Ogden, John Melchior

Ogden, John Melchior

The house carpenter and surveyor John M. Ogden (not to be confused with John Ogden, carpenter, who also appears in Philadelphia directories in the early nineteenth century) first appears in Philadelphia city directories as a carpenter living at 168 North Second Street in 1813, and continues to appear -- changing his title to "surveyor" in 1836/37 -- until 1849 when he disappears from Philadelphia. (Had he heard the siren call of California?) Ogden reappears in Philadelphia in 1854 and is listed there through 1882.
Ogden served his apprenticeship with the carpenter John Callaghan (99 North 4th Street). His inclusion in this project is determined by three surviving drawings at the AIA Foundation in Washington, DC. On one Ogden has written, "these buildings Designed & Erected by John M. Ogden in the year 1812 for John McCalla at the South West corner of 4th & Cherry St Phila Being the first Buildings Erected by J.M. Ogden In Business on His Own account He being 21 years old on 1s mo. 19, 1812." The Philadelphia directory for 1813 confirms that storekeeper McCalla was in business at 66 North 4th Street.
Another drawing shows the residence of Edmund Physick at 207 N. Third Street and is inscribed, "This House occupied by Doct Phillip Physicks Father and after His Death by George W. Morgan." Since Physick died in 1804 and Morgan occupied the house in 1806, this drawing must have been made after the building was already several years old. Another note -- "Built by J Calahan" -- suggests that the drawing may have been an apprentice's exercise.
Ogden was elected to The Carpenters' Company in 1816 and continued his membership without interruption until his death in 1882.

Biography from the Philadelphia Architects and Buildings site, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss.

270

Ogden

John

Melchior

1/19/1791

10/29/1882

Harriet Middleton

5/3/1797

William, Elizabeth, Charles, John, William M., Edward, Mary, Alfred

7/24/1816

President, 1839-41

Vice President, 1836-38

Warden, 1820,21

Book Prices Committee, 1822-26,31,36-84

Library Committee, 1853-69,73-78

Managing Committee, 1822-24,29,46-48,51-53,58-60

Vine below 10th (CD) (1830)

(1812) S.W. corner 4th & Cherry Sts., for John McCalla

Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects pages 582-583. The house carpenter and surveyor John M. Ogden (not to be confused with John Ogden, carpenter, who also appears in Philadelphia directories in the early 19th century) first appears in Philadelphia city directories as a carpenter living at 168 N. Second St. in 1813, and continues to appear -- changing his title to "surveyor" in 1836/37 -- until 1849 when he disappears from Philadelphia. Had he heard the siren call of California? Ogden reappears in Philadelphia in 1854 and is listed there through 1882. Ogden served his apprenticeship with the carpenter John Callaghan (99 N. 4th St.). His inclusion in this directory is determined by three surviving drawings at the AIA Foundation in Washington, DC. On one Ogden has written, "these buildings Designed & Erected by John M. Ogden in the year 1812 for John McCalla at the South West corner of 4th & Cherry St., Phila., Being the first Buildings Erected by J. M. Ogden in Business on His Own Account, He being 21 years old on 1s mo. 19, 1812. The Philadelphia directory for 1813 confirms that storekeeper McCalla was in business at 66 North 4th St. Another drawing shows the residence of Edmund Physick at 207 N. Third St. and is inscribed, "This House occupied by Doct Phillip Physicks Father and after His death by George M. Morgan." Since Physick died in 1804 and Morgan occupied the house in 1806, this drawing must have been made after the building was already several years old. Another note -- "Built by J. Calahan" -- suggests the drawing may have been an apprentice's exercise. Ogden was elected to The Carpenters' Company in 1816 and continued his membership without interruption until is death in 1882. ------------------- In memberFile. Copy of typed 2-page paper summarizing Ogden's life, religious and civic activities, and buildings. Chiefly, he superintended construction of the Philadelphia Almshouse, in 1828, which required 10 years for construction. (Copy of print showing building.) -------------------- City Directory - 1814 - John M., carpenter, 82 New 1820 - John M., carpenter, 10 John st. 1824 - John M ., carpenter, 82 Dillwyn St. City Directory - 1830 - John M. Ogden, house carpenter, Vine below 10th St. 1835 - John M. Ogden, house carpenter, John above Noble. 1840 - John M., surveyor, 4 Penn Square (& ?) Marshall. 1845 - John M., surveyor, 68 Penn Square, Marshall 1854 - J.M., surveyor, 68 Marshall -------------------- See also item under William Randolph ------------------- City Records D.C. Liens book 410; filed May 11, 1869; satisfied October 13, 1869. Two claims against a probable relative (Samuel Ogden) a building contractor. George W. Hanna & Sons vs. Catherine Overshine, owner, and Samuel Ogden, contractor. Claim for $209.92 for work and materials against a 3-story brick dwelling house 18 feet in front and 25 feet deep, and 2-story back building 20 feet deep and 12 feet wide, being No. 2315 Ridge avenue, situate on a lot of ground on the northeast side of Ridge avenue 130 feet 5 inches west of 23rd street. . . Second lien is against same owner & contractor; building is 2 adjoining stores and dwelling houses 3 stories high with 2-story back building, also situate on the northeast side of Ridge avenue No. 2811, on the northeast side of Ridge avenue 94 feet 5 inches west of 23rd street . . .

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Many other listings; also some for Joseph and Jacob.

Lost total of nine properties in 1853.