Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-05-21
WENoNAH.

Wen0nah derived It's name from tribe
Of friendly Indians located in Minnesota,
and owes its birth TO the incorporation OF
the MAMMA Land & Improvements Com
pany, which occurred about 1876 The
stock of this company was principally
owned by men interested in the West Jer-
sey Railroad; hotel, said to cost thirty
thousand dollars, and about dozen cos-
tages were built. Shortly after the lncor-
poration of the land company, the railroad
track, then lying on the west side OF Man
tua creek, with its station situated near the
south line of what is now WerOnah ceme-
terry, was moved to its present location.
Spacious avenues were laid out and gravel
led and on all of which shade trees were
planted. The ground in front OF and
stretching from Clinton to West Jersey
avenue, was planned and dedicated as a
public park. All the lots were laid OF a
uniform size of 75x150 feet, with restric-
tons in the deeds to prevent the erection OF
any nuisances or objectional manufactures.
The houses built by or through the In
fluence of the company were soon pur-
chased by outsiders, who also built other
houses and for a time it looked as though
Wenonah was going to boom. Its indus
tries was a store South West corner of
West Jersey aYenue), livery with one
horse, and post Office in the railroad sta
tion. One church suffieed for the entire
settlement; everybody was satisfied with
the preaching until the preacher was given
his instructions that nothing but simon
pure blue stocking Calvanistic teaching
must be heard in that sanctuary, hence
came the withdrawal of several Of the at
PENDANTS who could not subscribe TO the
tenants Of Presby terians. Wenonah Ian
guished, nothing grew but her pretty trees,
the Mantua Land and Improvement Com
pany, which had for number Of years laid
dormant concluded to shake up the town
then un-incorporated) public sale of lots
was well advertised, reporters from Cam
den and Philadelphia were brought down,
the hotel was opened to accommodate the
ssthrong OF purchasers, " who, by the way,
failed to come; the reporters did all their
work sitting on the porch cracking jokes
and listening to the stories of Sink" Chew,
Frank Patterson, "Gus'' Barber, and
ssSteyep Winslow; the auctioneer reported
one cottage sold to renter in Wen0nah,
and all the blocks of ground that were sold
had been purchased by coterie of men
interested in the land company. They did
not enthuse worth cent when they took
their departure.
Physicians say "a disease must run its
course" Wenonah, old enough, but moi
strong enough to stand alone, had severe
case Of dry rot, and was likely to perish
had it not been for the kindly aid OF one
broad-minded, generous hearted, benevolent
man, and his lovely Christian souled wife.
The little band Of Methodists who had
r1xyn cd in he ,.1, G..1s
for themselves in the church that they had
helped to sustain, concluded to build for
themselves house of worship. Securing
an eligible site, they worked like beavers
to raise sufficient sum to rear a house
where they might worship God according
to their own creed. The house was nearing
completion; with pride they looked upon
their work; every father and mother of that
scattered congregation, and every child felt
they owned an interest in it,and were look
ing forward 10 the day of dedication, when
dark cloud appeared. The contractor had
taken their money and failed to pay his
debts; judgements were entered against the
building, and Sheriff's sale was immi-
nent. In this emergency, Mr.. Stephen
Greene. OF Philadelphia, was appealed to.
Mr.. Greene is, and always has been, an ear
nest worker in the Episcopal Church. He
was eyer broad minded earnest Christian
gentleman; his wife has always shown a
liberal spirit in all lines Of religious endea-
yor, with strong leanings to the followers
Of John Wesley. The Greenes had just
commenced to summer at Wenonah. The
unfortunate church building was their OPP
posite neighbor; how to make that opposite
neighbor pleasant and agreeable COM
RI he 1Yodf xf1o
thought of both these good people. The
thought was put into action, the church was
freed Of all claims, finished and furnished
This little event brought the Greenes into
prominence in Wenonah, and started Mr..
Greene into improving his acres with COM
Portable and handsome modern homes that
have been the main spring of the,improye-
ments that are now in progress. OF all the
men interested in the original Development
OF Wenonah he stands alone, the only one
who has shown his faith by his work, his
investments in this borough will foot up a
quarter of million dollars. Stephen
Greene is now lying close to the gate of
Heaven, his family and physicians say all
hope is passed, his age and the nature Of
his complaint makes recovery impossible.
He has heWn the way to make Wenonah
the Borough Beautiful.
The Rainier houses, built of concrete
squares, are rapidly approaching compile
ton.
DIR. Mason's bungaloe makes charming
break in the architure of his square.
Mr.. and Mrs. George C. Dilkes are build
ing three houses on Marion avenue We
learn that Mr. Charles Harlan, of the
Pennsylvania Trust Company, Of Philadel-
phia, has engaged one.
Mayor William ]. Adamson came over
from Paulsboro, and after AN hour spent in
looking around, lought a fine lot with the
intention of building.
Mr.. Kroner says If he can sell his large
house, he stands ready to build again.
There are ten houses now in course Of
construction, and nine others contracted
H.