Photo:
The
History of the Building
The land now occupied by 315-333 N. 34th St. and 3308-3310 Baring St. was previously the home of T. Hessenbruch. (See 3316 Baring St.)
1906, Dec. 28: Title for 315-333 N. 34th St. transferred to Amelia
H. Hayes by Herman Hessenbruch, et al. by will
In
1915, an Amelia H. Hayes applied for a passport at the American Consulate in
Nice, France. She listed her home address as the Drexel Building in
Philadelphia and listed her temporary address as Paris. She was born in
Philadelphia Nov. 11, 1841 and left the U.S. in May, 1905.
1907, Feb. 26: Title for 315-333 N. 34th St. transferred to James
F. Maguire by Amelia H. Hayes
The 1908 directory lists a James F. Maguire as
a builder at 708 Fidelity Mutual Life Building and living at 406 N. 63rd
St.
1907, Mar. 26: Title for 315-333 N. 34th St. transferred to David
R. Carson by James F. Maguire
David
R. Carson is listed in the 1908 directory as a carpenter living at 708 E.
Clearfield.
315-333:
“two-and-one-half
story Colonial Revival style brick doubles. Wood porches with shared pedimented
entries and pilasters on brick pedestals. Second-floor projecting bays;
tripartite windows below irregularly-shaped gable; mostly pantiles over mansard
roof. Some awnings added and porch balustrades removed. and pantiles replaced
with asphalt shingles”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents of
1907, Dec.
13: Title transferred to Elizabeth J. De Haven by David R. Carson
1910:
Alex M. Dehaven 47 [Occupation
obscured]; mother born in N.J.
Elizabeth Dehaven 46 Married 22 years,
2 children, 1 surviving; father born in
Jean Dehaven 17 Daughter
In
1880-‘87, he was a law clerk living with his parents at 37 38th St. His
father, Michael, was a builder. From 1890-1900 they lived at 4023 Powelton Ave.
The 1890 directory lists his brother,
William DeHaven, at 122 N 32nd St. He served as a member of the Philadelphia
Common Council as a representative of the 24th Ward for eleven years, retiring
in 1907. (See 1917 below.)
Jean
G. Dehaven married Edgar Myers Wilson in 1922.
“ALEXANDER
.M. DEHAVEN, the subject of this sketch, is one of the well-known members of
the junior Bar of Philadelphia who has just passed his forty-third year. He was
educated in the public schools of this city, in Hastings Academy [207 N. 35th St.] and the University of
Pennsylvania. He subsequently entered the law offices of William Nelson West,
then City Solicitor, and the Honorable Henry J. McCarthy, the present Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas, and was afterwards associated with the latter in the
practice of the law up to the time of the elevation of that eminent jurist to
the bench, a few years ago. Then Mr. DeHaven became associated in legal
business with Milton C. Work, under the firm name of Work & DeHaven, in
which he still continues. At the earnest solicitation of friends, Mr. DeHaven
entered the political field and was at once sent to Councils, where it may be
stated that he used his legal talents freely for the city's good, as is
exemplified in the legislation passed by Councils during his term of service.
There is no matter of importance in the city's welfare that has not had the
advantage of his legal training and experience, and it has been said that such
men as he elevate the tone of political life.
“If
no other political services had been rendered by him, he may rest his claim of
having been a successful and worthy member solely upon his efforts in having
the rules of Councils which formerly required for the passage of all
appropriation bills, ‘one-half of the members present,’ so changed as to
require the votes of ‘two-thirds of the members elect,’ thus effectually
preventing the possible enactment of the most important legislation of the
session by a minority of the representatives of the people. The advisability of
this change of the rules of Council has been often demonstrated.
“His
successful opposition to the garbage contract, whereby $138,000 was saved to
the city, is well remembered. In matters of public welfare, in which Mr.
DeHaven was the champion, and in some instances the originator, may be named
the ordinance requiring the employment of American citizens only in municipal
work, and that requiring the contractors to pay standard and not cut wages; the
payment of union wages on all public printing, and his strenuous opposition to
the electric light trust, the leasing of the gas works, the sale of the water
works and the equally determined and persistent advocacy of the Free Library of
Philadelphia.
“As
a debater, Mr. DeHaven may be regarded as a fearless advocate and a dangerous
opponent. Mr. DeHaven is in frequent demand in the matters of civic discussions
as well as upon the platform of political conventions.
“He
has been honored by being a member of the Law Committee; subsequently Chairman
of the Highway Committee, and is now Chairman of the Committee on Finance, the
all-important Committee of the Councils of the City of Philadelphia. His rise
in professional life as well as in public life has been rapid and steady. In
the former, he has been connected with some of the most important cases of the
day, having given special attention to the laws relating to fraternal
societies. The litigation of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, which
has extended over eleven States of the Union, and which resulted in the
suspension of more than 40,000 members of the order, is a notable instance and
in which he has been required to contest with some of the most eminent lawyers
of the day; in all of which he has guided successfully his clients' cause.” (M. Laffitte Vieira. West Philadelphia Illustrated…. Avil Print. Company, 1903.)
1917 Directory: Alex M. Dehaven, lawyer with Work & Dehaven.
Also an officer and member of common council, Ward 24.
1920:
Alexander M. De Haven 57 Lawyer
in general practice; mother born in N.J.; owner with a mortgage
Elizabeth J. De Haven 54
Father born in Scotland
1922, Aug. 4: Title transferred to Philip Rhine
(executor) by Elizabeth J. De Haven
1927, Feb. 19: Title transferred to George G.
Meade by Jennie D. Witmer
1930:
Orsen Decker 25 Salesman
in a department store; born in N.Y.; renting for $42 per month
Oscar Benson 25 Accountant
for industrial co.; born in N.Y.
— next household
Dorothy Nell 26 Registered
nurse; renting for $52 per month
Hilda Baumgartner 27 Registered nurse
— next household
Beatrice G. Brown 27 Printing
machine operator; born in England, immigrated in 1927; renting for $35 per
month
Henry F. Corden 28 Lodger;
electrical engineer for steam railroad; born in Connecticut
Wilson R. Cooper 24 Lodger;
electrical engineer for steam railroad; born in N.Y.
1932: Marriage license issued to Theodora G Anderson and Orsen
Decker
In 1940, they were living with her
family at 3513 Hamilton St.
1940 Directory: Dr. F. S. Clarke
G. A. Hahn, MD
1946, Nov. 4: Title transferred to Thomas Brathos and Bessie, his
wife by George G. Meade
2009: Owners: Tom Leonard and Joan Leonard, purchased June 2007
Revised 9/1/2014