3405 Powelton Avenue
The
History of the Building
William Sellers sold the lot to Enoch Lewis on Feb.
23, 1884, the same day he sold 3401 to Anna Burnham.
“In 1885 [sic.], Mr. Enoch Lewis... bought a lot
east of
(North of
Market. Harold S. Colton,
1961: 39.)
“Built 1885.
Three-story red brick Queen Anne residence; terra cotta balustrade in
wrap-:around porch; brick arched entryway with balcony above leads to the front
door; gabled fronted main block of 'the building is delineated at floor by
limestone belt courses. The house has large blocks of terra cotta floral panels
and ‘18’ and, ‘85’ below the half timbered and stuccoed gable. The building has undergone minimal
alteration. Architect: Wilson Brothers.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the
National Register of Historic Places)
The carriage house was 3404 Pearl St.
History of 3405 Powelton Avenue
1887 Directory: Lewis, Enoch, purchasing agt., 233 S 4th,
h 3405 Powelton
In the 1881 Directory, he was listed
at
Enoch
Lewis was the Chief Purchasing Agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1861, he
was involved in a plan to get President-elect Lincoln to
His
brother, Edward Lewis, lived at 3234 Powelton Ave.
1895 Directory: Enoch Lewis, treas., N College Ave. c 21st,
h 3405 Powelton Ave.
1898, Jan. 5: Permit issued to Enoch Lewis for “repairs to fire damaged
dwelling, at 3405 Powelton avenue.” (Inquirer, p 12)
Enoch Lewis (1821-1902) Charlotte Thorne Lewis (1823-1916)
1900:
Enoch Lewis 78 Capitalist;
born in
Charlotte Lewis 76 Married 54 years, 5 children, 3
surviving; born in N.J.
Bridget Hagan 29 Servant;
born in
Bridget Duffy 25 Servant;
born in
A
brief bio of their daughter provides insights into the family:
“Mary Thorn Lewis, reformer and social activist, was born on
February 27, 1854 in
“She was educated in private schools
and at the
http://www.winningthevote.org/MLGannett.html
1902, April 11: Susan B. Anthony & her
niece Mrs. James dined with us – Susan looked so well & was fresh in
conversation.” (Diary of Charlotte Thorn Lewis)
1902, Nov. 15: Death of Enoch Lewis, 80 years
old
Obituary
from Friends’ Intelligencer: “On the
Eleventh month 15, 1902, at his home in Philadelphia, Enoch Lewis, in the 81st
year of his age.
“Enoch
Lewis was one of Philadelphia’s best citizens. Leaving school at fifteen he
began a business career marked by steady industry, energy, vigor, prudence, and
honorable success. His first important post was that of Construction
Superintendent for the St. Petersburg and Moscow Railway. From 1850 until 1893
he held a prominent position in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was a
strong, true friend of the cause of good government, and was guided by high
ideals in his views of public life, integrity being the keynote of his
character. Good literature was his private resource. His library was large and
well chosen, and his books were his incessant companions.
“Although
not an attender of meeting he was in sympathy with the principles of Friends.
He valued his membership and contributed liberally to the support of the
meeting.”
1910:
Mrs. Enoch Lewis 96 Widowed,
4 children, 3 surviving; own income; born in N.J.; owner free of a mortgage
Hannah J. Barrett 40 Boarder;
trained nurse
Maude J. Hopkins 51 Boarder; born
in
Chas C. Duchett 50 Servant;
black; born in
Mary McNamee 37 Servant;
born in
Maurice Conway 28 Servant; born
in
1916, March 3: Death of Charlotte S. Lewis, 92
years old, of 3405 Powelton Ave. Funeral services at her late residence.
Theodore J. Lewis (1855-1937)
1920:
Theodore J. Lewis 64 No occupation
listed; owned free of a mortgage
Anna B. Lewis 63 Father born in Mass.
Burnham H. Lewis 22 Son; no
occupation listed
Margaret Furey 42 Servant;
born in Ireland, immigrated in 1893
Mary A. Furey 40 Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated in
1893
Mary M. Albright 66 Servant; born
in
He
was the son of Enoch Lewis, the previous owner. Ann Burnham was the daughter of
George Burnham (3401 Powelton) who was president of the Baldwin Locomotive
Works, the largest manufacturer of steam locomotives. They married in April, 1881. His sister, Anna Lewis, married her brother,
George Burnham, Jr., and they lived at 214 N. 34th
St. Theodore and Anna previously lived at 212 N. 34th
St.
Burnham
Lewis was in the Harvard class of 1920. In 1930, he and his wife, Edytha R. [Macy], were living in
1930:
Theodore J. Lewis 74 No occupation listed;
he married at age 26; this father was born in
Anna A. Lewis 74 She
married at age 25; her father was born in Mass.
Mary Fury 44 Maid; born in
Margaret Fury 46 Waitress;
born in
Bridget Brais 60
Cook; born in Irish Free State,
parents born in Northern Ireland, immigrated in 1890
1940:
Anna B. Lewis 84 Widow; 4
years high school; owner, value $20,000.
Margaret Furey 63 Housekeeper
and waitress, earned $840 in 1939; born in N. Ireland; 8 years of school
Mary Furey 61 Chambermaid, earned $840 in 1939; born in N. Ireland; 8 years
of school
Bridget Walsh 33 Cook,
earned $840 in 1939; born in N. Ireland; 8 years of school
1946, Oct. 18: Title transferred to Alumni
Corp. of Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity by Anna B. Lewis
1948, Nov. 18: Title transferred to Drexel
Institute of Technology
Currently: It is the home of the Drexel University
chapter of ΠΚΦ (Pi Kappa Phi).
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Revised 7/2/2022