USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 41
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The Palmer family traces its genealogy to old English stock. The name Palmer originated during the Crusades, when pilgrims to the Holy Land who carried palms with them came to be known as "Palmers." It was at that time that people began to realize the significance of surnames, and Palmer was adopted by those who had recently returned from the Crusades and who had been known by that name during their pilgrimage. It has been ascertained by students of the origin of names that people of the present day bearing the cognomen Palmer are descended from an ancestry that dates back to the Cru- sades. Thus it is certain that the Palmer family of this sketch is of ancient English lineage, and that it is likewise old in America may be seen when it is stated that the founder of the family in this country came over in the "May- flower," in 1620, he having been of old Quaker stock. From New England representatives of the name removed to Pennsylvania, and in this state oc- curred the birth of Aaron Palmer, the date of which was April 13, 1792. He gained distinction as a manufacturer of shell combs in the city of Philadel- phia, where he resided at the time of his demise. November 24, 1811, was solemnized his marriage to Susannah Denney, who bore him the following children : Samuel, mentioned in the following paragraph; Thomas, died in infancy ; John, achieved remarkable success as a butcher and meat man in Philadelphia : Parmelia, married John Ward. of Camden, New Jersey ; and Mary Jane and Caroline, both died young.
Samuel Palmer was born in Frankford. Pennsylvania, December 28, 1815. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and in his youth entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of shell combmaker in the factory of his father in Philadelphia. As a young man he taught school for several terms and eventually he learned the trade of brickmaker. In 1850 he located at Chester, Pennsylvania, and here was foreman of a brick yard for Pierce Baker for several years, at the end of which he purchased the brick yard referred to and continued to conduct the same with increasing success until his death, September 21, 1864. He married Margaret News, a daughter of William and Catherine ( Morrison) News, of Philadelphia. He and his wife were devout communicants of the Catholic church in their religious faith, and in politics he was a stalwart Democrat, holding a number of important local offices. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer had the following children: Eleanor, married Henry Goodman. a brick manufacturer in Philadelphia, they are both deceased ; Caroline, married Michael Cast, likewise a brick manufacturer, and they are both deceased ; Kate, is the widow of Captain James Dougherty, who was killed on a boat, she lives in Philadelphia, where she did mission work for many years ; Susan, died as the wife of John Moore, who was a prominent oil man in Chester ; Ann Eliza, died unmarried ; Margaret, is single and main- tains her home in Philadelphia; John and Thomas, both deceased : Samuel, is the immediate subject of this review ; William, deceased ; and Elizabeth, who is the widow of Edwin Hawkins, and resides at Philadelphia. Mrs. Palmer was summoned to eternal rest September 21, 1896. In 1864, after her hus-
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band's death, she bought a brick yard at Palmer and Ward streets, in Chester, and with the assistance of her sons, conducted the same for several years, sub- sequently renting it. Mr. Palmer was a valued and appreciative member of the time-honored Masonic order, and he was well known and highly respected throughout Delaware county, as was also his wife.
Samuel Palmer, son of Samuel and Margaret (News) Palmer, was born at Chester, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1852. He attended the public schools of his native place in his boyhood, and at the tender age of eight years began to work in his father's brick yard. After reaching manhood he en- gaged in the brick manufacturing business on his own account, and he has been engaged in that line of work for the past forty years. In 1887 he be- came a driver for the Felton Fire Company of Chester, and continued as such until 1899, when he became assistant fire chief for the city of Chester. From 1902 to 1905 he gave most efficient service as chief of that fire department, and during that time he wrote and had published a complete history of the com- pany. Once, as a driver, he met with an accident, being thrown from a fire wagon that was going at full speed. He landed on the ground at Second and Hays streets, and was run over by an eighty hundred pound engine. That he was not killed remains a miracle to this day, but he was only laid up a short time and recovered completely from his injuries. In 1905 he retired from his position as fire chief and is now devoting his undivided attention to business matters. He owns the old Palmer homestead in Chester, the same being lo- cated at 2404 West Third street, and he owns considerable other real estate in Chester, part of which is located on the corner of Palmer and Fourth streets.
In 1877 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Lawrence, a native of New Jersey, where her birth occurred. Nine children have come to bless this union, and following are their names with brief data concerning each one : Margaret and Mary, both at the parental home: Samuel Jr., a pipe cutter in the Sun Oil Works of Chester ; as is also John, who married Lottie Roberts ; Aaron, likewise in the employ of the Sun Oil Works, living at home ; Harry, engaged in business at Chester ; William, a blacksmith by trade ; Cath- erine and Ella, both at home.
Mr. Palmer had been a member of the Felton Fire Company of Chester since the time of its organization, and he is likewise connected with the Keystone Fire Chiefs' Association of the State of Pennsylvania. Although not an office seeker or a politician in any sense of the word, he gives an un- swerving allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and is ever ready to do all in his power for the progress of his home community. He is a man of sterling integrity of character, and one who has always been on the level in his business dealings. His connection with the fire department of Chester has been fraught with many thrilling ex- perienees, and he is very graphic in his narration of them.
This branch of the Smith family has been native to the city of
SMITH Philadelphia for several generations, while by intermarriage with the Woodwards, they connect with one of the oldest Qnaker fam- ilies of Chester county, Pennsylvania. The Woodward descent is from Robert Woodward of Rockland Manor, New Castle county, Delaware, and Birming- ham township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, through his son Richard Wood- ward, who married in 1706, Mary, only child of Henry Nayle of Thornbury.
Thomas Woodward, maternal grandfather of William C. Smith, of No. 6014 Market street, Philadelphia, was a lineal descendant of this Richard Woodward. He was a prosperous farmer and stock broker, lived his entire
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life in Chester county, both he and his wife being respected members of the Society of Friends.
William C. Smith, paternal grandfather of William C. (2) Smith, was a prominent farmer and land owner of the now West Philadelphia district, a local leader in politics, and for many years a member of the school board. He was a member of the Baptist church, and one of the strong men of the day. He married Mary Hoffman.
William H. Smith, son of William C. and Mary ( Hoffman) Smith, was born in West Philadelphia, in September, 1847, died in September, 1874. He was proprietor of a feed store on Sixth street, Philadelphia, also operating an extensive dairy business. He married Tacy D., daughter of Thomas Wood- ward. of Chester county : she was born February 28, 1850, in Chester county, and now resides at No. 6035 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, a second time wid- owed, her second husband was Samuel Crider.
William C. (2) Smith, only son and child of William H. and Tacy D. (Woodward) Smith, was born in Philadelphia, March 23, 1872. He attended the public schools, passing through the intermediate and grammar schools, fin- ishing his studies at Pierce's Business College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated January 7. 1888. He then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, continuing until 1893. He then established a floral business at Sixty-first and Market streets. Philadelphia, erecting a greenhouse and oper- ating successfully until 1908, when he began building operations in West Phila- delphia. Since that time he has been one of the leading factors in the devel- opment of that magic section of Philadelphia, his improvements covering the section of Sixty-first and Chestnut, and extending to Market street. He has in addition to his extensive building operations in West Philadelphia, also aided in the development of the nearby section of Delaware county, and has extensive interests on the New Jersey coast. Although a young man in point of years, he is a man of good judgment, great energy, and does not know the meaning of the word failure. He is quick to discover an opportunity and has the courage to seize upon and convert it to profitable uses. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Had- dington Title and Trust Company in 1911, his being the first subscription re- aided in the development of the nearby section of Delaware county, and has most capably filled that responsible position. This company now firmly estab- lished and prosperous, is located on the corner of Sixtieth and Market streets, Philadelphia. Whether he be considered as financier, business man or citizen, Mr. Smith justifies in his life the high regard in which he is held, and so thoroughly has he proven his ability whenever tested, that the word "success- ful" must be given him.
He has not neglected his duties as a citizen, while engaged in the business battle of life, but has ever been kindly alive to his responsibilities. Ardently Republican, he is a leader in his district, is a member of the Twenty-seventh Ward and Forty-sixth Ward Republican Chibs, and for five years represented his ward in Philadelphia Common Council, rendering important service. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Fernwood Lodge, No. 543; University Chapter, No. 246; St. John Commandery, and Lulu Temple. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Smith married, October 10, 1894, Katherine, daughter of Allan Van Lver. of Philadelphia. Children: Kathryn and Emma V. While the family home is yet in Philadelphia, Mr. Smith has recently purchased a suburban home on Eagle road, just off the West Chester pike, near Manor Post Office, Delaware county, which in the near future will become his permanent home.
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A native of Delaware county. Pennsylvania, Dr. Richard
DAVISON Young Davison has here spent the major portion of his life thus far. Since 1900 he has been engaged in the work of his profession, that of veterinary surgeon, at Morton, where he is held in high esteem by all with whom he has come in contact. He was born at Morton. July 5. 1866, and is a son of Joseph Davison, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this work. Dr. Davison spent the early years of his life at Morton, to whose excellent public schools he is indebted for his preliminary educational training, which was later effectively supplemented by more advanced study in Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the Friends' Central High School and in the Pierce College of Business. In 1884, at the age of eighteen years. he entered the employ of William Brockie, agent for the Allan Steamship Com- pany of Glasgow, Scotland, at Philadelphia, and he remained with that con- cern for several years, doing general office work. Subsequently he went to Galveston, Texas, and there became superintendent of the Elder-Dempster Steamship Company, retaining that position until 1896, when he returned to Morton. In the following year he was matriculated as a student in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900, duly receiving the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Surgery. He in- itiated the active practice of his profession at Morton, and here is regarded as one of the finest veterinary surgeons in Delaware county. He manifests a deep and sincere interest in political questions, and gives an earnest support to Republican principles, believing that the platform of that party contains the best elements of good government. He does all in his power to promote the general welfare of his home community, and is regarded as a man of mark in all the relations of life.
July 11, 1895. was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Davison to Josephine Camille Goddard, who was born in the city of Philadelphia, in 1870. Dr. and Mrs. Davison are devout communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church of Morton, and they are popular in connection with the best social affairs of this city. They are the parents of the following children : Richard Young Jr .. born June 18, 1896; Helen Josephine, born June 13. 1898: Nelson Miles, born July 4, 1899: Clara Blanch, born August 30, 1900, died September 30. 1901 ; Ernest Claude, born December 20, 1901 ; Camille, born July 13, 1903: Lewis Drexel, born January 14. 1905: AAda Halliday, born March 14, 1907: William Halliday. born April 20, 1911 : Carra Miles, born September 16, 1913.
Mrs. Davison is descended from a sterling old American ancestry that dates back to the seventeenth century. Giles Goddard, who died in 1729, married Mary --- , and to them was born a son. William, the date of whose nativity was Angust 4, 1678. He married, October 29, 1697. Ellis Fair- field, and they had a son. John, born April 5, 1707. married November 10. 1735. Lydia Polum. Lemuel, son of John and Lydia Goddard, was born in 1739, married July 1. 1762. Nancy Kingston, who bore him a son, John, born in 1779, married, September 16. 1807. Mary Beed. Rev. Kingston Goddard. LL.D., son of John and Mary ( Beed) Goddard, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1814. The Church of Atonement, at Seventeenth and Sumner streets. Philadelphia, was erected for him and he was a pastor of the same for many years preceding his demise .. which occurred October 24, 1875. He was a man of broad mind and unusual intelligence, and in his religious work accomplished a remarkable amount of good for humanity at large. He married. December 3. 1836, Susan Mathilda Lcamon, whose birth occurred July 16. 1814: she died at Bergen Point, New Jersey. August 25. 1889. aged seventy-five years.
Dr. Kingston Goddard, son of Rev. Kingston and Susan Mathilda
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(Leamon ) Goddard, was born March 27. 1839. As a young man he decided upon the medical profession as his life work, and in order to prepare for that line of enterprise entered the University of Pennsylvania, in the medical de- partment of which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He gained distinctive prestige as a physician and surgeon in Philadelphia, where he was for many years assistant surgeon in the United States Army & Navy Hospital. Although not a politician in any sense of the word, he was a stal- ward Democrat in his political convictions. June 4. 1863, was solemnized his marriage to Helen Van Syckle, who was born in Philadelphia, April 8, 1841, a daughter of Elijah and Sarah Belinda ( Smith ) Van Syckle, the former of whom was born August 16, 1788, and died in Philadelphia, February 11, 1855 and the latter of whom was born April 28, 1799, and died in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1891. All the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Syckle are deceased. To Dr. and Mrs. Kingston Goddard were born the following children: Kingston Stanley, born April 25, 1864; Walker Herbert, born November 20, 1805 : Ilelen Belinda ; E. Claude, born September 5. 1868. married, September 13, 1889. Jane Blanche Crump: Josephine Camille, is the wife of Dr. Davison. as noted above : Elwood Wilson, born September 2, 1873. married Catherine Stillwell : Helen Marguerite, born October 21, 1875, married Frank H. Hadley.
The one governmental institution, in which all have an interest HALL and almost a share, is the post office, that department nearest the people, and the only one in which they are brought in daily per- sonal contact. When the guardian of the people's correspondence adds to an official importance a pleasing personality, and conducts the office in an efficient yet friendly manner, the post office becomes the most popular and important public place in the community. For five years Swarthmore has felt that its post office was one of the best conducted in the county, and in this belief de- partmental records are in accord.
Caroline E., daughter of David T. and Caroline (French) Barr, was born in Philadelphia, November 16, 1858. She was educated in the Friends' School in Germantown, being a graduate of the class of 1878. She married in Ger- mantown Friends Meeting, William J. Hall, now deceased, son of Thomas Heston and Lydia (Harlin) Hall, the former for many years a prominent railway official; children: Margaret C., born August 3. 1888, married Paul Freedley, a mechanical engineer and resides in Swarthmore: Thomas Ileston, born June 6, 1900: David Burr, born April 19, 1902, died December 16, 1904; Gladys Cunningham, born February 17, 1904.
In 1907, Mrs. Hall was appointed postmistress of Swarthmore by Presi- cent Roosevelt, an office she most capably filled for five years, being re-ap- pointed by President Taft. Her administration of the office gave entire satis- faction to the patrons, and also won the commendation of the post office de- partment at Washington. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Woman's ('lub of Swarthmore, and is a communicant of the Episcopal church.
STACKHOUSE For the greater part of a quarter of a cemury Major
Powell Stackhouse, of Wallingford, Delaware county. Pennsylvania, was president of the Cambria Iron Com- pany, one of the most important industries of the state. The entire record of his connection with the iron industry extends well over a half a century, and during this period he was in constant activity until his retirement about three
Castanea The home off Powell Stackhouse, Wallingford. Delaware Co .. Pa.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND ~ N FOUNDAT CNS.
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years ago. The ancestry of Major Stackhouse has been of the Quaker de- nomination on both sides of the family, since it first came to America in the early colonial days. The direct line is as follows :
(I) Thomas Stackhouse was the American ancestor. (II) Robert. his son. (III) James, son of Robert. (IV) Amos, son of James.
(V) Powell. son of Amos Stackhouse, was a pattern maker and foundry- nian. He married Edith, daughter of Charles and Mary Dilworth, and they had children : Charles Dilworth; Emilen, who was the father of Mrs. W. B. Lowman, wife of Dr. W. B. Lowman, of Johnstown ; Joseph Dilworth, see for- ward; Sarah Dilworth: Amos; Susan, married Daniel J. Morrell : Anna Dil- worth : Dilworth, died at about the age of two years; Llewellyn, died in in- fancy ; and Powell.
(VI) Joseph Dilworth, son of Powell and Edith Dilworth Stackhouse, was born in Philadelphia. He married Sarah Phipps Shaw, and had children : Powell, see forward: Mary Shaw, died in infancy ; Rebecca Shaw, married Dilworth Stackhouse, and lives near Gradyville, Delaware county. Pennsyl- vania ; Alexander Shaw, deceased. married Margaret Maley.
(VII) Powell (2), son of Joseph Dilworth and Sarah Phipps (Shaw) Stackhouse, was born in Philadelphia. July 16, 1840. This review is taken in part from the very excellent one written of Mr. Stackhouse in "The Iron Trade Review." by B. S. Stephenson. Half a century ago they held to the homely belief that the successful career must have a foundation of broad, practical experience. That was why, at the age at which the modern youth is still wrestling with the problems of the preparatory school, young Stack- house had completed his education and was securing his first insight into iron- making. His first viewpoint was from the rear of the counter in the com- pany's store at Johnstown : a year later it was a more advantageous place-a clerk's desk in the office of his uncle, Daniel J. Morrell, then managing partner of Wood, Morrell & Company, the lessees of the Cambria Iron Works, where he had charge of the cost accounts of the firm. Five years as storekeeper and clerk ; then two years in active service in the civil war, a rigorous- schooling in the command of men; a considerable term as superintendent of the com- pany's real estate department, its woolen mill and brick yard ; seven years as assistant general superintendent of the rapidly growing works; three years on the newly developed Superior ranges as general agent for the Republic Iron Company ; then in turn general manager, comptroller and vice-president-these were the steps by which Mr. Stackhouse fitted himself for the presidency of the Cambria Iron Company, made vacant in 1891 by the death of Edward Y. Townsend. Seven years later, when the Cambria Steel Company was or- ganized, he was elected to the presidency of this company. The life of Mr. Stackhouse has been so closely identified with the history of the Cambria Iron & Steel Companies that a review of the one must necessarily include the other. The actual heginnings of the company date back to 1842, when George S. King & Company built the Cambria furnace. Very shortly thereafter an in- terest was secured in this property hy Dr. Peter Shoenberger, through whose efforts three neighboring furnaces were built in the next five years. These four -Cambria. Benscreek, Millcreek and Blacklick-operating with charcoal fuel on the thin veins of native ore, formed the basis of the Cambria Iron Company. which was organized in September, 1852, with Dr. Shoenberger as president. The company was capitalized at one million dollars, and plans made for ex- tensive building operations. Early in 1853 four coke furnaces and a rolling mill were commenced, and were completed within the year. The first iron rail, however, was not turned out until July 27, 1855. While the capitaliza- tion was a large one, very little actual cash had really been paid in, and the
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new company soon became so crippled by lack of working capital, that it had been leased to the firm of Wood, Morrell & Company before Mr. Stackhouse came to the works. Johnstown was conceded to be the iron-making center of Pennsylvania, which even at that time dominated this industry. The hills behind the furnaces yielded a plentiful supply of coal and ores, and the firm was in a flourishing condition. At the close of the civil war, Mr. Stackhouse resumed his duties with the Cambria Iron Company as its real estate agent. and then for a period of two years, was the superintendent of a subsidiary concern, the Johnstown Manufacturing Company, which operated a brickyard and a woolen mill. He was not yet thirty years of age when he was appointed assistant general manager of the Cambria Works, a position he held until the commencement of 1874, when he went to Marquette, Michigan, as general agent of the Republic Iron Company, of Michigan. Three years later he re- turned to a ennsylvania, and settled in Wallingford, where he has resided since that time. Mr. Stackhouse was in charge of the Cambria Works in 1878, during the absence of the general manager. Daniel J. Morrell, and continued in that capacity until his appointment, the following year, to the office of comptroller of the company, with offices in Philadelphia. In 1884 he suc- cecded Dr. Charles Stewart Wurtz as vice-president of the company, and in 1891 became president. In 1898 he was elected president of the Cambria Steel Company, which is in operation at the present time. He is also connected in an official capacity with the Mahoning Ore and Steel Company, the Penn Iron Mining Company, the Republic Iron Company, the Manufacturers' Water Company, the American Coal Products Company, and a number of others.
The military career of Mr. Stackhouse, as prepared by J. M. Swank, is as follows: "In 1861. as a member of the Johnstown Zouave Cadets, under the command of Captain John M. Power, Mr. Stackhouse responded to the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand troops, immediately follow- ing the fall of Fort Sumter. He was mustered into the United States ser- vice at Camp Curtin, April 20, 1861, as second corporal, Company K, Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. On the expiration of his three months enlistment, he returned to his employment at the Cambria Iron Works. In July, 1862, Mr. Stackhouse aided in recruiting a company of infantry, the command of which was tendered to and accepted by Abram Kopelin, of which company Mr. Stackhouse was elected second lieutenant, and was mustered into the United States service on August 5. 1862, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, for a term of nine months. On August 21, 1862, he was promoted to first lieuten- ant, an i with that rank commanded the company from the latter part of No- vember to the termination of his enlistment. Shortly after his return to Johns- town, upon Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg, the company was reorganized under his command, joined an emergency batallion formed in Johnstown and went to the front, but was not mustered in. On Mr. Stackhouse's return to Johnstown, in 1863. he was placed in charge of the real estate department of the Cambria Iron Company. the lease of Wood, Morrell & Company having expired in December, 1862. In September, 1864, he recruited a company, of which he was made the cap- tain, which was mustered into the United States service September 19. 1864, at Camp Cadwallader, Philadelphia, as Company F. One Hundred and Ninety- eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Horatio G. Sickel, a reorganization of the Third and Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves. This regiment was organized under the auspices of the Union League of Philadel- phia, and was also known as the Sixth Union League Regiment. On May I, 1865, Captain Stackhouse was promoted senior major, vice E. A. Glenn, who died of wounds received in action in the battle of Five Forks, Virginia. He
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