USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania : comprising a historical sketch of the county, by Samuel T. Wiley, together with more than five hundred biographical sketches of the prominent men and leading citizens of the county > Part 18
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1810.
471
1820.
553
.....
1830.
1,244
. .
..
1840.
2,152
...
1850.
3,172
2,721
451
1860.
4,757
4,196
561
1870.
5,630
4,702
928
1880.
7,046
1890.
8,028
...
The population of the borough by wards in 1880 and 1890 were:
Wards.
1×80.
1890.
North Ward
1,343
1,324
East Ward
1,732
2,157
South Ward
1,849
2,314
West Ward
2,122
2,233
151
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
VILLAGES.
We present the following interesting facts regarding the more important of the large number of thriving villages in the county :
Acondale .- This is an attractive village of over four hundred inhabitants, situated at the junction of the P. W. & B and B. P. & S. L. branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. It is located fourteen miles southwest of West Chester, in London Grove township, and has good shipping facilities. It has a good school, several churches and hotels, and is noted for its large and valuable limestone quarries. The postoffice was established December 29, 1828. with Jacob Lindley as postmaster.
Barnestown .- A pleasant little village is Barnestown, situated on the Waynesburg branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, sixteen miles northwest of West Chester, in West Nantmeal township. It has nearly one hun- dred inhabitants, and several stores. It has been a post village since October 29, 1869, when David Longaere became its first post- master. Isabella furnace is located near Barnestown.
Berwyn .- This village is located on the Pennsylvania railroad, in Easttown town- ship, twelve miles northwest of West Ches- ter, and has nearly four hundred inhabitants. It has a flouring mill, several stores and other business concerns. It is a post village, , and enjoys good school and church facilities. The postoffice was established by the name of Reesville on January 18, 1820, with C. A. Jarrett as postmaster. The name was changed to Berwyn on October 24, 1877.
Birchruneille .- This village is in West Vincent township, sixteen miles north of West Chester, and four miles east of Kim- berton, on the Pickering Creek Valley rail- road. It is a postal village, and has a good
school, a general store and two flouring mills. The postoffice dates back to June 10, 1868, with T. B. Dewees as postmaster.
Black Horse .- This neat little town is sit- uated three and a half miles north of Parkes- burg, and twenty-two miles west of West Chester, in West Sadsbury township. It has over one hundred population, and en- joys good school facilities. It has a general store and several other business concerns. Its postoffice was established January 15, 1816, with Wallace Boyd as postmaster. The name at first was Black Horse Tavern, but was changed to that of Black Horse on November 19, 1818. The office was diseon- tinued in 1853 and re-established in 1856.
Blue Rock .- The village of Blue Roek is a station on the W. & N. railroad in West Nantmeal township, twenty miles northwest of West Chester. The postoffice was estab- lished December 17, 1849, with Charles Ret- tew as postmaster. Blue Roek has about two hundred inhabitants, and there is a daily stage line from there to Chester Springs.
Brandywine Manor .- In West Brandy- wine township, fourteen miles west of West Chester, and three miles from Rockville railroad station, is the village of Brandy- wine Manor, which has a flouring mill, store, hotel, and other business concerns. The postoffice was established October 23, 1816. with David Denny as postmaster. It now has a population of over one hundred.
Caln .- This station and village. on the Pennsylvania railroad, is situated in Cal township, twelve miles northwest of West Chester, and has about one hundred inhab- itants. The postoffice was established De- cember 17, 1835, and Isaac C. Preston served as the first postinaster. The office was discontinued February 23, 1842, and re-established November 8, 1849.
152
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Cambria Station. - This small village is located on the P. V. branch of the P. & R. railroad, in West Pikeland township, ten miles north of West Chester. It has a flouring mill, two general stores, and a creamery.
Cedar Knoll .- In West Brandywine town- ship, sixteen miles northwest of West Ches- ter, is Cedar Knoll, which was established as a post village on June 18, 1879, with Z. W. Davis as postmaster. It has a flouring mill, and the population is nearly one hundred.
Cedarrille .- This pleasant little village is in North Coventry township, only two miles from Pottstown, Montgomery county, and twenty-five miles north of West Chester. It is a post village, contains two hundred population, and has a flouring mill and general store, while adjoining is a fruit tree nursery. The postoffice was established April 5, 1870, by the name of North Cov- entry, and so continued until March 26, 1878, when it was changed to Cedarville.
Chatham .- This place, which became a post village on April 1, 1803, with Robert Miller as postmaster, is sixteen miles south- west of West Chester, in London Grove township, on the Pennsylvania & Delaware branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. It has a population of two hundred, and has two flouring mills, three stores, and a creamery.
Chester Springs .- This celebrated summer and health resort is twelve miles north of West Chester, in West Pikeland township, and on the Pickering Valley branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. It has a population of three hundred, and was formerly known as Yellow Springs. The medicinal proper- ties of its waters were known as early as 1722, and a house of entertainment was
opened in 1750. Johu Bailey and Thomas Ruston Kennedy were the successive pro- prietors until 1806, when James Bones bought the property. He laid out a town in 1814, by the name of Bath, which never grew beyond the paper stage. The owners succeeding Mr. Bones, in unbroken line to the present time, have been : Mrs. Margaret Holman, Dr. George Lingen, Henry Neef & C. F. Hoffendahl, Maria L. Neef, A. U. Snyder, Charles W. Dean, and the trustees of Chester Springs Soldiers' Orphans' School and Literary institute. In 1868 the property was closed as a watering place, and in 1869 it was fitted up for a soldiers' orphans' home. The place has two flouring mills, a phosphate mill, and a general store. The postoffice was established January 1, 1815, as Yellow Springs, with Maxwell Kineaird as postmaster; but on April 5, 1827, the name was changed to Chester Springs, and Henry Olewine was appointed postmaster.
Chester Valley .- This village, which has a population of over one hundred, is eleven miles northeast of the county seat, on the Chester Valley railroad, in Tredyffrin town- ship. It has two flouring mills and two stores, and the postoffice was established April 25, 1857, with Canby Smith as post- master.
Chestercille .- In Franklin township, twen- ty miles southwest of the county seat, and two and one-half miles from Landenburg, lies the village of Chesterville. It has a population of nearly one hundred, with two flouring mills and a general store. The postoffice was established November 30, 1848, and Milton Shortlidge served as the first postmaster.
Chrome .- This village is in East Notting- ham township, thirty miles southeast of
153
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
West Chester and two miles from Notting- ham railroad station. It has a general store, and has been a post village since April 29, 1870, when John T. Williamson was commissioned as its first postmaster.
Cloud .- This is a farmers' postoffice, four miles west of West Chester, in East Goshen township. It has a general store, and was established as a postoffice January 20, 1881, with Thomas H. Smedley as postmaster.
Cochrancille. - This village is located in West Fallowfield township, twenty miles west of the county seat, and has a popula- tion of two hundred and fifty. It has two general stores, a drug store, and a creamery. The postoffice was established January 1, 1803, and James Hollis served as its first postmaster.
Collamer-Which is also known as Ho- merville, lies in Upper Oxford township, twenty-two miles west of the county seat and seven miles north of Oxford, its nearest shipping point. Its population is about one hundred and thirty, and the postoffice was established October 11. 1849, with Thomas Baker as postmaster. It has two flouring mills and a store.
Cupola .- This post village is in West Nantmeal township, seventeen miles north- west of West Chester, and has a general store and foundry. The postoffice was es- tablished October 21, 1869, and Thomas R. Jones served as the first postmaster.
Derault .- The growing village of Devault is situated in Charlestown township, eleven miles northeast of the county seat, and has a population of three hundred. It has a general store, a postoffice by the same name, and several lime and stone companies haye kilns and quarries near the village.
Deron .- This post village is situated in Easttown township, fifteen miles northeast
of West Chester, and has an estimated population of three hundred. It has a hotel, livery stable, drug store and general store.
Dilworthtown .- This place contains a pop- ulation of one hundred, and is four and one- half miles southeast of West Chester, in Birmingham township. It has a general store and hotel. The postoffice was estab- lished March 30, 1822, with William Speak- man as postinaster.
Dorlan's Mills .- This village takes its name from the Dorlan Paper mills, which employ a considerable force of men. It is a station on the Waynesburg branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, in Uwehlan town- ship, eleven miles northwest of the county seat, and has a general store and saw mill. in addition to the paper mills mentioned above.
Doe Run .- The village knownas Doe Run is in West Marlborough township, on the P. & N. P. and S. L. branch of the Penn- sylvania railroad, twelve miles from West Chester. Its population is two hundred and fifty. and it has four tlouring mills, two creameries, two paper mills, and a general store. Doe Run postoffice was established February 27, 1827, with Hayes Clark as postmaster.
Duffryn Mawr .- This post village is sit- uated eight miles from the county seat. in Willistown township, on the Pennsylvania railroad, and has a population of two hun- dred and fifty. It has a general store and hotel.
Dugdale .- This is a small village with a hotel and general store, lying in East Marl- borough township, eight miles southwest of West Chester, and two and one-half miles from Rosedale railroad station. The postoffice, with John L. Smedley for its first
154
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
postmaster, was established February 19, 1879.
East Corentry .- In East Marlborough township, twenty miles north of West Ches- ter, and three miles from Pottstown, Mont- gomery county, is East Coventry, a village of nearly two hundred population. It has two flouring mills and a general store. The postoffice came into existence on October 22, 1869, with Peter D. Pirches as post- master.
East Nantmeal .- This village of over two hundred population lies fourteen miles north of the county seat, and is located in the township of the same name. It has a gen- eral store, and the postoffice was established February 6, 1856, when Jesse Ramstine was commissioned as postmaster. The office was discontinued April 4, 1865, and re- established July 10, 1874.
Ell: Mills .- This post village lies in Elk township, thirty-two miles southwest of West Chester, and six miles southeast of Oxford, which is its banking town and ship- ping station. It has two flouring mills, a store, and a bonnet board manufacturing shop. The postoffice dates from October 22, 1869, when Joseph R. Brown was ap- pointed as postmaster.
Ell: View .- The small village of Elk View contains about fifty inhabitants, and lies thirty-six miles southwest of West Ches- ter. It is situated in Penn township, on the Philadelphia & Baltimore Central railroad. Its postoffice was established May 30, 1861, and Joseph Hodgson served as its first post- master.
Embrcecille .- A village of one hundred inhabitants, on the Wilmington & Northern railroad, in Newlin township, eight miles west of the county seat, is Embreeville. which contains a flouring mill and two
stores. Its postoffice dates back to May 11, 1830, when William Embree was ap- pointed postmaster.
Ereildoun .- This village is in East Fal- lowfield township, thirteen miles west of West Chester, and three miles south of Coatesville, its banking town and shipping point. The postoffice was established Feb- ruary 12, 1850, with Gideon Peirce as post- master. The place has two paper mills, two flour mills, a creamery, two general stores, and two straw board factories. Its population is estimated at one hundred and fifty. Itsacademy has an enviable reputation.
Exton .- This is a small village on the Chester Valley railroad, in West Whiteland township, five miles north of West Chester. Exton postoffice was established September 4, 1861, and James Beale served as its first postmaster. The place contains three stores, a flouring mill and a creamery.
Faircille .- This village, of nearly one hundred inhabitants, is in Pennsbury town- ship. eight miles south of West Chester. It contains a flouring mill and general store, and the postoffice was established March 20, 1849, with John E. Leonard as its first post- master.
Font .- In Upper Uwchlan township, twelve miles from West Chester, is Font, locally known as Fairmont. It has a flour- ing mill, creamery, general store, and post- office by the same name.
Frazer .- This thriving village is on the Pennsylvania railroad, in East Whiteland township, seven miles from West Chester, and has a population of two hundred. It has a general store. Frazer postoffice was established December 22, 1819, by the name of East Whiteland, with Joseph Phillips as postmaster. It was first located on the Lancaster turnpike, and on January 21,
155
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
1830, the name was changed to that of Frazer. The office was removed to Frazer in August, 1861.
Fremont .- Thirty-two miles southwest of the county seat is Fremont, a village of two hundred inhabitants, located in West Not- tingham township. It has a fouring mill and general store, and the postoffice dates back to March 21, 1841, with Amos Carter as postmaster.
Glen Hall .- This station on the W. & F. railroad in Newlin township, six miles south- west of the county seat, has a population of nearly one hundred, and the postoffice dates back to April 10, 1871. William II. HIall served as the first postmaster.
Glen Loch .- The enterprising village of Glen Loch lies six miles north of West Chester, in East Whiteland township. It is on the Pennsylvania railroad, has over three hundred inhabitants, and contains a store and flouring mill. The postoffice was established May 17, 1869, with Mrs. Jane Waldron as postinaster. This office took the place of Frazer, which was removed to Frazer station in 1861.
Glen Moore .- This village of two hun- dred inhabitants is on the Waynesburg railroad, in Wallace township, sixteen miles northwest of the county seat, and contains two flouring mills and two general stores. The postoffice dates back to August 21, 1869, when it was established by the name of Norwood. The name of the office was changed to that of Glen Moore on July 17, 1874.
(ilen Roy .- The village of Glen Roy is situated in West Nottingham township, thirty miles southwest of West Chester and two miles west of Nottingham, its railroad station. It contains a flouring mill, cream- ery and store, and the postoffice was estab-
lished September 28, 1857, with Jesse B. Kirk as postmaster.
Goshencille .- On the Chester County rail- road in East Goshen township, four miles northeast of the county seat, is Goshenville. It has a flouring mill, store, and postoffice, the latter established November 4, 1825, with A. S. Williams as postmaster.
Gum Tree .- This is a railroad village of nearly one hundred inhabitants, in High- land township, eighteen miles southwest of West Chester. It has a Hlouring mill, store, hotel and paper board factory. The post- office dates back to April 21. 1823, when it was established by the name of Clingan. Samuel McCann was the first postmaster. The name of the office was changed to that of Gum Tree on June 30, 1834.
Guthriestille .- This village of one hun- dred and fifty population, eleven miles northwest of West Chester and four miles from Downingtown, is in East Brandywine township, and has a Hlouring mill, store and woolen mill. The postoffice was established January 7, 1831, and James B. Guthrie served as the first postmaster.
Humorton .- In Kennett township, eight miles southwest of West Chester, and one mile north of Fairville railroad station, is Hamorton, a village of two hundred popu- lation. It has two stores, and its postoffice dates back to JJanuary 7, 1831. Amos Ha- mor served at the first postmaster.
Hickory Hill .- This village is in West Nottingham township, twenty-four miles southwest of the county seat, and four and one-half miles from Oxford. The postoffice was established June 18, 1850, with William C. Shuler as postmaster.
Isabella .- This is a pretty little railroad village. in West Nautical township, twenty- two miles northwest of West Chester, and it
156
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
has a Hlouring mill, store and postoffice, the latter of which was established April 13, 1871. Samuel Long was the first postmaster.
Jennersville .- This village of one hundred population is in Peun town, twenty miles southwest of the county seat, and has two fouring mills and a store. The postoffice dates back to December 22, 1814. Josiah Ankrim served as the first postmaster.
Kuolin .- This postoffice, established De- cember 8, 1868, with William Foote, jr., as postmaster, is sixteen miles southwest of West Chester, in New Garden township. Near it are located several kaolin mines, from which the office takes its name.
Kelton .- The village of Kelton is situated in Peun township, twenty-two miles south- west of the county seat. It has a store and a creamery, and the postoffice dates back to April 10, 1871. The first postmaster was Robert C. Kelton.
Kembleseille .- This village of two hun- dred inhabitants, lying twenty-four miles southwest of West Chester, in Franklin township, has three flouring mills, a store, hotel and pottery. The postoffice was es- tablished August 16, 1823, with George Kemble as postmaster.
Kenilworth .- The North Coventry town- ship village of Kenilworth, whose popula- tion is three hundred and twenty-five, lies twenty-five miles north of the county seat, and one and a fourth miles from Pottstown. Montgomery county, which is its nearest shipping station. It has a store and gro- cery, and a postoffice of the same name.
Kimberton .- This is an East Pikeland township village of one hundred and forty inhabitants, situated on the Pickering Val- ley railroad, sixteen miles north of West Chester, and four miles west of Phoenixville. It has several flouring mills, a planing mill
and a general store. Kimberton postoffice was established as early as January 15, 1820, and Emmor Kimber served as the first post- master.
Landenbury .- This prosperous village of New Garden township is twenty miles south- west of the county-seat, and is located at the junction of the D. & W. with the Penn & Delaware branch of the Pennsylvania rail- road. According to the census of 1880, it had a population in that year of three hun- dred and fifty-three. It enjoys considerable trade, and has a good school, a hotel, two flouring mills, and a general store. Landen- burg postoffice was established November 17, 1848, with Jacob Hobson as postmaster. The office was first called Chandlerville, but the name was changed to Landenburg on September 20, 1869.
Lenape .- The village of Lenape . ¿ four miles southwest of West Chester, in Bir- mingham township. It has two fouring mills and two general stores, with a post- office of the same name, which date: back to January 21, 1870, with John P. Sager as postmaster.
Lenorer .- This little village is situated twenty miles west of the county seat, in West Sadsbury township, and has two stores and flouring mills.
Leonard .- A lately established postoffice of New Garden township is Leonard, which is one mile north of Toughkenamon, its nearest shipping point. It has a hotel and store.
Leopard .- Northeast of West Chester ten miles, and in Easttown township, is located the village of Leopard, which has three general stores and a postoffice of the same name, established April 2, 1866. John W. Hayman served as the first postmaster.
Lewisrille .- In Elk township, thirty miles
157
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
southwest of the county seat, is Lewisville, a village of over two hundred inhabitants, whose banking town is Oxford, and whose shipping point is Elkton, Maryland. It has a store, two newspapers and two flour- ing mills. Lewisville postoffice was estab- lished February 7, 1848, and J. B. McDowell was commissioned as the first postmaster.
Lincoln University .- This railroad village of over two hundred population, is situated in Lower Oxford township, twenty-five miles southwest of West Chester. It derives its name from Lincoln university, a school for colored people, which is within the limits of the town. It has three general stores, three flonring mills, and a fruit tree nursery. The postoffice dates back to July 6, 1869, and George Rigdon was the first postmaster. (See Miscellaneous.)
rsönville .- The village of Lionville con- tained a population of one hundred and fourteen, according to the census of 1880, and is situated in Uwchlan township, nine miles north of the county seat, and two and one-half miles from Oakland railroad station. There is a hotel and two general stores at this place. The postoffice was established May 26, 1826, and William Rogers served as the first postmaster.
Loug .- Eighteen miles northwest of the county seat, and in West Nantmeal town- ship, is Loag, a village of nearly one hnn- dred inhabitants. It has a store, a hotel, and a postoffice by the same name, which came into existence on November 25, 1828, with Samuel E. Williams as postmaster.
Lyndell .- This railroad village is in East Brandywine township, twelve miles north- west of West Chester, and has a flouring mill, woolen mill, and general store. The post-office was established August 30, 1880, with James Rea us postmaster.
Marsh .- In East Nantmeal township, eighteen miles north of the county seat, and three miles from Springfield railroad station, is Marsh, a village of over 100 inhabitants. It has a general store and two flouring mills. The postoffice dates back to March 25, 1828, when Watters Dewees was appointed as its first postmaster. The postoffice was discon- tinned on November 12, 1851, and re-estab- lished April 22, 1864.
Marshallton .- This place. containing three hundred inhabitants, is in West Bradford township, and lies very near the center of the county. It is four miles west of West Chester, and two miles from North- brook, its nearest railroad station. It is in the midst of a rich agrienltural district, and has good school and church facilities. It has a mill, hotel and several business houses. Marshallton postoffice was established July 1, 1805, and the first postmaster was Abra- ham Baily.
Martin's Corner .- The growing village of Martin's Corner is situated in West Calu township, seventeen miles northwest of West Chester, and one and three-fourth miles from Cedar Knoll, its nearest railroad ship- ping point. It is a place of over one hun- dred people, and has two general stores, and a postoffice by the same name, that came into existence February 24, 1871, with Ziba C. Wollarton as postmaster.
Matthews. - This village is situated in West Vincent township, thirteen miles north of the county seat and two miles from Cambria railroad station. It has a saw mill, a general store, and an agricultural implement house. The postoffice was es- tablished March 25, 1881, and James Lumis served as the first postmaster.
Mendenhall .- At the little railroad ham- let of Fairville, on the Philadelphia & Bal-
158
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
timore Central, in Kennett township, a post- office was established March 14, 1881, and named Mendenhall. George M. Thomson was appointed postmaster. The village lies ten miles south of West Chester, and con- tains a store and creamery.
Milford Mills .- This Upper Uwchlan township village, containing over one hun- dred inhabitants, is situated on Marsh creek and the Waynesburg railroad, twelve miles northwest of West Chester and five miles north of Downingtown. It has a general store and two stocking manufacturing es- tablishments. The postoffice was established October 22, 1869, and Evan B. Evans served as the first postmaster.
Milltown .- In East Goshen township, three miles east of West Chester, is the village of Milltown, whose population now exceeds one hundred. It has a general store, flouring mill and woolen mill. The postoffice dates back to September 23, 1849, and Jesse Matlack served as the first post- master.
Modena .- This village, which had a pop- ulation of one hundred and twenty-six in 1880, according to the census of that year, is located in East Fallowfield township, ten miles west of the county seat, and two and a half miles south of Coatesville. It has a general store and paper mill. Modena post- office was established March 24, 1873, and Robert B. Daniels was appointed as the first postmaster.
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