3613 Powelton Avenue

 

3611-3613: “Circa 1870, mansarded stone double; porch-fronted; first floor full-height. windows; symmetrical. fenestration with six windows across the second floor and four dormers in the slate-shingled Mansard. Building has robustly bracketed wood cornice.”

(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, 1985)

 

History

 

1880:

Robert B. Baker           44        Merchant; born in Mass.

Annetta L. Baker         39        Father born in N.J.

Harriet J. Baker           22

Robert B. Baker           13        Born in England

Matilda Evelyn Matlack 71     Mother-in-law; widowed; father born in France

Sophia Sadarberg         42        Servant; single; born in Sweden

Eliza Mc Namee          21        Servant; single; born in Ireland

(ED 487, 14)

In 1870, they lived at 1425 N. 17th St.  In May, 1870, he patented “an Improvement in Insulators for Telegraph Wires of which the following is a specification.”

The 1887 Directory lists Annetta L. Baker, widow of Robert, and Robert B. Baker [Jr.] living at 219 N. 34th St.

“[Col.] ROBERT BRECKENRIDGE BAKER [Jr.], Merchant, was born in London, England, January 31, 1867; son of Robert Breckenridge and Annette Louise (Matlack) Baker, who were residing temporarily abroad. His father was the founder of the Phosphor Bronze Smelting Company of Philadelphia, and was a descendant of Job Baker, who came from England and settled at Westport, Mass., about 1760…. The first two years of Colonel Baker's life was spent in Paris, France, after which his parents returned to their home in Philadelphia. He was educated in the William Penn Charter school and at Swarthmore college. He left Swarthmore in 1886 to begin a mercantile career, entering the employ of Robert Hare Powel and company, coal operators of Philadelphia, and remaining there until the company was taken over by its successor, the Sterling Coal company…. Beginning in a clerical capacity, he rose to higher positions, becoming secretary and a director of the company in 1889, vice-president in 1902, and president in 1907, a position he still holds. He is also president of the Baker Transportation company, Bakerton Land and Improvement company, Bakerton Water company, Bakerton Supply company, and El Mora Coal Mining company; vice president of the Stineman Coal and Coke company, and treasurer and director of the Powelton Barge company. For recreation he indulges in motoring, golf, riding and other outdoor sports. He was aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Daniel H. Hastings 1895-99, and attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He is a member of the New York, New York Athletic, Army and Navy, Ardsley, Riverside Yacht, Indian Harbor Yacht and the Fairfield County Golf clubs. He is unmarried.”

(Distinguished successful Americans of our day: containing biographies of prominent Americans now living…. 1912.)

 

1881 Directory: R. Breckenridge Baker, 202 Walnut Pl. h 3613 Powelton.

           

1887 Directory: William Garrett (C.S. Garrett & Son), h 3613 Powelton av

            From 1889 on, he lived at 3404 Baring St. in 1890.

 

1900:

Elizabeth W Garrett       69         Widowed, 2 children; owner, free of a mortgage

Laura E Garrett             43         Daughter; single

Elizabeth Fleming          35         Servant; black; born in Del.

Fannie Earle                  24         Servant; black; born in Va.

(ED 543, 7B)

            She was the widow of C. S. Casper who owned the Keystone Paper Mills in Upper Darby and the Union Paper Mill.  In 1880, they lived at 626 N. 12th St.

 

1910:

Elizabeth Garrett           78         Widowed, 2 children, neither surviving

Emily Wilbin                 61         Companion; single; born in NY.

Ellen Jones                   55         Servant; black; widowed, 2 children, neither surviving; born in Del.

Lizzie Fleming               45         Servant; black; single; born in Del.

(ED 492, 6B)

 

1920:

Edward McElroy           34         Automobile mechanic; born in Del.; renting

Jane McElroy                31         Manager of hotel dining room; mother born in Ireland

--- Next household

Elinor S. Risley              46         Lodger; father born in Md.

---

Margaret Schock            60         Born in N.J.

George Schock              22         Office clerk; born in Philadelphia

---

Mary Swift                    53         Trained nurse for private family; born in Philadelphia

Amy Davis Swift           39         Sister; trained nurse in hospital; born in England, immigrated in 1889

---

Mrs. A. Milleisen           53         Secretary for boarding institution; widowed

Kathryn Milleisen          23         Daughter; clerk in stock office

(ED 687, 2a)

 

1950 Directory: Evelyn M. Hill, nurse

 

< 3617 Powelton                                                                                         3611 Powelton >

 

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revised: 1/19/2011