Biographical Sketch of James KITCHENMAN (1825-1909); Philadelphia Co., PA

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

Copyright.  All Rights Reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
*********************************************************

"Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years"
Publisher:  S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912.     Vol. 4, page 418
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer
 
JAMES KITCHENMAN
     The life history of James Kitchenman is one to which his family and friends 
may point with pride, inasmuch as he never allowed obstacles and difficulties to 
bar his path when they could be overcome by honorable effort. He saw and 
recognized opportunities that others passed by unheeded and when unfaltering 
energy and unabating diligence were demanded in the accomplishment of any task 
he was found ready to meet the requirements. Thus gradually he worked his way 
upward, his path being marked by successful accomplishment at each point in his 
career until eventually he became one of the foremost manufacturers of 
Kensington.
     He was born in Barnsley, England, November 19, 1825, and was a young lad 
when he accompanied his parents on the long voyage across the Atlantic to the 
new world. His financial resources in youth were very limited and necessitated 
his securing a position when a young lad that he might provide for his own 
support. He therefore sought and secured a position in a dye house and as he 
became familiar with the business determined to engage in the same line some day 
on his own account. At length his unfaltering industry and careful expenditure 
made this course possible and he established a dyeing business, which he 
conducted for a considerable period in a most successful manner. In fact his 
prosperity in that connection enabled him to engage in the manufacture of 
carpets with Samuel Horner and his brother at Amber and Letterly streets. After 
the dissolution of that partnership be turned his attention to the manufacture 
of ingrain carpets and woolen and worsted yarns, having a large plant at 
Huntingdon and Jasper streets. Subsequently he was joined in a partnership by 
George M. Neal in the manufacture of body Brussels and Axminster carpets, the 
enterprise being conducted under the firm style of Kitchenman & Neal. With the 
growth of the business he kept increasing his facilities, adding to his mill 
until be had one of the largest and finest manufacturing enterprises in 
Kensington. He also took up the manufacture of hosiery, which he carried on a 
large scale at Amber and Letterly streets. The attractiveness of design and the 
excellence of quality in all of his manufactured products brought him 
substantial success, his sales annually increasing until he became recognized 
as one of me most prominent manufacturers of eastern Pennsylvania. About 
fifteen years prior to his demise he retired from active business, although be 
still retained his mill at Jasper and Huntingdon streets. He has come to be 
classed with those men whose intelligently directed industry and effort have 
numbered them with the capitalists of Philadelphia.
     Mr. Kitchenman was married in Philadelphia in the 50's to Miss Margaret 
Crawford, a daughter of William Crawford, as early resident of this city. They 
became the parents of five children but only two are now living. Anna, the 
first born, and Clara and Margaret, the two youngest of the family, having 
passed away. The others are Mary, now the wife of G. S. Coyne; and Miss 
Elizabeth Kitchenman, to whom we are indebted for the facts concerning her 
honored father.
     Mr. Kitchenman was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at one 
time and be attended the Bethel Presbyterian church. His political allegiance 
was given to the democracy and he was a public-spirited citizen, as was 
manifested by his support of the various projects and movements instituted for 
the general good. Moreover, he was kindly and charitable and few men have 
realized more fully the responsibility of wealth. He never forgot in his later 
years the struggles of his boyhood and was ever willing and ready to aid and 
encourage young men who were starting out in life for themselves and bending 
every energy to the accomplishment of the tasks assigned them. He was ever 
approachable and kindly and his counsel proved of valuable assistance to many 
while generous response to the needs of the indigent constituted one of his 
strong characteristics. His last years were spent in honorable retirement from 
business in an attractive home at No. 1024 West Lehigh avenue, where he 
remained until his death, which occurred on Christmas day of 1909. Thus was 
closed the last chapter in his life history, but it will be long before his 
memory fades from the minds and hearts of those with whom he came in contact.


 

This file is located at:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/bios/history/kitchenman-j.txt