The
History of the Building
“two-and-one-half story red brick Victorian
house with ornate wood porch and gabled entry; pressed and corbelled brick
detail and front gable with overhang”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1868, Oct. 10: Title
for 3615-19 Baring St. transferred to Fulton W. Hastings by Jacob Hines
1875, Aug. 27: Title
for 3615-19 Baring St. transferred to W. C. Eliason by Fulton W. Hastings
William Eliason lived
next door at 3619 Baring St.
1883, Sep. 5: Title
for 3615-3619 Baring St. transferred to Henry B. Chapman by W. C. Eliason,
Thomas W. Eliason, executor
1884, May 24: Title
for 3615 transferred to Emma Atkin by Henry B. Chapman, et al.
1886 Directory (Fall,
1885): Hercules Atkin, Hercules Atkin & Co. (Hercules Atkin & Ellsworth
Bright), carpets at 1011 Market St.
The 1885 directory
listed him at 1817 Mt. Vernon
St.
“HERCULES ATKIN: From
errand boy to proprietor of one of the largest carpet houses of Philadelphia is
the business history of Hercules Atkin. The analyzation of his life record
indicates that his advanced steps were carefully directed by intelligent
purpose and laudable ambition and resulted from indefatigable energy and close
application. The record is one well worthy of emulation.
“A native of Ireland, Hercules Atkin
was born in Rossard, County Wicklow,
July 31, 1838, a son of William and Jane (Jones) Atkin. The family records show
that the ancestry can be traced back to John Atkin, who was born in 1618 and
became a resident of Ireland. In 1616 the Atkin family were located at Billbrook, in the parish of old Cleade,
near Morehead, Somersetshire, England, where representatives of the name
occupied a position of wealth and prominence for many generations. Many were
warriors and served under the early English sovereigns. Others gained
distinction as lawyers and clergymen, and still others left their impress in
various ways upon the history and civilization of the country. Land in Ireland
was given to some of the ancestors of Hercules Atkin for valiant deeds
performed during the different wars of Great Britain, and all inherited large
means. One of the number, John Atkin. who resided in County Wexford, Ireland.
secreted a list of names of those doomed to die in 1798 because of their
loyalty to the king, and no less than fourteen Atkins were on the list but because
of the order of execution being hidden none so lost their lives. William Atkin
was a gentleman farmer of Ireland and for a short time engaged in business
pursuits there. He later disposed of all his land and commercial interests and
came to America, settling in Philadelphia in 1847. His wife also came from the
landed gentry, the Jones family being owners of one of the finest estates in
Ireland.
“Hercules Atkin was only eight years
of age at the time of the voyage across the Atlantic. and. following the
establishment of the family home in Philadelphia. He attended the public
schools until fourteen years of age. At that time he secured a position as
errand boy with the firm of Shumaker & Huff, who were engaged in the carpet
business on Second street. His fidelity, diligence and earnest purpose enabled
him to work his way steadily upward from one position to another, until
eventually he became junior partner in the firm, After the death of the senior
partner the business was reorganized under the firm name of DeBois
& Atkin . A few years later Mr. DeBois withdrew
and the business became the property of Mr. Atkin under his name. which was
carried on successfully and continuously until his demise. At the time of his
death he was the oldest carpet merchant in business in Philadelphia and had one
of the leading establishments in that line. The trade had been built up on a
solid foundation, the business management of the house never seeking nor
requiring disguise, and by careful study of the wants of the public and by
progressive business methods an extensive patronage had been secured.
“Mr. Atkin , however, did not
confine his attention solely to business affairs. He never neglected the higher
and holier duties of life. On the contrary he was a consistent, active and
faithful member of the Methodist church, originally holding membership in the
old Union church on Fourth street, called the Academy in 1848. He was ordained
deacon in 1873, and in March, 1900, was ordained an elder and minister of the
church. He took a most deep, profound and helpful interest in the various lines
of church work to which he devoted much time, and he was a member and secretary
of the Philadelphia Local Preachers Association. He was also instrumental in
organizing the congregation and building the Methodist church at Tioga,
Pennsylvania, where he resided for about two years.
“On the 17th of January,
1873. Mr. Atkin was married to Miss Emma Bodine, a daughter of John F. and
Martha (Swope) Bodine. Her father was a member of the state senate and also
served as judge of Gloucester county, New Jersey. For many years he conducted
an extensive and profitable business in glass manufacturing and was one of the
leading and influential men of his district, not only contributing to material
progress, but abo upholding the political and legal status of the commonwealth.
He served in both the house of representatives and the senate of the New Jersey
legislature and left the impress of his individuality upon a number of
important laws. His father, Joel Bodine, was the pioneer glass manufacturer of
New Jersey. John Bodine, the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Atkin, served for
seven years during the Revolutionary war and held the rank of captain. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Atkin were born two sons and two daughters. John F. B., who married a
Miss Raymond of New Jersey, is a graduate of the law department of the
University of Pennsylvania and is now a successful young attorney of
Philadelphia. Grace is at home. Corinna is the wife of Ernest Stebben of New York city . Hercules B. is a mechanical
engineer of Philadelphia.
“In politics Mr. Atkin was a
republican with firm faith in the party principles. He belonged to the Masonic
fraternity, was of a most social disposition, was fond of reading and possessed
a remarkably retentive memory. Outside of business, his leisure hours were
spent in those things which bring broader mental culture and constitute sources
of genuine pleasure and recreation. He passed away June 22. 1906 – a citizen of
worth who had ever been loyal to the highest municipal interests, a business
man of unimpeachable integrity. a friend of unquestioned fidelity, and a
devoted and loving husband and father.”
(Philadelphia, A History of the City and its
People: A Record of 225 years. Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer.
1912)
1895 Directory: E. Bodine Atkin, secretary at 1011 Market St.
Hercules Atkin,
president, Hercules Co., Ltd. at 1011 Market St.
William A. Radford,
clerk
He is also
listed here in the 1896 and 1897 directories. In 1897, he was listed as a
salesman.
1900:
Hercules Atkin 60 Carpet dealer; born in
Emma B. Atkin 50 Married 27
years, 4 children; born in N.J.
Grace B. Atkin 26
John F. B. Atkin 23 Lawyer
Corinna Atkin 21
Hercules B. Atkin
14
Sarah Martin 22 Servant;
black; born in
Sadie Green 22 Servant;
black; born in
Hercules Atkin died in 1906.
1903: Hercules Boyd Atkin. Freshman. Mechanical Engineering. (
1906 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. Hercules Atkin
John F. Bodine Atkin
Hercules B. Atkin
The Misses Atkin
1906: Marriage license issued to Corrina Atkin of 3615 Baring St.
and Ernest B. Stebbens
In 1910, they lived in the Montrose
Apartments at 4629 Baltimore Ave. and in
1920 they lived in the Sunderland Apartments at 35th
and Powelton. In 1930 and 1940, they lived in Radnor, Delaware Co., Pa.
1906, June 22: Death of Hercules Atkin.
"Hercules Atkin, the former
carpet manufacturer, died on Friday night at his home, 3615 Baring street.
Heart failure was the cause of death. Mr. Atkin was born in Ireland sixty-eight
years ago. He was ordained as a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but
never took a charge. He always took a great interest in church affairs. Mr.
Atkin was one of the oldest retail carpet dealers in the city. A year ago ill
health compelled him to give up his business. The dead man is survived by a widow,
two sons and two daughters. One of his sons, Hercules B. Atkin, was to have
road in Pennsylvania's four-oared crew at Poughkeepsie today." (Phila. Inquirer, June 24, 1906)
1908: E. B. Stebbins of 3615 Baring St. elected member of the
Illuminating Engineering Society.
1910:
Emma B. Atkin 55 Widowed, 4 children; born in N.J.
Grace B. Atkin 28 Daughter;
single; father born in
H. Boyd Atkin 24 Son; mechanical engineer for telephone
co. [?]
Mary Browney 42 Servant;
black; widow with one child; born in
1911, May. 23: Title transferred to Ida Waugh by Emma Atkin
1913, Sep. 22: Title transferred to Thomas S. Gates (Guaridan?) by sheriff as of Atkins
1914, May. 22: Title transferred to Ann C. Robertson
1920:
Anna C. Robertson 57 Single; owned,
free of a mortgage
1927 Directory: Miss A. C. Robertson
1930:
Anna C. Robertson 67 Single; owned,
house valued at $10,000
1940:
Anna Robertson 77 Four
years high school; owner, value $10,000.
1943, Apr. 14: Title transferred to Ralph E. Gordy by estate of
Ann C. Robertson
1950 Directory: Joseph N. Goodman, Jr.
Ernest C. Miller
Sidney L. Miller, Jr.
Richard C. Russell
Charles A. Thomas, Jr.
C. Robert VanderVoort
2022: owners: Frank T. Horrigan and Lou Zing-Jian, purchased January 2003