5 letters, 1873-1879, to William Ward (1837-1895) [re: Philadelphia and Chester County Railroad]

1873. Near Fine. 5 handwritten letters to William Ward, 1873-1879, regarding the Philadelphia and Chester County Railroad, which existed from 1872 to 1885; it was succeeded by the Philadelphia Midland Railroad. William Ward was one of the organizers of the Philadelphia and Chester County Railroad and in 1874 was the president and treasurer pro tem. Letters #1 and #2 (Sept. 5 and Dec. 5, 1873) are from Jos. H. McKeehan, an attorney in Philadelphia, who is writing about deliquent subscribers to the railroad. Letter #3 (Dec. 18, 1873) is from the Village Record, a newspaper in West Chester, Pa., with a copy of the advertisement that ran in the paper listing the dates that instalments from railroad subscribers were due in 1872. Letter #4 (Nov. 26, 1875) is from John Smith of Ridley Park, about a plan to petition to vacate a street and public ground adjoining Mr. Bartol's purchase. Letter #5 (Sept. 8, 1879) from the superintendant of the Government Paper Mill in Dalton, Mass., complaining about the appointment of counters and watchmen at the mill (presumably to Ward as a congressman). William Ward (1837-1895) studied law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1859. He opened a practice in Chester; was involved in real estate and banking; served as a member of the Chester city council and as city solicitor; and was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware County in the 45th, 46th, and 47th Congresses (1877-1883). In Near Fine Condition: light soiling; bright and intact.