Radnor Township.
surroundings that only the man of wealth could obtain through individual enterprise. And herein, as time will demonstrate, is one of the largest and most far-reaching of Mr. Childs' public benefactions. Wayne will be the monument, however, to a man who needs none, for he will live in the hearts of thousands, and in the hearts of their successors, and his name will be cherished for ages as one which will recall a type of the highest class of mankind, - a man who has lived for others, has made others live, - a man who has to the utmost of his great ability softened human sorrow, and enlarged human happiness.
Prior to 1770, Isaac Peace, the grandfather of Dr. Edward Peace, emigrated from England to the Barbadoes, where on the 31st of June, in that year, he married Elizabeth Gibson. After a few years he removed to the United States and settled at Bristol, Pa., where he died, Dec. 25, 1818. Joseph Peace, the eldest son of Isaac, was born in Barbadoes, May 1, 1771. He came to this country with his father, and settled at Charleston, S. C., where he was a prosperous merchant for a number of years; but becoming dissatisfied with his surroundings, especially with the practices of slavery and its attendant evils, he removed to Philadelphia, Pa. About the time of the birth of his son, Edward, his place of residence here (Philadelphia) was on the corner of Sixth and Walnut Streets, opposite Washington Square, a property which is still owned by his descendants. He also owned a country-seat at Bristol, Pa. He died at Philadelphia, March 31, 1826.
Dr. Edward Peace, son of Joseph, was born Feb. 10, 1811, and was one of the younger members of a family of thirteen children. When about fifteen years of age he became a student of the Mount Airy Military School, located at Chestnut Hill, where he zealously pursued his literary studies some two or three years. He then studied medicine, and after attending a full course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, graduated from that institution with honor. Soon after that event he proceeded to Europe, and for two or three years still further prosecuted his medical studies under the instructions of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of Paris. After his return to Philadelphia he became connected with the University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Hospital, where he was superintendent from 1840 to 1861, and thereafter was identified with their history for a long term of years. When the Asiatic cholera raged with such virulence in Philadelphia, in 1832, he volunteered his services, and, while others faltered or fled, rendered most efficient aid at the almshouse, finally becoming ill with that dread disease himself.
For many years no man in Pennsylvania was more prominent in the field of surgery than he, and it has been stated that he was the first surgeon in America to make a success in tying a deep-seated artery. During the latter part of his active professional career he officiated as chief visiting surgeon and clinical lecturer at the Pennsylvania Hospital. However, he gave up his practice at the hospital in 1861.
Until 1852, Dr. Peace resided at the corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets. He then removed to No. 1602 Chestnut Street, a property which is still owned by his heirs. About 1853 he purchased "Annasdale," a beautiful country-seat in Radnor township, Delaware Co., Pa., where he afterwards resided six months in each year, and where he made all of the improvements to be seen to-day. He was the first city resident, we believe, to establish a country home in Radnor, and made choice of this location because of its altitude, great natural beauty, and healthfulness. Dr. Peace was a gentleman of fine physical proportions (being five feet ten inches in height), of easy manners, and social with all with whom he came in contact, and, as before intimated, was excelled by but few, if any, in this country in the knowledge of his profession. He died on the night of Sept. 9-10, 1879, at "Annasdale," and was buried in the grounds belonging to the Church of the Redeemer, at Bryn Mawr.
Dr. Peace was widely known throughout Pennsylvania for his quiet and unostentatious benevolence. His neighbors in Radnor, and all with whom he came in contact, unite in testifying to his regard for and attention to the wants of suffering humanity, and the neighborly kindness of manner which won all hearts.
He was looked up to and revered by all, and the people of Radnor felt his loss as that of a near and dear friend, and as that of one who could not be replaced.
When about twenty-two years of age he married Caroline, a daughter of Richard Willing. Three children were born to them, two of whom - Richard Willing and Mrs. Osgood Jackson, of New York City - survive.
On the 14th of July, 1853, Dr. Peace was again married to Mrs. Anna Coleman Parker, daughter of Robert Coleman, and then the widow of Charles Collins Parker, whose remains are interred at Bryn Mawr, they having been removed thence from Laurel Hill Cemetery. At the time of Dr. Peace's marriage to Mrs. Parker, she was the mother of one daughter, - Charlotte Collins Parker, - who is now the wife of James Rawle, Esq., of Castlefinn, near Bryn Mawr, Pa., a gentleman by the way who is likewise a grandson of Robert Colemam, above mentioned.
By his second marriage Dr. Peace became the father of five children, viz.: Anna, Florence, Mary, Philip Physia, and Edward Coleman. Of these children, the first named was married to Lieut. Alfred Mead Bates, of the Fifth United States Cavalry, who died at Fort Dodge, Kansas, Nov. 12, 1876. Subsequently she became the wife of Henry Hobart Brown, whose father was the first rector of the Church of the