Charles S. Wolverton

CHARLES S. WOLVERTON  was born in Camden about 1857. A lifelong resident of North Camden, He married Martha Anderson about 1878. He was a close friend of David Baird Sr. and involved in many civic activities. He served on City Council, and was president of the Council for a time. He was one of the prime movers behind the drive that culminated in the establishment of Pyne Point Park. He lived at 601 State Street in North Camden for over 25 years, until his passing on August 8, 1935. 

Charles S. Wolverton worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad for almost 50 years. He worked for many years on the ferry. The 1880 Census shows him working as a steam boat pilot and living at 313 Birch Street. By 1887 he was working as a toll collector at the Vine Street Ferry. In the mid 1880s the Wolverton family lived at 66 Vine Street, where they are listed as living in the 1887-1888 Camden City Directory. He is listed in the city directories from 1888 through 1891 as living at 612 North 5th Street. Charles S. Wolverton rose to the position of Superintendent of the Cooper's Point Ferry, and held that post until it discontinued its service on October 31, 1926. He also served on the Camden Board of Education up until the time of his death in August of 1935. In that role he was the first chairman of the Camden Training and High School, later known as Burrough Junior High, Charles S. Wolverton grew up as a member of Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church and served in a number of capacities as a church officer over the course of his lifetime of Tabernacle and, after the 1924 merger, of Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Charles S. Wolverton was survived by two sons, Walter P. Wolverton, and Charles A. Wolverton, who served 16 terms as a Congressman from New Jersey. 

The Vine Street Ferry Terminal

Operated for many years by the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Cooper's Point, or Vine Street Ferry operated between Camden and Philadelphia. The Ferry was able to remain profitable even with competition from three other ferries in Camden, but the opening of the Delaware River Bridge brought a quick end to the service. The last run of the ferry was made on October 31, 1926, only a few months after the opening of the then new bridge. The top photo dates from the 1890s. Charles S. Wolverton was the superintendent of the ferry for many years, retiring when it closed.

Philadelphia Inquirer * February 11, 1890

...continued...

Cooper B. Hatch  - Wilbur F. Rose
Joseph Batten - Thomas Bowers
George M. Cline  - Monroe S. Coulter
George S. Cadwallader - Samuel R. Coles
Howard A. Clement - John W. Croft
Charels A. Greer - Isaiah S. Hatch
Joseph E. haines - William Heggan Sr.
Pank R. Jobes - Joseph I. Morris
John M. McFeeley - William P. Phelps
Cornelius Schepperkotter
Charles C. Stevenson
William F. Thompson
George W.. Turner
Everett Van Dright
Charles S. Wolverton
Howard T. Wright

 Two of the Cooper Street property owners who appeared at a hearing this morning at City Hall protested assessments to be levied against them for the widening of the thoroughfare from Fourth to Ninth Streets. 

The objectors declared they did not feel that it was fair that they should be taxed for improvements from which they derive no benefit. Their protests were beard by the Commissioner of Assessments in the commission chambers at the hall. 

The commissioners, Charles S. Wolverton, Wilbur B. Ellis, and James F. Lennon, said after the hearing that they will give further consideration to the complaints before submitting their report to the city commission. This will be done, they said, in the case of two complaints from property owners along Baird Boulevard, who protested being taxed for the planting of trees and the grading of “islands” on that thoroughfare from Bank Street lo Maplewood Avenue. A public hearing on this improvement also was conducted this morning. 

Thomas J. Daley, city engineer and clerk of the assessment commission by virtue of his position, explained after the hearing that the two Baird Boulevard property owners said they felt that the expenses of the improve­ment should be borne by the people who erected the properties along the highway.

Daley said that each abutting property owner on Cooper Street, from Fourth to Ninth Street, will pay an assess­ment of approximately $5.50 per front foot for the widening. The city tax­payers as a whole, he said, will also bear $5.50 per front foot, the other half of the cost of the improvement. The total cost of the widening, he reported was $35126, of which abutting property owners will pay $17,400, and the city taxpayers about $17,700.

The Baird Boulevard improvement, Daley said, cost a total of $3,020, of which the abutting property owners will pay $2,140 and the city taxpayer, as whole, $880. The cost to such property owner per lot, he explained, will be about $10, all lots being about 20 feet wide.

An assessment on both improvements, Daley reported, will be fixed by the city after the commissioners of assessment file their report. The city commission will then fix a date when property owners who may have objections may appear at a public hearing.

February 21, 1928

Wilbur B. Ellis
James F. Lennon