Arebr^/f9aor8m-}        The  Story  of  a  Drug  Store.  6 1 
first  by  her  father,  and  under  her  judicious  management  there  was 
restored  to  the  family  a  liberal  competence.  In  after  years  the  able 
senior  apprentices  relieved  her  of  most  of  the  responsibilty.  Many 
of  the  leading  physicians  and  citizens,  sympathizing  with  the  calamity 
that  had  overtaken  the  family,  and  knowing  the  worth  and  integrity 
of  the  venerable  Charles  Marshall,  lent  their  influence  to  promote 
her  laudable  endeavors.  The  gradual  but  sure  extension  of  the 
business  followed.  The  premises  were  enlarged  to  meet  the  increase; 
a  laboratory,  an  ice-house  and  a  warehouse  were  added,  and  from 
the  ample  stock  many  country  doctors  obtained  their  supplies  of 
genuine  drugs  and  medicines.  The  number  of  apprentices  ranged 
from  six  to  twelve. 
The  building  on  Chestnut  Street  is  described  as  being  two  stories 
high,  with  a  gable  roof  projection,  from  which  was  suspended  a 
large  gilt  ball,  the  sign  by  which  the  store  was  designated,  as  was 
the  custom  in  those  days.  There  was  a  garden  back  with  other 
buildings,  and  also  buildings  on  the  east,  fronting  on  Vidalls  Court, 
which  ran  to  Second  Street  as  it  is  to-day. 
Elizabeth  Marshall  continued  the  business  until  1825,  when  it  was 
delivered  over  with  the  real  estate  to  her  apprentices,  Charles  Ellis 
and  Isaac  P.  Morris.  This  excellent  lady  died  in  1836,  making 
Charles  Ellis  and  Frederick  Brown  the  trustees  and  executors  of 
her  estate  for  her  remaining  sister,  Mary  Ann  Marshall,  who 
survived  both.  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  Elizabeth  Marshall 
as  a  lady  of  decided  character,  affable,  courteous,  well  calculated  to 
command  respect,  and  possessed  of  excellent  character. 
It  was  into  this  shop,  with  its  dignified  maiden  pharmacist  at  the 
head,  that  Charles  Ellis,  my  revered  father,  entered  on  his  career. 
He  was  born  at  Muncy,  Lycoming  County,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1800, 
and  received  a  liberal  education  in  an  institution  at  Manhattanville, 
N.  Y.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  on  his  apprenticeship  to 
Elizabeth  Marshall. 
Our  ancestor,  Thomas  Ellis,  came  over  with  William  Penn.  He 
was  one  of  his  three  trusted  counsellors,  and  held  the  highest  posi- 
tion in  the  province  and  in  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  was  emi„ 
nently  a  religious  character,  for  the  records  of  the  meeting  at  the 
time  of  his  death  show  the  deep  appreciation  of  his  fellow  members. 
It  was  not  long  before  Charles  Ellis,  by  dint  of  industry,  perse- 
verance, and  the  exercise  of  those  qualities  which  make  the  phar- 
