Alfred O. Deshong
Alfred Odenheimer Deshong 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 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
Deshong was born on September 30, 1837, in Chester, Pennsylvania, to John O. Deshong and Emmeline L. Deshong. He was educated in the local schools and attended the Bolmar Academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania.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. 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, Emergency Corps, known as the "Slipher Phalanx". He served in the Battle of Gettysburg and was honorably discharged on August 4, 1863.
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.In 1895, Deshong was elected a director of the Delaware County National Bank.
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. 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. The bequest resulted in the establishment of the Deshong Park and the Deshong Art Museum.Deshong Park
The Deshong mansion was built in 1850 on off Edgemont Avenue in the Greek Revival Italianate style by Alfred's father, John O. Deshong, Sr. It was willed to the people of Chester after Alfred's death. 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. In 2018, 60% of the park was sold for commercial development.Personal life
Deshong was known as a lavish host and entertained artists, musicians and political figures at the Deshong mansion. He never married and became reclusive toward the end of his life.He died on April 19, 1913, and was interred at Chester Rural Cemetery. His grave is marked by the bronze sculpture, "Sorrow" by Samuel Murray. It was commissioned by Deshong and installed the year before his death.