Rash's Surname Index
Notes for John Chapman CRESSON
Cresson, John Chapman, educator, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 16, 1806; son of Joseph and Mercy (Chapman), grandson of the Rev. James and Sarah (Hooton) Cresson, and of Dr. John Chapman, representative in the 45th congress; great-grandson of John and Rebecca and great great grandson of Solomon and Anna (Watson) Cresson who came from France to America early in the 17th century. On his mother's side he descended from John Chapman who settled in Pennsylvania in 1684 and was one of the principal surveyors for William Penn. He attended the Friends' academy, Philadelphia, and began the study of medicine which he abandoned to become an agriculturist. He attended lectures on the subject at the University of Pennsylvania, and also studied practical agriculture. He was married in May, 1827, to Letitia Louisa, daughter of Charles Massey, and engaged in farming in Cheltenham, Pa., until 1834, when he removed to Philadelphia. He was elected superintendent of the Philadelphia gas works in 1836, and engineer soon after. He became a member of the Franklin institute in 1831, was professor of mechanics and natural philosophy in the Institute, 1837-55, and president from 1855. He was also professor of mechanics and natural philosophy in the City high school for two years, He was for several years manager of the Schuylkill navigation company; was president of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven railroad company, 1847-76; an original commissioner and later chief engineer of Fairmount park; a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, 1852-76; a manager and vice-president of the Pennsylvania institution for the instruction of the blind; a manager of the Episcopal hospital, and prominently identified with many charitable, religious and educational institutions. He was elected a member of the American philosophical society in 1839, and was a vice-president, 1857-76. He received the degree of A.M. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1844, and that of Ph.D. from the University of Lewisburg in 1846. He died in Philadelphia, Jan 27, 1876.
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