The Ridley Township Milmont Republican Club makes history 99 years ago. Upcoming local history events

 

Milmont in Ridley Twp. had it's own Post office from the 1890's till 1956. This picture is from the 1940's. The building is still in existence. Do any of my readers know where? The answer will be at the end of the story.

Note: The Milmont Republican Club made history in 1922 when it was charted by accepting women members. Women had just been given the right to vote in 1919 and many politicians did not like it. The Milmont Republican was one of the first in the nation to accept women and have their names on the charter. The club is still very active today.

CHESTER TIMES – May 15, 1922 

 HISTORY MAKING IN NOTABLE DINNER AT LEIPERVILLE 

Milmont Republican Club Composed of Men and Women and Women Voters

                Ridley Township made history on Saturday night when a notable banquet was given at the Colonial Hotel in Leiperville, incidental to the formation of the first Republican Club in Delaware County and probably in the State to be made up of men and women voters alike.

                The diners made up the personnel of the Milmont Republican Club of Ridley Township, who represent many different nationalities, now full-fledged citizens, and who gathered about the festive board to receive formally the charter of their organization.

                James F. Dougherty acted as toastmaster.  Thee 135 charter members and 175 others, guests of the club, sat down to tables, including Judge Isaac Johnson of Media; Apothecary, Willian Ward, Mrs. William Ward, Mrs. Mary B. Worall and former District Attorney Josiah Smith.

                An inclination to avoid political discussion, factional differences and favorite candidates to be voted for at the primaries tomorrow, was a salient feature of the dinner.  Judge Johnson made this clear at the start:  “I have come to commend you on your stalwart Republicanism, not to discuss campaign issues,” the jurist said modestly.

                No less interesting was the fact that the diners brought to the spacious hostelry their own dishes, their own home-cooked condiments.  Not in many a day has such a delectable menu been offered at this well-known roadhouse.

                The hall was gorgeously decorated with flags, flowers and potted plants, and upon every table rested seasonable flowers brought from the gardens of Milmont and its vicinity.

                Judge Johnson was in usual happy humor.  He spoke earnestly, felicitously.  He lauded the genuine Republicanism of the men and women who were willing to work shoulder to shoulder for the basic principles of a great party, and he contrasted them with the richer element of society that so often the speaker said, neglect the duties of citizenship in their zeal for social enjoyments and trips to Florida.

                Briefly Judge Johnson reviewed the history of the Republican Party, from its incipiency down to the present day, referring to the four years he had given to his country that its principles and institutions might be preserved.  He said:

                “I have come here, as your guest, to commend you for your patriotism for your disposition to band together – men and women alike, in one body that will meet under one roof.  Yours is an example that voters in all other sections of the State and the country will do well to emulate.  It is a significant showing you have made.  If it can be rightly understood you incorporators, members of the Milmont Republican Club, have made history.

                “Let me say, however, that I have not come into your midst to discuss politics.  True, there is a factional controversy that is now engaging every nook and corner of our State, but I think you will agree with me that this is not the place to enter into differences of personal opinion concerning political candidates and their peculiar platforms.  As for myself, let me say that I have no axe to grind.

                “What I am impressed with, what inspires me more than anything else is your staunch Republicanism, your conspicuous Americanism, your idea of exercising the right of franchise by the formation of this organization.  To your more wealthy brethren – men and women who forget the duty they owe to the community by plunging into social enjoyments or vacationing at the shore at the sacrifice of their public duties – you set a shining example, you offer a praiseworthy standard.

                Mrs. William Ward extolled the spirit behind the diners who have banded themselves together in the name of Republicanism, saying that what pleased her most was that they were now willing to discuss and work together under one roof.  It was an evidence of open mindedness, a characteristic liberality, now that women have an equal voice in Governmental affairs with men.  A stout round of applause was accorded the enthusiastic Republican worker when she declared her “hat was in the ring” for so genuine an organization as the Milmont Republican Club.

                As toastmaster, James F. Dougherty had called the meeting to order.  He told of the early steps the incorporators had taken in making the organization a reality, declaring that it had made a substantial start with its 135 charter members and the fifty more that will join the political fellowship at the next meeting night.  Throughout he fairly bubbled over with enthusiasm.

                “History was made when the first gun was fired at Bunker Hill,” commented the chairman, casually, “and this country has made history ever since.  The truth is history is made here tonight by the presentation of your charter, for you voters who were born in central Europe – you and your offspring – are the first group in Ridley Township, perhaps in Pennsylvania, to organize a Republican Club with men and women members.”

                The speaker pointed out that there natives of Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and other countries who were installed in this organization along with native-born sons, he explained the thrift of the community of Milmont, their disposition to uphold the Stars and Stripes, their spirit to become good citizens, their desire to own their own homes.

                CHARTER PRESENTED – In a ringing, animated address, former District Attorney Josiah Smith made the formal presentation of the club charter.  It was Mr. Smith who had gone before the Media courts to ask that the petition of the Milmont Republican leaders be granted.

                Other speakers included Mrs. Mary R. Worrall and Apothecary William Ward, Jr.

                The committee in charge of arrangements included Mrs. S. Lippart, A. Ottrobe, A. Zanzinger, b. Spaniar, H. Goschler, J. Garad, E. Traum, C. Honner, J. Pinhak, A. Bissinger, W. Gillespie, M. Bruckler, F. Kaminsky, L. Frachet, H. Goschler, A. Bissinger, W. Gillespie, M. Bruckler, K. Spaniar, John Grafff, A. Zanzinger, L. Fachet, Jos. . Belak, O. Nauman.

                Mrs. W. Gillespie is president; Mrs. M. Bruckler, vice president; Mrs. L. Fachet, treasurer; and Mrs. F. Kaminsky, secretary of the ladies’ division of the organization.  They are the charter members.

                Officers of the men’s division include:  H. Goschler, president; W. Gillespie, vice president; A. Zanzinger, treasurer; Joseph M. Belak, secretary; C. Nagy, sergeant-at-arms; C. Honner, assistant sergeant-at-arms; G. Spaniar, assistant sergeant-at-arms; Directors:  A. Dworak, S. Jacob, J. Graff, J. Wagner, T. Mazura, L. Fachet, M. Brucker, O. Nauman, M. Ager, B. Koreny, J. Cinger, J. Bruckler, Jr., Jos. Bruckler, Sr. C. Nagy.

The location of the Milmont Post Office was 201 Milmont Ave. The building still stands today and is a branch of the County Savings Bank.

If you like local history please join the DCHPN facebook page for events, local history etc.
I'm the president of the Delaware County Historic preservation Network

DCHPN Monthly E-Newsletter

September is Delaware County History Month and Underground Railroad Month! Check out all these events happening this month. Historic Sites are still open Read the announcements below for important information.

*History at Work Sep 25, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Newlin Grist Mill, 219 Cheyney Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342 Get a closer look at trades of the eighteenth century in Newlin’s “History at Work” series. Members of Newlin Grist Mill’s staff, volunteers, and outside artisans will demonstrate their crafts and talk with visitors about how different trades and skills were integral to life in colonial Pennsylvania   Learn More

Civil War Skirmish & Camp Sep 25, 11:00 AM – Sep 26, 4:00 PM Colonial PA Plantation, 3900 N Sandy Flash Dr, Newtown Square, PA 19073 Federal and Confederate skirmish and camp. Witness firearm demonstrations, drills and camp life. There will be period fashions and displays of civilian life. Skirmishes will take place at noon and 2:15 pm. $8-12   Learn More

Designing for the Dead: Art & Architecture of Laurel Hill Sep 25, 1:00 PM Laurel Hill Cemetery Gatehouse, 3822 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132 The tour will examine changing tastes and fashions in grave markers over the past two centuries, from the classical obelisks and urns of the Federal period to the richly decorated crosses of the Gothic Revival to the massive mausoleums of the Gilded Age. $7.50-15   Learn More

Deep Rivers- How African Americans Waded through the Waters of Oppression to Achieve Greatness Sep 26, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, 200 W Tulpehocken St, Philadelphia, PA 19144 Our docents take you through the museum highlighting the lives, stories, and achievements of 19th-century Black entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and artisans with soundscapes and images. Sample a ginger cookie made from a recipe from  Fisher’s cookbook. $8   Learn More

Preserving Philadelphia: Fall Speaker Series Starts Sep 28, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Zoom- registration required By popular demand, we’re hosting another speaker series virtually this fall. Enjoy these lectures from the comfort and safety of your home. Different topics each week. Series pass $70 or $10-15/lecture.    Learn More

*Women Who Led the Way Sep 29, 7:00 PM Zoom- no registration required Dr. Wendy E. Chmieleski, historian, author, curator and specialist in 19th century U.S. women’s history will acquaint us with some of the lesser known women of the Delaware Valley region who were early pioneers and leaders of women’s roles in society between 1840-1950.   Learn More

Oktoberfest Oct 01, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Nitre Hall, 1682 Karakung Dr, Havertown, PA 19083 Live music by Organic JamBand feat. Chris Waddell, Seasonal Beers, German food, Silent Auction/ Chance Raffle. $30 includes collectable pint glass.    Learn More

*Revolutionary Germantown Festival Oct 02, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144 Visitors will be able to engage with the sites in Historic Germantown through family-friendly activities that highlight the diverse experiences of the men, women and children who lived in 1777 Germantown. The festival promises to be a day of fun and exploration! One re-enactment at 12.