Biographical Sketch of Edward Evans DENNISTON; Philadelphia Co., PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith 
[christillavalley@comcast.net] 

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"Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years"
Publisher:  S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912.     Vol. 3, page 332
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer

 
EDWARD EVANS DENNISTON
     Edward Evans Denniston, whom death claimed September 13, 1893, thus 
terminating a useful and active career, was born in Philadelphia, January 28, 
1860, his parents being Evans Edward and Helen Orne (Clark) Denniston. The 
father, a native of Ireland, came to America with his parents. Dr. and Mrs. E. 
E. Denniston, the former for many years a prominent physician of Northampton, 
Massachusetts. In the '50s Evans E. Denniston came to Philadelphia.  His wife 
was a representative of an old New England family and a daughter of E. W. Clark, 
the founder of the well known firm of E. W. Clark & Company, bankers of this 
city.
     Liberal educational advantages were offered Edward E. Denniston of this 
review and he improved them in such a way as to become well qualified for life's 
practical and responsible duties. He attended the military school at Sing Sing, 
New York, and at the age of twenty years entered the banking firm of E. W. Clark 
& Company, being admitted to a partnership on attaining his majority.  He 
continued with that company until his death and was long recognized as one of 
its most prominent members in that his executive force and business ability 
enabled him to successfully plan, manage and control many of its important 
interests. An unerring judgment enabled him to readily solve intricate financial 
problems and recognition of his ability in business circles of Philadelphia 
caused his cooperation to be sought in the conduct of other important business 
concerns. Indeed he was identified with various financial interests both of 
Philadelphia and New York.
     On the 24th of April, 1883. Mr. Denniston was united in marriage to Miss 
Eleanor H. Parrish, a daughter of Samuel Parrish, a prominent member of the 
Society of Friends, a distinguished antiquarian and a well known Shakespearian 
scholar. Her mother, Anna (Hunt) Parrish, was also connected with the Society of 
Friends and both were representatives of very old Quaker families of 
Pennsylvania. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Denniston: Edward Evans, 
Jr., who is in the employ of the Roebling Wire Mill Company; Margaret; Anna 
Hunt; Leanora; and Kathleen. All the children are at home with their mother.
     Mr. Denniston was a member of the Unitarian church and held membership in 
the Manheim, now the Philadelphia Cricket Club. He was also a lover of tennis 
and enjoyed the athletic sports which called him out of doors. He was not a club 
man, however, preferring to spend his leisure outside of business with his 
family.
     In 1890 he erected a palatial residence upon a tract of land of seven 
acres, which he purchased on School Lane above Gypsy Lane in Germantown, and 
there the family have since resided. It was there that Mr. Denniston passed away 
September 13, 1893, his death being occasioned by typhoid fever. The resolutions 
passed by the boards of the various companies of which he was an officer or 
director indicate the high regard entertained for him by his business colleagues 
and associates. His splendid business ability and executive force excited the 
admiration of all, while his sterling traits of character commanded confidence, 
respect and honor. He was a gentleman of liberal culture and one who readily 
recognized and met the obligations and responsibilities of wealth.  The circle 
of his friends included Philadelphia's best citizens, among whom his death was 
the occasion of deep regret.