Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 113

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 113


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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was endeared not only by the skill and success with which he ministered to their needs, but by the courtesy and consideration, the firm and even temperament and the cheering man- ner which made his very presence a restora- tive power. He was a man of dignified and commanding exterior, but of sincere humil- ity, benevolent and winning in his intercourse with others in age as in youth. His Chris- tian character was manly, and became more and more manifest as his life approached its close. He was one of the founders of the Green Hill Presbyterian church, of Philadel- phia, and was its first elder, besides being re- peatedly a commissioner to the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian church. He was the fourth in a line of elders, his great grand- father, his grandfather and his father having filled the same honorable and important office.


Dr. Arnold Naudain was married early in life to Mary, only daughter of Herman and Mary (Naudain) Schee. Mrs. Schee was a granddaughter of Arnauld Naudain, eldest son of Helie Naudain, the Huguenot refugee. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Nau- dain are as follows: I. James Schee, M. D .; II. Andrew Snow, married Mary P. Corbit, of Odessa, Del .; III. Rebecca A. (Mrs. Hugh Alexander), of Chicago, Ill .; IV. Mary H., married Dr. William Newell Hamilton, of Delaware; V. Elizabeth R., married Dr. James E. Ellis, of West Chester, N. Y .; VI. Catherine Louisa (Mrs. A. Boyd Hamilton), of Harrisburg, Pa .; VII. Lydia F., married Clayton A. Cowgill, M. D., of Dover, Del. Dr. Arnold Naudain died at Odessa, Del., January 4, 1872, aged eighty-two years. Ilis remains were followed to their resting- place in the cemetery of Drawyer's church by a great number of relatives and friends; all his living children were present, together with grandchildren and several great grand- children. His useful life and many noble and endearing qualities were commemorated in addresses by Rev. Drs. Crowell and Pat- ton, of the Presbyterian, and Rev. Bishop Scott, of the Methodist church.


James Schee Naudain, M. D., eldest son of Hon. Arnold Naudain, M. D., and his wife Mary (Schee) Naudain, was born in Dover, Del., September 24, 1811. He received his education at West Point, and af- terwards studied medicine in Baltimore and


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STATE OF DELAWARE


Philadelphia. He practiced with eminent success at Middletown, Del., where his father had been engaged for thirteen years in pro- fessional work. He was a member of the State Medical Society of Delaware from the year 1832 until the end of his life. Dr. James Schee Naudain was married in 1832, to Anne Elizabeth, daughter of James and Joanna (Foard) Blakiston, of Maryland. Mrs. Naudain died in 1883, after which Dr. Naudain resided in Wilmington until his own death, a year later. IIe died May 23, 1884, and his remains were interred in the burial ground of Drawyer's church.


GEORGE OWEN DEWEES, Brenford, Del., son of Daniel U. and Emna ( Rayson) Dewees, was born in Harmony, Kent county, Md., March 28, 1860.


His great-grandfather was Walter Dewees, a native of Chester county, Pa. For many years he lived in Marsh, Chester county, and died there at the age of eighty-four. Ilis wife was Ann Bull. One of their children, George Worthington Dewees, who was born in Chester county, Pa., obtained a posi- tion as clerk in the Snyder iron foundry, and filled it until the dissolution of the firm which operated the works. He then engaged in farming in Chester county, and continued there for a number of years. While a clerk in the iron foundry, George W. De- wees married the daughter of one of his ein- ployers. Their children were: I. Anna (Mrs. Jesse R. Eastburn), died in Bridgeport, Montgomery county, Pa .; II. Thomas B., married Miss Young, enlisted in the U. S. regular army and saw service in fighting Indians on the western frontier prior to the Civil War, re-enlisted in the Second U. S. Cavalry during the Civil War, was severely wounded by bullets in both arms and by a sabre cut on the face in the cavalry battle of Bever- ly Ford, Va., July 9, 1863, was captured and confined in Libby prison for twenty months, then taken to Charleston, S. C., and finally to Columbus, Ga., at the close of the war had the rank of major, returned to the west and was assigned to the Ninth U. S. Cavalry; he died in Philadelphia, leaving a widow and children; III. Sarah C. (Mrs. William 1. Kennedy), of Kennedyville, Md .; IV. Daniel TT. After the death of the first Mrs. Dewees, George W. Dewees married Louisa B. Hol-


stein. He died in Bridgeport, Pa., about 1858; his widow resides in Norristown, Pa.


Daniel U. Dewees, father of George Owen Dewees, was born at Oley's Furnace, Berks county, Pa., January 4, 1832. When he was eight years old his parents removed to Ches- ter county, Pa., and there he grew to man- hood. He received a public school education, and completed his studies under the well- known temperance lecturer, Samuel A. Aaron. He then learned carpentry with Owen Raysor, of Bridgeport, and spent two years at his trade in New York City. In 1856, he removed to Kent county, Md., and for twenty years was a popular landlord in Kennedy- ville. Besides conducting his hotel, he was a carpenter and contractor. In 1877 he retired from the hotel business, and now resides with his son, George Owen Dewees, in Brenford, and is engaged in the shipping of fruit. Mr. Dewees is connected with the Masonic frater- nity, and is a stanch Democrat. During the Civil War he was a member of the Home Guards. In March, 1857, in Bridgeport, Pa., Daniel U. Dewees was married by Rev. Mr. Johnston to Emma, daughter of Owen and Mary Raysor, of Bridgeport, Pa. They had children: I. George Owen; II. Jacob H., of Philadelphia, born in 1868, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania; III. William II., of Philadelphia. Mrs. Dewees died in Kenne- dyville, Md., in 1875.


George Owen Dewees attended the public schools of Kent county, Md., until he was seventeen years old. Then he was a pupil in the Norristown High School for a year. The time at his own disposal he devoted to learning telegraphy, and through the influ- ence of his uncle, Alexander Hoover, of Norristown, he secured a position as night operator at Norristown, which he held for one year, and was then promoted to day work. Eighteen months later he resigned his posi- tion, advancement for an operator in a place like Norristown appearing to be slow, and ob- tained a position with the Empire Iron Co., of New York City, as pipe inspector. In the discharge of his duties he visited Chicago, Ill., Cleveland, Ohio, Syracuse, N. Y., Cam- den, N. J., and New Castle, Del. The iron manufacturers had just formed their gigantic trust, and Mr. Dewees was for a time kept busy. When the trust was broken by the action of a firm which withdrew from the


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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA


combination and commenced an extensive "eut" in prices, Mr. Dewees was thrown out of employment. For a short time he was idle; then, after a short engagement with W. W. Whiting, a contractor of Syracuse, N. Y., he returned to his home and assisted his father in his business. Later, he went to New York City, and obtained a position in a commission house. Mr. Dewees was subsequently tele- graph operator at Clayton, Del., and was af- terwards sent to different points along the line of the Delaware railroad. In 1888 he was transferred to Brenford, and soon made station agent as well as telegraph operator. Besides his railroad work, Mr. Dewees is a large fruit buyer and shipper. He is a mem- ber of Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F., of Norristown, Pa .; of Clayton Lodge, No. 5, Shield of Honor, of Clayton, Del .; and of the Volunteer Relief Department. In his political opinions he is a Democrat.


On January 16, 1889, George Owen De- wees was married to Jane Bareus, of Leipsic, Del. They have children: I. Ralph Irving; II. Paul Udree. Mr. Dewees attends the M. E. church.


DANIEL FORD, P. O. Smyrna, Del., son of Reuben and Unity (Waters) Ford, was born in what is now Kenton hundred, Kent county, Del., March 9, 1820.


His grandfather was Thomas Ford, who, it is supposed, died in Kent county, Del. Reuben Ford, his father, was born in the neighborhood of Kenton, Kent county, and was a farmer. He married Unity Walters, and had children as follows: I. Mary (Mrs. John Levick), settled in Illinois; II. William, died in Kent county when a young man; III. Thomas, also died young, in Kent county; IV. Unity (Mrs. Lewis Root), died in Brooklyn, N. Y .; V. Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are deceased; the former died in 1825.


Daniel Ford did not enjoy abundant oppor- tunities for acquiring an education. When he was five years old, his father died, and he became an inmate of the home of his unele, Daniel Ford, Sr. The greater portion of his time was occupied with duties on the farm. In these early days, labor saving machinery being unknown, the boys on the farm were kept longer in the field and on the threshing- floor than their children are. Their labor was also more severe. The use of the seythe and


the cradle appealed to the esthetic observer, but produced a less pleasing effect on the worker. Daniel Ford remained with his uncle until he was eighteen years old, and then ob- tained employment among the farmers of his vicinity, working for seven or eight dollars per month, rates then considered to be good wages. For thirteen years he was thus en- gaged, and during that time saved some money. In 1851, he leased and stocked the farm of William G. Hazel, near Leipsic, Kent county. Since 1863 he has resided on his . present farm of 150 acres, in Duck Creek hundred. Five years ago Mr. Ford retired from active work. IFe is fond of reading, and. is one of the best informed men in his hun- dred on current events. He is esteemed and popular. Mr. Ford enjoys excellent health, partly for the reason that he has never in- dulged in excesses. He has used tobacco mod- erately, but five years ago abandoned the habit of chewing, although he still smokes on rare occasions. Ile has been a life long Demo- crat.


Daniel Ford was married in 1854 to Caro- line Farrar, of Duck Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Reuben, farmer, resides near Brenford, Del., married Belle Frazier; II. Lewis M .; III. Daniel W .; IV. Nathan F., of Omar, Sussex county; V. Unity; VI. Mary.


JOHN PERKINS JONES, P. O. Leipsic, Kent county, Del., son of John J. and Dorcas (Slaughter) Jones, was born on Severson's Neck, Duck Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., September 22, 1851.


Ilis grandfather, John Jones, was a farmer and resided at different times in Kent and New Castle counties. He married Elizabeth Maloney, of Milford Neck, Kent county. One of their children was John J. Jones. Jolin Jones died on what was then the Shan- non farm (now the Samuel Cutts farm) in the southern part of Kent county, about 1854. John J. Jones was born in the southern part of Kent county, in 1819. The story of his youth is but little different from that of other boys born on a farm. He helped to cultivate the land and attended school in winter. While vet young, he worked for the neighboring farmers for six dollars per month, and saved money from his wages. After his marriage he settled in Duck Creek hundred. He was a prosperous farmer and an influential citizen,


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STATE OF DELAWARE


industrious, upright and of calm, conserva- tive demeanor. He was a Democrat, and an earnest party worker. He frequently served on juries and grand juries. John J. Jones married Dorcas, daughter of George Slaugh- ter, and sister of Timothy Slaughter. They had children: I. George T., farmer, of Duck Creek hundred, married Mary Fennimore; II. William Henry, merchant, of Chester, Pa., married Sarah Vineyard; III. Theresa (Mrs. John R. Logan), widow, of Chester county, Pa .; IV. John Perkins; V. Sarah, died young; VI. Lydia. (Mrs. Henry An- drews), . of Seaford, Del .; VII. Elizabeth (Mrs. George Hurd), of New Castle county; VIII. Alonzo, employed in a cannery at Leipsie, married Lilian Archer. John J. Jones died on the Cloak farm, near Smyrna, in 1890. He was a member of the M. E. church. Mrs. Jones still resides in Smyrna, aged about seventy-eight years.


John Perkins Jones was born on the Shan- non farm, of which his father was lessee. He afterward removed with his parents to the Alexander Cummins farm on Whitehall Neck. Having good opportunities for secur- ing an education, he wisely took advantage of them. He attended the public schools until he was twenty-one years old, studying prin- cipally under James P. Lamb, a proficient teacher and a valuable personal friend. Af- terward he taught school for a short time. During the summers of these years, he as- sisted on his father's farm, and was an ener- getie, capable workman, not permitting any of the older employees to outstrip him on the harvest field, or to toss higher the sheaves of grain upon the wagon. At the age of twen- ty-five he commenced farming on his own ac- count. Hle leased the Logan farin, a small tract of land, in 1876, and began in a moder- ate way, purchasing one cow and a pair of horses, and securing the cow on credit. His father aided him slightly at first. By dili- gence and intelligent cultivation of the soil he soon became prosperous. In the spring of 1878, Mr. Jones removed to the Peter S. Col- Jins farm, where he remained for ten years. In 1888 he leased the William Denny farm of 100 acres in Duck Creek hundred, and lived there four years. In September, 1891, he purchased the farm of 136 acres which he now occupies, and to which he removed in March, 1892. Mr. Jones devotes himself


principally to raising grain, and by many im- provements has made his land very produc- tive. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Jones was formerly very active in the interests of the Democratic party, but at present he in- elines toward the champions of Prohibition. lle has served in a number of local offices.


On September 30, 1875, Jolmn Perkins Jones was married to Mary E., daughter of Carey and Sarah (Carey) Frazier, born near Milford, April 15, 1853. They have one child, Leon, born April 1, 1879. Mr. Jones is a member of the Severson M. E. church, and has served in all the lay offices of the con- gregation. He has also been secretary of the Board of Stewards, and superintendent of the Sunday school.


JOHN WESLEY SMITHI, P. O. Leipsic, Del., son of William and Hester (Cordray) Smith, was born near Green Spring Station, New Castle county, Del., February 22, 1838.


ITis father, William Smith, was born near Milford, Del., in 1816, and was engaged in farming throughout his life. In 1851 he re- moved to New Castle county, and resided there several years. He was an estimable citizen and a stanch Democrat. William Smith married Hester Cordray; their chil- dren were: I. Mary E. (Mrs. Lemuel Har- . ris), deceased; II. Isabelle (Mrs. Thomas B. Boyer), of New Castle county; III. John Wesley; IV. William Jacob, of Cheswold, Del., was a soldier in the Civil War, married Sarah Wheatman; V. Alice, married John Woodall and afterward George Fox, resides in Dover; VI. Robert W., farmer, resides near Leipsic; VII. George W., farmer, near Leipsic; VIII. Hester (Mrs. John Gott), of Dover; IX. Martha E. (Mrs. William Dickson), deceased; X. Albert Bur- ton, last heard from in Florida. Mrs. Hester Smith died on the farm near Leipsic in 1867. Mr. Smith married as his second wife Mary Ifivesly. Mr. Smith died at Leipsic in 1889, aged seventy-three years; his widow resides in Leipsic. Mr. Smith was a member of the M. P. church, and a leader in its coun- cils; he was an earnest Christian gentleman.


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three months of each winter until he reached the age of twenty-two. Ile taught school one quarter. Mr. Smith was reared a farmer, and assisted in the cultivation of his father's land until he was twenty-eight years old, when he leased a farm near Bishop's Corner, Little Creek hundred, Kent county, on which he remained a year. After occupying various - other farms, he settled in 1890 on his present tract of 190 acres. Mr. Smith is a liberal, es- teemed and useful member of his community. He is a Democrat.


On February 19, 1866, John Wesley Smith was married to Eliza Ann, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Voshell) Keith, of Little Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Mary II. (Mrs. Henry Richards), of Leipsic; II. Emma T. (Mrs. Arthur Carrow), of Duck Creek hundred; III. Susan E .; IV. Andrew K .; V. Margaret F. Mr. Smith is a mem- ber of the M. P. church of Leipsic.


OTHO MARVEL, P. O. Leipsic, Del., son of Peter P. and Ellen (Otwell) Marvel, was born near Laurel, Sussex county, Del., May 5, 1859.


Ilis grandfather was Thomas Marvel, a well known farmer of Sussex county. He died about 1859. One of his children was Peter P., father of Otho Marvel. He was . born near Laurel, Del., in 1825, and was reared on the farm. In 1864 he met with a serious loss. Fire destroyed his residence and all its contents, and the members of the family barely escaped with their lives. The disaster bore very heavily upon him, as his family was large and all his possessions were consumed by the flames. Ile determined to leave Sussex county, and removed to Seven Hickories, Kent county, Del., where he re- sided until his death. He was a hard working man, and esteemed by his neighbors. In poli- ties he was a Democrat. Peter P. Marvel married Ellen Otwell; their children were: I. Martin, married Mary Abbydell, removed in 1879 with his family to the vicinity of Don- aldson, Marshall county, Ind., and is now a prosperons farmer, has five children, i. Wil- liam, ii. Theodore, iii. Emma, iv. Ida, v. Ella; II. Lavina (Mrs. Samuel Pinder), of Clayton, Del., has children, i. Sarah, ii. Emma, iii. Melissa; III. Emma (Mrs. Archibald King), deceased, had children, i. Ella, ii. Thomas, iii. Enos; IN. Edward, mill hand in Chester


county, Pa., married Mary Salmons, has chil- dren, i. Thomas, ii. Charles, iii. Clarence, iv. Mary, v. George, vi. Frank, vii. Laura; V. William, lumber merchant, of Smyrna, mar- ried Margaret Meredith, has children, i. Mary, ii. William, iii. Lilian, iv. Ellen; VI. Aaron, fisherman, of Delaware; VII. Otho; VIII. Alfred, mill hand, in Chester, Pa., mar- ried Anna- -, has children, i. Lce F., ii. Viola, iii. Ethel. Mr. Marvel died in 1879, aged fifty-four years; his widow resides in Clayton, Del.


The family removed from near Laurel to Seven Hickories, Kent county, when Otho Marvel was five years old, and in the suc- ceeding year he began attending the district schools. He had not, however, an oppor- tunity to acquire more than the mere rudi- ments of an education. He was little more than a youth when his father died, and the members of the family were separated. Otho secured employment on a farm, and for eight years his wages were from ten to fourteen dol- lars per month. After his marriage he leased various farms; that of Dr. James Temple, at Kenton, for four years; that of Thomas Bur- ley, near Kenton, for six years; and in 1889 that of Miss Julia Collins, of Smyrna. He now resides on the last-named place and gives his attention principally to raising grain. Mr. Marvel is popular and esteemed, and has served as road overseer. IIe is a member of Dover Castle, No. 24, True K. of G. E., of Dover. He is a Democrat.


Otho Marvel was married January 21, 1880, to Fanny II., daughter of John B. and Eliza (Webb) Clendaniel, of Duck Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Annetta T., born August 21, 1881, at home; II. Linda B., died in her fourth year; III. Lee Barnard, born July 27, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Marvel are members of the Leipsic M. E. church.


The grandfather of Mrs. Otho Marvel, James Clendaniel, was an extensive farmer and a well known distiller of Sussex county. Her father, John B. Clendaniel, was born near Milford, Sussex county, October 11, 1825. Ile received a common school educa- tion, and then engaged in farming. Energy and intelligent study of agriculture helped him to prosperity at an early period in his life. John B. Clendaniel married Eliza, daughter of James and Mary Webb, of near Milford, and had children: I. George W., de-


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STATE OF DELAWARE


ceased, at the age of thirty, married Deborah Minner, had children, i. Elizabeth, ii. John, iii. Sophia; II. James, died, in youth; III. Mary Eliza (Mrs. George Carpenter), of Mil- ford Neck, Del., has children, i. Walter, ii. John, iii. Fanny, iv. Edward, v. Harry, vi. Alexander, vii. Anna, viii. Emma, ix. Joseph, x. Benjamin, xi. William, xii. Robert; IV. John B., miner of Lake City, Col., died June 9, 1898; V. Fanny II. Mr. Clendaniel died in East Dover hundred, on the old Hoffecker farm near Dover, in 1861, aged but thirty- six years. He was a member of the M. E. church, and was buried in the old M. E. churchyard at Dover. Ilis widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Otho Marvel.


THOMAS B. DONOVAN, P. O. Leip- sic, Del., son of Reuben and Sarah J. (West) Donovan, was born near Georgetown, Sussex county, Del., June 4, 1835.


His ancestors came from England about the beginning of the eighteenth century. His great-grandfather settled in Delaware, and members of the family have resided here ever since he established his home in the colony. The grandfather of Thomas B. Donovan was Foster Donovan. He was born in Sussex county, and for many years was a prosperous and influential farmer of the district. Ile lived near Redden, Georgetown hundred. Foster Donovan married a Welsh lady. They reared a large family, some of whom were: I. Eli, died in Sussex county; II. Reuben; III. Luke, settled in Ohio at an early day; IV. Barton, died in Sussex coun- ty; V. George, died in Sussex county.


Reuben Donovan was born near George- town, Del., in the latter part of the last con- tury. Ile received a fair education and then engaged in farm pursuits. He enlisted in the United States army in the War of 1812, and was assigned to duty at Lewes. Ile was a capable business man, and accumulated a com- peteney from his farms. In politics he was a Democrat. Reuben Donovan married Sarah J., daughter of Noble West, of Sussex coun- ty. Their children are: I. William H., of Milford, married Minnie Donovan, and, after her death, her sister, Matilda Donovan; IT. Asbury, born in 1831, married Rhoda At- kins (deceased), was conductor on the P. R. R., died in Philadelphia, about 1884; III. Thomas B .; IV. Enoch Wesley, of Redden,


married Nancy Jane Sharp; VI. Reuben, 2, of Redden, married Rhoda Donovan. Mr. Donovan died on his farm about 1867; his wife died at an early date. He attended the M. E. church.


Thomas B. Donovan remained on the home farm until after his marriage. Ile entered the district schools at the usual age, and was instructed by teachers of varied degrees of ability for two months of each year. After his marriage, Mr. Donovan farmed for him- self on a small scale in Georgetown hundred, and then leased farms as follows: the William Walker tract, near Dover, for three years; the Isaac Regester tract near Kenton, Kent county; the William Walds farm on "Tad- pole" Neck; the Isaac Truax farm near Smyrna, Kent county, and in March, 1884, his present tract, the Cummings farm, of 175 acres. IIe is an active Democrat.


On August 5, 1865, Thomas B. Donovan was married to Mary E., daughter of Somer- set and Mary (Rouse) Reed. They have four living sons, I. Wilbert; II. John; III. David E., all residing in Wilmington; IV. James P., residing at home.


ANDERSON FORD, P. O. Smyrna, Del., son of Presley and Ellen (Melvin) Ford, was born near Kenton, Kent county, Del., March 13,1836.


The Ford family has resided in Delaware for many years. Solomon Ford, grandfather of Anderson Ford, is the first of whom records exist. He was born in Delaware, and spent nearly all his life on his farm near Kenton and there died. Solomon Ford married Miss Scotten, of Kent county. Their children were: I. Presley; II. Owen, married Ara- meda Moffitt, died near Leipsic; III. Thomas, who married Louisa ( Anderson) Jones, died near Cheswold; IV. Vincent, married Rachel Moffitt, removed to the west; V. Solomon, married Rebecca Moffitt, died on his farm near Leipsic.


It appears certain after the most careful re- searches, that Presley Ford, father of Ander- son Ford, was born in what was denominated "the forest," near Kenton, Kent county. He had no opportunities for obtaining a good edu- cation, but he had natural ability of a high order, was untiring and aggressive in business, and became a wealthy man for his times. The farm on which he resided in his latter years is now owned by his sons, William H. Ford and




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