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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