History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 102

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150

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The Water-Works .- Very early in the history of the awakening of Chester from its lethargy of a cen- tury and a half the need of an abundant water-sup- ply in the town became apparent. James Campbell, in his efforts to develop the ancient borough into a manufacturing centre, encountered the greatest diffi- culties in securing sufficient water to supply the boilers of his mills with steam, and in the effort to avoid the cost and labor of carting water from Chester Creek he spent thousands of dollars in sinking wells in the yards of the Pioneer factory and the Henry Clay Mills, on Broad and Mechanic Streets. To overcome the difficulty an effort was made, in 1853, to establish a private water company in Chester, but the project failed, several persons only would subscribe for the stock, and the amount pledged reached but a few thousand dollars. The necessity for the intro- duction of water became constantly more pressing as the town improved,-the safety of property, the de- mands of large business enterprises, the public crav- ing for a better water than generally found in the wells in Chester (which was distasteful to many per- sons by reason of its peculiar flavor), the delayed wash-days (when the cisterns and rain-barrels were empty), all combined to awaken public demand for the erection of water-works. Particularly was this the case in the South Ward, where many of the mills were erected at points removed from the creek. In April, 1866, an act of Assembly was obtained em- powering the city of Chester to build water-works, should a majority of the property-holders vote in favor of ratifying the provisions of the act. An elec- tion was held which resulted in the Middle and North Wards refusing to ratify the act, while the South Ward adopted it. But the want still existed ; and as the city extended, and became more compactly built, the danger from fire increased and rendered it im- perative that some action should be taken at once.

The act of March 2, 1867, authorizing the council- men of the South Ward of the city of Chester, their successors, etc., to erect water-works, was accepted April 15th of that year, and the board of directors formed, consisting of Amos Gartside, William Ward, William A. Todd, William B. Reaney, and William G. Price. Amos Gartside was elected president; Wil- liam Ward, treasurer; William A. Todd, secretary.

409

THE CITY OF CHESTER.

It was decided to use the water of the river Delaware as the surest source from which to draw the supplies for the city. Isaac S. Cassin, who had been chief engineer of Philadelphia, was selected to prepare plans and specifications and to supervise the construc- tion of the works. Joseph R. T. Coates and Robert Gartside received the contract for the building of the works, and water was pumped into the basin of the reservoir for the first time on the evening of July 1, 1868. The contract was completed in the month of October following, and the works, after a professional inspection by Chief Engineer Graeff, accepted by the board.

The original capacity of the pumps was eight hun- dred thousand gallons per day. In 1878 additional compound pumping-machinery was placed in the works, at the foot of Franklin Street, with a capacity of two million five hundred thousand gallons every twenty-four hours. In the fall of 1882 a thirty-inch flexible-joint pipe was extended into the channel of the Delaware River six hundred feet from shore and three hundred and ten feet from end of pier. Pre- vious to that time the water was taken from near the shore, and was frequently muddy, an objection which is now removed. There are sixty-five fire-hydrants in the city, and water is supplied to twelve hundred consumers. Robert Anderson is superintendent of the works.

The Chester Street Railway Company .- In 1870 the recognized need of a public means of passenger transportation from one section of the city to the other was attempted to be filled by the establishment of an omnibus line, the route extending from the Pennsylvania Military Academy, in North Ward, to Third Street and Highland Avenue, in the borough of South Chester. The project failed after a few months' trial, and those who purchased stock in the enterprise derived considerable experience from the investment, even if the assets of the company were insufficient to discharge its outstanding obligations. In the spring of 1882 the question of street-railways be- gan to be discussed among a number of the capitalists of Chester and South Chester, the only public means of communication between the remote limits of these places, several miles apart, being a line of rickety, uncomfortable stages. Upland, a mile and a half beyond the city line to the northwest, was then con- sidered impracticable of access by reason of the steep hills on the road. Several attempts to establish a street railway in Chester had, prior to this time, been made by capitalists in Philadelphia and elsewhere, but all of them had failed before work of laying the road had commenced.

The capital required to build and equip the road was subscribed almost exclusively by citizens of Ches- ter and South Chester, and the stock was distributed among a large number of holders. On June 27, 1882, the first meeting of the subscribers was held at the office of George B. Lindsay, Esq., in Chester, when

the name "The Chester Street Railway Company" was adopted, and officers elected. Richard Peters, Jr., was chosen president; Hugh Shaw, vice-presi- dent; William Appleby, treasurer ; George B. Lind- say, secretary and solicitor. The board of directors was as follows: Richard Peters, Jr., Hugh Shaw, William Appleby, George B. Lindsay, J. Frank Black, Samnel H. Dyer, F. Washington Thomas, William S. Blakeley, Thomas J. Houston, J. Newlin Trainer, and Robert Wetherill. The capital stock of the company was fixed at fifty thousand dollars, to be divided into one thousand shares of the par value of fifty dollars each, which sum was required to be paid in full on every share taken. A charter was obtained from the commonwealth and ordinances adopted by the city of Chester and borough of South Chester, that of the city being approved by the mayor July 26, 1882. On Oct. 17, 1882, the building of the road was begun, and completed the middle of January following. The route of the road extends from Clayton Street, the southern limits of South Chester, along Third Street to Market Square, in the city of Chester ; thence up Market Street to Edgmont Avenue to Thirteenth Street, where the stables, car-house, and office are located, the length of the road being about three miles. On Feb. 1, 1883, the company began regularly to operate the road, with forty horses and five cars. The schedule of time was every half-hour from an early hour in the morning to a late hour at night, and the fare established at five cents. The amount of travel from the first day exceeded all expectations, and a few weeks later additional cars and horses were put on the road, and the time of the starting of the cars changed to every fifteen minutes. E. Mitchell Cornell, formerly secretary and treasurer of-the Sec- ond and Third Streets Railway of Philadelphia, was appointed superintendent, and elected secretary of the company. In compliance with a general desire, the company determined to extend the road to Upland, on condition that the borough authorities should re- duce the grades on the hills. This was done, and on July 14, 1883, the road was completed to that bor- ough, thus increasing the length of the road to four miles. Cars began running on that date from Up- land to Market Square every half hour. The work- ing stock has been increased to sixty-seven horses and mules and twelve cars. Each car, which is in charge of the driver, is drawn by two horses. No conductors are employed, the fares being deposited by the pas- sengers in Slawson patent boxes. The traffic on the road averages two thousand passengers per day. The enterprise is in a prosperous condition, has no debt, and has paid from the beginning a small semi-annual dividend.

The Union League .- On March 23, 1863, a meet- ing of prominent citizens of the borough and imme- diate neighborhood of Chester assembled in National Hall for the purpose of forming a Union League, and organized by electing Henry B. Edwards presi-

410

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

dent; John Larkin, Jr., William H. Flavill, John H. Baker, James Cochran, John Gartside, Samuel Ec- cles, Jr., James Irving, Samuel A. Crozer, David Trainer, and Thomas H. Maddock, vice-presidents ; Frederick J. Hinkson, treasurer ; Walter J. Arnold and William Hinkson, recording secretaries ; William Ward, corresponding secretary; the Executive Com- mittee, Abraham R. Perkins, Amos Gartside, William B. Reaney, Joseph Entwisle, Alexander M. Wright, William Sharpless, Thomas Appleby, Stephen Cloud, Jr., Joseph H. Hinkson, George Wilson, Thomas Moore, John E. Shaw, William A. Menshall, Thomas H. Mirkil, Frederick Fairlamb, Perciphor Baker, Abraham Blakeley, William Frick, Dr. F. Ridgley Graham, Frank Field, Eliakim T. Robb, Charles J. Kenworthy, Henry L. Donaldson, Thomas Clough, James Kirkman, John J. Thurlow, Jacob Perry, Abra- ham T. Patterson. The membership consisted of persons entertaining all shades of political opinions, the constitution of the organization requiring that every person who should become a member of the League should sign the roll, which sets forth :

" We the undersigned citizens of the United States, hereby pledge our earnest endeavors to put down the existing rebellion against the rights and liberties of the people; and to spare no efforts to suppress all sentiments and acts calculated to oppose or bring our government into disrepute."

The League leased the large double frame house at the southwest corner of Fourth and Welsh Streets, which was handsomely furnished, and rooms set apart for entertainment of guests, as well as apartments for chess and other amusements. Here the League continued until 1865, when it removed to National Hall. On June 15, 1865, the members of the organi- zation decided to dissolve the League. At that date the following persons were its officers : President, Henry B. Edward; Vice-presidents, William Frick, Samuel Archbold; Treasurer, Thomas Appleby ; Sec- retary, L. T. Rutter; Executive Committee, Joshua P. Eyre, William H. Morton, Thomas H. Mirkil, George Wilson, Y. S. Walter.

Chester Republican League .- In the beginning of the political campaign which resulted in the elec- tion of President Garfield in November, 1880, an or- ganization called the "Veteran Republican Club" was formed by some of the older citizens of the party, for the purpose of frequent consultations upon the political interests of the city, the dissemination of campaign documents, procuring speakers, holding public meetings, and perfecting the details of securing a full vote at the election. The officers of the club were George B. Lindsay, president ; James M. Peoples, secretary ; Stephen C. Hall, treasurer. The club held its meetings in Edgmont Hall, and did valuable ser- vice for the Republican ticket. The efficiency of the club was recognized after the election was over by an increased membership and a general desire that it should be re-established in a permanent form, with

literary and social, as well as political purposes. Ac- cordingly a charter was obtained, and the club was erected into a corporation under the name of " Ches- ter Republican League." The officers were G. P. Denis, president; Amos Gartside and J. P. Crozer, vice-presidents ; Ward R. Bliss, secretary ; George B. Lindsay, treasurer ; and a board of directors consist- ing of Ward R. Bliss, George B. Lindsay, W. B. Broomall, John J. Ledward, Thomas H. Mirkil, Jonathan Pennell, F. W. Thomas, John Maxson, Jr., and Edward J. Worrell. Rooms in the Cochrane building, on Market Street below the railroad, were temporarily occupied. Steps were at once taken to secure a permanent location, and resulted in the pur- chase, in June, 1881, of the Joshua P. Eyre property at Fifth and Edgmont Streets, Chester, by a syndicate composed of members of the club. The cost of the property was sixteen thousand dollars. The house and grounds were at once improved to suit the needs of the club. A portion of the upper stories was de- voted to apartments for the use of such members as desired to make their home there, and the remainder of the premises was fitted up for parlors, reading- rooms, chess- and other game-rooms. A large apart- ment in the basement was fitted and furnished as a billiard-room. No liquors whatever are furnished on the premises. The care of the house and grounds, subject to a honse committee, was given to a janitor and his wife, who reside in the building. The club has been remarkably successful. Its membership numbers about two hundred, and includes a large number of the prominent Republican politicians and business men of the city and county. Its initiation fee is ten dollars, and its annual assessment is the same. The club gives an annual reception at Christ- mas, which is participated in by the members and their friends.

Young Men's Christian Association .- The first Young Men's Association formed in Chester was or- ganized in 1860, with Samuel A. Crozer as president. Meetings were held in Penn building on Market Square. The breaking out of the civil war the next year distracted the attention of the young men, and the association lingered until 1863, when it suspended. No attempt was made to revive it until 1870, when a second organization took place, having for its presi- dent George K. Crozer. This association also met for a time in Penn building, and afterwards removed to the City Hall, where in 1874 it again suspended. Mr. George Derbyshire and Charles C. Larkin had acted as president of the association.

In November of 1875, an association was again formed, mainly through the exertions of Dr. W. S. Ridgely, who became its first president. The officers were chosen from the different church organizations of the city. Rooms were fitted up in the Ward building near the railroad depot. The aim and end of the association was to bring young men under re- ligious influence.

411

THE CITY OF CHESTER.

After continuing for some time in the Ward build- ing, arrangements were made to remove to a room in Holly Tree Hall, which was done, and the associ- ation remained till 1880, when rooms were obtained over the post-office, and a reading-room opened. For some reason this was not successful, and the associa- tion returned to Holly Tree Hall, where they re- mained till March, 1884. The association was not accomplishing much good work by the methods em- ployed, and it was determined to reorganize and adopt the plans and methods now used by other asso- ciations. In accordance with this decision the asso- ciation was suspended, Nov. 14, 1883, and a new board of managers elected, who held their first meeting on the 5th of December. Ward Bliss was chosen president; T. W. Stone, vice-president; B. Frank Beatty, secretary; B. F. Hall, treasurer. At the meeting in November, the Rev. S. A. Taggert, secre- tary of the State Association, explained new methods of working now in use. At that meeting a committee was appointed to select a room suitable for the asso- ciation. This committee reported, Jan. 4, 1884, that rooms could he had in Samuel Black's building on Market Street. On the 15th of January they were authorized to secure the rooms and fit them for use. The room on the first floor in front is an office, where are directories, time-tables, and the office of the gene- ral secretary. In the rear is a reading-room, which is supplied with the magazines, papers, secular and religions. The second story is fitted as a conversa- tion-room, connected by folding doors, with a well- furnished parlor. These rooms can be thrown into one, and are used for public talks, lectures, and re- ligions meetings. The building was dedicated March 2, 1884, with appropriate services. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Thomas McCauley, Rev. Henry Brown, Rev. Dr. P. H. Mowry, and Dr. John F. Van Leer.

The association is controlled by a board of man- agers composed of fifteen persons, who form the execu- tive, finance, and lecture committees.

The other work of the association is delegated to seven committees, chosen from the members, as fol- lows: Membership, Reception, Christian Work, Em- ployment and Boarding-house, Work for Boys, Visit- ing, and Invitation.

The membership at the last annual report was sixty-seven.

The present officers are Ward R. Bliss, president ; T. W. Stone, vice-president; B. Frank Beatty, secre- tary; Theodore Hampson, general secretary ; B. F. Hall, treasurer.

The presidents who served the association from its organization, in 1875, to November, 1883, were Dr. W. S. Ridgely, Thomas W. Stone, Charles C. Larkin, Col. Theodore Hyatt, Charles C. Larkin, and Dr. John F. Van Leer.

Building Associations .- Chester is eminently a city which has been benefited largely by the establishment /

of loan associations, by which means men of limited incomes were enabled to build or purchase homes. It is not extravagant to say that one-fourth of the pres- ent improvements in Chester have been made by the opportunity offered to industrious toiling mechanics by these associations. In 1850 the Chester Building Asso- ciation, the first incorporated in the borough, was formed ; John M. Broomall being the president and Joseph Taylor the secretary. It continued ten years and ten months, during which time it loaned sixty-two thousand dollars to its members. In 1852 the Penn Building Association was formed, William Hinkson being the secretary. In eleven years it ran its course, during which time it had loaned many thousands of dollars to its stockholders. In 1853 the South Ward Association was organized, and in August, 1854, the Washington Building Association was founded, and both of these organizations settled their affairs and were disbanded. The Second Chester was instituted Nov. 24, 1860, and the William Penn on April 1, 1865. In November of the same year the North Ward Building Association was founded, H. L. Don- aldson secretary. On March 9, 1867, the City Asso- ciation was instituted, and in July, 1869, the Dela- ware County was founded, and has issued a new series every year thereafter; the first series expired in 1879. The present officers are William Dolton, president; D. M. Johnson, treasurer; Orlando Har- vey, secretary and solicitor. The Mechanics Building Association was established in 1873,-President, Ben- jamin F. Baker; Solicitor, John B. Hannum; Treas- urer, Charles Roberts ; Secretary, H. L. Donaldson. In October. 1873, the Chester and Upland Association was founded, with Daniel V. Hoffman, president ; David Garrett, secretary ; Amos Gartside, treasurer ; and D. M. Johnson, solicitor. In May, 1874, the Third Chester Building Association was organized, with Benjamin F. Baker, president ; Jonathan Jennell, treasurer; Edmund Jones, solicitor; and George M. Booth, secretary. The Excelsior Building and Loan Association was instituted in 1876, of which D. M. Johnson is president; P. M. Washabaugh, secretary ; Jonathan R. Johnson, treasurer; and Orlando Har- vey, solicitor. On June 12, 1879, the Fidelity Associa- tion was established,-Jonathan Pennell, president ; H. L. Donaldson, secretary ; Jonathan R. Johnson, treasurer; and John B. Hannum, solicitor; and in November, 1879, the Iron-Workers Building Associa- tion was organized, with David Houston, president, and George B. Lindsay solicitor. The Home Building and Loan Association was organized in February, 1881, with Jonathan Pennell, president ; P. Bradley, secretary ; J. Howard Roop, treasurer; Ward R. Bliss, solicitor. The Keystone Building Association was organized May, 1882,-President, John Spencer ; Secretary, O. B. Dickinson ; Treasurer, Thomas Lees ; Solicitor, D. M. Johnson. The People's Building and Loan Association was formed May, 1883,-President, Amos Gartside; Treasurer, D. M. Johnson; Secre-

412

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tary, H. L. Donaldson ; Solicitor, John B. Hannum. The Provident Building and Loan Association was organized October, 1883,-President, Joseph F. Brew- ster ; Secretary, Garrett Pendleton ; Treasurer, Oliver Troth ; Solicitor, Patrick Bradley. The Industrial Building and Loan Association was established June, 1884,-President, Josiah C. Ross ; Treasurer, D. M. Johnson ; Secretary, Oliver Troth ; Solicitor, Edmund Jones.

The Military .- Since the conclusion of the civil war there have been several military organizations in Chester under State regulations, but owing to the de- fective feature of the law, the companies, until the re- cent revision of the statutes governing those bodies, were usually short-lived. The present effective man- agement of the National Guard of Pennsylvania gives promise of more thoroughness in the militia, and hence it may reasonably be expected that Company B, of the Sixth Regiment, will have a longer exist- ence than any organization which has preceded it.

The first company of soldiers in Chester, after the time mentioned, was the Chester City Safeguards, a colored company of militia, organized in 1870, and commanded in succession by Andrew Johnson, Isaac B. Colwell, and Isaac Emory, until the fall of 1872, when it was disbanded.

On Sept. 12, 1872, Company A, of the Gartside Rifle Battalion, was organized, with Capt. Daniel Brown commanding. Capt. Brown subsequently was appointed major, and George F. Springer was elected captain of Company A in his stead. Company B, of the same regiment, was organized March 19, 1873, Capt. David S. Gwynn commanding ; but he resigned, and the company elected William A. Todd as captain. The organization finally disbanded. In July, 1875, the Morton Rifles, so called in honor of John Morton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, was organized, with James Barton, Jr., as captain, and in August, 1875, was mustered into the Eleventh Regi- ment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. Capt. Bar- ton was subsequently promoted aid to Gen. Dobson, and Charles A. Story, Jr., was elected to the captaincy. Subsequently Capt. Story resigned, and John M. House- holder was chosen to succeed him. During the riots of July, 1877, the company was ordered to Pittsburgh, where it did good service, but was the next year mus- tered out. The Hartranft Rifles were organized Jan- uary, 1876, by Capt. Perry M. Washabaugh, and April 20, 1876, were mustered into service as Company B, Eleventh Regiment, and subsequently, after the ap- pointment of Capt. Washabaugh to the staff of the brigadier-general commanding the division, he was succeeded by Robert H. Wood, and followed by Wil- liam H. Williams. This company was also called into active duty during the Pittsburgh riots, and was finally mustered out of service.

Company A, Eleventh Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, was mustered into service March 30, 1881, with B. F. Morley, captain; Frank G. Sweeney,

first lieutenant ; and John J. Hare, second lieutenant. The company soon showed such efficiency in drill that, when the State authorities consolidated the military force of the commonwealth,-although the youngest company in the State,-by general order No. 11, July 8, 1881, the title of the company was changed to B, Sixth Regiment, First Brigade, National Guard of Pennsylvania. In the summer of the same year a scheme was broached by Lient .- Col. Washabaugh to- wards erecting an armory, and to that end a charter was obtained, stock was taken by several prominent citizens, a lot, sixty feet in front by one hundred and twenty feet in depth, was purchased, and an armory, after a design by P. A. Welsh, was built. The struc- ture, begun Aug. 4, 1881, costing, including land, about fifteen thousand dollars, is too recent to require fuller description here. Sufficient it is to say that it is the home of one of the best, if not the best-drilled company in the service of the State, and is an orna- ment and a credit to our city. The building, located on the south side of Fifth Street, east of Crosby Street, was opened on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1881, with a fair which lasted ten days, and yielded several thousand dollars towards the liquidation of the debt of the armory company.

The roll of Company B at the present time is as follows :

Capt. Frank G. Sweeney was a military instructor at Pennsylvania Mili- tary Academy from September, 1877, to June, 1879; elected let lient. Co. A, 11tb Regt., March 30, 1881 (changed to Co. B, Gth Regt., .July 8, 1881); elected capt. Co. B, Sth Regt., Dec. 4, 1882.

Firat Lieutenant James A. Campbell enl, ae a private in Co. A, 11th Regt., March 30, 1881; app. 2d sergt. June 6, 1881 (changed to Co. B, 6th Regt., July 8, 1881); pro. to 1st sergt. July 29, 1881; elected Ist lieut. Jan. 8, 1883.

Second Lieutenant George C. de Lannoy enl. as a private in Co. A, 11th Regt., March 30, 1881; app. 4th sergt. June 8, 1881 (changed to Co. B, 6th Regt., July 8, 1881) ; pro. to 3d sergt. July 29, 1881; pro. to 2d eergt. Oct. 19, 1882; pro. to let sergt, Nov. 17, 1882; elected 2d lieut. Feb. , 1883.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 102

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150