Virgil Willett

Virgil Willett was born in Pennsylvania around 1838 to Joseph P. and Elizabeth Willett. His father worked as a mason, and Virgil spent his early years in Moorland, Montgomery County. He came to Camden after 1850 and married Leonora Campbell on August 18, 1862. The following day he enlisted as a corporal in Company C of the 12th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was confirmed as a full corporal on September 4 and promoted to sergeant on October 1. During his service he saw extensive action, was captured and later paroled, and remained with his unit until being mustered out at Annapolis, Maryland, on June 29, 1865. He served alongside his brother‑in‑law, George R. Danenhower, who also returned to Camden after the war.

The 12th New Jersey Infantry Regiment was organized in July 1862 under Colonel Robert C. Johnson of Salem. Woodbury, Gloucester County, was chosen as the rendezvous point, and on July 25 about 950 men were mustered into service. While many officers had prior experience, most of the men were new to military life but quickly adapted. On September 7 the regiment left New Jersey for Washington, but was redirected at Baltimore by General Wool to Ellicott City, Maryland.

At Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, the regiment fought its first major battle, suffering heavy losses of 179 killed, wounded, or missing. At Gettysburg, beginning July 2, the regiment engaged Confederate sharpshooters near the Emmitsburg Road, capturing six officers and eighty men but losing Captain Horsfall and wounding Lieutenant Eastwick. The following day they were heavily engaged, with additional casualties. Later actions included Auburn Mills and Bristoe Station in October 1863, Mine Run in November, and Morton's Ford in February 1864.

Between May and June 1864 the regiment fought in fifteen engagements, including the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor, where losses were severe and several officers were killed or wounded. The regiment continued in action at Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Reams' Station, and Boydton Road, and in the winter of 1864–65 fought at Hatcher's Run. It remained active through the Petersburg campaign and Lee's retreat, finally mustering out in June and July 1865. In total, the regiment numbered 1,899 men and lost 261 to death, with many more wounded, discharged, or transferred.

By 1870 Willett was living in Camden's North Ward with his wife Leonora, son Joseph, and daughters Clara and Leonora G. ("Gertie"). Another son, Virgil, was born soon after, though Joseph died during the 1870s. Willett listed his occupation as "dealer in milk" in the 1870 census. During the 1870s he entered the coffee‑packing business, which he continued through the 1880 census while living at 501 North 3rd Street. By 1887 he had moved to 828 North 2nd Street in North Camden, and by early 1888 he had shifted into the grocery trade in Philadelphia. He filed for his Civil War pension on September 4, 1890.

Willett was active in civic and fraternal life. He belonged to the Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5 of the Grand Army of the Republic, where he occasionally spoke at events, and was a member of Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church. He also held long‑standing memberships in New Jersey Lodge No. 1 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Camden Lodge No. 1 of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In George Reeser Prowell's History of Camden County, New Jersey (1886), Willett is listed among the officers of Camden Lodge No. 1.

George Reeser Prowell wrote the following in his History of Camden County, New Jersey which was published in 1886:

Ancient Order of United Workmen.

The object of this order is to embrace and give equal protection to all classes and kinds of labor, mental and physical; to strive earnestly to improve the moral, intellectual and social condition of its members; to create a fund for the benefit of its members during sickness or other disability, and, in case of death, to pay a stipulated sum for each member, thus guaranteeing his family against want. Its jurisdictions are a Supreme Lodge, Grand and Subordinate Lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware is thus officered: G. M. W., John J. Gallagher, of Wilmington, Del.; G. F., William H. Vermilye, Jersey City, N. J.; G. O., James A. Vansant, Camden, N. J.; G. G., John W. Diefendorf, Wilmington, Delaware; G. R., A. F. Colbert, Baltimore; G. Receiver, Myer Hirsch, Baltimore; G. M. E., G. S. Wilkins, M.D., Baltimore.

Camden Lodge, No. 1. was chartered January 27, 1879, with these officers : Master Workman, Joseph R. Leaming; Foreman, Charles Markley; Overseer, George W. Coles; Recorder, Harry Ladow; Financier, William Thegen; Receiver, Albert P. Brown; Guide, William P. Partenheimer; Inside Watchman, Benjamin M. Denny; Outside Watchman, William Jones; Medical Examiner, H. Genet Taylor, M.D. These were also charter members, Moore Beideman, Robert L. Barber, John F. Benner, De Witt C. France, Joel H. Evaul, Henry S. Fortiner, George R. Fortiner, Howard L. Gandy, Merritt Horner, William Struthers, Benjamin G. Smith, William H. Stansbury, Marmaduke B. Taylor, Frank S. Wells, John S. Wells. The lodge has one hundred and forty-eight members, with these officers: Past Master Workman, J. C. Prickett; Master Workman, Virgil Willett; Foreman, J. H. Le Chard; Overseer, R. R. Lewellen; Receiver, W. R. Lun drum; Financial Secretary, Charles Markley; Recording Secretary, John Woltjen; Guide, J. S. Pike; Inside Watchman, John W. Clopper, Jr.; Outside Watchman, J. H. Evaul; Medical Examiner, E. R. Smiley, M.D.

Virgil Willett died in Camden on January 16, 1899, at the age of 62. He was survived by his wife, Leonora Campbell Willett.