The
History of the Building
3404-18:
“two-and-one-half
story mansarded Victorian double houses; smooth cut
ashlar' granite facades over brick construction. Full-height first floor
windows except on 3412 where they are partially filled in; arched doorways with
incised brownstone lintels and surrounds. Second floor windows have incised
brownstone lintels and sills; double bracketed wood cornice. Most of the mansarded roofs have their original slate shingles. Four
gabled dormers with batten-and- board faces project from the mansards, except
for 3412, which has only three, with scalloped red clay shingles. Pent roofs
added.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1880:
Henry H. Watkins 59 Wholesale
lace goods
Ann Watkins 51
Cora Watkins 22
Henry H[oward]
Watkins 20 Salesman
Frank Watkins 18 Salesman
Daniel Gephart 14 Servant
In
1900, they lived at 1100 Spruce St. Henry Hutchinson Watkins died in Atlantic
City, N.J. in 1911. He was living at 4216 Spruce St.
1881
Directory: Henry H. Watkins (H. H. Watkins & Co.)
The 1887 Directory
gives his home address simply as Chestnut Hill.
1890: Charles L. Dexter (C. L. Dexter &
Co.)
His business card read:
“Confectioners, oysters, Croquettes & Salads, Corner Walnut and 15th
Streets.”
“C. L. Dexter & Co., Fancy Ice
Creams and Fine Cakes. Originators of "Dexter's White Mountain Cake,"
Meringues, Charlottes, Jellies, Pastries, Frozen Puddings, etc,
Cor. Walnut and Fifteenth Streets, PHILADELPHIA.” (The Cook and the Cupboard 1900(?) Philadelphia Oak Lane
Presbyterian church. Ladies Auxiliary. 1896.)
The 1887 Directory gives his home
address the same as the store:
1894: Rev. J. H. Sechler,
1895 Directory: Charles L. Dexter, confectioner, 1441 Walnut St.
1898 Blue Book: Charles L. Dexter was a member of the Powelton
Club. (For a brief history of the club, see the Powelton History Blog.)
1900:
John H. Sechler 49 Clergyman; renting
Emily Sechler 45 Married 3 years, no children
Robert Sechler 26 Son;
Private, U.S. Army [?]
Eva Sechler 24 Daughter
John Sechler 22 Son; electrician
Rebecca Sechler 19 Daughter
Annie Britt 28 Servant; married 2 years, no children; born in Ireland
Rev. Sechler
graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1870 with an A.B. degree. John Harmoney Sechler and Miss Emilie
Minster Evans were married in Jan. 7, 1897. They were married just south of
Lancaster, Pa. in the home of the bride’s mother, Ivy Home. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. H. T. Spangler, D.D., president of Ursinus College where Sechler was a professor of church history (in addition to
being pastor of the First Reformed Church of Philadelphia). (Inquirer, Jan. 7)
The 1899 directory lists Rev. Sechler living at 708 N. 16th St.
1901: Rev. John H. Sechler, D.D. Stated
Clerk and Treasurer of
1902 Directory: Rev. John H. Sechler
John B. Sechler,
electrician
1905, April 12: Death of Rev. John H. Sechler
at his residence, 3404 Powelton.
“The relatives, friends, also
ministers of the Reformed and other churches are invited to attend the funeral
services at Christ Reformed Church, 16th & Green sts….
Also services at Boehm's Reformed Church, Blue Bell, Montgomery county….” (Inquirer, April 15) Rev. Sechler
had previously been married to Mary Bower. They married in Myerstown, Lebanon
Co., in 1872. She died Nov. 17, 1888 in Centre Square, Montgomery Co.
The 1917 directory of Lancaster,
Pa., lists Emily Sechler, widow of John H.
1908: Douglas D. Ellington. 14th Annual Architectural
Exhibition.
1910:
William
A. Long 50 Clergyman; born in N.C.; owner with a
mortgage
Ella G. Long 29 Married 9 years; born in N.J.
Douglass S. Ellington 23 Lodger; professor; born in N.C.
Margaret Craig 28 Lodger; [occupation illegible]; parents
born in
Bertha K. Bilhimer 34 Lodger;
manager for heating co.
1912: Douglas D. Ellington. Senior in Architecture at
1915: Harold Irvon Powell. Student, 2nd
yr. class. (U. of P. Bulletin.)
1917: John H. Minnick. A.B. 1906. (Indiana U. Bulletin, vol. 15, issue 5.)
1920:
William A. Long 60 Minister;
born in N.C.; owner, free of a mortgage
Ella J. Long 43 Born in N.J.
F. Roe
Searing 42 Lodger; superintendent of contracting
co.; married; born in N.J., mother born in N.Y.
Alberta A.
Searing 46 Lodger; public school teacher; single; born in N.J., mother
born in N.Y.
George C. Cole 24 Lodger;
assistant purchasing agent for public utility co.; born in W. Va., mother born
in Ken.
Warren G. Roberts 55 Lodger;
accountant for express co.
Frederick Roe Searing was married to
Anna Nancie Ferguson in Philadelphia in 1900. In 1910, they lived at 6112
Westminster Ave. They did not have any children. Frederick and Alberta were
children of Leander Searing.
1920: William Yuckman, Freshman. (Catalogue of U. of Pennsylvania)
1927 Directory: Mrs. E. J. Long
1950 Directory: Richard J. Kingham
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Revised 7/1/2022