Media Boro part three and a Keith talk

 

It's hard today to imagine Media Boro surrounded by farms like this. The exact location is not known.    A postcard from about 1925.

Media Boro from 1893

Part 3

AN ENTERPRISING MERCHANT – The enterprising business men of Media believe that the trolley road will bring more trade to Media than it will take away, and they are preparing to accommodate it.  T. Edwin Rorer, owner of the market at the corner of Front and Jackson Streets and the largest grocery and provision store at the corner of Washington and Orange Streets, is one of this number.  His prices for the same quality of goods are as low as any similar store in Chester, and he says the trolley is not taking trade away from him but bringing new customers every day, and he finds that within the past four weeks his sales have been on the increase.

                Consumers of groceries, provisions and meats must be indeed hard to please if they cannot find what they want at the Rorer stores.  The stock is always full and complete, everything fresh and in almost every line.  Mr. Rorer is selling at Chester and Philadelphia prices.

                T. Edwin Rorer has been established in Media since 1877, and from the start he did a large and growing trade.  He first opened a modest and unpretentious way on Orange Street, next to Rice’s bakery.  He offered here the best of goods at city prices, and it was not long before the place became too small.  It was so crowded on Saturday nights that it was impossible to get waited upon.

                More room became a necessity, and in 1885 he erected the present large and commodious store at the corner of Washington and Orange Streets, the most complete in the borough.  It is a double building, and the store has double doors and a front of forty feet on Orange Street.

                The business continuing to grow, in 1890, three years ago, the market on Front Street was erected, in order to accommodate the people of the upper part of the town.  It has all the latest and modern conveniences and the best in the provision and meat line are always on its shelves and shambles.

                The proprietor of these enterprises is not only a go-ahead, active business man, but a public spirited one as well, and since he first came to Media, has taken a deep interest in the growth, prosperity and improvement of the place.

                There is nothing of the clam in Ned Rorer’s make up.  He is serving his second term now as councilman, and his voice in that body has always been for progress.  He was one of the first to advocate electric lights, paved streets and trolley cars to Chester, all of which have been brought about during his term in Council.  The large new brick buildings erected by him in his business are a credit to the town.  His example in this respect was followed by others in the erection of business houses, which have added greatly to the architectural beauty of the place.

                In his large business Mr. Rorer is aided by a number of tried and efficient assistants.  At the Orange Street store George Smith is manager and the market on Front Street is in charge of William W. Woodward.  The large business, however, is constantly under the supervision of the proprietor.

                SHORTLIDGE MEDIA ACADEMY – The Shortlidge Media Academy is Media’s leading educational institution.  It has a reputation for the thoroughness of its instruction, and will compare favorably with the best preparatory schools in the land.

                The school was established by Professor Swithin C. Shortlidge in 1875, and had been continuously and most successfully conducted by him as proprietor until the past year, when, owing to the unfortunate outcome of certain real estate purchases, apart from the school property, he became financially embarrassed, and the successful career of the institution was crippled to some extent.

                The institution at present is on a solid footing.  The entire school property, consisting of grounds, buildings and all equipment, has now passed into the ownership and control of the “Media Academy Company,” and with an excellent patronage the school is rapidly regaining all of it lost by the failure.  Its former high standard will not only be maintained, but promises to be surpassed.

                Professor Shortlidge, who is one of the incorporators, and a member of the board of trustees, is still in charge as principal.  He is relieved of the purely business and financial management by the Media Academy Company, which will supply all necessary funds for the proper conduct of the school.  The other members of the board of trustees are:  Henry C. Howard, president, the well-known attorney and president of the Delaware County Trust Company Thomas J. Haldeman, president of the First National Bank of Media; and Dr. Evan G. Shortlidge, a prominent physician of Wilmington, Del.  All are financially interested in the institution, and are all gentlemen of the highest standing.

                The school buildings occupy a prominent site near the eastern end of the borough.  They are thoroughly equipped with all the necessary educational apparatus, while the domestic appliances are such as to render the life of the student as home like as possible.  Every care will be taken to guard the health of the students, and to minister to their personal comforts, both of which are so essential to proper intellectual work and development.

                The location of the school is unsurpassed.  There are no saloons in Media, the charter of the town prohibiting the sale of liquor, and temptations of this kind, so common in other towns, are removed.  The health of the place is proverbial, and a case of sickness in the institution is very rare indeed.

                Hereafter the property will be devoted exclusively to school purposes, and during the summer vacations will be thoroughly renovated and put in order for the coming school year.

                The buildings have accommodated over one hundred boys, but in order to avoid crowding, with the consequent danger of neglect, it has been determined to limit the number to sixty.  This will afford ample room for every student will conduce to the preservation of good health, and will enable the corps of instructors to on their work much more thoroughly than it can possibly be done in a larger school.

                Media Academy has always been regarded as one of the best schools of its class in the country.  From its halls have gone forth those who have made for themselves enviable reputations and honorably filed many high stations in life.  Its students have come from every part of the United States and even from Mexico and South America.

                Professor Shortlidge stands in the front rank of successful educators and disciplinarians.  He is a graduate of Harvard and has had a continuous experience in the practice of teaching of more than twenty years many of the best equipped students for Harvard, Yale, Princeton and other colleges, made their preparation for entering under his tuition.

                Among the scholars from a distance at present receiving instruction at the institution the leading cities and towns are represented.

                A HORSE GOODS HOUSE – Someone has said that the most perplexing and bothersome thing in connection with those who own or handle horses is a poor set of harness, and this is certainly true.  A poor harness can never be depended upon.  You never know when it may break or give way in some vital point.  Many serious or fatal accident might have been averted had the harness been of good quality, such as could be depended upon in time of need.  The horse owner who makes Media his trading point need never be bothered by a poor set of harness if he makes his purchases in this line of the house of H. D. Pratt, State and Jackson Streets.  An inferior quality of harness or horse goods, never sees the inside of this old established and popular house.

                Amr. Pratt established his present business in Media in 1874, and during the past nineteen years he has built up a large trade, his patronage being constantly on the increase.  He is a practical workman himself, and from the fact that he thoroughly understands the manufacture of all goods handled, and will make nothing but honest goods is accounted his success.  All the work turned out by him is handmade, no machine work of any kind being on hand in the establishment.

                The large store room is well stocked with the best line of harness, saddles, bridles, whips, robes, dusters, and in fact, all kinds of horse furnishing goods.  Mr. Pratt does a large trade among teamsters and farmers and keeps on hand, of his own make, a large assortment of single and double harness suitable for heavy draft and farming purposes.  He carefully examines all stock, uses nothing but the best of leather and watches to see that it is made just right.  It is only necessary to state that a piece of work came from his establishment to satisfy all of its good and lasting qualities.               

                Mr. Pratt is not only a successful business man, and progressive in his ideas, but is also one of our most useful citizens.  At present he is a member of the Board of Inspectors of the Delaware County prison, an office to which he was appointed three years ago. Socially he is a genial and pleasant companion, always full of life and good natured humor, and is a man with many friends and few enemies.

                WEST CHESTER STEAM LAUNDRY – There is nothing which is as essential to the peace of mind of the average man or woman as the artistic smooth laundering of their linen and household goods.  A thorough painstaking establishment soon becomes known and popular and is as much as any other business a convenience and a comfort.

                Such an establishment, in an eminent degree, is the West Chester Steam Laundry of which Messrs. McFarland & Reynolds, are the proprietors.  In Media the headquarters of the landing is at Russell & Co.’s clothing store and George F. Messick’s gent’s furnishing store in Chester.  The clothes are usually sent away on Tuesday evening and returned Friday evening of the same week.

                All who have tried the West Chester laundry are loud in their praises of its work.  It is clean, tidy and systematic, and speaks for itself and needs no recommendation.  Specimens of the work which have come under our observation are as carefully and beautifully laundered as it is possible for them to be really looking as fresh, smooth and clean as new; not plastered over and lumpy with starch, soiled with iron stains, and streaked with dirt, but all clean and inviting looking.

                The premises of the West Chester Steam Laundry are in West Chester in the Post Office building.  The establishment is most thoroughly and completely filled up with the latest laundry machinery and devices known, and only the best soaps, bluing and starch in the market are issued on the clothing.

                The enterprise of Messrs. McFarland and Reynolds was started in August 1891, and the patronage from the outset was good and is steadily growing.  By establishing agencies in other towns surrounding West Chester, the business is made to cover a wide field and it is constantly on the increase.  The firm are careful in handling the goods and returning them, and such a thing as a lost article or garment is very rare indeed.  Give it a trial and be convinced.

                WILLIAMSON’S SONS – A very important establishment and one of the most solid and staple business houses of Media is that of Charles R. Williamson’s Sons, lumber and cola dealers whose large yards are located near the Media depot.

                It is one of the largest concerns of the kind anywhere in the vicinity of Media and was established by Charles R. Williamson, one of Media’s pioneer residents and business men, father of the present proprietors.  The sons, William E. and C. Frank Williamson, are the members of the firm who have succeeded to the business, and they are conducting it is a way to keep up the high reputation of the place for fair dealing and reliability.

                The firm deals extensively in all kinds of building lumber and other building material and they supply most of the builders in Media and vicinity.  They also deal in hard woods and in all lines they keep a large stock.  The yard occupied is well arranged for the business and has ample shedding and convenient piling grounds.  The house has every advantage for keeping and handling a large quantity of lumber, and they are enabled to fill almost any bill on sight.

                Most of the coal in stock is kept under cover, a siding from the railroad running into the coal sheds where the coal is dumped.  The firm handles thousands of tons in a season and keep the best and sell at the lowest prices.  They have excellent facilities for handling coal, and the attention they have given this department, and their fair dealing with customers, have given them a large and substantial patronage.

                The members of the firm give their individual personal attention to the business.  They are pushing and energetic and ever on the alert in secure desirable trade.  Both are young men held in high esteem by the people of Media, where they have been born and have resided all their lives.  Their father, Charles R. Williamson, came to Media in 1831, when the town consisted of only a few scattered houses.  He retired from business a few years ago after an honorable business career of nearly forty years, and now resides in a handsome residence on Orange Street.

                SMEDLEY’S DRUGSTORE – Albert W. Smedley, the owner of the neat and attractive drug store on State Street, opposite the Charter House, is a young man who came from Chester a year ago to grow up with the town.  He brought with him some new ideas in the drug line and he was not long in introducing them to the advantage of the place.

                His store is located on the main avenue of the town.  It is very complete in all its appointments and contains a full stock of drugs and chemicals, besides a line of fancy goods and toilet articles.  Mr. Smedley, although quite a young man, is a thorough druggist and pharmacist, a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and an excellent judge of the brand or quality of everything in his line.  He has several remedies of his own compounding that have merit and are in demand.  His place is the headquarters for soda water and other refreshing drinks, and on warm summer nights his store is crowded.  To add to the attractive and showy appearance of his store he has an illuminated pestle, planted on a pole in the front pavement, and when the electric lights are on, its’ bright dazzling colors can be seen for a long distance.

                In conducting the business he is assisted by Mr. George T. Lambert, Pa. as clerk.  The business is gradually on the increase and Mr. Smedley says he finds that the trolley brings more to Media, in his line, than he takes away.

                AN EXTENSIVE ESTABLISHMENT – Occupying a stretch of ground and a big group of buildings among the line of the Media Railroad, some distance west of Media station, is the large plant of John J. Williams & Co.  The business established eight years ago, has grown to be the most extensive concern of the kind in Delaware County.

                The pace was started as a feed store and coal yard in a limited way and has grown steadily.  Many departments have from time to time been added and a large grain elevator and a steam grist mill erected, where the firm receive their feed and grain shipments, grind grain and also do grist work for the neighboring farmers.  The shipments of grain and feed are all received and weighted on Fairbank’s standard railroad track scales and the shovel into immense hoppers and elevated to the various parts of the building.  Oft times they unload half a dozen cars of grain a day.  The firm, in their large warehouses, keep constantly on hand hundreds of tons of feed, grain, hay, straw, lime and fertilizers and are always prepared to fill the largest orders.  Their trade is with contractors and builders, farmers, dairymen and horse and stock owners of the surrounding country, and in addition they have an extensive and desirable coal trade, and with two or three men constantly on the road, soliciting orders and collecting, they cover a wide field.  In all departments about twenty-five men are employed and some thirty horses are required in the delivery wagons and with men of the road.

                YARD AND BUILDINGS – A visit to the place and a look over the grounds and buildings is sufficient to impress one with the fact that it is one of the county’s leading industries, five acres are required to accommodate the buildings and material kept in stock.

                The buildings on the property include the grain elevator, the steam grist mill a grain and feed warehouse with a capacity of over 300 hundred tons of feed and 70,000 bushels of grain; a building for phosphates, liners and fertilizers, another for hay and straw and still another for agricultural machinery, an important department of the business, and one that is yearly on the increase.  Then, there are the long lumber and coal sheds and ten cottages occupied by the employees of the establishment.

                The big concern with its varied stock represents eight years of active work and painstaking attention to business.  In all their dealings the firm has made it a point to adhere to strict business principles, and as a result the establishment grew in all its branches.

                THE COAL USED – The location of the plant could not be improved upon.  The tracks of the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad run into the yard, thus affording the best receiving and shipping facilities.  The coal is all under cover and care taken to keep the best article in stock and to deliver it free from slate and dirt. The firm receive regular weekly shipments of Jedde, Honeybrook, Spring Mountains, Hazleton, Latimer and Mores coals acknowledged to be the best in the market.  The coal trains are constantly on the go and the yearly output of the yard in black nuggets is enormous.

                THE BEST OF LUMBER – The lumber department is stocked with several hundred thousands of feet of the best building lumber and hard woods.  The stock is received in large consignments from the lumber regions of this State and Michigan.   It is prepared in the drying house and the best seasoned lumber can always be obtained here at any season of the year.  The firm does business with all the builders in Media and vicinity.  A walk among the big piles of lumber at the yard gives only a faint idea of the business done.  Numerous piles, representing many thousands of dollars, are here seasoning; but these piles are constantly being leveled by the steady stream of orders, and new wooden pyramids take their places.

                The large stock in all departments enables the firm to sell on the best and most advantageous terms.  They can furnish almost anything in the agricultural implement line, and always have the best of all kinds of machines and tools in stock. In the fertilizer line, they handle Thomas Baugh’s and Shoemaker’s phosphates, known among farmers everywhere as the guacos that makes big crops.

                THE HEAD OF THE CONCERN – The business of the large concern is managed by John J. Williams, who although a young man, is already well-known in business circles.  He is energetic and always pushing ahead, and ever on the alert to make new business.  He has mastered all the details of the large plant and conducts the affairs of the firm with marked ability.  He is constantly on hand and every department has his supervision and directions.  He conducts the business in such a way as to hold the customers and he is constantly making new ones.  All are treated fairly and this is a nutshell explains the growth and tremendous business of the establishment.

                JEWELER EMIL HALL - The leading jewelry house of Media is the well-known establishment of E. Hall, whose large and modern built store is located at the corner of State and Orange Streets, the most prominent part of the borough.

                The success of this house during the time it has been in existence furnished an illustration of what may be done by energy industry and intelligent business management.  Mr. Gall commenced business in Media the year 1877 in a limited way and opened out in a little store on Orange Street with a small case of watches and other jewelry.  But he came to stay, and as he made it an aim to please, his customers, his trade gradually increased until it has grown to be one of the largest and most important establishments of the kind in Delaware County.

                The present attractive and convenient building was erected especially for the business in 1800 under Mr. Hall’s direction.  It is twenty feet front by sixty-seven feet deep, and is three stories in height.  It had three large plate glass show windows for the display of goods, which are at all times filled with the same, and which, especially under the electric lights, from one of the most attractive features to passersby in that part of the town.

                The stock embraces all kinds of jewelry, watches, clocks, silverware, spectacles, etc., and is very large and elegantly displayed.  The best makes of gold and silver watches are kept in stock.  Every watch sold is warranted, and if not satisfactory after a trial is exchanged.  In stock also are clocks of every grade, also necklaces, bracelets, breast pins, car rings, studs, neck chains and watch chains of every grade and variety.

                The silver plated ware displayed in the large side cases in the store is very fine.  Some of the new designs are elegant, that for table service being especially worthy of mention.  The entire stock will compare favorably with most of the Philadelphia retail establishments.

                There have been about a half dozen other jewelry houses started in Media during the past two decades, but most of them had a brief existence.  Mr. Hall’s business today is in a more flourishing condition than ever before.  His large trade is practically due to his being an attentive and pushing business man, but more particularly to the fact that he deals only in the best quality of goods.  He is one of Media’s wide-awake citizens and is always among the first to advocate any improvement that will advance the interests of the place.

                RUSSELL & CO. CLOTHIERS – William Russell & Co., the enterprising clothiers and furnishing goods dealers of Media, in their new building on State Street, have one of the best lighted and most complete establishments of the kind in the county.

                The building was erected especially for the business of Russell & Co., the old building further up the street having become entirely too small.  It has an ornate front of buff brick and is 20 x 73 feet in size.  The large salesroom occupies the entire first floor and includes in the immense stock here on hand nearly everything in the line of gentlemen’s wearing apparel.  The new spring goods, including the latest patterns, are very neat and arranged on the tables or in the big show window, make a very attractive display.  They have recently added a merchant tailoring department to the business, and the best cloth from European and American looms, is on hand and from which suits are made to order and guaranteed to fit.

                The firm also carry a large line of the latest styles in soft, stiff , felt and silk hats, and gentlemen’s dress and working shirts, underwear, collars, cuffs, suspenders, hosiery , handkerchiefs, gloves and furnishing goods of every description, together with umbrellas traveling bags and satchels.

                The house was established in 1871 by William Russell, the present senior member, and has always been regarded as one of the most reliable.   The firm name was changed to Russell & Co. in 1887, when B. T. Levis, a brother-in-law of Mr. Russell, and an active young business man, was admitted to a partnership.

                Besides conducting their large business the firm also have charge of the telegraph and telephone exchange in Media, their offices being in the rear of the big store.

                A SUCCESSFUL VETERINARY – Dr. Thomas D. Young, the popular and busy veterinary surgeon of Media, and at present a member of the borough council, is a man you will always find on the move.  His life is an active one owing to demands for his service in his profession.

                Dr. Young was born in Philadelphia, but afterwards, as a boy, resided in Upper Darby, Marple, Newtown and Radnor Townships this county.  He came to Media in 1871 and has been a resident here ever since.  He followed the occupation of horse shoer until 1877 when he commenced to study medicine in the veterinary profession under Dr. Robert McClure, a graduate of the renowned college at Edinburg, Scotland.

                                In 1841 Dr. Young passed a successful examination before the Board of Censors of the Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Surgeons of Philadelphia, and shortly after began the practice of his profession in Delaware County.  He has schooled under his charge two pupils Dr. Samuel Mattues, located at Concord, and Dr. Edward J. Young a brother in Chester both of which young men are meeting with success.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS – It is well known fact that in the purchase of a piano, organ or sewing machine, the purchaser must rely to a considerable extent, on the judgment and honor of the dealer, as fine appearing instruments and machines are not always the best.  The adage “all that glitters is not gold” will apply here with much force.

It is fortunate for the people of Delaware County that they have in Media an establishment devoted to the handling of musical instruments and sewing machines that is reliable and can be dependent upon with the utmost confidence.

We refer to the house of Walter T. Howell, now located at No. 116 State Street, the building occupied for years by Russell & Company, the clothiers. This stand was taken only recently by Mr. Howell in order to obtain more room and better facilities for his increasing business.

He has had a valuable experience in the business in which he is engaged, and keeping a large stock on hand, can for also almost any kind of a musical instrument from a Jews harp to a piano.  His specialty in the piano line is the Lester and New England, and in organs, the Bridgeport.  These instruments have wide reputation for purity and variety of tone, and as to durability they are unexcelled.

The Singer sewing machine, which Mr. Howell handles in Media, is without an equal and is a universal favorite all over the civilized world. Over a hundred are sold every year from this store alone The fine set of attachments with the new Singer are far in advance of anything in the market and make it capable of the widest range of work with the least trouble.

The business was established by Mr. Howell in 1885 and he has been steadily forging to the front ever since.  Besides his store at Media he has one similarly at large as Norristown and does a trade extending all over Montgomery County.  He is an active, go ahead young businessman, and his success, won by hard work and close attention is well deserved.

AN ENTERPRISING MERCHANT – The enterprising businessmen of Media believe that the trolley road will bring more trade to Media than it will take away, and they are preparing to accommodate it.  T. Edwin Rorer, owner of the market at the corner of Front and Jackson Streets and the large grocery and provision store at the corner of Washington and Orange Streets, is one of this number.  His prices for the same quality of goods are as low as any similar store in Chester, and he says the trolley is not taking trade away from him but bringing new customers every day, and he finds that within the past four weeks his sales have been on the increase.

Customers of groceries, provisions and meats must be indeed hard to pleaser if they cannot find what they want at the Rorer stores.  The stock is always full and complete, everything fresh and in almost every line, Mr. Rorer is selling at Chester and Philadelphia prices.

T. Edwin Rorer has been established in Media since 1877, and from the start he did a large and growing trade.  He first opened in a modest and unpretentious way on Orange Street, next to Rice’s bakery.

SHORTLIDGE MEDIA ACADEMY – The Shortlidge Media Academy is Media’s leading educational institution.  It has a reputation for the thoroughness of its instruction, and will compare favorably with the best preparatory schools in the land.

The school was established by Professor Swithin C. Shortlidge in 1875, and had been continuously and most successfully conducted by him as proprietor until the past year, when, owing to the unfortunate outcome of certain real estate purchases, apart from the school property he became financially embarrassed and the successful career of the institution was crippled to some extent.

The institution at present is on a solid footing.  The entire school properly, consisting of grounds, buildings and all equipment has now passed into the ownership and control of the “Media Academy Company,” and with an excellent patronage the school is rapidly regaining all it lost by the failure.  His former high standard will not only be maintained, but promises to be surpassed.

Professor Shortlidge, who is one of the incorporators and a member of the board of trustees, is still in charge as principal.  He is relieved of the purely business and financial Management by the Media Academy Company, which will supply all necessary funds for the proper conduct of the school.  The other members of the board of trustees are:  Henry C. Howard, president, the well-known attorney and president of the Delaware County Trust Company; Thomas J> Haldeman, president of the First National Bank of Media; and Dr. Evan G. Shortlidge, a prominent physician of Wilmington, Del.

A HORSE GOODS HOUSE – Someone has said that the most perplexing and bothersome thing in connection with those who own or handle horses is a poor set of harness, and this is certainly true.  A poor harness can never be depended upon.  You never know when it may break or give way in some vital point.  Many a serious or fatal accident might have been averted had the harness been of good quality, such as could be depended upon in time of need.  The horse owner who makes Media his trading point need never be bothered by a poor set of harness if he makes his purchases in this line of the house of H. D. Pratt, State and Jackson Streets.  An inferior quality of harness, or horse goods, never sees the inside of this old established and popular house.

                Mr. Pratt established his present business in Media in 1874, and during the past nineteen years he has built up a large trade, his patronage being constantly on the increase.  He is a practical workman himself, and from the fact that he thoroughly understands the manufacture of all goods handled, and will make nothing but honest goods is accounted his success.