USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 24
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the Civil War, known as "The Trent Affair," which threatened war between Great Britain and the United States. 4. Hiram, of further mention. 5. Sam- uel, born in Rondout, in 1843, died in New York City; an employee of the United States Customs House. 6. Erven, born in Rondout, in 1852, now a ho- tel proprietor of New York City, with summer residence on Long Island. 7. Hawley, born in 1855 ; spent several years in the West ; was a mail carrier and for several years associated with Buffalo Bill; now a resident of New York City.
Hiram Hathaway, son of William (2) and Lucy Gardner (Williams) Hathaway, was born in Esopus, New York, January 11, 1840. He was edu- cated in Kingston (New York) Academy, leaving there in 1856, and for eigh- teen months thereafter was clerk in the wholesale dry goods store of Barnes Lyman & Company. The three succeeding years he was permit clerk for the Penn Coal Company at Port Ewen, New York, and in 1861 came to Chester, Pennsylvania, where until 1864 he was bookkeeper and cashier for Frick & Thomas, boat builders. From 1864 until 1867 he was engaged in the sale of oil supplies at Tionesta, Pennsylvania. In the latter year he moved to North Carolina, where he engaged in boat building for the canal trade, later return- ing to Chester, where for a time he edited the Delaware County Democrat. He later was cashier for Charles A. Weidner, a builder of iron boats, then for thirty-six years and until 1910 was employed in the accounting of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad. In that year he retired and is now a resident of Chester. He is an attendant of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church ; was master in 1873 of Lucins H. Scott Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and since 1874 has been its efficient secretary.
He married Maria Bartram Hannum, born in Chester, died while on a visit to Richmond, Virginia, March 31, 1900, daughter of Robert E. Hanntim, deceased, a lawyer of Chester, and his wife, Georgianna M. Bartram, born in Philadelphia. Children of Hiram Hathaway : 1. Hiram (2), of whom furth- er. 2. Robert H., born September, 1866, died at Shanghai, China, March, 1908: captain of the Pacific Mail Steamship "Mongolia." 3. Lucy Gardner, a resident of Chester, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of The Colonial Dames. 4. Georgianna Bartram, born 1872; married Al- bert F. Huntt, a leading architect of Richmond, Virginia ; children : Albert and Spottswood. 5. William R., born 1879; now resident engineer for the Dit- Pont Powder Company, at Houghton, Michigan ; married Frances Holmes, of Reading. Pennsylvania : children : Frances Holmes and William Hathaway. 6. Alfred, died young.
Hiram (2) Hathaway, eldest son of Hiram ( 1) and Maria Bartram (Han- num) Hathaway, was born in what is now the First Ward of Chester, Pennsyl- vania, October 27, 1863. He was educated in the public schools and is a graduate of Chester High School, class of 1883. He then began the study of law in the office of Hon. William Ward, Chester, and in January, 1886, was admitted to the Delaware County Bar. He at once began practice in Chester, where he has attained unusual prominence in both branches of his profession, civil and criminal. For many years he was in charge of the legal side of all the real estate transactions for the Pennsylvania Railroad and has been coun- sel for the defence in fifteen murder cases, in none of which has a verdict carrying the death penalty been enforced against him. His offices for the past sixteen years have been in the Chester Real Estate Building, and here he trans- acts a very large and lucrative general law business. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1885 was elected city recorder, serving most efficiently for five years. He has also been the candidate of his party for State Senator and other important offices, but the normal Republican majority in his district has been
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too great to be overcome. except the one office mentioned, when his victory was regarded as a most remarkable one and a flattering testimonial of the high regard in which he is held in his own city. Mr. Hathaway has been admitted to all State and Federal courts of his district ; is a member of the State and County Bar associations : the Colonial Society of Pennsylvania, and is an at- tendant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Ile married in Wilmington, Delaware, January, 1908. Elizabeth, daughter of John Rowe, a contractor of Philadelphia, now deceased. Children: Eliza- beth, born at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1910; Mary, February 12, 19II.
McDOWELL For over forty years the name of McDowell has been one connected with the coal and lumber business of Chester, the business established by the father, continued by his sons until 1909, and since then by his son, Wesley S. McDowell. The founder of the family in Chester, John McDowell, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1820, died in Chester, Pennsylvania, in June, 1885. He was educated, grew to manhood and married in Ireland, which was his home until 1854, when he came to the United States, settling at Rockdale, Delaware County, Pennsyl- vania, where he first worked in the cotton mills, but in 1862 established a coalyard. He continued in that business until 1871, when he moved to Ches- ter where he established a similar business, continuing successfully until his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics, serving as school director for eighteen years. He married in Ire- land, Agnes McQuillan, born in County Antrim, died in Chester, September 3, 1900, daughter of William McQuillan, a farmer of Antrim. Children (first two born in Ireland, four in Rockdale, Pennsylvania) : 1. James, born 1850, died, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois; an employee of the Pullman Car Company ; married Mary Davis, who survives him. 2. William J., born 1852, died in Chester in 1909; married Anna J. Little, who survives him. He was a partner of William J. McDowell & Brother. 3. Thomas A., born 1854, now a plas- terer of Chester ; married Susanna McCoy. 4. Archibald, born 1856; married Emma Green and resides in Chester, a plasterer. 5. Elizabeth, born 1858, re- sides with her brother Wesley S. 6. Wesley S., of whom further.
Wesley S. McDowell, youngest son of John and Agnes ( McQuillan ) Mlc- Dowell, was born in Rockdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1860. IIe was educated in the public schools of Rockdale and Chester, his parents moving to South Chester in 1871. At the age of sixteen he finished his school years and was given a position in his father's coalyard. He continued his father's assistant until the death of the latter in 1885, then in partnership with his brother, William J., continued the business as William J. McDowell & Brother. On the death of the senior partner in 1909, Wesley S. purchased his interest from the estate and has since conducted the business alone. The old vards, now a part of the city of Chester, have been greatly enlarged since the early days of the firm, and the business extended to include all coal lines, lui- ber, cement, lime, terra cotta and builders' supplies of kindred nature. The business is an extensive, prosperous one and ably managed. Mr. Mc- Dowell is a director of the Penn National Bank of Chester, vice-president of the Iron Workers Building Association, and treasurer of the West End Free Library.
lle is a Republican in politics, and in 1886 was elected to fill the vacancy on the Chester school board, caused by the death of his father, serving until 1912. In 1902 he was elected treasurer of Delaware County, holding that re-
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sponsible position for three years. For ten years he served as secretary of the executive committee of the Republican County Committee, was alternate dele- gate to the Republican National Convention that nominated William McKin- ley for president in 1896, and has since been delegate to innumerable State and County conventions of his party. He has always been interested in the Volun- teer Fire Department of Chester ; was one of the organizers and a charter mem- ber of Felton Engine Company, and for eighteen years served as its president. He is prominent in the Masonic order, belonging to Chester Lodge, No. 236, Free and Accepted Masons : Chester Chapter, No. 258. Royal Arch Masons : Chester Commandery. No. 66, Knights Templar, and Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia. He also belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and to the Young Men's Republi- can Club. In religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. McDowell married in Chester, November 25. 1888. Elizabeth K. Law, born in Philadelphia, January 14, 1870, daughter of John (born in Ire- land) and Martha (Doak) Law, he a brick manufacturer and an ex-burgess of Chester, where both now reside. Children of Mr. and Mrs. McDowell, both born in Chester : Harold, March 29, 1892, educated in the public schools and Swarthmore Preparatory School, now engaged in business with his father : Wesley J. (2), born September 23. 1899.
While three generations of this family have been prominent
MORRIS in the business and professional life of Chester, they originally came from Delaware, where Charles J. Morris, grandfather of Frank S. Morris, was born in 1833. He was a posthumous child, his father dying two months prior to the birth of his son. Charles J. Morris learned the sailmaker's trade and moved to Boston where he established a sailmaker's loft : later he moved to Machias, Maine. remaining two years : he then returned to Boston and vicinity, and finally in November. 1867, he came to Chester, where he again established a loft, but later moved his business to Philadelphia, re- taining his residence in Chester, where he died in 1885. He married, in Bos- ton, Almira Josephine Gardner, of Machias, Maine, a descendant of the Massachusetts family of Colonial and Revolutionary fame. She died in 1902. aged sixty-nine years.
Charles E., son of Charles J. and Almira Josephine (Gardner) Morris, was born in Boston, May 8, 1856. He followed the many removals of his par- ents. obtaining some schooling, but early became a bread winner. When a lad of twelve years he hired as cook for a number of fisherman, who lived dur- ing the season in a cabin on the shores of Delaware Bay, but there was a poor catch and there was no money for the cook's wages. He helped in the restau- rant his parents kept in Chester for a time and picked up such jobs as came in his way. In December, 1871, he found employment as a helper at John Roach's ship-yard, where he remained until the following March, then shipped on the United States revenue cutter, "Colfax," but later was transferred to the "Ham- ilton." In the fall of 1872, being then but sixteen years of age, he left the vessel and upon returning from a day's shooting of reed birds on Chester Island, he was apprehended by United States authorities and when the facts were presented to the department he was discharged from the service in De- cember. He worked in the restaurant until the summer of 1874, then opened a stand for the sale of refreshments at the Market street wharf in Chester. When the river season closed, he shipped as cook on the revenue cutter, "Seward," but the crew were soon discharged. Returning to Chester, he en-
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tered the employ of Irving & Leeper, a manufacturing company; he then worked at Henry Goff's hotel until 1878, when he secured work in the folding department of the Eddystone Print Works, at a salary of six dollars weekly. In 1879 he married, and after the wedding fee was paid was the proud posses- sor of a wife and two dollars in cash, but he had an immense capital of courage and energy, and he contrived to make a living for both by doing extra work. In March, 1881, he secured a position at forty dollars per month, with the United States Coast Survey, then charting the Delaware River. During the following winter he worked in Roach's ship-yard, and gunned for ducks, then a profitable occupation. In May, 1882, he became bartender at the Washing- ton House, a pre-revolutionary hosteiry with an interesting history, then kept by Henry Abbott. It was at the Washington House that in April, 1902, the Delaware County Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution placed a bronze tablet in commemoration of the fact, that there at midnight, September II, 1777, General Washington wrote the only report of the battle of Brandywine, and at the same hotel, April 20. 1789, he received the congratulations of the people of Chester upon his election as first president of the United States.
Mr. Morris remained with Mr. Abbott ten years, and when the latter was appointed assistant sergeant at arnis of the Pennsylvania House of Represent- atives, Mr. Morris was promoted to be manager, with an agreement that vir- tually amounted to a partnership. On December 13, 1894, Mr. Morris entered into a contract with Mr. Abbott to purchase the Washington House at a valu- ation of fifty-seven thousand dollars, and in February, 1895, he became abso- lute owner and proprietor. He has had a prosperous career and from time to time has added to the value of his property by extensive and costly modern improvements.
Charles E. Morus married January 20, 1879, Ellen I. P., daughter of John and Mary Stewart. Children: Frank S., of whom further; Herman jardella, born October 13, 1881, died May 12, 1889.
Frank S., son of Charles E. and Ellen I. P. ( Stewart) Morris, was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1880. He was educated in the public schools of that city. In 1898 he entered the law office of John B. Hannum, as clerk, and at once began legal study, continuing there until 1902, when he passed the required examinations and was admitted to the bar. He practiced with his preceptor, Mr. Hannum, then with Ward P. Bliss, later with A. B. Geary, then established his own offices in Chester and practiced alone. He has given a great deal of attention to criminal law and for the length of time he has been a member of the bar has figured in practically as many im- portant criminal cases as any other member of the Delaware County bar. He has been a successful advocate, and is rapidly acquiring not only local but state reputation in criminal law. He is a deep student and in the conduct of his cases makes careful study and search for precedent. In a recent case of a tenant seeking relief from an extortionate landlord, Mr. Morris, with the aid of A. B. Geary. Esq., unearthed a law passed by the English Parliament in 1267 that bore so plainly on the case at issue, that he secured a favorable ver- dict for his client. With his deep knowledge of law and his capacity for work, it needs no prophet to determine Mr. Morris's future as a lawyer. He has a trained mind, quartered in a healthy body that is kept at concert pitch by ath- letic exercise of all kinds, his favorite sports being horseback riding, fishing and yachting, the latter perhaps his special delight, his handsome yacht being kept in commission in all but the extreme winter months. He is a contributing member of Essington Fire Company ; member of the Alpha Boat Club ; The Young Men's Republican Club. The Essington Republican Club and the Tini- cum Republican Club. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Or-
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der of Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Chester. In politics he is a Republican, but beyond serving as judge of election and county committeeman from the Tinicum District of Delaware County, has never accepted public office.
He married, in Camden, New Jersey, December, 1904, Gerzella, daugli- ter of William and Jennie ( Rogers) Miller, of Essington. William Miller, de- ceased, was a hotel proprietor of Essington and is there survived by his wife and five children.
DUTTON From early days the name of Dutton has been known in Dela- ware county. In 1682, on October 8, Charles Ashcom, a sur- veyor returned five hundred acres of land laid out for John Dutton on the west side of Upland Creek in Aston township and tradition says that John Dutton settled on the land, built a house in the meadow near the creek, but being disturbed by floods, removed a few rods farther away and erected his dwelling on a large rock near a small rivulet. It is also stated that the family of John Dutton followed an Indian path through the forest, when they moved front Chester to their land.
Jonathan Dutton founded a family in Middletown township and on No- vember 12. 1792, bought a grist mill from Nicholas Fairlamb. When his son, John Dutton, became of legal age he was placed in charge of the mill, which became his property at the death of Jonathan Dutton, the father in 1820. Jonathan (2) Dutton succeeded his father John in the ownership of the mills and in 1843, during the great flood, was driven from floor to floor by the rising water and finally just before the mill was swept away leaped into the rushing torrent and succeeded in reaching safety one hundred yards below. The mills were rebuilt in 1844 and on the death of Jonathan (2) Dutton, September 18, 1880, they were inherited by his son George G. Dutton, the fourth generation of Duttons to own and operate the mills during a period covering nearly a century.
Thomas Dutton, a grandson of Richard Dutton, was born in Aston town- ship, February 2, 1769, died in the same township, his span of life having cov- ered one hundred years, seven months and eleven days. He was a boy during the Revolution, remembered hearing the cannon fired in Philadelphia, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, voted for George Washington for his second term and except for Monroe at his first term, had voted at every presidential election, casting his last ballot for Gen. Grant in November, 1868. On February 2, 1869, when Thomas Dutton completed his century of life, his family connections and friends assembled at his home in Aston township in celebration of the event. Only three instances are recorded in Delaware coun- ty of persons who lived to a greater age than Thomas Dutton.
In 1850. Nathan P. Dutton, while attending a public sale of household goods, at a house near Village Green, was struck by lightning and lived but five minutes thereafter. Rachel Dutton, his mother, was in an adjoining room, but was unhurt. On being told of the fate of her son, she came to him at once and labored over him for nearly half an hour, then gradually lost con- sciousness and died about three-quarters of an hour after the death of her son.
The Duttons were members of the Society of Friends for many genera- tions, from the emigrant John Dutton, the early settler in Aston township. Many of the name yet adhere to the austere faith of their fathers, while others have connected with other christian denominations, but whether as Friends, Presbyterians, Baptists or Methodists, they have ever been a family of high standing in their communities. God-fearing, honorable and upright.
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Harwell Beeson Dutton of Chester, Pennsylvania, is a son of Frank and Martha ( Beeson) Dutton of Chester, Delaware county, where Frank Dutton was born March 3. 1850. He was educated in the public schools of Upper Chichester township and at Bartons Boarding School at Village Green. He was a farmer and butcher of Twin Oaks until the year 1900, when he retired and is now living in Chester, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics and for many years served as school director and supervisor of Upper Chi- chester township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for many years served as steward and trustee. He belongs to the Masonic order, affiliated with Lucius H. Scott Lodge, No. 352. He married Martha. daughter of Amor and Louisa ( Cloud) Beeson, he a deceased farmer of Dela- ware county. His widow married (second) William H. Henderson, a farmer of Centreville, Delaware, whom she also survives, a resident of Wilmington. Delaware. Children of Frank Dutton, all born in Upper Chichester township : Elmer G., born May 19, 1878, now a clerk in the Chester National Bank, mar- ried Lena Bonsall and resides in Chester : Lawrence A., born June 11, 1880, now a farmer and butcher of Twin Oaks, married Eunice Whiteley of Wil- mington, Delaware; Louisa B., born August 29, 1882. married Lloyd Norris Hall, a salesman for the Carnegie Steel Company, residing at Ridley Park ; Harwell Beeson ( see forward) : F. Herman, born April 24, 1888, now a mer- chant and farmer of Twin Oaks, married Amy Erwin : Wilmer C., born Sep- tember 11, 1800, clerk for James Boyd & Company, married Florence Bardsley and resides in Ridley Park : Irwin V., born April 29, 1892, clerk. First Nation- al Bank, Chester, Pennsylvania.
Harwell Beeson Dutton was born at Twin Oaks, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, December 28, 1886. He attended the public schools of Upper Chi- chester township, Twin Oaks and Boothwyn in Delaware county, then entered Chester high school, whence he was graduated class of 1904. He then took a course at Swarthmore College, graduating class of 1908, then matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, law department. whence he was graduated LL.B. class of 1912. He was admitted to the Delaware county bar in December 1911, and on receiving his degree from the University began the practice of his profession in Chester with offices at No. 40 and No. 42 Cambridge Building. He is a member of the Delaware County Bar Association : has served as secre- tary of the Chester Board of Trade from February, 1912, till March, 1913 : is a member of Theta Lambda Phi. legal fraternity. University of Pennsylvania : Lucius H. Scott Lodge, No. 352, Free and Accepted Masons, a charter men- ber of the Chester Club, and is a communicant of Mount Hope Methodist Episcopal Church at Village Green. He is gaining a satisfactory practice and is devoted to his profession.
WATSON From the maritime country of Louth, Province of Leinster, Ireland, came Thomas, son of Robert Watson, who lived and died in his native isle.
Thomas Watson was born in Louth in 1834, was left an orphan at an early age, came to the United States and died in Chester, Pennsylvania, February 7. 1900. Hle was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States in company with his sister Bridget and brothers, James and Patrick. He located in Ilolmesburg, now a part of Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of horseshoer. In 1859 he located in Chester, where he established the business now owned by his son. He continued there in prosperous business, honored and respected until his death in 1900. He was a Democrat in politics and a de- voted member of the Roman Catholic Church. He married Sarah McPherson,
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDAN FOUNDATIONS.
Wohn Noach
John B. Roach
THE NEW YORK LIBRARY
X AND AT ON8.
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born in county Donegal, Ireland, who died in Chester in 1896, daughter of John and Kate McPherson, he a grain merchant of Castle Finn, County Donegal. Children (all but the first born in Chester, Pennsylvania) : Robert (of further mention) ; John, born August 2, 1861, now superintendent of the American Steel Foundries at Chester, married Mary Welsh; James, born March 3, 1864, now a horseshoer of Chester, married Elizabeth Bradbury ; Thomas, born October 29, 1866, now superintendent of the pattern department of the New Castle Steel Casting Company, married ( first) Mary Mackey, (second) Ida Boyer; Catherine, born 1868, now Sister Agatha of the Con- vent of The Immaculate Heart, Oak View, Delaware county, Pennsylvania ; Mary, born 1870, married John Hamilton, an employee of the Sharpless Man- ufacturing Company and lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania: Joseph, born 1872, died 1890: Frances, Sarah and Susanna, all died in childhood.
Robert Watson, son of Thomas and Sarah (McPherson) Watson, was born in Byberry township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1859. He was but two months old when his parents moved to Chester and there his life has been spent. He attended the public schools of Chester, entering high school where he remained until 1875. He then secured a position in the armor plate weighing department at the Roach Ship Yard, remaining two years, then going with his father who taught him the horseshoer's trade. He worked at his trade for five years, then in 1882, entered the employ of George B. Wood- man, grocer at Thirteenth and Market streets, Philadelphia, with whom he re- mained until 1888. In that year he returned to Chester, resuming work at his trade with his father, continuing until the death of the latter, when he became owner of the business which he continues very successfully at No. 119 East Fifth street. He is a Republican in politics and from 1903 until 1911 served as member of the city council from the Third Ward. He was then employed hy Mayor Ward, commissioner of highways, his term to expire in 1915. He has proved a most efficient commissioner, the number of macadamized streets in 1912, exceeding that of any previous year in the history of the city. He is also president of the Keystone Wire Board Box Company, incorporated in the state of Delaware. He has been a member of Hanley Fire Company twen- ty-five years and has served as trustee nine years. He is Past Grand Worthy President of Chester Lodge, No. 159, Fraternal Order of Eagles ; Past Dictator of Chester Lodge, No. 285, Loyal Order of Moose, and for four years was a member of the credentials committee : member of the Heptasophs, and of the Modern Woodmen of America, Charter Oak Camp, No. 5806.
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