Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Israel WHELEN
Israel Whelen (2), son of Israel and Mary (Downing) Whelen was born November 21, 1783. He engaged in mercantile pursuits with his father at an early age and was for many years an eminent merchant of Philadelphia, and was also for many years proprietor of the Nitre Hall Powder Mills on Cobbs creek in Darby township. He was a pioneer life insurance agent, being the sole representative of the Pelican Life Insurance Company of London, the first company to do business in this line in Philadelphia. In 1810 he became the Philadelphia representative of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of London. On the enactment in 1811, of legislation putting a 20 percent tax on foreign insurance he organized the American Fire Insurance Company. He died June 9,1827, and was buried in the Friend's burying ground at Downingtown. Israel Whelen was married by the Right Rev. William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania, November 26, 1810, to Mary Siddons, of Philadelphia. She was not a member of the society of Friends and Israel Whelen was disowned from the Society for his marriage but continued to attend their meetings throughout his life. Mary Siddons Whelen was a remarkable beauty. Her portrait painted by Sully is in possession of the family. She was the mother of seven children.
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