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Note: uring his boyhood years, and pursued that line of work until 1848, when, at the age of 21 he decided to come to America, hoping to find a broader field for his skill and labor. He embarked from Liverpool in company with his father on the "Saranak" and after a voyage of five weeks landed in Philadelphia. He immediately tried to find employment, but did not meet with success right away because of the depression in business and the fact that many of the troops returning from the Mexican war at that time were given preference by many of the leading employers in Philadelphia and vicinity. He made his way on foot to Pottsville, Schuylkill County, did not secure employment, and returned to Philadelphia. He finally found a job in a cloth mill at Mill Creek, Montgomery County. He worked there for some time under adverse conditions and finally wishing to improve his opportunities, he came to Chester, Delaware County, where he obtained permanent employment with Simeon Lord at Avondale. There he met and later married his wife and his sons Taylor, Thomas, and John were born. Simeon Lord's mill failed and Jonathan found employment at the Oliver Holt mill, in Springfield Township. In 1855 he went to Parksburg, Chester County, where he was employed by Charles Shore, an uncle of his wife. In 1856 Jonathan, with his brother James and his brother-in-law Jesse Shore, came to Cardington, and here with their united effort they engaged in the manufacture of woolen yarns under the firm name of Wolfenden, Shore & Company. From a humble beginning these pioneer spinners and weavers, by their united and well directed efforts, succeeded in building up one of the most important enterprises of its kind in Delaware County, furnishing employment for 400 skilled operatives. The establishment proved to be of great benefit to Cardington and the surrounding area. In 1888, after the death of Jesse Shore, which occurred in March, 1887, the firm became Wolfenden, Shore & Company, Limited.
Note: Jonathan Wolfenden learned the art of spinning yarns and weaving cloth d
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