Introduction
Elmer Ellsworth Long.
ELMER ELLSWORTH LONG was born in Williamstown NJ to Andrew and Anna Maria Morgan Long on November 26, 1861. After completing his schooling at the age of 14, he went to work. After a year working in an Upper Darby PA general store, he came to Camden NJ, working for a number of different retailers, including J.R. Eastlack, J.F. Chew, Lizzie W. Frome, and at the Baker-Flick store. In 1904, with partner George A. Munger, he founded the Munger & Long Department Store. Located at Broadway and Federal Streets, the business was one of the leading retailers of its time, and was the city’s first modern department store. He was also the President of the American National Bank at 1213 Broadway, which merged with the Camden Trust in the 1930s.
During World War I, Elmer Long served as the Camden County chairman of the Liberty and Victory Loan and Red Cross committees. He also held interests in the Hurley store, Van Sciver furniture, Volney Bennett lumber, and other businesses. He served as a director of the Merchants’ Trust Company and the Stockton Building and Loan Association. He also was a member of Trimble Lodge No. 117, F & A.M. and the Improved Order of Red Men, among other organizations.
Elmer Long also was active for 30 years in the YMCA in Camden and Gloucester counties. After the Munger & Long store closed, he worked for the Baker-Flick Company. In January of 1938 he took a position as manager of the contract department with the Hurley store, specializing in sales to Camden County and other government agencies. He was on medical leave from the Hurley store when he passed away on March 13, 1942.
Station or No More Privileges Cry Camdenites
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Named: James E. Hewitt, Isaac V. Bradley, Elmer Ellsworth Long, Charles Shimer Boyer, Pennsylvania Railroad, and West Jersey & Seashore Railroad.
Pennsy Refuses to Retain Haddon Avenue Station
Undetermined Newspaper —
Haddon Avenue Station, Camden
Scenes at Station Camden demands shall remain – Pennsy Refuses to Retain Haddon Avenue Station
Greater Camden the Slogan at Board of Trade Banquet
Philadelphia Inquirer —
GREATER CAMDEN THE SLOGAN AT BOARD OF TRADE BANQUET
(Group photo: Mayor Chas H. Ellis, Judge C.V.D. Joline, Ex-Judge Howard Carrow, Edmund E. Read Jr., W.L. Hurley, John T. Dorrance)
Men Prominent in Business Affairs Sound Praises of Growing City at Annual Feast
A greater, more progressive Camden was the watchword at he [sic] annual banquet given by Camden’s Board of Trade last night. And that this means something is evident from the fact that it came from the city’s “Captains of Industry” to the number of two hundred.
It was Camden’s rejuvenated Board of Trade that gave the banquet and the interest taken was manifested by the presence of representatives from every business concern of any prominence in the city.
All Represented
There were bankers besides just ordinary business men, professional men of every character, and all were imbued with the spirit to make of Camden a place that will be known on the map throughout the country. William L. Hurley, president of the board, presided at the banquet.
“Generally speaking, we are satisfied with our city,” said Mayor Charles H. Ellis in responding to the toast, “Camden as it is,” “but, of course, there is room for improvement in many respects, and it rests with you gentlemen, you members of the Board of Trade to largely aid in solving our municipal problems.”
Former Judge Howard Carrow acted as toastmaster and, beside Mayor Ellis, those who responded to toasts were Congressman James H. Davidson, of Wisconsin, who spoke on “Boards of Trades;” Judge of the Court of Common Pleas C. V. D. Joline, “Camden’s Eighty Years;” Lawyer Edmund E. Read, president of the Board of Education, “Camden’s Future.”
One of the features of the occasion was the presentation of a life-size oil painting of President William Leonard Hurley, to the board, by Lawyer Harry C. Kramer. This came as a complete surprise to President Hurley, but he expressed his thorough appreciation of the honor.
Senator Philander C. Knox, of Pennsylvania, was among the specially invited guests and a warm welcome awaited him, but he was unavoidably detained.. [sic]
Some good points to Camden’s credit were enumerated in the menu cards as follows:
“Camden has within its borders a population of nearly 100,000 and shipbuilding firms that can either supply a launch or the greatest battleship; the largest lace curtain manufacturers in America; a talking machine that speaks every known language; iron works that make enough pipe to girdle the earth; leather manufacturers who tan skins from all parts of the globe; the largest furniture house, whose products reach the Philippines; banks and trust companies whose resources are not affected by panics; artesian water that can be taken without adding anything.”
The committee in charge of the occasion included John T. Dorrance, chairman; Edwin G. C. Bleakly, Harry C. Kramer, David A. Henderson and Samuel W. Sparks.
Among the Guests
Among the participants were Congressman Harry C. Loudenslager, Francis Howell, Walter Wood, Elmer E. Long, George W. Jessup, former Judge Joseph Gaskill, Volney G. Bennett, Wilbur F. Rose, Alexander C. Wood, George A. Frey, Charles A. Reynolds, Vice Chancellor E. B. Leaming, Heulings Lippincott, Charles K. Haddon, Fithian S. Simmons, Joseph B. Van Sciver, David Jester, Frank B. Sitley, Alpheus McCracken, Thomas S. Nekervis, DeCourcy May, Watson Depuy, Lionel C. Simpson, John M. Kelly, G. George Browning, William J. Browning, Isaac Ferris, John C. Danenhower, John R. McFeeley, Elias Davis, Anthony Kobus, Captain John B. Adams.
[Continuation of article — see anthonykobus-012808-inq-2.md for full text]
All Represented
There were bankers besides just ordinary business men, professional men of every character, and all were imbued with the spirit to make of Camden a place that will be known on the map throughout the country. William L. Hurley, president of the board, presided at the banquet.
“Generally speaking, we are satisfied with our city,” said Mayor Charles H. Ellis in responding to the toast, “Camden as it is,” “but, of course, there is room for improvement in many respects, and it rests with you gentlemen, you members of the Board of Trade to largely aid in solving our municipal problems.”
Former Judge Howard Carrow acted as toastmaster and, beside Mayor Ellis, those who responded to toasts were Congressman James H. Davidson, of Wisconsin, who spoke on “Boards of Trades;” Judge of the Court of Common Pleas C. V. D. Joline, “Camden’s Eighty Years;” Lawyer Edmund E. Read, president of the Board of Education, “Camden’s Future.”
[Continuation of article — see anthonykobus-012808-inq-2.md for full text]
One of the features of the occasion was the presentation of a life-size oil painting of President William Leonard Hurley. [sic] to the board, by Lawyer Harry C. Kramer. This came as a complete surprise to President Hurley, but he expressed his thorough appreciation of the honor.
Senator Philander C. Knox, of Pennsylvania, was among the specially invited guests and a warm welcome awaited him, but he was unavoidably detained.. [sic]
Some good points to Camden’s credit were enumerated in the menu cards as follows:
“Camden has within its borders a population of nearly 100,000 and shipbuilding firms that can either supply a launch or the greatest battleship; the largest lace curtain manufacturers in America; a talking machine that speaks every known language; iron works that make enough pipe to girdle the earth; leather manufacturers who tan skins from all parts of the globe; the largest [furniture house...]”
[Continuation of article — see anthonykobus-012808-inq-2.md for full text]
...furniture house, whose products reach the Philippines; banks and trust companies whose resources are not affected by panics; artesian water that can be taken without adding anything.“
The committee in charge of the occasion included John T. Dorrance, chairman; Edwin G. C. Bleakly, Harry C. Kramer, David A. Henderson and Samuel W. Sparks.
Among the Guests
Among the participants were Congressman Harry C. Loudenslager, Francis Howell, Walter Wood, Elmer E. Long, George W. Jessup, former Judge Joseph Gaskill, Volney G. Bennett, Wilbur F. Rose, Alexander C. Wood, George A. Frey, Charles A. Reynolds, Vice Chancellor E. B. Leaming, Heulings Lippincott, Charles K. Haddon, Fithian S. Simmons, Joseph B. Van Sciver, David Jester, Frank B. Sitley, Alpheus McCracken, Thomas S. Nekervis, DeCourcy May, Watson Depuy, Lionel C. Simpson, John M. Kelly, G. George Browning, William J. Browning, Isaac Ferris, John C. Danenhower, John R. McFeeley, Elias Davis, Anthony Kobus, Captain John B. Adams.
Unemployment Committee Named
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Circuit Court Judge Frank T. Lloyd yesterday accepted chairmanship of the Camden Chamber of Commerce Committee which is to study the unemployment question and make suggestions for remedial measures. With Judge Lloyd on the committee are: Alban Eavenson, of Eavenson & Levering; Belford G. Royal, of the Victor Talking Machine Company; Congressman Francis F. Patterson; Mayor Charles H. Ellis; former United States Senator David Baird; L. A. Hawkes, of the Hunt Pen Company; Frank Vanhart, president of City Council, and an official of the Esterbrook Pen Company; John Prentice, director of the Board of Freeholders; Burleigh B. Draper, of the Broadway Trust Company; A. C. Dorrance, of the Campbell Soup Company; Lawyer William S. Darnell; C. W. Tomlinson, of the R. M. Hollinshed Company; James V. Moran, of the Hurley Company; Rev. Thomas J. Whelen, pastor of the Church of the Holy Name; L. D. Johnson, of the State Employment Bureau; Rev. Charles B. Dubell, rector of St. John’s P. E. Church; Elmer E. Long, of Munger & Long; Mrs. Dr. A. H. Lippincott; Mrs. W. Penn Carson and Mrs. Harry Pelouze.
The committee was named by William E. Bennett, president of the Chamber of Commerce, whose aims are to have an immediate inquiry with the idea of a report being made by the end of the month.
South Jersey: A History, 1664–1924
Named: J.R. Eastlack, J.C. Chew, L.W. Frome, and Baker-Flick Store.
The Munger & Long Department Store
The Munger & Long Department Store at Broadway & Federal Street.
Federal Street, Looking West from Broadway. The Munger & Long Department Store is on the left.
Munger & Long Advertisement — 1915.
The Munger & Long Department Store as viewed from Broadway & Mickle Street, 1907.
The Baker-Flick Company
At 3rd & Market Streets, The Baker Flick Company was one of Camden’s leading department stores. Established by C.C. Chew, in 1870, the business was succeeded by the Baker-Flick Company in 1912. The Baker-Flick Company closed its doors in the 1930s. The building became the home of the Golden Rule Store in June of 1939.
The Baker-Flick Company, 3rd & Market Streets.
J.C. Penney Chain Leases Store Here
Camden Courier-Post —
J.C. PENNEY CHAIN LEASES STORE HERE
Old Munger & Long Site Acquired by Firm Entering Camden
The J. C. Penney Company, of New York, one of America’s big chain department stores, has taken a 20-year lease on the old Munger & Long department store property at Broadway and Federal Street, until recently occupied by Stecker & Sons.
This announcement, comprising one of the most far-reaching developments in Camden’s real estate and mercantile fields in recent years, was made yesterday by the Lit Company, 207 North Sixth street, who negotiated the lease with John O. Wilson and Furman A. DeMaris, attorneys for Clarence A. and Herbert N. Munger, the owners.
The Penney company will take possession and begin operation of the new store about August 1. New floors will be laid, new show windows built, and the most modern lighting and ventilating arrangements will be installed.
The terms of the Penney company lease were not disclosed, but the gross rental consideration for the 20-year period was reported to be more than $1,000,000. The new tenants will take over the entire building, four floors and basement, with nearly 50,000 feet of floor space, except for a small section on the ground floor corner occupied by a Schulte cigar store, and a portion of the first floor rear which even under the Stecker management has been used by the F. W. Woolworth Company.
The Penney organization has stores in every state of the Union, with yearly sales around $180,000,000, and the Camden unit will be the 146th store in the chain.
“The leasing of the old Munger & Long property by the Penney organization should go far toward increasing business in Camden’s entire retail shopping district,” said an official of the Lit Company.
J. C. Penney started with one store and $500 cash in a town of 900 persons in Wyoming 30 years ago, doing $29,000 in sales his first year. Operating on a partnership arrangement under which store managers have acquired common stock in the company, the organization expanded to 500 stores in 22 years, mostly in the West, which have been nearly tripled in the last eight years.
Armitage Resigns as Secretary of Y
Camden Courier-Post —
Consolidation of City and County Institutions Now Being Planned
Arthur E. Armitage, Collingswood’s commissioner of public works, yesterday resigned as general secretary of the Camden Young Men’s Christian Association.
This was announced following a meeting of the “Y” board of directors. The resignation is due to become effective September 15. That date will mark the twentieth year Armitage has served the Y. M. C. A. movement. Seventeen of these years have been with the local association.
Fulfillment of an early ambition and a desire to devote his time to other interests, was expressed by Armitage as the basis for his resignation.
Consolidation Planned
At the board meeting, over which Wilfred W. Fry presided, a proposal was considered to consolidate the local “Y” with the Camden County Y. M. C. A. Armitage was named with Charles Wagner and E. W. Stedman as a committee of three to study the plan and confer with officials of the county unit.
The retiring secretary first entered the young men’s work as boys’ physical director at the Orange Young Men’s Christian Association, on September 15, 1913. He remained there two years and then took up similar duties with the Carney’s Point Y. M. C. A. when the movement was sponsored there by the duPont interests. On September 15, 1916 he became educational secretary of the Camden “Y” and later was appointed general secretary.
In tendering his resignation he remarked:
“My interest in the ‘Y’ movement is just as keen as ever, but I feel since I have given 20 of my best years to the work and have fulfilled an early ambition that now I would like to devote time to other interests.”
Founded Law School
Armitage’s other interests include the South Jersey Law School, which he conceived in 1926 and advanced with the aid of Elmer G. Van Name, an attorney, and the College of South Jersey, which was developed in 1928. Both are housed in the same building.
He is president of the Spartan Building and Loan Association, past president of the Camden Rotary Club and in addition to his borough duties at Collingswood also is active in Masonic circles.
In accepting his resignation the board elected Armitage to the directorate and chose LeRoy A. Goodwin, William Atkinson and S. B. Golf to draft resolutions commending the retiring secretary.
Elmer E. Long, vice president, Francis B. Wallen and Millard Tay were selected to consider a candidate for Armitage’s post.
YMCA to Dedicate Gymnasium Floor
Camden Courier-Post —
Open House With Dancing to Follow Exercises at Central Branch
The Camden Y. M. C. A. will dedicate a new gymnasium floor tomorrow in its Central Branch, 614 Federal street, replacing one that served for 30 years.
Charles H. Wagner, president of the association, will conduct a meeting in the building at 5 p. m. at which dedicatory resolutions will be adopted. Following there will be “open house” for the public, a program of sports on the new floor and dancing.
The executive committee of the board of directors will present the dedicatory resolutions. Members are Wagner, Elmer E. Long, Alonzo W. Stedman, William H. Atkinson and A. Millard Taylor.
At a date to be announced later there is to be a dedication dinner at which there will be a speaker of national reputation.
The sports program, arranged by Kenneth E. Smullin, “Y” director of physical education, will include two basketball games, a handball match, to determine the champion of the “Y,” a badminton exhibition match, a gymnastic exhibition by members of the boys’ gym classes, and a table tennis exhibition.
The first basketball game to be played on the new floor will be between the Limited Senior team of the Y. M. C. A. and the Camden Catholic High School quintet. The other contest will be between the “Y” variety team and one made up of high school coaches in Camden and nearby communities.
Music for the dance following the sports program will be furnished by the Nelson-Rainey Orchestra.
‘Y’ Group Organizes Special Gifts Drive
Camden Courier-Post —
$27,500 Goal Set for Funds to Support Non-Revenue Activities
Industrial, commercial and professional leaders in Camden organized yesterday as a special gifts committee for the 1938 campaign of the Camden Y. M. C. A. for maintenance funds. The committee met at luncheon in the central branch building of the “Y,” 614 Federal Street.
The campaign will extend from March 20 to 29, with a goal of $27,500 to cover non-revenue activities of the “Y” which are of benefit to the community.
As in previous campaigns it is the work of the special gifts committee to raise half of the fund from firms and individuals rated in the higher brackets of contributors.
Mayor Arthur E. Armitage, of Collingswood, is committee chairman. Other members are Charles H. Wagner, vice president of Eavenson & Levering Company; A. W. Steadman, president of the Standard Tank & Seat Company; Walter L. Tushingham, vice-president and business manager of the Courier-Post; Warren Webster, Jr., vice president of Warren Webster & Co.; Elmer E. Long, president of the American National Bank; Howard B. Hemphill, Broadway merchant; William H. Atkinson, controller of the Hurley Store, and Wayland A. Fry, advertising executive.
Wagner, who led the campaign last year, is again general chairman.
Division managers and captains of the teams in the campaign are to be announced later.
Elmer E. Long Dies, Former Merchant
Camden Courier-Post —
Elmer Long Funeral Is Held in Pitman
Camden Courier-Post —
