Robert Steen & Family

Robert Steen was born in 1787 in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland. He came to the America in 1814. He established a successful business as a wholesale grocer. He was also a Director of the Mechanics’ National Bank and a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Hibernian Society. He retired about 1857 to a large mansion on the north side of the 3300 block of Bridge St. (Spring Garden). He purchased several other lots that were developed during the 1860s. The Bromley map of 1872 shows several properties he owned:

In 1850, his family was living in the South Ward:

Robert Steen 61 Merchant; real estate: $60,000; born in Ireland

Margaret Steen 47 Born in Ireland

Mary Steen 13

John Steen 9

William Steen 8

Robert J Steen 4

Catherine Steen 1

Lilly Alexander 25 Born in Ireland

Margaret Alexander 20 Born in Ireland

(p 88)

His wife was the former Margaret Ray Service.

The 1854 Directory places his business at 186 Market and his home as Walnut west of Broad St.

The 1857 Directory lists him on Bridge St. (without any elaboration) for the first time.

In 1860, the Census:

Robert Steen 71 y.o. retired grocer, born in Ireland. Real Estate: $150,000 Personal: $50,000

Margaret (age 54)

Mary S. (21)

John (20) - student

William (18) - student

Robert (14) – student

Kate (10)

Anna Stevens (27), a servant born in England

Elizabeth Gourlay (24) a servant born in Ireland

Maraget McAnally (26) a servant born in Ireland

Mary Demsey (27) a servant born in Ireland

William Betz (48), a clerk (P.O., i.e., the Post Office?), he had personal items worth $500.

(sheet 807, 24^th Ward, 6^th Prec; Pg. 3, roll 1175)

Robert Steen died Feb. 22, 1866, age 80. He was buried at Laurel Hill. In that year, the income of his estate was listed at $11,695.

His estate was left in trust to three men:

his son John C. Steen who died Feb. 19, 1920;

his second son, William S. Steen who married Ellen Ewing Hallock; and

his son-in-law, Rev. J. Addison Henry who married Mary Service Steen. Henry became the minister at Princeton Presbyterian Church at Powelton and Saunders Sts. Mary died in 1893 and Rev. Henry died Aug. 8, 1906.

In the 1870 census, Margaret Steen was widowed living in the mansion at 3313 Bridge St. She was born in Ireland. She listed her real estate as worth $200,000 and she had personal property worth $25,000. Her three sons lived with her: John (29) was a manufacturer with $25,000 in personal property, William (27) a clergyman with $10,000, and Robert (24), a grain dealer with $10,000. She also had a daughter, Jessie (22). The household also included Margaret Service (80) Marg (Mary?) (probably Mrs Steen’s mother), and Catherine Steen (20, who may have been a niece) lived with them. There were also three Irish-born female servants (ages 20, 23, and 30).

The 1870 Public Ledger Almanac also showed Rev. J. Addison Henry living at 3313 Bridge St.

Margaret died in 1870.

In 1893, the estate on Spring Garden was sold by the estate to Samuel H. Hicks for $71,000.

Catherin S. Steen lived at 3814 Powelton during the 1880s. In 1900, she was living with her sister and brother-in-law at 3818 Powelton Ave.

John G. Steen moved back to Powelton in the late 1880s. He lived at 401 N. 33^rd St. from at 1890 until after 1910.

At least some of the properties that Steen owned remained in the trust until about 1918-1920 when they were sold.