3427 Powelton Avenue

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: 35&Powel-HarrisonDickeyStrattonHouse

The Harrison Stratton Mansion, Built c1894

 

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Fire at 35th & Powelton-sm

The Sunderland Apartment Building Destroyed by Fire, March 2, 1974

 

1915: The Harrison Stratton mansion was replaced by the Sunderland Apartment building which was designed by the architectural firm of Milligan and Webber. Frederick Webber may have designed the building and he remained the owner until 1920.

 

History

 

The 1872 Atlas shows the north side of the 3400 block of Powelton Ave. was owned by John and William Sellers.

 

1883, January: Deeds for the western end of this block (3411-3427) transferred from William F. & Amelia Sellers to Lewis and Elizabeth Emery, Jr.

 

1893, June: Deed transferred from Lewis & Elizabeth Emery to Harrison D. Stratton for $27,000, 175x78 ft. (Phila. Builders’ Guide, June 28, 1893)

            The Bromley Atlas published 1892 shows an empty lot.

 

1894: H. Hall Marshall, C[ontractor], 3216 Baring st, 1 dwg. 38x86 ft., 3 sty. NE cor 35th and Powelton ave.” (Phila. Builders’ Guide, (May 16)

 

1895 Directory: Harrison D. Stratton, ice manufacturer, 2610 Callowhill, h N E corner 35th & Powelton Ave.

            1891 Directory: Harry D. Stratton, ice, 2610 Callowhill, h Columbus [Ga.]

 

1900:

Harrison Stratton         47

Alice Estella Stratton   47        Married 12 years, one child; born in N.Y.

Alice Stratton                9        Born in Ga.

Helen C. Liscom          20        Niece; at school; born in N.Y.

Annie McCullough      24        Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated 7 years earlier

Kate Reilly                   25        Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated 14 years earlier

 

1905, March 21, Phila. Inquirer: “At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Stratton, 3427 Powelton avenue, last evening, their niece, Miss Ada C. Liscom was married to Mr. Benjamin Hunt Moore [3303 Powelton Ave.] by the Rev. Dr. Wayland Hoyt, of the Epiphany Baptist Church, Thirty-sixth and Chestnut. Miss Helen Liscom, a sister of the bride, was maid of honor, and the flower girl was Miss Ella [Alice] Stratton, a cousin of the bride. Mr. Charles W. Tomlinson acted as the best man. A reception followed the ceremony, after which Mr. and Mrs. Moore started on the wedding trip. They will be at home after April 10, at 1635 Arch street. Among those who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Liscom [the bride’s parents],… Mr. Henry Hansell [the groom’s uncle], Miss Emma Hansell [the groom’s cousin],… [and numerous other guests].”

            Mrs. Alice Stratton was the sister of Charles F. Liscom.

            Benjamin H. Moore was born in Texas, although his mother (and maybe his father) were born in Pennsylvania. As a child, in 1880, he lived with his aunt and uncle, Harry J. Hansell and Emma Hunt Hansell in Mantua at 3501 Elm (Eadline) St. just above Haverford Ave. When they were married, he was working as a telegraph operator. In 1910 and 1920, they lived at 3604 Spring Garden St.

 

1910:

Harrison D Stratton     57        Ice manufacturer

Alice E Stratton           57        Married 21 years; born in N.Y.

Alice Stratton               19        Born in Ga.

Margaretta Callan         24        Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated 1902

Mary Burik                   24        Servant; born in Ireland, immigrated 1905

            In 1920, they lived in Pittsburgh, Ward 25, Allegheny, Pennsylvania

            Genealogy: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/5729981/person/-1406845477

            Luella Parker, who lived at 35th & Pearl, remembered that the Stratton house had stables in the rear. (Powelton Post, Jan., 1964, p 4)

 

1912, March: Deed transferred from Harrison D. Stratton to Benjamin H. Moore & Thomas Ellis (Assignment for Benefit of Creditors).

            Benjamin H. Moore was the husband of Mrs. Stratton’s niece (see 1900 above).

 

1912, March: Deed transferred from Benjamin H. Moore & Thomas Biddle Ellis (Trustees) to Frank M. Hardt.

 

1914, Sept. 19, Phila. Inquirer: “SUNDERLAND HOUSE. JUST COMPLETED. Three rooms and bath. 9 rooms and 3 baths. Baring and Lancaster ave. subway within one block. Roof garden, janitor & elevator service.”

 

1920:

William W. George      36        Janitor for apartment house; born in England, immigrated in 1906, naturalized citizen in 1919

Lizzie George              34        Wife; born in England, immigrated in 1911, naturalized citizen in 1919

George E. George          6        Born in N.J.

Rose C. George            2 years 7 months

Howard H. George      8 months

--  next household

James E. Johnson         44        Manager for a property co.

Maud P. Johnson         34        Wife; father born in Ireland

            In 1910, they lived at 4128 Powelton Ave.

--  next household

William B. Anderson    30

Naomi N. [sic.] Anderson  26 Wife; born in Ohio

William B. Anderson, Jr. 3 years 6 months

William B. Anderson was the son of William P. Anderson and Mary Bergin of 3624 Hamilton St. and the grandson of Daniel V. Bergin of 3527 Hamilton St. He grew up living at both addresses. He married Lillian M. Lippman in Philadelphia in 1910. In 1940, they were living at the Walnut Park Plaza at 63rd and Walnut Streets.

--  next household

Owen L. Broadbent     57        father born in England, mother in Georgia

Mary Broadbent           66        Wife; born in England, immigrated in 1854, naturalized citizen in 1889

            For many years Owen and Mary Broadbent lived down the block at 204 N. 35th St. Beginning about 1922, they lived at 201 N. 35th St.

--  next household

Sybill Fox                     73        Widow

Cara Fox                      53        Daughter; single; born in Maryland, father born in Mass.

Mary H. Conklin          70        Sister; single

--  next household

Anna M. Barny 25        Dress maker; single; born in Ohio; parents born in Germany

--  next household

Walter A. Munns          48        Fire insurance agent

Jennie L. Munns           46        Wife

Walter A. Munns and Jennie (Leeds) Moyer were married in Philadelphia in 1916. He was divorced from Sarah Josephine Hansbury. In 1910, they lived in Lansdowne, Delaware Co., Pa. with two children. She was divorced from her previous husband and in 1900 and 1910 lived at 3428 Powelton Ave. with her mother, Emma Leeds, and several siblings. She was apparently only married for a very short time. In 1940, Walter and Jennie lived at 4260 Chestnut St. apartment A4. She died in 1953 when they were living there.

--  next household

Frank Sullivan             44        Manager for Swift & Co.; born in Conn., parents born in Ireland

Helen C. Sullivan         41        Wife; born in N.Y.

Francis J. Sullivan        1 year 5 months

            Helen’s maiden name was Cavellier. Frank died in 1931 while they were still living here (see below).

--  next household

John H. Gunnell          40        Lieutenant commander in the Navy; born in W.D.C., father born in D.C., mother in N.Y.

Ethlyn H. Gunnell       36        Wife; born in Wisconsin, father born in Wisconsin, mother in Michigan

            In 1930, they lived in Lia, Peru where he was part of the Naval Mission. Her mother, Emma A Houghton, lived with them. In 1940, they lived in Montgomery, Maryland.

--  next household

Oscar Lane                  37        Ship captain; father born in MD., mother in Va.

Myrtle Lane                 37        Wife; born in Kentucky

            In June, 1920 (six months after this census), he applied for a passport while they were living at 5228 Walnut St.

--  next household

Hyram M. Stafford      23        Manager of asphalt co.; born in Kentucky

Grace F. Stafford         37        Wife; born Ohio

Florence E. Stafford    18        Single; born in Kansas

--  next household

William W. Heindel     34        Automobile salesman; born in Ohio

Amelia F. Heindel        29        Wife; born in Alabama

William W. Heindel, Jr. 5 months

            In 1930 and 1940, they lived in Narberth, Montgomery Co., Pa.

--  next household

Mark L. Brown            57        Traveling salesman for shoe co., born in Kansas, father born in R.I., mother in Ohio

Elmira Brown              41        Wife; born in Missouri, parents born in Tennessee

--  next household

Tobias F. Butler           33        Manager of detective agency; born in N.Y., parents born in Ireland

Jennie A. Butler           34        Wife; born in N.Y.

James Butler                10

            When Tobias registered for the draft in 1917, he was a policeman in the Naval National Guard stationed at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. In 1930, they were back in Brooklyn.

--  next household

Ernest B. Stebbens      41        Salesman for electrical co.; born in N.Y., father born in Mass., mother in Germany

Carrina Stebbens         40        Wife; father born in England, mother in N.J.

Jean B. Stebbens          7 months

Ernest B. Stebbens and Corrina Atkin were married in 1906. She was the daughter of the one of the largest carpet dealers in Philadelphia. From 1884 until her marriage, she lived her parents at 3612 Baring St. In 1910, the Stebbens lived in the Montrose Apartments at 4629 Baltimore Ave. In 1930 and 1940, they lived in Radnor, Delaware Co., Pa.

--  next household

William C. Hicks          44        Optometrist; born in Va., father born in N.C., mother in Va.

Helen M. Hicks           41        Wife; born in W. Va., father born in W. Va., mother in Va.

--  next household

Henry B. Phillips         42        Sales manager for stocks and bonds; born in Georgia, parents born in Wales

Margaret R. Phillips     24        Wife; born in N.Y.

            They were living apart in 1930 and at some point they divorced.

--  next household

Margaret R. Kelley       41        Single; elementary school teacher

--  next household

Lillian M. Craine          52        Widowed; elementary school teacher

John W. Bradley          47        Boarder; foreman for steam railroad; single; father born in England, mother in Wales

In 1910, John W. Bradley lived at 3622 Powelton Ave. In 1930, he lived at 3327 Powelton Ave. and in 1940 he was at 3412 Baring St.

--  next household

Algernon F. Thompson 40      Principal of private school; born in England, immigrated in 1907, parents born in Ireland

Olive M. Thompson    42        Wife; born in Canada, immigrated in 1907, father born in Canada, mother in Wisconsin

Algernon Francis Thompson was Principal of the Thirty Day Business College in Philadelphia. He was still running the college in 1945. In 1930, they lived at 1321 Susquehanna Ave. He was born in St. James, London. In 1891, he lived with two unmarried uncles and an unmarried aunt in Bromley, Kent. In 1901, he was living with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Thompson in Clapham, Holy Trinity, London. His father owned a tea shop. Algernon was working at a stationery shop. He had at two brothers and seven sisters.

--  next household

Elizabeth G. Porter      54        Widowed; born in Kentucky

Safons P. Porter           28        Daughter; interior decorator; divorced; born in Kentucky

Helen C. Porter            25        Daughter; teacher at a private school; single; born in Kentucky

Amelia M. Porter         21        Daughter; clerk for emergency fleet; single; born in Kentucky

            Elizabeth was the widow of Luther R. Porter. In 1910, they lived in Merkel, Taylor Co., Texas where he was a real estate agent. He died in 1913.

--  next household

Lillie S. Emden 41        Single; born in Kentucky

--  next household

William E. Richards     48        Born in N.Y.

Carrie M. Richards       45        Wife; born in Texas, parents born in Alabama

            In 1910, they lived in Newark, Wayne, New York.

--  next household

Francis H. Klander      48        Automobile salesman

Josephine Klander       32        Wife

            Francis H. Klander died Sept. 9, 1920. He was living at 1820 Chestnut St. but she was still living here.

--  next household

Jean C. O'Neill             32        Secretary for a lawyer; single

--  next household

David G. Cox              38        Mechanical engineer; single; father born in Ireland

Bertha F. Cox              36        Elementary school principal; sister; single; father born in Ireland

--  next household

William Hagman          53

Ada E. Hagman           52        Wife; born in England, immigrated in 1872, naturalized citizen in 1892

Margaret Hagman        20        Single

--  next household

William H. Atkinson    39        Salesman for publisher

Lotta E. Atkinson        38        Wife; father born in N.Y.

--  next household

William Miller              25        Shirt manufacturer

Madeline Miller            20        Wife

Lenore Miller               2 months

Anna Adams                24        Servant; born in Russia, immigrated in 1909, parents born in Latvia

--  next household

Milton M. Herzberg     43        Jewelry salesman; parents born in Germany

Estelle F. Herzberg      34        Wife; born in Iowa, father born in Bavaria

Pauline Feldenheimes  60        Mother-in-law; widowed; parents born in Germany

--  next household

Carrie C. Spina             31        Probation officer at municipal court; female; single; born in Canada, immigrated in 1889, naturalized citizen in 1890

--  next household

Frederick L. Bacon      45        Merchant in railroad supplies; born in Conn.

Josephine Bacon          45        Wife; born in Vermont

--  next household

Adeline Orton             63        Widowed; born in N.J., father born in N.J., mother in Germany

Georgia Orton             30        Daughter; secretary for advertising co.; single; born in Delaware

 

1921, June 10: Death of Beulah D. Henry (nee Hunter), 72 years old, wife of Alexander Henry

 

1922, April 11, Phila. Inquirer: “Deeds have been recorded conveying the four-story stone property, known as the Powelton Apartments [sic.], at the northeast corner of Thirty-fifth street and Powelton avenue, from Emmanuel Barrick to B. Mulholland. The transfer was made, subject to mortgages of $235,000. The property occupies a lot 75 by 178 feet to Pearl street, and is assessed at $155,000.”

 

1926, Mar. 20: Death of Milton M. Herzberg  (see 1920 above)

 

1927, Nov. 27: Death of Estelle Herzberg  (see 1920 above)

 

1930, Jan. 18: Death of Alexander Henry, 80 years old

 

1931, Dec. 25: Death of Frank Sullivan, 56 years old of apoplexy with underlying high blood pressure. Burial in Greenwich, Conn. where he was born. (see 1920 above)

 

1932, Nov. 29: Death of Adeline Baker Orton, 78 years old  (see 1920 and 1930 above)

 

1940:

Hannah Strong            66        Apt. house manager; widow; 4 years high school; renting for $45 per month

— next household

Edgar Rheinstron        60        salesman of sanitary supplies; earned $2000 in 26 weeks of work in 1939; born in Ohio; 8 years of school; renting for $40 per month

Bertha Rheinstron        67        Eight years of school

— next household

William C. Hicks          ?           Optician; worked full year in 1939; widower; born in VA; 4 years of college; renting

— next household

Florence Burd              67        Lodger; widow; 4 years high school; renting for $50 per month

— next household

Jane Leslie Kift 62        Garden editor for newspaper; 4 years college; renting for $50 per month

— next household

John Rennick               28        Manager for fire insurance co. earned $1800 in 1939; 8 years of school; renting for $38 per month

Catherine Rennick       25        wife; 2 years high school

— next household

John McCloy               45        Income tax for WPA; earned $952 for 46 weeks of work in 1939; 2 years high school; renting for $20 per month

Irene J. McCloy            44        Two years of high school

— next household

Warren Hume              47        Apt. house janitor; earned $1260 in 1939; 6 years of school; renting for $25 per month

Belle Hume                  47        Three years of high school

Ella P. Burn                 76        Widow; 4 years high school; renting for $45 per month

Hannah Mary Burn      39        Daughter; music teacher in grade school; earned $2000 in 1939; 4 years college

— next household

Adelaide Paris Spang (a) 62      Widow, born in RI; 4 years college; renting for $55 per month

— next household

George W. Roy            58        Electrotyper for electrotype mfg.; earned $5000 in 1939; 1 year high school; renting for $55 per month

Ruth M. Roy                30        Three years high school

— next household

Mrs. B. Larzeleu?         73        Widow; 1 year high school; renting for $45 per month

— next household

Beatrice M. Bowers      65        Widow; born in England; 8 years of school; renting for $40 per month

B. Jean Bowers            36        Daughter; secretary in hospital; earner $1500 in 1939; born in NY; 4 years high school

— next household

Adam Dysert               56        Executive in department store; earned $2500. In 1939; 2 years college; renting for $65 per month

Yvonne Dysert            45        Born in VA; 2 years college

Harley Po??ol               25        Stepson; helper in department store; earned $1012 in 1939; born in Illinois; 3 years high school

Yvonne Po?                 23        Stepdaughter; marker in department store; earned $720 in 1939; 3 years high school

— next household

Gertrude K. Easby (b) 81        Clerk in publishing co; widow; 4 years college; renting for $65 per month

— next household      

M.A. Westfield?           64        Widow; born in Budapest; 2 years college; renting for $40 per month

Florence ?                    17        Housekeeper; earned $105 in 26 weeks of work in 1939; 2 years high school

— next household

Lillian Darlington        82        Widow; 4 years of high school; renting for $45 per month

Sara Darlington            46        daughter; engineering dept. at telephone co.; 4 years college

— next household

May-Lou E. Hall          66        Two years high school; renting for $40 per month

— next household

Louis Herbach             69        Owner of retail radio store; born in Hungary; 6 years of school renting for $65 per month

Lena Herbach              65        Born in Hungary; 6 years of school

— next household

Helen Angeletti           24        Hotel waitress; earned $720 in 1939; 8 years of school; renting for $30 month

Anna Sweeney             32        Partner; pantry worker in restaurant; earned $176 in 16 wks of work in 1939; 8 years of school

— next household      

James A. Beslmear       34        Auditor at clothing mfg.; earned $1440 in 1939; 4 years of high school; renting for $35 per month

Mary W. Beslmear       32        Business machine at United Campaign; earned $800 in 1939; 4 years of high school

— next household

E. Mita Mencke           59        Grade school teacher; earned $2200 in 1939; 4 years high school; renting for $70 per month

Theresa M. Lockyer     62        Partner; secretary in charitable org; earned $1100 in 1939; widow; 4 years highschool

— next household

M. Alice Shade             78        Widow; 4 years high school

Edith H. Shade 47        Clerical work for insurance co.; earned $1080 in 1939; 4 years high school; renting for $40 per month

— next household

Carolyn L. Mack          60        Vocational teacher; earned $2800 in 1939; divorced; 2 years high school; renting for $55 per month

— next household

Jean Briel Smith (c)      42        Secretary for coke mfg.; earned $1310 in 1939; divorced; 4 years high school; renting for 40 month

Lucille Maines             26        Niece; saleslady in dept. store; earned $510 in 26 weeks of work in 1939; 4 years college

— next household

Martin Van Gelder       85        Born in Holland; 8 years of school; renting for $65/month

Adele C. Van Gelder    60        Wife; 1 year high school

— next household

Marie Scully                 65        Four years of high school; renting for $43/month

— next household

John Mark [aka Marsh]  Longaker (d)  39        University professor; earned $4000 in 1939; born in Kentucky; 5 years of college; renting for $75/month

Helen Longaker           43        Born in Germany; 2 years of college

Jon D. Longaker          20        Stepson; born in Switzerland; 2 years of college

— next household

Horace E. Frick           57        Manufacturing agent at foundry; 8 years of school; renting for $75/month

M. Celia Frick              57        Wife; 8 years of school

— next household

Clarence J. Watson      61        Wholesale florist; 8years of school; renting for $60/month

Mae V. Watson            60        Wife; 4 years of high school

— next household

Frank J. Welsh             59        One year high school; renting for $40/month

Millicent C. Welsh       55        Secretary for Board of Education; earned $1800 in 1939; born in NJ; 4 years of high school

— next household      

Elmira Cumming         60?       Clerical work for wholesale drug; earned $960 in 1939; widow; 8 years of school; renting for $35/month

Carolyn Rebecca Cumming  35            Daughter; clerical; earned $768 in 1939; 8 years of school

— next household

Katherine Shea 61        Public school teacher; earned $2400 for 40 weeks of work in 1939; divorced; 3 years of college; renting for $35/month

— next household

Raymond Chalfont      46        Rate clerk for railroad; earned $2400 in 1939; 2 years of high school; renting for $40/month

Alan Chalfont              46        Partner; clerk for railroad; earned $2400 in 1939; 1 year high school

Robert James Seath     40        Partner; clerk for railroad; earned $2370 in 1939; 2 years of high school

(a)    Adelaide P. Spang lived at 204 N. 35th St. in 1920 and 1930. She was the widow of William Spang, a photographer and artist.

(b)   Gertrude K. Easby was the daughter of Cyrus N. and Charlotte Pierce and the widow of Francis H. Easby. The Easby family took over the Pierce home at 3316 Powelton Ave. and lived there into the 1930s.

(c)    Jean L. Briel Smith was married to Switzer W. Smith, a life insurance broker. They were married in Philadelphia in 1928. She was from Karthaus, Clearfield Co., Pa. In 1930, they lived in an apartment at 601 S. 43rd St.

(d)    John Marsh Longaker was the author of English Biography in the Eighteenth Century published by the University of Pennsylvania in 1931. He was born in Newport, Kentucky, the son of Frank C. Longaker who was also a professor of history and economics at Lenoir Rhyne College. His mother, Ellen H. Longaker, was a schoolteacher. In 1920, they lived in Hickory, Catawba, N.C. John and Helena Dasu were married Aug. 6, 1927 in Rome, Italy. She was a citizen of Romania.

 

1971, Nov.: Sold by Mrs. Jennie M. Sherr to A. Horwitz for $50,000.

 

1972: Became the property of Drexel University

 

1974, March 2: The building was destroyed by fire. It housed 65 persons including 25 students from Drexel University and some students from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

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Revised 3/27/2023

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