History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 109

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania > Part 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

Chosen at first election, April, 1870 .- Thomas I. Leiper, Samuel M. Fel- ton, William H. Morton, Solomon W. May, David Brown.1

October, 1870 .- Samuel M. Felton. David Brown, Thomas I. Leiper, John W. Martin, Solomon W. May.

October, 1871 .- John J. Thurlow, Norris L. Yarnall, Isaac Major, Mar- maduke Gray, Joseph Byram, John P. Gartside.

October, 1872 .- James E. Holt, John W. Martin, Edward O'Donnell.

October, 1873 .- James Hutchinson, Norris L. Yarnall, John R. Now- land, Edward Y. Seidera, John W. Martin, Caleb C. Clayton.

February, 1874 .- James Hutchinson, Norris L. Yarnall, Edward Y. Sei- ders.ª

February, 1875 .- Marmaduke Gray, John R. Nowland.

April, 1876 (Reorganized) .- Norris L. Yarnall, Marmaduke Gray, James

Hutchinson, John R. Nowland, William H. Green, Joseph Byram, John Law.

April, 1877 .- Michael Honan, John Law.

April, 1878 .- John R. Nowland, Thomas Doyle.

April, 1879 .- Patrick Reily, William H. Green.

July, 1879 .- Michael Honan resigned, Joseph Byram elected to fill vacancy.

April, 1880 .- Norris L. Yarnall.

April, 1881 .- John R. Nowland, T. A. McDowell, Simeon H. Cotton.

April, 1882 .- John Law, Edward Ferry.

April, 1883 .- William J. Brown, Casper H. Snyder.

April, 1884 .- John R. Nowland, T. A. McDowell.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

David H. Hill. May 17, 1870.

James M. Gray ... 14, 1874.

Jan.

A. P. Fielda ... March 13, 1875.

John Deveney. March 25, 1878.

Ambrose Wood. .April 14, 1880.

A. P. Fields ...

March 3, 1880.

Joseph Brown

.April 9, 1881.

John Freshley

April 9, 1881.

A. P. Fields.

March 27, 1882.

William H. Wallace ..

May

7, 1883.

The first vote by a colored man in Pennsylvania was at the first election in the borough of South Ches- ter, April 14, 1870, which ballot was cast by William Henry Cooper.

In 1879 the borough authorities erected a spacious town hall, with a Council chamber in the second story, and the cellar arranged as a lock-up and place of detention for persons under arrest. The building was dedicated Oct. 27, 1879.

Schools .- Before South Chester became a borough, and while the territory was part of Chester township, the school-house that now stands unused on the public ground was built, and under the provisions of the act of Feb. 20, 1872, the court of Delaware County as- signed the building and lot to the directors of the borough, and it was used as a school until after the com- pletion of the present buildings on the same ground. Immediately after the organization of the borough pre-

1 Elected bnt declared not eligible, and Council appointed Norris L. Yarnall in his stead.

" Resigned October, 1874, and Conncil elected Marmaduke Gray to fill vacancy, November, same yenr.

439

SOUTH CHESTER BOROUGH.

parations were made to build a new school-house, and in the next year (1871) the large and commodious brick edifice was erected on the public grounds, on Third Street, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. On the same grounds, in 1883, the directors erected, at a cost of eight thousand dollars, the high school building, which is of brick and two stories in height. In 1874 a brick school-house for colored children was erected on Townsend Street, between Front and Second Streets, at a cost of four thousand dollars. It is now used for public-school purposes, irrespective of color. In 1879-80 a brick school-house, two stories in height, at a cost of five thousand dollars, was erected on what is known as the forty-acre lot, in the northeastern end of the borough. In 1881 a two-story brick house was built, at a cost of four thousand dollars, on the corner of Second and Thurlow Streets.

The first school board was organized April 30, 1870, with the following members: Thomas J. Leiper, James Kirkman, William H. Green, Owen Lynch, James Bowen, James Elliott. Ang. 9, 1870, James Elliott resigned ; Samnel H. Stevenson filled the va- cancy by appointment of board.

Members of the school board since that time have been as follows :

Juna 6, 1871, James Kirkman, James Bowen, Owen Lynch, D. C. Thomp- 8OD, Jamea Covoan, S. H. Stevauson : June 4, 1872, Jamaa Kirkman, Jamas Coonan, D. C. Thompson, T. J. Clayton, William Fow, Johu McDowall; Oct. 11, 1872, Jamea Kirkman resigned, J. R. Nowland. appointad; Dec. 6, 1872, Solomon W. May appointed to vacancy caused by death of William Fow ; June 11, 1873, T. J. Clayton, Sol- omon W. May, D. C. Thompson, J. R. Nowland, John McDowall, Jamea Kirkman; April 3, 1874, Rev. W. R. McNail and Rav. S. W. Gahrett appointed in placa of James Coonan and D. C. Thompson resigned ; Nov. 11, 1874, T. J. Clayton resigned, W. H. Green ap- pointed; March 5, 1875, S. W. Gehrett resigoed, Z. T. Bartleson appointed; Juna 7, 1875, W. R. McNeil, John McDowell, James Kirkman, J. R. Nowland, Z. T. Bartleson, J. A. Watts; April 7, 1876, W. R. McNeil resigned, G. O. Yarnall appointed; Juna 5, 1876, G. O. Yarnall, Z. T. Bartleson, John McDowell, Caspar Culp, J. A. Watts, Jacob Seara; Juna 5, 1877, G. O. Yaroall, John McDowell, Jacob Sears, J. A. Watts, Z. T. Bartleson, James Bradley ; June 3, 1878, G. 0. Yarnall, John McDowall, Jacob Sears, James Bradlay, Z. T. Bar- tleson, J. A. Watts; June 4, 1879, Jacob Saars, James Bradley, John McDowell, J. A. Watts, B. H. Smith, Thomas Belmont; Juna 10, 1880, Jacob Seara, John McDowall, Wm. Balmont, B. H. Smith, J. A. Watt-, Z. T. Bartleaon ; June 6, 1881, Jacob Saars, John McDowell, Wm. Belmont, B. H. Smith, Z. T. Bartleson, Caaper Culp; Juna 7, 1882, Jacob Sears, B. H. Smith, John McDowall, C. G. Neal, Caspar Culp, and Z. T. Bartleson; Oct. 11, 1882, Jacob Scars resigned, G. O. Yarnall appointed ; June 13, 1883, B. H. Smith, Z. T. Bartlason, Cas- par Culp, C. G. Neal, O. T. Pancoast, John McDowell; Juna 7, 1884, B. H. Smith, John McDowell, C. G. Neal, Z. T. Bartleson, O. T. Pan- coast, Dr. J. B. Weaton.

The Felton Fire Company .- The company was organized early in 1882, and in the same year erected, at a cost of three thousand dollars, a brick building on Third Street, between Morton and Jeffrey. The association, which at present has seventy-four mem- bers on its roll, have a hose-carriage, but are contem- plating the purchase of a steamer. R. Peters, Jr., is president of the company.

South Chester News .- This paper was established by W. Warren Webb, March 23, 1883, as an adver- tising medium, and conducted as such for about six

months, when it was changed to a four-column weekly newspaper, and later enlarged to six columns. The office is at No. 1726 West Third Street, South Chester. It is Republican in politics.

Plain Speaker .- This paper was established by Olin T. Pancoast, in an office at 2105 West Third Street. The first number was issued Aug. 1, 1883, and contained four columns, later was enlarged to five columns. On the 5th of July, 1884, the office was removed to No. 1929 West Third Street. It is Republican in politics.

South Chester Methodist Episcopal Church .-- This society was organized in 1870, under the care of the Rev. S. W. Gehrett. In the next year a lot, one hundred and forty by one hundred feet, was pur- chased of John M. Broomall, at the corner of Third and Jeffrey Streets. Upon this lot the society erected on Jeffrey Street, in 1870, a brick edifice, thirty- six by sixty-three feet, which is used as a chapel. This church was built as a mission chapel of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Chester, and was dedicated in November, 1871. The Rev. Mr. Urie, of Wilmington, preached the dedicatory sermon. The society intend in the near future to erect a church on the corner of Third and Jeffrey.

The society now numbers one hundred and forty members. A Sunday-school containing two hundred and eight pupils, under the superintendency of John Neal, is in connection with the church. A parsonage, on the corner of Second and Jeffrey, is owned by the society. The names of the pastors who have served the church from its organization are here given : Revs. S. W. Gehrett, David Mckee, Dr. Matthew Sorin, John B. Maddux, David M. Gordon, Abel Howard, Eli Pickersgill, Matthias Barnhill, and Israel M. Gable, the present pastor.

Baptist Chapel .- The First Baptist Church of South Chester was organized in 1871. A lot was pur- chased by Samuel A. Crozer, on the corner of Third and Jeffrey Streets, and a chapel built thereon by Mr. Crozer.

The pastors who have served the church have been the Revs. William R. McNeal, Reece W. Perkins, Alexander McArthur, and Henry B. Harper, the present pastor. The church has two hundred mem- bers, and a Sunday-school of three hundred and fifty pupils, under the charge of the pastor.

St. Daniel's Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church was organized in 1871, and erected at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The brick church is on Edwards Street, between Third Street and the rail- road. The pastors who have served the church are Revs. - Henson, - Broden, George Washington, - Jolly, - Webb, J. Hugh Peirce, N. Morris, Dr. Butler, and J. J. Campbell, the present pastor. The church has about one hundred and seventy-five members.

First Baptist Church .- This church was organ- ized in the spring of 1879, and through the liberality

440

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of Samuel A. Crozer, a brick structure, fifty feet in length and thirty-three feet in width, was erected on Second Street, below Lamokin. It was dedicated in August, 1879. The Rev. Dr. Griffith, of Upland, preached the dedicatory sermon. The church has about seventy members, and the Rev. Samuel Chris- tian is pastor.

African Methodist Episcopal Bethel Church .- This society was organized in the old school-house on the public grounds in May, 1871. A lot on Engle Street, between Second and Front Streets, was pur- chased of John M. Broomall, the consideration being one dollar. By the exertions of William Murphy two thousand dollars were subscribed and used for the erection of a brick edifice twenty-five by thirty-eight feet. It was dedicated June 6, 1872. The first pastor was the Rev. G. T. Waters. He was succeeded by the Rev. W. H. Davis, Henderson Davis, John M. Davis, John W. Norris, and Thomas H. Moore, the present pastor. The church has at present one hundred members.

Bethany Mission .- The First, Second, and Third Presbyterian Churches of Chester united in establish- ing a mission called Bethany in South Chester. The corner-stone of a brick chapel, thirty-five by sixty, was laid by John Wanamaker, of Philadelphia, on the 25th of June, 1884. The box deposited in the stone contained a Bible, copies of the papers in Ches- ter and South Chester, a paper containing the names of the ministers of the Presbyterian Churches, names of the former and present Sunday-school officers, and the names of the teachers. On the day when the corner-stone was laid Mr. Wanamaker addressed the audience, and concluded by subscribing one hundred dollars towards the building fund. Subscriptions followed rapidly, and over a thousand dollars were contributed in a short time.

Auvergne Mills .- Norris L. Yarnall erected a stone mill two and a half stories in height for the manufacture of Kentucky jeans, at the foot of Flower Street, in 1868, which was in operation till Oct. 3, 1873, when it was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the fall and winter of that year, and manufacturing resumed there in April, 1874. Additions have been made from time to time to the mills. The present main structure is fifty feet in width by one hundred and twenty in length, an engine-house twenty by twenty feet, a picker-house thirty-two feet square, a dye-house sixty-five by seventy feet connected there- with. The machinery consists of eighty-eight looms, four sets of woolen cards forty-two by forty-eight inches, and two self-acting mules with six hundred and seventy-six spindles each. About six thousand pounds of cotton and wool are used weekly in the manufacture of twenty thousand yards of cloth.

River Mills .- These mills, located at the foot of Jeffrey Street, were built, in 1872, by Capt. James Jerome, and were operated by him for the manufac- ture of cotton warp until 1875, at which date they were

rented by Charles Roberts. In 1871, Mr. Roberts began the manufacture of cotton yarn in the building belonging to the water-works, now used as the Cocoa Matting Works by Edward S. Worrell. In 1875, Mr. Roberts removed to the River Mills. One of the buildings is sixty-six feet in width by one hundred and fifty feet in length, two stories in height. The necessary out-buildings comprise the engine- and boiler-rooms, dye-house, picker- and finishing-room. The other mill is fifty feet in width by one hundred feet in length, two stories in height, and has in con- nection therewith an engine- and boiler-room, dye- house, and dry-room. The machinery consists of one hundred and fifty looms, five thousand five hundred cotton-spindles and eighteen cotton-cards, one thou- sand woolen-spindles, and two sets of woolen-cards. The power used to drive the machinery is supplied by three engines, one of ninety horse-power, one of forty horse-power, oue of twelve, and five tubular boilers. One hundred and sixty hands are employed. Eight thousand pounds of raw material are used weekly, from which is produced thirty-six thousand yards of tickings, cheviots, and Kentucky jeans.

Trainer's Mill .- The Chester Improvement Com- pany awarded a contract in May, 1872, to Samuel Montgomery to erect on their land a building for a cotton-factory sixty feet in width by two hundred and thirty-eight feet in length, two stories in height. The contract price was fifty thousand dollars, and the buildings to be completed by Nov. 1, 1872. The property was occupied by D. Trainer & Sons, who placed therein eleven thousand spindles, fifty-four spinning-frames, forty-six cards, and nine speeders for the manufacture of fine yarns. The engine that drives the machinery is a two hundred horse-power Corliss engine. The mill has a capacity of spinning three thousand pounds of yarn weekly.

Wyoming Mill .- The mill building was erected in 1873, fitted with machinery by Samuel Montgomery, and operated by his sons for several years, when it was purchased by John Roberts and Abner Coppock, by whom it was operated about two years and a half. It then remained idle several years, and on the 10th of October, 1882, it was again put in operation by Joseph Byram, who is the present occupant. The mill has fifty-eight looms, one thousand spindles, and two cards, driven by a sixty horse-power engine. Three thousand pounds of cotton are weekly made into cotton. yarn, and thirteen thousand yards of cotton cloth are made weekly. Fifty hands are employed.

Centennial Mill .- This mill was established by Simeon Cotton, in May, 1876, at which time he had completed the main building, one hundred by fifty feet, at the foot of Second and Clayton Streets, and manufacturing was commenced therein May 11, 1876. Three thousand six hundred spindles and thirteen cards are used, and sixteen bales of cotton are manu- factured weekly into seven thousand pounds of cotton warp.

441

SOUTH CHESTER BOROUGH.

Garfield Mill .- The Garfield Mill, a two-story brick building, one hundred by fifty feet, was erected at the corner of Morton Street and the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, by Messrs. Law & Devenney, in the year 1881, and fitted with machinery for the manufacture of cotton yarn. Sub- sequently its capacity was doubled, and it now con- tains three thousand and twenty-four spindles and fourteen cards, which are driven by an eighty horse- power engine. Twenty loom-hands are employed, and five thousand three hundred pounds of cotton yarn is produced weekly.

Oil-Cloth Works .- About eighteen years ago Eli D. Pierce erected on his farm in Nether Providence a building for the tanning of sheep-skins. The busi- ness increased so rapidly that he purchased land at the foot of Tilghman Street, where. he erected frame buildings, and removed thereto. Here he began largely the tanning of goat-skins, and continued till the spring of 1882, when, by reason of the failure of business men in Boston, to whom he sold largely, he was compelled to make an assignment. In the summer of that year the buildings were rented by Edward S. Worrell, who fitted them with the most improved machinery for the manufacture of oil-cloth. Six thousand yards of oil-cloth are made weekly. George P. Worrell is superintendent.

Chester Rolling-Mills .- The Chester Rolling- Mills were incorporated March 10, 1875, with John Roach, John Q. Denny, C. B. Houstou, John B. Roach, D. F. Honston, and Garret Roach, as corpora- tors. John Roach was chosen president, C. B. Honston secretary and treasurer. The original capital of the company was three hundred thousand dollars, which was increased to five hundred thousand dollars in 1880, and in 1882 to six hundred thousand dollars. The real estate of the old bridge and steel-works was purchased, at the foot of Wilson and Hayes Streets, between Townsend and Highland Avenne, and from Front Street to Delaware River. In that year (1875) the company commenced the erection of main rolling- mill building, one hundred and sixty by one hundred and eighty-five feet ; in 1879 it was doubled, and is now three hundred and twenty by one hundred and eighty- five feet, the capacity of the works being increased in proportion. Above the rolling-mill, in 1880, the blast- furnace was erected, covering about one and a quarter acres with its different buildings, and was put in blast Nov. 1, 1881. The machinery is of the latest and most improved kinds.

The steel-works, erected in 1881, are ninety by one hundred and forty feet. The first blast was made April 1, 1882. Five hundred hands are employed, and the wages amount weekly to six thousand dollars. The capacity of production of these works is three hundred tons of plate, seven hundred tons of pig- iron, and three hundred tons of steel ingots weekly. Fourteen hundred tons of ore, six hundred tons of limestone, and one thousand tons of coal are used

weekly. Much of the ore is imported direct from Spain and Africa. The present officers of the com- pany are John Roach, president ; Charles B. Hous- ton, treasurer; Richard Peters, Jr., secretary, and Thomas J. Houston, general manager.

The Chester Pipe and Tube Company was incor- porated in 1877, with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars. Seventeen acres of ground at the intersection of Front and West Streets was purchased, and two large brick buildings and other smaller ones erected. Twenty thousand tons of skelp iron are used, from which is manufactured eighteen thousand tons of wrought-iron pipes annually. Two hundred hands are employed.

Standard Steel Casting Company .- This com- pany was incorporated June 22, 1883, with Pedro G. Salom, president; William E. Trainer, vice-presi- dent; Richard Wetherell, treasurer; John B. Booth, secretary. Ten acres of ground were purchased at Thurlow Station, on the line of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, and a building, one hundred and fourteen feet in width by one hun- dred and sixty feet in length, was erected. Work was commenced on the 1st of March, 1884, with seventy hands. The mill has a capacity of producing three thousand tons of steel per annum.

Chester Oil-Works .- In September, 1880, the Chester Oil Company was organized. A large tract of land along the river front and on the southwest- ern limit of South Chester borough was purchased, and the large buildings, which cover an area of twelve acres, were built. On the 23d of March following the refining of oil was commenced, and twenty thou- sand barrels of crude oil is used per week. Twelve large stills with a charging capacity of ten thousand barrels, two agitators, six bleachers, and six large boilers for engine and pumping purposes, with much other machinery, are used in turning out two thou- sand barrels of refined oil per day, and naphtha, tar, and other products. The company have a storage ca- pacity for one hundred and forty-six thousand barrels of crude oil tankage and six thonsand barrels of other tankage. Three of the largest pumps have each a capacity of three thousand barrels per hour. They carry fourteen-inch suction-lines and twelve-inch sup- ply-lines. Beneath the surface of the entire ground is a network of pipes, all of which are accurately drawn on a plan of the works, so that at any time an engineer with compass and chain can not only find any pipe desired, but every joint and stop-cock can be designated and its size and use told. There is not a tank or a building anywhere in the works that is not well protected in case of fire, as both steam and water can be turned on in all of them in such quantity as to extinguish the flames. Four artesian wells have been sunk to obtain cold water for condensing pur- poses. One of these is four hundred and fifty feet deep and furnishes seventy barrels per hour. The ordinary supply of water is obtained from the river.

442

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

There is wharfage for thirteen vessels, with a depth of twenty to twenty-four feet at low water, and for the protection of the shipping in winter ice piers have been erected, which are the only private ones on the Atlantic coast. Seventeen different kinds of oil are made and shipped to all parts of the world. Besides barrels, five-gallon tin cans are used for this purpose, works for the manufacture of the latter having just been completed and fitted with intricate and expensive machinery. Little, if any, of this work is done by hand. The tin is cut, squared, bent into proper shape, stamped, and soldered by machinery. The last operation is performed by an ingenious in- vention of Frank W. Edward, superintendent of the works, and the machine can turn out ten thousand perfectly soldered cans in ten hours. Before shipment these cans are packed, two being placed in a wooden box, which is also made entirely by machinery. Three hundred and seventy-five hands are employed.

The Seaboard Oil Company, composed of Crew, Levick & Co., was organized in 1881, and purchased a tract of land on Front Street, between Trainer and Booth Streets. Eight buildings were erected, which cover about three acres. Eight engines, three boilers, and fifteen stills are used in the manufacture of lubri- cating oils, paraffine oils and wax, refined burning oils, gasoline, and naphtha. Thirteen hundred bar- rels of crude oil are consumed daily. Thirty-three men are employed. Charles T. Miller is superintend- ent.

Delaware Oil-Refining Works .- The Delaware Oil-Refining Company was established by W. F. Young, in August, 1881, at its present location, be- tween Second and Front and Johnson and Price Streets, South Chester. It was incorporated Oct. 15, 1881, as the Delaware Oil-Refining Company. The works comprise eight good-sized buildings of brick and frame, covering about half an acre. The articles manufactured are paraffine oil and wax. The engines are sixty-five horse-power, and there are six stills, the weekly capacity of which is four hundred barrels. Eighteen hands are employed. Five hundred and fifty barrels of residuum of petroleum oil are used per week, and the weekly capacity of the works is three hundred and fifty barrels of oil and fifty of wax.

Law & Devenney's Brick-Yard .- This firm estab- lished a brick-yard on an eight-acre tract of land situ- ated ou Morton Street and the line of the Philadel- phia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. They have three large kilns, and produce daily twenty- three thousand bricks, which requires the labor of forty five men.

Robinson Brick-Yard .- Adjoining the yard men- tioned above and situated on Sixth and Engle Streets is a brick-yard that was established by James Caven. The business was later conducted by Charles Fair- lamb, Fairlamb & Robinson, and since 1876 has been carried on by D. Robinson. Forty men are employed, and seventeen thousand bricks are made daily.

Palmer Brick-Yard .- The brick-yard situated on Third Street north of West Street was established in 1865 by Mrs. M. Palmer, who still conducts it. Twelve men are employed, and about seven thou- sand bricks are turned out daily. Thomas Palmer is in charge.

South Chester Ship-Yard .- Joseph K. Clouser es- tablished, November, 1881, a ship repair-yard at the foot of Lamokin Street. Fifteen men are employed. It is the only yard nearer than Marcus Hook where repairing of wooden vessels is made a specialty.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

NORTH CHESTER BOROUGH.

THE territory now comprising the recently-erected municipal district of North Chester borough, was in the distribution of land surveyed and patented to four of the early settlers of the province. The upper part of the borough was part of the one hundred and eighty- four and a half acres surveyed to James Sandelands Dec. 2, 1685, and adjoining this tract to the southeast was the land surveyed the same day to Thomas Bras- sey, containing the same number of acres as were in the Sandelands plot. On the last-mentioned estate the villages of Shoemakerville and Irvington are located. At the southwestern end of the borough, on Dec. 18, 1685, one hundred and ninety-seven acres was sur- veyed to Eusta Anderson, the greater part of which is not included in North Chester; that part which is within the borough is popularly known as Powhattan, because of the mills of that name being thereon erected. The remaining land at the southeast of the borough was part of the three hundred and seventy acres patented to Israel Helms, June 18, 1668.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 109

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