Camden People - Charles H. Fitsimmons III

Charles H. Fitzsimmons III

CHARLES H. FITZSIMMONS III was born around 1856 in Philadelphia. He came to Camden in 1874. At the time of the 1880 Census he was married, living with wife, the former Anna Carey, and son Charles IV at 249 Sycamore Street, and working as a sail maker. he followed that trade into the 1890s. As he named his own son Charles Fitzsimmons and a grandson was born, also named Charles Fitzsimmons, in later years he was simply referred to by his full name or as Charles Fitzsimmons Sr.

Charles Fitzsimmons became active in local politics. He was appointed as an extra man to the Camden Fire Department in the spring of 1883, replacing William Suders. After serving for one year with Engine Company 2, Charles Fitzsimmons was replaced in turn by W.H. Whalland.

The 1887-1888 Camden City Directory shows him living at 287 Sycamore Street, the 1888-1889 Directory states 272 Sycamore. The the 1890-1891 Directory gives 1133 South 3rd as his address. He was still following the sailmaker's trade as late as 1890.

Charles H. Fitzsimmons was appointed to the police force

on April 1, 1894 by then-Mayor John L. Westcott. After an exemplary and distinguished career in uniform, he began working as a detective in 1912, during the administration of Mayor Charles H. Ellis.

On August 1, 1913 Charles Fitzsimmons, along with Fiore Troncone and George V. Murry were promoted to the detective squad, then led by Captain William Schregler. All had been working in plainclothes for several months prior to the official promotion.

By 1900 Charles H. Fitzsimmons had moved next door to 1135 South 3rd Street. The family was still there as late as 1914, according to the Camden City Directory. By the spring of 1918 he, his wife, and daughter Anna had moved to 1421 1421 Bradley Avenue in the Parkside section of Camden. This would be his home until he passed away. By January of 1920, when the Census was taken, Charles Fitzsimmons' son Charles, daughter-in-law Nellie, and grand-daughter Anna were also living at the Bradley Avenue address.

Detective Fitzsimmons retired on December 31, 1931, due to age and problems with his eyesight. He had been assigned to watch over the Parkside Trust at Haddon and Kaighn Avenues as a result of his failing eyesight. He had faith that an operation could restore his vision, and this turned out to be the case.

Detective Charles H. Fitzsimmons III died at Cooper Hospital on June 8, 1938. He was preceded in death by his wife Anna, who left this earth in December of 1937, and his son, who had passed in 1922.

After a funeral at 1401 Princess Avenue, Charles H. Fitzsimmons III was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.

Philadelphia Inquirer - December 31, 1900

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Arthur Stanley - Hugh Frier - Charles H. Fitzsimmons III

Philadelphia Inquirer - July 19, 1903

William Rudolph - Charles A. Rudolph
Van Buren Street - Van Hook Street
William Harvey - Thomas Pooley - Alfred S. Snow
Charles Fitzsimmons - Charles Cornog
Edward S. Hyde

Philadelphia Inquirer - February 12, 1905

George S. Dilmore's Saloon - Charles Fitzsimmons
Kaighn Avenue - 4th Street

Philadelphia Inquirer - January 12, 1906

Camden Post-Telegram
January 12, 1906

John Foster
Charles H. Fitzsimmons
Henry C. Moffett
O. Glen Stackhouse
Mike McGurk
Leaven's Clothing Store
Kaighn Avenue

Philadelphia Inquirer
January 10, 1909

Charles H. Fitzsimmons - E.E. Jefferis
South 2nd Street - WIlliam Creamer

Philadelphia Inquirer - August 1, 1910

Howard Kingsland - Charles Fitzsimmons

Philadelphia Inquirer - February 21, 1911

Ellen Stratton - Charles Fitzsimmons

Philadelphia Inquirer - February 27, 1912

Abe Harker - Isaac Barton - Charles Fitzsimmons

Camden Post-Telegram - April 26, 1912

Charles H. Fitzsimmons - Clarence Boyer - Henry C. Moffett Broadway - Pine Street - Division Street - 5th Street

Philadelphia Inquirer - July 15, 1912

O. Glen Stackhouse - Solomon Rubenstein - William Jubb - Kaighn Avenue - 3rd Street

Philadelphia Inquirer
December 23, 1912

James Kelly - Frank Lee Dickinson
Penn Street

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of Complete Article

Philadelphia Inquirer - November 18, 1913

William Schregler - Fiore Troncone - Charles Fitzsimmons
Joseph Zitz - Elizabeth Jeter - Sinclair Jeter - Elbridge B. McClong

Philadelphia Inquirer - January 1, 1914

Charles Fitzsimmons - Florence Street
Robert Petitt - Catherine Petitt - John Petitt

Philadelphia Inquirer - March 23, 1914

Lawrence Doran - William J. Kraft - Charles H. Fitzsimmons - John Brothers

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Philadelphia Inquirer - February 9, 1915

O. Glen Stackhouse - Charles H. Fitzsimmons - Thomas S. Reed
West Jersey Hospital

Philadelphia Inquirer
March 7, 1915

James Weeks
John McAleck
Charles H. Fitsimmons III
O. Glen Stackhouse
South 4th Street
Jackson Street

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of Compete Article

Philadelphia Inquirer
May 21, 1915

Andrew Miller
Joseph Cooper
Ferry Avenue
O. Glen Stackhouse
Central Avenue

Philadelphia Inquirer - May 22, 1915

Joseph J. Cooper - Central Avenue - Ferry Avenue - Andrew Miller - Mary Miller - Peter Gondolf

Philadelphia Inquirer - May 23, 1915

Joseph J. Cooper - Central Avenue - Ferry Avenue - Andrew Miller - Mary Miller Charles H. Fitzsimmons III - Joshua C. Haines

Philadelphia Inquirer - March 20, 1916

Viola Street - Wilson Cresswell

COLORED GIRL GETS BENEFIT OF DOUBT

Given the benefit of the doubt, Frances Benson, colored, aged 23 years, giving her address as Locust Street, was this morning freed by Recorder Stackhouse after she had been arraigned on a disorderly charge by Detective Fitzsimmons., who caught the girl trying back gates and doors of houses on Locust Street.

Suspicious of the girl’s actions, the detective arrested her. Represented by attorney Powell Martin, the girl said she was hunting for a friend who lived in the row.

Camden
Post-Telegram

July 20, 1916

*Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel June 14, 1921**


	Ernest Grief Jr. - Emma Grief - Charles Whaland O. Glen Stackhouse - George Wagner

Philadelphia Inquirer
November 26, 1922

E.G.C. Bleakly
John Golden
William E. Albert
John Painter
Charles Fitzsimmons
Thomas Brothers
Edwin Thomas - Richard Golden
William Lyons
Milton Stanley - Howard Smith
Charles A. Wolverton
James E. Tatem - Edward Hyde

This story erred in reporting, as retirement at age 65 was NOT mandatory at the time. William E. Albert, Richard Golden, Frank Matlack, and Edwin Thomas did retire. John Golden, John Painter, Charles Fitzsimmons, Thomas Brothes, and William Lyons continued to work in the Police Department. John Golden was eventually promoted to Chief of Police.

Camden Courier-Post - June 9, 1938