Rev. William Grum
Reverend William Grum was born July 14, 1878 in Camden NJ to Benjamin and Caroline “Carrie” Grum. His early years were spent at 215 Market Street, where his father had a confectionary. He grew up as a member of Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church. The family had moved to 544 Vine Street by 1900; Benjamin Grum worked then as a letter carrier, a position he would hold until his retirement in the 1920s. William Grum married in the early 1900s. His wife, the former Lena Purdy, bore him two children, daughters Lena and Beatrice. Benjamin and Carrie Grum were still living at 544 Vine Street in April of 1930 when the Census was enumerated. Mrs. Grum remained at the address after her husband passed, and was still living there in the fall of 1933.
By 1912 William Grum had entered the ministry. He pastored at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and at Kaighn Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in Camden, and at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Gloucester City NJ, where he was stationed when the Census was taken in January of 1920. The family home was at 335 Main Street. When daughter Beatrice Grum graduated from Camden High School in 1923, the family was back in North Camden, living at 547 Vine Street.
By 1930 Rev. Grum had been sent to serve at the Woodlynne Methodist Episcopal Church in Woodlynne NJ. The Grum family made their home in April of 1930 at 2220 Woodlynne Avenue, the corner of Woodlynne Avenue and Linden Street, in Woodlynne. Sadly, Reverend Grum died suddenly while visiting his mother at the family home at 544 Vine Street in 1931.
A talented musician, singer, and composer of religious music, his best known composition perhaps is the hymn “Victory Ahead,” written in 1905. Reverend William Grum also had talent as a painter. He had completed a large painting, “The Old Rugged Cross,” which stood 15 feet wide by 18 feet tall, shortly before his death. The painting was presented to the Bible class at the Kemble Methodist Episcopal Church in Woodbury NJ in the spring of 1932.
Reverend Grum’s father, Benjamin Grum, passed away on May 31, 1933.
Last Honors to Fireman Buzine
Camden Post-Telegram —
Veteran Who Was Fatally Stricken on Engine Borne to Grave Today
Unique Offering Sent by Comrades
Great crowds last night and today viewed the remains of Fireman Lewis Buzine who was fatally stricken with paralysis last Thursday while driving No. 3 engine. The body was exposed to view at his late home, 1606 Broadway, where services were held this afternoon.
Last night nearly one hundred members of the Eighth Ward Republican Club were in attendance and paid their last respects. This afternoon the services were conducted by Reverend William Grum, pastor of the Trinity M. E. Church.
Assistant Chief George Cox was in charge of the detail of firemen, numbering nearly fifty, every company being represented by one or more members, which acted as an escort to the body as it passed through the streets to New Camden Cemetery. The pallbearers were members of No. 3 Engine Company in charge of Captain Nicholas.
The room was filled with choice floral designs. The Eighth Ward Republican Club sent a large star and crescent. The design from the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association was a large circle with a big “5” in the center, being the number of the local lodge. Members of No. 3 Engine Company of which Mr. Buzine was driver, sent a three-foot circle of white chrysanthemums and asters designed as a clock and bearing the inscription “The Last Alarm.” The big figures “83” designated the number of the box from which the alarm came and in the center was the dial of a clock with the hands pointing to 1:32, the time the company left on what proved to be Buzine’s last run.
There were also many floral tributes from the family. The funeral arrangements were in charge of George Blake.
Mother Buried With Her Daughter In Her Arms
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With her six-month-old daughter, Mary, in her arms, Mrs. Mary F. Mackin, of 432 Viola street, Camden, was laid away yesterday. Hundreds of persons viewed the bodies of mother and child who were claimed by death within a few hours of one another. The baby passed away last Thursday, a victim of pneumonia, and Mrs. Mackin died soon after from the same treacherous malady. Rev. William Grum, pastor of the Trinity M. E. Church, officiated, and interment was made in the New Camden Cemetery.
When the baby was taken ill Mrs. Mackin was caring for her day and night and she contracted the same disease. The death of the little one was a factor in the passing of the grief-stricken mother.
Camden at a Glance
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Before Referee in Bankruptcy Ott yesterday a dividend of 5 per cent was declared to the creditors of John H. Dialogue, whose shipyard on the Delaware was at one time among the most thriving along the river.
Miss Lucy Becker, of 1160 Jackson street, and William Durham, a real estate operator of 1537 Broadway, were married yesterday by Rev. William Grum, of the Trinity M. E. Church.
Although but ten years old, Frank Mazhaccio was taken to the State Home for Boys yesterday as an incorrigible.
A meeting of the jitney men has been called for tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock at the Hotel Ridgway for organization. The call was made by Assemblyman Garfield Pancoast. Mayor Ellis will address the drivers of the jits.
Camden at a Glance
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Members of Running Deer Council, No 52, Daughters of Pocahontas of Gloucester City, were addressed by Rev. William Grum at the Trinity M. E. Church last night.
World War I Draft Registration Card
REGISTRATION CARD
Serial Number: 2852 Order Number: A4710
Name: Rev. William Grum Permanent Home Address: Main & New, Gloucester, NJ Age in Years: 40 Date of Birth: June 14, 1878 Race: White (checked) U.S. Citizen: Native Born (checked) Present Occupation: Pastor Employer’s Name: M.E. Church Place of Employment or Business: New Academy, Harbour, Gloucester NJ Nearest Relative: Lena Purdy Grum Address: Main & New, Harbour, Gloucester NJ Signature: Rev. Williams Grum
29-3-18-C REGISTRAR’S REPORT
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT
Height: Short Build: Medium Color of Eyes: Blue Color of Hair: Brown Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified: No
I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or he had read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mark, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:
Signature of registrar: [illegible]
Date of Registration: Sept 12, 1918
Div. No. 1 Gloucester County, Woodbury, N.J.
Men Aided as Pastors to Be at Ellis Rites
Camden Courier-Post —
Request Found in Note Left By Former P.O.
Planned Own Rites
Funeral Speakers, Bearers Selected
As Local Preacher, He Assisted Many Into Ministry
A request that young men whom he had trained for the ministry be his pallbearers, in addition to veteran employes of the Camden postoffice, where he had been employed more than 40 years, was made in a signed statement by Walter P. Ellis, 66, retired superintendent of the postoffice, who died Saturday. The paper, undated, was found today by Ellis’ son, Percy H. Ellis, 2955 East Octagon avenue, among his father’s personal papers in a safe deposit box at the Camden Safe Deposit and Trust Co.
Mr. Ellis was for many years a local preacher, a member of the official board of the First M. E. Church and otherwise active in church work.
The statement requesting the pallbearers is as follows:
I desire that Rev. Cedrick Hickman and the pastor of the First M. E. Church have charge of the funeral services. That the young men whom I have trained for the ministry be the pallbearers at my funeral; Howard Amer, Cedrick Hickman, Elwood Hoey, Stacey Myers, Frank Landolt, Steve Collins and C. Luther. Rev. and Mrs. William Grum to sing. Postoffice pallbearers—Clerk F. Ricorda, Robert Payne, Ephraim Helmse, carriers, Albert Scott, Harry Reier and George W. Johnson.
Harry Reier has died since the request was made, his death occurring the early part of the year.
Most of the young men named by Ellis are Methodist ministers, with charges in various parts of South Jersey.
Mr. Cedric, who is now stationed in North Jersey, was a former pastor of Eighth Street M. E. Church. He will be assisted at the funeral services, which will be held at 2 p. m. Wednesday at 408 Cooper street, by Rev. Carlton R. Van Hook, pastor of First M. E. Church, and Rev. Thomas S. Brock, now of Atlantic City, a former pastor of First Church. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Ellis, whose home was at 313 North Fourth street, is survived by his widow, Ida H., his son, a daughter, Grace, Merchantville; two brothers, Postmaster Charles H. Ellis and Wilbur B. Ellis, city tax assessor, and a sister, Mrs. Laura Du Bois, Germantown, and three grandchildren.
Church Will Receive Painting by Rev. Grum
Camden Courier-Post —
An oil painting by the late Reverend William Grum, pastor of Woodlynne M. E. Church, called the “Old Rugged Cross” will be presented to the Kemble M. E. Bible Class, Woodbury, Wednesday night at Holy week services.
Reverend Grum was pastor of Kaighn Avenue and First Church, Gloucester, before going to Woodlynne. He was a composer of sacred music, musician and singer, as were all members of his family. He completed the oil painting a year ago, a few months before he died suddenly at the home of his mother at Fifth and Vine Streets. It is said to be a masterpiece, standing 15 by 18 feet.
Victory Ahead
-
When the hosts of Israel, led by God,
Round the walls of Jericho softly trod,
Trusting in the Lord, they felt the conqu’ror’s tread,
By faith they saw the victory ahead.Refrain:
Victory ahead! Victory ahead!
Through the blood of Jesus, victory ahead;
Trusting in the Lord, I hear the conqu’ror’s tread,
By faith I see the victory ahead! -
David with a shepherd’s sling and five stones,
Met the giant on the field all alone,
Trusting in the Lord, he knew what God had said,
By faith he saw the victory ahead. -
Daniel prayed unto the Lord thrice each day,
Then unto the lion’s den led the way,
Trusting in the Lord, he did not fear or dread,
By faith he saw the victory ahead. -
Often with the carnal mind I was tried,
Asking for deliverance oft I cried,
Trusting in the Lord, I reckoned I was dead,
By faith I saw the victory ahead. -
When like those who’ve gone before to that land,
By death’s river cold and dark I shall stand;
Trusting in the Lord, I will not fear or dread,
By faith I see the victory ahead.
Elijah’s God
Elijah made a sacrifice
To offer to Jehovah;
It had been wet with water thrice,
Baal’s sacrifice was over.
Elijah prayed: the fire came down
And licked the water all around;
So doubting ones believed, and found
Elijah’s God was living.Refrain:
Elijah’s God still lives today,
To take the guilt of sin away;
And when I pray my heart’s desire,
Upon my soul He sends the fire.Elijah’s God still lives today,
And answers still by fire;
My friend, just let Him have His way;
He’ll grant your heart’s desire,
Consume the sacrifice you make;
And bid your slumb’ring soul awake;
The chain of inbred sin will break;
Elijah’s God is living.Elijah’s God still lives today,
And answers still in power,
As when Elijah prayed for rain,
God answered with a shower.
If you would have your soul refreshed,
With rain that falls from heaven,
You must pray thro’ like all the rest,
And showers shall be given.
Benjamin Grum, Retired Mail Carrier
Camden Courier-Post —
After an illness of a month Benjamin S. Grum, 76, retired mail carrier and father of the late Reverend William Grum, died yesterday at Cooper Hospital from a complication of diseases.
Mr. Grum was a mail carrier 35 years until he retired eight years ago. He lived at 544 Vine Street for 40 years.
His son fell dead in his home a few years ago while pastor of Woodlynne M. E. Church. He had served in other pastorates in Camden and vicinity.
The father is survived by his wife, Carrie, and one granddaughter, Charlotte.
The funeral will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper Street. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.