3613 Powelton Avenue

 

3611-3613: “mansarded stone double; porch-fronted; first floor full-height. windows; symmetrical. fenestration with six windows across the second floor and four dormers in the slate-shingled Mansard. Building has robustly bracketed wood cornice.”

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

 

1856, June 11: Title for 3601-3613 Powelton transferred to Charles Walton by Louisa E. Baring, et al.

 

History

 

1869, June 7: Title for 3613 Powelton & 3614 Pearl transferred to Thomas D. Crispenn by Charles Walton

 

1871, Oct. 27: Title for 3613 Powelton & 3614 Pearl transferred to John Powell by Thomas D. Crispenn

 

1880:

Robert B. Baker           44        Merchant; born in Mass.

Annetta L. Baker         39        Father born in N.J.

Harriet J. Baker            22

Robert B. Baker           13        Born in England

Matilda Evelyn Matlack 71      Mother-in-law; widowed; father born in France

Sophia Sadarberg         42        Servant; single; born in Sweden

Eliza Mc Namee          21        Servant; single; born in Ireland

Harriet Baker was the daughter of Robert and his first wife, Sarah. The 1887 Directory lists Annetta L. Baker, widow of Robert, and Robert B. Baker [Jr.] living at 219 N. 34th St.

 

In 1870, they lived at 1425 N. 17th St. In May, 1870, Robert, Jr. patented “an Improvement in Insulators for Telegraph Wires of which the following is a specification:

 “[Col.] ROBERT BRECKENRIDGE BAKER [Jr.], Merchant, was born in London, England, January 31, 1867; son of Robert Breckenridge and Annette Louise (Matlack) Baker, who were residing temporarily abroad. His father was the founder of the Phosphor Bronze Smelting Company of Philadelphia, and was a descendant of Job Baker, who came from England and settled at Westport, Mass., about 1760…. The first two years of Colonel Baker's life was spent in Paris, France, after which his parents returned to their home in Philadelphia. He was educated in the William Penn Charter school and at Swarthmore college. He left Swarthmore in 1886 to begin a mercantile career, entering the employ of Robert Hare Powel and company, coal operators of Philadelphia, and remaining there until the company was taken over by its successor, the Sterling Coal company…. Beginning in a clerical capacity, he rose to higher positions, becoming secretary and a director of the company in 1889, vice-president in 1902, and president in 1907, a position he still holds. He is also president of the Baker Transportation company, Bakerton Land and Improvement company, Bakerton Water company, Bakerton Supply company, and El Mora Coal Mining company; vice president of the Stineman Coal and Coke company, and treasurer and director of the Powelton Barge company. For recreation he indulges in motoring, golf, riding and other outdoor sports. He was aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Daniel H. Hastings 1895-99, and attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He is a member of the New York, New York Athletic, Army and Navy, Ardsley, Riverside Yacht, Indian Harbor Yacht and the Fairfield County Golf clubs. He is unmarried.”   (Distinguished successful Americans of our day …. 1912.)

 

1881 Directory: R. Breckenridge Baker, 202 Walnut Pl. h 3613 Powelton.

 

1881, Aug. 7: Death of Robert B. Baker, burial at Mt. Peace Cemetery

           

1887 Directory: William Garrett (C.S. Garrett & Son), h 3613 Powelton Ave.

            From 1889 on, he lived at 3404 Baring St. in 1890.

 

Casper S. Garrett (1830-1897)

 

1897, June 11: “The late Casper S. Garrett, the well-known paper manufacturer, left no will and letters of administration were granted on the estate, to his son and co-partner, William Garrett. The estate is valued at $325,000.”  (Phila. Inquirer)

            The estate was dived equally between Elizabeth Garrett and her children, William and Laura E. Garrett.

 

1900:

Elizabeth W Garrett    69        Widowed, 2 children; owner, free of a mortgage

Laura E Garrett           43        Daughter; single

Elizabeth Fleming        35        Servant; black; born in Del.

Fannie Earle                24        Servant; black; born in Va.

            She was the widow of C. S. Garrett who owned the Keystone Paper Mills in Upper Darby and the Union Paper Mill. In 1880, they lived at 626 N. 12th St.

 

1904, Aug. 13: Death of William Garrett, 50 years old of 3604 Baring St.

            “William Garrett, a well-known paper manufacturer and former member of Common Council, succumbed suddenly yesterday to an attack of heart disease, at the residence of his mother, 3613 Powelton Ave.”  (Phila. Inquirer, Aug. 17)

 

1907, Sep. 1: Death of Laura Elizabeth Garrett

 

1910:

Elizabeth Garrett         78        Widowed, 2 children, neither surviving

Emily Wilbin               61        Companion; single; born in NY.

Ellen Jones                  55        Servant; black; widowed, 2 children, neither surviving; born in Del.

Lizzie Fleming             45        Servant; black; single; born in Del.

 

1910, Dec. 19: Death of Elizabeth W. Garrett, 79 years old. She was the daughter of Adam Williamson and Sara Phillips. Cause of death was lobular pneumonia. She buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.

 

1920:

Edward McElroy         34        Automobile mechanic; born in Del.; renting

Jane McElroy               31        Manager of hotel dining room; mother born in Ireland

--- Next household

Elinor S. Risley            46        Lodger; father born in Md.

---

Margaret Schock          60        Born in N.J.

George Schock            22        Office clerk; born in Philadelphia

---

Mary Swift                   53        Trained nurse for private family; born in Philadelphia

Amy Davis Swift         39        Sister; trained nurse in hospital; born in England, immigrated in 1889

---

Mrs. A. Milleisen         53        Secretary for boarding institution; widowed

Kathryn Milleisen        23        Daughter; clerk in stock office

 

 

1950 Directory: Evelyn M. Hill, nurse

 

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Revised: 7/4/2022

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