The Penn's Grove record., 1915-04-23
The Veteran Engineer, Called to Meet
The General Superintendent

jeremiah Cream, died last Sunday,
April IS, 1916, aged so wears. His death
was quite sudden because he had been IN
only a few days. The funeral was
heiu on wednesday morning from his
residence, No 1927 Main Street. Service
was held IN st. Mary's r. q. Church, Sa-
lem, on wednesday morning with a Sol
emn hlgh Requiem Mass. Rev. r. Ii.
Cream, oil Long Branch, a nephew OF the
deceased, was celebrant; Rev. L. j. Whe-
IAN, OF camden, as deacon; Rev. J.. j.
OFerrell, OF Sea Isle City, sub-deacon;
Rev. II. Z. Scully, of Woodstown, mas
ter OF ceremony. In the sanctuary were
also Rev. L. ii. Allen, of Salem; Rev. j..
>; Sweeney, OF ~Bordentown; Rev. Father
harrington, of tladdon Heights. Burial
was III st. Mary's Cemetery.
Jeremiah Cream was born in Cork, Ire
land, IN 1885, and came Salem, N. j., in
lie leaves a widow, four daughters
a son and two grand children all OF esti-
mable character.
Uncle Jere has lived in Penns Grove
since August IL, 1876, when he began
running a passenger train on the Delaware
Shore Railroad between Penns Grove
aud Woodbury.. The first passenger train
was run July "a, 1876. The engineer was
THOMAS Pennypacker and the conductor,
Thomas Leap. SO Uncle Jerry's career
IN Penns Grove has been since the rail-
road was in practical use. He held a
steady hand upon the throttle and a keen
eye on the rail until 1906, when lie was
hit III the eye by a cinder. After his
sight was injured he was put upon the
retired list.
tie began his career as a railroader in
8 IN the section gang OH the old road
betWeen Salem and Elmer. In 1862 in
became a brakeman, two years. later a
fireman, at a time when wood was plen-
tlful and used in the engines to make
steam. In 1869 he was promoted to be
engineman, and ran the first locomotive
on the Swedesboro Railroad when it was
completed that year.
In all his AZ years career on a railroad
train he never had a wreck, nor injured
a person. He had a smiling, happy dis
position and greeted all he knew with
good cheer. When the passengers knew
that uncle Jerry was at the throttle all
were assured of a safe passage.
Ills first superintendent was David B.
Gill. Edward II. Green, of Woodbury.,
succeeded him in 1877 and continued I'M
til 1899, when the road became under the
control OF the West Jersey and Seashore
Railroad company. Mr.. Green now lives
at Woodbury., and is the only survivor of
the official builders of the railroad be-
tween Woodbury. aud Penns Grove which
has made it possible for the great develop
ments since then.
Uncle Jerry was not only a good and
faithful engineer in transporting others
thru life, but he was a good citizen and
faithful Christian along life's crooked
railroad. He had a sympathetic attitude
OF mind in favor OF the towns progress in
civic, industrial and educational advance
ment. He saw the fishing village OF about
600 grow to its present dimensions, with
a population numbered in thousands. He
was a faithful member of the Roman
Catholic Church. HIS Christian dispo-
sition was such that he greeted all with a
happy smile and a waive of the hand that
made others feel he was a good friend.
He was one of the faithful members of st.
James r. G. Church Penns Grove and he
and his family were among its most faith
ful buffers and supporters. At his home
the Parish Priest al ways found a cordial
welcome.
His career is we'll described in the fol-
lowing poem which we get from our scrap
box, author unknown.
THE SUCCESSFUL ENGINEER
Life is like a mountain railroad.
With an engineer that's brave;
We must make the run successful,
From the cradle to the grave.
Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels,
Never falter, never fail;
Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eye upon the rail.
You will roll up grades of trials;
You will cross the bridge of strife;
See that Christ is your conductor,
On this lightning train of life;
Always mindful OF Instructions,
Do your duty, never fail.
But keep your hands upon the throttle
And your eye upon the rail.
AS you roll across the ~trestle,
Spanning JOrdan's swelling tide,
You behold the Union Depot
Into which your train will glide.
There you'll meet the Superintendent.
God the Father, God the Son,
With the hearty joyous plaudit,
Weary pilgrim, welcome home"