Philadelphia City Archives Birth Record:

William McArthur
Born: December 2, 1863
Address: "29th & Oxford St.", 20th Ward
Parents: John & Jane McArthur
Father's Occupation: Laborer
Physician: William Knight, 1801 Vine St.

1880 Census "Driver"

1887 - 1893: William, driver, h. 1612 Marston St. (City Directories). William is listed as teams in 1892 and 1893 directory.

1900 Census "Teamster" 1941 Ridge Ave. living with his sister Martha and her family.

1895 - 1911: driver, h. 1941 Ridge Ave. (City Directories)

1910 - 1912: Bakery Watchman, h. 1941 Ridge Ave. The bakery was probably Kolbs. (1910 Census, 1910 - 1912 city directories).

His brother-in-law William MacLachlan (1869 - 1951) got him the job as stableboss for Kolbs. Probably over a hundred horses in the stable. He would hook up the horses to the wagons. He wore a pair of overhauls and appeared drab. Everyone used to like Bill. Used to tie up the horses and you'd give him a dollar or two a week.

Property transfer records (Dept. of Records, Phila.) for 1941 Ridge Ave.:

October 4, 1912: Transfer from Frank H. Devlin and Mary Jane, his Wife (note: his sister and brother-in-law) to WILLIAM MCARTHUR and Helen M. McArthur (note: another sister).

1925 Census Directory: William McArthur, 1941 Ridge ave., Foreman

1930 Census shows that Uncle Bill later went to live with his sister Helen at 292 Highland Avenue, Lansdowne, Pa. Also living there at the time: Raymond Thorpe, 34, Wool Salesman and family (Lillian,32, Harriet, 7, Raymond, Jr., 4) listed at 292 "None" listed as William's occupation. William's mother listed born Northern Ireland. Raymond Thorpe owned the residence.

Helen and Bill still owned the 1941 Ridge Avenue property when they died. Bill never married and died in 1935 and Helen (Walton) died in 1971.

June 9, 1971: Notes from an Indenture concerning the property of 1941 Ridge Ave:
"... and the said William McArthur being so seized thereof departed this life on the 1st day of July A.D. 1935 leaving a Will dated the 25th day of July A.D. 1916 and registered at Philadelphia as Will number 3646 of 1938 wherein he devised all his property real personal and mixed to his mother Jane McArthur during all the time of her natural life and at her death said property to go to his sister Helen M. McArthur, her heirs and assigns forever."

NOTE: A check of Philadelphia Wills and Administrations did not locate the above Will.