Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 110

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 110

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

2, 1831; V. George B., born October 10, 1810, died July 2, 1839, first business asso- ciate of Solomon Minot Curtis in Newark, Del .; VI. Frederick Augustus, born August 21, 1812, died in Newark, November 4, 1884, partner of Solomon Minot Curtis and father of the present firm of Curtis & Brother, paper manufacturers of Newark; VII. Walter C., born October 7, 1814, died June 12, 1843; VIII. Hannah M., born September 4, 1816, married February 3, 1846, to Peter Harwood, of Barre, Mass., died September 7, 1849; IX. Solomon Minot. Mr. Curtis died in Newton, May 19, 1818; Mrs. Curtis died April 16, 1838; both were buried in the P. E. church- yard of Newton. They were members of the I. E. church, of which Mr. Curtis was senior warden, for a number of years. Mrs. Curtis was very active in parish work, and was a most estimable lady.

Of the large family of children of Solomon Curtis only one, Solomon Minot, is now living. His nine sons became paper manufacturers and successful business men, a record demnon- strative of ability and integrity that has rarely been equalled. All of them were Old Line Whigs, and in 1840 the nine brothers east their ballots together for General William Henry Harrison for president.

Solomon Minot Curtis, who was born six months after his father's death, attended the public schools of Newton, Mass., and the then well-known Seth Davis Academy. When he was twelve years old, he became an employee of his brothers, Allen C. and William, in their paper mill. His wages were $1.50 per day and these he regularly gave to his mother until her death, when he was twenty years old. Ile acquired a practical knowledge of every branch of paper making, and in 1843 was made manager of the mills of William Hurd, a paper manufacturer of Newton, who after- ward became his father-in-law. In 1845 Mr .. Curtis went to New Hampshire for a short time and then to New York, to oversee the mill of his brother Edward.

In 1848 Mr. Curtis and his brother George, came to Newark and purchased a paper mill. They had a capital of $3,000, which they quickly exhausted. They made extensive im- provements upon the plant, and began oper- ating it with a debt of $30,000. The firm name was Curtis & Brother. In 1850, Fred- erick Augustus Curtis purchased the interest of George Curtis, and with Solomon

Minot Curtis, conducted the business until his death in 1884. During these thirty-four years, Curtis & Brother built up an extensive and profitable trade. After the death of his brother, Solomon Minot Curtis retired from active business, and the mills are now con- ducted by the sons of Frederick Augustus Curtis.

Solomon Minot Curtis has been very suc- cessful, because he forced success from his un- dertakings. He is in great part a self-made man, masterful and astute. He has always commanded the esteem of his fellowmen by his intelligence, industry and rectitude. In 1861 he was elected a member of the state legislature for one term; he has been a stock- holder and director of the National Bank of Newark for twenty-five years, and its vice- president for the past eight years; is a stock- holder and director of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Assurance Company of Wilmington ; director of the Equitable Guarantee and Trust Company of Wilmington; trustee of Delaware College, appointed in 1868 by the original board; trustee of the P. E. Divinity School of Philadelphia. Mr. Curtis, as will be observed, takes great interest in educational matters, and the institutions with which he is connected have profited much by his advice and material assistance. Mr. Curtis has trav- cled extensively, has made a number of trips to Europe, and journeyed across the United States five times. He is a consistent supporter of the Republican party.

On September 5th, 1844, in Newton, Mass., Solomon Minot Curtis married Adeline II., daughter of William Hurd, deceased, once a paper manufacturer of Newton. Mrs. Curtis was born in 1824. Their children are: I. Ed- ward M., born November 5, 1845, died Octo- ber 23, 1888, was a druggist of Boston; II. Sarah II., born March 27, 1850, married Allyn Brewer, merchant, of Merchantville, N. J., has one child, Minot C .; III. Walter C., born June 22, 1855, at home. Mrs. Curtis is a lady of much refinement and culture. She and Mr. Curtis are members of the P. E. church of Newark. Mr. Curtis has been sen- ior warden of the church for forty years, was a Sunday school teacher in his earlier years, and has been secretary of the Episcopal con- ventions for the past thirty-nine years.

ROBERT J. MORRISON, P. O. Ogleton, Del., son of Charles A. and Sarah Ruth

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(Cling) Morrison, was born at Elkdale, Ches- ter county, Pa., September 8, 1842.

John Morrison, grandfather of Robert J. Morrison, was born in White Clay Creek hun- dred, New Castle county, and while young served an apprenticeship as a hatter. He fol- lowed that trade throughout his life in Dela- ware and Philadelphia. He was a Democrat. John Morrison married Margaret, daughter of William Armstrong, of Newark. Mr. Arm- strong was a well-known citizen of Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison had children: I. Ann (Mrs. Dr. G. E. Armstrong), of New London, Chester county, Pa .; II. Charles A .; III. Jane (Mrs. James Connors), widow, of Phila- delphia. Mr. Morrison died in Philadelphia and was buried there; Mrs. Morrison died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Arm- strong, in New London; she was interred in the White Clay Creek graveyard.

Charles A. Morrison, father of Robert J. Morrison, was born in Newark, Del., August 12, 1812. He attended the public schools of Wilmington, to which city he removed with his parents when he was five years old. There he learned tailoring with William Ford, for whom he worked four years, and then finished his trade in Philadelphia. Returning to Wil- mington, he was employed as a journeyman and for several years conducted a tailoring es- tablishment on his own account, after which he went to Elkdale, Chester county, Pa., and for seventeen years was a successful mer- chant tailor in that place. Mr. Morrison then came to White Clay Creek hundred, and pur- chased the farm of 106 acres on which he now resides, and on which he raises the usual farm produce, including large quantities of market vegetables. Until the Civil war, Mr. Arm- strong was a Democrat, but since then he has been a Republican. In 1837, in Wilmington, Charles A. Morrison married Sarah Cling, born in Christiana hundred. They had one child, Robert J. Mrs. Sarah Morrison died at Elkdale, Chester county, Pa., and was bur- ied at New London, Pa. Mr. Morrison mar- ried as his second wife, Rachel, daughter of Major William Armstrong. Their children are: I. Anna (Mrs. Charles Stewart); II. James A. Mrs. Rachel Morrison died in 1864, and was buried in St. James P. E. churchyard. Mr. Morrison is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Robert J. Morrison attended public and subscription schools in Chester county, the

New London Academy, under Professor James B. McDowell, and Newark (Del.) Academy, under Professor Weston. Until he was twenty-five years old he assisted his father on his farm in New Castle county, Del., and then superintended the cultivation of the property for four years. Afterward he leased the Armstrong farm for three years, and in 1874 purchased from Robert Ferguson a tract of 140 acres near Ogleton. There he has lived for the past twenty-four years, farm- ing his productive land and breeding swift trotting horses. Mr. Morrison has always had a fondness for good horses, and in 1876 began the development of a stock farm which is widely known and celebrated for the excel- lence of the horses bred there. He has raced his horses in all sections of the country, and they have participated in contests of speed on nearly all the best trotting tracks. Mr. Morri- son began his stable and racing string with the trotter May, record 2:25 1-2. He has since raised Ida May, record 2:49 1-4; Mayflower, 2:42, May Bell 2:36 1-4; Ora May, Sadie May and May B. Ile bred also the well-known stallion, Christiana. He has won many purses in his racing engagements and his horses and colts always command high prices at sales. Mr. Morrison is popular and esteemed. He has been assessor and road commissioner in Penca- der hundred, and in 1896 was candidate on the Republican ticket for election to the Levy Court. He is a Republican, differing in his political views from every Morrison in the state, except his father. His first vote was for Lincoln for president in 1864, and his ballot has been cast for Republican candidates ever since.

On December 21, 1869, in Philadelphia, Robert J. Morrison was married to Anna J., daughter of Robert Armstrong and grand- daughter of Major William Armstrong, of White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county. Mrs. Morrison was born in White Clay Creek hundred. Mr. Morrison is a men- ber of the Presbyterian church; Mrs. Morri- son of the P. E. church.

Robert J. Morrison has not had children of his own, but has an adopted son, William R. Lyman, a nephew of Mrs. Morrison and son of the late Lewis C. Lyman, who was a well- known young farmer of White Clay Creek Hundred. Lewis C. Lyman was born in that hundred in 1850, a son of William R. Lyman, who was sheriff of New Castle county. He at-

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tended the public schools of his neighborhood, and remained with his father until his untime- ly death. He was engaged in farming for a number of years. On February 29, 1872, in New Castle, Lewis C. Lyman was married to Naomi, daughter of Robert Armstrong, and sister of Mrs. Robert J. Morrison. They had one child, William R. Mr. Lyman died in 1875, and was buried in the family plot in St. James P. E. churchyard at Stanton. His widow and son reside with Mr. Morrison, who has adopted the latter.

JOHN SINGER, Ogleton, New Castle county, Del., son of Michael Singer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 15, 1826.

Michael Singer, also a native of Bavaria, was a shepherd. His children are: I. Fred- erick; II. Casper; III. Magdalena; IV. Bal- thazar, butcher, emigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia, Pa .; V. John; VI. Catherine. Mr. Singer and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Both died in Bavaria.

John Singer received a good education in his native land, and according to the custom of the country, followed his father's occupa- tion. But this peaceful life had no attraction for the restless, ambitious youth. Eager to improve his fortunes, and to see the strange new land of which he had heard and read, he followed his brother's example and left his native country, never to return. In 1857, bidding farewell to parents, home and friends, he took passage at Bremen, Germany, on the sailing vessel Lucy, bound for America, and after thirty-five days of tossing and buffeting on the stormy Atlantic, landed in New York harbor. With empty pockets, but a stout heart and,skilful, willing hands, he worked his way from New York to Philadelphia, where he spent three weeks with his brother Bal- thazar. While in Philadelphia, Mr. Singer was married to Mary Barbara Schester, his countrywoman, who also had made the voy- age to America in the Lucy. After their mar- riage Mr. Singer and his bride settled in White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle coun- ty, where he was employed as a day laborer on the farm of John McCoy, father of Hon. W. B. McCoy, of Delaware. Mr. Singer received cleven dollars per month for the first year, and for the second twelve dollars per month. The young couple were frugal and industrious, and by working as laborers until 1867, they saved

money enough to enable them to rent a small farm, on which Mr. Singer began business as a market gardener. In 1869 Mr. Singer pur- chased his present home, a farm of 53 acres, known as the Batton place. The price of the farm was $3,100.

Mr. Singer's assets were one hundred dol- lars, frugal, industrious habits, sound health and indomitable energy. For thirty-five years he has been cultivating this farm, and has not only paid every dollar of debt, but after mak- ing many improvements, building a comforta- ble dwelling, barn and out buildings, has added acre after acre until he is the owner of SO acres of fertile land, well-tilled and in ex- cellent order. During the war of the Rebel- lion, Mr. Singer enlisted at Wilmington, in September, 1862, in Company H, Third Mary- land Cavalry, Colonel Kirby, Captain Coul- field, and served his adopted country for three years and one month. He took part in the Seven Days battle, in which he received a sword wound in the right arm, and in a num- ber of minor engagements. He was honorably discharged at Vicksburg, Miss., in September, 1865. While in the army, Mr. Singer did not spend a single day in the hospital, but he is now suffering from the effects of the hardships which he then endured. Mr. Singer was at first a Republican, afterwards a Democrat and following his convictions, has again be- come an active worker in the Republican ranks. Kind-hearted and generous, he has a large circle of friends, and is esteemed and honored in the community for his integrity and business ability. The children of John and Mary B. (Schester) Singer are: I. Henry; II. John B., died in youth; III. George, died in youth. Mr. Singer, his wife and family, are members of the M. E. church. Mrs. Singer is a beneficent Christian woman, active iu all good works.

Henry B. Singer was born in White Clay Creek hundred, in 1858. He was educated in public schools of the district, and has spent his whole life on the home farm with his parents. Like his father, he is a member of the Repub- lican party. Henry Singer was married in July, 1879, to Mary Guthrie, a native of New Castle county. Their children are: I. Bertha B., an efficient teacher in White Clay Creek hundred; II. William; III. Joseph; IV. George, died in infancy. Mr. Henry Singer and his wife are devout members of the M. E. church.

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JOHN H. MARVEL, 2, Stanton, Del., son of John H. and Sarah (Miller) Marvel, was born in Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del., March 22, 1859.

Charles Marvel, grandfather of John II. Marvel, was born in Chester county, Pa., and was of Scotch descent. He spent his entire life in Chester county as a farm laborer. IIo was an industrious, honest man. In politics he was a Federalist, and afterward a Whig. Charles Marvel was married, in Chester coun- ty, to Leah -; they had children: I. John II .; II. Deborah (Mrs. Thomas Brown), of Wilmington, widow; III. Charles, of Ohio; IV. Rebecca (Mrs. James Johnson), de- ceased; V. James, of Maryland; VI. Erastus S., of Philadelphia. Three children died young. Mr. Marvel died in Chester county and was buried in the West Hampton Baptist churchyard. Mrs. Marvel died in Wilming- ton and was buried in Asbury churchyard. She was a member of the Baptist church.

John H. Marvel was born in Chester coun- ty, Pa., September 19, 1830. IIe entered the public schools of the neighborhood, but ob- tained only a limited education, as it was nec- essary for him early in life to earn his own support. He began as a laborer for the farm- ers in Chester county, and after a time was able to lease a farin. He continued farming as a tenant in Chester county for eleven years, and then removed to Philadelphia. In that city he began shoe-making. Although he had never served an apprenticeship at the trade, he quickly developed into a skilled workman. From Philadelphia he went to Wilmington, Del., two years later to Brandywine hundred, and two years afterward, in 1864, he came to Stanton. In each of these places he worked at his self-taught trade, and in Stanton he added that of masonry, which he acquired as he did shoe-making. For the past thirty-four years he has followed both occupations in Stanton. He is well-known and respected here. He is sexton of the Presbyterian church, a member of Diamond Lodge, No. 16, K. of P., of Marshallton, Del., and a Republican in his political views. John H. Marvel was married in Reading, Pa., in 1855, to Sarah Miller, born in Berks county, Pa., and of German de- scent. They had children: I. Anna (Mrs. Moses Jerrell), deceased; II. Mary Emma, died young; III. John IT., 2; IV. Jennie (Mrs. Clinton Steel), of Mill Creek hundred; V. Ulysses G., employed in Kiamensi Woolen

Mills, married Ella R. Megargee, of Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del .; VI. Frederick L., employed in the woolen mills, married Mary Radcliff. Mrs. Marvel died in Stanton in 1871, and was buried in the M. E. graveyard at Newport, Del. She was a good woman, and had many friends.

John HI. Marvel, 2, attended the public schools of Stanton until ho was thirteen years old. Then he started to work at Dean & Pilling's woolen mills in Stanton. His wages were fifty cents per day. After several years there he removed to the Kiamensi mills in Mill Creek hundred. He was employed there in the carding department until 1888, when he was appointed assistant superintendent of the branch mill in Stanton. Here he has spent the past ten years, giving satisfaction to his employers by his zealous and intelligent dis- charge of his duties and holding the esteem of bis subordinates by his firm treatment of them. Mr. Marvel is a Republican but does not take an active part in politics.

John H. Marvel, 2, was married in 1880, in Christiana, Del., to Ella Zebley. Mrs. Marvel was born in Wilmington. They had children: I. Frank, employed in woolen mill; II. William; III. John; IV. Anna; V. Laura; VI. Jennie; VII. Ella. The members of the family of Mr. Marvel attend the Presbyterian church.

JOIIN N. BARLOW, Stanton, Del., son of Nicholas and Lydia (Lane) Barlow, was born in Hohnesburg, Philadelphia county, Pa., October 11, 1848.

Nicholas Barlow, father of John N. Bar- low, was born in Appoquinimink hundred, New Castle county, Del., and received a good English education in the district schools. He learned milling, and after he had acquired his trade, removed to Pittsburg, Pa., where he obtained a position as lock-tender on the canal of the Pennsylvania company. After- wards he came east with his family, and settled in Holmesburg, Philadelphia county. Hle fol- lowed his trade there until his death. He was a well-informed man and a diligent Bible stu- dent. Politically, he was a Democrat. Nich- olas Barlow married Lydia Lane, born in Ap- poquinimink hundred. Her father was killed in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow had children: I. Mary ( Mrs. Charles Jack- son), of Chester county, Pa .; II. Lydia (Mrs. Levi Travis), died in Steward, Ill .; III.

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Maria, married Jacob Thomas, who was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864; IV. George, died during the Civil War, was a member of the Fourth Regiment, Delaware Volunteer Infantry; V. Charles, died in Salisbury prison, N. C., was a member of the Fourth Regiment, Delaware Volunteer Infan- try; VI. Louise (Mrs. Henry Rumer), of White Clay Creek hundred; VII. John N .; VIII. Emma (Mrs. Samuel Jones), of Wil- mington, Del. Five children died young. Nicholas Barlow died in Holmesburg, in 1854, and was buried in the M. E. cemetery of that place. He was an active member of the M. E. church. Mrs. Barlow died in Phil- adelphia, in 1889, and was buried in Bustleton cemetery. She was an honored member of the M. E. church, and a good wife and mother. John N. Barlow attended the public schools of White Clay Creek hundred for a short time. When he was eight years old he began working on a farm, and continued it for several years. Then he went to Philadelphia, and was employed in a butcher shop for twelve months. For the next two years, he was en- gaged at Frankford arsenal, and in 1864 he secured a position in the iron-rolling mills at Marshallton, Del., which he held for a year. Then he obtained employment in the Kia- mensi woolen mills in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, operated by Dean & Pil- ling. In 1875 he was placed in charge of the spinning department of the Kiamensi woolen mills at Stanton. For the past twenty-three years he has been a very capable foreman, giv- ing satisfaction to his employers, and winning the esteem of the men in his department. Mr. Barlow is a member of - Lodge No. 26, F. & A. M., of Newport, Del., of Diamond Lodge, No. 16, K. of P., of Marshallton, Del .; and of a lodge of the A. O. U. W., at New- port. He is a Republican, but has never sought office.

John N. Barlow was married in 1871, at Kiamensi, Mill Creek hundred, to Eliza J., daughter of Joshua Simpers, a well-known citizen of Stanton. Their children are: I. Charles, weaver in woolen mill, married Eva Guthrie; II. Sadie, at home; III. John, em- played in Stanton woolen mills; IV. George; V. Joseph; VI. Gertrude. Mr. Barlow and family attend the M. E. church.

AARON BAKER, P. O. M.Clellands- ville, New Castle county, Del., was born in

Edgemont township, Delaware county, Pa., February 13, 1817.

Aaron Baker is a descendant of one of the oldest and most honorable families of Dela- ware county, Pa. He was educated in the subscription schools of his native township, and remained on the home farm, assisting with the work and learning the principles of hus- bandry, until he was twenty-one. In 1839, Mr. Baker began farming on shares for his uncle, Israel Vogdes. Four years afterwards he removed to Chester county, Pa., where he dealt in live stock, traveling through the county and shipping to the eastern markets. In 1849 Mr. Baker removed to Delaware, and purchased his present home, the Vogdes farm, then consisting of 110 acres of unimproved land situated near MeClellandsville, White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county. For more than fifty years Mr. Baker has been cul- tivating this land. With unremitting indus- try, he has toiled early and late, clearing and tilling the land, until by patient labor he has turned a barren waste into fertile fields. Be- sides enriching the land, Mr. Baker has im- proved his property by erecting a comfortable dwelling with a barn and out buildings, and by planting orchards of peach and other fruit trees. Ile not only harvests large crops of grain, but is particularly successful in raising fine cattle and choice fruits. Mr. Baker is a Republican, a life long worker in the ranks. He cast his first vote for W. H. Harrison in 1840, and his last for William McKinley. He has never sought political honors, but has served for some time on the board of school commissioners. Mr. Baker's industry and in- tegrity have won the respect and confidence of the community. For many years he has been one of the directors of the National Bank of Newark, Del. He is interested in all the af- fairs of the district, anxious to promote its ag- ricultural interests, and is a member of Grange No. 5, P. of H.

Aaron Baker was married in Philadelphia, Pa., to Sarah Ann, daughter of Thomas James, a well-known citizen of Chester county, Pa., where his daughter, Mrs. Baker, was born. Their children are: I. Wellington, died in youth; II. Francis L., machinist, Wil- mington, Del., attended the public schools of Chester county, and completed his course at Delaware College; III. Sarah L. (Mrs. Elias P. Crossan), of White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del. Mrs. Baker died at

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her home in New Castle county, Del., in Feb- ruary, 1891; she is buried at the Head of Christiana church cemetery. Mr. Baker was early instructed in the peaceful doctrines of the Society of Friends; he is kindhearted, ben- evolent, and liberal in his views upon religious subjects.

ROBERT ARMSTRONG, P. O. Christi- ana, New Castle county, Del., son of Robert and Mary (Price) Armstrong, was born in White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del., March 31, 1832.

William Armstrong, grandfather of Robert Armstrong, was a descendant of one of the old Swedish families who were the earliest set- tlers of Delaware. He owned and cultivated a tract of land in Christiana hundred, New Castle county. During the struggle for inde- pendence, William Armstrong shouldered his musket, and shared the hardships and tri- umphs of the Continental army. He was a brave soldier, and as the reward of valor, was promoted step by step until, at the end of the war, he was Major Armstrong, a title by which he was always called. He devoted his attention to husbandry, and spent his whole life on his farm, improving the land and erect- ing suitable buildings. Mr. Armstrong was a Whig, interested in the welfare and progress of the district, and highly esteemed by his fel- low-citizens for his industry and integrity. The children of William Armstrong and his wife, Ann Armstrong, are: I. Robert; II. Poulson; III. William; IV. James; V. George D .; VI. Evelina (Mrs. Thomas Lyman); VII. Ann; VIII. Rachel (Mrs. Charles Morrison), of Pencader hundred, New Castle county. Mr. Armstrong and his wife were members of St. James Episcopal church. He died at his home in Christiana hundred, and is buried in the cemetery adjoining St. James' church. He was a kind, devoted husband and father. Ilis widow also died on the homestead, and is buried beside her husband.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 110

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