Walter D. Eastlack
WALTER DAYTON EASTLACK was born on May 30, 1889 in Camden to Annie and John H. Eastlack. The family was living at 621 Royden Street in the latter half of 1888. By the summer of 1890 they had moved to 710 Spruce Street. His uncle, Thomas Eastlack, had been a member of the Camden Fire Department in the 1870s.
When the Census was taken in 1900, Walter Eastlack, his parents and older brother Ralph were living at 431 Pine Street, a few doors away from the Camden Fire Department's Engine Company 1, located at 409 Pine Street. John Eastlack was then working as a moulder. Living next door at 433 Pine Street was Thomas Verlander and his family; he served for a time with the Fire Department, but was then working as a house painter. The Eastlacks remained at 431 Pine Street through 1906.
The 1910 Census shows Walter Eastlack was again living with his parents, now at 703 Spruce Street in South Camden. The census states he was married, but his wife was not living with him at the time. Walter D. Eastlack was then working in a factory as a spring maker.
By 1918 Walter Eastlack had remarried. His new wife, the former Erma Anna Stortzenback, was 11 years his junior. She was the step-daughter of a Camden Fire Department member, Joseph T. Johnson. The Eastlacks were living in Westmont, New Jersey and working as an engineer at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard. By January of 1920 Walter and Erma Eastlack had moved to 317 Vine Street in North Camden. He was then working as a crane operator at one of Camden's many shipyards. The 1924 City Directory shows them at 535 Birch Street.
Walter D. Eastlack was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on March 3, 1925 and was initially assigned to Engine Company 4. During his 29 year career with the Camden Fire Department, Walter Eastlack served with Engine Company 1, Engine Company 3, Engine Company 4, Engine Company 7, Engine Company 10, Engine Company 11, Ladder Company 1, and Ladder Company 3.
The 1927 City Directory and the April 1930 Census shows Walter and Erma Eastlack living at 1165 Chase Street. His parents were also living at that address when the Census was taken. The Eastlacks were still at 1165 Chase Street as late as 1931. When the 1940 City Directory was compiled, Walter Eastlack was living with his wife Erma at 1251 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside.
Walter D. Eastlack retired from the Camden Fire Department on March 15, 1954, having served the last 13 years of his career with Engine Company 3 at 1815 Broadway in South Camden. Officially, he was still at the Kenwood Avenue address when he retired, however, all evidence in the form of newspaper clippings points to him having moved to Collingswood, New Jersey by January of 1950. Walter Eastlack's last known address is Cedar Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. Walter Eastlack died in January of 1964 survived by his wife, who joined him in May of 1976.
Fire Department Personnel Record
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Thomas T. S. Eastlack
Thomas T. S. Eastlack (1853-1927) was a Camden, NJ firefighter with Engine Company 2 from 1874 to 1876 and an iron foundry engineer and crane operator.
Mrs. Emma E. Johnson
Obituary of Mrs. Emma E. Johnson, 77, of 626 Pine Street — wife of retired Camden fireman Joseph T. Johnson and stepmother-in-law of Walter Eastlack.
East Camden Home Destroyed by Fire
A fire of unknown origin destroyed the three-story home of Mrs. Edith Saunders at 744 North 24th Street in February 1939, narrowly injuring fireman Walter Eastlack when the rear roof collapsed.
Bott Chosen Head of Policemen, Firemen
Herbert Bott was re-elected president of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association on February 9, 1933, with William P. Spencer winning a three-cornered fight for vice president.
Cops and Firemen Will Elect Today
Notice of the February 9, 1933 election of officers of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association, with Herbert Bott unopposed for president. Russell Anderson was among ten candidates for fireman trustee.