Port Norris Legends

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Legends of Port Norris

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Glenn W. "Bill" Horseman
August 23, 1930 - June 16, 2019

Bill has had several varied careers, from working as a linotype operator for the Port Norris newspaper The Advertiser Press - and later The Bridgeton Evening News, to becoming an investigator for the New Jersey Sales Tax Division. But for generations of Port Norris residents, Bill is known as the Postman.

Bill was Postmaster for the Port Norris Post Office from 1968 until his retirement in 1990. Bill served with a kind, friendly, and helpful quality that no amount of modern automation could ever replace. His personal touch is greatly missed.

Bill has been a volunteer fireman for the Port Norris Fire Company since 1951, at one time serving as 1st Assistant Chief. From 1954 to 56, Bill served the Nation in the U.S. Army. Bill served as Commercial Township's Tax Collector from 1963 to '72, and was President of the Cumberland County Tax Assessor's Association. Bill has served as Lay Leader of the Port Norris United Methodist Church for the past thirty years.

Bill has had a lifelong love of music, playing guitar and singing since the age of eleven. Since 1973, he has performed as a member of the local Dixieland band "The Brown Street Chowder Society".

Though in his retirement years, Bill has continued to work. From 1996 to 1998, he co-owned the E.L. Warren Lumber Co. in Port Norris.

Bill's has been a true leader in the community, serving humbly, honestly, and selflessly.

On November 22, 2009, Bill Horseman was recognized as a Living Legend of Port Norris.

Source: Bill Horseman

 

History of Port Norris Fire Company
As written by Glenn William “Bill” Horseman

Early minutes and available records indicate the Commercial Township Fire District #1 came into being at a meeting held May 25, 1907 in the K of P Hall in Port Norris. A Board of Fire Commissioners was appointed and Charles Maxfield was named the first Chief at a salary of $25 per year. Other officers elected we Charles B. Powell – President, Harry Bowden Jr – Vice President, Morton Bateman – Secretary, and G. Christy Yates – Treasurer.

The first engine was horse-drawn and it was voted to give $2 for the first horse arriving at the fire station after the alarm sounded. The east end of a building near “Dickey’s Ditch” was rented for $50 a year to house the fire engine.

Later that year a two-wheeled fire engine with two 35 gallon chemical tanks was purchased, and served the community for many years. A few years later a Reo motorized chassis was purchased and the two chemical tanks and hose were installed on it. Early accounts make reference to the purchase of a hook and ladder wagon for $135 and a Babcock chemical engine for $850

Mr. Maxfield and Harrison Hollinger shared the Chiefs responsibilities through 1907 and Jesse Prichard was named Chief in 1908. Other Chiefs who followed were: Champion Hollinger, Jesse H. Bacon, John C. Hollinger, Daniel J. Adams, George P. Berry, Norman Oliver, Floyd Morris, Henry W. Taylor, Warrington L. Hollinger, Edward H Horseman, Eugene Eichelberger, John T. Hoffman, Kenneth M. Reed, Kenneth Delrossi, John T. Hoffman, William Rhubart III

In 1936 a Diamond-T fully equipped fire truck was purchased from Ernie Day of NJ Fire Equipment in Dunellen, NJ. This engine served until 1957 when a 500-GPM Ford pumper/tanker replaced it. Today our fire company proudly boasts a 2012 3,000 gallon Mack Tender, 2005 1,800 gallon Elite Pumper, 1989 75′ Mack Aerialscope.

The brick fire hall was built on Main street in 1916, and although fine in appearance it eventually outgrew the company’s expansion and the community’s needs. The present fire house on Brown Street was constructed and dedicated in 1950. The rescue-bay was added in 1975. The fire house was remodeled in 1997 with a new roof, facing, painting and lettering.

Plans are in progress to restore the original fire hall on Main street and turn it into a museum along with a 1936 Diamond-T fire truck.

The Port Norris Fire Company has been a member of the NJ State Firemen’s relief association since its inception in 1907, and early records indicate delegates to the Convention in Atlantic City were paid $9.12 expenses. As of 1997 each delegate from Cumberland County received $379 for expenses to the Convention now being held in Wildwood. http://portnorrisfire.com/history-of-pnfc/

 

Obituary for Glenn William Horseman

GLENN WILLIAM HORSEMAN 88, of Port Norris died Sunday June 16, 2019 at home under hospice care. Born in Port Norris, he was the son of the late Glenn H. Horseman and Henrietta Paynter Horseman Godown and the husband of the late Verna Spencer Horseman, he was a lifetime resident of Port Norris. He was a US Army Veteran of the Korean War. He worked at the Advertiser Press from 1946-51, Bridgeton Evening News from 1951-66, NJ Sales Tax office, he served as Postmaster at Port Norris from 1968-1990, Laws & Laws, E.L. Warren Lumber, Wawa and Rossi Honda. He served as Commercial Twp. Tax Assessor from 1963-72, served on the Planning Board and was honored as a Living Legend of Port Norris in 2009. He was Scorekeeper for the Oyster League from 1946-50. Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Port Norris, where he sang his first song in church at age 11, he served as Lay Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Administrative Council, Trustee, and a member of the Methodist Men and church choir. He was also a member of the Port Norris Fire Company serving over 60 years and he held every position in the Company with the exception of being Chief. He was a Fire Commissioner, Commercial Twp. Fireman’s Relief Assoc. Treasurer, Past President of the Cumberland County Firemen’s Association and former Cumberland County Fireman of the Year, State of NJ Fireman’s Association Sergeant at Arms. He was a member of the Brown Street Chowder Society and followed Eddy Arnold from the age of 16, he enjoyed Photography and followed Phillies baseball and local players Larry Milbourne and Mike Trout. 

Surviving are his daughter, Carol Rodgers (Mike), son, Bill (Kim), grandchildren, Michael, Caitlin, Megan (fiancé Brent Robbins), great grandson, Jose, brother, Ed Horseman (Betty), sisters, Ruth Lee (Bill), Alice Garrison, Mary Lewis (Steve) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Leslie Godown and Maternal Grandparents William and Adelia Paynter.

Funeral Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Port Norris North Ave. & Main St. on Saturday June 22, 2019 at 12:00 noon, with Rev. James Peterson officiating. Interment will be in Port Norris Cemetery. A viewing will be held Saturday June 22, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the church.
Memorial Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 111 Port Norris, NJ 08349 or the Port Norris Fire Company P.O. Box 115 Port Norris, NJ 08349.


To email condolences and or tributes please visit www.hoffmanfuneralhomes.net

 

Our deepest sympathy to the entire family in the loss of Bill. He was a man of many talents and true Port Norris legend. God bless and comfort you all.
Friends, 
Jim and Carole (Cobb) Robbins

My prayers go out to Bill's family. Bill was an exceptional father and loved his children so much. I have good memories of being at his house with Carol. Everyone always had a wonderful word to say about Bill. He was a staple for the Port Norris Community. He will be missed sorely.
God Bless - Karen Hand

I'll remember Bill mostly as a gentleman. I also loved to hear him sing and play his guitar. He will be missed...goodbye dear friend.
Bobbie Stubee

I will hold fond memories of Bill close to my heart, all the family gatherings at Mary and Steve's home. Bill always had a smile, and a kind word to share. I was blessed to have known him. With heartfelt sympathy to all of the family.
Janice M. Conrad 

So sorry for your loss.i worked with mr bill at the Dorchester wawa.we always had a good time and he always had a smile on his face.he is definitely gonna be missed by so many
hope langlois

We have so many good memories of Bill (to many to share), but mostly while he worked with John at the station. Really enjoyed his singing (On the Way to Cape May). Every time we hear Eddy Arnold sing, we think of Bill.
We are thinking of you all during this sad time.
John and Janice Laws

Please accept our sincerest condolences for the passing of Bill. He was a friend to all he met and a good friend to Paulie. He was one who watched out for Paulie and that was commendable. Bill was a gifted guitarist and singer who sang at 4th UMC many times. We loved to hear him sing and he had fun singing "I am my own grandpa". Our families have been friends for many years and have many good memories. Bill will be sorely missed.
Sincerely; Dick, Linda, Brian and Jenn Keller

Condolences to billy (kim) and the Horseman family.mr.Horseman was the best postmaster.he always had a smile on his face.he would have post office open at 7am ready to help u with whatever you needed.everytime i ride thru town and pass old post office building i automatically think of mr.Horseman.another port norris icon gone on to glory.rest in paradise. Kelly Hickman

Bill was a welcome addition to our guitar group in Riverwoods.He also was a regular in our annual revue.He will be missed by all.Comfort to all the family and Jean. Carolyn and Ron Rowe

Dear Carol and Bill, Mr Bill used to visit my mother Sarah Jane O'Brien/Robbins, myself, Rose and my husband Carl, a Pastor in Florida. We loved his visits because he would bring his guitar and sing for our church during Sunday Services. We always had dinner on the grounds when he and friends visited. Usually the friends were Lehma and Eddie Gibson from Port Norris and Texas. I am glad I saw him in 2017 at the Legend's Banquet. Although mother passed June 15th, 2015 I know she would have us send our most sincerest sympathies to you both and all your family. God now has one more Specially Talented Angel. He will be missed. Rose Rainear