313 Lansdowne Road

5 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Built between 1907 and 1910

Inhabitants

History

The land for the home was originally part of an estate owned by Charles S. Taylor. Taylor sold the lot to Samuel Holt in 1907 for $530 (nearly $18,000 in 2025). There was no house on the lot at that time, and it was build during Holts' acquisition of the land before the 1910 census, where he and his family are living there.

1910 census: Penman designer Samuel is living with his family and maid of African-American origin.

S.D. Holt was marked as the owner of the home at the time of the 1913 atlas. In 1915, he died of appendicitis, and the family moved from the home soon afterwards. At least briefly, in 1918, H.T. Powers lived in the home, and lost two different dogs while he was living there. The home belonged to the bell family next.

1920 census: Indianan accountant Carl is living with his family.

1930 census: Bells with swapped-out extended family.

Emma's uncle, as appearing in the 1930 census, was quite an interesting man. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization for veterans of the American Civil War. He, at the age of 98, inducted William Ritter into the Ellis Post 6 (of Germantown) branch of the organization, as they were the only surviving members. Ritter died in 1941, and French outlived him to the age of 101 in 1943, making him the last surviving member of the branch of the organization.

Philadelphia Inquirer, July 21st, 1940, page 5

1940 census: Bells

In 1941, Carl passed away. Moses, as stated earlier, died at the age of 101 in 1943. In 1945, Samuel Branson, Emma's father, passed away. Emma continued living in the home a widow.

1950 census: Widowed Emma is living alone

In 1953, Emma died. The home went to her daughter, Catherine, and her husband Carl. Catherine passed away in 1998, and the home was sold in 1999 for $187,000.