David Reese Esrey

David Reese Esrey (December 4, 1825 - April 11, 1898) was an American businessman and banker from Chester, Pennsylvania.

Image of David Reese Esrey from Henry Graham Ashmead's "History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania"
Shaw, Esrey & Company Mills in Chester, Pennsylvania
David Reese Esrey grave at Chester Rural Cemetery in Chester, Pennsylvania

Early life

Esrey was born in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania to Jonathan and Margaret (Kerlin) Esrey. He was educated in the public schools of Nether Providence, Pennsylvania.[1]

Career

In 1844, Esrey obtained a position in a general store in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. Within six years, Esrey became the owner of the business.

In 1863, Esrey entered into business partnership with Hugh Shaw for the manufacturing of cotton goods. The firm purchased an interest in the Pennelton Mills in Aston, Pennsylvania and began making Powhattan Jeans.

In 1866, Esrey and Shaw built a mill just outside the city limits of Chester, Pennsylvania and named the area Powhattan.[2]

Esrey and Shaw built a second mill in 1871 and third mill in 1877. The property containing the three mills was approximately 20 acres.[3] The goods manufactured in these mills were known as Powhattans, Covingtons, Provident and all wool jeans.[2]

In 1878, Esrey became a director of the Delaware County National Bank and served until his death.

In 1879, the firm became a limited corporation under the name Shaw, Esrey & Company.[1]

Philanthropy

Esrey was president of the Board of Trustees of the Madison Street Methodist Episcopal Church and contributed generously to the construction of the church.[1]

Esrey was one of the managers of the Chester Hospital.[2]

Personal life

In 1850, Esrey married Margaret Marker and together they had five children. Margaret died in 1866 and Esrey subsequently married Sarah E. Blakely.[2]

Esrey is interred at the Chester Rural Cemetery.[4]

Legacy

Esrey Street in Chester, Pennsylvania (formerly known as Pine Street) was named in honor of Esrey.[5]

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References
  1. Ashmead, Henry Graham (1914). History of the Delaware County National Bank. Chester, Pennsylvania: Press of the Chester Times. p. 137. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  2. Cope, Gilbert (1904). Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. p. 70. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  3. Ashmead, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. p. 446. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  4. "David Reese Esrey (1825-1898)". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  5. Proceedings of the Delaware County Historical Society, Volume 1. Chester, Pennsylvania: Delaware County Historical Society. 1902. p. 58. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
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