History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

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

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This house occupied the site of the present bank building. It was a frame structure, which stood on an eminence, steps leading up to the porch, and where the Chester National Bank stands a large gate opened to the lot, through which cattle were driven to pas- ture in the field surrounding the house. At that time the dwelling was occupied by two aged spinsters, named Springer, who kept a cake- and candy-shop there. In the mean while Preston Eyre, who had been elected, on November 28th, permanent cashier, at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum, agreed to allow the use of the front room of his house on Third Street to the bank, he being paid one hundred and fifty dollars a year as rent for that apartment and a small frame building adjoining it. The contract, however, stipulated that Eyre should find the fuel and candles for the bank without further compensation and " with liberty given to the directors to leave the contract when they see proper." Joseph Engle and Peter Deshong were at the same meeting instructed to make such alterations to the house of the cashier " as will accommodate this bank for a temporary purpose."

On Nov. 28, 1814, the first regular board of direc- tors was elected, consisting of John Newbold, Jonas Eyre, Samnel Anderson, Peter Deshong, John G. Hoskins, Thomas Robinson, George G. Leiper, Jonas Preston, Charles Rogers, Joseph Engle, Pierce Crosby, John Cowgill, and Nimrod Maxwell. The same day John Newbold was chosen president of the bank. On the 26th of December the agreement to purchase the lot of Elizabeth Pedrick was entered into, and the

bank not having perfected its plans for a building, determined, as a precautionary measure, to rent the property for the time being, and it was rented by Capt. Robinson. On March 10, 1815, the committee to prepare plans submitted their report, in which they stated that the banking-house, which would be of brick, ought to be located in that part of the lot which fronted on Market Street and the public square. The suggestions were accepted, and Pierce Crosby, Joseph Engle, Jonas Eyre, John G. Hoskins, and George G. Leiper appointed the building committee. On March 16, 1815, they were instructed, if they could get pos- session of the property rented to Robinson,-who in the mean while had resigned from the board,-to take the house down and use the materials in it to the best advantage.

At this time the position of president was purely one of honor, no salary being attached to the office, but the board of directors at the conclusion of the year would appropriate such sum as they thought the services were worth, and liberality was certainly not strikingly displayed in the amount tendered. On May 1, 1815, at the close of the first six months, a dividend of five per cent. was declared, and on No- vember 6th of the same year a similar amount was payable to the stockholders,-that being the showing of the first year of business. During that year John Cowgill and John Newbold resigned as directors, and Jonathan Pennell and John McIlvain took their places in the board. In the mean while the bank building had progressed so that on Nov. 20, 1815, business was for the first time conducted in that struc- ture, and on the 27th of the same month the dwelling was ready for occupancy by the cashier. On that day the latter's salary was increased to nine hundred dollars ; he was also instructed to occupy the dwelling part of the bank rent free, and was, in addition, al- lowed forty dollars per annum " for supplying hickory wood for the bank." The building, torn down in 1882, appears to have cost, inclusive of the land, $10,354.34. Early in that year William Graham had been elected solicitor of the bank at an annual salary of fifty dollars.

The business of the institution had so increased that on Feb. 19, 1816, Peter Hill was appointed book- keeper, "it having become necessary for an officer to be appointed to keep the books of the bank and in other respects to assist the cashier in performing the ordinary duties of banking," at an annual salary of seven hundred dollars. It seems that in the early part of this century the banks were obliged to keep open on holidays, for on Monday, Dec. 25, 1820, it was recorded, "Being Christmas, no business was done in the bank," and during the terrible depression of 1821 the general uncertainty of business is shown by the following statement, under date of September 21st : "No notes discounted this day nor money loaned." On Feb. 17, 1823, the first watchman, John Kelley, was employed at the rate of one hundred dol-

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THE CITY OF CHESTER.

lars per annum, " to commence on 1st day of March next."

So successful had the institution proved that other parties at the session of 1832-33 made an effort to ob- tain a charter for another bank, and the act incorpo- rating "The Farmers' and Manufacturers' Bank of Delaware County" passed both Houses, but was ve- toed by Governor George Wolf. In the fall of 1834 it was ascertained that a large amount of redeemed notes of the bank had gotten into circulation, and would have to be again paid. It is traditionally as- serted that quite a number of these notes had been thrown into the open fireplace, and the draught was so strong that many of them, borne upward in the chimney, were scattered in the street, were gathered by parties unknown, who circulated them in Phila- delphia, and they were again presented to the bank for payment. Be that as it may, the dividend was passed several times between 1834 and 1837, and the earnings of the bank were appropriated to make up the deficiency found to exist in the capital of the in- stitution.

The bank soon recuperated, and for years conducted a steadily-increasing and profitable business, ranking in credit second to no other in the State of a like character. When the civil war came, and all was ex- citement, even the staid directors seem to have im- bibed something of the war spirit, for on April 22, 1861, the president was instructed to subscribe two hundred dollars towards the purchase of " two hun- dred muskets to be kept by the town to be used for the defense of the people and property of the place." On May 5, 1864, the bank made a donation of five hun- dred dollars to the Great Central Fair, held in Phila- delphia for the United States Sanitary Commission.

During the invasion of the State by the rebel army under Gen. Lee, in June, 1863, on the 29th of that month, the directors instructed the president and cashier to make arrangements for the safe depository of the money and other valuables of the bank, if in their discretion such removal was deemed necessary. On Wednesday, July 1st of that year, Caleb Emlen and Jonathan R. Johnson were dispatched in a wagon to Philadelphia with the money and valua- bles, starting from Chester at a very early hour in the morning. The sum intrusted to these messengers -clerks in the bank-was several hundred thousand dollars, and although they were well armed, their re- sponsibility was so great-fearing lest they might be attacked by parties who had learned of the proposed transfer-that when they placed the specie and other valuables in the custody of the Bank of North Amer- ica, Philadelphia, to be forwarded to New York with that of the latter bank, should occasion demand it, they breathed freely once more under the sense of relief it brought them.

On March 14, 1864, the old Delaware County Bank ceased as an active State institution, but it had merely changed front, and was chartered by the United States

as the Delaware County National Bank. During the transition state the board of directors seem to have acted in settling the affairs of the old institution until Nov. 11, 1864, when the following board was elected (the last under the old State charter) : Edmund Pen- nell, Joshua P. Eyre, William W. Maddock, William Hannum, Edwin Hannum, Jacob Smedley, Joseph Engle, Frederick Fairlamb, William Booth, David Trainer, James Irving, Samuel Starr, and John H. Baker. On March 6, 1865, after the amount of money necessary was deposited in the United States Treasury to secure the charter, the surplus funds of the old bank were divided among the stockholders, paying a dividend of seven dollars per share, and on Dec. 28, 1868, a further dividend of two dollars and fifty cents was declared, which finally settled all the outstanding business of the old bank.

The institution under the national charter throve and prospered, the remarkable financial abilities of the late John O. Deshong being conspicuous in the conduct of its affairs. It was everywhere known as a strong and well-managed institution, usually carrying large sums of money in its vaults. Hence it is not to be wondered that efforts were made to rob it. On the night of Jan. 12, 1872, such an attempt was made, the burglars striving to effect an entrance by boring six holes with an auger through a back window-shutter, which, however, failed to penetrate the iron lining. The watchman heard the noise and gave the alarm, but the robbers fled before pursuit could be made.

In 1882 the old structure, built in 1815, was de- molished, the business being removed into an adjoin- ing building on Third Street, and the present fine banking-house erected in its stead. In all its ap- pointments it is a model building, and reflects credit on the institution and on the architect, P. Welsh, and besides is an ornament to our city. It seems hardly credible that a structure such as it is could have been erected for fifty thousand dollars, and yet the building proper cost thirty-five thousand dollars, while the vault and fixtures aggregated fifteen thou- sand dollars additional. This was certainly a neces- sary and judicious expenditure. The new building was opened for business Jan. 29, 1884.

Following is a list of the presidents of the Dela- ware County Bank : John Newbold, Nov. 28, 1814, to March 23, 1815 ; Dr. Jonas Preston, March 30, 1815, to Nov. 20, 1815; Pierce Crosby, Nov. 27, 1816, to Nov. 15, 1834; John Kerlin, Nov. 15, 1834, to No- vember, 1841; Jesse J. Maris, Nov. 22, 1841, to De- cember, 1860; Frederick J. Hinkson, Dec. 12, 1860, to Feb. 8, 1864; Edmund Pennell, Feb. 15, 1864, to Dec. 25, 1868.

Presidents of the Delaware County National Bank : Samuel A. Crozer, March 14, 1864, to Jan. 16, 1865 ; Edmund Pennell, Jan. 16, 1865, to Jan. 19, 1874; Da- vid Trainer, Jan. 26, 1874, to Jan. 25, 1875; Robert H. Crozer, Jan. 25, 1875, to March 5, 1877 ; Ellwood Tyson, March 12, 1877, present incumbent.

376

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Cashiers of the Delaware County Bank : Preston Eyre,1 Nov. 28, 1814, to Dec. 11, 1834; Charles S. Folwell, December, 1832, to March 3, 1836;2 Freder- ick J. Hinkson, March 10, 1836, to July 25, 1853; James G. McCollin, Ang. 10, 1853, to Aug. 13, 1860; William Taylor, Sept. 6, 1860, to March 17, 1864 ; Caleb Emlen, March 24, 1864, to Nov. 11,'1864.

Cashiers of the Delaware County National Bank : Caleb Emlen, May 14, 1864, to February, 1874 ; J. Howard Roop, Feb. 19, 1874, present incumbent.

Present board of directors : Ellwood Tyson, Joshua P. Eyre, David Trainer, Robert McCall, D. Reese Esrey, William S. Blakeley, Thomas Appleby, Thomas Scattergood, John O. Deshong, Jr.

Every successful business enterprise is largely the result of the individual efforts of those men who have controlled, directed, and shaped its course. Naturally it is the exponent of the tact and forethought of those persons on whom the responsibility of its manage- ment has been cast. John O. Deshong, Frederick J. Hinkson, and Edmund Pennell were conspicuous in their connection with the Delaware County Na- tional Bank. Hence it is eminently proper that their biographical sketches should accompany this history of the bank they did so much to place in the high position it now holds in business circles.

John Odenheimer Deshong was born in Delaware County, Pa., Sept. 6, 1807, his parents being Peter Deshong and Mary Odenheimer Deshong. He was the eldest of three children, the others being Maurice W. and S. Louisa. His education was received in private schools in Chester, Pa., and immediately upon attaining manhood he engaged in general merchan- dising at the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, Chester, in which he was quite successful. In 1843 he engaged in the lumber business in Chester, and being prosperous was able to retire from active busi- ness in 1849. He soon after turned his attention to financial affairs, using his capital as a dealer in com- mercial paper, in which he became a large and suc- cessful operator, and continued it until his death. He avoided all financial speculations of uncertain success, and his pecuniary losses were surprisingly small in comparison with the large amount of capital used in his business.

From 1845 until his decease he was almost con- tinuously a director of the Bank of Delaware County, of which institution his father was one of the original directors. He was also for many years a director of the Chester Gas Company, and on his decease the board of directors passed unanimously, and recorded among the minutes, a series of resolutions, a part of which is here quoted as an expression of the opinion and feelings of those who knew him intimately : "That his intercourse with his colleagues was marked

by uniform kindness and courtesy, and his counsels were always for justice and fair dealing as well to the community as to the stockholders." The direc- tors of the Delaware County National Bank, into which the Bank of Delaware County had been merged, also recorded resolutions expressive of the great loss that had been sustained : "In the decease of one whose well-known business qualifications, sterling integrity, and excellent judgment entitled him to the respect and grateful remembrance of stockholders and directors."

Mr. Deshong was a Republican in politics, but would never for a moment seriously consider any proposition to become a candidate for any office, though he wielded a large influence on local public affairs by unobtrusive advice and timely suggestions. His counsel to friends with reference to their own affairs was always valuable, and frequently given to those in whom he felt an interest. He was decided, prompt, and self-reliant, with strong and lasting affec- tion for those he loved. A reader of standard works, with a retentive memory, his mind was well stored with useful knowledge, but conspicuous above all other intellectual traits was his clear insight into the motives and capacities of others. His foresight in business matters was marvelous, his grasp of compre- hension embracing not only his own, but the affairs of others to an extent that was often astonishing.

In social intercourse Mr. Deshong was genial and sprightly, fond of pleasantries and friendly jokes, always meeting his friends with a cheerful smile and a pleasant word.

On Dec. 6, 1826, he was married to Emmeline L., daughter of Dr. J. H. Terrill, of Chester, by which union were seven children, of whom Alfred O., John O., Jr., Louise (wife of J. E. Woodbridge), and Clar- ence survive. Mr. Deshong died on May 28, 1881, in his seventy-fourth year.

The Hinkson family came from the county of Cavan, in the North of Ireland. The oldest members of the family there say that three brothers emigrated in the seventeenth century from Hanover, in the North of Germany, to Ireland.

In the burial-ground of the family, in Belturbet churchyard, many of the Hinksons are buried. The Hinksons of this country are descended from John Hinkson and Jave, his wife, who, with one son, came to this country from Ireland, and settled in Upper Providence township, Delaware Co. They had eight children, four sons and four daughters, viz .: John (who married Abigail Engle), George (who married Catharine Fairlamb), Thomas (who married Mary Worrilow), James (who married Elizabeth Crossley), Jane (who married Thomas D. Weaver), Mary (who was unmarried), Sarah (who married William Haw- kins), and Nancy (who married Joseph Dickerson). The descendants live in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Maryland. The parents of Frederick James Hinkson were John Hinksou, Jr., of Lower Provi-

1 Preston Eyre died in Dubuque, Iowa, April 18, 1859, aged eighty- seven years.

2 Resigned to accept a position in the Bank of the United States, and died in Germantown, Dec. 28, 1875, aged eighty yeare.

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THE CITY OF CHESTER.

dence township, and Abigail, a daughter of Frederick Engle, formerly of the borough of Chester. They were married in 1784. Their children (besides F. J. Hinkson) who reached maturity were: Jane (who married Ambrose Smedley, a farmer of Middletown township; she died in 1873, in her eighty-ninth year), Ann (who married David Baker, of Middletown town- ship,-he was a carpenter and builder), John (whose business was that of a farmer. His first wife was Jemima, a daughter of Joseph Worrall, of Upper Providence; his second, who is now living in Chester, is Orpha, a daughter of Joseph Naide, of Chester township. John held the position of steward of the House of Employment of this county, was sheriff, a member of the State Legislature, and a recorder of deeds and register of wills), Mary (who married Abra- ham Hamor, formerly of Middletown, and afterwards of Hamorton, in Chester County), Joseph (who was a carpenter and builder. He married Ann, a daugh - ter of Samuel Black, of Marple), Orpha (who married Jacob Evans, of Upper Providence. afterwards of Chester township), and Edward Engle Hinkson (who married Sarah, a daughter of Samuel Slanter, of Ches- ter township. He was a carpenter and builder. He was the first building inspector of the city of Ches- ter; held the office for several years, and until his death). All of the children of John Hinkson, Jr., are deceased.

Frederick J. Hinkson was born Nov. 8, 1803, in the township of Upper Providence. When he was quite young his parents moved into Middletown township. Soon after his father's decease (which happened when he was fifteen years old) he entered the store of Abra- ham Hamor, of that township. Mr. Hamor, in con- nection with his store, carried on tailoring. Mr. Hinkson having learned his trade, that of a tailor, went to school. He subsequently taught school at Upper Providence meeting-house, at Village Green, then at Columbia, in Lancaster Co., and again at Vil- lage Green. While teaching at the last-named place he was elected a clerk in the Bank of Delaware County, at Chester, in which institution, in the ca- pacity of clerk, cashier, and president, he remained for over thirty years. He entered the bank in 1828, and resigned in 1864, for the benefit of his health.

For many years the Bank of Delaware County (now "The Delaware County National Bank") was the only one in the county. Mr. Hinkson drove occasionally from Chester to the Black Horse Tavern (a noted cattle market), in Middletown township, and sat there to cash checks, and to do other banking business with the drovers. Although he at times took with him and brought back large sums of money, he was never molested. Before leaving the bank he engaged in the tanning business at the old yard, on Edgmont Avenue, in Chester, which his father-in-law, William Brobson, had carried on for many years. During a part of the time he had as a partner James S. Bell. He (Mr. Hinkson) sold out, in 1865, to his sons, Charles and

F. J. Hinkson, Jr., who continued the same business until the decease of Charles, in 1872, when the tan- ning business was discontinued. Since then F. J. Hinkson, Jr., has kept a store at the old stand for the sale of leather and findings. The old tannery, after more than a century of continued usefulness in tan- ning and finishing leather, such as slaughter, belt, loom, harness, bridle, skirting, welt, wax-upper, and calf-skins, which helped to drive the machinery of industrial establishments, to harness the horses and to shoe the people, is a thing of the past.

Mr. Hinkson was for twenty years treasurer of the borough of Chester. He was also the treasurer of the first building association started in Chester. It was called the Chester Building Association. John M. Broomall was the first president. F. J. Hinkson filled the same position subsequently. It was organized in January, 1850. There have been many associations since, which have rendered great help in building up Chester.

In 1856, Mr. Hinkson was elected one of the as- sociate judges of the county. He resigned before his time expired. He was also elected a director of the poor and a jury commissioner, and was a treasurer of the Farmers' Market Company of Chester. He served often as an executor and guardian, and performed his duty with conscientious fidelity.

The firing on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861, aroused the loyal North to intense excitement. The people of Delaware County felt the patriotic impulse, and im- mediately took action to stand by the government. The Delaware County Republican, in its issue of April 26, 1861, said, "Capt. Edward's company, the Union Blues, received marching orders on Saturday morning last, at nine o'clock. At six o'clock the volunteers were mustered in front of the Washington House, where they were addressed from the piazza by Judge Hinkson, who informed them that the citizens of the borough had pledged themselves that the wives and children of the soldiers should be properly cared for in their absence. The speaker paid a high compli- ment to the men who were about to enter the service of their country. The Rev. Mr. Talbot, of St. Paul's Episcopal, and the Rev. Mr. Sproull, of the First Pres- byterian Church, also made patriotic speeches. The company left that night for Harrisburg. Measures were soon taken to form relief committees, to raise money to maintain the families of those who might be in the service of their country. A county meeting was held at Media, April 23, 1861 (of which Hon. H. Jones Brooke was chairman), which divided the county into seven districts, each district to have a committee of three, with power to increase to twelve. Each district was to have a treasurer, and collecting and distribut- ing committees. The district treasurer was to return the funds collected to the county treasurer appointed by the meeting. The money was to be distributed pro rata among the districts, the amount given to each family to be regulated by the income made by the

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

soldier while at home. The first district consisted of the borough of Chester and of the townships of Ches- ter, Ridley, and Tinicum. The members of the com- mittee were F. J. Hinkson, Samuel A. Crozer, and Thomas A. Gesner.

The county committees appointed by the county meeting of April 23, 1861, met at Media, April 29th. F. J. Hinkson was chosen president ; Jackson Lyons, of Haverford, vice-president ; Henry Green, of Edg- mont, corresponding secretary ; Dr. G. B. Hotchkin, of Media, recording secretary. Auditors, Thomas Pratt, of Middletown; James Cloud, of Concord ; and Washington James, of Nether Providence; Hon. Charles R. Williamson, of Media, was appointed treasurer for the county. These committees, and others that were formed, did a noble and patriotic work, second only in value to that of the brave men from Delaware County who on land and water up- held the cause of the imperiled Union.

In September, 1862, the Governor made a call for fifty thousand men to defend the State. On Tuesday, September 16th, Capt. Thatcher had a full company. On the 17th Capt. Kershaw's company was organized. The Town Council made an appropriation of fifteen hundred dollars, which was judiciously expended by John Larkin, Jr., Benjamin Gartside, and F. J. Hink- son.

In 1874, F. J. Hinkson was a candidate for the State Legislature by a popular call, and so great was the vote cast for him that, although there were three tickets in the field (he being named as an Independ- ent), he was only defeated by a trifling plurality. He was not a member of any religious denomination. He believed in the principles of the society of Friends, and attended meeting. The only time when he devi- ated from the peaceable teachings of that society was during the late war, when he actively and outspokenly stood by the government.

In 1837 he married Hannah H., the only daughter of William and Rebecca Brobson. She was born June 9, 1814, and died Jan. 9, 1844. F. J. Hinkson died Sept. 10, 1879. They are buried in the Friends' burying-ground in Chester. Their children were William B., born Nov. 22, 1838; he died in 1871, unmarried ; Henry, born April 14, 1840; he married Lucy, a daughter of David F. Craig, of Wilmington, Del .; Charles, born Nov. 21, 1841 ; he married Ara- bella, a daughter of R. R. Dutton, of Chester ; he died in 1872, and is buried in the Chester Rural Cemetery ; and F. J. Hinkson, Jr., born Oct. 4, 1843.

Henry was for years a member of the late firm of Hinkson & Smedley, who were engaged in the dry- goods and grocery business in Chester. Henry and F. J. Hinkson, Jr., are both ex-members of the Council of Chester.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

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