Biographical Sketch of William B. GRUBB; Philadelphia Co., PA

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Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People: A Record of 225 Years
Philadelphia: S.H. Clark, 1912; Vol. 4, page 392.
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer
 
WILLIAM B. GRUBB
 
     The Grubb family is one of the oldest of Pennsylvania, being founded in 
America by John and Frances Grubb, who came from Cornwall, England, making their 
way to what became known as Grubb Landing on the Delaware river, just below 
Namans creek and about six miles from Wilmington.  To a more remote period the 
ancestry is traced, and the family is found to be of Danish origin and connected 
with the royal blood.  Representatives of the name went to England probably in 
the fourteenth century.  John Grubb was born in Cornwall in 1652 and in 1677 
crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of New Jersey.  In 1679 he purchased 
land at Upland, now Chester, and in 1680 obtained a charter from King Charles II 
for the province of Pennsylvania.  In the following year he landed at Grubbs 
Landing, to which place he gave his name.  It was in 1682 that William Penn 
purchased from the Duke of York the state of Delaware and in the same year 
arrived at Chester, which place he so named.  With the early history of the 
colony John Grubb was closely associated, doing much to shape its formative 
policy, being widely recognized as a prominent and influential resident of 
Pennsylvania.  From 1692 until 1700 he was a member of the Pennsylvania assembly 
and on the 2d of May, 1693, he was commissioned colonial justice of the peace 
for Newcastle.  In 1703 he removed to Marcus Hook, where he died in March, 1708.  
His family numbered nine children.
     Emanuel Grubb, the eldest son of John and Frances Grubb, was born in 1682, 
being the first male child of white parents born in Penn's Province.  His birth 
occurred in a cave which was the temporary home and shelter of the family, along 
the Delaware river.  Like his father he became a prominent man of affairs and 
from 1725 until 1767, or for forty-two years, he was a vestryman of St.Martin's 
Episcopal church at Marcus Hook.  In 1727 he was commissioned justice of the 
peace of Newcastle.  He married and had twelve children.  Emanuel Grubb, the son 
of Emanuel Grubb I, was born December 10, 1729, at Grubbs Landing and died 
August 8, 1799.  He had eight children.  He was commissioned in 1755 a captain 
of the Delaware troops during the French and Indian war.  His Bible is now in 
possession of William L. Grubb, of Portsmouth, Virginia.  He was the great-
grandfather of William B. Grubb, of this review, and his brother was the great-
grandfather of Judge Ignatius Grubb, who for thirteen years has been judge of 
the supreme court of Delaware.
     Peter Grubb, our subject's grandfather, was born at Grubbs Landing in 1766 
and by his marriage had fourteen children.  His son Mellin, the father of 
William B. Grubb, was born April 3, 1798, at Grubbs Landing, and was married 
March 24, 1830, to Mrs. Anna M. (Frank) Burkhard, by whom he had four children: 
William B., born February 17, 1831; Amanda A., who was born September 10, 1832, 
and died September 9, 1833; Charles M., who was born September 21, 1834, and 
died in February, 1844; and Olive E., who was born April 10, 1838, and is still 
living.  The father died on the 18th of March, 1851, and the mother passed away 
September 7, 1880.
     Thus from the earliest settlement of Pennsylvania the family had been 
represented within its borders and its members have taken an active part in 
shaping the political and military history of the state in early generations and 
in later years have been factors in promoting material progress.
     William B. Grubb was born in Philadelphia, February 17, 1831.  He attended 
the public schools and afterward served a seven years' apprenticeship at the 
carpenter's and builder's trade under John McClure, a prominent contractor of 
this city.  On attaining his majority he became associated with Mr. McClure in a 
partnership and remained actively connected with the contracting business until 
1876, when he retired.  During that period he planned and erected many churches, 
public buildings and private residences, controlling a large volume of business 
and being recognized as one of the leading contractors during the period of his 
active connection with the business.
     On the 1st of January, 1853, Mr. Grubb was married to Miss Katherine 
Haggerty, of Philadelphia, who is still living.  It was upon the same day that 
Mr. Grubb entered into partnership with Mr. McClure.  Unto them have been born 
five children who are yet living; William, Charles, Anna, who is the wife of 
Frank Hower, at one time editor and owner of Bryn Mawr News; Mrs. Katherine 
Matlack; and Mrs. Mary McGuire.  All but one are residents of Philadelphia.  
There are also fifteen living grandchildren.
     Mr. Grubb is now a member of the Carpenters Company (Inc.) the owners of 
the famous historic Carpenters Hall, where the first continental congress was 
held, a place to which thousands of loyal American citizens make their way each 
year to see a structure which more than almost any other building of the country 
awakens the interest and veneration of all.  In his political views Mr. Grubb is 
a republican but regards the capability of the candidate more than party 
affiliations, especially at local elections.  He attends and is a member of the 
DeWitt Talmage church, having always adhered to the Presbyterian faith.