216 N. 33rd
Street
216 N. 33rd St. c1920
(Robert Morris Skaler West Philadelphia Postcard Collection, University of Pennsylvania)
The
History of the Building
“Built 1887. Three-and-one-half story red brick
Victorian mansion with brownstone basement and trim. Ornate wood trim of
circular porch, in excellent condition; wood, balustrade replaced with iron.
Three-story corner turret with pressed metal brick and brownstone detail and
slate conical roof; elaborate iron grilles and gable detail. Architect: A.W. Dilks.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents of
1887, Mar.
15: Title to 72 feet along Powelton Ave. west of N. 33rd St.
transferred to Frederick A. Poth by John Sellers, Jr.
and wife.
1887, Jun.
10: Title to an additional 4 feet along Powelton Ave. transferred to Frederick
A. Poth by John Sellers, Jr.
and wife.
1887, Sept. 19: “Albert W. Dilks, 1001 Chestnut street, has
just received several orders… The same architect has the interior to finish of
F. A. Poth’s house at Thirty-third and Powelton
avenue; all hard wood will be used, old oak, cherry, and butternut will be
among those selected; open grates with mantels, to correspond, and all other
appliances for beauty and utility will be used. Contracts not let.” (Phila.
Builders’ Guide, v2)
1889 Directory (fall, 1888): Frederick A. Poth, President at 237
Green St.
Frederick J. Poth, clerk
In 1887, they lived at
1891: Frederick Poth develops houses at 3301-3317
Powelton Ave. The family continues to own them until 1953.
1894 Directory: Frederick A. Poth, president at N. 31st
& Jefferson St. (F. A. Poth Brewing Co.) and v-president of Integrity Title
& Insurance Trust and Safe Deposit Co.
Frederick J. Poth secretary at N. 31st and
Jefferson Sts.
The 1895
directory lists him living on School House Lane, Roxboro
William O. Poth, clerk
1895, Oct. 9: Marriage license issued to Caroline Schilpp and Fred A. Poth
1896, Feb. 15, Phila.
Inquirer: “Frederick A. Poth, the brewer, has purchased from James McGuire
the property at the southeast corner of Thirty-fifth street and Powelton
avenue, for $142,000.”
1897: “Mr. and Mrs. F. A.
Poth… have left for Europe, where they will make a six-weeks’ stay.” (Phila.
Inquirer, July 25)
1898 Blue Book: William O. Poth and George J. Roesch were members of the Powelton Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)
1900:
Frederick A. Poth 60 Brewer;
born in Germany; owner, free of a mortgage
Helena Poth 54 Married 27 years, 8 children, 7 surviving; born in Germany
Emma B. Poth 33
William O. Poth 24 Manager
of a brewery
Clare M. Poth 21
Harry A. Poth 20 At
military school
Frank L. Poth 18 At military school
Bridget Harkins 22 Servant,
waitress; born in Ireland
Kate Mc Gee 35 Servant; chambermaid; born in Ireland
Delia Moran 23 Servant, cook; born in Ireland
Earnest Thomas 22 Servant;
janitor; black; born in Maryland
For a laudatory biographical sketch,
see the entry in the 1911 Philadelphia:
Pictorial and Biographical.
Emma Poth married Edward A. Schmidt
in 1886 linking the two brewer families.
Harry Poth attended the William Penn
Charter school until 1898 and graduated from the Pennsylvania Military academy
in 1902. On Oct. 19, 1910, “Harry A. Poth and Mrs. Mary P. Skelly, of 601 North
Thirty-fourth street, were united in marriage… at the Cathedral House by his
grace Archbishop Ryan. Mr. Poth is widely known in business and social circles.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Patton [601 N. 34th
St.]. Only members of the two families attended the ceremony. Mrs. Albert
Pancoast [601 N. 34th St. in 1906], sister of the bride, was matron
of honor, and Dr. E. M. Fury, of Norristown, best man. Mr. and Mrs. Poth will
make an extended wedding trip and on their return will reside at St.
David’s.” (Inquirer, Oct. 20)
Frederick A. Poth
1901, March 9: Death of William Otto Poth, 24 years old, in New
York. Funeral services at his parents’ home, 216 N. 33rd St.
1902, April 23: Marriage of Clare Poth to Alfred Wolstonholme. The marriage was performed by Rev. Charles M.
Armstrong at the home of the bride’s parents.
1905, Jan. 21: Death of Frederick A. Poth at age 64. He died from
the effects of diabetes. He had moved to 4118 Parkside Ave., the “Brantwood,”
which he had built.
In addition to being president of F.
A. Poth & Sons brewery, “Mr. Poth was vice president of the Integrity Title
Insurance and Safe Deposit Company. He was prominent in Masonic circles and
also belonged to a number of German singing societies.” (Phila.
Inquirer, Jan. 22)
Following Frederick Poth’s death,
his son, Frederick J. Poth, was elected president and his son-in-law, Edward A.
Schmidt, was elected to the Board of Directors. Son Harry A. Poth was secretary
and treasurer.
Helena M. Poth died April 17, 1916
in Atlantic City. She was living in St. Davids,
probably at the home of her son, Harry.
1908 Directory: George J. Roesh,
Secretary & Treasurer, Charles Roesch & Sons
Co,
1910:
George J. Roesch 46 President of wholesale beef co.; parents
born in
Mathilde A. Roesch* 37 Married 17 years, 3 children, 2
surviving
Claire H. Roesch 12 Born in N.J.
Helene M. Roesch 8
Caroline L. Evans
35 Governess;
single
Josephine Weber 37 Cook;
born in
Minnie Amerio 46 Laundress; married 11 years, 2 children;
born in
Hesson Ito 25 Butler; born in
Barbara Eickinger 29 Chambermaid; born in
*
Mrs. Roesch was the daughter of Frederick and Helena
Poth.
For
a laudatory biographical sketch, see the entry in the 1911 Philadelphia:
Pictorial and Biographical.
George Roesch was the son of a butcher. In 1880, his family lived
at 326 George St. In 1895, George and Mathilde lived at 3300 Spring Garden St.
He worked for Charles Roesch & Sons which had
three locations including one near 30th and Arch. In the 1910 Census
(in June), they were living at
1915, Aug. 29: Death of Mathilde H. Roesch,
wife of George J. Roesch and daughter of Helene M.
and Frederick A. Poth, suddenly at her summer home, 1804 Pacific Ave., Atlantic
City, N.J.; funeral at her late residence, 216 N. 33rd St. (Phila. Inquirer, Aug. 31, 1915)
1916, Dec. 1: Death of George J. Roesch,
52 years old; funeral at his late residence, 216 N. 33rd St. (Phila. Inquirer, Dec. 3, 1916)
In 1920, Claire (age 22) and Helene
(18) were living with their aunt and uncle, Emma and Edward Schmidt in Radner,
Delaware Co., Pa.
1918 Directory: Margaret L'Amarus
1920:
Helen M. Wells 28 Dormitory
matron; single; born in Iowa, father born in Conn., mother in
1930:
Ruth A. L. Dorsey 52 Dean
of women, Drexel University; single; father born in Maryland; renting
In 1940, she lived with her sister
Ethel L. Dorsey at 4600 Spruce St., Apt. 1-C. She was still Dean of Women. In
1838, she earned $4,200. She had five years of college education. Her sister
was a registered nurse who earned $4,150 with four years of high school.
1939: Became the home of
the
1947, Apr. 17: Title transferred to Alumni Corp. of Alpha Pi
Lambda Fraternity by Estate of Frederick A. Poth.
1948, Dec. 21: Title transferred to Drexel Institute of Technology
by Alumni Corp. of Alpha Pi Lambda Fraternity
Revised 10/20/2022