Biographical Sketch of Stephen GREENE (1831-1908); Philadelphia Co., PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith 
[christillavalley@comcast.net] 

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"Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years"
Publisher:  S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912   
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer
Vol. 3, page 40

 

STEPHEN GREENE
     A life of usefulness and honor has caused the name of Stephen Greene to 
be indelible inscribed upon the pages of Philadelphia's history wherein is 
found the records of those men whose service in any, connection has been of 
signal benefit to the city. It has been said "Stephen Greene needs no monument 
of marble to perpetuate his memory,the recollection of his life of honor and 
usefulness and of his kind and charitable nature being his most fitting 
memorial." In business circles he was best known as the founder and president 
of the firm of printers and publishers which bears his name.
     His birth occurred at Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, on the 25th 
of September, 1831, but he was only in his third year when his parents removed 
to Pennsylvania. Two years later, in 1836, the public-school system of the 
state was organized and the following year he reached the required age of 
admission to the public schools, which he attended at Marietta, Columbia and 
Washington in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, until 1845. He was also a 
student in private schools during summer months and made his home with his 
parents in Columbia until 1846, when he left home to become a teacher of a 
public school in Hellam township, York county, Pennsylvania, where he remained 
through the following winter.
     After the close of the school Mr. Greene carefully  considered the 
question of his future and decided that he would learn the printing business. 
In October, 1947, he entered the printing office of the Pennsylvania 
Intelligencer at Harrisburg, Dauphin county, and through the ensuing winter he 
had practical training and experience in all of the work of the office, 
including every task that devolves upon an apprentice to the trade. His duties 
were discharged cheerfully, willingly and without demur. At that period the 
press work of the great majority of city and country newspapers was executed 
on Washington, Columbian and other hand presses. In May, 1848, Mr. Greene left 
the Intelligencer to accept a position in the office of the Columbia Spy at 
Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In July, 1849, he arrived in 
Philadelphia and by the exercise of those principles of honor and business 
integrity which have been his guide through all the years of his residence in 
this city he became one of Philadelphia's most distinguished citizens. He was 
first employed as a compositor in the office of the late William S. Young, on 
Sixth street below Arch, and while thus engaged he devoted his nights largely 
to "subbing" on the Daily News, then published on Third Street below Chestnut. 
In the fall of that year, however, he returned to Columbia to assume charge of 
the mechanical department of the Columbia Spy, which position he occupied almost 
continuously until April, 1853, when be became one of the editors and proprietors. 
In 1855 he purchased the interests of his partners and became sole editor and 
proprietor, continuing the publication of the paper until 1856, when he sold out 
and in 1858 removed to Philadelphia to organize the new firm of Ringwalt & Brown, 
printers, at No. 34 South Third street, of which he was the active member. He 
retired from this firm in 1860 and the following year accepted the position of 
superintendent of the printing establishment of the late Henry G. Leisenring at 
No. 32 South Third street. There, in 1862, the first presses used in Philadelphia 
for printing consecutively numbered local and coupon, railroad and other tickets 
were introduced under his direction. By his efforts and management the volume of 
business was so largely increased that it was necessary to seek larger quarters, 
which were secured in the building at Nos. 237 and 239 Dock street. In 1871 Mr. 
Greene severed his connection with the Leisenring Printing House and became a 
member of the firm of Helfenstein, Lewis & Greene and in April 1881, became sole 
proprietor of the business. In 1900 the business was incorporated under the name 
of The Stephen Greene Company and in 1902 a large new plant was erected at 
Sixteenth and Arch streets. Mr. Greene continued as president until his death.
     For about sixty years he was engaged in the printing business and during 
that entire period it was his constant aim to take advantage of the most improved 
machinery, to elevate the general standard of all classes of printing and foster 
a correct taste. Aside from his interest in that connection he was well known in 
other ways as a reliable and capable business man. He was one of the directors of 
the West End Trust Company and various other business organizations. In 1880 he 
became interested in real estate in Wenonah, New Jersey, and to the upbuilding 
and improvement of that place he gave largely of his time and means during the 
remainder of his life. He was always ready and willing to aid and impart 
information to others and made friends of all his business associates and secured 
the respect of his contemporaries.
     Business interests were never allowed to interfere with his duties and 
obligations in other relations of life and in many ways he voluntarily assumed 
obligations whereby his fellowmen were benefited. He instituted the Wenonah 
Military Academy, now a large and prosperous school, gave the ground for and built 
the Methodist church at that place. He devoted much attention to aiding in the 
management of various benevolent, philanthropic and religious organizations, to 
which his time, counsel and aid were freely and helpfully given. He was for many 
years a member of the Franklin Institute and for some years acted as one of its 
board of managers. For over a quarter of a century he was a member of the board 
of trustees of the Drew Theological Seminary and for a long period he was one of 
the leading spirits in the Philadelphia School of Design, acting as a member of 
its board of managers and for some years as its president. He always took a keen 
interest in educational work, was a warm and generous friend of the university 
and assisted many young people in securing an education. For several yes prior 
to his death he was president of the Methodist Episcopal Hospital and devoted a 
great deal of time and money to the upbuilding of that institution. Though always 
an Episcopalian in religious faith, he was a very active supporter of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife belonged. Following their removal 
to Germantown, however, in 1888, both became active members of St. Peter's 
Episcopal church, of which Mr. Greene served as a vestryman for nearly twenty 
years and as rector's warden for nearly fifteen years. In addition to other 
relations and activities of life he was a member of the Academy of Natural 
Sciences, the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the Union League Club and the 
Manufacturers Club and was, moreover, a prominent Mason.
     In 1853 Mr. Greene was noted in marriage to Miss Martha Mifflin Houston, of 
Columbia Pennsylvania, who survives him together with one son and five daughters. 
The death of the husband and father occurred May 21, 1908, when he had reached the 
age of seventy-seven years. Only pleasant memories of his life and work remain. He 
was a man of the most kindly disposition, who believed in doing his charities 
without ostentation, so that the exact extent of his many benevolences may never 
be known, but he will live forever in the hearts of many to whom be was a most kind 
and considerate friend. He gave freely to private and public charity but there was 
no ostentation attached thereto. In fact, he was rather reserved than communicative, 
but when one sought his counsel or advice he gave it freely, and his wisdom has 
proven a vital element in the successful conduct of many interests which were 
promoted along lines that he indicated. At his passing the press and public spoke 
of him in terms of highest praise and regard. His love for the Creator was manifest 
in his consideration for and helpfulness toward his fellowmen. He ever had before 
him high ideals and strove earnestly for their attainment. He recognized the 
shortcomings and the needs of men and sought to stimulate others to higher and 
better living, extending a helping hand or speaking an encouraging word whenever 
opportunity offered.





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