William
M.
Thayer

WILLIAM MORTIMER THAYER taught mathematics at Camden High School for 28 years prior to his retirement in February of 1938. He was born on August 27, 1875 in New York to a farmer, Mortimer Thayer and his wife Lucy. The Thayers lived in Niles NY when the 1880 Census was enumerated. Besides William there was a younger sister, who died before she was 20. A younger brother, Earl, was born in November of 1883. The Thayer family had moved to Moravia NY by the middle of 1900. Mortimer Thayer supported his family through the rents he collected as a landlord. 

William Thayer married his wife Emily around 1903, a daughter, Helen was born on February 26, 1909. William Thayer came to teach in Camden that year. During his tenure in the Camden school system he resided in Collingswood NJ. Both William and Emily Thayer were still living in Collingswood, at 324 Lees Avenue, as late as 1947. Their daughter Helen was then a teacher at Cooper B. Hatch Junior High School in Camden. 

Helen Thayer resided at the Lees Avenue address in Collingswood until her passing on January 12, 2000.

Camden High School Mathematics Department * Fall, 1936

Top, from left: Mr. Harry J. Balls, Mr. Chester V. Koppenhaver Mr. William W. Duthie
Bottom: Miss Anne Creveling, Miss Mabel E. Lewis, Mr. William M. Thayer, Miss Viola M. Blaisdell, Mr. Philip A. Randle, Miss Marion Lukens

Camden Courier-Post * February 1, 1938

WM. THAYER ENDS 28 YEARS AS TEACHER

William M. Thayer: who has taught mathematics in Camden High School 28 years will retire today to go fishing. He is chairman of the mathematics department.

Teacher, philosopher and angler, he has a host of friends. The faculty of the school presented a casting rod to him as a token of friendship.

The veteran teacher came to Camden in 1909 and taught here from that time on except the 1913-14 year, when he taught in the Philadelphia schools. He is a graduate of the Courtland Normal School and Teachers' College of Columbia University. He lives at 324 Lees Avenue, Collingswood.