Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 101

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I > Part 101

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J. Williard Crossan attended the public schools of Mill Creek hundred, the school at Brandywine Springs, known as "the big school," and St. John's boarding school, Brandywine Springs, under Prof. Thompson. After spending two years in the public schools of Wilmington, Del., three years at the Friends' school in the same city, and two years at. Delaware College, Dr. Crossan began reading medicine under Dr. L. H. Ball, of Brandywine Springs, and in 1890 entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with honor from that institution in 1894. Having finished his medical course, he was appointed resident physician in the Delaware Hospital, at Farn- hurst, New Castle county. In the autumn of 1895, sixteen months after receiving his ap- pointment, Dr. Crossan resigned his position, removed to Centreville, Del., where he opened

an office, and has built up a large and con- stantly increasing practice. Ilis genial, af- fable manner and intelligent conversation make him a favorite in social circles, while his medical knowledge and his skill as a physician and surgeon have won the confidence and gratitude of the community. He is a mem- ber of the State Medical Society, and a close, enthusiastic and progressive student. He is connected with Vulcan Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 28, Marshallton, Del. Dr. Crossan is interested in the public affairs of the county, and has identified himself with the Demo- cratic party. He is a member of the Presby- terian church.

REV. WILLIAM J. BERMINGHAM, P. O. Henry Clay, Del., son of Richard and Ann (Smith) Bermingham, was born in New York City, N. Y., April 9, 1859.

His parents were born in Ireland, and re- moved to New York City early in life. Wil- liam J. Bermingham is the eldest of nine chil- dien. He received his rudimentary education in the public schools of New York City, and later matriculated at Seton Hall, N. J., going thence to Mount St. Mary's Seminary at Em- mettsburg, Md., where he studied theology. In 1884, he was ordained a priest of the Ro- man Catholic church by Bishop Northrop, of Charleston, S. C. His first parish was in Do- ver, Del., where he spent three years looking after the spiritual interests of several missions. Thence he was transferred to St. Paul's par- ish, Wilmington, and remained there seven years. For the succeeding year, his work was in Elkton, Md., and from that place he re- turned to Wilmington, where he was assigned to St. Mary's parish. In 1895 he was ap- pointed by Bishop Curtis to the parish of St. Joseph on the Brandywine, and there he has labored very faithfully for the past three years. In the discharge of his pastoral duties, Father Bermingham has achieved very grati- fying results. Ile is of a progressive and ener- getic nature, and St. Joseph's has profited tl creby. Improvements to the extent of $10,- 000 have been made in the church edifice and grounds, and the school building, and the con- gregation has greatly increased in member- ship. Principally through his efforts, the at- tendence at the parochial school has risen from one hundred to two hundred pupils. As a pulpit orator, Father Bermingham is elo- c;nont and convincing. He is a profound stu-

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dent, and has stored his mind with a wide range of knowledge, upon which he draws readily and always to the edification of his Icarers. He has devoted some of his time to public lectures, and is one of the most popular platform speakers in Delaware; his originality in ideas, ineisiveness and beauty of language, and forcible and graceful delivery, make him a silver-tongued orator, who is always heard with delight by large audiences. Father Bermingham is catholic in his ideas, broad of mind, liberal, and in sympathy with the ad- vanced thought and action of the times. He is popular with all classes and in his own de- nomination is most highly esteemed. IIe is of fine physique. In his political views he is a Democrat.

THOMAS LOY, P. O. Henry Clay, New Castle county, Del., son of James and Ann (Curren) Loy, was born in Christiana hun- dred, New Castle county, Del., February 15, 1855.

His grandfather, Daniel Loy, was born in Ireland, but came to this country when a young man. He found employment first in Philadelphia, and in 1817 he came to Dela- ware and settled on the banks of the Brandy- wine. For fifteen years he was employed in the DuPont powder mills, and in 1832 met his death there in the explosion of the dust mill. Ile was a Republican, or anti-Federalist, and afterwards a Democrat. Daniel Loy was mar- ried to Rosanna Coyle, of Donegal, Ireland. Their children were: I. Neil; II. James; III. Elizabeth; IV. Ann (Mrs. Paul Bogan); V. Jane; VI. Mary (Mrs. James McKenna); VII. Daniel, 2; all are deceased. Mr. Loy was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and was buried in St. Peter's churchyard in Wil- mington. His widow lived to be one hundred years old, and died in Christiana hundred. She was buried in the churchyard of St. Jos- eph R. C. church on the Brandywine.

James Loy, father of Thomas Loy, was born in Christiana hundred and there re- ceived his early education. In Philadelphia he learned carpentry, and worked at that trade for several years. Returning to Christi- ana hundred, he established a general store on the DuPont banks and conducted it until '1857, when he purchased a tract of land in Christiana hundred and engaged in farming, having employment at the same time as a

teamster for the DuPont powder works. He was widely and favorably known. He was a Democrat, but never aspired to office, nor in- terested himself in the campaigns except to cast his ballot. James Loy was married to Ann Curren, a native of Halifax, England. They had children: I. Daniel, 3, died in 1877; II. Thomas; III. Martha J. (Mrs. John Doran), of Wilmington; IV. a child who died in infancy. Mrs. Ann Loy died in 1849, and was buried in St. Joseph's R. C. churchyard. Mr. Loy married as his second wife, Bridget McCallen. Their children are: I. Catharine (Mrs. John MeLeer), widow; II. Neil J., and III. James, 2, twins, deceased; IV. Joseph A .; V. IIenry J .; VI. James, 3, died young; VII. Rose, died young; VIII. James, 4; IX. Eugenie I .; X. Owen; XI. Mary, died young. Mr. Loy died January 3, 1881; Mrs. Bridget Loy is also deceased; both were buried in St. Joseph R. C. churchyard. Mr. Loy was a consistent member of St. Joseph's church.

Thomas Loy attended the public schools of Christiana hundred and worked at home with his father, assisting him as a teamster until 1869, when he began a long and successful career as a landlord. He leased the Jefferson House at DuPont banks, and for twenty-nine years has conducted it to the satisfaction of the traveling public and his own credit and emolument. He is genial, liberal and a firm friend. During the Civil War he was a mem- ber of an emergency company in Delaware. Mr. Loy has always taken a lively interest in polities, and his friends have frequently re- warded his fidelity to his party and recognized his executive ability by electing him to office. He was tax-collector of Christiana hundred in 1880, 1881 and 1884; in 1880 he was United States census enumerator; in 1884 was elected a Levy Court commissoner for New Castle county and served as such for four years; in 1896 he was a candidate for a mem- ber of the Constitutional Convention. Mr. Loy has been a life-long Democrat, and for sixteen years has been a member of the county executive committee of his party.

In 1867, Thomas Loy was married to Mary Elwood, born in County Waterford, Ireland. Their children are: I. Ann (Mrs. William Gunn), deceased; II. Elizabeth, died young ; III. Elwood N., at home; IV. Rose A. (Mrs. George Fritzell; V. Ida May (Mrs. Edwin Johnson), of Wilmington ; VI. Daniel

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Henry, at school; VII. Charlotte; VIII. Thomas C., died young. Mr. Loy is a mem- ber of the R. C. church.

WILLIAM GREEN, P. O. Greenville, New Castle county, Del., son of Charles and Susan (Wilson) Green, was born at Green- ville, Christiana hundred, New Castle county, Del., November 29, 1852.

The Green family is of Irish descent. Its members are influential in Christiana hun- dred. This family was established in Dela- ware by William Green, grandfather of the present William Green, who was born in En- niskillen, Ireland, in 1802, and came to America in 1818. His parents were poor and he could see but little promise of improve- ment in his condition in his native land. The United States, then fresh from the second victory over the mother country, and in the midst of its marvelous early development, at- tracted him, and he found here a home on the historic Brandywine and employment in the DuPont powder mills. He was an intelligent, faithful workman, and his advancement was rapid. For a number of years he was superin- tendent of the upper yard, and while holding this position was killed by an explosion at the mills. A year before his death, Mr. Green had purchased a tract of land (now called Greenville) on the Kennett pike and had erected upon it a large brick dwelling house. By reason of his untimely death he never oc- cupied this handsome residence. Mr. Green was highly respected, and very popular among the proprietors and employees of the powder mills. He was kind, courteous and helpful to all under his control. In politics he was a Whig. William Green married, in Wilmington, Maria Baker, whose parents were natives of Amsterdam, Holland. Their children were: I. Charles, deceased; II. Mary (Mrs. Henry Horrison); III. James, deceased; IV. Maria (Mrs. Denly); V. Wil- liam. Mr. Green died in 1847, aged forty- five years; he was buried in the DuPont fam- ily graveyard. He was a member of the P. E. church. Mrs. Green died at the home of her son; she was a member of the P. E. church.

Charles Green, eldest son of William and Maria (Baker) Green, was born in Christiana hundred in 1825, and was educated in the schools of the hundred. He learned carpentry

with Mr. Goodman, in Philadelphia, and fol- lowed this trade for several years. Ile then returned to Christiana hundred, and, with his brothers-in-law, the Messrs. Wilson, engaged in the tinware business on the Brandywine. The venture was a successful one, and in 1885, Mr. Green retired to the farm at Green- ville, where he resided until his death. IIe was a man of much enterprise and the highest integrity. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. In his political views, Mr. Green was a Whig, and afterwards a stanch Republican. He held a number of local offices. Charles Green married Susan Wilson, of Brandy- wine, daughter of William Wilson, and sister of James Wilson, a well-known citizen of New Castle county. They had children: I. Maria, married H. W. Morrow, chemist of Wilmington; II. Mary, married Rev. A. H. Studebaker, a Lutheran minister, of Ohio; III. William; IV. Ella, married John C. Luke, paper manufacturer of Rockland, Del .; V. Charles, 2. Mr. Green died on his farm at Greenville in 1891; he was senior warden of Christ P. E. church for many years, and,a vestryman. Mrs. Green died on the homestead, at Greenville, in 1897, and was buried in the Lower Brandywine ceme- tery.

William Green enjoyed the advantages of a careful education. He attended the public schools of Christiana hundred, and afterward studied at the Chester Military Academy, and Newark Academy under Professor Edward D. Porter. Until 1882, he remained at home. In that year, he engaged in the coal and lun- ber business at Greenville, and for the past sixteen years he has conducted a very profit- able business. He is widely known and re- spected because of his mercantile enterprise and his culture. In 1888 he was appointed postmaster of Greenville and has continued to fill the office for the past ten years, to the emi- ment satisfaction of the patrons and the gov- ernment. He is an uncompromising Republi- can.

William Green was married to Ann, daugh- ter of Charles Le Carpenter, of the DuPont Powder Company. Their children are: I. Anna; II. Susan; both are attending school. Mr. Green is a member of Christ P. E. church.

Charles Green, M. D., brother of William Green, was educated in the public schools of

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Christiana hundred and in T. Clarkson Tay- lor's Academy, in Wilmington. Afterward he entered the Columbus Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1879. In the same year he was graduated from the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. After the conclusion of his medical studies he began the practice of his profession in Wilmington, and in that city and Green- ville, has been a successful practitioner for the past nineteen years. IIe is a member of the Delaware State Medical Society and a popu- lar man. Dr. Green casts his ballot with the Republican party.

WILLIAM J. BROWN, P. O. Henry Clay, New Castle county, Del., son of Thomas and Mary A. (Taylor) Brown, was born in Christiana hundred, New Castle county, Del., January 6, 1855.

Thomas Brown was born in Ireland, and came to this country when a young man. He settled on the banks of the Brandywine, New Castle county, Del., and secured employment with the DuPont Powder Company. After several years he relinquished this position, and entered the employment of W. R. Binkley, with whom he has been associated for the past forty years. Mr. Brown is a Republican, moderate and conservative and much re- spected. Thomas Brown was married to Mary A. Taylor, a native of Ireland. Their children are: I. Jane; II. William J .; III. Mary A. (Mrs. Cullen), of Wilmington; IV. Samuel, in the employ . of the Jackson & Sharp Co., carbuilders, of Wilmington; two children died in infancy. Mr. Brown is a member of the P. E. church. Mrs. Brown died in 1864, and was buried in the Mount Salem churchyard. She was a faithful church member.

William J. Brown attended the public schools of Christiana hundred, and since his school days has devoted himself exclusively to the cultivation of a farm. When he left home he secured a position as farm laborer with Abraham Ford, of Christiana hundred, and spent sixteen years with him. He was an in- dustrious assistant to Mr. Ford, and developed into an able practical farmer. When Mr. Ford died, he leased the farm of 220 acres, owned by the Messrs. DuPont, and for the past five years has managed it very success- fully. He pays much attention to his large

dairy and makes it a productive addition to his grain and stock yields. Mr. Brown is recognized as one of the most enterprising and intelligent farmers of Christiana hundred. In 1896 he was elected road commissioner on the Republican ticket, and was highly efficient in this office. He is a member of Wawaset Tribe, No. 9, I. O. R. M., of Rising Sun, and of Pocahontas Council, No. 1, of the same or- der. Ile is also a member of Loyal Orange Association, No. 125, of Wilmington. He is an enthusiastic Republican.

William J. Brown was married in 1886, to Margaret, daughter of Abraham Ford, his former employer. Their children are: I. Martha F .; II. Abram F .; III. Thomas.

JOIIN LYNN, P. O. Elsmere, New Castle county, Del., son of Robert and Eleanor (Bratton) Lynn, was born in Chris- tiana hundred, New Castle county, Del., No- vember 28, 1857.

Mr. Lynn's ancestors were Scotch-Irish. Robert Lynn, father of John Lynn, was born in Donegal, Ireland, and received his educa- tion in the schools of that county. By occupa- tion he was a fisherman and farmer. In 1850, he came to America and settled on the Du- Pont banks. There he secured employment as a quarryman for the DuPont Powder Com- pany, and resided in the same place until his death. Mr. Lynn was a man of energy, a good workman, and generally respected. He was a Republican. Robert Lynn married in Ireland, Eleanor Bratton, born in Donegal. Their children were: I. James, of Wilming- ton; II. Matilda, married Robert Kerr, a railroad employee; III. Mary (Mrs. John Gil- lan); IV. Robert; V. John; VI. David, died young; VII. Nellie. The first three children were born in Ireland. Mr. Lynn died in 1886; his widow in 1890; both were buried in the Green Hill Presbyterian graveyard. Mrs. Lynn was a member of the Green Hill Presbyerian church.

John Lynn had little opportunity for ac- quiring an education in his boyhood. He at- tended the public schools for a short time, but at an early age went to work in a cotton mill, at one dollar per week. When he was twelve years old, he was well grown and strong enough to undertake more remunerative work; he therefore secured employment in the stone quarries near his home, and worked

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there for six years; after which he learned stone cutting and masonry in Philadelphia. With the ambition which makes of young men successful business projectors, he spent his earnings in Philadelphia at a night school and received a valuable practical education. Ile was three years in that city, and then re- turned to Delaware. For three years after- wards he was employed by the P. W. & B. R. R. Co., as a mason, then worked for J. Ban- croft & Son for several years, and during the succeeding nine years was master mason on the Wilmington & Northern railroad. In 1891 Mr. Lynn formed a partnership with George W. Phillips, his brother-in-law, and for the past seven years the firm had a suc- cessful career as contractors and builders. Among the largest structures erected by them are Christ church rectory and the Second Baptist church, of Wilmington; Silverbrook M. E. church; Sacred Heart school, and Snel- lenburg's building in Wilmington. The firm has secured and satisfactorily completed con- tracts in many parts of Northern Delaware. Mr. Lynn, the senior partner, is one of the busiest men in Christiana hundred. IIe is en- dowed with excellent business capacity, is genial and popular, and is held in high es- teem. He has erected for his occupancy a fine large residence in Elsmere. Mr. Lynn was elected a Levy Court Commissioner for the First District of New Castle county in 1896, and served his constituents faithfully. He is a member of DuPont Lodge, No. 29, F. & A. M .; and of Vulcan Lodge, No. 22, A. O. U. W., of Marshallton. He is an earnest Repub- lican.

John Lynn was married in Christiana hun- dred, to Eva, daughter of Lewis and Margaret Phillips, born in Brandywine hundred. Their children are: I. Mabel E .; II. Nellie V .; III. John Forwood. Mr. Lynn and family are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Lynn is a most estimable woman, cultured and kindly.

ISRAEL P. RHOADS, P. O. Montchanin, New Castle county, Del., son of Benneville and Rebecca (Lewis) Rhoads, was born in Birdsboro, Berks county, Pa., July 30, 1849.

His father was a blacksmith of Birdsboro. Both father and mother were of English de- scent. They had nine children. Both are dead. Israel P. Rhoads was educated in the public schools of Birdsboro, and learned

house-painting. He was employed at his trade for a few years in his native town, and then removed to Wilmington, Del., where he learn- ed telegraphy and secured a position as oper- ator and clerk in the office of the Wilmington & Northern Railroad in that city. Nine years later, in 1882, he was appointed agent of the railroad at Montchanin, Christiana hun- dred, New Castle county, and has remained there since that time. For three years he was agent for the Adams Express Company at Montchanin, but for a long time has repre- sented the United States Express Company. In 1890 the Montchanin postoffice was estab- lished, and Mr. Rhoads was appointed post- master by the Postmaster General under Pres- ident Harrison. He has held the office con- tinuously to this time. Mr. Rhoads is a pop- ular citizen, and has the confidence of the pub- lie in the discharge of his many duties. For twenty-five years he has been connected with the Wilmington & Northern Railroad, and is justly esteemed one of its most faithful em- ployees, always alert to advance the interests of the company, and attentive to the demands of its patrons. His eight years of service as postmaster demonstrated the satisfaction which his administration of the office has given the people of Montchanin. Mr. Rhoads is a Republican.

In 1873, in Oxford, Pa., Israel P. Rhoads was married to Annie C. Whitecraft, born in Wilmington, daughter of Captain James Whitecraft, a veteran officer of the Civil War. Their children are: I. Maria; II. James, a student in an architectural school. Mrs. Rhoads died in April, 1898, and was buried in the Mount Salem M. E. churchyard. Mr. Rhoads and family are members of the Metho- dist denomination, and he is a trustee of the Salem M. E. church. He has been an active member of that congregation for ten years and is a consistent Christian gentleman.

HON. JOHN W. R. KILLGORE, P. O. New Castle, Del., son of Joseph and Margaret (Borland) Killgore, was born in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del., October 27, 1840.

The Killgore family is of Irish descent. John Killgore, grandfather of John W. R. Killgore, was born in Ireland and came to this country when a young man, settling near Red Clay Creek church, in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del. There he was en-

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gaged in farming for several years, and then removed to the tollgate near Marshallton, where he resided until his death. Ile was an admirer of Thomas Jefferson, and adopted that statesman's views. John Killgore was married to Drusilla Jackson, of Chester county, Pa. They had children: I. Joseph; II. James; III. Robert; IV. Sarah; V. John; all of whom are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Killgore were buried in the Red Clay Creek Presby- terian churchyard.

Joseph Killgore, eldest son of John and Drusilla (Jackson) Killgore, was born in Mill Creek hundred, and in his early years as- sisted his father on the farm. When yet a young man, in 1826, he was appointed keeper of the tollgate at Stanton, and for twenty- one years remained in the position, giving en- tire satisfaction to the traveling public. In 1847, Mr. Killgore established himself at Newport in the mercantile business, which he carried on for many years. For fourteen years he was justice of the peace, and was for a short time alderman in Newport. He was also postmaster of Newport for a term of four years. He was widely known and generally re- spected. As justice of the peace and alder- man, he dispensed justice with an even hand; his decisions were seldom revised by higher courts. Ile was a stanch Jackson Democrat. Joseph Killgore was married to Margaret, daughter of Abraham and Margaret Borland, born in Cecil county, Md., in 1810, and of Irish descent. They had chidlren: I. James L., deceased; II. Mary D. (Mrs. Daniel Green), of Newport; III. John W. R .; IV. Joseph, 2, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was a soldier in the Civil War and for nine months a prisoner at Andersonville; V. Margaret (Mrs. Robert Lindell); VI. Charles, died young. Mr. Kill- gore died in Newport, January 20, 1887; his widow died in Newport, at the residence of . her son, Hon. John W. R. Killgore, on July 11, 1896, aged eighty-six years; both were members of the M. E. church and were buried in the M. E. churchyard at Newport. Mr. Killgore has been a member of the church for sixty years and was for a long time a class leader and trustee; Mrs. Killgore was a most estimable woman, with many friends.

Hon. John W. R. Killgore was educated in the public schools of Newport. He carly de- veloped keen business qualities and before he had reached his majority, established a protit- able trade in country produce, driving his

wagon himself from farm to farm in order to collect the choicest fowls and vegetables for shipment to city markets. In 1861 he en- gaged in mercantile business in Newport, and has for the past thirty-seven years carried it on most successfully. Ile erected at a cost of more than $3,000 a large briek store building, the second floor of which is used as a public hall. Mr. Killgore has the respect and con- fidence of his neighbors to an unusual de- gree. For one year he was alderman in New- port; is now a director of the Newport Build- ing and Loan Association and served his coun- ty in the Delaware legislature, having been elected to that office in 1876. He took a prominent part in the shaping of legislation during his term. Mr. Killgore is a member of Armstrong Lodge, No. 26, F. and A. M., of Newport. He has always been an active, aggressive Democrat.

ROBERT F. LYNAM, P. O. Newport, New Castle county, Del., son of John R. and Eliza (McFarland) Lynam, was born in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle ounty, Del., December 29, 1832.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 101

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1482

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482