USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 30
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We are about to undertake the re-arrangement of the church. I write to you to know if it is within the limits of your rules as editor to allow the letter to appear in your columns, as perhaps some member of the Green family would wish to have a voice in the disposal of the effigies which still remain as witnesses of their wealth and position.
I may only add that I am "a constant reader" of your paper and an occasional con- tributor thereto.
Yours sincerely S. BEAL, D. C. L.
The Rectory, Green's Norton, Towchester, England, September 29, 1888.
Horace Plankinton Green, a grandson of George Green, a prominent char- acter in the history of Delaware county, and son of Isaac and Phoebe H. (Plankinton) Green, as born in Edgmont township, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, June 11, 1854. He obtained his early education in the public schools, continuing his studies in the West Chester State Normal School and the Maple- wood Institute at Concordville, Pennsylvania. Deciding to follow the legal profession he placed himself under the preceptorship of the Hon. Jolin M. Broomall, of Media, and after two years study creditably passed the examina- tions and was admitted to the bar of Delaware county in June, 1879, beginning active practice immediately. In 1883, he formed, with V. Gilpin Robinson, the law firm of Robinson & Green, an association that continued with pleasure and profit to both partners until 1892, when eachi opened a separate office. For many years Mr. Green's office occupied the corner of South avenue and Front street, in Media.
To mention his law practice is to praise it, for in the over a quarter of a century that Mr. Green was engaged in active practice, he was retained in many of the most notable cases tried in the courts of the county, in none of which he was worsted because of an opponent more skilled in legal lore than he. His clients were assured of a speedy settlement without the delay and liti- gation resorted to so often for the purpose of a larger fee. While a fluent, and, when occasion demanded, an eloquent speaker, he was wont rather to couch his argument in strong, clear. direct phrases, than to resort to the tear- ful plea or the thousand and one arts of the profession so frequently used as appeals to the sentiment of the jurors. As guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, and assignee of estates and valuable properties, Mr. Green's assiduous fidelity to his client and the faithful administration of the client's best inter-
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ests, gained for him a reputation that caused his services in that line to be greatly in demand. His skill in the preparation of all legal papers affecting ti- tles or rights was widely known, his documents offering no loop-hole of escape or entry to a possible contestant.
With all of his professional duties, Mr. Green nevertheless found ample time to fulfill the duties owed by every good citizen to his community, that is to promote its welfare, to be watchful of its prosperity, and to contribute to its development. For six years he was a member of the borough council, of- ficiating for part of that time as president. The excellent results obtained from his administration of the duties of that office were equalled by those for which he was responsible when president of the local Board of Education of which board he was also a member for nine years. Until his resignation he was a director and vice-president of the Charter National Bank, of which he was an organizer. He also helped in the organization of the Media Title and Trust Company, filling the offices of director, solicitor and vice-president for that corporation, besides holding positions upon the directorates of several other financial institutions. In the Masonic order he was prominent, holding the past mastership of the George W. Bartram Lodge, No. 298, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and the past high priestship of Media Chapter, No. 234, Royal Arch Masons.
Upon partially laying aside the cares of business life, Mr. Green seized the opportunity to gratify a long-felt desire for travel and made two trips to Europe, one in 1906 and another in 1909. His exceedingly active mind and unabated energy could not content itself with mere pleasure-seeking and sight- seeing, in consequence of which he made a complete and exhaustive study of the sociological problems of the countries through which he traveled, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with the subtle class distinctions and observations of caste in European countries than probably any man who had not made such research his lifework.
In conclusion it is only right that recognition should be granted the ver- atility of Mr. Green's personality. Imagine a man active legally, politically, :ducationally, financially. scientifically, fraternally and socially, and not only active but a leader in each activity, the force of whose character and the warmth of whose personality, together with an irrepressible enthusiasm, carry one along on the flood tide of achievement, and you have the late Horace Plankinton Grecn.
He married, October 7. 1880, Ida Virginia, daughter of John and Mary P. Beatty, of Chester township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Child, Ernest LeRoy, of whom further. Horace P. Green died in Media, Pennsyl- vania, April 4, 1911.
Ernest LeRoy, son of Horace Plankinton and Ida Virginia (Beatty) Green, was born at Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. August 4, 1881. He obtained his early education in the public schools of the place of his birth and was graduated from the Media High School in June, 1897. With the pur- pose of matriculation at Swarthmore College, he spent one year in Swarth- more Preparatory School and graduated there, entering the college in the fall of 1898. whence he was graduated and received the degree of A. B. in 1902. With a hereditary liking for the law as well as inherited ability he decided to follow the legal profession and accordingly was enrolled in the law depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania. He here achieved brilliant success, the forerunner of that to come, and was graduated LL.B. in the class of 1905 with the highest honors of the year. He immediately started upon the prac- tice of law in Media, and has ever since continued there. His practice is large and lucrative, his legal activities quite equalling the high standard set by his
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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honored father. He is a member of the bars of Philadelphia and Delaware counties as well as of the appellate courts of Pennsylvania, to all of which he was admitted in 1905. The various activities of his town claim a considerable portion of his time and attention, as he is a member of the board of directors of the Media Title and Trust Company, likewise a member of the Media school board. holding the office of secretary.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, being a Master Mason of George W. Bartram Lodge, No. 298, Free and Accepted Masons, a Com- panion of Media Chapter, No. 234, Royal Arch Masons, and a Noble of Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has also tak- en the thirty-two degrees in Scottish Rite Masonry, belonging to Philadelphia Consistory. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, which he joined while at college, and the Order of the Coif, a legal fraternity, admission to which is based upon scholastic standing. His clubs are the Hare Law Club, the Gentlemen's Club of Media, the Springhaven Country Club, and the four alumni associations of the institutions of learning which he attended, he being corresponding secretary of the society of alumni of the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania.
He married, November 12, 1913, Julia Fries Roberts, daughter of the late Harry F. and Emma Van Buskirk Roberts, of Philadelphia.
BROADBELT The Broadbelt family, which has been domiciled for a number of generations in the state of Pennsylvania. has been an honored one in this country, and probably had its origin in England, as the style of the name would indicate. They have been chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and have ever done their duty as good citizens and patriots in defense of their country.
Alfred Broadbelt was engaged in farming throughout the active years of his long life and is now living in well earned retirement. He removed from Darby in 1871 to a farm one mile north of Media, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, and his life has been spent there since that time. While he has never taken an active part in the political life of the section of which he is a resident, he has given his staunch support to the principles of the Republican party, and has kept in touch with all public questions of importance. He and his wife are consistent supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Broadbelt married Susan Crozier, and they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, February 5, 1913, at the house of their son, Alfred C.
Alfred C. Broadbelt was born in Darby, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. December 1, 1868. He was but three years of age when his parents removed to Media, and in the district schools of that section of the country he obtained the educational advantages which usually fall to the lot of a farmer's son. He as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm, obtaining in this manner a thorough, practical knowledge of the many details to be considered in suc- cessful farming. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, but abandoned it at the expiration of three years, as he found the work too heavy for his strength, and again engaged in farming. Ten years were thus occupied, and he then received the appointment of super- intendent of Media Cemetery, and so satisfactory has been his management of all matters connected with this that he is still holding the office at the present time ( 1913). The cemetery is an old one, having been founded in 1857, and additions have been made from time to time, so that it now covers a tract of twenty-seven acres. It is located on elevated ground. one mile north of Media, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. Mr. Broadbelt is also
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a member of the board of trustees of the Media Cemetery, and his opinions carry weight in the councils of the board.
Mr. Broadbelt married, June 9, 1892, Hannah B., daughter of William and Lydia (Hoops) Henry, of Chester, Pennsylvania, the latter having died when her daughter was but five years of age, and the former named died in June, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Broadbelt have had children: Frances Baker. born August 5, 1894: Bertha May, October 6, 1901 ; Sue Crozier, November 13, 1906. Mr. Broadbelt has always been Republican in his political affiliations ; and while he has never desired to hold public office, always takes a deep and beneficial interest in all matters concerning the welfare of the community in which he lives, as well as in those concerning the country at large. He is an active member of the Patriotic Sons of America, and he and all the members of his family. are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active workers in the interests of that institution. In his private, as in his public life, Mr. Broadbelt has displayed a most exemplary character, and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all in the community.
The Engles were among the earlier settlers in Chester county, ENGLE Pennsylvania, and Burlington county, New Jersey, members of the Society of Friends, land owners, men of good repute, promi- nent in church and public affairs. Harry P. Engle, of Media, is a descendant of the Chester county family, his 'ancestors having settled in Delaware from Chester county.
Edward Engle, father of Harry P. Engle, was a blacksmith of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Settled later in Upper Providence township, Delaware county, where he pursued that calling until his death in 1875. His wife, Mary (Phillips) Engle, born in Delaware county, yet survives him, a resident of Media.
Harry P. Engle was born in Upper Providence township, Delaware coun- ty, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1871. When four years of age his father died, and until he was eight years old he attended the township schools. He then was admitted to Girard College, Philadelphia, where he remained nine years. obtaining a good education and enjoying all the benefits of that most valuable institution. He then for one year worked as a machinist's apprentice, but finding that trade unsuited to him, he became a baker's apprentice, working at that trade until he had mastered its every detail, finishing with a Philadelphia concern. He spent two more years working at his trade in West Chester, Pennsylvania, then located his own bakery at South Media, continuing until 1898, then moved to his present location at the corner of State and Orange streets, Media. His plant is a modern one, equipped with every aid to sani- tary baking, his trade an extensive one covering Media and surrounding bor- oughs. During his fifteen years in Media, Mr. Engle has not only obtained a solid substantial standing as a business man, but has won a high place in public regard as a useful, loyal citizen, and has the honor of being the first Democrat to hold the office of burgess since 1893. He is a director and treasurer of the Second Media Building and Loan Association, one of the solid financial institutions of the borough and one to which Mr. Engle gives his closest atten- tion and best business judgment. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and has held all the office chairs in both orders. He is a member of the Baptist church and a liberal patron of all worthy causes.
In February. 1909, Mr. Engle was elected burgess of Media as a Demo- crat, but his party in that borough is the minority one and the election of a
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Democrat is a rare occurrence and only happens when the candidate possesses such strong qualifications for office that they cannot be ignored. Mr. Engle has given the borough a wise business administration and has vastly improved conditions ; since taking the office of burgess, streets have been improved, the water works system extended and greatly improved, and each department of borough affairs brought to a higher state of efficiency. Both aggressive and progressive, Burgess Engle is the right man in the right place.
He married, December 25, 1895. Cora, daughter of Pierce and Sidney (Iford) Bunes, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Children : Sidney Bunes, Mary S., Mildred Bunes.
The Worrall and Worrell families of Pennsylvania descend
WORRELL from John Worrall (or Worrell) who settled in Chester township, then Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1648, sup- posed to he a descendant of Sir Hubert de Warel, who lost three sons at the battle of Hastings. John came to Pennsylvania from Oare, Berkshire, Eng- land. Descendants settled in Marple township, now Delaware county, where John, Joseph, Peter and Joshua Worrall had various sized tracts of land as early as 1683. Peter Worrall was a tanner and founded a family in Marple township, as did Joseph, but of Joshua little is known. The family have ever been members of the Society of Friends and people of the highest standing and substance.
Joseph W., father of Frank Brooke Worrell, of Media, was a large land and mill owner of Radnor township, Delaware : his mills, which he also oper- ated, being known as the Brooke Mills, established by Jesse Brooke, as early as 1802, consisted of saw, grist and plaster mills. In addition to his milling in- terests he also had a large farmi which he cultivated. His business interests were large and his standing in the township was of the highest. He was very public spirited, using his wealth and influence to further the best interests of his community.
He married Catherine Sharpless Palmer, of the well known Palmer fam- ily. Both were members of the Radnor Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends and both are buried in the Friends cemetery near Ithan postoffice. He died in March, 1900, she surviving him until February, 1904.
Frank Brooke Worrell, son of Joseph W. and Catherine Sharpless Wor- rell, was born at Radnor, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1859. He attended the public schools of the township and of Radnor, working on the farm during vacation months. He remained at the home farm, his father's assistant, until he was twenty-one years of age, then entered Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, continuing until his senior year, when failing eyesight compelled him to abandon all thoughts of completing his college course. Leav- ing college he returned to his home at Radnor, where he remained one and one- half years. He next entered the employ of the government as a teacher in the Indian schools at Cheyenne and Darlington Agency, Indian Territory. This position he held but a short time when he was appointed superintendent of the schools under Colonel Miles, continuing until called home by the illness of his father. He remained at home several years, then established in the real estate business with offices at North Penn Square and Market street, Philadelphia. He there conducted a most successful business, handling large properties and continuing until the death of his father in March, 1900, at Media, then his home. He then gave up his Philadelphia business and joined his mother at Media, where he yet resides. He remained at home with his widowed mother until her death in 1904, then after settling the estate established in 1906, a real
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estate office in Media. Although at the time of opening his Media office he did not have even one piece of property listed, he quickly became known as a most capable man and has built up a large and prosperous business. During his first three years he made three hundred and nineteen sales, and since 1909 his business has increased even more rapidly, his office consummating a greater number of sales than any other agency in Delaware county. His business cov- ers the entire range of a real estate office, buying, selling, renting, making loans and selling estates. In the business done for others he also manages a great deal of suburban and town property that is his own. He has attained high standing in his community, a position won by uprightness and business meth- ods of strictest integrity. His wife is a member of the Baptist while he is a member of the Presbyterian church, of Media. He is a Republican in politics, interested in public affairs, but never accepting public office.
Mr. Worrell married December 21, 1903, Deborah P., daughter of Mar- shall R. and Lydia (Campbell) Worrell. of Media. Children : Marshall R., born April 21, 1905 ; Frank Brooke (2), born November 27, 1908.
BABBITT The name of Babbitt has been well known in the New England
states for many years, members of it having gained note in business and professional circles. It is connected by marriage with a number of the old colonial families who bore their share gallantly in defence of the rights of their country in the old and in the more recent strug- gles.
Thomas H. Babbitt, whose death occurred in August, 1882, was a machin- ist by occupation and, at the time of his death. held the responsible position of superintendent of a large plant at Worcester, Massachusetts, whence the family had removed from Harrisville, Rhode Island. He married Mary S. Boss, who died at the home of her son, Angell B., in February, 1910. She was a daughter of Captain Benjamin Boss, who was in active service in the war of the revolution, and her maternal ancestors had also taken part in that mem- orable struggle.
Angell B. Babbitt, son of Thomas H. and Mary S. ( Boss) Babbitt, was born in the village of Harrisville. Rhode Island, August 21, 1859. He was four years of age when his parents decided to remove to Worcester, Massachusetts, and his early education was acquired in the public schools of that town. He was graduated from the high school with honor in 1879. and then became a student at Harvard University, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The earnest spirit which marked the beginning of his career has been apparent throughout its progress. He determined to devote his life to teaching, and his successful ca- reer as an educator is ample evidence of the wisdom of his decision. During his thirty years in school life he has been an indefatigable worker, and has applied himself closely to his chosen duties. He commenced his pedagogical work in the Shortlidge Academy, an institution which gained a national reputation, and was engaged in teaching the classics there for a period of eight years. The De Lancy School in Philadelphia was the next field of his activities, his posi- tion being that of classical master, and the connection with this institution has been unbroken since that time. He was appointed to the position of head of the upper school, and in 1910 was made associate head master, which respon- sible position he is filling at the present time ( 1913). This school also has a broad and national reputation, certificates awarded by it enabling the stu- dents to obtain admission to the best universities and colleges. Mr. Babbitt ob-
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tained high honors while a student at Harvard. Second year and final honors in classics were conferred upon him. by special examination, and he was elected to membership in the Harvard Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, an honor bestowed only upon those of the highest scholarly attainments.
Mr. Babbitt married, September 2. 1884. Ida L., born May II. 1860, a daughter of John Quincy and Martha (Taft) Adams, of the old New England family of that name, in Milford, Massachusetts. Her father enlisted as a sol- dier in the civil war when a young man, and died in the hospital at Alexandria. Mr. and Mrs. Babbitt have had children: Louis A .. born July 9, 1885; Ethel Adams, August 20, 1887 ; Earle O., January 21. 1890: Walter Hathaway, Feb- ruary 23, 1892 ; Clarence Stephen, September 30, 1894. The family home is located at the southwest corner of Jackson and Third streets. Media. Mr. Babbitt is a member of the Classical Association of the Middle States. His religious affiliations are with the Universalist denomination, in which faith he was born, but he is not a member of any church. He will not allow himself to be fettered in the expression of his political opinions by party ties, preferring to form his opinions in an independent manner. He is a member of the execu- tive committee of the Media Civic Association, and is vice-president of the Media Free Library Association.
SMEDLEY Harry Leedom Smedley, M. D., D. D. S., Ph. G., traces his descent from George Smedley, who was born in England. and came to Pennsylvania about 1682. making his first purchase of land from William Penn in Dublin township. Philadelphia county. He after- wards removed to Middletown ( now Delaware county ), and later to Willistown township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he died in March, 1723. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He was married in Friends' Meet- ing, Philadelphia, in 1687. to Sarah Goodwin, widow of John Goodwin. and daughter of Thomas Kitchen. of Dublin township, Philadelphia county. The line of descent is through his second son, George (2). who married Jane Sharp- less. daughter of John and Hannah ( Pennell) Sharpless, who bore him thir- teen children.
William (1), son of George (2) Smedley, married. in Providence Friends' Meeting. Elizabeth Taylor, a descendant of Peter Taylor. of Chestershire, England, who also came to Pennsylvania in 1682.
William (2), youngest son of William ( 1) Smedley, married. in Middle- town Friends' Meeting, Deborah Lightfoot, a descendant of Thomas Light- foot. a highly esteemed minister of the Society of Friends of England and Ireland.
Jacob, youngest son of William (2) Smedley, was born on the old Smed- ley homestead. which his father bought and inherited. December 31. 1801. and died in Media. Pennsylvania. September 26, 1886. He was an elder of the West Chester Meeting. Commissioner of Delaware county, and a man of sub- stance. He married in Middletown Meeting, November 13, 1826, Jane Yar- nall, daughter of Isaac and Mary ( Pennell) Yarnall, of Edgemont, Chester county.
Abram Pennell Smedley. second son of Jacob and Jane ( Yarnall) Smed- ley. was born in Edgemont, Chester county. Pennsylvania. January 5. 1829, died in Media, Pennsylvania. December 9. 1895. having lived in that town since 1852. He was an expert dentist and practiced in Media forty-three years. He was a Republican in politics and both he and his wife were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Media. He was a man of active habits,
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fond of out-of-door exercise and thought little of walking from Media to Philadelphia and returning the same way. While always interested in public matters he took no active part in local affairs, beyond expressing his prefer- ence at the polls. He was highly regarded as a dental practitioner, and held in like esteem as a friend and neighbor. He married, in Philadelphia, January 13, 1858, Lydia Emma Bishop, born in Edgemont, April 20, 1835, daughter of William and Mary (Ottey) Bishop, of Media, Pennsylvania. One son Frank, died in infancy ; for their only other child, see forward.
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