WEALTHY CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA
1846
| Name | Occupation | Work Address | Home Address | Additional information- from Wealthy Citizens |
Worth |
| Abbott, Timothy (Estate) | gentleman | 16 N 4th | 60 S 6th | Mr. Abbott was once of the firm of Abbott & Barnes, Curriers and Leather Dealers, and afterwards in the same business with David Kirkpatrick, under the firm of Timothy Abbott & Co. , in which he made a large fortune. He also made money by the purchase and sale of real estate. He died last year. | 200,000 |
| Ashhurst, Richard | merchant | 80 High | 263 Mulberry | By birth an Englishman—came to this country before the last war; was once a book-keeper for the old House of Guest & Bancker; then a partner of the House of Wheeler & Ashhurst, and now in business with his sons; but made his money by himself in the dry goods business. Married a respectable widow lady by the name of Mrs. Hughes. A good citizen with a large family. | 250,000 |
| Bettle, Sen., Samuel | merchant | 14 S 3rd | Made his money chiefly as an importer and dealer in superfine cloths and sassimeres. He is a good and worthy citizen. | 125,000 |
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| Boyd, William | doctor | 62 S 11th | Once a member of our State Legislature, and Director of the Delaware Insurance Company; a respectable and worthy citizen. | 50,000 |
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| Caldwell, James S. | gentleman | 164 N 9th | 60,000 |
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| Cornelius & Co. | merchant | 181 Cherry | 176 Chestnut | The famous lamp and chandelier manufacturers, who have made a large fortune in the business, and are now establishing branches for the sale of their goods in the incorporated districts of the county of Philadelphia, and elsewhere. | 150,000 |
| Dallas, George Mifflin | attorney and counselor and Vice President of the United States | 259 Walnut | Vice President of the United States. He married a Miss Nicklin, daughter of the late Philip Nicklin, merchant, of this city. Has been United States Senator; minister to Russia, and was repeatedly offered seats in cabinets of Presidents Jackson and Van Buren. His salary is five thousand dollars per annum, as Vice President, and he owns the house he resides in, in Walnut near Tenth street. | 50,000 |
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| Diver, Joseph | gentleman | 208 Mulberry | Made his money in the grocery business, and was connected or related to the late rich Paul Beck, Jr. | 50,000 |
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| Eisenbrey, Jr., John | merchant | Pear & Dock | Pine ab 10th | 50,000 |
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| Fassit, Thomas (Estate) | gentleman | 433 Mulberry | 250,000 |
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| Frenaye, Mark Anthony | merchant | St John's Church | Formerly of the House of Chapron, Frenaye & Co., silk merchants. By birth a Frenchman—now retired from all business, and lives in the Bishop’s house of St. John’s church, having given all his worldly goods to further the cause of religion. He is a sincere Christian, a meek citizen, and a man of great integrity and worth, much esteemed by all his countrymen. | 50,000 |
|
| Hazlehurst, Isaac | attorney & counselor | 26 Washington | Is a lawyer of standing, and has been a representative from the city in the state legislature; is a director in the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Company; he is generally esteemed for his excellent qualities; is related by marriage to the Ashhurst family. | 75,000 |
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| Hockley, John | cashier | 8th & Chestnut | At present cashier of the Bank of North America, in which institution he was for some years a clerk. He is a man of good business habits and correct moral deportment. | 50,000 |
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| Jeans, Isaiah | gentleman | 208 N Front | 50,000 |
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| King, Francis | gentleman | 332 Mulberry | Son of the late Daniel King. | 100,000 |
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| Levy, Patrick | merchant, wines and liquors | 453 High | Distiller, Market beyond Broad street. | 50,000 |
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| Lovering, J. S. | steam sugar refiner | 27 Church alley | 340 Chestnut | Made his money in the steam sugar refining business, after having reaped a harvest of experience, in connection with Mr. Phillips in the same manufacture some years ago. Mr. L. has the most successful establishment in this city, for the process of refining crude sugar, and deserves credit for the state of perfection to which he has brought the manufactured article. He owns much real estate and enjoys good credit. | 100,000 |
| Mallery, Garrick | attorney & counselor | 48 S 4th | Library bel 5th | Came from the eastward. At one time president judge of one our State Courts; also a member of the State Legislature. Has been married three times; is an attorney and counsellor of good standing. | 100,000 |
| Morton, Dr. Samuel G. | doctor | 387 Mulberry | 50,000 |
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| McMurtrie, James | merchant | 11 Girard | Formerly in the mercantile business, now retired. Property in valuable real estate. | 50,000 |
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| Paul, Comegys | gentleman | 3 Portico Sqr | Formerly in the dry goods business; has a beautiful residence Spruce st., besides an elegant country seat. Is very fond of books; and possesses an extensive and valuable library. | 100,000 |
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| Pechin, John | gentleman | 157 S 10th | For a long time collector of taxes, and vestryman of St. Paul’s church. | 50,000 |
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| Randolph, Richard | merchant | 33 S 12th | Made his money in company with the late Richard Milne, a very rich Englishman (who came to this country very poor,) in the importing of British dry goods, and as agents for houses in England. | 100,000 |
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| Roach, Isaac | Treasurer of the Mint | 245 Spruce | Treasurer of the United States mint—appointed by President Tyler; married a Miss Huddell, by whom he acquired a fortune; has been whig mayor of the city, and select councilman. | 75,000 |
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| Ryan, Lewis | gentleman | 373 Walnut | An Irishman by birth; made his money in the boot and shoe making business. A director of the Western bank, and now retired upon his fortune. | 50,000 |
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| Sharp, John | merchant | 37 N Front | 71 Lombard | Formerly in business with Edward Wilson, in importing goods from England. Is an intelligent, shrewd, and well-informed merchant, and has been very fortunate in making good investments in real estate. Is an Englishman by birth. | 200,000 |
| Smith, Newberry | gentleman | 227 Vine | Retired from all business for many years. Formerly engaged in shipments to Canton and Calcutta, and when investments from those places paid handsome profits. | 50,000 |
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| Swope, George | gentleman | 351 N 6th | By close attention and great industry, as a painter and glazier, this gentleman made his money—now retired. | 50,000 |
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| Warder, Benjamin H. | gentleman | 179 Vine | 50,000 |
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| Wheeler, Enoch (Estate) | carpenter | 5 St John | 100,000 |
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| Wistar, Richard | gentleman | 11 Clinton Sqr | A son of fortune and the late Richard Wistar, iron monger, who kept store for a long time at the north west corner of Market and Third streets. Obtained his property from his father and aunt; he owns a large landed estate in the county of Philadelphia, besides real estate in the city, and is different parts of the state. He married a Miss Lewis. | 300,000 |
from Memoirs and Auto-Biography of Some of the Wealthy Citizens of Philadelphia, 1846:
- PREFACE-
In submitting to the public this work, the writer wishes it to be understood, that the facts stated are chiefly derived from authentic sources—from official records in some cases—from the persons themselves in others, and generally from certain data. It is unlike the ephemeral things that have passed away, purporting to be somewhat similar in their object, and he, therefore, confidently lays its contents before a liberal and candid community for their verdict—their sentence, and will be satisfied with their decision.
In England, and in some parts of this country, all the rich men are aristocrats; not so, however, in Philadelphia; most of our wealthy citizens are plain men, and although they pride themselves for having made their own money, live in a plain way, and do not spend their entire income. “The power of wealth, which is substantial, gains every day upon that of birth; which is fanciful. Sir Robert Peel, the son of a cotton spinner, whose sole patent of nobility was his money, rules the whole aristocracy of England, with an absolute power which no sovereign has exercised since the time of old Queen Bess.” The present lord chancellor, by virtue of his station, the head of nobility, is the son of a Boston portrait painter!
Stephen Girard and Jacob Ridgway were plain men, without personal pride, and the enemies to ostentation and display. What commentary upon riches and birth—upon aristocracy.
1865
| Name | Home Address | Neighborhood | Occupation | Business Name | Business Address | Income |
| Simon Arnold | 615 N. 8th | Poplar/Ludlow/Spring Garden | gentleman | n/a | n/a | $616,817 |
| J.G. Fell | 1406 Walnut | Center City West | n/a | n/a | 303 Walnut | $398,550 |
| George F. Tyler | 15th & Walnut | Center City West | coal merchant | n/a | 328 Walnut | $359,400 |
| P. Buschong | 1701 Green | Fairmount/Spring Garden | alcohol & fluid manufacturer | P. Buschong & Sons | 215/217 N. Broad | $258,327 |
| C. N. Beach | 15th & Walnut | Center City West | coal merchant | n/a | 328 Walnut | $239,400 |
| M.W. Baldwin | 1118 Chestnut | Center City East | locomotive builder | M.W. Baldwin & Co. | 500 N. Broad | $211,832 |
| Matthew Baird | 814 N. Broad | Fairmount/Spring Garden | locomotive builder | M.W. Baldwin & Co. | 500 N. Broad | $208,049 |
| William Sellers | 1819 Vine | Fairmount/Spring Garden | engineer | William Sellers & Co. | SW 16th & Hamilton | $177,915 |
| William Hunter Jr. | Tulpehocken & Green | Germantown | merchant | n/a | 2051 Walnut | $163,783 |
| Richard D. Wood | 1121 Arch | Center City East | ironpipe manufacturer | R.D. Wood& Co. | 400 Chestnut | $159,603 |
| H.W. Workman | 1702 Green | Fairmount/Spring Garden | shipbroker/commission merchant | Workman & Co. | 123 Walnut | $156,289 |
| Samuel Welsh | 708 Spruce | Center City East | merchant | Samuel & William Welsh | 218 S. Delaware | $140,412 |
| John A. Brown | 1130 Chestnut | Center City East | gentleman | n/a | n/a | $137,536 |
| Charles Wheeler | 1520 Pine | Center City West | ironmanufacturer | n/a | 209 S. 3rd | $132,976 |
| A.J. Drexel | SE 39th & Walnut | West Philadelphia | banker | Drexel & Co. | 34 S. 3rd | $131,631 |
| Dr. David Jayne | 282 S. 3rd | Center City East | druggist/chemist | n/a | n/a | $129,149 |
| F.A. Drexel | 1503 Walnut | Center City West | banker | Drexel & Co. | 34 S. 3rd | $128,349 |
| T.F. Tasker Jr. | 1624 S. 5th | Pennsport/Whitman/Queen's Village | iron manufacturer | n/a | 209 S. 3rd | $127,899 |
| Richard Norris | Chestnut Hill | Chestnut Hill | locomotive builder | Richard Norris & Son | 17th & Spring Garden | $124,902 |
| Joseph Harrison Jr. | 225 S. 18th | Center City West | gentleman | n/a | 274 S. 3rd | $122,224 |
| John H. Town(e) | 1616 Locust | Center City West | ironfounder | n/a | NE Richmond & Ball | $109,204 |
| Stephen Robbins | 1014 Shackamxon | Northern Liberties/Fishtown | rollingmill | n/a | Beach above Warren | $106,504 |
| George S. Repplier | Locust @ W. Rittenhouse Sq. |
Center City West | coal merchant | J.G. & G.S. Repplier | 329 Walnut | $104,773 |
| John Welsh | 1034 Spruce | Center City East | merchant | n/a | n/a | $104,404 |
| Wm. F. Potts | 316 N. 10th | Poplar/Ludlow/Spring Garden | iron merchant | n/a | 1225 Market | $103,707 |
| Henry E. Rood | Chestnut near 40th | West Philadelphia | insurance broker | Rood & Kingsland | 411 Walnut | $102,595 |
| R.H. Gratz | 1206 Walnut | Center City East | president | Penn Gas & Coal | 11 Merchant's Exchange | $102,042 |
| John B. McCreary | 1801 Walnut | Center City West | coalminer/shipper | J.B. McCreary & Co. | 209 Walnut | $100,021 |