The
History of the Building
The
current building was built in 1908. It was designed by Albert W. Dilks and built by H. E. Grau Co. It was designed to be
“heated by hot air, wired throughout for combination fixtures, tiled baths,
etc.” It would cost $7,000. (Phila. Builders’ Guide, April 29 and May 20).
“three-story brick Colonial Revival House;
splayed brick lintels with terracotta keystones, stone sills, white terra cotta
belt course, single red terra cotta lintel across third floor windows. dentillated cornice.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1880:
E. F. Hovey 56 Photographer;
born in
Maggie E. Hovey 39 Wife; born in
Harry G. Hovey 22 Son; clerk;
father born in
The 1879 directory lists Erastus F.
Hovey, photographer, living at 3721 Baring St.
with a studio at 244 N. 8th St. The 1883 directory lists them at 306 N. 37th St. His studio was then at 9 N.
13th St.
1900:
Annie Wallace 53 Housekeeper;
widow; born in
Rhoda Simpson 21 Niece; dry
goods saleslady; single; born in
William E. Perdue 31 Boarder; shoe
salesman
In the 1890 Directory, William E.
Perdue was listed as living at
1910:
Joel H. Hildebrand 28 College instructor;
born in N.J., parents born in
Emily Hildebrand 23 Married one
year; father born in N.H., mother in R.I.
Joel Hildebrand and Emily Alexander
were married in Philadelphia in 1908. She was raised at 306
N. 35th St. In 1920, they lived with three young children in
Berkeley, Alameda, California where he was a professor.
"Joel Henry Hildebrand (November 16, 1881 – April 30, 1983)[1] was
an American educator and a pioneer chemist. He was a major figure in chemistry
research specializing in liquids and nonelectrolyte solutions.
"Hildebrand graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1903.
He served briefly in the faculty before going to the University of California,
Berkeley as a chemistry instructor in 1913. Within five years he became an
Assistant Professor. In 1918 he was elevated to Associate Professor before
finally being granted Full Professorship a year later in 1919. He served as the
Dean of the College of Chemistry from 1949 through 1951. He retired from full
time teaching in 1952[2] but remained a University Professor at Berkeley until
his death. Hildebrand Hall on the Berkeley campus is named for him." (Wikipedia, accessed 9/23/2012)
1914: “Alexander – Hill
"The wedding
of Miss Virginia Hill, daughter of Mrs. Horace G. Hill, of 409 North 36th
street, to Julian Alexander [306 N. 35th St.]
took place Thursday night at the Northminster
Presbyterian Church, 35th and Baring streets, at 8 o'clock. Miss Hill was
given in marriage by her brother, Horace G. Hill, Jr. She wore her mother's
wedding gown of cream satin, trimmed with old family lace. She carried a shower
bouquet of lilies of the valley. Miss E. Custis Bennet, cousin of the bride,
acted as maid of honor. She wore cream net over yellow, cap of tulle trimmed
with yellow and carried white chrysanthemums tied with yellow ribbon.
Bridesmaids were Mrs. Joel Hildebrand [1910: 409 N. 36th St.], of Berkeley,
Cal., who wore pale green chiffon cloth and carried bronze chrysanthemums, and
Miss Sara Anderson, of Milford, Del., who wore deep yellow chiffon cloth and
carried bronze chrysanthemums. They wore black picture hats trimmed with
plumes.
“Mr. Alexander was attended by his
brother, Charles O. Alexander [3512 Hamilton St.]
as best man, and his ushers were J. Bennett Hill, Laird H. Simons [3412 Baring St.], Paul Warner [3418 Hamilton St.], Lawrence Dearson
and Walter Gibbs. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. Courtland Robinson,
rector of the church, and was followed by a small reception at the home of the
bride.
“Mr. and Mrs. Alexander will be at home
January 7 and 14 at 3417 Race st."
(Phila. Inquirer, Oct. 24, 1914)
Julian Alexander was the grandson of
Alexander and Amelia Andrews of 3507 Baring St.
The story of their family in relation to the Northminster Presbyterian Church is
described in the Powelton
History Blog.
1917 Draft Registration: J. Bennett Hill, born Oct. 3, 1891. He was
a chemist working in Haverford
In 1916, he published a report on
“New derivatives of Tungsten” in the Journal of the American Chemical
Society. It was labeled a “Communication from the John Harrison Laboratory
of Chemistry of the
1920:
J. Bennett Hill 28 Chemist
in manufacturing; renting
M. Louisa Hill 58 Mother;
widowed; parents born in
Mrs. Hill was the former Maria
Louisa Bennett who grew up at 3519 Hamilton St.
and 3410 Race St. She was the widow of Horace G.
Hill who grew up at 3405 Hamilton St. In 1900,
Horace and Louisa lived at 3416 Baring St. In
1910, she was widowed and living with all three of her children at 3419 Hamilton St. At that time, Joseph Bennett Hill
was a student at Haverford.
Joseph Bennett Hill married Margaret
M. Howe in 1929. In 1920, she was a public school
teacher living with her mother, grandmother and sister at 2039 Upland Way,
Philadelphia. From at least 1930 until after 1942, they lived at 402 Wynmere Rd., Wynnewood. He was an executive at Sun Oil Co.
1930:
Joseph Huber 37 Toy manufacturer; father born in
Germany; owner
Mary K. Huber 35
Edward K. Huber 9
Emily K. Huber 3 months
J. Maurice Reilley 49 Brother-in-law;
coal dealer; single
John B. Hederman
49 Brother-in-law;
civil engineer; widowed; born in N.Y.
In
1940, the Huber family lived in Lower Merion. Joseph A. Huber (or Hueber) is listed as a manufacturer of optical equipment
with four years of high school. Mary (or Miriam) is listed with four years of
college. On his 1942 draft card, Edward Kelley Hueber
listed himself as a student at the University of Pennsylvania.
1940:
James Kelly 58 Coal
dealer; 4 years of high school; owner, house valued at $8,000
Helen Kelly 41 4
years of high school
Morris Kelly
6
Joan Marie Kelly
5
1942 WWII Draft Registration: William Patrick Keaveney. He was born in Philadelphia April 10, 1900. He worked
at the U. S. Post Office, 9th & Market Sts.
1942 WWII Draft Registration: William Patrick Keaveney, Jr. He was born in Phialdelphia
Nov. 6, 1926. He was a student at St. Joseph's College,
1950, Oct.: Marriage license issued to
Catharine Livingston of 3606
Hamilton St. and William Keaveney of 409 N. 36th
St.
1968, Apr. 19: Death of Margaret Keaveney née Martino, 64 years old,,
wife of William P. Keavney and mother of William P. Keaveney, Jr., and Mrs. Joan Rawis
of 409 N. 36th St.. Solemn Requiem Mass at St. Agatha's Church. Internment at
The Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, N.J.
Current owner: