221 N. 34^th Street

219 and 221 N. 34^th St. (the double on the right)

during the construction of Kelly Hall.

Photo courtesy of Drexel University Archives.

The History of the Building

1969: The houses on the east side of the 200 block of 34^th St. were slated for condemnation and demolition by an agreement between the Powelton Village Homeowners Association and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (see Powelton Quarterly, vol 1(1); pp 1 &3.)

For many years 219 and 221 N. 34^th St. were tennis courts for Drexel University.

2009: 219 and 221 included in the site of Drexel’s Millennium Hall dormitory.

Previous Residents

1887-1895 Directories show “George E. Fort, (George E. Fort & Co.), h 221 N 34^th”

The 1881 Directory showed him at 512 N. 7^th St.

1890 Directory: Fort, George E. (George E. Fort & Co.)

Fort, George E., Jr., salesman

Fort, Harry C., salesman

Fort, S. Horace, salesman

1898-’99 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. George J. Roesch

(Mrs. Roesch was the former Mathilde H. Poth. See 216 N. 33^rd St.)

George Roesch is listed as a member of the Powelton Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)

1900:

George Roesch, “house closed”

In 1910, the George J. Roesch family lived at 216 N. 33^rd St.

George Jacob Roesch was president of Consolidated Dressed Beef Co.

“He was born at Philadelphia, May 16, 1864, a son of Charles and Marie (Kleefeld) Roesch. The family is of German origin and has been represented in: Philadelphia for sixty years or more, throughout which period the name has been connected with the meat industry of the city.

“In the public schools George J. Roesch pursued his education until he entered Peirce's Business College where a commercial training fitted him for the duties that have since devolved upon him. In 1887, when twenty-six years of age, he became connected with the packing industry, and the development of his interests and his ready ability to solve intricate business problems have brought him to the position of president of the Consolidated Dressed Beef Company, which has its offices at the West Philadelphia Stock Yards. Its trade has reached colossal proportions and no representative of business circles in Philadelphia is held in higher esteem by his contemporaries and colleagues than George J. Roesch….

“On the 30th of November, 1902, Mr. Roesch was married to Miss Mathilde H. Poth, a daughter of F. A. Poth, president of the Poth Brewing Company. Their children are Claire H. and Helene M. Mr. Roesch is a high tariff republican and his efforts have been effective in support of party principles, yet he can in no sense be called a politician. He has labored also for municipal progress, and his energy is a resultant factor for the public good. He belongs to Excelsior Lodge, F. & A. M., the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Manufacturers, Columbia, Philadelphia and Yacht Clubs. He is a patron of art, music and the drama and is particularly fond of the opera; having the characteristic German love of music. He greatly enjoys outdoor sports and many of his most pleasant hours are spent in the automobile as he speeds over the country, finding in this exhilarating pastime the pleasure that counterbalances the effect of strenuous business cares.” (excerpted from: Philadelphia; Pictorial and Biographical. Philadelphia, 1911. Pp 553-4.)

“It is not alone in the business that Mr. Roesch is so well and favorably known, but he is noted for his joviality and sociability among his vast circle of friends who are legion. Mr. Roesch is enthusiastic and practical automobilist, and while he is a busy man, yet he finds time during the season to devote to his favorite sport. Politics have not cut any ice with him, but he is well-known and respected by all the prominent 'Stalwarts,' and while he does not lay claim to sounding the bugle in the interest of Philadelphia politics, he has done much in unostentatious way to accomplish an amount of good for the city." (Philadelphia and Its Public Man, 1909)

1918 Directory: Magdalene Rambo, widow of George

1920:

Magdalene Rambo 38 Keeper of a boarding and lodging house; widowed; mother born in England; renting

George Rambo 18 Son; clerk at a university

Mary Rambo 15

Nathan Rambo 13

Margaret Mitchell 28 Boarder; clerk at a bank; father born in Del.

Harold Ernest 24 Lodger; clerk in a drug store; born in N.J.

– 2^nd household:

Charles Syamon [Sycamore?] 48 Painting contractor; born in England, immigrated 1909, naturalized as a citizen, 1916

John Syamon 24 Son; painting contractor; born in England, immigrated 1909, naturalized as a citizen, 1916

– 3^rd Household:

Walter McDonough 28 Manager at an auto tire store; born in Md.

Florence McDonough 23 Wife; born in Md.

<223 N 34th 219 N 34th>

Revised 10/27/2015

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