USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 43
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Mr. Hanlon married, March 1, 1873, Mary Jane, born in the town of Letterkenny, County Donegal. Ireland, a daughter of Samuel and Lizzie (Buchanan. ) Love. They have had children: Lizzie, Andrew, Robert, Jennie, Samuel, William and George. Mr. Hanlon is a man of kindly nature and benevolent impulses, and his good works have won him the gratitude of many. He is a carable energetic man, and fulfils the duties which fall to his share with an intelligence and ability that command the approval of all.
Robert Hanlon, a progressive young dairyman of Delaware HANLON county, Pennsylvania, is advancing steadily and consistently to a leading position in his line of business. He is of Irish descent, the ancestral history of his family being given in the preceding sketch.
Robert Hanlon was born in Livingston county. Illinois, January 7, 1880, and is a son of Alexander and Mary Jane ( Love ) Hanlon. His education was acquired in the Coopertown school, and his practical training was received on his father's farm and under the personal supervision of the latter. He assisted his father until he had attained his majority, then established himself indepen- dently in the milk business, but continued to reside under the paternal roof. In April, 1908, he removed to Oakmont and there purchased a brick house which had just been erected on Belle Meade avenue and Coopertown road, and has resided there since that period. He has continued in the milk business, having a profitable city route, and is considered one of the rising young business men of the section. He is a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and takes a deep interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community.
Mr. Hanlon married, January 2, 1908, Clara, born in Coopertown, a daugh- ter of William Hannum. They have no children. While not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, Mr. Hanlon regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. Whatever he does is done with all his might, and with a deep sense of conscientious obligation
LEECH The earliest representative of the Leech family in this country was Wilson Leech, who immigrated from Holland and settled at Tini- cum, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. There he became the owner of an extensive farm which he kept in a fine state of cultivation.
Henry Mackson Leech, son of Wilson Leech, the immigrant, was born at
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Tinicum, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and owned a large farm at Fifty-fifth street and Woodland avenue, Philadelphia, and died there of cholera in 1832. In connection with general farming he also carried on a dairy farm. Mr. Leech married Elizabeth Hall, who was born in the lower part of Delaware county. They had children: Henry M., see forward; Elizabeth, married Samuel McKee, a miller by trade, and she resided until her death in Madison county, Indiana ; Sarah, married John Fry and lives in Philadelphia ; William, a blacksmith in Philadelphia ; Isaac, proprietor of the old "Sorrel Horse Inn," in Philadelphia.
Henry M. Leech, son of Henry Mackson and Elizabeth ( Hall) Leech, was born in Springfield township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1829, and died in September, 1910. He was apprenticed to learn the black- smith's trade with his uncle, William Leech, at Fifty-second street and Wood- land avenue, near the "Sorrel Horse Inn," owned by his uncle, Isaac Leech. He followed this calling for fifty years, in the meantime becoming a member of the firm which operated under the name of Leech & Rively. They had a wide spread reputation for work of the finest and highest quality, and the owners of numerous celebrated race horses would not have their horses attended to at any other establishment. People would go great distances to have their horses shod at this establishment, as they were sure of expert workmanship. He married Theresa Alberger, born at Eighth and Callow Hill streets, Philadelphia, June 18, 1836. She was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Sowers) Alberger. Henry Alberger, who died suddenly at the age of eighty-nine years, was a well known butcher of Philadelphia; he had a stall in the market, a number of wagons, and carried on his business on an extensive scale, sending his meats all over the country. The Sowers were also in the same line of business. Mrs. Leech had brothers and sisters as follows: Kate, married William Weis; George, a butcher in Philadelphia; Mary, married Bartholomew Berlboch; Harry, also a butcher in Philadelphia; William, formerly a butcher, was wounded at the battle of Antietam, and is now the oldest employe of the Adams Express Company in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Leech have had children : George, died at the age of two months; Harry Alberger, see forward; George, a machinist, lives in Yeadon, Delaware county, Pennsylvania; William, is a florist, and lives in Darby, Pennsylvania ; Elizabeth, married Clinton Oblinger, of New Jersey ; Wilson, a farmer in Delaware county, Pennsylvania ; Hamp- ton, is a florist in business in Yeadon; Park, died at the age of nine years ; Samuel, died at the age of seven years.
Harry Alberger Leech, son of Henry M. and Theresa (Alberger) Leech, was born at Twenty-ninth and York streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1855. He acquired an excellent education in the public schools near his home, and was an earnest and studious scholar, being highly commended by his various teachers. In his early manhood he was one of the founders of the Greenway Literary Society, an organization which is in existence at the pre- sent time (1913). In his boyhood he worked for the truck farmers near his home, and at the age of fifteen years he entered the employ of William K. Harris, and learned the florist's business. Eleven years were spent with Mr. Harris, after which, in March, 1886, Mr. Leech removed to Fernwood, Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania, where he erected extensive greenhouses and estab- lished himself as a florist independently. In this undertaking he has been eminently successful. His business is located near the large Fernwood ceme- tery. In 1903 he bought a commodious brick house which he remodeled and altered to suit his tastes, and in 1910 he erected additional greenhouses. Mr. Leech has been very actively and beneficially for the community connected
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with educational matters for a number of years, and as a member of the school board, his original and practical ideas have been the means of raising the standard of education in his section. This connection with the school board of Upper Darby township has now been in force for a period of twenty years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Fernwood Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; University Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Leech married, January 1, 1879, Anna Elizabeth, born in Kingsessing, Philadelphia, daughter of Omar and Rebecca ( Weed) Ogden; Omar Ogden was a carpenter and builder. Mr. and Mrs. Leech have one child: Rebecca, born June 16, 1880, married Charles J. Fox, superintendent of the Suburban Delaware County Gas Company, and resides with her parents.
McALEESE Thomas McAleese, born in County Antrim, Ireland, came to the United States, settling in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming until his death. . He married Margaret, daughter of Dennis Kelley, of Cloud Creek, Pennsylvania ; children : Mary, Anna, Sarah, John, Frank, Thomas, and four who died in infancy.
Thomas (2) McAleese, son of Thomas ( I) and Margaret (Kelley) Mc- Aleese, was born in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania. August 15, 1856. He was educated in the public schools, and in youth worked in the textile mills of the neighborhood. He then worked at farming in Chester county, Pennsylvania, for a time, later establishing a grocery business in Clifton Heights, continuing successfully for many years, until his retirement. He is unmarried. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and a Democrat. Mr. McAleese was for many years an enthusiastic volunteer fireman and is still a member of the Clifton Heights department, also is a member of the Delaware county and Pennsylvania State Firemen's associations.
MCNULTY The man who can rise from the ranks of a leading position in any line is the man who can see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path. It is this power which has enabled Michael Patrick McNulty to rise to his present position of foreman of the Philadelphia division of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company.
Mr. McNulty was born in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, May 19, 1866, at an early age was left an orphan. His education was acquired in the public schools, and after some years of work of a varied character he entered the em- ploy of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company as a laborer. Faithful in the performance of even the smallest detail entrusted to him, it is small matter for wonder that Mr. McNulty was advanced from one position to another until, in 1901, he was appointed foreman of the Philadelphia division of this com- pany, and he has filled this responsible office with the executive ability and careful attention to detail which have ever characterized his work. He is an honored member of the Veteran Employes' Association, and gives his politi- cal support to the Democratic party. In his religious affiliations he is connected with the Catholic church. In 1908 he built a comfortable house for him- self and family at Leiperville, now Crum Lynn, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania. He married, December 28, 1887, Addie M., born in Harford county, Maryland, daughter of Michael James Keathley. Children: Mary Ellen, married Matthew Gannon, a welder at Baldwin's, and lives at Leiperville ; James Michael, Lily Catherine, Annie Belle, Adeline Elizabeth, Theresa Agnes, George Edward, Helen Josephine.
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The records of the Nester family of Delaware county, Pennsyl- NESTER vania, show that the family is of German descent, the ancestral seat being in the Province of Wurtemberg, where they were til- lers of the soil.
The first of the name of whom we have definite information was Nester, born at Herrenzimmer, Germany, 1832. He obtained an education in the public schools of his native country, and there resided until 1857, when he immigrated to the United States, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing. In religion he was a Roman Catholic, as was also his wife. He married --. Children : James B., died 1910, aged seventy-five years; Patrick B., Herbert B., died 1909, aged sixty years ; Mary B., died 1884, aged forty-eight years ; Margaret B., died May 30, 1912, aged seventy-seven years ; Ellen B., died 1900, aged fifty years. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Nester: Frank, of whom further; Helena, born 1862, married William Gallagher ; William, born 1864, died in infancy ; Katherine, born 1866, married Henry Donaghy.
Frank Nester was born at Marcus Hook, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1860. He obtained an education in the public schools of Phila- delphia, beginning at the age of fifteen years to study the chemistry and re- fining of oils, in the pursuit of which business he has traveled all through the oil fields of the country. He is at present employed by the Texas Oil Com- pany, in charge of the Northern Ocean Terminal at Marcus Hook. While in the oil business he has been employed by the firms enumerated below: Atlantic Refining Company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Bayonne, New Jersey ; Phoenix Refining Company, of Philadelphia ; Solar Oil Company, of Williams- port, Pennsylvania ; Interstate Petrol Company, of Kentucky; Webster Oil Company, of Marietta, Ohio; Penn Refining Company, of Pennsylvania ; Starlight Refining Company, of Pennsylvania; Kansas City Oil Company, of Kansas; Kansas Oil Refining Company, of Chanute, Kansas; Sun Flower State Refining Company, of Niotaze, Kansas; Bear Creek Refining Company, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania; Union Petrol Company and the Pure Oil Company, both of Marcus Hook ; and the Lucent Oil Company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Columbus, Chanute Lodge, No. 1046, and the Holy Name Society.
Mr. Nester married, September 26, 1888, Elizabeth Maloney, born in County Tipperary, Ireland, daughter of John and Margaret (McGrath) Maloney, the former named having been a farmer, died aged fifty-two years, and the latter named a native of Cahir, county Tipperary, Ireland. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Nester: John B., born April 2, 1892; Frank B., March 27, 1894; Eliza- beth. January 29, 1900, died young.
This family was originally resident in the Highlands of Scot- HARPER land, whence they migrated to Ireland because of the reli- gious persecutions they were called upon to bear. Subsequently they returned to Scotland and became identified with various manufacturing interests. The name of Harper is well known in the manufacturing and busi- ness life of Chester, Pennsylvania, and to users of metallic packing everywhere. From Scotland the family came to the United States.
James Harper was born in the North of Ireland, in 1778, and died there about 1828. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Farming was his occupation. He married and had children as follows: William, a miner, who died in Scotland ; John, a miner, who died in Shamokin, Pennsylvania; Thomas, a miner, also died in Scotland ; James E., see forward; Mary, married Thomas Morros, and both died in Scotland.
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James E. Harper, son of James Harper, was born in the North of Ire- land, in 1826, and died in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1878. He was educated in Scotland and resided there until 1869, when he immigrated to the United States, locating in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in coal mining. He was a Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder for several years. Mr. Harper was twice married and to the first wife were born two sons, John and James. He married (second) Agnes C. Cuddy, born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1833, died in Chester, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1907. Children born to this union were: I. Robert, died in Shamokin, May 29, 1872, while yet a student. 2. George, killed in a mine disaster, July 12. 1882. 3. Margaret, died in in- fancy. 4. Mary, married John Hodge, now associated with his brother-in-law, Joseph M. Harper; resides in Chester, Pennsylvania; Mr. Hodge is the treasurer of the Harper Manufacturing Company. 5. Thomas, died in a mine disaster, April 12, 1884. 6. Agnes, died in Germantown, February, 1900; mar- ried Thomas Thompson, who survived her. 7. Joseph M., see forward. 8. Adam C., who was a partner of his brother, Joseph M., and died March 17, 1903.
Joseph M. Harper, son of James E. Harper, was born in Lanarkshire, Scot- land, June 4, 1864. He was five years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents, who located at Shamokin, Pennsylvania, so that in everything except the actual fact of birth he is an American. He attended the public schools of Shamokin until he was twelve years of age, and then worked in and around the coal mines until 1881. In that year he began an apprentice- ship at the Shamokin Iron Works, learning the trade of machinist. On June 4, 1887, he came to Chester, where he entered the employ of Robert Wetherill, and remained with him in the capacity of a machinist until 1891. He then became erecting machinist for the Keystone Engine Works, and was sent to various points where the company had sold engines to be erected by their men. During these years of practical work he had observed the need of a better metal- lic packing for engine-rod use, and in 1896 perfected and patented "Harper's Metallic Packing" for use on steam, gas and air engines. In 1897, he began the manufacture of his packing in a small room in the Birtwell building on East Sixth street, Chester, taking in as a partner, William J. Slack, the firm con- ducting their business under the style of Harper & Slack. They found a ready market for their product, and in June, 1901, the business had grown to such proportions that they incorporated the Harper-Slack Company, under the laws of the State of Delaware. In 1902 Mr. Slack retired, and Mr. Harper incor- porated the Harper Manufacturing Company, under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, and his brother, Adam C., became associated with him in this enterprise. In 1901 the plant was moved to a building purchased for the pur- pose, this being located on Concord avenue, bounded by Fifth and Sixth and Concord and Barclay streets. Upon the death of his brother, Adam C., Mr. Harper continued as president and general manager of the Harper Manu- facturing Company, of which he owns eighty-five per cent. of the stock. The company transacts an immense business, the packing having proved of genuine merit, being effective, lasting, and preventing loss of steam, air or gas used as motive power. In August, 1904, Mr. Harper organized the Paiste-Harper Hardware Company, establishing their store at No. 13 West Third street, Ches- ter, this building having been purchased by Mr. Harper for this purpose. Mr. Paiste retired in 1908, and in 1000 the business was sold to the Galey Hard- ware Company. In May, 1910, Mr. Harper opened Harper's Garage, on Sixth street, leasing the same in 1911, to the Penn Garage Company, and has now
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Joseph an Harper.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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erected a modern garage one story in height, fifty by sixty by one hundred and thirty feet, this being the largest and best equipped garage in Chester.
Mr. Harper is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Third Presby- terian Church. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to L. H. Scott Lodge, No. 352, Free and Accepted Masons ; Chester Chapter, No. 258, Royal Arch Masons; Chester Commandery, No. 66, Knights Templar ; Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of the World, and the Penn Club.
Mr. Harper married (first) July 15, 1884, Ella Sohl, who died February 21, 1888, a daughter of Henry and Mary Sohl, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He married (second) Emma Parvis, born in Felton, Delaware, November 20, 1867, daughter of William Burton and Elizabeth (Airs) Parvis, who were born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, descendants of the old Puritan stock. The second Mrs. Harper was educated in Felton Seminary, and in 1887 the Parvis family moved to Chester, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Harper is a member of the Third Presbyterian Church of Chester, Pennsylvania, and of the Century Club of Chester and of numerous philanthropic societies. The family home is a hand- some residence with spacious grounds at Nineteenth street and Providence avenue, Chester, purchased by Mr. Harper in 1905. To the first marriage of Mr. Harper were born two children: Margaret F., born October 24, 1885, married Lieutenant Thomas Louis Shannon, United States Navy, naval en- gineer, and resides in Chester, Pennsylvania; Joseph M. Jr., born February 2, 1888, died in the same year. To the second marriage were born: George, died in infancy ; a son who died unnamed; Elizabeth Parvis, who graduated from Chester high school, class of 1911; Josephine Airs, now a student in Martha Washington Seminary, Washington, D. C.
PENDLEBURG William Pendleburg, one of the highly esteemed residents of Cardington, who has served for the past three decades in a responsible position in one of the leading industries of that place, which fact clearly demonstrates his efficiency and capability, is a native of Lancashire, England, born in the town of Warsley, near Manchester, November 14. 1853, son of John and Sarah (Cooke) Pendleburg, natives of the same place, and grandson on the paternal side of - Pendleburg, who lived and died near Warsley, England, was a member of the Church of England, a coal miner by occupation, and grandson on the maternal side of James Cooke, who reared a large family, the former named working in the coal mines until sixty years of age.
John Pendleburg (father) was born in 1826, died 1876. He was a coal miner during the early years of his life and later became a mine inspector, con- ducting his operations in his native land, where he spent his entire life. He married Sarah Cooke, born 1823, died 1891, who bore him eight children : Eliza- beth, deceased, was the wife of Robert Weatheroll; Anne, deceased, was the wife of James Holton, and resided in Warsley, England; Mary, deceased ; Wil- liam, of whom further ; Alice, deceased ; Sarah, deceased ; James, deceased, was the driver of a fire engine; Hannah. John Pendleburg was one of a family of eight children, all of whom are now deceased, and all of whom lived and died in England, the names of his brothers and sisters being as follows: Alice, Eliza- beth, Mary, Hannah, James, Henry, William.
William Pendleburg obtained a practical education in the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and later learned the trade of telegrapher, securing a position. when competent, as telegraph clerk with the Bridgewaters Trustees,
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remaining in that capacity for seven years. In 1878 he left his native land, coming to the United States, and locating in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he accepted a clerkship in Henry's Woolen Mills, and subsequently accepted a similar position with Wolfenden, Shore & Company, of Cardington, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and by faithful service was promoted from time to time until he attained the position of head clerk in the year 1883 in their main office, and has held the same up to the present time, a period of thirty years, which is most unusual in these days of change. He is painstaking in his work, exact in every detail, considerate in his treatment of those under his con- trol, and therefore merits the esteem in which he is held by every one connected with the firm. He is a Republican in politics, and is serving as secretary to the board of commissioners of Upper Darby township and secretary to the board of health of the same township. He is a member of Burmont Blue Lodge and University Chapter, Free and Accepted Masons ; the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Mr. Pendleburg married, November 17, 1874, Elizabeth Endowsill, born in Farnworth, near Bolton, England, daughter of William and Charlotte Endow- sill, both deceased, the former named having been a green grocer of Farnworth, where their deaths occurred. Children: 1. Wilfred, a machinist by occupation ; married Lena Butterworth ; they reside in West Philadelphia. 2. Emily, mar- ried John Bottomly, a machinist : they reside in North Philadelphia. 3. Bessie, married Arthur Fanlyn, a carpenter ; they reside in West Philadelphia. 4. James, a traveling salesman ; married Lottie Ogden ; they reside in Cardington. 5. Frank, resides at home. 6 Lydia, resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pendle- burg are members of St. George's Episcopal Church, of Cardington. In 1897 Mr. Pendleburg erected the brick house in which they now reside, which is modern in every respect and well adapted to their needs, and a generous hos- pitality is meted out to all who come there.
PIERSOL Prominent among the enterprising and scientific agriculturists of Concordville, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, is Charles T. Piersol, who through industry, perseverance and uprightness of living has gained the respect and esteem of the neighborhood, and possesses many friends in the vicinity of his home.
Charles T. Piersol, son of Peter and Harriet Piersol, was born in Honey- brook township. Chester county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1858. The public schools in the neighborhood of his home afforded him a means of obtaining a practical education, and his entire active career has been devoted to the tilling of the soil, his highly cultivated land yielding him good returns for labor expende 1. His thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs makes his farm one of the most productive in that section of the state, and the neat appearance of the entire property indicates the supervision of a man well versed in these matters. He is an active and consistent member of the Baptist church, to which he contributes of his time and means, and he casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. to which he has given his allegiance since attaining his majority. He has never sought or held public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his home duties. He is a member of Concord Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, and of the local Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
Mr. Piersol married, May 23, 1879, Laura Gravell. daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Wheaton) Gravell, the former named a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics, honored and respected in his neighborhood for his many sterling traits of character. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Piersol: 1. Marian,
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