The
Building
3409-11
“Italianate-style,
three-story double; stucco over brick. The two houses share modillioned wood
cornice. 3409 has been radically colonialized circa 1950. Stucco stripped and
brick painted. Aluminum shutters and asphalt-covered hipped roof porch added.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the national register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1866,
July 23: Title for 3401-3411 Baring St., 3404-3410 Hamilton St. and 410-412 N.
34th St. transferred to Geradus H. Haines by John Garrett,
et al.
1866,
Oct. 9: Title 3405-3411 Baring St. and 3404-3410 Hamilton St. transferred to
Alexander J. Andrews from Gerardus A. Haines
Alexander
J. Andrews lived at 3507 Baring St.
1869,
Feb. 8: Title for 3409-3411 Baring St. transferred to John M. Mole by Alexander
J. Andrews
John
M. Mole was a carpenter who was born in England about 1841. He was probably the brother of Thomas H.,
John, Walter and James Mole all of whom were carpenters. They may have been the sons of a W. Mole who
was a builder. All of them were living
near 17th St. and Ellsworth in 1866.
They probably arrived in the U.S. about 1860 and they all left
Philadelphia between 1870 and 1880 except for James.
1869,
Jul. 1: Title for 3409-3411 Baring St. transferred to Henry K. Harnish by John
M. Mole
Henry
K. Harnish lived at 3501 Bridge (Spring Garden) St.
1870,
Jan. 1: Title for 3409-3411 Baring St. transferred to Serena Truman by Henry K.
Harnish
1870,
Jun. 27: Title for 3409 transferred to Tom (?) S. Gregg by Serena Truman
1872,
May 16: Title transferred to James M. Sellers by Tom (?) S. Gregg
The
1873 directory lists James M. Sellers as a contractor living at Kingsessing and
S. 42d St.
1873
Directory: Isaac P. Chalfant of Chalfant, James & Co. (Isaac P. Chalfant, Thomas B. Jones, George
F. Wiest, Adam B. Hoar, & H. Wilson Sheibley),
notions at 722 Market St. and of Chalfant & Potts, smoothing irons at 231
N. 8th St.
Isaac
Pyle Chalfant was born in Minersville, Schuylkill Co. in 1830. He married Sarah Sixsmith there in 1861. By 1873, they had had five children, however,
the first died very young. They went on
to have two more. In 1880, they were
living at 514 N. 41st St. He
listed his occupation as a manufacturer of hardware. The 1873 directory lists
Isaac’s father, Hibbert Chalfant, as a baker living at 3504 Haverford Ave.
(Mantua).
Chalfant
& Potts manufactured a set of irons for clothing invented by Mary F. Potts
of Ottumwa, Iowa. The
set included one handle, a stand and three irons of various weights. In 1878, Isaac Chalfant patented an iron with
an asbestos shield under the handle.
1874,
Oct. 7: Title transferred to Samuel J. Levick by
James M. Sellers
Samuel
J. Levick and his family lived at 128 N. 32nd
St. They moved to 405
N. 33rd St. about 1878.
Samuel J. Levick, Jr. purchased the twin, 3411 Baring St. in 1877 and moved there..
1875
Directory: Isaac P. Chalfant of Chalfant, Jones & Co., notions, 722 Market
1876
Directory: James S. Davison, bookkeeper at 38 S. 3rd St.
1877
Directory: John A. Bell, treasurer, 400 Library
1879-1882
Directories: John P. Rhoads, treasurer, 701 Walnut
“The Late Mr. John
P. Rhoads.
“WE take pleasure in quoting from
the Evening Telegraph of this city some passages from a review of Mr. Rhoads'
life. The memorial comes from the pen of a writer well known for his genial
estimates of the personalities in Philadelphia's history.
“The passing, at Atlantic City, a
few days ago, of that genial philanthropist, Mr. John P. Rhoads, removes a familiar
figure from the neighborhood of Washington Square. For fifty years he has had
charge of the interests of the Pennsylvania Bible Society, whose headquarters
for an even longer period have been at Seventh and Walnut streets. Under his
direction millions of copies of the sacred writings have been sent, not only to
all parts of the United States, but to other countries and to distant islands,
where his name, perhaps, is better known to many than it is to the generality
in Philadelphia. His leonine countenance and erect, manly form had something of
the militant about them, but his victories were entirely of the spiritual sort,
and during a long, active life, which covered more than a half century, he gave
himself up almost exclusively to labors devoted to the welfare of others.
“In the years that followed the
Civil War Mr. Rhoads became general manager of the Bible Society, and the
shaping of its activities, both in Pennsylvania and beyond the bounds of the
United States, has for about three decades been largely under his direction. He
devoted much time to the distribution of the Bible in Spanish through the West
Indies and South American countries. He became interested in this work at the
outbreak of the first Cuban Rebellion in 1868, and personally superintended the
distribution of many Bibles in Cuba during the following years, and also at the
time of the Spanish-American War in 1898.
“A phase of Mr. Rhoads' life, almost
as interesting from the local viewpoint as his long association with the Bible
Society, was his activity as a leader in the Church of the Covenant, at
Twenty-seventh street and Girard avenue. This church was formed as an offshoot
from the older Church of the Epiphany, which was formerly at Fifteenth and
Chestnut streets, the division occurring when the patriotic rector, the Rev.
Dudley A. Tyng, in 1856, insisted on advancing his ardent views on the
abolition of slavery from the Epiphany pulpit. The result was his enforced
resignation, but more than a thousand attendants at the older church followed
him, and at first he conducted the services of the new church organization at
National Hall, Market street below Thirteenth. Mr. Rhoads was one of the
original vestrymen after the secession from the Church of the Epiphany; was for
nearly forty-nine years a tireless leader in the varied charities for which
this church is noted, and at the time of his death was the rector's warden, the
most important lay office in the church.
“There was perhaps no element of Mr.
Rhoads' work more interesting than the effort he devoted to the home
instruction of the blind. He was a vice-president of the Pennsylvania Home
Teaching Society, whose specific mission is the instruction of the sightless to
read at their homes with what is known as Dr. Moon's embossed type. Mr. Rhoads
became interested in this work in 1882, and was not only active in organizing
the society of which he was a vice-president, but also had a special instructor
for the same purpose associated with the Philadelphia Bible Society. More,
probably, has been done in Philadelphia toward instructing the blind to read
than in any other city of the country, and the society with which Mr. Rhoads was
connected, has been the sponsor and organizer of the work, not only in this
city, but elsewhere. At the Free Library there is also an important department
given over to books for the blind in the Moon type, which is regarded as
exceptionally complete in the range of works which may be read without the
eyes.” (The Church Standard, Sept. 23, 1905, p 664)
1880: not enumerated in the census
1881
Directory: Walter B. Rhoads, clerk
In
1882, he was listed at 1922 Mervine.
1887
Directory: Frederick W. Hotchkiss,
manager, 926 Market
1887, Aug. 26: Title
transferred to Julia C. Hotchkiss by [the estate of] Samuel J. Levick
1889 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. F. W. Hotchkiss
& daughter
1890 Directory: Frederick
W. Hotchkiss
Frank R. Ross, clerk
In 1900, Frank R. Ross
(age 59) was widowed and living with his son, Edward N. Ross (17) at 4249 Leidy
(Columbia) Ave..
Frank Lucas Armond
1892: Univ. of Pennsylvania List of Students:
John Fessenden Truesdell, Wh., Philadelphia, 3409 Baring St.
1894: List of Students:… De Armond, Frank Lucas, Course: M.E.,
Home: Beverly, NJ, 3409 Baring St.
(Catalogue of
the University of Pennsylvania. 1894)
1896: William F. Keim,
First Year Class; Department of Medicine.
Edward L. Smith, First
Year Class; Department of Medicine. (Catalogue
of U. of P.)
1897, Jan. 21: Title transferred to Susanna M. Levick
(widow of Samuel J. Levick) by Julia C. Hotchkiss
1900:
Mary Millard 42 Widow, 4 children; renting
James F. Millard 23
Elisabeth G. Millard 22
Mary E. Millard 11
Edward T. Millard 3
Daisey B. Hill 21 Boarder
Alice Walton 24 Boarder
Hugh L. Trimble 54 Boarder;
railroad clerk; born in Md.
Rebecca C. Trimble 51 Boarder; married
32 years, 2 children 1 surviving
Newton H. Parks 29 Boarder;
stenographer; born in N.Y.
Ernest Henry 23 Servant;
black; born in Md.
Indiana Beckett 24 Servant; black; born in Va.
1902, Jan. 27: Title transferred to Anna S.
Ferris by Susanna M. Levick
1902: “Alfred J. Ferris has awarded a contract
to Hill and Stevens to make improvements to his property at 3409 Baring street,
to cost $2000. The work will consist of
a Pompelian brick front from the pavement level to
the window sills, reshingling the frame bay window,
altering stairways, putting in new sash and blinds, and general interior
alterations.” (Phila. Inquirer, Feb. 3, 1902)
1906 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. Alfred J. Ferris
Mrs. Ferris was the former Anna
Pierce Shoemaker. When they were married
in 1891, she lived at 3323 Powelton Ave.
1907: Alfred J. Ferris
(American Historical Association. Officers
Committees Act of Incorporation
Constitution List of Members February, 1907)
“‘Pauperizing the Rich,’ by Alfred J.
Ferris, is a presentation of the subject of pauperism from the standpoint of
one who seeks industrial equity as the basis of our social life. ‘The purpose
of the book,’ says the author, ‘is to investigate the World's Charitable List.’
But, unlike the average writer on this theme, who only rails about the
degradation of the poor, as the recipients of alms, Mr. Ferris exposes the pauperized
rich, ‘who reap where they do not sow.’ By his definition he makes ‘the World's
Charitable List include all who receive for their own benefit the fruit of
others' labor,’ and then devotes 426 pages to the demonstration of this
proposition.”
(American Imperialism Prof. Geo. D.
Herron, of Iowa College. 1899. Review of Pauperising
the rich : an inquiry into the value and significance of unearned wealth to its
owners and to society. Alfred J. Ferris. Philadelphia : T.S. Leach, 1899.)
1910:
Alfred J. Ferris 45 Lithographer
[?]; born in N.J., parents born in Del.
Annie S. Ferris 43 Married
19 years, 2 children
Malcolm Ferris 15
Hilda Ferris 11
Alfred
J. Ferris and Anna Peirce Shoemaker were married in 1891. She was a student at Bryn Mawr during 1887-1889.
1913: “Ferris, Malcolm. 3409 Baring St.,
Philadelphia, Pa., C: Pvt.; Wireless Operator; Haverford College”
(Roster
of attendants at federal military training camps, 1913-1916. By Military
Training Camps Association (U.S.). Anderson & Ruwe,
1916)
Malcolm
Ferris (1894-1937)
Haverford
College
1914: Malcolm
Ferris. Owner of station. Call signal: 3CH. Power 16 watts. (Commercial and Gov. Radio Stations of U. S.)
1920:
Alfred J. Ferris 55 Publisher;
born in N.J.
Anna S. Ferris 53 Bookkeeper
for printing co.
Malcolm Ferris 25 Electrician
at navy yard
Hilda Ferris 21
1921: Hilda Ferris graduated from Bryn Mawr with a B.A.
1922: Anna Peirce Shoemaker (Mrs. Alfred J. Ferris)
c. 1893. (General alumni catalogue of U.
of P.)
1930:
Alfred J. Ferris 65
Anna S. Ferris 63
Hilda Ferris 31
1940:
Alfred J. Ferris 76 Insurance
executive, earned $3,000 in 1939, worked 28 hours in previous week; owner,
house valued at $6500; born in N.J.; 8 years of school
Anna S. Ferris 73 Two
years of college
Hilda Ferris 42 Daughter;
real estate secretary, earned $1,500 in 1939; 4 years college
They
moved to the Upsala Garden Apartments, 246 W. Upsala St. Anna died in 1945 and
Alfred in 1950.
1941, Nov. 24: Title transferred to Robert W.
Richards and Isabel, his wife by Anna S. Ferris
1949, Jan. 6: Title transferred to Elizabeth
Wells by Robert W. and Isabel Richards
1950 Directory: Sherman L Ricards, Jr.
Elizabeth Wells
1961, June Powelton Post: “Profile: The Maruyamas” By Sarah Parker
“At the Maruyamas'
sunlight filters elfin dancing color through east windows; on the south wall
yellow curtains from floor to high ceiling fill the room with dramatic
brightness. Sho
is California-born, with background richly Oriental yet profoundly-American.
Joan was reared in the quiet conservatism of a northeast Philadelphia family
and church and loved the Rhode Island home of her New England grandmother. Last
fall they established together here their own happy blend of cultures. In April
when we elected Sho Chairman and Joan Co-Secretary,
their home became the current Neighbors control center.
“Long before she came to Powelton in
1958 with her small son Jeffrey seeking no more than an available apartment,
Joan believed firmly that community living which is not integrated is neither
truly Christian nor truly American. Here she found, imperfect but authentic,
the spirit of unity in diversity. Sho, too, in 1956,
expected only to find a convenient apartment.
Instead he was swept into the exciting activity of launching TPN [The
Powelton Neighbors].
“Sho's
route to Powelton was roundabout. World War II thrust him, at fourteen with his
Pasadena family and 10,000 other uprooted Japanese Americans into Manzanar Evacuation Camp - confusion, ugly tar-paper
barracks, sketchy schooling and swirling desert sand. Amazingly, he and other
American-born Japanese emerged appreciative of the broader opportunities
post-war America offered its Oriental citizens, and determined to contribute to
the total welfare of their country. Then came the Cudahy Meat Plant in Salt
Lake City, college in Pasadena and Idaho, a degree in mechanical engineering
from Antioch, a Chicago job with creative city planners, an advanced degree
from the University of North Carolina, and a planning job in Wichita. Now in
his seventh year with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Sho is Chief, Data Processing Section, Division of
Comprehensive Planning. He reads widely in the broad field of his profession;
and, as behooves a city planner, loves the bustle and hustle of urban life.
“For three years Sho,
with Andy Melamed, headed our Planning Committee, carrying out our significant
Neighborhood Survey. As Co-Chairman in 1959 he arranged the wonderful openhouses before Singing City's MESSIAH. Twice he
artistically assembled the annual scrapbook. Outside Powelton he serves as a
director of the Japanese American Citizens League.
“Serious, these Maruyamas?
Both have strong convictions which they live. Sho
brings to us mature experience relevant to our activity, talent for organization,
incisive thinking, independent judgment, practical idealism, and democratic but
assertive leadership. He sees the Neighbors as citizens in our democratic
process helping to mold the social, economic and physical environment we live
in; a community where we strive for a dynamic balance of myriad cultures; and
where we and our children can better our individual potential. Gay? - Bicycling
in Fairmount Park, golf at Cobbs Creek, tennis on George's Hill, bowling at
Penn Center, skiing at Stowe, camping in the Berkshires, honeymooning in
Bermuda, sailing at Top O' The Dunes, folk dancing with Lanie, or quietly in
their Baring Street apartment playing bridge or chess. Their life is full of
activity - lots -, gaiety and charm.”
The Maruyamas
later lived at 3412 Baring St.
2009: owner: Sheldon Schwartz, purchased 1998