Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Reginald Greenwood

Reginald Eric Greenwood was born on December 31, 1899, in Elkin, North Carolina, according to his North Carolina World War I service card and World War II draft card which had his full name. 

The 1900 United States Census said five-month-old Greenwood was the only child of Claude, a merchant, and Annie who lived with her parents in Knobs, North Carolina. 

The 1910 census said Greenwood, his parents and sister, Sadie, were Knobs residents on Main Street. His father was the manager at a pin factory. The household included Greenwood’s aunt and cousin. 

According to Greenwood’s North Carolina World War I service card, he enlisted at Columbus, Ohio on July 30, 1916. He was a musician who served with the 23rd and 50th Infantries. His ranks were musician third class, February 1, 1917; musician second class, July 1, 1918; private first class, May 12, 1919; and corporal, April 6, 1920. Greenwood was honorably discharged on July 29, 1920. He did not serve overseas. 

In the 1920 census, Greenwood was a Manhattan, New York City resident at 400 West 57th Street. His occupation was artist.

The New York, New York Marriage License Index, at Ancestry.com, said Greenwood and Beatrice Tallon obtained, in Manhattan, marriage license number 34065 on December 11, 1925. In Queens, they were married on December 31 which was his birthday. The Newtown Register (New York), January 30, 1926, reported the wedding. 

Mis Beatrice Sutcliffe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Sutcliffe, 37-60 Ninety-fifth street Elmhurst, an artist’s model, and Reginald E. Greenwood of Elkin, N. C., a Manhattan artist, were married recently by Supreme Court Judge Burt Jay Humphrey.

The couple are now on an extended trip through the southern states.

The bride was given in marriage by her brother, Edwin J. Sutcliffe, and Miss Elizabeth Papashone was bridesmaid. Seventy five guests attended the reception that followed the ceremony.

Greenwood contributed (probably in the late 1920s) an unknown number of strips to Sam Iger’s Paramount Newspaper Feature Service. His strips were reprinted in the Drugstore Cowboys series which also had art by Pete Hayes. American Newspaper Comics (2012) said the Paramount Newspaper Feature Service also distributed Iger’s The Gang, Larry Silverman’s In Jungle Land, Geoff Hayes’ After the Honeymoon, Gus Standard’s Hamm and Beans, Louise Hirsch’s Charlie Chirps and Tessie Tish, Jack Ward’s Flaming Youth, and Frank Little’s Spike and Sam. 

Galien River Gazette (Three Oaks, MI) 101/10/1940

The 1930 census counted illustrator Greenwood, his wife, twelve-year-old step-son Robert, and mother-in-law Evelyn Sutcliffe, in St. Albans, Queens, New York at 115-20 209th Street. 

Field Guide to Wild American Pulp Artists said Greenwood contributed to several pulp publications. 

The 1940 census said Greenwood was divorced and a self-employed commercial artist. His highest level of education was the third year of college. He lived in St. Albans at 191-13 114th Drive. 

On February 15, 1942, Greenwood signed his World War II draft card. His address was the same. Greenwood worked for the newspaper syndicate United Feature Service. He was described as five feet ten inches, 180 pounds, with gray eyes and brown hair. 

United Feature Service signed Greenwood to take over Jack Sparling’s Hap Hopper, Washington Correspondent. Greenwood produced just week’s worth of dailies which were published June 7 to 12, 1943. 

Greenwood passed away on May 25, 1943, in Manhattan. His wife (they had separated) provided information for the death certificate. His occupation was a newspaper artist who lived at 344 East 48th Street. He died at St. Vincent’s Hospital. 

The Charlotte Observer, (North Carolina), May 29, 1943, published an obituary. 

Elkin Funeral for N. Y. Man

Reginald E. Greenwood, Cartoonist of King Syndicate to Be Buried at Old Home 

Elkin, May 28.—Funeral services for Reginald E. Greenwood, 43, native of Elkin, who died Tuesday in a New York hospital of a heart illness will be conducted at the First Baptist church of Elkin Saturday afternoon by Rev. Grover C. Graham and Rev. Stephen Morrisett. Burial will be made in Hollywood cemetery.

He was a son of the late Claude Greenwood, prominent merchant and manufacturer and Mrs. Annie Booth Greenwood, now of Landrum S. C. 

Mr. Greenwood, a talented cartoonist, had been in New York many years and was associated with King syndicate in recent years. 

He was formerly a member of Elkin First Baptist church and it was his request that his body be brought to Elkin for final rites. 

The only immediate survivors are his mother and one sister, Mrs. John King of Statesville. Friends of his boyhood to serve as pallbearers are W. M. Allen, George Royall, J. O. Bivins, Edworth Harris, Hugh Royall, Grady Harris, Robert Kirkman, and Earl C. James.

An obituary, with errors, appeared in Editor & Publisher, June 12, 1943. 

Reggie Greenwood, Cartoonist, Dies 

Reginald Greenwood, newspaper artist for many years, died of a heart attack at St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York, on May 25, after a two weeks’ illness. At the time of his death he was a staff artist for the New York Journal-American, and also had been engaged to draw the “Hap Hopper” strip for United Feature Syndicate. He had drawn a week’s strip when he was stricken. 

Greenwood was born in Landrum, S. C., [sic] the son of a newspaperman [sic]. He served as an officer in the Second Division during World War I, and was wounded in action. Following the war he served with the Recruiting Service on Governors island, N. Y., and was a major when he left the service. Later he made a tour of the world, and his travels gave him a good background for his work when he resumed his art career in New York.

The birthplace is incorrect and Greenwood’s father was a merchant. His reported military service differs significantly from his North Carolina service card report. 

Greenwood was laid to rest at Hollywood Cemetery.