Major William Greenwood
MAJOR WILLIAM GREENWOOD was born in England around 1868. Major is not a title, this appears to have been his given name. He turns up in Camden City Directories and census records (1930) as William Greenwood, and as Major William Greenwood in the 1910 and 1920 Census, the 1936 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory, and his wife’s October 1939 obituary as Major William Greenwood.
Mr. Greenwood came to the United States in the 1880s. A William Greenwood appears in the 1887–1888 and 1888–1889 Camden city directories living on Salem Street, off of Ferry Avenue, and working at the Howland Croft textile mill, as a wool sorter and later as a carder. It appears that these entries refer to Major William Greenwood. Around 1898 Major William Greenwood married Lillie Binns. The couple lived with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Binns, of 220 York Street in North Camden. A daughter, Grace, was born March 11, 1899.
The 1910 Census shows the family residing at the York Street address. Major William Greenwood was then still working in the textile industry, at that time as a grader in a woolen mill, either the Howland Croft & Sons Company mill on Broadway, or the Highland Mill on State Street in North Camden. On February 29, 1912 he was appointed to the Camden Police Department. He remained on the force for 22 years before retiring in the mid-1930s.
The Greenwoods were still living on York Street in October of 1939 when Lillie Greenwood passed away. Father-in-law Jonas Binns was also still residing there. Major William Greenwood does not appear in the 1947 Camden City Directory. It appears that he had passed away by that time.
Mayor Ellis Appoints New Policemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Ellis yesterday appointed David Kates, Anson Kelly and William Greenwood regular policemen to succeed William Harvey, Ben Middleton and George Horner, veterans who have been placed on the pension list. Squire “Roby” Thompson, hitherto a widely known justice of the peace, was appointed a substitute.
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter’s was passed, but an improviso was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
It was explained that the city commission’s resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years’ service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.
Mrs. Lillie E. Greenwood
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Lillie E. Greenwood, 61, died yesterday at her home, 220 York Street. She was the wife of Major William Greenwood, retired Camden policeman. She also is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Grace M. Adams, an attache of the sheriff’s office, by her father, Jonas Binns, 85, and a sister, Mrs. George Shawcross, all of Camden. Mrs. Greenwood was born in England and came to this country, when a child and lived in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood lived at the York Street address 40 years. He retired after 22 years’ service in the police department. Mrs. Greenwood was a member of North Baptist Church, and was known for her charitable and religious work. She was an active member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of Cyrene Commandry, No. 7, Knights Templar, and the Ladies Auxiliary of West Jersey Hospital. The funeral will be held at 3:00 PM Monday at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 408 Cooper Streets. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.