This file has not been completely proofread, nor have the sources been verified, so use this material with caution.
Data collected by: Ken McFadden, Vince Civiletti, Chris Waychunas, Nancy Hershey, Bob Troutman, Bob Gregory, Scott Harre, Dan Cleary, and Jim Jones. Last edited by John Morrison (Spring 1996)
1880/05/15 Source: Daily Local News (May 15, 1880)
The PRR pay car came once a month to West Chester. Salaries
for railway employees increased by 10% starting in 1880/04.
------------------------
1880/04/10 Source: Daily Local News (April 10, 1880)
Patrick J. Barry and Barney Finnegan started a hauling
business located at 117 E. Miner Street.
------------------------
1881/09/21 Source: Daily Local News (September 21, 1881)
Patrick J. Barry and Barney Finnegan dissolved their hauling
business.
------------------------
1881/04/12 Source: Daily Local News (April 12, 1881)
Patrick J. Barry started his own independent hauling
business with four horses and four carts.
------------------------
1882/04/11 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
81, at the Chester County Historical Society
F.A. Tencate Esq., Cashier of the Phoenixville Iron Works,
brings a suit to civil court against Michael Connily
regarding a rental property in Puddler's Row (#?). The suit
contends that rent is due and unpaid by the defendant
Michael Connily in the amount of $61.31. A summons was
issued 1882/04/15 at 10 A.M. Whereabouts of the tenant are
unknown, having moved away 1882/04/12, according to the
Constable. A judgment was rendered in favor of Phoenixville
Iron Works. Defendant Connily was found to be indebted to
said corporation in the sum of $61.31, plus $1.97 as cost of
the suit.
------------------------
1882/03/07 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
117, at the Chester County Historical Society
James Halt, agent for the Phoenixville Iron Works, brings a
suit to civil court against James Doran regarding a rental
property at #5 Red Row. A summons was issued 1882/03/07,
retrievable 1882/03/12. The suit was discontinued, with no
further information listed.
------------------------
1882/04/04 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
79, at the Chester County Historical Society
F.A. Tencate Esq., Cashier of the Phoenixville Iron Works,
brings a suit to civil court against John Diamond regarding
a rental property in Cottage Row (#?). The suit contends
that rent is due and unpaid by the defendant John Diamond in
the amount of $31.50. A summons was issued 1882/04/08, with
a judgment rendered in favor of Phoenixville Iron Works.
John Diamond was ordered to give up peaceable possession of
said premises and the sum of $31.50, plus $1.92 as cost of
the suit.
------------------------
1882/04/17 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
82, at the Chester County Historical Society
F.A. Tencate Esq., Cashier of the Phoenixville Iron Works,
brings a suit to civil court against John McAdams regarding
a rental property in Puddlers' Row (#?). The suit contends
that rent is due and unpaid by the defendant John McAdams in
the amount of $31.12. A summons was issued 1882/04/17,
retrievable 1882/04/22 at 10 A.M. A judgment was entered
that the defendant delivered up peaceable possession of said
premises and the sum of $31.12, plus $1.77 as cost of the
suit.
------------------------
1882/04/28 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
83, at the Chester County Historical Society
F.A. Tencate Esq., Cashier of the Phoenixville Iron Works,
brings a suit to civil court against Thomas McAnnay
regarding a rental property in Puddlers' Row (#?). The suit
contends that rent is due and unpaid by the defendant Thomas
McAnnay in the amount of $14.24. A summons was issued
1882/04/28, retrievable 1882/05/03. A judgment was rendered
in favor of Phoenixville Iron Works. Defendant McAnnay was
ordered to give up peaceable possession of said premises and
the sum of $14.24, plus $2.02 as cost of the suit.
------------------------
1882/03/07 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
117at the Chester County Historical Society
James Halt, agent for the Phoenixville Iron Works, brings a
suit to civil court against David Signett regarding a rental
property at #22 Frame Row. A summons was issued 1882/03/07,
retrievable 1882/03/12. The suit was discontinued, with no
further information listed.
------------------------
1882/04/28 Source: Chester County Civil Court Docket #76290,
p. 82at the Chester County Historical Society
F.A. Tencate Esq., Cashier of the Phoenixville Iron Works,
brings a suit to civil court against Michael Keenan
regarding a rental property in Puddler's Row (#?). The suit
contends that rent is due and unpaid by the defendant John
McAdams in the amount of $16.72. A summons was issued
1882/04/28, retrievable 1882/05/03. A judgment was rendered
in favor of Phoenixville Iron Works. Defendant Keenan was
ordered to give up peaceable possession of said premises and
the sum of $16.72, plus $1.77 as cost of the suit.
------------------------
1882/01/28 Source: Daily Local News (January 28, 1882)
Two houses from the estate of T. Chalkley Darlington sold on
South Adams Street: nø329 and the house immediately to the
south. The house at 329 was 12' X 18', made of brick, sat
on a 17.5' x 98' lot, and sold for $305. The other house
was made of frame and sold for only $301. A West Chester
grocer, Frank P. Darlington, bought both houses. The
executors of the estate were Jesse G. Darlington and William
P. Sharpless. The auctioneer was William H. Sharpless.
------------------------
1882 Source: Poor House Book of Salaries 1882-1900 in Chester
County Archives.
Some workers took their pay in cash. Many others took it in
coal or food goods. Some also appeared to take vacation
time, some of it paid for.
Salaries and Positions for those that worked at the Poor House.
Nurse $1.50 per/week
Cook in Cantina $1.50 per/week
Work on Farm $18 per/month
Sewing room $2.50 pe/week
Teacher
Seamstress
Cook in Large Kitchen
Cook in Big Kitchen
Wash House $1.50 per/week $6 per/month
------------------------
1883 Source: "Boys were sassy on switchboard" in "Daily Local
News" (November 14, 1972), 100. NOTE: Centennial issue nø2
of 5 by the Daily Local News
Norm Baker, manager of Bell Telephone's West Chester
operation, claimed that the first telephones in West Chester
were installed in 1883. The first customer was the "Morning
Republican," and others included Hoopes Brothers & Thomas,
Dr. John R. McClurg, S. A. Kirk, Jerome Gray, "The Daily
Local," and "The Village Recorder". The first switchboard
was installed over William Bell's grocery store at 10 E. Gay
Street, and Nathan Rambo was the first switchboard operator.
Boy operators were phased out around 1900 because they were
"too sassy" to customers, often telling them to wait for a
connection.
New telephone installations in the early years were so
important that they were often covered in front-page news
stories. By 1884, there were 50 subscribers and by 1901,
there were 175. When the West Chester exchange (Owens) went
to dial operation on July 15, 1956, there were 12,000
telephones. In May 1963, "Owens" became "696." As of
January 1, 1972, there were 31,202 telephones in West
Chester. In 1971, Bell Telephone employed 400 employees in
its West Chester facility, with an annual payroll of
$3,283,567.
------------------------
1887/07/01 Source: Daily Local News
"The report of the death of five Hungarians in Puddlers'
Row, although widely circulated and believed, was incorrect.
There is something wrong down there though, scruvy (sp), I
am told, and people are giving that section a wide berth.
An employee of the Phoenixville Iron Works, whose business
frequently takes him to the "Row," told me yesterday that he
saw in the army and elsewhere a good deal of filth, but the
Huns here beat everything in that direction. Dirt and
beer,' he said, they live upon. Why after a wedding down
there I saw two wagon loads of empty beer kegs hauled
away.'"
------------------------
1887/06/30 Source: Daily Local News
"Five Hungarians are found lying dead in Puddlers' Row,
three men, a woman, and a child, from some disease of an
epidemic form. If it be true the wonder will not be great,
for certainly that is a very filthy spot, and the Hungarians
are very filthy people."
------------------------
1888/11/20 Source: Daily Local News (November 20, 1888)
Officer Win. Gheen provided security at the PRR station on
North Matlack Street.
------------------------
1888/06/21 Source: Daily Local News (June 21, 1888)
The PRR tracks were raised in one day between the Barnard
Street bridge and the North Matlack Street station by a work
crew of nearly fifty men.
------------------------
1889/02/13 Source: Daily Local News (February 13, 1889)
Mrs. Lamborn, the woman who took care of the PRR station at
North Matlack Street, reported to Officer Gheen that she had
trouble with rowdy "colored" loiterers.
------------------------
1889/12/30 Source: Daily Local News (December 30, 1889)
Mrs. Lamborn and Joseph Sweney were responsible for cleaning
the PRR station at North Matlack Street.
------------------------
1889/01/24 Source: Daily Local News (January 24, 1889)
James McFadden was the section boss who directed PRR track
operations in West Chester.
------------------------
1889/01/16 Source: Daily Local News (January 16, 1889)
Mr. McMichael was the PRR station master at North Matlack
Street.
------------------------
1889/04/08 Source: Charles Gincley Obituary, in "Daily Local
News" (April 8, 1889)
Charles Gincley died. His father was the dog keeper for
Professor Bolmar. Charles Gincley was an inventor who had
invented a successful carpet stretching machine.
------------------------
1890/08/20 Source: Daily Local News
Michael Szaky, age 21, died at Pennsylvania Hospital at 4:30
p.m. yesterday afternoon of burns sustained in an accident
at Phoenixville Iron Works. Szaky was a night-workman at
the iron smelting works. At 6:30 am he was wheeling a truck
with a large bar of red-hot iron on it when he stumbled and
fell on the iron. The whole front part of his body was
literally scorched before his comrades could rescue him. He
was wrapped in cotton batting and sent on the first train to
Pennsylvania Hospital, arriving at 8:00 am.
------------------------
1890/09/23 Source: Daily Local News
"I think it would pay the Phoenixville Iron Works to give
good laborers $1.50 per day instead of $1.00 to poor
laborers who must of necessity have a boss over every 3 or
four of them..."
"The Hungarians have ruined nearly every branch of business
in Phoenixville ."
-John O.K. Roberts (sp. Robarts)
------------------------
1890/07/07 Source: Daily Local News
Charles Matts, a boarding boss at #2 Puddlers' Row,
Phoenixville, was standing at the rear of his house the
other night when an Italian or Hungarian threw a stone at
him inflicting a long gaping wound in the forehead and
fracturing the skull. He was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital
in Philadelphia. His assailant escaped.
------------------------
1890/04/24 Source: Daily Local News
There was a work stoppage at the Puddling department of
Phoenixville Iron Works Tuesday, owing to the refusal of
puddlers to make 100 more pounds of iron for a heat without
extra pay. The company withdrew its order and work will
recommence.
------------------------
1890/03/11 Source: Daily Local News
Payday brightens up business in town, as well as filled the
cages of the borough lockup.
A mulatto hailing from West Chester found by Officer
Brownback (and a country Constable named Moyer) at the train
station was marched across Gay Street bridge to the
"Rivets," where he lingered for the night.
------------------------
1890/11/26 Source: Daily Local News
Some of the best and oldest employees of Phoenixville Iron
Works were discharged yesterday and many more laid off the
day before. A gentleman from that place said to a reporter:
"New bosses make new rules. Things are getting very
unsettled over in our town."
------------------------
1890/09/25 Source: Daily Local News (September 25, 1890)
Lamborn, Sweney and D. E. Townsend worked at the PRR
station.
------------------------
1890/07/05 Source: Daily Local News (August 5, 1890)
Frank Patton, the telegraph operator at the PRR station on
Market Street, was promoted to the Media station and
replaced by William S. Valentine of Avondale.
------------------------
1890/04/22 Source: Daily Local News (April 22, 1890)
J. Kennard Jones returned as the baggage master at the PRR
station on Market Street, replacing Charles Samples, after
several weeks temporary assignment as the assistant operator
in Oxford.
------------------------
1890/08/90 Source: Daily Local News
A Polander was sent to jail, charged with drawing from the
Phoenixville Iron Works the pay of another employee whose
name was similar to that of the prisoner's. The latter's
pay amounted to $3.00, while that of the other fellow's to
$17.00.
------------------------
1890/12/03 Source: "Huns Fleeing Home and Westward" in "Daily
Local News" (December 3, 1890).
Almost every outgoing train is carrying away some of the
recently discharged Hungarians. Some are going back to
their own country to live out the winter while others are
hieing westward.
------------------------
1890/03/03 Source: Daily Local News
Shop #6 at Phoenixville Iron Works in running day and night
in order to finish the orders on hand. All hands are
compelled to work all night.
------------------------
1890/01/16 Source: "Brutal Fight Between Two Iron Workers" in
"Daily Local News" (January 16, 1890).
James Quinn and Patrick McDonald fought with each other
while working. Quinn's face, hands, and side were literally
chewed up, and he now lies in Girard House. McDonald
suffered badly damaged eyes. Both are employed in the blast
furnace, Quinn as the first helper and McDonald as the
weighmaster. Hot iron was being run into the beds and words
between the two men led to blows.
------------------------
1890/03/20 Source: Daily Local News
A fire occurred on Wednesday morning at #31 Puddlers' Row,
owned by Phoenixville Iron Works. The house was occupied by
Hungarians, who carelessly dumped hot ashes in the cellar.
Loss is not known, but houses in the "Row" are not costly
buildings.
------------------------
1890s Source: Shirley Macauley, "W. Chester's squares failed
as rectangles" in "Daily Local News" (November 13,
1972), 84. NOTE: Centennial issue nø1 of 5 by the
Daily Local News
Wilmer Hoopes owned one of the first automobiles in West
Chester. "It was a Franklin, and like all of its
contemporaries, spent more time in the blacksmith shop than
on the road."
------------------------
1891/09/03 Source: Plaintiff's Statement: Elizabeth M.
McGlone vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the
Chester County Archives
John McGlone died as a result of a lift accident, which the
plaintiff claims was of "extraordinary negligent and
dangerous construction." The lift was allowed to be run
unoccupied as well as be operated by a boy aged under 14
years. Because of negligence and the fact that her family
is now deprived of their support, Elizabeth M. McGlone is
bringing suit against Phoenixville Iron Works for damages in
the amount of $10,000.
------------------------
1891/12/26 Source: Statement of Appeal: Elizabeth M. McGlone
vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the Chester
County Archives
The appeal of the verdict against Phoenixville Iron Works in
the above case notes that the appeal is not filed "for
purposes of delay, but because he firmly believes injustice
has been done". The appeal is signed by David Reeves,
President of Phoenixville Iron Works .
------------------------
1891/09/03 Source: Plaintiff's Statement: Elizabeth M.
McGlone vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the
Chester County Archives
In her statement, Elizabeth M. McGlone claims that her
husband John McGlone was killed through negligence on the
part of the defendant on 1891/06/25. Elizabeth M. McGlone
has two children, Joseph and Lizzie, the latter being
between 15 and 16 years old and has been an invalid for 6
years by reason of a spinal affliction. This suit is
brought on her behalf.
------------------------
1891/12/14-28 Source: Chester County Appearance Docket #55,
p. 73
Elizabeth M. McGlone vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the
Chester County Archives
In the case of Elizabeth M. McGlone vs. Phoenixville Iron
Works, judgment was found in favor of the plaintiff for the
sum of $750. (Reference is then given to Judgment Docket
Y2, 152. Chester County Archives does not have this
item.) On 1891/12/14, the Elizabeth M. McGlone files for
costs of court to the sum of $17.60. The defendant,
Phoenixville Iron Works, files an appeal of the verdict on
1891/12/28, entering into recognizance in the sum of $400
with D.M. McFarlan as surity.
------------------------
1891/04/08 Source: Daily Local News
The Phoenixville Iron Works announced a decrease of 5 and
10% in the mill and shop hands wages. All reports for
Phoenixville are depressing indeed.
------------------------
1891/09/03-1891/12/08 Source: Chester County Appearance Docket
#55, 73
Elizabeth M. McGlone vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the
Chester County Archives
On 1891/09/03, Elizabeth M. McGlone filed a complaint in
court against the Phoenixville Iron Works for the wrongful
death of her husband, John McGlone. The defendant,
Phoenixville Iron Works, pleads "Not Guilty" on 1891/09/23.
On 1891/11/09 it is agreed that Thomas M. Baldwin, Barclay
Lear, and John D. Mullin shall act as arbiters, hearing the
case 1891/12/07-08.
------------------------
1891/12/07 Source: Daily Local News
Lawsuit filed by Elizabeth M. McGlone against Phoenixville
Iron Works is being heard today by Thomas W. Baldwin, Esq.,
Barclay Lear, and John S. Mullin, arbiters sitting in the
Grand Jury Room. Mrs. McGlone is suing for damages for the
loss of her husband John McGlone, killed in the company
mills one day last summer. Husband John was working on the
second floor of the building, when a descending elevator
caught him between its heavy framework and the wall of the
building. It was alleged that there was gross carelessness
on the part of the company in constructing the elevator.
------------------------
1891/12/05 Source: Daily Local News
When running full Phoenixville Iron Works employs upwards of
3,000 men. The company owned nearly all of the town of
13,000 people, who depend on the company for support.
------------------------
1892/08/01-1893/02/21 Source: Chester County Appearance Docket
#55, 240
Mary Steinberger vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the Chester
County Archives
On 1892/08/01, Mary Steinberger filed a complaint in court
against the Phoenixville Iron Works for the wrongful death
of her husband, John B. Steinberger. Defendant Phoenixville
Iron Works pleads "Not Guilty" 1892/08/19. A jury is
impaneled 1893/02/20. On 1893/02/21 the court directs a
non-suit to be entered, and judgment is entered accordingly.
(Reference is then given to Judgment Docket Y2, 562.
Chester County Archives does not have this item.)
------------------------
1892/11/25 Source: Daily Local News (November 25, 1892)
A train struck a horse-drawn meat wagon belonging to S. A.
Conradt at the Union Street grade level crossing. Although
neither Mr. Conradt nor his horse were injured, the wagon
was destroyed. Charles Riley Jr. was an eyewitness.
------------------------
1892/11/25 Source: Daily Local News (November 25, 1892)
Mr. Finnegan's hours as gatekeeper at the Market Street RR
crossing were extended to after the departure of the 22h27
train to Philadelphia. That meant he worked more than 16
hours each day.
------------------------
1892/12/14 Source: Daily Local News
A 10% decrease was declared by Phoenixville Iron Works in
all mills and shops of the plant except the Puddling Mill,
where wages will decrease from $3.25 to $3.00 per ton.
Common laborers will hereafter receive $.95 cents instead of
$1.02 per day. Reason given is "depression in the
business".
------------------------
1892/11/14-1893/11/13 Source: Chester County Appearance Docket
#55, 73
Elizabeth M. McGlone vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the
Chester County Archives
After continuances on 1892/11/14, 1893/02/13, and
1893/05/08, the plaintiff in open court elects to suffer a
non-suit on 1893/11/13, and judgment of non-suit is entered
accordingly. (Reference is then given to Judgment Docket
Z2, 206. Chester County Archives does not have this
item.)
------------------------
1892/08/01 Source: Plaintiff's Statement: Mary Steinberger
vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the Chester
County Archives
In her complaint, Mary Steinberger claims that her husband
John B. Steinberger was injured through the negligence of
the defendant on 1892/02/18. John B. Steinberger was
injured when a chain connected to a hydraulic riveter broke,
causing a 70 foot long, heavy iron girder (weighing about 1
ton) to fall upon John, breaking his legs, etc. John died
of the effects of the accident at Pennsylvania Hospital
1893/02/19. Mary Steinberger claims that the defendant did
not use due and proper care in and about its premises, and
did not furnish her husband John B. Steinberger with a safe
and secure piece of equipment as it was its duty to do so.
------------------------
1892/08/01 Source: Plaintiff's Statement: Mary Steinberger
vs. The Phoenixville Iron Works at the Chester
County Archives
In the statement, it is noted that Mary Steinberger she has
two children, John B. Jr., 3 years, and Sarah, age 3 weeks.
It is claimed that Mary has suffered the loss of her husband
who was "constantly earning and in receipt of good wages,
supporting and providing said plaintiff and her children and
affording them a comfortable livelihood and maintenance."
Suit is brought for damages in the amount of $20,000.
------------------------
1892/04/02 Source: Daily Local News (April 2, 1892)
Jesse Kelley, a former "hackman," moved to East Nields
Street east of Matlack Street. He planned to open a
restaurant at Lenape.
------------------------
1892/03/23 Source: Daily Local News (March 23, 1892)
Mr. Gillingham was the ticket agent at the PRR station.
------------------------
1892/11/26 Source: Daily Local News (November 26, 1892)
Frank Burnett was head of the PRR station fire company.
------------------------
1892/04/22 Source: Daily Local News (April 22, 1892)
John Ryan worked for Patrick King directing the workmen who
graded South Franklin Street through King's property. King
expected the borough to annex the property and extend South
Franklin Street in the summer 1892.
------------------------
1892/11/10 Source: Daily Local News (November 10, 1892)
Mr. Finnegan, the gatekeeper for the PRR crossing at Market
Street, worked more than 12 hours each day. He began before
the first train left at 06h00, and stayed until after the
18h00 train arrived from Philadelphia. That meant the
crossing was unguarded for the last four hours of the day.
------------------------
1892/07/14 Source: Daily Local News (July 14, 1892)
Clement Proctor of West Chester got the contract to
whitewash the PRR station.
------------------------
1893/12/08 Source: Daily Local News (December 8, 1893)
The news agent of the PRR station on Market Street was
Townsend.
------------------------
1893/02/15 Source: Daily Local News
Thirty colored laborers from Harrisburg, who came here 3
weeks ago to take the places of dissatisfied Huns at
Phoenixville Iron Works, quit work yesterday over a
misunderstanding as to wages.
------------------------
1893/11/11 Source: Daily Local News (November 11, 1893)
People scavenged coal lumps at night using lanterns, from
around the locomotive turntable located at Chestnut and
North Matlack Streets. They were tempted by the regular
coal pile nearby, but railway guards kept them away.
------------------------
1893/09/21 Source: Daily Local News (September 21, 1893)
The conductor on the PRR Media Branch was Miller.
------------------------
1893/01/28 Source: Daily Local News
A carload of colored men from the South arrived in
Phoenixville Iron Works t yesterday to take the place of
striking Hungarians. The latter were working for $ .95
cents per day.
------------------------
1893/02/15 Source: Daily Local News
"We would much rather have the colored men than the
Hungarians as citizens," remarked a resident of Phoenixville
Iron Works. "The Hungarians are of no benefit to anyone
other than themselves. They only patronize the two stores
owned by fellow Hungarians, not spending one cent on our
native merchants excepting the liquor dealers."
------------------------
1893/01/27 Source: Daily Local News
The Phoenixville Iron Works of Phoenixville has decided to
employ no more Hungarian labor. Places are being filled by
colored men from the South. The Hungarians have been
receiving $ .95 cents a day and struck for an advance.
------------------------
1893/02/15 Source: Daily Local News
Mrs. Steinberger, of Phoenixville, is in West Chester today
to attend court. She is suing Phoenixville Iron Works for
damages sustained in the loss of her husband. While at work
in shop 6 about two years ago, a chain of a crane used to
hoist a heavy beam broke, and Mr. Steinberger was crushed to
death. His wife therefore brings this action to recover
damages for his loss.
------------------------
1893 Source: Shirley Macauley, "W. Chester's squares failed as
rectangles" in "Daily Local News" (November 13, 1972), 84.
NOTE: Centennial issue nø1 of 5 by the Daily Local News
The Chester County Hospital began operation in a pair of
small brick buildings on the north side of Marshall Square
in 1893.
------------------------
1893/05/18 Source: Daily Local News (May 18, 1893)
Terence Finnegan, the gatekeeper at the PRR crossing on
Market Street, now had help from Daniel Clancy, who worked
the twelve hour night shift. The article noted that
Finnegan "uses no tobacco or whiskey in any form."
------------------------
1893/07/06 Source: Daily Local News (July 6, 1893)
West Chester Streets Commissioner Eachus led an inspection
of the East Nields Street extension. At the time, a gang of
mostly Irish laborers were clearing brush and briars from
the "jungle" on the Pennsylvania Railroad property. They
obtained fill dirt to raise East Nields Street to the level
of the railroad from an excavation for an alley on property
owned by P. J. Jefferis, which ran from Matlack to Walnut
Streets between Nields and Lacy Streets.
------------------------
1893/08/25 Source: Daily Local News (August 25, 1893)
The superintendent of the PRR station on Market Street was
W. A. McMichael.
------------------------
1893/01/04 Source: Daily Local News
The Hungarians employed in Phoenixville Iron Works are
leaving the borough daily, but others are arriving to take
the places of the dissatisfied ones. There are many--very
many--who are not willing to work for $ .93 cents per day
(as a result of a 10% pay reduction that went into effect on
1892/12/15), and yet there are scores of others ready to
take their place.
------------------------
1893/01/13 Source: Daily Local News
The Phoenixville Iron Works has decided to charge all
tenants keeping more than 4 boarders $2.00 per month extra
to help pay for extra wear and tear of their houses. This
will almost entirely apply to the Hungarian element.
------------------------
1893/02/20 Source: Court Testimony: Mary Steinberger vs. The
Phoenixville Iron Works, 5-6, at the Chester
County
Archives
Upon questioning during the trial, Mr. B.F. Johnson admits
to being in charge of the work gang to which John
Steinberger was assigned. The gang consisted of the
following six men: Michael Durnan, James McCoy, Charles
Kennedy, himself (B.F. Johnson), John Steinberger, and a
Hungarian whose name he does not know
------------------------
1893/02/20 Source: Court Testimony: Mary Steinberger vs. The
Phoenixville Iron Works, p.1-4at the Chester
County
Archives
Upon questioning during the trial, Mary Steinberger states
that her husband received wages of $.11 cents per hour while
working approximately 12 hours per day (6 A.M. to 6 P.M.) in
Riveter Shop #6.
------------------------
1893/02/21-1893/04/24 Source: Chester County Appearance Docket
#55, 240. Mary Steinberger vs. The
Phoenixville Iron Works
at the Chester County Archives
The following information was also given after the non-suit
entry: Eo die rule to show cause why judgment of non-suit
shall
not be
stricken off returnable 1893/03/13, filed 1893/03/06.
Transcript
testimony filed 1893/03/13, argued c.a.v. 1893/04/24. Rule
discharged Eo die order of Court filed.
------------------------
1893/12/20 Source: Daily Local News (December 20, 1893)
Two workers were fired at the PRR freight station, Eugene
Talley and "one of the car cleaners." That left only Frank
Burnett to handle all freight loading and unloading.
------------------------
1893/01/02 Source: Daily Local News
The Phoenixville Iron Works has restarted operations after
the holidays. Of 700 or more Hungarians employed at
Phoenixville Iron Works, about 3/4 have left their jobs.
The Hungarians are first class laborers in every respect and
work quite hard.
------------------------
1893/12/15 Source: Daily Local News (December 15, 1893)
The resident cleaning woman of the PRR station on Market
Street was Mrs. Kate Lamborn.
------------------------
1894/08/18 Source: Daily Local News
William Develin, a worker at Phoenixville Iron Works steel
plant, was helping to land a 5,000 lb. red-hot ingot when
his tongs slipped. He fell back, and the ingot fell on his
leg and remained there for almost 3 minutes. The limb below
the knee was practically burned away, and physicians at
Stratford Hospital were obliged to amputate at once.
------------------------
1894/10/15 Source: Daily Local News (October 15, 1894)
David E. Townsend was the ticket collector at the PRR
station.
------------------------
1894/11/06 Source: Daily Local News (November 6, 1894)
George Guss, the stationmaster at the PRR station, left to
work for an electrical firm in Philadelphia, after two years
in West Chester.
------------------------
1894/11/12 Source: Daily Local News (November 12, 1894)
E. Harvey Hummell was the new baggage master at the PRR
station on Market Street.
------------------------
1894/11/16 Source: Daily Local News (November 16, 1894)
Josiah Burnett was head of the freight warehouse at the PRR
station. He was assisted by Frank Burnett and Isaac Smiley.
------------------------
1894/09/04 Source: Daily Local News (September 4, 1894)
The conductor on the PRR Frazer Branch was Joseph Keech, and
the baggage master of the PRR station on Market Street was
Jesse Wilson.
------------------------
1894/07/11 Source: Daily Local News (July 11, 1894)
Another train operated under the control of conductor Shaw
and baggage man Isaac Jones. Shaw was replaced by John
Kerwin. Also, George Mendenhall was on sick leave because
his foot was run over by a milk car.
------------------------
1894/01/28 Source: C.C.D. (January 28, 1894)
Thomas C. Hogue advertised his grocery store in West
Chester. His prices included: three cans of corn for 25›, a
can of tomatoes for 10›, flour for between $5.00-5.60/pound,
except "Snowflake" brand flour at $3.80/pound, cornmeal at
10›/half peck (1 peck = 8 dry quarts), butter at 25-
32›/pound, coffee at 25›/pound, sugar at 4›/pound, ham at
12› pound, smoked beef at 20›/pound, and lard at 11›/pound.
------------------------
1894/08/01 Source: Deeds to Poor House in Chester County
Archives.
In a letter to C.H. Howell, C.B.Swisher stated that he will
not run for the position of Director of the Poor due to "I
am quite unwell."
------------------------
1894/11/08 Source: Daily Local News (November 8, 1894)
Mr. Rigg of Clifton briefly served as baggage master at the
PRR station after George Guss, but gave up after a few weeks
due to illness.
------------------------
1894/03/28 Source: Daily Local News (March 28, 1894)
Miller Snare was retired from the PRR by this time. He was
in bad health (and according to the death register, died in
the following month). William Munshower represented the
Union News Company at the station.
------------------------
1894/05/03 Source: Daily Local News (May 3, 1894)
James Wallace, an ex-policeman and ex-employee of the
Customs House in Philadelphia, replaced Miller Snare as the
general assistant and messenger at the PRR station. The
station master was still W. A. McMichael, and other
employees included H. A. Gillingham, Walter Keech, conductor
Edward Miller and baggage master George Guss.
------------------------
1894/07/17 Source: Daily Local News (July 17, 1894)
Howard A. Gillingham was the ticket agent at the PRR
station. Clark Pyle was the "night operator." This article
also mentioned George Guss, Mrs. Lamborn, and the baggage
master Jesse Wilson.
------------------------
1894/06/21 Source: Daily Local News (June 21, 1894)
One train operated with conductor Marsh, baggage master
Frank S. Wetsel and flagman Robert Cunningham.
------------------------
1894/05/19 Source: Daily Local News (May 19, 1894)
William Gheen was a ticket agent at the PRR station.
------------------------
1894/08/20 Source: Daily Local News (August 20, 1894)
The workers at the PRR station made preparations for "the
handling of trunks next Monday when the Normalites return."
(Normalites were the students and faculty at the West
Chester Normal School.)
------------------------
1895/09/08.ex.lab. Source: E County 1825-96, Volume II.
Edward Murry complained of a numbness of his hands and feet.
He worked in a tool store. He lost all use of his hands and
had to be fed like a child. Doctors found him dead and said
he died of paralysis of the brain.
------------------------
1895/05/25 Source: Daily Local News (May 25, 1895)
H. Jesse Wilson was promoted to conductor on the PRR.
------------------------
1895/06/24 Source: Daily Local News (June 24, 1895)
William Gheen was the assistant to ticket agent Gillingham.
McMichael was still the PRR station master, and two other
employees were named Wallace and Sweney.
------------------------
1895/03/27 Source: Daily Local News (March 27, 1895)
PRR Conductor Milton Shaw. Conductor Marsh and Engineer
John Richards.
------------------------
1895/03/20 Source: "Last Night Was Rather Cool for Sleeping
Out of Doors" in "Daily Local News" (March 20,
1895)
This article contained an anonymous conversation with a
blue-collar laborer from Chester. He took the train to West
Chester and slept outdoors upon arrival. He had heard that
he might get work at a nursery.
------------------------
1896/05/20 Source: Daily Local News in Chester County
Historical Society
W. Harmer Davis become the new Steward of the Chester County
Home.
------------------------
1896/05/11 Source: Daily Local News in Chester County
Historical Society
Caleb Brinton Swisher dies on 1896/05/10 after a short but
sever illness. Was the Steward of the Chester County Poor
House from 1886/04/00 until his death. He was born in
Lancaster County in 1852 and lived in New Jersey. He
married there and then moved back into Chester County. His
first wife died about a year after he became the Steward of
the Home. He married again on 1895/05/16 to Mary Meredith
Strode in a Friends ceremony. He had an attack of Grip days
before his weeding.
------------------------
1898/03/07 Source: Daily Local News (March 7, 1898)
Josiah Burnett was an invalid after 25 years working for the
PRR.
------------------------
1899/04/05 Source: "Daily Local News" (April 5, 1899).
Names of men who worked for the PRR: Josiah Burnett (JJ:
probably junior, since Josiah Burnett was an invalid in
1898/03/07) was the "head man," assisted by Millard Snare,
Michael Reagan and John Ryan.
------------------------
1900/08/23 Source: Daily Local News (August 23, 1900)
Elwood Datchell, the baggage agent at the PRR station on
Market Street, was transferred to West Grove. He was
replaced by Mr. Eckley, who came from West Grove.
------------------------
1900/05/17 Source: Daily Local News
An accident occurred last night at the works of the
Phoenixville Iron Works by which Roland B. Johnson, 35 years
old, lost his life. Johnson, with several other men, was
working on a large 60-foot girder, which had been insecurely
propped up. The huge piece of steel toppled over, striking
Johnson in the side, breaking several of his ribs and
fatally injuring him. After being struck he ran about 20
feet, then fell like a corpse.
------------------------
1902/05/31 Source: Daily Local News (May 31, 1902)
Christian Kautz was the gatekeeper for the PRR at the Market
Street crossing.
------------------------
1902/11/20 Source: Daily Local News (November 20, 1902)
Small boys congregated at the PRR station and West Chester
trolley stations to earn money carrying baggage for
returning teachers. At least one woman reported that her
baggage was lost as a result.
------------------------
1906/06/11 Source: "Death at Sconnelltown" in "Daily Local
News" (June 11, 1906)
John Carey Jr. and his son, Harry Reagan Carey, were killed
last Saturday by lightning as they waited in a shelter near
the railway station at Lenape. John Carey was employed at
the "Griffith enterprise" (owned by Alfred Taylor and W. A.
Griffith), and was active in the Republican Party, although
he had recently shifted his support to the reform party and
become a member of the Lincoln-Roosevelt Club.
------------------------
1907/03/16 Source: Daily Local News (March 16, 1907)
John Malin was the foreman for P. J. Jefferis' work crew
that constructed eight houses on East Nields Street.
------------------------
1909/03/20 Source: Daily Local News (March 20, 1909)
Thomas C. Hogue, agent, rented a house for Elizabeth
McAllister, owner, to John Raub, a foreman at the Apple
Plumbing Company in West Chester.
------------------------
1917/08/17 Source: Daily Local News (August 17, 1917)
John Doran, a widower, died. He was survived by his son
Lawrence, an engineer, and his daughter, Mrs. Ellen
Steadman. John Doran was a retired street cleaner for West
Chester borough who was in poor health. He was also a
member of St. Agnes Catholic church.
------------------------
1922/03/30 Source: Daily Local News (March 30, 1922)
Dennis McDevitt was preparing to move from 559 South
Franklin Street to a house on Marshall Street owned by
William Chalfant Jr. McDevitt worked as the gatekeeper at
the Pennsylvania Railroad crossing on Market Street.
------------------------
1923/11/02 Source: Daily Local News (November 2, 1923)
The 300 block of South Adams Street, opposite the PRR
freight station, was inhabited by "colored" people. Until
recently, the entire block of houses was owned by General
Henry R. Guss, but in recent years, many different people
had purchased houses in this block.
The oldest resident of the block was Joshua Pierce, who
identified himself as "the only colored Joshua Pierce in
town." He was 67 years old and had worked for Colonel Guss,
Lin Lewis, Al Ingram, and George F. Townsend. In 1923, he
still worked for Joseph Wertz, but also had his own wood
yard. Pierce was quoted as saying the only thing wrong with
his block was "a lot of houses are owned by people in
Philadelphia, Media and other places, who do not keep them
fixed up the way they should. Our location is good and our
people are good."
------------------------
1930s/early Source: Leah Schechter, editor, I JUST WANTED TO
MAKE A CONTRIBUTION: THE LIFE OF WALTER T. KERWIN
(West Chester: Henderson High School AP History,
1992), 3. CCHS#E745.K39
When he was in high school, Walter T. Kerwin (Jr) worked in
local mushroom houses for $1.52 a day. (JJ: This must have
been about 1934.)
------------------------
1930s Source: Michael Vircsik, Phoenixville resident,
interview
by
Daniel G. Cleary (Phoenixville, April 19, 1996).
Michael Vircsik was born at #10 Hall street (Cottage Row) in
1919. His father came to America in 1902 from Hungary(?)
and was a worker at the iron mill, making about $.10 cents
per hour. His father worked a shift lasting 11-12 hours
each day of the week and 1/2 day on Saturday. Michael was
unsure, but estimated the monthly rent at Hall street at
$8.00. While living there in the early 1920s his family had
no plumbing or running water, and burned coal for heat and
fuel. He had one brother and 2 older sisters, with another
brother(?) dying as an infant.
Michael described the neighborhood as having a high level of
social cohesiveness, primarily due to the language barrier.
Many immigrants came to America expecting to make some money
and then leave, so there was little incentive to learn
English. As a result immigrants tended to associates with
others from their home countries. He also noted there
tended to be large families, and that alcohol consumption
was prevalent.
Michael noted that women would carry soup/hot food to their
husbands at the factory during lunch/break times. Children
would also accompany them, providing an opportunity for
families to spend time together despite the father's long
work hours.
For extra money, the family would take borders into their
home. Michael's mother also worked as a maid and took in
extra laundry, while the entire family would contribute to
piecemeal sewing projects (ex. stitching collars in women's
shirts). Children would also collect coal that had fallen
off of railroad cars. In general, families had to "scratch
to make an existence". They were "dominated by the
company," but they really didn't know any better. In
Europe, they were dominated by the aristocracy. Here, it
was by the company. People were accustomed to it and
therefore probably never felt oppressed or taken advantage
of.
------------------------
1930s Source: Leah Schechter, editor, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A
CONTRIBUTION: THE LIFE OF WALTER T. KERWIN (West
Chester: Henderson High School AP History, 1992), 2.
CCHS#E745.K39
Walter T. Kerwin (Sr) worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad,
and after the depression, became the tax collector for West
Chester.
------------------------
1931 Source: "Mushrooms face 58 failures" in "Daily Local News"
(November 14, 1972), 13. NOTE: Centennial issue nø2 of 5 by
the Daily Local News
The Mushroom Growers Cooperative Association was formed in
1931 under the leadership of William Maule. Even before
that, Edward H. Jacob founded a mushroom firm in West
Chester that became, after his death, part of the Grocery
Store Products Company. The Borden Company had an interest
in the Brandywine Mushroom Corporation of West Chester.
------------------------
1937/10/27 Source: Coatesville Record (October 27, 1937)
J. Walter Keech retired from the PRR after 46 years. He
started as a clerk in West Chester on 1891/06/01, and was
promoted to billing clerk, accountant, chief clerk and
station agent. From 1917-1924, he served as station master
at Oxford, where he presided over the worst accident of his
career when a passenger train collided with a line of
standing locomotives. In 1924, he returned to West Chester,
and in 1931, he was promoted to passenger and freight agent.
He was the son of the late Joseph C. Keech, a Coatesville
railroader and former member of the state legislature.
------------------------
1940s Source: DLN advertisement
The Oriole Tea Room was located at 621 South Walnut Street
and operated by Gertrude Taylor (Mrs. Warren C. Taylor).
------------------------
1944/08/05 Source: Daily Local News (August 5, 1944)
Greenfield Park required many loads of fill in the swampy
area around Goose Creek. A local resident, Joseph Cotter,
supervised the placement of truckloads of fill. He
constructed a small shack for his own use at the site, and
marked it with a sign to "Keep Out" to deter local vandals.
------------------------
1945/02/17 Source: Daily Local News (February 17, 1945)
Joseph Carter supervised the grading and distribution of
fill in the "Riggins Lot" just south of Goose Creek. There
were plans to build a cannery there to supplement the
cannery already in operation along the railway in
Willistown. The fill came from rubbish collections in the
neighborhoods adjoining Goose Creek.
------------------------
1946/05/22 Source: Announcement in DLN 1946/05/22
Alonzo Harvey's "Saddlery Shop" opened for business at
539 South Franklin Street. It mentioned that "Al Harvey
[was] formerly with M. S. Yearsley & Sons."
------------------------
1952/07/11 Source: Daily Local News (July 11, 1952)
The first diesel locomotive reached West Chester.
------------------------
1953/06/18 Source: Daily Local News (June 18, 1953)
In the obituary for Raymond O. Washburn, it was disclosed
that he had been the "New England district manager" for the
ESCO Cabinet Co. for 28 years (in other words, since 1925).
Thus, Ann Gincley's husband worked for a large company.
Other clippings showed that ESCO owned the Sharpless
Separator Works in West Chester.
------------------------
1959/12/09 Source: Daily Local News (December 9, 1959)
Levi Gincley died on 1959/12/08 at the age of 71 (1888-
1959). He was retired from the Brandywine Mushroom Company.
Levi Gincley died in his home at 390 E. Nields Street. He
was survived by his wife Helen Harvey Gincley and the
following children (presumably in order by age): Charles,
Martha (wife of James S. Stanley), Dorothy, Robert, Harvey,
Betty, Francis, Alonzo and Florence. Another son, Earl, was
already dead (see 1956 auto accident). Levi also had a
brother, Francis Ryan, a sister Mrs. Oliver Lease of York,
and 21 grandchildren.
------------------------
1965/03/22 Source: DLN (March 22, 1965)
A. Roy Ferrier of 437 East Nields Street died on 1965/03/22.
He worked for the last five years as a carpenter at
Winterthur. The obituary listed four children and eleven
grandchildren, but did not give his age.
------------------------
1968 Source: DLN advertisement
The Oriole Tea Room closed at 621 South Walnut Street. It
was operated by Gertrude Taylor (Mrs. Warren C. Taylor).
-----------------------------------------