2918 Melvale Street Property History

fig-1
Some of the original lots from the plan of the Village of Richmond superimposed on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map. In February 1844 Eli K. Price sold lots 17 (later 2917 Richmond Street), 18 (later 2916 Melvale Street), 19 (later 2919 Richmond Street), and 20 (later 2918 Melvale Street) to Thomas Pilson. Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University

Development and Early Residents, 1843–1864

In late February 1844, Philadelphia lawyer Eli K. Price sold four 20-x-100-foot lots located back to back and side to side on the southeast side of Richmond Street and on the northwest side of Larch Street (now Melvale Street) to teamster Thomas Pilson on ground rent of $90 a year.1 These lots were numbered 17 through 20 on the plan of the village of Richmond (See Figure 1).

Within 10 years, Pilson constructed two frame houses on Larch Street, as well as a frame house and office on Richmond Street, where he resided with his family. In the center of the property, he erected a stable.2 Who was living in which Larch Street house is not certain, but it is likely that blacksmith John Tway and his family were residing in the house on lot 18 by 1849.3 Possibly living in the house on lot 20 by 1850 were Irish immigrants Francis and Ellen Keenan, though they may have resided in a house on lot 22 or 24. 4 Francis Keenan was a 29-year-old grocer and operated a store at the address in the early 1850s, though in 1852 or 1853, he closed his shop and took over the management of a hotel/tavern at William and Richmond Streets (where he was quickly fined for selling liquor on Sunday).5

The residents of the house on lot 20 cannot be definitively identified until after the Civil War, but the 1860 federal census and city directories suggest that the family of Irish immigrant Hugh McKeon (or McKeown) briefly lived in the house. In 1859, the family—which included 30-year-old laborer Hugh, his 32-year-old immigrant wife Jane, and their two young sons—moved onto Larch Street (renamed Melvale Street that year) near Sorrel Street.6 Though Hugh may have briefly operated a grocery at the address, by the early 1860s, he was once again employed as a laborer.7 When the McKeon family departed the house is unknown, but it may have been around 1862 or 1863. They eventually took up residence about a block down the street at 1716 Melvale. 8

fig-2
The project area as depicted on the 1862 Samuel Smedley Atlas of the City of Philadelphia. The structure in the center of the block may be Thomas Pilson’s stable. Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia

In January 1855, Pilson sold the property to clerk Charles McCoy and boatman John Ewing for $2,150.9 At the time he purchased the property, Ewing lived on 248 South Juniper Street in Center City Philadelphia, while McCoy, who also owned the two lots to the southwest on Richmond, was living on Salmon Street near the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad’s tracks.10 It seems that McCoy and Ewing quickly demolished the frame house and office on Richmond Street and erected two three-story brick dwellings for their respective families, which may have been completed by late 1855.11 After jointly owning the property for 12 years, McCoy and Ewing divided it in half, with Ewing receiving lot 19, on which his house fronting Richmond Street was constructed, and lot 20, which had one of the two frame houses fronting on Larch.12

The Dougherty Family, Circa 1865–1880

The next known residents of the frame house on lot 20 were the Dougherty family, who seem to have moved in around 1864 or 1865, about the time the property was assigned the address of 1614 Melvale Street.13 The Dougherty family consisted of roughly 40-year-old Irish immigrant Patrick Dougherty, his wife Ellen, who was about 35 years old and also Irish-born, and at least five children—Mary (born circa 1852), Ellen (born circa 1855), Ann (born circa 1857), William (born circa 1861), Agnes (born circa 1863), and Catherine (born circa 1863). Before the decade was over, at least two more children would be born to the couple—John F. and Edward.14 Possibly also residing with the family was Ellen’s father, the roughly 70-year-old Daniel McGinnis. After only a few years, both Agnes Dougherty and Daniel McGinnis died—the former of measles in March 1867 and the latter of age-related illness in January 1868. 15

Patrick Dougherty initially ran a bar at the address, but by 1867 was working as a coal trimmer on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad’s wharves.16 Patrick’s income was supplemented by money his older daughters earned making dresses and working in a box factory.17 Presumably by the mid-1870s, the elder Dougherty sons were employed and contributing their income to the family, as well. In March 1874, Patrick Dougherty died of pulmonary tuberculosis at about age 49.18 His widow and children continued to reside at 1614 Melvale for about six more years before moving, after which they settled in an area near Lehigh Avenue.19

Various Residents, 1880–1890

Following the Dougherty family in late 1879 was the Deeney family, which consisted of 60-year-old Irish immigrant John Deeny, his 45-year-old immigrant wife Bridget, 23-year-old daughter Ellen, and 20-year-old son Charles. John and Charles were both employed as laborers, while Ellen worked in one of the local hosiery mills.20 The Deeney family departed from 1614 in 1881, moving to a house at 1236 Ann Street. The family of Charles W. Holland, in turn, replaced them.21 When they moved into 1614, the Holland family likely consisted of Charles, a 27-year-old native of Maryland employed in the shipbuilding industry, his 25-year-old wife Margaret, and their children George, six, and Lucy, three.22 Another daughter, Mary, was born in 1884.23 In addition to immediate family members, during at least a portion of the Holland family’s residency at 1614, Mary Shaw, the widow of sailor Anson Shaw, resided with them.24 The Hollands had resided with Shaw’s family before moving to 1614, and may have been related to them in some capacity. The Holland family moved to 2902 Richmond Street in about 1885, soon after which Charles became a police officer. 25

The identity of the next tenants, the Wichchok family, is nebulous, especially since it is likely that Wichchok is a corruption or misspelling of their actual surname. Aside from the fact that they were Polish immigrants, little is known about John and Catharine Wichchok and their seven-year-old daughter, Mary. Indeed, the only evidence for their existence is Mary’s death certificate, noting that she died of diphtheria at the address in December 1885. 26

fig-3
1614/2918 Melvale Street and the surrounding area as depicted on the 1886 G.M. Hopkins Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 25th Ward. Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia

By late 1886, Caroline Weeks had taken up residence in the frame house on the property, which was now known as 2918 Melvale Street after a renumbering in 1885.27 A widow in her mid-50s, Weeks had moved from 2828 Sorrel Street (now East Monmouth Street) after her son Frederick died earlier in the year.28 While it is possible that others resided in the house with her, all of Weeks’ surviving children were married and only she was listed in the directories.29 In 1890, she moved next door to 2920 Melvale Street, where several of her children’s families eventually came to reside with her. 30

The Kowalski Family, 1890–Circa 1902

Though John Ewing, the owner of 2918 Melvale, had died in 1874, it was not until July 1890 that the title to 2918 (and 2919 Richmond Street to its rear) passed to his daughter Evelina (Ewing) Edwards, when she purchased it from his estate for $4,500.31 From about the time Edwards acquired the property until into the early twentieth century, various names are given in historic records for the residents of 2918, but it seems possible, if not probable, that most referred to one individual—Polish immigrant laborer Joseph Kowalski. Kowalski was probably about 40 years old when he moved into 2918 with his wife Mary and young son John, both of whom were also born in Poland.32 Listed as Joseph Kovoskie in the 1891 and 1892 directories, he may have also been the same individual as the Joseph Smith residing at the address in 1893.33, p. 1037; ibid. 1892, Joseph Kovoskie (Kowalski), p. 1066; ibid. 1893, Joseph Smith, p. 1818] Between 1893 and 1899, no residents are known to have been listed in the city directories, though an individual is recorded dying at the property in 1895. This man, Szczepan (Stephen) Zienthowski, was an unmarried 50-year-old Polish immigrant who died of complications from dysentery in July 1895.34 Nothing else is known about Zienthowski, though perhaps he was a friend or relative of the Kowalski family.

Joseph Kowalski is next listed in the 1899 directory, which is the first time his son John was listed in the directories.35 At the time of the 1900 census, the 50-year-old Joseph (enumerated as John) was employed as a laborer and his now 23-year-old son (enumerated as Joseph) was working as a driver, the same occupation he had held the past several years.36 Joseph Kowalski was listed at 2918 twice more in the directories, but the family seems to have left around 1902 or 1903. 37

Two Families and the Final Decades, Circa 1905–1966

By late 1904, the Parker family had taken up residence in the dwelling at 2918 Melvale.38 The family consisted of 31-year-old glassblower Charles J. Parker, his 27-year-old Scottish-born wife Jennie, Jennie’s 23-year-old brother Robert T. Kerr, and the couple’s three young daughters: Catherine, Mary, and Jessie. Over the next eight years at the property, at least three more children—Anna, Robert, and Charles—would be born.39 In about 1908, 2918 Melvale may have briefly been home to another member of the Parker family, Joseph Parker—perhaps a brother of Charles.40 Soon after moving to the property, Charles left the glassblowing trade and became a construction foreman.41 Kerr, employed as a waiter, eventually found a job as a salesman in the early 1910s. 42

fig-4
The frame dwelling at 2918 Melvale Street as depicted on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map. It was demolished and replaced with a garage for 2919 Richmond Street that year. Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University

The family of Charles J. Parker moved several blocks away to 3043 Almond Street in 1912, and the family of Charles J. Clark followed them at 2918 Melvale.43 Clark is likely the same individual as the Charles Clarke enumerated in the 1910 census at 2958 East Monmouth Street.44 If this is the case, the 42-year-old laborer moved into 2918 Melvale with his 42-year-old wife Alice and 23-year-old daughter Mary in 1912 and resided there until late 1917 or early 1918.45 The Clarks’ son Thaddeus, enumerated with the family in the 1910 census, did not move to 2918 with the family, as he married in 1912 and moved to a house on Chatham Street.46 The family’s time on Melvale Street likely ended when Evelina Edwards sold the property to Maxwell and Sarah Brenner in December 1917.47 Just about a year and a half later, the Brenners—having moved into the house at 2919 Richmond—demolished the frame dwelling at 2918 Melvale Street and built a one-story brick and cement garage.48 They later expanded the garage and built a second story in May 1933.49 The Brenners continued to own the property until the 1960s, when the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority condemned it for the construction of Interstate 95. 50

References

  1. Philadelphia County Deed Book AWM 58:87, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  2. Philadelphia County Deed Book RDW 2:300, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  3. A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia Directory for 1850, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for John Tway, p. 424; “1850 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Tway, Richmond District, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
  4. McElroy, Philadelphia Directory for 1851, entry for Francis Keenan, p. 220; “1850 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Fransis Keenen (Francis Keenan), Richmond Dist., Philadelphia Co., Pa
  5. McElroy, Philadelphia Directory for 1852, entry for Francis Keenan, p. 232; ibid. 1853, Francis Keenan, p. 232; ibid. 1854, Francis Keenan, p. 272; ibid. 1855, Francis Keenan, p. 284; “Police Affairs,” Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), June 26, 1854, p. 2, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.newspapers.com
  6. A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1859, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Hugh McKeown (McKeon), p. 459; ibid. 1860, Hugh McKeon, p. 633; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Hugh McKeon, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  7. A. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1862, Hugh McKeon, p. 431
  8. James Gopsill, comp, Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1869, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Hugh McKeown (McKeon), p. 988
  9. Philadelphia County Deed Book RDW 2:300
  10. McElroy, Philadelphia Directory for 1855, entries for John Ewing, p. 162, Chas. M’Coy (McCoy), p. 340; Philadelphia County Deed Book AWM 73:326, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed June 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; Philadelphia County Deed Book TH 83:213, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web.
  11. McElroy, Philadelphia Directory for 1856, entries for John Ewen (Ewing), p. 190, Chas. M’Coy (McCoy), p. 398
  12. Philadelphia County Deed Book JTO 42:305, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  13. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1865, entry for Patrick Dougherty, p. 195; ibid. 1866, Patrick Dougherty, p. 205
  14. “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Patrick Dougherty, 6th, 7th, and 9th Precincts, 1st Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Patrick Doughty (Dougherty), 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Patrick Dougherty, 2nd enumeration, enumeration district 81, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  15. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed February 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Agnes Dougherty, March 7, 1867; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed February 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Daniel Mcginnis (McGinnis), January 2, 1868; “Daniel McGinnis,” death notice, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, January 4, 1868, p. 5, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed February 2015, http://www.genealogybank.com
  16. McElroy, Philadelphia City Directory for 1866, entry for Patrick Dougherty, p. 205; Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1868, entry for Patrick Dougherty, p. 499; ibid. 1869, Patrick Dougherty, p. 467; ibid. 1870, Patrick Dougherty, p. 477; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Patrick Doughty (Dougherty), 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  17. “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Elle Dougherty, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  18. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed March 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Patrick Dougherty, March 18, 1874; “Patrick Dougherty,” death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 21, 1874, p. 4, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed April 2015, http://www.genealogybank.com
  19. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1877, entry for Ellen Dougherty, p. 423; ibid. 1878, Ellen Dougherty, p. 445; ibid. 1879, Ellen Dougherty, p. 459; ibid. 1880, Ellen Dougherty, p. 486; James Gopsill’s Sons, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Ellen Dougherty, p. 496; ibid. 1886, Ellen Dougherty, p. 477; ibid. 1894, Ellen C. Dougherty, p. 529; ibid. 1900, Ellen Dougherty, p. 600; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Ellen Dougherty, enumeration district 0594, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “Ellen Dougherty,” death notice, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Record, February 20, 1906, p. 13, Google News, database accessed March 2015, https://news.google.com/newspapers?hl=en
  20. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1880, entry for John Deeney, p. 445; ibid. 1881, John Deeney, p. 425; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Deenery (Deeney), enumeration district 524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  21. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1882, entries for John Deeney, p. 407, Charles W. Holland, p. 747
  22. “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles Holland, enumeration district 525, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1881, entry for Charles W. Holland, p. 785; ibid. 1882, Charles W. Holland, p. 747; ibid. 1883, Charles Holland, p. 769; Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, entry for Charles W. Holland, p. 846
  23. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles Holland, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  24. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, entry for Mary Shaw, p. 1586
  25. Ibid. 1885, Charles W. Holland, p. 846; ibid. 1886, Charles Holland, p. 814; ibid. 1887, Charles W. Holland, p. 806
  26. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed February 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Mary Wichchok, December 19, 1885
  27. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1886, entry for Caroline Weeks, p. 1809; ibid. 1887, Caroline Weeks, p. 1766; ibid. 1888, Caroline Weeks, p. 1807; ibid. 1889, Caroline Weeks, p. 1861
  28. “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Weeks, Buckley and McCarran families, enumeration district 525, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed April 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Frederick Weeks, January 12, 1886
  29. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1887, entry for William Shultice (Schultice), p. 1550; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates, 1906-1963,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed April 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Caroline Buckley, February 1, 1920, File Number 27420; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates, 1906-1963,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed April 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Catherine Mc Carran, June 6, 1922, File Number 56948; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed April 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Mary Schultice, April 26, 1890; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates, 1906-1963,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed April 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for William Schultice, October 8, 1932, File Number 88053; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates, 1906-1963,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed April 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Jacob Schultice, July 17, 1947, File Number 67157
  30. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1891, entries for William Schultheis (Schultice), p. 1711, Caroline Weeks, p. 1952; ibid. 1893, Timothy Buckey, p. 266, Caroline Weeks, p. 2036
  31. Philadelphia County Deed Book GGP 683:37, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; “Married,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 27, 1881, p. 4, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed June 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com
  32. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Jokawski (Joseph Kowalski), enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  33. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1891, entry for Joseph Kovoskie [Kowalski
  34. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed February 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Szcrzepan (Szczepan) Zienthowski, July 20, 1895
  35. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1899, entries for Jno. Kowalski, Jos. Kowalski, p. 1263
  36. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Jokawski (Joseph Kowalski), enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  37. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1901, entry for Jos. Gowalski (Kowalski), p. 968; ibid. 1902, Jos. Cavolski (Kowalski), p. 409
  38. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1905, entries for Robt. T. Kerr, p. 1369, Chas. J. Parker, p. 1951
  39. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Chas. J. Parker, enumeration district 0585, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles J. Parker, enumeration district 0546, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  40. C. E. Howe Company, comp., Boyd’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1909, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entries for Chas. Parker, p. 1522, Jos. Parker, p. 1523
  41. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1906, entry for Chas. J. Parker, p. 2003; ibid. 1907, Chas. J. Parker, p. 1362; Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1908, entry for Chas. Parker, p. 1503; ibid. 1909, Chas. Parker, p. 1522; ibid. 1910, Chas. Parker, p. 1546; ibid. 1911, Chas. J. Parker, p. 1452; “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Chas. J. Parker, enumeration district 0757, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1930 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles Parker, enumeration district 51-1138, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  42. Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1905, entry for Robt. T. Kerr, p. 1369; ibid. 1907, Robt. T. Kerr, p. 1362; Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1911, entry for Robt. J. Kerr, p. 1503
  43. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1912, entries for Chas. J. Clark, p. 384, Chas. J. Parker, p. 1476; ibid. 1913, Chas. J. Clark, p. 389, Chas. J. Parker, p. 1528
  44. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1910, entry for Chas. Clark, p. 389; ibid. 1911, Chas. J. Clark, p. 373; ibid. 1912, Chas. J. Clark, p. 384; ibid. 1913, Chas. J. Clark, p. 389
  45. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1914, entry for Chas. J. Clark, p. 388; ibid. 1915, Chas. J. Clark, p. 398; ibid. 1916, Chas. J. Clark, p. 390; ibid. 1917, Chas. J. Clark, p. 395; ibid. 1918, Chas. J. Clark, p. 408; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles J. Clark, enumeration district 0590, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Charles Clarke (Clark), enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  46. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1912, entry for Thaddeus Clark, p. 388; ibid. 1914, Thaddeus J. Clark, p. 391; “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Thaddeus J. Clark, 1912, Marriage License Number 285419
  47. Philadelphia County Deed Book JMH 299:80, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web
  48. Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, Year 1919, Permit Number 2682, Building Permit Applications, Record Group 83-4.4, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Maxwell Brenner, enumeration district 0747, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa
  49. Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, Year 1933, Permit Number 1691, Building Permit Applications, Record Group 83-4.4, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  50. Philadelphia County Deed Book CAD 632:292, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed September 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web