Philadelphia Birth Registration
1871 Page 283
29th & Oxford
29th Ward
Born October 21, 1871
Registered October 31, 1871
Parents: John & J McArthur
Father's occupation: Carter
Physician: Dr. A H Fish
Physician's residence: 1607 Vine St

Between 1896 and 1901 he is listed as a driver at 1941 Ridge Avenue.

The 1900 census lists him as a widower and born in Pennsylvania in October 1872.

1903: about this time he remarried.

1904 Directory: h. 2404 Thompson

The 1920 census: occupation as proprietor who sold groceries, etc.

Nephew William MacLachlan (his sister Martha's son) remembered that he had a store on the corner 25 & Thompson He only sold ice cream, butter, eggs, and bread. On Sunday he would go to Freihofers to get fresh biana bread. Freihofers was only two squares away. 40 - 50 fresh hot rolls. Sold in 10 minutes. Virgina Maclachlan confirms this location, stating that he lived across the street from the church (Hebron, later the Robert Graham Church). I believe that he opened the 25th & Thompson St. grocery convenience store because it was easy for him to pick up and deliver goods on his driver routes.

1920 census: remarried to a woman named Elizabeth and moved to 1300 N. 25th St. He owned this home. His daughter resided at this address when she married in June 1924. He is listed as a chauffer on his daughter Grace's 1924 marriage certificate.

Niece Helen (Ridge) Garretson remembered Uncle Joe's grocery store and said his second wife Lizzie ran it and was a great cook. Joe owned a car and had no place to put it. He built a garage but it was still too short. So he added an extension on it. It was located in the same area as the grocery store, which was across the street from the Hebron Church.


1930 Census:
1300 25th St., Philadelphia
Owned House, valued $5,000
Joseph McArthur, 57, Chaueffeur, Bakery Company. Age when married: 30. Parents both born Northern Ireland
Elizabeth McArthur, 55, occupation: none. Age when married: 28
Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2114; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 714; Image: 233.0.

William MacLachlan's daughter Virginia recalls that her family used to visit him often.