History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 104

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

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In the Delaware County Republican of Aug. 24, 1847, appeared the following notice :

" ANCIENT YORK MASONS .- The Brethren of Lodge No. 69, of Ancient York Masons, meet to day at the residence of Mrs. Jane Irwin for the purpose of applying for a new charter."

This meeting-place was the lodge-room of the soci- ety at Fourth and Market. At this gathering a peti- tion was prepared to request the Grand Lodge to re- charter Chester Lodge, No. 69. The request was not acceded to, but a charter was granted as Chester Lodge, No. 236. This warrant was dated Dec. 4, 1848, and the lodge was instituted on the 23d of February, 1849, by the installation of George W. Bartram, Wor- shipful Master, Joseph Weaver, Senior Warden, and Alexander M. Wright as Junior Warden. In addition to the officers mentioned, the following were charter members : Samuel R. Lamplugh, James Campbell, Isaac S. Williams, Ezekiel Norman, Thomas Baker,

418

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Joseph Baker, John Martin, and others. At a stated meeting of Lodge No. 236, held March 8, 1849, the members of Lodge No. 69 were requested to meet for the purpose of uniting with the members of Lodge No. 236, which was done, in Penn Building, Market Square. About 1856 the lodge-room was removed to the hall over George Baker's store, the present Chester Evening News building. In 1870, Lincoln Hall was purchased by Chester Lodge, who at once began arranging and decorating the room appro- priately for their uses, at a large outlay of money. The following persons have been the Worshipful Masters since the recharter: 1848, George W. Bar- tram ; 1851, Joseph Weaver; 1852, John Larkin, Jr .; 1853, Charles D. Manley ; 1854, Joseph R. Morris ; 1855, Persifer Baker; 1856, Thad. K. Martin ; 1857, James Wilkey; 1858, Samuel Cliff; 1859, James Holmes; 1860, Daniel B. Thomson; 1862, George Baker; 1863, John M. Greig; 1864, Dr. J. L. For- wood; 1865, Col. Thomas J. Leiper; 1866, Dr. John M. Allen ; 1867, John Fountain ; 1868, George Rob- inson ; 1869, Dr. Jacob Boon ; 1870, William H. Fla- ville ; 1871, Robert S. Taylor ; 1872, Lewis W. Govett; 1873, Thomas Mould; 1874, James Gartside ; 1875, Robert Singleton ; 1876, Moses H. Green ; 1877, Charles Roberts ; 1878, Martin L. Taylor; 1879, Edward S. Worrell ; 1880, Robert Chadwick; 1881, William S. Ranier; 1882, William P. Thompson ; 1883, Charles F. Foster, present incumbent.

The lodge has a membership by the last annual report of one hundred and ninety-one. In August, 1871, George Caldwell, the last surviving member of old Chester Lodge, No. 69, died in Chester township. The present officers are Charles F. Foster, Worshipful Master; Henry Greenwood, Senior Warden ; William B. Broomall, Junior Warden ; Thomas I. Leiper, Treasurer; Robert S. Taylor, Jr., Secretary.

L. H. Scott Lodge, No. 352, F. and A. M .- This lodge was chartered Dec. 27, 1864. The warrant was issued to John P. M. Greig, George Baker, Henry B. Taylor, George E. Darlington, Esq., James Barton, Jr., Stephen C. Hall, Charles D. Pennell, Alfred Tay- lor, Rev. John R. Quigg, William D. Pennell, S. H. Stevenson, John H. Barton, George Wilson, Samuel A. Dyer, S. F. Baker, and Charles J. Andrews. The lodge was instituted March 16, 1865, in the rooms of the parent lodge, No. 236. The following officers were installed: J. P. M. Greig, Worshipful Master ; Henry B. Taylor, Senior Warden; George E. Darl- ington, Junior Warden; George Baker, Treasurer ; and James Barton, Jr., Secretary. The following are the names of the Past Masters: John P. M. M. Gregg, Henry B. Taylor, James Barton, Jr., William N. Pennell, George E. Darlington, John H. Barton, William Taylor, Caleb Emlen, Hiram Hathaway, Charles A. Story, William S. Lamb, Charles L. Leiper, Dr. Robert P. Mercer, Stephen C. Hall, Henry Abbott, Jr., James A. Heargan, George W. Beatty, J. Newton Shanafelt, and James B. Rutter.

Chester Royal Arch Chapter, No. 258 .- In 1823 a Chester Mark Lodge was iu this city, as on 20th of December in that year Matthias Richards Sayres, as recorder, issued a call in the Post-Boy for a meeting of the Chester Mark Lodge. Beyond that fact no other information has been obtained respecting this lodge. Fifty-four years thereafter, in the fall of 1877, the Chester Royal Arch Chapter, No. 258, was instituted, with Charles Roberts, Most Excellent Priest ; Edward S. Worrell, King ; James Barton, Jr., Scribe; William H. Flaville, Treasurer; Theodore W. Stone, Secretary.

The present High Priest is Henry W. Cullis, and Theodore Stone, Secretary.

A Masonic Relief Association was chartered May 25, 1868, with George E. Darlington, President; Thomas E. Leiper, Vice-president; Col. William C. Gray, Treasurer ; Samuel Anderson, Secretary ; James Barton, Jr., George Robinson, and Charles D. Manley, Trustees.

The object of the association, as set forth in the charter, is to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members, and for this purpose a liberal fund is set apart by contributions, donations, etc.

Delaware County Lodge, No. 13, Knights of Birmingham .- This lodge was instituted in Chester on the evening of Oct. 8, 1879. The order is confined to the members of the Masonic fraternity, and was largely attended on the installation of officers by many from abroad. Ceremonies were held at Ma- sonic Hall, and the following were the officers : Sir Chief, Henry Abbott ; Sir Knight, George W. Beatty ; Sir Herald, Robert Chadwick; Secretary, Theodore S. Stone; Treasurer, William S. Rainer; Trustees, Thomas Lees aud Edgar C. Lyons. The meetings of this society are held in Dyer's Hall.

Mount Tabor Lodge, No. 51, A. Y. M .- This lodge was established many years ago, and meetings were held in the hall at Fourth and Market Square, and about 1870 was abandoned. In that year Mount Vernon Lodge was chartered as No. 58. This also was abandoned, and the Franklin Lodge, No. 58, was chartered with the number of Mount Vernon Lodge. This society still retains its existence, and has about forty-two members, Thomas Handy being Worship- ful Master. Meetings are held at the hall on Fourth and Market Streets.

Rising Sun Chapter, No. 12, A. Y. M .- This chapter contains at present twenty-three members, and is presided over by Johnson Pernsley, High Priest. Meetings are held in the hall at the corner of Fourth and Market Streets.

Radiant Star Lodge, No. 1063, Grand United Order of Odd-Fellows .- This lodge was instituted about thirty years ago, and at present has a member- ship of forty-five, with James H. Waters, Noble Grand, and William T. Jenkins, Past Grand. Meet- ings are held over the mayor's office.

Chester Lodge, No. 92, I. O. of 0. F .- This lodge

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THE CITY OF CHESTER.

was the first organized in the county, and received its charter Dec. 8, 1843. The meetings were held in the frame building on the corner of Third and Market Streets, now owned by George Wonderlich. They subsequently removed to a third-story room of White Swan Hotel, Fourth and Market, and later to and are at present in Dickinson Hall. James Hampson, Thomas Liversidge, Thomas B. Donaldson, Thomas McBride, and James Campbell were members of this lodge, and withdrew to form Leiperville Lodge, No. 263, which was chartered Aug. 16, 1847. Chester Lodge continued for several years, when it dissolved. Its charter was restored on the 6th of December, 1873, with five charter members named, and with John A. Wallace as Noble Grand. The meetings of the soci- ety are now held in Dickinson Hall.

The Delaware County Encampment of I. O. of O. F. was instituted in Chester April 15, 1846. It is not now in existence.

Upland Lodge, No. 253, I. O. of 0. F .- This lodge was the second in the county, and was chartered June 21, 1847, about two months prior to the organi- zation of Leiperville Lodge. Among the active mem- bers of the society in the county at that time were Edward E. Flaville, William Gray, M.D., John Sitz- enberg, and John Burk. A lodge-room was fitted up over a double dwelling-house in Shoemakerville, where meetings were held for several years. The charter members for Upland Lodge were Cadwal- ader Evans, N. G .; J. M. Allen, V. G .; John H. Baker, Sec .; John S. Weaver, Asst. Sec. The society many years ago rented and fitted up a hall in the third story of the Penn Building, fronting on Third Street, which they have since occupied. The present officers are Thomas B. Robinson, N. G .; D. R. Esrey, V. G .; B. F. Bucha, Sec .; James Z. Taylor, Treas. The lodge has two hundred and nineteen mem- bers.

Chester Encampment, No. 99, I. O. of O. F .- This society is a degree of the Upland Lodge, No. 253, and was chartered April 17, 1850, with the fol- lowing officers : James Jones, C. P .; James Kelly, H. P .; James Hampson, S. W .; John Booth, J. W .; Archibald McArthur, Sec .; Isaac S. Williams, Treas. ; Thomas Liversidge, G. Later its charter was surren- dered, and petition was made for restoration May 15, 1865. Meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Penn Building. The present officers are Hugh Crook, C. P .; D. R. Esrey, Jr., S. W .; Robert Smith, Jr., J. W .; Robert Singleton, Treas. ; Robert Taylor, Jr., Scribe. The encampment numbers ninety-one members.

Leiperville Lodge, No. 263, I. O. of O. F .- Effort was made about 1845 to establish a lodge at Leiper- ville, which resulted in the granting of a charter by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, bearing date Aug. 16, 1847, aud the name and number was designated as Leiperville Lodge, No. 263, I. O. of O. F. The offi- cers named in the charter were James Hampson, N. G .; Thomas Liversidge, V. G .; Thomas B. Donald-

son, Sec .; and James Campbell, Treas. Other char- ter members were Thomas McBride, James McCor- mick, and George Crossley. The lodge was instituted by Samuel Turner, D.D., Grand Master, on the even- ing of the 11th day of September, 1847, in the garret of the Leiperville Hotel, then kept by John Harrison Hill. On the night the lodge was instituted there were initiated by dispensation James Jordan, F. Der- byshire, T. Bradley, Jonathan Taylor, A. Trimble, William Liversidge, and James Morton. The hum- ble room of the society was kept by them till a change in the business affairs of Leiperville by the withdrawal of the manufacturing interests there rendered it advis- able to remove the lodge to Chester. In the summer of 1852 a lot was purchased of John Larkin, Jr., on the northwest corner of Broad and Crosby Streets, for the sum of eight hundred and fifty dollars, and prepara- tion made for the erection of a building. The corner- stone was laid May 26, 1853, with appropriate services, the Avondale Brass Band being present. A metallic case was deposited in the stone containing minutes of the Grand Lodge of the United States and Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania for the year 1850, Odd-Fellows' Register, constitution and by-laws of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, those of Chester Encampment and Leiperville Lodge, Bible, and issues of the newspapers of Delaware County. The hall is seventy-six by thirty-two feet, three stories in height. The first and second stories are fitted up for dwell- ing and stores, and the lodge-room is sixty-six by thirty-two feet, with anteroom. The contract price was five thousand three hundred dollars. The build- ing was completed in the fall of that year, and dedi- cated on the 17th of October, 1853. It has been used by the lodge since that time, and other societies also hold their regular meetings therein. The property is worth at present fifteen or twenty thousand dollars, and is unincumbered.

The present Noble Grand is H. W. Fairlamb, and the membership is two hundred and four.

Since the organization of the lodge about twenty thousand dollars have been paid out for relief to members in distress. This amount was mostly dis- bursed by Robert Smith, who was treasurer for sev- enteen years, retiring from that office in 1881.

Post Wilde, No. 25, G. A. R .- This post was char- tered Jan. 9, 1867, and named in honor of Isaac Henry Wilde, second lieutenant One Hundred and Eighty- eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, who died in service July 26, 1864. It was instituted July 27th, in the same year, with James Cliff Post Commander. The Past Post Commanders have been James Cliff, Ewing W. Tibballs, William C. Paiste, William H. Martin, Joseph F. Brewster, Thomas Lees, Joseph P. Chad- wick, George G. Buck, James McDude, Edward Blains, Marshall Miller, Edward H. Lilley, Theodore A. Vansant, Ebenezer Birtwell, Edward L. Morgan, James Cheetham, Gasoway O. Yarnall, William Band, Samuel Martin, William Raniers, James Hollings-

420

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

worth, and James Morgan. The present Post Com- mander is Samuel Oglesby. The post is large, active, and in a prosperous condition. Meetings are held in the Ward Building.

Old John Brown Post, No. 194, G. A. R .- This post was organized in September, 1880, with twenty- seven members. Its meetings are held in Edgmont Hall, on Edgmont Avenue. The Past Post Com- manders have been Daniel J. Russell, Robert B. Auter, and Samuel Lohman. The present Post Com- mander is Robert B. Auter. The membership is forty-five.

Tuscarora Tribe, No. 29, I. O. of R. M .- A few young men in Chester, desirous of forming themselves into a society, met to discuss the merits of different orders. Two of the number, James E. Golden and N. N. Worrilow, were members of the Improved Order of Red Men, and by their arguments and rep- resentations prevailed upon the others to form a tribe of Red Men, and it was decided to call a meeting and obtain signatures of those who were willing to become members of the tribe. Meeting was called, and thirty persons affixed their signatures to the petition to the Great Chiefs at Philadelphia for a charter, which was granted. On the 22d Sleep Flower Moon, G. S. D. 363 (1854), the Great Chiefs assembled at Chester with the " Brothers and Palefaces," and twenty-seven persons took the obligation and were adopted into the new Tuscarora Tribe, No. 29, of the Improved Order of Red Men. The following officers were installed : Sachem, James E. Golden ; Senior Sagamore, N. N. Worrilow; Junior Sagamore, Charles Sinex ; Chief of Records, David M. Smiley ; Keeper of Wampum, James Wilkie; Prophet, Jesse Gibson ; First Sannap, William Kelly; Second Sannap, George Morris ; Guard of Wigwam, Alfred Hoff; Guard of Forest, William Lambson ; First Warrior, James P. Hunt; Second Warrior, Jesse Baker, Third Warrior, John S. Robinson ; Fourth Warrior, James Younker.

The meeting of the new tribe was on the 29th Sleep, Flower Moon. The tribe grew in numbers slowly for a time, then declined, and a dissolution was seriously discussed. It finally was decided to put forth renewed energy and zeal in the cause, which was done, and resulted in an addition of thirty-six members in the next thirteen months. Since that time the tribe has increased in numbers, strength, and wealth, and at present has a membership of two hundred and fifteen. Meetings are held in their own wigwam, Tuscarora Hall, Penu Building.

Mocoponaco Tribe, No. 149, I. O. of R. M .- This tribe was chartered on the 19th of the Buck Moon, G. S. D. 380, and was instituted in April, 1871, on which occasion members of the order were present from Philadelphia, Tuscarora Tribe, Lenni Tribe, and from Media and other places. Twenty members were initiated, and the following-named persons were chosen officers for the year : Grand Sachem, George Wigham ; Senior Sagamore, Abraham Mattis ; Junior

Sagamore, Abner Coppock; Keeper of Wampum, Enos F. Cloud ; Keeper of Records, Frank Bucha. A lodge-room was handsomely fitted up in Cutler's Hall, at the corner of Third and Kerlin Streets. The society subsequently removed to Odd-Fellows' Hall, in the Penn Building, where they now are.

Mocoponaco Haymakers Association, No. 1493, I. O. of R. M .- This society is a degree of the Moco- ponaco Tribe, No. 149, and holds its meetings in Odd- Fellows' Hall, Penn Building.

Chester Lodge, No. 76, K. of P .- On Friday evening, April 17, 1868, George Schureman, Lacy H. Nicholson, E. Pennell, Jr., William L. Walker, John Bell, James McNelly, Thomas Keen, Jr., W. G. Seth, and Thomas Johnson went to Philadelphia to Ragau Lodge, No. 28, K. of P., which met at the northeast corner of Tenth and Chestnut Streets, to be initiated into the order of Knights of Pythias for the purpose of establishing a lodge in Chester. It was after twelve o'clock when the ceremony was over, and, as there were no cars running at that time, they had to walk home through a snow-storm, arriving in Chester about five o'clock Saturday morning. Steps were imme- diately taken to constitute a lodge in Chester, and on the evening of April 23d a preliminary meeting was held, at which the following officers were elected for the ensuing term : V. P., George Schureman; W. C., William L. Walker; V. C., Thomas Keen, Jr .; G., John Bell; I. S., James McNelly ; O. S., Lacy H. Nicholson ; N. S., W. G. Seth; F. S., Thomas John- son ; Banker, E. Pennell, Jr. The officers of the .Grand Lodge on April 30th installed the persons named as officers of Chester Lodge, No. 76, K. of P. George Schureman was elected the first representa- tive to the Grand Lodge, and John Bell trustee for eighteen months, Abram Mattin trustee for twelve months, and William L. Walker trustee for six months on June 25, 1868.

The following are the names of the presiding officers from July, 1868, to July, 1884: Thomas Keen, Jr., John H. Williams, James McNelly, William B. Pierce, Henry Ogden, Joshua Long, Thomas W. Mould, Mark W. Allen, Theodore J. Bell, Samuel B. Logan, Jeffer- son W. Chalfant, Thomas D. Nelling, John W. Pen- nell, William Stillwell, John P. Smith, Samuel Mar- tin, Daniel W. Flenner, John B. Allen, George W. Jenkins, Watson R. McClure, William H. Philips, Jolın Young, John H. Johnson, Harry Sigel, Mor- decai Lewis, David H. McCray, Robert P. Mackey, John Dunkerly, William P. Wood, Robert McMillen, James A. Stillwell, William H. Dawson. The fol- lowing-named persons have acted as treasurer of the lodge: E. Pennell, Jr., from April 30, 1868, to January, 1870; W. B. McBride, January, 1870, to January, 1871; Mordecai Lewis, January, 1871, to February, 1875; William Dotten, February, 1875, to July, 1877; and George W. Wilson, from 1877 to present time, and still remaining as such.

Larkin Lodge, No. 78, K. of P .- This lodge was

421

THE CITY OF CHESTER.

chartered on the 4th of May, 1868, with nine charter members, and was named in honor of the then mayor of Chester, John Larkin, Jr. Delegations from Crys- tal Fount, Excelsior, Damon, Ragau, aud other lodges of Philadelphia were present. It has at present one hundred and thirty-five members, and is presided · over by Gideon Herbert, Chancellor Commander. Meetings are held in Dyer's Hall, over the office of the Evening News.

Larkin Circle, No. 66, Brotherhood of the Union. -A society of this order was organized at Marcus Hook about 1845, and later one at Chester. The circle was chartered March 2, 1872, and now has one hundred and sixty-five members, and is at present presided over by Dean J. Deakyne, Chief Washing- ton. Meetings are held in Cutler's Hall, Third and Kerlin Streets.

Good Intent Circle, No. 75, Brotherhood of the Union .- This circle was organized several years ago and dissolved, and on the 10th of May, 1882, was reorganized. It has at present ninety members. The present officers are: E. W., William Irwin; C. W., Andrew Corson ; Treas., C. G. Hiorth; Scr., Charles Nothnagle; Reg., Jacob Titus. Meetings are held in M. O. U. A. Hall.

Lamokin Circle, No. 80, Brotherhood of the Union, was also organized several years ago, and was reorganized in May, 1884. It has a membership of thirty-six. Meetings are held in Riley's Hall, Third and Edward Streets.

Chester Council, No. 36, J. O. U. A. M .- This council was instituted in 1868, with fifteen charter members. A hall was fitted up by the society in the upper story of the Penn Building, which is still used.

Friendship Home Communion, No. 21, H. C. (H. F.)-This society was instituted Nov. 1, 1872, with twelve charter members, and at present has fifty members. Meetings were first held in Cutler's Hall, Third and Kerlin Streets, and later the hall of the J. O. U. A. M. was rented and is still used.

Washington Camp, No. 20, Junior Sons of America, was organized Dec. 19, 1854, and after a few years was discontinued. A camp of the same name, No. 43, of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, was chartered with fifty-eight members on the 17th of January, 1882. Meetings are held in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics' Hall, on Market Street.

Chester Council, No. 553, Royal Arcanum, an assessment insurance fraternity, was organized in Chester by Capt. H. C. Cochrane, Jan. 17, 1881, with twenty-three charter members. It has been very suc- cessful, numbering now upon its roll one hundred and sixteen members. Regent, Edward Barton; Secre- tary, J. M. Peoples ; Treasurer, J. Craig, Jr .; Col- lector, Samuel Lyons. Meets in Dickinson Hall, first and third Wednesday evenings in each month.

Penn Conclave, No. 59, Improved Order Hepta- sophs, was organized March 28, 1883, with twenty-

three charter members. The conclave meets in Dick- inson Hall every second and fourth Wednesday even- ing. Archon, Julius Gottschalk; Secretary, J. Craig, Jr .; Treasurer, Oliver Troth; Collector, S. L. Ar- mour.

Excelsior Lodge, No. 9, Independent Order of Mechanics .- This lodge was chartered April 23, 1884, in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, Broad and Mechanic Streets, where their meetings are still held.

Trinity Council, No. 23, Sons and Daughters of America, meet at Edgmont Hall.

German Beneficial Society, No. 1, hold meetings at Cutler's Hall, Third and Kerlin Streets.

Christian Home, No. 1369, I. O. of G. T .- This home was instituted in Fulton Hall, corner of Broad and Upland Streets, where meetings were held for a time. Later the society removed to No. 603 Green Street, near Morton Avenue, North Ward, where they are at present.

Ark of the Covenant Lodge, No. 86, American Protestant Association .- This lodge was chartered Aug. 27, 1869, with six charter members. Andrew McClure is the present Worthy Master. Meetings are held in Dyer's Hall.

Nelson Lodge, No. 19, of the Sons of St. George .- This lodge was chartered Feb. 26, 1875, and organized in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, corner of Broad and Mechanic Streets, where their meetings are still held. .

Chester City Association of the Order of Philo- zatheans .- This order was instituted at Chester on the 17th of October, 1867, with twenty-five ladies as charter members. The society has at present fifty- seven members. The officers are Mrs. Alice Kline, Recorder ; Mrs. Emma Winterbottom, Financial Re- corder ; Mrs. M. E. Taylor, Treasurer. Meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Penn Building.

Ark of the Covenant Lodge, No. 4, of the Amer- ican Protestant Ladies Association .- This lodge was chartered on the 11th of October, 1871. Meetings are held in the hall of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, on Market Street. The lodge has fifty-five members, and is presided over by Miss Jennie Donaldson, Worthy Mistress.

Pride of Chester, No. 6858, American Order of Foresters .- This society was chartered April 26, 1882, with three charter members. Meetings were first held at Odd-Fellows' Hall, Broad and Mechanic Streets, and at present at Dickinson Hall. John Coombs is the Chief Ranger.

Chester Purple Star, No. 86, Loyal Orange Lodge of the United States of America .- The charter of this lodge was granted Sept. 8, 1883. Its first Master was John Ballantine. Meetings are held in Dickinson Hall.

Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 17, Masonic Ladies. -This society was instituted Nov. 21, 1866, with fif- teen ladies as charter members. It has a membership of one hundred and sixty, and is presided over by

422

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Mrs. Lizzie Coppock, L. H. P. Meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Penn Building.

Crystal Fount Division, No. 20, Sons of Tem- perance .- The division meets at Dickinson Hall, No. 504 Market Street.

Nonpareil Lodge, No. 30, Sons of Progress .- This lodge was instituted on the 17th of July, 1883. It has for its president David R. Worrilow, and has a membership of twenty-five. Meetings are held in Cutler's Hall, Third and Kerlin Streets.

The Post-Office .- When the postal service was first instituted under the Federal government, an office was established at Chester. Particularly at that time the town was in a measure headquarters for naval officers, and a place where captains of ships would send ashore to get advices from the merchants in Philadelphia, if anything had been overlooked when the vessel sailed from the latter place. Early in the century the post- office was located at Fourth and Market Streets, where M. H. Bickley's drug-store is now. Mrs. Mary De- shong was postmistress. Caleb Pierce followed Mrs. Deshong, and the office was removed to Market Street, iu a building (now removed) adjoining the Central Restaurant. William Doyle superseded Pierce, and the migratory office was on the east side of Market Street, in an old house torn down by James Gar- dener when building the present stores on its site. In a short time it was removed by Doyle to a frame house, where Beaver's tin-store now is, on Third Street, adjoining Penn Buildings. Mrs. Doyle was appointed postmistress, and removed to Fourth Street, near where the Farmers' Market now is. In 1857, George W. Weaver became postmaster, the office being in the old building which stood on the site of Brown's Hotel. Y. S. Walter, in 1861, was appointed, and the office again changed its locality, being in a small store in the angle of Penn Buildings, on Mar- ket Square. Maj. Joseph R. T. Coates, in 1864, fol- lowed Walter, when, in 1866, the office was removed to the city building, and under the mayor's office. While located there William G. Price was postmaster, and was followed by William H. Martin, the latter holding the position for eight years. During 1880, Levi G. James erected the present post-office, on Edgmont Avenue, above Fifth Street, under an agreement with the United States that they would lease the lower floor for a term of five years. In 1881, John A. Wallace, the present incumbent, was appointed postmaster.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 104

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