USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
(IV) Joseph, only son of John and Elizabeth ( Shelley) Booth, was born in Upper Chichester township. Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1775, died sixth month 24, 1828. He farmed the homestead with his father during the ac- tive years of his father's life, later becoming sole owner and residing thereon until his death. He married, sixth month 2, 1811, Martha Hoskins, daughter of William and granddaughter of John Hoskins, the emigrant. Children : Wil- liam, of whom further; Caleb, born twelfth month 26, 1815, died first month 19. 1898. married, in 1838, Henrietta Eyre: Sarah, born seventh month 21, 1817, died sixth month 20, 1838, unmarried: John, born third month 4, 1820, died fourth month 6. 1879, unmarried ; Elizabeth, born eighth month 9, 1823. (lied third month 19, 1848, married, tenth month 4, 1841. John M. Broomall ; Martha. born ninth month 9. 1826, died fifth month 9. 1832.
(V) William, eldest son of Joseph and Martha ( Hoskins) Booth, was born on the homestead in Upper Chichester, Delaware County, fifth month 27. 1812, died there eleventh month 1, 1877. He was educated in the old brick schoolhouse near Chichester Cross-roads, and a boarding-school in Burling- ton. New Jersey. He inherited the home farm and there continued his resi- dence until 1848, seven of his children being born in that place. In 1848 he moved to the city of Chester and engaged with John Larkin in the lumber and coal business on Chester Creek. below Third street, also operating a line of packets. After the withdrawal of Mr. Larkin from the firm, Mr. Booth con- tinued the business alone for several years, subsequently admitting his son, Bartram, as a partner, and operating a steam saw and planing mill on Front street. He also purchased a farm near Chelsea. Delaware County, where he gratified his love of agriculture, bred in his blood through many generations of farmer forbears. He took an active part in the upbuilding of Chester and was one of the leaders in the expansion of that city after the removal of the county seat to Media. He was deeply interested in the building and loan as- sociations of his day, encouraging investments in these institutions and thus aiding in the starting of many men upon a successful business career. He as- sisted in the laying out of the North Ward of Chester, and at the intersection
567
DELAWARE COUNTY
of Broad and Madison (the latter street being named by him), he built his own mansion and several other residences. He served as a burgess of Chester for a time, although so retiring was his nature and disposition that he shunned pub- lic office and held but few official positions. He was one of the early directors of the Delaware County Bank, elected November 11. 1864, one of the last board elected under the old State charter. Although not a member of Friends' Meet- ing, he was a constant attendant at the old meeting house on Market street, and lived an upright Christian life, gaining and holding the respect of all who knew him. He died November 1. 1877. aged nearly sixty-six years.
Mr. Booth married (first) third month 14. 1833. Hannah. daughter of Benjamin and Phoebe Bartram, of Darby, and granddaughter of John Bar- tram, the noted botanist. She died in 1838, and he married (second) second month 4. 1841. Elizabeth. daughter of John and Sarah ( Martin) Broomall, and a descendant of Thomas Martin, George Mans. Henry Reynolds, Richard Webb. William Clayton. John Davis, James Dilworth, Joseph Baker, and Ben- jamin Acton. all men of note in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, and nearly all of them officials of the colonial government. Children of first mar- riage : 1. Martha. born twelfth month 15, 1833, died eleventh month 3. 1889 ; married twelfth month 3. 1855. James Gibson. 2. Henry, born sixth month 4. 1835. died seventh month 31. 1835. 3. Bartram. born eleventh month 3. 1836: married twelfth month 23. 1860, Ellen Morris. Children of second marriage : 4. Sarah Broomall, married twelfth month 5. 1876. Allen Fliteraft. 5. Clar- issa. married sixth month 12, 1867, Isaac L. Miller. 6. Hannah Bartram, mar- ried second month 24. 1870. J. Newlin Trainer. 7. Ellen Hoskins, married third month 26, 1868. Ellwood Harvey. 8. George Martin, of whom further. 9. John Broomall, married fourth month 2 1891, Mary Nevin.
(\'1) George Martin, elder son of William Booth and his second wife. Elizabeth Broomall, was born at the Booth mansion, Broad and Madison streets. Chester. Pennsylvania, September 19. 1851. He was educated under private instruction at home until he was sixteen years of age, then for two years attended Clarkson Taylor's Academy, at Wilmington, Delaware. Hle was a member of the first class to enter Swarthmore College, and one of the first students enrolled in 1869 He continued at Swarthmore one and a half years, then began the study of law under the preceptorship of his uncle, John M. Broomall, the eminent lawyer of Media, Pennsylvania. He continued the studying of law until 1874, when. on February 23. he was admitted to the Del- aware County bar. He has continued in legal practice until the present time. although his connection with the business and financial institutions of Chester has been constant and exceedingly valuable. Shortly after being admitted to the bar he organized the Chester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which his honored father was a director until 1877. The first officers of this com- pany were : Jolin (2) Larkin, president : Mortimer H. Beckley, vice-president, and George M. Booth, secretary and treasurer. He continued a potent factor in the success of this company until it closed a very creditable career in 1887.
For years Mr. Booth has been connected with many local corporations. either as legal advisor or as an official, his knowledge of the law and wise executive ability rendering him most valuable in either capacity. For over thir- ty years he has been an official of the Chester Building Association; for more than twenty years, a director and solicitor of the Chester Rural Cemetery ; and for over thirteen years solicitor for the Chester School Board. He became a well-known and able financier, so highly regarded that in 1887 he was called to the presidency of the First National Bank of Chester, being at the time of his elevation to this responsible position one of the youngest bank presidents of the State. As head of the First National Bank he has broadened and extended
568
DELAWARE COUNTY
his knowledge of matters financial, continuing the strong head of this very successful institution by successive elections until the present time (see "Banks of Chester"). In 1901 Mr. Booth was elected secretary and treasurer of the Penn Steel Casting Company, and still continues active in its management. Not alone is Mr. Booth the lawyer, financier and business man. He is interested in the welfare of his city and proves his interest in most practical ways. He is a friend of education, active in his sympathy for the unfortunate as shown by his service of more than fifteen years as an efficient member of the Glen Mills Schools, better known as the House of Refuge. He was chief advisor and assistant to the superintendent in the establishing of a female department at the school, adding thereby to the usefulness of that institution. In political faith Mr. Booth is a staunch Republican, and his church affiliations are with the Society of Friends, as are also those of his family connections. He is a member of several social clubs and societies, among them the Penn Club. of Chester, which he helped to organize and has served on its board continuously ever since.
Mr. Booth married, in 1876, Ellen, daughter of Levis Miller, of Media. Children : 1. Levis M., now engaged in business in New York City. 2. Eliza- beth M., married Robert E. Lamb, of Philadelphia. 3. NNewlin T., now a resi- dent of the city of Chester.
BICKLEY The Bickley family of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has been well and favorably known in the State for considerable more than a century. The earlier members of the family came to this country. from Germany, but some branches of it trace their lineage back to William the Conqueror. The elder Bickleys settled in Philadelphia.
(I) Jacob Bickley married Hannah Horning, and died at an early age.
(II) Mortimer Horning, son of Jacob and Hannah (Horning) Bickley. was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, November 8. 1831, and died at his home in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1911. Hav- ing been deprived by death of a father's care when he was a very young child, Mr. Bickley was raised by his grandparents, who assumed the parental office. His earlier education was acquired in the public schools of his native county, and this was supplemented by study in a private school in Norristown. Upon the completion of these studies, at which time he had attained the age of eigh- teen years. Mr. Bickley became a clerk in the drug store of Samnel Simes, in Philadelphia. Two years later, in 1851, he came to Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and there commenced the career of which he had full reason to be proud. He found a position in the drug store conducted by Dr. J. M. Allen at Fourth and Market streets, and at the same time commenced a course of studies at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1854. Continuing his relations with Dr. Allen, these ripened into a partnership, January 1. 1856, the firm name being Allen & Bickley. Just three years later this partnership was dissolved and the busi- ness was then carried on alone by Mr. Bickley. That he was prosperous in his- conduct of affairs is evidenced by the fact that he found the premises entirely too small to properly accommodate the amount of business he was called upon to transact, and he accordingly had the large five-story building erected which he occupied until his death. The new building was erected on the site of the old one, in 1868. and while it was in course of construction temporary quarters were located on the opposite side of the street in the building now occupied by S. & E. Brandies. At the time of its construction, the Bickley building was
569
DELAWARE COUNTY
one of the largest building propositions that had ever been undertaken in Chester, and it was considered a wonderful creation in the business world.
The business ability of Mr. Bickley, however, was not confined to the drug trade. He was one of the organizers of the Penn Steel Casting Company, and served as president of this corporation from 1892 until the time of his death. His executive ability was an important factor in the success of this enterprise, and he was always a leading spirit in the deliberations of its executive body. He was a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chester from January 10, 1871, until his death, and it was due to his personal efforts that the fine new building was erected at Fifth and Market streets. Shipping interests also occupied his attention. Under his supervision the large river steamers "Mary Morgan," "Jersey Blue," and "Sarah Taggart" were operated up and down the Delaware river, and he also operated two freight lines, one between Chester and Billingsport, and the other to Wilmington. He was one of the charter members of the Chester Rural Cemetery.
Public spirited to a degree, Mr. Bickley assisted materially in furthering many projects which would otherwise have been neglected. He was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Military College, and it is owing to him that the building is now located in Chester. There was talk of transferring the institution to Wilmington when it was destroyed by fire in 1882, as there were apparently no funds available for rebuilding purposes. When Mr. Bickley became aware of this condition of affairs he threw himself into the breach to such good purpose that the structure was rebuilt in the city of Chester. Again, the postoffice had formerly been located in a small store on Market street, in what would now be the rear of Broomall's store, and the quarters had been fully outgrown. The residents and property owners of what was then known as the South Ward, located west of Chester Creek, offered inducements to have the postoffice removed to that section. When Mr. Bickley was made aware of this state of affairs, he at once advanced money for the erection of the building known as the City Hall Annex, now occupied by the city clerk and the city treasurer. The postoffice was located in this, and has remained there since that time. Although Mr. Bickley served several years as a member of the common council of the city, he was never very desirous of holding pub- lic office, feeling that he was best serving the interests of the community by devoting his time and attention to furthering its welfare in other directions. The Masonic fraternity always had the benefit of his cordial interest, and he was a member of Chester Lodge No. 256, Free and Accepted Masons; Ches- ter Chapter. No. 258, Royal Arch Masons; and Corinthian Commandery, Knights Templar, of Philadelphia. Domestic and unassuming in his habits, he was a devoted and loving husband and father. His contributions to the cause of charity were many and generous ones, yet he preferred to give in an unostentatious manner, and nothing was more distasteful to him than publicity in any of his acts of this nature.
Mr. Bickley married (first) Rebecca, died in January. 1875, a daughter of Samuel Weaver. He married (second) December 12, 1883, Caroline Jester, of Wilmington. Children, all of the first marriage: 1. Mary Abbott, married Rev. H. R. Robinson, now resides at Red Bank, New Jersey. 2. Milton Hor- ace, sec forward. 3. Walter Scott, see forward. 4. Laura, died at the age of five years.
(III) Milton Horace, son of Mortimer Horning and Rebecca (Weaver) Bickley, was born in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1862. He was educated in the public schools, being graduated from the Ches- ter High School in the class of 1882. He then took a course at Pierce's Busi- ness College and when he had been graduated from this entered the drug store
570
DELAWARE COUNTY
of his father, and at the same time commenced a course of study in the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1886, at which time he was awarded three prizes. He is now in charge of the drug store. As a business man he has been as successful as his father. He was elected a director of the First National Bank of Chester, to succeed his father : is a stockholder, director and treasurer of the Boston Iron and Metal Com- pany of Baltimore, Maryland; is stockholder, director and treasurer of the Boldt Anchor Company of Chester ; stockholder, director and treasurer of the Cassada Manufacturing Company of Chester. In Masonic circles, he is a mem- ber of the Chester Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. and Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia.
Mr. Bickley married, October 25. 1892, May, daughter of Charles and Jennie ( Bowman) Fahnestock, and they have one daughter, Helen F., born November 6. 1895.
BICKLEY Walter Scott Bickley, son of Mortimer Horning (q. v.) and Rebecca ( Weaver ) Bickley, was born in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1866. The public schools furnished him with a good, practical education, and at the age of nineteen years he took charge of the shipping interests of his father and managed theni successfully for a number of years. He then took a position at the Penn Steel Casting Works, and worked his way through each department of this plant. thus obtaining a working knowledge of all details which he could have acquired in no other manner. He rose to the position of assistant manager, from that to manager, and at his father's death was elected president and general mana- ger of the company. His other business interests are as follows: Director of the Delaware County Trust Company : was president and one of the organizers of the Boldt Anchor Company ; member of the Chester Board of Trade. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a life member of Lulu Temple.
He married, March 18. 1880. Josephine, daughter of Charles Sharp, of Bridgeport Township. They have had children: Milton S., Rebecca and Charles M.
Joseph Warner Jones, of Chester, Pennsylvania, a retired farmer
JONES and capitalist well known in his State, is of direct Welsh origin. The immigrant ancestor probably landed at Philadelphia before 1800, or soon after the ending of the Revolutionary War. ( I) Jones, the Welsh immigrant, reached the United States from Wales, via London. With him came his wife and young family. He was a quarryman in Wales and, after prospecting. he purchased the Leeper stone quarry, at Leepersville, Pennsylvania. For many years he did a successful business. Later he sold the quarry and received for it worthless Continental money, which left him in destitute circumstances. He was the father of a number of children, among them being William, of whom further.
(II) William Jones, son of the Welsh immigrant, was probably born after his parents reached America. He received his education in the district schools in the various places in which he lived with his parents. He was taught the cabinetmaker's trade, which he pursued for several years. Later he entered the mercantile business at No. 8 Fifth street. Philadelphia. Both he and his wife were Quakers and members of the Friends' congregation in Philadelphia. Ile died at the age of fifty-one. He married Jane Pennell, of Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, who died at the age of seventy. Children : 1. William Pennell, born probably in 1839, died in New York City,
571
DELAWARE COUNTY
in 1903 ; a dry goods salesman for the firm of Townsend Sharpless of Phila- delphia : married Hannah Howey, now deceased ; one daughter, Sibyl T., of Woodbury, New Jersey. 2. Joseph Warner, of whom further. 3. Edward C., born in 1843, died in 1895. for thirty years a druggist at the corner of Fif- teenth and Market streets. Philadelphia, and for the same length of time treas- urer of College of Pharmacy ; unmarried. 4. Mary Elizabeth, born December 25, 1846, died June 8. 1898: unmarried ; lived in Philadelphia and Media, Pennsylvania. 5. Hannah S., died aged six years.
(III) Joseph Warner Jones, son of William and Jane ( Pennell) Jones, was born July 26, 1841, in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. He attended the Friends' Select School in Philadelphia, and later the Friends' Boarding School, at Westtown. Pennsylvania. After reaching manhood he went to Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, where he married. He pur- chased one hundred and fifteen acres of land in Middletown Township, known as the Jonathan Thomas place, which he greatly improved. The residence was remodeled and the land was brought to a high state of fertility and productive- ness under his wise guiding hand, using the most approved scientific methods : and here he remained for forty-six years, during which time he accumulated wealth. In 1900 he retired from farming and moved to Park Place, Chester, Pennsylvania, where he purchased the property called Park Place, with a handsome modern structure, which had been built some two years previous, and in which he now makes his home, at the corner of Twenty-fourth street and Edgemore avenue. Mr. Jones has commanded respect and esteem in every community in which he has lived. He is known for his probity, justice and fair dealings with his fellowmen, as a good friend and neighbor. Both he and his wife are members of the Friends' Meeting House, and take an active part and interest in the work. On November 7. 1867, he married Sarah L. Web- ster (see Webster). Children: I. Elizabeth W., born December 3, 1869. died June 3, 1908 : married Ellis B. Barker : no children. Mr. Barker married (second) Elizabeth Moore, and has one daughter, Ruth. After the retirement of Mr. Jones from active participation in business affairs Mr. Barker moved to the old homestead in Middletown Township, where he farms. 2. Jane P' .. born July 31, 1874: died of diphtheria, February 15, 1884.
( The Webster Line).
The Webster family of Pennsylvania has long been established in the State, and is of direct English origin. It has contributed many notable men to the public life of the United States, lawyers, physicians, divines, teachers, in fact there is no walk of life that has not been filled by one or more of the name. The Websters of Pennsylvania have all been, more or less, agricultur- ists, living on and tilling their own land.
( I) William Webster, the immediate progenitor of Sarah L. (Webster ) Jones, was born, reared and educated in Middletown township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He was a successful farmer and a man of prominence in his day. He married ( first ) a Miss Sharpless: married (second ) AAgnes Yarnell. Children by first marriage: I. Mary, married William Smeadly, of Delaware County. 2. Lydia, married George Smeadly, of Middletown Town- ship. 3. Sarah, married Abram Pennell. of Middletown Township. Children by second marriage : 4. Phoebe, died June 14. 1913. aged one Inindred years less four months and was well and hearty up to the last : married Thomas Y. Hutton and lived in Waterville, Pennsylvania. 5. William, of whom further. 6. Caleb, married Hannah Morgan : lives in Middletown Township. 7. Ruth, died aged thirty.
( II) William (2), son of William ( 1) and Agnes ( Yarnell) Webster,
572
DELAWARE COUNTY
was born in Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1816, died in the same township October 4, 1891. He was reared on his father's farm, received the best educational advantages that the times and the district schools afforded, and on reaching his majority took up farming as his life vo- cation. By close economy, shrewd judgment and application to his business he accumulated a nice property, and retired from active participation in the culti- vation of his land in 1885, removing to Media, Delaware County. He married (first) Elizabeth Larkin, born in 1816, died March 22, 1877. He married (sec- ond) Catherine Scarlet, widow of James Scarlet, who died in 1899. Children by first marriage: 1. Hannah, born February 23, 1840: married Samuel Moore, of Middletown Township; he died in Philadelphia, she died May 20. 1908; no children. 2. Sarah L., now Mrs. Jones. 3. Nathan, born February 22, 1844, died March 24, 1844. 4. Rebecca, born December 18, 1845, died Oc- tober 30, 1847. 5. Edward, born April 16, 1847, died in 1890; he was a farm- er and later a milk dealer in Philadelphia ; married Emma England : one son Lawrence. 6. Ruthanna, born February 24, 1849, died April 17, 1880 ; mar- ried Samuel Moore, of Chester County, Pennsylvania ; three daughters. 7. William, born March 6, 1851 : milk dealer at 3224 Woodland avenue, Phila- delphia ; married Cynthia Dora Kester; two children. S. Pennell L .. born August 9, 1853 : milk dealer in Media, Pennsylvania : married Mary W. Yar- nell ; two children. 9. Owen Y., born February 26, 1855; died in 1908: was a farmer in Middletown Township: married Clara England ; children : Agnes, Evelina, England, deceased ; Mildred. 10. Elizabeth, born November 1. 1856; makes her home with her sister. Mrs. Jones. 11. Richard G., born June 23, 1861 ; a veterinary surgeon in Chester, Pennsylvania : married Annie Hutton : three children.
HATHAWAY The Hathaways of New England, from whom descend the Hathaways of Chester. Pennsylvania, spring from Nicho- las Hathaway, who with his son John, a lad of ten years. came to New England from England, in 1639, settling at Taunton. Massachu- setts. John, the son, became a prominent public man, married and left three sons, who in turn married and founded families. A branch settled in the State of Connecticut. where William (1) Hathaway was living in 1809.
William (2) Hathaway, son of William ( 1) Hathaway, was born in Con- necticut in 1809, died in Chester, Pennsylvania, in March, 1888. He was a naval architect and engineer, employed on the Connecticut river at one time, later at Coburg. Canada, and constructed the first steamboat that sailed the Great Lakes. He also built the first drydock, built west of the Alleghenies, at Cairo, Illinois, and for twenty-five years was general superintendent of the Pennsylvania Coal Company at Rondout and Port Ewen, New York. He was a delegate from Ulster, New York, to the National Democratic Conven- tion that nominated Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency in 1860, and was a prominent member of his party in Ulster County. He married Lucy Gardner Williams, daughter of Samnel and Mercy Williams, of New London, Con- necticut. On her paternal side she was a descendant of Roger Williams, the first Baptist minister in New England, and on the maternal side she descended from Lion Gardiner, the early proprietor of Gardiner's Island, in Long Island Sound, New York. Children of William (2) Hathaway : 1. and 2. Susan and Frank, died young. 3. William, born in Rondont, New York, 1837. died at Port Ewen, New York, in 1886. He was a sea-faring man : was purser of a line of steamers running between New York and Savannah, and was captain of the steamer "Greyhound." concerned in the Mason and Slidell incident during
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.