The History of the Building
3607-3609: “Circa
1870, two-and-one-half story, Second Empire-style double. Porch removed; slate
shingles of mansard replaced with asphalt. Double bracketed cornice. Stone facade
over brick. Same developer as 3611-13.”
(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the
National Register of Historic Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1870:
Henry (Peter
Miller) Birkinbine 51 Hydraulics engineer; real estate: $15,000;
property: $3,000
Louisa Birkinbine 46
John Birkinbine 25 Civil engineer
Harry Birkinbine 21 Civil engineer
Charles Blatchly 27 Whole wool merchant and manufacturer; born in
Mary Blatchly 27
Maggie Ruff 24 Domestic
servant; born in
Rachel Baxter 12 Domestic
servant; black
(1870: 1st enumeration: pp
21-22; 2nd enumeration: p 20)
The
1866 Directory lists “Birkinbine Henry P. M.,
engineer city water works, 5th & Chestnut, h 2221 Green”
The
1878 Scott Atlas shows them at NE
corner 36th & Baring, 3511
Baring St.
“The son [John Birkinbine] got some of his early experience as an engineer
in various water supply projects in and around Philadelphia, and the firm,
perhaps because of this expertise, became involved in many water projects
around the country in the late 19th century, as part of the drive for improved
public sanitation....”
“John
Birkinbine was, in the 1870s, reportedly the first
American to critically examine the iron deposits of the Cerro de Mercado in
“He
was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association”
“The
firm got its start through Henry P.M. Birkinbine, the
father of John. In 1844, the year John was born, H.P.M. was operating a forge
and auger works ...
“After
John Birkinbine’s death, the firm continued under his
sons, but it seemed gradually to lose its energy. By the time World War II came
along, the business was defunct. Two
unmarried women in the family continued to live in the house in
(Lehigh
University, Special Collections: The Birkinbine Engineering Firm Papers )
1880:
Anna G. Palmer 32 Born in Va., father in Ohio, mother in
N.Y.
Alfred P.
Palmer 6
Samuel M.
Palmer 4
Mary R. Paull 60 Mother;
born in N.Y., father in N.Y., mother in
George A. Paull
23 Boarder [brother]; student of theology; born in
Sarah P. Paull
19 Boarder [sister]; born in
Mary T. Paull 17 Boarder
[sister]; born in
Sarah P. Weed 55 Boarding
[aunt?]; born in N.Y., father in N.Y., mother in
Edward R. Hanckel
26 Boarding;
works at railroad; born in
Phoebe W. Hanckel 4 months
Born in
Helen Kinard 19 Servant; father born in N.Y., mother in
Pa.
Mary Flemming 52 Servant;
born in
(ED 487, 17)
In 1870, the Weed and Pall families
lived at 3311
Baring St.
Rev. Dr. George A. Paull was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He received his education at Princeton
University and Seminary. He died in 1912.
Before his death, he had been pastor of the Upper Montclair (N.J.)
Presbyterian Church. He was survived by
his wife. (New York Times, Jan. 12,
1912)
1880: Death of Phebe W. Hanckel, 5 months years old, daughter of E. R. Hanckel and the late Phebe W. Hanckel. (Phila. Inquirer, July 7,
1880)
Edward R. Hanckel
died in 1891 at the age of 33. At the
time of his death, he had been associated with the Passenger Department of the
Pennsylvania Railroad. He managed the
advertising department for the railroad for the five years preceding his death.
(Phila. Inquirer, Feb. 27, 1891)
1881, April 14: Death of Louisa McClellan, 48 years old, of 3609
Baring St. She was born in Virginia and
never married. Burial in Wheeling, W. Va.
1881, Oct
19: Property sale by Sarah P Weed to Junius R Clark (Book
196, p 311)
1890 Directory: Junius R. Clark , 304 Chestnut, h 3609 Baring
“Junius
Randolph Clark, b. 7/24/1836 at Smithport, Pa. Was a
lawyer at Warren, Pa. for many years, and member for two terms of Pa. House of
Rep. Now resides at 3609 Baring St. Phila. Has been twice married: Miss Vielie in 1861 (3 children) Mary Mr. Morse, 9/22/1875 in
1896 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. E. H. Wilson.
1889: Clayton Cowgill Wilson. Junior. Finance and Economy. (Catalogue of U. of P.)
1900:
Edward H. Wilson 47 Iron merchant; born in
Coralie C. Wilson 45 Married 22
years, 3 children; born in
Clayton C. Wilson 19 College
student at U. of Penna.
Nathalie Wilson
13
Arthur H.
Wilson 19
Clayton A. Cowgill
74 Father-in-law;
retired physician
Throop M. Cowgill
75 Mother-in-law;
born in R.I.
Maggie Doyle 25 Servant;
born in England immigrated 1895, father born in Ireland, mother in England
Winifred McGann
22 Cook;
married 4 years, 2 children, 1 surviving; ; born in
England immigrated 1894, father born in Ireland, mother in England
(ED 543, 8B-9A)
In 1880, they lived at 3510
Spring Garden St. (See family
background information there.)
1901: Clayton Cowgill
Wilson received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
(ED 543, 8B-9A)
1901: Clayton A. Cowgill. Former Resident Physician. (1846) (U of P. Philadelphia Hospital Reports)
1906 Blue Book: Mr. Edward H. Wilson
Clayton C. Wilson
1906, Feb. 11: Death of Edward Howell Wilson, 53 years old, of
3609 Baring St. He was buried at Dover, Del. (Phila. Inquirer, Feb. 12, 1906)
His will left his entire estate,
valued at $150,000, to his wife. (Phila. Inquirer, Feb. 20, 1906) This is equivalent
to several million dollars in 2011.
“EDWARD
HOWELL WILSON died at his residence, 3609 Baring Street, Philadelphia, February
11, i906. He was born near Dover, Del., March 7, 1852. He was an only son of
Edward Warner Wilson, of Dover, and Sarah Howell, of Philadelphia. The family
came to Philadelphia in 1856, where Mr. Wilson made his home until the time of
his decease. In 1870 Mr. Wilson was graduated at the private school of Eastburn and Norris (formerly Caleb Hallowell's school),
and soon afterwards secured a position with Charles J. Matthews, iron broker,
remaining with the above firm until early in the year 1875. In this year Mr.
Wilson entered into the iron brokerage business under the firm name of E. H.
Wilson & Co., having two partners. In the year 1895 the firm dissolved. Mr.
Wilson continued the business under the same firm name, and was active up to
the time of his decease. All who were privileged to enjoy an intimate
acquaintance with Mr. Wilson soon discovered his sterling qualities of mind and
heart, and confided in him absolutely, with the assurance that their confidence
could not be, as it never was, misplaced; and his beautiful life, so full of
sympathy and generosity, incited desire for closer relationship to all who were
brought in contact with him, and his many friends will be glad to bear testimony to the fact that his sincerity and
uprightness of character conformed to the highest standard.” (Annual proceedings. Sons of the Revolution, Pennsylvania Society. 1906.)
1910:
Corlis C. Wilson 55 Widowed with 3 children; born in
Nathalie Wilson 23 Daughter;
parents born in Del.
Arthur H. Wilson 19 Son;
parents born in Del.
Sarah T. Cowgill
86 Step-mother; widowed, no children; born in R.I.
Kate Healey 35 Servant
Lena Regner 30 Servant; born in N.J., parents born in
(ED 492, 4A)
1916, June 24: Marriage of Nathalie Wilson to Robert Clarkson
Clothier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson Clothier. Clarkson Clothier was the nephew of Isaac
Clothier, co-founder of Strawbridge and Clothier.
They were married at tabernacle
Presbyterian Church. The maid of honor
was Mary T. Janney Coxe
(Mrs. Spencer L. Coxe) who grew up at 3412
Hamilton St. After the wedding,
there was a reception at the home of the bride.
After a wedding trip, the new couple settled in Haverford. (Phila. Inquirer, June 25, 1916)
1917: Arthur Howell Wilson. BS 1912.
Member Merion Cricket club. Musician. (12th General Catalogue of Psi
Upsilon Fraternity)
1920:
Coralie C. Wilson 67 Widowed, born in
Horace T. Carpenter 59 Boarder;
artist; born in
Marye C. Carpenter 54 Boarder; born in
Lena Rigner 39 Servant; single; born in N.J., father in Wurtenburg,
mother in
(ED 686, 5B)
1927 Directory: R. L. Richards
1947: "Mr. and Mrs. Blaire W. Miller of 3609 Baring Street,
Philadelphia, are rejoicing over the birth of their first child, a son, on
Sunday, March 30, 1947 at the St. Luke Hospital in Philadelphia. The baby has
been named Gary Parker. Mrs. Miller is the former Joyce Jean Grove daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence D. Grove of Orbisonia. The
paternal grandmother is Mrs. Hazel Miller of Clearfield." (The Daily News, Huntingdon, PA. April 15, 1947)
1950 Directory: Leah Ebert
Ethel M. Holden
Blaine Logan
2009: owners: Ayse Gursan-Salzman
and Laurence D. Salzmann
Revised 1/23/2012