Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 109

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 109

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Sarah J. (Cavender) McKee was born in Mill Creek hundred. She received her prim- ary education in the public schools of the district, and graduated from the Normal school at Concordville, Pa. After leaving school, she taught for sometime in the public schools of the district. Sarah J. Cavender was

married in 1883, at Kemblesville, Pa., to Clin- ton II. Garrett, son of Evan and H. Garrett, a native of Stricklersville, Pa., and a member of one of the prominent families of Chester county, Pa. Mr. Clinton Garrett's first wife, Hannah Wilkinson, of Strieklersville, Pa., died at Stricklersville. Their children are: I. Henry, on the home farm; II. Leon, mer- chant, Strieklersville, Pa .; III. Evan, died in youth. After their marriage, Mr. Garrett and his wife removed to Newark, Del., and purchased the Samuel Finley farm, which Mr. Garrett cultivated until the time of his death. He was a Democrat, interested in local affairs, well-known and respected in the county, and served as school director and as supervisor of the roads of Chester county, Pa. Mr. Garrett was a member of the Presby- terian church. He was killed in 1887, near his home, by a train on the B. & O. R. R., and is buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at New London, Pa. Gentle and pleasant in manner, and charming in conversation, Mrs. McKee is a favorite in all' circles. She is intelligent and well-read, a thoughtful and appreciative student of classic literature, and interested in the best productions of our own time.

SAMUEL W. MORRISON, P. O. Ogle- ton, Del., son of William and Elizabeth (Scott) Morrison, was born near Dean's Mills, White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle coun- ty, Del., December 5, 1827.

The Morrison family is of Scotch-Irish descent and one of the oldest in White Clay Creek hundred. Samuel Morrison, grand- father of Samuel W. Morrison, was born in Ireland and engaged in farming there. He married in his native country, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century came to Ameri- ca, accompanied by his wife and several chil- dren and three of his brothers. His brothers went West, and trace of them was soon lost. Mr. Morrison and family lived in White Clay Creek hundred, Del., cultivating a large tract of land. Mr. Morrison remained there until his death. He was, in his political views, a follower of Thomas Jefferson. He married an Irish lady, and had children: I. Samuel 2; II. John; III. James; IV. William; V. Nancy; VI. Jane; VII. Elizabeth (Mrs. Douglass Morrison); VIII. Margaret (Mrs. Thomas Bell), of Norristown, Pa. The first

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three were born in Ireland, and all are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison died on their farm and were buried in the Presby- terian graveyard in White Clay Creek hun- dred. They were members of the Presby- terian church, in which Mrs. Morrison, who was much respected, was very active.

William Morrison, father of Samuel W. Morrison, was born in White Clay Creek hun- dred, in 1802. He attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood and although they offered mneagre facilities, obtained a good English education. For several years he occupied leased farms and when by dili- gent labor and economy he had accumulated sufficient money, he purchased the Smith tract, of 318 acres, in White Clay Creek hun- dred. He immediately began making exten- sive improvements upon his property, intro- ducing new scientific methods of cultivating the ground and erecting new buildings, includ- ing, after some years, two large brick dwell- ing houses. He continued on his farm until his death. His neighbors appreciated his in- telligent and progressive spirit and he was chosen by them road commissioner and filled a number of minor offices. He was a Demo- crat. William Morrison married, in 1821, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Ringland) Scott, born in 1793, in White Clay Creek hundred. They had chil- dren: I. Rachel, deceased; II. Samuel W .; III. Jane, single, residing on the homestead; IV. William A., farmer of Mill Clay Creek hundred; V. James, farmer, of White Clay Creek hundred. Mr. Morrison died February 14, 1883, and Mrs. Morrison in 1859; both were buried in the Presbyterian graveyard in White Clay Creek hundred. Mr. Morrison and his family were members of the Presby- terian church. Mrs. Morrison was highly es- teemed as a member of the church and of society.

Samuel W. Morrison was a pupil in sub- scription and public schools in White Clay Creek hundred. He spent the first twenty- nine years of his life on the farm with his father, and for the ensuing three years, lived on a leased farm near Ogleton. In 1861 he removed to a tract of 150 acres-a part of the homestead farm-and for the past thirty- seven years has cultivated it with success. He has been successfully engaged in stock- raising and in the dairy business. Mr. Morri-

son is genial in manner, and commands the respect of all who know him. He has served as assessor of his hundred and as school com- missioner. He is a Democrat.

In 1858, in White Clay Creek hundred, Samuel W. Morrison married Jeanette, daugh- ter of Robert and Elizabeth (Collins) Fergu- son. Mrs. Morrison was born in New Castle county. Her father was a native of Scotland and a wealthy farmer of Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison had one child, Elizabeth Jeanette. Mrs. Jeanette Morrison died in December, 1860, and was buried in White Clay Creek hundred. In 1867, at Spring Mills, Samuel W. Morrison married Mary J., daughter of Robert and Jane (Sample) Me- Coy and granddaughter of Nathaniel McCoy of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and one of the old- est settlers of Delaware. She was born in Stanton, Del. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have children: I. Fanny, died at the age of 11 years; II. William, manufacturer and farmer; III. Samuel B., farmer; IV. Ro- bert M., at home; V. J. Allen, at home. Mr. Morrison and family are members of the White Clay Creek Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Morrison has for twenty years been a trustee. Mrs. Morrison is a lady of affable manners, and has many friends.

REV. ANDREW K. RUSSELL, son of Andrew and Isabella Russell, was born near Warrior's Run, Northumberland county, Pa.

Mr. Russell graduated at Dickinson Col- lege in 1806, with the highest honors of his class, as valedictorian. For a time, he was professor of languages in Washington Col- lege, Pa., then under the presidency of Rev. Matthew Brown. During this time, he studied theology, and was licensed to preach the gospel, April 19, 1810, by the presbytery of Ohio. In the fall of 1811, Rev. Mr. Rus- sell removed to Newark, Del., where he took charge of the academy, at the same time preaching in the Presbyterian churches at Head of Christiana and White Clay Creek. Having received and accepted calls from those churches, he was ordained and installed as their pastor, at a meeting of presbytery held in Newark, April 8, 1812. On that oc- casion, the Rev. Thomas Read, D. D., pre- sided, the Rev. John E. Latta preached, and the Rev. Sammel Morton, D. D., gave the charges to pastor and people. For twenty-

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

eight years, until removed by death, Rev. An- drew K. Russell continued to be pastor of the two churches, and principal of the Newark Academy. In addition to his ministrations to the churches in the country, he preached fre- quently in Newark, either in the academy or in his own home. It was through his instru- mentality that the First Presbyterian church of Newark was organized, and its first house of worship erected. Not only did he contri- bute liberally to the fund for the erection of the building, but he also superintended the work.

Mr. Russell was a popular and successful teacher. Of his influence in the sphere of lit- erature and science, in at least this region of country, some idea may be formed when it is known that probably more than a thousand young men received from him an education in whole or in part, by which many of them have been qualified to discharge the duties of useful and honorable professions, or of other important stations in society. He was a warm friend of Newark College, and took a deep in- terest in its prosperity. A man of talents and of learning, of kind and genial disposition and pleasant manners, he secured the respect and esteem of the whole community.

Mr. Russell served in the academy until the spring of 1834, a period of more than twenty-two years. The following resolution was adopted by the trustees of Newark Acad- emy, May 8, 1834:

"Resolved, That in closing this institution preparatory to its amalgamation with the Newark College, this Board tender to the Rev. A. K. Russell, who for more than twenty- two years has officiated as Rector of the acad- emy, their thanks for his uniform, active and efficient discharge of his duties in conducting and superintending this institution; and that the sum of $250.00 be paid to him by the treasurer out of the interest of the funds of the academy, as it accrues and becomes due, as a testimonial of our estimation of his valuable services." This resolution speaks for itself. It is a volume in a sentence. It is the re- corded verdiet of men who knew Mr. Russell well,-his contemporaries,-and who were intimately associated with him in the manage- ment of the academy. It is clear that as an educator of youth, Mr. Russell was eminently successful; he lived to see many of his pupils distinguished in civil and commercial life. It

was during Mr. Russell's rectorship, and for the most part through his agency, in harmony with the efforts of the trustees, that plans were formed and matured and measures adopted for the establishment of Newark Col- lege, now Delaware College.

Rev. Mr. Russell's preaching was earnest and attractive, and he excelled in pastoral work. In person, he was tall and erect; his genial disposition, his polished and instruc- tive conversation, his Christian courtesy and liberal hospitality made his home a favorite resort, and the centre of an intelligent and re- fined circle. Having sustained for more than a quarter of a century the two-fold relation of pastor and teacher, he died, February 6, 1839, in the fifty-ninth year of his age and the twenty-ninth of his ministry. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of Head of Christiana church.

Rev. Andrew K. Russell was first married to Katherine, daughter of Col. William Whitely, of Caroline county, Md. His second wife was Ann, daughter of Arthur Whitely, of Dorchester county, Md., sister of the late General Robert Henry Kirkwood Whitely. Three children now survive him: I. Arthur W .; II. William II .; III. Mary Louisa, widow of the late Rev. Hugh Hamill, D. D.

Rev. Ilugh Hamill, D. D., who was for many years associated with his brother, Rev. Samuel M. Hamill, D. D., as principal of the high school at Lawrenceville, N. J., was a son of Robert Hamill, a prominent merchant of Norristown, Pa., a man of vigorous and un- questioned piety, an elder in the Presbyterian church, and a person of great influence in that community. He was descended from Seoteli- Irish ancestry, from that race so conspicuous in history for its hardihood, for its striet in- tegrity, its adherence to truth and its love of freedom. Dr. Hamill received his prepara- tory education at Norristown Academy; was graduated from Rutgers College in 1827; in the same year entered Princeton Theological Seminary, and left in April, 1830, afterwards spending some time at the Theological Semi- pary of New Haven, Con. Dr. Hamill's training in a home where from infancy he breathed the atmosphere of heaven, matured his Christian character at an early age, so that when fourteen years old he united, on profes- sion of his faith, with the First Presbyterian church of Norristown. In his father's house

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STATE OF DELAWARE

he had met many clergymen, and before he had completed his college course he had made up his mind to enter the ministry. His entire training having been in that direction, he came into the ministry thoroughly furnished for his work. He was licensed by the presby- tery of Philadelphia, and was ordained an evangelist at Buffalo, N. Y., in October, 1832, by the presbytery of Buffalo. He was stated supply at Black Rock, now the Breckenridge Street Church, Buffalo, N. Y., until Novem- ber, 1833; ke then began to preach at Elkton, Mld., and at Pencader church, in Delaware, where he was installed pastor by the New Cas- tle presbytery in 1834; after a highly success- tul pastorate, he was released in May, 1837. In that year, Rev. Dr. Hamill became con- nected with the high school at Lawrenceville, N. J.

As a preacher, Dr. Hamill's style was clear and methodical. Some of his sermons were models of terseness, conciseness and point. He was a close reasoner, but very rarely took part in presbyterial discussions. His analysis of Scripture was lucid, forcible and exhaustive. Ile preached with unetion, and the people heard him gladly. For thirty years he preach- ed on each alternate Sabbath to a youthful congregation, in the oratory of the high school at Lawrenceville. Both the teachers and the pupils who listened to him will remember his carnest and touching appeals to the conscience of those whose privilege it was to hear him. Dr. Hamill was modest and retiring, shrink- ing from the public gaze, yet decided in his convictions, and of firm and consistent will. Hle made warm friends wherever he went. In his early ministry at Black Rock, in his pastor- ate at Elkton, in his career as an instructor at Lawrenceville, in his residence at Newark, in lis intercourse with his brethren, he com- manded the respect and confidence of all who I new him. He thought much, read much, re- membered much, and became in himself a storhouse of knowledge and wisdom from which it was a privilege to draw. His Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

A number of the gentlemen who were assist- ant teachers at the high school, during the period of Dr. Hamill's residence at Lawrence- ville subsequently entered the ministry. Sev- cral of them availed themselves of his instruc- tions in their preparation for the Theological

Seminary, and some, while teaching, pursued their whole course of theological training un- der his direction. Among the latter was the late Rev. Dr. Cyrus Dickson, the able Seere- tary and eloquent advocate of Home Missions, who was a teacher at the high school in the years 1838, '39, and '40, and who so soon fol- lowed his friend and instructor to their heav- only home.

Rev. Hugh Hamill, D. D., was married at Newark, Del., June 5, 1872, to Mary Louise, daughter of Rev. Andrew K. Russell, then de- ceased. Mrs. Hamill survives her husband. In the spring of 1872, he took up his resi- dence at Newark, Del., and spent the remain- ing years of his life in study, holding himself ready to preach as his brethren called upon him. He died at Newark, August 1, 1881, of malarial fever, after about six weeks of illness, exhibiting to the last a most trustful and submissive spirit. His life was pure, no- ble and useful. He was laid to rest in the old churchyard at Head of Christiana church.

THOMAS MORRISON, 2, P. O. Chris- tiana, Del., son of Thomas and Jane (Dunlap) Morrison, was born in Woodstown, Salem county, N. J., October 3, 1848.

The Morrison family is of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Thomas Morrison, father of Thomas Morrison, 2, was born in County Derry, Ire- land, in 1814, and engaged in farming there until 1840, when he came to the United States in a sailing vessel, accompanied by his young bride. He landed in Philadelphia and went thence to New Jersey, where his sister and brother-in-law resided. For nineteen years he remained there tilling the soil, and in 1859 crossed the Delaware and settled in White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del. Several years later he removed to New Castle hundred, and leased the Simp- son and Gould tract of land, which he culti- vated until his death. He was a stanch Dem- cerat, and not an office-seeker. Thomas Mor- rison was married, in County Down, Ireland, to Jane Dunlap, of Scotch-Irish extraction. They had children: I. Eliza Jane (Mrs. Thomas Hill), of Mill Creek hundred; II. Emeline (Mrs. John Elliott), deceased; III. John, died young; IV. Thomas, 2; V. Anna (Mrs. James Lee), of White Clay Creek hun- dred. Mr. Morrison died in 1885; Mrs. Mor- rison died in 1586; they attended the Presby-

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terian church, and both were buried in the Christiana Presbyterian churchyard.

Thomas Morrison, 2, was partly educated in the public schools of Salem county, N. J. When he was eleven years old his father re- moved to Delaware and he completed his studies in White Clay Creek hundred. He remained with his father as overseer of the farms his father occupied until the death of that gentleman in 1885. Then he took up car- pentry and has continued in that trade. Mr. Morrison did not serve the usual apprentice- ship as a carpenter, but his natural mechanical skill, and the work he had done on the build- ings and implements of the farm gave him the necessary training and experience, and he has had a successful career in his trade. For the past twenty-five years he has lived in Chris- tiana, where he owns a comfortable home. In 1894, he was elected a road commissioner, and is still (1898) serving his four years' term. Hle is an efficient overseer and a quiet unas- suming man of domestic tastes. He is an un- swerving Democrat.

On December 20, 1870, in Chester, Pa., Thomas Morrison, 2, was married to Jennie, daughter of the late Thomas and Sarah Jane (Pritchard) Reece. Mrs. Morrison was born in Newark, Del. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother was born in New Castle county, Del. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have one child, Jane Dunlap (Jennie) married to Thomas Appleby, son of Richard Appleby, a well-known citizen of New Castle hundred. Mr. and Mrs. Appleby have two children: 1. Edna; II. Richard. Mrs. Morrison is a wo- man of pleasant disposition and delights in the society of her friends. She has been for twenty-five years a dress-maker in Christiana. The family attend the services of the Presby- terian church.

EBEN BOYD FRAZER, Newark, Del., son of James and Emily ( Davis) Frazer, was born in District No. 3, Cecil county, Md., No- vember 25, 1853.

The grandfather of Eben Boyd Frazer was James Frazer, who was born about 1745 in County Armagh, in the north of Ireland. Ile remained in his native land until he was forty years of age, and then came to America, and settled near New Castle, Del. There he was engaged in farming until his death. He mar- ried Sarah Barr, who was born in Delaware, of

Irish parentage. Their children were: I. William, married Elmira Stidham, diod in his eighty-seventh year, had three children, one of them is dead; II. Samuel, married Emeline MeRoy, died at the age of ninety-three, had ten children, soven of whom are deceased; III. Mary ( Mrs. Ebenezer Boyd), died at Ox- ford, P'a., at the age of eighty-tive; IV. John, married Injuber Stidham, died at the age of eighty-one, had ten children, six of whom are deceased; V. Jane ( Mrs. Joshua Jackson), died near Elkton, Md., in her seventy-sixth year, had five children, of whom three are de- ceased; Joshua Jackson died in his eighty- seventh year; VI. James, 2; VII. Thomas, married Emily , died aged eighty- one. All the children were born in New Cas- tle county, and those deceased, with the ex- ception of James, 2, and his wife Emily, were buried in the Glasgow Presbyterian church- yard. James Frazer died in New Castle county in his eighty-ninth year; his wife died in her eighty-fourth year.

James Frazer, 2, father of Eben Boyd Frazer, was born in New Castle hundred, New Castle county. Ile received a good common school education. In his youth he assisted his father on the farm. Afterward he purchased a tract of land in Pencader hundred and made on it many improvements. Several years later be disposed of it, and bought a farm of 400 acres in District No. 3, Cecil county, Md., which he greatly improved. There he lived until 1870, and then retired from farming. He sold his land, and erected a residence for his own occupancy in Elkton, Md., where he resided for ten years. Mr. Frazer was to a great extent a self-educated man. He was a careful reader, and informed himself on all the topics of the day. Especially was he in- terested in education; believing that the best citizens were those who comprehended the meaning and the responsibilities of citizen- ship, he was an earnest advocate of the early instruction of the youth of his country. At his own expense and on his own land, he built a school house and presented it to the county. The authorities accepted the gift and sessions of school were held in it for many years. Mr. Frazer was an uncompromising Democrat, and gave his party his hearty sup- port, but he was never an office seeker.

James Frazer, 2, married Emily Davis, who was of Welsh descent. They had children:

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STATE OF DELAWARE

I. Samuel, farmer, of District No. 1, Cecil county, Md .; II. John, merchant tailor of Elkton, Md .; III. James, M. D., of Baltimore, graduate of the University of Pennsylvania; IV. Frank, died in 1869; V. Robert B., drug- gist, of Elkton, Md .; VI. Mary (Mrs. P. HI. Cleaver), of Elkton; VII. Jennie, married U. S. Evans, district attorney of Cecil county, Md .; VIII. Eben Boyd; IX. Emily (Mrs. George A. Black), died in Elkton. James Frazer died in Elkton in 18 -; Mrs. Frazer died in 1896; both were buried in Elkton cem- etery. Mrs. Frazer was a devoted wife and mother, and a faithful member of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Frazer was an elder in the same church for thirty years, and was ac- tive in congregational work.

Eben Boyd Frazer was educated at his home by a tutor and afterwards studied in Elk- ton Academy under Professor A. S. Waughn. When his term in the academy was ended, he entered the drug store of his brother, Robert B. Frazer, in Elkton, and spent two years there in acquiring a knowledge of pharmaceutical matters. Then he was a clerk for George M. Anderson, druggist, of Port Deposit, Md., for two years. In 1874 he established his own pharmacy in Port Deposit, and built up a good business during the fourteen years he remain- ed in that town. In 1888 he sold his store and came to Newark, and here purchased the phar- maey of Balton Smith and has conducted it very successfully for the past ten years. He is a skilled druggist, genial and respected. Mr. Frazer is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 53, F. & A. M., of Elkton, Md., and see- retary and junior warden of the lodge; mem- ber of Osceola Lodge, K. of P., of Newark; and of Minnehaha Tribe, No. - , I. O. R. M., of Newark. For the past six years he has served as a member of the town council, elected to that body by the Democratic party, in which he is an enthusiastic and active worker.

In 1881, in Port Deposit, Md., Eben Boyd Frazer was married to Helen, daughter of Colonel John Heckart, born in Port Deposit. Their children are: I. Joseph Heckart, at school; II. James Stanley, at school; TII. Eben Malcolm; IV. a child who died in in- fancy. Mr. Frazer and his wife are mem- Lers of the Presbyterian church.

SOLOMON MINOT CURTIS, Newark, Del., son of Solomon and Hannah (Wiswell)

Curtis, was born in Newton, Mass., December 9,1818.

The Curtis family is of English descent. More than two hundred years ago, the ances- tors of Solomon Curtis settled in New Eng- land, and their descendants have always had high standing in business and manufacturing circles there and elsewhere.

Solomon Curtis, father of Solomon Minot Curtis, was born near Northampton, Mass., November 3, 1766. There he was educated and learned paper making, quickly acquiring a knowledge of the trade in all its branches and showing himself to be possessed of great energy and business capability. He removed to Newton, Mass., and erected a paper mill in that place, which he conducted very profitably until his death. Mr. Curtis contributed much to the advancement of the paper trade, in the way of improvements and of economy in man- ufacture. He was enterprising and progres- sive, and at his death was one of the leading manufacturers in the country. He was a Fed- eralist in politics.

Solomon Curtis was married, in Newton, to Esther, daughter of Jeremiah Wiswell, a farmer of Newton. Mrs. Curtis was born in that place, August 15, 1769. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis had children: I. Allen C., born No- vember 19, 1789, succeeded his father in pa- per manufacturing in Newton, died Septem- ber 12, 1871; II. Eliza, born October 8, 1791, married Leonard Walker, shoe manufacturer of Hopkinton, Mass .; III. William B., born August 13, 1794, died September 5, 1880, was partner in business with his brother, Al- len C. Curtis; IV. Warren, born September 25, 1796, died in 1803; V. Edward, born July 8, 1798, died September 8, 1845, was a manufacturer of newspaper in New York City; VI. Hester, born June 10, 1800, died August 29, 1802. Mrs. Esther Curtis died in .Newton, June 16, 1801, and was buried in the P. E. churchyard. Solomon Curtis married, in February, 1802, his second wife, Hannah Wiswell, born in Newton, December 18, 1779, and sister of his first wife. They had chil- dren: I. Hester, born December 9, 1802, died February, 1854; II. Warren, born July 24, 1804, died November 24, 1896, paper manu- facturer of Belleville, N. J .; III. Melville, born April 25, 1806, died December 26, 1858, partner of his brother, War- ren Curtis, in Belleville; IV. Martha, born October 14, 1808, died January

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 109

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