“three-and-one-half
story yellow brick and painted brown. Colonial Revival residence, symmetrical
with bowed two-story outer bays, porch which has aluminum-sheathed cornice is
supported by wood ionic columns. Ionic fluted pilasters flank the central door
and attic pedimented dormer. All windows have stone flat-arched lintels with
keystones. A dentilled egg-and--dart cornice caps the
2nd story; metal modillioned egg-and-dart cornice meets the flat roof.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the
National Register of Historic Places, 1985)
1897: “Albert W. Dilks,
architect, 1001 Chestnut street, has drawn plans for
and bids are being received by builders for a handsome three-story and attic
dwelling for Mr. Alter Megear, on the north side of
Powelton avenue, above Thirty-fourth street. It will be of buff brick with
limestone trimmings, built in the colonial style, with hardwood floors, front
and side porches, bay windows, red slate roof, and terraced wall on side. Its
dimensions will be 60 x 40 feet.” (Philadelphia Builders’ Guide, v. 12,
Jan. 6, 1897)
1897: “Alter Megear,
owner, and Jacob Myers & Sons, contractors, under the direction of
Architect Alber W. Dilks,
to erect a dwelling, north side Powelton avenue, between Thirty-fourth and
Thirty-fifth streets, for $14,494, Jan. 21, 1897.” (Phila. Builders’ Guide,
v. 12, Feb. 2, 1897)
The History of 3411
Powelton Ave.
The 1872 Atlas
shows the north side of the 3400 block of Powelton Ave. was owned by John and
William Sellers.
1883,
January: Deeds for the western end of this block (3411-3427) transferred from
William F. & Amelia Sellers to Lewis and Elizabeth Emery, Jr.
1896,
June: Deed transferred from Lewis Emery Jr. to Alter Megear.
1900:
Alter Megear 52 Capitalist; owned free of a mortgage
Elizabeth T. Megear
46 Married
19 years, 3 children, 2 surviving; born in Del.
Thomas J. Megear 16
Ethel T. Megear 14
Mary Dougherty 30 Servant;
born in Ireland, immigrated 10 years earlier
Maggie Dougherty 27 Servant; born in
Ireland, immigrated 11 years earlier
Maggie Dougherty 23 Servant; born in
Ireland, immigrated 5 years earlier
The 1887 to 1895 directories list
his office address as 329 Walnut St. and his home address as 3306 Arch St.
1910:
Alter Megear 62 Own income
Elizabeth T. Megear
56 Married
29 years, 3 children, 2 surviving; parents born in Del.
Mary Dougherty 33 Servant;
born in Ireland
Margarett Tobin 19 Servant; born in Ireland
Mary Finnerty 31 Servant;
born in Ireland
1920:
Alter Megear 72 Widowed; father born in Del.; owned free
of a mortgage
Mary Dougherty 46 Housekeeper;
born in Ireland, immigrated in 1890
Sarah Friel 28 Servant;
born in Ireland, immigrated in 1913
“Alter Megear, C. E., (Wilmington,
Del.,) son of Thomas L.[sic., Jefferson, born 1809]
and Mary C. (Alter) Megear, was born in Philadelphia,
Pa., October 23d, 1847, and entered the Institute in September, 1864. He
entered upon the work of his profession in October,
1868, in Edgemoor Iron Works, near Wilmington, Del.,
remaining until July, 1878, since which time he has not practiced engineering.
Member of the Engineers' Club, of Philadelphia, Pa. Married, October 28th,
1880, Elizabeth T. Belts, daughter of Edward Belts, of Wilmington, Del. One
child. P. O. address, 3306 Arch street, Philadelphia,
Pa.”
(Biographical Record of the Officers and
Graduates of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1824-1886. Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, Henry Bradford Nason. 1887)
His father, Thomas J. Megear was a silversmith & clock and watch maker,
probably learning these crafts from his brother-in-law, Ziba
Ferris. Alter lived with his Ferris grandparents when growing up.
He was a member of the Union League.
1922, August 22: Alter Megear died in
Ventnor, N.J. Funeral services were held at his late residence, 3411 Powelton
Ave. (Phila. Inquirer, 8/23/1922)
1923: S. E. Kratzok, 3411 Powelton Ave.
(Jewish
Publication Society of America, 1923-24.)
1923,
April: Deed transferred from Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives &
Granting Annuities & Thomas J Meager by the Pennsylvania Co For Ins. on Lives & Granting Innuities
the attorney in face ex. of will of Alter Megear dec'd to Louis Kahn.
1923,
April: Deed transferred from Louis Kahn to Samuel & Lena (wife) Willig.
In 1920,
Samuel and Lena Willig lived at 1947 Moyamensing,
Philadelphia. He was a business lawyer. They were Russian Jews. She was born in
Russia and immigrated in 1891. He was born in Philadelphia, but his parents
immigrated from Russia.
1923: Plan for addition, “Brick, 2 stories,
40x22 feet, slag roof, hot water heat, oak and yellow pine floors, tile work, electric
work. Contract awarded to Harry Platt, 1627 Sansom street, Philadelphia.” (Builders’
Guide, v 38, May 30)
The
addition is actually three stories.
1923: Plan to build a garage: “Brisk, 1
story, 52x20 feet, slag roof, cement floors, electric work.” (Builders’
Guide, v 38, Sept. 5)
1925,
June: Deed transferred from Samuel & Lena (wife) Willig to Jacob Roberts.
1925,
June: Deed transferred from Jacob Roberts to Albert Quell.
The 1950
directory lists Albert Quell real estate at 1420 Walnut St. He lived at 19th
& (1832) Spruce. His WWII draft registration lists the same office and home
addresses. He was born in 1895 in Philadelphia and died here in 1983.
1927,
August: Deed transferred from Albert Quell to James McDonough.
1927,
September: Deed transferred from James Francis McDonough to Jacob Roberts.
1927,
September: Deed transferred from Jacob Roberts to Eva Stern.
1929,
April: Deed transferred from Eva Stern to Sylvia Kernish.
1929,
September: Deed transferred from Sylvia Kernish to
Simon B. Greenebaum. & L Asso
Simon
Greenbaum was a manufacturer of boys shirts. In 1920,
he and his wife Matilda lived in an apartment at the Majestic Hotel on Broad
St. near Girard.. Their parents were born in Germany.
1930:
Herbert J. Perry 35 Salesman of
laundry machines; born in Wisc.; renting for $75 per month
Anna Perry 30 Father
born in Ohio
Nancy J. Perry 1yr, 4 mons.
---
William Dowell 70 Publisher;
born in N.Y., father in Scotland, mother in the U.S.; renting for $40 per month
Mary C. Dowell 63 Born in
N.Y., parents born in Ireland
---
George Craig 57 Assistant Chief clerk of a steam
railroad; renting for $135 per month
Eleanor Craig 59 Father
born in Bavaria, mother in N.Y.
---
Wilton W. Blancké
(a) 45 Public school teacher; father born
in England, mother in Ohio; renting for $100 per month
Josephine K[atzenstein]
Blancké (b) 40 Public school teacher; born in N.C.,
parents born in Germany
---
Ida Katzenstein 47 Born in
N.C., parents born in Germany
Caroline Katzenstein (c) 45 Sister; Insurance broker; born in N.C.,
parents born in Germany
---
Charles F. Feurer
(c) 68 Decorator, Japanning; born in Germany;
renting for $85 per month
Madge B. Feurer 60 Manager
of Japan shop
Margaret B. Plass
[34] Daughter
C. Webster Plass
35 Son-in-law; Sales manager for an oil business
---
Herman S. Hettinger 28 University
teacher; renting for $50 per month
Sarah S. Hettinger 27 Librarian
(a) “Phi Beta Kappa, University
of Pennsylvania 1903. Juniors: Wilton W. Blancke....
“
(Hand Book of
the University of Pennsylvania Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Delta ... ; 1919)
Wilton W. A
Gateway to Music by
Wilton W. Blancke, Jay Speck, c1930.
“King (The) of
the mountains; a lyrico-comedy with music, in 3 acts.
Rook and lyrics by W. W. Blancké. Music by Louis Kazze. Founded on Edmond About's
novel Le roi des montagnes.
Text. © 1 c. Sept. 10, 1930; D unpub. 7183; Wilton W.
Blancké, 3411 Powelton Ave., Philadelphia. 5569"
(Catalog of copyright entries, Part 1. By Library of Congress, 1929)
(b) Josephine Katzenstein was a member of the Bryn Mawr class of 1906 and a teacher in the West Philadelphia.
High School for Girls from 1913 on. She was a student at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1921-’22. In 1921, she lived at The Netherlands, 44th and
Chestnut Streets. (Bryn Mawr Register of Alumnae…, 1922)
She married Wilton W. Blancké in 1924.
(c)
“Caroline Katzenstein (1888-1968) was a
leader in the Pennsylvania suffrage movement. She served in official positions
for the Equal Franchise Society of Philadelphia, the National American Woman
Suffrage Association, and the National Woman’s Party. After women won the vote
in 1920, Katzenstein continued to fight for women’s rights and lobbied
tirelessly for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment for over twenty years.
In 1919, Katzenstein used her expertise in publicity to aid the Women Teachers
Organization of Philadelphia in their efforts to increase salary for women
teachers. Additionally, Katzenstein was a successful insurance agent for the
Equitable Life Insurance Society of New York, the Massachusetts Bonding and Insurance Company (Philadelphia Branch), and the
Philadelphia Life Insurance Company.
“The Caroline Katzenstein papers
document Katzenstein’s participation in the suffrage movement from 1909 to
1921, her efforts to help women obtain equal pay for equal work in the 1920s,
her tireless promotion of the Equal Rights Amendment from 1923 to 1965, and her
career as an insurance agent (1909-ca. 1930).
“Background note:
“Caroline Katzenstein was born in
1888 to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Katzenstein, and spent her childhood in Warrenton,
North Carolina. Following the death of their father, Katzenstein and her three
sisters [Selma, Ida, and Josephine Blancke] moved to
Philadelphia in 1907. Katzenstein found herself amidst an impassioned women’s
suffrage movement, and she quickly committed herself to the cause. When the
Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association (the Pennsylvania branch of National
American Woman Suffrage Association) and the Women Suffrage Society of
Philadelphia jointly opened a headquarters in Philadelphia, she was named its
secretary in 1910....” (Caroline
Katzenstein Papers, ca. 1850-1965, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
2008)
For a picture of Caroline
Katzenstein with Charlotte L. Peirce, the last surviving attendee of the Seneca
Falls Convention that marked the beginning of the women’s suffrage movement,
see 3316 Powelton Ave.
For the story of Powelton’s
suffragettes, see the Powelton
History Blog
Caroline Katzenstein, 1911
(Historical Society of Pennsylvania)
Josephine K Blancké was her sister.
In 1920, Ida, Caroline and Josephine (all still single) had lived at 4922
Chestnut St. Caroline listed her occupation as” secretary, reform
movement.” Josephine was a teacher.
In 1910, all four
sisters lived at 4727 Hazel Avenue. The oldest, Selma (35) was a music teacher.
(d) “Charles F. Feurer. Birth - Death:
1861-1935" (Who’s Who in American
Art, 1985)
In 1900, they
lived on 10th St. He was a “Japan coater” and immigrated in 1871.
1931,
August: Deed transferred from Asset Bld & Loan
Assn. successor to Simon Greenebaum Bld & Loan Assn Corp to Rosa Staunton.
1934, May:
Deed transferred from Rosa Staunton to Provident Trust Co. Trustee (Sherriff
sale).
1940:
Charles J. Gallagher 42 U.S. Army clerk; earned $2300 in 1939; 4
years of college; renting for $50/month
Winifred Gallagher 45 Grade school teacher; earned $2000 in 44
weeks of work in 1939; 4 years of high school
— next household
Christian Laughton Dull 37 Philatelist [stamp] dealer; 4 years of
high school; renting for $40/month
Catherine Dull 37 Five years of college
Christian Laughton Dull, Jr. 3
— next household
A. J. Wallace Jr. 28 Clerical for mineral importer; earned
$2000 in 1939; born in NJ, lived in Collingswood, NJ in 1935; 4 years of
college; renting for $40/month
Susan Wallace 24 Secretary/Director charities; earned
$1000 in 1939; born in NJ, lived in Haddonfield, NJ in 1935; 4 years of high
school
— next household
George Skillman 52 Postal supply salesman; born in MD; 4
years of high school; renting for $65/month
Helen Skillman 43 Grade school teacher; earned $2,200 in
1939; 4 years of high school
Joyce Skillman 7 Daughter
— next household
Wilton W. Blancke 55 High school teacher; earned $3600 in 1939; 5 years of
college; renting for $70/month
Josephine Blancke 50 Teacher; earned $3200 in 1939; born in NC; 4 years of college
— next household
Eugene Campbell 32 Medical professor in university; earned
$3000 in 1939; born in Minnesota, lived in W.D.C. in 1935; 5 years of college;
renting for $50/month
Reba Campbell 30 Born in China, lived in Baltimore, MD in 1935; 5 years of college
— next household
Caroline Katzenstein 51 Insurance broker; born in NC; 4 years of
college; renting for $70/month
Ida Katzenstein 50 Sister; insurance broker; born in NC; 4
years of college
— next household
Alexander Engart 38 Architect for oil co.; lived in Lansdown, Delaware Co., Pa. in
1935; earned $1800 for 46 weeks in 1939; 4 years of college; renting for
$40/month
Mary D. Engart 32 Clerk for rayon mfg.; earned $2100 in 1939; born in Mass,
lived in New York City in 1935; 4 years of high school
1941
Application for Membership in the American Public Health Association: Eugene P.
Campbell, M.D.
“The head
of
ICA’s public health office was Eugene P. Campbell, a medical graduate of Johns
Hopkins University with a master degree in public health
from the Pennsylvania School of Public Health. He had a rich Latin American
experience. He joined the Institute of Inter-American Affairs during World War
II and served as the American director of the co-operative health service in
Guatemala under the aegis of the State Department. In 1945 he became field
director of South American cooperative health services, and a few years later
he was stationed in Brazil.
“In 1955 he was appointed Acting Chief
(and later Chief) of ICA’s Office of Public Health in Washington, D.C. He
remained in this position until 1961 when he was transferred to India to work
with USAID. During the mid-1950s, Campbell orchestrated ICA’s participation in a number of Congressional hearings that resulted in the full
financial backing of malaria eradication as the number one health program in
developing countries. Thanks to Campbell, in 1957 the US Congress authorized
several million dollars to malaria eradication, support which continued until
the mid-1960s. This was a major campaign that covered all rural locations in
Latin America. Financial resources for this campaign were granted on the
condition that a large proportion of funds would be spent in the US, the donor
country, for buying insecticides, spraying equipment, and pharmaceutical
products. The presence of such products in Latin America increased dramatically
after World War II, entrenching foreign aid as an indirect subsidy to American
business.”
(“International Health, the Early Cold War and Latin
America.” Marcos Cueto.)
1942,
December: Deed transferred from Provident Trust Co. Trustee to Harry May, Jr..
1942,
December: Deed transferred from Harry May Jr. May to Harold & Bella (wife) Lipshutz.
1950
Directory: Robert J. Germane
Caroline Katzenstein
Edward H. Cleeland
George S. Hirst
George E. Walls
1952,
January: Deed transferred from Harold & Bella (wife) Lipshutz
to Bessie Hoffman.
1953,
June: Deed transferred from Bessie Hoffman to Leonard A. Gottlieb &
Nathaniel S. Hyman.
1953,
December: Deed transferred from Leonard A. Gottlieb & Nathaniel S. Hyman to
Alvin Magilver & Louis Magilner
w/ deed of Trust from Joseph H. Magilner.
1958,
Oct.: Became the property of Drexel University
<3421
Powelton 3409 Powelton >
Revised 7/2/2022