Biographical Sketch of W. D. CHANDLER (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1893, pp. 848-9. "W. D. CHANDLER, one of Oxford's active and progressive business men who has achieved substantial success, is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Kettlewood) Chandler, and was born in New Castle county, Delaware, August 25, 1845. The Chandler family has been resident for several generations in Delaware, where Swithin Chandler, the grandfather of W. D. Chandler, was born and reared. He was a farmer by occupation, a democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends. He married Ann Gregory and reared a family of nine children. One of his sons, Jacob Chandler (father), was born in 1816 in New Castle county, Delaware, where he died in June, 1890, at seventy-four years of age. He was a carpenter by trade, but was principally engaged in farming. He was a republican in politics, held several township offices, and was always active in local affairs. He was a member and ruling elder of Lower Brandywine Presbyterian church, and married Hannah Kettlewood. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler reared a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. "W. D. Chandler was reared in his native county, received his education at Fairview academy, and learned the trade of carriage manufacturer. After finishing his trade he engaged in business for himself at Hockessin, Delaware, where he remained from 1865 to 1884, and during the last three years of that time operated a general store and lumber yard. On August 1, 1884, Mr. Chand- ler came to Oxford and established his coal and lumber yards and grain store, to which, in 1889, he added his present planing mill. He is energetic, indus- trious and accommodating, and has a very fine trade in his line of business in this and adjoining counties. Mr. Chandler employs from seven to eight men, and also does a good business in contracting and building. He keeps the best grades of anthracite and bituminous coal, all kinds of hard and soft lumber, and a full stock of grain, hay, feed and fertilizers. His planing and feed mills are run by a thirty-five horse-power engine and a side track of the railroad passes directly into his yards and to his mills and warehouses. "On April 6, 1870, Mr. Chandler married Kate Robinson, of Newark, Delaware, who died September 22, 1881, and left three children: Lillian A., Bertha H. and Florence G. Mr. Chandler was remarried on January 14, 1885, wedding Lucy L. Flinn, of Newport, Delaware. "W. D. Chandler is a member of Friendship Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a Knight of the Golden Eagle. He is a republican in political sentiment, and has served his borough as a member of the council for four years and as a school director for three years. Mr. Chandler is well fitted for the business in which he is engaged, and ranks among the honest, honorable and substantial citizens of the county."