Jump to content

Alfred O. Deshong: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
change link
copy edit intro section
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American businessman, philanthropist and art collector}}
{{short description|American businessman, philanthropist and art collector (1837-1913)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Alfred O. Deshong
| name = Alfred O. Deshong
Line 10: Line 10:
| occupation = Quarry owner, banker
| occupation = Quarry owner, banker
}}
}}
'''Alfred Odenheimer Deshong''' (September 30, 1837 – April 19, 1913) was an American businessman, [[philanthropist]] and [[art collector]] from [[Chester, Pennsylvania]]. Deshong came from a wealthy family including his grandfather [[Peter Deshong]] and father [[John O. Deshong]]. He operated a successful [[quarry]] business for years and was a director of the [[Delaware County National Bank]]. He invested his fortune in the collection of art.
'''Alfred Odenheimer Deshong''' (September 30, 1837 – April 19, 1913) was an American businessman, [[philanthropist]] and [[art collector]] from [[Chester, Pennsylvania]]. Deshong came from a wealthy family including his grandfather [[Peter Deshong]] and father [[John O. Deshong]]. He operated a successful [[quarry]] business with his brother and was a director of the [[Delaware County National Bank]]. He invested his fortune in the collection of art.


Deshong donated liberally to support the Chester Hospital and upon his death, donated his trust and land to the city of Chester which resulted in the creation of the Deshong Art Museum and Deshong Park. Over time, the museum fell into disrepair, suffered theft and eventually closed. The art museum is currently vacant and the art collection resides with [[Widener University]].
Deshong donated liberally to support the Chester Hospital and upon his death, donated his {{cvt|22|acre}} property, mansion and art collection to the city of Chester which resulted in the creation of [[Deshong Park]] and the [[Deshong Art Museum]]. At current valuations, the donation would be worth over $24 million.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Deshong was born in Chester, Pennsylvania to [[John O. Deshong]] and Emmeline L. (Terrill) Deshong and educated in the local schools. He attended the Bolmar Academy in [[West Chester, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Alfred O. Deshong|url=http://www.oldchesterpa.com/biographies/deshong_alfred_o.htm|website=www.oldchesterpa.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>
Deshong was born on September 30, 1837, in Chester, Pennsylvania, to [[John O. Deshong]] and Emmeline L. (Terrill) Deshong. He was educated in the local schools and attended the Bolmar Academy in [[West Chester, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Alfred O. Deshong|url=http://www.oldchesterpa.com/biographies/deshong_alfred_o.htm|website=www.oldchesterpa.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>


In 1862, Deshong enlisted as a private in Company K, Tenth Regiment of the [[Pennsylvania Army National Guard|Pennsylvania Militia]] and served in the [[Battle of Antietam]] under Captain Thatcher.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Martin|first1=John Hill|title=Chester (and Its Vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania|date=1877|publisher=WM. H. Pile & Sons|location=Philadelphia|pages=375–376|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Kg-AAAAYAAJ&q=albert+o.+deshong&pg=PA357|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> He was honorably discharged on September 27, 1862.
In 1862, Deshong enlisted as a private in Company K, Tenth Regiment of the [[Pennsylvania Army National Guard|Pennsylvania Militia]] and served in the [[Battle of Antietam]] under Captain Thatcher.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Martin|first1=John Hill|title=Chester (and Its Vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania|date=1877|publisher=WM. H. Pile & Sons|location=Philadelphia|pages=376–377|isbn=9785871484241 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Kg-AAAAYAAJ|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> He was honorably discharged on September 27, 1862.


In 1863, Deshong re-enlisted when [[Robert E. Lee]] invaded Pennsylvania. He enlisted in company A of the [[8th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment|37th Regiment]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bates |first1=Samuel P. |title=History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 5, Part 2 |date=1871 |publisher=B. Singerly, State Printer |location=Harrisburg |page=1259 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1dcNAQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA1259 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}</ref> Emergency Corps, known as the "Slipher Phalanx". He served in the [[Battle of Gettysburg]] and was honorably discharged on August 4, 1863.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ashmead|first1=Henry Graham|title=History of the Delaware County National Bank|date=1914|publisher=Press of the Chester Times|location=Chester, Pennsylvania|page=132|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CLMpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA132|accessdate=1 March 2018}}</ref>
In 1863, Deshong re-enlisted when [[Robert E. Lee]] invaded Pennsylvania. He enlisted in Company A of the [[8th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment|37th Regiment]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bates |first1=Samuel P. |title=History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 5, Part 2 |date=1871 |publisher=B. Singerly, State Printer |location=Harrisburg |page=1259 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1dcNAQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA1259 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}</ref> Emergency Corps, known as the "Slipher Phalanx". He served in the [[Battle of Gettysburg]] and was honorably discharged on August 4, 1863.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ashmead|first1=Henry Graham|title=History of the Delaware County National Bank|date=1914|publisher=Press of the Chester Times|location=Chester, Pennsylvania|page=132|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CLMpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA132|accessdate=1 March 2018}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In 1865, he entered into partnership with his brother, John O. Deshong, Jr., and operated the Deshong [[quarries]] in [[Ridley Township, Pennsylvania]]. The partnership was successful and lasted for 30 years until John's death on November 1, 1895.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deshong Family|url=http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/deshong_family/default.aspx|website=www.widener.edu|accessdate=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061315/http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/deshong_family/default.aspx|archive-date=7 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 1865, he entered into partnership with his brother, John O. Deshong, Jr., and operated the Deshong [[quarries]] in [[Ridley Township, Pennsylvania]]. The partnership was successful and lasted for 30 years until John's death on November 1, 1895.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deshong Family|url=http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/deshong_family/default.aspx|website=www.widener.edu|accessdate=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061315/http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/deshong_family/default.aspx|archive-date=7 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 1895, Deshong was elected a director of the [[Delaware County National Bank]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cope |first1=Gilbert |title=Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania |date=1904 |publisher=The Lewis Publishing Company |location=New York |page=65 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MwwAQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA65 |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref>
In 1895, Deshong was elected a director of the [[Delaware County National Bank]].<ref name=Cope>{{cite book |last1=Cope |first1=Gilbert |title=Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania |date=1904 |publisher=The Lewis Publishing Company |location=New York |page=65 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MwwAQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA65 |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref>


==Philanthropy==
==Philanthropy==
Deshong donated liberally to support Chester Hospital, located at 9th and Barclay Streets in Chester. The Alfred O. Deshong sanitary cottage for the treatment of [[tuberculosis]] was built by Deshong and donated to the Chester Hospital.<ref>{{cite book |title=JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 47 |date=1906 |page=787 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vZU1AQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA787 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}</ref> After his death, he left in trust his art collection, mansion and 27-acre estate to the city of Chester as an art gallery and for educational purposes. The bequest resulted in the establishment of the Deshong Memorial Park and the building of an art gallery.
Deshong donated liberally to support Chester Hospital, located at 9th and Barclay Streets in Chester. The Alfred O. Deshong sanitary cottage for the treatment of [[tuberculosis]] was built by Deshong and donated to the Chester Hospital.<ref>{{cite book |title=JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 47 |date=1906 |page=787 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vZU1AQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA787 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}</ref> After his death, he left in trust his art collection, mansion and 22-acre estate to the city of Chester. The value of the donation would be estimated at $24 million in current dollars.<ref>{{cite web |title=Widener University Art Gallery |url=https://visitdelcopa.com/widener-university-art-gallery/ |website=www.visitdelcopa.com |publisher=Visit Delco |access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref> The bequest resulted in the establishment of the Deshong Park and the Deshong Art Museum.<ref name=Rodgers/>


==Deshong Mansion==
===Deshong Park===
{{Main|Deshong Park}}
[[File:Grounds and Entrance of the Alfred O Deshong Memorial.jpg|thumb|Grounds and Entrance of the Deshong Mansion]]
[[File:Grounds and Entrance of the Alfred O Deshong Memorial.jpg|thumb|Grounds and Entrance of the Deshong Mansion]]
[[File:Alfred O Deshong Memorial.jpg|thumb|Alfred O. Deshong Memorial in 2018]]
[[File:Alfred O Deshong Memorial.jpg|thumb|The defunct [[Deshong Art Museum]] in 2018]]
[[File:Raspberries on a Leaf (1858) oil on panel painting by Lilly Martin Spencer.jpg|thumb|Raspberries on a Leaf (1858) oil on panel painting by Lilly Martin Spencer from the Widener University Art Museum Alfred O. Deshong Collection]]
[[File:Meadows in Winter painting by George Loftus Noyes.jpg|thumb|Meadows in Winter painting by [[George Loftus Noyes]] from the [[Widener University]] Art Museum Alfred O. Deshong Collection]]
⚫
The Deshong mansion was built in 1850 on {{cvt|22|acre}} off Edgemont Avenue in the Greek Revival [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] style by Alfred's father, John O. Deshong, Sr.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chester|year=2008|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-6348-0|page=19|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tr4_Kx9Mf9AC&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA17|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> It was willed to the people of Chester after Alfred's death.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=H.V.|title=Chester and Vicinity|publisher=H. V. Smith|date=1914|location=Chester, Pennsylvania|page=[https://archive.org/details/chestervicinity00smit/page/80 80]|url=https://archive.org/details/chestervicinity00smit|accessdate=2 March 2018}}</ref> The land was turned into a public park named Deshong Park and an art museum was built on the property. The mansion and art museum fell into disrepair in the 1980s. The trust was dissolved and the property was taken over by the [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]] Industrial Development Authority. The mansion suffered a partial collapse in 2013 and was demolished in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sullivan|first1=Vince|title=Crews undertake demolition of decrepit Deshong Mansion|url=http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20140324/NEWS/140329801|website=www.delcotimes.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> In 2018, 60% of the park was sold for commercial development.<ref>{{cite web |title=Resilence Through Recreation |url=https://www.chestercity.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Resilience_Through_Recreation_Plan_111218.pdf |website=www.chestercity.com |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Meadows in Winter painting by George Loftus Noyes.jpg|thumb|Meadows in Winter painting by George Loftus Noyes from the Widener University Art Museum Alfred O. Deshong Collection]]
⚫
The Deshong mansion was built in 1850 on 22 acres off Edgemont Avenue in the Greek Revival [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] style by Alfred's father, John O. Deshong, Sr.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chester|year=2008|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-6348-0|page=19|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tr4_Kx9Mf9AC&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA17|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> It was willed to the people of Chester after Alfred's death.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=H.V.|title=Chester and Vicinity|publisher=H. V. Smith|date=1914|location=Chester, Pennsylvania|page=[https://archive.org/details/chestervicinity00smit/page/80 80]|url=https://archive.org/details/chestervicinity00smit|accessdate=2 March 2018}}</ref> The land was turned into a public park named Deshong Park and an art museum was built on the property. The mansion and art museum fell into disrepair in the 1980s. The trust was dissolved and the property was taken over by the [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]] Industrial Development Authority. The mansion suffered a partial collapse in 2013 and was demolished in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sullivan|first1=Vince|title=Crews undertake demolition of decrepit Deshong Mansion|url=http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20140324/NEWS/140329801|website=www.delcotimes.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>


==Deshong Art Museum and collection==
===Deshong Memorial Art Gallery===
{{Main|Deshong Art Museum}}
The Deshong Art Museum was built in 1914 after his death on the same property as the Deshong Mansion. The building was designed to be fireproof with exterior walls of Dover marble.<ref>{{cite book |title=Architecture and Building, Volume 48 |date=2016 |publisher=The William T. Comstock Company |location=New York |page=163 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5x7nAAAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA166-IA1 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}</ref> The large main gallery for paintings was modeled after the [[Emperor of Germany]]'s [[Cassel Gallery|gallery at Cassel]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Architecture |date=January 1916 |publisher=C. Scribner's Sons |page=223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFIiAQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA223 |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref> It housed over 300 pieces of art including carved Japanese ivory figures, Chinese carved hard stone vessels and 19th century American and European paintings<ref name="philly.com">{{cite web|last1=Schaefer|first1=Mari A.|title=Pieces from Deshong collection go on display at Widener|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100714_Deshong_collection_works_go_on_display_at_Widener.html|website=www.philly.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> including [[American Impressionists]] [[Edward Redfield]], [[Robert Spencer (artist)|Robert Spencer]] and [[George Loftus Noyes]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Chester Magazine fall 2014|url=https://issuu.com/chestermagazine/docs/chestermag_lrsingles_fa14/25|website=www.issuu.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>
The Deshong Memorial Art Gallery was built in 1914 after his death on the same property as the Deshong Mansion. The building was designed to be fireproof with exterior walls of Dover marble.<ref>{{cite book |title=Architecture and Building, Volume 48 |date=2016 |publisher=The William T. Comstock Company |location=New York |page=163 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5x7nAAAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA166-IA1 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}</ref> The large main gallery for paintings was modeled after the [[Emperor of Germany]]'s [[Cassel Gallery|gallery at Cassel]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Architecture |date=January 1916 |publisher=C. Scribner's Sons |page=223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFIiAQAAMAAJ&q=alfred+o.+deshong&pg=PA223 |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref> It housed over 300 pieces of art including carved Japanese ivory figures, Chinese carved hard stone vessels and 19th century American and European paintings<ref name="philly.com">{{cite web|last1=Schaefer|first1=Mari A.|title=Pieces from Deshong collection go on display at Widener|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100714_Deshong_collection_works_go_on_display_at_Widener.html|website=www.philly.com|date=14 July 2010 |accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> including [[American Impressionists]] [[Edward Redfield]], [[Robert Spencer (artist)|Robert Spencer]] and [[George Loftus Noyes]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Chester Magazine fall 2014|url=https://issuu.com/chestermagazine/docs/chestermag_lrsingles_fa14/25|website=www.issuu.com|date=3 November 2014 |accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>

Other select works from the collection include:
*''Allan Piu bella'', painting by [[Francesco Vinea]]
*''Alpine Mountain Scene'', painting by [[Alexandre Calame]]
*''At the Cobblers'', painting by [[José Jiménez Aranda]]
*''Child Feeding her Pets'' (1872), painting by [[Gaetano Chierici]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Widener University Art Collection and Gallery|url=http://www.mfairleydesign.com/assets/art_gallery_broch_web.pdf|website=www.myfairleydesign.com|accessdate=7 January 2018}}</ref>
*''Departure for the Hunt'' (1899), painting by [[Vladimir Makovsky]]
* ''Hasty Pudding'' (1883), oil on canvas painting by Gaetano Chierici<ref name="philly.com"/>
*''Her Japanese Dolls'' (1872) by [[Adrien Moreau]]
*''Kindergarten'', painting by [[Otto Piltz]]
*''Meadows in Winter'', painting by [[George Loftus Noyes]]
*''Morning in Thuringia'', painting by [[Barend Cornelis Koekkoek]]
* ''Raspberries on a Leaf'' (1858), oil on panel painting by [[Lilly Martin Spencer]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Chester Magazine fall 2014|url=https://issuu.com/chestermagazine/docs/chestermag_lrsingles_fa14/25|website=www.issuu.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>
*''Spirited Conflict'' (1859), painting by [[Alberto Pasini]]
*''The Artists Den'', painting by [[François-Auguste Biard|Francois Auguste Biard]]
*''The Avalanche'' (1886), painting by [[Gerolamo Induno]]
*''Une gardienne du feu sacre de vesta'' by [[Louis Hector Leroux]]


Deshong's last art purchase was a pair of large [[Chinese guardian lions|Foo dogs]] cast in bronze. The statues were placed flanking the doors of the Deshong mansion.<ref name="Alfred O. Deshong">{{cite web|title=Alfred O. Deshong|url=http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/deshong_family/aodeshong.aspx|website=www.widener.edu|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>
Deshong's last art purchase was a pair of large [[Chinese guardian lions|Foo dogs]] cast in bronze. The statues were placed flanking the doors of the Deshong mansion.<ref name="Alfred O. Deshong">{{cite web|title=Alfred O. Deshong|url=http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/deshong_family/aodeshong.aspx|website=www.widener.edu|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>


At one time it was the only public art gallery on the East Coast. From 1961 to 1978 the building was operated as a library, but over the years the museum fell into disrepair.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rodgers|first1=Loretta|title=Chester community celebrates redevelopment of Deshong Park|url=https://www.delcotimes.com/news/chester-community-celebrates-redevelopment-of-deshong-park/article_4ab7a8ed-d1f8-5e9d-b5aa-b5e4da806407.html|accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref>
At one time it was the only public art gallery on the East Coast.<ref name=Rodgers/> From 1961 to 1978 the building was operated as a library, but over the years, it fell into disrepair.<ref name=Rodgers>{{cite web|last1=Rodgers|first1=Loretta|title=Chester community celebrates redevelopment of Deshong Park|date=27 September 2014 |url=https://www.delcotimes.com/2014/09/27/deshong-commemorated-and-celebrated/|accessdate=16 October 2022}}</ref>


⚫
Between 1976 and 1979, teenager Laurence McCall from Chester, Pennsylvania, stole paintings from the art gallery.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woestendiek |first=John |date=4 May 1996 |title=PAINTED IN A CORNER BY HIS PAST: ART THIEF PAYS FOR HIS CRIME, AND PAYS, AND PAYS |work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1829490456 |access-date=2023-09-03 |id={{ProQuest|1829490456}} |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> The museum had limited security and McCall was able to steal paintings valued at the time at $300,000, by simply taking them off the wall and sliding them out of the museum's windows.<ref name=Spencer/> Many of the stolen items were sold through [[Sotheby's]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woestendiek |first=John |date=4 May 1986 |title=Painted in a corner by his past: Art thief pays for his crime, and pays, and pays |work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1829490456 |access-date=2023-09-03 |id={{ProQuest|1829490456}} |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schafer |first1=Mari A. |title=Languishing Deshong property frustrates Chester |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/local/20100110_Languishing_Deshong_property_frustrates_Chester.html |website=www.inquirer.com |date=10 January 2010 |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref> McCall was eventually caught, sentenced to fifteen years in prison, and served three.<ref name=Spencer/> A majority of the artwork was recovered.<ref name="Spencer">{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Gill |date=July 29, 2011 |title=Former art thief could really use a job |url=https://www.delcotimes.com/news/spencer-former-art-thief-could-really-use-a-job/article_fb081c09-572d-5971-8503-ffefa91ae613.html |accessdate=22 September 2018 |website=www.delcotimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The City - Stolen Art Identified |work=The New York Times |date=18 October 1979 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/18/archives/the-city-us-gives-4-million-for-harlem-center.html |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref>
===Art theft===
⚫
In July 1977 the museum was looted and several pieces of art were stolen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfred O. Deshong Museum |url=http://www.oldchesterpa.com/museum_deshong.htm |website=www.oldchesterpa.com |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref> The heist was carried out by 15 year old Laurence McCall<ref name=uncommon>{{cite web |title=Uncommon Knowledge: Why should you take children to an art museum? |url=https://www.uncommongoods.com/blog/2014/uncommon-knowledge-children-art-museum/ |website=www.uncommongood.com |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref> from Chester, Pennsylvania who would skip school and frequent the museum. The museum had limited security and McCall was able to steal paintings valued at the time at $450,000 by simply taking them off the wall and sliding them out of the museum's windows.<ref name=Spencer/> Many of the stolen items were sold through [[Sotheby's]] and other art auction houses in [[New York City]].<ref name=uncommon/> McCall was eventually caught when he was 19. The authorities were not able to prove that he stole the artwork, but he was convicted for failure to pay taxes, sentenced to fifteen years in prison and served three.<ref name=Spencer/> A majority of the artwork was recovered.<ref name=Spencer>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Gill |title=Former art thief could really use a job |url=https://www.delcotimes.com/news/spencer-former-art-thief-could-really-use-a-job/article_fb081c09-572d-5971-8503-ffefa91ae613.html |website=www.delcotimes.com |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The City - Stolen Art Identified |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/18/archives/the-city-us-gives-4-million-for-harlem-center.html |website=www.nytimes.com |accessdate=22 September 2018}}</ref>


In 1979, [[Widener University]] leased the building and restored the museum. In July 1984 the remaining trustees that managed the art museum dissolved the trust. The Asian and impressionistic art collection and $500,000 of the trust were given to Widener University where the collection is currently displayed.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Waltzer|first1=Jim|title=The Fight to Bring Chester Back From the Brink|url=http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/June-2015/The-Fight-to-Bring-Chester-Back-From-the-Brink/|website=www.mainlinetoday.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>
In 1979, [[Widener University]] leased the building and restored the museum. In July 1984, the remaining trustees who managed the art museum dissolved the trust. The Asian and impressionistic art collection and $500,000 of the trust were given to Widener University, where the collection is currently displayed.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Waltzer|first1=Jim|title=The Fight to Bring Chester Back From the Brink|url=http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/June-2015/The-Fight-to-Bring-Chester-Back-From-the-Brink/|website=www.mainlinetoday.com|date=21 May 2015 |accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Sorrow Murray Deshong.jpg|thumb|The sculpture "Sorrow" by [[Samuel Murray (sculptor)|Samuel Murray]] sits atop Deshong's grave at [[Chester Rural Cemetery]]]]
[[File:Sorrow Murray Deshong.jpg|thumb|The sculpture "Sorrow" by [[Samuel Murray (sculptor)|Samuel Murray]] sits atop Deshong's grave at [[Chester Rural Cemetery]]]]
Deshong was known as a lavish host, entertaining artists, musicians and political figures at the Deshong mansion. He never married and became reclusive toward the end of his life.<ref name="Alfred O. Deshong"/>
Deshong was known as a lavish host and entertained artists, musicians and political figures at the Deshong mansion.<ref>{{cite book |title=Publications of the Pennsylvania History Club Vol. 1 |date=1909 |publisher=Pennsylvania History Club |location=Philadelphia |pages=11–12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-x0UAAAAYAAJ |access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref><ref name=Cope/> He never married and became reclusive toward the end of his life.<ref name="Alfred O. Deshong"/>


Deshong is interred at [[Chester Rural Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web |title=OldChesterPa.com: Chester Rural Cemetery Interment Index |url=http://www.oldchesterpa.com/crc_a.asp |website=www.oldchesterpa.org |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref> His grave is marked by the bronze sculpture, "Sorrow" by [[Samuel Murray (sculptor)|Samuel Murray]].
He died on April 19, 1913, and was interred at [[Chester Rural Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web |title=OldChesterPa.com: Chester Rural Cemetery Interment Index |url=http://www.oldchesterpa.com/crc_a.asp |website=www.oldchesterpa.org |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref> His grave is marked by the bronze sculpture, "Sorrow" by [[Samuel Murray (sculptor)|Samuel Murray]]. It was commissioned by Deshong and installed the year before his death.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sorrow, (sculpture) |url=https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1GI011395J733.31531&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!24859~!0&ri=7&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=44730002&index=.NW&uindex=&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ri=7 |website=www.sris-artinventories.si.edu |publisher=Smithsonian Institution Research Information System |access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 18:22, 17 September 2024

Alfred O. Deshong
Born(1837-09-30)September 30, 1837
Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 19, 1913(1913-04-19) (aged 75)
Resting placeChester Rural Cemetery, Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)Quarry owner, banker

Alfred Odenheimer Deshong (September 30, 1837 – April 19, 1913) was an American businessman, philanthropist and art collector from Chester, Pennsylvania. Deshong came from a wealthy family including his grandfather Peter Deshong and father John O. Deshong. He operated a successful quarry business with his brother and was a director of the Delaware County National Bank. He invested his fortune in the collection of art.

Deshong donated liberally to support the Chester Hospital and upon his death, donated his 22 acres (8.9 ha) property, mansion and art collection to the city of Chester which resulted in the creation of Deshong Park and the Deshong Art Museum. At current valuations, the donation would be worth over $24 million.

Early life

[edit]

Deshong was born on September 30, 1837, in Chester, Pennsylvania, to John O. Deshong and Emmeline L. (Terrill) Deshong. He was educated in the local schools and attended the Bolmar Academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania.[1]

In 1862, Deshong enlisted as a private in Company K, Tenth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Militia and served in the Battle of Antietam under Captain Thatcher.[2] He was honorably discharged on September 27, 1862.

In 1863, Deshong re-enlisted when Robert E. Lee invaded Pennsylvania. He enlisted in Company A of the 37th Regiment,[3] Emergency Corps, known as the "Slipher Phalanx". He served in the Battle of Gettysburg and was honorably discharged on August 4, 1863.[4]

Career

[edit]

In 1865, he entered into partnership with his brother, John O. Deshong, Jr., and operated the Deshong quarries in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania. The partnership was successful and lasted for 30 years until John's death on November 1, 1895.[5]

In 1895, Deshong was elected a director of the Delaware County National Bank.[6]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Deshong donated liberally to support Chester Hospital, located at 9th and Barclay Streets in Chester. The Alfred O. Deshong sanitary cottage for the treatment of tuberculosis was built by Deshong and donated to the Chester Hospital.[7] After his death, he left in trust his art collection, mansion and 22-acre estate to the city of Chester. The value of the donation would be estimated at $24 million in current dollars.[8] The bequest resulted in the establishment of the Deshong Park and the Deshong Art Museum.[9]

Deshong Park

[edit]
Main article: Deshong Park
Grounds and Entrance of the Deshong Mansion
The defunct Deshong Art Museum in 2018
Meadows in Winter painting by George Loftus Noyes from the Widener University Art Museum Alfred O. Deshong Collection

The Deshong mansion was built in 1850 on 22 acres (8.9 ha) off Edgemont Avenue in the Greek Revival Italianate style by Alfred's father, John O. Deshong, Sr.[10] It was willed to the people of Chester after Alfred's death.[11] The land was turned into a public park named Deshong Park and an art museum was built on the property. The mansion and art museum fell into disrepair in the 1980s. The trust was dissolved and the property was taken over by the Delaware County Industrial Development Authority. The mansion suffered a partial collapse in 2013 and was demolished in 2014.[12] In 2018, 60% of the park was sold for commercial development.[13]

[edit]
Main article: Deshong Art Museum

The Deshong Memorial Art Gallery was built in 1914 after his death on the same property as the Deshong Mansion. The building was designed to be fireproof with exterior walls of Dover marble.[14] The large main gallery for paintings was modeled after the Emperor of Germany's gallery at Cassel.[15] It housed over 300 pieces of art including carved Japanese ivory figures, Chinese carved hard stone vessels and 19th century American and European paintings[16] including American Impressionists Edward Redfield, Robert Spencer and George Loftus Noyes[17]

Deshong's last art purchase was a pair of large Foo dogs cast in bronze. The statues were placed flanking the doors of the Deshong mansion.[18]

At one time it was the only public art gallery on the East Coast.[9] From 1961 to 1978 the building was operated as a library, but over the years, it fell into disrepair.[9]

Between 1976 and 1979, teenager Laurence McCall from Chester, Pennsylvania, stole paintings from the art gallery.[19] The museum had limited security and McCall was able to steal paintings valued at the time at $300,000, by simply taking them off the wall and sliding them out of the museum's windows.[20] Many of the stolen items were sold through Sotheby's in New York City.[21][22] McCall was eventually caught, sentenced to fifteen years in prison, and served three.[20] A majority of the artwork was recovered.[20][23]

In 1979, Widener University leased the building and restored the museum. In July 1984, the remaining trustees who managed the art museum dissolved the trust. The Asian and impressionistic art collection and $500,000 of the trust were given to Widener University, where the collection is currently displayed.[24]

Personal life

[edit]
The sculpture "Sorrow" by Samuel Murray sits atop Deshong's grave at Chester Rural Cemetery

Deshong was known as a lavish host and entertained artists, musicians and political figures at the Deshong mansion.[25][6] He never married and became reclusive toward the end of his life.[18]

He died on April 19, 1913, and was interred at Chester Rural Cemetery.[26] His grave is marked by the bronze sculpture, "Sorrow" by Samuel Murray. It was commissioned by Deshong and installed the year before his death.[27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Alfred O. Deshong". www.oldchesterpa.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  2. ^ Martin, John Hill (1877). Chester (and Its Vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: WM. H. Pile & Sons. pp. 376–377. ISBN 9785871484241. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  3. ^ Bates, Samuel P. (1871). History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 5, Part 2. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer. p. 1259. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. ^ Ashmead, Henry Graham (1914). History of the Delaware County National Bank. Chester, Pennsylvania: Press of the Chester Times. p. 132. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Deshong Family". www.widener.edu. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b Cope, Gilbert (1904). Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. p. 65. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  7. ^ JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 47. 1906. p. 787. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Widener University Art Gallery". www.visitdelcopa.com. Visit Delco. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  9. ^ a b c Rodgers, Loretta (27 September 2014). "Chester community celebrates redevelopment of Deshong Park". Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  10. ^ Chester. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. 2008. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7385-6348-0. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  11. ^ Smith, H.V. (1914). Chester and Vicinity. Chester, Pennsylvania: H. V. Smith. p. 80. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  12. ^ Sullivan, Vince. "Crews undertake demolition of decrepit Deshong Mansion". www.delcotimes.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Resilence Through Recreation" (PDF). www.chestercity.com. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  14. ^ Architecture and Building, Volume 48. New York: The William T. Comstock Company. 2016. p. 163. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  15. ^ Architecture. C. Scribner's Sons. January 1916. p. 223. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  16. ^ Schaefer, Mari A. (14 July 2010). "Pieces from Deshong collection go on display at Widener". www.philly.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Chester Magazine fall 2014". www.issuu.com. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Alfred O. Deshong". www.widener.edu. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  19. ^ Woestendiek, John (4 May 1996). "PAINTED IN A CORNER BY HIS PAST: ART THIEF PAYS FOR HIS CRIME, AND PAYS, AND PAYS". Philadelphia Inquirer. ProQuest 1829490456. Retrieved 2023-09-03 – via ProQuest.
  20. ^ a b c Spencer, Gill (July 29, 2011). "Former art thief could really use a job". www.delcotimes.com. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  21. ^ Woestendiek, John (4 May 1986). "Painted in a corner by his past: Art thief pays for his crime, and pays, and pays". Philadelphia Inquirer. ProQuest 1829490456. Retrieved 2023-09-03 – via ProQuest.
  22. ^ Schafer, Mari A. (10 January 2010). "Languishing Deshong property frustrates Chester". www.inquirer.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  23. ^ "The City - Stolen Art Identified". The New York Times. 18 October 1979. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  24. ^ Waltzer, Jim (21 May 2015). "The Fight to Bring Chester Back From the Brink". www.mainlinetoday.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  25. ^ Publications of the Pennsylvania History Club Vol. 1. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania History Club. 1909. pp. 11–12. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  26. ^ "OldChesterPa.com: Chester Rural Cemetery Interment Index". www.oldchesterpa.org. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Sorrow, (sculpture)". www.sris-artinventories.si.edu. Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Alfred_O._Deshong&oldid=1246232092"