Frederick Morse

Frederick William Sheppard Morse was born in New Jersey on February 18, 1880, to Captain William and Annie Morse. His father, originally from Germany, immigrated to America in 1870 and eventually became a sea captain, while his mother was born in Nova Scotia.

In the 1881-1882 City Directory, the Morse family was listed at 625 Line Street. By the end of 1881, they had moved to what is now North 28th Street in East Camden, then part of the town of Stockton. Since early City Directories did not include street numbers outside Camden's city limits, and street names changed throughout the 1880s and 1890s, it is likely that William Morse and his family settled in a newly built frame house at what later became 200 North 28th Street. By 1894, the City Directory listed William Morse, a waterman, at this address. The 1900 Census confirmed that the Morse family owned their home at 200 North 28th Street, which had become part of Camden in 1899.

At the time of the 1900 Census, Frederick Morse had recently married Mary, with their wedding taking place just two months prior. He was employed as a clothing cutter.

Frederick was involved in several fraternal organizations, including Black Hawk Tribe No. 78 of the Improved Order of Red Men and Camden Lodge 293 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Likely active in politics as well, he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 4, 1904. By June 1909, he was stationed with Ladder Company 3, located nearby at North 27th and Federal Streets. He was promoted to Lieutenant on March 5, 1913. Although he was still with the Fire Department when the 1914 City Directory was published, by September 1918, he had left and taken a position with the Camden Board of Education as custodian of the Alfred Cramer School at South 28th and Mickle Streets. He remained in this role through at least 1946.

Frederick and Mary did not have children. His father, Captain William Morse, passed away during the 1920s, and his mother, Annie, lived with them until her passing in 1933.

After retiring from the Camden Board of Education in 1954, Frederick continued to reside at 200 North 28th Street. He passed away on June 2, 1957, survived by his wife, Mary, and a daughter, Helen.