Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 111

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 111

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Mr. Armstrong's father, Robert Arm- strong, was born on the homestead in Christi- ana hundred, in 1806. Ile received a good English education in the public schools of his hundred, and being a thoughtful, intelligent youth, continued to improve his mind by read- ing and study at home. He spent his life in the cultivation of the soil; but although he was a progressive, scientific farmer, he did not

confine his attention to agricultural subjects; he was a thoughtful observer of current events, and an interesting talker on the topics of the day. Mr. Armstrong remained at home assisting his father on the homestead until he attained his majority, when he began farming for himself, renting the Caine pro- perty in White C'lay Creek hundred, New Castle county. After cultivating this land for eighteen years he removed to the Wilson farm near Newark, Del., where he remained for four years. Industry and frugality had enabled Mr. Armstrong to accumulate suffi- cient capital to purchase a homestead. Ile therefore bought 150 acres of the Spradley tract, in Pencader hundred, New Castle coun- ty, paying fifty dollars per acre. He imme- diately began improving and beautifying this property. Mr. Armstrong spent the re- mainder of his life on this farm, and by his in- telligent, liberal management greatly increas- ed its value. He was very successful, not only in general farming, but in raising fine cattle. Mr. Armstrong was a Whig, and afterwards a Republican, but since the war of the Rebel- lion, and the subsequent legislation establish- ing equal rights of suffrage for the races, he has voted the Democratic ticket. Robert Armstrong was married in Christiana hun- dred to Mary, daughter of Spencer Price, a citizen of Christiana hundred, where Mrs. Armstrong was born. Their children are: I. William, died in early manhood; II. Ro- bert; III. Spencer, died in the prime of life; IV. Ann Elizabeth, died in youth; V. Mary (Mrs. Joseph Brooks); VI. Adeline (Mrs. William Coverdale), of Wilmington, Del .; VII. Anna Julia (Mrs. Robert II. Morrison), of White Clay Creek hundred; VIII. Naomi (Mrs. Lewis Lynman); IX. A child who died in infancy. Mr. Armstrong and his wife were members of St. James Episcopal church, in which he was a warden for many years. He died at his home in White Clay Creek hun- dred, in 1878, and is buried in the cemetery adjoining St. James' church. His widow died at the homestead in 1864, and is interred in the family burial place in St. James' ceme- tery. She was a devout Christian, and an ac- tive, efficient worker in the church.

Robert Armstrong attended the public schools of White Clay Creek hundred, and completed his scholastic studies at Newark Academy, under Professor Polk. He re-

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mained at home until he was twenty-seven, assisting his father in the cultivation of the homestead, and acquiring a thorough practi- cal knowledge of the principles of husbandry, and a taste for the quiet pleasure of rural life. In 1859 Mr. Armstrong began farming for himself, renting the Wilson property, a farm of 180 acres of arable land situated near Newark, Del. After cultivating this place for some years he removed to Pencader hun- dred, New Castle county, and for two years rented the Bradley farm. In 1865 Mr. Arm- strong purchased his present home, formerly known as the Seckler farm, consisting of 155 acres of fertile land, situated in White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county. Mr. Armstrong is not only a successful, but a scientific and progressive farmer. He has greatly improved his property, erecting build- ings, planting orchards and establishing a dairy whose products command the highest prices. Mr. Armstrong's well-tilled fields yield abundant crops of grain, while his cattle are of the best breeds and in excellent condi- tion. He also pays particular attention to market gardening, attending market and him- self disposing of the products of his farm, dairy and orchard. Like his father he was a Whig, but was opposed to equal suffrage rights, and has since the war of the Rebel- lion, identified himself with the Democratic party. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his in- telligence and business ability, have called him to serve as road commissioner for six years and as school commissioner for nine years. Mr. Armstrong's genial, friendly man- ner makes him a general favorite, while his industry and integrity have won the respect and confidence of the community.

Robert Armstrong was married in White Clay ('reek hundred, in 1861, to Jane, daugh- ter of Captain William Brooks, of New Cas- tle county. Mrs. Armstrong was born in New Castle. Their children are: I. Marga- ret, married B. A. Groves, an employee of the Kiamensi Woolen Mills, Mill Creek hun- dred, New Castle county; IT. William, died aged seventeen; III. Annie May (Mrs. John Taylor), of New Castle hundred; IV. Fanny, educated in the public schools of White Clay Creek hundred, graduated from Newark Academy, for twelve years a successful teacher in the public schools of White Clay Creek and Pencader hundreds; V. Agnes,

died in youth; VI. Jennie, a graduate of Newark Academy, and a teacher in the public schools, married Daniel Maloney, blacksmith, Red Lion, Del .; VII. Eleanor Thena; VIII. Robert L .; IX. Harvey Spencer; X. May Morrison; XI. Elsie. Mr. Armstrong, his wife and family, are members of St. James' Episcopal church. Mrs. Armstrong's kind, thoughtful manner and fine conversational powers add greatly to the attractions of her genial, hospitable home.

GEORGE A. CASHO, P. O. Newark, Del., son of George and Ann (Ash) Casho, was born in Cecil county, Md., October 19, 1818.

The Casho family is of Huguenot origin. Jacob Casho, grandfather of George A. Casho, was born in France near the begin- ning of the eighteenth century, but at the age of seven, accompanied his parents to Ger- many, when they, with many of their coun- trymen, left their home on account of the re- vocation of the Ediet of Nantes, in the reign of Louis Fourteenth. Jacob Casho was edu- cated in Germany, and there also he learned silk-weaving. When he reached manhood, he came to America and settled in Wilming- ton, Del., in that section of the city known as Quaker Hill. There he learned baking, and established himself in business as a cracker baker. He had been thus engaged for a num- ber of years, when the revolt of the American colonies against the tyranny of George III caused the great struggle on this continent between English-speaking people. Jacob ('asho knew what restriction of liberty meant and he was quick to join the army of the colo- nists. As a native Frenchman, he was de- tailed to the staff of General Lafayette, when that lover of justice and freedom came to America to aid -with his sword and his for- tune, the heroie people who resisted British oppression. Mr. Casho acted as interpreter for the French ally during his service under

General Washington, and was a valued aid to him. After the Revolution, Jacob Casho re- moved from Wilmington to Cecil county, Md., and purchased a tract of land near Iron Ilill. There he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer. He also devoted some time to the weaving of saddle girths, on hand looms which he erected for that purpose in his home. He was widely known and greatly re-

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spected because of his strong personality and his services during the Revolution. In his political views he was a follower of Thomas Jefferson. Jacob Casho married Miss Crit- zen, and had children: I. Mary (Mrs. Thomas IToward), of Elkton, Md .; II. Elizabeth (Mrs. James Scott); III. Sarah (Mrs. Jacob Ash); IV. George; V. Anna (Mrs. Samuel Hollandj. Mr. Casho died in Cecil county, Md., in 1823; his remains and those of his wife were buried in the Head of Christiana Presbyterian churchyard. Mr. Casho and his family were members of the Presbyterian church.

George Casho, father of George A. Cashio, was born in Wilmington, Del., and received a good education. He was afterward appren- tieed to a blacksmith and wheelwright, and followed those trades throughout his life, erecting his shops at the Frenchtown X Roads, Cecil county, Md. He, like his father, was a believer in the political doctrines taught by Thomas Jefferson, and added to them those of Andrew Jackson. George Casho married Ann Ash, a member of an old Eastern Shore (Md.) family. Their children were: I. Jacob, of Newark, retired; II. George A .; III. Mary Ann, deceased; IV. Sarah (Mrs. Thomas Reece), deceased; V. Eliza (Mrs. William F. Mote), of Newark. Mr. Casho died at Iron Hill, Md., in 1842; Mrs. Casho died at the same place, and both were buried in the Head of Christiana graveyard. They were members of the Presbyterian church.

George A. Casho acquired his education in subscription schools in Cecil county, Md. When still a mere boy he obtained employ- ment on a farm at wages of $3 per month, and continued for several years to be thus employed. When the construction of the P., W. & B. R. R. was begun, he was engaged to drive a team, and was paid for this $10 per month. In 1836 he obtained a situation as track-layer, and then received $1.25 per dav. In 1837 Mr. Casho came to Delaware, and was engaged to cut timber and help about the sawmill of William Johnson, on the land where Mr. Casho now resides, in White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county. In 1812 he was made manager of the mill, and the next year Mr. Johnson received him into partnership. For ten years he conducted the operation of the mill and a farm in a profit- able manner. In 1853 the firm of William

Johnson & Co., machinists, began the manu- facture of farm implements, etc. In 1857 Mr. Casho retired from the firm and has de- voted the past forty-one years to the cultiva- tion of his farm of 100 aeres in White Clay Creek hundred. Mr. Casho is a good example of the self-made man who has had a success- ful career, because of his industry and thrift. Ile is intelligent and well-read, and in his community none stands higher in the general esteem. He is a member of the Grange, and has been a life-long Democrat. His first vote was cast in 1840 for Martin VanBuren for President.

In 1842, in White Clay Creek hundred, George A. Casho married Elizabeth, daughter of James Mote, a well-known citizen of Mill Creek hundred. Mr. and Mrs. Casho have children: I. James M., farmer, of Cecil coun- ty, Md .; II. Anna, a woman of culture and refinement, at home; III. George, at home; IV. Margaret (Mrs. John L. Hanna), of Bal- timore, was a school teacher. Mrs. Casho died in June, 1876, and was buried in the Head of Christiana churchyard. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, as are Mr. Casho and his surviving family.

WILLIAM J. WHITTEN, P. O. Chris- tiana, Del., son of Thomas and Annie C. (Campbell) Whitten, was born at Campbell's Shops, near Wilmington, Del., February 12, 1848.

Thomas Whitten, father of William J. Whitten, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and there followed the occupation of a farmer. After his marriage, he came to America in a sailing vessel. The winds blew him and his bride slowly across the ocean, and it was eight weeks before the port of Philadelphia was reached. Mr. and Mrs. Whitten went immediately to Wilmington, Del., and the former was engaged to culti- vate one of the DuPont farms in Brandywine hundred, New Castle county. He remained there a few years, then went to the Green farm, in the same hundred, for several years; then leased the Campby farm in Christiana hundred, near Newport; thence went to New Castle hundred, and was tenant on the Spen- cer D. Coc farm until 1860. Mr. Whitten then purchased the William Oliver farm of 265 acres in White Clay Creek hundred, and died there six months later. He was a Whig

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in his political views. Thomas Whitten mar- ried in Ireland Mary E. Lyttle, a native of County Fermanagh. They had children, all born in America: I. Thomas, of Wilming- ton; II. George, died in early manhood; III. John, died in middle age; IV. David; V. William J .; VI. Charles, died young; VII. „Joseph, ship carpenter, of Wilmington. Thomas Whitten died in 1860; his widow died on the farm in White Clay Creek hun- dred, January 30, 1865; both were buried in Mount Salem P. E. churchyard. Mrs. Whitten was an excellent woman, devout, and a good mother.

William J. Whitten attended the public schools of New Castle hundred, of Stanton, White Clay Creek hundred and Newark Academy, under Professor E. D. Porter. He assisted his father on the farm until the lat- ter's death, and afterward had charge of it until 1865. In that year he leased a farm of 90 acres in Mill Creek hundred and spent a few years there. Then he returned to the home farm, and has lived there since, manag- ing it in partnership with his brother David. They are extensively and successfully en- gaged in stock-raising, market-gardening and the cultivation of grain. William J. Whit- ten is a practical, modern farmer, who gives careful attention to his stock and other pro- ducts, and finds a continued study of his oe- eupation as necessary as it is to the success of any other industry. He is recognized as a man of intelligence and force, and has served as school commissioner for five years, and as road commissioner for one term. He is a member of Christiana Castle, No. 20, K. G. E., has passed through all the chairs, and is a member of the Grand Castle of the State of Delaware. He is a consistent Republican.

On December 25, 1874, in Philadelphia, William J. Whitten was married to Annie C. Campbell, born in Glasgow, Scotland. Their children are: I. William James, at home; II. David Thomas, at home; III. Oliver C .; IV. Harrison Morton. Three children, George, Oliver and -, died young. Mr. Whit- ten and family are members of the M. E. church.

Mrs. Whitten is a daughter of the late David Campbell, of Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Campbell was a wheelwright, and married Mary Ann Brown, of Londonderry, Ireland, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr.

Campbell died in Glasgow, and his widow re- turned to her native Londonderry, with her daughter. When Mrs. Whitten was twelve years old she came to America on the sailing vessel Village Bell. She was in charge of some friends, and was given into the care of her uncle, William Campbell, of Christiana, Del., with whom she made her home until her marriage. She is an admirable wife and mother, with her Scotch firmness and wit, and strong love for her family. She is an earnest Christian woman and has a place in the affections of all who know her.

JAMES TIBBITT, P. O. Ogleton, Del., son of Samuel (?) and Rebecca Tibbitt, was born near Smyrna, Kent county, Del., No- vember 8, 1852.

Ilis father died when James Tibbitt was three years old, and as soon as he had suffi- cient strength to load a wagon or guide a plow, he was employed by the farmers in his neighborhood. He had attended the Garman public school for a short time, and obtained there all the training he ever re- ceived from teachers. He worked on farms in Kent county, Del., and later in Cecil coun- ty, Md., until he was twenty-two years old, when he went to Wihnington and engaged in carpentry. This trade he followed success- fully for several years, and then became a contractor for excavating and hauling. Un- der energetic and careful direction, his busi- ness grew rapidly and became very profitable. He frequently owned as many as fifteen horses, and employed a large number of men in carrying out his contracts. In 1886, he purchased a tract of 100 acres near Ogleton, Del., to which he removed in 1896. For the past two years, he has given his personal at- tention to his farm, has added many improve- ments to the dwelling house, barns, etc., and has begun the raising of live stock on an ex- tensive scale. Mr. Tibbitt has well deserved his prosperity. He began life for himself without a dollar, and his industry and integ- rity have gained him a competence. In ad- dition to his farm in White Clay Creek hun- dred, on which he resides, he owns a number of properties in Wilmington. He is a Repub- lican but liberal in his political views.

In 1876, James Tibbitt married Amanda Ellen, daughter of Samuel and Ellen Tyson, of Wilmington. They had children: I.

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Viola M., at school; II. Charles Henry, at home; III. Anna Florence, died at the age of three years; IV. Rebecca Adella, died in infancy. Mrs. Amanda Tibbitt died in 1887, and was buried in River View cemetery, Wil- mington. She was a member of the M. E. church. James Tibbitt married, on August 21, 1889, as his second wife, Anna Belle, daughter of George W. and Susan Ann Moore (MeKensey), born in White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county. Mrs. Tibbitt is a woman of many accomplishments, of happy disposition and a social favorite. Mr. Tibbitt and family are members of the Presbyterian church.

George W. Moore, father of Mrs. Anna Tibbitt, was born in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, December 1, 1822. Ilis grandfather, who was of Scotch-Irish parent- age, was a soldier in the colonial army during the Revolutionary War, and his grandmother was so harassed by the British soldiers that she removed from her home in Delaware to a safer place across the state line in Pennsyl- vania. There James Moore, father of George W. Moore, was born. After peace was de- clared, Mrs. Moore returned to Delaware with her young son, and rejoined her husband. James Moore was a millwright until his mar- riage, when he turned his attention to farm- ing, in which he was engaged in New Castle county, Del., and Cecil county, Md., until within a few years before his death, when he removed to Newark, Del., and made his home with his son, George W. Mr. Moore enlisted in a volunteer company of infantry during the War of 1812, and was assigned to guard duty at New Castle, Del. He was a Republican, and afterward a Democrat, in his political views. James Moore married Martha Ken- nett, born in York county, Pa., a daughter of a soldier of the Revolution. They had children: I. Jane (Mrs. James R. Reynolds), died in Cecil county, Md .; II. Ann (Mrs. Washington Woodward), deceased; III. Eliza (Mrs. E. Lamborn), of Lancaster, Pa .; IV. John, deceased; V. Robert, deceased; VI. William M., deceased; VII. Sarah ( Mrs. William W. Bowers), of Wilmington, widow; VIII. George W .; IX. James T., of Cumber- land, Md. Mr. Moore died in Newark; his widow died in Cecil county, Md .; both were buried in Sharp's graveyard in Cecil county, Md

George W. Moore attended public schools in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del., and in Cecil county, Md. In the former county he learned shoemaking with his brother, William M., and carried on that trade in Mill Creek hundred, Chris- tiana and Newark, until 1876. In that year he removed to Wilmington, where he worked as a shoemaker until 1890, and then retired. In his seventy-seventh year he is still robust in constitution and genial in disposition. Ile has always supported the Democratic party but has never held nor sought office. In Wilmington, in 1852, George W. Moore married Susan Ann, daugh- ter of Tobias and Maria (Tyson) MeKensey, born in Cecil county, Md., and of Scotch- Irish descent. Their children are: I. James, of Wilmington, engaged in railroad service; II. Ella (Mrs. George W. Tyson), of Wil- mington; III. Anna Belle (Mrs. James Tib- bitt); IV. Lavinia Jane (Mrs. William Der- rickson), of New Haven, Conn .; V. Charles, barber, of Wilmington; VI. George L., died young. Mr. and Mrs. Moore, with their fam- ily, attend the Presbyterian church.

OLIVER ROTHWELL, P. O. Christiana, New Castle county, Del., was born in White Clay Creek hundred, January 28, 1862. Ilis grandfather, Jacob Rothwell, was a well- known and respected citizen of Christiana hundred, who passed his life on his farm, and died there. He was an active member of Red Clay Creek Presbyterian church in Christi- ana hundred, and was buried in its graveyard. Jacob Rothwell married Deborah Brown, by whom he had three hildren: I. Benjamin, who resides in Christiana hundred; II. Mary (Mrs. Jacob Lyman); III. Abram, who is the father of Oliver Rothwell. Mrs. Roth- well also died on the farm, and was buried in the cemetery of the Red Clay Creek Pres- byterian church, to which organization she was devotedly attached, and of which she was an active member.

Abram Rothwell was born in Christiana hundred in 1819. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and was a close student and earnest reader. After learning carpentry, he followed that ocupation for sev- enteen years in Wilmington. On March 17, 1853, he removed to White Clay Creek hun- dred, where he began farming on the Canby

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tract of 100 acres: Here he remained, active- ly engaged in rural pursuits until his death in 1885. His remains lie in the family bury- ing ground in the Presbyterian churchyard at Christiana. Mr. Rothwell was a Whig, and naturally drifted into the Republican party. Hle held the office of school commissioner, and . was highly respected by all who knew him. Abram Rothwell married Sarah J. Bucking- ham, born at Marshallton, Del., daughter of James Buckingham, a well known miller of that place. They had children: I. Mary, at home; II. Deborah, also at home; III. Jacob, of Wilmington; IV. James, a carpenter of Philadelphia; V. Richard, of New Castle hun- dred; VI. Sarah J .; VII. Oliver. Mrs. Roth- well died in 1890, and was buried in the Pres- byterian churchyard at Christiana. She and her husband were members of the M. E. church, of which Mr. Rothwell was a trustee.

Oliver Rothwell received his education in the public schools of Ogleton. He has de- voted his business life to farming. Since the death of his father, he has farmed the home- stead and made a success of raising grain and stock, and market produce in general. Mr. Rothwell is a Republican, but not an office seeker. He is a social, genial gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to meet. But few per- sons enjoy the esteem of their neighbors as does Oliver Rothwell.

HON. WILLIAM FOX SMALLEY, P. O. Choate, Del., son of Henry Langstaff and Ta- bitha B. (Mulford) Smalley, was born in Bridgeton, N. J., September 6, 1832.

The Smalley family is of French origin. The first of the name who came from France settled in Piscataway, N. J., many years ago and secured large tracts of land from the In- dians. There they devoted themselves to the cultivation of their broad acres and built the homestead which has ever since remained in the possession of their descendants.

Henry Smalley, grandfather of William Fox Smalley, was born on the homestead at Piscataway. He was educated in the schools of the vicinity, and at Princeton College. After his graduation from this institution, he studied theology, and was ordained a minis- ter in the Baptist church. For half a cen- tury he was a faithful pastor and a kindly helper to all in need. Immediately after his ordination in Cumberland county, N. J., he

was installed as pastor of the Baptist congre- gation at Roadstown, and there labored zeal- ously and effectively until he approached his last years. Ile must have been an ideal preacher of the last century type, traveling on horseback through his charge, giving in marriage, cheering the desponding soul, re- joicing with the successful frontiersmen in the mastery over the rough forces of nature, strengthening the faint heart, helping in the daily labor and pronouncing the benediction over the coffin, a practical, loved and loving spiritual guide, and a valued temporal adviser. Ile was a minister of execeding piety and much learning, an earnest and forcible. preacher. For this half century of continu- ous and self-sacrificing labor among his peo- ple he received little remuneration, besides the vegetables, grain and fruits which came to all rural pastors from their appreciative con- gregations. Mr. Smalley did not, however, stand in need of a liberal salary. He owned a tract of land which he cultivated, and which yielded him a sufficiency for his wants. But in the last years of his work as a pastor, his parishioners voted him an annual salary of $300 in recognition of his unselfish and sav- ing labors among them. Rev. Henry Smalley married Miss Fox, a native of New Jersey, of English descent. They had children: I. John, a prominent attorney-at-law of New York; II. Henry Langstaff, farmer; III. Wil- liam, farmer. Mr. Smalley died in Bowen- town, N. J., and was buried in the Baptist graveyard at Bridgeton; his wife was buried by his side.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 111

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