USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, comprising a historical sketch of the county > Part 46
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On November 8, 1876, Captain Gilmore was united by marriage to Annie Chism, a na- tive of Philadelphia and a daughter of James and Rebecca Chism. To them has been born two children, both sons : R. Dale and Jay Campbell.
Politically the Captain is a stanch republi- can, having cast his first vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. He has taken an active part in local politics during late years, having served as delegate to several county conven- tions and been prominently connected with the organization of Ridley Park borough as a sep- arate voting precinct and as a borough. He called the first meeting of citizens for that purpose, and was made chairman of the meet- ing. Later he was elected a member of the borough council, in which he is now serving as chairman of the police committee and the committee on public health. He was also a prime mover in the reform methods of nomi- nating county officers, and in all his official acts has kept constantly in view the interests and desires of his constituents.
In December, 1873, Mr. Gilmore enlisted in Co. H, Ist regiment National guards of Penn- sylvania, assisted in suppressing the Susque- hanna riots of 1874, and served one month during the Molly Maguire riots of 1875, at which time he was promoted to corporal. He
was again in active service during the Pitts- burg riots of 1877, when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and acting sergeant-ma- jor, and presented with a bronze medal by Thomas A. Scott, president of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, for bravery displayed in the movement of trains over the mountains between Altoona and Pittsburg. Later he was made second, then first lieutenant, and finally, in 1881. became captain of Co. K, Ist regi- ment National guards. In 1888 he was made captain of the ist regiment veteran corps of the National guards, and still occupies that position. In 1877 he took thirty-five men and succeeded in opening up the Lackawanna & Western railroad, when two hundred men had failed in the undertaking. For this exploit he was commended by the railroad authorities, and also received a gold medal set with dia- monds in 1882, for having the best drilled and disciplined company in the State. He like- wise received a medal for sharp-shooting at long range, and another for making the best score for ten consecutive years by any man in his company. Captain Gilmore takes great pride in the efficiency and soldierly bearing of the veteran corps, and is widely known as an able officer and a brave man. He is a mem- ber of Ridley Park Presbyterian church, an active religious and Sunday school worker, and prominently identified with the temper- ance movement, having organized and uni- formed a company of temperance cadets at Ridley Park. He served as commander of the Legion of Honor in Philadelphia, and was largely instrumental in organizing the Rid- ley Park athletic association. For three years he was president of the Ridley Park Fire Com- pany, held a like position in the Patriotic Or- der Sons of America, and is now an officer of the most prominent lodge in the Masonic or- der of Philadelphia, Lodge No. 51 (known as "The Silk Stocking Lodge "), and has always been prominently identified with the indus- trial, social and religious life of his town, county and State.
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w ILLIAM BIRD, M. D., a graduate of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, Baltimore, Maryland, who has been in successful practice in the city of Chester for more than a dozen years, is a native of West River, Anne Arundel county, Maryland, where he was born November 27, 1857. His parents were Dr. Benjamin L. and Emily ( Duvall ) Bird, the former born in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, and the latter a native of Prince George county, Maryland. Jacob Bird, pa- ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a man of education and fine business abil- ity, who adopted an agricultural life from choice, believing with Washington that agri- culture is the noblest pursuit in which man can engage. He owned a large farm in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, conducted his operations on an extensive scale and accumu- lated much property, being at the time of his death one of the wealthiest farmers of that section. Politically he was a Jacksonian dem- ocrat, and in religion a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Susan Lee, by whom he had a family of six children : Dr. Benjamin Lee Bird, Dr. William P. Bird, of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Mary- land ; J. Edward Bird, Stephen L. Bird, Joseph A. Bird, dry goods merchants of Baltimore, Maryland ; Jacob W. Bird, farmer.
Dr. Benjamin Lee Bird (father) was born and reared in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, where he obtained a good education, and af- terward studied medicine, and graduated at the university of Maryland ( Baltimore) in 1837, and practiced his profession for many years in Anne Arundel county. He was a democrat in politics and an Episcopalian in religious faith and church membership. In 1838 he married Emily Duvall, a native of Prince George county, Maryland, and a daugh- ter of John Duvall and Priscilla ( Eversfield ) Bird. To them was born a family of eleven children : Rev. Gustavus C. Bird, Eugenia Bird, Dr. Benjamin Lee Bird, Emily Bird, E.
Adella Bird, J. Morsell Bird, Jacob Bird, Henry M. Bird, Rosa Bird, Loulie M. Bird and Dr. William Bird. Dr. Benjamin Lee Bird died in 1872, aged fifty-nine years, and his wife passed away in 1887, in the seventieth year of her age.
William Bird passed his early years in Anne Arundel county, and acquired his English ed - ucation in the superior schools of Maryland. In 1876 he matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of Balti- more, and was graduated from that leading medical institution in the spring of 1880 with the degree of M. D. He accepted the posi- tion of resident physician in the Maryland Maternity hospital of that city, and was like- wise connected with the regular city hospital of Baltimore for some time. These positions gave him excellent opportunities for acquiring a wide experience in his profession, and were industriously improved by the young doctor, who was ambitious to become proficient in the healing art. In 1881 Dr. Bird came to Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and located in the city of Chester for the practice of the profession to which he had devoted his life and talents. He met with appreciation and encouragement from the beginning, and soon had a nice practice, which has increased as the years went by, until it is now large, rank- ing with the most important in the city of Chester. In successfully conducting this large general practice Dr. Bird has displayed great skill in his profession, and shown that he pos- sesses many of the leading characteristics of the true physician.
On January 18, 1881, Dr. Bird was united in marriage to Clara M. Spiller, a daughter of Robert M. Spiller, of Baltimore, Maryland. To the Doctor and Mrs. Bird have been born three children, two sons and a daughter : William G., now in his twelfth year : Benja- min N., aged ten ; and Emily M., seven years of age.
Dr. Bird is a member of the Delaware County Medical society, and a constant reader
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of the best literature of his profession. He is a democrat in politics, but too thoroughly occupied by his professional duties to find much time for political affairs. He and Mrs. Bird are both members of the Protestant Episcopal church. Personally the Doctor is genial and affable, and is very popular, no less as a citizen than as a physician.
C ALEB RING HEYBURN, a leading farmer and dairyman of Chester Heights, and one of the best posted and most influen- tial citizens of Aston township, in whose school board he has served for nearly a quarter of a century, is a son of John and Letitia (Brin- ton) Heyburn, and was born February II, 1834, in Birmingham township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The Heyburns were among the earliest settlers of Delaware county, and lived principally in Birmingham and As- ton townships. Here George Heyburn, pa- ternal grandfather of Caleb R., was born and reared. He spent his life in agricultural por- suits, and was one of the largest and most successful farmers of his day. Many yet live who remember his fine farm and the energetic manner in which he conducted his extensive operations. He married and reared a family of children, one of whom was John Heyburn (father), who was born at the old homestead in Birmingham township in 1800, and died there in April, 1863, at the age of sixty-three years. He received a good common school education, and after attaining manhood pur- chased his fatlier's farm and made agriculture the principal business of his life. Politically he was a whig and republican, and held a number of township offices and other positions of trust. In religious faith he was a Quaker, and married Letitia Brinton, of Chester county, and a member of the Society of Friends. They had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters : Elizabeth Talley, Sarah Miller, Mary (deceased), Louisa, Susan Pyle, George, Edward, Brinton, Caleb R., and Milton. Mrs.
Letitia Heyburn died in 1877, aged seventy- six years.
Caleb R. Heyburn was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of Delaware county. Inheriting a love for agri- cultural pursuits, he followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, and has devoted his life prin- cipally to the cultivation of the soil, stock raising and dairying. For thirty years he lived in his native township of Birmingham, but in 1865 he sold his property there and purchased a farm of ninety-five acres at Ches- ter Heights, upon which he has ever since resided. This property rapidly appreciated in value, and came into demand for building lots, and Mr. Heyburn has sold a number of lots for that purpose. He still owns some sixty-five acres of the original tract, and about thirty-five acres of improved land in Concord township, where he runs a dairy. He de- servedly ranks with the most enterprising, successful and highly respected citizens of the county.
On May 19, 1860, Mr. Heyburn was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hannum, a native of Concord, and a daughter of Evan Hannum. To Mr. and Mrs. Heyburn were born three sons ( deceased ) and three daughters : Mary, who became the wife of Horace Johnson, of Chester county ; Ida E., who married Matt S. Jones, a native of Montgomery county ; and Maggie G., a teacher by profession, who was graduated from the Friends' Central High school of Philadelphia.
In his political affiliations Caleb R. Heyburn is an ardent republican, having been connected with that party nearly ever since its organiza- tion in Pennsylvania. At times he has taken a very active part in local politics and in town- ship affairs, and has frequently been called upon to serve in official positions, both in his old home and since coming to Chester Heights. Always a firm friend of popular education, Mr. Heyburn has rendered efficient service to that cause as a member of the Aston township school board, in which he has served contin-
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nously for a period of twenty-two years. He has been a prominent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal chuch for many years, and has always been active in support of the various religious and material interests of his denom- ination.
A RCHIBALD A. COCHRAN, a prom- inent member of the Chester bar, is a son of John and Catharine ( Johnson) Cochran, and a brother of I. Engle Cochran, jr., whose sketch and portrait appears elsewhere in this volume. He was born November 21, 1865, in the city of Chester, where he grew to man- hood and received a superior English educa- tion in the public schools. Leaving school he entered the law office of O. B. Dickinson, in this city, where he completed his legal studies, and after passing a creditable examination was duly admitted to the bar May 2, 1887. He immediately began the practice of his profes- sion in his native city, and has maintained a large general practice here ever since. From October 1, 1892, until May 1, 1893, he was assistant city solicitor of Chester. He enjoys an enviable reputation at the bar and among his legal associates. In addition to his pros- perous law business he is secretary of the Franklin Building & Loan association of this city. A young man of marked business ability and already possessed of great legal acumen, he has won substantial reputation as an at- torney and counselor, and secured a solid foot- ing in the business life of this rapidly growing city.
On May 31, 1893, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage to Jennie Robb, youngest daugh- ter of E. T. Robb, of the city of Chester. In political sentiment he is a stanch republican, thoroughly posted on public affairs and deeply grounded in the principles and National policy of his party. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Chester, which he is serving as trustee.
The Cochrans are of Scotch - Irish descent. and trace their American ancestry to John
Cochran (paternal grandfather ), who was born and reared in the north of Ireland, but left his native land in early manhood to find a new home on this side the broad Atlantic. He early settled in Delaware county, purchasing a large tract of land, part of which is now included in the city limits of Chester, on which he resided until his death, at an advanced age. By his marriage to Abigail Engle he had a family of three children, of whom John Cochran (father) was the eldest. He was born in 1825, in what is now the city of Chester, and still resides here, being now in his sixty-eighth year. He has led an active and successful life, and is still engaged in the real estate and mortgage broker business in Philadelphia. In politics he is a stanch republican, and in religion a strict member of the Presbyterian church, tak- ing an active interest in both political and re- ligious affairs, notwithstanding his advanced age. He married Catharine Johnson in 1849, and by that union had a family of ten children, of whom 1. Engle Cochran, jr., Samuel J. Cochran, Nellie C. Martin, Mary J. Cochran, M.D., Anna Cochran, J. Howard Cochran and the subject of this sketch are now living. Mrs. Cochran was a daughter of Samuel John- son, and a grand-daughter of the noted as- tronomer, Samuel Johnson. She was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, and died in 1875, aged forty-six years. Her remains rest in the Chester Rural cemetery.
C EORGE SENIOR, a man of business ability and experience, and the manager of Swift's Chicago Company's beef plant at Chester, is a son of James and Mary (Carter) Senior, and was born in Huddersfield, Eng- land, July 4, 1853. He received a good Eng- lish education, and in 1876 came to Philadel- phia, where he was engaged for a short time in the butchering business. He then came to Chester, and after working for two years as a butcher, he opened a meat market of his own. His success was such that he successively
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OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
opened three other markets in the city and then run four wagons regularly. He operated his four meat markets up to the year 1889, when he accepted his present position as man- ager of the Swift Chicago Beef Company's plant at Chester. Mr. Senior has conducted that company's business in Chester city with his usual prudence, good judgment and suc- cess. His wide and varied experience in this country and in England in the butchering business gives him a marked advantage in the proper selection and necessary handling of meats to keep them in first-class order for con- sumption. Mr. Senior does a strictly whole- sale business for the company which he repre- sents, and runs two wagons regularly to fill the large number of orders which he receives. In addition to the management of the meat plant, he gives attention to the ice supply of the city, being one of the largest stockholders in the "Consumer's Ice Company." He is a republican in politics, but he is no politician or office seeker, although ever active in the necessary support of his party. In 1882 he revisited his native country, and spent a few weeks with his people and friends there and in visiting several English villages and towns.
In November, 1877, Mr. Senior was united in marriage with Lizzie Montgomery, daugh- ter of John Montgomery, of Chester, Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Senior have six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters : Mary, Bessie, George, Albert, Lizzie and Frank.
The parents of George Senior were born in England.
How OWARD L. MARTIN, the efficient manager of his fathers large mercantile business at Highland Terrace, in the city of Chester, is the eldest child and only son of John W. and Elizabeth (Howard) Martin, and was born in the city of of Philadelphia, August 27, 1862. His paternal grandfather, John Mar- tin, was a native of England, where he was reared and resided until forty years of age. He then came to America, locating on Fiftieth
street, West Philidelphia, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1878, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-eight years. He was a veterinery surgeon by profession, and became widely known as among the most skillful prac- titioners of his day. Although a stanch whig and republican, he took no active part in political affairs. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Wilson, by whom he had three children : William, John W. and Elizabeth, who married Abraham Peck. Mrs. Hannah Martin died in 1845, and Mr. Martin afterward married Mrs. Sarah Dine, who by a previous union had a family of five children : Jane Reuss, Elizabeth Meredith, Sarah Davis, James and Thomas. John W. Martin, the second son by the first marriage, and the father of Howard L. Martin, was born in England in 1833, and when nine years of age was brought by his father to West Philadelphia, where he grew to manhood and received a good com- mon school education. He afterward learned the trade of plasterer and worked at that oc- cupation until 1876. In 1864 he removed from Philadelphia to Chester, this county ; then moved to South Chester in 1869, where he re- sided for six years, and then purchased a farm near Russelville, Chester county, upon which he lived until 1877. In that year he sold the farm, and returning to Chester, purchased pro- erty and engaged in merchandizing, which en- terprise he has ever since carried on, having turned over its management to his son about six years ago. In 1887 he became extensively interested in orange culture in Florida, and now devotes most of his attention to his or- ange groves, passing his winters in that State, and his summers in Chester with his son, Howard L. He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Florida, twenty-one of which is devoted to orange orchards, and is also the owner of much valuable real estate in Chester, including a handsome brick residence at the corner of Eighteenth street and Edg- mont avenue, and one of the best business blocks on Third street, now occupied by the
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dry goods store of Mrs. Scanlan. In addition to his Chester property he also owns a num- ber of fine building lots in South Chester, ag- gregating three entire squares. He is what is known as a self-made man, having commenced with nothing, and by dint of industry, persever- ance and superior business tact, accumulated a snug fortune. His successful career contains a valuable lesson for the young men of this generation, and once more emphasizes the fact that intelligent effort persistently applied is sure of a final triumph over all discouragements. Mr. Martin is a republican politically, and dur- ing his residence in South Chester served con- tinuously in the council of that borough. He was afterward elected burgess of North Ches- ter, and as such took a prominent part in the consolidation of that borough with the city of Chester, and later sat in the select council of Chester for several terms, resigning his seat in that body to devote his time entirely to his orange interests in the south. He is a mem- ber of Upland Baptist church, and has always taken an active part in supporting its various interests. In 1861 he married Elizabeth How- ard, a native of Philadelphia, and a daughter of Robert Howard. To that union was born three children, one son and two daughters: Howard L., whose name heads this sketch ; Alice, who married Davis W. Miller ; and Dr. Adaline, who was graduated from the Phila- delphia Medical college in 1893, the young- est member of her class.
Howard L. Martin was reared principally in Chester, and educated in Prof. Gilbert's academy, as were his sisters, the younger of whom, Dr. Adaline Martin, enjoys the dis- tinction of having been the youngest gradu- ate of that institution. Leaving school at the age of eighteen Mr. Martin entered his father's general mercantile house at Highland Terrace, this city, and remained as a clerk until 1885, when he was admitted into partnership, under the firm name of J. W. Martin & Son. The new firm continued its operations until 1888, when the partnership was dissolved and How-
ard L. Martin took charge of the business and has ever since conducted it for his father. In its management he has evinced ability and good judgment, and is known as among the most promising young business men of this city.
Politically Howard L. Martin is a republi- can, thus adhering to the traditions of his fam- ily, and in religion a member of the North Baptist church of Chester, in which he was organist for a number of years. He is unmar- ried and very popular in the social circles of this city.
F RANK SMITH, the popular general manager of the Childs-Drexel interests at Wayne, this county, was born in the old district of Southwark, Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, April 23, 1849, and comes of a good old New Jersey family. His father, Franklin Davenport Smith, was a well known contractor and builder of Woodbury, .jat State, whose parents, Jesse and Priscilla Smith, were prom- inent in the Society of Friends at the same place. John Smith, paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came over from London, England, with his wife, Catharine, among the early Quaker settlers of New Jer- sey. Their son, Hon. Jesse Smith ( grand- father ), lived and flourished at Woodbury, New Jersey, where all his children were born and reared. He served two terms as surrogate of that county, two terms as sheriff, and was afterward elected and served as a member of the State senate of New Jersey. Franklin Davenport Smith (father) was born in 1814. He married Anna Wood Wallace, a Wood- bury girl, whose grandfather, David Wallace, had emigrated from Scotland to New Jersey at an early day, and by that union had a family of four children, one son and three daughters. When the civil war broke out he was residing in Philadelphia, and enlisted in the 8th Penn- sylvania cavalry, with which he served with distinction until the battle of Trevillian station, Virginia, when he was mortally wounded while
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in action, and died a few days later, in June, 1864.
Frank Smith first attended school at what is known as the old coach factory, on Fifth street, below Washington avenue, Philadel- phia. He was soon promoted to the Weccacoe grammar school, at Second and Reed streets, and from there passed to the Mount Vernon grammar school, of which the well known professor, George W. Fetter, was principal. He was succeeding finely in his studies when his father's departure for the tented field neces- sitated his withdrawal from school to look after the interests of the family. When but fourteen years of age a position was secured for him in the office of John McArthur, jr., the famous architect, of Philadelphia, where he remained for four years, successively em- ployed as office boy, clerk and general assis- tant. In April, 1868, Mr. Smith entered the business office of the Public Ledger, George W. Childs' great Philadelphia journal, as advertising book-keeper. He was a quick and ready writer, and being eminently fitted for the position, was soon selected by Mr. Childs as his private secretary. In that capacity he served until January 1, 1887, his duties throw- ing him constantly among the famous men and women of this and foreign countries. This continued association with the brilliant and distinguished people of the two hemis- pheres gave Mr. Smith an opportunity to ob- serve the characteristics, abilities and foibles of notable men and women which it has been the privilege of few persons to enjoy. One notable feature of his career as private secre- tary to Mr. Childs was his assignment to act in the same capacity for General U. S. Grant, while the latter remained in Philadelphia on returning from his famous trip around the world. On the ist of January, 1887, Mr. Smith was appointed general manager of the Wayne estate, which is controlled by George WV. Childs and Anthony J. Drexel, at Wayne, Delaware county. He was well received at Wayne, and soon became extremely popular, 21
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