USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume I > Part 40
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Various improvements were inaugurated at this time, all tending to increase the prosperity and beauty of the town. Early in 1853, John C. Beatty bought from the Thomas estate eleven acres partly within the town lim- its, and in August bought of the directors of the Poor and House of Employ- ment, forty acres attached to the poorhouse property and lying south of State street. This he divided into building lots. The movement for church organ- ization had already commenced, and the Presbyterian church was afterward erected on this tract. Early in 1853, Isaac Haldeman began the erection of a large store and dwelling on the northwest corner of State and Lemon streets. The same year a fine residence and bakery were erected on the opposite cor- ner by David Middletown. Near Sandy Bank, Nathan G. Shaw also erected a handsome dwelling. By midsummer of 1853 there were seventy dwellings in the borough, fifty-seven of which had been erected after the town site had been surveyed. Four more houses were in course of construction and
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eight were under contract to be built in the fall : the court-house, jail and Char- ter House were finished : a school-house. blacksmith shop and coachmaker's shop also had been erected : all this having been accomplished, in less than four years. In 1854 the spirit of improvement increased wonderfully. The Media Loan and Building Association was organized: the Methodist. Episcopal and Presbyterian churches were built or started. Preparations were made also for the erection of Brooke Hall and Gayley's Academy, (subsequently the Sanitarium), and the building of private houses kept pace with public improve- ment. Thomas Pratt erected five brick houses northeast of Olive street, and in partnership with Jesse Bishop built the five original offices on the western side of South avenue. Abram P. Smedley put up the handsome three-story brick building in which he afterwards lived, and other buildings were added to the growing town. In the meantime an ordinance was passed forbidding the erection of frame buildings within the borough, a wise precaution, resulting in solid improvement and lessening fire risk. In the years intervening, Media has grown and prospered until it is one of Delaware county's most beautiful and desirable residence sections. Steam and electric roads connect it with the great city, while its freedom from all licensed drinking resorts has resulted in a much to be commended moral tone.
As a borough, Media has existed since March 10, 1850, when the bill introduced by James J. Lewis, representative from Delaware county, was passed by the senate March 30, and received the governor's signature April 7 following. At preliminary meetings asking for incorporation as a borough, a resolution was adopted, prohibiting the sale of ardent spirits within its pro- posed limits. This brought on a fierce fight, and every individual was forced to take sides, either for or against. As finally passed, the bill contained the following prohibitory clause :
"It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to vend or sell vinous, spirituous or other intoxicating liquors within the limits of said borough, except for medicinal purposes ; or for use in the arts; and it shall not be lawful for the court of Quarter Ses- sions to grant any license or licenses therefor to any inn or tavern in said borough. If any person or persons, shall within said borough, vend or sell or cause to be vended or sold. any vinous, spirituous, or other intoxicating liquors to any persons (except as provided for in this section) such person or persons, so vending or selling, shall be liable to indictment, and on conviction thereof shall forfeit and pay for every such offence, a sum of not less than twenty dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars at the discretion of the court: Provided-That it may be lawful for the Court of Quarter Sessions of said county to license inns or taverns in said borough without permission to vend or sell intoxicating drinks: And provided such license may be granted without the publication of any previous notice, as is required for other taverns."
As a direct result of this clause, the Charter House of Media was built, a place of happy entertainment for the "wayfarer and the stranger," and a monument to those zealous friends of temperance, who triumphed af- ter a hard fight to make prohibition of the liquor traffic a part of the funda- mental law of the borough. Only a few months after the incorporation of the borough, at a temperance harvest home held in Media. August 13. 1850.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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PUBLIC BUILDINGS AT MEDIA.
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it was resolved, at the suggestion of Rev. James W. Dale, to raise subscrip- tions to build a temperance hotel. The assemblage, one of the largest ever gathered in the county, flushed with their victory, responded liberally, and $4000 was at once subscribed. It was decided that the proposed hotel should commemorate their victory, bear the name of Charter House and should not cost over $5000. At a meeting held in Temperance Hall, September 9, 1850, of which John P. Crozer was chairman, John C. Beatty and Ellis Smedley, secretaries, the Charter House Association was organized, ar- ticles of government drawn up and subscribed to. The cost of the building was extended to $10,000, and the present site of the building agreed on. John Eves was on November 9th awarded the contract for constructing the house and outbuildings for the sum of $9,500, and pledged himself to have the building completed by August 1, 1851. The cornerstone was laid November 18 by Hon. Sketchley Morton. The fourth installment of sub- scriptions due to the Charter House Association was paid to Abraham Pennell, the treasurer, March 24, 1851, and up to that time but one person had repudiated his subscription. The house was finished May I, and on June 18 was rented to D. Reese Hawkins at a rental of $600 per year, he to furnish the building. He moved in on Thursday, July 10, and opened the hotel for the accommodation of guests on the following Monday. With but two short intervals he retained the management of the hotel until 1871. There has been a succession of landlords since, but the Charter House has always borne an excellent reputation, and under its present landlord, Wal- ter S. Westcott, (treasurer of Delaware county,) it has become exceedingly popular and well patronized. The history of the Charter House is a suffi- cient answer to the charge that a hotel cannot be successfully maintained without a bar for the sale of liquor.
The Court House and Jail .- The county commissioners, after the act of removal, which became a law April 7. 1848, at once began to provide the necessary public buildings for the new county scat. The site was decided upon May 15, and an offer of $50 made for an acceptable plan for a court-house and jail. The plan adopted June 18 was prepared by Mr. Sloan, of Philadelphia, the estimated cost of the court-house being $15,000. On August 28 the com- missioners awarded the contract to Joseph Esrey, John Williamson and Joseph Lawson for the erection of both court-house and jail, for the sum of $32,000. Work was at once begun, the cornerstone laid September 24, 1849, and May I, 1851, the court-house was pronounced finished, though it was yet too damp for occupancy. At the last term of court held in Chester, which convened May 26, 1851, official notice of the completion of the court-house and jail was given in these words: The commissioners reported to the court that the coun- ty buildings at Media were completed and ready for occupancy and the court ordered the following minute to be entered upon the record : "May 29, 1851- The Court of Common Pleas of Delaware Co., are satisfied that the Buildings, to wit-New Jail, Court House and Public Offices in the Borough of Media are fully completed according to the true intent and meaning of the act of the
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Legislature entitled an Act concerning the removal of the Seat of Justice of Delaware County. Approved the 3rd day of March, 1847." After the close of this term of court, the last to be held in the old court house in Chester, the Delaware County Republican said in alluding to the change: "The next term will be held at Media, an order having been issued by the court to remove the records and other property to the new county seat prior to August. Our an- cient borough, which had been the Seat of Justice from the time of the Swedes will never again we suppose be visited by the hurry, bustle and commotion of Court Week."
The records were all moved to Media and safely housed in the new build- ing, the work begun on Monday, June 16, being finished the following Wed- nesday, the prisoners from the Chester jail also having been placed in their new quarters. The bell, of Philadelphia manufacture, was received August 12, but was not placed in position in time to announce the opening of the first court held in Media, which opened August 25, 1851. The business of the term was opened by President Judge Henry Chapman, aided by Associate Judges Joseph Engle and George G. Leiper. The first case tried was that of John R. Bergen, indicted for keeping a tippling house. He was found guilty and fined $30 with costs of prosecution.
The first attorney to locate in Media was Ezra Lewis, who located in IS50: he was followed soon after by Charles D. Manley, Edward Darlington, Joseph R. Morris, and Samuel B. Thomas. The first lawyer admitted to the Delaware county bar, after the removal, was Thomas J. Clayton.
In 1870 it was found that the court-house was inadequate, and in 1871 two wings were added at a cost of $29,000. Other improvements were made as needed, but in 1913 the building is being greatly enlarged, changed so from its former appearance and so constructed as to meet the requirements of a modern court-house in both external appearance and internal arrangement.
There are many instances of escapes from the jail at Media, becoming so frequent that in 1868 improvements were made. An addition was built and cells to the number of forty provided, well ventilated and supposedly secure. In 1872, however, the commissioners found the jail defective in several par- ticulars. and in 1877 extensive improvements were made. In 1878 a new building was ereeted adjoining the original jail, which has since proved a rea- sonably secure place of confinement.
The House of Employment, or County Poor House, was located at what is now Media, long before the town existed. The act creating it was passed February 13, 1804, a farm of 137 acres bought, and a poor house completed about 1807. The house was of stone, one hundred feet long by forty in width. A description of the institution written by Miss Dix in 1845 says :
"Several miles from Chester is a large stone building, clean, well kept and well directed. The provisions are good and sufficient and the food well prepared. Here were eighty-five inmates, the third week in October; of these but few were children. From twelve to fifteen are insane or idiotic; were clean and comfortable, with the
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DELAWARE COUNTY ALMS HOUSE.
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ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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exception perhaps of wearing chains and hobbles. None were in close confinement, though such cases often occur. * * The entire establishment seemed excellently * conducted and but for the difficulty of managing the insane and idiotic would afford a quiet home for the aged and infirm."
The Directors of the Poor decided in April, 1854, to sell the House of Employment and property attached and to purchase the farm of Abram Pennell, in Middletown, which was done, and a new poor house finished in Middletown by April 1, 1857. The old house was torn down, and upon its site was erected the Haldeman House, later the home of Shortlidge's Board- ing School.
Street improvement in Media has kept pace with other improvements, and in this particular, little more can be desired. With the era of better streets, the borough council also began taking steps to secure a sufficient supply of pure water. This work was first taken under consideration in 1853, resulting in the completion of a small system of water works in 1855. Extensions and improvements were made until 1871, when the Palmer Mill property on Ridley creek was purchased and a contract made with the Philadelphia Hydraulic Works Company for the erection of pumps, and a system of modern supply inaugurated. In addition to the new water works system begun in 1898 and finished in 1899 a twelve-inch pumping main was laid for a distance of two thousand feet connecting with other mains leading to the reservoir and stand pipe, which are located at the highest point in the town. A modern system of filtration is employed, and the highest au . thorities declare the purity of the water unsurpassed by the supply of any other municipality. So well known is the purity and quality of the water that Wallingford secured the passage of a legislation act enabling Media to supply that section with water, which has been done for the past twenty- eight years. Another main from the Media water works supplies South Media, Moylan and Rose Valley, also on the State road in Upper Provi- dence township, a supply is furnished the residents. January 1, 19II, twen- ty-four acres belonging to the Lewis estate were purchased by the borough, thus insuring more perfect protection from contamination and providing a place for the erection of a modern setting basin in the future. In 1901, the borough council installed at the pumping station a modern municipal electric lighting plant, which furnishes energy for the illumination of the streets and public buildings of the borough. The Media Gas Company was incorporated April II, 1866; works completed, mains laid and gas intro- duced into the homes of several citizens on September toth. With the in- troduction of electricity, the usual changes were made and both systems of lighting and heating employed.
During the first years of Media's existence, as a rule, mail was received from Rose Tree, but in 1852 through Nether Providence post office, at the public house of Peter Worrall. About this time the office was moved to Media, the papers of that date stating that "the post office at Nether Provi- dence has been removed to Media, its name has been changed and Ellis Smed-
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ley appointed deputy until the present postmaster removed to a more con- venient location." Ellis Smedley resigned, and in May, 1853, Charles R. Williamson was appointed postmaster and the office removed from Smedley store, northeast corner of State street and South avenue, to the residence and store of Mr. Williamson, on the southeast corner of Front and Orange streets. The present postmaster is Matthew S. Fox. The first burgess of Media was William T. Peirce : the present incumbent is Harry P. Engle. The first mem- bers of the council were: Dr. George Smith, Dr. Joseph Rowland, Isaac Haldeman, Nathan Shaw, Thomas T. Williams, John C. Beatty. The first treasurer of the borough was Charles Palmer; the first clerk, Thomas Rich- ardson. The population of the borough according to the census of 1910, was 3562.
The borough is also the home of the Delaware County Institute of Sci- ence. The first meeting was held in Upper Providence, September 21. 1833, five persons attending-George Miller, Minshall Painter, John Miller, George Smith and John Cassin. An acre of land was purchased near Rose Tree, and in 1837 a two-story brick building was erected, which was formally opened in September of that year, Dr. Robert M. Patterson, then director of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, delivering the dedicatory address. The society increased in numbers and was incorporated February 8, 1836. The lectures were given in the hall, a museum established, which received specimens in every department of natural science, and a library opened. In 1867 the society erected their building in Media, and removed their treasures thereto. The library contains thousands of volumes, besides valuable and rare pamph- lets. The museum is large, containing many specimens of historical and scientific interest, Indian relics, zoological specimens, minerals, coins, birds, insects, etc. Dr. George Smith was president of the Institute from its organi- zation until his death in February, 1882, when he was succeeded by John M. Broomall.
The Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company had its origin under the name of The Delaware County Mutual Protection Company, incorporated June 12, 1839, for the purpose of "insuring their respective dwellings, houses, stores, shops and other buildings, household furniture, merchandise and other property, against loss or damage by fire." No attempt was made at organi- zation until the charter was extended by act of May 1, 1852, for a period of twenty years. The first meeting was held at Media. August 26, 1852, the incorporators then adopting by-laws and dividing the county into districts. Later, John M. Broomall was elected president. Jesse Bishop secretary, and John C. Beatty treasurer. Rates were adopted, and by October 20. 1852, the entire machinery of the company was in motion. By January 1. 1853. insur- ance to the amount of $300,000 had been effected. On June 15, 1853, the company announced that it had issued three hundred policies, covering prop- erty to the amount of $600,000. October 18, 1873, the company moved to its own building on the corner of Front street and South avenue. The losses paid up to 1913 aggregate $610.000.
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The financial institutions of Media are: the First National Bank, estab- lished in 1864, William H. Miller, president, R. Russell, cashier ; The Media Title and Trust Company, established in 1880, H. W. Rhodes, president, T. E. Levis, vice-president, W. E. Johns, treasurer, and the Charter National Bank, established in 1887, Jesse Darlington, president, Miss A. J. Darlington, cashier.
Three newspapers are published in the borough-The Delaware County American, established in March, 1855, now published under the firm name of Thomas V. Cooper & Sons; The Delaware County Record, founded March 23, 1878, now published by Joseph Chadwick, and The Media Ledger, estab- lished in 1891, William Ward, Jr., editor.
The churches in Media, ten in number, are treated in another chapter, as are its most excellent schools for which $75,000 has recently been voted to still further improvement.
George W. Bertram Lodge, F. A. M .; Media Chapter, R. A. M .; Kos- suth Lodge, I. O. O. F .: Bradbury Post, G. A. R .; and other fraternal socie- ties are located in the borough.
There was no carly organized body of fire fighters in Media, although pro- vision had been made by the council for protection by the purchase of a hand engine and several hundred feet of leather hose. In 1889, at the sug- gestion of the Delaware County Republican, steps were taken to form an or- ganization. At a meeting held at the home of Frank I. Taylor, was organized the Media Fire and Protective Association. The association took charge of the hand engine and hose, but it was not until August, 1891, that application was made to court for the incorporation of Media Fire and Hook and Ladder Company No. I. The charter was granted October 6, 1891, Terrence Reilly becoming first president. The apparatus of the company consists of a La France fire engine, a chemical engine, and hose wagon. The company's ros- ter contains the names of the judges, lawyers, physicians, mechanics and mer- chants, and has a proud record of efficiency in actual service as well as holding prize records in competition with the best companies in the state. The com- pany now has under advisement the purchase of an additional engine of the automobile type.
Company H, Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, is quartered in a handsome graystone armory on State street, erected by the government of Pennsylvania at a cost of $25,000. The building was erected five years ago, and besides containing a spacious drill-room is fitted out excellently for the comfort and convenience of the enlisted men, having numerous lounging and smoking rooms, as well as commodious locker and dressing accommodations. The enrollment at present is fifty-five men, who meet in the armory every Tuesday night for drill. The officers of the company for the present term of three years are Captain, William Westcott; First Lieutenant, Henry C. Saul- nier ; Second Lieutenant, George Owen Cornod.
Middletown Township .- Ranking as one of the largest townships of Dela- ware county and located near the centre of that county, Middletown has Rid- ley creek as its eastern and Chester creek for its western boundary. The land
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records extend back to October. 1681, when John March had surveyed to him 300 acres, part of a purchase of 1000 acres made by him in England. It is not known. that he ever settled on this tract. Other surveys were made to act- ual settlers, and in 1715 a list of taxables contains the names of : John Martin, George Grist. Caleb Harrison, Edward Woodward, Daniel Cookson, Joseph Jervis. William Pennell. Jacob Tregoe. John Edwards, George Smedley, Ja. cob Minshall, Peter Tregoe, senior. Thomas Barns. John Chauley, John Turn- er. Joseph Sharpless, Alexander Hunter, Moses Martin, Robert Baker, Thom- as Barnsley, Thomas Martin, junior, and Edward Laurence. Freemen :- Hans Hamilton. Peter Tregoc. James Tregoe. George Martin. Francis Ferrel, Thon- as Smith, William Chamberlain, Simon Barton.
Manufacturing began at an early day, this feature being treated else- where, as are schools and churches. The township population, according to the census of 1910. was 3806. The Central Division of the Philadelphia, Wil- mington & Baltimore railroad crosses the township, maintaining stations at Elwyn. the Williamson School, Glen Riddle, Lenni and Wawa. Near Lima the Delaware County Industrial Home is located. having been removed from Media in 1857. ground for the site having been purchased from Abram Pen- nell. Near Elwyn station is located the Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble Minded Children, and the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, both being state institutions of highest merit. Following the course of Chester creek from Wawa to Knowlton Station is the line of the Philadelphia. Wilmington & Baltimore railroad. Stations between these points are Lenni, Rockdale (in Aston) and Mt. Alverno. West of Wawa, on the West Chester & Philadelphia railroad ( Philadelphia. Wilmington & Baltimore). is Darling- ton station, the location of Darlington Dairies. Jesse Darlington over a cen- tury ago established the original dairy at this point, beginning with fifteen or twenty cows, which had increased at his death in 1842 to a herd of forty. He was the first man to introduce on the Philadelphia market the packing of but- ter in ice to keep it firm and hard. He met with much opposition, but finally won the market approval. His trade was with private families, neither he nor his successor, his son Jared, ever selling on the open market. At the death of Jared Darlington in 1862, the dairy herd had increased to seventy. The busi- ness was continued by his sons, who greatly extended its scope, maintaining on the original and adjoining farms hundreds of cows, and in their dairies using every modern improvement, shipping their product to wealthy private families of New York, Washington, Philadelphia and other localities.
The Rockdale Herald. a weekly newspaper, was established at Glen Rid- dle in 1898, William E. Griffith, editor.
Veretown Township .- From its extreme western corner to its extreme southern point, Newtown is bordered by Crum creek, which separates it from Upper Providence and Edgemont townships in Delaware county, and from Willistown township. Chester county. From its western to its northern point, Newtown borders Chester county: from north to cast. Radnor township, and from the eastern to the southern corner, Marple forms the boundary line.
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Darby creek flows across the northern part of the township from west to east.
The first mention of Newtown as a municipal district was at the court held in January, 1685, when Thomas Norbury and John Humphrey werc appointed collectors of the "Levie for the cort house and Prison, for ye Town- ship of Newtowne." At the December court, 1686, Thomas Norbury was appointed constable. Newtown was largely settled by Welshmen, and the township was laid out with a "townstead" in the centre. Lots in the village were distributed among the purchasers of land in the township according to the number of acres bought by each settler. The following is the list of tax- ables in 1715: Daniel Williamson, Reece Howell, William Bevan, David Thomas, William Phillips, Thomas Reece, John Reece, junior, Lewis Reece, Lewis Lewis, Evan Lewis, William Lewis, John Reece, John Ffawkes, Mor- gan James, Lawrence Peirce, Daniel Williamson, John Williamson, James Price, John Meredith, Edward Thomas, William Thomas. Freemen :- John Good- win, Adam Treheall.
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