3509 Baring Street

“Italianate three-story house; flat roof with Colonial Revival dentillated cornice; porch removed and front two-story enclosed; additions built in twentieth century. Building roughcasted.”

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

History

1859 Directory: George Askin, hatter, 36th & Baring

Henry J. Askin, real estate agent, 112 S. 4th, Baring (WP)

John Askin, salesman, 110 S. 2nd, h 36th & Baring

The 1858 directory lists John H. Askin, salesman at 110 S 2^nd living at Haverford above 36th. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

1860:

James H. Askin 38 Real estate; real estate: $16,000, personal: $2,500

Louisa Askin 38

Louisa Askin 12

Ella C. Askin 7

Mary E. Askin 1

Isabel Askin 87 Born in Ireland

John Askin 42 Clerk; personal property: $1,000

Elizabeth Askin 40

Emily M. Askin 36

George E. H. Askin 31 Hat finisher

James A. Hill 24 Bank clerk; real estate: $12,000, personal: $1,000

Isabel Hill 23

William H. Hill 21 Salesman

(Precinct 7, 106, image 20)

Louisa Askin married Charles E. Hopkins. She died very young in March, 1876.

George E. Askin owned 3708-3712 Baring St. and 312-318 N. 37th St. which he transferred to his sister, Elizabeth J. Askin, 1867.

In 1850, James, Isabel and William Hill lived with their mother, Ann, in Frankfort, Philadelphia Co., Pa. Ann claimed $14,000 in real estate. In 1880, James was married with three children. George and Isabel lived with them in Ward 28.

In 1860, J. Henry Askin and a number of associates incorporated the West Philadelphia Market Co. The incorporation papers state that:

“the object and purpose of said corporation shall be to erect and maintain suitable building or building and stalls, with all things necessary for the use thereof, at any place within the limits of the Twenty· fourth ward, city of Philadelphia, the same to be appropriated and used as a public market house, for the sale and vending of meats and vegetables, and all other kinds of victuals and provisions whatever, and such other edible as the board of managers may deem proper; Provided, That all farmers, wherever resident, shall have all the rights, privileges and immunities, in renting stalls and selling produce therefrom, that is or may be granted to any citizen of Philadelphia or elsewhere.”

The associates included Thomas T. Butcher (207 N. 35^th St.) and Charles B. Truitt (3609 Spring Garden St.)

1863, March 22, Death Notice: “ASKIN – On Sunday, March 22d, Mrs. ISABELLA ASKIN, relict [i.e., widow] of the late John Askin, in the 80th year of her age. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral from the residence of her son, J. Henry Askin, Baring street, west of Thirty-fifth, on Thursday afternoon, March 26th, at 2 o’clock.” (Phila. Inquirer, March 24, 1863)

1867, April: Deed transferred from Elizabeth Jane Askin to William D. Heston.

In 1870, the Askins lived in Radnor, Delaware Co. James Henry Askin was listed as a banker with real estate worth $75,000 and personal property worth $125,000. He played a central role in the early development of Wayne. His home in Wayne is now the Louella Apartments.

“James Henry Askin purchased 300 acres of farmland on which he proposed to build a Victorian development to be named "Louella" after his daughters, Louisa and Ella. Askin was successful in creating his private estate at the heart of which was the magnificent mansard-roofed mansion. Apart from building the Wayne Presbyterian Church and a row of mansard-roofed villas on Bloomingdale Avenue, Askin was also responsible for one of the most important buildings in the town: The Wayne Lyceum Hall, later named Wayne Opera House (c. 1871). The Opera House had stores, a post office and a library reading room on the 1st floor, a 450 seat meeting room and stage on the 2nd floor and a meeting room for the Masonic Lodge. Later the building would be the first place in Wayne to see silent movies. Askin's plans to create and sustain a more elaborate development were derailed by the financial depression of 1873 and towards the end of the 19th century a number of things happened that would shape the Main Line.

“In 1880 Askin sold his land to Anthony J. Drexel and George W. Childs who wanted to build an elaborate planned community.” (History of Wayne, Wayne Business Association.)

For a map of his holdings in Radnor Township and a picture of Louella, his mansion in Wayne, see the Powelton History Blog.

The 1880 census of the blind lists J. Henry Askin of Radnor as having become blind at age 42 as a result of “sickness.” He died Feb. 21, 1900 when he was living at 3333 N. Broad St.

1870, January: Deed transferred from George Evans & wife to Isaac Ray.

1870:

Isaac Ray 63 Physician; born in Mass.; real estate: $15,000, personal: $50,000

Abby Ray 63 Born in Maine

Benjamin L. Ray 33 Physician; born in Maine

Lucretia Tinkham 67 Born in Maine; real estate: $9,000, personal: $8,000

Martha Tinkham 37 Born in Maine; personal property: $4,000

Catherine Cullin 20 Domestic servant; born in Ireland

(1870: ED 77, pp 24-5)

Isaac Ray and Abigail May Frothingham were married May 31, 1831. Abigail’s sister, Lucretia, married Franklin Tinkham August 5, 1830.

Isaac Ray (1807-1881) was an American psychiatrist, one of the founders of the discipline of forensic psychiatry. In 1838, he published A Treatise on the Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity, which served as an authoritative text for many years. He lived in Philadelphia for the last 15 years of his life during which time he was in private practice.

For more on Isaac Ray, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Ray.

1878 Directory: B. Lincoln Ray, physician

Isaac Ray, physician

1880:

Isaac Ray 73 Physician; born in Mass.

Abbie M. Ray 73 Born in Maine

Mary Ann Ray 65 Sister; single; born in Mass.

Annie Mc Elhone 35 Servant; born in Ireland

Annie Conner 20 Servant; born in Ireland; can’t read or write

(1880: ED 487, p 18)

1881, March 31: Death of Isaac Ray, 74 years old. Burial at Providence, R.I.

“Obituary – Dr. Isaac Ray

“Isaac Ray, M.D., the distinguished physician, died yesterday at his residence, 3509 Baring street, in the seventy-fourth year of his life. He was born in Beverly, Mass., in 1807, and was educated at Bowdoin College, where he graduated before he attained his majority. He then proceeded to Boston, where he devoted himself to the study of medicine, turning his attention to the treatment of the insane. His first charge was at the asylum at Eastport, Me., whence he was transferred to that at Portland, where he resigned in 1841 to take a similar position at Augusta, in the same state.

“Four years later he was appointed superintendent of the Butler Asylum for the Insane at Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued for many years, his reputation steadily increasing till it became national and then extended to Europe, where he was elected an honorary member of the Medical Psychological Society of London, the diploma only reaching him last month. In 1868 he resigned his position at Providence, owing to failing health, and removed to this city, where he has ever since resided, acting often as a consulting physician, and writing many valuable medical papers for the periodicals sustained by his profession. His volume on ‘The Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity’ is everywhere known and acknowledged as an authority. At the time of the Winnemore trial and conviction in this city in 1867 Dr. Ray’s name came prominently before the public in connection with a well considered report on the mental condition of the accused. Dr. Ray leaves a widow, but no children. His death was a result of a complication of diseases, from which he suffered for many years.” (Phila. Inquirer, April 1, 1881)

1885, Sept. 2: Death of Abagail May Ray, 78.5 years old, of 3509 Baring St. Burial at Providence, R.I.

1885, November: Deed transferred from Edward Hopper (surviving executor and Trustee of Isaac Ray) to Sallie H. Skillern.

1890 Directory: Ross, Emeline widow of William

Ross, Frank R., Clerk

Ross, Laura F.

Skillern, Samuel R., physician

1892: Ross Skillern; undergraduate student, in Biology; (Catalogue of the U. of Penna.)

1892: Samuel R. Skillern joined a law suit aimed at stopping the introduction of electric trolleys on Baring St. to replace the old horse-drawn streetcars. (See the Powelton History Blog for details.)

1894 Directory: Letitia Green, widow of Victor

1900:

Samuel R. Skillern 56 Physician; born in Alabama, parents in Va.

Sarah Ross Skillern 47 Married 26 years, 3 children; born in Del.

Ross Hall Skillern 24 Physician

Claude L. Skillern 22 Salesman of Strichs (?)

Samuel R. Skillern, Jr. 14 In school

Letitia Green 57 Sister-in-law; widowed, 2 children; born in Del.

Esther Ross Green 31 Niece; born in Del.

Sarah Clark 25 Servant; black; married, 1 child; born in Va.

Lelia Lewis 20 Servant; black; born in Va.

(ED 543; p 12a)

In 1880, they lived at 3416 Baring St.

1903, June 27: Marriage of Theodosia Hendrickson Hartman to Penn-Gaskill Skillern, M.D.

P. G. Skillern was the son of Samuel Skillern and his first wife, Elizabeth Penn-Gaskill Skillern (1825-1866). (See his photo and biography at their previous residence, 3416 Baring St.) In 1906, P.G. and Theodosia Skillern lived at 3316 Race St.

Dr. Ross Skillern

1910:

Samuel R. Skillern 75 Doctor of medicine; born in Va.[sic.]

Sarah H. Skillern 56 Married 35 years, 3 children; born in Delaware

Claude F. V. Skillern 32 Meat salesman

Samuel R. Skillern, Jr. 24 No occupation

Letitia Green 67 Sister-in-law; widowed, 2 children; born in Del.

Esther Green 41 Niece; born in Del.

Grace Taylor 30 Servant; black; born in Va.

(ED 492, p 3a)

In 1915, Claude LeV. Skillern married Ethel M. Quirk

In 1920, they lived at 6009 Nassau St., Philadelphia. She was 29 years old and he was 40. He was a citrus grove salesman.

The 1916 directory lists Ross H. Skillern living in Ardmore. In 1918, Major Ross Hall Skillern and First Lieutenant Samuel Ruff Skillern, Jr. were recommended for Commission in the Medical Officers Reserve Corps. (Pennsylvania Medical Journal;)

1911: the Smith Atlas gives the owner as Sallie Hall Skillern.

1911, July 23: Death of Sarah Hall Skillern, wife of Dr. Samuel R. Skillern and daughter of late ex-Governor Ross of Delaware. Funeral services were at St. Andrew’s Church. (Phila. Inquirer, 7/25/1911)

1912, Jan. 7: “Rank W. Wallace and John W. Emery have plans posted for alterations to an apartment house at 3509 Baring street, West Philadelphia for Dr. Ross Hall Skillern.” (Inquirer)

1913 & 1914 Directories: Leslie H. Fry, physician

Howard Leslie Fry and Gertrude Kimber Warrin married at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Germantown on June 4, 1913. They later lived at 3419 Baring St.

1915: H. Leslie Fry; application and dues for membership in the Homeopathic Medical Society of Pa. (Hahnemannian Monthly)

1916 Directory: William A. Fraim, salesman

1918 Directory: Martha B. Altemus, widow of Edward

William A. Fraim, insurance

Martha B. Hastings, stenographer

James T. Kneass, clerk

Joseph T. Kneass

Harry W. Maloy of Philadelphia Funeral Supply Co.

Charles B. Pitt

1918 Draft Registration: William Le Roy Fraim, Directory of Philadelphia Institute of Music and Allied Arts at 10 S. 18th St. (self-employed)

(Evening Public Ledger, Sept. 29, 1920)

1919, September: Deed transferred from Ross Hall Skillern & Samuel Ruff Skillern (Executors of will of Sallie H. Skillern & Ross Hall Skillern & his wife, Eliza P. Skillern, Claude LeVert Skillern & his wife Ethel M Skillern, Samuel R. Skillern to Henrietta T. Cooke.

Samuel Skllern died February 17, 1921 at the home of his son, Ross Skillern, Bleddyn Rd. and Montgomery Ave., Ardmore. He was 87 years old.

1920:

William A. Fraim 61 Traveling salesman, lighting; renting

Ella R. Fraim 58 Father born in England

William L. Fraim 36 Music teacher

Madeleine R. Fraim 41 Daughter-in-law

Robert R. Fraim 4 yrs. 11 mons. Grandson

---

Charles B. Pitt 60 Wholesale butter dealer; born in N.Y., father in Englad, mother in N.Y.

Emily E. Pitt 57

Mary B. Hasting 36 Step-daughter; born in Nevada, father in England, mother in Pa.

---

Horace G. Hill, Jr. 36 Engineer [rest illegible]

Arline Hollister Hill 29 Born in N.Y.

---

Harry W. Maloy 43 Merchant, funeral supplies; parents born in Del.

Elsia D. Maloy 42 Born in N.J.

Sara E. Maloy 85 Mother; widowed; born in Del.

---

Martha B. Altemus 63 Widowed

Eleanor L. Altemus 28 Daughter; social service, medical; born in N.J.

---

Mary G. McGlade 42 File clerk at the Navy yard; single; parents born in Ireland

Genevieve McGlade 34 Sister; cataloguer at Free Library; born in N.J., parents in Ireland

Kathleen McGlade 31 Sister; assistant cataloguer at Free Library; born in N.J., parents in Ireland

(ED 686, 2B)

William Le Roy Fraim and Madeleien Rowland were married at Cheltenham United Methodist Church, Montgomery, Pa. on June 30, 1913.

Horace and Arline Hill moved to 308 N. 37^th St. He grew up at 3416 Baring St. His father grew up at 3405 Hamilton St.

Ella R. (Lucas) Fraim (1862-1923) William A. Fraim (1858-1921)

1921, May 11: Death of William A. Fraim

“Funeral services for William A. Fraim, aged 63 years, of Philadelphia and formerly of this city [Harrisburg], who died in Boston on Wednesday, will be held this afternoon…. The Rev. Frank E. Jensen, pastor of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, will officiate ay the services. Burial will be made in the East Harrisburg Cemetery.

“He is survived by his wife, one son, W. Leroy Fraim, of Philadelphia, and two daughters, Mrs. Francis Alexander, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Helen Kier, of Pittsburgh.”

1923, Sep. 12: Death of Ella R. Fraim, 61 years old

1924, Oct. 18: Death of Martha Blundin Altemus, 68 years old, daughter of Richard Blundin and Martha Newlin

In 1910, Martha and her daughter, Eleanor, lived at 3622 Hamilton St.

1930:

Robert Reiss 28 Newspaper reporter; married at age 19; born in N.Y., parents born in Russia; renting for $75 per month

Ida K Reiss 33 Married at age 23; born in N.Y., parents born in Russia

Lucy Reiss 3

Philip Reiss 3 months

— next household

Louis Fleischer 40 Attorney with law practice; married at age 25; renting for $75 per month

Olga Fleischer 35 Married at age 20; Born in Kiev, Russia, immigrated in 1920, speaks Yiddish

— next household

David Serber 44 Attorney with law practice; married first time [?] at age 22; born in Moscow, Russia, immigrated in 1906, speaks Yiddish; renting for $75 per month

Graver Serber 34 Married at age 21; born in Moscow, Russia, immigrated in 1888, speaks Yiddish

Robert Serber 21

Alice Serber 18 Language tutor

William Serber 17

— next household

Alfred Holstein 40 Salesman of retail knit goods; married first time [?] at age 24; renting for $75 per month (see below 1940)

Meriam Holstein 32 Married at age 21 (see below 1940)

Marjorie Holstein 11

— next household

Henry [Norman P.] Stratton 40 Asphalt paving contractor; married at age 24; renting for $75 per month

Alice [Gladys or Gertrude] Stratton 35 Married at age 19

Thomas Stratton 10

— next household

Alma Minnick 22 Stenographer in law office; renting for $75 per month

Dorothy Taylor 21 Lodger; stenographer at life insurance co.

Mae Fisher 27 Lodger; office clerk at life insurance co.

(ED 398, 14A)

Norman P. Stratton and Gertrude M. Dolphin were married in Philadelphia in February, 1917 when she was living at 34^th and Spring Garden Sts. In 1920, they lived at 100 N. 34^th St. In 1940, they lived in Haverford, Delaware Co. She apparently returned to this address (see 1950 below).

1940:

Alfred Holstein 53 Salesman of wholesale handkerchiefs, earned $4,000 in 1939; born in England; 2 years of college; renting for $70 per month

Miriam Holstein 48 Born in Texas, father born in Texas, mother in N.Y.; married at age 25, 1 child; 3 years of high school

-- next household

David A. McClelland 65 Building contractor; self-employed; born in N. Ireland; 8 years of schooling; renting for $45 per month

David L. McClelland 35 Son; examiner for Dept. of Health, earned $2,200 in 1939; single; 4 years of high school

-- next household

Regina Winley 59 Married; 4 years of high school; renting for $45 per month

Frank Donnelly 23 Nephew; clerk at hotel, earned $900 in 1939; single; 4 years of high school

Florence Harbison 61 Single; clerk for trust co., earned $900 in 1939; 4 years of high school

-- next household

Edna Yarnell 41 Secretary for insurance co., earned $2,000 in 1939divorced; 4 years of high school; renting for $40 per month

-- next household

Mary Maher 44 Nurse in industry, earned $2,200 in 1939fidowed; 4 years of high school; renting for $50 per month

Mary Maher 21 Daughter; new worker seeking work for 52 weeks; single; 4 years of college

Ruth Maher 19 Daughter; single; 4 years of college

-- next household

James Donnelly 65 Physician in private practice; 5 years of college; renting for $50 per month

Carrie Donnelly 63 Four years of high school

(ED 686, 9B)

Alfred Leonard Holstein and Miriam H. Maas were married in New York City Dec. 12, 1916. He was born in London, England and emigrated in 1913. She is listed in the 1905 directory for Austin, Texas and in the 1909 directory for Galveston. In 1920, they lived at 39 Parkside Ave.

David McClelland and his wife, Millicent Wall, lived with their children and her mother at 4011 Baring St. in 1920 and 1930. She died Dec. 11, 1934.

In 1930, Mary Maher and her two daughters lived in the Sunderland Apartments (35^th and Powelton). She was the widow of John J. Maher. In 1920, they lived in Hazelton, Luzerne Co., Pa.

1942 Draft Registration: A. McClelland David construction engineer for City of Philadelphia at 1801 Vine St., born in Belfast, Ireland Oct. 26 1880

1943, Dec. 17, Naturalization: Alfred Lloyd Holstein, 56 years old, of 3509 Baring St.

1950 Directory: Norman C. Farnlof

Joseph T. Heise

Milo C. Knight

Mrs. Norman P. Stratton

2009: current owner: Sarah J. Bernard

six apartments

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Revised 3/19/2015

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