Obituary of Joshua L. PUSEY (1891); 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: Wilmington Morning News 10-9-1891 obituary of Joshua L. Pusey: "JOSHUA L. PUSEY DEAD "Head of the Great Manufacturing Firm "The Descendant of an Old Pennsylvania Family - He was closely Identified With the Industrial Growth of Wilmington - The Pusey and Jones Company "Joshua L. Pusey, president of the Pusey and Jones Company, of this city, died at his home, No 1003 Delaware avenue, at 10:30 o'clock last night. "The deceased had been an invalid for several years. Six years ago he was the subject of a difficult surgical operation, and although enjoying ordinary good health, was not strong. For two years his health had been declining and at times he had periods of intense suffering. His last visit to the company's works was made about six weeks ago, and for the last three weeks of his life he was confined to his bed. He sunk into unconsciousness several hours before his death and passed away very quietly. His funeral will take place on Wednesday afternoon. The interment will be private. "Joshua L. Pusey was one of the foremost business men of this city. The company of which he was president was one of the earliest of the great business concerns that have grown up with the city, adding largely to its prosperity, and sending its products into almost every land on the globe, gave it a world-wide reputation. Although not a native of this city he grew up with it. He learned his trade with Betts, Pusey & Harlan, the founders of The Harlan and Hollingworth Company, and began business for himself with John Jones as his partner in 1848 when the population of this city did not number more than 18,000 people. Thousands of people have been personally benefited by his business tact and ability, and hundreds of skilled mechanics who have gone out from the works over which he presided will gratefully remember the quiet kindly man, who seemed to have a personal interest in every workman employed in the works. "The deceased was a descendant of an historic family. He was born at London Grove, Chester county, Pa, June 17, 1820. He was the son of Jonas Pusey, who removed from London Grove to Wilmington in 1826. Jonas Pusey was the first secretary and treasurer of the Wilmington Savings Fund Society, and a man interested in all public affairs. "The ancestors of the Pusey family in America were William and Caleb Pusey, nephews of Caleb Pusey, who came to this country with William Penn in 1892. The Pusey homestead at London Grove has continued in the Pusey family ever since the grant made to it by Penn. It was from this homestead that Joshua L. Pusey came to Wilmington when he was 6 years of age. "Caleb Pusey was an important man in the Province of Pennsylvania in the early days of its history. He was known as the coadjutor of Penn and was a member for many years of both the executive and provincial councils of its government. He was one of the commissioners appointed by William Penn to fix the circular boundary line between Delaware and Pennsylvania. The work was so thoroughly done that it has never been revised or changed. He was one of the founders of what are now known as Crozers' mills, at Upland near Chester, Pa. The original mill at that point was built by a company chartered in London, England, and of which William Penn and Caleb Pusey were shareholders. Caleb Pusey was the active man in directing the business. Floods subsequently swept the mill away, and in the rebuilding William Penn and Caleb Pusey became sole owners. "Caleb Pusey was also a man of literary turn of mind and it was from documents and records which he had preserved that Richard Proud's History of Pennsylvania was compiled. This was the kind of man from whom Joshua L. Pusey was descended. Caleb Pusey left no children (JMM: actually, he left two daughters and two step-sons) and Joshua L. Pusey is a descendant of William Pusey, a nephew and heir of Caleb. "Joshua L. Pusey became an apprentice with the firm of Betts, Pusey & Harlan in 1836, when he was 16 years of age. J. T. Heald, who will be remembered as one of Wilmington's active business men, was at that time book-keeper for the firm. Joshua L. Pusey remained with Betts, Pusey & Harlan, working as a journeyman machinist and as foreman of their shops, until 1848, when with John Jones he founded the present Pusey and Jones Company. "When The Pusey and Jones Company was incorporated in 1879 Joshua L. Pusey would have been chosen president had he not at that time wished to retire from active business. His wish to do so was respected and William G. Gibbons became the first president of the company and retained the position until his death. "Joshua L. Pusey was born a Friend and was a member of the Hicksite branch of that celebrated society. He was married September 8, 1842 , to Sarah W. Pyle. He leaves a widow, two sons and a daughter: Charles W. Pusey, general manager; W. W. Pusey, treasurer of The Pusey and Jones Company, and Mrs. John M. Mendinhall of this city. "THE PUSEY AND JONES COMPANY'S WORKS "The firm of which Joshua L. Pusey was president was founded in 1848 by Joshua L. Pusey and John Jones under the firm name of Pusey & Jones. The plant was devoted to general machine making and occupied a space of 40 by 75 feet. Ten men were employed. In 1851, Edward Betts and Joseph Seal entered the firm, which was known as Betts, Pusey, Jones & Seal. In 1857 Messrs. Betts and Seal retired, and Alfred Betts joined the firm, which took the name of Betts, Pusey & Jones. In 1860 Mr. Betts retired and William G. Gibbons joined the firm which became Pusey, Jones & Co. "In 1866 John Jones withdrew and Thomas H. Savery succeeded him, the firm name remaining unchanged. In 1879 the firm became a corporation under the title of The Pusey and Jones Company. William G. Gibbons became president and remained so until his death in 1886. Mr. Pusey then succeeded him. The other officers now are: Thomas H. Savery, vice president; W. W. Pusey, treasurer; Samuel C. Biddle, secretary; and C. W. Pusey, general manager. "The works of the firm now cover over seven acres and at times have employed 900 men at one time. It manufactures iron and steel ships, all kinds of castings, paper mill, sugar mill and powder mill machinery, cotton compresses and engines. Work of the company has been sent to every country in the world."