3418 Race Street

 

The History of the Building

 

3410-3420 Race St. are shown on the 1872 G. M. Hopkins Atlas

 

3418-3420: “two-and-one-half story Second Empire style stone double with original dormers with arched, window heads in slate shingled mansard. circa 1895 Colonial Revival alterations included. replacing porch with simple post balustrade and wood Tuscan columns, and adding wood paneled projecting and flat bay windows to front. Original scroll and bracket cornice intact.”

(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, 1985)

 

 

Previous Residents of 3418 Race Street

 

1871/’72: Samuel S. Davis purchased this house from the builders, John Shedwick and his son James C. Shedwick. They lived at 3624 Baring St. They built a home for themselves at 3408 Race St. and moved there about 1872.

 

1874 Directory: Samuel S. Davis, clerk

            In 1870, Samuel lived at 332 N 32nd St. (which was renumbered 404 N. 32nd St. after 1880). He was listed at that address in the 1872 directory which was compiled the previous fall. He is not listed in the 1873 directory. In 1863, he registered for the Civil War draft in Harrisburg, Pa. He listed his occupation as liveryman. He had previously served in the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

 

1880:

Samuel S. Davis           42        Clerk for Penna. Railroad

Susan Davis                 38

Samuel R. Davis            6

Lydida Cragmile           18        Servant; born in Ireland

            In 1860, he lived with his widowed mother and brothers at 318 N. 31st St. In 1870, he lived at 404 N. 32nd St. (previously 332) with his mother and brother.

 

1891 Directory: Samuel Davis, clerk

                         Samuel Davis, Jr., student

 

1891, May 6: Death of Susan Davis, 49 years old, burial in Elizabethtown, Pa.

 

1893: Death of Elouise Davis of . Died at the home of her brother-in-law, Samuel S. Davis. Funeral at the home of her brother, Dr. Benton Molony, Norristown.

 

1896: Samuel Redsecker Davis graduated from Cornell University. He wrote a thesis entitled “A Comparative Study of the Basilicas of Trajan and of Constantine.”

 

1899 Directory: Samuel Davis, clerk

                         Samuel R. Davis, draughtsman

 

1900:

S. S. Davis                   62        Railroad clerk; widowed; owner, free of a mortgage

S. R. Davis                   27        Architect

 

1901, May 24: Death of Samuel R. Davis of 3418 Race St.

            “Samuel Redsecker Davis, a well-known architect, died suddenly on Wednesday at the home of his father, Samuel S. Davis, 3418 Race street, from spinal meningitis. Mr. Davis was taken sick in church last Sunday night and went to a physician at once. The disease developed so rapidly he lived but three days. He was a graduate of Central High School class of ’93 and of Cornell, where he took a prize for architectural work.”  (Phila. Inquirer)

            “SAMUEL R. DAVIS, '96, B.S. IN ARCH.

            “Samuel Redsecker Davis died suddenly of spinal meningitis, May 24, at his home in Philadelphia. Since leaving college the deceased had shown great promise in his chosen profession, and was at the time of his death employed as architect by the Pennsylvania Railroad and in addition had quite an extensive private practice. He had drawn plans for the Alumni Hall and had been chosen to take part in the final competition.

            “While in college Mr. Davis took an active interest in University affairs, being a member of the lacrosse team, pipe custodian of his class, and a member of various clubs. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.”  (Cornell Alumni News, May 29, 1901)

 

1905, Oct. 26: Death of Samuel S. Davis, 69 years old. He was born in Chester Co. Pa.

 

1910:

Mary E. Roberts          46        “Own income;” widowed

Katharine Reyenthaler 69        Mother; “own income;” widowed

Elizabeth Hornkepf     65        Aunt, single

Mary Kelly                   25        Servant, cook; born in Ireland

            Katherine Reyenthaler was the widow of Henry Reyenthaler. He was a drover (a cattle dealer). In 1870 and 1880, they lived at 337 (later 409) N. 32nd St. Mary Elizabeth Reyenthaler married Charles Paul Roberts in Philadelphia in 1891. He died Oct. 2, 1895 at age 34. They were living at 3217 Wallace St.

 

1920:

Mary E. Roberts          56        Widowed

Catherine Reyenthaler 80        Mother

Elizabeth Dornketh     74        Aunt

 

1941, Apr. 25: Death of Mary Newell Cash, 76 years old buried from The Church of the Savior-Episcopal in Philadelphia.

            She was the daughter of George S. Cash. She lived most of her life at 3500 Race St.

 

< 3416 Race                                                                                                                                       3420 Race >

Revised 9/20/2015

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