USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 52
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ment of his father, and remained there until 1888. He then worked in the brickyard conducted by his father, and uncle, John Fields, in Ridley township, continuing until 1904. when both partners were deceased. He then became a partner of his cousin, John W. Fields, aforementioned. About the year 1900 Holstein H. and John W. Fields engaged in the concrete building business, with a plant located at Ridley River and Ninth street, Eddystone, but at the expira- tion of three years they discontinued their operations along that line. Mr. Fiel 's is manager of the Edgmont Baseball Club, a semi-professional team of Chester, which compares favorably in strength with college and state teams. He is a member of the Emanual Baptist church, located at Fifteenth and Pot- ter streets, Chester, is superintendent of the Sunday school, and chairman of the house committee of the financial board. He is a Republican in politics, but takes no active part beyond casting his vote for the candidates who in his opinion are best qualified for the office. He is a member of the Artisans Order of Mutual Protection, No. 48, of Chester, of which he is a past master, and Jolın 1'. Crozer Council, No. 187, Order of United American Mechanics, of Chester, of which he is past councillor.
Mr. Fields, married, February 6, 1890, Mary Emmott, born in England, daughter of the late James and Hannah Emmott, of England, from where they emigrated to this country, settling in Chester, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Emmott became a worsted manufacturer. Children: I. Maude Estella, born Decem- ber 18, 1890. 2. Florence Winfred, born April 10, 1892; graduated from Larkin grammar school, and has also a high school education. Both reside at home with their parents.
As business men, the Fields partners possess. all those qualities inost essen- tial to success. They are men of sound judgment, unerring foresight and execu- tive ability. Fair and upright in all their dealings, they are highly esteemed and hold the confidence of all with whom they have relations. They are energetic progressive and enterprising, and in their work display a capacity that stamps them as men of more than ordinary intelligence. As citizens they are public- spirited and interested in the material welfare and development of their city, a cause to which they are always ready to extend their hearty support.
FIELDS (II ) Thomas S. Fields, eldest son of Samuel and Margaret ( Stin- son ) Fields (q. v.), was born in Marple township, Delaware county. Pennsylvania, July 4. 1854. His parents removed to the borough of Media, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1855, and when he attained the age of five years he became a pupil in the public schools of that borough, con- tinuing his studies until he was eleven years of age, when he became a wage earner. His first employment was in the brickyard of Isaac Worrall, and later he served an apprenticeship at the trade of plumber, which line of work he followed for a number of years until after his marriage, when he was com- pelled to seek other employment owing to ill health. He then secured work in a grocery and provision store, remaining for sixteen years, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with the details of the business, and also gave his employer the best of service. He then embarked in business on his own account, along the same line, but was not successful in his venture, failing in March, 1893, after which he changed his place of residence to Upper Providence and engaged in the trucking business, in which he achieved a fair degree of suc- cess, continuing until January 1, 1894. when he was appointed a deputy sheriff of Delaware county under the late Elwood T. Carr, in which capacity he ser- ved four years, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned, performing his duties in a highly commendatory manner. At the expiration of this period of time he
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secured a position as judgment clerk in the prothonotary's office, serving one year, and on April 1, 1899, he was appointed warden of the Delaware county prison, which position he is now filling in a most acceptable manner, his tenure of office being noted for a strict adherence to duty, combined with a considerate regard for the unfortunates placed under his care and supervision. Mr. Fields has always given his allegiance to the Republican party, taking an active interest in its welfare, and being honored by appointment to positions of trust and honor. He is also active in the welfare of the community, doing all in his power to contribute to the efforts put forth with that end in view.
Mr. Fields married, December 25, 1875, S. Jennie Walker, born in Spring- field township, May 26, 1853. daughter of James and Sarah ( Middleton) Walker, the latter named being a direct descendant of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Children: 1. Sarah Walker, born November 3, 1876: received her education at the Media high school and afterwards graduated from Banks Business College, Philadelphia, as a stenographer ; she then secured employment with W. Cloud Alexander, Esq., in the borough of Media, which position she retained until after the death of her mother, May 7, 1910. when she resigned in order to keep house for her father ; she later received the appointment of matron of the Delaware county prison, which position she is filling at the present time (1913). 2. Margaret Stinson, born November 4, 1878; she received her education at the Media high school ; on March 28, 1903, she became the wife of Edward Vincent Streeper Jr. 3. Elizabeth, born May 22, 1882 ; she received her education at the Media high school, from which she graudated in June, 1899; she then attended Banks Business College, from which she graduated in 1900 as a stenographer ; she then secured employment with the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company. which position she held five years, or until the firm sold out to the Singer Sewing Machine Company, when she resigned and then entered the employ of the County Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia, remaining to the pre- sent time. 4. Clara Virginia, born December 26, 1884; she received her edu- cation at the Media high school, from which she graduated in June. 1903; she then attended Banks Business College, from which she graduated in 1904: she afterwards obtained a position with George T. Butler, Esq., one of the leading attorneys of the Delaware county bar, which position she still holds. 5. Howard Walker; born September 22, 1887; he received his education at the Media high school, from which he graduated in June, 1905; he then entered Lafayette College, from which he graduated in June, 1909, as a civil engineer ; he then obtained employment with the Pennsylvania railroad, where he re- mained until February 1, 1910; he then went as an instructor to the Army and Navy Preparatory School, at Washington, D. C., where he remained until June, 1913. and then accepted a similar position at the Allentown Prepara- tory School, which position he still holds ; he married, August 16, 1913, Helen Kepler Lerch, of Easton, Pennsylvania. 6. Thomas Franklin, born June 8, 1890: he received his education at the Media high school and Drexel Institute ; he then accepted a position with the Pennsylvania railroad as clerk in the ac- countant department, which position he still holds; he married, August 10, 1912. Elizabeth Robinson Leaver, of Media, Pennsylvania. 7. Charles, born October 22, 1892: he received his education at the Media high school, from which he graduated in June. 1911 : he then secured employment with the Pennsylvania railroad as clerk, which position he still holds. 8. Alice Kille. born May 2. 1896, died September 5. 1896. 9. Son, unnamed, born in 1897, died a few hours after birth.
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FIELDS (II) Benjamin Franklin Fields, son of Samuel and Margaret (Stinson) Fields, was born in Media, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1865. He attended the public and high schools of his native town, graduating from the latter named in 1885. He began his active career in the grocery business, in which he engaged for a short period of time, and later, when the free delivery mail system in Media was inaugurated under Post- master Edgar T. Miller, he was appointed the first letter carrier, in which capa- city he served for more than two years. He then purchased a livery stable from the W. C. Broadhead estate and managed it for twelve years, deriving therefrom a comfortable livelihood. He disposed of the same to advantage in 1907 and then removed to his farm in Lima, which he had purchased in 1905, consisting of sixty-five acres, which he operates successfully, making a specialty of seed corn, raising the corn known as "The Leaming" which has brought many prizes in the Delaware and Chester county corn shows, and which has gained for him an enviable reputation and record. In addition to this he has a fine dairy from which he derives a goodly income, his stock comprising many fine specimens. He has also a granite quarry on his farm, which he operates, known as the Lima Granite Quarry, and with this supply of good stone at hand has engaged extensively in contracting for the building of roads, building many of the leading roads in the neighborhood, especially in the section around Media and Glen Riddle, also all the roads on the well known Riddle estate, and the cleaning of the dam for the Media water works. He has been successful in his various undertakings, the keynote of his success being his executive force, and mastery of detail in whatever engages his attention. He is a consistent member of the Lima Methodist Episcopal church, being a member of the board of trustees, a member of the Sons of Veterans, and the Patrons of Husbandry. He advocates the principles of the Republican party, but casts his vote inde- pendently of party affiliation, taking an active part in temperance work, being an active factor in the building up of the Temperance League in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. This brief resume of Mr. Fields' career proves con- clusively that he is a man of integrity and character, enterprising and public- spirited, taking high rank among the successful and representative citizens of his section of the state.
Mr. Fields married, November 16. 1887, Sarah E. Kugler, a native of Media, Pennsylvania, daughter of S. Crawford and Margaret Kugler, of Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania. Children : Emma H., born September 8, 1889, died February 2, 1896: Margaret, born April 27, 1897.
GREEN For three generations this branch of the Green family have been residents of Delaware county, the ancestor Abraham Green com- ing from England. Professor Francis H. Green, of the third American generation, a widely known educator, litterateur and lecturer, las gained his reputation not more by his finely developed mentality as expressed in school room, on the lecture platform and with his fluent pen, than by his early forceful and earnest advocacy of the cause of social reform and his zealous work in the cause of temperance. For nearly thirty years Professor of Eng- lish at the West Chester State Normal School, he has gained enduring fame and through the lives of the thousands who have sat under his instructions has spread to the four quarters of the compass the sterling principles that have made so conspicuous a figure. To this must be added the hundreds of lectures he has delivered from Chautauqua platforms and before audiences of earnest men and women in all parts of the country. To estimate the value of such a man as Professor Green, is impossible, as the results of his work must come
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
R. C. Kannum!
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in so great a part through the lives and influences of others who from him have gaincd their inspiration and gone out into the world to spread anew the gospel of pure lives and higher ideals.
Sharpless Green, son of Abraham, thie emigrant, was born in 1830, at the Delaware county homestead ; he was a successful merchant, a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a man of influence until his death, in 1887. He married Mary, daughter of James Booth.
Francis H. Green, son of Sharpless and Mary (Booth) Green, was born at Booth's Corner, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1861. He early at- tended the public schools, thion entering West Chester State Normal School, from which he was graduated. Later he pursued English courses at Amherst College and Harvard University, graduating from both institutions and obtaining huis degrees. He began his long and useful career as an educator in the public schools of Chester county, Pennsylvania, continuing two years, then accepted a position as a member of the faculty of Juniata College ( Hunt- ington), Pennsylvania, and until 1882 was Professor of English. In the latter year he began his long connection with the West Chester State Normal School, occupying the chair of English. As an educator, Professor Green has attained highest rank, and has made his department one of the strongest of the insti- tution he has graced with his talents, and honored by a life time of devoted service. His cultured mind has been broadened and enriched by European travel and by personal acquaintance of many of the men of the literary world, Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, John G. Whittier, and others whom he met on terms of intimacy. His prominence in the educational world brought him naturally to the lecture platform, where his graceful speech, ora- tory and earnestness won him unusual prominence. From educational sub- jects he expanded until his themes embraced the great questions of social and economic reform, and were called for by the Chautauqua Association ; the Sum- mer School, over which he presided; teachers' institutes, literary clubs, reform societies and lyceums. He was the earliest and foremost advocate of social reform in his state, and in the cause of temperance was a willing, tireless worker. He founded the Knights of Temperance in Chester, and encouraged the formation of similar societies elsewhere. In the difficult field of literature, Professor Green is also well known, his contributions to the pages of leading magazines and newspapers, continuing over a long term of years, covering a wide variety of topics, in which he is interested and displays not only the talents of the cultured and accomplished scholar and forceful writer, but the deep in- terest of the humanitarian, who in unselfish devotion, gives of the great wealth of a noble nature for the benefit of others. No lofty monuments, such as honor the great military heroes, are ever reared to such men ; their monuments are in the hearts of those they have uplifted and encouraged.
HANNUM Robert Evans Hannum, Esq., who began the practice of law in the city of Philadelphia, where he was associated with Judge Cadwallader, was for many years one of the leading members of the bar of Delaware county. In his high character as a man and his splendid ability as an attorney, he represented the ideal type of the American lawyer, and won and held the highest esteem alike of the court, his professional brethren, and a clientage equal to that of any legal practitioner of his time.
He was born at Concord, Delaware county, December 10. 1805. His boy- hood was spent principally in his native state where he acquired a superior English education, and soon after leaving school, turned his attention to the law
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as offered the most congenial field for the exercise of his acknowledged talent. After his admission to the bar, he practiced for a short time in Philadelphia, where he was the associate and close personal friend of Judge Cadwallader of the Philadelphia bar. The residence ot Mr. Hannum was at Chester, Delaware county, and he soon became prominent at the bar of this county, to which his practice was thereafter mainly confined. He was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of district attorney, and acceptably discharged the duties of that position. In political sentiment Mr. Hannum was in full accord with the Republican party and did much for its success especially in the trying times of our great civil war. The sturdy rectitude of his character as a man and a lawyer, is indelibly impressed on the minds of his brethren at the bar, and all his contemporaries who were privileged to know him well. He was conspicuous for honest dealing with the court, great fidelity to the interest of his clients and uniform courtesy and candid treatment toward his professional brethren. In short he possessed in a marked degree, the many admirable traits which distin- guished the zealous, faithful and honest lawyer, a type all too rare in modern days. At the time of his death he was the senior member of the Delaware county bar, and a committee consisting of Judge John M. Bromall, William Ward, John B. Hinkson and William B. Broomall, was appointed to draw up resolutions expressive of the sentiments of his associates in the law. These gentlemen formulated a handsome tribute to his character as a lawyer and a citizen, which was duly adopted, spread on the record, and printed by the press of this county. Although he met with great success in the practice of his profes- sion, and was remarkable for his activity and energy, Mr. Hannum had inherited physical infirmities which interfered with his practice in later years, and no doubt prevented the full expansion of the genius with which he was endowed. On the social side Mr. Hannum was as largely gifted as in intellect. He was al- ways genial and pleasant, and loved the companionship of old and trusted friends, among whom he unbent and seemed to enjoy himself with the abandon of a boy. He was a man of great tenderness of heart, and those who were associated with him most closely knew best how deep were his feelings and affections. His hospitality was almost unbounded and many yet live who can testify to his philanthropy and generosity. Especially was this trait noticeable in his treatment of young men studying for the bar, or just beginning practice. Many men now prominent in our courts have cause to remember him with gratitude and love to keep his memory green, watered by the dews of admira- tion and respect. With all his kindness of heart, Mr. Hannum was a man of decided opinions and when occasion demanded was very emphatic in their expression, having a force of will which was exceedingly strong when once aroused and never inclined to compromise on matters of principle nor when he was manifestly in the right. He was a Quaker in religion all his life and died at his home in the city of Chester. He resided on Providence avenue, near where he had purchased a farm of thirty-five acres on which was a handsome summer residence. This farm he stocked with fine horses and other improved stock, in which he took great interest and continued to manage it until his death. The house in which he resided was erected in 1730, and is one of the historic mansions of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hannum married Georgianna Bartram, a daughter of George W. Bartram, and by that union had a family of thirteen children-three sons and ten daughters.
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Hon. William C. Sproul, of Chester, a distinctive power in the SPROUL political, commercial and social affairs of his county and of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a representative of amalga- mated English-Quaker, Scotch-Irish and German ancestry, and combines in himself the best traits of these sturdy peoples.
His great-grandfather, Charles Sproul, came from county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1786; his family was prominent, and the oldest gravestone at the old Presby- terian church in Castlederg is over the remains of Robert Sproule, who emi- grated from Scotland and died in 1680.
James, son of Charles Sproul, was six years old when he came to America with his parents. He was well educated, and became one of the most notable of the early Pennsylvania iron founders. For many years he operated three forges and a bloomery on Octoraro creek, in Lancaster and Chester counties, and a large finished iron store in the city of Lancaster. He was a very wealthy man, and one of the largest landowners in the entire district. He was twice married, his first wife dying without issue. He married (second) Anne, daughter of William Johnson. She was left a widow in early life, with four boys and six girls to rear. She was a woman of strong character, and handled with great judgment her large property interests for nearly forty-three years after the death of her husband.
William Hall Sproul, son of James Sproul, was born at Sadsbury Forge, November 6, 1837. He received an academic education, and before reaching his majority resided for a time in Kansas. Returning, he located in Christiana, Lancaster county. In 1866 he moved to a farm in Colerain, where he remained until 1874, when he went to Negaunee, Michigan, and was there connected in an official capacity with an important iron industry. In 1882 he returned to Pennsylvania, and until his retirement from active business was connected with the Chester Rolling Mills. He was a member of the Chester city park com- mission, of the board of port wardens of Philadelphia, chairman of the execu- tive committee of the Chester Hospital, a director in the Delaware County National Bank, and a trustee of the Second Presbyterian church. He mar- ried Deborah Dickinson Slokom, of Christiana, and to them were born three children, all sons, one of whom,
William Cameron Sproul, was born near Octoraro, September 16, 1870. He received his preliminary education in Michigan, where his parents then re- sided, and he subsequently graduated from the Chester ( Pennsylvania) high school, with the teacher's degree, and in 1891 graduated with honors from Swarthmore College. While a student there he was editor of the Swarthmore Phoenix, and the college annual, The Halcyon, manager of the football team, president of the Eunomian Literary Society, archon of the Swarthmore chapter of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity: he was winner of an oratorical prize. On leaving college he with Edward L. Fell bought an interest in the Franklin Printing Company of Philadelphia. In March, 1892, he bought a half interest in the Chester Times, this venture having for its remote foundation his experi- ence in editing and printing an amateur paper, in his eleventh year.
In 1895, just after passing his twenty-fifth year, he was named for state senator ; in the following March he was unanimously nominated by the Republi- can convention of the district. and at the ensuing election was chosen by a plur- ality of nearly 10,000. Although the youngest man in the senate, he at once attained prominence, being made a member of various important committees, and connected with much useful legislation. In 1900 he was re-elected without serious opposition, and in the following session of the session was a forceful leader for reform movements, and aided largely in beginning the movement for
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state highway improvement. In 1903 he was elected president of the senate, and was re-elected to a third senatorial term in 1904.
In 1895 he became a director of the First National Bank of Chester. In 1898 he was made vice-president of the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding and Engine Works ( Roach's Shipyard), but resigned in 1899, and at once set to work to interest capital in the organization of the Seaboard Steel Casting Com- pany, capital $500,000. He became president, his principal active colleague being his brother, S. Everett Sproul. In 1900, with others, Mr. Sproul or- ganized the Chester Shipping Company, operating a line of Delaware river steamers, and was president of the corporation, as well as of the River Front Improvement Company and the Niagara Hydraulic Engine Company; and vice-president of the Henry Roever Company ; a director of the Mobile, Jack- son and Kansas City Railroad Company ; treasurer of the Seaboard Fuel Com- pany of West Virginia ; a director in the Fayette Manufacturing Company and the Delaware County Trust Company of Chester, and the Franklin Printing Company ; as well as interested in various other business enterprises in several states.
Mr. Sproul is a manager of Swarthmore College, and in 1903 was elected presi lent of the Alumni Association. He is a trustee of the Pennsylvania Train- ing School for Feebleminded Children; a member of the Union League, and University Club and Corinthian Yacht Club, of Philadelphia ; the Rose Tree Foxhunting Club; the New York Athletic Club and the Engineers Club, of New York : the Harrisburg Club; the Penn Club of Chester ; and the Spring- haven Country Club of Delaware county.
He married, January 21, 1892, Emeline Roach, daughter of John B. Roach, the famous Chester shipbuilder. Children: Dorothy Wallace Sproul, and John Roach Sproul. The Sproul residence in Chester is at the corner of North and Kerlin streets; and Mr. Sproul maintains a country place, Lapidea Manor, a historic and beautiful farm just beyond the Chester city limits.
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