3721 Lancaster
Avenue
The whole block on the north side of Lancaster Ave. were built “as a single row of brick rowhouses…. All have undergone various twentieth century shopfront alterations and additions3711, 3713, 3717, 3719 and 3723 which appear to have retained their residential fronts…. A single scroll-shaped bracketed wood cornice unifies the entire block. --- Contributing.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
1865, Dec. 6: Title for Block of land starting
at the NW corner of Powelton and N. 37th, proceeding north to 310 N. 37th, then
west to Lancaster Ave. transferred to John H. McIlvain by Lydia E. Baring
This became the McIlvain Lumber
Yard.
1867, Dec. 4: Title for Block of land starting
at the NW corner of Powelton and N. 37th, proceeding north to 310 N. 37th, then
west to Lancaster Ave. transferred to Charles J. McIlvain by John H. McIlvain
1875, Mar. 4: Title for Block of land starting
at the NW corner of Powelton and N. 37th, proceeding north to 310 N. 37th, then
west to Lancaster
Ave. transferred
to Joseph Doyle by Charles J. McIlvain
The houses on this block were built
by Joseph Doyle. His office was at 3503 Lancaster Ave.
The
History
1877, May. 12: Title transferred to John Doyle by Joseph Doyle by Sheriff
1878 Directory
(Fall 1877): Holloway Chalkley T., broker, 53 S. Front St.
He
was born about 1818 in Ohio. His parents were born in Virginia. In 1880, he
lived with his wife, Mira, a daughter, his mother-in-law and brother-in-law,
Rebecca and Joseph Townsend. They lived at 12 S. 37th St.
The
1875 business directory lists him as a merchandise broker. The 1872 directory
lists him as an oil deal on N. Delaware Ave. The 1877 directory shows him
living at 3711 Walnut St.
1878, Nov. 26: Title transferred to Charles B. Dunn by John Doyle
1879 Directory:
Holloway Chalkley T., broker, 33 S. Front St.
1880:
Joseph Steer 45 Banker; born in Ohio, father in Ohio, mother in Virginia
Ellen Steer 45 Born in Scotland
William M. Steer 22 General
merchandise; born in Iowa, father in Ohio, mother in Scotland
Joseph E. Steer 16 Born
in Iowa, father in Ohio, mother in Scotland
Hannah Cummings 18 Servant
The
1876 directory lists William M. Steer, salesman at 1015 Cherry St.
1882 Directory:
Steer Joseph, real estate
Steer William M., lumber
1894 Directory:
Downing William, plumber
Morgan Irvin J., music teacher
Supplee Harriett M., widow of
Isaac
1894, Aug.: “Temple College and Branches Will Accommodate 7000 Students
“The
Temple College Forum is the center of five other institutions, the whole of
which will have accommodations for 7000 students…. During the past year this
institution has established four academies in Philadelphia. The West Academy is
located at 3721 Lancaster avenue…. Each academy will accommodate 500 students.
The East and West Academies hold both day and evening sessions….” (Inquirer)
This
is probably related to Irvin Morgan (see above).
1897, Feb. 15: Title transferred to John Lewis by Ellen Steer
1897, Mar. 10: Title transferred to Walter W. Hancock by John Lewis
1897, March 30: Permit issued to A. Gohn, contractor for alterations to
front at 3721 Lancaster Ave. (Inquirer, Mar. 31)
1898, Oct. 14: Want ad for pants maker (Inquirer)
1898, Oct. 22: Want ad for “operators on misses’ and ladies’ work” (Inquirer)
1899 Directory:
Barlow Thomas J. S., tailor
1900:
Thomas J. S. Barlow 43 Tailor; born in Iowa, father in England, mother in Scotland;
owner, with a mortgage
Anna T. Barlow 39 Married 17 years, 7 children, 4 surviving; parents born in
Ireland
Agnes M. Barlow 16
Thomas J. S. Barlow, Jr. 13
James L. Barlow 11
Frederick A. Barlow 10
1901, June 3: Ad: “150 ROOMS AND APARTMENTS to rent in all parts of West
Philadelphia. 3721 Lancaster ave.” (Inquirer)
1903, Dec. 1: Title transferred to Thomas J. S. Barlow by Walter W. Hancock
1905 Directory:
Barlow Thomas S., tailor, 3721 Lancaster Ave.
Barlow Thomas S., Jr., cutter
There
is also a listing for Thomas J. S. Barlow & Co., real estate at 3723
Lancaster Ave.
1910:
Joseph G. Hamilton 48 Laborer in storage warehouse; father born in Delaware;
renting
Martha V. Hamilton 43 Married 16 years, 2 children; parents born in England
Grace V. Hamilton 11
Walter J. Hamilton 9
Elizabeth Agnes Callahan 38 Lodger;
dressmaker; single; parents born in Ireland
Ella M. Callahan 34 Lodger; dressmaker; single; parents born in Ireland
1920, Jan. 10: Title transferred to Thomas J. S. Barlow, Jr. and Rosalie,
his wife by Thomas J. S. Barlow
They
were living in Maple Shade, N.J. He was a real estate salesman. They had three children
aged 3, 2 and six months.
In
March, the title was transferred back to Thomas J. S. and Ann Barlow, Sr.
1920:
George Ziegler 45 Laborer
in warehouse; parents born in Germany; renting
Mary Ziegler 42
Lyde Ziegler 19
Nellie M. Ziegler 17
1920, Jul. 19: Title transferred to Ludwig D. and Ella Huebner by Thomas J.
S. Barlow, Jr. and Ann, his wife
1930:
Ludwig Huebner 70 Realtor;
parents born in Bavaria; married at age 25; owner, house valued at $10,000
Ella Huebner 65 Born in NY; married at age 20
George Early 25 Hotel manager, unemployed for 2 months; born in NJ; married
at age 23
Mildred early 39 Married at age 27
In
1910, they lived at 5544 Pearl St. The 1921 directory lists him as Louis D.
Huebner with his real estate office at 4120 Lane Ave.
1931, Dec. 4: Death of Ludwig Daniel Huebner, 72 years old, of 3721
Lancaster St.
1933, Jan. 3: Title transferred to Marion M. Horning by Ella Huebner
Then
it was immediately transferred to Wallace A. and Madeline H. Huebner. In 1930
and 1940, they lived at 4603 Woodland Ave., Upper Darby. He was a plumbing
contractor.
1954, Nov. 16: Title transferred to Samuel Smerilson by Wallace A. and
Madeline H. Huebner
Samuel
Smerilson was a building contractor. He was born in Russia in 1902. When he
died in 1963, he and his wife were living at 5714 Florence Ave.
1955, Sep. 2: Title transferred to Pauline B. Kind by Samuel Smerilson
1966, May 20: “Religious Society for Friends Meetings for Worship… Powelton,
3721 Lancaster Ave.” (Inquirer)
This
moved around the neighborhood.
<3723
Lancaster 3719
Lancaster >
Revised 3/12/2022