the compilation of the 1931 City Directory. The 1940 Census shows him living at 626 Ferry Avenue with his wife Lillian and children Ronald B., 3, Robert, 2, and Nancy, 1. Another child, Richard, had been born in 1938 but had died that same year. At the time of the census Edwin S. Wirtz was working as a truck driver. Three more children would follow: Dorothy, James, and Linda Wirtz.
In October of 1943 Edwin S. Wirtz was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, where he served for 22 years, as a firefighter and lastly as an inspector with the Fire Marshal's office. His cousin, Carl M. Wirtz, joined the Camden Fire Department in 1951. After serving in the military during World War II, Edwin S. Wirtz returned to Camden. The 1947 City Directory shows him living in the Civic Center homes that were built for veteran's housing after World War II and razed to make way for the overpass on Admiral Wilson Boulevard near the old Sears Roebuck store.
By the summer of 1957 Edwin S. Wirtz and his family were living at 2662 Berkley Street in East Camden. In 1962 he was living at 1227 North 19th Street. Edwin S. Wirtz retired in October of 1965 after 22 years of service with the Camden Fire Department. He was then living at 2010 River Avenue in Camden. The Wirtzes separated and later divorced. Edwin Wirtz remarried, living in Maple Shade, New Jersey, and lastly in North Wildwood, New Jersey.
Edwin Stanley Wirtz passed away on April 10, 1975.
Tag: edwin-s-wirtz
James McDade
James McDade was born in Pennsylvania in September 1860 and had moved to Camden by 1884. His wife, Emma Ferkler, was seven years older than him.
19th Street
Nineteenth Street runs from the Pavonia railroad switching yards across River Avenue north to Harrison Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, New Jersey.
WIRTZ
Death notice for Edwin S. Wirtz of North Wildwood, formerly of Maple Shade and Camden, who died April 10, 1975; services from the Inglesby Funeral Home, Maple Shade, with interment at Northwood Cemetery.
Fireman Honored On His Retirement
Fireman Edwin Wirtz of 2010 River Avenue was feted at a buffet luncheon at Camden fire headquarters on his retirement after 22 years of service; his last assignment was as an inspector in the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
Dinner Set For Retired Fire Capt.
A testimonial dinner for retired Camden City Fire Marshal Maurice F. O'Brien was set for Kenney's in Camden; Edwin Wirtz, John Moore and John Gaffney assisted with arrangements.
County Jail Fire Drill Successful
A November 1963 fire drill at the Camden County jail evacuated nineteen of 142 inmates in 45 seconds; fire inspectors John Gaffney and Edwin Wirtz found all equipment in perfect working order.
Couple to Note Fiftieth Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wirtz, formerly of Camden and then of North Cape May, planned a New Year's Eve golden wedding anniversary dinner at Kenney's in Camden, hosted by their son Edwin of 1227 North 19th Street.
Camden Firemen Meet Gimbel's
The newly organized Camden Fire Department basketball club, managed by Edwin Wirtz, met Gimbel's of Philadelphia in a return game at Hatch Junior High School, having won the opener 69-64.