The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Greble, Edwin, 1806-1883.

Title: Letters

Dates: 1877-1883

Call No.: Col. 196

Acc. No.: 84x77

Quantity: 11 items

Location: 34 K 4

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Edwin Greble was a monument maker, stone cutter, and owner of a marble yard. Born on October 13, 1806, he spent most of his life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (His obituary noted that he was apprenticed to a marble mason in New York.) In 1829, Greble opened a marble yard on Passyunk Rd, which burned in 1849. Shortly after, he reopened his business at 1708 Chestnut St. He also owned other homes which he rented.

Greble was a director of the Franklin Institute, served as a select councilman from the 8^th ward, and in 1863, raised a company of 80 men for the defense of Philadelphia, although its services were not needed. Greble was the son of Catharine Yhost and William R. Greble. He married Susan Virginia Major (1808-1875); they resided at 128 S. 19th St.

Susan Virginia Major and Edwin Greble had several children. Their son Edwin Greble (1846-1931) married Mary Dreer around 1870. No occupation was found for him; he and his wife died in Long Beach, California, in the 1930s. Another son was John Trout Greble (born 1834). A graduate of West Point, he was killed in the battle at Big Bethel, Virgina, in 1861, leaving widow Sarah Bradley French Greble and two children, including Edwin St. John Greble (1859-1931; mentioned in the letters; he also graduated from West Point, became a general, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery). A daughter Louisa (1835-1912) married Frederick Annan Dreer (1935-1913; he was an accountant). (Frederick’s brother Ferdinand, Jr., was a partner in Smith and Dreer, a jewelry store, with Theodore Smith, but that is not the partnership mentioned in these letters.)

The Dreer-Smith partnership dispute involved the firm of Henry A. Dreer, Seedsman. Henry Augustus Dreer (1818-1873) had established a seed business in Philadelphia, eventually adding a demonstration farm in Riverton, New Jersey. After Henry A.’s death, his widow Mary and his son William F. Dreer carried on the business, continuing it under Henry’s name. In 1882, W.F. Dreer was in partnership with his cousin William Henry Smith. Henry A. Dreer had a daughter named Mary (birthdate unknown), and she may have been Edwin, Jr.’s wife. Henry A. Dreer’s brother Ferdinand Julius Dreer was the father-in-law of Louisa Greble Dreer (1835-1912, see above). William Henry Smith (1835-1914) was the son of Frederick T. Smith and Louisa Caroline Dreer, sister to Henry Augustus.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Consists of eleven letters from Greble to his son, also Edwin Greble, in Europe. In addition to relaying family news, the letters record Greble's stone work, construction ventures, and income from rental properties. He wrote about "monumental work," which included making tombs, statues, mantels, vestibules for houses at Spruce and 21st, and cemetery ornaments for local customers and individuals in Virginia and Venezuela. The letters further document a gradual shift in preference during the period for granite over marble monuments. At times, Greble complained of his inability to get rid of stock. He also noted that work at some cemeteries was hard to obtain as it was "in the hands of Superintendents who are either in partnership or get commissions from stone cutters - this I cannot nor will not do, the consequence is I receive no work from these persons." Greble did, however, work closely with builder Charles W. Budd in constructing houses on Sansom St. The building of these houses, using greenstone as the finishing material, is described in detail.

Greble also informed his son about his social activities. He often mentions doing things with members of the Dreer family and having relatives, in particular grandson Edwin St. John Greble, to visit. One letter gives information on problems in William F. Dreer's partnership with Henry Smith. As his son travels through Europe, Greble relays past experiences in the places his son is staying. He also requested and received photographs of buildings from his son.

ORGANIZATION

The letters are in chronological order.

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

The materials are in English.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.

PROVENANCE

Purchased from Paul Glenn.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Greble, Edwin, 1846-1931.

Greble, Edwin St. John.

Greble family.

Dreer, William F.

Dreer family.

Topics:

Henry A. Dreer (Firm)

Aged men.

Building materials.

Dwellings - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia.

House construction - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia.

Limestone - Pennsylvania - Chester County.

Marble industry and trade - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia.

Rent charges.

Rental housing - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia.

Stone industry and trade - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia.

Europe - Description and travel.

Philadelphia (Pa.) - Social life and customs.

Letters.

Stonecutters.

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPTIONS OF THE LETTERS

Location: 34 K 4

Letter 1: acc. 84x77.1a-b

Philadelphia, September 23d 1877

[Letter to his son in Zurich; son is travelling abroad for his health]

[third page, after news of family, about halfway down page:]

Business has been fearfully dull, I have had plenty of time to myself, have all the books posted up, bills made out, made drawings, estimates and offers to sell at very moderate prices, but made little success until within the last week. We are enclosing two cemetery lots with granite coping, making several granite tombs and calls are made more frequent, enquiring the prices of monumental work.

I have sold to Mr. Charles W. Budd, the builder, son of Mr. John Budd, the whole part of my granite yard, 115 feet by 120 feet deep, he takes it on ground rent, the principal $36,000. that is $6,000 on each lot, he divides it into 6 fronts, the two outside ones being 19'.6", the four middle ones 19'.0". I am to advance him $5,000 on each house, he has given me six mortgages each for $11,000 which are recorded, the houses or rather the fronts are to be of white marble and green stone, the two center houses project 4 inches from the others, with a row of white marble [next page] quoins on each corner, as there will also be on the corner of the two outside houses. I am to do the Marble and green stone work, which will amount to about $13,000. I take the corner house on Sansom St. in part payment; the plan of these houses is to have the kitchen in the basement, this requires the yard to be dry out to the depth of about 3 ft, the corner house requires 6 steps, platform and sill of 8 in. rise, the north house 7 risers of 7 1/4 in. each, the dining room will be 4 risers above the entry, with a bay window in the rear, the 2d, 3d & 4th stories will all be on a level line from front to rear. All who have seen the plans speak highly of them and think the houses will readily sell, they will be more commodious than those opposite built by Mr. Powers; and as to outside appearance, will far surpass them; they can be sold for about $18,000, that of mine will sell for about $1200 more. We have the lot cleared, the smith shop taken down, and the cellars are about half dug out. I shall have to purchase a very small portion of Marble beside the watertable and ashlar. I have three men selecting the Marble out of the stock, and it is astonishing the quantity of good Marble that has been covered up for years. I can get all the steps, platforms, sills, heads, quoins, base course required for the six houses. The green stone I shall have worked on the lot, when all of the Marble for the houses is got out, I shall enough room on the lot (115'.0" x 127'.6") for my wants.

This operation has quite brightened me up, it begins to look like old times when the saws and the mallets were music more grateful to ears than our Modern bass bands. [underlined twice]

Give yourself no uneasiness about me, I shall get a competent man to take charge of the work, who assisted by Uncle Isaac, will permit me to attend to the office business for which I feel perfectly competent.

We are all in good health and send our loves to Jan and Mary.

Your affectionate Father, Edwin Greble

[84x77.b - Addendum — another page:]

I forgot to state, that the photographs all arrived safely; they are such as I wanted with few exceptions, two only I think. One of the photographs marked on it Dendera [town in ancient Egypt, site of noted temple to Hathor] is the entrance to the tomb at Hagar Silsilis [location of stone quarries in Egypt] of which I have among my collection; the Portico of Dendera is the correct one and I was pleased to get it. I think now that I have a sufficiency of photographs and engravings for my journal. I have numbered them and made out a list of the pages in which they are to be placed. [goes on to discuss the journal and having it bound]

[then relates the newest scandal:]

Mr. Morton, President of the Market St. passenger RR and lately elected President of the Centennial permanent exposition acknowledged that he has been defrauding the Company for the last seven years, by the fraudulent issue of over 10,000 stock, amounting to over one million of dollars. The stock fell immediately from $160 to $60. This has been the worst thing that has happened to this City since the failure of Jay Cook.

[more family news]

I must now finish to see to the workmen. E.G.

Letter 2: acc. 84x77.2

Sent to son, Care of Mrs. John McNamee, No 1 Via degli Artisti, Florence, Italy;

a note states "answered April 22"

No. 1708 Chestnut St, January 15, 1880

[After news of the family, second page, about two-thirds of the way down page:]

I have thought about what you say in regard to building on Sansom Street, and you reason well. I have not determined entirely on the plan I enformed [sic] you of, finding it too expensive even after having cut off the 3d story from the back building; finding thus I could not build "cheaply," I put the plans into the hands of Mr. Chas Budd to estimate on them and to make such modifications as would cheapen without[to top of page 3] materially altering the plans. The lot has been partially cleared, much of the old marble broken up for building stone, there is a pile about 3'0 x 2'0 x6' and still a large quantity to be added to it. I shall have not have room on the reserved piece to place the good marble and granite, and if the buildings are to be erected, shall have to find a place to remove it to. I may not build this year as all material has taken quite a rise in value, for example nails that could have been purchased six months ago for $2.25 per keg now sell at $5.00 and are advancing, bricks, lumber, &c have also risen in price. Mr. Strawbridge from whom I get hardware, tells me that it has risen from 100 to 250 per cent; under these circumstances I may determine to delay building at present.

There have been five very nice stores put up opposite our yard, they are nearly ready for tenants; this improvement will add to the value of my property. The property adjoining me on the corner 72 x 150 has been sold within the last week for $110,000, the purchaser being the proprietor of a sensational paper called the Saturday Night.

[Then weather and family news. On page four, about half-way down page:]

The mode of building the Duomo is quite interesting and if you can get me a photograph of it of proper size I will insert it in my journal; let me know if you can obtain two large photographs, one of the Forum and one of the Coliseum. I want them to place in the front chamber instead of the two indifferent pictures now there. Did you get the letter I wrote you by the Belginland, or did Mrs. Dreer state the names of the photographs I gave her in a letter to get for me. I had quite a long letter from Chas Aquelina from Alexandria, Egypt; he desires to be remembered to you as do also all your friends here, who with myself send our love.

Your affectionate Father, Edwin Greble

Letter 3: acc. 84x77.3

Philadelphia, March 17 1880

(son apparently still in Florence since Greble Sr. discusses the Duomo photographs he has received from him)

[Discussion about the photographs, the Duomo, etc. and concern for his son's health (a recurrent theme), then second page, about one-third of the way down:]

I have deferred building on Sansom St for the present on account of the great rise in price of material. If there should be a decline next fall as I expect there will be, I may be induced to go on with them; the ground must be made to pay, at present it is an expenditure. I am furnishing Chas. Budd with mantels and vestibules for 12 houses he is building on Spruce & 21st Sts, when finished he will owe me $3600. I am not obliged to take it out in building, the agreement is to receive pay for each house as he sells them, or he will build for me if I so require.

The newspapers state that Adams Express Co have purchased the corner property adjoining me, on which they intend building their office. I cannot see their object in this, unless the Pennsa R.R. wants their place on the corner of 16th & Market Sts for their station. Filbert St. to Jones St and from 15th to the Gas Works looks as if an Earthquake had taken place, at least three fourths of all the buildings thereon have been demolished to give way for the new elevated rail road. Piers have been built in the Schuylkill and abutments along the streets for arches for this great railway; from the rapidity in which the work is being done, in less than a year trains will be running on it.

[page 3]

I have received an order from a gentleman named Miguel Escobar Vargas of Caracas, Venezuela, for a monument to cost $820. It is a rustic cross resting on a rock on which is an anchor and chain, designed by Mr. Lacrier [?] a fine artist in my employ, the same who executed the articles ordered by Dallett & Co, one being a child sleeping on a pedestal; he has just completed a full size model of a child sleeping on a polished granite pedestal for Mr. Swain, to go to the Woodland Cem, for which I am to get $600. [or $6000? Not sure what extra flourish at the end is.] We have a tomb for Mr John A. Brown [or Braun?], another for Mrs. James Abbott, and several other ordered. I have given orders to Barker & Bro. for a Monument for T. Buchanan Read the Poet; the shaft will be 22 feet high 2'9" at base 2.3 at top, polished; this rests on a polished base 3.9 x 3.9 x 2.0 and under it is a rough base 6.0 x 6.0 x 1.6, It is to be finished next June. We have also a flight of inside steps and wainscoating for the country residence near Branchtown [a part of Philadelphia] of Mr Jos Wharton, amt $2200, so you see we will be a little busy for a couple of months and hoping that in the meantime other jobs may come in to keep us at work for the summer. At present we have five journeymen, six laborers and a boy; the Mill has been running for three weeks, but is now stopped. It will be put in motion again probably next week, which will add an engineer and another laborer to my present force. We have had a mild and open winter with little snow and less ice until about ten days ago….

[page four:]

My health has never been better, attention to business gives me no fatigue, it is rather a recreation. Uncle Isaac enjoys good health but is not quite as active as he was twenty years ago, age begins to show on him. He has been a faithful friend to me. I think he has accumulated sufficient to keep him should he retire from employment.

[news of family] Your affectionate Father, Edwin Greble

Letter 4: acc. 84x77.4

[Letter addressed to Paris, France. Writes about health, weather, building houses on Sansom St., repairs to son’s house, family news, possible visit to General Howard; requests that son send him a cask of marsala]

[starting bottom of page 2:]

All the cemetery work is in the hands of the superintendents, who are either in partnership or get commissions from the stone cutters. This I cannot nor will not do; the consequence is I receive no work from these persons.

Letter 5: acc. 84x77.5

[Envelope addressed to Paris, France, but forwarded to Dresden.]

September 18, 1881

[Family news; then on third page, about one-third of way down:]

Now for some home news, business on Chestnut St is at rather low condition. I make no exertion to obtain any, especially if there is to be competition, prices are two low and competitors too numerous. The Mill has been running for two weeks preparing work for finishing the five houses on Sansom St; they will have a pretty appearance when done. The westernmost one has been taken by the clergyman of the French Episcopal Church on 21st St above Chestnut St, and I have numerous applications for the others, but have declined renting until they are finished, which I think will be in the early part of [page 4] next month. I have named it St. Johns Place to gratify the French clergyman, his wife and daughter, who do not like the name of Sansom Street. I can have first class tenants for all the houses. I am getting tired of business and if I could dispose of the block without too great a sacrifice I would do so, and let or sell the Chestnut St lots, as there is no money made there in the business I do.

[more family news]

Letter 6: acc. 84x77.6

[sent to son in Dresden, Germany]

No. 128 So 19th Street, December 4, 1881

My dear Son,

In my sanctum with a cheerful looking fire in my grate which I have altered from a low down to a raised one, I am now writing this letter, which will be a short one as it is now time for me to think about retiring to my bed. The day has been pleasant but itis now raining. Ferdinand and myself took a ramble along the wharves as far as the old Navy yard to see the improvements being made there, long and wide wharves several hundred feet long making capacious docks for Steamers are being constructed. These will be covered with extensive sheds for the protection of passengers and merchandize and give facilities to our commerce; you will scarcely recognize this section of the Delaware when you come home.

I have completed the five houses on Sansom Street and call them St. John's Place, and

[page 2]

why do you suppose this pompous title was given, I will tell you, the Rev Chas Miel, Pastor of the French Episcopal Church [Church of Saint Saveur], who occupies the Westernmost house, said to me, why do you not call these houses the "Greble Place," it would sound so much better than Sansom Street, which at present does not bear a very good name. I replied that I would not call them after my name but to please him and the other tenants, I would call it St. John's Place; this was satisfactory and it may possibly retain that name; four of the houses are rented or leased at Six hundred dollars per year, No. 2039 by Mr. Meil, No. 2037 by Mr. Cassat brother to the Vice Pres of the Penn R.R., No. 2035 by Mr. Justis Cox, an Iron merchant, No. 2033 by Mr. Frost, son of Prof Frost. No. 2031 requires some little to be done to it, a few days work and it will be ready for a tenant. These houses are really very pretty and convenient and will always command good tenants, standing back 15 feet from line of street and elevated above, with a neat iron railing in front, the side walk

[page 3]

laid with North river flags, also the front yards with same and a grass plat with white marble border, gives a neat appearance to the whole, there being no dividing rail between, merely a four inch coping extending two inches above the flags. Those persons and they were not a few, who thought I was foolish to build such houses, have changed their views and commend me for building these kinds of houses instead of a lot of shanties to be inhabited by poor people. As soon as I can recuperate I will build two more similar and thereby fill the lot; these house have cost me over $6,000 each. I do not regret it although it has made me quite poor for the present.

I have sold and erected three of the granite monuments, the large Richmond one for $1000 put up at Luray, Page County, Va.; the Aberdeen one for $800 put up at Delta, York Co., Pa. The Rockport of headstone form which I had polished for $1000, this went to Mr. L. Hill and placed over General Tyndale; it cost $400 to polish. By these prices you may know that there has been little or no profit on them, yet I consider

[page 4]

the sales to be good ones, the monuments are old style and I was glad to get rid of them as I shall be for all the rest of my stock. I shall make no more stock and will only make such as may be ordered. Uncle Isaac as well as myself are getting old and it is about time for both of us to retire. Moreover the place is getting too valuable for the miserable business, competition is too strong and I do not care to enter into it as it is now conducted.

I keep my health and only know that I am getting old when I look at the bible and find that I entered into this life on the 13th day of October 1806.

You are in Dresden, I hope the climate agrees with you; is it not a damp and cold City in the winter season; would not the South of France or of Italy be more congenial to you and Mary and also the children. Your health is of more importance than the education of the children which appears to be the reason for your staying there.

I have much more that I would say, will do so soon; will end by sending my love with this of all the household to you, Mary and my dear little granddaughters.

Your Affect. Father Edwin Greble

Letter 7: acc. 84x77.7

[mailed to Dresden, Saxony, (Germany); son noted: "Mailed Jan 24, Recd in Dresden Feb 7, Recd Feby 8 8 am, ans Feby 19 - but only as to the first 3 pages]

No. 128 So. 19th St, January 21, 1882

[First part of the letter talks about family matters, some legal paperwork, the places he (father) visited in the past, his desired to travel more and to see Norway, Sweden and Russia if he were out of business and all his stock sold. (Kind of wistful.)]

[starting at bottom of third page:]

Your prediction that Terra cotta ornaments would come into use in this City has been accomplished.

[page 4]

The Pennsa R.R. Station building on Filbert and Broad Streets is beautified by a considerable quantity of these ornaments, which are quite effective when combined with good brick work. Several buildings on Walnut St are having these ornamental Terra Cotta, also quite a number in West Philada.

We are making no new stock but are cleaning up the old; I find there is much of it cracking, especially the Kelly and Hollister marble. Granite is taking the place of marble and sandstones. Within the month I have had orders for one large Richmond granite tomb, base 7.10 x 4.5, tomb 7.0x3.7x10; two Quincy tombs with beveled tops, two tombs with head stones on end, same as sent to York Pa, also sold one of same to go to Erie, Pa. also several headstones. To be sure there is not much profit on this work as I have it done by others and can put but little profit on it, still with the other work done in the factory it helps to "make the kettle boil" and keeps me out of mischief. I have at present only Isaac Champlin and Eajin[?], two laborers and George Clusez. I seek no work, if it comes to me very well and it is done well. If none comes in I don't complain; "Qui Bono"

[Then news of family, acquaintances and social doings, including a party at the Rittenhouse Square home of J. B. Lippincott. "I care but little for these parties and is only for the sake of keeping up my acquaintance with these gentlemen that I go to them."

Weather; has been meaning to write a letter in French to his dear granddaughter Florence. Family news; looking out the window and seeing crowds coming out of Holy Trinity Church; health is good, had a severe cold recently but when a gentleman asked him how old he was recently, "I said guess, he said 58, 1 told him the exact age he said, do not tell that to the Public for they will not believe you."

Ends the letter sending love to all.]

Letter 8: acc. 84x77.8

[sent to son in Dresden, but forwarded on to Florence, Italy]

No. 128 So. 19th St, March 17. 1882

Comments on how son's nice handwriting is returning along with his health - son's signature is "admirable," mentions his own handwriting is "scrawling" due to a swelling in a thumb joint, "probably from the gout, rheumatism or old age, I am doctoring it with "Dr Jacobs oil" and other nostrums, which relieves the pain but not the swelling." Weather at home, weather in Dresden; recounts his trip to Dresden; discusses the importance of making friends while young (so that they will stand as we age); son's tenant is moving out of house on 17th St.; will do repairs; rents are now higher and let him know how long a lease for next tenant; has all his Sansom St. houses rented out to first class people, discusses what a smart business move this was, how people thought he was foolish, etc.

[page 6, fourth line from bottom of page:]

Next Saturday night I shall attend the Saturday Club at Mr. George Childs house. It is to be a brilliant affair, the President and his Cabinet, Generals, Admirals, Senators, Governors, literary

[page 7]

and scientific men from the principal Cities, and there will be one Mechanic among this throng of great men. I wonder if he will feel "like a cat in a strange garrett," [sic] among such a galaxy of great personages. General Howard and Admiral Glisson will meet at my house and will go together to Mr. Childs.

[Received an invitation to a wedding; news of friends]

[Page 8, fifth line from top:]

Yesterday I sold the marble cross monument, a duplicate to that sold Mr. Isaac Lea; he gave me $650 for it, this I sold for $450. I am making no new stock, am dressing up the old which is a good deal corroded and cracked, it will not bring first cost. I have more orders for granite Cemetery work than for marble. Barker is now making three tombs for me, and Felix Maguire one with a head stone on end, a duplicate to one sent to York some years since. We are cutting a rustic cross monument for South America and several other small jobs that keep three to four journeymen at work. The universal complaint among the trade is that there "is nothing in it," which means no profit. Sallie sent you a letter yesterday and I suppose all the family news. I shall therefore now end with love to you, Mary and the dear children,

Your affectionate Father, Edwin Greble

Letter 9: acc. 84x77.9

[letter sent to Dresden, Saxony; son received it May 31]

No. 128 So. 19th Street, May 14 1882

My Dear Son,

Your last letter recd by me was from Florence [the city] date April 1, and as you suppose[sic] was somewhat surprising as I had no intimation you were going there….

[discusses his concern for his son's family, Dresden vs Florence, opinions re the education of his granddaughters, reminiscing about his own travels to Europe ten years previously. ]

[top of page 3:]

On the 13th of next October I shall be Seventy six years of age; it does not seem possible to me that I can be so old. I do not feel old age, my energies to be sure are somewhat slackened, but my mind and memory are but little diminished; persons not acquainted with my age, put me down as from 55 to 60 years; [stories of having people guess his age, then saying he shouldn't tell people because he doesn't look it.]

[About the tenants on St. John's Place and various leases and mortgages]

[page 4, starting four lines from bottom:]

The marble business is getting worse every year, competition is shameful, especially in the monumental line; a very large stock is now on hand and as it deteriorates rapidly, the holders are anxious to get rid of it,

[page 5]

even visiting the relatives of the deceased before they have buried, asking if the [sic] cannot furnish same monumental marble for the deceased.

I am making up no new stock, have sold considerably of the old which I found to be rapidly going to decay especially the Kelly and Italian marble. Granite is rapidly taking the place of marble, and the most of the monumental work I am now furnishing is of that material; within the last three months I have sold of granite one monument $525, 2 tombs 500, 2 tombs with head stones on them $650, 1 tomb with cross on top $400, one monument for D. H. Flickein[?] $750 - and estimated for sundry other granite work. I will not estimate if I know there is to be competition, it would be useless as work is being done at so low a rate that I would fail in getting it. I have made up my mind to sell the property on Chestnut Street as soon as I can get a good offer for it, but this may not happen for several years, for I do not want to make too great a sacrifice of the stock on hand, which is quite considerable, moreover the property is becoming more valuable every year and the office is a good lounging place for my idle time.

[page 6]

Last week I went to Richmond, visited the quarry to see about a base I ordered last October 7.10 x 4.5 x 1.0. They sent me a base 7.2 x 4.1 x 1.0. The tomb was of the right size and has been finished four months. They said there was not a stone in the quarry suitable for it. In going down into the quarry I found one that would make exactly what I wanted; it had been quarried for several months, was quite large and part of bad color. I laid it out and it cleared all the bad color, it is now on its way to Philada. The finances of the Compy are in bad condition and I have little hopes of their improving; some of the stock & bond holders are anxious to sell, the President Mr. Binswanger says he thinks a Syndicate can be formed that will give 50 per cent on the bonds and 5 per cent on the stock. This would give me $900 for my $9000 invested, rather a bad investment. On the 26th there will be a meeting of the stockholders at Richmond to elect directors and investigate the condition of its management, but few attend, the voting is mostly done by proxies and I suppose the same officers will be elected, the same rotine [sic] gone through, the same inefficiency continued, until complete insolvency takes place.

[page 7]

Bloom and Abbie accompanied me as far as Washington, where we remained for three days, spending our time in visiting the Public buildings and seeing our friends. It has been more than ten years since I was in Washington, since which it has been greatly improved. There are miles of streets laid in asphaltum equal to any in Europe. It is enjoyable to ride over them after having ridden over the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia. Many handsome houses have been erected and statues placed in Public places. We went to the Smithsonian Institute which is filled with interesting subjects; they have built an addition, quite a large building….

[more family information]

Your affect. Father, Edwin Greble

Letter 10: acc. 84x77.10

[letter addressed to Dresden, Saxony; son noted in pencil: Recd Jany 2 3 P.M.]

]

No. 128 So. 19th Street, December 18th 1882

I am now seated in my "Sanctum" alongside of a brilliant fire in the grate, its grateful heat contrasts with the cold and somewhat cheerless appearance of the outside weather which indicates snow...."

[Has reread son’s letters, comments on their contents; is inspired by his son's account of his trip to the Arctic Circle to do the same, maybe in 1884, if he has the time and health he will do it]

[page 2; wants to visit California and Pacific Islands:]

I cannot depend much longer on the services of Uncle Isaac; he is getting old fast…. I find it difficult to get rid of the old stock, last week I sold the granite monument with urn on top for $500. It cost me over $600, yet this was doing well, as I can replace it for the first sum, the competition being so great among the granite dealers; there is quite a number of the marble enclosures and gravestones on hand. We are now dressing them over to appear as new; by these means I hope to make sale of them next year at any price offered. As to mantels there is no sale; the style is entirely changed, they are made of sandstone and wood interlayed with fancy tile, some extending the height of the room and elaborately carved. These are for larger costly houses, the smaller and less costly use the slate mantels. We are preparing to start

[page 3]

the steam engine and machinery; they have been standing idle ever since building the five houses on Sansom St about sixteen months. They will be run so as to cut up the marble for the two other buildings I am about erecting on Sansom St adjoining the other five; these two will fill the lot. I have tried to purchase the Stable on the East of my lot so as to put up three houses but the owner will not sell so the nuisance must remain. The two houses to be erected are already taken, one by Mr. Furness the brother of the Unitarian Minister [William Henry Furness; father of the architect Frank Furness], the other by Mr. Ross now living on Walnut St., the uncle of Charlie Ross, the little boy who was abducted. The houses are to be ready for the tenants by next September; when all are occupied, I doubt whether there can be found Seven more respectable families in any part of the City adjoining each other. So much for building good houses although the neighborhood may not be stylish nor popular.

[Remainder of letter is about Fanny being sick, Christmas probably won't be happy because of it, engagements made and broken, etc.]

Letter 11: acc. 84x77.11

[letter sent to Dresden, Saxony; son received it May 14]

No. 128 So. 19th St, April 29, 1883

[His sister Sallie gave birth to a dead infant, "a more beautiful child I never saw," and describes the corpse laid out on the bed. Sallie suffered terribly, was between life and death for 2 weeks, is still abed but the danger is past. He hopes she never has to go through that again.

Comments on son's letter about performance of (Edwin) Booth at Leipzig; he has never seen Booth perform, must be a first class artist. "I am prejudiced against the name and family, when the name is mentioned, that of our assassinated President is always associated with it." Other comments about Booth.

Next paragraph reminisces about his travels, which did not include a trip to Leipzig]

[page 3, about a quarter of the page down:]

I suppose you have heard of the intention of Messrs Dreer and Will for a dissolution of partnership with Henry Smith; Henry and Will cannot agree, nor is it possible for them to be reconciled. I know this from an occurrence that took place at a meeting that was to be for an amicable adjustment of their affairs. Henry became much excited and called Will a dirty dog; Will was remarkably cool and only responded by saying, "Now Mr. Greble you see the manner in which I have been treated by Henry ever since I entered this store as a boy." I have joined with Messrs Dreer and Will in notifying Henry of the expiration of the lease of the store and farm at Riverton, also of the desired ending of the Partnership. Henry wants $30,000 to retire. We offer $15,000 with profits &c. I do not think he

[age 4]

will accept; there is a fair chance for a law suit to arise, consequently a "skinning" of both sides. I have taken all the trouble off your shoulders, so give yourself no uneasiness.

[family news; Bloom and Abbie are sailing for Europe in May. Then, about two-thirds of the way down the page”]

The Carpenters are laying the floors in the two houses on Sansom St. I expect they will be ready for the tenants by the 1st of Sept., then I shall be at leisure.

[A few more words about letter writing and sends his love to them.]