The Borough Of Media.

Cotton-Factories. - The cotton-factory now owned by Mrs. M. Melvina Fairlamb was originally the property of H. Jones Brooke, and was sold by him Feb. 4, 1863, to Isaac Worrall, Jr. He sold to Ralph Buckley on Dec. 23, 1865. The mill, while occupied by William Alcutt, was destroyed by fire April 27, 1867. Mr. Buckley then rebuilt, erecting a two-story brick mill, which he sold Sept. 27, 1867, to Lewis Kirk.

Samuel Dutton and Benjamin Crowther, in 1866, established a cotton-factory on Washington Street, which they operated for a few years. It was sold in April, 1869, at assignee's sale, and came into the possession of J. Howard Lewis, who removed the machinery and tore down the building. He still owns the property.

Societies-Masonic. - George W. Bartram Lodge, No. 298, F. and A. M., was chartered June 2, 1856, with Charles D. Manley as W. M., John C. Beatty, S. W., and William P. Beatty as J. W. Meetings were originally held over Cummins' store, on State Street, afterwards over Buckley's, at State and Olive, and since April, 1882, the lodge-room has been in the third story of Schur's building, Second and Orange Streets. The lodge has ninety-six members. The present officers are William F. Matthues, W. M.; Charles Moore, S. W.; Enos L. Baker, J. W.; and William Campbell, Sec.

Media Chapter, No. 234, R. A. M., was chartered Feb. 13, 1871, with forty members. Its present officers are William E. Williamson, H. P.; Charles B. Sprogell, K.; Horace P. Green, S.; William Campbell, Sec.

I. 0. 0. F. - Kossuth Lodge, No. 393, I. 0. 0. F., was organized Jan. 22, 1850, with the following as the first. officers: N. Walter Fairlamb, N. G.; Peter Worrall, V. G.; John M. Hunter, Treas.; Samuel Hunter, Sec. The first meetings were held over A. P. Fairlamb's store, and later a room over Schur's store was used. The present lodge-room is in Williamson's Hall, on State Street. The lodge now has fifty-two members, and is officered as follows: Bion Herkins, N. G.; W. H. Hardcastle, V. G.; Samuel Bryson, Treas.; Ott Pennell, Sec.

Towanda Tribe, I. 0. of R. M. - This tribe of the Independent Order of Red Men was instituted in "cold moon, G. S. D., 377," with eight charter members from Tuscarora Tribe, Chester.

Media as a Summer Resort. - The beauty and healthfulness of Media, the picturesqueness of its surrounding hills and valleys, the fact that the sale of liquor is prohibited in the borough, and its easy accessibility from Philadelphia have caused many people who prefer quiet, rest, and true recreation rather than the fashionable dissipation of the great resorts, to seek summer homes in the town or its neighborhood. There are others and many who, while they have not established homes here, have sought the benefits of a temporary sojourn, and thus it has come about that four large houses, in addition to the Charter House, are comfortably filled every season with those who prize the wholesome air and the nerve-bracing life which is here afforded. The first of these places of resort was Idlewild, established by Mr. Hawkins when he left the Charter House. It is a charming retreat in a cool grove of forest-trees directly south of Media. Then there are the Chestnut Grove House, contiguous to the little railroad station, and the Haldeman and Gayley establishments, under one management, which are educational institutions save in summer, when those who would rest take the place of those who have been at the toil of study in the pleasant and spacious houses.

Some years ago an ambitious attempt was made in the direction of founding a suburban villa, which failed because premature, though it will doubtless in the near future be carried out.

In 1872, James R. Cummins and Samuel Bancroft bought of Robert Playford a tract of fifty acres of land between Media and Idlewild, with the intention of laying it out for building sites, with streets connecting South Media and Idlewild. A map was made and the project was advertised, but the plan was abandoned, partly on account of Mr. Cummins' death. His interest in the property was purchased by Mr. Bancroft, who sold the entire tract to George W. Wharton in June, 1883.

As time progresses an increased number of city people will see the advantage of making summer or permanent homes in this neighborhood, and it is probable that among other improvements one similar to that contemplated by Messrs. Cummins & Bancroft may be not only undertaken, but successfully completed.

The ancestors of Judge Reece are of Welsh extraction, and were among the colony who came over with William Penn, in 1682. They settled in Haverford township, Delaware Co., Pa., is which county Jesse Reece, the father of Thomas, was born, Dec. 12, 1774, his life having been principally spent in Upper Providence township as a builder. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Asa Davis, of Chester County, who was also of Welsh parentage, and whose ancestors were members of the Penn colony. Their children are Davis, born in 1801; Lydia (Mrs. Samuel Hibberd), in 1804; Elizabeth (Mrs. Jesse T. Heacock), in 1805; Sidney (deceased in youth), in 1807; Jesse, in 1809; Thomas, in 1811; and Eli Y., in 1813. The death of Mr. Reece occurred in 1849, and that of his wife in 1858. Their son, Thomas,