209 N. 36th Street

 

The History of the Building

 

209-211 “two-and-one-half story Second Empire style double; stone facade over brick construction. Circa 1920 Colonial Revival style door surround, and pent roof where porch would have been. Original bracketed wood cornice, central paired dormer window and two outer ones projecting from slate-shingled mansard”

(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the national register of Historic Places, 1985)

 

Previous Residents

 

1871, Jan. 2: Title transferred to Archibald Freeman by George S. Gerhard

            Freeman acquired the twin lot (211) on the same day. The 1868 directory lists him as a “carman” living at 3527 Rockland. The 1872 directory lists him as a contractor living at 3314 Haverford Ave. The 1870 census lists him as a 46-year-old paving contractor who was born in Ireland. He listed personal property worth $1,000, but no real estate. He was married with two children.

 

1871, Dec. 1: Title transferred to William G. Fischer by Archibald Freeman

 

1872 Directory (Fall, 1871): William G. Fischer of Gould & Fischer, home: N. 36th near Race St.

            The 1871 directory lists him at 207 N. 13th St.

 

1876 Directory: William G. Fischer Gould & Fischer (William G. Fischer) Steck & Co.'s, Haines Bros' & Decker Bros' pianos & Mason & Hamlin's cabinet organs, 1210 Chestnut St.

            In 1870, they lived in 207 N. 13th St. He was a music dealer. He listed real estate valued at $10,500 and personal property of $11,000.

 

1880:

William G. Fischer       44        Merchant; born in Md., father in Wittenberg, mother in Md.

Mary Ann Fischer        43        Born in Del.

Charles H. Fischer       16

Fanny L. Fischer          13

Wm. G. Fischer, Jr.      11

Edgar S. Fischer          6

Blanch W. Fischer         4

Sallie Willing                45        Sister-in-law single; born in Del., parents also in Del.

Mary Bewley                24        Servant

            William G. Fischer sold musical instruments. He was director of music at Christ Methodist Episcopal church, 435 N. 38th St. (see more below)

            Mary Ann and Sallie Willing were the daughters of Charles Willing and Henrietta Taylor.

            Charles Fischer was baptized at the Church of St John the Evangelist (Episcopal), Philadelphia on May 14, 1866.

 

1887: William Gustavus Fischer, Jr. entered Haverford College, but left after his freshman year.

 

1891 Directory: William G. Fischer, pianos

                         Charles H. Fischer, salesman

                            In 1905, he was president of Charles H. Fischer Co., pianos at 1710 Chestnut and living at 243 Wiona St., Germantown

                         William G. Fischer Jr., clerk

                            In 1905, he was in insurance at 400 Walnut and living at 5219 Archer, Germantown

 

1892, May 1: Death of Mary A. Fischer, 55 years old, wife of William G. Fischer of 209 N. 36th St.. Burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery

 

1894, Aug. 29: Edgar Simpson Fischer left the U.S. He applied for a new passport in Berlin a few weeks later. He was a student.

            In 1907, he collected music of “aborigines” for E. S. Curtis of Seattle. He was the first conductor of the Wala Wala, Washington Symphony Orchestra and had a private music school there. In 1914, he was president of the Northwest Music Teachers' Association.

 

1896, Sep. 24: Marriage of Theodora Phillips to Charles Henry Fischer

 

1898 Blue Book: William G. Fischer was a member of the Powelton Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)

 

1899, October: Marriage license issued to Laura L. Henson and William G. Fischer, Jr.

            William G. Fischer, Jr. died of pneumonia in Philadelphia on Jan.5, 1915.

 

1900:

William G. Fischer       64        Widowed; born in Md., father in Germany, mother in Md.

Fannie L. Fischer         33        Daughter; single; parents born in Md.

Blanche W. Fischer      24        Daughter; single; parents born in Md.

Sarah Willing               66        Sister-in-law; single; born in Del., parents also in Del.

Mary Purner                 20        Servant; black; born in Md.

Annie Gallagher           18        Servant; born in Ireland

Sarah Lynch                 24        Servant; born in Ireland

            Sarah Lynch and Annie Gallagher were also enumerated next door at 209 N. 36th St.

 

1905 Directory: Blanche W. Fischer, Secretary at 1515 Pine St.

                         Fanny L. Fischer, treasurer at 1515 Pine St.

                         William G. Fischer, secretary, 1710 Chestnut (his son Charles’s piano store)

 

1908, Feb. 17: Death of Sallie Willing, 76 years old; cause of death was arteriosclerosis.

 

1910:

William G. Fischer       74        Born in Md., father in Germany, mother in Md.

Fanny F. Fischer          43        Single

Blanch W. Fischer        34        Advertising writer; single

Beatrice Myles             19        Servant; black; born in W.D.C.

 

“William G. Fischer was the composer of the tune set to the hymn of William McDonald in The Revivalist. He also composed the music set to, and always sung with, Katherine Hankey’s hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.”  This latter music is said to have been written expressly for Bishop Charles C. McCabe. Mr. Fischer composed over two hundred tunes. Besides the ones already mentioned he wrote “Whiter Than Snow,” which had a long popularity, “I Am Trusting, Lord, in Thee,” and “A Little Talk with Jesus.”  He was born in Baltimore October 14, 1835, and at the age of eight was chosen to lead the singing in a church of that city. For the ten years from 1858 to 1868 he was professor of music in Girard College in Philadelphia. He was very successful in the leadership of large choruses. During the Moody and Sankey meetings in the Quaker City he directed a choir of one thousand persons, and at the bicentennial of the landing of William Penn he led a large chorus of Welsh voices. He was a teacher of harmony and piano for many years, and also a dealer in musical instruments. His membership was with the Christ Methodist Episcopal Church [38th and Hamilton] during his residence in Philadelphia, and while active in its religious work, refused to hold any office. He died August 12, 1912, at the age of 70 years.”

(American Writers and Compilers of Sacred Music. Frank J. Metcalf. 2007. P 323.)

            For more information about Fischer, see The Cyber Hymnal.

 

 

 

1912, Aug. 12: Death of William G. Fischer, 70 years old. He was buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery by a pastor from the Christ Methodist Episcopal Church,

            The title was transferred to Fanny L. and Blanch W. Fischer by will. Later, after Fanny’s death, the title was transferred to Blanche.

 

1918 Directory: Blanche Fischer

                         Frances Fischer

 

1920:

Blanche Fischer           48        Advertising writer; father born in Baltimore, mother in Delaware

Frances Fischer            45        Sister; father born in Baltimore, mother in Delaware

 

1930:

Frances L. Fischer       63        Father born in Maryland, mother in Delaware; owner, house valued at $9,000

Blanche W. Fischer      59        Sister; ad writer in advertising; father born in Maryland, mother in Delaware

Marie Ashford             29        Servant; black; widowed; born in Georgia, parents born in N.C.

 

1941, Jan. 30: Title transferred to Herbert F. Bordman and Adelheid, his wife, by Blanch W. Fischer

            They acquired the twin (211) on May 2, 1941.

 

1952, May 16: Title transferred to George Wolfman and Ruth, his wife, by Herbert F. Bordman and Adelheid, his wife

            They acquired the twin (211) on the same day.

 

1954, Dec. 20: Title transferred to Isadore Stonberg and Freda, his wife, by George Wolfman and Ruth, his wife

            They acquired the twin (211) on the same day.

 

< 211 N 36th St.                                                                                                     207 N 36th St. >.

Revised 8/19/2022

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